Tech Companies Make Progress with New Tools
Emerging Tech Roundup — March 25
The Quantious team’s top picks for timely trending news in the tech world.
This week in tech: Microsoft works toward a haptic touchpad enhancement, Meta releases updates on AR glasses, H2L Technologies works toward a sensation-provoking wristband, Qualcomm announces fresh funding for AR/VR developers, Invisibility Shield Co. creates a product that sounds like science-fiction, Snap makes progress in the development of its AR glasses and Meta partners with VNTANA for 3D ads.
Your Next Laptop Could Have A Haptic Touchpad
(Digital Trends, March 15)
Microsoft has brought in touch device maker Sensel to help them develop a laptop with fully functioning haptic touch capabilities. The touchpad would add new gestures, pressure sensitivity receptors, and increased durability. Its implementation is expected to begin sometime in 2022.
Meta Expands Ray-Ban Stories, Adds Shipping Regions
(XR Today, March 21)
Meta has announced multiple new updates to its Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses. The updates from Mark Zuckerberg include added shipping regions, transition lenses and 60-second video-recording capabilities. The CEO also alluded to additional software updates in the future.
Startup Builds A Metaverse Wristband Mimicking Physiological Movement
(Mashable India, March 21)
Sony-backed H2L Technologies is building a wristband that aims to mimic pain sensations. As we move closer into the metaverse, the company aims to make the environment as realistic as possible. Users will allegedly be able to feel sensations such as “pinching one’s skin, squishing a ball or holding a weight.”
Qualcomm Announces $100M ‘Metaverse Fund’ for VR/AR Developers
(UploadVR, March 21)
Qualcomm is distributing up to $100M in grants and investments to developers “working on gaming, health, media, entertainment, education and enterprise applications.” Developers can begin applying in June. and may also receive early access to new hardware and marketing opportunities if chosen.
Startup Says It’s Created an Actual “Invisibility Shield”
(The Byte, March 22)
Startup Invisibility Shield Co. has developed a shield that reflects light in a way that “almost completely” hides the subject behind it, instead creating a blurred visual. Though they are not a fool-proof shield, they have shown to work best against “uniform backgrounds such as foliage, grass, rendered walls, sand, sky and asphalt.”
Snap Buys Brain-computer Interface Startup for Future AR Glasses
(The Verge, March 23)
Snap has acquired NextMind, a company with a history of development in tools that allow users to control computers with their thoughts. Tackling wearable controls within AR glasses has been an obstacle that many companies have yet to overcome. After this acquisition, it is believed that Snap may be one of the first to attain a solution.
Meta Inks Partnership for 3D Ads in Step Toward the Metaverse
(Reuters, March 24)
Meta is working with e-commerce technology firm VNTANA to start presenting 3D advertisements to its app users. VNTANA will be using Meta’s API to create ads through which products can be viewed from various angles, offering an enhanced shopping experience on Facebook and Instagram.
