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NBA Unveils Innovative AR Feature ‘Tabletop’ for Live Games

The NBA has launched an intriguing augmented reality (AR) feature named Tabletop for its Vision Pro app, enabling fans to experience a virtual basketball court in their own environment during select live games. This feature allows users to watch digital avatars that represent actual players on the court as they engage in gameplay, including movements such as passing and shooting. The feature is accessible for those with NBA League Pass, as detailed on an NBA help page.

Tabletop is designed to work even for local market games that may not be streamed video-wise through the app, providing a new way for fans to engage with their teams. During a personal test of the feature, it was observed that the AR experience lagged about 45 seconds behind the game announcer’s audio. However, Vision Pro owner Justin Ryan noted a much smaller delay of roughly half a second after he used a toolbar option to sync the AR display with the real-time feed. Unfortunately, for out-of-market games during testing, only an audio feed was available, making it impossible to fully assess the visual functionality in that context.

The avatars used in the Tabletop feature maintain a uniform appearance, portrayed with either a robotic look or a cell-shaded cartoon style. However, users can easily identify different players by their jersey colors as well as their respective names and numbers, which are displayed above their heads when they possess the ball. An inquiry directed to the NBA regarding the feature’s availability for the upcoming NBA All-Star weekend has yet to yield a response. Recordings from user experiences, including links to highlight reels shared by the NBA, provide insight into the feature’s functionality and performance.

This new AR addition is reminiscent of previous initiatives like the Lapz Vision Pro app, which offered similar experiences for Formula 1 races before being discontinued. If you have a Vision Pro and subscribe to NBA League Pass, be on the lookout for the new Tabletop button, conveniently located alongside other options such as “Watch Live” and “Multiview” within the NBA app.

Considering it is still in the alpha stage, the Tabletop feature presents a surprisingly refined experience. The NBA has a history of showcasing experimental mixed reality technologies, as exemplified by a presentation where NBA Commissioner Adam Silver demonstrated a 3D scan of sports commentator Ahmad Rashad that was then used in a gameplay clip. This showcases the league’s commitment to exploring innovative ways to enhance fan engagement through technology.

Source
www.theverge.com