The $100 million fund launched in 2016 and has nearly doubled its investment while increasingly focusing on enterprise VR and XR applications. AR/VR – VentureBeat & Jeremy Horwitz
Librestream raises $24 million to automate field technician tasks with AI
The Canadian augmented worker platform maker is increasing its AI investments and employee count to address growing demand for quick analysis of field data. AR/VR – VentureBeat & Jeremy Horwitz
Facebook kills entry-level Oculus Go VR headset
It’s the end of the line for the $149 standalone VR headset, which paved the way for Oculus Quest but didn’t have enough reason to stick around. AR/VR – VentureBeat & Jeremy Horwitz
Facebook acquires Lone Echo VR game maker Ready At Dawn
Facebook has acquired Ready At Dawn Studios, the maker of the Lone Echo series of virtual reality gams as well as console games like The Order: 1888. AR/VR – VentureBeat & Dean Takahashi
Apple’s ARKit 4 introduces new depth capabilities and expands face tracking to more devices
Apple announced ARKit 4.0 during its 2020 Worldwide Developers Conference, bringing a slate of augmented reality improvements. AR/VR – VentureBeat & Kyle Wiggers
Apple reveals iOS 14 for iPhones, adding Widgets and App Library
The operating system for iPhone and iPod touch is getting long-awaited home screen improvements and a variety of tweaks to core apps. AR/VR – VentureBeat & Jeremy Horwitz
GamesBeat Decides 153: EA Play recap (and what else is EA working on)
GamesBeat Decides talks about the EA Play showcase including Star Wars: Squadrons and Skate. But the crew also talks about the secret games EA didn’t show. AR/VR – VentureBeat & Jeff Grubb
Researchers demo VR finger tracking that recognizes air-drawn passcodes
The latest advance in VR/AR controls is a system that can track finger movements and recognize full words or symbols, turning air handwriting into input. AR/VR – VentureBeat & Jeremy Horwitz
NHS finds VR training boosts coronavirus frontline worker performance
A study commissioned by the U.K.’s National Health Service suggests that VR training of COVID-19 frontline workers cuts anxiety and improves knowledge. AR/VR – VentureBeat & Jeremy Horwitz
AI-powered LucidPix 3D photo app launches after a million beta downloads
LucidPix has officially launched on iOS and Android as a 3D photo app after hitting a million downloads during its beta period. AR/VR – VentureBeat & Dean Takahashi