Multinational software program and microchip big Qualcomm Included has launched a $100 million Metaverse fund to again prolonged actuality (XR), synthetic intelligence (AI), and augmented actuality (AR) tech firms.
Prolonged actuality, or XR, refers back to the mixture of smartphones together with AR and VR expertise akin to headsets and glasses.
The funding undertaking is dubbed the “SnapDragon Metaverse Fund” in reference to the agency’s Snapdragon chips which can be designed for an extended checklist of gadgets together with smartphones, tablets, computer systems, smartwatches, and smartbooks.
In line with a March 21 announcement, the funding may also go in direction of a grant program for builders constructing XR-focused gaming, well being, wellness, media, and leisure experiences.
“By way of the Snapdragon Metaverse Fund, we sit up for empowering builders and corporations of all sizes as they push the boundaries of what’s attainable as we enter into this new technology of spatial computing,” mentioned president and CEO of Qualcomm Included, Cristiano Amon.
The agency said that it’s aiming to be the “ticket to the metaverse” by way of its 5G, AI, and XR applied sciences which it describes as being important to the Metaverse. Whereas Qualcomm’s web site additionally signifies that it’s aiming to mix a smartphone, VR headset, and AR glasses right into a single XR machine sooner or later.
“XR may change all the opposite screens in your life, like that massive TV in your lounge. Cellular XR has the potential to turn out to be one of many world’s most ubiquitous and disruptive computing platforms—much like the smartphone at this time.”
The agency additionally teased that recipients of the grants will achieve “early entry to cutting-edge XR platform expertise, {hardware} kits, a worldwide community of buyers, and co-marketing and promotion alternatives.”
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Whereas crypto has stolen the limelight of late in relation to the continuing Russian and Ukraine battle, it seems that curiosity is beginning to pile again into Metaverse initiatives.
Over the previous seven days, the costs of native property from prime metaverse initiatives akin to Decentraland and The Sandbox have gained 7% and 14% apiece.
On March 18, Cointelegraph additionally reported that the Bored Ape Yacht membership founders Yuga Labs had raised $450 million in a seed funding spherical at a valuation of $4 billion, with a part of the funding set to go in direction of the event of the Apecoin-backed Otherside metaverse undertaking.