AR/XR/Metaverse

Snapchat Users’ Embrace of AI Could Improve Ads, Snap CEO Says

Evan Spiegel says 150 million people have used the social-media platform’s My AI chatbot, sending over 10 billion messages. Pushing the boundaries of advertising norms, Snap Inc. — the creator of the Snapchat application — is venturing into AI marketing by integrating its newfound artificial intelligence chatbot, My AI. The strategy involves capitalizing on 10 billion user messages to boost advertising efforts. According to Snap Inc. , 20% of Snapchat’s monthly users, approximately 150 million people, have interacted with this chatbot since its debut in February. (Wall Street Journal )

What’s AR’s Share of Global Ad Spend?

Immersive brand marketing continues to be a leading spending category in AR. In fact, it’s one of the few subsectors that derive meaningful revenue.?But understanding the scope of that ad spend requires panning back to put it into perspective. To demonstrate, what would you guess is AR’s share of global ad spending? We’ve seen?aggressive guesses ?of “at least 10 per cent and as much as 25 per cent of digital ad spending.” Though the optimism is appreciated, the share is far smaller. Given that global ad spend (broader than the digital subsegment referenced above) is about $738 billion, that puts AR’s share at .0047. This is .47 per cent or – in more plain-spoken terms – just under half of one per cent. Though the above reads as pessimistic, there’s a glass-half-full message intended. All that space that hovers above the mobile’s share represents headroom. While overall ad spending is reaching maturity and decelerated growth, AR advertising is growing at a 33.8 per cent CAGR. (AR Insider )

Up Your VR Golf Game With The Walkabout VR Putter

VR developer Mighty Coconut has partnered with VR accessory provider HelloReal to launch an official golf putter accessory designed specifically for use with?Walkabout Mini Golf?VR ?on Meta Quest VR headsets. Available for a limited time, the official Walkabout Grip-to-Putter promises a more realistic VR mini golf experience thanks to a combination of unique features. This includes a comfortable grip, self-tensioning lanyard, adjustable hardware trigger, and a swappable grip system. There’s even an exclusive in-game cosmetic. (VR Scout )

100 years of Disney, 100 years of storytelling

The "Storytelling Through the Ages" project is an immersive augmented reality (AR) landmark experience produced by Snap AR Studio and Atomic Digital Design that pays homage to 100 years of captivating storytelling by Disney. This groundbreaking exhibition brought to the esteemed Cannes Lions 2023 event by Snapchat, invites visitors to embark on a magical journey through the evolution of Disney's iconic characters, narratives, and imagination. At the core of this project lies the fusion of cutting-edge AR technology, Disney's rich heritage, and the engaging capabilities of Snapchat's platform. The goal was to transport visitors into a mesmerizing world where they could experience the beloved tales of Disney like never before (Atomic Digital Design )

TikTok's ad Ops specialist talks in-app shopping, search, AI and more

TikTok spoke with advertisers this week from the Carlton during the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in the private garden courtyard at the heart of the newly renovated hotel, where it was holding open talks on everything from data privacy to AI.?Ray Cao, TikTok’s managing director, global head of product strategy and operations, sat down with Ad Age for a frank conversation from a small terrace overlooking the Carlton garden.?(Ad Age )

A look into XR's future with AWE's 2023 events and beyond

With pushing boundaries and looking towards the future in mind, the event was also a testament to the unstoppable growth and boundless possibilities of XR technology. With the dozens of announcements made at the event, plus the huge news made shortly after AWE USA 2023 took place that Apple has now stepped into the XR ring with the launch of its Apple Vision Pro headset, it is clear that the XR industry is continuing to grow at a rapid pace. Therefore, it is only fitting that AWE itself expands to accommodate this ever-increasing demand for XR technology. As a result, for AWE USA 2024 we will be moving to Long Beach, California. The exciting move signifies AWE’s commitment to providing an even more immersive and expansive experience for attendees, and will provide an awesome new space and setting to celebrate the 15th anniversary of AWE. (AWE )

What’s new in Lightship?ARDK 3.0

All new Lightship ARDK 3.0 is now compatible with Unity AR Foundation, making it easier than ever to get started. Niantic Lightship is excited to announce that?Lightship ARDK 3.0 ?is now in Public Beta, bringing new features and improvements to help you get the most out of the Lightship platform. You can now seamlessly mix and match Lightship’s advanced AR features like Depth and Occlusion, Semantics, or VPS, and Unity’s reliable AR frameworks like face and body tracking, session management, and more, all in the same project. (Niantic Lightship )

Meta says it’s totally fine for 10-year-olds to wear its VR headset, probably

Meta will soon officially permit users as young as 10 to use its Meta Quest 2 and 3 VR headsets — if their parents say it’s okay, anyway.?In a blog post , the tech giant says that there’s “a vast array of engaging and educational apps, games, and more” for the kiddos, even if the jury is still out on whether it’s healthy or not.?Just in time for Roblox! The new parent-managed Meta accounts will require mom or dad’s approval to begin with, and parents will be able to control which apps preteens use and set time limits. If you want to take part, most of the info you’ll need will be available in the?“family center” part of your account . (Tech Crunch )

Want to check out our augmented reality projects? Follow us?here ?on LinkedIn or on Instagram?at?@atomicdigital.design .

Thank you