Microsoft is bringing ‘Minecraft’ to the Oculus Rift

Minecraft is a delightful and hugely successful game, but no one would say its success hinges upon realism. It’s blocky graphics, full of sharp right angles and huge “pixels” are far from realistic, but it gives the game a signature visual style and plenty of charm. However, it turns out that Minecraft’s massive open-world nature makes it a great game for virtual reality. Microsoft already showed the game running in HoloLens, and now the company is announcing that it’ll work with Oculus Rift, as well. I got a chance to see how the game works with the Rift at Microsoft’s spring showcase last week — and despite the game’s blocky style, it could be one of the best overall VR experiences out there.

For starters, it’s worth noting that this isn’t a new version of Minecraft; it has just been updated to work with the Oculus Rift. You can play in survival mode as well as join one of the many multiplayer servers out there. Once you start playing, you’re presented with two different view modes. The first puts you in a virtual castle with the game running on what amounts to a TV screen in front of you. It’s pretty meta and rather funny to be playing a game inside of a virtual reality game, but it’s not a bad way to view things if you need a break from the full VR experience.

When you jump in to that full experience, the game shifts and you’re completely immersed by what your character sees. Because of the massive scope of Minecraft’s vast 3D landscapes, it really does feel like you’ve been transported away from reality, despite the humongous pixels and lack of fine detail. It’s one of the best and more immersive VR experiences I’ve had thus far. In fact, that lack of fine detail actually helps Minecraft be so successful — the game doesn’t try to mimic reality. Instead, it felt more like I stepped into a cartoon.

The demo experience Microsoft was showing off goes through a few of the games signature moments — I did some mining, fought some creeps, lit up some caves with torches, pressed a bunch of buttons to interact with the environment and eventually rode a mine cart way up the side of a huge building. That was probably the best part of the demo, as there was a real sense of speed and height as I rocketed skyward. A later mine cart ride let me look around in 360 degrees at the vast landscape from way on high as it headed towards a new area, and there was all sorts of activity and eye candy to take in on the trip.

As with most things VR, it’s hard to do the experience justice in words, but I’ll just say that the experience really highlighted the vastness of the world and did a great job of immersing me in Minecraft. It’s a less radically different version of the game than the HoloLens experience, mostly because the Oculus version doesn’t have gesture and voice commands, but it still seems like a great place to go exploring. Unfortunately, there’s no word on exactly when Minecraft will be publicly available in VR, but hopefully it won’t come terribly long after the Rift’s release later this month — “killer app” is a played-out term, but Minecraft has the potential to be one for the nascent VR scene.

Kia to roll out Android Auto in Europe from Q3 2016

At the Geneva International Motor Show, Kia announced that its entire range of cars in Europe will offer Android Auto by the end of 2017. The Niro hybrid crossover — which will make its debut in Q3 — will be the first car to feature Android Auto, with the Optima Plug-In Hybrid and Optima Sportswagon following later this year.

From Kia Europe COO Michael Cole:

In-car connectivity is increasingly important to our buyers, who are young-at-heart and often seek the latest technologies on offer. It makes a great deal of sense to offer full Android and Apple compatibility so our customers can use a wide range of smartphone functions in a safe and seamless way. Kia is integrating these technologies to let drivers maintain their concentration on the road ahead.

The cars also come with the TomTom-powered Kia Connected Services feature, which offers live traffic updates, speed camera locations and alerts, local point-of-interest search and weather forecasts. The Connected Services feature will be available to buyers free of charge for seven years from the date of purchase.

All About Android Auto

• Getting started with Android Auto
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Grab an unlocked Idol 3 from Amazon for just $180

If you are in the market for a new unlocked phone, you’ll want to check out this deal on the Alcatel Idol 3 at Amazon. You can grab the 5.5-inch version of the phone for just $180, a savings of $100 from its original $280 price. Inside, the Idol 3 runs a Snapdragon 615 processor paired with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of on-board storage. You can add more if needed with a microSD card to store all of your pictures from the 13MP rear-facing camera.

No coupon code is needed this time around, just hit the link below and add it to your cart for $180. Don’t wait too long, as we don’t know when this deal will end.

See at Amazon

This magical cable charges both iPhone and Android with the same connector

Getting rid of cables completely is the dream. But until that day comes cutting down their number will have to do. That’s what one Kickstarter project is doing by combining iPhone and Android chargers into one cable.

LMcable claims to be the world’s first common iOS and Android connector cable. The key here is that one cable and connector end can fit into both devices to charge or to be used to transfer data.

Using some witchcraft the company has managed to merge the micro USB and the Lightning connector into one head that fits both device types.

Not only will the LMcable work across devices but it’ll also support high speed charging up to 2.4A and will also speed data along at rapid rates too.

LMcable

So if you’ve got more than one breed of device, be it phone, tablet, charger block, or you just like the idea of offering out your cable to help anybody low on charge, this is the one for you.

The cables come in varying colours and material finishes including leather or textile. These help them to look good but should also be functional, adding a layer of protective shielding to the cable itself.

The LMcable is on Kickstarter where it’s already smashed its goal. Pick one up for $21 while they’re still available at that price. Deliveries are due to start in April, to anywhere in the world.

READ: Android N guide: Notifications explained

Panasonic UB900 Ultra HD Blu-ray player available from mid-April

One of the first Ultra HD Blu-ray players to hit the shelves will be the Panasonic UB900, meaning you’ll be able to play your (as yet unavailable) Ultra HD Blu-ray discs in glorious 4K with HDR on your brand new television.

Panasonic has confirmed that the UB900 will be available in mid-April and that it will come with two free Ultra HD Blu-ray discs – San Andreas and Mad Max: Fury Road. 

The UB900 is one of a new wave of Blu-ray players that support the new Ultra HD Blu-ray standard that will bring the highest quality next-gen experience to your TV. 

Unlike a streaming service, which has been the main source of 4K content to date, Ultra HD Blu-ray with its 100GB optical discs will give you much more data. With a data rate of around 100Mbps, Ultra HD Blu-ray will give you visuals and audio far in advance of services like Netflix.

Our early and brief eyes-on the new discs, viewed on Panasonic’s new DX902 television, reveal a noticeable boost in detail along with much more dramatic contrast thanks to HDR.

Panasonic hasn’t confirmed the price, although the word on the street is that the asking price will be around £600 for the UB900 player.

We’ll be sure to update you when we have concrete details, but being an Ultra HD early-adopter looks like it’s going to be expensive.

Best LG G5 cases: Protect your new LG smartphone

LG announced its new flagship smartphone at Mobile World Congress at the end of February and it’s a beauty. The G5 was by far one of the more interesting announcements that came out of the trade show in Barcelona, mainly thanks to its modular design.

The LG G5 reinvents its predecessor. It’s a beautiful handset offering a full metal unibody as well as a removable battery – something its competitors haven’t been able to manage. Couple that with the dual rear cameras and the ability to attach modules like the LG Cam Plus and LG Hi-Fi Plus and you have yourself one exciting smartphone.

As with all good looking handsets however, they only stay looking as good as new if you protect them. Luckily, there are already plenty of cases out there ready to keep your new LG G5 from picking up bumps and scratches, keeping that lovely metal body looking fabulous.

We have rounded up some of the best LG G5 cases we have come across so far but we will be updating this feature as more catch our eye. Let us know in the comments if you come across any that you think others might appreciate but for now, head to the gallery for some great LG G5 cases.

Click here to see the best LG G5 cases

Build network engineer skills with MCSA, CCNA training (94 per cent off)

Certification in any field requires commitment and hard work, but with the right instruction your entry into the world of IT and network engineering can be streamlined as you gain mastery of Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) Windows Server 2012 and Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA).

You can build a solid foundation in both industry-leading certifications and set yourself on the path to success with the latest iCollege course bundle. Pocket-lint Deals is offering a huge 94 per cent discount on these specialized courses, so you can prep for both the MCSA 2012 and CCNA for just £50.40 (U.S. $69.99), saving yourself hundreds as you prepare for a new career.

The Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) certification has long ruled the hearts and minds of those who work on Microsoft-based systems and servers. MCSE certifications focus on the latest technologies for servers, applications, data platforms and more. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Routing and Switching is a certification program for entry-level network engineers that helps maximize your investment in foundational networking knowledge and increase the value of your employer’s network.

This iCollege course bundle consists of five total courses to gain mastery in the IT field; the first three focus on Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA): Windows Server 2012, to help you build a foundation in private cloud, server infrastructure, desktop infrastructure, messaging, communication, and SharePoint. You’ll prep for certification exams 70-410, 70-411 & 70-412.

The remaining two courses will cover Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA): Routing And Switching, giving you pro-level qualification in installation, operation and troubleshooting of any network. Prep for Cisco 100-101 & 200-101 exams as you learn the skills required for IP, OSPF, ACLs, VLANs, frame relay, serial line interface protocol & EIGRIP.

All material for these courses is available online 24/7, so you can work and refresh at your own pace. At 94 per cent off, top-level certification has never been more affordable or appealing. Get started today at Pocket-lint Deals.

Panasonic 4K HDR choices: DX902, DX802, DX750, DX700 TVs explored

Panasonic has refreshed its line-up of Viera televisions for 2016, with a number of models offering Ultra HD/4K, as well as high dynamic range (HDR).

We saw the launch of the DX900 at CES 2016 (appearing as the DX902 in Europe), Panasonic’s first television to carry the Ultra HD Premium tag, meaning that it adheres to the UHD Alliance’s demanding standards for the delivery of Ultra HD and HDR content.

Panasonic is firing into 4K with both barrels, with a full range of devices from capture to viewing, encompassing camera, televisions and Ultra HD Blu-ray players.

Pocket-lint

Panasonic Viera DX900 

The DX900 is the flagship television for Panasonic in 2016. It comes with the Ultra HD Premium tag, the first TV from Panasonic to carry this new badge. It offers direct illumination through Panasonic’s Honeycomb system, so it’s slightly thicker than some of the other flagships out there, but this gives more control over lighting across the panel thanks to hundreds of separate dimming zones. 

This results in stunning contrast, able to deliver deep blacks and bright whites, reducing haloing that’s common on LED TVs. From what we’ve seen of this TV, it’s very capable at delivering a realistic but vibrant colour range, with HDR giving that dynamic boost to look ultra realistic. 

There is a HCX+ processor powering the thing, as well as THX certification. As with Panasonic’s other TVs on this list, it runs on Firefox OS, with Freeview Play in the UK, and both Amazon and Netflix notably providing video content. That’s where you’ll be getting the majority of your 4K and HDR content in the immediate term. 

The Panasonic Viera DX902 is on sale now, and will cost around £3200 for the 65-inch model, or £2700 for the 58-inch.

Pocket-lint

Panasonic Viera DX802

The DX802 makes a greater design statement, sitting on its own A-style frame so the screen appears to float. The speakers are separate as a bar that can sit below the screen, or slightly behind for a more hidden appearance. 

The Panasonic Viera DX802 takes a slight step down in terms of the technology offered through the panel, so this is a 2000Hz display rather than the 3000Hz of the DX902. It doesn’t carry the Ultra HD Premium badge, but it is 4K and HDR capable, with THX certification pending.

It has a HCX processor aiming to give you great realistic colours and like the other televisions in this line-up, it’s powered by Firefox OS with Freeview Play in the UK, and Netflix and Amazon to provide your on-demand video content. 

The Panasonic Viera DX802 will be available in 58- and 50-inch sizes, and from what we’ve seen so far, it’s another really impressive display. There’s no word on pricing yet.

Pocket-lint

Panasonic Viera DX750

Moving down from those top two models you have the DX750 (it will be sold as DX780 in Europe with twin tuners). Technically the DX750 moves down to a 1800Hz panel, but hangs onto the 4K resolution and support for HDR. 

One of the unique features of this TV is that it offers Panasonic’s “switch style” stand. This allows you to move the feet into different positions to suit your room. The feet can be reversed, so there’s a range of different positions and looks, all from the same TV.

As with the other TVs it will run on Firefox OS with Freeview Play (in the UK) and support for online services like Netflix and Amazon. 

The DX750 swill come in 50-, 58- and 65-inch sizes and again the price is still to be released. We like the design and this TV still looks great.

Pocket-lint

Panasonic Viera DX700

The entry point for 4K and HDR from Panasonic is the DX700. This offers the same design as the DX750 with those feet that can be moved into different positions to suit the room you’re standing it in.

The panel however moves down to 1400Hz, but it’s still 4K and HDR compatible. Again it runs on Firefox OS with Freeview Play and offers those on-demand catch-up services from Amazon and Netflix. 

There’s no confirmation of pricing just yet, but it will be available in 40-, 50- and 58-inch sizes. 

Panasonic will offer televisions lower down the scale offering 4K resolutions (DX650 and DX600), but these don’t support HDR, so you won’t be getting the most out of the latest content that you throw at it.

We will update as soon as we have confirmation of all the prices. 

In Sweden, McDonald’s Happy Meals come with VR goggles

Swedish kids (and adults) can get a toy much sweeter than Barbies and Hot Wheels with their Happy Meals this month. Over the weekends of March 5th and March 12th, 14 McDonald’s outlets in Sweden are bundling real, working virtual reality headsets with their Happy Meal boxes. In fact, the boxes themselves were designed to transform into “Happy Goggles.” You just have to cut on the dotted line, fold it a bit, slip in the goggles and your phone to get something similar to Google Cardboard. The best part is, it will only cost you around $4.10, and that includes the grub inside. It most likely won’t be as good as more expensive VR devices, but it sounds like an affordable introduction to the world of virtual reality.

According to AdWeek, Golden Arches came up with the promo specifically for Sportlov, a one-week school break meant to encourage families to go on ski trips. McD’s even developed a ski-themed VR game called Slope Stars to go with the headset. The publication says McD’s will only be selling 3,500 Happy Goggles in all. McDonald’s Sweden exec Jeff Jackett told AdWeek that this is merely “the first trial run globally,” though, so we’re hoping Ronald and friends end up offering this special Happy Meal worldwide.

Via: IGN

Source: AdWeek, Happy Goggles

Gmail can scan images to stop confidential data being leaked

Businesses do a lot to secure their operations, but often it just takes one rogue employee to send themselves confidential files and they’re doomed. Google launched its Data Loss Prevention (DLP) service to help companies avoid such a calamity, and now it’s getting even more powers to avoid data losses. With the update, Gmail will be able to scan documents with optical character recognition to make sure attached images don’t contain sensitive information like social security numbers or passwords.

Google’s business platform already had the ability to scan documents, but it can now match keywords or certain text strings to an admin-approved blacklist. It’s designed to stop someone from sending something by mistake, but it can also potentially identify when an employee is purposely trying to share company secrets.

Currently, optical character recognition is only available to paid Google Apps Unlimited customers. That makes sense given you’re unlikely to need protection from sending credit card details in an image file from your personal account. If you do feel your account could use some additional security, though, make sure that you enable two-step verification and keep training those spam filters.

Via: TechCrunch

Source: Google Apps Blog