Is the metaverse dead? In 2021 and early 2022, there was a lot of interest in the metaverse.  Facebook renamed itself to Meta Platforms, and sales of virtual real estate reportedly exceeded $1.4 billion.  But what is the state of the metaverse in 2023?

In this debate, we’ll look at two opposing views: Mic Ty is the founder and editor-in-chief of 360 Rumors and is a VR enthusiast but believes the metaverse is dead.  Vineet Devaiah is the founder of Teliportme and is the Manager of 360 Rumors, who believes the metaverse is still viable. Mic and Vineet discuss the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the rapidly evolving world of the Metaverse.

Vineet and Mic share their perspectives on the metaverse’s impact on various sectors, including gaming, entertainment, education, and commerce. They also discuss the potential of the Metaverse to revolutionize the way we interact with each other and the world around us.

The Metaverse has been a buzzword in the tech industry for several years now, with major players like Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg claiming it’s the future of social media. However, despite the hype, there is little evidence to suggest that the Metaverse is anything more than a pipedream at this point. In this article, we’ll explore the state of the Metaverse today and what needs to change for it to become a reality.

First, let’s define what we mean by the Metaverse. The term refers to a virtual world where users can interact with each other in real time, much like in a video game. It’s been described as a sort of “internet of the future,” where people can work, socialize, and do business entirely in a virtual space.

While the concept is certainly intriguing, the reality is that the Metaverse is still very much in its infancy. There are several major barriers standing in the way of widespread adoption, including technological limitations, legal issues, and social factors.

One of the biggest technological barriers is bandwidth. The Metaverse would require a massive amount of data to be transmitted in real-time, which would require infrastructure that doesn’t currently exist. Even with the most advanced technology available today, it would be impossible to create a truly seamless and immersive virtual world.

Another major challenge is creating realistic avatars that can interact with each other. While there have been advances in motion capture and animation technology, it’s still difficult to create avatars that look and move like real people.

Legal issues are another major obstacle. The Metaverse would require a new legal framework to address issues such as virtual property rights, virtual crime, and virtual identity theft. These are complex issues that will require cooperation from governments and international organizations.

Finally, there are social factors to consider. The Metaverse would need to be a place where people want to spend their time, which means creating an engaging and meaningful experience. It’s also important to ensure that the Metaverse is accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or level of technical expertise.

So what needs to change for the Metaverse to become a reality? Here are 10 points to consider:

1. Bandwidth needs to be significantly increased to support the data transfer required for a seamless Metaverse experience.
2. Advancements in motion capture and animation technology need to continue to improve the quality of avatars.
3. There needs to be a new legal framework to address virtual property rights, virtual crime, and virtual identity theft.
4. The Metaverse needs to be accessible to everyone, regardless of technical expertise.
5. There needs to be a clear and compelling reason for people to spend time in the Metaverse.
6. The Metaverse needs to be designed with privacy and security in mind.
7. The technology behind the Metaverse needs to be open and interoperable to avoid vendor lock-in.
8. The Metaverse needs to be scalable, meaning it can support millions of users simultaneously.
9. There needs to be a way to monetize the Metaverse, whether through advertising, subscriptions, or other means.
10. The Metaverse needs to be inclusive, promoting diversity and tolerance among its users.

In conclusion, while the concept of the Metaverse is certainly exciting, it’s still very much a pipedream at this point. There are several major challenges that need to be overcome before it can become a reality, including technological limitations, legal issues, and social factors. However, if these challenges can be addressed, the Metaverse could offer a new and innovative way for people to connect and engag

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I’ve had several phone gimbals but haven’t really used them because I found them impractical.  Insta360 Flow is the first gimbal that I actually love to use.  It’s easy to carry and using it takes no more time than using a selfie stick.  And it has insane tracking capabilities that make it a reliable smart tripod for solo shooting.

Here’s my review

TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Introduction
0:07 Sample videos from Insta360 Flow
01:16 Executive summary
03:13 Insta360 Flow is for solo shooters
04:34 Tracking comparison of Insta360 Flow vs DJI Osmo Mobile 6
06:04 Tracking on rule of thirds
06:26 Insta360 Flow features that DJI OM6 doesn’t have (for solo shooters) – slow motion tracking
06:59 Auto zoom
07:44 Insta360 Flow is for video creators (vloggers, travel videos, social media)
07:56 Choosing focal lengths
08:22 Zoom with your feet is a myth
09:02 Insta360 Flow features for video creators
09:19 Insta360 Flow is better for low light stabilization
09:30 Insta360 Flow’s limits and disadvantages
10:21 Insta360 Flow Ease of use and convenience
11:11 Other features for convenience
12:00 Conclusion: should you by Insta360 Flow?

DO YOU REALLY NEED Insta360 Flow?

Most smartphones already have pretty good stabilization, and many people have action cams and 360 cameras with even better stabilization.  Nonetheless, the Insta360 Flow has been extremely useful to me as a solo shooter for at least two reasons:  first, it lets me use a longer focal length, which looks more cinematic.  It improves the production value of my videos, making them look like they were shot by a camera crew.

Second, the Flow’s tracking capabilities are insanely good.  Using longer focal lengths is a bit of a challenge for solo shooters like myself because you can easily move out of the frame and be forced to reshoot.  With the Insta360 Flow’s tracking capabilities, I can track myself reliably so that shooting with longer focal lengths is actually easy, even from ridiculous distances of as much as 200 feet away, as demonstrated in the review video.

Moreover, the Flow has unique features that no other phone gimbals have (as of March 2023), including tracking in slow motion video mode (up to 240 fps on iPhone 13 Pro Max), and auto zoom (it will automatically zoom in as needed to keep you in the frame).  I like how auto zoom keeps your head roughly in the upper line of the rule of thirds, instead of dead center in the frame.  It’s perfect for talking head videos.  However, I’ve also asked Insta360 to add an auto zoom option to keep the entire person (from head to toe) in the shot for skating and similar videos.  I really hope they’ll do it.

IS Insta360 Flow CONVENIENT AND PRACTICAL TO USE?

Traditional phone gimbals are a hassle to use because they’re not pocketable, and they usually require you to balance the phone before using it.  The Insta360 Flow is pocketable and takes no more time to use than a selfie stick.  Although it isn’t the first phone gimbal to use a folding design, the Flow has an innovative folding mechanism that lets you deploy it in one motion.  I also like that the phone clamp can be left attached to the gimbal.  I don’t have to worry about losing it.

LIMITATIONS

The most significant limitation of the Flow in my opinion is its limited tilt and roll angles.  This is a tradeoff of the folding design, and all other folding phone gimbals (including the DJI OM6) have similar limits.  Is the tradeoff worth it?  I have several other phone gimbals that don’t have such restricted angles but guess what?  I haven’t been using them, whereas the Flow has earned a permanent place in my camera bag.  So in my view, the tradeoff is acceptable.

SUMMARY AND WHERE TO BUY

Insta360 Flow is the first phone gimbal that I’ve used that’s both very easy and convenient to use and extremely useful.  It’s an easy and affordable way to make your videos look more cinematic.  Insta360 Flow is available on Amazon or direct from Insta360.

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Artists and art gallery owners have been seeking innovative ways to showcase their masterpieces. Now they can reach a global audience and create a virtual art gallery with the help of AI.  Here is a sample virtual art gallery and a detailed guide on how you can create one.

For many artists, finding a way to showcase their work tastefully to the right audience is a challenge.

Teliportme.com is a web-based virtual tour software and its developers worked with 360 photographer Clay Morehead of 360 Niagara on a methodology that fuses AI and TeliportMe to create immersive, interactive, and customizable art experiences that break free from the constraints of physical spaces with the use of AI Virtual Galleries.

Here is a sample virtual gallery:

You can view this gallery on any browser on your phone or desktop. In addition, for viewers with a VR headset, you can experience the gallery in VR.

Virtual galleries such as this offer several advantages:

1. Embrace the limitless potential of AI Virtual Galleries to reach art enthusiasts around the world, expand your audience, and unlock new revenue streams. Follow our guide to redefine the future of art presentation, harnessing the power of AI to construct unique virtual gallery spaces that leave a lasting impression and set you apart from the competition.

2. By employing AI-generated 360 images, you can create immersive virtual spaces that bring art closer to audiences across the globe. This innovative method offers a fresh perspective for showcasing artwork, providing visitors with a unique and interactive encounter that transcends traditional gallery walls.

Steps to Create Your Own AI Virtual Gallery:

1. Generate 360 interiors with Skybox by Blockade Labs (https://skybox.blockadelabs.com/): Skybox, an AI-driven tool, enables you to create lifelike 360-degree interiors for your AI Virtual Gallery. Input your desired dimensions, customise design elements like windows and doors, and let the AI generate an impressive environment tailored to your vision. 
2. Refine Skybox images using the Retouch app (https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/touchretouch/id373311252): The Retouch app, a user-friendly photo editing tool for iOS devices, helps you eliminate any imperfections or artefacts in your generated 360 images, ensuring a professional appearance for your AI Virtual Gallery.
3. Enhance your gallery with PixelSquid (https://www.pixelsquid.com/): PixelSquid offers a vast library of 3D objects that you can easily manipulate for use in your AI Virtual Gallery. Browse their collection to find picture frames, furniture, and other essential elements that elevate your 360 space.
4. Edit panoramas in a 360 space using Affinity Photo (https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/photo/): Affinity Photo, a robust photo editing software, includes a dedicated 360-degree editing workspace, perfect for placing elements from PixelSquid, adjusting lighting, and refining your AI Virtual Gallery’s appearance.
5. Assemble and host your galleries on TeliportMe (https://teliportme.com/): TeliportMe, a platform for creating and sharing 360-degree virtual tours, allows you to build and host your AI Virtual Gallery, providing visitors from around the world with access to your immersive art showcase.

 

Use cases of Virtual Art Galleries

Independent Artists and Art Galleries

AI Virtual Galleries can revolutionise the way independent artists and galleries reach global audiences. With the online art market growing rapidly, a well-designed virtual gallery can help artists and galleries tap into the $4.64 billion online art market (2020 figures) and increase their visibility, sales potential, and customer base. By leveraging AI Virtual Galleries, artists can showcase their work in unique and creative ways, while galleries can offer virtual exhibitions as a value-added service for their clients, generating additional revenue streams.

Museums and Cultural Institutions

AI Virtual Galleries empower museums and cultural institutions to engage with a global audience, offering online access to their cultural heritage and educational resources. As the demand for digital experiences grows, institutions can capitalise on this trend by adopting virtual galleries to supplement physical visits. This approach not only helps them reach a broader audience, but also opens up new revenue sources through virtual tickets, memberships, and online gift shop sales.

Educational Institutions and Art Schools

AI Virtual Art Gallery can serve as an invaluable tool for educational institutions and art schools, enabling them to showcase student work, organize virtual exhibitions, and foster collaboration among students and faculty. By providing a platform for students to display their creations, institutions can help develop their skills, boost their confidence, and offer them wider exposure. Furthermore, virtual galleries can facilitate collaboration between schools, encouraging cross-cultural exchanges and fostering a global artistic community.

Event Planners and Corporate Exhibitions

AI Virtual Art Gallery can be a game-changer for event planners and businesses looking to host virtual events, product launches, or corporate exhibitions. These virtual spaces offer a versatile and cost-effective alternative to traditional event venues, allowing organizers to create immersive, customized environments that engage attendees. Additionally, virtual galleries can be easily modified to accommodate changing themes, branding, or other requirements, making them an ideal solution for hosting a variety of events and exhibitions.

The Future of AI Virtual Galleries:

AI Virtual Galleries are poised to reshape the art and cultural landscape, providing new opportunities for both creators and consumers. As technology continues to advance, AI-powered tools will become even more sophisticated, offering more realistic and immersive experiences. For instance, future AI Virtual Galleries could incorporate virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies to create even more engaging and interactive exhibitions.

Moreover, AI could be utilised to provide personalised recommendations and curated experiences for individual visitors based on their preferences and interests, enhancing the overall experience and increasing the likelihood of return visits. Additionally, AI-powered analytics could offer valuable insights for artists, galleries, and institutions, helping them make data-driven decisions about their exhibitions and marketing strategies.

By embracing AI Virtual Galleries, artists, galleries, and cultural institutions can position themselves at the forefront of this burgeoning market, capitalising on the growing demand for digital art experiences and opening up new revenue streams.

By following the steps outlined in this guide and exploring the potential use cases, you’ll be able to create captivating AI Virtual Galleries that redefine the future of art presentation and bring art closer to audiences across the globe.

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Are Matterport users soon going to pay more than they bargained for?

A recent rumor, attributed to Dan Smigrod, the Founder and Managing Editor of We Get Around Network, suggests that Matterport might soon introduce hosting charges for archived models, potentially generating millions in annual recurring revenue. While this is just a rumor and not officially confirmed, it has stirred up concerns among Matterport users. In light of the potential impact of this change, it’s worth understanding the context behind the potential move so you can decide for yourself how likely it is, as well as enable you to explore possible solutions.

The Context

Matterport’s rumored decision to charge for hosting archived models could be an attempt to reduce their expenses associated with Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud storage. Moreover, it could be a response to the company’s underestimation of the costs involved in hosting millions of archived models when it launched its new pricing in 2019. The lack of incentive for users to delete models and the growing number of spaces under management might have contributed to the financial strain on the company.

Possible Solutions

1. Delete archived models: To minimize the impact of possible hosting charges, you could consider deleting any unnecessary archived models. This way, you would only be charged for the models you actively use and host on the platform.
2. Upgrade to an annual contract before May 9, 2023: By upgrading to an annual contract before the rumored announcement, you might be able to delay the potential new hosting charges and other pricing changes for 12 months.
3. Explore alternative services: If hosting charges for archived models do become a reality, it might be worth looking into other platforms that offer unlimited tours and similar features. One such service is TeliportMe, which recently introduced the 3D dollhouse feature for unlimited tours, providing a viable alternative for those who might be considering a change.

Conclusion

While the rumors of Matterport introducing hosting charges for archived models are not yet confirmed, it’s essential to stay informed and consider possible alternatives. Understanding the context behind the potential move can help you make informed decisions about your future usage of the platform. Whether it’s deleting unused models, upgrading your contract, or exploring other platforms like TeliportMe, taking proactive steps can help you navigate any potential changes to the Matterport pricing structure. Remember to keep an eye out for official announcements from Matterport and stay prepared for any updates to their service offerings

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GoPro products are now available on 3rd party sites such as Amazon for the same price as gopro.com. Previously, GoPro cameras were around $100 less on Gopro.com as long as you agreed to get a 1 yr subscription for free.

The subscription wasn’t available on Amazon and other sites, which made it $100 cheaper to get GoPro cameras from gopro.com. This clever marketing tactic not only increased GoPro’s revenues from subscription but it diverted sales from third parties to Gopro.com, decreasing GoPro’s costs of commissions to third parties.

Imagine editing your video content as easily as shaping a Word document – that’s the mind-blowing promise Adobe Premiere Pro is delivering with its latest innovation. In a groundbreaking stride, Adobe has unveiled a feature that could turn the tides in the world of video editing: text-based editing. This disruptive technology is now accessible to every Adobe Premiere Pro subscriber, and it’s shaking up the competition like never before.

Understanding Adobe Text-Based Editing: No Longer a Fantasy

The concept of text-based editing was once the stuff of editors’ dreams. With Adobe Premiere Pro’s latest update, this dream has become a reality. The software now allows users to generate a transcript of their video, enabling editors to manipulate the content with the same ease as editing a text document. In essence, if you can cut, copy, and paste text, you can now do the same with your video content – it’s a feature that’s as powerful as it is intuitive.

A Deep Dive into Adobe Text-Based Editing: Simplicity Meets Efficiency

Adobe’s text-based editing is not just a revolutionary concept; it’s a practical, user-friendly tool. For a detailed step-by-step guide on how to use this feature, check out this tutorial:

Adobe Vs. The Competition: The Text-Based Editing Showdown

Premiere Pro isn’t alone in offering text-based editing. Davinci Resolve Studio 18.5 also boasts this feature, offering similar functionality. However, Premiere’s edge lies in its ability to highlight gaps of silence, enabling editors to eliminate these silent moments with pinpoint accuracy.

While Davinci currently lacks this feature, given Blackmagic’s speedy update history, it’s anticipated they will soon catch up. However, there’s a caveat: text-based editing is only available on the Davinci Resolve Studio version, not the free version. The Studio version comes at a one-time cost of $299, but it includes lifetime free updates, making it a compelling alternative for those deterred by Premiere’s subscription model.

For those considering Davinci Resolve Studio, the Studio Speed Editor, a console that accelerates editing speed in Resolve, is a worthwhile investment. Priced at $399, it includes a license for Studio, effectively making the cost of the Speed Editor just $100.

Check it out here

Adobe Text-Based Editing: The Future of Video Editing?

The introduction of text-based editing in Adobe Premiere Pro represents a seismic shift in the video editing landscape. It not only simplifies the editing process but also elevates the precision and efficiency of editing workflows.

As this feature becomes more common, the question many editors will face is, ‘Should I get Premiere Pro or Davinci Resolve Studio for text-based editing?’ The answer largely depends on individual needs and preferences. Adobe’s Premiere Pro offers a subscription-based model with continual updates and features like text-based editing that highlight silent gaps. On the other hand, Davinci Resolve Studio provides a one-time purchase with lifetime updates, and its text-based editing feature, while currently lacking silence detection, is expected to enhance soon.

Ultimately, both Adobe Premiere Pro and Davinci Resolve Studio offer compelling features for text-based editing. Your choice hinges on your specific needs, budget, and long-term editing goals.

 

So, which will it be: Premiere Pro’s subscription model and advanced features or Davinci Resolve Studio’s one-time cost and promise of continual improvements? 

Let us know in the comments

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