[The Verge reports on an important development in the history of presence-evoking technologies, the failure of smartphone-based virtual reality (the good news is that more compelling, convenient and cost-effective VR is supplanting the phone-based headsets). –Matthew] Phone-based VR is officially over By Adi Robertson October 16, 2019 Mobile virtual reality headsets helped millions of people try out VR, but as of yesterday, they’re all but officially a thing of the past. Oculus CTO John Carmack offered a “eulogy” last month for the phone-powered Gear VR mobile headset, saying that the headset’s days were numbered. And Google just revealed that it’s…

[Road to VR reports on a new, very large lab for presence experiences at Colorado State University. See the original version for two more pictures and for more information see a CSU story from April 2019 and the University’s Virtual Reality Initiative webpages. –Matthew] Colorado State University Has Deployed a 100 Headset VR Lab for Biomedical Education By Ben Lang October 10, 2019 Colorado State University has deployed a new VR lab; designed to accommodate up to 100 students simultaneously, the lab’s headsets run custom software which allow students to visualize life-sized virtual cadavers and medical imagery in a shared…

[SlashGear is among those reporting on the latest vision for the future of ‘travel’ via telepresence by Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA). See the original story for three images. A three-part video from the CEATEC 2019 demonstrations is available from The Japan Times via YouTube here, here and here. And see ANA websites for a press release and vivid descriptions of Avatar-in, ANA-Avatar and the $10 million Avatar XPRIZE. –Matthew] [Image: A diagram shows how ANA’s concept envisions connecting an avatar and its operator. Credit: ANA Holdings Inc. Source: GeekWire] ANA Avatar-in lets you “teleport” to places using robots JC…

[Having grown up in Los Angeles, I can relate to this short story from the Daily Titan about a mobile earthquake simulator used to increase public awareness and safety. For more information see coverage (including a 1:17 minute video) from Seattle’s KING5 TV, the Big Shaker website and the Great Shakeout Earthquake Drills website (October 17 is International ShakeOut Day). For two different approaches to earthquake simulators, see ReleifWeb for information on international “VR-based disaster resilience training simulations” and the University of California, San Diego for information on the world’s largest outdoor earthquake simulator. –Matthew] Big Shaker event simulates Ridgecrest…

[This thoughtful piece from Quartz provides several vivid examples of possible future applications of presence-evoking augmented reality and highlights not just their benefits but the dangers they represent for individuals and society. –Matthew] [Image: Seeing the world through a whole new type of rose-tinted glasses. Credit: Chris-McRobbie] SEEING ISN’T BELIEVING We’ll soon be able to experience reality as we want it. But is that a good thing? By David Rose, Founder, supersight.org October 1, 2019 The human eye is an extraordinary organ. Packed with over 120 million photoreceptor cells, it can discern 10 million different colors and is the body’s…

[In an interview in Tech Republic, author Romina Garber describes a new effort to use virtual reality and presence to enhance the experience of reading her books and draw more readers to them. The original version of the story includes a 7:42 minute video of the interview, and for more information see the Abelana VR website and Romina Garber’s tumblr. –Matthew] [Image: Source: Abelana VR] How VR creates an immersive experience for readers Penguin Random House is using virtual reality to enhance how people read and appreciate books. Author Romina Garber discusses how VR is used with her Zodiac series.…

[This IEEE Spectrum story features an interview with one of the creators of a new social robot designed specifically to evoke medium-as-social-actor presence by being emotionally engaging rather than performing tasks. See the original for 3 more pictures and a 1:46 minute video. –Matthew] This “Useless” Social Robot Wants to Succeed Where Others Failed The creators of Kiki believe they can build an emotionally engaging social home robot that is also “completely useless” By Evan Ackerman September 19, 2019 The recent high-profile failures of some home social robots (and the companies behind them) have made it even more challenging than…

[This short story from Tom’s Hardware describes how a potential new Microsoft product could create greater immersion and presence for virtual reality users. Follow the link to the patent application for more information. –Matthew] Microsoft Patents Virtual Reality Floor Mat by Nathaniel Mott October 7, 2019 VR is currently limited to what people can see, hear and interact with using oddly shaped controllers. Variety reported on Friday that Microsoft wants to change that, however, with a VR mat that could better incorporate our feet into virtual experiences. The company mostly focused on safety issues–it can be hard not to bump…

[GQ reports on the origins and expansion of virtual models on Instagram to video blogging influencers soon to be powered by artificial intelligence; among the interesting observations is this: “’I would argue you can establish the same connection with a VTuber that you would with a ‘normal’ YouTuber,’ says João Lopes, an 18-year-old fan. ‘Even the most authentic influencers craft their personality to be more likeable.’ Indeed, the unblinking artificiality of this new wave of virtual celebrities is, it might be argued, more honest than flesh-and-blood celebrities who take care only to present part of their personality on camera. Brud’s…

[This local story from Technical.ly Philly describes a new program that uses presence to bring the virtual and in –person experience of art to more members of the community. See the original story for a second photo and the version in Generocity Philly for more images. –Matthew] [Image: Inside the Barnes Foundation. Credit: R. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia] Virtual reality is bringing the Barnes’ art to Philly seniors — and vice versa “It’s a way to go into communities, meet them where they are, invite them into the museum, and then encourage them to come back,” said Ana Gamboa, the museum’s…

[They don’t use the term, but the authors of this story from Quartz predict that 5G networks will enable more compelling and effective presence illusions that will transform the workplace in 7 mostly positive ways. A story in Inc. adds 5 more predictions. –Matthew] –Matthew] How 5G will reinvent “working from home” By Omar Abbosh & Paul Nunes September 16, 2019 It’s 10:00 am. Do you know where your employee is? No doubt they are working—somewhere. Thanks to greatly improved internet connectivity and workforce applications, employees in an increasing number of professions can work just about anywhere they want—in their…

[Tom’s Guide has this short report on a new artificial skin technology that could significantly enhance presence experiences in the future. The original story includes a 0:32 minute video, and coverage in Digital Trends adds this: “The artificial skin is stretchable as well as flexible and can be stretched up to four times its original length. That means it should be able to withstand the rigors of daily movements, so it could be developed into a tool for patients who have lost their sense of touch. It could also be used to create highly immersive VR experiences.” –Matthew] [Image: Credit:…