Latest news with #virtualReality
TechCrunch
2 hours ago
- Business
- TechCrunch
2025 will be a ‘pivotal year' for Meta's augmented and virtual reality, says CTO
Meta CTO Andrew 'Boz' Bosworth, who was one of the company's first 15 engineers, published a memo earlier this year forecasting that 2025 could be the year of greatness for Reality Labs, the company's augmented and virtual reality unit. Or, it would be the year when the metaverse goes down as a 'legendary misadventure.' These days, Boz appears to be leaning towards its potential for greatness. But, the market will be the final determinant. 'We'll judge at the end of the decade, but this does feel like the pivotal year,' Boz said Thursday during a Bloomberg Technology interview. Boz noted that Meta's Ray Ban AI glasses had been a breakthrough that excited both consumers and competitors. As of February, Meta has sold more than 2 million pairs since their October 2023 debut. Last fall, they outsold traditional Ray Bans, even before Meta rolled out AI features. Meanwhile, Google last month announced partnerships with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker to create smart glasses based on Android XR. Apple is also reportedly making a push to release smart glasses in 2026. 'Suddenly, we go from toiling in the realms of obscurity to being very much in the world with a product that is very attractive to consumers, and thus competitors,' Boz said. 'The clock has started on competition coming, and that just means that the progress we make in this year is of disproportionate value to any year before or after it closes.' Still, competition among other incumbents means nothing if the market doesn't adopt Meta's AR and VR products, which is what would drive the industry to standardize the technology. Techcrunch event Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Boston, MA | REGISTER NOW 'The market is actually, especially when it comes to hardware, a trailing indicator,' Boz said. 'So you look for early indicators. To some degree, you do have to have a level of confidence and taste in-house.' He said this was something he learned from Sheryl Sandberg, former chief operating officer at Meta. 'Sheryl used to always talk about how most companies don't fail because they got beaten by a competitor,' Boz said. 'Most companies fail because they didn't execute their own plan correctly. And so what I try to do with the team is really focus us, not so much on the competitive landscape as on [whether] we're executing to our standards.' The Meta CTO said the company has 'a set of ambitious plans for the year' that it is on track for. 'What we'll know by the end of the year is whether we executed on our plan or not,' said Boz. 'What we'll know in five years time is whether that was enough.'
Globe and Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Meta Platforms Just Landed a U.S. Army Deal. Should You Buy META Stock Here?
Valued at a market cap of $1.63 trillion, Meta Platforms (META) is among the largest companies in the world. A social media giant, Meta owns and operates platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Threads, and Instagram. The tech stock went public in May 2012 and has returned more than 1,600% to shareholders since its initial public offering. Let's see if Meta stock is still a good buy in June 2025. Meta Platforms Continues to Expand Its Product Portfolio Last week, Meta and Anduril announced a partnership to develop augmented and virtual reality technology for the U.S. Army, marking a significant collaboration between the social media giant and Palmer Luckey's defense-tech startup. The partnership represents Meta's major push into government technology supply and a reunion with Luckey, who sold Oculus to Meta for $2 billion in 2014. The companies are developing EagleEye, a sensor-enhanced system that enhances soldiers' hearing and vision capabilities. They've jointly bid on an Army VR contract worth up to $100 million and plan to proceed with their partnership regardless of the contract outcome. The partnership follows Meta's November decision to make its Llama AI models available to government defense and national security applications. Anduril previously took over Microsoft's (MSFT) AR headset program with the Army in February and recently partnered with OpenAI on AI initiatives for national security missions. The companies position their collaboration as helping maintain America's 'technical edge' while potentially saving billions through dual-use commercial technology. Meta Posts a Strong Performance in Q1 2025 In Q1 2025, Meta increased sales by 16% year over year to $42.3 billion as the tech heavyweight showcased a successful transformation into an AI-first organization. Meta AI now serves nearly 1 billion monthly active users, making it the most widely used AI assistant globally. Chief Product Officer Chris Cox highlighted that improvements to recommendation systems have increased time spent on Facebook by 7%, Instagram by 6%, and Threads by an impressive 35% over the past six months. These engagement gains directly translate to enhanced monetization opportunities. Meta's advertising business benefits significantly from AI-powered improvements. The new Generative Ads Recommendation Model (GEM) has increased conversion rates by 5% on Facebook Reels, while 30% more advertisers are now utilizing AI creative tools. Meta's advertising revenue reached $41.4 billion, driven by improved targeting capabilities and AI-generated creative content. Meta's infrastructure investments reflect its commitment to maintaining its leadership in AI. The company raised its 2025 capital expenditure guidance to $64 billion to $72 billion, primarily for data centers and AI infrastructure. This includes plans for a 2-gigawatt data center to support frontier model training and development. Beyond core platforms, Meta's hardware initiatives show promise. Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses have seen a threefold increase in sales, demonstrating strong market demand for AI-enabled wearables. Meta's custom silicon efforts through MTIA are reducing inference costs for recommendation systems, with plans to expand into training workloads. Meta's open-source Llama models have achieved over 800 million downloads, establishing the company as a leader in accessible AI development while attracting top-tier talent and fostering ecosystem growth that ultimately benefits Meta's broader AI strategy. Is META Stock Overvalued? Analysts tracking Meta expect sales to rise from $164.5 billion in 2024 to $288 billion in fiscal 2029. Comparatively, adjusted earnings are forecast to expand from $23.86 per share to $41.38 per share in this period. Today, META stock trades at a forward price-earnings multiple of 25.5x, in line with its 10-year average. If the stock is priced at 20x forward earnings, it will trade around $830 in early 2029, indicating upside potential of nearly 25% from current levels.
BBC News
25-05-2025
- BBC News
Virtual reality plan to help trainee police tackle violence
A new university course, the first of its kind in Wales, will use virtual reality in an effort to tackle violence against women. VR headsets are one project which will be developed by Swansea University's masters in gender, power and violence, which starts in is estimated about 3,000 crimes of violence against women and girls are recorded in Wales and England each Robinson, Wales' national adviser on violence against women and girls, welcomed the course, adding: "The dynamics of abuse are layered and complex and it is vitally important that people working with victims and survivors are fully informed." The National Police Chiefs Council have declared violence against women and girls a "national emergency" while the World Health Organization called it a global public health lecturer Kelly Buckley, one of those behind the course's creation, said public conversation on the issue had "never been louder" and the university hoped to ensure "we use knowledge and evidence and theory and data to make sure we're responding in the right way". It is hoped the VR headsets project on the course could be used by student police officers during hearing a victim's story in this way, the idea is it would make them conscious about subtleties such as body language and how they respond, which can influence a survivor's willingness to talk Salter, who helped develop the project, said VR did a "really good job" of allowing trainees to experience "what it might be like to respond to a domestic violence case but in a safe environment".The 21-year-old post-graduate student has been working with trainee police officers on the VR tool to ensure responses to victims are conducive to tackling the problem. VR scenarios have all been created based on experiences and input from survivors of abuse or assault."It helps people notice things that they wouldn't want to happen, both from the victim's point of view and the police officers," added Ms University has worked with Simulation and Immersive Learning Centre, Dyfed-Powys Police and Aberystwyth University to create the headsets that will be developed on the new degree. Ms Buckley wants students on the course to help develop projects that have practical applications and real-world UK government has pledged to halve incidents of violence against women and girls within a decade and was one of Labour's top general election Robinson, the Welsh government's national advisor, said: "The virtual reality tool is an excellent way of raising awareness and understanding." Susie Hay is head of research and evaluation at Safe Lives and works with organisations across the UK to transform the response to domestic abuse."There is a tapestry with lots of different threads which enable us to work towards ending domestic and sexual violence," she said. "This course is one really valuable thread in that space, however looking at that whole picture also feels really important."Although the number of graduates will initially be small she thinks the effects will be felt across the country through a "radiating impact".
Geeky Gadgets
13-05-2025
- Geeky Gadgets
Latest Apple Vision Pro Apps and Updates Pushing Reality with AR and VR
With its innovative blend of augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and spatial computing, Apple Vision Pro is more than a VR or AR device; it's a glimpse into the future of wearables. From immersive storytelling to innovative productivity tools, this ecosystem is evolving at breakneck speed, promising experiences that feel as intuitive as they are fantastic. In this guide by Justin Ryan on all new things Vision Pro, learn about the latest updates to Vision OS, including features like real-time 3D rendering and enhanced hand tracking, which are setting new standards for immersive interaction. You'll also discover standout apps—whether it's a virtual ping pong game powered by advanced motion tracking or a cultural exploration tool that brings historical landmarks to life. But that's just the beginning. With whispers of Apple Vision Pro 2 on the horizon and collaborations with luxury brands like Porsche, the possibilities are expanding faster than ever. What does this mean for the future of how we work, play, and connect? Let's explore the innovations shaping this bold new frontier. Apple Vision Pro Ecosystem Vision OS Updates: Expanding Capabilities Vision OS, the operating system powering Vision Pro, continues to introduce significant enhancements aimed at improving functionality and user experience. The release of Vision OS 2.4 brought notable features such as Apple Intelligence, which uses AI to optimize app performance, and Spatial Gallery, a tool designed for organizing immersive content seamlessly. Additionally, the Vision Pro app for iPhone now enables streamlined integration, allowing users to manage their Vision headset experience more efficiently. The beta version of Vision OS 2.5 hints at even greater advancements, including enhanced hand tracking for more precise interactions and real-time 3D rendering for smoother visuals. Looking ahead, Vision OS 3.0 is expected to push the boundaries of spatial computing further, introducing advanced tools and performance upgrades that will benefit both developers and end users. Top Apps in the Vision Pro Ecosystem The Vision Pro app ecosystem is growing rapidly, offering immersive experiences across a wide range of categories. Here are some standout applications that showcase the platform's versatility: Starship Drift : A fast-paced game where players navigate through asteroid fields, demonstrating Vision Pro's spatial computing capabilities. : A fast-paced game where players navigate through asteroid fields, demonstrating Vision Pro's spatial computing capabilities. Homerise : A smart home control app that simplifies device management with intuitive widget placement and snapping features. : A smart home control app that simplifies device management with intuitive widget placement and snapping features. Tubular Pro : A YouTube alternative optimized for Vision headsets, delivering a tailored and immersive video-watching experience. : A YouTube alternative optimized for Vision headsets, delivering a tailored and immersive video-watching experience. Real Room : A virtual movie library that syncs with popular streaming platforms, offering a personalized cinematic experience. : A virtual movie library that syncs with popular streaming platforms, offering a personalized cinematic experience. Cubic Layer : A Minecraft-inspired app allowing users to build and explore 3D structures in an immersive environment. : A Minecraft-inspired app allowing users to build and explore 3D structures in an immersive environment. Mexico Vision : A cultural exploration app featuring 3D models of historical landmarks and interactive environments. : A cultural exploration app featuring 3D models of historical landmarks and interactive environments. Pingpong XR : A multiplayer ping pong game that highlights Vision Pro's advanced hand tracking technology. : A multiplayer ping pong game that highlights Vision Pro's advanced hand tracking technology. Moon Player : An immersive theater app offering lifelike viewing experiences with real-time 3D rendering. : An immersive theater app offering lifelike viewing experiences with real-time 3D rendering. Beautiful Things : An AI-powered app for generating and interacting with 3D models, fostering creativity and exploration. : An AI-powered app for generating and interacting with 3D models, fostering creativity and exploration. Fishing Haven: A relaxing virtual fishing experience designed for leisure and entertainment. These applications demonstrate the diverse possibilities within the Vision Pro ecosystem, catering to entertainment, productivity, creativity, and cultural exploration. Latest Apps and Updates for Apple Vision Pro Watch this video on YouTube. Master Vision Pro with the help of our in-depth articles and helpful guides. Immersive Content and Experiences Beyond individual apps, Vision Pro serves as a platform for creating and consuming immersive content. Platforms like Amplium empower creators to showcase interactive and 3D media, while Apple's immersive video utility supports high-quality, 360-degree video streaming. Notable examples include VIP Yankee Stadium, a virtual tour of the iconic venue, and the adventure series Hill Climb, which takes users on a thrilling race up Pikes Peak. These experiences highlight Vision Pro's potential as a tool for storytelling, education, and entertainment. By allowing users to engage with content in new and dynamic ways, Vision Pro is redefining how we interact with digital media. Industry News and Innovations Vision headset is making significant strides in the tech industry, with new tools and collaborations enhancing its ecosystem. Applications like Da Vinci Resolve 20 and Final Cut Pro now support immersive video editing, allowing creators to produce high-quality AR and VR content. Open source game development is also gaining momentum, with platforms like Godot working alongside Vision OS to expand opportunities for developers. Speculation about Vision Pro 2 suggests exciting advancements, including a lighter design, improved affordability, and the integration of the M5 chip for superior performance. Additionally, rumors surrounding Vision Air and AR glasses indicate Apple's ongoing commitment to innovation in immersive technology. Emerging Trends and Collaborations Virtual identity systems are becoming a central focus within the Vision Pro ecosystem. Apple Personas, which create lifelike digital representations, emphasize realism and personalization, offering a stark contrast to the more stylized Meta Avatars. Meanwhile, luxury brands like Porsche are entering the space, developing exclusive Vision OS experiences that merge innovative technology with high-end design. Community engagement is also driving innovation. Events such as WWDC and the XR Expo in Germany provide opportunities to explore the latest advancements, while Vision Pro meetups across Europe foster collaboration among developers, creators, and enthusiasts. These gatherings are instrumental in sharing knowledge and driving the evolution of immersive technology. The Future of Vision Pro The Vision Pro ecosystem continues to evolve, driven by advancements in Vision OS, a growing library of immersive applications, and innovative hardware developments. Whether you're exploring cultural landmarks, managing your smart home, or diving into virtual gaming, Vision Pro offers a unique and immersive experience. As the technology progresses, it is clear that Vision Pro is not just a device but a gateway to the future of computing, blending the digital and physical worlds in unprecedented ways. Media Credit: Justin Ryan ᯅ Filed Under: Apple, Hardware, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
