Google Fiber won’t charge content providers for quicker access
Irked that your internet provider is strong-arming media services into connection deals just to guarantee the quality you were expecting all along? You won’t have to worry about that happening with Google Fiber. The gigabit-grade ISP has declared that it isn’t charging companies for peering agreements, fast lanes or anything else that gives content hosts and delivery networks better performance than they would otherwise get. In fact, companies like Netflix already colocate in Google’s spaces — there won’t be any hitches in that 4K House of Cards stream if you’re using Fiber.
The search firm argues that there’s simply no incentive for it to extract cash from other sites. Video doesn’t slow down the network, and a better connection ultimately helps everyone; data traffic gets cheaper and customers are happier. We doubt that this stance will have companies like Comcast or Verizon rethinking their pay-to-play strategies any time soon. However, it does mean that you can turn to Google Fiber if you believe that paid prioritization violates the spirit of net neutrality… assuming you can get Fiber in the first place, that is.
[Image credit: Barta IV, Flickr]
Filed under: Networking, Internet, Google
Via: GigaOM
Source: Google Fiber Blog
Watch Morpheus take off and (hopefully) land itself at 2:30 PM ET!
The brains behind the Morpheus lander have made significant progress since it’s ill-fated, but spectacularly fiery first voyage. But then, that’s what makes rocket launches fun to watch: like a NASCAR race, anything can happen. This time, Morpheus is doing a completely autonomous free flight, with the entire series of planned maneuvers under computer control. If the weather holds, you’ll be able to watch it via the UStream link below in half an hour or so, and hopefully it’ll run as smoothly as the SpaceX Dragon launch did a few weeks ago.
Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream
Source: NASA (Twitter)
The Aluminum iPhone 6 Mold Being Used By Case Manufacturers
Recent weeks have seen a number of cases and physical mockups for Apple’s rumored iPhone 6, and now we’re getting a good look at the aluminum mold being used by case manufacturers as they prepare for the upcoming launch, courtesy of MobileDirect.ro.
Rather than a dummy model made to resemble the iPhone 6 directly, the mold is intended to represent the general shape of the device for the purposes of creating cases to fit the device and its physical features. As a result, the mold contains holes and depressions to allow it to be attached to machines for making the cases.
The iPhone 6 is expected to be available in two display sizes, both larger than the current 4-inch display on the last several generations. A 4.7-inch version has been rumored to be launching first around the September timeframe, with an even larger 5.5-inch model reportedly following several months later.
Pixelmator Updated With Improved 16-Bit Color, Locking Layers and an All-New Repair Tool [Mac Blog]
Pixelmator has updated its incredibly popular image editing software to version 3.2, including a completely redesigned repair tool, 16-bits per channel color support and a much-requested Lock Layers feature.
The new repair tool includes quick, standard and advanced modes that use retouching algorithms to remove imperfections or unwanted objects from images more efficiently. The Lock Layers feature lets users prevent any alterations to finished layers so they can’t be changed accidentally, and the 16-bits per channel support, introduced in Pixelmator 3.1, now works on all Macs, not just the Mac Pro.
“Packed with incredible features, Pixelmator 3.2 Sandstone delivers the most empowering image editing experience Pixelmator fans have ever had,” said Saulius Dailide of the Pixelmator Team. “Redeveloped from the ground up Repair Tool, 16-bits per channel support and Lock Layers feature make Pixelmator an excellent image editor that is just as fun and easy-to-use as it is powerful.”
Pixelmator 3.2 is a free upgrade for existing users, while new users can download the app from the Mac App Store for $29.99. [Direct Link]
BBC Sport app brings World Cup streaming to UK Roku boxes
The BBC’s desire to launch apps for all manner of connected devices sees it bring sporting coverage to UK Roku boxes at an exciting time. With the 2014 World Cup just a few short weeks away, the Beeb’s new Sport app delivers the latest news and highlights on all Roku streaming players (including the new Streaming Stick). More importantly, it also offers live streaming of major sporting events. To help users enjoy the greatest footballing show on earth, the BBC has introduced a dedicated filter option for the tournament, opening access to the 31 games it’ll broadcast in its “first 24/7 World Cup.”
Filed under: HD
Source: Roku UK
Samsung is making a VR headset for its phones and tablets
Samsung is known for its ubiquitous Galaxy smartphones and tablets, popular smart televisions and, most recently, smartwatches. The Korean consumer electronics giant is about to enter another major new category: virtual reality headsets. We’re told by sources close to Samsung that a virtual reality headset is not only in the works at the company’s mobile division, but it’s set to be announced this year. The urgency is said to be a measure of beating Facebook’s Oculus Rift and Sony’s Project Morpheus to market. Some developers already have early versions of the headset, which — at least in the development stages — is powered by flagship Galaxy devices (think: Note 3, Galaxy S5). The consumer model, however, is said to require the power of next-gen, unannounced Galaxy phones and tablets.
First things first, what are we talking about here specifically? A peripheral. We’re talking about a virtual reality headset — along the lines of Oculus Rift, but more akin to the Android-powered GameFace Labs prototype (seen below) — created by Samsung, powered by Samsung products. This is not the rumored “Galaxy Glass” project.
We’re told it has an OLED screen, as good or better than in the second Rift dev kit; it’s not clear how the headset connects to your phone/tablet, but we’re guessing it’s a wired connection rather than wireless. Given VR’s reliance on immediacy, a wired setup is a requirement (any lag introduced breaks the immersion, and often makes people sick). It’s also not clear how, or if, Samsung’s VR headset tracks head movement depth-wise. In the case of both Project Morpheus and Oculus Rift, separate cameras face the player and track depth by reading sensors on the respective headsets.
Beyond beating the competition to market, Samsung’s said to be targeting a lower price tier with its headset. Don’t expect anything too low — we’re still talking about a VR headset — but the idea again is to undercut Oculus and Sony. Unlike Galaxy Gear smartwatches, we’re told that Samsung’s in-house OS, Tizen, doesn’t play a part in the VR headset.
This is a device meant for use with games. What type of games? Android games! Sure, but which ones? That’s certainly the question. Great games make the platform, and VR games are especially tough to crack given the newness of the medium. One thing’s for sure: most major games won’t work on VR as direct ports. Something like Minecraft VR makes sense on paper, but does it actually play well?
That question, and many more surrounding Samsung’s VR headset, remain a mystery. For now! Perhaps you know more? We’d love for you to get in touch! We’ll have more on Samsung’s virtual reality plans as we hear more; for now, the official line from Korea is, “Samsung doesn’t comment on rumor and speculation.”
Filed under: Displays, Gaming, Peripherals, Wearables, Samsung
Smartglass interface turns any surface into a touchscreen using AR and fingertip heat
A developer called Metaio believes it can make a smartglass interface far more interesting than what has Google done thus far: one that can turn any surface into a touchscreen. Unlike Disney’s REVEL or that Ubi Kinect app, which can do similar things, Metaio’s technology tracks the heat of your fingertips using an infrared and a regular camera. When you do touch something, the system will complete the experience with augmented reality — for instance, “clicking” Like on a physical magazine will show you an animation of the action through your smartglass. While the technology’s far from coming to market, the company says it has a lot of potential applications. People can use it to play virtual board games, designers can use it to visualize their creations in 3D before making real-world versions and it can add digital content to toys, among many other possibilities. Sound interesting? If you’re in Santa Clara, California, you can see the “Thermal Touch” prototype at the Augmented World Expo on May 27 to 29. Otherwise, head after the break for a video that demonstrates what the interface can do in the future.
Filed under: Wearables
Source: Metaio
‘Gutted’ NSA reform bill passes the House, but sheds supporters
It’s not exactly what privacy advocates and most tech companies wanted, but it’s something. The USA Freedom Act has passed through the House of Representatives, but it didn’t escape unscathed. While many of the main components survived, other elements were lost to amendments or dramatically altered. One of the most controversial changes from the bill that passed out of the Judiciary Committee was a broader definition of a “specific selection term,” which is used by the NSA to define their data requests. The original language allowed the government to ask for records relating to a “person, entity or account.” What was passed by a vote of 303 to 12 on the floor of the capital added “address, or device” to that list, leaving the scope for data request quite broad. Obviously the original version of the bill had a much more narrow definition, which has led many privacy advocates like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and tech companies like Google to drop support for the bill as they feel it leaves too much room for abuse.
The amended bill would also put declassification reviews under the control of the Director of National Intelligence, instead of the Attorney General, ostensibly leaving the intelligence community to police itself. The level of detail that companies can share about data requests is also scaled back from what Wisconsin Republican Jim Sensenbrenner envisioned. The NSA is also allowed to collect material “about” a specific target, rather than just messages sent to or from the potential threat. These changes have left several early advocates of the bill feeling betrayed. The EFF said it was “dismayed” by the “gutted” bill that eventually cleared the House. While companies like Google and Facebook that supported the bill have now withdrawn support.
But the USA Freedom Act is not without its supporters. Many in the House, including Sensenbrenner himself, believe that this is a step in the right direction, no matter how small. While it likely won’t end the bulk collection of data, it will limit the NSA’s access to it. The databases will now be housed by the telephone companies for 18 months, rather than indefinitely by the government. The NSA will have to specifically request any information it wants and provide probable cause for the requests. That’s a pretty dramatic shift from the current system that has the government collecting all the data it wants. Sensenbrenner acknowledged the issues but urged others to support the bill saying, “don’t let the perfect become the enemy of the good.” The bill also has the support of the White House, though that won’t count for much among privacy advocates.
The USA Freedom Act will now go to the Senate where there is the possibility of more amendments. But if it passes there without significant modification, it’s almost guaranteed to be signed into law by President Barack Obama.
Filed under: Internet
Source: Washington Post
Minecraft arrives on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 this August
Look, playing Minecraft on a console is really great. It’s basically the same delightful/terrifying experience from PC, albeit in the comfort of your living room. What’s not to like? Well, on last-gen consoles, there was at least one unfortunate side effect of the platform: the procedurally generated world of Minecraft was significantly smaller than what could be done on PC. With Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions arriving this August, that changes. As development studio Mojang puts it, “It brings significantly bigger worlds and a greater draw distance than Xbox 360 Edition.” Hot dog!
Of course, should the more bite-sized world of last-gen Minecraft suffice (and believe us, it’s plenty big), the PlayStation Vita version also arrives this August. Here’s even better news: if you already bought the game on PlayStation 3, you own it on Vita. A similar deal applies to folks converting from PS3/Xbox 360 versions to PS4/XB1 versions: if you already own the prior version and you want to upgrade to current-gen, it’s just $5. The latter deal only applies for the first year of availability, so you’ll wanna upgrade soon-ish to snag it on the cheap.
To sweeten the deal even further, saved games from last-gen/Vita will scale up to current-gen consoles (though it’s not possible to go back — beware!). All the updates to last-gen versions will come packed in to this August’s version, and the whole package goes for $20. Oh, and the creepers are still super, super creepy.
Filed under: Gaming, Software, HD, Sony, Microsoft
Source: Mojang
Amazon giving away five free apps and $10 worth of credits
We’re fast approaching Memorial Day weekend here in the United States which often means barbecues, swimming, time off work, and sales! Amazon, getting things started a few days early, has put together a little package of five free apps with Amazon Coin deals. More specifically, instead of one free app to give away each day, you’ll have five to pick from.
Each title comes with 200 in Amazon Coins which equals $2.00 in app/game credit. Put all five together and you’ve got ten bucks to use on other apps or games for your phone, tablet, Kindle Fire, or Fire TV.
The Memorial Day Weekend promotion lasts until May 31.
- Food Network In the Kitchen
- Don’t Step the White Tile
- Dr. Panda’s Restaurant
- iHeartRadio
- Strawberry Shortcake Bake Shop
The post Amazon giving away five free apps and $10 worth of credits appeared first on AndroidGuys.
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