augmentedreality
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Snapchat will let creators make LiDAR lenses for iPhone 12 Pro
The latest version of Lens Studio could help them forge more immersive AR effects.
Netflix now works on Facebook's Portal TV
You can hop into Zoom calls with Portal smart displays too.
Pinterest says its skin tone searches are now more accurate
It has expanded the feature to the UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.
OnePlus will reveal its latest smartphone in AR on July 21st
It'll show off the OnePlus Nord for the first time on July 21st
Facebook expands Portal group calls to 50 people
It's bringing more Zoom-esque features to the device.
Snapchat’s new lenses use AR to encourage social distancing
Snapchat's latest set of lenses come with a timely reminder of the importance of social distancing. The app introduced two new lenses, created in collaboration with the World Health Organization, that use augmented reality to serve users with tips on how to stay healthy.
Instagram won’t approve new AR effects 'until further notice’
It could be a long time before any new augmented reality effects are published on Instagram. The company is no longer approving new filters because the reviewers who normally sign off on user-created effects have been sent home as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Facebook will shut down its MSQRD selfie app
MSQRD, the Snapchat-like selfie app Facebook acquired in 2016, will soon be no more. The social network said it plans to shut down the augmented reality app on April 13, though its technology will live on in other Facebook-owned services. "MSQRD was fundamental to building early momentum for AR and providing insights to build the platform Facebook has today," the app wrote in an update on its Facebook page. "Our focus is now on delivering you the best-possible AR experiences through Spark AR, the platform that allows anyone to create their own AR effects and share them across the Facebook family."
Instagram cracks down on coronavirus AR effects
Instagram is taking new steps to combat the spread of coronavirus-related misinformation. The company has removed augmented reality effects that claim to "diagnose" or "treat" coronavirus, and will begin hiding other coronavirus-themed augmented reality effects from search results. "We've removed previously-published effects and are rejecting all new effects, which claim to predict, diagnose, treat, or cure coronavirus," Facebook wrote in an update to its AR creators. Other coronavirus-themed AR effects that don't break company rules will be hidden from search results unless they were "developed in partnership with a recognized health organization."
Google makes it easier to buy its Glass headset for workers
Google has announced that developers and businesses can now buy Glass Enterprise Edition 2 directly from its resellers. The third incarnation of Google Glass initially went on sale last May for enterprise customers. While Google no longer considers Glass to be a consumer-focused product, it should be much easier for anyone to get their hands on the latest version if they really want one.
Watch Samsung's CES 2020 keynote in under eight minutes
Between CES and the upcoming Unpacked, at which it'll reveal its next flagship mobile devices, Samsung has already set itself up for a jam-packed year. Even before its keynote, Samsung was having a busy CES, having revealed several TVs, laptops (including a 4K Chromebook) and a Galaxy S10 Lite and Note 10 Lite in the leadup to the event. But it still had some things to showcase, including a spherical robot called Ballie Samsung suggests will be able to manage your smart home.
Even Facebook's Messenger is getting in on the Star Wars hype
In case you hadn't heard, there's a little indie movie coming out next week called Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. As if tie-ins from the likes of Le Creuset weren't enough for the future arthouse classic, Facebook is getting in on the act with its first branded chat theme for Messenger.
Qualcomm teams up with 'Pokémon Go' developer to make AR glasses
Qualcomm didn't only reveal its new and more powerful chip for extended reality headsets at the Snapdragon Tech Summit, it also announced its partnership with Niantic. The chipmaker and the Pokémon Go creator have teamed up to create reference hardware, software and cloud components for augmented reality glasses. It's a multi-year collaboration meant to accelerate the development of AR software and hardware, though it remains to be seen how long you'll have to wait to enjoy the results of their partnership.
Apple brings Memoji and Animoji to its Clips video creation app
Memoji and Animoji haven't seen much outside of Messages since Apple introduced them, but you'll be able to get a bit more out of your creations. Apple is bringing them to its Clips video app.
The Pixel 4 box is hiding an AR Easter egg
If you were one of the first people to scoop up a Google Pixel 4 or Pixel 4 XL, you might want to try pointing Google Lens at the rear of the box when you receive your phone. That's because Google has hidden an augmented reality Easter egg on the packaging.
Mark Zuckerberg hints finger tracking is coming to Oculus
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg hinted a finger-tracking feature is on the way for Oculus headsets. Ahead of his opening keynote at Oculus Connect 6, he posted a video that showed hands making the letters O and C and holding up six fingers. That's a clear reference to the conference, as if the text on his post and an OC6 logo at the end weren't enough. "I'm excited to share our latest work in augmented and virtual reality," he wrote.
Five Nights At Freddy's will soon terrify you in augmented reality
The Five Nights At Freddy's franchise shows few signs of slowing down after a virtual reality spinoff arrived earlier this year. Next up is an augmented reality mobile game in which, based on the teaser, it seems the series' creepy-as-hell animatronics will chase you around your own home (or anywhere else). That's not at all horrifying.
Wonderscope uses AR to teach literacy and tackle bullying
After Pokemon Go put augmented reality on the radar of a mainstream audience, developers have intensified their efforts to find useful applications for it. Google, for example, added AR navigation to Maps, overlaying arrows on the world in front of you. Others have used it help you shop for furniture by virtually placing it in your living room or letting you test out makeup with a little software magic.
Google recreates Apollo 11's command module with AR
The 50th anniversary of our first successful trip to the moon is fast approaching. And Google, which rarely shies away from marking a significant moment in history, has laid out some of the ways in which it'll celebrate the half-century since Apollo 11 reached the lunar surface.
Fox Sports created a USWNT Snapchat AR lens for the World Cup
The United States women's national soccer team laid down a clear statement of intent to their World Cup rivals after a record-breaking 13-0 win over Thailand in their opening game. Alex Morgan grabbed the headlines by scoring five goals against the Asian side in France, and now the co-captain of the defending champions is taking on another starring role.
