LG teaser video could hint at the LG V10
All eyes will be on HTC and Google next Tuesday, but they are not the only companies planning big announcements next week. On Thursday, October 1st, LG will be holding their own event. LG has been mum about what to expect, but a few leaks suggest at least one of the announcements could be for the LG V10 smartphone with its secondary “ticker” display.
Without giving away any information about the device, LG has release a short teaser video via YouTube for something “coming soon” next week. In the video, a brunette woman is pictured and a few seconds in she clips off a lock of hair. This gives her bangs a two-dimensional look and reveals one of her eyes. So by taking off a little bit at the top, she has created a new view for herself. Is it a subtle hint that the LG V10 will be announced?
Check out the video below and let us know if you have any thoughts about what it may be hinting at.
Click here to view the embedded video.
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360-degree videos will soon be appearing on your Facebook news feed
Facebook is rolling out a new feature to your news feed starting today that will attempt to give you a more immersive look into certain news stories. You’ll soon start seeing 360-degree videos on your news feed that will allow you to pan around a video, kind of like a more detailed, interactive panoramic photo.
The videos are shot with special camera equipment, so don’t expect to see your buddies upload any of these from their smartphones anytime soon, but they give a completely immersive experience of a particular event or story. Facebook uses concerts as an example, so you can imagine panning around a live music show to see what’s going on in the audience and on stage. It’s definitely a new experience for media consumption that we’re only just beginning to try and tackle with the likes of VR, so if Facebook can get the ball rolling here it’s bound to be a very cool thing to see.
Facebook currently has some very heavy hitters on board with these 360-degree videos, including Star Wars, Saturday Night Live, GoPro, and the Discovery Channel, so there should be a good amount of content available from the get-go. The content should keep filling out as more companies begin to invest in the platform.
Android will be getting the feature first, with iOS coming in the next few months. That’s an interesting twist, but a welcome one nonetheless.
source: Facebook
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Chevrolet adding Android Auto to some 2016 models
Chevrolet have already stated that they will be bringing Android Auto to their 2016 cars. However, they are doing it in a rather unusual way. Only 2016 models with 7″ infotainment displays will be getting Android Auto and Apple’s CarPlay, while models with 8″ displays will be receiving CarPlay only. Now, Chevy says they plan on updating the 8″ display models to receive Android Auto in March 2016.
Alan Batey, president GM North America and Global Chevrolet:
“Thanks to the hard work and determination of our engineering team, Chevrolet consumers who use Android phones will not have to compromise when choosing which MyLink system meets their needs – both the seven-inch and eight-inch systems will offer Android Auto capability,”
It was weird that the models with 8″ displays wouldn’t have Android Auto at first and a bit weirder that it is taking this long to get the update out to them. However, at least owners with the 8″ displays will be happy to hear they will be getting Android Auto eventually.
Press Release:
DETROIT – Chevrolet will offer Android Auto compatibility via software update to U.S. consumers who buy select 2016 model year vehicles equipped with an eight-inch MyLink system. The update will be available starting in March 2016 exclusively through Chevrolet dealers.
Earlier this year, Chevrolet announced it will offer Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility in more 2016 models than any automotive brand. The 14 Chevrolet models include vehicles ranging from the brand’s most affordable car, the all-new 2016 Spark, to its highest performance model, the Corvette Z06.
“Thanks to the hard work and determination of our engineering team, Chevrolet consumers who use Android phones will not have to compromise when choosing which MyLink system meets their needs – both the seven-inch and eight-inch systems will offer Android Auto capability,” said Alan Batey, president GM North America and Global Chevrolet. “We are working with our dealers to make the software update as quick and easy as possible to minimize any inconvenience to our owners.”
Chevrolet has a strong track record when it comes to broad availability of customer-centric innovation. It was the first brand to introduce Siri Eyes Free functionality and the first car company to offer availableOnStar 4G LTE connectivity across a range of cars, trucks and crossovers in the U.S. and Canada. In less than one year, Chevrolet has connected more than a half-million customers to high-speed 4G LTE Wi-Fi.
Using either application is simple in a compatible 2016 Chevrolet. A “Projection” icon on the MyLink screen is visible when a phone is not connected, then changes to indicate either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto (whichever is applicable) when a compatible phone is connected via USB. Android Auto requires a phone running the Android Lollipop 5.0 operating system or higher, while Apple CarPlay requires an iPhone 5 or later. The user interfaces themselves are designed and developed by Apple (for Apple CarPlay) and Google (for Android Auto).
Compatible apps need to be downloaded to a phone before using. Apple and Google’s privacy statements and terms of use apply. Data plan rates will also apply.
2016 Model Year Chevrolet Infotainment Systems 7-Inch MyLink Infotainment 8-Inch MyLink Infotainment Spark Cruze (Excludes Limited) Cruze (Excludes Limited) Malibu (Excludes Limited) Malibu (Excludes Limited) Impala Camaro Volt Camaro Convertible Camaro Silverado Camaro Convertible Silverado HD Corvette Corvette Convertible Colorado Silverado Silverado HD Tahoe Suburban
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 115 countries and selling around 4.8 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at http://www.chevrolet.com.
Deana Alicea
Global Connected Customer Experience/OnStar
Phone 313-665-3142
Mobile 313-618-7357
CHEVROLET CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE
Phone 1-800-222-1020
Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33136
Detroit, MI 48323-5136
Source: Chevrolet
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Unlocking the Moto X Pure Edition bootloader voids warranty
According to a Motorola forum manager, unlocking the bootloader of the new (2015) Moto X Pure voids the smartphone’s warranty.
The forum manager specified that the 2015 Moto X Pure is not a developer edition and so unlocking the bootloader will void the warranty. If the phone however has no signs of physical damage and has a technical problem such a malfunctioning volume rocker, the warranty can still cover it. Even with a MotoCare Insurance (extended warranty), the same rule applies.
Source: Motorola
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BlackBerry Venice is no more, say hello to the Priv
There has been a ton of talk about BlackBerry and their Venice phone lately. However, famous tech leaker @evleaks is stating that the name “Venice” will be changed to “Priv” once it hits store shelves.
The news has also been confirmed by N4BB who reached out to their BlackBerry contacts to get a comment. Although I kind of liked the name “Venice”, it was always a code name. The new name “Priv” is said to be “a nod to their privacy and security features that are being brought over to Android”.
Source: Evleaks (Twitter), N4BB
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BlackBerry Venice said to be named BlackBerry Priv upon release
Liking that BlackBerry Venice moniker? I am too, but it is about time we stop forgetting about it. A new rumor coming from retired leaks extraordinaire Evan Blass (more commonly recognized as @evleaks) suggests this is not a name the device will keep once the phone is released. The popular upcoming slider phone is said to come as the BlackBerry Priv.
This new name definitely doesn’t flow as well as Venice, but it does make sense once you refer back to BlackBerry CEO’s comment on making an Android phone; John Chen told us he wouldn’t mind making an Android device if it was possible to make it as secure as BB10 handsets. The BlackBerry Venice is to have a high focus on Privacy, making the new Priv name very sensible.
At retail, Venice transforms into the… BlackBerry Priv
— Evan Blass (@evleaks) September 23, 2015
http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Regardless of what it will be called, though, the upcoming BlackBerry Android smartphone looks to be a pretty awesome gadget. Its specs include a Snapdragon 810 processor, 3 GB of RAM, a 5.4-inch QHD display, 18 MP/5MP cameras and that sexy physical keyboard that has become BlackBery’s stamp.
You can read up on all the murmurs in our BlackBerry Venice rumor roundup. Otherwise, all we have left to do is wait around until the official announcement comes around. What do you guys think of the BlackBerry Priv name? I am not the biggest fan of it, but we have definitely seen worse, and it still looks to be an awesome handset.
E-book sales dip, but is print really making a comeback?
We’ve all heard “print is dead” a few (hundred) times before, but it looks like print is still kickin’. In fact, it could be making a bit of a comeback. The Association of American Publishers, using collected data from around 1,200 publishers, found that e-book sales dropped 10 percent during the first five months of 2015. The reason? Signs point to a lot of folks being “hybrid readers” these days, opting for a mix of print and digital over one or the other. E-reader sales have also been on the downswing for quite a while. For example, Forrester Research says 12 million of the dedicated reading devices were sold last year — that’s down from 20 million in 2011. Of course, Amazon just announced a $50 tablet that’ll offer easy access to its library, but it also packs in some core slate features. It also looks like those Netflix-like e-book subscription services, like Oyster, didn’t catch on like companies had hoped.
High e-book prices could also be contributing to the dip in sales. After Amazon’s rift with publishers, the retailer handed over pricing and now digital versions are only slightly cheaper (or the same price) than print in a lot of cases. Is print really making a comeback, though? Well, the American Booksellers Association tallied 1,712 member stores and 2,227 locations this year. That’s up significantly over the last five years. Publishers are looking to keep pace as well, investing in distribution to keep copies on shelves to meet the demand. While folks in the e-book business aren’t ready to panic, it’ll be interesting to see if this is a temporary slow down or if consumers really do prefer the physical act of page turning once more. Either way, Sony was a little off with its prediction.
[Image credit: AFP PHOTO / ISAAC LAWRENCE]
Source: New York Times
Oculus Connect 2 virtual reality event will stream live in VR
Tomorrow when the folks at Oculus show off the latest developments in their plan for VR world domination at the Oculus Connect 2 event, a select few will be able to experience remotely just as if they were there. If you have a Samsung Gear VR you can download the Next VR app and get your 360-degree immersion, just like I experienced with the first live stream several months ago. One day we’ll all put on headsets and take a virtual trip to press events like Oculus and OnePlus, but since that’s not universally available yet, we will be there liveblogging all the action. Assuming you have a compatible Samsung phone and one of the plastic Gear VR headsets, the app will be available before the keynote speech starts at 1PM ET tomorrow. (If you’re not VR ready yet, yes there will be an old-school 2D live video broadcast as well.)
Can’t make it to #OC2 this year? Download our app on Gear VR and experience our live VR stream of Connect Keynotes tomorrow beginning10am
— NextVR (@NextVR_app) September 23, 2015
[Image credit: AFP/Getty Images]
Source: Oculus Blog
ILM’s tools could let you direct your own ‘Star Wars’ with an iPad
Whether you’re familiar with the studio’s name or not, you’ve definitely been touched (and likely gobsmacked) by the computer-generated imagery in one of the blockbuster films to get the Industrial Light and Magic treatment. From Jurassic Park (and its sequels) to the upcoming Disney-backed Star Wars films, the Lucasfilm-run powerhouse is one of the more visible and transformative visual effects forces in entertainment. Now, with a suite of virtual production tools, it’s poised to change the way we experience not just film, but storytelling with an iPad and a virtual reality headset.
The software powering this potential breakthrough in interactive entertainment is known as VScout, a pre-production tool that allows filmmakers to virtually scout locations. At Oculus’ developer conference in Los Angeles, Rob Bredow, VP of New Media at ILM and head of its recently created ILMxLAB, demoed the new software with a short scene set in the Star Wars universe. Using the available set of tools, one of Lucasfilm’s software engineers, Darby Johnston, was able to tweak the camera’s focus, focal length, crane height, and lens used. Simply tapping on an object in the scene had the camera pan in for a close-up. It’s impressive stuff considering it all gets rendered in realtime in the cloud and then streamed to an iPad.
“You can run this anywhere you run Netflix. It’s basically the same bandwidth requirement,” said Bredow.
While VScout’s pre-production merits are likely a boon to creatives in the entertainment industry, its most compelling aspect is how it could empower consumers and change the way we create interactive experiences. Using a Star Wars short as an example, Bredow demonstrated how viewers could use the software to go from watching a letterboxed version to adjusting camera angles — going from behind a stormtrooper’s head to being inside of it — or even deserting the main storyline altogether and following secondary characters’ narratives. To that latter point, Bredow replayed the “linear” scene, but instead of watching the stormtrooper, he tagged along with C3PO and R2D2, following them into a hut where they spoke with a Princess Leia hologram. Keep in mind, the main story is still playing out while this all occurs.
“What if you were shooting movies like this?” Bredow asked the rapt crowd of developers.
Of course, this being a VR-focused event, Bredow even showed off a Rift demo that lets viewers fly the speeder bike around the desert and through AT-ATs.
Clearly, it’s early days for VScout and Bredow admitted as much, saying that the studio’s still experimenting to find the proper way to construct an experience with so many available narratives. In fact, it’s not even a given that ILMxLAB will even make this software available to consumers. Though given the impressive demo, it’s not far-fetched either.
CatFi Box is the Google Cardboard of smart cat feeders
Last year, Zillians launched a high-tech cat feeder called Bistro that’ll monitor how much food and water your little feline is eating thanks to a smart built-in facial recognition camera. Since then, the company has renamed the product to the CatFi Pro, which is pretty much the same exact thing, except with a different name. But what if you don’t have the $199 or so to drop on the CatFi Pro and you still want to keep tabs on kitty’s diet? Well, Zillians has just come out with a less-functional but still-workable cardboard alternative called simply CatFi Box, which they showed off at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco this week. Yep, all you need is a spare Android phone, a piece of cardboard and an Exacto knife to make your very own high-tech cardboard cat feeder. Think of it as Google Cardboard but for your cat. And you know, without that whole VR thing.
To get started, you’ll have to sign up for the beta on the CatFi website. From there you’ll get instructions on how to cut and fold the cardboard, plus links to download the beta versions of the apps. Load the camera-version of the app (dubbed Cam-Phone) to your Android phone, and set it up so that the camera is facing the food bowl. You also don’t technically even need the cardboard structure as it’s just there to hold the phone — as long as you’ve got the Android phone in a stationary position pointing at your kitty’s feeding area, you’re good to go.
A spokesperson tells us that the reason why the camera-side of the app needs to be on an Android phone, is because iPhones don’t allow background video recording. The Android camera app will then transmit any activity about your cat’s feeding to the cloud, which you can then track on an entirely separate app dubbed Control-Phone (this tracking app is available on both iOS and Android). This is the same app that’s used in the CatFi Pro and lets you see at what times and how long your cats eat. The camera also records video of it so you can watch it happen to make sure little kitty is eating her food.
Of course, the CatFi Box doesn’t have the same bells and whistles as the Pro version. It doesn’t have a scale and it won’t have a large reservoir of food and water to draw from. But hey, you can try making the CatFi Box work with automatic feeders or something like the Petzi Treat Cam. And while we laugh at the idea of needing a spare Android phone for it to work and the whole cardboard concept to begin with, it really does sound like a cheap and inexpensive way to track your cat’s feeding habits to make sure it isn’t suffering from any disorders. Unless, of course, your cat mistakes the cardboard box for, uh, something else entirely.
[Image credit: Lead image by the author; second two images by CatFi]
Source: CatFi
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