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🙈 Meta Quest 3S: Image Leaks 🚀 Meta continues to push boundaries in extended reality (XR) with the anticipated release of the Meta Quest 3S, expected to be unveiled at Meta Connect 2024. Positioned as a more affordable option than the Quest 3, with a rumored price around $299, it aims to make immersive experiences more accessible. While specific tech specs remain unconfirmed, the Quest 3S is expected to offer high-quality experiences with cost-efficient adjustments, potentially sharing features like the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset. 📊 Meta’s strategy with this device focuses on democratizing immersive technology to expand its VR user base worldwide. The design is rumored to be lighter and more ergonomic, addressing comfort needs for longer sessions. Combined with a broader range of content and evolving software, the Quest 3S could play a significant role in advancing Meta’s vision of the metaverse and XR as part of everyday life. 🤔 What to Expect from Meta Connect 2024? 🗣️ Meta Connect 2024 will likely be the platform for unveiling the full specs and future direction for XR hardware and content development. With the Quest 3S, Meta reaffirms its commitment to blending cutting-edge tech with affordability, potentially setting new standards for immersive entertainment. #BeFootball #Immersive #MetaQuest3S #MetaConnect2024 #VirtualReality

🇮🇳 Meta’s Strategic Moves: Expanding Horizons in India’s VR Landscape 🤝 In a potential milestone for Meta’s broader ambitions, reports have surfaced indicating that the tech giant is in discussions to license its Horizon VR platform to Indian telecommunications behemoth, Jio. This collaboration could pave the way for Meta to introduce its VR innovations to the vast and rapidly growing Indian market. 📰 According to a report by The Information: “The discussions, though not finalized, involve Meta offering its Horizon platform to power a VR device that Jio would develop. Meta has been actively seeking partners to adopt Horizon OS, with the aim of establishing it as the leading platform for VR, AR, and mixed reality technologies, collectively known as XR.” 🛰️ Jio stands as the largest mobile service provider in India, boasting over 470 million users. As India’s digital infrastructure continues to expand, this partnership could provide Meta with access to a massive audience that increasingly relies on social media for communication and connection. 👨👨👧👧 India already represents Facebook’s largest user base, with Instagram following close behind. Consequently, the nation is poised to play a crucial role in the growth of Mark Zuckerberg’s extensive digital empire, including his evolving vision of the metaverse. 🤖 AI is also set to be a pivotal element in this journey. During a recent event at South Park Commons, Zuckerberg highlighted how AI could democratize VR creation, allowing users to build custom VR experiences simply by describing them aloud. This would represent a significant leap in digital engagement, positioning Meta as a key player in the future of VR development. 🗣️ At BeFootball, we believe that actions like these reinforce the narrative that leading tech companies are fully aware of the need for virtual reality to become accessible to a broader audience. When this shift occurs, it will be transformative. The impact of VR is far greater when it’s available to an entire network of users, rather than just to early adopters or the affluent. #BeFootball #Meta #India

ByteDance’s New Headset: The Pico 4 Ultra 🚀 ByteDance has taken a bold step forward in the VR industry with the launch of the Pico 4 Ultra, a headset that not only introduces Wi-Fi 7 to the market but also challenges the competition head-on. Let’s take a look at the most important features of this headset. 👤 User Experience and Comfort The Pico 4 Ultra continues with the trusted Pico OS, providing a seamless and familiar interface. Its design ensures excellent weight distribution, making it comfortable for extended use, with the device resting easily on the head without adding strain. ⚡ Power and Display Equipped with the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2—the same chip found in the Quest 3—the Pico 4 Ultra promises strong performance. What’s intriguing is its recommended render resolution of 1920x1920, which surpasses that of the Quest 3, hinting at some impressive capabilities under the hood. 🎭 Passthrough and Mixed Reality One of the standout features is the dual 32MP passthrough camera, offering precise depth and clarity with no visual distortions. The mixed reality dial, though software-based, allows for smooth transitions between virtual and real environments, enhancing user experience. 🎮 Controllers and Hand Tracking The new ringless controllers and hand tracking deliver accurate and responsive performance, maintaining the high standards set by previous Pico devices. 🗣️ Conclusion With its advanced passthrough technology, upgraded chipset, and Wi-Fi 7 capabilities, the Pico 4 Ultra represents a significant leap forward in the evolution of VR headsets. As time goes on, we can clearly see that headsets are continuously improving—not only in terms of performance and visual quality but also in comfort and affordability. The Pico 4 Ultra is a prime example of this trend, offering enhanced features without compromising on comfort or increasing costs excessively. This steady progress puts pressure on other brands to refine their offerings if they want to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving VR landscape. As companies like ByteDance push the boundaries, we can expect to see more innovative features, lighter designs, and more accessible pricing across the industry. The competition is heating up, and the race to create the ultimate VR experience is far from over. #BeFootball #IMMsoccer #Immserive #Pico4 #VR

📰 The Future of Sports Entertainment: How Immersive Experiences Like The Dome Are Revolutionizing Football Viewing Imagine for a moment that everything you know about watching football in a bar is completely transformed. No more small screens or crowded spaces; instead, an experience so immersive that you might momentarily forget you’re not actually at the stadium. This is not science fiction but the reality at The Dome, the innovative venue located at Cosm in Inglewood, near the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. ⚽ A New Dimension of Sports Entertainment The Dome is taking the experience of watching games to a level that could be described as almost surreal. This is not just a sports bar; it’s a blend between a stadium and a futuristic movie theater. With an LED screen spanning nearly 900 square meters surrounding the attendees, the sensation of being at the heart of the action is unparalleled. It’s no coincidence that Cosm’s website describes it as “more than a front-row seat.” 📈 The Impact of Immersive Experiences The success of The Dome reflects a growing trend in the sports entertainment industry: the pursuit of increasingly immersive experiences. Fans don’t just want to watch a game—they want to feel it, live it, be there without leaving their city. This evolution is not just a technological enhancement; it’s a complete reimagining of what it means to be a spectator. And this is where the future of sports entertainment gets exciting. 🏟️ Where are we headed? The Dome in Los Angeles is just the beginning. As technology advances and the demand for unique experiences grows, we will see these innovations expand to other cities and sports. We’re talking about a revolution in the way sports are consumed, where the spectator experience is as important as the game itself. ™️ For brands and digital marketing professionals, this opens up a world of possibilities. From creating content that captures and shares these immersive experiences to exploring new advertising formats that leverage these platforms, the future of sports entertainment will be exciting not only for fans but also for those behind the strategies. 🗣️ In conclusion, The Dome is not just a place to watch games; it’s a glimpse into the future. A future where the line between reality and experience blurs, offering fans more than just a game: a complete immersion into the excitement of the sport. And without a doubt, this is the path that sports entertainment will follow in the coming years. #BeFootball #IMMsoccer #Immersive #VR #XR

Sony’s FavoriteSpace: Another Way to Engage the Young Fan 🚀 Sony has launched an exciting new platform called FavoriteSpace, designed to connect sports fans with their favorite teams through virtual reality (VR). FavoriteSpace allows users to immerse themselves in a virtual environment where they can enjoy game replays, exclusive content, and socialize with other fans using personalized avatars. One of the platform’s standout features is the detailed recreation of stadiums, enabling users to feel as if they are present at a match, regardless of their physical location. ⚽ Manchester City Football Club is the first team to join the platform, offering its fans the chance to explore a virtual replica of the Etihad Stadium. Within this virtual stadium, users can access special content, participate in events, and connect with other supporters in an immersive environment that emulates the atmosphere of a real matchday. ✨ Sony’s strategy with FavoriteSpace aligns perfectly with the growing trend of digitalization in sports. Clubs are not only using platforms like this to expand their reach but also to offer their fans experiences that go beyond traditional match broadcasts. The ability to interact in real-time, share the experience with other fans, and access exclusive content are just some of the ways these new platforms are redefining fan engagement. 🗣️ In summary, FavoriteSpace is not just a platform to enjoy sports in VR; it is also an example of how new technologies are democratizing access to high-quality sports experiences, allowing fans worldwide to connect in ways that were previously unimaginable. Sports clubs that recognize and adapt to these trends will be better positioned to grow and thrive in an increasingly digital future. #BeFootball #IMMsoccer #Immersive #VR

How Adidas is Captivating New Generations on Roblox 🌎 In a world where technology and culture rapidly converge, sports brands like adidas are pushing boundaries to capture the attention of younger generations. A prime example of this trend is Adidas’ foray into Roblox, a platform that has captured the imagination of millions of young players worldwide. 🤝 Why Roblox and Why Now? Roblox is more than just a game; it’s a digital universe where players can create, share, and experience interactive environments. For brands like Adidas, this platform represents a unique opportunity to connect with Gen Z and Gen Alpha, two cohorts that value personalization, interaction, and digital experiences as much as physical products. 👤 These generations have grown up in a digital world, effortlessly navigating between physical and virtual spaces. To them, the avatar they dress in a game is as important as the clothes they wear in real life. By partnering with platforms like Roblox, Adidas not only offers them the chance to personalize their avatars with jerseys from their favorite teams but also allows them to experience their passion for football in a way that transcends the physical world’s limitations. ⚽ Football has always been a unifying sport, but the ways in which fans engage with it are evolving. While previous generations grew up with posters on their walls and games on TV, the new generations are creating and sharing their football experiences in virtual worlds. 💶 Collaborating with Roblox also enables Adidas to explore new forms of digital commerce. Instead of merely selling products, the brand is selling experiences, blending the excitement of sports with the creativity of gaming. This aligns perfectly with the expectations of young consumers, who seek more than just products; they seek meaningful connections and experiences to share with friends. 🗣️ In a world where brands must be more than mere product providers, Adidas and other sports companies are demonstrating that they can be creators of experiences, facilitators of communities, and storytellers. And on platforms like Roblox, where the possibilities are virtually endless, these brands are beginning to explore the true potential of sports marketing in the digital age. #BeFootball #ImmersiveSoccer #Roblox #Adidas

HTC Teases New XR Headset: A Vision for You. ▶️ HTC VIVE recently released a teaser video hinting at the launch of a new XR headset, promising to offer a “new kind of power.” The video showcased highlights from their previous standalone headsets, Vive XR Elite and Vive Focus 3, emphasizing their utility in both enterprise and gaming. 💡 While details remain scarce, speculation suggests this upcoming device could be an evolution of the Vive Focus series. Rumors indicate it might incorporate the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 1 chipset from the Vive XR Elite, with potential features like built-in eye-tracking and compatibility with Vive Focus 3 accessories. However, these details are yet to be confirmed. 🔊 HTC’s pattern of unveiling new devices a few months after initial teasers hints at possible announcements at upcoming events like Gamescom, AWE, Immersive Tech Week, or CES 2024. As we await further details, the tech community is abuzz with anticipation for HTC’s next big reveal. #BeFootball #IMMsoccer #HTC #Vive #XRHeadset #VirtualReality #TechInnovation

The Future of Virtual Reality and the Democratization of Soccer 🥽 Advancements in Meta’s virtual reality technology promise to revolutionize not only our VR experiences but also democratize sports like soccer. Andrew Bosworth, Meta’s CTO, envisions a future where VR headsets offer significantly higher resolution, wider fields of view, reduced weight, and superior audio quality. Key Advancements: • Resolution and Pixels Per Degree (PPD): Meta aims for 50-60 PPD for clearer visuals. • Field of View: Enhancing immersion with taller vertical fields of view. • Weight Reduction: Decreasing headset weight by 100-200 grams for increased comfort. • Refresh Rate: Maintaining a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth visuals. • Audio: Improving stereoscopic audio with potential for closed-ear options. ⚽ These technological advancements will make high-quality VR more accessible and affordable, leading to the true democratization of soccer and other sports. As VR becomes more widespread, virtual sports could not only be included in the Olympic Committee but also see a growing number of professional athletes. Future Implications: • Inclusion in the Olympic Committee: Virtual sports could become official Olympic events, recognizing the skill and dedication of virtual athletes. • Professional Opportunities: As virtual sports gain legitimacy, professional athletes could emerge in this space, competing in international tournaments and leagues. • Global Participation: VR technology will enable individuals worldwide to participate in soccer, breaking down barriers and uniting fans and players in a shared virtual arena. 🗣️ From BeFootball, our vision was clear from the very beginning; the union of sports, entertainment, and health through new immersive technologies like VR was something that was bound to happen sooner or later. We were just waiting for the technology to advance so we could see our goals/dreams a bit closer. Certainly, we are on the right path. #BeFootball #IMMsoccer #ImmersiveSoccer #Immersive #meta #quest #soccer

The Shifting Landscape of VR and AR As the VR and AR markets evolve, competition is intensifying. According to Counterpoint Research’s June 27 update, significant shifts are occurring among leading XR brands. Here’s a snapshot of the current landscape and upcoming developments. 📉 Market Share Breakdown • Meta Quest: Despite a decline in dominance since 2022 due to PlayStation VR2, Meta Quest remains the leader, continually innovating and attracting a broad user base. • Apple Vision Pro: Now the main competitor, Apple Vision Pro has surged to second place, driven by early adopters and Apple’s reputation for quality. • PICO: Consistent performance has placed PICO third, outpacing PSVR2 and highlighting its growing influence. 🔜 Upcoming Developments • PSVR2 as PC VR: In August, PSVR2 will begin compatibility as a PC VR headset, expected to attract new users. • Meta Quest 3S: Launching this fall, Meta Quest 3S will enhance Meta’s leadership with advanced features. • Apple Vision Pro Expansion: Sales will extend beyond the U.S., broadening Apple’s market reach. • PICO 4S: Rumored to arrive soon, PICO 4S is set to build on its predecessor’s success. 🗣️ The XR market is at a pivotal moment, with leading brands pushing technological boundaries. As we move into the latter half of the year, these developments promise significant advancements and growth opportunities. Source: Realovirtual #BeFootball #XR

Gamification in Football At the intersection of digital marketing and VR, gamification emerges as a powerful tool to transform how fans interact with football.At BeFootball, we have seen firsthand how these strategies can revolutionize the user experience and foster deeper, more meaningful engagement. 1. Fan Engagement and Loyalty Gamification turns passive spectators into active participants. From predicting match outcomes to participating in fantasy leagues and earning rewards for attending games, fans immerse themselves more deeply in the sport. Example: The FIFA World Cup Fantasy Football game allows fans to create dream teams, compete with friends, and earn points based on real player performance. This level of interaction keeps fans engaged throughout the tournament. 2. Player Motivation and Training Gamified training programs make practice sessions more engaging and effective for players. Challenges, leaderboards, and rewards encourage consistent effort and motivate athletes to improve. Example: Nike’s SPARQ training system uses gamified exercises to enhance athletes’ speed, power, agility, and reaction time. Players can compete against their own records and track their progress interactively. 3. Skill Development and Learning Gamification facilitates skill development by breaking down complex techniques into more manageable tasks. Interactive modules and quizzes help players improve their understanding and execution. Example: TopYa! Football offers video challenges where young players can showcase their dribbling, shooting, and juggling skills. Coaches provide feedback, creating a continuous and effective learning cycle. 4. Community Building Gamification encourages fans to connect with each other, creating a sense of belonging and community. Social features, badges, and virtual events incentivize interaction and mutual support among fans. Example: Manchester City Football Club Cityzens platform rewards fans for engaging with the club online. Fans earn points by attending matches, sharing content, and participating in surveys, strengthening loyalty and community. 5. Data Collection and Valuable Insights Gamified applications and platforms collect crucial data on fan preferences, player performance, and match statistics, enabling continuous personalization and optimization. Example: OneFootball, a popular football app, collects user preferences to personalize news feeds and match updates, offering relevant and engaging content based on individual interests. Gamification injects excitement, interactivity and purpose into football experiences. It also creates a deeper bond with the fan, where the fan feels even more of a protagonist. From BeFootball we have always thought about how technological innovation could help the world of football and entertainment and every step we take on this path we realize how most of these technologies form a whole that make the sport even more bigger. #BeFootball #IMMsoccer #Immersive #XR #vr