HTC Launches XR Elite, Animoca Brands Consolidate & The 21st Century Powerglove
This week...Saudi Arabia gains a majority stake in Magic Leap, Latest leaks from new Apple headset and HTC launch preorders for new VR/AR headsets.
Good morning Metaverse Business Brief readers. Let’s jump into the most relevant news from the Immersive world in our weekly roundup.
Top Stories
HTC launch preorders for new VR/AR headsets. The Vive XR Elite is to be a $1099 standalone headset that will ship in late February. Aimed at a consumer audience hungry for games and productivity tools, the device will likely compete with the Meta Quest lineup and Apple’s rumored new headset.
Saudi Arabia gains a majority stake in Magic Leap. In a $450 million deal, the state-owned Public Investment sovereign wealth fund obtained majority control over the company. The move is considered to be a strategic decision as Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman diversifies the national economy.
Latest leaks from new Apple headset. Sources claim that the device will feature an externally tethered battery, cutting bulk and weight, while also including dual 4K OLED microdisplays with a 120-degree FOV. More details will emerge soon as the headset market hots up for 2023.
Microsoft exec predicts the digital consumer landscape. In an interview from CES 2023, Chief Strategy Officer Henry Bzeih claimed that Microsoft will focus on ‘mobility cross functionality’, a hybrid approach that will inform the way we use digital platforms to shop.
In Funding
Animoca Brands’ temper expectations. In a statement from chairman Yat Siu, previous ambitions to raise $2 billion for its ‘metaverse investing fund’ are being softened in favor of a target of $1 billion, largely due to market fluctuation.
House of Blueberry raises $6 million. The digital-first fashion brand raised details of its latest seed funding, which it claims will secure the brand as the “leading fashion house in the metaverse”.
Metaverse Post year end report shared. In the report, it was found that web3 raised $7.1 billion in funding throughout 2022. Startups in the field of gaming, the metaverse, and social networking took the most. The metaverse in particular raised $1.82 billion, around 25% of the total industry investment.
Keep an eye on
Meetkai launches two new products. ‘MeetKai Reality’ will allow users to bring objects and spaces from the real world into the metaverse while ’Metaverse Editor’ allows users without coding experience to build collaborative structures and spaces in the metaverse.
Rendever acquires Alcove. The acquisition takes Rendever into a consumer-facing market, with Alcove being a family-oriented social VR app. Alcove is developed by AARP, who is prevalent in the Rendever target market of older people and retirees.
Diver-X unveiled a new VR glove. The ‘ContactGlove’ debuted at CES 2023, picking up the innovation award. Compatible with HTC Vive headsets and SteamVR hardware, the Japan-based project has also hit its $200k kickstarter campaign goal.
LG brings the metaverse to its TVs. In a partnership with Oorbit, LG has announced the launch of immersive games, experiences, and virtual worlds that will be accessible via LG TVs using cloud streaming technology.
Holoride brings VR entertainment system to the mainstream. In a strong step forward, the Audi-backed startup unveiled a retrofit package, retailing for $799, that can be integrated into any existing vehicle to provide VR functionality.
Events to be at
Jan 10 Online | Insights Live: The Music Industry and the Metaverse: From Virtual Concerts to Kpop
Jan 17 Online | Insights Live: The Great Debate: What is a Chief Metaverse Officer?
February 14 Online | Insights Live: Art and the Metaverse: From Creation to Market
–
Our best wishes for a productive day. Please send any news, comments, and New Year’s Resolution Ideas to team@aixr.org.
January 9 2023 Edition - Issue 1