Oculus ends Rift dev kit sales citing parts supply issues
As forewarned, Oculus VR is officially ending sales of its first-run development kit. “We’re quickly running out of stock for the Rift development kit, so we’ve shut down sales in most regions,” a note from Oculus says. Specifically, the issue comes from certain pieces of the headset “no longer being manufactured.” That said, those headsets are more than a little long in the tooth at this point: both the HD version and the Crystal Cove prototype take giant leaps past the first dev unit, to say nothing of Valve’s prototype. Oculus isn’t offering anything official in terms of word on new dev kits (beyond what the company’s CTO told us last year), but we expect many devs already have some form of new hardware from the fast-growing VR company.
As of today, Oculus sold approximately 60,000 original dev kits; at $300 apiece, that’s about $18 million in just dev kit sales (without factoring in the cost to manufacture and ship those dev kits, that is). Of course, that’s a paltry figure compared with the enormous amount of money backing Oculus: just shy of $100 million in venture capital and personal investments. In so many words, it’ll require serious sales numbers of the forthcoming retail VR headset to make Oculus into a profitable company (at least in the short term).
As for official word on the next dev kit from Oculus VR, we expect it won’t be too far way. Oculus itself says, “We’ll have more news on this soon, so stay tuned!” With GDC next week and E3 looming ever-closer by the day, we’re getting ready for that news any minute.
Japanese robot gets better at not running into people
Hitachi is taking Asimov’s I Robot law about not harming humans more seriously with new tweaks to its wheeled Emiew 2 bot. The 30-pound humanoid now packs a sensor that’ll measure walking speeds (in an office, for instance) and generate mapping data to predict where someone might pop up unexpectedly. It’ll then avoid those areas or slow down so as not to roll into your kneecaps. Given Emiew’s 31-inch frame and 4 mph speed, we weren’t too worried anyway — there are other, decidedly more terrifying robots to avoid.
Source: Nikkei
Instagram for Android update sports refreshed UI, speedier performance
Is Instagram your go-to photo app on that trusty Android handset? If so, you’re about see a bit of a jump in performance with a new look. The filter-powered social snapshot software has been updated with a more polished UI that “feels native and at home on any Android device.” This means simplified (read: flat) design elements are used throughout and the app is faster and more responsible all the way around. The difference is immediately visible in the main navigation bar across the bottom. Some controls have been shuffled around, but the outfit promises the changes are in the interest of maximum useability, making the app “faster, cleaner and easier to use than ever.” If your Android device doesn’t alert you to update the app, mosey over to the Google Play store today and snag it.
Source: Instagram, Google Play
Apple’s Larger iPhone Design Said to Be Inspired by iPhone 5c and iPod Nano
Apple’s much rumored larger iPhone is said to be a variation on the iPhone 5c rather than the iPhone 5s, according to a new report from Mac Otakara. Sources indicate that the larger iPhone would be an expansion to Apple’s lineup rather than replacing the positions currently held by the iPhone 5s and 5c.
Mac Otakara‘s sources claim Apple has decided on 4.7-inch and 5.7-inch displays as potential candidates for new iPhone models that would launch later this year. These two sizes originally were singled out by Reuters in a report published last year.
This new iPhone model may keep the basic design of the iPhone 5c such as the rounded back edges, button designs, and speaker/microphone hole designs, with some inspiration from the seventh-generation iPod nano. The latest iPod nano models are available in a range of colors like the iPhone 5c, but feature an anodized aluminum design instead of polycarbonate.
Sources also claim the 4.7-inch iPhone will measure at 14×7 cm, while the 5.7-inch model will be larger with dimensions of 16×8 cm. Possibly both models will be 7 mm thick with a protruding rear camera as seen on the current iPod touch models, although it the report indicates that the final version of the phone could be expanded to 7.5 mm thick to match the thickness of the camera module. The design for the phones should already be complete for a launch later this year, so it is unclear if Mac Otakara‘s sources are sharing information from earlier in the design process or if there is simply still some uncertainty in the sources’ information.
Rumors about Apple’s next generation iPhone have been scattered, with reports suggesting the iPhone 6 will adopt a “bezel-free” display and a 10-megapixel or higher camera module with an improved filter. A sketchy report from earlier this year also claimed Apple was working on an iPhone with a 5.6-inch display that would not be marketed with the iPhone name because of its experimental nature.
Mac Otakara has a reasonably strong rumor track record, correctly predicting the dual-LED flash for the iPhone 5s and the designs for the fifth-generation iPod touch and seventh-generation iPod nano.
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Apple Maps to Include Transit Directions, Improved Points of Interest Data in iOS 8
Apple is preparing to significantly improve its Maps application in iOS 8, claims a report in 9to5Mac. Apple will slow its work on UI changes and focus instead on improving the underlying infrastructure that powers the application. These data-level changes will make Maps more informative and reliable for iOS users.
The new application will also be injected with new points of interests and new labels to make places such as airports, parks, train stations, bus stops, highways, and freeways easier to find, the sources added. Sources also say that the mapping application’s cartography design has been tweaked to be slightly cleaner and to make streets more visible.
Public transit is another major area that Apple will bring to the iOS 8 version of Maps, tapping into the engineering talent the company has acquired from mapping companies such as HopStop and Embark. The new Maps app likely will allow users to find train, subway and bus information in major U.S. and international cities. These public transit options will be embedded in the maps themselves and in the Directions panel, where they will show up in a new tab next to “Driving” and “Walking.”
Mockup of iOS 8′s transit features
These changes are only the beginning of Apple’s proposed plans for its Maps application, as the company is reportedly also working to add indoor mapping views, improved car integration, and augmented reality features in the future.
Apple switched away from a Google-powered mapping solution in 2012 when it introduced its own Maps application alongside iOS 6. Apple’s Maps faced extensive criticism at launch when a series of high-profile incidents highlighted embarrassing inaccuracies in mapping data and missing features like street view and transit directions that were available in its competitors’ products. Apple CEO Tim Cook even issued a personal apology to iOS owners, promising to improve the app until it lives up to Apple’s “incredibly high standard.” 
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Preview for Glass lets you watch movie trailers by looking at posters
The future of movie trailers is here, folks!
Do you ever find yourself looking at movie posters and instantly wanting to watch the trailer? Preview for Glass aims to make that easier. It allows you to watch a trailer simply by looking directly at a movie poster.
All you need to do is look at a movie poster and say, “Okay Glass, preview the movie”. It will recognize the movie poster and begin playing the official trailer. No need to put your hands on Glass or your phone – it just works.
It should be able to recognize most movies currently in theaters, and by the looks of the video, it seems to work well so far. This is a new app, so it most likely doesn’t work with as many movies as you might like. However, it is a very great start. The apk is available for download from the site, so you can check it out for yourself. Take a look at the video below for a tutorial!
Source: Preview for Glass
The post Preview for Glass lets you watch movie trailers by looking at posters appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Another major game engine gets Linux support ahead of Steam Machines launch
The engine that powers the Crysis series, CryEngine, is headed to Linux. That means games like Crysis 3 and Ryse: Son of Rome could see ports on Valve’s forthcoming Linux-powered platform, SteamOS. At very least, it means that developers already working with CryEngine have a shortcut to porting their work to Steam Machines; Crytek will show it off in detail next week at the annual Game Developers Conference in San Francisco. Linux support was long-rumored for CryEngine, with job listings as far back as last July hinting that it was coming. It’s unclear when the engine will get updated to support the new platform, but we expect it’ll be long before Valve’s Steam Machines initiative gets seriously underway.
Archos’ octa-core smartphone is surprisingly quick for the price
When it comes to smartphones, hugs and all-you-can-eat buffets, more is better, right? That’s why we had to sit down and play with Archos’ 50c Oxygen. The gassy, Jelly Bean-running handset is one of the first to use MediaTek’s 1.7GHz octa-core MT6592 CPU, housed behind a 5-inch 1,280 x 720 IPS LCD display. Archos has found room for dual-SIM slots, 1GB RAM, 8GB of onboard storage and a microSD card slot, while the 2,000mAh battery should last you at least a day.
Aside from the thinness of the device, some of the design cues, like the light-up strip for the menu buttons, reminded us a little of Sony’s old Xperia handsets, which we always had a soft spot for. Being a budget device, alas, there’s no LTE modem, and instead users will be forced to suck down data on HSPA+. Of course, the star here is the CPU, and while we weren’t able to put this device through the normal barrage of benchmarks that we use in our reviews, a casual run-through revealed that it was a lot more responsive than other devices that we’ve seen at this price. The 50c Oxygen will launch in April, around the same time as its phablet-sized brother, priced at €230 ($320).
Sharif Sakr swore off the all-you-can-eat buffet during this report.
Filed under: Cellphones
Engadget giveaway: win an iPhone 5s courtesy of TurboTax!
It’s that time of year again, when you have to try and wrestle back as many of those hard-earned dollars as you can from the insatiable gaping maw of the tax beast. In an effort to assuage that annual suffering, the folks at TurboTax created the free SnapTax app for 1040EZ/A returns and this year they’ve upped the ante for one lucky Engadget reader by offering an unlocked gold iPhone 5s so they can file on the go. Available for iOS and Android, the SnapTax app lets users file by simply snapping a photo of their W-2, answering a few questions and clicking “file my return.” This is one little slab of gold that you won’t want to stash in a safety deposit box, so head on down to the Rafflecopter widget for up to three chances at winning. And don’t forget: It’s time to do those taxes!
- Entries are handled through the Rafflecopter widget above. Comments are no longer accepted as valid methods of entry. You may enter without any obligation to social media accounts, though we may offer them as opportunities for extra entries. Your email address is required so we can get in touch with you if you win, but it will not be given to third parties.
- Contest is open to all residents of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Canada (excluding Quebec), 18 or older! Sorry, we don’t make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so direct your anger at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
- Winners will be chosen randomly. One (1) winner will receive one (1) Apple iPhone 5S (Gold, 16GB, GSM (sim-free, unlocked) ME298LL/A).
- If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of being contacted. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen. Make sure that the account you use to enter the contest includes your real name and a contact email or Facebook login. We do not track any of this information for marketing or third-party purposes.
- This unit is purely for promotional giveaway. Apple, TurboTax and Engadget / AOL are not held liable to honor warranties, exchanges or customer service.
- The full list of rules, in all its legalese glory, can be found here.
- Entries can be submitted until March 12th at 11:59PM ET. Good luck!
Filed under: Announcements, HD, Mobile, Alt, Apple
Power strips don’t have to be ugly, just ask Powerdrobe
Yes, power strips aren’t the sort of thing we usually discuss on this august periodical but sometimes we spot something at a trade show that simply demands attention. Normally, it’s the sort of gear that you tuck behind or under your desk, but Korean designer Sangki Kim wanted to make something a little more stylish. That’s why he built the Powerdrobe: a box that sits beneath your display (or all-in-one) to keep everything nice and tidy. Kim, who also designed the Desk Phone Dock we reviewed a few years ago, gave the box a classy rounded look and chrome toggle switches, so turning on your computer makes you feel like you work at NASA, circa 1965. On one side of the unit, there’s a pair of USB ports for charging mobile devices, while on the other side you’ll find either a US or European mains socket, depending on which version you buy. The back offers up either four or six further mains sockets to satisfy your lust for power, with all the mess hidden behind a solid plastic screen. The four-socket model will arrive in April and set you back $40, with the bigger unit coming later and costing a few dollars more.
Sharif Sakr flipped some switches for this report.
Filed under: Desktops, Peripherals
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