Hacking Emperor

The Lens Studio creators have published more than 1.5 million AR effects to Snapchat. One of them is Audrey Spencer, who shared her story with us and provided her insights into Lens Studio as a storytelling device. Meanwhile, Snap has added new capabilities to the platform to stoke more creativity from its creators. In AR wearables, Samsung, perhaps prematurely and maybe accidentally, illustrated its vision for smartglasses and spatial computing via leaked concept videos. At Mobile World Congress Shanghai, tech giant Qualcomm and one of its hardware partners, Nreal, each revealed new AR... more http://dlvr.it/RtZZB4

Have some sensitive information you need to share with somebody on Telegram but are worried it might fall into the wrong hands? You don't have to worry anymore because Telegram now sports a way to automatically delete all new messages in any chat of your choosing, not just end-to-end encrypted ones. Telegram's "Secret Chats" already features a "self-destruct" option that can erase messages from both ends of the chat after a certain period of time. While that feature is undoubtedly great, it's limited since it doesn't work for your regular threads. Sometimes, if not most of the time, you just... more http://dlvr.it/RtZZ7m

The rapid advance of Lens Studio as a platform for easily developing augmented reality experiences is just one indicator that immersive computing is becoming the norm. But one layer above the technology tools are the users, the real stars of any platform. Without passionate users, your platform is really just a great idea without the footprint of real-world usage and momentum. That's part of why we decided to begin looking closer at some of the people who are driving the most mainstream version of AR forward via mobile apps. • Don't Miss: Bernie Sanders Presidential Inauguration Freezing... more http://dlvr.it/RtVfKd

The Lens Studio app has become a cornerstone of Snap and its augmented reality technology portfolio by giving developers, creatives, and novices the ability to create augmented reality camera effects for Snapchat. One reason for this is Snap's steady and frequent iteration of the platform's capabilities, and the latest round looks to greatly expand what the Lens Studio community can do with the tool. Don't Miss: Snapchat Spooky AR Experiences from Lens Studio Creators Get You Ready for Halloween On Thursday, Snap released Lens Studio 3.4, which adds improved hand tracking, full-body... more http://dlvr.it/RtTcv1

San Francisco-based augmented reality company Scope AR has made building AR instructional content for mobile devices and AR wearables as easy as throwing together a PowerPoint deck, primarily via its WorkLink platform. For its next trick, ScopeAR has packaged its platform into a browser window. Don't Miss: 15 Remote Assistance Apps Driving the Enterprise Sector of Augmented Reality, from HoloLens to iPhone On Wednesday, the company launched WorkLink Create, a web-based application that, like the original WorkLink, enables users without coding or 3D modeling experience to create AR workflows... more http://dlvr.it/RtQ3xX

Apparently, we learned nothing from Jurassic Park, as scientists are still working on bringing extinct species back to life. Until that day comes, you can interact with long-lost animals through augmented reality...if you have a newer model iPhone. On Wednesday, Atlantic Productions, the company behind the BAFTA award-winning film David Attenborough's Natural History Museum Alive featuring the eponymous historian, have created a companion iPhone app that enables users to view virtual reproductions of fossils of three extinct species and then brings them and their habitats to life in augmented... more http://dlvr.it/RtN8Rk

Outside of plastic surgery disasters or costumes, augmented reality is the closest we can get to morphing our likenesses into those of animals. We've previously shared an anthropomorphic AR Lens that turns you into a horse. This week, we have two more examples of animal transformation AR effects, one that serves as a callback to recent viral sensation, and another that comes to use courtesy of music marketing efforts. Elsewhere, creators and developers have come up with some fun AR experiences that leverage AR gadgets to project letters and emojis into our environment. And, speaking of... more http://dlvr.it/RtLRKp

The augmented reality smartglasses race is getting a major new entrant that could significantly change the entire landscape. On Tuesday, Qualcomm revealed its own XR1 AR Smart Viewer Reference Design, a pair of smartglasses that are meant to give OEMs (original equipment makers) an easy solution for launching their own smartglasses products. • Don't Miss: Nreal Announces Move to Expand AR Smartglasses Sales to US, Europe, & Launch Enterprise Edition in 2021 Qualcomm's XR1 offers a dynamic that allows the user to connect the smartglasses to a PC, an external puck computing unit, or even a... more http://dlvr.it/RtKGKv

These days, there's more content than ever, and the sheer amount of titles out there can make picking something to watch seem near impossible. Netflix does provide suggestions based on content you've already viewed, which helps, and the company believes so much in its algorithms that it now gives you the option to auto-download videos on your devices based on your interests, no decisions required. Netflix launched its auto-download feature, dubbed "Downloads For You," on Monday, Feb. 22, but only on its Android app. It says that iOS testing will begin "soon," so don't expect to see this... more http://dlvr.it/RtGfv4

For its latest take on augmented reality-infused playsets, Lego is giving the young, and the simply young at heart, its twist on the viral lipsync format made popular by TikTok with Lego Vidiyo. The game remixes TikTok's video creation and curation features with a music business simulation that brings your playsets into the action. But, if you're going to make it anywhere in the music business, kid, you'll need a manager. Or, someone to guide you through the scene. I can do that for you, and I won't even ask for a percentage of your earnings. So, here we go, let's get started with Lego... more http://dlvr.it/RtGFgp

Roughly a year ago, Samsung demoed its AR smartglasses prototype on stage at CES 2020. Now, videos showing off a new smartglasses model along with the company's imaginings of future AR experiences have surfaced through unofficial yet reliable channels. Don't Miss: Samsung Elevates Galaxy Note 10+ with Depth Camera for 3D Scanning & Augmented Reality Apps First, the leaked Samsung Glasses Lite are sleek, Wayfarer-style glasses with thick frames and dual displays. It's a departure from the previous prototype, appearing to lack the cameras and sensors for displaying and interacting with 3D... more http://dlvr.it/RtFBdB

When it comes to augmented reality wearables, it's currently an enterprise world. As such, Magic Leap's latest Lumin updates are centered on features that appeal to enterprise customers. And Epson and Spinar are joining forces with a solution for distributed workforces. Meanwhile, smartphones continue to be the domain for consumer-grade AR. Lego has its eyes on the user-generated AR content that TikTok and Snapchat traffic in. Similarly, a week after Apple launched an AR app to promote its own spaced-based programming, Smithsonian Channel published its own AR app to commemorate the... more http://dlvr.it/Rt52yN

A year and change into its shift towards enterprise customers, Magic Leap has updated Lumin OS and the corresponding Lumin SDK with some key prerequisites for the business sector. First and foremost, Magic Leap has added support for Web Real-Time Communications (WebRTC) in Lumin OS 0.98.20, including an update to the Helio browser to improve compatibility with audio and video communications platforms. Don't Miss: 10 Remote Collaboration Apps for HoloLens, Magic Leap, & Mobile That Can Substitute for in-Person Meetings WebRTC, which works as a Javascript API that enables connected devices on... more http://dlvr.it/Rt1CX8

Google released the first build of Android 12 almost exactly one year after dropping Android 11, which is remarkable in the midst of a global pandemic. But you can tell the Android engineers have been hard at work while quarantining, because the latest OS version is absolutely packed with new features. There's a new theming system, revamped notification interface, system-wide support for dragging and dropping text, images, and clipboard contents, and a whole suite of new Mainline modules that will allow Google to bypass carriers and manufacturers to issue critical Android updates directly... more http://dlvr.it/Rt1CTR

Two years ago, the 50th anniversary of the moon landing gave flight to a handful of Apollo 11 augmented reality apps and experiences, including one from the Smithsonian Channel. Now, as NASA's latest unmanned mission to Mars is scheduled to land on Thursday, the Smithsonian Channel's digital team has crafted yet another timely space-based AR app for the occasion. Don't Miss: This iPhone & Android App Lets You Celebrate 50th Anniv. Of Moon Landing by Taking the Trip in Augmented Reality Available now for iOS and Android, the Mission to Mars AR app unloads seven AR experiences that enable you... more http://dlvr.it/Rt0Lhp

The COVID-19 pandemic forced many businesses into remote work models, whether they were ready or not, making Zoom a household (or home office) name for its video conferencing service. Now, in response to this general shift, smartglasses maker Epson and remote assistance platform provider Spinar America are joining forces with their respective products, Moverio smartglasses and Remote Vision software, to add augmented reality to the video conferencing toolkit for companies with teams of technicians who need assistance from remote experts for troubleshooting. Don't Miss: 15 Remote Assistance... more http://dlvr.it/RstSMX

Toymaker Lego has been on board with building AR into its playsets and mobile apps since the launch of ARKit. Its latest product takes the brand's approach to combining physical toys and virtual content and remixes it for a generation obsessed with the kind of homegrown music videos common on apps like TikTok and Snapchat. Don't Miss: 8th Wall & Trigger Build AR Lego Playground for Web to Promote Fox's 'Lego Masters' Entering from stage right is Vidiyo, a series of playsets featuring characters from some MTV/Nickelodeon-inspired fever dream that, when scanned by the accompanying app, give... more http://dlvr.it/Rsrrc7

TikTok is a video-platform first, and while visual content is critical to its popularity, what has carried many of these videos to millions upon millions of views isn't only what you see but what you hear. Many viral videos on TikTok are accompanied by sounds, which can be mishmashes of popular songs, remixes, sound effects, movie dialogue, original audio, and more. Usually, it's the sound that drives the video's content, whether it's someone dancing in unison to a track or lip-syncing along to the dialogue. Don't Miss: Download Any TikTok Video on Your Phone — Even if They're Blocked from... more http://dlvr.it/RsnHy9

The desktop version of YouTube, meaning the one you access on your computer, lets you add a timestamp to any video you're watching in just a few clicks. When you share the link or need to reference it later yourself, the timestamp makes the video start at the point specified, not the beginning. Unfortunately, tacking on timestamps from YouTube's mobile app is impossible — but there are workarounds. Whenever you hit the "Share" button for a video in the official YouTube app on Android or iOS, you can only copy or share the video's main link without a start time set — there is no option to add... more http://dlvr.it/RsmwmH

After weeks of reports about their first augmented reality device, Apple actually shipped a real AR product this week in the form of a TV tie-in AR app. Of course, the advertising industry is one of the foremost adopters of consumer-focused AR at the moment, and Super Bowl LV gave advertisers the opportunity to show off AR experiences that mirrored their broadcast ads. Elsewhere, as Zoom and other video conferencing platforms have become prevalent in remote work environments due to the pandemic, Arvizio has found a way to add AR to the experience. Oh, and about those reports on Apple's AR... more http://dlvr.it/RsbXWz

After the mobile augmented reality platforms of ARKit and ARCore moved Google's previously groundbreaking Project Tango (the AR platform that gave us the first smartphones with depth sensors) into obsolescence in 2018, we've seen a bit of a resurgence of what was then a niche component for flagship devices. Samsung revived the time-of-flight sensor with its Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy S10 5G, though it has ditched the sensor in its current generation models. Radar made a brief cameo via Project Soli in Google Pixel 4. More recently, Apple implemented LiDAR sensors in the iPhone 12 Pro and iPad... more http://dlvr.it/Rsb5Xr

The realm of science fiction isn't all lasers and cute green toddlers, sometimes alternate science history is sci-fi, too, as exampled by the Apple TV Plus series For All Mankind. Now, in a bid to promote the second season of the space-based series, Apple has launched a new augmented reality app that tells more of the backstory of the characters on the show. • Don't Miss: Apple Has Secured Micro OLED Supply Partner for Future AR Devices, Says Report If you haven't had a chance to see the show, it depicts a world in which the United States "did not" win the space race to the moon. Instead... more http://dlvr.it/RsX2x9

Since launching its web-based AR platform in 2018, 8th Wall has continued to push the boundaries of what brands can do with AR experiences outside of native apps. The company's latest update adds another dimension of realism to web-based AR content. Don't Miss: 8th Wall Spins Up New 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse' Augmented Reality Experience for Blu-Ray, DVD Release On Thursday, 8th Wall revealed Realtime Reflections, a new attribute that enables developers to insert surfaces into AR content that mirror its real-world surroundings. This can translate to more realistic depictions of... more http://dlvr.it/RsWdBR

February is the shortest month, but it's marked by the celebration of Black history and the celebration of romantic love. After marking Black History Month and Valentine's Day in AR, you can also try out another ground-breaking filter from Snapchat's creative team and embody one of the hottest songs of 2020. Don't Miss: Next Reality's 30 People to Watch in Augmented Reality for 2020 Become an African King for Black History Month While we should all celebrate African-American culture year-round, as it stands, Black History Month is the ideal time to unlock this Lens. The Black History King... more http://dlvr.it/RsW8Sc

Like the layers of an onion, 2021 continues to peel back new hints of Apple's kinda-secretive augmented reality device development. The latest layer gives us additional insight into the specific components that Apple intends to build into its AR product. Don't Miss: The Future of Apple Augmented Reality Smartglasses & the Android Copies to Follow Citing sources close to the situation, Nikkei Asia reports that Apple has partnered with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) to develop micro OLED displays, measuring under an inch, for its under-development augmented reality... more http://dlvr.it/RsRgdl

Bud Light being the official beer sponsor of the NFL just makes sense for American football. But what about the NHL, with hockey being the official winter sport of Canada by decree? Enter Labatt Blue, which might as well be the national beer of Canada and includes a hockey page on the top navigation bar of its website. Don't Miss: Verizon, Pepsi & Cheetos Run AR Plays for Their Super Bowl LV Advertising Efforts To further demonstrate its love for the game, the beer maker is running a marketing campaign with the NHL to embed a Snapchat AR experience on 12-packs of Labatt Blue. "Labatt and... more http://dlvr.it/RsN6vz

Up and coming Los Angeles-based rock group Palaye Royale has managed to grow a substantial social media following, and now the group is looking to grow its fan base through the power of augmented reality. And while AR isn't new to the music business, a new AR experience from the band could end up being as groundbreaking as Michael Jackson's "Thriller" once was for the music video format. Don't Miss: Snapchat Is Helping the Music Industry Reinvent Music Videos via Lens Studio On Tuesday, the band released "Curse of Calypso," a 10-minute interactive performance filled with Gothic imagery... more http://dlvr.it/RsMGR6

Even the biggest fan of Mario Kart may have reservations about traveling to Super Nintendo World in Japan in the middle of a worldwide pandemic to experience the augmented reality-enhanced roller coaster ride that recreates the game in real life. Luckily, video of the entire experience is now available to give fans an idea of the extent of the AR experience, along with a closer look at the AR headset that powers the experience. Don't Miss: Super Mario Augmented Reality Game Connects the Past with Gaming's Future Having officially opened on Feb. 4, Super Nintendo World is a mini-park... more http://dlvr.it/RsLhWb

The Super Bowl isn't just the most important NFL game of the year, it's also the biggest night for brands to bring their most creative advertisements to a vast television audience. Over the past few years, augmented reality has shared the Super Bowl stage as well, with advertisers increasingly integrating the technology into their campaigns. Don't Miss: Doritos & Mountain Dew Remix Their Super Bowl Songs of Fire & Ice on Snapchat For the Super Bowl LV, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs faced off on the field, big brands leaned on AR more than ever before. Verizon, working... more http://dlvr.it/RsHJ9y

As businesses flocked to Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and other video conferencing platforms to bridge the gap, we wondered aloud -- why aren't more companies leaning even more heavily on augmented reality? Arvizio may have the solution to that shortcoming with an update to its AR collaboration platform. Don't Miss: 10 Remote Collaboration Apps for HoloLens, Magic Leap, & Mobile That Can Substitute for in-Person Meetings On Monday, the Canada-based company revealed Immerse 3D, an app for iOS, Android, HoloLens, and Magic Leap (listed as Arvizio Immerse 5.0) that works in conjunction... more http://dlvr.it/RsHJ4d

The Super Bowl isn't just the most important NFL game of the year, it's also the biggest night for brands to bring their most creative advertisements to a vast television audience. Over the past few years, augmented reality has shared the Super Bowl stage as well, with advertisers increasingly integrating the technology into their campaigns. Don't Miss: Doritos & Mountain Dew Remix Their Super Bowl Songs of Fire & Ice on Snapchat For the Super Bowl LV, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs faced off on the field, big brands leaned on AR more than ever before. Verizon, working... more http://dlvr.it/RsGkFp

If there is one constant in currently available AR headsets, it's that, for a quality experience, they'll carry a high price tag. Price is one of the reasons these devices are mostly marketed towards enterprise customers for now. And that's the case with HoloLens 2, generally considered the best on the market at the moment. Now, Microsoft has taken a step to pitch its AR solution for specific use cases with a variation on the device. But Microsoft hasn't even set the high water mark on prices for AR headsets. That badge goes to Canon's Mreal S1, which costs more than most midsize sedans... more http://dlvr.it/Rs6C2L

After a slow phase-out, Google Play Music was shut down in December 2020. The songs you uploaded or purchased are still on Google's servers, but even those will be deleted on Feb. 24, 2021. If you plan to jump over to YouTube Music, the transfer process is straightforward and covered here. However, if you're moving over to Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, or another streaming service and want to save the music you've uploaded to Google Play Music's locker service, or if you've purchased music from Google Play and want to preserve it, it's time to act NOW. Don't Miss: Use Google's AI to Add... more http://dlvr.it/Rs5kTf

Every video you like on TikTok, whether it's a stranger performing a series of choreographed movements or a celebrity showing off their new workout, is saved to your profile. If you want to watch your liked videos at any time in the future, you can easily do so from your profile — but so can everyone else. If a stranger goes to your profile, they can see every single TikTok video you've liked, loved, hearted, or whatever you like to call it. While it may not always be an issue, it could be if you tend to like controversial, contentious, political, violent, sensual, or unsavory videos. Or... more http://dlvr.it/Rs2gk9

Apple just rolled out the of iOS 14.5 to developers and beta testers, and one of the headlining features is the ability to keep your iPhone unlocked when your Apple Watch is nearby. As these things tend to go, Android has actually had this same feature for years, though it isn't quite as polished. Google's Smart Lock feature allows the phone to stay unlocked in trusted environments, with the goal of reducing the barrier for entry on a strong lock screen passcode. It can be hard to enter an alphanumeric passcode or even a 6-digit PIN every time you pick up your phone with gloves or a mask on... more http://dlvr.it/Rs2Bxm

Rumors around Apple's not-so-secret development of an AR/VR headset have been prevalent throughout the young year, but the latest round of reports move speculation of the device into a clearer view. The latest leaks give us not only specifications but also an artist's rendering based on leaked photos of the headset, as well as a possible timeline for release from analysts based on supplier reports. Don't Miss: Apple Buried a Detail About iPhone 11 Pro That Moves It Closer Toward a Future AR Smartglasses Product On Thursday, The Information (paywall) reported that the new Apple device will... more http://dlvr.it/Rs1kTm

Despite the unfortunate social media-driven association of Corona beer with the virus behind a global pandemic, beverage maker Constellation Brands has pushed its marketing forward like a lime through the mouth of a beer bottle. The brand's latest effort leverages an AR experience to entice drinkers with the Corona Hard Seltzer line of "spike sparkling water." Don't Miss: Blippar Adds Landmark Recognition to Its Bag of AR Tricks Built on Blippar's web-based AR technology, the AR experience opens a portal to a virtual beach, perhaps somewhere in Mexico, with the various flavors of Corona... more http://dlvr.it/RryDhj

How do spammers get your email? You give it to them. Not directly, no — you sign up for an app or service and happily hand over your email to verify your new account, then that app or service sells your email address to marketers who now know what kinds of apps and services you like. It's a shady tactic that's symptomatic of the current era of big data, and it may even be illegal in some jurisdictions. But companies get away with it because they're not the ones directly spamming you, so you don't normally have a way of knowing which service is the one who sold your data. Don't Miss: How to... more http://dlvr.it/RrtlRG

Apple just rolled out the of iOS 14.5 to developers and beta testers, and one of the headlining features is the ability to keep your iPhone unlocked when your Apple Watch is nearby. As these things tend to go, Android has actually had this same feature for years, though it isn't quite as polished. Google's Smart Lock feature allows the phone to stay unlocked in trusted environments, with the goal of reducing the barrier for entry on a strong lock screen passcode. It can be hard to enter an alphanumeric passcode or even a 6-digit PIN every time you pick up your phone with gloves or a mask on... more http://dlvr.it/RrtKlW

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) hope to one day bridge the gap between websites and apps by giving the former more access to your phone's features, but they're not very common yet. In the meantime, you can take matters into your own hands with an app that uses your system WebView utility to render websites in a full-screen, borderless win dow with a few extra features — a lot like a native Android app. There are several benefits here. First, you get an icon on your home screen that launches you into the website in one tap. Second, there's not clumsy address bar or browser menu in a UI on top of... more http://dlvr.it/RrpSkm

Ever since the US Army awarded Microsoft's HoloLens a $480 million contract, the battle for enterprise augmented reality has heated up in earnest. Now, the Redmond, Washington tech giant is looking to strengthen its hold on the burgeoning AR enterprise space by introducing the HoloLens 2 Industrial Edition. • Don't Miss: Next Reality's 30 People to Watch in Augmented Reality for 2020 The new version of the HoloLens 2 is specifically designed to meet the needs of pharmaceutical and semiconductor clients by adhering to cleanroom (ISO 14644-1 Class 5-8) and particle emissions (UL Class I Div 2... more http://dlvr.it/Rrnzzw