The Reality Rundown

Welcome to the forefront of technological innovation with Tech Bulletin! Your trusted source for the latest breakthroughs in the digital landscape! This edition brings you exclusive insights, market trends, and global updates on the AR, VR, XR or MR technologies that will propel you ahead. 

Embark on a journey through groundbreaking developments, from the discontinuation of Microsoft's Windows Mixed Reality platform to the revolutionary use of VR goggles for mice in neuroscience research. Explore the future of road safety with an augmented reality head-up display, and dive into the realm of non-toxic quantum dots transforming image sensor technology. Join us in unravelling the transformative potential of augmented, virtual and extended reality in reshaping industries and opening new frontiers. Thank you for being a part of our tech community – where innovation knows no bounds. 

Stay informed, stay inspired. Visit us today for more in-depth insights, news, and discoveries.

Our Voices

Explore VE3’s Latest Insights on the Immersive Technology Space

1. Gesture Control in VR Environments: Superhuman Abilities Enabled By ML: Step into a world where machine learning and virtual reality converge, unlocking 'superhuman' abilities. Explore how gestures control VR environments, thanks to advanced ML. Dive into the evolution, technical intricacies, and challenges of this transformative fusion. We lead the way in crafting innovative digital solutions for a future where technology blurs the lines between the possible and the extraordinary. Contact us to discover more.  
2. Virtual Reality’s Role in Decluttering for Hoarding Disorder: Discover the groundbreaking impact of Virtual Reality (VR) in treating Hoarding Disorder. Uncover how VR therapy overcomes traditional challenges, provides immersive decluttering experiences, and fosters positive outcomes. Explore real-world examples, including Stanford Medicine's pilot study, and envision the future of mental health care through the integration of technology. Join us in embracing innovative solutions for individuals with hoarding disorder, bridging the gap between mental health professionals and technology developers. 
3. Wireless Tracking System: XR Experiences with Centimeter-Level Precision: Explore the future of XR with UC San Diego's Wireless Tracking System. Unveiling a leap in precision and reliability, this technology uses sub-6 GHz signals for centimetre-level accuracy. From gaming to healthcare, discover its impact across industries. Ongoing refinements promise an immersive and seamless digital future. Learn more about our innovative digital solutions or contact us directly. 
4. Why Every VR Developer Needs A Hand Tracking Plan?: Dive into the dynamic world of Virtual Reality with our latest blog! Uncover the significance of hand tracking in VR development, why it's essential for developers to plan, and how it's shaping the industry's future. Explore the advantages, challenges, and the evolving technology. Stay at the forefront of VR innovation – read more to ensure your creations leverage the full potential of hand tracking!

In the Spotlight

Apple Vision Pro Is Changing the Landscape:

1. Vision Pro is already changing everything we know about Apple: Apple's highly-anticipated Vision Pro, set for preorders on January 19 and in-store availability on February 2, takes a subtle approach to its launch. With limited initial production and a $3,500 price tag, Apple focuses on the niche spatial computing device, anticipating a gradual build-up. The company strategically leverages its retail stores for a personalized experience, recognizing the need for training both staff and customers. Apple appears to be managing expectations, emphasizing the long-term potential of the Vision Pro platform, balancing hardware and software evolution for sustained success.
2. Apple Won't Let Vision Pro Developers Describe Their Apps As VR, AR, MR, Or XR: Apple is introducing stringent guidelines for developers submitting Vision Pro apps to the App Store. In a departure from industry terms like AR, VR, MR, or XR, Apple mandates the use of "spatial computing" to describe apps, steering clear of acronyms. Despite Tim Cook's earlier mention of visionOS as a new AR platform, Vision Pro is labeled a "spatial computer," not an AR headset. Developers are instructed not to refer to it as a "headset," and familiar terms like VR are replaced with "fully immersive." The enforcement strength and impact on app titles remain uncertain as Vision Pro preorders open on January 19, with the US launch on February 2. 
3. Revolutionizing Healthcare: How Apple Vision Pro is Transforming Medical Diagnostics: Apple's Vision Pro is ushering in a technological revolution in healthcare, combining augmented and virtual reality for immersive user experiences. From surgical training to mental health, the headset's advanced features like hand tracking, high-resolution display, and OpticID security present limitless possibilities. Our guide explores the impact of Vision Pro on healthcare, building apps, and designing user-centric experiences. Witness the transformative potential of this spatial computing innovation, reshaping healthcare delivery for a more engaging and accessible future. 
4. Apple's Vision for Education: Augmented Reality in the Classroom with Vision Pro: Apple Vision Pro, a game-changer in education, blends augmented reality seamlessly into learning. With enhanced visualization, collaborative tools, and personalized content, it revolutionizes classrooms. The device prioritizes inclusivity, making education accessible to all, and empowers both students and teachers. As AR transforms theoretical concepts into real-world applications, Apple Vision Pro heralds a brighter, more engaging future for education. 
5. The Future of Gaming: Apple Vision Pro and the Evolution of VR Gaming Experiences: Apple disrupts the VR landscape with the Vision Pro, a spatial computer transcending traditional headsets. Seamlessly blending digital and physical realities, the elegant design houses 23 million pixels, powered by Apple's R1 chip. Unique features like EyeSight and real-time tracking redefine user interaction. Operating on visionOS, it integrates with Unity for high-fidelity 3D applications. Apple's Vision Pro marks a leap toward a digitally augmented future, promising groundbreaking experiences across various domains.

In Other News: 

1. The first wave of WMR headsets launched in 2017 | Image courtesy Microsoft: Microsoft has announced the discontinuation of its Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) platform, rendering Windows VR headsets potentially inoperable. Launched in 2017, WMR faced challenges, including a lack of developer support and subpar controllers. With the latest Windows 'Deprecated Features' page quietly revealing the end of WMR, Microsoft plans to remove the Mixed Reality Portal app and Windows Mixed Reality for SteamVR. The fate of existing VR headsets remains uncertain, with questions about continued functionality and support. Microsoft's decision marks the end of a six-year venture into the VR space. 
2. Immersive VR goggles for mice unlock new potential for brain science: Northwestern University researchers have developed VR goggles for mice, offering a leap in immersive experiences compared to current systems. The Miniature Rodent Stereo Illumination VR (iMRSIV) provides a 180-degree field-of-view, enhancing neural circuitry studies. Unlike traditional setups, these compact goggles fully immerse mice, eliminating distractions. The system enables simulations of overhead threats, uncovering new insights into mouse behavior and brain activity. Researchers anticipate broader accessibility to neurobiology studies with the cost-effective and user-friendly iMRSIV. The study, published in Neuron, showcases a significant advancement in VR technology for animal research. 
3. 360-degree head-up display view could warn drivers of road obstacles in real time: Researchers from Cambridge, Oxford, and UCL have unveiled an augmented reality head-up display (HUD) that could enhance road safety by projecting high-resolution 3D holograms of potential hazards directly into a driver's field of vision. Unlike traditional HUDs, this system uses 3D laser scanners and LiDAR data to create a full 3D representation of streets, enabling the display of holographic road obstacles hidden from view. The technology keeps drivers focused on the road, projecting real-time hazards in 3D, improving safety. The team, in collaboration with Google, aims to conduct road tests in 2024. Results published in Advanced Optical Materials.
4. Non-toxic quantum dots pave the way towards CMOS shortwave infrared image sensors for consumer electronics: Researchers from ICFO and Qurv have developed a breakthrough in shortwave infrared (SWIR) image sensor technology using non-toxic colloidal quantum dots. Published in Nature Photonics, their method synthesizes high-quality quantum dots compatible with CMOS technology, overcoming the regulatory challenges of heavy-metal-containing counterparts. The resulting SWIR photodetector boasts a wide spectral range, high dynamic range, and exceptional performance. The team, in collaboration with Qurv, successfully integrated the photodiode into a CMOS-based image sensor, demonstrating a non-toxic, room temperature-operating SWIR quantum dot image sensor with vast applications in automotive, consumer electronics, and beyond. 
5. Wi-Fi 7 Launches With New Features That Promise Reduced Wireless VR Latency: The Wi-Fi Alliance has officially introduced Wi-Fi 7 Certified products to the market, featuring advancements such as enhanced speed and transmission. Notably, Wi-Fi 7(802.11.be) brings improvements for wireless VR applications, boasting 'near-zero' latency through features like Multi-Link Operation (MLO) and Simultaneous Transmission and Reception (STR). MLO enables devices to connect to multiple bands simultaneously, while STR allows simultaneous data transmission across different bands. This technology could optimize wireless VR experiences, offering deterministic latency for better position prediction. Despite these gains, it's essential to note that Wi-Fi latency is just one component in the overall VR experience, with rendering, encoding, decoding, and device-specific latency still contributing to the overall pipeline. 

Stay tuned to discover more of such industry updates and revolutions. Immerse yourself in the ever-evolving world of Immersive Tech and read expert insights on the latest innovations at our Digital Insider and explore thought-provoking articles from industry experts. Don't miss out – subscribe to our Tech Bulletin today for a continuous stream of tech news.