1. Valve has revealed its new Knuckles EV2 VR controllers. This new version was based on feedback from developers about the last version. Knuckles are covered with force sensors for pressure and capacitive sensors for touch, which enable gripping, squeezing, and pinching virtual objects. The controllers feature a strap (so users can let go without dropping the controller), a thumbstick, and a trackpad button. — CNET

2. Magic Leap made a presentation at the Unite Berlin conference highlighting what AR will look like through its device. The presentation was titled "Spatial Computing, Bringing Pixels to the Real World," and gave advice for coding content for the Magic Leap One. The company has also filed plans and specs with the FCC for the device's controller. — NEXT REALITY 

3. CEEK VR is working with director Brett Leonard to create a scripted VR series called Hollywood Rooftop. The 10-minute episodes will feature a group of up-and-coming actors and the whole series is set on a rooftop in Hollywood. CEEK VR creates, curates, and distributes VR content via its multi-channel platform. Filming is set to start this summer and the series is slated for a 2019 release. — VRFOCUS

1. Microsoft has abandoned its plans to bring VR to its Xbox One game console. Microsoft's chief marketing officer for gaming Mike Nichols said, "We don't have any plans specific to Xbox consoles in virtual reality or mixed reality." This is contrary to what Xbox chief Phil Spencer promised at last year's E3 conference. Microsoft is still focusing on mixed reality with its HoloLens headset and PC solutions. — ENGADGET

2. Atlas V is partnering with the BBC and Arte to produce a VR documentary series. The series is called Untold Story and will showcase projects by well-known directors that were never produced. The eight-part series will be directed by Clement Deneux (“Zombinladen”) and will feature pre-production storyboards and concept art, as well as interviews with the directors, shot with volumetric cameras. — VARIETY

3. HTC has announced a Vive Libraries Program which will bring VR headsets to 110 libraries in California and Nevada. The program will also include 35 educational experiences that include virtual field trips to the Berlin Wall or International Space Station, building models for 3D printing, and swimming with sharks. The Vive Libraries Program is similar to last year's Oculus initiative that brought VR headsets to 90 libraries in California. — UPLOADVR

4. The social VR platform AltspaceVR is adding a new lobby, game shows, and a community leaders program. The new meetup space is called Origin and will enable users to connect with other users in VR. New game shows include "Tongue-Tied," where players compete by naming six items in a category in six seconds, and "Trivia," where players answer questions in front of an audience. The community leaders program will "deputize" friendly members of the community that can help answer questions, and their status will be marked by a badge with a lightning bolt. AltspaceVR was acquired by Microsoft late last year.  — VENTUREBEAT

5. It's possible for Google to add native support on Android for Apple and Pixar's new USDZ file format. USDZ stands for "Universal Scene Description" and it is an open-source container file format for 3D content to be used in AR. Apple and Pixar announced the new format at the WWDC, and Adobe contributed its standard materials template to help develop the technology, which is supported in its Creative Cloud suite. According to Adobe’s head of AR, Stefano Corazza, there is "no obstacle" in the way of USDZ being supported by Google's ARCore and Android in addition to Apple's ARKit and iOS since the technology is open sourced. —  VRSCOUT 

6. Valve released a new input system for its SteamVR apps that creates more lifelike hands in virtual reality. The system is called SteamVR Skeletal Input and it gives developers a set of lifelike skeleton-based hand animations. The animations support existing controllers including  Vive controllers, Oculus Touch, and the new Knuckles EV2 design, and will allow other hardware manufacturers to integrate their new controllers. Valve says the system will provide a more accurate controller-in-hand animation and an empty hand animation when the controller isn't rendered in an app. The system is available now for Unity developers and will be fully released soon, according to the company. — ROADTOVR

7. Madame Tussauds Hollywood is offering a new VR attraction. The four-player VR installation is an escape room by Virtual Room, and the players have to work together to perform tasks. The room-scale attraction features scenes from ancient Egypt, a medieval dungeon, and the 1969 Apollo landing. Tickets cost approximately $12 per person to visit just one of the featured scenes and are available on a walk-up basis. — UPLOADVR

8. Kiss Me First is a drama about virtual reality based on Lottie Moggach’s 2013 YA novel of the same name. The six hour-long episodes are coming to Netflix June 29. — VRSCOUT

9. The New York Times ran an AR feature on the Guatemalan volcano eruption this month. The 3D, AR element featured a truck in the village of San Miguel Los Lotes buried up to its windows in ash, and can be projected as a small model or its actual size. — NEXT REALITY

10. SlashData released a report that collected information and insights from VR/AR developers about the industry. According to their findings, the most popular programming languages are C#, C/C++, Java, JavaScript, Python, Visual development tools, and Swift, in that order. — TECHREPUBLIC

4. Oculus Home has been updated with virtual screens and the ability to import custom objects. Oculus Home is the customizable interface for Rift users. The company announced its 1.27 update to Rift 2.0 this week, and along with the recently added ability to embed Dash panels in Home's retro monitor, Oculus is enabling more items with screens, including computer monitors, TVs, and arcade cabinets. The update also makes it possible to import custom objects in Home to decorate the virtual environment. — ROADTOVR

5. The Detu Max camera is a new AI-powered camera that captures 360-degree video for VR. There is a Kickstarter campaign to crowdfund the development of the device. The camera captures 12K still images, 8K videos, and has wired and wireless livestreaming capabilities. The AI functions include face tracking and a deep learning algorithm that selects and stitches together the videos and images. The device also has microphones and an anti-shaking system and is meant for professional photographers and videographers. — VRFOCUS

6. The Weather Channel has aired a new immersive mixed reality video called Tornado Hits The Weather Channel. The video features anchor Jim Cantore talking about tornadoes in the studio, and then the studio is struck by a virtual tornado with debris flying and a siren. The studio is completely torn apart by the virtual storm, which was created using CGI objects and AR effects generated by Epic Games’ Unreal Engine. — VENTUREBEAT

7. Magic Leap has filed a patent for AR glasses that can monitor glucose levels and other vitals for patients. The patent describes a “light analyzer configured to determine a polarization angle rotation of the reflected light from the eye of the user”  that can track glucose levels, body temperature, skin temperature, heart rate, respiration rate, and level of sweating, and alert the wearer to any abnormality. Magic Leap was founded in 2010 and is valued at $6 billion; the company started shipping its first device to developers in March. — VRSCOUT

8. Scientists at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) are developing an AR system to support engineers in building and maintaining aircraft tanks. Engineers control the HoloLens headsets using voice and gestures and the headsets make the calculations and display the work that needs to be done. — PHYS.ORG  

9. Teads worked with DeepAR to develop a new AR ad unit called "inRead." The company showed the new AR ad format at the Cannes Lion awards using demos made for Burger King and Ray Ban. — MOBILE MARKETING

10. PeriscapeVR launched a new Experience Center, a pop-up VR installation at the JFK airport. The Experience Center has 12 stations in Terminal 4's retail lounge, and travelers can access the VR experiences for $1-2 per minute. — VRFOCUS