Tech Innovation

HTC has a Metaverse phone and it's launching on June 28.

For those unaware, Viverse is HTC’s version of the metaverse and the company describes it as “an interoperable ecosystem where different content platforms interconnect to form a seamless user experience in a decentralized, secure, and open way.”

Google offers AR shopping on search, shows product feeds on YouTube shorts.

Google is bringing AR shopping to customers by allowing brands to have 3D models of their products appear directly on Google Search. Shoppers can experience products from different angles and interact with them in a real environment, increasing their buying confidence even as they remain in their own spaces. Google is also offering highly visual shopping ads, adding visual-first results on apparel queries to help shoppers discover more products and brands directly from Search.

Around the Industry

Footballer Kevin-Prince marries Italian model Valentina in a Metaverse wedding.

In the first-ever metaverse wedding, former AC Milan and Barcelona player Kevin-Prince Boateng married Italian model Valentina Fradegrada. Giving us a glimpse of how weddings might look in the future, the 35-year-old athlete married model and businesswoman, Valentina Fradegrada, Saturday, June 11, in virtual space and that too on the moon.

Everything announced at the Xbox and Bethesda games showcase.

Microsoft hosted its Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase on Sunday, curating more than 90 minutes’ worth of news, trailers, and announcements from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda, and third-party studios. That’s including Activision Blizzard, which Microsoft intends to acquire in a $68.7 billion deal. The entire showcase focused on games that will be playable within the next year (with one major exception), Microsoft said. Missed the show? Here are all the announcements coming out of Microsoft’s big event.

It's the end of the Internet Explorer era - June 15, 2022.

It's finally happening. Microsoft will be ending support for most versions of its Internet Explorer (IE) 11 browser on June 15. Microsoft announced more than a year ago that IE would be removed from most versions of Windows 10 this year and has spent months encouraging customers to get ready by proactively retiring the browser from their organizations.

92 % event planners across Asia are sourcing for in-person events.

Event planners across Asia are currently actively sourcing and booking in-person events. They are also opting for hybrid formats to stay flexible, spending more on such corporate offerings These are the findings from the latest Cvent Planner Sourcing Report. The survey was conducted from March 30, 20 22 to April 12, 2022. The report drew key findings from responses garnered from hundreds of event planners, managers, coordinators and directors across China, Singapore, Thailand and India.

Eventellect

Gaming brands build authentic experiential marketing. Here’s how?

The gaming market is a global phenomenon worth almost US$600 billion. Worldwide, gamers congregate in forums to swap tips, rumours, and gossip about their favourite titles. It makes game marketing incredibly challenging. On the one hand, your audience could not be more engaged with your brand and product. On the other, they are hypersensitive to inauthenticity and will attentively follow your every move.

The Secret to keeping attendees talking about your events starts with venue selection.

Nowadays, with events and even corporate meetings becoming more about creating a one-of-a-kind, memorable experience than just checking the boxes, it’s important for planners to select a venue that will enhance the guest experience.

What if we say you can choose from over thousands of venues right from where you are with Spalba Marketplace.

Drone light shows bring next level of branding to corporate events.

Drones are taking the event industry to new heights, especially as environmental concerns related to fireworks increase. “Drones are representative of new technology and showcase a new, innovative solution to the communities where they occur,” . According to the Atmospheric Environment’s journal, fireworks release high levels of pollution into the air, and as a result, many global cities are replacing conventional fireworks displays with drone shows.

Upcoming Events

Ziro festival - India's greatest outdoor music festival - 29 Sep - 2 Oct, 2022.

The Ziro Music Festival is an incredible occasion of music festivity in the Indian North-Eastern State of Arunachal Pradesh. Spanning over 4 days, the festival is hosted by the Apatani tribe of the Ziro Valley, one of the most picturesque locations in the state. Situated at 5,500 feet above sea level, the valley is a fantastic venue for this fabulous gala, surrounded by misty mountains. Exhibiting a tremendous independent music scene in India, the Ziro Festival is a phenomenal and exciting event to attend.