🕶️ VR Headsets are coming to your next flight

Good morning!

As summer approaches, airlines are gearing up to make your journey unforgettable. On crowded flights, there's nothing better than escaping into your own private world and enjoying all the media you want. It's time for airlines to include VR headsets on their flights…

Today’s Topics:

• 🛫 VR Headsets are coming to your next flight.

• 🌍 Apple Preps Vision Pro for Global Rollout

• 👨‍✈️ Royal Navy Navigates Future with VR Training

Reading time: 5min

🛫 VR Headsets are Coming to your Next Flight

Meta Quest headsets are now equipped with Travel Mode, allowing users to enjoy VR experiences on flights ✈️. The feature, available on Quest 2 and 3 running software version 65 or later, enables passthrough functionality without the need for positional tracking.

The Details:

• Users can enable Travel Mode under Settings > Experimental features. Once activated, it will appear in the Quick settings panel for easy toggling 👓.

• Currently designed for airplane use, Travel Mode does not support other transport modes like cars or trains, while apps requiring internet connectivity will still need in-flight Wi-Fi 🌐.

• The Travel Mode joins other Vision Pro-style features on Meta Quest, including expansive pinch controls, the ability to use the headset lying down, and spatial video playback from iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max 📲🎥.

Business Class Experience:

• Starting this summer, Lufthansa will offer Quest 3 headsets to business class passengers on select flights as part of a pilot program 💼.

• Passengers can enjoy an immersive cinema experience, travel podcasts with spatial videos, virtual sightseeing previews, interactive games, and meditation exercises 🎧.

Our Thoughts: Meta’s Travel Mode is a strategic move to enhance in-flight entertainment and compete with Apple’s Vision Pro 🥊. The collaboration with Lufthansa could set a new standard for luxury travel, offering passengers a unique and immersive way to pass the time on long flights 🛫. While limitations exist, the feature’s potential to transform travel experiences is undeniable.

🌍 Apple Preps Vision Pro for Global Rollout

Apple is gearing up to launch its $3,499 Vision Pro headset internationally, starting shortly after the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) next month. The company is training staff from various countries to demonstrate the mixed reality device.

The Details:

• Apple has brought in hundreds of employees from Germany, France, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and China to its Cupertino headquarters for training on how to demo the Vision Pro 🌐👨‍🏫.

• While Apple hasn’t disclosed the exact locations for the international launch, CEO Tim Cook has confirmed China will see the Vision Pro in 2024 🇨🇳. The UK and Canada are also rumored to be on the priority list 🇬🇧🇨🇦.

• Reports indicate slow sales in the US, with some stores selling only a few units per week. The international launch aims to boost these numbers 📈.

• International customers might experience a 20-minute pitch similar to the US launch, though it’s unclear if demo appointments will be required 🕒.

Our Thoughts: Expanding to international markets could be a game-changer for the Vision Pro, especially in regions where virtual reality tech has a stronger foothold 🌍. However, Apple will need to address challenges like high pricing and limited app availability to capture a broader audience.

👨‍✈️ Royal Navy Navigates Future with VR Training

The Royal Navy is revolutionizing its navigational training by integrating cutting-edge Virtual Reality (VR) technology, offering a more immersive and effective training experience for its sailors.

The Details:

• Nine advanced bridge simulators have been installed across England and Scotland, including at HMS Collingwood in Fareham. These simulators feature full mission setups with wrap-around digital displays and VR headsets 🕶️.

• The £27 million project, led by a consortium including Capita and Metaverse VR, aims to transform how naval personnel train for navigation and bridge management 🚀.

• The simulators, named after famous Royal Navy navigators, provide an immersive 3D environment that enhances situational awareness during complex operations like docking and resupplying ⚓️.

• Sub-Lieutenant Stephen Smallman, who has used both the old and new systems, emphasizes the increased realism and immersion of the new VR setup, making training feel more authentic and engaging 🗣️🎮.

Our Thoughts: The Royal Navy’s adoption of VR for navigational training marks a significant advancement in military training technology. By providing sailors with a more realistic and immersive experience, the Navy ensures better preparation for real-world operations 🚢. This initiative not only honors the legacy of historical naval explorers but especially leads the way for future advancements in training methodologies.

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