Capital Injection in VR development – Where Will it Take Us?

Recently we've seen more and more  announcements from  technology companies such as Samsung and Facebook and large media corporations like Walt Disney investing in VR hardware development. Just in September, Disney dropped $65 million into Jaunt Inc, a VR developer. In October Google's Alphabet and the New York Times initiated a joint venture to distribute free cardboard VR headset with newspaper's print edition to promote NYT's VR application. And now, Time Warner Inc. and ComcastCorp. are investing $30 million into NextVR Inc.

It's fair to assume that all these efforts are focused on offsetting current trends in market share loss as more readers and viewers shift to consuming content on nontraditional communication channels. Or perhaps, these companies are making an even bigger bet, investing in VR as the future of communication. What if these companies aren't just developing new immersive programs, but are creating new types of internet just for VR? We could be closer to Futurama than we might think - how far away are we from a future where we can not only read about a historical event, but experience it? Where we can meet someone, go shopping or watch a movie together without being physically present? We truly hope that we are not the only people thinking of this amazing future.

When Fashion Meets Virtual Reality

When thinking about virtual reality, fashion is not something that instantaneously pops to mind. Nonetheless, VR is being used in this industry in a multitude of ways.

http://www.racked.com/2015/9
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Many designers and fashions houses such as Rebecca Minkoff, Burberry and TommyHilfiger have made it possible for fashionistas and buyers alike to have a full 360⁰ view of the exclusive runway shows iconic to these labels.  

VR headsets can provide the experience of attending the Grand Palais fashion show in Paris or the Park Avenue runway shows in New York City - without actually being there. Some argue that such a perspective is actually superior since it can be viewed from the perspective of photographers, guests and models - it even opens up the behind-the-scenes activity backstage!

From a business perspective such applications are genius because they enable customers to virtually shop right in brands' stores immediately after each designers' show! This creates a strong, intimate relationship between brands and shoppers.

http://www.techtimes.com/articles/21107/20141129/ebay-
wants-to-make-shopping-interactive-with-magic-
mirrors-heres-the-future-of-shopping.htm

The interaction between fashion and technology is not only limited to VR headsets. Rebecca Minkoff introduced bracelets that charge phones and interactive mirrors in the dressing rooms of their stores. These mirrors recognize the items entered into the dressing room and provide recommendations for matching outfits. They also allow shoppers to interact with store personnel. How often have you tried on a shirt in the wrong size and have had to call the store attendant half naked? Well, with this innovative mirror you can order the size, style, color and even accompanying beverage of your choice, all of which will be delivered to your cabin!

Rebecca Minkoff has leveraged technology to differentiate itself from the more conservative fashion houses, successfully creating a fashion experience in the image of her customers. What do you think about this application? Have you seen other such experiences while shopping? Leave a note in the comments below!

How to Become the Next Lionel Messi...Without Stepping on the Field

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-2175398/
London-2012-Olympics-The-military-grade-
technology-thats-giving-Team-GB-athletes-edge.html

It's every aspiring athlete's dream - to become the next Lionel Messi, Michael Jordan or Peyton Manning. Sadly, however, many sports fanatics simply don't have the time, energy, resources or natural abilities to make it to the ultimate level. But what if the youngsters of tomorrow didn't have to attend elite training programs starting at age 5, win thousands of dollars in scholarships and connect with the "right players" for a real shot at making the pros? 

Virtual reality technologies could be the sport training solution of the future. Given the rapid development of VR in the last five years alone, hopeful athletes 15 years from now could undergo complete and comprehensive training programs that adequately prepare them for the ultimate levels of play - without ever stepping onto a court, pitch or field. 

Some companies have already begun making advancements in such applications. A company called STRIVR Labs currently works with National Football League, National Basketball Association, Women's National Basketball Association and National Hockey League teams to help these athletes better prepare for game day situations. This technology, however, is only a supplement to current training practices, serving to boost players' understandings of particular plays and training sessions. 

What if VR training was taken one step further? We imagine a sporting world in which players won't ever have to leave home to attain peak fitness levels or play in the most competitive sports arenas. Fully-immersive VR experiences could adequately prepare the best of the best for increasingly difficult physical and mental challenges, honing abilities only achieved in partnership with legendary coaches and personal trainers today. Such athletes could also use their bodies in games or tournaments to compete through online VR avatars, expending the same amount of energy as they would on the field against international rivals, but without leaving the comfort of their basements. The potential for next-level athletic development, without requiring the perfect mix of natural ability, strong positioning and luck, is limitless.

Do you think such advancements could be made in the next 15 years? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! 

Google Maps in Virtual Reality

Google Maps is possibly the most well-known internet application after the company's renowned search engine. The service broke conventional boundaries when it first showed us what an aerial view of our neighborhoods looked like. A couple of years later, it changed the way we see the world with the addition of "Street View." Now, with the launch of Street View in Google's Cardboard VR device, the company has taken another step forward in the development of the perfect mapping application. 

The enhanced Street View was recently launched on the Google mobile app. The software is available for both Android and IOS operating systems. 

In order to enjoy this awesome new development, you will need to own a pair of virtual reality goggles. You can choose between the two models that currently exist on the market - Google Cardboard and  and Samsung Gear VR. Cardboard is the cheaper, more accesible option while the Gear VR provides a more comfortable, premium experience. 

Consider buying a new VR headset before taking your next trip - it could give you a better idea of what the experience will look like!

Realidad Virtual en la Madre Patria – Creatividad sin limites!

Guantes de realidad virtual (Glove One de Neurodigital), cabina de olores (Cabina de Teletransporte de inMediastudio) y simulador de caída libre (Whiplash de Whiplash Entertainment) fueron expuestos en la pasada edición de “ The VR Date” en España como complementos para maximizar la experiencia de la realidad virtual. Definitivamente cada vez más la tecnología nos acerca a espacios de entretenimientos mas completos y envolventes y lo más importante es que los desarrollos e innovaciones no son solo originados en las grandes potencias mundiales. ¿Cuanto tiempo faltará para poder implementar guantes y gafas de realidad virtual en la oficina y hacer de los teclados elementos del pasado?

Si quieres conocer mas afondo de las invenciones presentadas en este grandiosos evento te invitamos a dirigirte a los siguientes vínculos:

http://espacio.fundaciontelefonica.com/2015/10/19/ven-a-the-
vr-date-y-prueba-la-realidad-virtual/

http://www.eleconomista.es/apps/noticias/7111001/10/15/Glove-
One-el-guante-espanol-para-poder-sentir-la-realidad-virtual-.html