Welcome back to Spatial Beats, where we round up all the top news and happenings from around the spatial computing spectrum, including its escalating infusions with AI and other emerging tech. Let’s dive in…
The Lede
Yes, Apple really is trusting the Vision Pro guy with the future of Siri. Apple decided to hand Siri’s leadership to Mike Rockwell, architect and chief executive in charge of the Vision Pro. In the corporate world, the people who are responsible for big business failures are promoted because of their experience. Rockwell’s timing could not be better. He has experience with a flop rivaling the Newton. Which cost then CEO John Scully his job (remember that, Tim?).
Apple Wants to Turn its Watches Into Wearable AI. Apple Explores AI Integration in Future Apple Watch Models which will be equipped with cameras to support advanced “visual intelligence” features, such as computer vision and real-time text translation. The Series model in development may house a camera, while the Ultra model could feature a side-mounted lens. This initiative aims to integrate AI capabilities directly into the earpiece. Mike, if you’re still reading, this might work for you, too. What’s the display for?
Feeling Spatial
Bigscreen Beyond 2 Hands-On: Refining A Vision For VR Enthusiasts Without Apple Or Meta. Bigscreen has unveiled the Beyond 2, an ultra-lightweight, custom-fit VR headset weighing just 107 grams. It features independent lens adjustment to accommodate asymmetrical interpupillary distances and boasts enhanced pancake optics for improved clarity and a wider field of view. The Beyond 2e variant introduces optional eye-tracking capabilities via minuscule sensors, enabling applications like avatar eye movement in VRChat. Both models are available for order, with shipments expected to begin in June 2025.
Infinite Reality (iR) has acquired Napster for $207 million, adding the iconic digital music brand to a growing list of immersive media properties ahead of its anticipated IPO. The company, which specializes in XR, AI, and virtual experiences, plans to transform Napster into a social music platform with virtual concerts and fan-driven engagement. It’s the latest in a string of acquisitions that include Obsess (virtual shopping), Landvault (digital twins), ReKTGlobal (esports), Zappar (XR tools), and the Drone Racing League. iR appears to be on a buying spree, snapping up companies with modest revenue but strategic positioning. Napster CEO Jon Vlassopulos will stay on, helping drive iR’s vision of a next-gen internet powered by immersive, interactive media. Whether the strategy impresses Wall Street remains to be seen, but iR is clearly positioning itself as a one-stop shop for spatial computing infrastructure—across music, gaming, sports, shopping, and live events—in time for a market debut.
IDC Says VR Headset Sales Screwed The Pooch In 2024 and Won’t Improve Until New Models Come in 2026. Given the sales of new models since the Quest 2 (the Quest Pro, Quest 3 and 3S) I have no idea why IDC would predict this. VR needs a new consumer value proposition. Right now, people don’t seem to be interested in it, as compared to, say, Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA IV).
Differin Brings Acne Care to Roblox with Gamified Rewards. Dentsu, Differin, and Dubit have launched the first acne-care campaign on Roblox, blending education and immersive entertainment. The Differin Level Up Lobby offers mini-games, in-game rewards, and exclusive UGC across five top Roblox experiences, including NewSmith and The Floor is Lava. Players can scan receipts for Differin purchases to unlock additional rewards. In under two weeks, the initiative earned nearly 700,000 impressions and over 200,000 plays. “We’re pioneering a new frontier in digital engagement,” said Dentsu’s Val Vacante, spotlighting the strategy’s appeal to the 12–24 age group, where acne and gaming intersect.
Vivaldi 3.0 Sweeps 5th Annual Polys Immersive Awards. The 5th Annual Polys Immersive Awards took place Sunday, March 23, at Microsoft Garage in SoHo, New York, spotlighting innovation in XR with global watch parties hosted in VRChat and ENGAGE VR. Hosted by Julie Smithson, with red carpet interviews by Sophia Moshasha, the event honored standout creators in immersive media. Vivaldi 3.0, a virtual interpretation of The Four Seasons featuring violinist Ara Malikian, dominated the night, winning Experience of the Year, Education Experience of the Year, and Entertainment Experience of the Year. ONE XR Studio, Cause+Christi, and Andy Fidel produced the experience.
Game of the Year went to Dino Hab by 30 Ninjas and Dark Slope, a VR game combining dinosaur care and ecological learning. Other winners included Banter (XR Elevation Award), Biel/Bienne: Old Town (Splat of the Year), SuperSplat (Innovator of the Year), and Thomas Richter-Trummer (Developer of the Year).
The AI Desk
OpenAI has unveiled a powerful new AI image generator integrated into its GPT-4o language model. This feature has sparked a trend of generating images in the style of renowned artists and studios, notably Studio Ghibli, leading to debates over copyright and artistic integrity. Critics argue that replicating distinctive styles without consent infringes on creators’ rights, while supporters view it as a tool for creative exploration. OpenAI has implemented safeguards to prevent misuse, including restrictions on generating images in the style of living artists.
Reve AI Launches Advanced Text-to-Image Model. Palo Alto-based startup Reve AI has introduced Reve Image 1.0, a text-to-image generation model emphasizing prompt adherence, aesthetics, and typography. Users can generate and modify images using text commands and upload reference images to achieve specific styles. Notably, the model excels in rendering clear, readable text within images—a challenge for many AI systems—and effectively handles multi-character prompts. Early evaluations place Reve Image 1.0 ahead of competitors like Midjourney v6.1 and Google’s Imagen 3 in image quality. The model is currently available for free preview at preview.reve.art.
Nik Kleverov’s The Somniloquist: Sunday Paper is a surreal AI-generated journey where four men get trapped inside a newspaper. The short film premiered last week at OpenAI’s Sora Selects screening in Los Angeles. More on how it was made here.
AI’s Cultural Revolution Is Here (Elena Nikiforia/Supercharged with AI)
10 Chilling Sci-Fi Movies Where AI Goes Rogue (Alisdair Hodgson/WhatCulutre)
Spatial Audio
For more spatial commentary & insights, check out the AI/XR Podcast, co-hosted by former Paramount futurist and co-founder of Red Camera, and Rony Abovitz, founder of Magic Leap, Mako Robotics, and Synthbee AI. This week, our guests are Nils Phil, CEO of Auki Labs, and Caspar Thykier, CEO of Zappar, which together use QR codes to create indoor navigation by humans and robots. You can find it on podcasting platforms Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube.
Charlie Fink is an author and futurist focused on spatial computing. See his books here. Spatial Beats contains insights and inputs from Fink’s collaborators including Paramount Pictures futurist Ted Shilowitz.
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