Pushing the Boundaries of Reality with Unlimited Realities

Friends of the Metaverse: #026

Author

Lisa M. Lum
April 28, 2023

Hey there, digital trendsetters and tech-savvy explorers! Friends of the Metaverse welcomes you to the ultimate weekly source of tech news where we explore the rise of mixed reality and the latest advancements in technology, from web3, AI, and the metaverse to everything in between.

It's Friday, and we've saved the best for last:

  • Countdown to Apple WWDC 2023

  • A roundup of the week's news

  • The scoop on upcoming tech events

  • Our favorite new AI tools

  • Plus, our AI pic of the week

It’s time to discover the future!👇

This issue is also brought to you by:

Beyond Desks is a metaverse education platform that offers an individualized and decolonized learning experience open to everyone. The platform focuses on inclusion and gamification, and provides a way for students, teachers, counselors, and parents to interact with each other while having fun. Learn more about Beyond Desks.

🍎 38 Days Until Apple WWDC 2023

Apple's AR/VR headset has faced skepticism ahead of its unveiling due to its high price and lack of innovation compared to competitors. However, leaker Evan Blass claims that a tester of the device has gone from skepticism to being "blown away" by the hardware and experience. The headset is expected to be previewed at June’s WWDC, and is similar to the early functionality of the Apple Watch. Despite skepticism, Apple plans to iterate on the headset over time and is working on updating its apps for communication, collaboration, television and sports, gaming, and health and fitness.

🟥 Season of Innovation 2023

Friends of the Metaverse is thrilled to announce that its inaugural event, SEASON OF INNOVATION, will take place in December. Keep an eye out for our upcoming announcement next week on how to participate.

📰 Weekly Top Reads on Web3 and AI

  • ChatGPT and generative A.I. are already changing the way we book trips and travel (link)

  • Bill Gates says A.I. chatbots will teach kids to read within 18 months: You’ll be ‘stunned by how it helps’ (link)

  • First-ever A.I. Fashion Week debuts in NYC (link)

  • Apple’s VR headset will reportedly run hundreds of thousands of iPad apps (link)

  • RTFKT x Nike Augmented Posters 🌐 in the wild in Tokyo (link)

  • Katmai raises $22M for a new take on the metaverse with 3D virtual office (link)

  • Visa Stepping Up Crypto Ambitions (link)

  • Google’s Bard AI chatbot can now generate and debug code (link)

  • Animoca unit TinyTap raises funds at $100 million valuation for web3 education (link)

  • Web3 Entertainment Studio Toonstar to Release NFT-Backed TV Series ‘Space Junk’ (link)

  • Google Pushes Forward in Web3 With Cloud Startup Program (link)

  • I actually had fun at Fatboy Slim’s metaverse rave (link)

  • Apple's 30% Tax Mandate on iOS Is Illegal, Judge Affirms—And That Could Be Good for Crypto, NFTs (link)

  • Doodles: Going Mainstream With Web3 IP (link)

  • China’s Metaverse Is All About Work (link)

  • Mythical launches early access for NFL Rivals on mobile (link)

  • OpenSea’s next journey is to help Web 2.0 brands get into web3 (link)

  • Regulation Clarity Will Bring on More Consumer Web3 Users, PepsiCo’s Executive Says (link)

  • Meta beats revenue expectations, remains committed to metaverse (link)

  • Coca-Cola makes bubbly bets on AI for creative assets, customer service (link)

  • PricewaterhouseCoopers to Pour $1 Billion Into Generative AI (link)

  • NHL, Roblox launch metaverse experience with NHL Blast (link)

  • Bored Ape’s New Boss Seeks to Revive NFTs Through Gaming, Events (link)

  • Epic Games Alum Mike Seavers Will Join Web3 Giant Yuga Labs as CTO (link)

🌎️ Upcoming Web3 Events

Any events I missed? Let me know at [email protected] 💬

🚀 AI Tools (Our Top Picks)

The future of AI is here! Our database and it has now has reached over 600+ AI tools that can assist with writing, photography, images, sales, audio, music, and more! Here are some of these amazing AI tools that are revolutionizing work and saving countless hours. Explore the amazing power of AI and discover the potential of these incredible tools.

  • My AI front desk : The receptionist that never sleeps.

  • Finchat : The ChatGPT for finance with information on 750+ companies and 100+ super investors

  • ChartGPT lets you paste in data and quickly create charts.

  • Gnbly - Your daily communication, telephone calls automated by AI.

  • MagicForm puts an AI salesperson on your website.

  • Communion : Pair AI with analytics to supercharge your creative process.

  • SuperUsApp : Generate 2D knowledge maps with ChatGPT.

🖼️ AI Image of the Week: Name

Prompt: a model is standing in front of white cubes, in the style of elegantly formal, dark white and dark black, carolina herrera, split toning, medieval-inspired, mars ravelo, graceful lines

Image Credit: Hanzo

🌱 Whenever you're ready, there are three ways I can help you:

#1: If you are a brand or a business looking to capitalize on the potential of Web3 and the Metaverse, sign up to get early access to The Web3 Engine. This digital course offers a strategic management framework to help you learn how to create, design, and develop a Web3 business environment tailored to your brand.

#2: Sponsor this newsletter and get your brand, product, or business seen by our growing audience!

#3: Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn for daily web3 insights.

🎬 That’s a wrap!

I’ll be back next Friday with more awesome content. Don’t miss it! 🤩