Where VR/AR will add $1.5trn by 2030

PwC report, Puzzling Places app, Pavlov PSVR2, VR for patients and more

To VR & AR enthusiasts.

Welcome today’s edition of Futurescape - a 3x deep-dive newsletter focused on what is happening in the Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) world.

Here is what we got today:

  • Apple Vision Pro 2

  • VR report on economy (PwC)

  • TCL Nxtwear S from TCL

NEWS

Apple Vision Pro 2

The first AVP is out, when is the next iteration? - It may be sooner than expected, but for Vision Pro enthusiasts 18 months maybe too long to wait.

In his Power In Newsletter, Mark Gurman shared his thoughts on this wait period.

“Apple Inc. is probably at least 18 months away from launching a second-generation Vision Pro. Based on the early response to the first version, that may be a long time for some people to wait.”

Additionally, Ming-Chi Kuo from TFI Securities hinted, the release to be much later in the 2027.

“The Vision Pro 2 could enter mass production by 1H27 at the latest, suggesting there may be no hardware updates for the Vision Pro in the coming years.”

AVP patent win - The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially granted Apple a patent that expands on the enrollment process for creating a realistic avatar of a user in Vision Pro to use in Facetime.

Emirates Airlines Hostess using AVP - A video clip has gone viral on Instagram of an Emirates Airlines hostess trying out the Apple Vision Pro.

The video was shared by Italian content creator Otto Climan. The clip starts with Mr. Climan offering the device to the air hostess for a try after she expresses her curiosity and excitement about seeing the gadget for the first time. Initially hesitant, she eventually agrees to try it. 

VR for Patients

Children admitted in hospitals are being given the opportunity to visit the magical worlds using VR headsets. BBC article reports the VR therapy kit cost 6,000 pounds and was funded by Salisbury Hospital’s charity, the Stars Appeal. 

The VR headset is I helping patients on Sarum Children’s Ward feel calmer and make their time in hospital more fun. The headset creates three dimensional worlds for children to explore in a variety of expeditions including a visit to space and a Jurassic safari.

"It's immersive, it gives them something else to think about.

“If you use that in combination with something like numbing cream, there's a reasonably good chance that blood tests and things can be completely pain free, which I think is amazing."

- Dr Chris Anderson (paediatric consultant on Sarum Ward)

Scape Bites

Hardware - The Somnium V1 VR headset is on track to ship its first units as from April this year. Pre-order begin in March to those who made their while public orders open at the end of March. The starting price is €1,900, which is equivalent to $2,050.

Startup - Launched fitness entrepreneurs Cix Liv, Vi ( ‘virtual eye’) announced it’s building a glove you can wear while pumping iron, letting you automatically do things like log reps and keep track of barbell weights.

HARDWARE

TCL Nxtwear S from TCL

Playing Nintendo Switch games using the TCL Nxtwear S (Image credit: Future)

The Chinese-based electronic giant launched their first AR glasses dubbed TCL Nxtwear S. Users have had mixed reactions with many terming the headset as average at best. However, a new iteration is set for release as the next successor.

Here is what to expect from the TCL Nxtwear S AR glasses;

Price: The glasses are priced at $399 in the US (they were originally $449, around £450 / AU$655), which makes them a tad more expensive than their rivals.

Display: The AR glasses feature a Micro-OLED display with a 45° field of view (FOV). The display has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 in 2D mode and 3840 x 1080 in 3D mode. The refresh rate is 60Hz.

Design: They are made of lightweight materials and have adjustable nose pads to fit a variety of face shapes. The glasses also fold up for easy portability. Also, designed to for comfort and style weighing 89g with dimensions; 175mm x 166mm x 51mm (unfolded), 56mm x 154mm x 51mm (folded).

Audio: They have dual speakers for immersive audio. The glasses are also compatible with earphones for private listening.

Connectivity & Sensors: You can connect your phone or computer via a USB-C port with DisplayPort. They have an accelerometer, gyroscope, and pressure sensor. These sensors allow the glasses to track your head movements and adjust the image accordingly.

Battery life: The AR glasses do not have a built-in battery. They are powered by your phone or computer via the USB-C connection.

GAMING

Pavlov VR2: Chronicles of Conflict

The Pavlov VR2 crossed from PC to VR for the first time during the launch of PSVR2 in 22 February 2023. And it has proved to be one of the best VR experiences available to PlayStation players.

Synopsis
This is an exclusive first-person shooter (FPS) game tailored for the PSVR2, unfolding in a dystopian future gripped by global warfare.

Players immerse themselves in intense combat situations, where split-second decisions dictate survival. Solo play follows a seasoned soldier navigating hostile terrain, undertaking pivotal missions crucial for their faction's destiny, spanning covert ops and large-scale battles.

Multiplayer mode offers dynamic confrontations against global rivals across diverse maps and modes like team deathmatch and bomb defusal, emphasizing reflexes, teamwork, and strategy.

Reviews

HOLY HELL! If y’all want a good workout, play Pavlov on the PlayStation VR2! Video coming soon.

So I’ve played quite a few titles since launch and most of them are pretty awesome. (gtr7 a particular favorite.)

But I just spent 4 hours on Pavlov playing TTT and it was the most fun I’ve had gaming in years. Honestly if your a fan of shooters and want a laugh. Don’t pass on this one!

RESEARCH

VR/AR on Business & Economy

PwC recently published a report on the impact of virtual reality and augmented reality transforming business the economy.

Key takeaway: VR and AR have the potential to deliver a $1.5 trillion boost to the global economy by 2030.

An example use case is the automotive industry using VR/AR to cut the time between initial design and physical modelling from weeks to days. Additionally here are industries VR/AR is potentially going to transforms in regards to GDP addition by 2030.

Healthcare - ($350bn) to enhance front-line patient care and also for training. VR is already being used to give medical students greater access to operating theatres, where there are restrictions on the number of observers. The technology is also being used to enable consultants based in different locations to collaborate remotely and discuss upcoming surgical procedures.

Process improvements - ($275bn) with a focus on the efficiency, productivity and accuracy of employees and processes. Engineers and technicians can be fed information such as repair diagrams using an AR interface, enabling them to quickly identify problems and conduct repairs and maintenance

Development and training - ($294.2bn) with an aim to boost engagement and knowledge retention and enables organizations to enforce consistent, measurable standards at scale. The technology also provides a way to train employees where it is not always practical - or safe - to do so in the real world.

Product and service development - ( $359.4bn) enhance and augment existing product design and development but also to enable entirely new techniques. An example is the automotive industry I mentioned above.

This numbers in terms of GDP look transformational, however we still have a couple of concerns with the space. Here are some mentioned in the report.

  • Focus on the return on investment rather than cost

  • Address cultural concerns

  • Create seamless user experience

APPS

Puzzling Places on Vision Pro

Puzzling Places is a spatial computing jigsaw puzzle game designed for Apple Vision Pro. It leverages the power of AR glasses to transport you to miniature recreations of real-world locations, where you assemble intricate 3D puzzles while immersed in the sights and sounds of the environment.

Features

Photorealistic Puzzles: Each puzzle captures stunning details of real-world locations, using advanced 3D scanning technology.

Intuitive Controls: Utilize your gaze, hand gestures, and voice commands to manipulate puzzle pieces in a natural and satisfying way.

Immersive Soundscapes: Handcrafted soundscapes enhance the atmosphere of each location, drawing you deeper into the experience.

Shared Space Support: Work on puzzles collaboratively with others in the same physical space, each manipulating pieces independently.

Boundless Canvas: The expansive virtual space of Vision Pro eliminates physical limitations, allowing for larger puzzles and diverse environments.

How to use the app;

1.Equipment: You'll need an Apple Vision Pro headset and a compatible Apple device.

2.Download the App: Search for "Puzzling Places" on the App Store within your Vision Pro device.

3.Launch the App: Follow the on-screen instructions to calibrate your headset and begin the tutorial.

4.Choose a Puzzle: Select a location from the available options. Each puzzle displays difficulty level and estimated completion time.

5.Manipulate Pieces: Use your gaze, hand gestures, or voice commands to grab, rotate, and place puzzle pieces.

6.Explore the Environment: Look around the miniature world, admiring the details and listening to the soundscapes.

7.Relax and Enjoy: Take your time, experiment, and immerse yourself in the peaceful experience.

WORKSPACE

MEME OF THE DAY

That is it for today.

Thank you for reading!

Futurespace team