The Quest for the Metaverse Continues

Friends of the Metaverse: #025

Author

Lisa M. Lum
April 21, 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.

🍎 45 Days Until Apple WWDC 2023

Apple is about to unveil its highly anticipated mixed-reality headset at the Worldwide Developers Conference on June 5-9. This new product category is expected to replace the iPhone in the long run and transform the way we interact with technology. The headset will come with an onboard App Store and tools, and the weeklong conference will showcase its capabilities to developers.

Although it won't be available for sale for a few months after the unveiling, this gives developers time to create mixed-reality apps and services. We're confident that this headset is going to be a hit and can't wait to see what kind of mixed-reality apps they'll come up with! Get ready for a wild ride! 🎢

📰 Weekly Top Reads on Web3 and AI

  • Fortnite players are getting a new Coachella-themed destination (link)

  • Elon Musk quietly starts X.AI, a new artificial intelligence company to challenge OpenAI (link)

  • UK’s New Technology Department to Tackle Country’s Metaverse, Web3 Strategy (link)

  • 5 Music NFT Use Cases You May Have Missed (link)

  • Roblox Adds Rare, Resellable Digital Items—But They’re Not NFTs (link)

  • Nike Unveils First .Swoosh NFT Digital Sneaker Drop (link)

  • Starbucks Odyssey Launch ‘Getting Closer’ With New NFTs, Rewards (link)

  • Hong Kong Court Recognizes Crypto as Property (link)

  • The Smurfs Embark on a Brand New Adventure into Web3 (link)

  • Karate Combat closes $18M to build Web3, mixed reality live sports (link)

  • Elon Musk threatens to sue Microsoft over using Twitter data for its A.I. (link)

  • Google’s Rush to Win in AI Led to Ethical Lapses, Employees Say (link)

  • OpenAI chief says age of giant AI models is ending; a GPU crisis could be one reason why (link)

  • Snap Reveals New Augmented Reality Features for Events, Businesses (link)

  • Web3 VC Funding Hit Lowest Levels Since 2020 (link)

  • Meta Opens Horizon Worlds VR App to Teens as Company Seeks More Metaverse Users (link)

  • Orange metaverse chief shares vision for the immersive future (link)

  • Google Looks to Turbocharge AI Efforts With Combined Brain, DeepMind Unit (link)

  • PUBG Creator to Launch NFT Metaverse Game This Year (link)

  • Why the Metaverse Matters — A Guide for Entrepreneurs and Innovators (link)

  • Runway: Future+ Gives Glimpse into the Future of Digital Fashion (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.

  • Keeper : Ask an AI accountant your tax questions with CPA fact-checking.

  • SanFranciscoGPT : Query SF public databases with just natural language.

  • Katch : An AI assistant that summarizes calls and finds the best times to schedule your calls.

  • Chunky : Create AI chatbots built on your data.

  • Slang.ai : AI-powered phone concierge for small businesses.

  • IronClad : AI assist for contracts.

  • Playtext : Read at the speed of Sound.

  • Room Design lets you upload a room and receive interior design ideas.

  • Dodon AI - Complete hours of legal work in seconds.

  • Collov GPT : Interior design AI generator.

  • Realtor’s AI home search : Visually describe your dream home and find similar listings.

🖼️ AI Image of the Week: English Countryside

Prompt: a bright and colorful illustration highlighting a landscape with a number of cartoon characters and cows, in the style of folk art-inspired illustrations, subtle tonal gradations, rectangular fields, romantic depictions of historical events, english countryside, transavanguardia, ultrafine detail

🌱 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! 🤩