The Oregon Reality Lab

Today is the last day to vote for the 2025 Auggie Awards! Beneath the Surface is eligible in the Best Societal Impact category.

Created by UO Snap AR Scholars in collaboration with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, this student-led augmented reality experience spotlights Oregon’s Otter Rock Marine Reserve through immersive storytelling and conservation-focused design.

Swipe through to learn how to nominate.
Link in bio to get started!

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, organizations across business, social, and educational sectors are only just beginning to explore the vast potential of Web 3 technologies. These technologies offer exciting opportunities for creating communities, including virtual worlds that exist both in screen-based environments and virtual reality. Our very own Donna Zimmerman Davis will be presenting at AWE tomorrow and sharing about current research, and looking into the opportunities and challenges of avatar design as a tool for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Leaks are starting to surface about a new Apple VR headset. Apple has a "special event" scheduled for June 5th where many sources are stating Apple will launch its debut into VR. While most of the specifics are closely guarded it has been rumored to cost $3000! One thing is for sure, regardless of the price point, expectations will be equally high.

Google recently announced the integration of Google Maps, AR Core, and Unity. This allows users to create and publish AR content with real-world anchors like rooftops or coordinates with accuracy under one meeter. There seems to be alot of potential here! What do you think?

Announcing Geospatial Creator Introducing Geospatial Creator, a new augmented reality creation and visualization tool integrated into Adobe Aero and Unity, which makes it easy for creator...

Are you curious about how AI may affect the PR and Communications Professions? This Thursday our very own Dr. Donna Davis has been invited by Muck Rack to share her experience and expertise during this live webinar. Registration link to register is below!

https://info.muckrack.com/state-of-ai-pr-2023?utm_campaign=Q2+2023+content:+Competitor+skills&utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=paid&hsa_acc=506588309&hsa_cam=606595674&hsa_grp=225620093&hsa_ad=244013463&hsa_net=linkedin&hsa_ver=3

Happy Friday!

Look at our very own out in the real world showing us how it's done! And check out that awesome shirt!

Give him a follow and stay tuned for more info on all of the great projects he's working on!

Our very own has the great opportunity to share his work in VR with leading experts in sea turtle conservation at the Southeast Regional Sea Turtle Network Conference! Check out more of Danny’s great work on his profile!

Do you feel like you missed out this last black Friday? Well it's not too late. On Amazon you can still save $50 on a Meta Quest 2 bundle and it will also include two popular games (Beat Saber and Resident Evil 4). Meta did announce a new head mounted display earlier this year (Quest Pro), but with the price point exceeding $1000, the Quest 2 still serves as an excellent (and more affordable) point of entry for anyone interested in exploring virtual reality.

Amazon has teamed up with Snapchat to allow users to try on (and purchase) branded glasses and sunglasses. Snapchat users can find these AR filters on Amazons public profile. This isn’t Amazons first venture into AR. Amazon users can use AR to see what some product look like in their own home, but this is Amazon’s first venture into the “try on” AR experience. According to The Verge other brands have used Snapchat’s lenses to reach 250 million users who engage with AR lenses over 5 billion times with in the last year alone.

Amazon and Snapchat aren’t the only ones giving customers a try on experience with eye ware. Warby Parker, known for their home try on program has been using AR experiences through their own app to let customers virtually see what their frames look like on them.

Would you try something on virtually? Do you think it would help you make a purchase? Let us know your opinion in the comments.

Image Credit: https://www.theindustry.fashion/amazon-fashion-launches-virtual-try-on-sunglasses-feature/

On Thursday evenings Nikki Dunsire teaches Building for Immersive, a course that provides hands-on experience using industry standard software and equipment utilized in the production of immersive and interactive media, including everything VR/AR and video games. This class focuses on the fundamentals of 3D modeling, texturing, and lighting for real-time rendering environments. Students will get to build original content for immersive and interactive experiences and publish them to compatible mobile devices as well as computer driven applications. Later in the term we will post some examples of their work! Stay tuned!