Category: snap inc

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The VR Job Hub: Bithell Games, Warpin Media, Gizmodo, Mozilla & More

VR Job Hub

Every weekend VRFocus gathers together vacancies from across the virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) industry, in locations around the globe to help make finding that ideal job easier. Below is a selection of roles that are currently accepting applications across a number of disciplines, all within departments and companies that focus on immersive entertainment.

Location Company Role Link
Remote/UK-based Bithell Games Lead Artist Click Here to Apply
Remote/UK-based Bithell Games 3D Character Artist Click Here to Apply
Remote/UK-based Bithell Games Character Concept Artist Click Here to Apply
Remote/UK-based Bithell Games Environmental Concept Artist Click Here to Apply
Remote/UK-based Bithell Games Senior Animator Click Here to Apply
Remote/UK-based Bithell Games Designer Click Here to Apply
Remote/UK-based Bithell Games Marketing Manager Click Here to Apply
Remote/UK-based Bithell Games Senior Programmer Click Here to Apply
Remote/UK-based Bithell Games Console Programmer Click Here to Apply
Stockholm, Sweden Warpin Media Senior XR Developer Click Here to Apply
Stockholm, Sweden Warpin Media 3D Artist Click Here to Apply
Stockholm, Sweden Warpin Media UX/UI Designer Click Here to Apply
New York, Gizmodo Staff Reporter (VR) Click Here to Apply
Remote US, Remote Canada Mozilla Hubs Community Manager Click Here to Apply
Remote US, Remote Canada Mozilla Hubs Lead Frontend Software Engineer Click Here to Apply
Los Angeles, CA/ New York, NY Snap Inc. Snap Lab Product Designer, Wearable Experiences Click Here to Apply
Toronto, ON, Canada Dark Slope Studios 3D Modeller Click Here to Apply

Don’t forget, if there wasn’t anything that took your fancy this week there’s always last week’s listings on The VR Job Hub to check as well.

If you are an employer looking for someone to fill an immersive technology related role – regardless of the industry – don’t forget you can send us the lowdown on the position and we’ll be sure to feature it in that following week’s feature. Details should be sent to Peter Graham (pgraham@vrfocus.com).

We’ll see you next week on VRFocus at the usual time of 3PM (UK) for another selection of jobs from around the world.

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The VR Job Hub: Bithell Games, Warpin Media, Gizmodo, Mozilla & More

Every weekend VRFocus gathers together vacancies from across the virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) industry, in locations around the globe to help make finding that ideal job easier. Below is a selection of roles that are currently accepting applications across a number of disciplines, all within departments and companies that focus on immersive entertainment.

Location Company Role Link
Remote/UK-based Bithell Games Lead Artist Click Here to Apply
Remote/UK-based Bithell Games 3D Character Artist Click Here to Apply
Remote/UK-based Bithell Games Character Concept Artist Click Here to Apply
Remote/UK-based Bithell Games Environmental Concept Artist Click Here to Apply
Remote/UK-based Bithell Games Senior Animator Click Here to Apply
Remote/UK-based Bithell Games Designer Click Here to Apply
Remote/UK-based Bithell Games Marketing Manager Click Here to Apply
Remote/UK-based Bithell Games Senior Programmer Click Here to Apply
Remote/UK-based Bithell Games Console Programmer Click Here to Apply
Stockholm, Sweden Warpin Media Senior XR Developer Click Here to Apply
Stockholm, Sweden Warpin Media 3D Artist Click Here to Apply
Stockholm, Sweden Warpin Media UX/UI Designer Click Here to Apply
New York, Gizmodo Staff Reporter (VR) Click Here to Apply
Remote US, Remote Canada Mozilla Hubs Community Manager Click Here to Apply
Remote US, Remote Canada Mozilla Hubs Lead Frontend Software Engineer Click Here to Apply
Los Angeles, CA/ New York, NY Snap Inc. Snap Lab Product Designer, Wearable Experiences Click Here to Apply
Toronto, ON, Canada Dark Slope Studios 3D Modeller Click Here to Apply

Don’t forget, if there wasn’t anything that took your fancy this week there’s always last week’s listings on The VR Job Hub to check as well.

If you are an employer looking for someone to fill an immersive technology related role – regardless of the industry – don’t forget you can send us the lowdown on the position and we’ll be sure to feature it in that following week’s feature. Details should be sent to Peter Graham (pgraham@vrfocus.com).

We’ll see you next week on VRFocus at the usual time of 3PM (UK) for another selection of jobs from around the world.

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Snapchat’s 4th-generation Spectacles Are Its First to Support AR

Snap Inc, the company behind Snapchat, today announced its 4th generation Spectacles glasses. While the prior generations included only cameras for capturing first-person footage, the 4th generation Spectacles are the company’s first to include a display for real-time AR.

Also unlike previous versions of Spectacles, the 4th-generation is not currently available for sale. Snap is positioning this version of the AR glasses as a development kit for creators to begin experimenting with building AR experiences for the device.

Unlike Microsoft or Magic Leap’s approach—which have traded some bulkiness for greater capabilities—Snap is taking a form-over-function approach by starting with a form-factor that consumers would find reasonable, even if that means paring down some of its capabilities. Here’s a look at the 4th-gen Spectacles’ specs (including which critical info we don’t yet know):

Snap Spectacles (4th-gen) Specs
Resolution Unknown
Refresh Rate Unknown
Lenses Unknown waveguide (2,000 nits)
Field-of-view 26.3° diagonal
Optical Adjustments Unknown
IPD Adjustment Range Unknown
Processor Snapdragon XR1
RAM Unknown
Storage Unknown
Connectors USB-C
Battery Life 30 minutes (case holds up to four charges)
Tracking Inside-out (no external beacons)
On-board cameras 2x RGB
Input Touchpad, voice, hand-tracking
Audio Internal speakers
Microphone Yes (4x)
Weight 134g

As you can see, the compromises to reach this lightweight form-factor were not inconsequential. Notable is the miniscule 26.3° diagonal field-of-view. To put that into perspective, a small field-of-view is among the chief complaints levied at HoloLens 2—and it has a 52° diagonal field-of-view.

But hey, props to Snap for making an effort to show how limited the field-of-view is in its promotional materials. In the reveal video above, the company very intentionally showed six individual shots illustrating both a limited field of view and an approximation of the  transparency that you’d see through the glasses. Respect.

Image courtesy Snap

It’ll be a serious challenge for developers to squeeze meaningful applications into that tight field-of-view without making the user feel like they need to hunt around the scene just to spot the content through the tiny window.

The other big point in the specs is the 30 minute battery life, which will make them feel more like a dedicated-use device than something you use because you just happen to be wearing it. The battery-case, which can hold up to four charges, offsets that pain a bit (hey, you don’t wear sunglasses all day anyway). Even as battery life improves in the future, the battery-case is a smart idea that I wouldn’t be surprised to see in the cases of other AR glasses going forward.

Clearly these are both major reasons why Snap isn’t ready to sell these AR glasses to the public, as it has done with its prior Spectacles. In time we’ll see these capabilities grow and eventually make future Spectacles practical for end-users.

As for actually building content for the 4th-gen Spectacles, Snap is of course relying on its Lens Studio software which has long allowed developers to build AR experiences for use with phones on Snapchat.

According to a piece by Wired, Snap plans to send out around 1,000 of its AR glasses to developers. If you’re interested, you can apply to get your own at the bottom of the official 4th-gen Spectacles website.

The post Snapchat’s 4th-generation Spectacles Are Its First to Support AR appeared first on Road to VR.

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The VR Job Hub: Snap Inc., Trebuchet & The New York Times

VR Job Hub

Every weekend VRFocus gathers together vacancies from across the virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) industry, in locations around the globe to help make finding that ideal job easier. Below is a selection of roles that are currently accepting applications across a number of disciplines, all within departments and companies that focus on immersive entertainment.

Location Company Role Link
Montreal, QC, Canada Trebuchet Intermediate/Senior Graphics Programmer Click Here to Apply
Los Angeles, CA Snap Inc. AR Partnerships Manager Click Here to Apply
Kyiv, Ukraine Snap Inc. Lens Production Manager Click Here to Apply
Kyiv, Ukraine Snap Inc. VFX Designer Click Here to Apply
Kyiv, Ukraine Snap Inc. 3D Animation Artist Click Here to Apply
London, UK Snap Inc. Creative Engineer Click Here to Apply
Kyiv/Odesa, Ukraine Snap Inc. Concept Designer Click Here to Apply
Kyiv/Odesa, Ukraine Snap Inc. Creative Engineer Click Here to Apply
Tel Aviv, Israel Snap Inc. Creative Engineer Click Here to Apply
Kyiv/Odesa, Ukraine Snap Inc. Data Scientist Click Here to Apply
Herzliya, Israel Snap Inc. Software Engineer Tech Lead, C++ Click Here to Apply
Herzliya, Israel Snap Inc. Deep Learning Engineer Click Here to Apply
Kyiv, Ukraine Snap Inc. Software Engineer, Android Click Here to Apply
London, UK Snap Inc. Computer Vision Engineer, Geometry Click Here to Apply
Los Angeles, CA Snap Inc. Android Engineer, AR Click Here to Apply
Los Angeles, CA Snap Inc. iOS Engineer, AR Click Here to Apply
Los Angeles, CA Snap Inc. Machine Learning Engineer, AR Click Here to Apply
Los Angeles, CA Snap Inc. Manager, Machine Learning Engineer Click Here to Apply
Los Angeles, CA Snap Inc. Quality Engineer, Tech Lead Click Here to Apply
Los Angeles, CA Snap Inc. Software Engineer, Backend Click Here to Apply
Los Angeles, CA Snap Inc. Infrastructure Engineer, ML Ranking Click Here to Apply
Los Angeles, CA Snap Inc. Software Engineer, C++ Click Here to Apply
Los Angeles, CA Snap Inc. Software Engineer, Dev Tools Click Here to Apply
New York, NY The New York Times AR 3D Artist Click Here to Apply

Don’t forget, if there wasn’t anything that took your fancy this week there’s always last week’s listings on The VR Job Hub to check as well.

If you are an employer looking for someone to fill an immersive technology related role – regardless of the industry – don’t forget you can send us the lowdown on the position and we’ll be sure to feature it in that following week’s feature. Details should be sent to Peter Graham (pgraham@vrfocus.com).

We’ll see you next week on VRFocus at the usual time of 3PM (UK) for another selection of jobs from around the world.

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LACMA & Snapchat Explore LA’s History Using AR

Snapchat

Augmented reality (AR) is being used in all sorts of ways, from entertainment to education. Today, Snap Inc. has announced a collaboration with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) that sees artists create AR monuments exploring some of the histories of Los Angeles communities.

Snapchat

The initiative is called LACMA × Snapchat: Monumental Perspectives and uses Snapchat’s AT tech so that app users can view five virtual monuments built by artists and Snap Lens Creators.

  • Mercedes Dorame’s Portal to Tovaanger built with Sutu (Snap Lens Creator)
  • I.R. Bach’s Think Big built with James Hurlbut (Snap Lens Creator)
  • Glenn Kaino’s No Finish Line built with Michael French (Snap Lens Creator)
  • Ruben Ochoa’s ¡Vendedores, Presente! built with Sallia Goldstein (Snap Lens Creator)
  • Ada Pinkston’s The Open Hand is Blessed built with Charles Hamblen and Sutu (Snap Lens Creators)

Originally, they were designed to be experienced at locations around Los Angeles, highlighting the regions from where they drew their inspiration. The virtual monuments appear as markers if you’re in the region. Those that aren’t in LA can still enjoy LACMA × Snapchat: Monumental Perspectives at home via the app or by heading to LACMA’s website.

“LACMA and our partners at Snapchat are fundamentally interested in storytelling, but in new and innovative ways, and that’s what many artists are interested in as well,” said Michael Govan, LACMA CEO and Wallis Annenberg Director in a statement. “The resulting monuments visualized by Mercedes Dorame, I.R. Bach, Glenn Kaino, Ruben Ochoa, and Ada
Pinkston are not only relevant to issues of today—Los Angeles, civic space, community – but also to the medium of art, opening doors to new ways of thinking about art in both physical and virtual spaces.”

Snapchat
Glenn Kaino, No Finish Line, 2021, in collaboration with LACMA × Snapchat: Monumental Perspectives, © Glenn Kaino, image courtesy of Snap Inc

“Through this collaboration with LACMA, Snap Inc.’s augmented reality technology has become an immersive medium for advocacy and representation. We’re thrilled to empower these artists and Lens Creators, and support their desire to share untold stories through a new perspective,” said Bobby Murphy, co-founder and CTO at Snap Inc.

This is all part of a multi-year initiative that was launched last year by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The Monuments Project is a five-year, $250 million USD programme aimed at transforming how US history is showcased in public spaces. As such, Monumental Perspectives will be expanded in the coming years to include additional artists. For the latest updates on this story, keep reading VRFocus.

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The VR Job Hub: Firesprite, University of Bristol, Snap & Virti

With what’s going on at the moment worldwide getting a job might be the last thing on your mind. However, not everyone has the luxury of being able to work from home if the need arises so considering a role with more flexibility might be in order. VRFocus can’t promise the following roles will provide that but at least you can add them to the options list.

Location Company Role Link
Liverpool, UK Firesprite Senior Generalist Programmer Click Here to Apply
Liverpool, UK Firesprite Senior Programmer Click Here to Apply
Liverpool, UK Firesprite Graphics Programmer Click Here to Apply
Liverpool, UK Firesprite Art Director Click Here to Apply
Liverpool, UK Firesprite Tech Artist Click Here to Apply
Liverpool, UK Firesprite 3D Artist Click Here to Apply
Liverpool, UK Firesprite Animator Click Here to Apply
Liverpool, UK Firesprite Lead Systems Designer Click Here to Apply
Liverpool, UK Firesprite Senior Level Designer Click Here to Apply
Liverpool, UK Firesprite Game Director Click Here to Apply
Liverpool, UK Firesprite Concept Artist Click Here to Apply
Liverpool, UK Firesprite Development Manager Click Here to Apply
Bristol, UK University of Bristol Research Associate in Ancient Greek History and Virtual Reality Click Here to Apply
London, UK Snap Inc. AR Lens Program Manager Click Here to Apply
Bristol, UK Virti VR Sales Click Here to Apply

Don’t forget, if there wasn’t anything that took your fancy this week there’s always last week’s listings on The VR Job Hub to check as well.

If you are an employer looking for someone to fill an immersive technology related role – regardless of the industry – don’t forget you can send us the lowdown on the position and we’ll be sure to feature it in that following week’s feature. Details should be sent to Peter Graham (pgraham@vrfocus.com).

We’ll see you next week on VRFocus at the usual time of 3PM (UK) for another selection of jobs from around the world.

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Camera IQ Launches Solution for Programmatic AR Advertising

With the rise of augmented reality (AR) thanks to the release of tools such as Apple’s ARKit and Google’s ARCore, a number of companies have developed an interest in developing that medium for marketing and advertising. One of those is Camera IQ, which is launching a social distribution solution for programmatic AR marketing and advertising.

The Camera IQ platform allows businesses and brands to create and test AR content that is planned for deployment, including AR experiences inside advertisements bought on Facebook and Snap platforms.

With the previously launched AR advertising announced by Snap and Facebook, as well as new e-commerce features from Snapchat and the Shopify AR 3D warehouse, marketing and retail are becoming significant in the AR sector. The launch of the Camera IQ platform means that businesses can utilise an end-to-end AR strategy.

“Facebook and Snap have taken a major step forward in developing the AR ecosystem with paid advertising. Just as we saw with social, this is the moment where AR goes from nice-to-have content, to a key component of any digital strategy,” said Allison Wood, CEO and co-founder of Camera IQ. “By making it possible to rapidly create and deploy AR content at scale, we’re helping brands capitalize on the new advertising opportunities Snap and Facebook make possible.”

Camera IQ is working with major agencies and brands, including R/GA, AEG Presents, Major League Soccer, FabFitFun, Viacom and Turner to create and deploy camera content to audiences.

“Partnering with Camera IQ has created new and exciting opportunities for major brands to meet their customer where they are –– in the camera,” said Kyle Bunch, Managing Director of R/GA’s Social practice. “The cultural moment for AR and VR is now, and its important that brands build their long-term strategy to capitalize on the power of this new medium.”

Further information on Camera IQ can be found on the official Camera IQ website. For future coverage of new AR platforms and services, keep checking back with VRFocus.

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Snapchat Brings AR To Theme Parks

Snapchat have been enthusiastically embracing the augmented reality (AR) phenomenon for some time now, offering its customers a range of AR lenses, filters and experiences to try out, often as part of a media partnership. Continuing this trend, Snap has struck deals with several theme park operators which will see custom Snapchat lenses coming to three major US theme park operators – Disney, Universal and Six Flags.

The available Snapchat lenses will let visitors to the parks interact with some of their favourite characters. For example, at the Universal Studios park, an AR experience will be unlocked which will show the Minions causing mischief throughout the park.

“We love working with our partners Disney, Universal and Warner Bros. to create augmented reality experiences that allow our users to connect with some of their favorite characters in a totally new way,” said Snap VP partnerships Ben Schwerin. “We can’t wait for Snapchatters to have fun with these lenses when they visit the parks this summer.”

At Disney parks, visitors will be able to don a virtual costume to transform themselves into Mickey or Minnie Mouse, and visitors to Six Fags parks, including Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, will be able to watch Superman save the park.

“Our fans are loving the Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Snapchat lenses, which is just one of the many ways we are using the growing popularity of mobile technology to take the guest experience to the next level,” said a Disney Parks spokesperson. “Along with offerings like the all-new Play Disney Parks app, we can’t wait to use this amazing technology to connect Disney Parks guests with even more of their favorite characters and stories.”

The Disney, Six Flags and Universal AR experiences are already available at participating locations, with the lenses unlocking when Snapchat users reach the park location.

For further news on how AR technology is being used, keep checking back with VRFocus.

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This Week In VR Sports: Augmented Sports Continues To Grow

It is once again time for another entry in This Week In VR Sport. Every week VRFocus brings you a number of sports and eSports related virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) stories. With the World Cup in full swing it is time to look elsewhere in the world of sports to see what is going on. Ncam technologies has joined the Sports Video Group to demonstration AR solutions to sports broadcasters, Snapchat lets you go up against Serena Williams and McLaren is taking on eSports.

Ncam Technologies Partner With The Sports Video Group

Ncam Technologies, a company aimed at delivering effective and reliable real-time AR solutions, has become a corporate sponsor of the Sports Video Group. The work of the Ncam Technologies has been used in the gamification of sports, product launches and digital product placement. Joining the Sports Video Group, they will be aiming to demonstration the possibilities of AR technology for use in sports broadcasters.

“With sports viewers expecting more and more out of every broadcast they watch, only SVG can expose us to the production professionals that can bring augmented-reality technologies into the homes of their audiences,” says Morgan Beall, VP, North America sales. “Sporting-event viewers always want more information, delivered in compelling and engaging ways. As part of the SVG community, we are excited to educate fellow members and demonstrate what is possible with AR today.”

Ncam Technologies recently developed and introduced at NAB 2018 AR solutions such as Real Depth, Real Light, and Extreme.

Take On Serena Williams In New Snapchat AR Expereince

Though it is all about the football at the minute as the world cup final rapidly approaches, there was some news for the tennis fans out there earlier this week. Thanks to the work of Snapchat and Bitmoji avatars, users can experience what it might be like to go up against Serena Williams in an AR tennis match.

Thanks to the 3D Bitmoji avatars, users can launch the tennis match of a lifetime and battle against the avatar of Serena Williams in a fun AR mini-game. Players will need to move, swing and smack the ball effectively if they are wanting to have a chance at coming out on top of this match.

“Starting today, everyone can play tennis against Serena Williams…on Snapchat,” tweeted John Brennan, head of global sports partnerships at Snap, Inc. “Tap on the front-facing camera to activate an interactive 3D Bitmoji Lens and see how many points you can score against the GOAT.”

This is the latest addition to Snapchat’s AR offerings as the company continue to embrace the technology and find new ways to bring it to consumers in a fun and engaging way. VRFocus will be sure to keep you up to date on all the latest from Snapchat in the future.

Formula 1 Team McLaren Partner With HTC Vive For eSports Series

Earlier this week it was announced that HTC Vive are partnering with McLaren for an eSports series called Shadow Project. The project is an expanded version of the ‘World’s Fastest Gamer’ event, which was held in 2017. The winner of Shadow Project will land a spot on McLaren’s new eSports racing team and have the chance to even become part of the world famous Formula 1 team as a simulation driver.

Shadow Project will expand the titles that are included within the lineup by bringing smartphone titles like Real Racing 3 next to the likes of Forza Motorsport, iRacing and rFactor 2. It will be owned by McLaren which offers an interesting branding and marketing opportunity for the company and for eSports as a whole. HTC Vive and Dell’s Alienware hardware solutions will offer a reliable base for the event to run on with partners such as Logitech G, Sparco, EA and Microsoft also having been involved at some point.

With VR-enabled racing titles now able to be brought into the event line up it offers a unique experience that will offer views and participation the chance to enjoy immersive titles within an eSports scene.

That is all for This Week In VR Sport. For more on immersive sport news keep reading VRFocus and remember to check back next week for another This Week In VR Sport.
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Take On Serena Williams In Augmented Reality

Summer and sports seems to go together, like strawberries and cream. In 2018 not only is the football World Cup ongoing, but the ultimate Tennis tournament of Wimbledon has also just begun. To celebrate he start of this major sporting event, Snapchat is serving the opportunity to compete against Tennis Champion Serena Williams by using the power of augmented reality (AR).

Snapchat users will be able to use their 3D Bitmoji avatars t launch an AR game of Tennis, where their opponent will be none other than a 3D bitmoji representation of the famous Tennis star Serena Williams.

The AR battle against Williams is part of Snapchat’s first celebrity partnership for an interactive 3D bitmoji lens. In order to play, Snapchat users will need to link their Bitmoji accounts with Snapchat.

Once the accounts are linked, players can set up their virtual court and hit ‘play’ to begin. Williams will open with a serve, and players can move their cartoon-esque avatars to the correct location in order to swing the racquet and smack the ball back across the net. By setting up a volley, its possible to rack up to four stars, with the speed increasing with each level.

“Starting today, everyone can play tennis against Serena Williams…on Snapchat,” tweeted John Brennan, head of global sports partnerships at Snap, Inc. “Tap on the front-facing camera to activate an interactive 3D Bitmoji Lens and see how many points you can score against the GOAT.”

Snapchat have been devoting a great deal of energy towards AR, offering their face lenses and world lenses up for consumers to design, modify and share, as well as professional partnerships which have injected AR into big sporting events such as the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the SuperBowl.

For future coverage of AR in sports and other industries and area,s keep checking back with VRFocus.