🕶️ Stanford is prototyping the future of AR

Good morning!

This week saw quite a few developments. The most important news by far is the new development at Stanford. So far, the technology looks really promising and could actually bring us closer to a reality in which mixed reality glasses are actual glasses, not the bulky machines that are currently available.

Today’s Topics:

• 👓 Stanford’s New Tech May Redefine AR Glasses

• 📈 Apple Vision Pro Finds Its Niche in Fortune 100 Companies

• 🎬 Marvel's "What If...?" Comes to Vision Pro in a Mixed Reality Experience

Reading time: 5min

👓 Stanford’s New Tech May Redefine AR Glasses

Researchers at Stanford University's Computational Imaging Lab have developed an advanced AI-assisted holographic imaging technology, promising a significant leap forward in augmented reality (AR) headset design.

The Details:

• Innovative Technology: Stanford's new technology utilizes a "nanophotonic metasurface waveguide," a breakthrough that reduces the need for bulky optics and enables the construction of thinner, lighter AR glasses 🕶️.

• Enhanced Visuals: The lab has employed AI algorithms to enhance image quality significantly, allowing for realistic, full-color 3D images that maintain clarity at various depths 🌈.

  

  A comparison of the optics between existing AR glasses a) and the prototype one (b) with the 3D-printed prototype (c). Credit: Stanford Computational Imaging Lab

• Current Limitations: Despite its potential, the prototype currently features a limited field of view of just 11.7 degrees, considerably less than existing AR devices like Magic Leap 2 or Microsoft HoloLens 🔍.

Our Thoughts: While still in the early stages, Stanford's technology could dramatically alter the landscape of AR wearables, offering a glimpse into a future where AR glasses are as wearable and commonplace as today's eyeglasses 🌟. As the technology matures, it could challenge existing heavyweights like Apple and Meta in the race to develop the first mainstream AR glasses.

📈 Apple Vision Pro Finds Its Niche in Fortune 100 Companies

Amid reports of declining sales for the Vision Pro, Apple CEO Tim Cook has highlighted a significant uptake of the device within the corporate sector. Over half of the Fortune 100 companies have now integrated Apple’s XR headset into their operations, leveraging its advanced features for various business applications 📊.

The Details:

• Companies like KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, SAP, and Porsche are not just experimenting but actively incorporating the Vision Pro into their production workflows 🚀.

• While initially marketed towards affluent consumers, the Vision Pro's high price point of $3,500 seems to have naturally pivoted its primary market to enterprise users 🏢. This shift mirrors the trajectory seen with other AR/MR headsets like Magic Leap and HoloLens, which found their most substantial use cases within professional settings rather than personal entertainment 🎭.

• Despite the enterprise adoption, Apple appears to maintain a dual focus. While they cater to business clients, they have not abandoned the consumer market, possibly aiming to balance both sectors to capture a broader audience as the technology matures. 🌐

Our Thoughts: Apple's strategy reflects a pragmatic approach to the emerging AR market, recognizing the immediate value and impact of the Vision Pro in professional environments while still eyeing the larger consumer market. This balancing act could position Apple as a key player in both domains, shaping the future of AR technology across all sectors 🔍.

🎬 Marvel's "What If...?" Comes to Vision Pro in a Mixed Reality Experience

Vision Pro users are in for a treat as Marvel Studios and ILM Immersive bring an interactive mixed reality edition of "What If...?" exclusively to Apple's headset, marking a significant advancement in immersive storytelling on the platform.

The Details:

• Titled "What If...? – An Immersive Story," this one-hour episode is Disney Plus' first foray into interactive original content, blending augmented and virtual reality to enhance the storytelling experience 🌐.

• Viewers can dive into the Marvel universe, not just as spectators but as participants, engaging directly with the environment using hands and eyes, learning mystic arts, and even wielding the power of the Infinity Stones 💥.

• While the idea promises an evolution beyond simple 360-degree videos, there’s some skepticism about its depth, reminiscent of early interactive video games from the 1990s 🕹️🤔.

Our Thoughts: This initiative by Marvel could potentially break the monotony of the current Vision Pro content library, offering a richer, more engaging viewer experience 👀. However, the success of "What If...? – An Immersive Story" will depend on its ability to deliver a compelling narrative and interactive depth, moving beyond the initial novelty of immersive experiences. If successful, it could set a new standard for content on mixed reality platforms 🏆.

In Other XR News

• Quest 3 Has Higher Effective Resolution, So Why Does Everyone Think Vision Pro Looks Best?

• Apple’s Official Vision Pro Case May Be Pricey, But It Saved a Headset From a 4,000 Pound SUV.

• Network Rail’s XR Training Pilot Reaches 1,000 UK Students.