#54: AR Glasses & Tech with Purpose

In This Article

Around the Block…

• AR / VR / Visual: Meta, Shiseido, NBC Sports

• Gaming / Metaverse: Topgolf

• Roblox: Google

Chain Reactions!

• Tech with Purpose: Google’s Online Safety Game for Kids

• AR in Everyday Life: Meta’s ‘Orion’ Glasses Make It Look Possible

Around the Block…

AR / VR / Visual

• Meta: Unveils ‘Orion’ Augmented Reality Glasses Prototype

  • Meta has revealed ‘Orion,’ its first true augmented reality glasses, designed to merge the digital and physical worlds. Unlike previous smart glasses, ‘Orion’ features advanced AR capabilities, allowing users to interact with holographic displays and AI-powered features in real-time - enabling capabilities like multitasking with floating digital windows and making hands-free video calls. The glasses are available to Meta employees and select partners only, with Meta stating, ‘Rather than rushing to put it on shelves, we decided to focus on internal development first, which means we can keep building quickly and continue to push the boundaries of the technology, helping us arrive at an even better consumer product faster.’

    Source: Meta

• Shiseido: Elevates Skincare with 4D Immersive Experience at Macy's

  • Shiseido has launched an immersive multi-sensory experience at Macy’s New York City flagship from September 26th through 29th to spotlight its premium ‘Future Solution LX’ skincare line. Created with immersive tech company Xydrobe, the activation takes visitors on a sensory journey through Japanese landscapes using virtual reality, sounds, scents, and wind effects. Guests interact with the experience inside private pods, where they can explore the science behind the products and customize their journey with elements like digital landscapes and fragrances.

  • Source: Xydrobe / Glossy 

• NBC Sports: Brings AR & Gaming Tech to US Premier League Fan Event

  • NBC Sports enhanced its Premier League Mornings Live Fan Festival, held in Chicago on September 21st and 22nd, with tech-driven activations to engage fans. The event featured an AR photo booth, built by OMM using the Unity game engine, where fans could take pictures with lifelike digital versions of Premier League players. They could also personalize their photos with stickers and download them instantly. Additionally, the festival included an EA gaming zone, allowing fans to engage with immersive, soccer-themed video games, bringing a virtual twist to the matchday atmosphere.

  • Source: NBC Sports / LinkedIn (OMM) / X (NBCSportsSoccer)

Gaming / Metaverse

• Topgolf: Enters Fortnite with ‘Minigames’ Experience

  • Topgolf has launched a new gaming experience in Fortnite using the Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN), a tool for building custom maps and games. Developed in partnership with Zoned marketing agency, the collaboration lets players compete in mini-games like ‘Swing Showdown’ and ‘Topgolf World Tour’, exploring virtual locations like Santa Monica and Dubai. The activation captures the energy of Topgolf venues, with support from Fortnite streamers like Bugha and Nate Hill, and will feature special tournaments - including giving away free gameplay for life to the record holder on ‘World Tour’ mode.

  • Source: Fortnite (Topgolf Minigames) / X (Topgolf) / Instagram (Topgolf) / Venture Beat

Roblox

• Google: Launches Roblox Experience to Teach Kids Online Safety

  • Google has taken its ‘Be Internet Awesome’ program to Roblox, launching ‘Be Internet Awesome World’, an interactive experience focused on online safety for kids. Players can explore a virtual world while learning key skills like spotting phishing scams, creating strong passwords, and practicing online kindness. Through games like ‘Kind Kingdom’ and ‘Mindful Mountain’, players get immediate feedback as they navigate real-world online risks in a fun, engaging way.

  • Source: Roblox (Google - Be Internet Awesome World) / Google (Be Internet Awesome) / Google (Blog)

Chain Reactions!

Tech with Purpose: Google’s Online Safety Game for Kids

• Google’s ‘Be Internet Awesome World’ on Roblox is a great example of tech with a purpose. By turning online safety lessons into an interactive game, Google is making sure kids learn how to protect themselves online in a fun, engaging way. Not only is it helping teach skills like spotting scams, but it’s using tech to empower the next generation. This is a great reminder of how tech can do more than entertain and how brands can find practical applications to interject their messaging on trending platforms.

AR in Everyday Life: Meta’s ‘Orion’ Glasses Make It Look Possible

• Meta’s Orion AR glasses are a big step towards making augmented reality part of our everyday lives. The design feels like something you could wear all day, and the AR features, like floating windows and hands-free calls, show the potential for AR to blend into real life. With ‘Orion’, we’re starting to see what AR could look like when it’s finally ready for mainstream use—practical, immersive, and just part of everyday moments.

👀Looking for more inspiration? Check out our Innovative Brand Activation Database for Marketers, featuring over 200 brand activations & counting!

📢 Check out[101] A Beginner's Guide to Emerging Technologies for Marketers to learn the basics of the technologies we cover weekly.