Note from the Editor: Do you remember back in the stone age when Google glasses were all the rage..for about a minute? But hey, what consumers found creepy and invasive then is clearly in the past as tech giants furiously work to be the first to bring a whole new iteration to market. Both META and Snap have both come out this month with beta prototypes of AR glasses that use a combination of AI and AR to make these glasses the next “must-have” for 2025/2026. Also in this issue: What can you do that AI can’t?
Deborah Reinow, Executive Editor |
Turns out AI is great..until it makes a mistake that a human needs to clear up?
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Can AI Be Trusted to Plan Your Next Trip? outsideonline.com
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Around 70 percent of Americans are using AI for travel planning, according to a recent survey. That stat convinced me it was time to give AI a try myself. Wouldn’t it be awesome if it could save me hours of research? What if a quick “conversation” with a chatbot could deliver intel on par with what I get from real people and my reporting? I decided to give it a go with an open mind. Of the 4 free AI tools I tried, results were middling, and some were befuddling. But one does have potential. |
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Trying to incorporate AI into your day? Check this out.
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10 ChatGPT Prompts Every Travel Advisor Should Use travelagewest.com |
If you are anything like me, you did not get into this business to spend all of your time on administrative work. We are travel pros, after all — we are meant to be traveling, selling and connecting with our clients and the world. Yet the admin workload is heavy and tedious. Luckily, ChatGPT exists now, and it is perfect for this type of work. The future is here, and it is not just for tech bros. |
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This is no new AR foray for Snap. They have been working in this arena for a long time.
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Here’s what I made of Snap’s new augmented-reality spectacles technologyreview.com
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Snap just announced a new version of its Spectacles today. These are AR glasses that could finally deliver on the promises devices like Magic Leap, or HoloLens, or even Google Glass, made many years ago. These fifth-generation Spectacles can display visual information and applications directly on their see-through lenses, making objects appear as if they are in the real world. The interface is powered by the company’s new operating system, Snap OS. Unlike typical VR headsets or spatial computing devices, these augmented-reality (AR) lenses don’t obscure your vision and re-create it with cameras. |
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But of course META is getting most of the attention.
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Meta Unveils Orion: The Next Step in AR Technology mixyoureality.com |
Meta has introduced Orion, a pair of advanced AR glasses that the company believes represent the most sophisticated technology of its kind to date. Previously known as Project Nazare, Orion combines the familiar look and feel of traditional glasses with the immersive capabilities of augmented reality. This product is the result of significant breakthroughs across multiple fields of modern computing. P.S. If you want to explore this prototype up close and see what’s in the future SOON click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpKKcqWnTus. It’s really something. |
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Still a stand-alone app but this is changing.
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How to use Google Lens when you travel usatoday.com |
Central Park is one of the most popular tourist attractions in New York City, but a simple stroll down its winding paths could leave travelers with many questions. Who made that statue? What’s the name of this bridge? When was it built? How do I rent a boat to row on the pond?
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I’ve successfully resisted replacing my 8Plus for years. Now I give up:)
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The New iPhone 16 camera button integrates with AI. How it works for travelers
skift.com |
The newest iPhones will come with an easy way to ask generative AI about real-life visuals. For travelers, that means easier ways of navigating new cities. P.S. If you don’t want to take the time to read the whole story-click on “summarize this story” in the ASK SHIFT box. Voila! AI in action. READ MORE
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Deborah Reinow, Executive Editor . Maria Polk, President & CEO maria@VRTourismNews.com
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