Google’s annual developer conference, Google AI, focused on AI, highlighting their efforts to disrupt themselves before being disrupted. With Google’s ad revenue in the fourth quarter of 2023 accounting for 75.9% of their total revenue, they have a lot at stake. The big announcements at the conference included Veo, a video generation tool, AR Maps, and Android’s response to Apple Vision Pro. Veo, Google’s answer to OpenAI’s Sora, generates high-quality videos from text prompts and will soon be integrated into YouTube Shorts and other products.
Google Street Maps is set to expand with AR experiences, making certain experiences discoverable when looking around landmarks or cities. This innovation aligns with the vision of a world painted with data, as depicted in the 2019 book “Convergence.” Additionally, OpenAI’s new ChatGPT chatbot is being compared to the OS Samantha from the movie “Her,” sparking questions about the ethics and implications of AI advancements in everyday life. The Cannes Film Festival has embraced XR, adding it as an official category and competition, joining other festivals that have been featuring XR experiences.
RayNeo’s TV glasses now feature a dedicated controller and pocket TV, enhancing the user experience and making the technology more accessible and easy to use. This development in AR glasses aligns with the vision of creating a seamless and immersive viewing experience. The “This Week in XR” column, hosted by industry experts, delves into current advancements in XR technology and features guests such as the producers of Eli Roth’s “Haunted House VR Treat” on Meta Quest headsets. The podcast is available on platforms like Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube.
AI advancements are reaching a new era, reminiscent of the OS Samantha from the movie “Her,” sparking conversations around the implications and ethical considerations of integrating AI into everyday life. The promotion of XR experiences at the Cannes Film Festival and the introduction of new features in AR glasses aim to create more immersive and interactive experiences for users. The podcast “This Week in XR” provides insights into the latest developments in XR technology, featuring industry experts and creators at the forefront of innovation in the field.
