Weekly Insights

Here’s what your iPhone 16 will do with Apple Intelligence — eventually

Apple heavily sprinkled mentions of AI throughout its iPhone 16 event on Monday. However, generative Apple Intelligence features won’t be ready for the public launch of iOS 18 on September 16th or the new iPhones when they’re released on September 20th.

The first set of Apple’s AI features is scheduled for public availability next month in most regions — except the EU — as part of a beta test for iPhone 15 Pro and all iPhone 16s, plus Macs and iPads with M1 or higher Apple Silicon chips. At launch, they’ll be available in US English only. (The Verge)

Is the AR Industry Getting More Realistic?

A trend has emerged over the past year: the AR world has started to get real. After spending a decade obsessed with an overly-ambitious vision to achieve immersive visuals and wearability, AR glasses are beginning to be self-aware that they can’t do both those things at the same time.

This is seen in devices with more narrow, focused, and purpose-built use cases. They contrast the previous standards in hardware like Microsoft Hololens 2 and Magic Leap 2 – venerable devices in their own right, but lugging do-everything bulk that only works for enterprises.

One example of the focused alternative is Xreal Air 2. It’s built for the single purpose of private massive screen viewing for games or entertainment. It’s not only focused, but it targets a use case that is relatable and resonant with most consumers. Our survey data supports that. (AR Insider)

Mojo Vision and CY Vision will create Micro-LED heads-up displays for cars

Mojo Vision, a maker of tiny micro-LED screens, has partnered with CY Vision to create next-generation heads-up displays for cars.

The companies will develop heads-up displays (HUDs) built with micro-LED technology that incorporate augmented-reality (AR) into automobiles. These HUDs will leverage AI and 3D imaging to provide drivers with an immersive and personalized driving experience with informative, line-of-sight overlays that promote driver safety and provide essential information. Both automakers and consumers can benefit from AR HUDs, as a next-gen driving experience can be a major factor for consumers in the car buying process. HUDs have the ability to keep drivers’ eyes and focus on the road by visualizing information in the direct field of view — addressing a significant concern for today’s drivers as an estimated 25% of automotive accidents are caused by distracted driving. (Venture Beat)

Roblox Builds Open-Source 3D AI Model, Adds Tech for Faster Game Loading

Roblox is developing a new open-source generative AI tool, dubbed the 3D Foundational Model, the game platform announced at the Roblox Developer Conference on Friday.

The model will understand text, image, video, or 3D asset prompts, meaning users can drop in an existing 3D game asset and ask the AI to make something similar, change it, or expand upon it, for example. The model is being trained on 3D data provided by Roblox creators who opted in, the company tells PCMag. Roblox is also using open-source datasets and licensing some datasets to refine the model, which can generate 3D objects or entire scenes.

Roblox previously launched an AI assistant tool that can add textures and pull from preexisting assets to assemble scenes for players, while the upcoming 3D model generator will be able to make content from scratch. Over time, Roblox plans to add this model to the assistant tool. (PC Mag)

Evan Spiegel talks about Snapchat's vision for augmented reality

At CNBC x Boardroom's hashtag#GamePlan24 event, our CEO and co-founder Evan Spiegel talked to Andrew Ross Sorkin about Snapchat's vision for augmented reality, and our strategy for bringing the stadium experience to Snapchatters wherever they are. (Snap Inc.)

Scandit Expands AR and AI-Powered Retail Solutions with MarketLab Acquisition

Scandit, a provider of smart data capture solutions, has recently announced the asset acquisition of shelf audit automation technology from MarketLab, a Polish image recognition and AI software company specializing in the retail industry. As part of the transaction, MarketLab’s team will join Scandit to build and expand a new offering.

Scandit stated that the acquisition will help to strengthen its ‘ShelfView’ shelf management and analytics solution, which leverages object recognition, augmented reality (AR), and other advanced computer vision technology to process images for more intelligent and efficient store operations. (Auganix)

Roblox, Shopify partner to sell physical products in the metaverse

• As Roblox looks to tie its platform to revenue opportunities, the company has partnered with Shopify as its first commerce integration partner, the two companies announced Friday. A pilot program will begin soon and a broader launch is planned for early 2025.
• With the integration, developers, creators and brands who already use Shopify will be able to sell physical items like clothing and accessories within Roblox games without making the customer leave the Roblox platform, according to a Shopify announcement. This is just the first such partnership for Roblox, which said in its own announcement that it plans to integrate with “various” e-commerce platforms in the future.
• Already this year, Roblox has tested shopping with brands like E.l.f. Cosmetics, Fandango, Walmart and Warner Bros., allowing players aged 13 or older to discover — and order — physical products. With the Shopify partnership, eligible sellers that use the platform will be able to offer physical products directly from their Roblox experiences. (Retail Dive)

New Independent Research Shows Snapchat’s Positive Impact on Well-Being & Friendship Closeness

New independent research from The Netherlands and Australia validates how we have designed Snapchat from the beginning – as an alternative to social media, where our community can connect with friends and family.

The University of Amsterdam1 conducted research into adolescent use of large social media platforms and concluded that Snapchat is the only platform that positively impacts well-being. Findings from the study include that:

• “We found a consistent negative impact on time spent on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube across all three mental health dimensions. Conversely, spending time on Snapchat positively affected friendship closeness and well-being but had no significant impact on self-esteem.
• “The positive and null effects associated with Snapchat and WhatsApp indicate that we should avoid a blanket condemnation of all social media platforms.” (Snapchat Newsroom)

If you liked what you read, follow us for more insights, here on LinkedIn and Instagram at @atomicdigital.design.