Virtual reality training for rescuers may save your life in a crisis
While some soldiers have virtual reality training to familiarize themselves with the battlefield, paramedics and other rescuers are out of luck; their first crisis is frequently all too real. Intelligent Decisions isn’t happy with that lack of preparation, so it’s developing a VR system that gives first responders a taste of what it’s like to handle major emergencies. Its upcoming Medical Simulation thrusts trainees into chaotic situations like natural disasters and terrorist attacks, teaching these people to maintain focus and treat those who need the most help. The hardware can incorporate actors and mannequins into computer-generated scenes, and it will have sensors for blood pressure, heart rate and gaze to verify that crews are staying cool under pressure.
While Medical Simulation is built with civilian rescuers in mind, it should also be useful for military medics that have to get used to the heat of combat. It might also be used to treat patients far removed from immediate danger’ Intelligent Decisions believes it could help with complicated surgery or veterans coping with post-traumatic stress. It will take about two years for Medical Simulation to enter service, but it could be cheap enough that even clinics can ready themselves for worst-case scenarios — if calamity strikes, you may owe your life to someone who’s had some VR practice.
[Image credit: Miguel Rojo/AFP/Getty Images]
Filed under: Displays, Wearables
Source: The Verge
Toshiba stuffs Windows into a 7-inch tablet, whether you want it or not
There’s no shortage of 8-inch Windows tablets on the market right now, but Microsoft and its partners are pushing ahead with plans to shrink the OS even further. A Redmond executive at Computex has just shown off the Toshiba Encore 7: a 7-inch tablet running full Windows 8.1. If you’re thinking that the Windows desktop will be mighty fiddly at this screen-size, then you’re right — it’s only going to be useful as a Plan B when there’s no other way to get into a legacy application, or when you’re hooked up to a keyboard, mouse and bigger display. For regular use, you’d be reliant on the more thumb-friendly Metro UI and apps.
The Encore 7 isn’t actually the first such device we’ve seen (Panasonic has a 7-inch Toughpad, and some smaller brands have had a go too), but it’s likely to be one of the first to go mainstream, especially if it can score a budget price tag. There’s no official pricing or availability yet, but judging from the use of a standard Bay Trail Atom processor, paired with a reported 1GB of RAM and a 1,024 x 600 display resolution, there’s nothing to stop the Encore 7 coming in at well under $200. We’re hoping to get hands-on with the device shortly, but in the meantime our review of the Encore 8 should give you a flavor of what this thing is like.
Filed under: Tablets, Microsoft, Intel
Source: Microsoft News, Tech2.hu
Verizon Looking Like Likely Carrier for the Xperia Z2 Tablet
I am a huge fan of Sony products. Ever since my switch from Samsung to the Sony Xperia Z on T-Mobile, I have no desire to return to the dark side. A new leak suggests that Verizon will be getting back on board with Sony after years of denial. The last Sony phone I can remember was clear back when it was still Sony Ericsson and they had the Xperia Play. While the leak, courtesy of @Evleaks, doesn’t show us a Xperia Z3 phone, it does show us a Verizon branded Xperia Z2 Tablet. Just as good and if not better to many.
The Xperia Z2 Tablet was only recently announced in February. The tablet brings in a 10.1-inch 1200 x 1920 resolution display with Sony’s Triluminos and X-Reality engine. It packs in a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 quad-core processor at 2.3GHz along with 3GB or RAM. The battery life is rated for 10 hours, it is a 6,000 mAh battery, and the whole thing is water-proof (IP55 and IP58) / dust resistant (IP55). It is really hard to not want one of these bad boys.
We will have to wait and see what Verizon has planned for this one. We suspect it will be released soon, but probably carry a hefty price tag for access to the 4G LTE services. Nothing new there.
Via: @Evleaks G+
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LG Exec: LG G3 almost had even smaller bezels
The LG G3 is renowned for its slim bezels and is an engineering marvel when it comes to design, but the company were constantly pushing for even slimmer bezels.
According to Chul Bae Lee, the VP of LG Mobile’s design lab, the executive team were constantly urging the engineers to decrease the width of the LG G3′s bezel even more, but were only stopped by technical restrictions.
In order to accommodate this large screen, the bezel has to be very slim, that’s a given condition. I kept squeezing my engineers to make it slimmer and slimmer. They are all my friends but they didn’t meet my expectations and this is the best we can do as of today. It is still one of the best in the market and it is all related to the technology development as well.
Any slimmer and the device would have been simply unstable and wouldn’t have passed LG’s quality control test, notably the four-feet drop test. Another option would have been to use thicker glass for the display, which again wouldn’t be an option in order to retain the thinness of the device.
LG feel that they got the perfect balance between bezel size and robustness of the device. What do you guys think?
SOURCE: TrustedReviews
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You might soon be able to charge your battery up to 92% faster
We all know battery life is one of the main fields that should be improved when it comes to smartphones. We have all this power in such a small body but battery life often annoys us. There aren’t many solutions other than portable chargers and/or replaceable batteries (for some devices), but there might be way to soften the blow.
A company named PLX Devices Inc is working on a way to offer you up to 92% faster charge of your device’s battery. The device which should help you do that is called Legion Meter and is on Kickstarter as we speak. Legion Meter should be a usb dongle in which you should plug-in your device via usb cable. There are tons of information Legion Meter will give you on its display but the main feature is of course faster charge times, they say up to 92%. Kickstarter goal was $10,000 and they’ve currently raised over $355,000, this actually says something about smartphone batteries these days. If you want to pledge your donation or want to know more visit the link below.
Would you buy something like this? Does your smartphone take way too long to charge?
SOURCE: Kickstarter
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Samsung Galaxy S5 Google Edition leaks, allegedly
When HTC announced its new One (M8), a Google Play Edition was also released, replacing last year’s model. With the Galaxy S5, we haven’t been so lucky yet, but according to a recent leak, one is on the way.
TK Tech News shared the photo of the device, which appears to be gold, but it could also be available in other colors as well. Besides this photo, no other info is available.
The Galaxy S4 GPE is still for sale at $649, so if and when it releases, it may be around that price point. The HTC One (M8) GPE sells for $699.
Hopefully soon you’ll be able to get your hands on another premium device with stock Android that gets updates just as fast as the Nexus line.
Via PhoneArena
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Samsung Galaxy F leaked with premium design
From last year, we have been hearing that Samsung will release a premium flagship device this year, known as Samsung Galaxy F. It was rumored to show up with the Galaxy S5, and we heard about its specs several times. Now after all this time, we finally get to have a glimpse of the Samsung Galaxy F or also know as the Samsung Galaxy S5 ‘Prime’. Thanks to @evleaks, below you can see a beautiful render image, which look a lot like the Samsung Galaxy S5, only with brushed metal finish. Have a look:
@evleaks also shared a blurry image of the Galaxy F, and in the title description, they said that this device will replace the Galaxy S5 and hence there will be no Galaxy S6. However, they said that this statement is unconfirmed and unverified. We already know what will be under the hood, and it’s probably not a good successor to the Galaxy S5, but at least there will be an option for people if they want something more.
Are you looking forward to the Galaxy F? Let us know in the comment box below.
Source: @evleaks
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Living With Google: Google Now
It seems not a day goes by that we don’t discover some new way to use our Android device. It’s portable, powerful, and full of amazing software. My smartphone is a daily tool that I could not live without. Google has made this more of a need for me than a “want”. More and more as Google services are updated with new features the smartphone in my pocket becomes a necessary accessory like car keys and clothes.
My daily use of Google consist of key programs like Gmail, Google Photos, Hangouts, YouTube, Maps, Keep, and Google Now. Google Now seems to be the key driver in putting everything I need to know in a one stop shop.
From the moment I wake up Google is already telling me about my drive to work, suggesting articles I should read, and letting me know what the score of that late night game I missed.
Google Now integrated with Search and the other applications seems to get almost eerie knowing what you want to see and or watch of course you only let Google know by choice. Allowing the application to know where you work, live, and what you enjoy gives it the ability to make suggestions based on you the user. It also allows you to have a concierge, of sorts, in your pocket.
Need to know the score of the latest baseball game? Google is there for you. How about how tall that roller coaster is? Maybe you’re arguing about how old Morgan Freeman is. Google has an answer for all of that stuff. Measurements, weights, definitions, times, info on the city your visiting – it’s all there by clicking the mic on the search bar. (OK Google for the Nexus and Motorola users.)
How do you use this service you may ask? First set up a Google account then most new phones with 4.1 or higher already have it native. Find the app called search and say Yes I’m In and your up and running. If the app is not already on your phone you can find it in the Play Store named Google Search. At first there will be little information like weather and some local attraction but the more you use it the more It knows you the user. For more info visit the Google Now page for a list of commands and uses.
Once you are up and running with Google Now you will start to notice Google pop up in your notification bar from time to time. One of the first to show is time to work giving you an estimated drive time to work it even alerts you if there is an accident and suggest a different route. The more you use Google the more it suggest articles and things to do tuned to you.
The biggest feature of Google Now is the Search commands. Ask Google “What time is it in Memphis” and it will respond. Ask you favorite team and Google will show the last score and a list of news relating to the team. The more you ask about you favorite team Google Now will eventually start showing scores in you notification bar no more checking the web for the score from last night.
There are a large list of commands for Google Now and Google ads and or subtracts these commands on a very regular basis. For Nexus and Motorola users all you have to do is say “OK Google” followed by the command. For other users you will have to open the app by touching the microphone key.
A FEW EXAMPLES OF HOW I USE GOOGLE NOW ON A DAILY BASIS
In the morning before I even touch my phone Google Now is showing me an estimated time to work if there is a wreck it gives me alternate routes. On the drive in I tell Google what I want to listen to “OK Google listen to Haste the Day”; this one always wakes me up.
Throughout the day I regularly ask Google random questions like “whats the weather like today?” or “How old is ____?”. During lunch I tell Google to find places to eat for a list that I can choose from. If I have a package en route Google Now shows me a status of shipping. If I need to call a business I say “OK Google call Sprint” and Google will give me a list of Sprint stores near by.
At night, Google Now is a great tool to use for information. Google seems to know exactly what you want to read, what scores you want to see, and what you want to watch on TV. Want to know more information on the movie you watching say “OK Google Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” and instantly it gives you a list of actors and other information including a Google search of the movie. Click on Johnny Depp and a short list of information and all his movies appear in front. When I want to eat I ask Google for recipes and a list of different choices are presented. All this, and more, is tailored to me; the capabilities are expanding every week, it seems. Google seems to have hit the nail on the head when it comes to a personal assistant that understands what you want.
LIVING WITH GOOGLE is an ongoing series of articles dedicated to highlighting the many ways in which Google can help better our lives. With innumerable apps and services to choose from, our aim is to educate readers on the ways in which we use them.
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Evidence of Upcoming Retina iMacs Showing Up in OS X Yosemite Beta
Evidence of upcoming iMac updates is continuing to accumulate, and the latest hint points toward support for models equipped with Retina displays. As noted by Macbidouille [Google Translate], the OS X Yosemite developer preview includes a new file defining display scaling resolution options for a machine identified as an iMac.
The unreleased machine was first spotted last week in the OS X 10.9.4 beta, but today’s discovery includes the observation that Retina-resolution display support is included.
The file includes a series of scaling resolution options for this machine, maxing out at 6400 x 3600 pixels, or 3200 x 1800 as a Retina display. The display itself would carry a somewhat lower native resolution, perhaps 5120 x 2880 to simply pixel double the current 27-inch iMac, but as with the Retina MacBook Pro higher resolutions are specified and generated by the machine before being scaled back down.
The first of these resolutions indicates hexa “00001900 00000e10″ is therefore a resolution scaling of … 6400 x 3600 (probably 3200×1800 HiDPI).
Continues and is 5760×3240 (2880×1620 HiDPI) 4096×2304 (2048×1152 HiDPI), etc..
(There are other resolutions, just make the conversion from hex)With this alone, it is not possible to guess the native resolution of the machine. This is a resolution that does not appear in the file, since it is native and does not have to be “scaled”.
Knowing that there is a gap between the values of 5760 and 4096, one can imagine something between these two (probably 5120×2880, 2560×1440 or in HiDPI), but this is speculation.
As an example of how these higher-than-native resolution options are used, while the 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro has a native resolution of 2880 x 1800 (giving screen real estate of 1440 x 900 as Retina), the system is capable of generating a 3840 x 2400 desktop that is then scaled down to give the real estate of a 1920 x 1200 display.
In the case of this iMac, a similar scenario would see the initial 6400 x 3600 screen scaled to display as 3200 x 1800 on the Retina iMac.
Apple has been rumored to be working on Retina iMacs ever since the debut of the Retina MacBook Pro in 2012, but the company has likely been challenged by the large number of pixels needed for the desktop machine, particularly the 27-inch model. Recent rumors have pointed toward a lower-priced version of the iMac to help address emerging markets, but Retina models are likely also in the works.
As was seen with the MacBook Pro, Apple may initially move to split the iMac lineup with Retina models initially coming in at higher price points alongside existing or slightly cheaper non-Retina model pricing. Over time, the line would be consolidated as prices for the components needed to support Retina displays come down.
Apple’s new Lightning spec allows for smarter, better-sounding headphones
When Apple first unveiled its Lightning connector, there was a debate about whether or not it was needed at all: what can this proprietary tech do that standard micro-USB can’t? Well, it looks like we’re going to find out soon. Sources for 9to5 Mac understand that Apple has published a new specification that lets headphone makers use an iOS device’s Lightning port for audio instead of the normal 3.5mm jack. On a basic level, this allows headsets to launch apps and carry more than just the usual playback controls. However, there’s reportedly an advanced spec that permits a lot more — headphones could include digital-to-analog converters and other processing that overrides what’s in the device. If you’re not happy with the fidelity of the built-in hardware, a new pair of cans could provide an upgrade.
Since Lightning can also supply power in both directions, either new spec could eliminate a number of electricity-related problems. External audio processing wouldn’t always need a separate energy source; you could do active noise cancellation that draws only on the host device for power. You could alternately charge an Apple gadget through batteries that are built into the headphones or attached with a pass-through cable.
Whether or not manufacturers take up the spec is another matter. To support Lightning without abandoning listeners on other platforms, companies would have to either bundle extra cabling or else sell multiple versions of the same gear. Those feats are easy for higher-end brands, but may be tougher for newer or more budget-conscious outfits. Even if others are skittish, though, the tech could come in handy now that Apple owns Beats — future official headphones could both sound better and integrate well with your iPhone.
Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Peripherals, HD, Mobile, Apple
Source: 9to5 Mac
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