NYC Media Lab’s Annual Summit totaled at over 1,300 guest and upwards of 25 speakers, making 2015 the largest summit yet. Presented were over 120 demos of the year’s latest technology in digital media, with several workshops offered to attendees. During the event, it was announced that 2016 will oversee the launch of two new NYC Media Lab programs aimed at spurring the innovation of prototypes and business startup in the digital media sector. Funding for the programs was estimated to be around $500,000, indicating the availability of funds to students and faculty in terms of developing new ideas and digital media technology.
NYC Media Lab Combine was the first announced program, aimed at publicizing and promoting new media technology developed by both faculty and students. Funding for the program was provided by both the Mayor’s office of Media and Entertainment, and New York City’s Economic Development Corporation. Also supporting the program are the members of NYC Media Labs. Efforts totaled at $250,000 in available funding for the first year of the program in 2016. It’s predicted that such funding will lead to fruitful developments in digital media in the near future.
Verizon Connected released the second announcement of its Futures Research and Prototyping Challenge. The program will present the opportunity for students and faculty alike to develop new project concepts from a large variety of fields, including internet, promoting citizen journalism, and virtual reality. Teams participating in the challenge will have the opportunity to register this fall, with the competition continuing through the spring of 2016.
Also being offered by NYC Media Lab is Exploring Future Reality on November 5th. The event will feature technologies to the like of Google Cardboard, Samsung Gear, HTC Vine, Microsoft Hololens, Magic Leap, and Oculus Rift. Featuring multiple speakers, the event will focus on discussion of virtual reality and the advancement made through demos from multiple companies, and how the fields have impacted the digital media and technology industry as a whole. The event is anticipating large number of attendants, so space and availability of tickets are limited.
