[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:…

[Although disturbing, this story from Futurism is about an interesting application of presence. –Matthew] Meet the Doctor Who’s Livestreaming Human Autopsies This doctor had an oddball idea: Start broadcasting human autopsies on facebook live. By Dan Robitzski September 25 2019 A bloody online video shows a doctor slicing into a human cadaver’s scalp, peeling back the skin, cutting open the skull with a brutally whining saw, and removing its brain. He holds the brain up for the camera to see, all the while explaining the process to a live online audience. The cadaver’s face was covered by a towel, so…

[This story illustrates potential roles of presence experiences in contesting not only the appearance but the personal and social meaning of places and events that occurred in them, and more generally the use of presence as a tool of protest. See the original story in the San Francisco Chronicle, where it features 5 more images and related links. –Matthew] [Image: An augmented reality app includes a quote from the victim of a notorious 2015 sexual assault on the Stanford campus. Credit: Photos by Cody Glenn / Special to The Chronicle] Augmented reality brings to life words of Stanford sex assault…

[A new study indicates that we don’t have to physically move through virtual spaces to learn where things are in them. This story is from the UA News, where it includes 3 more images and a 1:55 minute video. –Matthew] [Image: Derek Huffman navigates a virtual environment in 360 degrees on an omnidirectional treadmill. Credit: Roy Wageman/UAHS BioCommunications] Brain May Not Need Body Movements to Learn Virtual Spaces A new study conducted by the University of Arizona and the University of California, Davis enhances our understanding of how the brain learns in virtual reality. Alexis Blue, University Communications September 18,…

[At the Oculus Connect 6 developer conference in San Jose, California this week, Facebook made a series of announcements related to presence. Among them is a new social world called Horizon, described in this story from TechCrunch (see the original for four more images and a 1:32 video). For much more information, including a specific reference to presence, see extensive coverage in CNET; for even more, see the Oculus Connect 6 website. –Matthew] Facebook announces Horizon, a VR massive-multiplayer world Josh Constine September 25, 2019 Facebook today announced it’s building its own Ready Player One Oasis. Facebook Horizon is a…

[This short story from Fast Company describes Facebook’s latest progress toward using HMD sensors and AI to create immersive telepresence. The reconstructed images of users’ faces aren’t perfect of course, but the author notes that “with AI, the limitations are so convincing that we don’t even know they’re there. And it’s important that we don’t lose ourselves somewhere inside AI’s white lies.” See the original story for more pictures and a 5:55 minute video. –Matthew] Facebook is getting very, very good at faking your face Bu just how “real” is it? September 4, 2019 By Mark Wilson Five years ago,…

[In this PC Magazine UK interview, the co-founder and CEO of Scape Technologies explains how and why the company is creating a platform to generate augmented reality experiences that much more accurately link the nonmediated and virtual worlds. See the original story for 4 more images and 2 videos. For more information see coverage in AR Post and VentureBeat. –Matthew] This Augmented Reality Platform Is Smarter Than Pokemon Go Scape Technologies compares data from your phone’s camera with a cloud-based, machine-readable 3D map for augmented reality overlays that put existing setups to shame. By S.C. Stuart 30 August 2019 Pokemon…

[Here’s a short piece from Forbes about the potential roles of VR and presence in the future of dating and love. See the original for more images. –Matthew] Move Over Online Dating! Virtual Reality Is The Future Of Finding Love Sol Rogers, Contributor, CEO and Founder of REWIND, an Emmy nominated immersive content studio that fuses bleeding-edge technology with award-winning creative storytelling. September 20, 2019 Modern dating is a far cry from the courtship our grandparents experienced. In the past, people met their partners at work, on a night out, or at church. Then came the internet and cellular technology—suddenly,…