Later this year, Snap is expected to launch the latest consumer version of its AR glasses, Specs. In anticipation of that big event, the company has launched a new subsidiary, Specs Inc., focused solely on further developing the glasses. Snap announced the new company on Tuesday, explaining that the move would allow for "greater operational focus and alignment" as it continues to iterate on its product.
Establishing Specs Inc. as a wholly-owned subsidiary provides greater operational focus and alignment, enables new partnerships and capital flexibility including the potential for minority investment, allows us to grow a distinct brand, and supports clearer valuation of the business,
Every decade or so, a new technology emerges that can completely transform the world. Companies well positioned to capitalize on these introductions and the scaling-up of a new technology can see tremendous growth, even if they're not the first to market. We saw that play out with the internet boom and the proliferation of smartphones over the last 30 years. This decade's transformative technology is, without a doubt, generative artificial intelligence (AI).
By utilising Brave Bison's data tools and direct relationship networks, we recruited influencers with the perfect profile to reach our intended audience and worked with them throughout the entire creative process, directing and producing video content featuring them within the pop up environments. We then shot a series of 22 videos raising awareness of and showcasing the immersive, artistic and technology-driven nature of the SK-II Wonderland activation.
In the one and only image that was shared with The Verge, the ROG Xreal R1 gaming glasses look like cyberpunk aviators. There's an LED strip on the stem to indicate... something. Perhaps battery life, or something previously unquantifiable, like leetness. Either way, the stems seem quite a bit thicker than those on the 1S, and whatever tech the companies are cramming inside may be necessary to allow for their marquee feature: a 240Hz refresh rate. These are apparently the first to double the normal 120Hz refresh rate that's common in AR glasses today.
Our smartphones are magical things far more than dopamine drip providers and a way to keep in touch with friends and family. Using the built-in features and easily available additional apps, there are plenty of clever things you can do with your smartphone. Turn your phone into a tape measure The iPhone's Measure app uses augmented reality and the device's camera to calculate everything from ceiling heights to room dimensions handy for those DIY tasks that require a quick decision.
Eight years ago, I made a jump to industry: I was chief scientist and head of R&D for Uber's self-driving program, which gave me a lot of visibility in terms of what building a world-class program and bringing the technology to market would look like. One of the things that became clear was that there was a tremendous opportunity for a disrupter in the industry, because everybody was going with an approach that was extremely complex and brittle,
All sports teams look for a real competitive edge in development speed and accuracy, but Formula 1 racing is the sport where this is most important. Looking to achieve crucial marginal gains on the track through technology, the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team is now using augmented reality (AR) technology from TeamViewer to enhance test and development efficiency, and speed up the build and preparation of test rigs.
The Sugar Castle stands as a mesmerizing 12-feet-tall rotating work of art, evolving with more grandeur and innovation each passing year. Resembling a French Chateau inspired by Chef Houdré's hometown of Bordeaux, the castle weighs over 1200 pounds and is adorned with over 20 grand circular towers, approximately 30 rooms, illuminated windows, and is surrounded by a charming village and a running train. Explore the castle's magical interior on a smartphone and watch every whimsical detail come to life with immersive augmented reality.
Most of our gifts to friends now are quick messages, emojis, or mobile vouchers that arrive instantly and disappear just as fast. They're convenient but rarely feel as meaningful as a handwritten note or a physical card you can pin to a wall. Favor AR Message is a concept that tries to bring some of that effort and ceremony back into how Gen Z says thank you, sorry, or congratulations, without abandoning phones entirely.
Moxy (a Marriott brand) is a trendy new hotel chain for travelers who are young at heart. As a relatively new brand in APAC, having only entered the market in 2017, Moxy needed to make a splash with its 2021 China launch, prioritizing increasing brand awareness while establishing a compelling positioning with fast-growing Gen Z consumers, with the ambition to triple its property footprint within the next five years.
Houses could function perfectly well as simple, efficient structures that keep us warm, dry, and comfortable, but we demand gables, columns, brick facades, and decorative trim because we want them to look appealing. The materials and energy required to build and maintain those aesthetic choices far outweigh what's actually needed for shelter. If we were all blind, the argument goes, our houses would be optimized spheres or domes with minimal material use and maximum efficiency.
The campaign is meant to bring the world of Zootopia to life both on and off the Snapchat app. Included in the effort are out-of-home activations across Los Angeles along with a Sponsored Snap that will feature characters from the movie. Snapchat users can also unlock seven different augmented reality (AR) lenses inspired by the film's characters through a branded AR Bar.
Pampers is the number one pediatrician-recommended brand in the US, committed to helping babies, supporting parents and protecting the world little ones will grow up in. When reports in the US indicated that 4 million children under the age of three have never been read to in their lifetime, Pampers set out to change that. It tapped Snapchat to help with its new purpose: to offer families books through the power of augmented reality.
As the global landscape shifts and technology advances, the eyewear industry is embracing a new era defined by premium quality, multifunctionality, and personalisation. This year's HKTDC Hong Kong International Optical Fair stands as a testament to this evolution, featuring over 660 exhibitors from 19 countries and regions. With pavilions representing the Chinese Mainland, ASEAN, Japan, Korea, and the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association (HKOMA), the fair promises a vibrant showcase of innovation.
Launched on October 13, EagleEye will be available as helmets, visors, and glasses. According to a press release, the devices will feature a display that Anduril says can overlay information, like the locations of a user's teammates, onto their live battlefield surroundings. EagleEye will be powered by Lattice, Anduril's AI software platform. The startup is collaborating on the EagleEye product line with several companies, including Meta Platforms, OSI, Qualcomm Technologies, and Gentex Corporation, which have expertise in AR or ballistic helmets, per the release.
Government training has never been more critical or more complex. From active shooter preparedness to cybersecurity readiness, public servants are increasingly called to navigate high-stakes scenarios where decisions can have life-or-death consequences. Traditional training methods like static presentations, dense manuals, or infrequent workshops often fail to engage or prepare participants for the dynamic challenges they face. Enter gamification: the application of game design principles to non-game contexts.
Farley said Tuesday that he expects the disruption to blue-collar jobs to be a mix of "negatives and positives" and that it ultimately depends on how companies manage the shift. One example: "If you're repairing a Super Duty," he said, referring to one of Ford's pro-grade pickup trucks, "augmented reality AI is a game changer. Just ask my team, they'll tell you. We need to use AI to make those repairs much simpler for people."
The preschoolers were fascinated, looking at their classroom through the lens of an iPad camera, watching animated images pop up as a cheerful voice told them: Feed apples to a pig behind a haystack. Select the carnival ride located between two sets of balloons. While the game delighted these 3- and 4-year-olds, they were actually participating in a serious research project that is developing an important foundation for their future in math - spatial thinking and its integrated vocabulary, a skill typically overlooked in early education.