Virtual reality and cyberspace have both come a long way since its late 20th Century birth. Now in a world where technology and advanced virtual reality are practically a necessity, online programs such as Second Life, Flickr Posters, Tag Galaxy are paving the future of virtual communication. We have compiled a selection of articles that showcase some of the potential qualities of these Virtual Worlds.
GOGGLE LAUNCHES WIDGETISED VIRTUAL WORLDS
Ever since the invention of Second Life, many other firms have tried to duplicate or take the concept of virtual interactivity to the next level. Tech Crunch discovered that Google came up with Lively: a browser based virtual world in which users are able to customize their avatars or "virtual self" and use it to interact with each other.
THE INTRODUCTION OF VIRTUAL ADVERTISING THROUGH SMALLWORLDS
And while the virtual avatars take us a step closer to true user personality, it had to be expected that advertising within these "virtual worlds" would come sooner rather than later. Marshable came across such an advertising concept by SmallWorlds containing elements used by companies such as Panasonic radios, and TVs, where companies can sell their products by "putting" it in the virtual world so users can learn about them.
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ELECTRIC SHEEP RELEASE PRIVATE VIRTUAL WORLDS
Many are trying to take virtual interactivity to the next level and TechCrunch discovered that the CEO of Electric Sheep Company, Sibley Verbeck, launched a Flash-based 3D world application that is currently being offered as a hosted web software service.
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THE BIRTH OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
While people interact with each other using these latest offerings in Virtual worlds, a conversation between artificial intelligence comes to thought: How sure are you that the person you are interacting with in the "virtual world" is another person’s avatar, or could it be artificial intelligence? Rensselaer tested this option in working with Second Life, and it appears it’s up to us to figure it out for ourselves.
TAG GALAXY FLICKR VISUALIZATIONS
Max Kiesler came upon an interesting use of the Flickr API that can be easily customized by the user to maximize the interactivity of this virtual image based world.
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IBM COLLABORATES WITH SECOND LIFE TO CREATE VIRTUAL INTEROPERABILITY
As the expectations of users and online interactivity flourishes, TechCrunch discovered that "teleportation" of avatars between two different metaverses may soon be fully implemented as a cool tool that will truly avalanche the use of virtual worlds
MUXLIM PLANS FIRST VIRTUAL WORLD FOR MUSLIMS
Nobody should be left out of the evolving technological era and virtual reality. Tech Crunch discovered, that same notion is being planned by muxlim.com to create a virtual world specially created for Muslims who find recent virtual interactive worlds unsuitable for the culture of Muslims and Islam. If it is done, it will also pave a way for all religions to have their own virtual world respective of their faith.
The virtual world is said to launch in 4-6 weeks and will “allow the opportunity to wear a hijab, and go to prayer rooms.” Muxlim itself is your standard social network offering community features, blogs and video sharing. The revenue model will be VIP accounts, virtual gifts, virtual furniture/clothes, themes/styles, profile applications, advertising, branded communities and physical merchandise like t-shirts.
THE POSSIBLE FUTURE OF UI GUI
Speaking of paving the way for new ideas, here is a special introduction video for Ringo - a holographic interactivity interface that is possibly the future of UI GUI.
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