[The new HaptX Glove apparently provides impressive haptic illusions if not fully “immersive VR,” but as this story from IEEE Spectrum notes, the creators are still working toward enabling “virtual reality experiences [that] are indistinguishable from real life”; see the original story for four more images and the HaptX website for much more information. –Matthew] HaptX Inc Reveals New Haptic Glove for Virtual Reality By Amy Nordrum Posted 20 Nov 2017 In early October, I showed up at an old firehouse on Staten Island for a glimpse into the future of virtual reality. That future depends largely on haptics. Now…

[This story from Phys.org via AFP describes a promising therapeutic use of VR and presence that creates a double-meaning for immersion and has the added advantage of not requiring the use of captive animals. For more information, including images and standard and interactive videos, see The Dolphin Swim Club’s website. –Matthew] Swimming with dolphins in virtual reality to aid disabled November 19, 2017 by Jo Biddle Swimming with wild dolphins is something most can only dream of, and jumping into pools with captive animals has become increasingly controversial with environmentalists condemning it as cruel. But a Dutch non-profit believes it…

[Reminiscent of Oculus Video and CineVR, a new virtual movie theater from Paramount and Bigscreen will replicate sitting in a theater with friends watching a film on a big screen, i.e., it’ll use presence-evoking technology to replicate the experience of using presence-evoking technology. This story is from Deadline Hollywood. –Matthew] Paramount Pictures Launching First Virtual Reality Movie Theater by Anita Busch November 16, 2017 EXCLUSIVE: Paramount Pictures has just created another platform — or maybe even a new distribution window — to display its feature content. The studio, in partnership with Bigscreen, is collaborating with several tech companies leading efforts…

[A new VR project from Pixar promotes the company’s new film using both spatial and social presence. The story is from CNET, where the original includes more images and a 2:29 minute video. –Matthew] Pixar uses VR to bring the Land of the Dead to life “Coco VR,” the first virtual-reality experience from Pixar, sets you loose as a skeleton to play in the imaginary universe of its next film. By Joan E. Solsman November 15, 2017 Pixar’s movies can be so captivating, you sometimes want to walk around inside their worlds. Now you can. “Coco VR,” the first virtual-reality…

[The important presence experience described in this story from The Diamondback is available at the Washington, D.C. Newseum until December 2018. For more information, including a video, see the Newseum’s website. –Matthew] Newseum guests can walk through streets of Berlin during Cold War By Lindsey Feingold Published September 27, 2017 In a virtual West Berlin, a news correspondent briefly discusses the Berlin Wall’s history under the backdrop of the wall’s graffiti. Visitors can hear former president Ronald Reagan’s famous 1987 speech with the quote, “Tear down this wall!” playing in the background. People roam the streets of East Berlin, where…

[This new product could represent an important milestone for augmented reality and presence. The story is from GearBrain, where it includes different images. For more information see the article about the creators’ vision in Develop, the company’s press release via PR Newswire, and a 15:16 minute video review and demonstration from DadDoes; at this writing the Merge Cube is widely available, including from Amazon, for $14.99. –Matthew] Merge Cube is the AR device you’re going to want to buy. (Really.) Launching today, this $14.99 device is a seismic shift in the way you’ll think and use augmented reality.…