[This long story from Forbes is a useful review of industry efforts to create effective and practical social presence illusions (it uses a technology-based definition of telepresence vs. the psychological sense of “virtual presence”). Read the original version of the story to see many images and videos that illustrate the different technologies. The author also has an upcoming book about AR and VR. –Matthew] [Image: Author Charlie Fink apparently in same room with a DVE hologram] The Trillion Dollar 3D Telepresence Gold Mine Charlie Fink, I’m a former tech executive covering VR, AR and new media for Forbes. November 20,…

[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…