Category: Zeality

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This Week In VR Sport: Zeality Goes Trucking, Bayern Munich Gets Augmented

Here we are again, a Saturday afternoon with another look at what’s going on in the world of immersive technologies – i.e. virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), or anything of that ilk – and sport.  So, what do we have this week? Well, a familiar name crops up once again -this time getting involved in the world of motorsport but before that we’ve news on a sport and VR related event taking place next week that VRFocus is a media partner with.

Dedicated VR & Sports Summit Piles On The Speakers

The role of VR and AR in sport is, as you would have guessed, a continuous theme at the World Virtual & Augmented Reality Sports Innovation Summit 2017, to be held in San Francisco, California from November 15th-16th, 2017. After we first talked about it on this column two months back, the event already now has over fifty speakers attending and over 200 senior executives from the worlds of sport and technology as well as world renowned brand and big names in the world of broadcasting.

In fact in terms of sports teams there’ll be speakers featured from: The Seattle Seahawks, FC Barcelona, the Washington Redskins, the L.A. Dodgers, the L.A. Kings, the Vegas Golden Knights, Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Cowboys, Boston Celtics, BC Lions Football Club, San Fransisco 49ers, the New York Mets. Indiana Pacers, both the New Orleans Pelicans and New Orleans Saints. The Golden State Warriors and the German national football team!

That’s not including representatives from a whole host of sports governing bodies. The NFL, PGA Tour, FIFA, NASCAR, Rugby World Cup Sevens, the World Surf League, Major League Soccer (MLS), Tennis Canada and the US Olympic committee. It is quite the line-up and for more information and to register for the Summit please click here.

Bayern Munich Look To Augmented Reality

Following on from Italian giants Juventus’ own comments about immersive reality two weeks ago the latest version of the arguably Germany’s biggest team Bayern Munich have added an AR feature to the latest version of the team’s iOS app.  In a similar way to how the technology is being utilised by some American sports teams it gives the option to bring two of the team’s players, Manuel Neuer or Arjen Robben into a fan’s selfie.

Not every time a sports team talks about using VR or AR they are being entirely accurate, however. But unlike some of the aforementioned other teams elsewhere, where ‘AR’ is being promoted as, essentially, a glorified green screen, the Bayern app does have some degree of customisation with swapable shirts and other ways to personalise the end result.  The customisation on the shirts is also, cunningly, tied in with the club shop allowing fans to then buy their virtual creations.

It has certainly made the organisation consider the future and how the technology could play a future part in their marketing plans. “We believe that AR could be key for us in the near future.” Commented Stefan Mennerich, Director of Media Digital & Communications at Bayern Munich. “We’re already thinking about the merchandising experience via AR and how that could potentially work with sponsors when it comes to exporting the logos of our partners.”

We will, of course keep you up to date with anything that is subsequently announced.

NASCAR Truck Team Is Latest Zeality Partner

Zeality (who will also be in attendance at the World Virtual & Augmented Reality Sports Innovation Summit 2017, incidentally) are once again in the news.  This time they are looking to bring immersive media content to motorsport to help increase fan  engagement with both the spectacle and the branding.

Zeality, who are working with (amongst others) the San Fransico 49ers, San Jose Sharks, Visa, Reebok and more, will be working with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series’ GMS Racing Team on future content. Justin Haley the 2016 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Champion who joined the team last year at the end of last year was enthused about the possibilities.

“It is so cool that Zeality jumped on board with our No. 24 GMS Racing Team.” He said. “The best part of my job is engaging with fans and Zeality gives us a whole new way to do that. NASCAR has the best fans in all of sports and I’m stoked that Zeality gives them a new platform to interact with our team.”

“Motorsports has a rich and storied history.” Commented Zeality’s Co-Founder and CEO Dipak M. Patel on the agreement. “We are fueling the next chapter, as we believe the future of motorsports will rely on new ways to captivate and engage generations of fans. Interactive immersive experiences like AR, VR, MR, and 360 media, enabled by Zeality’s platform, will allow fans to connect and engage in exciting new ways. We’re excited to be partnering with Justin as he represents the future of Motorsports and the promise of a whole new way of thinking.”

Zeality are now a sponsor of the Haley truck as well, which you can see in this video taken late yesterday in a video that will be part of the company’s non-VR content.

VRFocus will be back at the same time next week with more VR, AR and MR sports.

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The Week In VR Sport: San Francisco 49ers Use Immersive Media Engine

Another Saturday means another visit to This Week In VR Sport and as you can imagine, what with all the news from E3 over the course of the last week there’s been far more in the way of videogame related news than there has in the entertainment, industrty or services sectors. That said there is one story we have yet to cover and it inolves a familiar company to VRFocus coverage and a sport we’ve also mentioned on more than a few occasions.

VR & American Football – Partners Once again

Zeality have announced a new partnership with professional American football team the San Francisco 49ers. Zeality will be helping the team reach new fans with modern 360 video.

This isn’t the first time Zeality have used their Immersive Media Engine to help a sports team – only a few months ago, Zeality partnered with the San Jose Sharks, the ice hockey team, to bring 360 degree video to their fans.

The demand for 360 degree video has only increased with the launch of platforms such as YouTube VR and Facebook 360 Video. Couple that with the increasing install base of devices like Google Daydream, Google Cardboard and Gear VR and it’s inevitable that more and more companies will be investing in content people can watch on their head-mounted displays (HMDs).

The future for Zeality and VR content looks promising. Their platform allows hosting, streaming and uploading from with a single app with little compression. DataRPM’s CEO Sundeep Sanghavi was so impressed he recently invested in Zeality.

Sundeep said of Zeality; “The strength of the Zeality platform and customer base provides the ideal environment for their next phase of growth. We share a common view that there will continue to be broad technology convergence and use of cognitive computing and artificial intelligence, which will be critical in the VR market.”

Those interested in experiencing what the Immersive Media Engine has in store for the 49ers need only download or update to the latest version of the 49ers app, on both Google Play and the App Store.

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Zeality gets new Key Investor

Zeality, providers of the Immersive Media Engine that provides a platform for 360-degree video, have just announced that Sundeep Sanghavi is coming on board as a new investor and advisor to the company.

Sanghavi is the CEO and founder of DataRPM, a company that has provided business intelligence and analytics solutions for more than 20 years. Sanghavi had the following to say: “Zeality delivers valuable, cloud-based infrastructure and support to a market that is committed to growing their business and deeply invested in serving their customers. The strength of the Zeality platform and customer base provides the ideal environment for their next phase of growth. We sha8re a common view that there will continue to be broad technology convergence and use of cognitive computing and artificial intelligence, which will be critical in the VR market.”

zeality screen

“As we continue to drive value for the Immersive Media market, we are taking another big step forward with the addition of Mr. Sundeep Sanghavi as an investor and advisor to our business,” stated Dipak M. Patel, CEO and Co-Founder at Zeality. “As an experienced entrepreneur and technologist, Sundeep believes strongly that the future of Zeality lies with the company’s ability to bring cognitive computing and data science to the Immersive Media market. His knowledge and experience with machine learning and artificial intelligence will be of great value as the VR market continues to evolve.”

Zeality recently partnered with NHL Hockey team the San Jose Sharks to produce a 360-degree video experience that was made available to fans by utilising Zeality’s Immersive Media Engine.

Zeality’s platform allows uploading, hosting and streaming from within a single interface without loss of quality.

VRFocus will continue to bring you news on Zeality and other VR media platforms.

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Zeality gets new Key Investor

Zeality, providers of the Immersive Media Engine that provides a platform for 360-degree video, have just announced that Sundeep Sanghavi is coming on board as a new investor and advisor to the company.

Sanghavi is the CEO and founder of DataRPM, a company that has provided business intelligence and analytics solutions for more than 20 years. Sanghavi had the following to say: “Zeality delivers valuable, cloud-based infrastructure and support to a market that is committed to growing their business and deeply invested in serving their customers. The strength of the Zeality platform and customer base provides the ideal environment for their next phase of growth. We sha8re a common view that there will continue to be broad technology convergence and use of cognitive computing and artificial intelligence, which will be critical in the VR market.”

zeality screen

“As we continue to drive value for the Immersive Media market, we are taking another big step forward with the addition of Mr. Sundeep Sanghavi as an investor and advisor to our business,” stated Dipak M. Patel, CEO and Co-Founder at Zeality. “As an experienced entrepreneur and technologist, Sundeep believes strongly that the future of Zeality lies with the company’s ability to bring cognitive computing and data science to the Immersive Media market. His knowledge and experience with machine learning and artificial intelligence will be of great value as the VR market continues to evolve.”

Zeality recently partnered with NHL Hockey team the San Jose Sharks to produce a 360-degree video experience that was made available to fans by utilising Zeality’s Immersive Media Engine.

Zeality’s platform allows uploading, hosting and streaming from within a single interface without loss of quality.

VRFocus will continue to bring you news on Zeality and other VR media platforms.

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This Week In VR Sport: Zeality and San Jose Sharks Team Up To Produce VR Ice Hockey Experience

Just the one item this week for our regular trip into the meeting of virtual reality (VR) and sport. With the San Jose Sharks and Zeality Incorporated announcing that they are producing a new 360-degree video experience that allows ice hockey fans to be right in the middle of the action.

The two companies have taken advantage of Zeality’s new Immersive Media Engine to provide an experience that will allow fans to get familiar with what it is like to skate on to the ice at the SAP centre, they can also get a look at the locker room and how the team prepares for a game. It’s even possible for users to share their personal experience with others using Zeality’s Re/Lives feature.

“We are pleased to find in Zeality a partner that aligns with our core values and methodologies to undertake this unique opportunity,” stated Flavil Hampsten, Executive Vice President, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at the San Jose Sharks. “The mobile strategy of the Sharks is to provide fans with an app that not only delivers game-day functionality but also exclusive and innovative content. Zeality’s cutting-edge approach allows us to deliver an experience unlike any other in Sports.”

Zeality San Jose Sharks 1

The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team In the National Hockey League (NHL) and current champions of the Western Conference. They made their debut in the NHL in 1991 and have won six division titles to date. In 2016 they celebrated the first time the team made it to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Zeality are a provider of immersive experiences that specialises in using cloud solutions to deliver to connected devices. They recently introduced the Immersive Media Engine, a 360-degree video platform that allows uploading, hosting, bitrate streaming and video transcoding to all be done from within a single interface.

“The Immersive Media arena is evolving into an ecosystem that fans around the world can experience,” stated Dipak M. Patel, co-founder and CEO at Zeality. “Our capabilities combined with the content and deep fan base of the Sharks presents a fantastic opportunity to boost the overall experience Sharks fans can get. We are thrilled to work with the San Jose Sharks to make the vision of Immersive Media a reality.”

The San Jose Sharks Experience is expected to be available in Spring 2017 through the Sharks mobile app.

VRFocus will bring you more news on how VR is changing the way sport is seen next week at the same time.

Zeality San Jose Sharks 2

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Record and Sharing Your VR Reactions with Zeality’s Re/Lives Feature

Last year virtual reality (VR) ecosystem Zeality launched on Android and iOS platforms, with the aim to provide immersive content, social engagement, and commerce in one package. Now the company has introduced a new feature called Re/Lives – also known as reaction videos – designed to deliver a way to record and share users viewing experiences within 360-degree video.

Looking to provide a way to enhance and encourage social sharing for VR experiences, Zeality Re/Lives uses the front-facing camera and microphone on a consumer mobile device to catalogue a users gyroscopic and ‘pinch and swipe’ movement to record, navigate and narrate their ‘point-of-view’ or ‘reaction’ within the 360-degree video.

zeality screen

“90% of a virtual reality video goes completely unexplored,” said Dipak M. Patel, Co-Founder and CEO at Zeality.  “By allowing users the ability to record and share their experience in VR is an important breakthrough for the development and growth of VR as a medium. Not only will influencers, creators and users will be encouraged to leverage their talents and better satisfy a growing VR market that is hungry for engaging content, but it will also allow for pull-through for immersive media content.

“We’re combining social interactivity with VR and the concept of sharing each individual’s VR experience with other people in real-time,” Patel adds.  “With over 28 million consumers of 360°, VR content in the world today, users want the option to share their experience with others.”

The feature does not require any additional hardware or plugins, Re/Lives has been built into the Zeality app.

For any further updates from Zeality, keep reading VRFocus.