CNN jumps into VR / Lowe's brings VR to stores / Bj?rk Digital — Inside VR & AR

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CNN officially debuts its dedicated VR journalism unit. The network will integrate 360 video into its mobile apps and website. While the network has been experimenting with VR video for quite some time, there is now a more centralized home for viewing the content and a more organized structure within the company for producing it. CNN has been training correspondents around its global network on how to produce VR reports. The network launched the project by publishing a VR video story on the running of the bulls in Spain, which you can watch here. CNN also recently launched a VR app on Google’s Daydream headset and is looking to develop on other VR headsets as well. — TECHCRUNCH

Lowe’s launched a VR experience that gives customers a tutorial on how to install bathroom tiles. For the past few weeks, customers at the home improvement store’s Framingham, Mass location have been invited to experience a 20 minute tutorial, using a HTC Vive headset. This is a part of a push to incorporate VR into its stores, debuting the technology in Canadian stores next month. The company hopes that the tutorials will drive in-store traffic and show customers how to learn basic home improvement skills, without the need for assistance from a staff member. — CNN

Bj?rk’s VR experience is coming back to the United States. The Icelandic artist’s VR experience made its debut last year during the Day for Night Festival in Houston. The project’s second U.S. showing will run from May 19th to June 4th in Los Angeles. The VR experience features work from Bj?rk’s latest album, Vulnicura. In a Facebook post, Bj?rk said, “I feel the chronological narrative of the album is ideal for the private circus virtual reality is.” — ENGADGET

SXSW will feature an 8K VR motion ride that will require no headset. The two-seat ride was produced through a collaboration between Japanese media (NHK) and technology companies (Wonder Vision Techno Laboratory and RecoChoku Labo). The ride will use a hemispherical screen and surround sound to provide the VR experience. The companies behind the project want to show off the possibilities of 8K technology, although there are no commercial plans in developing it. — VARIETY

JOBS AND EVENTS

SuperVentures is hosting the Augmented World Expo USA 2017 in Santa Clara from May 31-June 2 

Shaper Tools is looking for a UX/UI designer 

SubVRsive is hiring

RYOT is looking for a social media manager 

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