News

Apple Likely To Release 8K VR Headset In 2022

Published

4 years ago

February 12, 2021

apple likely to release 8k vr headset in 2022

Unsplash

Near the end of January, Bloomberg published a report claiming that Apple is working on what could be the most expensive 8K VR headset ever made. Now, a JP Morgan analysis, spotted by China Times, states that the headset could be available as early as Q1 2022, but it’s likely to cost around $3,000 USD.

Why the steep price? Because Apple’s first VR headset will likely boast dual 8K displays with eye-tracking technology, offering far better resolution than other VR headsets that are commercially available at the moment. For example, the $300 USD Oculus Quest 2 has a singular fast-switch LCD panel with a 1832×1920 per eye resolution, while the $700 USD HTC Vive Cosmos displays text and graphics through a 2880 x 1700 combined pixel resolution.

apple 8k vr headset illustrations

In addition to an ultra-high-resolution display, the headset is also expected to feature the combination of an optical radar (LiDAR) and a Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensor for accurate location of the headset in space. All these and other components will be coordinated by a new version of the M1 chip, the first ARM-based system on a chip designed by Apple.

The chip will be manufactured by TSMC, one of the world’s biggest semiconductor foundries, and the final assembly of the headset will be handled Pegatron or Quanta Computer.

According to a drawing published by The Information, the headset could feature a HomePod-esque mesh fabric and swappable Apple Watch-style headbands. Depending on the specific materials Apple decides to use, the headset could be considerably lighter than its competitors, which would definitely help with long-term comfort.

Also Read: Google Launches Its Dunant Subsea Cable Between The US And Europe

Because of how expensive the headset will be, some experts predict that its target audience will be professional content creators—not regular users. Currently, producers of virtual reality content have to rely on third-party VR headsets and deal with the potential compatibility issues associated with them.

News

Popcorn AI Raises $500,000 For “Conversational eCommerce”

The firm’s AI platform uses specialized chatbots to handle entire eCommerce journeys, from recommending products to seamless payments.

Published

5 days ago

November 14, 2024

Nour Nasir

Popcorn AI

Dubai-based Popcorn AI has announced the closure of a pre-seed funding round that raised $500,000 for its revolutionary AI platform. The investment, led by Spring Studios with the backing of Salica Investments, Al Waha Fund of Funds, and prominent angel investors from Saudi Arabia, represents a key step forward in reshaping customer-business interactions using the power of conversational AI.

Unlike traditional chatbot systems, Popcorn AI’s platform is designed to redefine eCommerce by creating highly intelligent sales agents that handle entire customer journeys, from personalized product recommendations right through to seamless payment acceptance — all through a conversational experience.

The clever idea was recently tested to great success when one of Popcorn AI’s chatbot agents closed a $400,000 real estate transaction, handling everything from the first inquiry to the final sale. Early adopters have reported a massive 90% reduction in customer acquisition costs, along with a highly impressive 20% improvement in conversion rates, highlighting the platform’s potential to transform customer engagement across dozens of industries.

Josh Rodger, Principal at the Spring Studios fund, expressed enthusiasm for the project, saying, “We are proud to support Popcorn AI’s mission to reshape how businesses connect with their customers. Their innovative approach to conversational commerce has the potential to revolutionize industries and redefine the way customers experience digital transactions”.

Also Read: Top Free AI Chatbots Available In The Middle East

Meanwhile, Popcorn AI founder and CEO Yousef Al Arif declared: “The future of commerce is conversational,” adding, “Today’s consumers want shopping experiences that are instant, personalized, and effortless. We’re not building just another chatbot; we’re crafting intelligent commerce agents that understand context, recall customer preferences, and guide users through the entire shopping process, much like an expert salesperson would”.

Building upon a decade of experience scaling eCommerce and marketplace platforms across the MENA region, Al Arif has now achieved huge success with Popcorn AI, positioning the product at the cutting edge of AI-powered eCommerce. The platform has also made significant impacts in sectors such as real estate, and hospitality, signaling that conversational commerce is emerging as a powerful new model for digital businesses.