Apple Will Provide MLB Teams With iPad Pros for Dugout Use

Apple and Major League Baseball have agreed to a deal that will see the sports league’s coaching staffs use iPad Pros in dugouts to make better use of data during games, according to The Wall Street Journal. Baseball managers and coaches have traditionally used notebooks, pieces of paper and binders to keep track of data.

A pitch frequency chart in the MLB Dugout app

Teams will be able sift through performance stats from current and past seasons, weigh potential pitcher-hitter matchups, look at “spray charts” showing where a player is likely to hit a ball, even cue up videos of plays from previous games.

Each team will receive 12.9-inch iPad Pros with rugged cases sporting the team’s logo. MLB’s Advanced Media division, with assistance from Apple, have built an app called MLB Dugout, which will serve as the central destination where managers and coaches can look at their data. “We’re not just replacing binders with tablets, we’re actually helping them do things that weren’t possible before,” Phil Schiller, Apple SVP of marketing, told the WSJ.

For instance, players will now be able to watch video of pitchers during the game rather than having to retreat to the locker room. New York Mets’ third-base coach Tim Teufel noted that the app will likely come in handy when the “game changes in unexpected ways,” like when a pinch hitter steps up to the plate or a relief pitcher subs in.

The Dugout app will serve up proprietary data for each franchise, which means each team will only draw upon their own data rather than league-wide data well. The app will be preloaded before each game, but the MLB eventually hopes to update the app so that data could be provided in real time. The app was tested during the postseason last year.

The deal is similar to the one Microsoft signed with the NFL, putting Microsoft Surface tablets in the hands of NFL coaches and players on the sidelines. That deal was initially marred by glitchy tablets and announcers repeatedly calling the devices “iPads” rather than Surfaces. While the NFL required that the Surface tablets be shown on the sideline during each game, the MLB is making iPad Pro use optional. However, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said he thinks most teams will use them, saying that he hopes they’ll help speed up the game.

The MLB has embraced Apple’s technology before, adopting iBeacon technology in 2014 and outfitting 20 ballparks in time for that season.

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Robotic Guitarist – A feature rich tool for guitar players and enthusiasts [Review]

Overview Robotic Guitarist is a fully featured tool in a mobile package that is perfect for guitar players looking to have something available for guitar practice on the go. The app provides tools such as a tuner, metronome, custom chords, a virtual guitar, and even sound effects. Developer: Pedrocorp Price: Free (In-app purchases) Highlights Easy

NASA is building a new exoplanet-hunting tool

NASA and the National Science Foundation (NSF) are done forming the special team of astronomers to build their new, powerful exoplanet hunter. The scientists were selected after holding a national competition and will be led by Penn State University assistant professor Suvrath Mahadevan. They’ll now spend the next three years building the $10 million instrument called NN-EXPLORE Exoplanet Investigations with Doppler Spectroscopy (NEID) for the joint project. Once it’s finished, the instrument will be installed on the 3.5-meter WIYN observatory (pictured above) at the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona.

NEID also means “to discover” in the language of the Tohono O’odham tribe who governs the land where Kitt Peak is located. It’s certainly a fitting name, since the instrument will allow scientists to search for exoplanets on the ground. The tool will hunt for planets, especially Earth-like ones orbiting stars that resemble our sun, by measuring a star’s “wobble.” This back-and-forth movement is typically caused by the gravitational pull of an orbiting planet, so the size of the wobble can indicate the size of planet itself. NASA can then use the power of space telescopes to look into those systems further. The agency is hoping that the instrument can contribute to its efforts to find proof of life — certainly not an easy feat — elsewhere in the universe.

Source: Pennsylvania State University, Physorg, NASA

Scientists use lasers to sniff out E. coli on food

Scientists have developed a better sniff test for that plate of leftovers that’s been hanging out in your fridge. Researchers from the Korea Advanced Institutes of Science and Technology are using lasers (the jury is out on whether they’re of the “friggin’” variety or not) to determine just how much bacteria is crawling all over your stored food. MIT Technology Review says that by shooting a red, coherent laser at chicken breast coated with E. coli and Bacillus cereus, the Korean scientists were able to detect changes in laser refractions, indicating the bacteria’s presence.

Using a camera operating at 30 Hz, the researchers clearly identified the contaminated meat, but couldn’t separate one contaminant from the other. Unlike other advancements in the area, MIT reports that this process is the sort of thing that could go on food production lines or even in a refrigerator, requires no physical contact and works on foods under cellophane. This isn’t a silver bullet for food poisoning, though: It can’t see viral contaminants, or the toxins produced by bacteria that stick around even after the bugs die off.

Should you not have a red, coherent laser and a camera that fires 30 times a second, there’s always the low-tech rule of thumb: When in doubt, throw it out.

Via: MIT Technology Review

Source: arXiv

Getting started with the Fitbit Blaze – CNET

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Jason Cipriani/CNET

The Fitbit Blaze is a step-counting, sleep-tracking smartwatch. Its interface consists of some playful animations, and aims to keep you focused on your health. If you’ve recently purchased the Blaze, and are unsure what it can do beyond counting your steps, grab a cold beverage and follow along as we help you get started.

First, you need an app

Before you begin, download the Fitbit app to your smartphone. Fitbit offers its app for iOS, Android and Windows Phone.

If you don’t have a compatible mobile device, you can use the Fitbit’s desktop application and a Bluetooth connection to sync your data with Fitbit’s service. You can find the desktop download link here.

With the app installed, create a Fitbit account.

Next, pair your Fitbit Blaze with your device by following the instructions. Regardless of device type, the process is straightforward: Power on your Blaze and let your phone or computer find it. Then it walks you through performing some basic tasks.

Customization

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Fitbit Blaze iOS setup screen, notifications screen and music control screen.

Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNET

With your Blaze set up, you can (and should) customize the overall experience. Start by opening the Fitbit app and tapping on the Account tab. Next, tap on the Blaze.

This is the settings screen for your device. On this screen you’ll find options to change the clock face (four total options are currently available), indicate which wrist you wear it on, set alarms and perhaps most importantly, enable alerts.

Fitbit has added the ability to receive alerts from messaging apps (Messages on iOS, your default text messaging app on Android), calendar alerts and incoming call alerts to the Blaze. Tap on Notifications on the settings screen, then enable each respective category.

Extra steps on Android

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Extra steps are required to set up the Fitbit app on Android.

Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNET

Users of the iOS app don’t have to do anything extra in order for notifications and music controls to work. Android users, however, will need to complete a few additional steps during the setup process.

Because Android allows you to set default apps that are aren’t the apps included on your device out of the box, you’ll need to select which app Fitbit uses for notifications. For example, when you enable text messages you’ll need to slide the switch to the on position as well as tap on the app you currently have set as the default text message app. Repeat the process for calls and calendar notifications.

If you find your Blaze is receiving notifications only sporadically, revisit the notifications settings page and turn on the notification widget. This keeps the app running, and should eliminate the issue.

Android users will need to take a few additional steps to control music playback from the Blaze. On the Blaze itself, swipe to the left from the clock face until you get to the Settings option. Tap on the screen, then tap on Bluetooth Classic to put the watch in pairing mode.

On your Android device, go into the device’s Bluetooth settings and search for the Blaze. According to the app, it should show up as Blaze (Classic). Tap on it and complete the pairing process.

Navigating the watch

Getting around on a Blaze is primarily achieved through swipes and gestures. From the main screen you can swipe down to temporarily disable app notifications (handy if you’re in a meeting) or control music playback on your smartphone. Alternatively, you can access the same menu by holding in the top button located on the right side of the watch.

To access activity details or start a workout or timer, swipe to the left on the clock face. Tapping on the clock face will either open your current activity stats, or rotate the various metrics depending on the face you’ve selected.

Swiping up from the main screen will reveal recent notifications from any supported apps you’ve enabled. When viewing a notification, you can tap on it to reveal how long ago it was received.

To clear out all pending notifications, scroll to the bottom of the list and tap on the Clear All button. Notifications are automatically cleared after 24 hours.

From any screen, you can go back by pressing the physical button on the left side of the watch. The two physical buttons on the right-side of the watch are primarily used when starting an exercise or logging an activity.

Ringly is back with a vibrating, activity tracking bracelet

Ringly, purveyors of vibrating jewelry, are at it again — this time with a bangle bracelet. Unlike the company’s ring, this will track your steps, figure out how far you’ve walked (“even in heels”) and track your calories burned via a connected app, according to Racked. You can snag one of these absolutely not at all patronizing wearables for $195 now that pre-orders are open, with options for quartz, lapis, rainbow moonstone or labradorite stones. The Ringly website says that the first 1,000 pre-ordered rings will get a real diamond on the side where the notification light is. Shipping starts this summer.

The bracelet will pop notifications for Bumble, Slack, Snapchat, texts, Uber, and Ringly says hundreds more. The company also claims that the battery lasts between 24 and 48 hours and will charge in four. That’s a hell of a variation in battery lifespan. Anyhow, if you’re lusting after a new wearable that doesn’t look like a wearable, then maybe this is your ticket.

Via: Racked

Source: Ringly

Nurx app delivers HIV prevention drug on demand

Nurx began as an on-demand birth control delivery service in late 2015, but it has now expanded its repertoire to include a drug that reduces the chances of HIV infection. The National Institutes of Health proved (PDF) that the drug called Truvada can reduce the risk of contracting HIV by 99 percent years ago, but it still hasn’t seen widespread adoption. Maybe it’s because of people’s hesitation to request for a prescription or maybe it’s because of the controversy surrounding the drug. Either way, the web-based app will make it easier for people at high risk of being infected, such as those whose partners are HIV positive, to get the medication.
They don’t even need to get a prescription beforehand. Anyone who’d like to give it a shot can create an account on the app and request one by filling out a health profile and answering questions to determine whether they’re eligible for the drug. They have to complete some lab tests for HIV status and renal function, but once that’s done, Nurx will deliver Truvada right to their doorstep. Unfortunately, only folks in San Francisco can take advantage of Nurx’s new offering, but the service aims to make its way to more states next month.

Source: Nurx

Instagram now lets you record and share 60-second videos

People are finally getting into Instagram video, and to celebrate that, the photo-sharing app is rolling out longer videos.

Instagram recently added public view counts to videos so that users could see how often their 15-second clips were being viewed by followers, but we can assume the company also did it to encourage users, publishers, and advertisers to publish more videos. The measure must’ve worked, because the time people spent watching video increased by more than 40 per cent in the last six months, Instagram has announced.

During this time, Instagram also began letting advertisers extend their videos to 60 seconds (versus the 15 seconds they were limited to before). Instagram is now giving regular users the capability to record longer videos. Instagram introduced video in 2013, and clips have been capped to 15 seconds ever since, though starting today, they can now extend to a full minute, which could further encourage use of the feature.

Keep in mind when video was introduced Vine had just become popular and the idea of short, viral videos were a hit. Instagram video failed to catch on as rapidly as Vine however, but with this recent boost in usage, it looks like Instagram is interested in making some bold moves in order to help itself standout from the competition and be more useful to creators.

Speaking of creators, Instagram for iOS is getting its own update today that’ll bring back the ability to create video using multiple clips from their camera rolls. That update is now rolling out on iOS. As for longer videos, Instagram said that feature will begin rolling out today as well but won’t be available to everyone until the “coming months”.

‘Quantum Break’ live action trailer introduces its villains

Remedy’s Quantum Break is an ambitious project, and we wouldn’t blame you if you’re still in the dark when it comes to the game’s time travel-focused plot. Who’s Paul Serene? Why is Jack Joyce trying to stop him? You aren’t going to get all the answers just yet (that’s why you’re supposed to buy it), but the developer at least wants to give you an inkling of what’s going on. It just released a trailer from the live action side of the title that helps illustrate the sinister machinations of Serene (played by Aidan Gillen from Game of Thrones), his right-hand man Martin Hatch (Lance Reddick from Fringe) and Monarch Corporation.

It’s promising — although the real highlight will be actual gameplay, the clip shows that Remedy is determined to flesh out the backstory for its characters beyond what the usual in-game cinematics could provide. You’ll get the full sense of how well everything comes together when the game arrives April 5th on PC and Xbox One.

Source: Xbox (YouTube)

Australia: Steam’s old no-refund policy broke the law

Were you unhappy that Valve didn’t offer refunds on Steam until last June? Neither was Australia. The country’s Federal Court has ruled that Valve violated consumer law by denying Steam gamers refunds under any conditions. You’re entitled to get your money back on shoddy products, the court says, whether they’re digital or physical. The penalty has yet to be determined, but it may be muted given that Valve has already changed its tune.

The decision will unsurprisingly make the biggest impact in Australia, but it’s an important move wherever you live. It reinforces the notion that digital content offers the same consumer rights as anything else, and might convince other online shops to follow suit if they haven’t already.

Via: Gamasutra

Source: ACCC