[Ah, the steps we’ll take to create a sense of presence! This is from Mashable, where the story features many more images and the how-to video; for more coverage see CNN’s 1:12 minute report. –Matthew] Japan’s ‘Cardboard Theater’ uses your tablet to create a private movie house Adario Strange June 2, 2015 Japan is known for its quirky trends that don’t always make sense to the rest of us, but this latest one might be a winner: the Cardboard Theater. The set-up, designed to deliver a private, somewhat immersive movie-watching experience, consists of a large cardboard box and a tablet…

[‘Direct address,’ in which a mediated person or other social actor seems to look at and talk to the viewer, clearly can evoke a sense of presence; when it happens suddenly and unexpectedly it’s called ‘breaking the fourth wall’; the new 8:21 minute documentary described in this story from Design TAXI explains with lots of examples. While it notes the ways the technique breaks presence (though it doesn’t use that term), it also points (at 5:52) to how the technique increases ‘intimacy’ and ‘pulls us in.’ For an entertaining compilation of examples watch Press Play’s 8:38 minute video; for a…

[The projects described in this story from The Creators Project blog (which features more images) are among the most powerful and important applications of presence (and note the explicit and indirect references to presence responses here). –Matthew] An Ebola Survivor’s Story, Told in Virtual Reality By Kevin Holmes — Sep 1 2015 Think of VR filmmaking and you’ll probably conjure images of fantastical CG worlds where viewers get lost and escape reality. But the films of virtual reality production company Vrse.works challenge that notion. Released today is immersive documentary, Waves of Grace—the film follows ebola survivor Decontee Davis around West…

[This story about the Real Virtuality multiplayer VR system is from Wired, where it features two videos; coverage in Popular Science calls the torch pass featured in one of the videos (and the screenshot below) a possible “’first contact’ moment for virtual reality gaming–a small step but one that makes many things possible in the future. If it doesn’t seem impressive, consider all of the points of representation that are acting in this virtual reality scenario: the environment, the torch’s play on the lighting, and the other person in the game. They’re all rendered without delay. Humanity has essentially recreated,…

[VS Shades and other ModiFace apps that let users experiment with changing their appearance demonstrate the presence-evoking potential of augmented reality; this is from the PSFK blog, which features more images. –Matthew] Give Any Hair Color a Virtual Try With the VS Shades app, you can try on Vidal Sassoon Hair Colors without the commitment and potentially bad decisions Leo Lutero 14 august 2015 A new app will let consumers try on Vidal Sassoon Hair Colors before getting them in real life. Through a virtual try before buy, the VS Shades app [Android; IOS] illustrates how augmented reality can help…

[You can ‘be there’ on the red carpet as stars arrive for the MTV Video Music Awards this Sunday. This story is from Fast Company’s Co.Create, where it features more images and a video; the VMA website is here. –Matthew] MTV Rolls Out The VMA Red Carpet In Your House With 360-Degree Virtual Reality The star-studded pre-show may never be the same. By Lydia Dishman August 27, 2015 For some music fans, seeing a red carpet parade of celebrities and artists is almost as important as the awards show their favorites are there to attend. MTV’s long been offering dedicated…

[This story about an interesting approach to mixed reality being taken by a startup company doesn’t mention the key concept but the main page of Wild’s website prominently features the heading “Experience Presence”; the story is from MIT Technology Review. –Matthew] [Image: Startup Wild combines virtual reality with real objects. This composite shot shows the view from inside a Gear VR headset and in the real world.] When Virtual Reality Collides with Reality, It’s Surreal A Portland startup called Wild is combining virtual reality with elements of the physical world. By Rachel Metz on August 26, 2015 In 1962, cinematographer…

[Photorealism certainly isn’t essential to evoke presence, but there’s a new space to study how much and when it might help. This is a press release from the University of Michigan’s UM3D Lab; follow the link for more images and a 2:09 minute video. –Matthew] Unreal Engine in Stereoscopic Virtual Reality August 24, 2015 Up until now, the Oculus Rift has been the go-to system for gamers seeking the ultimate immersive experience, offering immersive stereo compatibility with game engines like Unreal and Unity 3D. Recently, the UM3D Lab was able to push this experience even further, with Graphics Programmer Sean…

[Another unusual example of presence, even if the term isn’t used: How many people who see these swans will perceive them accurately as technology? This story is from Fast Company, where it includes a photo gallery; more information, images and a 2:19 minute video are available from Channel News Asia’s coverage. –Matthew] Robot Swans Patrol Singapore’s Reservoirs, Hunting Pollution If you’re going to fill your water with robot sensors, why not make them fit in? Charlie Sorrel July 17, 2015 The NUSwan might sound like a bio-engineered creature from Blade Runner, but it has more in common with the Roomba…

[It’s one thing to watch the top athletes at work but this new VR application is designed to give fans a sense of what it’s like to play against them; the story is from Forbes and includes the three videos mentioned along with more images. The press release is available from Business Wire. –Matthew] [Image: Tennis Professional Maria Sharapova On-Set at the American Express “You Vs. Sharapova” and “Vs. on the River” Virtual Reality Shoot in Los Angeles, CA.] Amazing Technology Allows Fans To Play Tennis With Maria Sharapova At 2015 US Open Gabe Zaldivar, Contributor Aug 18, 2015 The…

[This weather simulator lets travelers ‘visit’ any city serviced by the airport in real time; the story is from PSFK and includes more pictures and a video; for more information see the August 15 coverage by NBC’s Today, which includes a 4:15 minute video. –Matthew] Airport Simulates Your Destination’s Climate at Push of Button Stockholm Arlanda Airport lets you feel foreign weather even before your flight Leo Lutero 12 june 2015 The Climate Portal is exactly how it sounds; it’s a series of small rooms that bring the climate of faraway places to where you are. Yvonne Boe, Communication Manager…

[The ability of VR and presumably presence to relieve pain is central to the plot of the play Ugly Lies the Bone; the story below from the Roundabout Theater Company blog describes a recent demonstration the cast and others experienced (some of the coverage indicates that audience members will have the opportunity as well). More information about the play is available from Broadway World. The stories don’t mention it but the lead actress in the play is Meryl Streep’s daughter, who also has a key role in the CBS TV series Extant, which deals with other presence-related themes.…