The Creative Technologist Roundup - 8.0
The NBA and Niantic team up for a basketball metaverse, The Sims & Depop partner up and Tesla make your ride smoother with their latest software update.
Howdy!
Niantic is as it again trying to replicate their success with Pokémon Go. Sims get even trendier and solar just added a new tool to the toolbox.
#Metaverse
Niantic Is Creating an All-World NBA Game
The game, which places NBA fans into a real-world metaverse, is a free-to-play geolocational title that challenges players to find and compete against notable NBA players in their respective neighborhoods. Upon challenging top-tier players to games, fans can then recruit NBA icons to their own team before playing on the official court, where they will have the ability to outfit players in custom apparel.
#Apps
McDonald's® USA Drops Official ‘Camp McDonald's’ Lineup
Starting today, McDonald’s is opening the doors to Camp McDonald’s – and no, it’s nothing like camp as you know it. It's a virtual camp experience featuring the hottest lineup of food deals, menu hacks, limited-edition merch and music performances from amazing artists.
#Mobile
HTC launches metaverse phone with Ethereum, Polygon support
HTC launched metaverse phone “Desire 22 Pro”, which comes with a digital assets wallet and virtual reality (VR) headset pairing feature, as part of the Taiwanese firm’s Web3 expansion.
#Gaming
Depop Partners With 'The Sims 4' on In-Game Marketplace and Circular Fashion Collection
Digital marketplace Depop is entering the gaming domain in a new partnership with The Sims. As part of The Sims 4‘s newest expansion pack “High School Years,” Depop and the gamer designed a collection of in-game fashion items that players will be able to purchase for their teen Sims in a virtual thrift store and boba hangout called ThrifTea.
#CoolNewTech
A new breakthrough could turn windows into active solar panels
A team of researchers from ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science has created perovskite cells with a conversion efficiency of 15.5 percent that allows more than 20 percent of visible light through.
This improves the stability of solar windows while allowing more natural light in.
#Auto
Tesla can now scan for potholes and adjust vehicle suspension to avoid damage
Tesla’s latest software update includes a cool-sounding feature that could prevent a lot of underbody damage — and perhaps some driver damage too. The update will enable Tesla vehicles to scan the road ahead of potholes and adjust the suspension to account for rough roads.