T-Mobile has launched an augmented reality (AR) initiative involving its T-Mobile Accelerator program in conjunction with the Snapdragon Spaces XR Developer Platform. The plan is to work with startups, developers and entrepreneurs building immersive experiences for AR smart glasses.
Smart glasses and other AR and VR technology are expected to become more pervasive as Meta (formerly Facebook) and other companies drive an increasing amount of metaverse applications for both consumer and business segments.
Meta recently started focusing on enabling applications to leverage virtual and augmented reality, noting that the opportunity “calls for vast enhancements in capacity and fundamental shifts in how networks are architected and deployed, as well as industry-wide collaboration – from tech companies to mobile operators, service providers, policymakers and more.”
T-Mobile Accelerator is working with Snapdragon Spaces to build on 5G technology to enable smart glasses to offer heads-up displays, spatial awareness and computer vision in a variety of industries, including gaming, entertainment, education, wellness, fitness and travel and hospitality.
Among the new T-Mobile Accelerator participants are:
- Beem, a software platform designed to enable live and on-demand communication using humans in AR
- Krikey, an AR gaming and social media app.
- Mawari, a cloud rendering and streaming technology for interactive AR experiences.
- Mohx-Games, a company focused on creating advanced and immersive AR gaming and entertainment experiences.
- Pluto, a company that offers shared presence communication through AR and VR technology.
- VictoryXR, which offers AR and VR technology for education.
“Smart glasses will completely change how we connect and experience the world around us,” said John Saw, T-Mobile EVP of advanced and emerging technologies, in a prepared statement. “With T-Mobile 5G we have the capacity and performance needed to power high-bandwidth, immersive AR experiences for smart glasses, but it’s the developers and entrepreneurs that will bring these new applications to life.”
While we’re far from it today, some analysts predict VR/AR wearables could replace the smartphone as the consumer’s device of choice for communications and personal entertainment.
