Flying across the world from Europe to Australia currently takes around 20 hours in a regular passenger jet.
But Swiss startup Destinus is looking to slash that time to just four hours — by taking jet travel to hypersonic speeds.
Founded by Russian-born physicist and serial entrepreneur Mikhail Kokorich, Destinus is developing a prototype hydrogen-powered aircraft capable of travelling at Mach 5 and above. That’s five times the speed of sound: over 6000 kph.
This would take you from Frankfurt to Sydney in just over four hours. London to New York? 90 minutes.
To achieve such speeds the aircraft would travel at altitudes of over 50km, right at the upper edge of the Earth’s atmosphere, where drag is significantly lower. The hypersonic aircraft would use hydrogen-fuelled air-breathing turbojet engines for takeoff and landing, with a separate ramjet rocket engine to take it to hypersonic speeds. The startup claims the jet — essentially half rocket, half plane — would be net zero carbon, only emitting heat and water vapour.
Destinus’ first aircraft, capable of carrying 25 passengers up to 7,500km will be ready by the end of this decade, projects Kokorich. Follow-on planes will be progressively larger, seating up to 100 passengers and beyond.
Destinus has been testing its prototype aircraft for the past couple of years, announcing successful test flights of its second prototype — Eiger — at an airport near Munich last year.
The Eiger prototype hypersonic jet at an airport near Munich. Credit: Destinus
The company also recently received its share of two grants worth €27m from the Spanish Ministry of Science. The first grant (€12m) will help fund the development of a hydrogen engine test facility near Madrid, which will house the startup’s prototype aircraft. The second (€15m) will fund research into liquid hydrogen-powered propulsion systems.
“We are delighted to have been awarded these grants, especially because they are a clear sign that Destinus is aligned with the strategic lines of Spain and Europe to advance hydrogen flight,” said Davide Bonetti, VP Business Development and Products for Destinus.
“For deep tech companies like us, access to these EU recovery funds is essential to carry out advanced research and accelerate the innovation needed to be competitive on a global scale. With these grants, hydrogen-based solutions for aeronautical mobility will be one step closer to becoming a reality.”
The project is part of Spain’s push to be at the forefront of developing and producing hydrogen-based mobility in a number of sectors.
But don’t start planning your holiday just yet.
Hydrogen-powered aircraft are still very much in their infancy, and have been plagued by issues from the outset. Liquid hydrogen is four times lighter than jet fuel, meaning it requires four times the storage capacity on board, and big fuel tanks to match.
It is also currently 20 times more expensive than jet fuel, and is unlikely to become price competitive this decade. Moreover, international airports will need to build hydrogen infrastructure from scratch to accommodate the new aircraft — an effort they aren’t likely to undertake without guaranteed returns.
And things get even more complicated when taking these aircraft to hypersonic speeds. While we have travelled at hypersonic speeds before — the most recent being NASA’s test flight of the X-43 experimental unmanned hypersonic aircraft in 2004, which managed to reach a mindblowing Mach 9.6 — commercially viable hypersonic travel is still a long way off. There’s a lot that physicists don’t understand, particularly how to build a plane capable of withstanding the extreme heat.
While this is definitely a big reality check, it hasn’t necessarily deterred investors. VCs are pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into hypersonic startups such as Hermeus and Venice Aerospace. Airlines are also hopping on the superspeed bandwagon: last year, American Airlines committed to purchasing 20 Overture Jets, developed by US startup Boom Supersonic.
Researchers are also hard at work ironing out some of the technical hurdles. Scientists at the RMIT University in Melbourne recently developed 3D printed catalysts which they say can power hypersonic flight and act as a cooling agent to combat the extreme heat produced by hypersonic flight.
Spain has officially launched its own national space agency, at a time when Europe looks to establish itself as a global space industry leader.
Plans for the Spanish Space Agency, or Agencia Espacial Española (AEE), were first announced in May 2021, and finally got the political thumbs up last month.
The agency will be based in Seville, near the Arenosillo launch facility in Huelva, which was built in the 60s as part of a collaboration between the Spanish government and NASA. Initially, around 75 personnel will be based at the site.
The agency will serve to “guarantee Spain’s strategic action in the field of space, both from the point of view of its technological development and the use of space in areas such as security, Earth observation, geolocation, and telecommunications,” according to astatement from Spain’s Ministry of Science and Innovation.
“Space is a priority and strategic area, essential to help and protect our society in fields as diverse as cybersecurity, navigation, the fight against climate change, or the monitoring of phenomena such as drought or fires,” the statement continued.
Minister for Science and Innovation, Diana Morant, has allocated the new agency an initial budget of more than €700m in 2023.
The minister has also made €45m available to fund the development of a domestic microlauncher. This class of launch vehicle, Morant said, is “the commercial future of the space sector.”
Currently, the most likely contender to receive the funding is PLD Space. Founded in 2011, the Spanish startup has developed a suborbital microlauncher, named Miura 1, that will be capable of delivering commercial payloads to space and back. It is set to launch as early as this month.
Spain has a long history in the space industry. It is one of the founding members of the European Space Agency (ESA) and has a thriving spacetech ecosystem. As of 2019, 12% of the total 400+ investors in the global private space industry — dubbed ‘new space’ — were based in Spain.
In addition to frontrunners PLD Space, startups to watch include Barcelona-basedZero 2 Infinity, which has developed a balloon-borne launcher, Madrid-based ienai GO, a space industry software provider, and Bilbao-based SATLANTIS, which is developing AI-enabled payloads for microsatellites.
The launch of the Spanish Space Agency is undoubtedly a major boost to these startups and the country’s spacetech industry as a whole, and comesas Europe looks to catch up with the US, Russia, and China in the global space race.
Croquet, the multiplayer platform for web and gaming, which took home the WebXR Platform of the Year award at this year’s Polys WebXR Awards, recently announced Croquet for Unity.
Croquet for Unity is an innovative JavaScript multiplayer framework for Unity – a platform for creating interactive, real-time 3D content – that simplifies development by eliminating multiplayer code and server setup. It connects developers with the distinct global architecture of the Croquet Multiplayer Network. The framework was demonstrated at GDC last week, while early access beta is arriving in April 2023.
Effortless Networking for Developers
Croquet for Unity alleviates the developers’ need to generate and sustain networking code. By employing Croquet’s Synchronized Computation Architecture, server-side programming and traditional servers become unnecessary.
Users connect through the Croquet Multiplayer Network, which consists of Reflectors—stateless microservers located across four continents—that guarantee smooth and uniform experiences for gamers.
Synchronizing Computation for Flawless Multiplayer
At its essence, Croquet focuses on synchronizing not only the state but also its progression over time. By harmonizing computation, Croquet eliminates the need to transmit the outcomes of intricate computations like physics or AI.
It also eliminates the necessity for particular data structures or sync indicators for designated objects. As a result, crafting multiplayer code becomes akin to creating single-player code, with the full game simulation executing on-device.
Shared Virtual Computers for Perfect Sync
A shared virtual computer runs identically on all clients, providing perfect synchronization and giving each player a unique perspective. Lightweight reflectors can be positioned at the edge of the cloud or in a 5G network’s MEC, offering lower latency than older architectures.
In addition, synchronized calculations performed on each client will replace traditional server computations, resulting in reduced bandwidth and improved latency.
Unprecedented Shared Multiplayer Simulations
Croquet not only facilitates multiplayer development but also enables previously unfeasible shared multiplayer simulations. Examples include real-time interactive physics as a fundamental game feature, fully reproduced non-player character behaviors, and sophisticated player interactions that allow players to interact while the game is live.
Due to bandwidth limits and intrinsic complexity, traditional networks are incapable of supporting these simulations.
“Innately Multiplayer” Games With No Netcode
“Multiplayer games are the most important and fastest-growing part of the gaming market. But building and maintaining multiplayer games is still just too hard,” said David A. Smith, founder and CTO of Croquet, in a press release shared with ARPost. “Croquet takes the netcode out of creating multiplayer games. When we say, ‘innately multiplayer,’ we mean games are multiuser automatically from the first line of code and not as an afterthought writing networking code to make it multiplayer.”
Croquet’s goal is to simplify developing multiplayer games, making it as easy as building single-player games. By removing netcode creation and administration, developers can concentrate on improving player experiences while benefiting from reduced overall creation and distribution costs, a speedier time to market, and enhanced player satisfaction.
Opening Doors for Indie Developers
Croquet for Unity is created for a wide range of gaming developers, but it is highly advantageous for small, independent developers that often find it more difficult to create multiplayer games because of the absence of in-house networking and backend technical background.
Secure Your Spot on the Croquet for Unity Beta Waitlist
Developers can sign up for the Beta Waitlist to access the Croquet for Unity beta, launching in April.The Croquet for Unity Package will be available in the Unity Asset Store upon commercial release for free, requiring a Croquet gaming or enterprise subscription and developer API key for global Croquet Multiplayer Network access.
With the passage of the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) in 2022, online platforms, including Apple, with EU revenues of 75 billion euros or more and at least 45 million active monthly end users must open up their devices to third party app stores.
The DMA aims to end unfair practices by large online platforms that hold a high degree of market power and function as so-called digital “gatekeepers,” providing key gateways between consumers and business users. The goal of the DMA is to make it easier for small and mid-size tech companies to enter markets currently dominated by the large tech giants.
Under one provision of the law, Apple must allow third-party app stores, such as Setapp, a subscription-based service from MacPaw for iOS and MacOS applications, Steam, a popular distribution platform for video games from Valve, and AltStore, a third party app installer, on its platform. In addition, Apple must also permit sideloading, i.e., allowing users to install software that they download from the Internet.
A number of popular gaming apps have found themselves cut off from the platform.
Although Apple has raised privacy and security concerns about allowing alternative app stores and sideloading on its platform and has not officially stated it will abide by the law, the company is reportedly developing software to comply with European Union requirements scheduled to go into effect in 2024, according to Bloomberg.
“This is all about more competition in the digital sphere,” said Maciej Marek, a senior associate at Dentons’ competition and antitrust division. “There is this perception that digital giants have grown too big and there is not enough competition in this area.”
The DMA is the EU’s largest legislative effort to date to crack down on the monopolisation of the industry by Silicon Valley’s tech giants. While the EU has typically handled each antitrust issue individually, the DMA introduces comprehensive reforms intended to address widespread issues in the entire sector. But the key question is, how will these new regulations really impact Apple, its users, and the EU’s app market moving forward?
Benefits for Apple, users, and developers
Apple’s App Store comes preinstalled on all iOS devices and, as it was the only app store available on iPhones and iPad devices, the tech giant has been able to set the rules for the distribution of apps to users of its devices. Additionally, Apple generates a huge profit from its App Store, taking up to 30% (15% for those with less than $1 million in annual net sales) commission on all App Store transactions and regular subscriptions (subscription fees drop to 15% after the first year).
Although Apple may be somewhat resistant to the requirements of the DMA Mykola Savin, Setapp’s product lead, believes this might actually benefit the company by enabling it to offer its customers more choices, new innovations, and an overall better experience. “We have seen cases like this before, for example, with the new regulations in banking that came with Payment Services Directive 2,” he said.
Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2), which went into full effect on Sept. 14, 2019, forced banks to release their data in a secure and standardised form to more easily share it with third-party providers (including fintechs offering new financial services). At first, banks were resistant to this idea because of security issues but later found that open banking enables them to offer a wider range of services to their customers and facilitates partnerships with startups offering new solutions.
“They were dealing with a lot of sensitive data in terms of bank accounts and transactions but, when it was properly regulated and opened up, now we see a lot of really useful products for budgeting, asset management, and peer to peer payments. So it’s a whole new industry and, again, this translates to a better experience,” Savin explained.
Likewise Savin pointed out that competition can often help push a business to innovate. He cited the famous US antitrust case against Microsoft in the 90s that forced the company to allow other browsers on Windows, rather than simply its own Internet Explorer.
“When it was done properly, and to the courtesy of Microsoft they’ve done it correctly, it was a clear choice for users which browsers to use as a default. This really helped Chrome and other browsers to rise up again because it wasn’t about the product, it was about allowing users to choose the best service. Now Microsoft pivoted to Edge and they’re integrating OpenAI because they were forced to compete and forced to innovate,” Savin said.
It should be up to the user where they get their apps.
Ioannis Kokkoris, director of the Centre for Commercial Law Studies at Queen Mary University of London, pointed out another benefit to Apple.
“There is a benefit to Apple having more than one app store on its platform,” he said. “Maybe there are certain applications that aren’t available on the Apple App Store because the developers only made them for the Google Play Store. By placing the Play Store on its platform, customers who would have purchased [Android] phones will now be more likely to buy iPhones because they can access those other apps.”
For example, a number of popular apps, especially in the lucrative gaming sector, have found themselves cut off from the platform due to Apple’s stringent App Store rules. Fortnite, one of the most popular games, was banned from Apple’s App Store in 2020 because its parent company, Epic Games, attempted to lead users to purchase virtual currency on its own website, breaching Apple’s terms and conditions.
Additionally, the DMA will create a lot of opportunities for smaller independent developers to experiment and find out what works for users, enabling them to create better products and try new business models and distribution channels, Savin said. For example, Setapp works on a subscription basis meaning that app developers may be able to capture an audience that might not be searching for their app directly but would consider using it as part of a productivity suite.
Allowing more competition in the market benefits users because they have more choice as to the app store they want to use, according to Kokkoris. “And more choice is always better for consumers because there will be lower prices, more innovation, and higher quality because you have more competition,” he said.
Security and privacy concerns are legitimate
Marek acknowledged that Apple’s issues around security and user privacy are legitimate, adding that the DMA also recognizes those concerns.
“The DMA clearly states that the gatekeeper can take actions that are necessary and proportionate to ensure that sideloading and third-party apps stores won’t endanger its integrity and security,” Marek said. “But, of course, the question is how exactly to address those concerns when you implement the requirements [of the DMA].”
Testing is necessary before any actual security solution is implemented.
Although the DMA does not include any criteria for determining whether third-party app stores are secure, the European Commission will decide on the criteria based on the views of Apple as well as on the recommendations of technical experts, Kokkoris said.
“Apple knows how to address these security issues,” he said. “And I think Apple could introduce some proper rules and guidelines for third-party stores to follow. And there should also be some general user awareness about security.”
Savin agreed that it’s important for users to be aware of security risks so they can make informed decisions about which applications they can trust.
“Let’s leave the choice to the user. We’re grownups, we make our own choices every day. On the web, we choose what bank to trust, where to purchase our groceries, and I think that should also be true for our data and for where we decide to get our apps.”
Marek added that the European Commission has to ensure the safety and integrity of Apple’s ecosystem or users will likely lose trust in it, “And everyone would be worse off. Not only Apple but also developers and users,” he said. “They must be very careful when implementing the provision because there will be some regulatory dialogue between the Commission and Apple about how to exactly interpret this provision and exactly what they should do to implement it and what safeguards they should implement.”
Consequently, testing is necessary before any actual security solution is implemented — testing on the side of an app, Marek said. He added that after implementation, the Commission should probably reassess the solution to ensure the safety and integrity of the third-party app stores.
“And I think that the Commission should be careful in the sense that they should take it one step at a time when implementing the solution. They should err on the side of safety and then reassess [the solution] periodically. I think it would really be a shame if this just reduces quality for the user.”
The DMA has the potential to further reduce the dominance of big tech within the EU and increase competition. But, as mentioned, this may not be such a bad thing for all parties involved. While the direct impact of the DMA on the business models of these large platforms is still unclear, it may cause others to adopt similar legislation. In fact, there are already examples of laws aimed at curbing anti-competitive practices in Germany and South Korea. Whatever happens, it’s certain that the DMA will make the EU’s app market an interesting one to watch for developers, users, and big tech alike.
Ladies and gentlemen, the moment has almost arrived: TNW València is next week!
In case you’ve been living under a rock (or frequenting another tech site, you traitor), we’re taking our cherished festival on the road. After 16 glorious years in Amsterdam, we’re bringing the show to Spain’s Mediterranean coast — and you’re all invited.
We’re not only there for the sun, sea, and sand — far from it, in fact. València has the fastest-growing innovation ecosystem in Spain, and the most startups per capita in the country. On March 30th and 31st, we’ll showcase the best tech in the region to over 2,000 guests.
Across the two days, attendees will enjoy inspirational talks, networking events, learning opportunities, and the same festival vibes as our Amsterdam flagship. The entire editorial team will also be there, awaiting your company, ideas, and, of course, abuse.
València is one of the world’s most exciting tech hubs.
In total, we’re hosting over 100 speakers, 75 investors, 90 exhibitors, and 3,000 meetings. Admittedly, this has created one big problem: you simply can’t catch them all. To help find your way through the jam-packed agenda, here are eight highlights at TNW València.
1. The official opening ceremony and party
While the main agenda kicks off on March 30, the fun starts a day earlier, at our opening party.
Our guestlist contains a range of political heavyweights. They include Diana Morant, Spain’s Minister of Science and Innovation; Sandra Gomez, Deputy Mayor of València; Arcadi España García, Minister of Finance of the Generalitat Valenciana; and Borja Sanjuán, Vice Mayor of Economic Development at the City of València.
Join them (and us) for drinks, bites, and networking from 19: 00 at Zeus València. To register for the party, click here.
2. A game of padel
The opening party is one of 10 side events, offering a healthy mix of learning, networking, and partying. On March 31, you can even join a padel tournament at the València Tennis Center. I’ll be waiting on the court, so you better bring your F-game.
3. Unmissable speakers
We’ve assembled a dazzling array of keynote speeches, fireside chats, panel discussions, and workshops. With more tech luminaries than a PayPal reunion, it’s hard to rank the speakers — but here are five of my favourites:
Heini Zachariassen, Founder and CEO of Vivino
Zachariassen built the world’s most-downloaded wine app and largest online wine marketplace. His company has made wine more accessible — and I speak from experience. My use of Vivino has become alarmingly frequent, but at least it’s finding me quality plonk at bargain prices.
Our speakers will shine lights on sustainability, AI, deep tech, and much more.
Katica Roy, Founder and CEO of Pipeline Equity
An award-winning economist and former Global 500 executive, Roy founded Pipeline Equity in 2017. At València, she’ll discuss how to close the innovation gap.
Miguel Ángel Leal, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at LaLiga
As a digital chief at LaLiga, Ángel injects innovation into a legendary football league. His role combines the best of both tech and sports, which sounds like a dream job for me — other than my position at TNW, of course.
Jen Carter, Global Head of Technology at Google.org
Carter leads the pro bono initiatives at Google.org, the Big G’s philanthropic arm. Having spent six years at the organisation, and a decade in Google’s Trust and Safety team, Carter has a unique understanding of using tech for good.
Alex Roca, Ambassador at FC Barcelona
It’s not only tech leaders that are taking the stage. One of our most intriguing speakers is Alex Roca, who recently became the first person with a 76% physical disability to complete a marathon. At TNW València, he’ll give his first public speech since achieving the feat.
4. The FT Power Hours
Our beloved overlords at the Financial Times are bringing their best brains to València. At a series of sessions dubbed FT Power Hours, they’ll discuss tech’s hottest business trends with industry leaders.
5. The Startup Pitch Battle
It’s not all fun and games. While we don’t condone violence at TNW, we do love a pitch battle — and this one’s sure to be fiery. Some of the world’s most exciting startups will be presenting their ideas to our distinguished jury.
The startup stakes will be high.
The challengers will compete for the attention of top investors, a collection of prizes, and — most importantly of all — a profile by your favourite editorial team. I mean us, by the way.
And if you need to sharpen your skills, check out the startup pitching workshop at 12: 30 on Thursday.
6. A ride on the TNW Ferris wheel
It wouldn’t be a TNW festival without our cherished Ferris wheel. As well as offering fun rides and stunning views, the carriages are the perfect place for private meetings — partly because your interlocutor can’t leave.
7. A stroll through the business floor
Our exhibition floor has racked up a vibrant mix of ideas and products.
The 92 organisations in the business hall encompass big brands such as Mercadona, Hubspot, and Helloprint; Valencian tech players like Sesame HR, Social Nest, and Delivers.AI; and government agencies including Spain Up Nation, Valencia Activa, Generalitat, Invest in Valencia.
There’s a lot to see, but our floor plan can smooth your route through the space.
The arena is dotted with stages, exhibitors, and lounges
I could go on and on, but my schedule is already bursting at the stems. Hopefully, these seven tips are enough to help your enjoy the festivities.
If they’re not, feel free to give me feedback at the bar. I’ll have an Aigua de València, por favor.
Recently, we asked if it was possible for Europe to have a dominant smartphone again. The answer was simple: no, not unless there’s some sort of miracle.
The reason behind this is multifaceted, but the core point is that because Asia hosts the majority of the world’s mobile manufacturing facilities, it’s borderline impossible for European companies to create a good enough phone at a low enough price to succeed.
But, here at TNW, we had another question: could Europe launch its own mobile operating system?
Why do we need a European mobile OS?
On first inspection, it’s an excellent idea. A European operating system could wrestle some of the power back from Silicon Valley behemoths iOS and Android. Also, it wouldn’t require the use of factories or raw materials, as the software could be developed in the continent itself.
Then let’s not forget that Europe has been at the forefront of digital privacy regulation, with initiatives like the GDPR and strict data-scraping laws enforcing citizens’ rights against data-hungry US tech giants.
A European mobile operating system, then, could be used to ensure privacy at the highest level for people and extend an element of control over the tech ecosystem. That latter point is particularly important, because not only do Apple and Google have control over the apps that appear on their platforms, they also take huge revenue cuts from publishers. That’s a staggering amount of power and income — all of which the EU could make use of.
But… is a European OS even possible?
To find out, I got in touch with several experts. One of them was Jan Stryjak, an associate director at Counterpoint Research. He leads the analyst firm’s research in Europe, and has over 13 years of experience in the telecommunications, media, and tech industries.
The first thing he told me was that there was no space on the market for a new European — or any other, for that matter — mobile operating system. “Two is enough,” he says, referring to iOS and Android. There were attempts in the past to make Windows a third dominant mobile OS, but these failed. While Windows Mobile and Symbian had their days in the sun, Android and iOS edged both out.
“It doesn’t work,” Stryjak tells me about the possibility of another operating system joining Apple and Google’s mobile operating systems. Well, there goes that dream.
When I pressed Stryjak further on the chances for such a thing, the only potential he saw was something for “the really niche tech population who care about privacy.”
Let’s talk about the third option
This topic of privacy is something I discussed with Wayne Huang, VP of Product Operations at Fairphone. His company creates devices that aim to be sustainable and climate neutral, with the goal of making repairable devices that give power back to the consumer.
One of Fairphone’s core customer segments is precisely the tech niche that cares about privacy. When I asked him how this option was expressed on their devices, Huang pointed me towards Fairphone’s partnership with the /e/ Foundation, specifically its Linux-based /e/OS mobile operating system.
In 2020, /e/OS was chosen as an alternative operating system for the Fairphone 3.
Users of Fairphone are able to install the privacy-first /e/OS, which is an open-source operating system that doesn’t track user data. Despite this, Android apps can still be used on the platform and /e/OS will warn you about any built-in trackers they provide.
Huang was unable to give me numbers on how many people use /e/OS on Fairphone devices. The closest figure I found came from Gaël Duval, the creator of the system. In 2021, he claimed there are “between 25,000 and 35,000 users of /e/OS” in total.
What we’ve found, then, is a pretty hard ceiling for a privacy-focused mobile OS. Currently, this is a niche option for niche devices. Yes, it could potentially grow and attract a healthy number of users, but this approach is unlikely to challenge the dominance of Android and iOS.
Instead, as Stryjak explained to me, at best, a new OS on mobile devices will likely be similar to Linux on desktop computers: something that attracts a devoted fanbase, but fails to make it into the mainstream.
Ending things there though is boring. We need to run this thought experiment through to its logical conclusion and truly work out what would happen if Europe developed its own mobile operating system.
Time to pretend
Let’s say that several EU member states disregard the above. They think the experts are misguided: there is room for a third major mobile operating system and they should be the ones to make it. What happens then?
Well, one thing’s for certain: it won’t be plain sailing.
“I’ve been on a number of calls with European Commissioners… where they’ve brought up a Linux system and asked if they can create something like this,” Huang tells TNW. “The challenge is that it’s difficult to bring everyone together to work towards this goal.”
Let’s not forget that the EU consists of 27 individual nations, all with different cultures and agendas. Getting countries that are more sceptical about big government and censorship on board with a European operating system will be a hard sell.
But let’s pretend that, somehow, the EU manages to get each nation to agree that a European mobile operating system is actually a fantastic idea. The topic leapfrogs the invasion of Ukraine, sustainability, gas prices, and inflation to become the pressing matter in the European parliament. What then?
The technical tribulations
Stryjak from Counterpoint tells TNW that the first big problem a European mobile operating system would face is how it would isolate the continent from the rest of the planet.
“The world is getting bigger, but closer at the same time,” he tells TNW. For almost every function in modern society, “you need to have interoperability within Europe and other markets.” In other words, software needs to work with other software, or things come tumbling down.
Stryjak has worked in European telecoms for more than 15 years.
If a European mobile OS was created, it’d require an unbelievable amount of work to make it function with existing apps and functionalities across the world.
Let’s think of it this way: would you switch to a phone that didn’t have a native Gmail app? Or Twitter? TikTok? Instagram? It would take an inordinate amount of time just for those companies to port over their software — and they’re some of the best-resourced organisations in the world.
Imagine how long it’d take for smaller businesses to port over all the apps you may need for work or life. It’d be an undertaking of galactic proportions.
Achieving the “same functionality of Samsung and Apple [phones] would take many iterations to get to,” Stryjak continues. And honestly? People aren’t willing to wait that long for software to get good. They want it to work and they want it to work now.
And then we have the political problems
Continuing on this thought experiment, let’s say this magical European mobile OS manages to overcome these development hurdles, and gets every engineer and coder alive to focus on making their software and hardware work perfectly with this new system. What then?
“If there’s a Europe-specific OS, can it operate in Russia or China?” Stryjak asks. The focus of this system would likely be enforcing GDPR and digital privacy, so could it operate in places where those regulations aren’t as stringent?
The answer, likely, is no.
You only need to look at the privacy uproar around HarmonyOS and Huawei’s tribulations with the US to get a feeling for how countries outside of Europe would react to a state-backed operating system. In short, badly.
If the EU somehow managed to get its member states to agree to create a mobile operating system, the likelihood is that it’d end up under-supported, struggling for users, and banned in various countries across the world.
To put that another way, it’d be pretty useless.
But is there any need for a European mobile OS?
Circling back to the crux of the piece, the answer is similar to hardware: no, not really.
The EU has been one of the biggest drivers in the digital privacy push and, although it could do even more if it had control over its own OS, the reality is that it’s already had a huge impact on technological privacy. As long as the bloc contains such a huge and affluent user base, it will continue to hold some sort of sway over Silicon Valley.
In a dream world, a European mobile operating system could improve a lot of things, but in reality? Pointless.
The world has changed so much over the past few years. The global pandemic, the war in Ukraine, worsening climate change, widespread social unrest — all these challenges have had major consequences for families, small businesses, and communities globally. For the first time in our lifetimes, global poverty and hunger are on the rise, and the economic environment remains uncertain and unstable.
As challenges evolve, so do solutions. While today’s challenges seem overwhelming, we’re also seeing powerful opportunities to build a fair, inclusive, and resilient economy. According to the 2021 Findex, more than a billion people gained access to formal financial accounts over the past decade — thanks to a digital revolution accelerated by the pandemic. This is very encouraging progress.
But 2 billion people remain excluded from the global financial system — and they will be much harder to reach. They are smallholder farmers, micro and small businesses in remote areas, and, more often than not, women.
As more people gain basic financial tools, they can use them to improve their lives — and access a broader suite of tools to build resilience. A farmer can purchase insurance to protect against climate disasters, a small business owner can access revolving credit to manage supply chain issues, and an aspiring software developer can save money and gain new skills to boost her income.
Inclusive fintechs are uniquely positioned to maximize these opportunities — and respond to challenges. Accion helped pioneer the field of inclusive fintech by launching one of the world’s first global fintech funds for the underserved, and by nurturing innovators with funding and support, we’ve seen how they can disrupt the status quo to deliver meaningful social change.
Today, we’re particularly excited by three fintech innovations with the potential to facilitate this momentum, and address the challenges disproportionately affecting underserved communities globally:
1. Embedded finance
While traditional finance often requires customers to jump through hoops, embedded finance makes it possible to offer services to customers upfront, using their data to anticipate their needs and credit risk.
For example, Accion’s seed-stage inclusive fintech investor, Accion Venture Lab has invested in Cashinvoice in India, which leverages data on small businesses to embed supply chain financing products in large platforms that small businesses already use, like suppliers of inventory for fast-moving consumer goods stores. This innovative practice has the potential to seamlessly equip millions of underserved people with the financial tools they need to improve their lives.
As more financial tools integrate with every aspect of the digital economy, we’re seeking to scale innovations that create new entry points for embedded finance in platforms that our end clients already use, like retailers selling seeds to smallholder farmers. We believe embedded finance solutions focused on reaching farmers, small businesses, and women have great potential to advance resilience and inclusion.
2. Agtech finance
Two thirds of the world’s working poor make a living through agriculture, and they are increasingly vulnerable to climate change. By equipping farmers with new financial tools and digital capabilities, we can help them build resilience. And in the relatively new field of agritech, we’ve seen exciting innovations emerge over the past few years that have great potential to generate social impact.
We’ve already seen encouraging results through our work with agtech fintechs like PULA and Apollo Agriculture that leverage technologies including satellite imaging and mobile apps to equip smallholder farmers across sub-Saharan Africa with crop insurance, customized advice, and credit. Through digital transformation and fintech integration, we’ve also deepened the impact of microfinance providers like Fundación Génesis Empresarial in Guatemala and Dvara KGFS in India that provide credit and other financial services to farmers.
As agtech finance continues to evolve, we’re particularly interested in targeting other service providers within the agricultural value chain, including aggregators, farmer-allied intermediaries, and distributors, to help them serve farmers and their communities more effectively.
3. Future of work finance
Increasingly, people are earning a living through non-traditional employment models, including gig or informal work, and they are particularly vulnerable to financial shocks. By nurturing financial service providers focused on these populations, we can help them gain a stronger foothold in the economy and strengthen their resilience.
For example, our fintech partner MyRobin has created a digital platform that provides blue-collar workers in Indonesia with access to fair employment opportunities, training, and financial services that strengthen their resilience and advance their careers, and our partner UGAFODE in Uganda is helping refugees start businesses and access financial tools.
In the short-term, we’re exploring opportunities to support workers shifting from informal to formal work through gig work platforms, prioritizing those that cater to women. In the long-term, we may also consider the global implications of automation, migration, and displacement on the workforce —and how solutions like cross-border payments and upskilling can help these workers build their financial health.
Accelerating change through knowledge and collaboration
Sharing our knowledge is critical to creating systemic change. Convenings like TNW Valencia are essential to share insights and explore the impact of new innovations — including those in embedded finance, agtech, and the future of work — to better gauge the effectiveness of our own work, and promote demonstration models that enable providers to better serve their clients.
I’m excited to work with our team — and with partners across the public, private, and social sectors — to scale our impact. The future is uncertain, but the challenges of the past have granted us new lessons, powerful tools, and greater resolve to support people with the most urgent needs.
Interested in learning more about inclusive fintech and Accion’s work in this field? Come check out Michael Schlein’s FT Power Hour talk on How fintech innovation can drive inclusive growth at at TNW Valencia 2023 on Thursday, March 30th from 13: 05-13: 25 on the Impact stage.
Pico Interactive took to the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco this week with a massive booth, hyping the event as a “treat” that would be a ‘Journey to Infinity’. Well, there’s nothing in particular to announce.
Pico, the creator of the Pico 4 standalone, is arguably one of the biggest untapped threats to Meta’s market supremacy in the consumer VR standalone segment. At least for now.
Owned by TikTok parent company ByteDance, many speculated that the China-based Pico was finally ready to announce the consumer launch of Pico 4 in the United States, a step that many (including us) have been waiting for following a US hiring spree last summer.
At the time, a Protocol report maintained the move would usher in “a major focus on content licensing as well as marketing its hardware to U.S. consumers.”
Image courtesy Pico
So, is Pico 4 coming to US consumers? We spoke to the company at GDC this week, and despite a flashy ‘save the date’ countdown to its ‘Journey to Infinity’ and a massive booth on the show floor, there’s simply nothing to report.
To boot, Pico’s Twitter presence isn’t very large—it has less than 10,000 followers at the time of this writing—but the initial countdown tweet promising to kick off “a new journey” managed to take the record for the company’s most-viewed tweet at more than 67,000 impressions. People were expecting something big from Pico at GDC, and it simply didn’t manifest.
Pico is probably the only company right now with both a capable device and the market stability to directly compete with Meta, the undisputed champion of the consumer standalone segment with Quest 2. Under the wing of the Chinese ByteDance media empire, Pico not only has the sort of cash reserves to subsidize hardware, but also a growing ability to attract developer interest.
Launched in October 2022 and priced at €420 (~$455), Pico 4 is available across Europe, China and a number of APAC countries, including Japan, Singapore, and South Korea. The missing puzzle piece is undoubtedly a North American release.
But, if you’re still waiting to hear about the much-anticipated US rollout, you should adjust your expectations for this week, because the only thing going on at the Pico booth are demos for the headset.
We have boots on the ground at GDC this week, so make sure to check back on all things AR/VR as we dive into developer sessions and see everything on the show floor.
Meta has nearly scrubbed all of its products of the Oculus name, however the company today announced its third-party publishing wing is getting a sort of rebrand that will see the Oculus name live on.
Meta announced at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) that it’s naming its third-party publishing arm Oculus Publishing. The company tells us Oculus Studios, its first-party studio, will continue to exist.
To date, Meta’s growing fleet of acquired first-party studios includes Beat Games (Beat Saber), Sanzaru Games (Asgard’s Wrath), Ready at Dawn (Lone Echo & Echo VR), Downpour Interactive (Onward), BigBox VR (Population: One), and Within (Supernatural).
Third-party titles under Oculus Publishing include Among Us VR (Innersloth, Schell Games), Bonelab (Stress Level Zero), The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners (Skydance Interactive), and Blade & Sorcery: Nomad (Warpfrog).
Notably, there’s little left that sports the Oculus brand since the company made its big metaverse pivot in October 2021. Besides older hardware, the only things most people see with the ‘Oculus’ moniker is the Oculus PC app and Meta’s Oculus web portal, where the company still lists game libraries for Quest, Rift, Go, and Gear VR.
“This year marks a full decade since the inception of the original Oculus Content Team,” the company says in a developer blog post. “From Kickstarter to Quest, Meta has committed hundreds of millions of dollars in third-party content funding and specialized development support to help make the VR games landscape what it is today. Now, we’re excited to unveil an official name for one of the world’s largest VR games programs for developers: Oculus Publishing.”
The company says Oculus Publishing will continue to directly partner with development teams on conceptualization, funding, production, technology advancement, game engineering, promotion and merchandising.
The company says it’s contributed funding to “more than 300 titles,” and that there are another 150 titles in active development today.
AR smart glasses company Rokid has just launched its next consumer product, “Rokid Max.” Shipping isn’t scheduled to start until the end of April, but here’s everything that we know about the glasses so far from a shared press release and user manual.
The Specs
Like most consumer AR glasses on the market today, Rokid Max is presented exclusively as a virtual screen for mirroring a smartphone. That can mean online content, downloaded movies, games, or any productivity apps. Users can also switch to a “3D mode” for viewing 3D content in an app or WebXR experience.
As viewers, they have some solid specs. The lenses themselves offer a 1080p micro-OLED display for content running at a 120Hz refresh rate. They clock in at a 50-degree field of view (which lands solidly between the two main competitors – Nreal’s Air and Light models). The resulting virtual screen is comparable to a “215-inch boundaryless display from [19 feet] away.”
The glasses also offer manual diopter adjustment via a dial over each lens. According to the release, this can be used by non-glasses-wearing users to sharpen the image, or by those users who normally need prescription lenses. Users will also be able to adjust audio settings which include noise cancellation for maintaining privacy and sound quality, though this option will be available within a couple of months post-delivery.
The total hardware itself is no wider than a pair of glasses and just under three-quarters of an inch thick, though it’s unclear whether that includes an optional nose pad and a “blackout cover” for over the lenses. They weigh in at less than a fifth of a pound. The glasses do fold, and come with a carrying case.
As the glasses do not have their own onboard battery, they do require a hard connection to the streaming device, similar to other consumer AR glasses. Rokid Max will be available for preorder from the manufacturer starting today, for $439. During the presales period, which runs until April 30, there’s a $20 discount with the code “ROKIDPRESS20OFF”.
How Does Rokid Max Square Up?
Rokid Max is an interesting product. The glasses have their biggest competitor in Nreal Air, so we can hold them up to each other to understand Rokid’s position in the market.
Nreal Light has a few things going for it. First, it’s slightly cheaper. Second, it can connect to gaming consoles and laptops as well as mobile phones. Nreal Air also has a limited but promising 3DoF AR input system. Something like that might be true of Rokid as well, but none of the materials shared with ARPost mention it.
Rokid Max hits back in a couple of key areas. It has a slightly larger field of view, which is a pretty big deal when comparing what are essentially media viewers. Further, Rokid has a lot of cool modular components.
Manual diopter controls are a big deal, particularly for people that need glasses. Nreal offers corrective lenses for their glasses, but it’s a paid accessory so if you need glasses, Nreal’s lead in the price category disappears immediately. The removable nose pad is also a cool option.
Finally, the blackout cover is a really cool play, particularly for productivity. AR glasses tend to be “sunnies” because blocking light from the outside improves immersion and viewing comfort and quality. In entertainment applications, there aren’t really any drawbacks to that, but in productivity settings, it can make it harder for you to see your environment as well as the display.
There’s one potential concern I have about this. Darkening the environment also means that the display doesn’t have to run as bright, which saves battery and reduces heat. If the light blocker is optional, that may mean that the display is working harder than it has to, which could have negative effects on the battery life and some other elements.
We’ve Got Our Eyes On You
We wish Rokid Max the best. We have to. We’re still so early on in the field of consumer AR glasses that every new entry is a winner. But, more than that, while there are some things that we could ask of Rokid, the glasses introduce a lot of killer innovations that certainly set it apart.
Last year, Valo Motion launched ValoArena, a mixed reality playground, in the US. Now, the company is back with an exciting MR game release – Astro Blade.
The Finnish game company, known for designing and developing cutting-edge interactive mixed reality games, has recently released a new space-themed game which can now be played in ValoArenas across the country. This interstellar adventure in a galaxy far, far away is sure to give you and your friends a thrilling time. So, get ready to take part in an action-packed battle in space and become a virtual superhero.
Blast Into Space With Valo Motion’s MR Game Astro Blade
Step into the world of the company’s MR game Astro Blade, where players become virtual holograms fighting in the hangar of a futuristic spaceship. Players can arm themselves with laser swords or spears and protect themselves with shields.
The game is inspired by classic fighting games and space-themed classics like Star Wars lightsaber battles. But what sets it apart is the technology behind ValoArena that makes it possible to bring these classics to life in an entirely new way.
ValoArena’s mixed reality system allows players to fully immerse themselves in the game’s interstellar world, where they can battle against friends and foes alike. The technology accurately tracks players’ movements, making the experience incredibly lifelike and realistic. With stunning graphics, exciting sound effects, and interactive gameplay, Astro Blade is a unique experience.
A Social and Safe Game
Valo Motion’s MR game Astro Blade is designed for up to six people. It is suitable for 8 to 14-year-olds, but it can be enjoyed by both young and adults. Those who grew up wielding imaginary lightsabers as pretend Jedis would definitely love this game. The game company has also paid special attention to making the game safe for younger players, which makes the game great for families with diverse age segments.
The game is very social and interactive. The actions of other players directly affect what you should do next, making it an excellent addition to ValoArena’s game offerings for small groups. They want players to feel like superheroes in a fighting game and be able to come up with their special moves without limitations.
Where and How to Play Astro Blade
Astro Blade can be found in various locations worldwide where Valo Motion products are available. You can check out their interactive map to find the nearest ValoArena to your location.
According to the company, “Astro Blade is also a part of Valo Motion’s mission of empowering people to move more and be physically active but also have a lot of fun while doing it. n Astro Blade the players use their entire body to play the game and an intense sword duel among friends is guaranteed to make them sweat!”
Astro Blade is designed to be an interactive and social game, so players can work together in teams or compete against each other. It’s a fun and exciting way to experience the latest in mixed reality gaming.
The Future of Gaming
Astro Blade is a testament to the power of mixed reality and how it can bring classic gaming experiences to life in new and exciting ways. As the popularity of MR releases like Astro Blade continues to grow, we can expect to see them become an increasingly ubiquitous part of the gaming landscape.
For players, MR offers a unique and interactive experience that allows them to socialize and have fun in a way that traditional gaming simply cannot match. And for amusement and entertainment centers, investing in MR technology can provide a competitive advantage by offering a cutting-edge gaming experience that attracts customers and keeps them coming back for more.
Looking to the future, it’s clear that MR is set to play an even bigger role in gaming. With advancements in technology, we can expect to see even more immersive and interactive experiences that blur the line between the real and virtual worlds.
So, whether you’re a gaming enthusiast or an amusement center owner looking to stay ahead of the curve, it’s clear that MR has its place in the future of gaming. It’s an exciting time to be a part of the gaming industry.
Triangle Factory, the studio behind Hyper Dash (2021), announced its squad-based shooter Breachers is set to launch next month on Quest 2 and SteamVR headsets.
The Rainbow Six Siege-inspired shooter has seen over 60,000 players play since the studio launched the open alpha late last year. Now the studio says Breachers will officially launch on April 13th.
Like Rainbow Six Siege, one team (Enforcers) is tasked with wiping out the enemy squad and disarm their bombs with an EMP. You’ll be able to rappel and breach through walls, swing through windows and catch your opponents by surprise with gadgetry like drones, cloaking devices, flashbangs and breaching foam.
As the opposing team (Revolter), your squad has to protect your bombs with force and gadgets such as door-blockers, trip mines, static field emitters and proximity sensors.
If you’re curious to try your hand at the Breachers, the studio is actually still running the open alpha until March 24th. You can join the open alpha over at SideQuest for Quest 2 and Quest Pro, and over at Github for PC VR headsets. If you need any help through the install process, make sure to jump over to the game’s Discord (invite link).
While a VR-only game, Triangle Factory is also packaging in a spectator mode that can be viewed without VR hardware, promising some ready access for streamers looking to commentate on the game’s 5v5 competitive matches.
Priced at $30, players who pre-order on Quest can also get an Elite gun skin for ‘The Jesper’, the standard sidearm players spawn with at the start of each round. You can also wishlist on Steam. The studio hasn’t mentioned PSVR 2 support yet.
