What is Web Directions Reality?
Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality have been the next big thing for years, indeed on and off for decades. But the last two or three years have seen huge leaps in both the hardware and software associated with what is being called by some XR, or Extended Reality.
Apple's recent ARKIt announcements, coupled with Google's just announced ARCore have really ignited interest in mainstream, AR and VR adoption. And not content to be left behind, the web platform has seen a great deal of innovation, both in terms of standards, like WebVR, and platforms and tools for developing XR content on the Web.
Reality is a one day conference, part idea-driven, part hands on labs, with a chance to explore various technologies.
Real World Knowledge
Like all our events, Web Directions Reality, while looking to the horizon, is about things you can be doing today to bring tangible benefits to your organisation and users. It's not handwaving futurism, it's about the future that has arrived, but which just isn't evenly distributed yet. We'll cover:
- The state of Web based VR and AR systems and technologies today
- Design principles, practices and approaches to Web based Extended Reality
Featuring three of the most knowledgable experts globally in VR and AR, particularly on the Web: Iker Jamardo, tech lead of Google's Daydream project, and Rob Manson and Alex Young, founders of Australian based Web AR platform AWE Media, Reality will bring you up to speed with the current state of the technology, and design practices around Web AR and VR.
But we'll not just be discussing the concepts and technologies, you'll work hands on to design and develop Web VR and AR content, with workshops tailored to more design focused, and more developer-oriented skill sets.
Who is Web Directions Reality for?
Web Directions Reality brings together designers, product owners and managers, business decisions makers, developers and researchers, to explore the fertile opportunities provided by today's VR and AR technologies, particularly when delivered on the Web. But much of what we'll cover will be relevant whatever VR or AR platform you're delivering on.
Web Directions Summit
Reality is part of Web Directions Summit, running the day before the main two day, two track conference for your whole digital team. Come to all three days to both develop your AR and VR capabilities, and to keep up to speed with the latest developments in your field. In fact, we have a special offer to make that even better value.
Team offer
Send a team of eight or more to Summit and you'll receive a complimentary place at Reality. Simply book eight or more attendees, and we'll get in touch for details as to who'll be attending Web Directions Reality.
Web Directions Reality program
What happens on the day?
Web Directions Reality comprises two information rich presentation sessions, and three 90 minute hands-on lab sessions (choose two!) where you'll explore
- • Using WebVR and AR browser APIs
- • Capturing & creating 360° experiences
- • Creating WebAR with location, image and feature tracking
Sessions
Session 1: The State of Web AR and VR
9:00am–11:00am
With its vast reach, at home on every device, and increasing graphical, and device API capabilities, the Web is an overlooked, but powerful platform for both AR and VR content.
In this opening session we'll survey the current state of AR and VR technologies on the Web, and get a sense of what they are capable of. We'll also delve into the current state of interaction patterns and use cases across 360 video, augmented, virtual and mixed reality.
The State of Web VR/AR technologies
Iker Jamardo Tech Lead Google Daydream WebXR
How capable is the Web as a platform for Augmented and Virtual Reality? In this session we'll find out.
In this session, we'll take a deep dive into the current state of the Virtual and Augmented Reality technologies on the Web to be able to answer some very important questions: What can be done in VR/AR on the Web today? How can the Web be a game changer for VR and AR? What is the future for the VR/AR Web?
This talk will show the most outstanding examples of VR/AR websites to date, it will cover the progress on standards and the most cutting edge browser prototypes available, and try to respond to all these questions.
The Landscape of (Extended) Reality
Rob Manson Founder AWE Media
It feels like Virtual Reality is everywhere you look over the last year. For a technology that's over 55 years in the making, it’s taken a long time for VR to become an “overnight success”. What's driving this buzz and how does VR relate to Augmented, Mixed and Extended Reality?
We'll set the context for how these new technologies create "Immersive" experiences and why this is the key defining factor that will drive the next computing revolution, much like mobile did over the last 10-15 years, and the PC did before that.
We'll explore the key components that define these technologies and show you how you can start using them to solve design problems right now. Learn how you can use the Web to extend reality creating a friction-free, seamless experience for people across multiple devices (not just AR and VR goggles). Find out about the real world constraints that you need to keep in mind and how this is likely to evolve.
Session 2: Workshops
11:30am–1:30pm
In this, the first of two 90 minute workshop sessions, you can choose one of two options.
- Using WebVR and AR Browser APIs
- Create your own 360° & Location Based Experience
Each session will introduce the concepts and technologies, and give you hands-on experience developing with Web AR.
Create your own 360° & location based experience
Rob Manson & Alex Young Founders, AWE Media
If you create location based AR then your users may not always be in the right place to see your content. But if you capture 360° photos and videos to let people teleport to the right location, does that make sense for them if they're really there?
In this workshop you'll be shown how you can use the Web to design and deliver a seamless "on-site / off-site" experience that gives you the best of both worlds. By combining 360° based "virtual tourism" and location based "AR wayfinding" you can create a user experience that's much more compelling than each of these single solutions alone.
From Web VR to Web AR in no time flat
Iker Jamardo Tech Lead Google Daydream WebXR
In this workshop, tailored more toward developers comfortable with at least some JavaScript and DOM API experience, we'll explore the current state, and near term future of browser AR and VR capabilities, and build VR and AR Web apps that run in browsers across iOS and Android devices today, using the same underlying technologies.
Session 3: Workshops
2:30pm–5:00pm
In this session we'll build on the previous workshops to delve more deeply in to AR applications, working with location, image and other feature tracking technologies.
We'll finish the day with a Q&A session and further thoughts from our presenters.
Putting it all together
Rob Manson & Alex Young Founders, AWE Media
Choose the right conference pass |
3 Day Summit PassCombine Reality with the following day's Web Directions Summit Silver ticket and save $400.
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Reality Conference
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Find the conference pass for you
Reality Conference
Web Directions Reality November 8
- $699 until 22 Sept.
- $799 until 20 Oct.
- $899 Standard
3 Day Summit Pass
Combine Reality with the following day's Web Directions Summit Silver ticket and save hundreds.
Reality November 8
Summit November 9 & 10
- $1,599 Until 22 Sept.
- $1,699 Until 20 Oct.
- $1,799 Standard
Our venue
Web Directions Reality 2017 will be held at
Mercure Hotel
818-820 George St,
Ultimo NSW 2007
Getting there:
Mercure Hotel is right by Central Station, and many Sydney Bus services and Light rail.
Accommodation:
The Mercure has great, excellent value rooms and is a 10-15 minute walk, or one train stop from Australian Technology Park, the venue for Web Directions Summit.
Praise for past Web Directions events
Web Directions is the must-attend event of the year for anyone serious about web development.
Phil Whitehouse,
Innovation Lead DigitasLBi
I’ve been admiring the Web Directions events for years, and was honored to be part… What a fantastic event!
Ethan Marcotte,
inventor "responsive Web design"
Out of any conference, Web Directions is far and away our favourite
Dave Greiner,
founder Campaign Monitor
About Us
Co-founded and now run by John Allsopp, Web Directions has for over a decade brought together leading developers, engineers, visual, IxD, UX and product designers, Art and Creative Directors, indeed everyone involved in producing web and digital products to learn from one another, and the World's leading experts across this vast field.
We spend our lives thinking about what comes next, keeping up with trends in technology, practices and processes, and filtering the hype, to make sure you don't miss trends that matter, and don't waste time on hype that doesn't.
We promise attending one of our events will leave you significantly better versed in the challenges you face day to day, and in solutions for addressing them.
John Allsopp
John Allsopp has been working on the Web for over 20 years. He's been responsible for innovative developer tools such as Style Master, X-Ray and many more. He's spoken at numerous conferences around the World and delivered dozens of workshops in that time as well.
His writing includes two books, including Developing With Web Standards and countless articles and tutorials in print and online publications.
His "A Dao of Web Design" published in 2000 is cited by Ethan Marcotte as a key influence in the development of Responsive Web Design, who's rightly acclaimed article in 2010 begins by quoting John in detail, and by Jeremy Keith as "a manifesto for anyone working on the Web".
Code of Conduct
For over a decade, we've worked hard to create inclusive, fun, inspring and safe events for the Web Industry.
As part of our commitment to these values, we've adopted a code of conduct for all involved: ourselves, our speakers, our partners and our audience.
If you have any concern or feedback, please don't hesitate to contact us.