The concept of the Third Place, popularized by sociologist Ray Oldenburg, refers to spaces beyond the home (first place) and the workplace (second place) where people can gather, socialize, and build a sense of community. Common third places include: community centers, the rock climbing gym, even your local coffee shop (like Central Perk in Friends- you get the idea). These are … [Read more...] about VR as a Third Place
Extended Reality: Applications and Implications
Remote Collaboration Through XR
As technology rapidly evolves, it is clear that the landscape of work is ever-changing. Especially during and right after the Pandemic, there was a huge shift in where and how people worked, all around the world. According to US News, “home-based workers more than tripled from 2019 to 2021” (US News). And though there are differing opinions on the benefits and drawbacks of not … [Read more...] about Remote Collaboration Through XR
XR and the Future of Travel
Especially after the Pandemic, the travel industry is booming now more than ever. As such, there is a lot of innovation happening in the space, especially with regards to digital tools such as extended reality. The obvious first thought is that XR could in many ways replace the experience of travel, as you are able to be transported anywhere with the click of the … [Read more...] about XR and the Future of Travel
XR and the Music Industry
In the past couple of years, significant strides have been made in the intersection of extended reality and music. In this blog post, I’ll discuss some of the up-and-coming applications of XR in the music industry. As the music industry embraces the boundless possibilities offered by XR, the way we consume, create, and appreciate music is undergoing a revolutionary … [Read more...] about XR and the Music Industry
Face Filters: Augmenting or Losing Reality?
After acquiring Looksery, a specialized face-tracking technology from Ukraine, Snapchat introduced the first widely used set of “Lenses”- AR face filters that merged the user’s real world with the digital world inside their phone. They have since been pioneers in the AR filter scene, and even democratized filter creation with the release of their desktop app Lens Studio in … [Read more...] about Face Filters: Augmenting or Losing Reality?