The Augmented Horizon

More is happening in technology beyond just generative AI! Advancements in Extended Reality (AR, VR, Mixed Reality), Robotics, Quantum Computing, and HCI are redefining our reality. We keep you one step ahead of everyone else.

TL: DR - I sort through the best new tech news, so you do not have to!

When You Give Your Dog an Implant?

This week, we’re breaking down why mixed reality and AI are the true game-changers in the metaverse space, plus I've got the scoop on everything from universal robot languages and OpenAI's new mini model to the latest in brain-computer interfaces and humanoid robots - all wrapped up in a concise, informative package that'll keep you in the loop on the cutting edge of tech.

But First…Forget Immersive VR: Mixed Reality and AI are the Real Metaverse Game-Changers!

When I was involved in building a virtual world builder ten years ago, while Second Life reigned supreme and both Minecraft and Roblox were really just getting started, the tech industry proclaimed that realistic, immersive worlds (now called the metaverse) would be the next big thing. It was not. The concepts around imagination, like Roblox and Minecraft, became huge while immersive worlds, like Second Life, fizzled from top billing.

The idea of the metaverse isn't new. During the era of Second Life, users created vibrant, self-sustaining societies, demonstrating that immersive virtual experiences have been around for decades. However, these early virtual worlds thrived on user-generated content and strong community bonds, unlike the modern corporate-driven metaverses that fail to captivate the public.

Today, the tech industry's narrow focus on fully immersive VR as the future of the metaverse is limiting. VR faces significant challenges, including high costs, technical limitations, and low user adoption. The hype has dwindled, and major companies have scaled back their investments, realizing that immersive VR alone is not the answer.

Instead, we should discuss the real opportunity: mixed reality (MR) combined with augmented reality (AR) and generative AI. MR integrates digital elements into the real world, enhancing rather than replacing our everyday experiences. It offers practical applications across various fields, from gaming and education to healthcare and productivity, making it more accessible and valuable.

The future of digital experiences lies not in isolating users in VR but in enhancing reality through MR, AR, and generative AI. These technologies bridge the gap between the digital and physical worlds, offering practical, integrated, and enriching experiences that are truly transformative. It's time to shift the conversation and focus on the broader, more inclusive potential of the metaverse.

Become a Master of This Topic (Articles I Used For Research)

• The GenAI Hype is Real. It is Not the Metaverse, Calcalistech

• Is Metaverse Dead? What Happened to All the Hype?, Analytics Insight

• Virtual Reality Steps Up as Metaverse Struggles to Deliver, Cointelegraph

• Who Needs the Metaverse? Meet the People Still Living on Second Life, The Guardian

• Second Life’s Formula Will Never Be Replicated, The Atlantic

• Mixed Reality is Our Digital Future, Medium

• Understanding How Immersive Mixed Reality Will Power the Metaverse, Designing Electronics

MIXED REALITY NEWS OF THE WEEK

Robots Are Speaking the Same Language Now!

Deus Robotics has created a universal language for robots, making communication between different robotic systems a breeze. It’s like Esperanto, but for robots!

Read more https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucerogers/2024/07/17/deus-robotics-enables-robots-to-speak-the-same-language/

Meta’s VR Division Burns Cash Faster Than a House on Fire

Meta is reportedly unhappy with its VR division's staggering spending. It’s a money pit that even Zuckerberg might struggle to fill!

Read more https://gizmodo.com/meta-reportedly-unhappy-with-how-much-money-its-vr-division-burns-2000476495

Magic Leap’s Vanishing Act: AR Giant Slashes Sales Team

Magic Leap has decided to cut its sales and marketing teams, signaling a major shift in its augmented reality strategy. Is the magic fading?

Read more https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-19/magic-leap-cuts-sales-marketing-teams-in-ar-about-face

OpenAI’s 4O Mini Model: The Tiny Titan of AI

OpenAI just announced its new 4O Mini Model, a smaller, more efficient AI that packs a big punch. Tiny but mighty!

Read more https://www.cnbc.com/2024/07/18/openai-4o-mini-model-announced.html

Humanoid Robots: Friends or Foes?

The latest humanoid robots are becoming eerily human-like. Are they our new best friends or the start of a sci-fi nightmare?

Read more https://techxplore.com/news/2024-07-humanoid-robots-humans.html

Fei-Fei Li’s Vision for AI: Seeing is Believing

AI guru Fei-Fei Li discusses how spatial intelligence will help AI understand the real world better. It's like giving AI a pair of glasses!

Read more https://radical.vc/fei-fei-li-with-spatial-intelligence-ai-will-understand-the-real-world/

Elon Musk’s Neuralink: Superpowers in a Week?

Elon Musk claims that Neuralink’s second brain implant will grant superhuman abilities within a week. Is it time to dust off your cape?

Read more https://www.hindustantimes.com/business/elon-musk-says-second-neuralink-brain-implant-to-give-people-superpowers-in-a-week-101720666555269.html

Neuralink 2.0: Revolution or Hype?

Unveiling Musk’s latest brain implant tech, promising to revolutionize neuroscience. Are we on the brink of a mind-blowing breakthrough?

Read more https://www.thenational-somaliland.com/unveiling-musks-neuralink-revolutionizing-neuroscience-with-next-gen-brain-implants/

Synchron’s Brainwave Chat: The Future of Communication

Neuralink rival Synchron is using OpenAI models to power a brainwave-based chat feature. It's telepathy for the digital age!

Read more https://www.cnbc.com/2024/07/16/neuralink-rival-synchron-is-using-openai-models-to-power-chat-feature.html

WORTH A WATCH

Tech Highlights from AWE 2024: The Future is Here!

The most exciting innovations showcased at the Augmented World Expo (AWE) 2024 include groundbreaking AR, VR, and AI technologies that are set to transform our world from CNET.

Interesting Jobs in Tech

Coming soon! I am working with companies and recruiters in the space to add jobs. Do you have any? Please send me the details, and I will include them soon!

I’ve got a growing list from you and partners, although not all are in the extended tech space. If you want to reach out, please do so at the link above (I'm still setting up the process).

SALES & MARKETING

• Social Media Marketing Manager (B2B, Consumer)

• Director Growth Marketing (B2B, Consumer)

• Mid Market Sales Rep

• Manager Business Development

• Founding Marketing Leader

• Life Cycle Marketing Manager

PRODUCT & ENGINEERING

• Chief Product Officer

• Ops Founding

• Ops Leader Manager

• Talent Ops Operations Associate

• Junior Infrastructure Engineer

• Full Stack Engineer

• Senior Privacy & Security Engineers

• Founding Engineer

• Founding Engineers

• Senior Backend Engineer

• Senior Fullstack Engineer

Key Events Summer 2024

• VRTO - Toronto, Canada - June 2024

• SIGGRAPH - Vancouver, Canada - August 11-15, 2024

• F8 Refresh - Online - June 2024

• E3 - Los Angeles, USA - June 11-13, 2024

• VivaTech - Paris, France - June 12-15, 2024

• EuroHaptics - Nottingham, UK - June 10-13, 2024

• Metaverse Expo - Seoul, Korea - June 26-28, 2024

• Venice Film Festival - Venice, Italy - August 28-September 7, 2024

• AI & Big Data Expo World Series - Santa Clara, USA - June 5-6, 2024

• TechConnect World - Washington, DC, USA - June 17-19, 2024

• Auto.AI - San Francisco, USA - June 26-28, 2024

• AI4 2024 - Las Vegas, USA - August 12-14, 2024

• AI & Big Data Expo 2024 - Santa Clara, USA - June 5-6, 2024

• HCI International 2024 - Washington, DC, USA - June 29-July 4, 2024

Check out the running list of industry events and conferences for 2024.

Have any questions or additions?

Are there any issues or corrections? Just let us know.
Portions of this email were assisted by artificial intelligence.