Looney Tunes AI Experience
In the first quarter of 2020, the AT&T Flagship Store in Dallas's Discovery District introduced the 5G Virtual Layer. This technology used edge computing to manage a variety of immersive content experiences that could be easily swapped. Some of these experiences included Wonder Woman AR, compatible with Magic Leap and Samsung 5G phones, allowing users to interact with a virtual Wonder Woman. The store also featured an AI-powered Bugs Bunny, enabling fans to have live conversations with the animated character. The goal was to offer customers a unique and interactive retail experience through cutting-edge technology and 5G connectivity.
HBOMax Innovation
During the HBOMax innovation hackathon, numerous innovative tech concepts were generated to enhance the streaming services in the fragmented digital landscape of TV watching. A total of 787 ideas were generated, and from those, 50 concepts were developed further. Out of the 50 concepts, 25 were tested with consumers to gauge their reception and usability. Following the testing phase, 10 concepts stood out and were selected for further assessment and production. Some of the pitched and prototyped concepts included personalized recommendations, interactive watch parties, gamification elements, enhanced social sharing, dynamic content selection, personalized content channels, augmented reality (AR) enhanced viewing, voice-controlled navigation, offline viewing with smart downloads, and virtual reality (VR) immersive experiences. These concepts aimed to improve user engagement, personalization, and the overall streaming experience on HBOMax.
Immersive Worlds
The future of storytelling is being shaped by immersive experiences that merge the digital and physical worlds. One aspect is the creation of a platform for content discovery in the real world, utilizing augmented reality (AR) and tracking customer behavior. Another development involves bringing fantasy worlds into reality through large-scale AR overlays, enabled by 5G and standardized through the Discovery Platform. In the realm of advertising, 5G-powered digital out-of-home (DOOH) allows for dynamic and interactive content on city canvases. Additionally, viewers can become characters themselves in WarnerMedia worlds through technologies like live volumetric capture (volcap). These advancements aim to create personalized and captivating narratives that engage audiences in novel ways.
5G Social Video Platform
A 5G social video platform has the potential to revolutionize various aspects of sports and journalism. One application is the NBA 5G stadium activation, where fans can experience the game in new and immersive ways. This includes 5G fan broadcasting, allowing spectators to participate & share videos from multiple angles throughout the stadium. It also offers exclusive athlete training modules and augmented reality (AR) applications, bringing fans closer to the game and providing new perspectives. another application of the platform enables CNN citizen broadcasting, where verified journalists leverage 5G networks in stadiums, events, and cities to provide real-time broadcasts from unique perspectives. Users can instantly share their viewpoints and access footage from various sources. AI-powered coaching and analysis of intricate player data, supported by partnerships with Intel and IBM Watson, enhance the training tools and provide data-driven insights as viewers watch. The 5G social video platform also enables an interactive and immersive viewing experience. By leveraging networks of 5G phones in stadiums and high-density zones, combined with computer vision technology, users can watch the action in 3D and gain new perspectives. The near-zero latency of 5G allows for real-time data gathering and analysis as events unfold. Furthermore, the platform incorporates pre-verified citizen journalists who can capture live footage of news-worthy events worldwide. This ensures journalism with verified ground truth, delivering news in real time and providing a unique perspective on unfolding events.