Janko Roettgers
@jank0.bsky.social
📤 2799
📥 47
📝 273
Reporter, covering streaming, AR, VR etc. Writing a weekly newsletter at www.lowpass.cc.
New on Lowpass: Zuckerberg: All videos will be 3D worlds
www.lowpass.cc/p/zuckerberg...
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Zuckerberg: All videos will be 3D worlds
Just don't call it the metaverse: Meta's CEO says the company's VR investments will help create new mobile-first media formats.
https://www.lowpass.cc/p/zuckerberg-all-videos-will-be-3d-worlds
3 days ago
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Today in Lowpass: What Netflix's Warner Bros. deal could mean for TVs and remotes
www.lowpass.cc/p/netflix-de...
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What Netflix's Warner Bros. deal could mean for TVs and remotes
Smart TV makers have long been forced to jump through many hoops to carry the Netflix app. Will that change once Netflix gets its hands on HBO Max?
https://www.lowpass.cc/p/netflix-device-certification-remote-buttons-app-placement-wb-acquisition
4 days ago
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If you're wondering why today's Lowpass newsletter ended a bit abruptly ... here's an explanation:
sfba.social/@jank0/11594...
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Janko Roettgers (@
[email protected]
)
Okay, time for some inside baseball: One of the reasons independent journalists like me love newsletters is that they allow us to publish and directly interact with our audience without middlemen. We...
https://sfba.social/@jank0/115940027055061826
11 days ago
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When Telly launched in 2023, execs boasted that they would give away 500,000 TVs before the end of the year. In Q3 of 2025, the real number of Telly TVs in people's homes was just 35,000 😲
www.lowpass.cc/p/telly-3500...
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Scoop: Telly had only 35,000 TVs in people’s homes last fall
Free TV startup Telly remains far behind schedule, according to internal data. The startup also struggled with TVs breaking during shipping.
https://www.lowpass.cc/p/telly-35000-tvs-10-percent-breakage
11 days ago
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Scoop: Telly had only 35,000 TVs in people’s homes last fall
www.lowpass.cc/p/telly-3500...
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Scoop: Telly had only 35,000 TVs in people’s homes last fall
Free TV startup Telly remains far behind schedule, according to internal data. The startup also struggled with TVs breaking during shipping.
https://www.lowpass.cc/p/telly-35000-tvs-10-percent-breakage
11 days ago
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I loved this tidbit about the live voting feature of Netflix's Star Search reboot.
www.fastcompany.com/91477533/how...
12 days ago
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My latest for Fast Company: How Netflix brought interactive voting to ‘Star Search’
www.fastcompany.com/91477533/how...
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How Netflix brought interactive voting to 'Star Search'
Netflix's 'Star Search' reboot will let viewers vote with their remote controls. The company wants to repurpose the tech for other live events in the future.
https://www.fastcompany.com/91477533/how-netflix-brought-interactive-voting-to-star-search
12 days ago
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Also on Lowpass today: JWX acquires AI video studio Augie
www.lowpass.cc/p/jwx-aug-x-...
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JWX acquires AI video studio Augie
Founder predicts "a tough year for single-function startups"
https://www.lowpass.cc/p/jwx-aug-x-labs-augie-acquisition-ai
18 days ago
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Today in Lowpass: Why Netflix abandoned casting after 15 years, and why others think that there's still demand for this tech
www.lowpass.cc/p/casting-hi...
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Casting is dead. Long live casting!
Also: AI video app Augie gets acquired
https://www.lowpass.cc/p/casting-history-future-chromecast-netflix-dial-matter
18 days ago
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My latest, from CES: TV makers are taking AI too far
www.lowpass.cc/p/ces-2026-t...
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TV makers are taking AI too far
The latest smart TV news straight from CES in Las Vegas
https://www.lowpass.cc/p/ces-2026-tv-makers-ai
25 days ago
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En route to CES ...
27 days ago
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New in Lowpass: The Texas AG’s smart TV lawsuits are a hot mess Five lawsuits allege spying by smart TV manufacturers. Unfortunately, they're full of hyperbole and sloppy mistakes.
www.lowpass.cc/p/texas-ag-k...
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The Texas AG’s smart TV lawsuits are a hot mess
No, China doesn't have your Hulu password
https://www.lowpass.cc/p/texas-ag-ken-paxton-acr-lawsuits-smart-tvs
about 1 month ago
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Today in Lowpass: How Atlas Obscura plans to embrace the 3D web
www.lowpass.cc/p/atlas-obsc...
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How Atlas Obscura plans to embrace the 3D web
Also: Texas sues five TV makers
https://www.lowpass.cc/p/atlas-obscura-society-viverse-webxr-ai
about 2 months ago
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Today in Lowpass: Relax, grown-ups: VR is doing fine
www.lowpass.cc/p/state-of-v...
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VR isn't dead, it just smells funny
Meta may be cutting back on some of its metaverse ambitions -- but the company's Quest 3s VR headset continues to regularly outsell major game consoles
https://www.lowpass.cc/p/state-of-vr-2025-meta-cuts-quest-sales
about 2 months ago
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A pre-CES scoop: Hisense is about to rebrand its smart TV OS
www.lowpass.cc/p/hisense-vi...
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Scoop: Hisense smart TV OS to rebrand as ‘Home OS’
Can you say auf VIDAA-sehen?
https://www.lowpass.cc/p/hisense-vidaa-v-home-os-rebrand
about 2 months ago
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Spotify recently told potential job applicants that it wants to evolve "from an audio-first platform to also become a world-class video service." Today in Lowpass: the latest on Spotify's video efforts
www.lowpass.cc/p/spotify-vi...
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Spotify’s next big bet: becoming a video service
Spotify wants to evolve "from an audio-first platform to ... a world-class video service." Music videos, launching soon, are the next step.
https://www.lowpass.cc/p/spotify-video-service-plans-music-videos-tiktok-youtube
about 2 months ago
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This one turned out to be a lot more popular than I thought it would be 👀 You can now buy paid Lowpass subscriptions as gifts (for others, or yourself), including a lifetime subscription for just $150:
www.lowpass.cc/p/give-the-g...
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Give the gift of independent tech journalism this year
Black Friday deals inside
https://www.lowpass.cc/p/give-the-gift-of-independent-tech-journalism-this-year
2 months ago
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Wow, Nex Playground is currently the #1 selling toy and game on Amazon. Here's my recent story about TV cameras, featuring some quotes from Nex CEO David Lee
www.lowpass.cc/p/tv-cameras...
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Where have all the TV cameras gone?
Video calls and computer vision-powered games were supposed to make smart TVs more fun. Then the reality of hardware margins set it.
https://www.lowpass.cc/p/tv-cameras-sky-live-nex-playground
2 months ago
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reposted by
Janko Roettgers
Got a scoopy AR/AI story in Lowpass today: A secretive new startup called Vonder is looking to take on Meta with its own AI glasses. Turns out it's really another AR company in disguise.
www.lowpass.cc/p/viture-von...
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Scoop: Here comes another Ray-Ban competitor
A new startup called Vonder is looking to take on Meta with its own AI glasses. Turns out it's really another AR company in disguise.
https://www.lowpass.cc/p/viture-vonder-ai-glasses-ar
2 months ago
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Got a scoopy AR/AI story in Lowpass today: A secretive new startup called Vonder is looking to take on Meta with its own AI glasses. Turns out it's really another AR company in disguise.
www.lowpass.cc/p/viture-von...
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Scoop: Here comes another Ray-Ban competitor
A new startup called Vonder is looking to take on Meta with its own AI glasses. Turns out it's really another AR company in disguise.
https://www.lowpass.cc/p/viture-vonder-ai-glasses-ar
2 months ago
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My latest for Fast Company: Why Amazon is betting on a new TV OS
www.fastcompany.com/91435891/ama...
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Why Amazon is betting on a new TV OS
Vega, a new operating system for Amazon’s streaming sticks has led to pushback from consumers. The e-commerce giant seems undeterred.
https://www.fastcompany.com/91435891/amazon-firestick-google-vega-streaming
3 months ago
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Also in Lowpass today: Netflix just copied HQ Trivia
www.lowpass.cc/p/tv-cameras...
3 months ago
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Today in Lowpass: Where have all the TV cameras gone?
www.lowpass.cc/p/tv-cameras...
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Where have all the TV cameras gone?
Video calls and computer vision-powered games were supposed to make smart TVs more fun. Then the reality of hardware margins set it.
https://www.lowpass.cc/p/tv-cameras-sky-live-nex-playground
3 months ago
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reposted by
Janko Roettgers
TWiT Tech Podcasts
3 months ago
New Podcast Episode: This Week in Tech: Ferret Trousering Can Apple TV Fix the Broken World of Streaming Sports? with
@leolaporte.me
,
@iainthomson.bsky.social
,
@ashleyesqueda.com
,
@jank0.bsky.social
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Ferret Trousering | TWiT.TV
Elon Musk’s eye-popping trillion-dollar pay package, Apple’s big F1 gamble, and Meta’s scam-friendly ad policies set the stage for a candid debate on Big Tech’s priorities and
https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-tech/episodes/1057
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Can you really not report a spammy newsletter to Substack without installing its app first? I know Substack is big on weird dark-pattern growth hacks, but that's insane.
support.substack.com/hc/en-us/art...
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How do I report a publication to Substack?
Our Standards & Enforcement takes all reports of violations of our Content Guidelines seriously and thoroughly evaluates them. While we can't provide the outcome of every report, we will take a...
https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/articles/23268155453076-How-do-I-report-a-publication-to-Substack
3 months ago
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Today in Lowpass: Sports streaming is a hot mess
www.lowpass.cc/p/sports-str...
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Sports streaming is a hot mess
There's more sports available on streaming services than ever, including every NFL game this season. But watching it all can be a challenge, as the YouTube TV ESPN spat shows.
https://www.lowpass.cc/p/sports-streaming-messy-youtube-tv-mnf
3 months ago
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What's up with Sonos reporting its earnings before the opening of the markets tomorrow morning? Odd move for a Santa Barbara company ...
3 months ago
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Amazon’s new Vega OS-based streaming stick has a Spotify problem
www.lowpass.cc/p/fire-tv-se...
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Amazon’s new Vega OS-based streaming stick has a Spotify problem
The new Fire TV Stick 4K Select doesn't have a native Spotify app. Instead, it relies on a clunky Spotify Connect workaround.
https://www.lowpass.cc/p/fire-tv-select-stick-spotify-app-missing
3 months ago
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reposted by
Janko Roettgers
nilay patel
3 months ago
Really fun to have
@jank0.bsky.social
publishing on The Verge - and this dive into free-to-play mechanics invading Hollywood is just wild
www.theverge.com/column/80525...
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The future of Hollywood is sexy, expensive slop
Cheaply produced, highly shareable, and designed to make you pay.
https://www.theverge.com/column/805250/hollywood-is-in-love-with-microdramas-for-all-the-wrong-reasons
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In today's Lowpass newsletter, I explore why YouTube's latest UI changes on TV are such a big deal
www.lowpass.cc/p/youtube-tv...
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Inside YouTube's transformation on TV
YouTube has become the force in streaming without even trying. That changes now, with tweaks that make its smart TV app look more like Netflix.
https://www.lowpass.cc/p/youtube-tv-app-shows-immersive-previews
3 months ago
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My latest for Fast Company ...
www.fastcompany.com/91428971/hbo...
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What Hollywood’s next potential merger means for streaming
From price increases to apps going away, a Warner Bros. Discovery sale could have big implications for consumers.
https://www.fastcompany.com/91428971/hbo-streaming-merger-larry-ellison-paramount-cnn
3 months ago
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Today in Lowpass: Hollywood is in love with microdramas, for all the wrong reasons
www.lowpass.cc/p/microdrama...
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Hollywood is in love with microdramas, for all the wrong reasons
What it's like to actually use ReelShort, the most popular microdrama app in the U.S.
https://www.lowpass.cc/p/microdramas-reelshort-freemium-ux-nightmare
3 months ago
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reposted by
Janko Roettgers
Samsung's Project Moohan Android XR headset will launch with FitXR, Synth Riders, Cubism and other popular VR apps and games
www.lowpass.cc/p/android-xr...
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Launch apps leak: MLB, Synth Riders, FitXR coming to Android XR
Samsung's headset is getting some heavy hitters
https://www.lowpass.cc/p/android-xr-moohan-launch-apps-fitx-mlb-synthriders
3 months ago
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Scoop: Here are some of the apps that will be available on Samsung's Project Moohan Android XR headset when it launches tomorrow: 1) FitXR - a VR workout app that's popular on Meta Quest
3 months ago
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Samsung's Project Moohan Android XR headset will launch with FitXR, Synth Riders, Cubism and other popular VR apps and games
www.lowpass.cc/p/android-xr...
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Launch apps leak: MLB, Synth Riders, FitXR coming to Android XR
Samsung's headset is getting some heavy hitters
https://www.lowpass.cc/p/android-xr-moohan-launch-apps-fitx-mlb-synthriders
3 months ago
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This drill feels a little too real
#earthquake
abc7news.com/post/great-s...
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Great Shake Out: Millions of Californians to participate in annual earthquake drill
Happening at 10:16 a.m., the annual earthquake drill is meant to make sure we're all ready for when "the big one" hits. Here's a simulated look at what a 7.0 quake feels like.
https://abc7news.com/post/great-shake-millions-californians-participate-annual-earthquake-drill/18019206/
4 months ago
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Today in Lowpass: Meta is building a smart TV – in VR
www.lowpass.cc/p/meta-horiz...
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Meta is building a smart TV – in VR
Mark Zuckerberg has long wanted to turn TVs into XR apps. Meta's new Horizon TV app is the closest thing yet to realize that vision.
https://www.lowpass.cc/p/meta-horizon-tv-app-smart-tv-ui
4 months ago
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Next up for Horizon Worlds, Meta's metaverse: gaming on Instagram?
www.lowpass.cc/p/meta-horiz...
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Meta wants to take its metaverse everywhere
Also: RIP, TiVo
https://www.lowpass.cc/p/meta-horizon-worlds-vishal-shah
4 months ago
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Today in Lowpass: Meta wants to take Horizon Worlds everywhere ... even to Instagram
www.lowpass.cc/p/meta-horiz...
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Meta wants to take its metaverse everywhere
Also: RIP, TiVo
https://www.lowpass.cc/p/meta-horizon-worlds-vishal-shah
4 months ago
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Got another story on The Verge today: Some of the Redbox / Chicken Soup for the Soul IP rights might end up with a company suing ISPs for copyright infringement
www.theverge.com/tech/791013/...
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Redbox’s next product may be piracy lawsuits
A little-known company wants to spend $100 million to go after internet providers that allegedly ignored DMCA notices.
https://www.theverge.com/tech/791013/redbox-chicken-soup-piracy-lawsuits-ip-sale-grove-street
4 months ago
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When Amazon announced a Fire TV stick running its brand-new Vega OS earlier this week, it didn't really spell out how it was going to make sure that the device has all the apps consumers expect. Now we know: Amazon is going to run select Android apps in the cloud.
www.lowpass.cc/p/amazon-veg...
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Amazon's Vega OS launch trick: cloud-streamed apps
To bring missing streaming services to its new Linux-based Fire TV stick, Amazon is streaming Android apps from the cloud.
https://www.lowpass.cc/p/amazon-vega-os-cloud-streamed-apps
4 months ago
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Today, Amazon officially announced its first TV streaming device running Vega, a new operating system it has built in-house for its devices.
9to5google.com/2025/09/30/a...
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Amazon launches Vega OS, its Android replacement for Fire TV with no sideloading
Amazon is officially ditching Android for its Fire TV lineup, with the new Vega OS launching today and without sideloading.
https://9to5google.com/2025/09/30/amazon-fire-tv-android-vega-os-switch/
4 months ago
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Amazon just announced Vega OS, two years after I first broke the news about its existence.
4 months ago
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reposted by
Janko Roettgers
Amazon posted a job listing a few days ago that confirms it plans to bring its still-unannounced Vega OS to TV streaming hardware this year. An announcement could come as early as next week.
www.lowpass.cc/p/amazon-veg...
4 months ago
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Amazon posted a job listing a few days ago that confirms it plans to bring its still-unannounced Vega OS to TV streaming hardware this year. An announcement could come as early as next week.
www.lowpass.cc/p/amazon-veg...
4 months ago
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Scoop: Amazon just accidentally confirmed that it launching its new Vega OS on TV streaming hardware this year
www.lowpass.cc/p/amazon-veg...
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Scoop: Amazon confirms new TV OS launching this year
Amazon plans to replace Android with Vega on Fire TV devices. A launch is planned for 2025, the company accidentally confirmed.
https://www.lowpass.cc/p/amazon-vega-os-fire-tv-2025-launch
4 months ago
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reposted by
Janko Roettgers
I talked to James Cameron and Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth about their partnership, 3D TV vs. 3D in VR headsets, and generative AI's potential for Hollywood. Check out my interview:
www.lowpass.cc/p/james-came...
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James Cameron on embracing VR headsets and generative AI
The Avatar creator talks about VR headsets, working with Meta, generative AI and the power of framed, linear entertainment.
https://www.lowpass.cc/p/james-cameron-mixed-reality-headsets-generative-ai
5 months ago
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I can't tell if this an ad for a Masterclass or an abduction
5 months ago
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I wrote about Meta's new Ray-Ban Display glasses for Fast Company
www.fastcompany.com/91407135/met...
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Meta finally made smart glasses you might actually wear in public
The Ray-Ban Display blends a discreet screen, AI features, and subtle gesture controls into a frame that actually looks like glasses.
https://www.fastcompany.com/91407135/meta-ray-ban-display-smart-glasses-debut
5 months ago
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I talked to James Cameron and Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth about their partnership, 3D TV vs. 3D in VR headsets, and generative AI's potential for Hollywood. Check out my interview:
www.lowpass.cc/p/james-came...
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James Cameron on embracing VR headsets and generative AI
The Avatar creator talks about VR headsets, working with Meta, generative AI and the power of framed, linear entertainment.
https://www.lowpass.cc/p/james-cameron-mixed-reality-headsets-generative-ai
5 months ago
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