|
|
Not those Summer Games, although well-done to Tokyo for hosting them in the middle of a pandemic.
In this month’s issue we’re strapping on the goggles and immersing ourselves into the world of virtual reality (VR). For those of you who thought that VR and AR (augmented reality), were only for playing Pokémon GO and adding cat whiskers in video chats, you might be surprised to learn that some big brands are sinking big bucks into this technology.
We’ll also look at the hottest, and least understood, trend in e-commerce, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and see why brands should embrace (and be wary), of them.
Grab a menu, scan the QR code and enjoy a real-life drink while we take a look behind the screens of the virtual world. |
|
|
|
|
Shopify Wants To Sell You An NFT
|
| Shopify is making it easy to sell NFTs, which makes sense since they are dominating the e-commerce platform space right now. Online stores running on Shopify are now able to sell NFTs and choose which type of digital currency they will accept. The NBA’s Chicago Bulls recently launched their Shopify online store and sold out of NFTs in 90-seconds. Where’s the market headed now that big-name players are entering the game? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
When Should Brands Skip NFTs
|
| From MullenLowe’s very own Rachel Kronberg, we have an article that explains when we should and shouldn’t use NFTs, as well as factors to consider when recommending this tech to our clients. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Who Would You Buy Your Hardware From?
|
| In the last few weeks we’ve seen Facebook starting to make further inroads into the AR/VR world. However, even though Facebook owns the well-known Oculus brand, consumers would prefer to buy their VR gear from Apple rather than from the social media giant. This is all the more interesting considering Apple doesn’t currently have any VR systems on the market. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Leveling Up Augmented Reality
|
| Speaking of Oculus: they’ve announced a “pass-through API technology” that allows VR headsets to overlay augmented images and graphics over real-time views of the external environment. Want to spruce-up your kitchen? Slip on a VR headset and “paint” the cabinets a different colour before you dip a real brush into a bucket. The practical, and entertaining, uses of this kind of tech are virtually (pun-intended), limitless. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Snap Won’t Be Outdone – Buys Shopping Start Up
|
| Snap, the parent of Snapchat, purchased Vertebrae, a company that lets brands create 3-D versions of their products and allows consumers to interact with them in VR. Looking for a new pair of shoes? Take a picture through Snapchat and try them on in VR. Snap has big ambitions to become a destination shopping space. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
