OptiShot2 is a fun golf sim that also improves your game
If you have creeping doubts about your golf game, there’s a $500 sim that lets you swing real clubs in your house. Yep, your pets and furniture will need to make way for the OptiShot2, which gives you online play, simulated championship courses and instant practice feedback. You hook it up to a Mac or PC, download the software and swing away. The infrared sensors accurately track your swing while the simulated courses and online competition add a gaming-like fun factor. But $500 is a lot of money for a video game and sensor, so I want more than just fun; I also want to get better. Luckily, the OptiShot delivers both of those things.
If you can’t golf, you’re going to suck at OptiShot’s sim. That’s because you take full-blooded hacks at a ball with a real driver, iron or putter, and not a gamepad or mouse as with, say, EA’s PGA Tour series. The swinging mat has two strips of 16 infrared sensors that detect when your club zips through the ball before, during and after contact. It measures your clubhead speed to within plus or minus 2 MPH, and the face angle and swing path to within 1.5 and 1.9 degrees, respectively. The sim then figures out the distance your ball would travel in real life and whether it’d hook, slice or go straight.
If you can play a little, it’s stupidly fun. I used a BenQ 1080p projector and high-end PC, with all the realism settings cranked. The graphics aren’t quite as good as World Golf Tour or other top-notch golf games, but they’re definitely good enough, and anyway, it’s not meant to be a video game per se. Rather, it makes boring practice more entertaining by making you care about each swing — if you fluff a shot, you’ll get beat by an online rival or shoot a bad score.
To kick things off, you install the OptiShot2 software on your PC or Mac, download the courses and plug in the hardware. The company recommends a minimum 8.5-foot-high ceiling, though you may need more than that — if you’re tall and want to swing a driver, a 10-foot or higher ceiling might be required. You can optionally calibrate your clubs and tell the system’s auto-caddy which one to hand you for a given distance. To pretend you’re Bubba Watson, you can cheat the settings so that the ball flies much farther than it would in real life.
Once you take a hack with or without a ball, its digital counterpart will accurately slice into the rough or power down the fairway. You can fine-tune the settings for more wind, higher rough difficulty or faster greens, to name a few options. From there, just play the course as you would in real life, hitting drivers, irons, chips and putts.
The system does a good job of measuring your swing, with a few exceptions. I compared it against a Zepp swing analyzer, and it matched the swing speed and clubface angle closely. As with the Zepp, I was hitting drives about 250-260 yards, and deserved any slices or hooks it gave me. That feedback forced me to make the necessary adjustments to avoid spraying the ball all over the digital links. When I did go to play on a real course, I found that extra concentration helpful — on a driving range, it’s too easy to just turn your brain off, since there’s nothing to play for.
The OptiShot2 picks up center, toe or heel contact, but not “fat” or thin shots. That’s because it can’t measure the height of your club above the sensor, so a real-life “topped” shot might look just fine on the sim. It also means chipping isn’t very realistic, as face contact is critical on such shots. The simulated putting was reasonably accurate, however, according to a comparison I made with the 3Bays GSA Putt. In any case, the OptiShot2 can’t help your putting or chipping much — those two disciplines have to be practiced on a real green. Having them work consistently makes the game more fun, though, especially with head-to-head play.
If you want a more realistic playing experience, it’s doable — for a price. A sum of $300 will get you an octagonal mat, raising your feet slightly and giving them more grip than, say, your hardwood floor. There’s also a $110 hitting net that you can bang real golf balls into for extra feel (and danger), along with plastic tees and foam balls.
You can set up online games and invite up to four friends for stroke or match play (offline games are also possible). This is just as amusing as it sounds, although you’re trusting your pals not to fudge the settings. You can play on 15 included courses, or buy extra “Platinum” tracks at $30 bucks a pop. Amusingly, the company added a knockoff Augusta National course called “Sweet Magnolia” in time for the Masters. In fact, many of the courses are clones of real-life championship layouts with the names changed for copyright reasons.
On my first simulated OptiShot2 game I failed to break 100 and I’m a 14-handicap, so that was embarrassing. But that’s just the point: By accurately tracking your swing, the system forces you to bear down and play better. After shaking off a bit of rust and grooving a better motion, things started looking up and after about 15 games, I shot a 75 at “Sweet Magnolia.”
Then came the acid test: a real golf course. I played my first real round of the year and lo, I actually scored decently. So, the OptiShot succeeds on two counts for me — it’s super fun, and it helped my full swing by forcing me to practice better. It can’t help your short game much, but the chipping and putting simulations are good enough to keep it fun. My only reservation is the price: a full setup, including the octagonal mat, net and a few courses runs nearly $1,000, the same price as a membership at my local club. But if you’re a golf nut with means, it’ll give you a fun way to practice so that when you hit the links for real, you’ll be ready.
Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals
Roommates stab each other in iPhone versus Android debate
It’s a debate almost as old as time. OK, it’s really not but it’s been a debate since the modern incursion of smartphones pit the iPhone and iOS versus Google’s Android platform. Fanboys on each side, spend announcement days bashing the other company’s newest device while offering quips about how their favorite OS is better. Well it looks like two roommates are paying the price for their ultimate fanboyism as the the men stabbed each other during an iPhone versus Android debate.
In what could be taken away from a bar brawl movie scene, two roommates in Tulsa, Oklahoma, took the argument to the next level after stabbing each other with broken beer bottles.
Tusla station KTUL reports, “Tulsa police say a woman found a man covered in blood, stumbling around the parking lot of the Evergreen Apartments around 1 a.m.”
When the police arrived, they found the roommates had been drinking a bit and arguing about smartphones. Before stabbing each other, the pair broke their beer bottles with one of the men smashing a bottle over the other’s head. The roommates have been treated for their injuries but charges have yet to be filed.
While the debate has always been silly, this takes the cake and should hopefully shed some light on how ridiculous the argument really is.
source: KTUL
via: Cult of Android
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Chrome 43 Beta released with new support for the musicians of the world
Google’s Chrome team has released an update to the Beta channel, Chrome 43, with support for MIDI devices, a new Permissions API, and a host of other changes and improvements. The new Web MIDI API included in Chrome 43 means users can make use of connected MIDI devices when accessing an online resource. MIDI devices include things like synthesizers, keyboards, DJ decks and drum machines amongst others. With the update, once a user plugs one of these devices into their system, even an Android tablet or smartphone, the device will be able to communicate with web sites without any additional work by the user to load software or drivers.
The new Chrome 43 beta also tries to make it easier on users when they receive prompts about certain systems that require permission. An example would be sites that want to geolocate a user, a step that often triggered a prompt to let the site use their location. Unfortunately, these prompts often do not include any information for a user to determine the context or purpose. The new API applies to permission status checks for Geolocation, Push, Notifications and the new Web MIDI and will allow web site developers to ask for permission with some context for the end user.
Many of the other improvements involve under the hood changes intended to help web site developers use the browser more effectively. A few of these may be noticed by end users. For instance, Google is working on code to transition unmodifiable legacy web content to encrypted and authenticated content that can be delivered via HTTPS. This means users may see fewer warnings about mixed content on a site that they otherwise expect to me secured. Another change is the ability for the autocapitalize property to be used in input and textarea elements when users are entering information.
Hit the source link below for the full list of changes included in Chrome 43 Beta as well as further info on installing the beta channel if you do not already have it.
source: Chromium Blog
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Google+ update brings major redesign for Communities [APK Download]
Google is currently in the process pushing out an update for its official Google+ application. This upgrade doesn’t deliver any new features, but it does transport a major redesign for the Communities section of the app and carries a handful of bug fixes, too.
Here’s what the search engine giant had to say:
“Check out your favorite community on Android to see the new and improved look in this week’s app update (currently rolling out). We hope you’ll love it!”
To install the update, simply open up the Play Store on your device, toggle the hamburger menu by swiping in from the left-hand side of the screen, select ‘My Apps’ and click on ‘Google+’. Next, hit the update button, and the upgrade will instantly start to download and install. Alternatively, you can download the APK by hitting the source link below.
Source: APK Mirror
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Huawei to offer same day P8 replacements in UK through VIP Service
A new report says Huawei is preparing a new VIP Service for the UK market when the Huawei P8 is available. The primary benefit of the VIP Service will be the potential for buyers of the Huawei P8 to get a same day replacement for their device if a warranty issue is determined to exist. The new service appears to be an attempt by Huawei to compete against Apple in providing replacements, something Apple is able to do rather easily through their retail locations. For Huawei, reports indicate they will provide replacements via a courier service.
According to the description of the service, Huawei P8 owners will have a dedicated service line they can contact if they have a problem with their device. If the representative believes a warranty issue may be involved, the owner can get a same day replacement or next day if it is too late for the courier to get out to a location. Apparently the P8 owner will have to pony up a £100 ($149 USD) deposit in case actual inspection of the device reveals it is not a warranty issue.
Huawei already offers a similar service on the Honor 6 and Honor 6 Plus devices in the UK. This latest service being made available for the P8 may also be available for the P8 Lite. Source indicate Huawei is exploring ways to offer VIP Service on other models, including non-flagship devices. It is not clear whether Huawei may expand the program beyond the UK market.
source: Android Authority
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Motorola Connect updated with new features for the Moto 360
Motorola is in the midst of rolling out an update for its official Connect application via the Play Store. In terms of added functionality, the upgrade brings a truckload of new features to the app, some of which are specifically aimed at Moto 360 users, giving them the means to: “upload their own watch face background, share watch face creations and customize watch faces directly on the watch.”
Hit the break below for the full changelog.
- Moto 360: Customize watch faces directly on the watch
- Moto 360: Upload your own watch face background or choose from one of our curated backgrounds across five themes
- Moto 360: Share your watch face creations with your social networks
- Moto Body: Opt-in to receive a weekly email summary with insights on your activity
- Moto Body: Improved visualization of wellness data
- Performance improvements
If you own a Moto 360, have the Motorola Connect application installed on your smartphone or tablet and want to install the update — simply, hit the source link below.
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Windows 10 phone preview will get Office universal apps by month’s end
We’ve already seen Microsoft’s Universal Office apps hit tablets, laptops and desktops as part of the Windows 10 Technical Preview, now the company has announced they’ll be headed to phones by the end of the month. The Universal Office apps, which so far include Word, Excel and PowerPoint, are meant to show off a new touch friendly version of Microsoft’s long-running productivity suite. But they’re also an example of how developers can build one app that easily runs across a variety of Windows 10 devices. On phones, the Office Universal apps highlight the content of your documents, with typical commands and controls at the bottom of the screen. Microsoft says that should help with editing documents one-handed. On tablets, the Office apps look more like the full-fledged Office 2016 desktop apps, but with a interface tweaks to make them easier to navigate with your fingers.
Microsoft has been working on cross-compatible apps even before Windows 8, but it looks like that dream will finally be realized with Windows 10. And that makes plenty of sense, since Windows 10 is meant to run across phones, tablets, traditional PCs and even the Xbox One. Microsoft’s had a hard time convincing developers to dedicate resources to Windows 8 apps, but devs may think differently if they’re able to create a single app that easily runs across multiple platforms. Think of Windows 10 not as a mere operating system update for Microsoft — instead, it’s the centerpiece of a completely unified Windows platform.
The best iPhone 6 case (so far)
This post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a list of the best technology to buy. Read the full article below at TheWirecutter.com.
After surveying almost 1,000 Wirecutter readers and testing close to 100 iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus cases over a period of about 50 hours (so far), our current pick for the best all-around case is the NGP from Incipio. The NGP line has protected several generations of iPhones (and many other devices) and has a reputation for providing solid protection and a good fit at a great price. It’s slim enough not to detract from the iPhone 6’s svelte dimensions while still offering comprehensive protection for the handset’s body, including its buttons. Openings along the bottom allow for compatibility with a wide range of accessories.
How we picked
Our first round of cases for testing. We’ve since tested many, many more.
Truth is, there are plenty of good iPhone cases out there. A bad case is actually a pretty rare thing. But in looking for a few cases that work for most people, we sought out a case that can adequately protect your phone without adding too much bulk or unnecessary embellishment while doing so. Apple sets forth very specific guidelines for case developers, with the main thesis being, “A well-designed case will securely house an Apple device while not interfering with the device’s operation.”
From our perspective, a respectable degree of shock absorption is important, as is a tight fit. The case should cover as much of the iPhone’s body as possible, including a raised lip around the screen to keep the display from getting scratched when laying flat on a surface. The best cases also offer button protection with great tactility, mimicking (or in some instances even enhancing) what you’d feel with a bare iPhone.
Our pick
The NGP from Incipio in translucent teal.
Incipio’s NGP ($10 at street prices) is the best iPhone 6 case for most people because it offers full-body protection against drops and scuffs while adding minimal bulk. Including the protective lip around the screen, the case adds a little more than 2 millimeters to the total thickness of the handset, which is about half the extra thickness of our previous pick, Speck’s CandyShell. While those with butterfingers may benefit from the extra protection provided by the CandyShell’s dual-layer design, the NGP’s slimmer-but-still-shock-absorbent profile offers the best compromise between protection and aesthetics.
The NGP is made out of a single piece of flexible polymer material that the company calls Flex2O. This sounds fancy, but it’s really just a variant of standard thermoplastic polyurethane, which you may know as TPU. But there are a lot of TPU cases that can be had for half as much as the NGP, so why pay extra? It comes down to little things like fit, button feel, and quality control. As with all good cases, port openings are properly aligned and buttons depress readily without requiring noticeably more pressurethe button protection doesn’t dampen the clicking sensation. This is important because even a little unpleasantness adds up to a lot of annoyance when repeated dozens of times each day.
The iPhone 6 Plus edition of the NGP is an equally strong pick.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
There are only two small issues with the case. The first is the height of the screen lip. At 0.6 mm tall, it falls below the 1-mm threshold Apple recommends in its case-developer guide. But we feel it’s enough to still adequately protect the screen.
The other issue is even more of a trifle. A black ring around the camera opening is meant to help prevent color issues when the flash is used for photos. On our first review unit, the paint was slightly unevennot enough to affect pictures, but enough that perfectionists might notice. However, we haven’t seen the same issue on subsequent samples of the case.
Other great cases
The Speck CandyShell offers more protection if you’re prone to drops.
If you’re the type of person who’s always cashing in on AppleCare, we suggest something with more protection, such as Speck’s CandyShell ($35), our previous top pick. The two layers of materialplastic on the outside, rubber on the insideoffer more protection than cases that are just one or the other. At 10.9 mm thick, the CandyShell is on the chunky side, but it doesn’t feel especially thick, and it’s one of the only cases we tested that meets military drop-test standards. A wide range of colors is available, as well as variants with rubbery grips (CandyShell Grip), credit card holders (CandyShell Card), or graphic prints (CandyShell Inked). Unfortunately, the company doesn’t offer the standard CandyShell for the iPhone 6 Plus, but you can get the CandyShell Grip and CandyShell Inked; each is a very good option.
If you’d rather not carry a phone and a wallet, we recommend CM4’s Q Card Case ($40). The body is sturdy rubber and fits securely, protruding in front to form a 0.8-mm screen lip. On the back, there’s a faux-leather pocket that can hold up to three cards, plus some cash. (Without any cards in the Q Card Case’s sleeve, the case is only about a millimeter thicker than the standard CandyShell; its thickness increases with the thickness of each card you add.) While the sleeve can’t hold more than three cards, the growing availability of Apple Pay and other electronic-payment options makes using the Card Case more viable than it was just a year or two ago. Again, there’s an equally strong model for the iPhone 6 Plus.
The Q Card Case can hold up to three cards, replacing the need for a wallet for some.
The problem with many cases is they prevent you from using your phone with dock-cradle speakers and similar accessories. STM’s Harbour ($25) addresses this problem better than any other case thanks to a flip-open bottom. Similar in construction to the CandyShell but costing $10 less, the matte-finish Harbour is smaller in every dimension. There’s a model for the iPhone 6 Plus, too.
The biggest advantage to the Harbour is that flip-open bottom. When closed, the case’s bottom edge has one opening for the phone’s headphone jack and microphone and a second opening for the Lightning-connector port. While these openings are large enough to work with many accessories, you can flip the bottom 1.25 inches of the case up and behind on a rubber hinge, allowing full access to the bottom of the phone for docking or compatibility with larger accessories. It’s a best-of-both-worlds scenario: full protection during normal use and accessory access when you need it. We tested the strength of the hinge by bending it back and forth 250 times, and we saw no wear; we first recommended the Harbour in October 2014, and we’ve received only a single reader complaint about durability with the hinge.
Many cases designed to add minimal bulk also provide minimal protectionthey prevent scratches, but they won’t absorb much of the shock of a drop onto concrete. So we don’t recommend these cases for most people. That said, many people (including a number of Wirecutter editors) want a super-thin case and are willing to sacrifice shock protection for it, so we took a look at some of the better options available. Caudabe’s The Veil comes in versions for iPhone 6 ($15) and iPhone 6 Plus ($16). At only 0.35 mm thick, the plastic case almost disappears when installed on the handset, and it’s the only case of the style we’ve come across to offer a small lip around the screen as well as a raised ridge around the phone’s protruding rear camera for protection.
Apple’s own cases are actually pretty good, especially the Leather option.
We also have an editor’s choice case. Apple’s $45 Leather Case isn’t as protective as our other picks, but we like it anyway. It leaves the bottom edge of your iPhone exposed, and it won’t wear as well (in terms of durability) over time as plastic, but it offers enough coverage to protect the handset from the majority of scuffs and minor drops. And at 9 mm thick, it’s one of the thinner cases around that still has a lip protecting the screen. The iPhone 6 Plus version costs a few dollars more. The lighter color options show dirt sooner than one might like (though one man’s “dirt” is another’s coveted patina, making the case more unique), but it looks and feels great overall, especially in darker colors. It’s like the difference between a hiking boot and a leather dress bootsure the hiking boot is more protective and comfortable, but if you’re not hiking, sometimes it’s worth forgoing a bit of protection and comfort for style and luxury points. Several of our senior editors use Apple’s Leather Case as their day-to-day case.
In closing
There are a lot of good choices when it comes to iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus cases, but the best pick is the NGP. Protective and inexpensive without sacrificing aesthetics, it’s the case to beat going forward. We’ll continue to test it over the long term and see how it fares as newer cases are released.
This guide may have been updated. To see the current recommendation please go to TheWirecutter.com.
Filed under: Cellphones, Peripherals, Mobile
Spotify ads cater to the mood of your music
Targeted advertising isn’t a new concept, and Spotify is looking to examine your playlist habits before serving up those messages. The streaming service offers a library of curated mixes based on genre and mood, and eager advertisers can now leverage a listener’s state of mind to sell their products. Playlist Targeting is the official name of the feature, with collections of tracks for Chill, Party, Workout, Romance, Sleep and more providing the opportunity for brands to woo would-be customers. Spotify says 41 of its top 100 playlists are context related (like the mood options), and users spend an average of nearly 2.5 hours listening a day. That’s a lot of time for Trojan ads during the Bedroom Jams playlist.
Filed under: Internet, Software
Source: Spotify
Chrome OS stable channel update brings Chrome Launcher 2.0 and more
Late last month Google introduced a new update for Chrome OS to the beta channel which brought several changes to the table, including Google Now integration and an improved voice search experience with the Chrome Launcher 2.0. Now that same experience is making its way over to the stable channel.
While the Google Now-like improvements are the most significant news here, Chrome OS is also seeing a Material Design update for the Files app, an update Calculator app, support for password-protected zips, and the default typeface for Chromebooks is being updated to Roboto in order to be “more consistent with Material Design”. You can also expect a number of bug fixes and performance improvements.
The latest update bumps Chrome OS’ version number to 42.0.2311.87, and is expected to reach all users in the next few weeks. For more details on what to expect, be sure to head on over to the official Chrome blog.
AIVAnet 