"Nokia supports the realXtend project and objective of creating an open platform and interoperability for virtual worlds," said Jari Alvinen, director, Compatibility and Industry Collaboration of Nokia. "realXtend has gained remarkable co-operation and adoption with other virtual world developers and solution providers. The large scale strategic development of this technology will spearhead virtual worlds for everyone."
Already known as a technology hub with world-class R&D resources, the City of Oulu, Finland has announced plans to use realXtend to fulfill the future technological needs of its citizens. Planned applications include using realXtend as a tool for developing the educational system in cooperation with the Oulu's innovative "School of the Future" project.
"Our strategy in Oulu is to support companies that combine technological expertise with cultural and artistic skills," said Matti Pennanen, Mayor, City of Oulu, Finland. "Interactive content and creative industries are a part of our future mission. The City of Oulu already provides free wireless internet access to citizens and visitors. With the creation of realXtend in Oulu, our region steps in the exciting frontier of virtual world technology."
The realXtend virtual reality platform is a non-profit project administered by Oulu Innovation with its first public release in February 2008 amid vast international interest. The key developers are Ludocraft Ltd., a dynamic games studio, and Admino Technologies Ltd., specialized in scalable server technologies. The objective is to develop a global, standardized 3D-web of virtual worlds by making cutting edge, virtual world technologies available to everyone, free of charge. With the free open source approach and no competition between companies attempting to gain profit from selling their proprietary platforms, realXtend can reach the highest possible number of users and developers while maintaining compatibility.
Applying virtual reality technology is limited only by one's imagination. With features such as highly customizable avatars, 3D objects, lights and shadows, scriptable teleports between worlds, voice chat, desktop application sharing and easy Web page integration; realXtend creates possibilities for a rich user experience rarely seen in a virtual world platform before. Exciting applications include virtual conferencing, collaborative workspaces, immersive education, 3D modeling and multi-player games.
"We feel enthusiastic about the realXtend application possibilities," said Crista Lopes, Professor, University of California Irvine's (UCI) Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences. "One of the problems we want to correct is the complexity of maintaining multiple, disconnected online identities. UCI already has an identification and authentication service for its 50,000+ students, faculty and staff, and we want our OpenSim grid to take advantage of that. We are pleased to see that realXtend´s OpenSim extensions already do what we want."
To learn more about realXtend and the newly established Innovation Partnership program launched by the City of Oulu and the City of San Jose, Mayor Chuck Reed of San Jose and Mayor Matti Pennanen of Oulu, Finland invite you to "Tomorrow's Wireless World" on November 19th at the San Jose City Hall. For tickets to this special event featuring a luncheon keynote address from Intel Chairman of the Board Craig Barrett, please contact Victor Vurpillat, Global Connexus at Email Contact.
About realXtend
The realXtend virtual reality platform is developed as a non-profit project administered by Oulu Innovation. The key developers are Ludocraft Ltd., a dynamic games studio, and Admino Technologies Ltd., specialized in scalable server technologies. For more information please visit http://www.realxtend.org/.
About Oulu, Finland
Oulu is a technology hub of Europe. In this time of digital revolution, Oulu has firmly established itself as one of the world's most significant centers in wireless communication development. Oulu offers a vibrant mix of business, research, and education that continually inspires new companies and products towards success in the world market. Oulu is a great place to develop competence and build success, as demonstrated with more than 800 hi-tech businesses operating in the region, including Nokia, Nokia Siemens Networks, Polar, F-Secure, Wipro and Flextronics. In addition to top-level international business, Oulu is home to many world-class education and research institutions. For more information please visit www.businessoulu.com.
About Global Connexus
Global Connexus is an exceptionally well-qualified management consulting firm located in the heart of California's Silicon Valley. The mission of Global Connexus is to deliver a range of business consulting and launch services in North America, Asia and Europe for Finnish companies from the Oulu region of Finland. Global Connexus works closely and in cooperation with the City of Oulu and The Oulu Innovation program. For more information please visit www.globalconnexus.com.
Media contact: Linda Capcara LVA Communications Phone: 480-229-7090 Email Contact