Tech Bytes: News from Zillow, Perchwell, CoreLogic, Lofty 

Editor's note: Technology is a driving force in real estate. From startups to established players, tech companies are constantly innovating, growing and forging partnerships. Here we highlight some of the latest news about the companies that help power the industry. 

Zillow launches VR app for Vision Pro

Zillow this week launched Zillow Immerse, which the company says is the first real estate app for Apple's Vision Pro, a new "mixed reality" headset that allows people to explore virtual spaces and interact with real ones. 

The app leverages the enriched media of Listing Showcase listings to give users a next-level virtual walkthrough of for-sale homes, guided by an AI-generated floor plan, the company said.

"Apple Vision Pro enables Zillow shoppers to fully experience homes as we envisioned when we first introduced Listing Showcase," said Josh Weisberg, Zillow's senior vice president of AI. "This advanced spatial technology allows users to explore homes in a way that is the next best thing to being there in person."

Consumers appreciate 3D tours and interactive floor plans, Zillow says, pointing at its latest Consumer Housing Trends Report, which found that 70% wish that more listings had 3D tours available.

Perchwell provides REBNY with RESO-certified data solution

Perchwell has launched a new data management solution that is being hailed as a win for listings data quality. 

Perchwell recently transitioned the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) to a new API certified by the Real Estate Standards Organization (RESO). 

APIs connect different software applications, and in this case, the migration of NYC's property data to uniform RESO standards not only ensures richer and higher quality data, but also makes these data more accessible, Perchwell said in a statement. 

"Agents need easier access to more data, consolidated from a growing number of sources, to draw out insights to help their clients make real estate decisions that can influence well-being and wealth for generations," Brendan Fairbanks, Perchwell CEO, said. "The adoption of the uniform data standards espoused by RESO is an essential step in facilitating this."

CoreLogic introduces cybersecurity platform 

CoreLogic has launched Clareity Assure, a new security platform designed to help MLSs protect themselves from cyberattacks. 

The platform's "adaptive authentication" leverages AI to identify suspicious activity and selectively deploy multi-factor authentication to deter unauthorized users and bots in real time. 

"Security is one of the top issues on the minds of every MLS leader today," said Shaleen Khatod, executive, Enterprise Strategy & Initiatives for CoreLogic. He said Clareity Assure "can identify and stop bad actors while ensuring authorized users get the safe, secure and frictionless access they need."

The security platform integrates with more than a thousand of the most common tools used by agents, the company said. It is also available to all MLSs, regardless of whether they use Clareity's SSO Dashboard.

Lofty virtual assistant aims to simplify agent tasks

Marketing and lead-gen platform Lofty (formerly Chime) has unveiled a new virtual assistant that uses AI to help its users get the most out of the platform's AI capabilities.

Lofty Assistant is optimized for busy agents, responding to voice commands and streamlining the work required to create content and automate marketing programs. It also can field inbound calls and chats, answer typical questions, and create a new lead based on what it learns, the company said.

"As a busy agent, I prefer technology that meets me where I am, which is typically on the go. If it is too hard to incorporate into my day-to-day life, I know I won't use it," said Adam Frank, "The CRM Coach™," eXp Realty. "I appreciate Lofty's continued focus on delivering new capabilities that fit my life and not the other way around."