Zero to Start Podcast: VR development for beginners Sat, 14 Mar 2026 10:04:10 -0400 http://www.sicilianatrevino.com en-us © 2026 Zero to Start Podcast: VR development for beginners yes 987c4d92-f361-5f43-ad99-7aeda1bf9bff Persistent Mesh episodic false Dive into what you need to get started for developing VR experiences through inspiring conversations with industry leaders, developers and creators who are on the cutting edge of immersive technology, building the future of spatial computing. Our spotlight series featuring immersive artists and developers is sponsored by Meta. ]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) technology, virtual reality, vr development, women in tech, metaverse, vr games, Unity3D, women in games, app development, social vr, innovation Persistent Mesh https://storage.buzzsprout.com/7nsi0qp3vtun8evz0hbhpvcsmqos?.jpg Zero to Start Podcast: VR development for beginners http://www.sicilianatrevino.com Sole Purpose: Ian Harrison, Co-founder of SneakAR on Supercharging Connection Through Web3, XR & Augmented Footwear Sole Purpose: Ian Harrison, Co-founder of SneakAR on Supercharging Connection Through Web3, XR & Augmented Footwear What do your shoes do? 

On today’s episode we’re stepping into the future of footwear with Ian Harrison, creative disruptor, innovation catalyst, XR futurist and the Co-founder of SneakAR. 

SneakAR transforms your sneakers into a dynamic digital canvas with their revolutionary AR experience, turning your shoes into an interactive masterpiece with just a tap.

Ian shares how SneakAR is disrupting traditional brand engagement by building unforgettable  “door knock moments" - unlocking the power of web3, XR and emerging tech to create "people-market fit" that results in lasting moments that matter.

His unique path has taken him from music to manufacturing to the blockchain where his Culture Coin web3 solution was also nominated for an Auggie. 

Find out how brands, creators, musicians and athletes can literally put their best foot forward with SneakAR. 

Thanks for listening. 

We're on the road to 50 episodes! We appreciate all our subscribers and listeners around the globe.

  • Zero to Start is now on YouTube. Subscribe on your favorite platform and follow us on LinkedIn for more voices shaping the future of XR.

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]]> What do your shoes do? 

On today’s episode we’re stepping into the future of footwear with Ian Harrison, creative disruptor, innovation catalyst, XR futurist and the Co-founder of SneakAR. 

SneakAR transforms your sneakers into a dynamic digital canvas with their revolutionary AR experience, turning your shoes into an interactive masterpiece with just a tap.

Ian shares how SneakAR is disrupting traditional brand engagement by building unforgettable  “door knock moments" - unlocking the power of web3, XR and emerging tech to create "people-market fit" that results in lasting moments that matter.

His unique path has taken him from music to manufacturing to the blockchain where his Culture Coin web3 solution was also nominated for an Auggie. 

Find out how brands, creators, musicians and athletes can literally put their best foot forward with SneakAR. 

Thanks for listening. 

We're on the road to 50 episodes! We appreciate all our subscribers and listeners around the globe.

  • Zero to Start is now on YouTube. Subscribe on your favorite platform and follow us on LinkedIn for more voices shaping the future of XR.

FEATURED LINKS:

CONNECT WITH SICILIANA:

Send us a note!

]]> Persistent Mesh Buzzsprout-17564582 Fri, 25 Jul 2025 12:00:00 -0700 2192 Ian Harrison, SneakAR, footwear, XR, AR, augmented reality, mixed reality, Siciliana Trevino, technology, tech podcast, fashion, wearables 44 full false XR Zero to Hero: Dominique Wu, Founder XReality Pro & her latest Ultimate AI Pipeline for XR Development course XR Zero to Hero: Dominique Wu, Founder XReality Pro & her latest Ultimate AI Pipeline for XR Development course Dominique Wu is the founder of XReality Pro, where she designs, builds, and teaches immersive technologies that empower creators and transform how we interact with XR and AI.

She has consulted for industry giants including Meta and Walmart’s Store No. 8, and is the author of Spatial Design: Breaking the 2D Paradigm.

With over 500 speaker events hosted across her media channels, including the popular XReality Pro YouTube channel, Dominique is a leading voice in XR education and community building.

In this episode, she shares her bold approach to finding product–market fit, why teaching is in her DNA, and how industry newcomers can succeed by positioning themselves as collaborative, adaptable problem solvers in an increasingly AI-driven world.

We get her take on Apple Vision Pro, Android XR and the overall signal to noise in XR and AI.

We also dive into her latest Udemy course, The Ultimate AI Pipeline for XR Development, which takes learners from "zero to hero" in building an interactive XR app inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven. See discount code below!! 

Thanks for listening! 

  • Zero to Start is now on YouTube! Subscribe on your favorite platform and follow us on LinkedIn for more voices shaping the future of immersive tech.

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]]> Dominique Wu is the founder of XReality Pro, where she designs, builds, and teaches immersive technologies that empower creators and transform how we interact with XR and AI.

She has consulted for industry giants including Meta and Walmart’s Store No. 8, and is the author of Spatial Design: Breaking the 2D Paradigm.

With over 500 speaker events hosted across her media channels, including the popular XReality Pro YouTube channel, Dominique is a leading voice in XR education and community building.

In this episode, she shares her bold approach to finding product–market fit, why teaching is in her DNA, and how industry newcomers can succeed by positioning themselves as collaborative, adaptable problem solvers in an increasingly AI-driven world.

We get her take on Apple Vision Pro, Android XR and the overall signal to noise in XR and AI.

We also dive into her latest Udemy course, The Ultimate AI Pipeline for XR Development, which takes learners from "zero to hero" in building an interactive XR app inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven. See discount code below!! 

Thanks for listening! 

  • Zero to Start is now on YouTube! Subscribe on your favorite platform and follow us on LinkedIn for more voices shaping the future of immersive tech.

FEATURED LINKS:

CONNECT WITH SICILIANA:


Send us a note!

]]> Persistent Mesh Buzzsprout-17447051 Thu, 03 Jul 2025 18:00:00 -0700 1871 Dominique Wu, spatial design, spatial intelligence, XR, mixed reality, vibe coding, AI, XR development, Siciliana Trevino, tech podcast, tech, 43 full false AWE 2025: Heard in the Hall – AI in XR, VRChat’s Avatar Marketplace, Spatial Intelligence, Favorite Games & Purpose-Driven Innovation AWE 2025: Heard in the Hall – AI in XR, VRChat’s Avatar Marketplace, Spatial Intelligence, Favorite Games & Purpose-Driven Innovation What’s everyone excited about at AWE 2025? What’s still needed as we build the future of XR?

🎧 Listen in for quick-hit insights from leading XR innovators, direct from the expo hall floor.

Featuring:

Zero to Start is now on YouTube! Subscribe on your favorite platform and follow us on LinkedIn for more voices shaping the future of immersive tech.

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Send us a note!

]]> What’s everyone excited about at AWE 2025? What’s still needed as we build the future of XR?

🎧 Listen in for quick-hit insights from leading XR innovators, direct from the expo hall floor.

Featuring:

Zero to Start is now on YouTube! Subscribe on your favorite platform and follow us on LinkedIn for more voices shaping the future of immersive tech.

FEATURED LINKS:

CONNECT WITH SICILIANA:

Send us a note!

]]> Persistent Mesh Buzzsprout-17400054 Wed, 25 Jun 2025 15:00:00 -0700 1543 42 full false XR is Going Mainstream! AWE 2025 Keynote Highlights: Ori Inbar AWE / Evan Spiegel Snap / Chi Xu & Ralph Jodice Xreal / Year of the Master Builder XR is Going Mainstream! AWE 2025 Keynote Highlights: Ori Inbar AWE / Evan Spiegel Snap / Chi Xu & Ralph Jodice Xreal / Year of the Master Builder AWE USA 2025 delivered on its promise of feeling spatial. 

Not only was the mantra XR is Going Mainstream, AWE founder Ori Inbar optimistically declared 2025 as the year of the Master Builder - passionate domain subject experts creating XR solutions for their community filling in diverse content gaps that are shifting the balance between big brands and dedicated niche audiences.  

Today's show features clips from our favorite moments during AWE’s day-one morning keynotes:

Excited about our 41st podcast episode! We’re officially on the road to our 50th with a very special mystery guest scheduled for that occasion. 

Thanks for listening! Subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform. 

FEATURED LINKS:

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Send us a note!

]]> AWE USA 2025 delivered on its promise of feeling spatial. 

Not only was the mantra XR is Going Mainstream, AWE founder Ori Inbar optimistically declared 2025 as the year of the Master Builder - passionate domain subject experts creating XR solutions for their community filling in diverse content gaps that are shifting the balance between big brands and dedicated niche audiences.  

Today's show features clips from our favorite moments during AWE’s day-one morning keynotes:

Excited about our 41st podcast episode! We’re officially on the road to our 50th with a very special mystery guest scheduled for that occasion. 

Thanks for listening! Subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform. 

FEATURED LINKS:

CONNECT WITH SICILIANA:


Send us a note!

]]> Persistent Mesh Buzzsprout-17385971 Mon, 23 Jun 2025 18:00:00 -0700 1569 AWE 2025, Augmented World Expo, XR, Spatial Computing, Snap Spectacles, Snap AR, XREAL, Project Aura, Mixed Reality, Wearables, AI 41 full false Get Spatial with the XR Guild @ AWE USA 2025 Augmented World Expo, June 10th - 12th Long Beach Convention Center Get Spatial with the XR Guild @ AWE USA 2025 Augmented World Expo, June 10th - 12th Long Beach Convention Center XR pioneer Avi Bar-Zeev has been at the forefront of Spatial Computing for over 30 years: from launching Disney’s groundbreaking Aladdin VR ride in the early 90s and crafting Second Life’s 3D worlds to co-founding Keyhole (Google Earth) mirror-earth spatial browser, co-inventing the Hololens AR headset in 2010 and leading the Experience Prototyping team for Apple's Vision Pro and more from 2016-19. 

Bar-Zeev's so ubiquitous he's been affectionately called the Forrest Gump of XR. 

On today's show, Bar-Zeev returns to the podcast and illuminates his journey through immersive tech from those early days to his latest role as Founder and President of the XR Guild, a 501c3 nonprofit, his response to the urgent need to bring more thoughtful and ethical practices into emerging platforms and AI. 

The XR Guild's Ethical Professionals Mixer is sold out. Zero to Start is proud to have joined primary event sponsor LA SIGGRAPH, and XRA as a "bronze" co-sponsor.

Thanks for listening! Subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform. 

AWE JUNE 9th:

Catch Avi and other guild members at these AWE panels:

JUNE 10:

JUNE 11:

FEATURED LINKS

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]]> XR pioneer Avi Bar-Zeev has been at the forefront of Spatial Computing for over 30 years: from launching Disney’s groundbreaking Aladdin VR ride in the early 90s and crafting Second Life’s 3D worlds to co-founding Keyhole (Google Earth) mirror-earth spatial browser, co-inventing the Hololens AR headset in 2010 and leading the Experience Prototyping team for Apple's Vision Pro and more from 2016-19. 

Bar-Zeev's so ubiquitous he's been affectionately called the Forrest Gump of XR. 

On today's show, Bar-Zeev returns to the podcast and illuminates his journey through immersive tech from those early days to his latest role as Founder and President of the XR Guild, a 501c3 nonprofit, his response to the urgent need to bring more thoughtful and ethical practices into emerging platforms and AI. 

The XR Guild's Ethical Professionals Mixer is sold out. Zero to Start is proud to have joined primary event sponsor LA SIGGRAPH, and XRA as a "bronze" co-sponsor.

Thanks for listening! Subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform. 

AWE JUNE 9th:

Catch Avi and other guild members at these AWE panels:

JUNE 10:

JUNE 11:

FEATURED LINKS

CONNECT WITH SICILIANA:
LinkedIn
sicilianatrevino.com

Send us a note!

]]> Persistent Mesh Buzzsprout-17303546 Mon, 09 Jun 2025 08:00:00 -0700 3045 40 full false We're getting spacial at AWE! The 2025 Augmented World Expo returns to the Long Beach Convention Center, June 10th -12th We're getting spacial at AWE! The 2025 Augmented World Expo returns to the Long Beach Convention Center, June 10th -12th On today's show we're spotlighting our AWE day one itinerary. Elevate your conference vibe with our AWE playlist !

Heading to AWE USA 2025 next week? Road to VR readers can still get an exclusive 20% discount on tickets: https://geni.us/7ijTS - BEN LANG


JUNE 10 ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS

Send us a note!

]]> On today's show we're spotlighting our AWE day one itinerary. Elevate your conference vibe with our AWE playlist !

Heading to AWE USA 2025 next week? Road to VR readers can still get an exclusive 20% discount on tickets: https://geni.us/7ijTS - BEN LANG


JUNE 10 ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS

Send us a note!

]]> Persistent Mesh Buzzsprout-17298523 Sun, 08 Jun 2025 08:00:00 -0700 1080 39 full false MeaningfulXR panel: Creating platforms and apps to better people's lives led by Carsten Becker, Faculty, Media Design and Extended Reality at USC Iovine & Young Academy MeaningfulXR panel: Creating platforms and apps to better people's lives led by Carsten Becker, Faculty, Media Design and Extended Reality at USC Iovine & Young Academy How can we create XR experiences with purpose and why does it matter? 

Last week's MeaningfulXR conference at UC Davis and in VRChat brought together a dynamic XR community from across the globe to explore the answers and featured some of the latest academic research using XR across disciplines including education, psychology, design, AI, health and wellness, tracking data and more. 

On this special episode, I’m sharing the audio recording of our MeaningfulXR panel, Creating platforms and apps to better people's lives 

Led by Carsten Becker, Faculty, Media Design and Extended Reality USC Iovine & Young Academy and featuring Avi Bar-Zeev, XR Pioneer, founder and president of the XR Guild. 

I highlight some of the exciting projects I saw on Day One of the conference and Carsten shares his industry insights, the importance of ethics and purpose driven XR, as well as how to overcome building and investment challenges for new XR students and builders. 

We also hear from Carsten’s Neely Center student mentees who are designing purpose driven XR for social impact.  

Special thanks to Robby Ratan and the MeaningfulXR team!

Thanks for listening!  Subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform... 

Follow our podcast page on LinkedIn!

FEATURED CONFERENCE PROJECTS/CREATORS:

  • Reimagining Land Acknowledgment: Co-Designing Location-Based AR with Indigenous Communities - Kai Lukoff, Sean Hauze, Madison Nguyen, Isabella 'Amne Gomez
  • CN Vision: A Novel AR Tool for Enhanced SLP Neuroanatomy Learning - Maura Philippone, Jesse Sanderson
  • Immersive Religion: Enhancing Religious Literacy through Extended Reality -John Soboslai
  • Navigating Ethics in Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) Design for Dyslexia Interventions - Aurelia O'Neil

FEATURED LINKS:

CONNECT WITH SICILIANA:

Send us a note!

]]> How can we create XR experiences with purpose and why does it matter? 

Last week's MeaningfulXR conference at UC Davis and in VRChat brought together a dynamic XR community from across the globe to explore the answers and featured some of the latest academic research using XR across disciplines including education, psychology, design, AI, health and wellness, tracking data and more. 

On this special episode, I’m sharing the audio recording of our MeaningfulXR panel, Creating platforms and apps to better people's lives 

Led by Carsten Becker, Faculty, Media Design and Extended Reality USC Iovine & Young Academy and featuring Avi Bar-Zeev, XR Pioneer, founder and president of the XR Guild. 

I highlight some of the exciting projects I saw on Day One of the conference and Carsten shares his industry insights, the importance of ethics and purpose driven XR, as well as how to overcome building and investment challenges for new XR students and builders. 

We also hear from Carsten’s Neely Center student mentees who are designing purpose driven XR for social impact.  

Special thanks to Robby Ratan and the MeaningfulXR team!

Thanks for listening!  Subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform... 

Follow our podcast page on LinkedIn!

FEATURED CONFERENCE PROJECTS/CREATORS:

  • Reimagining Land Acknowledgment: Co-Designing Location-Based AR with Indigenous Communities - Kai Lukoff, Sean Hauze, Madison Nguyen, Isabella 'Amne Gomez
  • CN Vision: A Novel AR Tool for Enhanced SLP Neuroanatomy Learning - Maura Philippone, Jesse Sanderson
  • Immersive Religion: Enhancing Religious Literacy through Extended Reality -John Soboslai
  • Navigating Ethics in Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) Design for Dyslexia Interventions - Aurelia O'Neil

FEATURED LINKS:

CONNECT WITH SICILIANA:

Send us a note!

]]> Persistent Mesh Buzzsprout-17264107 Sun, 01 Jun 2025 19:00:00 -0700 3844 Meaningful XR, Conference, XR, Mixed Reality, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Spatial Computing, Carsten Becker, Guljaha Shaik, Avi Bar-Zeev, Siciliana Trevino, tech podcast, UC Davis 38 full false The MeaningfulXR Conference at U.C. Davis May 22nd - 23rd and The Neely Purpose-Driven XR Library The MeaningfulXR Conference at U.C. Davis May 22nd - 23rd and The Neely Purpose-Driven XR Library Today’s bite-sized episode is a quick shout out to the Meaningful XR conference  happening Thursday May 22nd and Friday May 23rd at the UC Davis International Center and virtually in VRChat.

On Friday at 12:30pm  I’ll be joining the panel, Creating platforms and apps to better people's lives 

Led by Carsten Becker Faculty, Media Design and Extended Reality at USC Iovine & Young Academy 

Featuring Guljaha Shaik Neely Fellow 2024-25 and recent MBA graduate from the USC Marshall School of Business

And friend of the podcast Avi Bar-Zeev XR pioneer, founder and President of The XR Guild, a non-profit that seeks to support and educate professionals in XR on ethics and most positive outcomes for humanity.

Thanks for listening! Happy installing... Subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform Follow our podcast page on LinkedIn!

FEATURED LINKS:

MeaningfulXR Conference

Neely Purpose Driven XR Library

Neely Center for Ethical Leadership and Decision Making

XR Guild

Digital Wellbeing -Caitlin Krause

Thinking Fast and Slow - Daniel Kahneman

CONNECT WITH SICILIANA:
LinkedIn
sicilianatrevino.com

Send us a note!

]]> Today’s bite-sized episode is a quick shout out to the Meaningful XR conference  happening Thursday May 22nd and Friday May 23rd at the UC Davis International Center and virtually in VRChat.

On Friday at 12:30pm  I’ll be joining the panel, Creating platforms and apps to better people's lives 

Led by Carsten Becker Faculty, Media Design and Extended Reality at USC Iovine & Young Academy 

Featuring Guljaha Shaik Neely Fellow 2024-25 and recent MBA graduate from the USC Marshall School of Business

And friend of the podcast Avi Bar-Zeev XR pioneer, founder and President of The XR Guild, a non-profit that seeks to support and educate professionals in XR on ethics and most positive outcomes for humanity.

Thanks for listening! Happy installing... Subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform Follow our podcast page on LinkedIn!

FEATURED LINKS:

MeaningfulXR Conference

Neely Purpose Driven XR Library

Neely Center for Ethical Leadership and Decision Making

XR Guild

Digital Wellbeing -Caitlin Krause

Thinking Fast and Slow - Daniel Kahneman

CONNECT WITH SICILIANA:
LinkedIn
sicilianatrevino.com

Send us a note!

]]> Persistent Mesh Buzzsprout-17208028 Thu, 22 May 2025 01:00:00 -0700 463 Meaningful XR, Conference, XR, Mixed Reality, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Spatial Computing, Carsten Becker, Guljaha Shaik, Avi Bar-Zeev, Siciliana Trevino, tech podcast 37 full false GDC READOUT: The Top Game Developer Trends heading into GDC, Meta Horizon Start at GDC & GDC Parties GDC READOUT: The Top Game Developer Trends heading into GDC, Meta Horizon Start at GDC & GDC Parties It’s Game ON with GDC in San Francisco at the Moscone Convention Center, March 17th through the 21st. 

On our first episode of 2025 we’re checking out

  • The Top Game Developer Trends heading into GDC 2025 
  • The Meta Horizon Start Guide to GDC 
  • XR events and other happenings featured on gdcparties.com

Find out why you don’t have to have a GDC pass to enjoy some of the best gaming industry panels and networking of the year! 

Thanks for listening! Happy installing... Subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform Follow our podcast page on LinkedIn!

FEATURED LINKS:

The Top Game Developer Trends heading into GDC 2025 - Beth Elderkin, GDC

Future Realities Summit at GDC - GDC

Unity GDC Events - Unity.com

Niantic at GDC - Niantic

Staying Safe and Healthy at GDC - GDC

GDC Vault- GDC

Meta Horizon Start Program - Meta

"Best part of a conference isn't on the agenda" - Andy Fidel, LinkedIn


CONNECT WITH SICILIANA:
LinkedIn
sicilianatrevino.com

----------------------

*not sponsored by Meta, Unity or GDC. 


Send us a note!

]]> It’s Game ON with GDC in San Francisco at the Moscone Convention Center, March 17th through the 21st. 

On our first episode of 2025 we’re checking out

  • The Top Game Developer Trends heading into GDC 2025 
  • The Meta Horizon Start Guide to GDC 
  • XR events and other happenings featured on gdcparties.com

Find out why you don’t have to have a GDC pass to enjoy some of the best gaming industry panels and networking of the year! 

Thanks for listening! Happy installing... Subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform Follow our podcast page on LinkedIn!

FEATURED LINKS:

The Top Game Developer Trends heading into GDC 2025 - Beth Elderkin, GDC

Future Realities Summit at GDC - GDC

Unity GDC Events - Unity.com

Niantic at GDC - Niantic

Staying Safe and Healthy at GDC - GDC

GDC Vault- GDC

Meta Horizon Start Program - Meta

"Best part of a conference isn't on the agenda" - Andy Fidel, LinkedIn


CONNECT WITH SICILIANA:
LinkedIn
sicilianatrevino.com

----------------------

*not sponsored by Meta, Unity or GDC. 


Send us a note!

]]> Persistent Mesh Buzzsprout-16812114 Mon, 17 Mar 2025 21:00:00 -0700 1047 36 full false December to Remember: Google introduces Android XR, Niantic's Into the Scaniverse Gaussian Splat viewer, XR news and year end highlights December to Remember: Google introduces Android XR, Niantic's Into the Scaniverse Gaussian Splat viewer, XR news and year end highlights Happy New Year's Eve! Before the clock strikes midnight I'm sharing a quick message of thanks and appreciation to all of my guests this year and to you, the listeners, who've downloaded episodes in 37 countries across the world.

Our top listeners are from the U.S., Germany, Australia, Canada and the UK.

Our Top podcast episode of 2024 is:
Retail Therapy: My inner child said no to a $4500 Apple Vision Pro

Followed by:
Apple Vision Pro's paradigm shift with Ash Baccus-Clark, Speculative Researcher and Creative Strategist, ABC Worldwide

Launching JADU on mobile: a first-of-its-kind multiplayer AR fighting game, with Sarah Stumbo Huth, Gameplay Engineer, Jadu AR

Optimizing XR Development: The Power of Automated Testing with Shane Evans, Cofounder, GameDriver

DECEMBER 2024 NEWS

Android XR: The Gemini Era Comes to Headsets and Glasses - Google
Android XR Resources Thread - @tom_krikorian
Hands on: Samsung's XR headset - Ben Lang, Road to VR

Into the Scaniverse - YouTube
Building Into the Scaniverse in Niantic Studio - 8th Wall Blog

Images & Ideas: A New Partnership With James Cameron's Lightstorm Vision - Meta

AWE's The Future of VR Sports/Esports with Sonya Haskins - LinkedIn Livestream

Quest 2/3s/3 Software Update Issue - Meta Community Forums


NEW VR FITNESS WORKOUTS! 

SynthRiders Experience - Barbie Dance'nDream DLC

Jane Fonda X Supernatural - YouTube trailer

TaeBo Reboot - Billy Blanks 

Thanks for listening! Happy installing 2025. 




Send us a note!

]]> Happy New Year's Eve! Before the clock strikes midnight I'm sharing a quick message of thanks and appreciation to all of my guests this year and to you, the listeners, who've downloaded episodes in 37 countries across the world.

Our top listeners are from the U.S., Germany, Australia, Canada and the UK.

Our Top podcast episode of 2024 is:
Retail Therapy: My inner child said no to a $4500 Apple Vision Pro

Followed by:
Apple Vision Pro's paradigm shift with Ash Baccus-Clark, Speculative Researcher and Creative Strategist, ABC Worldwide

Launching JADU on mobile: a first-of-its-kind multiplayer AR fighting game, with Sarah Stumbo Huth, Gameplay Engineer, Jadu AR

Optimizing XR Development: The Power of Automated Testing with Shane Evans, Cofounder, GameDriver

DECEMBER 2024 NEWS

Android XR: The Gemini Era Comes to Headsets and Glasses - Google
Android XR Resources Thread - @tom_krikorian
Hands on: Samsung's XR headset - Ben Lang, Road to VR

Into the Scaniverse - YouTube
Building Into the Scaniverse in Niantic Studio - 8th Wall Blog

Images & Ideas: A New Partnership With James Cameron's Lightstorm Vision - Meta

AWE's The Future of VR Sports/Esports with Sonya Haskins - LinkedIn Livestream

Quest 2/3s/3 Software Update Issue - Meta Community Forums


NEW VR FITNESS WORKOUTS! 

SynthRiders Experience - Barbie Dance'nDream DLC

Jane Fonda X Supernatural - YouTube trailer

TaeBo Reboot - Billy Blanks 

Thanks for listening! Happy installing 2025. 




Send us a note!

]]> Persistent Mesh Buzzsprout-16364853 Tue, 31 Dec 2024 19:00:00 -0800 488 full false Apple Vision No: How returning the Apple Vision Pro made me rich Apple Vision No: How returning the Apple Vision Pro made me rich I recorded this episode on the afternoon of Election day in the US...

During the storms of change and chance I take shelter in making VR, buying vinyl and listening to The Cure. 

So I’m in the midst of making a creepy crawly experience based on Lullaby from The Cure’s Disintegration album to match my post-halloween haunted garden. 

However, on today’s episode I wanted to briefly reflect on what I learned - and earned - from returning the Apple Vision Pro back in February. 

We highlight a couple of Apple Vision Pro takes on the latest development challenges. 

On the next episode I’ll dive into building a quick demo with Meta’s newest VR headset, the Quest 3s, the stand-alone, mobile mixed reality headset with color pass-through starting at just $299. 

The new Cure album, Songs of a Lost World is all cued up for listening later, so let's get started!

You can support Zero to Start by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform, give us a rating, and share this episode with your community.

Follow our podcast page on LinkedIn!

Thanks for listening, happy installing!

CONNECT WITH SICILIANA:
LinkedIn
sicilianatrevino.com

DESIGN TOOLS: 

FEATURED LINKS:
Songs of a Lost World - The Cure

Meta Quest 3S - Meta

Tim Cook Admits Truth About Vision Pro Following Lackluster Sales - MacRumours

Vision Pro, W#F is happening? - Tom Krikorian

Apple Vision Pro Development - @tina__nigro

Elevtr.com

VIDEO: The Secret Money Saving Rule I Learned in Japan - Vincent Chan
 
VIDEO: You'll Save More Money As Soon As You Watch This - Vincent Chan

PODCAST: Retail Therapy: My Inner Child Said No to a $4,500 Apple Vision Pro

PODCAST:#1489: "Gorilla Tag" Design Philosophy & Embodied Gameplay Deep Dive with Kerestell Smith - Kent Bye, Voices of VR podcast

Send us a note!

]]> I recorded this episode on the afternoon of Election day in the US...

During the storms of change and chance I take shelter in making VR, buying vinyl and listening to The Cure. 

So I’m in the midst of making a creepy crawly experience based on Lullaby from The Cure’s Disintegration album to match my post-halloween haunted garden. 

However, on today’s episode I wanted to briefly reflect on what I learned - and earned - from returning the Apple Vision Pro back in February. 

We highlight a couple of Apple Vision Pro takes on the latest development challenges. 

On the next episode I’ll dive into building a quick demo with Meta’s newest VR headset, the Quest 3s, the stand-alone, mobile mixed reality headset with color pass-through starting at just $299. 

The new Cure album, Songs of a Lost World is all cued up for listening later, so let's get started!

You can support Zero to Start by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform, give us a rating, and share this episode with your community.

Follow our podcast page on LinkedIn!

Thanks for listening, happy installing!

CONNECT WITH SICILIANA:
LinkedIn
sicilianatrevino.com

DESIGN TOOLS: 

FEATURED LINKS:
Songs of a Lost World - The Cure

Meta Quest 3S - Meta

Tim Cook Admits Truth About Vision Pro Following Lackluster Sales - MacRumours

Vision Pro, W#F is happening? - Tom Krikorian

Apple Vision Pro Development - @tina__nigro

Elevtr.com

VIDEO: The Secret Money Saving Rule I Learned in Japan - Vincent Chan
 
VIDEO: You'll Save More Money As Soon As You Watch This - Vincent Chan

PODCAST: Retail Therapy: My Inner Child Said No to a $4,500 Apple Vision Pro

PODCAST:#1489: "Gorilla Tag" Design Philosophy & Embodied Gameplay Deep Dive with Kerestell Smith - Kent Bye, Voices of VR podcast

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]]> Persistent Mesh Buzzsprout-16073762 Fri, 08 Nov 2024 20:00:00 -0800 630 Apple Vision Pro, Meta Quest 3S, Meta Quest, Tech podcast, XR, VR development, 34 full false Cogniclear VR: The new gold standard of cognitive screening with Amir Bozorgzadeh, Founder, CEO at Virtuleap Cogniclear VR: The new gold standard of cognitive screening with Amir Bozorgzadeh, Founder, CEO at Virtuleap Since 2018 Virtuleap has been at the cutting edge of combining neuroscience and virtual reality to help increase attention levels, and address cognitive illnesses, disorders, and learning challenges. 

On this episode, Amir Bozorgzadeh, Cofounder and CEO of Virtuleap is back to tell us all about the release of Cogniclear VR, an immersive cognitive screening test that uses gamified scenarios to assess a wide range of crucial cognitive abilities and collect extensive cognitive and behavioral data to enable early intervention, for better health outcomes. 

We dive into the ongoing challenges of:

  • designing accessible apps for cognitive testing
  • sustained attention decline and mental health with the rise of "TikToK Brain"
  • the double-edge sword of leading a start up at the intersection of emerging tech and healthcare 

And how Virtuleap has survived industry changes like “a reed in the wind.”

You can support Zero to Start by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform, give us a rating, and share this episode with your community. Follow our podcast page on LinkedIn!

Thanks for listening, happy installing! 

FEATURED LINKS:

Virtuleap.com

VIDEO: Cogniclear VR Trailer

Impact of EnhanceVR on working memory and inhibitory control of young adults with intellectual development disabilities.

BLAST FROM THE PAST:

Improving Brain Health with Enhance VR - Zero to Start podcast episode

Birdly simulator

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sicilianatrevino.com 



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]]> Since 2018 Virtuleap has been at the cutting edge of combining neuroscience and virtual reality to help increase attention levels, and address cognitive illnesses, disorders, and learning challenges. 

On this episode, Amir Bozorgzadeh, Cofounder and CEO of Virtuleap is back to tell us all about the release of Cogniclear VR, an immersive cognitive screening test that uses gamified scenarios to assess a wide range of crucial cognitive abilities and collect extensive cognitive and behavioral data to enable early intervention, for better health outcomes. 

We dive into the ongoing challenges of:

  • designing accessible apps for cognitive testing
  • sustained attention decline and mental health with the rise of "TikToK Brain"
  • the double-edge sword of leading a start up at the intersection of emerging tech and healthcare 

And how Virtuleap has survived industry changes like “a reed in the wind.”

You can support Zero to Start by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform, give us a rating, and share this episode with your community. Follow our podcast page on LinkedIn!

Thanks for listening, happy installing! 

FEATURED LINKS:

Virtuleap.com

VIDEO: Cogniclear VR Trailer

Impact of EnhanceVR on working memory and inhibitory control of young adults with intellectual development disabilities.

BLAST FROM THE PAST:

Improving Brain Health with Enhance VR - Zero to Start podcast episode

Birdly simulator

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sicilianatrevino.com 



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]]> Persistent Mesh Buzzsprout-15985596 Fri, 25 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0700 2659 VR, virtual reality, Amir Bozorgzadeh, innovation, cognitive diagonostics, brain health, virtualeap, healthcare, cognitive testing, neuroscience, 33 full false 360 Degrees of Innovation: Nathalie Mathe on her journey from Hollywood VFX to social impact VR and beyond 360 Degrees of Innovation: Nathalie Mathe on her journey from Hollywood VFX to social impact VR and beyond Former NASA AI scientist turned VR creative director and producer, Nathalie Mathe, has been pushing the boundaries of VR since the early days of the Oculus DK1 and DK2. 

From creating visual effects on blockbuster films like Total Recall, Fast & Furious6, Skyfall, and The Dark Knight Rises to directing and supervising cutting-edge VR projects for Google, Facebook, JauntVR and Condition One, Nathalie is a powerhouse of innovation and artistry.

She’s also the founder of NativeVR, an independent VR studio in California, and has taught VR & Immersive Media at UC Berkeley, Drexel University, and University of the Arts. 

She currently teaches at Northeastern University’s College of Art, Media, and Design, in The Game Science and Design MS program at Mills College.

On today’s episode, Nathalie shares how her Hollywood work propelled her to the forefront of pioneering techniques in photogrammetry and 360 video to create groundbreaking entertainment and social impact stories—including U-Turn, her award-winning interactive VR comedy that raises awareness of the gender gap in tech.

She takes us through the importance of transparency, ethics and scientific approaches to studying immersive tech and AI, and how following her intuition about the future has shaped her successful career. 

Plus Natalie offers her advice for aspiring creators looking to break into the rapidly evolving industry. 

You can support Zero to Start by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform, give us a rating, and share this episode with your community. Follow our podcast page on LinkedIn!

Thanks for listening, happy installing!  

FEATURED LINK:
Master of Science in Game Science and Design, Northeastern University, Oakland

BLAST FROM THE PAST:
VIDEO: Uturn Trailer
VIDEO: Jaunt VR app trailer
VIDEO: Oculus Developer Kit 2 trailer

MORE RESOURCES:
Unity
Unreal Engine
Godot Game Engine
Foundary / Nuke VFX Software - Compositing, Editorial and Review
Touch Designer   by Derivative

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]]> Former NASA AI scientist turned VR creative director and producer, Nathalie Mathe, has been pushing the boundaries of VR since the early days of the Oculus DK1 and DK2. 

From creating visual effects on blockbuster films like Total Recall, Fast & Furious6, Skyfall, and The Dark Knight Rises to directing and supervising cutting-edge VR projects for Google, Facebook, JauntVR and Condition One, Nathalie is a powerhouse of innovation and artistry.

She’s also the founder of NativeVR, an independent VR studio in California, and has taught VR & Immersive Media at UC Berkeley, Drexel University, and University of the Arts. 

She currently teaches at Northeastern University’s College of Art, Media, and Design, in The Game Science and Design MS program at Mills College.

On today’s episode, Nathalie shares how her Hollywood work propelled her to the forefront of pioneering techniques in photogrammetry and 360 video to create groundbreaking entertainment and social impact stories—including U-Turn, her award-winning interactive VR comedy that raises awareness of the gender gap in tech.

She takes us through the importance of transparency, ethics and scientific approaches to studying immersive tech and AI, and how following her intuition about the future has shaped her successful career. 

Plus Natalie offers her advice for aspiring creators looking to break into the rapidly evolving industry. 

You can support Zero to Start by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform, give us a rating, and share this episode with your community. Follow our podcast page on LinkedIn!

Thanks for listening, happy installing!  

FEATURED LINK:
Master of Science in Game Science and Design, Northeastern University, Oakland

BLAST FROM THE PAST:
VIDEO: Uturn Trailer
VIDEO: Jaunt VR app trailer
VIDEO: Oculus Developer Kit 2 trailer

MORE RESOURCES:
Unity
Unreal Engine
Godot Game Engine
Foundary / Nuke VFX Software - Compositing, Editorial and Review
Touch Designer   by Derivative

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LinkedIn


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]]> Persistent Mesh Buzzsprout-15887365 Tue, 08 Oct 2024 05:00:00 -0700 2441 VR, virtual reality, Nathalie Mathe, immersive storytelling, innovation, XR, ethics 32 full false Optimizing XR Development: The Power of Automated Testing with Shane Evans, Cofounder, GameDriver Optimizing XR Development: The Power of Automated Testing with Shane Evans, Cofounder, GameDriver GameDriver enables video game developers, testers, and producers to automate playtesting; improving time to market, test coverage, and overall quality and revenue.

The company brings over 30 years of test automation expertise to the massive gaming industry, as well as Enterprise - where next-gen user experiences are built using gaming technologies including AR and VR, to deliver consistent, repeatable testing to the app development process.

XRDriver is an Auggie nominated developer tool that addresses sector-specific needs with Advanced XR testing. 

Joining me on the podcast to tell us more about GameDriver's powerful results and how developers can increase productivity on their XR games and enterprise apps is Shane Evans, Co-founder at GameDriver, Product Strategy and Go-to-Market.

Shane is a pioneering Product Management leader who has led mature, market-leading products and introduced new products, and solutions to fit changing market and business needs for HP, HSBC and more. 

His ability to fuse a passion for games with cutting-edge innovation and enterprise solutions gives him a unique and invaluable perspective on the industry. 

You can find him at GDC, AWE and and other global conferences. 

Visit GameDriver.io to get your free trial of GameDriver and download their exclusive resource to discover the strengths and gaps in your testing process.

Thanks for listening! You can support the podcast by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform, give us a rating and connect with us on our LinkedIn page.

Special thanks to Noah Langer

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]]> GameDriver enables video game developers, testers, and producers to automate playtesting; improving time to market, test coverage, and overall quality and revenue.

The company brings over 30 years of test automation expertise to the massive gaming industry, as well as Enterprise - where next-gen user experiences are built using gaming technologies including AR and VR, to deliver consistent, repeatable testing to the app development process.

XRDriver is an Auggie nominated developer tool that addresses sector-specific needs with Advanced XR testing. 

Joining me on the podcast to tell us more about GameDriver's powerful results and how developers can increase productivity on their XR games and enterprise apps is Shane Evans, Co-founder at GameDriver, Product Strategy and Go-to-Market.

Shane is a pioneering Product Management leader who has led mature, market-leading products and introduced new products, and solutions to fit changing market and business needs for HP, HSBC and more. 

His ability to fuse a passion for games with cutting-edge innovation and enterprise solutions gives him a unique and invaluable perspective on the industry. 

You can find him at GDC, AWE and and other global conferences. 

Visit GameDriver.io to get your free trial of GameDriver and download their exclusive resource to discover the strengths and gaps in your testing process.

Thanks for listening! You can support the podcast by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform, give us a rating and connect with us on our LinkedIn page.

Special thanks to Noah Langer

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]]> Persistent Mesh Buzzsprout-15471186 Thu, 25 Jul 2024 05:00:00 -0700 2350 GameDriver, Shane Evans, Playtesting, VR, AR, Automation, tech podcast, tech 31 full false Launching JADU on mobile, a first-of-its-kind multiplayer AR fighting game, with Sarah Stumbo Huth, Gameplay Engineer, Jadu AR Launching JADU on mobile, a first-of-its-kind multiplayer AR fighting game, with Sarah Stumbo Huth, Gameplay Engineer, Jadu AR In just a few short years, mobile gaming has exploded, now accounting for almost half of all gaming, with the market worth an astounding $90 billion dollars.

According to Statista, by 2026 the mobile AR market is predicted to reach $36 billion dollars in revenue. 

As mobile AR gaming evolves beyond Pokemon Go, one company is going all-in to redefine the space with a first-of-its- kind multiplayer augmented reality fighting game. 

Joining me on the latest Zero to Start is AR/VR pioneer Sarah Stumbo Huth, Gameplay Engineer at Jadu AR. Sarah takes us through the twists and turns of bringing this groundbreaking multiplayer augmented reality game to mobile and her personal journey in the industry. 

From her early VR days in 2014 to becoming a tech evangelist at Unity, and a software engineer at MSG Sphere, Peloton, and now as Gameplay Engineer at Jadu AR, Sarah has been at the forefront of AR/VR innovation. 

She also fills us in on Season One, Jadu’s first single-player campaign launching May 21st.

Download Jadu from the App Store or Google Play to experience your very own battle arena on the go and see why this exciting new game is setting the standard for AR gaming on mobile.

To support the podcast subscribe on your favorite podcast platform! 

Thanks for listening! Until next time, happy installing. 

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Special thanks to Troy Allen Norcross

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]]> In just a few short years, mobile gaming has exploded, now accounting for almost half of all gaming, with the market worth an astounding $90 billion dollars.

According to Statista, by 2026 the mobile AR market is predicted to reach $36 billion dollars in revenue. 

As mobile AR gaming evolves beyond Pokemon Go, one company is going all-in to redefine the space with a first-of-its- kind multiplayer augmented reality fighting game. 

Joining me on the latest Zero to Start is AR/VR pioneer Sarah Stumbo Huth, Gameplay Engineer at Jadu AR. Sarah takes us through the twists and turns of bringing this groundbreaking multiplayer augmented reality game to mobile and her personal journey in the industry. 

From her early VR days in 2014 to becoming a tech evangelist at Unity, and a software engineer at MSG Sphere, Peloton, and now as Gameplay Engineer at Jadu AR, Sarah has been at the forefront of AR/VR innovation. 

She also fills us in on Season One, Jadu’s first single-player campaign launching May 21st.

Download Jadu from the App Store or Google Play to experience your very own battle arena on the go and see why this exciting new game is setting the standard for AR gaming on mobile.

To support the podcast subscribe on your favorite podcast platform! 

Thanks for listening! Until next time, happy installing. 

FEATURED LINKS:

MORE RESOURCES:

Special thanks to Troy Allen Norcross

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]]> Persistent Mesh Buzzsprout-15093827 Sun, 19 May 2024 07:00:00 -0700 2827 30 full false Retail Therapy: My inner child said no to a $4,500 Apple Vision Pro Retail Therapy: My inner child said no to a $4,500 Apple Vision Pro Apple Vision Pro doesn't have anything I really need, just everything I want. They're the coolest goggles on the planet. 

While hot takes about the price, the returns, the meaning of this moment continue to light up our news feed, I’m still integrating the 3 days I spent with The Vision Pro. 

Using Apple's spatial computer for the first time consumed me with intense, satisfying, emotional connections between software place and time. 

So after all my excitement why did I return it? The answer might surprise you. 

February 12th was Zero to Start's 4 year anniversary. Thanks to all our listeners in over 44 countries! 

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]]> Apple Vision Pro doesn't have anything I really need, just everything I want. They're the coolest goggles on the planet. 

While hot takes about the price, the returns, the meaning of this moment continue to light up our news feed, I’m still integrating the 3 days I spent with The Vision Pro. 

Using Apple's spatial computer for the first time consumed me with intense, satisfying, emotional connections between software place and time. 

So after all my excitement why did I return it? The answer might surprise you. 

February 12th was Zero to Start's 4 year anniversary. Thanks to all our listeners in over 44 countries! 

FEATURED LINKS:

FLASH BACK:

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]]> Persistent Mesh Buzzsprout-14604891 Thu, 29 Feb 2024 18:00:00 -0800 678 29 full false Apple Vision Pro's paradigm shift with Ash Baccus-Clark, Speculative Researcher and Creative Strategist, ABC Worldwide Apple Vision Pro's paradigm shift with Ash Baccus-Clark, Speculative Researcher and Creative Strategist, ABC Worldwide It's Apple Vision Pro Day! 

  • Will it be as paradigm shifting as the first iPhone? 
  • If Apple is hedging its bet on spatial computing, did oculus/Meta do the hard excavation work to prove there is an innovative market for XR?
  • Does an early adopter really need another headset in their vast collection of goggles, glasses and gadgets?

These are some of the questions Ash Baccus-Clark, Director, Keynote Speaker & Creative Strategy Consultant at ABC Worldwide asks as she contemplates whether or not to spend over $3,500 to get Apple’s first spatial computer. 

Ash is a molecular and cellular biologist, brand marketing professional and multidisciplinary artist who uses new media and storytelling to explore themes of deep learning, cognition, memory, trauma, and systems of belief within the framework of intersectionality. 

She was formerly the Director of Research & Marketing at Hyphen-Labs, an international team of engineers, scientists, architects, and artists who created ‘NeuroSpeculative AfroFeminism’, an award-winning virtual reality project that was screened at Sundance, the American Film Institute, and Tribeca Film Festival, and more. 

Join us as we dive into why it's time to start creating for spatial computing and XR. 

Thanks for listening, happy Vision Pro Day!

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]]> It's Apple Vision Pro Day! 

  • Will it be as paradigm shifting as the first iPhone? 
  • If Apple is hedging its bet on spatial computing, did oculus/Meta do the hard excavation work to prove there is an innovative market for XR?
  • Does an early adopter really need another headset in their vast collection of goggles, glasses and gadgets?

These are some of the questions Ash Baccus-Clark, Director, Keynote Speaker & Creative Strategy Consultant at ABC Worldwide asks as she contemplates whether or not to spend over $3,500 to get Apple’s first spatial computer. 

Ash is a molecular and cellular biologist, brand marketing professional and multidisciplinary artist who uses new media and storytelling to explore themes of deep learning, cognition, memory, trauma, and systems of belief within the framework of intersectionality. 

She was formerly the Director of Research & Marketing at Hyphen-Labs, an international team of engineers, scientists, architects, and artists who created ‘NeuroSpeculative AfroFeminism’, an award-winning virtual reality project that was screened at Sundance, the American Film Institute, and Tribeca Film Festival, and more. 

Join us as we dive into why it's time to start creating for spatial computing and XR. 

Thanks for listening, happy Vision Pro Day!

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AVP REVIEWS: 

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]]> Persistent Mesh Buzzsprout-14429079 Fri, 02 Feb 2024 10:00:00 -0800 2592 full false Seeing is believing (and hearing): Apple Vision Pro sold out - inside the presale, sales results and visionOS Seeing is believing (and hearing): Apple Vision Pro sold out - inside the presale, sales results and visionOS The Apple Vision Pro presale on Friday Jan.19th was a resounding success, erasing any doubt about Apple’s ability to capture the public’s imagination - and their wallets, with its first spatial computer. 

The Vision Pro marks a new day in the XR industry, or rather, a new tune that has the potential to transcend the friction and failures of the last decade. 

Despite some early device limitations and the steep price tag, speculation is rampant about the Vision Pro selling out its preorder stock in just under 20 minutes, with early revenue estimates reaching $630 million dollars. 

Today’s show is part two of our Apple Vision Pro series reflecting on the presale experience, sales results, the features we’re most excited about, and how you can begin exploring the magic of Vision Pro without a headset. 

Thanks for listening and happy Installing!

"Apple Vision Pro pre-orders begin today! We’re so excited for you to experience spatial computing for the first time! " - Tim Cook 

APPLE DEVELOPER + VISIONOS LINKS: 

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YOUTUBE TUTORIAL

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]]> The Apple Vision Pro presale on Friday Jan.19th was a resounding success, erasing any doubt about Apple’s ability to capture the public’s imagination - and their wallets, with its first spatial computer. 

The Vision Pro marks a new day in the XR industry, or rather, a new tune that has the potential to transcend the friction and failures of the last decade. 

Despite some early device limitations and the steep price tag, speculation is rampant about the Vision Pro selling out its preorder stock in just under 20 minutes, with early revenue estimates reaching $630 million dollars. 

Today’s show is part two of our Apple Vision Pro series reflecting on the presale experience, sales results, the features we’re most excited about, and how you can begin exploring the magic of Vision Pro without a headset. 

Thanks for listening and happy Installing!

"Apple Vision Pro pre-orders begin today! We’re so excited for you to experience spatial computing for the first time! " - Tim Cook 

APPLE DEVELOPER + VISIONOS LINKS: 

ARTICLES/BLOGS: 

YOUTUBE TUTORIAL

Send us a note!

]]> Persistent Mesh Buzzsprout-14374738 Thu, 25 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0800 1454 full false Reflections: Apple Vision Pro and the new era of spatial computing Reflections: Apple Vision Pro and the new era of spatial computing "The new era of spatial computing has arrived."  Our first episode of 2024 brings you a readout of last week's proclamation from Apple CEO, Tim Cook on the news of the highly anticipated Apple Vision Pro launch, which is just hours away from pre-sale, on Friday January 19th at 5am pacific. Vision Pro will be available in the U.S. on February 2nd.

Are you walking up at 5AM tomorrow to pre-order? We are! (hopefully...)

What does the Vision Pro mean for early adopters, creators and consumers? If you're wondering why you need a $3,500 wearable computer, this episode is for you. And if you're already convinced, let's celebrate and welcome spatial computing to the AI, AR, VR, XR, Metaverse family.   

We'll have more reflections on the pre-order and dig deeper into developer documentation later this weekend.   We can't wait!

Until then, happy spatial computing

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]]> "The new era of spatial computing has arrived."  Our first episode of 2024 brings you a readout of last week's proclamation from Apple CEO, Tim Cook on the news of the highly anticipated Apple Vision Pro launch, which is just hours away from pre-sale, on Friday January 19th at 5am pacific. Vision Pro will be available in the U.S. on February 2nd.

Are you walking up at 5AM tomorrow to pre-order? We are! (hopefully...)

What does the Vision Pro mean for early adopters, creators and consumers? If you're wondering why you need a $3,500 wearable computer, this episode is for you. And if you're already convinced, let's celebrate and welcome spatial computing to the AI, AR, VR, XR, Metaverse family.   

We'll have more reflections on the pre-order and dig deeper into developer documentation later this weekend.   We can't wait!

Until then, happy spatial computing

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PODCASTS:

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]]> Buzzsprout-14338228 Thu, 18 Jan 2024 23:00:00 -0800 2351 full false Presence, experiential design & the ultimate potential of XR with Kent Bye, Voices of VR podcast Presence, experiential design & the ultimate potential of XR with Kent Bye, Voices of VR podcast This holiday we’re celebrating our 25th episode of Zero to Start with a very special guest, Kent Bye, host of the Voices of VR podcast.

Since May 2014, Kent has published over 1,300 Voices of VR podcast interviews featuring the pioneering artists, storytellers, and technologists driving the resurgence of virtual & augmented reality.

Kent is an oral historian, experiential journalist, & philosopher, helping to define the patterns of immersive storytelling, experiential design, ethical frameworks, & the ultimate potential of XR. 

He travels the world to deliver in-depth coverage of the best from XR festivals, conferences and gatherings you can't find anywhere else.

Check out the link to Kent’s Patreon where you can support his groundbreaking work and gain access to the podcast's private Discord channel and more.  I've been a patron supporter of Voices of VR since 2021.

How will you think about presence in 2024?

Thanks for listening! Until next time, Peace on Earth! Goodwill to all.

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]]> This holiday we’re celebrating our 25th episode of Zero to Start with a very special guest, Kent Bye, host of the Voices of VR podcast.

Since May 2014, Kent has published over 1,300 Voices of VR podcast interviews featuring the pioneering artists, storytellers, and technologists driving the resurgence of virtual & augmented reality.

Kent is an oral historian, experiential journalist, & philosopher, helping to define the patterns of immersive storytelling, experiential design, ethical frameworks, & the ultimate potential of XR. 

He travels the world to deliver in-depth coverage of the best from XR festivals, conferences and gatherings you can't find anywhere else.

Check out the link to Kent’s Patreon where you can support his groundbreaking work and gain access to the podcast's private Discord channel and more.  I've been a patron supporter of Voices of VR since 2021.

How will you think about presence in 2024?

Thanks for listening! Until next time, Peace on Earth! Goodwill to all.

CONNECT WITH KENT:

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]]> Persistent Mesh Buzzsprout-14204752 Tue, 26 Dec 2023 06:00:00 -0800 3094 VR, virtual reality, Kent Bye, immersive storytelling, innovation, XR, ethics, experiential design 25 full false HaptX G1 Glove and the future of human-computer interaction with Linda Jacobson, Director of Marketing, HaptX HaptX G1 Glove and the future of human-computer interaction with Linda Jacobson, Director of Marketing, HaptX Are you game for a full-body haptic suit? HaptX Inc. takes us one step closer with the imminent launch of their G1 Glove. 

HaptX invents and builds wearable technology that simulates touch with unprecedented realism, enabling haptic interaction in virtual reality and robotics.  

Joining me to explore the magic of the HaptX G1 glove and the future of human-computer interaction is Linda Jacobson, the Director of Marketing at HaptX.

An industry pioneer, Linda helped seed VR technology as the world’s first VR evangelist driving early research efforts of VR in healthcare. She is a Co-founding editor of Wired Magazine and author of "CyberArts: Exploring Art + Technology" and "Garage Virtual Reality". She has helped hundreds of clients and has introduced thousands of seniors to virtual reality, social media, digital health and wellness.

Learn about HaptX Gloves G1 system, including the HaptX SDK:

  • HaptX.com
  • AWE Nite: Getting Started with Haptics a webinar recorded on Nov. 16, 2023: Designed by developers for developers, we delve into the basics of adding realistic haptics to your virtual scenarios and VR training programs. VR developers from HaptX, Lowe’s Innovation Labs, Y-12 National Security Complex, and University of Central Florida will show you how to get up and running with haptics integration in VR using Unreal Engine.

Linda's Links from the wayback machine:

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]]> Are you game for a full-body haptic suit? HaptX Inc. takes us one step closer with the imminent launch of their G1 Glove. 

HaptX invents and builds wearable technology that simulates touch with unprecedented realism, enabling haptic interaction in virtual reality and robotics.  

Joining me to explore the magic of the HaptX G1 glove and the future of human-computer interaction is Linda Jacobson, the Director of Marketing at HaptX.

An industry pioneer, Linda helped seed VR technology as the world’s first VR evangelist driving early research efforts of VR in healthcare. She is a Co-founding editor of Wired Magazine and author of "CyberArts: Exploring Art + Technology" and "Garage Virtual Reality". She has helped hundreds of clients and has introduced thousands of seniors to virtual reality, social media, digital health and wellness.

Learn about HaptX Gloves G1 system, including the HaptX SDK:

  • HaptX.com
  • AWE Nite: Getting Started with Haptics a webinar recorded on Nov. 16, 2023: Designed by developers for developers, we delve into the basics of adding realistic haptics to your virtual scenarios and VR training programs. VR developers from HaptX, Lowe’s Innovation Labs, Y-12 National Security Complex, and University of Central Florida will show you how to get up and running with haptics integration in VR using Unreal Engine.

Linda's Links from the wayback machine:

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]]> Persistent Mesh Buzzsprout-14145236 Thu, 14 Dec 2023 02:00:00 -0800 2075 full false Sam Altman, OpenAI and the quest for ethical AGI with Avi Bar-Zeev, Founder and President Reality Prime, XR Guild Sam Altman, OpenAI and the quest for ethical AGI with Avi Bar-Zeev, Founder and President Reality Prime, XR Guild In the few days since OpenAI's board of directors removed its co-founder and CEO Sam Altman, the future of the company and what it means for the race to AGI Artificial General Intelligence is anyone’s guess. 

Joining me to put this fast moving saga into perspective is Avi Bar-Zeev founder and president of Reality Prime an independent consulting service providing world-class expertise in AR & VR design and engineering, since 1997.

Avi Bar-Zeev has been at the forefront of Spatial Computing for over 30 years. He co-invented the Hololens AR headset in 2010, and led the Experience Prototyping team for Apple's Vision Pro and more from 2016 to 2019. 

Most recently, he is a founder and President of The XR Guild, a new non-profit membership organization that seeks to support and educate professionals in XR on ethics and most positive outcomes for humanity.

However this techno drama plays out, we are approaching a threshold of computing power that was once the domain of science-fiction and fantasy. The builders are already living there. 

How do you think AI will impact human rights, the way we live, work or how we define what makes us unique? Let us know on the Zero to Start LinkedIn page. 


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]]> In the few days since OpenAI's board of directors removed its co-founder and CEO Sam Altman, the future of the company and what it means for the race to AGI Artificial General Intelligence is anyone’s guess. 

Joining me to put this fast moving saga into perspective is Avi Bar-Zeev founder and president of Reality Prime an independent consulting service providing world-class expertise in AR & VR design and engineering, since 1997.

Avi Bar-Zeev has been at the forefront of Spatial Computing for over 30 years. He co-invented the Hololens AR headset in 2010, and led the Experience Prototyping team for Apple's Vision Pro and more from 2016 to 2019. 

Most recently, he is a founder and President of The XR Guild, a new non-profit membership organization that seeks to support and educate professionals in XR on ethics and most positive outcomes for humanity.

However this techno drama plays out, we are approaching a threshold of computing power that was once the domain of science-fiction and fantasy. The builders are already living there. 

How do you think AI will impact human rights, the way we live, work or how we define what makes us unique? Let us know on the Zero to Start LinkedIn page. 


CONNECT WITH AVI

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OPENAI MAYHEM 

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]]> Persistent Mesh Buzzsprout-14015572 Tue, 21 Nov 2023 18:00:00 -0800 2621 full false Metaverse Safety Week Dec.10th-15th 2023 with Kavya Pearlman, Founder and CEO, XRSI Metaverse Safety Week Dec.10th-15th 2023 with Kavya Pearlman, Founder and CEO, XRSI On December 10th  XRSI will kick–off their 4th annual Metaverse Safety Week - XRSI’s flagship conference, an annual occasion to meet industry leaders and discuss the challenges of safety, privacy and artificial intelligence in spatial computing. 

Kavya Pearlman, Founder and CEO of XRSI, X Reality Safety Intelligence,  a leading non-profit organization globally recognized for advocating safety, privacy, security, and inclusion in the domain of emerging technology joins me on the podcast to share why this year's Metaverse Safety Week is an essential industry event. 

Kavya is an award-winning cyber security expert who brings together world leaders, organizations, researchers, community advocates and policymakers to address the industry’s most challenging threats. 

Dive into what you need to know about safety in the Metaverse on this episode of Zero to Start!

Check out show links below and let us know your feedback on our LinkedIn page.    

GOVERNMENT POLICY

RESOURCES and READING

CONNECT WITH KAVYA 

CONNECT WITH SICILIANA 

Subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform, give us a rating and share this episode with your community. Thanks for listening and happy installing!

Send us a note!

]]> On December 10th  XRSI will kick–off their 4th annual Metaverse Safety Week - XRSI’s flagship conference, an annual occasion to meet industry leaders and discuss the challenges of safety, privacy and artificial intelligence in spatial computing. 

Kavya Pearlman, Founder and CEO of XRSI, X Reality Safety Intelligence,  a leading non-profit organization globally recognized for advocating safety, privacy, security, and inclusion in the domain of emerging technology joins me on the podcast to share why this year's Metaverse Safety Week is an essential industry event. 

Kavya is an award-winning cyber security expert who brings together world leaders, organizations, researchers, community advocates and policymakers to address the industry’s most challenging threats. 

Dive into what you need to know about safety in the Metaverse on this episode of Zero to Start!

Check out show links below and let us know your feedback on our LinkedIn page.    

GOVERNMENT POLICY

RESOURCES and READING

CONNECT WITH KAVYA 

CONNECT WITH SICILIANA 

Subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform, give us a rating and share this episode with your community. Thanks for listening and happy installing!

Send us a note!

]]> Persistent Mesh Buzzsprout-13984489 Thu, 16 Nov 2023 07:00:00 -0800 1800 tech, technology, virtual reality, VR, safety, cyber security, spatial computing, metaverse, avatars full false Reimagined Vol. II: Mahal - Emmy Award-Winning XR Director Michaela Ternaksy-Holland on innovation, affordances and social impact of XR storytelling. Reimagined Vol. II: Mahal - Emmy Award-Winning XR Director Michaela Ternaksy-Holland on innovation, affordances and social impact of XR storytelling. Prepare to be amazed and inspired by special guest Michaela Ternasky Holland, Emmy Award-Winning XR Director, Creative Strategist and Impact Producer leading equity and social change in XR and the Metaverse.  

A pioneer in VR journalism and experience design, Michaela shares the evolution of her unique industry journey and how her latest immersive film, Reimagined Vol. II: Mahal, is redefining traditional narratives and Tagalog / Filipino mythology to create authentic, innovative, heart-felt stories that captivate audiences around the world.

We also talk shop about the new Quest3, Apple entering the market and what every beginner should know about immersive storytelling. Don't miss it!

Check out show links below and let us know your feedback on our new LinkedIn page.   

CONNECT WITH MICHAELA

CONNECT WITH SICILIANA 

RESOURCES

Dive into what you need to get started on your immersive storytelling adventure. Subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform, give us a rating and share this episode with your community. Thanks for listening and happy installing!



Send us a note!

]]> Prepare to be amazed and inspired by special guest Michaela Ternasky Holland, Emmy Award-Winning XR Director, Creative Strategist and Impact Producer leading equity and social change in XR and the Metaverse.  

A pioneer in VR journalism and experience design, Michaela shares the evolution of her unique industry journey and how her latest immersive film, Reimagined Vol. II: Mahal, is redefining traditional narratives and Tagalog / Filipino mythology to create authentic, innovative, heart-felt stories that captivate audiences around the world.

We also talk shop about the new Quest3, Apple entering the market and what every beginner should know about immersive storytelling. Don't miss it!

Check out show links below and let us know your feedback on our new LinkedIn page.   

CONNECT WITH MICHAELA

CONNECT WITH SICILIANA 

RESOURCES

Dive into what you need to get started on your immersive storytelling adventure. Subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform, give us a rating and share this episode with your community. Thanks for listening and happy installing!



Send us a note!

]]> Persistent Mesh Buzzsprout-13924085 Tue, 07 Nov 2023 02:00:00 -0800 2556 full false Building the next generation of spatial computing with Robin Moulder, Founder & CEO, 3lb Games and 3lb XR Building the next generation of spatial computing with Robin Moulder, Founder & CEO, 3lb Games and 3lb XR XR Pioneer Robin Moulder, Founder and CEO of 3lb Games and 3lb XR joins the podcast to share details about their latest releases including VR Workout and Grokit, a hand tracking multiplayer mixed reality game aimed at rapid fire interactions focused on fun while giving newer headset players more confidence - perfect for introducing your friends and family to the magic of mixed reality on a Quest 3 at your holiday gatherings.

GroKit Core is their B2B resource that will help companies accelerate their spatial computing project development.
 
Robin also reports on highlights from her recent visit to Europe's thriving immersive conferences, her reflections on Apple Vision Pro, how she started her career in technology and what every beginner should know about getting started in spatial computing. 

Check out resource links below and let us know your feedback on our new LinkedIn page.   

Spooky installing!

DOWNLOAD

CONNECT WITH ROBIN 

CONNECT WITH SICILIANA 

WHAT ELSE WE'RE PLAYING THIS HALLOWEEN!

The early days of hand tracking with Leap Motion:

  • SFVR #12 David Holz, Leap Motion Orion demo - YouTube 

CONFERENCES

We hope you're inspired to explore mixed reality and start your spatial computing adventure. Subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform,

Send us a note!

]]> XR Pioneer Robin Moulder, Founder and CEO of 3lb Games and 3lb XR joins the podcast to share details about their latest releases including VR Workout and Grokit, a hand tracking multiplayer mixed reality game aimed at rapid fire interactions focused on fun while giving newer headset players more confidence - perfect for introducing your friends and family to the magic of mixed reality on a Quest 3 at your holiday gatherings.

GroKit Core is their B2B resource that will help companies accelerate their spatial computing project development.
 
Robin also reports on highlights from her recent visit to Europe's thriving immersive conferences, her reflections on Apple Vision Pro, how she started her career in technology and what every beginner should know about getting started in spatial computing. 

Check out resource links below and let us know your feedback on our new LinkedIn page.   

Spooky installing!

DOWNLOAD

CONNECT WITH ROBIN 

CONNECT WITH SICILIANA 

WHAT ELSE WE'RE PLAYING THIS HALLOWEEN!

The early days of hand tracking with Leap Motion:

  • SFVR #12 David Holz, Leap Motion Orion demo - YouTube 

CONFERENCES

We hope you're inspired to explore mixed reality and start your spatial computing adventure. Subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform,

Send us a note!

]]> Persistent Mesh Buzzsprout-13881133 Tue, 31 Oct 2023 08:00:00 -0700 2247 tech, technology, podcast, virtual reality, VR, spatial analytics, mixed reality, games, full false Hauntify Mixed Reality horror game for Quest 3 with David Montecalvo, Founder and President, VirtualGo LLC Hauntify Mixed Reality horror game for Quest 3 with David Montecalvo, Founder and President, VirtualGo LLC "What if I could make an app that could change an entire play area into a horror game?"
That's what David Montecalvo, Founder and President of VirtualGo LLC asked himself when he saw the black and white pass-through on the Meta Quest 2, inspiring him to create Hauntify, one of Quest 2's earliest mixed reality games that combined the headset's new experimental pass through with a ghostly room-scale experience - available now for Quest 3 on Sidequest and App Lab. 

On this spookacular episode of Zero to Start special guest David Montecalvo unlocks the secrets to playing Hauntify, his vision for developing mixed reality apps and what he's learned along the way of making games like Escape Lava Mine (Rift), FPS Enhanced Reality (Quest 2, 3), Mixed Reality Animal Escape and more.

This Halloween turn your house party into a horror game with Hauntify. Check out our list below for more games to get you into the spirit and let us know which monster VR games you're playing on our new LinkedIn page.   

Spooky installing!

DOWNLOAD HAUNTIFY

CONNECT WITH VIRTUAL GO LLC

WHAT ELSE WE'RE PLAYING THIS HALLOWEEN!

CONNECT WITH SICILIANA

We hope you're inspired to explore how you can apply mixed reality to your creative vision and have fun this Halloween. Subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform, and share this episode with your ghosts and ghouls.  Thanks for listening and

Send us a note!

]]> "What if I could make an app that could change an entire play area into a horror game?"
That's what David Montecalvo, Founder and President of VirtualGo LLC asked himself when he saw the black and white pass-through on the Meta Quest 2, inspiring him to create Hauntify, one of Quest 2's earliest mixed reality games that combined the headset's new experimental pass through with a ghostly room-scale experience - available now for Quest 3 on Sidequest and App Lab. 

On this spookacular episode of Zero to Start special guest David Montecalvo unlocks the secrets to playing Hauntify, his vision for developing mixed reality apps and what he's learned along the way of making games like Escape Lava Mine (Rift), FPS Enhanced Reality (Quest 2, 3), Mixed Reality Animal Escape and more.

This Halloween turn your house party into a horror game with Hauntify. Check out our list below for more games to get you into the spirit and let us know which monster VR games you're playing on our new LinkedIn page.   

Spooky installing!

DOWNLOAD HAUNTIFY

CONNECT WITH VIRTUAL GO LLC

WHAT ELSE WE'RE PLAYING THIS HALLOWEEN!

CONNECT WITH SICILIANA

We hope you're inspired to explore how you can apply mixed reality to your creative vision and have fun this Halloween. Subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform, and share this episode with your ghosts and ghouls.  Thanks for listening and

Send us a note!

]]> Persistent Mesh Buzzsprout-13834414 Tue, 24 Oct 2023 02:00:00 -0700 1440 full false WebAR for Social Impact: The 8th Wall Hope for Haiti Challenge with Sarah Porter, Director of Innovative Philanthropy, Hope for Haiti WebAR for Social Impact: The 8th Wall Hope for Haiti Challenge with Sarah Porter, Director of Innovative Philanthropy, Hope for Haiti Web AR and social impact is a powerful combination that fuels dynamic connection, community building, awareness and action - at scale. 

On this episode of Zero to Start,  Sarah Porter, Director of Innovative Philanthropy at Hope for Haiti joins me to share the nonprofit's mission, how they started their immersive journey and how you can join 8th Wall's Hope for Haiti challenge happening now - the deadline to enter is November 6th at 11:59 pm Pacific. 

You can jump right to the Challenge details at 13 minutes into the podcast. See the links below for everything you need to participate.

Happy installing!

8th WALL CHALLENGE LINKS: 

CONNECT WITH HOPE FOR HAITI:

3D JAVASCRIPT FRAMEWORKS 

CONNECT WITH SICILIANA

We hope you're inspired to explore WebAR and 8th Wall's Hope for Haiti Challenge. Subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform, and share this episode with your community. Thanks for listening and for your support! 

Send us a note!

]]> Web AR and social impact is a powerful combination that fuels dynamic connection, community building, awareness and action - at scale. 

On this episode of Zero to Start,  Sarah Porter, Director of Innovative Philanthropy at Hope for Haiti joins me to share the nonprofit's mission, how they started their immersive journey and how you can join 8th Wall's Hope for Haiti challenge happening now - the deadline to enter is November 6th at 11:59 pm Pacific. 

You can jump right to the Challenge details at 13 minutes into the podcast. See the links below for everything you need to participate.

Happy installing!

8th WALL CHALLENGE LINKS: 

CONNECT WITH HOPE FOR HAITI:

3D JAVASCRIPT FRAMEWORKS 

CONNECT WITH SICILIANA

We hope you're inspired to explore WebAR and 8th Wall's Hope for Haiti Challenge. Subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform, and share this episode with your community. Thanks for listening and for your support! 

Send us a note!

]]> Persistent Mesh Buzzsprout-13792748 Tue, 17 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0700 1294 2 3 full false Calder Archinuk, Developer Evangelist at Cognitive3D on building better experiences with spatial analytics Calder Archinuk, Developer Evangelist at Cognitive3D on building better experiences with spatial analytics Discover how Cognitive3D’s SDK for Unreal and Unity empowers immersive creators to unlock player behavior and build better 3D experiences with Calder Archinuk, Developer Evangelist at Cognitive3D. 

Designing for Player agency in virtual environments is one of many challenges in VR development, yet player agency is also what makes VR an essential medium for capturing and studying player behavior.

  • How can developers quickly and easily leverage spatial analytics to build better immersive experiences? 
  • What should every immersive developer know about leveraging spatial analytics in their projects? 
  • How can developers safely collect spatial data and protect privacy? 

Dive into these questions and more on our latest episode.  Happy installing!

CONNECT WITH COGNITIVE3D:

RESOURCES:

CONNECT WITH SICILIANA

Subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform, and share this episode with the immersive creators in your life. Thanks for listening and for your support! 

Send us a note!

]]> Discover how Cognitive3D’s SDK for Unreal and Unity empowers immersive creators to unlock player behavior and build better 3D experiences with Calder Archinuk, Developer Evangelist at Cognitive3D. 

Designing for Player agency in virtual environments is one of many challenges in VR development, yet player agency is also what makes VR an essential medium for capturing and studying player behavior.

  • How can developers quickly and easily leverage spatial analytics to build better immersive experiences? 
  • What should every immersive developer know about leveraging spatial analytics in their projects? 
  • How can developers safely collect spatial data and protect privacy? 

Dive into these questions and more on our latest episode.  Happy installing!

CONNECT WITH COGNITIVE3D:

RESOURCES:

CONNECT WITH SICILIANA

Subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform, and share this episode with the immersive creators in your life. Thanks for listening and for your support! 

Send us a note!

]]> The Gamma Buzzsprout-13725810 Tue, 10 Oct 2023 04:00:00 -0700 1290 tech, technology, podcast, virtual reality, VR, spatial analytics, cognitive3d, eye tracking, game development, app development, unity 3d, unreal engine, 2 2 full false Amir Bozorgzadeh Cofounder and CEO of Virtuleap on improving brain health with Enhance VR Amir Bozorgzadeh Cofounder and CEO of Virtuleap on improving brain health with Enhance VR Dive into the power of Neuroscience and VR to improve brain health with Amir Bozorgzadeh, the cofounder and CEO of Virtuleap. 

Brain health as you age affects each and every one of us. Caring for your cognitive well-being is essential for living an independent and fulfilling life.  Virtuleap combines neuroscience and virtual reality to help increase attention levels, and address cognitive illnesses, disorders, and learning challenges. 

Virtuleap’s' Enhance VR app is a fun and immersive workout for your brain. Featuring games like Magic Deck, Memory Wall and more  that help keep your mind sharp and healthy at any age. See link below to download Enhance VR free. 

We also explore how VR's power of embodiment is driving clinical research in treating conditions like ADHD and Long Covid, data safety and ethics, consciousness and the unique challenges researchers at the intersection of new tech and healthcare must overcome - with lighter weight headsets, accessible onboarding and more. 

Support the podcast - subscribe, like and share this episode with your community.  Thanks!

DOWNLOAD ENHANCE VR FREE:  

CONNECT WITH US!

SBIR GRANTS:

DIGITAL BIOMARKERS + REPORTS: 

DEMOGRAPHICS:








Send us a note!

]]> Dive into the power of Neuroscience and VR to improve brain health with Amir Bozorgzadeh, the cofounder and CEO of Virtuleap. 

Brain health as you age affects each and every one of us. Caring for your cognitive well-being is essential for living an independent and fulfilling life.  Virtuleap combines neuroscience and virtual reality to help increase attention levels, and address cognitive illnesses, disorders, and learning challenges. 

Virtuleap’s' Enhance VR app is a fun and immersive workout for your brain. Featuring games like Magic Deck, Memory Wall and more  that help keep your mind sharp and healthy at any age. See link below to download Enhance VR free. 

We also explore how VR's power of embodiment is driving clinical research in treating conditions like ADHD and Long Covid, data safety and ethics, consciousness and the unique challenges researchers at the intersection of new tech and healthcare must overcome - with lighter weight headsets, accessible onboarding and more. 

Support the podcast - subscribe, like and share this episode with your community.  Thanks!

DOWNLOAD ENHANCE VR FREE:  

CONNECT WITH US!

SBIR GRANTS:

DIGITAL BIOMARKERS + REPORTS: 

DEMOGRAPHICS:








Send us a note!

]]> Buzzsprout-12698676 Wed, 03 May 2023 14:00:00 -0700 2004 2 1 full false SPOTLIGHT: Sadah Espii Proctor, XR & Experiential Designer on narrative VR for theater music and art SPOTLIGHT: Sadah Espii Proctor, XR & Experiential Designer on narrative VR for theater music and art Stepping into the Spotlight is Sadah Espii Proctor, XR & Experiential Designer Composer & Spatial Sound Designer 

On our 8th and final spotlight episode, recorded on January 2021, Espii shares her philosophy on creating  narrative VR experiences for theater, music and art - and how the pandemic is ushering in new ways to experience live performance. 

Among Espii's many accomplishments in immersive film, art and sound, she is the director of 2019's Girl Icon. Globally, over 130 million girls do not go to school. Step into the life of one girl from India who is inspired by Malala Yousafzai to change her course. Produced in partnership with Oculus VR for Good Creators Lab, Malala Fund and Milaan Foundation.

We also discuss the development of her immersive work, Testigo (Witness), created at Garage Stories and The Bayou Project. 

Thanks for listening and happy installing!

  • Share, like and subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform.
  • Connect with Espii on LinkedIn
  • Follow Siciliana on LinkedIn

================================
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Thanks to our partners at Meta for sponsoring our Spotlight Series and supporting women working in Virtual Reality. 

#sponsoredpost

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]]> Stepping into the Spotlight is Sadah Espii Proctor, XR & Experiential Designer Composer & Spatial Sound Designer 

On our 8th and final spotlight episode, recorded on January 2021, Espii shares her philosophy on creating  narrative VR experiences for theater, music and art - and how the pandemic is ushering in new ways to experience live performance. 

Among Espii's many accomplishments in immersive film, art and sound, she is the director of 2019's Girl Icon. Globally, over 130 million girls do not go to school. Step into the life of one girl from India who is inspired by Malala Yousafzai to change her course. Produced in partnership with Oculus VR for Good Creators Lab, Malala Fund and Milaan Foundation.

We also discuss the development of her immersive work, Testigo (Witness), created at Garage Stories and The Bayou Project. 

Thanks for listening and happy installing!

  • Share, like and subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform.
  • Connect with Espii on LinkedIn
  • Follow Siciliana on LinkedIn

================================
FEATURED LINKS

================================
Thanks to our partners at Meta for sponsoring our Spotlight Series and supporting women working in Virtual Reality. 

#sponsoredpost

Send us a note!

]]> The Gamma Buzzsprout-12574801 Mon, 03 Apr 2023 13:00:00 -0700 2565 1 8 full false SPOTLIGHT: Kai Frazier, CEO, KaiXR on creating the most accessible and inclusive VR platform for kids on the web SPOTLIGHT: Kai Frazier, CEO, KaiXR on creating the most accessible and inclusive VR platform for kids on the web Stepping into the Spotlight is Kai Frazier, Founder and CEO of KaiXR, the most inclusive and accessible VR platform for kids where they can explore, dream and create!

On our 7th spotlight episode Kai shares how she radically changed her life as an educator to a solo nontechnical founder in the highly volatile world of VR entrepreneurship.

Find out how Kai built an inclusive and accessible VR platform for kids over the web, how to engage students with virtual reality, surviving and succeeding in tech accelerators,  what she wished she knew when she first started and of course, Kai's quarantine playlist!

Thanks for listening and happy installing!

  • Share, like and subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform.
  • Follow Kai @__Ka1 / @ExploreKaiXR

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#sponsoredpost

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]]> Stepping into the Spotlight is Kai Frazier, Founder and CEO of KaiXR, the most inclusive and accessible VR platform for kids where they can explore, dream and create!

On our 7th spotlight episode Kai shares how she radically changed her life as an educator to a solo nontechnical founder in the highly volatile world of VR entrepreneurship.

Find out how Kai built an inclusive and accessible VR platform for kids over the web, how to engage students with virtual reality, surviving and succeeding in tech accelerators,  what she wished she knew when she first started and of course, Kai's quarantine playlist!

Thanks for listening and happy installing!

  • Share, like and subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform.
  • Follow Kai @__Ka1 / @ExploreKaiXR

================================
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================================
TUTORIALS

================================

#sponsoredpost

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]]> The Gamma Buzzsprout-7345636 Mon, 18 Jan 2021 03:00:00 -0800 2603 1 7 full false SPOTLIGHT: Lauren Frazier, CTO, Ramen VR on becoming a game developer and building Zenith, a VR MMO SPOTLIGHT: Lauren Frazier, CTO, Ramen VR on becoming a game developer and building Zenith, a VR MMO Stepping into the spotlight is Lauren Frazier, Cofounder and CTO at Ramen VR, a Y Combinator VR game studio and makers of the award-winning Conjure Strike.

On our 6th podcast episode Lauren fills us in on Ramen VR’s upcoming game, Zenith, a cross-platform massive multiplayer for VR funded in part by Oculus. She shares how Y Combinator prepared Ramen VR for the business world, Kickstarter tips for success and how she risked a stable career in iOS mobile development for VR gaming, with a little help from Oculus Launch Pad.

Plus Lauren's quarantine playlist and more!

 Thanks for listening and happy installing!

  • Share, like and subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform.
  • Follow Zenith @ZenithMMO 

================================
FEATURED LINKS

================================
TUTORIALS

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LAUREN'S QUARANTINE PLAYLIST

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#sponsoredpost

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]]> Stepping into the spotlight is Lauren Frazier, Cofounder and CTO at Ramen VR, a Y Combinator VR game studio and makers of the award-winning Conjure Strike.

On our 6th podcast episode Lauren fills us in on Ramen VR’s upcoming game, Zenith, a cross-platform massive multiplayer for VR funded in part by Oculus. She shares how Y Combinator prepared Ramen VR for the business world, Kickstarter tips for success and how she risked a stable career in iOS mobile development for VR gaming, with a little help from Oculus Launch Pad.

Plus Lauren's quarantine playlist and more!

 Thanks for listening and happy installing!

  • Share, like and subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform.
  • Follow Zenith @ZenithMMO 

================================
FEATURED LINKS

================================
TUTORIALS

================================
LAUREN'S QUARANTINE PLAYLIST

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#sponsoredpost

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]]> The Gamma Buzzsprout-6832012 Mon, 14 Dec 2020 03:00:00 -0800 1800 1 6 full false SPOTLIGHT: Jasmine Roberts, AR/ VR Software Engineer on developing for AR and how beginners can succeed in immersive tech SPOTLIGHT: Jasmine Roberts, AR/ VR Software Engineer on developing for AR and how beginners can succeed in immersive tech Stepping into the spotlight is Jasmine Roberts, an accomplished software engineer who has worked at pioneering companies including Unity, Sony Playstation and Google Creative Lab in New York City where she developed and launched, Lines of Play, a Google experiment AR app highlighting the features of Google’s new AR Core Depth API. 

Jasmine was a 2017 Oculus Launch Pad fellow and in 2020 Forbes recognized her on their Games 30 under 30 list. 

On this episode of Zero to Start Jasmine shares her insights about developing with the latest AR APIs, a mini-dive into SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping), what she wished she knew when she started in the industry and tools beginners should explore as they start their journey.

Plus Jasmine's quarantine playlist and more!

Thanks for listening and happy installing!

  • Share, like and subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform.
  • Follow Jasmine Roberts  @ladykillmonger

================================

FEATURED LINKS

================================
TUTORIALS

================================

JASMINE'S QUARANTINE PLAYLIST

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#sponsoredpost

Send us a note!

]]> Stepping into the spotlight is Jasmine Roberts, an accomplished software engineer who has worked at pioneering companies including Unity, Sony Playstation and Google Creative Lab in New York City where she developed and launched, Lines of Play, a Google experiment AR app highlighting the features of Google’s new AR Core Depth API. 

Jasmine was a 2017 Oculus Launch Pad fellow and in 2020 Forbes recognized her on their Games 30 under 30 list. 

On this episode of Zero to Start Jasmine shares her insights about developing with the latest AR APIs, a mini-dive into SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping), what she wished she knew when she started in the industry and tools beginners should explore as they start their journey.

Plus Jasmine's quarantine playlist and more!

Thanks for listening and happy installing!

  • Share, like and subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform.
  • Follow Jasmine Roberts  @ladykillmonger

================================

FEATURED LINKS

================================
TUTORIALS

================================

JASMINE'S QUARANTINE PLAYLIST

================================

#sponsoredpost

Send us a note!

]]> The Gamma Buzzsprout-6389566 Mon, 16 Nov 2020 03:00:00 -0800 1535 1 5 full false SPOTLIGHT: Richard Duck, Store Operations Manager at Oculus on preparing your VR title for submission to the Oculus Store SPOTLIGHT: Richard Duck, Store Operations Manager at Oculus on preparing your VR title for submission to the Oculus Store Stepping into the spotlight is Richard Duck, Store Operations Manager at Oculus. 

On this episode of Zero to Start Richard talks about how  his team helps guide developers as they prepare for publishing their titles on the Oculus Store. 

Richard highlights the importance of testing all aspects of your VR title and how testing helps create community around your work.

We talk about the magic of VR, film and theatrical influences on VR, spatial audio and how studying the history of games can help inspire creators as they develop experiences for the radical new era of spatial computing. 

  • Share, like and subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform.

================================

FEATURED LINKS

================================
TUTORIALS

================================

RICHARD'S QUARANTINE PLAYLIST

================================

#sponsoredpost

Send us a note!

]]> Stepping into the spotlight is Richard Duck, Store Operations Manager at Oculus. 

On this episode of Zero to Start Richard talks about how  his team helps guide developers as they prepare for publishing their titles on the Oculus Store. 

Richard highlights the importance of testing all aspects of your VR title and how testing helps create community around your work.

We talk about the magic of VR, film and theatrical influences on VR, spatial audio and how studying the history of games can help inspire creators as they develop experiences for the radical new era of spatial computing. 

  • Share, like and subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform.

================================

FEATURED LINKS

================================
TUTORIALS

================================

RICHARD'S QUARANTINE PLAYLIST

================================

#sponsoredpost

Send us a note!

]]> The Gamma Buzzsprout-6246031 Fri, 06 Nov 2020 03:00:00 -0800 2215 VR, Virtual Reality, Oculus Quest, Tech, 1 4 full false SPOTLIGHT: Kathryn Hicks AR/VR Designer on new work and inspiration, open source creation tools SPOTLIGHT: Kathryn Hicks AR/VR Designer on new work and inspiration, open source creation tools Stepping into the spotlight Kathryn Hicks, AR/VR Designer at the Danse shares how the Savannah College of Art and Design led her to virtual reality, igniting the creation of her first animated 360 film, Tall Tales of the Aerona Temple. 

Kathryn fills us in on her latest project working alongside Memphis developer Justin Palmer on Mend, a cross-platform puzzle game and 2019 Oculus Launch Pad scholarship winner. 

Plus Kathryn shares her recommendations for open source 3D tools that emerging designers and artists should explore as they dive into immersive asset creation. 

We have fun talking about her fascination with the classic horror genre and sasquatch.

  • Follow Kathryn on Twitter @gokatcreate
  • Follow her latest VR project @MendTheGame
  • Share, like and subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform.

================================

FEATURED LINKS

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OPEN SOURCE ART TOOLS

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TUTORIALS

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KATHRYN'S QUARANTINE PLAYLIST

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#sponsoredpost

Send us a note!

]]> Stepping into the spotlight Kathryn Hicks, AR/VR Designer at the Danse shares how the Savannah College of Art and Design led her to virtual reality, igniting the creation of her first animated 360 film, Tall Tales of the Aerona Temple. 

Kathryn fills us in on her latest project working alongside Memphis developer Justin Palmer on Mend, a cross-platform puzzle game and 2019 Oculus Launch Pad scholarship winner. 

Plus Kathryn shares her recommendations for open source 3D tools that emerging designers and artists should explore as they dive into immersive asset creation. 

We have fun talking about her fascination with the classic horror genre and sasquatch.

  • Follow Kathryn on Twitter @gokatcreate
  • Follow her latest VR project @MendTheGame
  • Share, like and subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform.

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OPEN SOURCE ART TOOLS

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KATHRYN'S QUARANTINE PLAYLIST

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]]> The Gamma Buzzsprout-5868691 Tue, 13 Oct 2020 03:00:00 -0700 1620 1 3 full false SPOTLIGHT: Clorama Dorvilias, Product Manager at Oculus on new product releases and achieving success in VR SPOTLIGHT: Clorama Dorvilias, Product Manager at Oculus on new product releases and achieving success in VR Stepping into the spotlight Clorama Dorvilias, Product Manager at Oculus shares her first ah-ha moment in VR, her previous experience building VR training solutions to reduce bias in education, new Oculus product releases, tips for aspiring VR product managers and her quarantine playlist. Happy installing!

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TUTORIALS

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READING LIST

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QUARANTINE PLAYLIST

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#sponsoredpost

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]]> Stepping into the spotlight Clorama Dorvilias, Product Manager at Oculus shares her first ah-ha moment in VR, her previous experience building VR training solutions to reduce bias in education, new Oculus product releases, tips for aspiring VR product managers and her quarantine playlist. Happy installing!

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FEATURED LINKS

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TUTORIALS

================================

READING LIST

================================

QUARANTINE PLAYLIST

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#sponsoredpost

Send us a note!

]]> The Gamma Buzzsprout-5372560 Thu, 10 Sep 2020 03:00:00 -0700 2413 1 2 full false SPOTLIGHT: Allison Lee, Developer Program Manager at Oculus on Launch Pad 2020 SPOTLIGHT: Allison Lee, Developer Program Manager at Oculus on Launch Pad 2020 Siciliana Trevino is excited to bring you her new Zero to Start Spotlight series featuring insightful conversations with VR creators and industry leaders about how you can break into VR, brought to you by Oculus from Facebook.

Now in its fifth year Oculus Launch Pad is an essential VR developer program designed for promising content creators from diverse backgrounds. 2020 Applications are open until August 20th. Our first spotlight guest, Allison Lee, Developer Program Manager at Oculus tells us everything you need to know about applying to Launch Pad.

Allison also shares her perspective on VR design, resources like the free Unity Learn - Design, Develop and Deploy for VR course, beginner tutorial rites of passage like the Roll a Ball tutorial, how VR is made for this moment and what's on her quarantine playlist to stay on task.

Follow Allison on Twitter @AvLee_ 

Share, like and subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform.

Happy Installing!
================================
FEATURED LINKS

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Reading list

================================
Quarantine playlist

================================

Send us a note!

]]> Siciliana Trevino is excited to bring you her new Zero to Start Spotlight series featuring insightful conversations with VR creators and industry leaders about how you can break into VR, brought to you by Oculus from Facebook.

Now in its fifth year Oculus Launch Pad is an essential VR developer program designed for promising content creators from diverse backgrounds. 2020 Applications are open until August 20th. Our first spotlight guest, Allison Lee, Developer Program Manager at Oculus tells us everything you need to know about applying to Launch Pad.

Allison also shares her perspective on VR design, resources like the free Unity Learn - Design, Develop and Deploy for VR course, beginner tutorial rites of passage like the Roll a Ball tutorial, how VR is made for this moment and what's on her quarantine playlist to stay on task.

Follow Allison on Twitter @AvLee_ 

Share, like and subscribe to Zero to Start on your favorite podcast platform.

Happy Installing!
================================
FEATURED LINKS

================================
Reading list

================================
Quarantine playlist

================================

Send us a note!

]]> Buzzsprout-5020811 Sun, 16 Aug 2020 15:00:00 -0700 2443 1 1 full false Build Succeeded: Display.land assets in Unity, the end of Bose AR + War of the Worlds, the start of High Fidelity 3D audio, Black Lives Matter Build Succeeded: Display.land assets in Unity, the end of Bose AR + War of the Worlds, the start of High Fidelity 3D audio, Black Lives Matter Our 7th episode finds us in another Mercury retrograde, over 100 days since Berkeley announced its shelter in place and reminiscing about Berkeley's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast last January.

Melanie takes a 3D scan of her garden using the Display.land mobile app by Ubiquity6 (which is now discontinued), succeeds in building her first Unity scene, although we get an app ID error when we try to upload her project file to her Oculus test release channel. 

Happy Installing!

We recap: 

Community Shoutout

Featured links

Quarantine Playlists

Subscribe to Zero to Start on YouTube

===================
Zero to Start Music by Melanie Mentzel and Leonard Sherman

Send us a note!

]]> Our 7th episode finds us in another Mercury retrograde, over 100 days since Berkeley announced its shelter in place and reminiscing about Berkeley's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast last January.

Melanie takes a 3D scan of her garden using the Display.land mobile app by Ubiquity6 (which is now discontinued), succeeds in building her first Unity scene, although we get an app ID error when we try to upload her project file to her Oculus test release channel. 

Happy Installing!

We recap: 

Community Shoutout

Featured links

Quarantine Playlists

Subscribe to Zero to Start on YouTube

===================
Zero to Start Music by Melanie Mentzel and Leonard Sherman

Send us a note!

]]> The Gamma Buzzsprout-4540832 Mon, 13 Jul 2020 03:00:00 -0700 1427 1 7 full false The Moasis: Melanie's first Unity project, Unreal 5 announced, exploring Engage VR The Moasis: Melanie's first Unity project, Unreal 5 announced, exploring Engage VR Ten weeks ago the Bay Area began sheltering in place. Learning how to build an oasis in VR has never been more profound or essential, if not disorienting as we face a staggering loss of life from Covid-19 and outrage over the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. 

As we learn how to turn on the lights in the virtual world we’re building with Unity, reality is in turmoil and in need of healing. While technology alone can’t cure disease or injustice, VR is a powerful medium that can inspire compassion and collaboration, resilience and community.

We're on a quest to make that potential a reality. Thanks for joining us.

On our 6th episode Melanie and I recap: 

Featured links

===================
Zero to Start Music by Melanie Mentzel and Leonard Sherman
Leave Me in My Broken Dreams by Raär


Send us a note!

]]> Ten weeks ago the Bay Area began sheltering in place. Learning how to build an oasis in VR has never been more profound or essential, if not disorienting as we face a staggering loss of life from Covid-19 and outrage over the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. 

As we learn how to turn on the lights in the virtual world we’re building with Unity, reality is in turmoil and in need of healing. While technology alone can’t cure disease or injustice, VR is a powerful medium that can inspire compassion and collaboration, resilience and community.

We're on a quest to make that potential a reality. Thanks for joining us.

On our 6th episode Melanie and I recap: 

Featured links

===================
Zero to Start Music by Melanie Mentzel and Leonard Sherman
Leave Me in My Broken Dreams by Raär


Send us a note!

]]> The Gamma Buzzsprout-3966728 Fri, 29 May 2020 12:00:00 -0700 1200 virtual reality, VR, Oculus, Unity, VR development, Women in tech, Women in VR, Tech, Unreal Engine, Engage, 1 6 full false All Systems Go! Our new VR setup, exploring AltSpace, VRChat, Tilt Brush and Facebook VR art communities All Systems Go! Our new VR setup, exploring AltSpace, VRChat, Tilt Brush and Facebook VR art communities We're back! Thanks to Berkeley Community Media, Melanie has a new VR-ready gaming PC and is all set with Unity Hub and the Oculus Rift CV1. On this episode we reflect on my early days in VR (way back in 2015) and my first GearVR project, how VR development keeps you on your toes, we dive into Melanie's new PC and the VR experiences she's been exploring including AltSpace and VRChat. We also highlight a few of the many thriving VR art communities on Facebook that will inspire you on your VR journey and more.

As always, stay focused in dev mode with our weekly music playlists on YouTube: Elements and The Gamma

Happy Installing!

Featured links

VR Hardware / Tools / Social Platforms

VR art communities on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter
@BCMORG
===================
Zero to Start Music by Melanie Mentzel and Leonard Sherman

Send us a note!

]]> We're back! Thanks to Berkeley Community Media, Melanie has a new VR-ready gaming PC and is all set with Unity Hub and the Oculus Rift CV1. On this episode we reflect on my early days in VR (way back in 2015) and my first GearVR project, how VR development keeps you on your toes, we dive into Melanie's new PC and the VR experiences she's been exploring including AltSpace and VRChat. We also highlight a few of the many thriving VR art communities on Facebook that will inspire you on your VR journey and more.

As always, stay focused in dev mode with our weekly music playlists on YouTube: Elements and The Gamma

Happy Installing!

Featured links

VR Hardware / Tools / Social Platforms

VR art communities on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter
@BCMORG
===================
Zero to Start Music by Melanie Mentzel and Leonard Sherman

Send us a note!

]]> The Gamma Buzzsprout-3656182 Thu, 07 May 2020 02:00:00 -0700 1620 1 5 full false A Glitch in the Matrix-Corona lock down! Sidelined by an Oculus install bug from 2016 A Glitch in the Matrix-Corona lock down! Sidelined by an Oculus install bug from 2016 We're on lock down! Last week on March 15th Berkeley, then two days later, the state of California issued a Stay at Home order that moved us from the basement of the matrix and onto Zoom. What is an essential business and does it include cannabis clubs? Will social distancing increase VR adoption or will the supply chain limit VR to industry and early adopters? Are we living in a simulation sparked by alien technology? 

We contemplate our new reality and re-cap our encounter with an Oculus Rift install bug from 2016 that has us pivoting yet again in search of a way forward. 

Be sure to catch our YouTube playlists for music inspired by the intensity of the moment. 

Stay home and stay safe everyone!

Featured links:

Happy Installing!

Siciliana and Melanie

Send us a note!

]]> We're on lock down! Last week on March 15th Berkeley, then two days later, the state of California issued a Stay at Home order that moved us from the basement of the matrix and onto Zoom. What is an essential business and does it include cannabis clubs? Will social distancing increase VR adoption or will the supply chain limit VR to industry and early adopters? Are we living in a simulation sparked by alien technology? 

We contemplate our new reality and re-cap our encounter with an Oculus Rift install bug from 2016 that has us pivoting yet again in search of a way forward. 

Be sure to catch our YouTube playlists for music inspired by the intensity of the moment. 

Stay home and stay safe everyone!

Featured links:

Happy Installing!

Siciliana and Melanie

Send us a note!

]]> The Gamma Buzzsprout-3145339 Fri, 27 Mar 2020 13:00:00 -0700 2130 1 4 full false Coronavirus Ignites VR-And Other Bytes From the Basement of the Matrix Coronavirus Ignites VR-And Other Bytes From the Basement of the Matrix As COVID-19 changes life as we know it and has industry scrambling to prioritize public health and employee safety by minimizing travel, canceling GDC and SXSW among many other high profile events, Social VR takes center stage in conversations about working remotely and collaborating at a distance. The challenge is, how accessible is VR outside of the industry's early adopters? 

The pandemic has us wondering beyond the scope of development into global supply chains and sustainability. For more about conferences in VR check out: 

In other news, the recent viral video of a mother seeing her deceased daughter in VR also flooded our feed, reminding Melanie of how she volumetrically capture her mother's magical apartment with the help of Emily Olman, CEO and Co-Founder of prop-tech company, SpatialFirst.

After a recap of Oculus Launch Pad demo day and lessons learned from the Facebook Oculus program, we reach the dev side of life where we had to take a step back from starting our Unity project to set up the legacy Rift headset (CV1) we're using only to discover an install bug dating from 2016 - that we have yet to fix! 

We switched gears to set up Melanie's Oculus Developer account and profile organization, which is required to create an Oculus app. The developer dashboard menus are a little squirrely so we suggest book marking  visited pages, like the developer and App ID pages. 

===========
Be sure to subscribe to our Zero To Start YouTube channel and check out our weekly playlists, The Gamma and Elements

===========
Next week we'll confront our glitches or see about using a different, Rift S headset.

Until then, wishing everyone clean hands and smooth installs.

Siciliana and Melanie

Send us a note!

]]> As COVID-19 changes life as we know it and has industry scrambling to prioritize public health and employee safety by minimizing travel, canceling GDC and SXSW among many other high profile events, Social VR takes center stage in conversations about working remotely and collaborating at a distance. The challenge is, how accessible is VR outside of the industry's early adopters? 

The pandemic has us wondering beyond the scope of development into global supply chains and sustainability. For more about conferences in VR check out: 

In other news, the recent viral video of a mother seeing her deceased daughter in VR also flooded our feed, reminding Melanie of how she volumetrically capture her mother's magical apartment with the help of Emily Olman, CEO and Co-Founder of prop-tech company, SpatialFirst.

After a recap of Oculus Launch Pad demo day and lessons learned from the Facebook Oculus program, we reach the dev side of life where we had to take a step back from starting our Unity project to set up the legacy Rift headset (CV1) we're using only to discover an install bug dating from 2016 - that we have yet to fix! 

We switched gears to set up Melanie's Oculus Developer account and profile organization, which is required to create an Oculus app. The developer dashboard menus are a little squirrely so we suggest book marking  visited pages, like the developer and App ID pages. 

===========
Be sure to subscribe to our Zero To Start YouTube channel and check out our weekly playlists, The Gamma and Elements

===========
Next week we'll confront our glitches or see about using a different, Rift S headset.

Until then, wishing everyone clean hands and smooth installs.

Siciliana and Melanie

Send us a note!

]]> The Gamma Buzzsprout-2966875 Tue, 10 Mar 2020 07:00:00 -0700 1200 1 3 full false Retrograde Redo-Unity and Visual Studio 2017 Retrograde Redo-Unity and Visual Studio 2017 We're ready to blame the stars for the blues, snafus and surprises we encountered in the basement of the matrix this week.

Whether or not you believe in Mercury Retrograde, when technical difficulties are at their astrological peak (happening now through March 9th btw), Unity development is a moving target that will have you retracing your steps just when you thought you knew where you were going.

Installing Unity Hub we learned that we didn't need to install Visual Studio 2019. Ever since Unity version 2018.1, Visual Studio 2017 is the default code editor and part of the install package. For details visit the developer page: Get Started with Visual Studio Tools for Unity.

Melanie selected the personal Unity subscription, set up her first developer account and validated her account ID. We installed two versions of Unity, 2018 LTS and one of the latest versions of 2019, to be confirmed.

Melanie recalled the time we went to VidCon 2015 and tested the first Ricoh Theta 360 cameras. Here's the shaky YouTube video from that excursion, Greetings from Vidcon, featuring Tay Zonday of Chocolate Rain fame talking VR and the future of influencer culture. 

Throughout this episode we take a deep dive into the inspiration behind our playlists from the last two weeks, despite saying the playlists were for "next week". This is the music that gets us through the hoops.

On Elements, Melanie's playlists from the last two weeks, the tracks evoke a fresh start vibe, combining world music with local performances, classic 80's electronica and the colors of the rainbow.
Elements wk. 1
Elements wk. 2

On The Gamma, Siciliana's playlists are peppered with Joji, spacey house mixes and Tame Impala's Feels Like We Only Go Backwards, to keep you skipping along the deep blue universe, open to the void of glitches, bugs and the daunting curves ahead.
The Gamma wk. 1
The Gamma wk. 2

Will VR development ever become second nature like switching on a light? Maybe when cars fly.

Next episode we'll start Melanie's first Unity project, pick a render pipeline, install Oculus integration and get Melanie's Oculus account set up.

For more links to topics covered in the podcast head over to our Facebook group and for our weekly music playlist subscribe to Zero To Start on YouTube.

Send us a note!

]]> We're ready to blame the stars for the blues, snafus and surprises we encountered in the basement of the matrix this week.

Whether or not you believe in Mercury Retrograde, when technical difficulties are at their astrological peak (happening now through March 9th btw), Unity development is a moving target that will have you retracing your steps just when you thought you knew where you were going.

Installing Unity Hub we learned that we didn't need to install Visual Studio 2019. Ever since Unity version 2018.1, Visual Studio 2017 is the default code editor and part of the install package. For details visit the developer page: Get Started with Visual Studio Tools for Unity.

Melanie selected the personal Unity subscription, set up her first developer account and validated her account ID. We installed two versions of Unity, 2018 LTS and one of the latest versions of 2019, to be confirmed.

Melanie recalled the time we went to VidCon 2015 and tested the first Ricoh Theta 360 cameras. Here's the shaky YouTube video from that excursion, Greetings from Vidcon, featuring Tay Zonday of Chocolate Rain fame talking VR and the future of influencer culture. 

Throughout this episode we take a deep dive into the inspiration behind our playlists from the last two weeks, despite saying the playlists were for "next week". This is the music that gets us through the hoops.

On Elements, Melanie's playlists from the last two weeks, the tracks evoke a fresh start vibe, combining world music with local performances, classic 80's electronica and the colors of the rainbow.
Elements wk. 1
Elements wk. 2

On The Gamma, Siciliana's playlists are peppered with Joji, spacey house mixes and Tame Impala's Feels Like We Only Go Backwards, to keep you skipping along the deep blue universe, open to the void of glitches, bugs and the daunting curves ahead.
The Gamma wk. 1
The Gamma wk. 2

Will VR development ever become second nature like switching on a light? Maybe when cars fly.

Next episode we'll start Melanie's first Unity project, pick a render pipeline, install Oculus integration and get Melanie's Oculus account set up.

For more links to topics covered in the podcast head over to our Facebook group and for our weekly music playlist subscribe to Zero To Start on YouTube.

Send us a note!

]]> The Gamma Buzzsprout-2830972 Mon, 24 Feb 2020 16:00:00 -0800 907 1 2 full false First Things First-Installing Visual Studio First Things First-Installing Visual Studio Welcome to the basement of the matrix! We're kicking off our first episode with the basics of setting up your PC for VR development including installing Windows updates, clearing up the drives and installing Visual Studio 2019. We outline our project goals and talk about the benefits of making a VR portfolio to submit to the Oculus Start Program for independent developers. What's inside their box of goodies?

For our weekly music playlist subscribe to Zero To Start on YouTube.

Happy installing!

Siciliana and Melanie

Send us a note!

]]> Welcome to the basement of the matrix! We're kicking off our first episode with the basics of setting up your PC for VR development including installing Windows updates, clearing up the drives and installing Visual Studio 2019. We outline our project goals and talk about the benefits of making a VR portfolio to submit to the Oculus Start Program for independent developers. What's inside their box of goodies?

For our weekly music playlist subscribe to Zero To Start on YouTube.

Happy installing!

Siciliana and Melanie

Send us a note!

]]> Siciliana Buzzsprout-2730046 Wed, 12 Feb 2020 16:00:00 -0800 1415 1 1 full false