🕶️ Canadian College Unveils its First Metaverse Campus

Good morning everyone!

If you're fortunate to have been born in Canada, you can now attend a college class with your Virtual Reality headset on. The question is, how is this better than simply joining a Zoom call? Northlands College answers with Interactive Experiences!

Today’s Topics:

• 👓 Microsoft Patents Battery Innovations for AR Smart Glasses

• 🎓 Canadian College Unveils its Metaverse Campus

• 💸 Apple's Rumored New Headset is Not So Affordable

Reading time: 4min

👓 Microsoft Patents Battery Innovations for AR Smart Glasses

Microsoft has secured a patent for integrating hot-swappable battery functionality🔋 into their future augmented reality (AR) smart glasses. This development positions Microsoft as a strong competitor in the smart glasses market, offering a modular design for enhanced usability.

Details:

• The patented AR smart glasses will feature internal charging storage 🔌, allowing users to use the device for extended periods even when the primary battery is depleted.

• Various configurations for the modular design have been outlined. One design includes a battery in the smart glasses temple piece, utilizing an electrical connector to power the rest of the smart glasses while facilitating easy battery removal and replacement.

• The device can connect to external accessories like backpacks, belts, or necklaces 🎒 to augment its computing and memory capacity 🖥️.

Why it matters: Microsoft's patent for hot-swappable batteries in AR smart glasses is a significant indication that the company is actively working on an AR product, despite their historical claims of not investing in the VR market. This development positions Microsoft as a strong competitor in the smart glasses market, showcasing their commitment to advancing AR technology.

🎓 Canadian College Unveils its Metaverse Campus

Northlands College pioneers education with its "Metaverse Campus," a fully functional virtual campus in Canada 🌍. This new initiative aims at redefining learning tools 📚 and emphasizing tech integration while promoting environmental sustainability in Northern Saskatchewan.

Details:

• Northlands College claims that the "Metaverse Campus” is going to be a fully operational campus within the digital realm.

• The Metaverse Campus erases geographical and time constraints ⏰, offering recorded virtual lectures for flexible learning across diverse time zones and backgrounds 👥.

• Karsten Henriksen, President & CEO of Northlands College, sees this as a transformative step towards the future of learning in Northern Saskatchewan, providing essential tools for Industry 4.0's digital landscape 🛠️.

• This initiative empowers Northern communities by enhancing digital skills crucial for diversified employment opportunities in Northern Saskatchewan 💡.

Why it matters: In essence, it's a pioneering step towards education's digital transformation, effectively bridging rural-urban gaps and democratizing access. Learners, regardless of location, can now access quality education, enriched by the social interactions facilitated by the Metaverse.

💸 Apple's Rumored New Headset is Not So Affordable

Apple is developing a more affordable follow-up to the Vision Pro AR headset, aiming for a price range of $1,500 to $2,500.

Details:

• The affordable version may remove the external display 🚫, a cost-cutting measure aimed at hitting a lower price point while sacrificing a marquee feature, EyeSight.

• The device is expected to run on an iPhone-grade chip 📱, potentially implying hardware trade-offs to achieve cost-efficiency.

• Anticipated hardware adjustments include a reduction in the number of cameras 📷and the use of lower-resolution screens 🖥️ compared to the original Vision Pro.

• This strategic shift towards affordability has led to a refocus from Apple's technically challenging AR glasses project to make AR more accessible 💡.

Our thoughts: Even if Apple's MR headset may not compete in price with Meta's $500 Quest 2, Apple's historical success in creating demand, even at higher price points, suggests it could still garner significant interest and adoption. The brand's allure and innovation could potentially outweigh cost concerns.