VLC’s media player hits Windows 8 in beta form
Let’s say you bought a new laptop and wanted to check out a few videos that you legally downloaded without leaving Windows 8′s touch-focused UI — until now, your options have been pretty limited. If you’re feeling a little adventurous though, the beta version of VLC’s media player that Microsoft News spotted on Redmond’s app store should do the trick. It’s an experimental port of the Windows RT app, however, and as such the application has a few hurdles to clear before it’s ready for prime time. General sluggishness compared to the desktop version and some audio bugs, for instance, are a few issues that may crop up. Developer VideoLAN says that this version isn’t nearly as stable as it should be (it is a beta, after all), but that hasn’t stopped you from downloading its apps before, has it?
VLC for Windows 8 first beta: http://t.co/CxDfE2gfNi
– VideoLAN (@videolan) March 12, 2014
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Microsoft
Via: Microsoft News
Source: Windows Store, Kickstarter
Nikon 1 V3 camera unveiled: $1,200, 120fps slow motion, 20fps continuous shooting
Tonight Nikon is unveiling the latest edition of its 1 series of mirrorless cameras, the Nikon 1 V3. Compact yet powerful, it follows up on the V2 by packing an 18.4MP sensor, built-in WiFi, 1080/60p video capability and a new image processing chip. Standout features for pros and amateurs alike include the V1′s ability to shoot stills continuously at up to 20fps with autofocus — the fastest we’ve seen from an interchangeable lens cameras — 720p slow motion video recording at up to 120fps and 171 “densely packed” focus points that Nikon claims give it better ability to track moving objects than DSLRs.
It also adds a touch-panel tilting 3-inch LCD and arrives alongside two new 1 NIKKOR lenses — a 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 PD-Zoom and 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 are available for $300 and $1,000, respectively. Last year the falling prices of DSLRs reportedly had Nikon reconsidering their ILC lineup, but judging from the V1 the company is plowing full steam ahead. A full kit with camera, 10-30mm lens, viewfinder and grip will go on sale in April for $1,200 — check Nikon’s website for more details on specs and features or look after the break for a brief demo video.
Developing…
Source: Nikon
1Password for Mac Gets Updated with 30 New Features, 1Password Mini Item Editing [Mac Blog]
AgileBits today has updated its popular password manager app, 1Password for Mac, to version 4.2, bringing 30 new features, including significant improvements for 1Password Mini, the app’s menu bar extension (via Cult of Mac).
1Password mini– You can now edit items directly within 1Password mini!
– Edit generated passwords in 1Password mini, too
– Greatly improved URL matching makes logging in to sites with sub domains easy
– Configure URL matching for sub domains in 1Password > Preferences > Browser
– Improved support for multiple Chrome profiles
– By popular request, 1Password mini now shows Secure Notes!
– 1Password mini now supports fuzzy search. For example: “oogle” will now return items named “Google”
Other improvements include refinements to the app’s AutoSave functionality, as the app now searches all vaults before asking to save or update Logins and will prompt users to save Logins in their primary vaults by default. Additionally, item editing has been streamlined, allowing users to edit when 1Password locks or quits in the middle of a change as well as the ability to switch vaults while editing.
The update is currently available for download on AgileBit’s website, and will be available in the Mac App Store once the update is approved.
1Password for Mac is available in the Mac App Store for $50. [Direct Link]
     |
Starbucks app to let you pre-order your coffee later this year
It sucks when you go to Starbucks for a pick-me-up and some guy’s holding up the line with an overly complicated request. Thankfully, the Seattle company’s testing a mobile ordering service in an effort to speed things up. To be clear, when it debuts later this year, you still won’t be able to get coffee delivered, but Bloomberg reports that the service will at least let you order through the Starbucks app before you get to the store. That’s all we know about the upcoming feature, though, as the coffee empire’s keeping mum about its finer details. We still don’t know if the service will take custom requests, but if it does, we hope you tip generously for that fancy $50 Mocha frapp.
Source: Bloomberg
NSA Director nominee wants every branch of the military to have a dedicated cyber attack force
It seems like President Obama was pretty serious about that cyber attack list he drew up last year — his nominee candidate for NSA Director, Admiral Michael Rogers, just told the Senate that the military is building several new cyber combat units. Rogers, who is slated to both take over at the NSA and head the United States Cyber Command, spent several hours answering to the Senate Armed Services Committee this week, explaining his views on national security and his desire to be “as transparent as possible with the broader nation about what we’re doing, and why.” This included a detailed account of the need to create dedicated cyber attack divisions to supplement traditional ground, naval and air forces, which he says will help act as a deterrent to countries that see the United States as an easy target. “Clearly, Cyber will be an element of almost any crisis we’re going to see in the future,” he told the Senate. “It increasingly is becoming a norm.”
Filed under: Misc
Source: New York Times
Apple TV Update 6.1 Allows AirPlay Discoverability Over Bluetooth [Mac Blog]
When the Apple TV was updated to version 6.1 earlier this week, it was initially thought that there were minimal changes outside of the ability to hide icons in the main menu. However, a new report from AFP548 (via Daring Fireball) indicates that Apple also enabled AirPlay device discovery over Bluetooth as well.
Here’s one that will make educators and education network administrators realllllly happy. There’s a hidden gem in the AppleTV 6.1 update that was released today.
In addition to bonjour negotiation for AirPlay, iOS 7.1 devices will also look for AirPlay sources over bluetooth when doing it’s scan! This means you do NOT need bonjour to AirPlay.
Image via AFP548
This change allows Apple TV to search for connectable devices over Bluetooth, bypassing Bonjour and making it easier for education and business administrators to set up iOS device and Apple TV pairings. Previously, Apple TVs could have a difficult time discovering devices on networks that might block Bonjour.
The new feature has three requirements: an Apple TV updated to 6.1, an iOS device updated to 7.1, and IP connectivity between both devices. AFP548 found during its testing that the feature doesn’t yet support Macs, but that the ability could be added in a future update.
Apple TVs have become an important replacement for traditional projectors in both educational and business settings, and these changes are likely to make it even easier for administrators to consider switching to Apple’s solution.
| |
United Airlines to Debut In-Flight Movie Service for iPad and iPhone in April [iOS Blog]
United Airlines will be introducing a new in-flight movie service for both iPhone and iPad this April, allowing flyers to watch over 150 movies and 200 TV shows on their device, according to PatentlyApple.
According to United, “Most planes will be equipped with the new system very soon, and we’ll have it installed on most domestic aircraft by the end of 2014. We’ll begin on Airbus A319, Airbus A320, Boeing 747-400 and select 777-200 aircraft, followed by additional fleets. In the end, all United-operated flights will have some form of entertainment.
The free-of-charge service will only require flyers to download the latest version of the United Airlines app, although United will also let people download the app without the purchase of its Wi-Fi plan.
Users will have full control of the service’s content, having the ability to stop, pause, rewind, and switch between movies and TV shows at any time. In addition, flyers will be able to access the service on their laptops, although a browser plug-in will be required. Once on their flight, flyers need to only open the app to be presented with their entertainment options.
United Airlines is a universal app that can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]
| |
Google Translate for Android now deciphers handwriting in 13 more languages
If you’re an Android user traveling to the Middle East or southern Asia, you’ll likely want to grab a just-released update to Google Translate. The new app expands on a recent iOS upgrade with handwriting recognition for 13 extra languages that mostly come from the above two regions; you can now write in Arabic and Persian as well as Indian dialects like Gujarati, Kannada, Punjabi, Tamil and Telugu. You’ll also find support for Bosnian, Cebuano, Hmong, Maltese, Mongolian and Somali. This isn’t the biggest Google Translate refresh that we’ve seen, but it could make all the difference if you’re visiting Dubai or New Delhi.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Internet, Mobile, Google
Via: Android Police
Source: Google Play
‘Acoustic cloak’ could shield submarines with a cone of silence
We’ve seen some overly elaborate invisibility cloaks in our day, but Duke engineers have shown that lo-fi may be best for audio. After much refinement, they’ve developed a shield that can hide objects from sound waves thanks to a highly engineered pyramid shape and carefully placed holes. The stacked layers retard sound coming from any angle, so that it appears to have bounced off a flat wall when picked up by a detector (see the video after the break). Though it’s still early days, such materials could one day protect ships from sonar or improve concert hall acoustics, for instance. It’s also got the pyramid power thing going on — so maybe it could also keep your razor sharp.
Via: Pocket Lint
Source: Duke Engineering
Google Maps v7.7 Rolling Out, Adds Very Little [Download]
Google has pushed a new Google maps update out today. It moves the app to v7.7.0. The app size was slimmed down from the previous version, 7.6.1 at 8.83mbs to the now 8.56mbs. A slim down usually means removal of features, or at least cleaning up left overs. We don’t see anything missing though. Android Police picked up on “Upcoming Events” listings that give you new cards for local events in your area based on your search.
A few new strings of code have been added in as well that hint at the return of the automatic dimming feature in Navigate and a few lines about character limits and reporting an users response.
The new Maps update is rolling out via the Play Store in the typical staged roll out method. You can wait for it to hit your device, or head over to our download site, Gappsearly, and pick it up now.
AIVAnet 