‘Yahoo! MAP’ for iOS Now Has AR Navigation Mode in Japan

Yahoo! Japan just updated their iOS-based Map application to include a new experimental AR mode which superimposes a blue pathway onto the physical world for you to follow to your final destination. The AR function, which is only intended for walking routes currently, is available starting today on Japan-based Apple devices running iOS 11.

Snap to Release New Spectacles This Year

Snap Inc. plans to launch a second version of its Spectacles glasses this year followed by a more ambitious third version equipped with two cameras in 2019, Cheddar has learned. The second version of Spectacles is currently being manufactured with the goal of shipping by this fall, according to people familiar with the matter. Aside from being water resistant and available in new colors, the updated camera eyewear will focus on performance improvements and bug fixes rather than dramatic changes

Microsoft’s big idea to link VR controllers could make games far more immersive

Microsoft is trying to make virtual reality a more immersive experience by enabling haptic links between VR controllers, which could, to pick a couple of examples, lead to a much more realistic implementation of the likes of rifles or bows in games.

‘Planet of the Apes’ VR Game Coming to Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, PlayStation VR This April

“Planet of the Apes” fans soon get to step into the world of the iconic movie franchise, thanks to a new virtual reality (VR) game dubbed “Crisis on the Planet of the Apes.” The game, which will cost $14.99, will be released on Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and PlayStation VR  on April 3.

Facebook removes VR shooting demo from conservative conference

This week at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference Facebook chose to maintain a booth for attendees that includes an Oculus virtual reality demo. Now This writer Sean Morrow noticed that it included a demo of a shooting game, Bullet Train, where players teleport around a train station killing waves of masked enemies. The timing of the demo came into question as it's so close to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting last week.

‘Pluto’ Brings Cross-App VR Chat to Every SteamVR App, Now Available in Early Access

Pluto, a Seattle based VR startup which reeled in a $14 million Series A investment last year, today launched their unique Pluto application in Early Access via Steam. Instead of functioning as a standalone VR chatroom like many social VR apps, Pluto brings the fabric of social VR to any SteamVR application, allowing friends’ avatars to join you for a chat inside of whatever virtual world your inhabiting.

Oculus Head Hugo Barra Teases Exciting News From F8 Conference, “especially AR/VR”

Facebook’s annual developer conference, F8, won’t be here until May, but with registration opening today, Oculus head Hugo Barra is teasing some exciting AR and VR news to come. Hugo Barra took over as head of Facebook-owned Oculus back in early 2017 after CEO Brendan Iribe stepped down to lead the company’s PC VR division.

LiveLike raises $9.6M to get more broadcasters streaming in VR

LiveLike, a startup that powers VR streaming experiences for broadcasters like FOX Sports and Sky, has raised a $9.6M Series B round led by Greycroft Partners and Lepe Partners. This brings total funding raised to just over $23M.

Gree’s VR VC fund rebrands to add AR and mixed reality

Gree VR Capital, a venture investment division of Japan’s mobile game publisher Gree, has completed its first fund for virtual reality investments and is rebranding so that it can invest in the broader augmented reality and mixed reality sectors.

Magic Leap to Partner with NBA to Bring Basketball to AR, Shaq’s Massive Head Fits in Headset

Magic Leap CEO Rony Abovitz took the stage at the Code Media conference last night to talk a little bit more about the company’s upcoming AR headset, Magic Leap One. While we now know the headset will probably cost the same as a premium computer, Abovitz also co-announced with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver that Magic Leap would be collaborating with the NBA and Turner to develop an AR app for the headset.