This is the type of news that does not make the front page but that we should pay attention to: Apple has reportedly hired one of the top experts of virtual and augmented reality.
Indeed, virtual reality projects are not the top priority in newsrooms across the world, but I do see VR and its potential to enhance storytelling experiences for our readers. Right now, this VR is something that major players like The New York Times or The Los Angeles Times include as part of their offerings.
Slowly this will change, which is the reason I am intrigued to read that Apple has hired Doug Bowman, a top US-based VR researcher who previously held the post as a computer science professor at Virginia Tech. At the university, Bowman was the director of its center for human-computer interaction for around five years.
I have also added VR as one of the centerpieces of my initial State of the Media lecture for my Columbia Journalism School course, Multimedia Design & Storytelling.
Let’s keep an eye out for further developments in this area, and, specifically, what Apple has in store for VR fans.
The New York Times is now showing three virtual reality documentaries from the Sundance Film Festival.
Go here to take a look: