For many years, Sxsw has been one of my favorite annual activities, because it brings together such an inclusive group, and there is never a lack of new things to experience.
This year is unique because many of us are out of the cocoon of a pandemic for the first time in two years. Although most of the content of the film festival is familiar, it is clear that when we are all talking on video, some exciting changes have taken place in the face of the technology industry.
Every corner of Austin seems to be covered with announcements of NFT launch, new metaverse or encryption activities. In the first activity I walked into, I got a free NFT at the door, then walked up the stairs and saw several people wearing headphones playing a social virtual reality game projected on the wall. In the past, most of this technology was part of Sxsw, but this year, it will inevitably become part of almost all conversations.
There are holograms here
One of my favorite sci-fi elements is closer to large-scale implementation than ever before. I went to Austin to judge the “extended reality” and “immersive technology” competitions; Matsuko, the winner of this year’s competition, promised to let users “experience real holographic existence with only one smartphone”
We have finally reached the point where holographic content creation can be accessed by a wide range of user groups, and are just beginning to realize what this can unlock. At a panel discussion on mass production, scatter’s co-founder Yasmin elayat was asked about the future. “I’m excited about more live content,” she said. “We see a future where volume videos and holograms will be your pass to metaverse.”
The sound occupies the center of the stage
I was lucky enough to catch up with Jacqueline bosnjak, CEO and founder of mach1, a sound technology company, and learn about the latest spatial audio. We recall the release of Bose AR on Sxsw in the past – a few years later, the company unfortunately closed this effort. Now, spatial audio has been accepted by apple and popularized in applications such as clubhouse. It has new vitality around the possibility of how sound can change the digital experience. Mach1 recently announced a partnership with evercast to support remote mix review, making it easier to produce content across distributed teams.
Emphasizing social justice and equity
Most of the content of this year’s XR experience exhibition reflects the broader discussion on social justice promoted by campaigns such as black life in the past few years. I was particularly moved by the breonna’s garden, which is a virtual reality experience (also available on mobile AR) that immerses the audience in the life of breonna Taylor. The emotional impact of that work is so strong that I have to take a break before it is finished, and I plan to revisit it again.
“Metaverse will take a long time to compete with Austin’s tacos.”
Outside the Expo site, I’m glad to see ruchika tulshyan’s “inclusion on purpose” and Melinda epler’s “how to a alliance” appear at this year’s Art Festival.
It’s amazing to have a party in person
Although Sxsw offers all these amazing technologies and content, the main highlights of my stay in Austin are meeting old friends, eating together, and chatting with new friends while drinking. I am very confident that technology can unite us. I will continue to support the company to break through possible boundaries, but I think the old-fashioned face-to-face conversation will always play an important role. Metaverse will take a long time to compete with Austin’s tacos.