3d-internet

Change of heart? IE11 might speed Web graphics with WebGL

Microsoft's next version of Internet Explorer might just support WebGL, a standard for accelerated 3D graphics on the Web that the company previously has attacked as a security risk.

A leaked version of the next version of Windows, code-named Blue, came with a version of IE11, and developer's scrutiny of the browser shows evidence of WebGL.

"It seems like WebGL interfaces are defined but not functional at this time," said Web developer and author Francois Remy in a blog post this week. That means that the IE11 build has some infrastructure in place to support WebGL, … Read more

Google Fiber TV adds 3D channels

Subscribers of Google's Fiber TV service who own a 3D TV and glasses can now opt to watch a couple of new channels in 3D.

Announced yesterday, Google has launched 3net and ESPN3D.

Subscribers to the Google Fiber Gigabit + TV Plan will automatically receive 3net, which will offer documentaries, family entertainment, concerts, lifestyle and cooking shows, and scripted series, all in 3D.

Sports fans who want to catch their favorite teams in 3D can grab ESPN3D for an additional $5 per month with their Gigabit + TV plan. Subscribers can call Google Fiber to sign up for ESPN3D.

Launched last July, … Read more

Nokia, Intel mobilize for 3D

Intel and Nokia are teaming up to bring 3D to mobile devices.

The two are jointly setting up a research lab in Oulu, Finland, that will tap into the talents of local researchers to create a 3D environment for mobile devices, the companies announced in conjunction with the University of Oulu on Tuesday. Both companies see 3D Internet as the next major breakthrough in the mobile environment.

The new lab, dubbed the Intel and Nokia Joint Innovation Center, Oulu, will be located in the Center for Internet Excellence (CIE) at the University of Oulu, which Intel praised for its focus … Read more

Metaplace brings user-generated virtual worlds to the browser

It's not the most innovative name but the concept may be revolutionary. Metaplace, a virtual community that is currently being tested for launch in spring 2008, was one of the most talked about start-ups at the TechCrunch40 Conference. The new platform allows anyone to build a virtual world from scratch -- for the web or even mobile applications -- without any programming knowledge. Like other virtual communities such as Second Life, There, Entropia Universe, or World of Warcraft, the Metaplace worlds can be used for gaming, socializing, and e-commerce. And they come with the usual community features: forums, user … Read more

Wanted: Applications for virtual worlds

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--Experts from IBM and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology universally agreed on Friday that there's great potential for virtual worlds, also referred to as the 3D Internet. But for now, a dearth of applications is keeping these virtual worlds' appeal limited to early adopters, they said.

"There's not a lot of stuff there," said MIT Media Lab Director Frank Moss, referring to virtual worlds like Second Life and World of Warcraft.

IBM hosted an event at MIT's Media Lab to explore the potential of virtual worlds for use in business. Already, the company … Read more

Kapor: 3D Internet is on the brink of mainstream

Cambridge, Mass.--The industry around virtual worlds, also referred to as the 3-D Internet, is chaotic and messy but on the brink of mainstream adoption, said Mitch Kapor, chairman of the Linden Labs and PC industry pioneer.

Kapor spoke here on Friday in an event organized by IBM and the MIT media Lab on virtual worlds. Linden Labs is the maker of Second Life, a popular virtual world environment.

During his talk, Kapor drew many parallels between the early days of the PC and virtual worlds: there are many people who are skeptical of virtual worlds and the product is … Read more