Apple ramps up AR / Universal signs a deal with MelodyVR / HTC sells phone factory to invest in VR — Inside VR & AR

Apple is ramping up its development of augmented reality. The company is said to be introducing AR into the iPhone and is creating new products with the technology, such as AR-enabled digital spectacles. Mike Rockwell, former EVP of Dolby, is said to be leading the efforts. Last Spring, Rockwell assembled a team of experienced engineers to work on the project, including hires from Microsoft’s HoloLens team and Oculus. That coupled with Apple’s acquisitions of Metaio and Flyby Media could mean there are hundreds of engineers working on the project. The company could start by introducing AR features into the Camera app, through filters and real-time object detection, very similar to features introduced by Snapchat. — BLOOMBERG

Universal Music Group has signed a deal with MelodyVR to create and distribute content with UMG’s roster of artists. The companies will share revenue generated from the content, as it will exclusively be available on MelodyVR’s upcoming app. The VR company will have the rights to the content for an unspecified amount of time before it is opened up to both parties to distribute and monetize on their own channels. The company has also struck a similar deal with Warner Music Group. MelodyVR specializes in creating VR live-music experiences. — BILLBOARD

HTC has sold a phone factory in Shanghai for $91 million, which the company will invest into its VR business. Although HTC has been seeing some early success with its foray into VR, the company is still struggling to compete in the mobile space. The Shanghai factory primarily produced phones for the Chinese market, but began cutting its workforce once the demand for HTC smartphones decreased. The company still owns and operates three factories in Taiwan. — ROAD TO VR 

AccuWeather’s new VR experience lets viewers see forecasts in virtual reality. The app, available for the Samsung Gear VR, provides immersive weather news, innovative forecasts and 360-degree video of severe weather events. New videos will be added to the app weekly. The app is now available through the Oculus Store. — ENGADGET 

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