Once a signifier of luxury or novelty, custom products and services are now within reach of the everyday consumer, thanks to the rise of artificial intelligence, algorithm-led platforms, and the COVID-era digitisation boom. Today, everyone wants to be the main character of their brand experience.

As people increasingly rely on their phones to bridge the gap between digital and physical worlds, maps have emerged as an exciting space for creativity and personalization. So, how can brands best use geospatial data to connect with their customers and deliver optimized omnichannel experiences?

Snap has released a customisable feature that will allow anyone to create and access location-locked AR overlays, blending reality with virtual experiences. The feature taps people’s need for communal experiences but also raises questions about the boundaries of public space access.

Technological advances are continuously reshaping how people interact, engage, and communicate with one another in the digital world. But how will people navigate social situations in the metaverse? Canvas8 spoke to Dr. Guo Freeman about how people form relationships in social VR.

Innovations in AR and VR are giving storytellers, game developers, and brands new and more engaging ways of connecting with audiences. But what will get people excited about using these technologies? And how might these tools redefine play, fitness, and socialising in the digital realm?