Future+ Fridays | Issue53

1. VerveAR launches 3D, AR, and Virtual Try-On integration for Shopify merchants

What's Happening:
VerveAR has introduced a new integration for Shopify merchants, offering 3D, augmented reality (AR), and virtual try-on features to enhance online shopping experiences.

TLDR:

• VerveAR’s integration brings immersive 3D and AR shopping to Shopify stores.

• Ideal for industries like fashion, furniture, electronics, and outdoor goods.

• No-code solution available via the Shopify App Store.

• Key features include 360º product views, “view in my room” functionality, and virtual try-ons.

• Boosts customer engagement and conversion rates while reducing returns.

• VerveAR plans to launch an image-to-3D generation tool in Q4 2025.

Why It Matters:
This integration empowers Shopify merchants to offer cutting-edge shopping experiences without needing advanced tech skills. By enabling realistic product visualization and virtual try-ons, VerveAR helps businesses increase sales, lower return rates, and stay competitive in an increasingly immersive e-commerce landscape.

2. Walmart Launches Walmart Unlimited Mini-Series, Expands Immersive Commerce

What's happening: Walmart debuted Walmart Unlimited, a new gamified mini-series developed with Unity, Spatial, and Martian Blueberry. The retailer also launched its fifth No Boundaries drop on the Zepeto platform.

TLDR:

• Walmart Unlimited is a three-part gaming series that blends storytelling and commerce, created in partnership with Martian Blueberry and PIGIAMA KASAMA.

• The first episode introduces characters inspired by real-life Walmart suppliers, including A Dozen Cousins founder Ibraheem Basir.

• Walmart is using immersive commerce, combining VR, 3D visuals, and gamification to connect with younger consumers.

• The latest No Boundaries collection on Zepeto includes ten new virtual items, which are shoppable with real-world counterparts. Every purchase comes with a free virtual twin of the item.

• The Spatial platform enables gameplay across Web, iOS, Android, and VR without additional setup.

• Walmart is focused on engaging new customers by blending entertainment, gaming, and retail through strategic collaborations.

Why it matters: Walmart is not just exploring but defining the future of immersive commerce. By integrating real-world shopping with virtual experiences, the brand is staying relevant with Gen Z and beyond. These initiatives highlight Walmart’s commitment to blending digital innovation with authentic community stories, setting a new standard for retail engagement in the metaverse.

3. Lionsgate launches first immersive movie store on Roblox

What's Happening
Lionsgate has opened its first immersive movie store on Roblox, developed with Virtual Brand Group (VBG). The experience offers fans a new way to engage with their favourite movies through digital fashion, in-game items, and entertainment bundles.

TLDR:

• The Lionsgate Movie Store provides a "play, wear, watch" experience, blending blockbuster movies, digital fashion, and in-game items.

• Fans can purchase bundles featuring their favourite movie characters, including items like a digital "Loca" T-shirt, Bella’s truck, or a "Twilight" amulet with special powers.

• Bundles include a digital code to download the first Twilight movie, combining digital and real-world benefits.

• Items are available in popular Roblox games like 1% Win Obby and Race Clicker, as well as the Roblox marketplace.

• Purchased items come with a redemption code for movieredeem.com, expanding Lionsgate’s digital merchandise and home entertainment distribution.

• The experience is open to Roblox users aged 13 and up, tapping into a platform with nearly 90 million daily active users.

Why It Matters
Lionsgate is reimagining home entertainment by merging film culture with digital play. The Movie Store not only offers an innovative take on movie merchandising but also positions Lionsgate at the forefront of immersive digital experiences. By combining digital fashion, in-game utility, and direct movie downloads, the studio is setting a new standard for how entertainment brands connect with younger, digitally native audiences.

4. Alibaba makes AI models for video, and image generation publicly available

What's Happening
Alibaba has made its new video and image-generating AI model, Wan 2.1, publicly available. The suite includes four powerful variants and is accessible on Alibaba Cloud’s ModelScope and Hugging Face platforms for academic, research, and commercial use.

TLDR:

• Wan 2.1 offers four variants: T2V-1.3B, T2V-14B, I2V-14B-720P, and I2V-14B-480P, enabling text-to-video and image-to-video generation.

• The "14B" models handle 14 billion parameters, allowing for higher accuracy and more detailed outputs.

• Wan 2.1 outperforms other models like Sora on key benchmarks and generates videos 2.5 times faster.

• The models are globally available on Alibaba Cloud’s ModelScope and the Hugging Face AI platform, targeting academics, researchers, and businesses.

• Alibaba is strengthening its AI-driven services, having already integrated Tongyi Qianwen into its Taobao platform to enhance search and shopping experiences.

• The company also launched "Aidge" in November 2023, an AI suite that supports global commerce operations with tools for marketing, design, and customer service.

Why It Matters
Alibaba is positioning itself as a leader in generative AI by offering advanced, open-source tools that boost creativity and efficiency. By providing access to cutting-edge models like Wan 2.1, the company is not only advancing academic and commercial research but also enhancing its e-commerce platforms. This strategic push into AI strengthens Alibaba’s global influence and sets new standards in the competitive AI landscape.

5. Glance shopping experience: AI-powered outfit suggestions on your avatar

What's happening: Glance has partnered with Google to launch a generative AI-powered shopping experience, allowing users to visualize outfits on personalized avatars directly from their lock screens.

TLDR:

• Glance's new feature lets users see AI-suggested outfits on personalized avatars on their lock screens.

• The experience is powered by Google's Gemini models and Vertex AI.

• To get started, users upload a selfie and input details to generate an avatar for fashion suggestions.

• Glance is monetizing through partnerships with 400 e-commerce sites, earning revenue via affiliate links.

• The service is currently available in the U.S. through the Glance AI app, with a broader rollout planned for the U.S. and India.

• Future updates will introduce features like voting on outfits and chat functions to refine suggestions.

Why it matters:

Glance’s new AI-powered shopping experience brings a fresh twist to online fashion by turning your lock screen into a personalized style advisor. By visualizing outfits on custom avatars, users can make smarter purchasing decisions, potentially reducing returns—a win for both shoppers and retailers. With the support of Google’s advanced AI technology, Glance is transforming how we discover and shop for fashion, blending convenience with creativity right on your phone’s lock screen.