New patent reveals why Google invested in Magic Leap
Back in October, Google invested in a startup called Magic Leap, a company that makes specialized augmented reality hardware. Now a new patent is revealing just what Google saw in this company.
Magic Leap’s new technology is called “cinematic reality” and will offer a 3D experience not offered on any other device. It’s a pair of smart glasses and other than seeing 3D virtual objects and scenery that can be downloaded from the cloud, users will also be able to share the real-life environment around them to another user. Imagine being at a concert, a sporting event, or some other tourist attraction and being able to share exactly what you see with someone else.
There could also be automatic triggers. For example, if you’re in a store and look at a product while wearing the glasses, a game or an interactive demo would start.
All of this sounds cool, but with people still reluctant to wear Google Glass, they are even more unlikely to wear something like this. Still, I don’t think it’s meant to be a 24/7 device, so I can see people using it for certain situations, but they would have to carry it with them at all times so that it’s ready to go.
What do you guys think? Does this sound interesting to you?
source: USPTO
via: Business Insider
Come comment on this article: New patent reveals why Google invested in Magic Leap
Google’s working on a feature for Chrome OS that will let you import files from external hard drives
We’ve known for a while now that Google is redesigning the File Manager application within Chrome OS and today some leaked details have appeared online. If a report published by OMG Chrome is anything to go by, it looks like the search engine giant has baked a new ‘Cloud Import’ feature into its latest build of the app.
This new function will allegedly allow files on MTP, external hard drives or SD cards which have been unearthed by its new background file system scanner to be quickly and easily backed up to Google Drive. The majority of this process will be automatic. The only thing the user will have to do is name the data and select a suitable place to store it.
‘Cloud Import’ will be accessible in Drive’s button bar whenever a supported device is connected to the computer — when an active import is in progress, the number of files remaining to be transferred together with the option to cancel will be shown in the File Manager.
Would you like to see Cloud Import built in to the next build of the File Manager app? Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Source: OMG Chrome
Come comment on this article: Google’s working on a feature for Chrome OS that will let you import files from external hard drives
Facebook Begins Small-Scale Testing of Voice-to-Text Conversations in Messenger [iOS Blog]
Facebook today began testing a new feature on its Messenger service, automatically transcribing voice messages sent through the service directly into text.
Announced by the Facebook’s VP of Messaging David Marcus on his Facebook page, the update is meant to be more helpful for people who enjoy sending and receiving voice messages but find themselves in situations such as a meeting where audio is less suitable to the environment (via The Next Web).
“Today we are starting to roll out a small test that helps people read the voice clips they receive instead of having to play them out loud. So, for example, if you’re at a concert or in a meeting, and would prefer to read a voice clip from a friend, you now can if you’re part of the small test we’re rolling out.”
Marcus goes on to mention that the current plan for the update is to keep it at a “tiny scale for now” and see how it performs in the wild. After seeing what the small scale of users think of the new feature, Facebook will decide whether to make the feature “more widely available.”
Though the Facebook Messenger app retains a low rating in the App Store due to customer complaints over the company’s continued attempt to separate individual services into various apps, it retained the top spot on 2014’s list of most downloaded apps when results were announced late last month.
Google’s New Calendar App for iOS Shown in Leaked Images [iOS Blog]
Google late last year launched its all-new Google Calendar app for Android with a smarter, more automated version of the platform, with a promise that the app would someday hit Apple’s iOS-enabled devices.
Thanks to a few leaked screenshots sent in to The Next Web, it appears the revamped Google Calendar app is ready for an imminent launch on iPhone and iPad. The images show off an app that looks pretty similar to the Android version, with Calendar pulling photos and map information straight into the app.
When the app debuts, it will be the first time a dedicated Google Calendar app launches on iOS. There’s no confirmation yet as to whether the iOS version will encompass all of the features from its Android counterpart, like Schedule View or Assists, but, as The Next Web points out, with the images leaking it shouldn’t be long until the app launches to find out.
Google has a number of regularly updated apps on Apple’s mobile platform, including fan favorite Google Maps and Google Translate, which was just updated with instant camera-based translation software Word Lens.
Moog revives its massive modular synthesizers
In 1973, Moog first began manufacturing its huge large format modular synthesizers that pack a wall of knobs, patch cables and other controls. The System 55, System 35 and System 15 went out of production as musicians desired to have something a bit more portable, but just before the start of NAMM 2015, the company announced those giant setups are coming back. Last year, the folks at Moog remade Keith Emerson’s (of Emerson, Lake & Palmer fame) modular system, and during the three-year-long process, learned a thing or two about recreating the original 1970s circuitry. Similar to Emerson’s model, the new System trio will be “a true recreation of the original,” using the decades-old schematics to accurately reproduce the specs — right down to all of the hand soldering, traditional wiring and photo-etched front panels.
Why revive those iconic instruments now? Well, as Moog puts it, “Artists had only begun to grasp the vast possibilities of these large format modular synthesizers when they went out of production over thirty years ago.” The interest in classic modular instruments has certainly grown, and it seems a number of folks are anxious to get their hands on one to explore that untapped potential. As you might expect, these instruments will be in limited quantities with 55 of the System 55 ($35,000), 35 of the System 35 ($22,000) and 150 of the System 15 ($10,000). In order to properly celebrate the return of its large format synths, Moog has a short film that discusses the trio’s importance, and you can see it just below.
Filed under: Misc
Source: Moog Music
Deal: Jawbone BIG Jambox Bluetooth Speakers available for $185 on Woot
The Jawbone BIG Jambox Bluetooth Speaker is currently being offered for around 38% off it’s normal list price on Woot. For only $184.99, you can grab this speaker in either Black, Red or White. The Red model is usually sold for the same price on Amazon, but the Black and White models usually run for upwards of $215. So considering only one of these color options are available for cheap, you might want to look into this deal if you’d like a different color.
Measuring 10.1 x 3.2 x 3.7 inches, the Jawbone BIG Jambox Bluetooth Speaker certainly isn’t the smallest speaker on the market, though we think you’ll really enjoy it if you’re looking for a speaker that puts audio quality above everything else. The speaker offers up to 15 hours of music playback on a single charge, so you won’t need to worry about charging it too often. You can also connect the speaker to a device without Bluetooth compatibility, since this speaker also features a 3.5mm headphone jack.
The deal runs for five more days on Woot, or until they run out of stock. If you’re interested, head to the links below to grab your very own Jawbone BIG Jambox Speaker.
Jawbone BIG Jambox Bluetooth Speaker in White for $184.99
Jawbone BIG Jambox Bluetooth Speaker in Black for $184.99
Jawbone BIG Jambox Bluetooth Speaker in Red for $184.99
Samsung Galaxy S6 will not have a metal unibody design: Rumor
Reports in the past have suggested that Samsung will utilize a metal unibody design on the Galaxy S6 much like what we saw on the Galaxy Alpha and the subsequently launched A series of smartphones.
A new report now states that Samsung might have ditched these plans altogether, in favor of something more interesting. According to a Samsung official quoted by a Korean source, the Galaxy S6 will pack a metal chassis, but the back will consist of a glass layer much like on Sony’s Xperia smartphones and the LG Nexus 4.
This also means that the battery on the smartphone will not be removable, which might disappoint a few Samsung fans. But it seems like a step in the right direction for the company given that we’ll be treated to an all new design. The same materials will also be used in the Galaxy S6 Edge according to the report.
What do you think of a Galaxy S flagship with a glass back panel in place of plastic?
Source: D Daily
Via: G For Games
Come comment on this article: Samsung Galaxy S6 will not have a metal unibody design: Rumor
Samsung may extend its current partnership with BlackBerry but won’t buy it
The head of Samsung’s mobile phone division stated today that the company could extend its current partnership with Samsung. However, he repeated what the company said last week that Samsung has no plans to acquire BlackBerry itself.
Firaxis Announces New ‘Sid Meier’s Starships’ Interstellar Strategy Game [Mac Blog]
Civilization designer Sid Meier along with 2K and Firaxis Games have announced a new game, Sid Meier’s Starships, reports Gamespot. The interstellar strategy game was developed by a small team at Firaxis who worked closely with Meier on the game’s design.
Sid Meier’s Starships builds upon the success of last year’s Civilization: Earth Beyond, moving beyond the initial colonization of planets to the world of space exploration.
“What happens after we colonize our new home and eventually build starships to take to the stars?” he said. “What has become of our long-lost brothers and sisters from the planet Earth? My goal was to create an experience that focuses on starship design and combat within a universe filled with interstellar adventure, diplomacy, and exploration.”
The latest chapter in Sid Meier’s game lineup allows users to control a fleet of starships as they journey through the universe completing a variety of missions that expand the influence of their federation. Though specific details were not revealed, Beyond Earth and Starships may share some cross-connectivity that will benefit gamers who own both games.
http://www.gamespot.com/videos/embed/6423028/
Sid Meier’s Starships is slated to debut in early 2015 and will be available on the PC, Mac, and iPad. Pricing and an exact release date will be announced soon.
Next Lock Screen update brings music controls, MMS and online chat support
A few months ago, Microsoft’s Garage initiative released Next Lock Screen, a simple lock screen replacement that aims to give users the information that they want without needing to enter the phone. The app has just been updated to bring Hangouts, Skype and Line messages to its users, along with MMS messages. The update also brings music controls to the lock screen, which is a feature we definitely would have liked to see from the start. These additions are very important when it comes to lock screen replacements, so we’re happy to see these features added. Take a look below for the full changelog:
- Music Player Controls. Now control music on Android OS versions 4.3 and above.
- Multimedia Messaging (MMS) Support. Multimedia messaging notifications will now appear on your lock screen.More Instant
- Messaging Support. Receive instant messaging notifications for Skype, Line, and Google Hangouts (for Android OS version 4.3 and higher).
- Quick Toggle Mobile Data. Turn on or off mobile data with a single tap.
- Improved performance, memory usage and number of bug fixes.
If you’re interested in trying this app or need to grab the update, head to the Play Store link below.
AIVAnet 