Magic Leap Brings Star Wars to Life | Crunch Report

TL;DR

Premium VR headset from Zeiss released, Lucasfilm partners with Magically for mixed reality storytelling, Bitcoin value spikes, Microsoft acquires Swan Labs, IBM Watson enhances passenger experience in self-driving cars.

Transcript

a premium Google cardboard headset from zeiss magically partners with Lucasfilm IBM Watson gets into self-driving cars and more it's Thursday June 16 and this is crunch report what is up TechCrunch land hope you're all having a good Thursday so what's happening today you probably heard of Google cardboard a simple VR experience from Google usually ... Read More

Key Insights

• 👤 Zeiss's VR one plus headset offers a premium VR experience for smartphones, catering to both Android and iOS users.
• ❓ The partnership between Magically, Lucasfilm, and ILM xlab showcases the potential of mixed reality storytelling.
• 🧑‍🏭 Bitcoin's surge in value highlights the speculative nature of cryptocurrencies and the impact of various factors on their price.
• 🏛️ Microsoft's acquisition of Swan Labs aligns with their focus on conversational intelligence and building conversation as a platform.
• 🚙 IBM Watson's integration in self-driving cars demonstrates its role in enhancing passenger experiences and enabling natural interaction within the vehicle.
• ❓ These developments reflect the ongoing innovation and evolving landscape of technology and its impact on different industries.
• 💗 The demand for premium VR experiences and mixed reality storytelling continues to grow, spurring collaborations between technology and entertainment companies.

Questions & Answers

Q: What features does the VR one plus headset from Zeiss offer?

The VR one plus headset offers a premium build and high-end optics, making it a more sophisticated version of Google Cardboard. It is compatible with both Android and iOS devices.

Q: What is the purpose of the partnership between Magically, Lucasfilm, and ILM xlab?

The partnership aims to create and research mixed reality storytelling experiences. They showcased a demo featuring R2D2 and C3PO walking in an office, demonstrating a level of sophistication and spatial awareness that impressed viewers.

Q: Why is Bitcoin's value surging?

There are several reasons for the surge in Bitcoin's value, including core updates, wider economic uncertainty, and increased interest from investors. The exact factors behind the recent increase in price can be subjective, but there is ongoing speculation and discussion.

Q: What is Microsoft's recent acquisition and how does it contribute to their strategy?

Microsoft has acquired Swan Labs, a startup specializing in messaging app technology. This acquisition reinforces Microsoft's strategy to build conversation as a platform and strengthen their position in the emerging era of conversational intelligence.

Q: What role does IBM Watson play in self-driving cars?

In the Olli, an electric-powered self-driving vehicle, IBM Watson technology is not responsible for controlling or driving the car. Instead, it enhances the passenger experience and allows for more natural interaction with the vehicle, making the ride more enjoyable.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Zeiss optics manufacturer released a $129 VR headset for smartphones called the VR one plus, which features a premium build and compatibility with Android and iOS devices.

• Magically, a mixed reality company, announced a partnership with Lucasfilm and ILM xlab to work on creating and researching mixed reality storytelling experiences.

• Bitcoin's value has increased dramatically, with its price spiking 30% over the weekend and 200% for the year.

• Microsoft has made another acquisition, purchasing Swan Labs, a startup that develops messaging apps and technology behind them.

• IBM Watson is powering services in the Olli, an electric-powered self-driving vehicle designed by local motors to improve the passenger experience and enable natural interaction with the car.