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VR Vision’s Gift to the XR/VR Community: Free Stock Images for Everyone!

Roni Cerga | August 22, 2023

In the ever-evolving world of Extended Reality (XR) and Virtual Reality (VR), visuals play an indispensable role. Whether you’re a budding developer, a seasoned content creator, or an enthusiast looking to dive into the immersive world of XR/VR, having access to high-quality images can make all the difference. Understanding the importance of this, we at VR Vision are thrilled to announce our latest contribution to the XR/VR community: a vast collection of over two hundred free stock XR/VR images! Why We’re Offering Free XR/VR Stock Images What You Can Expect Our collection boasts a wide range of images with a diverse group of professionals using VR headsets in a modern corporate office setting. How to Access and Use the Images Accessing our collection is a breeze: Terms & Conditions We only ask that you use these images responsibly. While they are free for both personal and business use, they are not available to resell or claim as your own. Neither can they be used to promote violence, discrimination or hate speech. A shoutout to VR Vision or a link back to our website is always appreciated 🙂 Join Us in Shaping the Future of XR/VR This initiative is just one of the many ways we aim to support and nurture the XR/VR community. We’re excited to see the incredible projects you’ll create using these images. Remember, the future of XR/VR is collaborative, and together, we can push the boundaries of what’s possible. So, dive in, explore our collection, and let your imagination run wild. Here’s to creating, innovating, and shaping the future of immersive experiences! Access the free stock images here! For more updates, insights, and resources from VR Vision, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on our social media channels.

The Metaverse: The Next Chapter for the Internet

Roni Cerga | August 16, 2022

In the future, there will be multiple virtual universes, each of which you can enter with your mobile device to experience the web with more vivid graphics and virtual and improved augmented reality. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has recently stated, “I believe the metaverse is the next chapter for the internet.” Virtual reality has the potential to reshape everything from entertainment and gaming to education and social interaction. But what exactly is the metaverse? And what are some of its features? What Exactly is the Metaverse? Several months have passed since Facebook declared its rebranding to Meta and its new focus to concentrate on the approaching “metaverse” for its future. What the phrase means hasn’t become altogether straightforward. Meta is developing a VR social platform, Roblox supports user-generated video games, and some businesses create gaming worlds with NFTs tacked on. According to tech industry workers, the lack of coherence is because the metaverse is in development and too new to define. For instance, the internet existed in the 1970s, but the preconceived notions about what it would eventually look like were not all accurate. But the one certain thing is that tech firms stand to make huge profits once the metaverse launches. According to Citi, the value of the Metaverse economy by 2030 might reach $13 trillion. How Will The Metaverse Affect Societies and Their Perception of Reality? The metaverse is a digital universe that expands upon and enhances the physical world. It has the potential to change our perception of reality and society as a whole by blurring the lines between what is real and what is digital. With such a transformative technology, it’s important to understand the implications for people’s lives. The metaverse is a game-changing technology that will profoundly impact society’s perception of reality and society. For one, you’ll be able to buy virtual houses and go to work meetings in the metaverse. This process will change how people interact with each other and the world. In addition, the metaverse will provide a new platform for businesses and entrepreneurs to reach a global audience. The possibilities are endless, and the potential for the metaverse is immense. How Does the Blockchain Fit Into The Metaverse? The blockchain is critical to the metaverse because it provides a secure, decentralized way to store data and transactions. Plus, blockchain can create virtual assets that can be bought, sold, or traded in the metaverse. So what does this mean? Well, Facebook has already created an open-source protocol called Spark AR that you can use to create your own augmented reality experiences. Imagine a social media platform where people could purchase these digital assets from other users. It would allow users to make money off the digital content and collect assets that could increase in value over time (similar to buying shares). Imagine everyone being able to buy and sell stock for unique creations. Through blockchain, the world economy is transitioning from a system based on scarcity to one based on abundance. And with blockchain technology becoming more widespread, more and more opportunities are emerging for entrepreneurs to build new platforms that will shape the future economy. How You Can Get Involved in the Metaverse Today While the metaverse is still in development, there are already ways to access it. For example, Meta has developed its own virtual reality headset Meta Quest 2, which can serve as your gateway into the metaverse. After downloading the app from the website, put on your headset and press Enter. You will find yourself in a white room with floating monitors where your journey into the metaverse begins. Some popular virtual worlds include VRChat, Second Life, and Decentraland, or start developing your own world using platforms like High Fidelity or Somnium Space. You can also create avatars and experiences using tools like Unreal Engine, also used to create realistic scenes in Hollywood movies. People can create realistic digital representations in the metaverse. Using laptop computers, mobile devices, and VR headsets like the Meta Quest 2, users can build realistic customizable avatars. These controllable avatars mimic actual humans visually and speak and move with realism. From August, the 128GB and 256GB variants of Meta Quest 2 will cost $399.99 and $499.99, respectively. And for a limited time, with every new headset purchase, there will be a free download offer for the VR game Beat Saber. Over $1 billion has been spent on Meta Quest apps by users, assisting creators in developing ever-improving VR-optimized games and experiences. The Potential to Revolutionize the World While the true nature of the metaverse may not have been fully realized as of yet, there are a number of corporations looking at using metaverse technologies (namely Augmented and Virtual Reality) in order to develop the next generation of training content for their teams. Using these technologies undoubtedly leads to faster learning, better retention, and invariably cost savings in the short and long term. See how Toyota Material Handling is utilizing VR training in a recent case study here. The metaverse is a virtual world that exists on the internet. It is where people can interact with each other and with computer-generated characters and objects. The metaverse is still in its early stages of development, but it has the potential to revolutionize the way people interact with each other and with the world.

AWE XR – The Metaverse is Here!

Lorne Fade | November 23, 2021

Last week I was fortunate enough to travel again for the first time in several years (thanks to COVID restrictions finally easing up), and decided to make my way down to Palo Alto/Santa Clara for the semi-annual Augmented World Expo. The consensus from the show was that the Metaverse has arrived, is here to stay, and now is the time for exponential growth. After many conversations with those affluent in the scene, there was agreement that the metaverse is now born (thanks Zuck), but also that it is still in its very early days. I believe we are entering the next phase of technology evolution, and whether that is coined the “metaverse” or something else, the same principles will influence it. Emerging technology aims to assist us in our everyday life and make our day-to-day experience better. The show made for some great networking and even allowed me to make some great connections to those in the XR space. While we are predominately a virtual reality company it was still good to meet those in the industry, although I would say that after the show it felt like it was mostly focused on augmented reality applications, software and technology. Still, it was great to see how many demos/platforms are using XR technology for positive health-related ailments, whether that be distraction simulations for pain relief/management or making PTSD therapy more effective. Another extremely innovative company was CareAR, which makes expertise easily available and accessible instantly for users through remote AR and AI interactions. This has a ton of real-world applicability for on-the-job training or remote worker assistance and I can see this as one of the main uses of AR in the enterprise world in the coming years. The AWE XR show had a great turnout and it was great to see so many XR experiences being used by big brands like Boeing, Kohler, Mayo Clinic, and Disney just to name a few. The talks were informative and it was great to see how many innovative ideas were being spread around the show. There were many demos in the expo hall that had widespread appeal, but the most fascinating part of it was that the metaverse would be appealing to more than just our visual sense. The technology is spreading to all of our senses and that was made apparent by how many startups featured new technology to enhance experiences in XR. Touch: HaptX was leading the way with their new DK2 gloves allowing a user to feel the sense of touch, which enabled them to capture the Best in Show award from AWE. They had a demo that allowed me to feel raindrops falling on my hand, which was pretty surreal. They achieve this feat using compressed air that is fed onto the skin using ultra-tiny tubes that are mere millimetres apart. Another great piece of hardware on the touch spectrum was the Tact Suit from bHaptics — allowing users to feel feedback on their body during in-headset simulations. Smell: OVR’s technology had an accessory that enabled scent in an experience. In the simulation I demoed I was able to smell wood burning from a campfire for example. I was also able to smell a virtual rose, which I thought wouldn’t be accurate at first, but in practice, it was actually quite pleasant. In another demo, I watched someone roast a marshmallow over an open fire and watched their jaw drop in amazement at the experience. This is definitely interesting technology to watch and something I think would have real-world appeal for some of the work we are doing at Reality Well. Vision: This category has the most interest to me, especially as a VR company. Unsurprisingly Varjo has the best-in-show demo with their flight simulator on the XR-3 headset — offering photorealistic visuals with a fairly wide FOV at 115° (although it’s a $7000 device so keep that in mind). The headset also featured LIDAR and stereo RGB video pass-through that made for an extremely high-fidelity merging of the virtual and augmented worlds. The simulator felt almost real, partly due to the resolution of the headset matching the human eyes in the fovea (the center FOV where human acuity is at its peak). Out of all the senses, I think visual aesthetics still has the most impact here (obviously) however it will be interesting to see how the other senses get incorporated into the technology in the coming decade. Perhaps we will have some form of taste simulated in the future, or even go past the 5 traditional senses and start to have simulators that affect movement/balance in a vestibular sense. Another interesting aspect of the visual aesthetic was AR devices continuing their improvement. While I don’t feel it is quite there yet from a functionality perspective the technology will continue to improve until our Metaverse is completely immersive. I was able to try quite a few augmented reality headsets at the show, but the one that stood out to me the most was the Lenovo ThinkReality A3 (pictured aside). The A3 smart glasses are built for enterprise and allow for a number of configurations in order to customize their style, fit and overall functionality. As the technology evolves I can see these being used more for engineers in order to pull schematics or other technical information on the fly while working. The only downside with these smart glasses is that the field of view (FOV) just isn’t there yet for me. It will take a few more quantum leaps, or perhaps Apple entering the market, for the smart glasses sector to have real-world functionality that makes sense. I’d say the leader in the space is still the Hololens 2 in terms of functionality, adoption and overall technological prowess; although Magic Leap 2 has recently come onto the market and it will be interesting to see how the adoption of their device picks up given the fact that they have raised around $3.5 billion to date! Overall the … AWE XR – The Metaverse is Here!

Top 5 Virtual Reality Headsets for Business

Lorne Fade | January 12, 2021

Virtual reality was once considered a luxury technology that was out of reach for many people. However, as more and more companies start to branch into the world of VR, this incredible technology is becoming accessible to everyone. Most importantly, it’s quickly becoming clear how many things VR can do for your business. However, while an active market means prices go down and quality goes up, it means there are more products to sift through, too. As such, we’ve taken the time to walk you through the best virtual reality for business systems to make your search a little easier. HTC VIVE Pro Eye Office If you’re looking for a virtual reality for business systems that’s enterprise-designed from the ground up, the HTC VIVE Pro Eye Office is the best option out there. Unlike virtually all other VR systems on the market today, the VIVE Pro Eye Office, as the name suggests, was designed specifically for professional applications. While the HTC Vive Pro Eye Office is excellent because it comes with everything you need for your business setting, it’s also incredibly expensive – the most expensive on this list. If your business can afford to put that much money toward a virtual reality for business systems or VR for business, you’ll undoubtedly get a lot out of it. However, the HTC VIVE (or even the HTC VIVE Pro) standard version will give you similar functionality for a slightly better price. Pros: Designed exclusively for business applications Can perform VR training, design scenarios, and more Comes with its own commercial warranty and 24-hour service Cons: Incredibly expensive HTC VIVE Focus Plus The HTC VIVE Focus Plus is a similar offering to the HTC VIVE Pro Eye Office above in that it’s also designed for enterprise use. However, the Focus is a standalone unit that doesn’t require a dedicated space like the VIVE Pro Eye Office. This means that you can take it directly to your customers or workers, no matter where they are – even offline. Like the Pro Eye Office, the Focus Plus has a whole host of business-related features that any professional will find helpful, such as integrated screencasting that allows you to see what your participant is doing. The Focus Plus also comes with its own warranty and enterprise support to supplement the experience. Pros: Designed exclusively for business applications Ideal for remote collaboration via VR or even employee training Comes with a special two-year warranty and 24-hour service Cons: While less expensive than the Pro Eye Office, it’s still pricey, especially for a standalone system Limited power and flexibility Samsung HMD Odyssey+ The Samsung HMD Odyssey+ is an excellent alternative to HTC’s enterprise VR headsets because of its dependence on Windows Mixed Reality (WMR). WMR provides access to a whole host of business-friendly applications and programs, and it’s a lot cheaper than anything else on this list so far, too. Surprisingly, SteamVR works with the Odyssey+, too, making it far more flexible than the Valve Index and the Oculus Quest 2 below. In terms of specs, it keeps up with the competition, and it’s the cheapest headset on this list, aside from the Oculus Quest 2 (and certainly the most affordable PC-reliant system). All of these things combined make the Samsung HMD Odyssey+ one of the best business VR headsets on the market that’s not from HTC (and not designed exclusively for business). However, do note that as of April 2020, this headset was discontinued by Samsung. While it’s still an excellent choice for your business, this could mean that a newer (and better) headset from Samsung is on the horizon. Pros: Compatible with both Windows Mixed Reality and SteamVR More affordable than everything except the Oculus Quest 2 High-resolution with build-in spatial audio Cons: Discontinued Can fall prey to the “screen door effect” Valve Index The Valve Index has dominated the VR market since its release, and for good reason – this is a dependable and powerful VR system. It measures up to the HTC Vive Pro Eye Office easily in terms of specifications and raw power. While it doesn’t have the same enterprise packages and support available, it’s certainly powerful enough to do just as well. Fortunately, the Valve Index has gone down slightly in price, so the basic package will only set you back about half as much as the HTC above. However, since the Valve Index mainly depends on the Steam Virtual Library for use, you may have to work around that to use it properly in a business setting. Pros: As powerful and beautiful as the HTC VIVE Pro Eye Office Half as expensive Cons: Doesn’t have enterprise support Dependent on the Steam Virtual Library Oculus Quest 2 Our final entry on this list is the Oculus Quest 2, a recent addition to the VR headset market that’s incredibly inexpensive and very portable. The Quest line of headsets are standalone systems that don’t require a PC to use, so they’re great for bringing directly to your employee or customer (just like the HTC VIVE Focus Plus). While the Oculus Quest 2 isn’t designed with enterprise support like the Focus Plus, Oculus does have its own sector devoted to its VR headsets’ business applications. That means you can expect a decent amount of enterprise support for the Oculus Quest 2. Ordinarily, this combination of advantages would put the Quest 2 higher on our list. However, Oculus’ decision to require a Facebook account to use their products (starting in 2023) seems forced and somewhat proprietary. As such, that’s dropped the Quest 2 down on our list a bit, but if that doesn’t bother you (or you already have a Facebook account), the Quest 2 is certainly worth considering. Pros: Very inexpensive (the least expensive on this list by a significant margin) Standalone product – doesn’t require a PC or console Enterprise support available Cons: Requires a Facebook account to use starting in 2023 Space on the product’s built-in memory card is limited Final … Top 5 Virtual Reality Headsets for Business

VR and AI: Two Technologies Set To Merge

Lorne Fade | July 1, 2019

Technology is the wave of the future, and considering all the technological advances that are taking place at such a rapid pace, it’s safe to say that the wave of the future is definitely here. Technology touches our lives on a constant basis; we’ve become so reliant on it as a society that it’s almost impossible to imagine what life would be like without it. Looking toward the future, the global society is only going to become more reliant on technology, as more and more advances are introduced on a seemingly daily basis. Technological devices have certainly provided us with numerous benefits, and it’s exciting to think what other devices and applications we’ll be introduced to and how they’ll improve our lives even more in the coming years. We’re already seeing the next phase of technological development, and that phase is convergence. Just think back to the early 2000s, when we needed to have multiple devices to make phone calls and send texts, take pictures, search the internet, and even listen to music. Fast forward to today and we can do all of those things – and so much more – from a single, sleek device that we can fit in our back pockets; that’s right, our smartphones. Thanks to convergence, we no longer need multiple pieces of equipment to do all the aforementioned things; we can do them with a single, handheld device. There’s no doubt about it: the benefits of merging together technologies has definitely been beneficial. Moving forward, we can expect to see even more mergers. When we think about what types of technologies will be combined together in the future, there are two things that really stand out: virtual reality and artificial intelligence. The Blending of VR and AI Virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) aren’t exactly new; in fact, they’ve been around for a while now. VR use technology to create simulated environments that we can submerse ourselves into, while AI aims to outfit technological devices with the keen insight and perception of a responsive being. Recently, major advances have been made to enhance VR and AI and bring them together to create a single form of technology that offers possibilities that are seemingly endless. The VR and AI Convergence: What the Future Holds Joining together VR and AI can provide us with some pretty incredible opportunities. It’s exciting to think about what type of opportunities the merging of the two will bring us. Here’s a look at some of the ways that the convergence of VR and AI are poised to change our everyday experiences. Dynamic Travel and Tourism The travel and tourism industry is already employing VR. Airlines, hotels, resorts, amusement parks, and top tourist locations use the technology to give their prospective customers a look at what they will experience. For example, VR gives travelers a glimpse of what staying at a resort will be like, or what exploring a destination will entail. It brings photos and descriptions to life by letting people explore a resort’s guest rooms, swimming pools, restaurants, and spas, for example, before they arrive. Add AI into the mix, and customers will have the opportunity to experience potential trips in an even more dynamic way. Prospective travelers can use VR to tour locations they’re interested in, and they can use AI to help them make decisions about their trips. For example, VR lets tourists see what’s to come when they book a stay at a resort, while AI software can take care of the actual booking of the trip; hotel and flight reservations, for example. Immersive Shopping VR is already being used to enhance the shopping experience. Virtual reality lets consumers try out products that they’re considering in a virtual environment before they make a purchase; they can try on clothing or test drive a car, for example. While virtual shopping is certainly exciting, AI will enhance the experience even more. For example, a shopper who is interested in buying furniture can use VR to test out couches and chairs they’re interested in, while AI can introduce a virtual sales associate who could make recommendations, answer questions, and even complete a sale. The convergence of AI and VR not only benefits consumers, but it also offers great possibilities for businesses; for instance, it will give companies the opportunity to learn more about shoppers, such as what they like and how they shop so they can make improvements and boost their sales. Engaging Entertainment VR has already dramatically changed the shape of entertainment. Virtual reality headsets immerse gamers into simulated environments so they actually feel like they’re in the game, and it lets thrill seekers experience the death defying speeds and heights of roller coasters, for example. While VR is already such a dynamic part of the entertainment industry, the introduction of AI will make it even more exciting. AI would make background characters in a video game more intelligent; these characters would be able to react to real-life players. It would take gaming to a whole new level by making it more engaging and exciting. Final Thoughts AI and VR are incredible technologies that present amazing opportunities on their own; however, bringing them together so that they work in unison will make various experiences even more interactive and engaging. The convergence of AI and VR will most certainly offer endless opportunities and will undoubtedly change so many of the experiences that we have.

VR Vision Chosen As A Leading Developer in USA/Canada

Lorne Fade | February 19, 2019

Here at VR Vision, we provide a full range of virtual reality solutions to empower your business and bring its vision to life with the immersive technology. VR Vision provides both hardware as an authorized distributor as well as custom content developed in-house by our team of VR professionals. We are very excited to be named a leading developer in Clutch’s latest report of the top B2B service providers in Canada. Clutch has named us among the top augmented reality companies based on our ability to provide excellent service, our online brand presence, and overall strength in our market. Clutch is a market research firm located in Washington DC. They collect reviews on behalf of thousands of companies in the digital space. We are overwhelmed by the positive reviews from our loyal customers and look forward to further establishing ourselves as a global leader in developing innovative VR/AR technologies. In addition to our presence on Clutch, we’ve also made its other curated and vetted lists on The Manifest and Visual Objects. The Manifest is a valuable resource for firms maneuvering their way through the buyer’s journey: a process that starts with a business problem and ends with a purchasable solution to that initial problem. We are very excited to be mentioned as a pioneer amongst other virtual reality companies in Canada as this acknowledgement reflects our dedication to pursuing trending and cutting-edge technologies. Being listed among other top software developers on Visual Objects also establishes yet another milestone for our team here at VR Vision. Overall, this award is a testament to the work we’ve accomplished over the past few years. After two years of operation, we are honoured to be named by Clutch as a leading developer in Canada & USA for 2019. We will keep our sights set on the future and the developments that our team has yet to make. If your firm is ready to reap the benefits of VR, then look no further than our team of developers here at VR Vision. Update: We are recognized as a top AR/VR Company on DesignRush – for more information on this nomination please go here.

The Latest in Virtual Reality Hardware at CES 2019

Roni Cerga | January 10, 2019

The 2019 Consumer Electronic Expo has come and gone, presenting exciting new concepts to the field of VR and AR technology. This year’s show was dominated by HTC, debuting a new VR headset with inside-out tracking, as well as an exciting new social platform, and updates to the current Viveport system. Here’s a rundown of all the new announcements from the VR giant at this year’s expo presser. HTC Vive Pro Eye HTC sets the industry standard of eye-tracking functionality with its release of the brand new version of its high-end Vive Pro headset, the “Vive Pro Eye.” This version of the popular VR headset includes all of the previous features, with the addition of an internal camera and eye tracking. We enjoyed the demo for this tech, which featured a Homerun Derby Simulation, where audience members had the chance to knock one out of the virtual park, using a real baseball bat. Vive Reality System HTC emphasizes the creative experience through the launch of its new Vive Reality System. The revamp of the core Vive software permits users to interact with each other while watching video content and playing games. Users of the platform begin their virtual journey in a base-world known as “Origin,” where they socialize and create goals for exploration. Using the HTC “lens tool,” users create portals where they explore other worlds, browse their favorite content, and access their library of apps. Developers designed “Origin” as an ever-expanding virtual universe for users to explore at their leisure. Users can summon the lends at any stage, requesting tools, information, and access to other worlds. Origin will use the HTC Vive Cosmos to navigate the platform, and it’s a truly immersive experience that sets a new standard for VR technology and user experience. HTC Vive Cosmos Before the doors to the convention center opened, HTC tweeted a mysterious image of a shipping container with the company branding blurred out. The tech community went wild with speculative guesses of what the company intended on launching at CES 2019. Tech-heads thought the new arrival could be anything from the “Vive cloud,” to “Vive gloves.” After feverish anticipation, the company treated us to the newest addition to their VR hardware catalog, the HTC Vive Cosmos. This PC-based VR headset features a flip visor and inside-out tracking, with a focus on comfort and smooth user experience while navigating the virtual world. After feverish anticipation, the company treated us to the newest addition to their VR hardware catalog, the HTC Vive Cosmos. This PC-based VR headset features a flip visor and inside-out tracking, with a focus on comfort and smooth user experience while navigating the virtual world. The Vive Cosmos has a striking resemblance to the Oculus Touch and features a weird-looking headset with a set of motion controllers and four separate cameras. We were disappointed when Dan O’Brien, GM of HTC Vive USA informed the crowd that the system is only available for use on a PC, but we changed our tune when he announced that the company is feverishly working on a mobile platform for release shortly. HTC stoked the flames of anticipation when they released a tweet later in the day that states they have the intention to establish Vive Cosmos as the preferred system for people at home or “on-the-go. The Cosmos is also the first Vive headset to operate on the Vive Reality platform. Viveport Infinity We are fans of the Viveport subscription service, but despise the download limit on offer from HTC. It seems like the company has its ear close to the ground, and listens to their customers. Viveport Infinity closes that gap and offers access to over 500-apps in one session. HTC state the service will go live on Viveports 3rd birthday, April 5th, 2019. The service says their goal is to increase engagement by providing an extensive gaming library, as well as top-shelf video in both 2D and 3D, including exciting and exclusive content from Red Bull.

Four Ways AI, VR & AR Can Enhance Your Marketing

Lorne Fade | October 5, 2018

When you sit back and think about the changes that have been made in technology over the past few years, it is quite amazing. It was not that long ago that home phones were more common than mobile phones. However, now almost everyone has a mobile phone and many people do not have a landline. The same can be said for newer technologies such as Google Home or Amazon Echo. These were novelties in the year 2017, with only about seven percent of households in the United States owning one. By the spring of 2018, this number had grown to 20 percent. It is predicted that by 2020 around 75 percent of households will own them. Households that own a smart speaker state that using it has become an essential part of their day. This is because people who spend the money to own one, want to use it. This embracing of technology is something that all companies should be aware of and should use to their advantage when it comes to marketing their products. In fact, the adoption of artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and augmented reality are all going to be essential parts of how businesses are run. Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and AI for Business Currently, the use of augmented reality, virtual reality, and AI is somewhat limited. However, it will not be long before these are all going to be essential parts of how businesses function. In fact, there are several companies that have already started using these technologies for different aspects of these throughout their business. One company that has started using virtual reality is Walmart. This is a big deal when you consider that Walmart is one of the largest employers and distributors of goods in the world. The company has equipped each of its stores with virtual reality headsets that are to be used to train employees. In just one year the sale of virtual reality headsets has increased by 31 percent in the past year. It is expected that the sales for these headsets will continue to grow by 88 percent each year through 2022. This is according to a study that was conducted by International Data Corporation. While it may seem that widespread adoption of these technologies may be far off, but it really is not. This is going to take over quite quickly, which is why it is important to imagine how these tools can help make what your company does more effective and easier. Here are four ways companies are already embracing augmented reality, virtual reality, and AI right now. You can use these for inspiration on how to embrace these technologies and use them for your business. 1. Amazon Echo: More than a Home Speaker When smart speakers such as Amazon’s echo were first introduced, they were meant to be used within the home. These devices allow you to get information, control other devices, and listen to music all by just talking to the device. However, these devices are evolving. According to Amazon, the company is going to start developing echo for vehicles along with several other new applications. In addition, Alexa, which is the AI assistant found in Echo, has recently expanded its capabilities. These changes should make Alexa more helpful and conversational. As a business it is a good idea to consider how to integrate your products or services with smart speakers. Consider how to optimize your copy for search engine optimization that is voice enabled. Think about how you can utilize the Echo and other similar products for marketing your business. 2. See, Snap, Buy! Have you ever been out and about and noticed someone wearing a great pair of shoes that you really want to buy? Maybe you see someone in a fun shirt that you would like to have. It used to be that in order to find out where the person purchased the shoes or the shirt you would have to ask them. That could be an awkward conversation. The good news is that it is now as easy as a snap to find out where they got those great shoes. Simply open up Snapchat and take a picture. You will then be directed to Amazon’s site in order to purchase the exact item. This is all accomplished using the vision tech from Amazon’s machine. In order to compete in the business world, you will need to consider how your brand can be competitive in visual searches. It is also important to consider how your company can make it easier for people to not only identify, but also digitally connect to your current and potential clients. 3. Creating Smarter Ads When it comes to marketing it is important to work smarter and not harder. One of the best things that you can do when creating a marketing campaign is to create smart ads. One company that did just that is Subway. Subway used AI technology in order to create ads that were based on the local weather. These ads allowed the company to make changes, such as not promoting the hot items on their menu when it was hot outside. The company saw a 31 percent increase of store traffic and a 53 percent reduction in their campaign waste as well. Consider what type of data that your company could use in order to create smarter ads that are relevant to your business. 4. Creating a Virtual Experience It has been found that the majority of consumers feel more confident purchasing a product when they can try it first. This can be difficult for companies that are selling online as the only way to try the product is to have it in person. This is where virtual reality or augmented reality can help by developing a virtual experience for the end user. One company that has used this first hand is L’Oreal Paris. The company now allows consumers to try more than 300 samples of their products using augmented reality. While this … Four Ways AI, VR & AR Can Enhance Your Marketing

VR & AR Trends for 2018 [Infographic]

Lorne Fade | April 19, 2018

Virtual and Augmented Reality are showing no slowing down as we are almost halfway through 2018. Here at VR Vision we compiled some useful statistics around the latest trends in VR/AR for 2018 and how we predict the market to shape up for the rest of the year. You can take a look at the infographic below:

Why Location-Based Entertainment is the Future of VR

Lorne Fade | April 16, 2018

Virtual reality has been getting a lot of attention in the entertainment world. However, despite the great efforts that game makers have put into creating experiences that transport players into the video games they are playing, when used in the home, virtual reality is kind of limited. Instead, gamer makers are creating a whole new experience that combines virtual reality and video games in a way that players can really get the most out of what VR games have to offer. Location based entertainment (LBE) is the biggest trend to hit the gaming world, and it’s proving to be the future of virtual reality. What is Location Based Entertainment? Also called “out of home entertainment” and “interactive multiplayer entertainment centers”, location based entertainment is exactly what it sounds like: it takes players out of their homes to a dedicated space where they can enjoy entertainment. Location based entertainment includes a large scale of establishments that are designed specifically for the purpose of entertaining, such as theme parks, water parks, bowling, alleys, movie theaters, and casinos. However, in terms of virtual reality, LBE is usually refers to large arcades and VR theme parks. These are places where people can play high-end, interactive, multi-player video games and enjoy the full scope that virtual reality has to offer. Examples of Virtual Reality Location Based Entertainment In recent years, there has been a huge surge in incorporating virtual reality into location based entertainment. Theme parks and arcades around have introduced some type of virtual reality experience. Some very well-known examples of VR LBE include: Star Wars Secrets of the Empire by ILMxLAB and The Void at Disney World Resort in Florida. This interactive, location based entertainment virtual reality experience, teams of 4 are transported into a life-like Star Wars world, where they are on a mission to recover Imperial intelligence. It’s a multi-sensory experience that truly takes players to a galaxy far, far away. IMAX VR theaters, such as the AMC Kips Bay 15 in New York, completely immerses you in the experience of virtual reality. It offers life-like visual effects, 360 degree sound, and really transports people into highly realistic virtual worlds. The theater offers several experiences, such as Richie’s Plank Experience, where you take an elevator 80 floors high and walk to the end of a plank, and Nickelodeon Slime Zone, where you can get slimed and play with famed characters like Sponge Bob and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Zero Latency at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, immerses players in digital worlds where they can navigate through a 2,000 square foot arena and while completing heart-pumping challenges. Four different 30-minute games are available to choose from, including Singularity, Zombie Survival, Engineerium, and Outbreak Origins. These are just some of the location based entertainment virtual reality experiences that are available. These interactive opportunities seem to be popping up all over the place, and will surely continue to do so in the near future. Why Location Based Entertainment and Virtual Reality Pair Well Location based entertainment and virtual reality seem to go hand-in-hand. But why? – Here’s a look at some of the most notable reasons why the two are paired together: The full scope of virtual reality. While using virtual reality at home can certainly be enjoyable, it is very limiting. Though it can transport users to different worlds, they are essentially confined in the small spaces that are their living rooms, dens, or wherever else they may be using them. The limited space limits the full virtual reality experience. Location based entertainment centers provide much more space for players to move around and become immersed in virtual reality technology. As such, they can really enjoy all the benefits that this technology offers and feel as if they really are in another world. A more immersive experience. There is only so much that virtual reality technology can do when it is used in the home. Despite the efforts of technology manufacturers, there are definite limitations with home-use products. For example, sound systems may have limited capacity. Location based entertainment centers can offer a more immersive experience because they have access to more cutting edge technologies, such as surround sound systems. They can fully integrate the senses and create a more life-like experience for users. More options. Virtual reality technology tends to have a high price tag. As such, many people can only afford a few options. Location based entertainment facilities can provide players with way more options. For example, the Zero Latency VR arena at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas offers players 4 different options, and IMAX VR theaters also provide several different options for users to choose from. With more choices available, players have the option to experience something new each time they play, which keeps the excitement factor high. Of course, another reason why virtual reality and location based entertainment centers pair so well is because they LBE centers allow players to actually get out of their homes. They invite them to interact with other players, have new experiences, and really enjoy a unique experience that they wouldn’t be able to have in their homes. The Future of LBE and VR The future of virtual reality and location based entertainment looks bright. There are already many different opportunities available to enjoy the immersive technologies of virtual reality, and many companies are investing large sums of money into opening new locations where visitors can experience virtual reality at its fullest. For example, HTC has invested a substantial amount of money into LBE VR, and Two Bit Circus has raised millions of dollars to launch what they call a “micro amusement park” that will feature virtual reality. Summing it Up Location based entertainment and virtual reality have come together to create truly one-of-a-kind experiences for users that launch them into other dimensions. It’s safe to say that we will continue seeing LBE and VR coming together even more in the future.

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