Samsung wants to act more like a startup

Samsung is looking to reform its working culture in a bid to foster innovation. With the smartphone segment plateauing, the South Korean manufacturer has announced that it will embrace startup culture, eschewing the top-down hierarchy it currently follows.

In a statement to Reuters, Samsung said:

We aim to reform our internal culture, execute as quickly as a startup company and push towards open communication and continuously innovate.

Samsung also mentions that the move will foster a dialogue between division heads and employees, as well as cutting down on internal meetings, simplifying reporting procedures, and creating better work-life balance for employees. However, it may take some time for the manufacturer — which employs over 300,000 people worldwide — to make tangible strides in this direction.

In the meantime, Samsung has launched an in-house incubator that lets employees “nurture their own creative business ideas.” Called Creative Lab, the division is responsible for products such as rink, a hand-motion VR controller that can be used with the Gear VR. More recently, C-Lab came up with the Entrim 4D headphones, which give you a sense of motion while viewing VR content by delivering electric signals to your inner ear.

Sprint kicks off Marshmallow rollout for the Galaxy Note 5

Sprint has kicked off the Marshmallow rollout for the Samsung Galaxy Note 5. While this update bumps the phablet up to Android 6.0, we’re also looking at a new version of TouchWiz and more. It’s quite the changelog so if you’re unprepared for Marshmallow, be ready for a revamped experience on your Note.

Fear not if you haven’t been notified on the Note 5 just yet as Marshmallow should hit the device soon. You can check manually by heading into the settings area.

Let us know if you’ve received Marshmallow on your Sprint Note 5 in the comments.

Thanks Vladimir C. for the heads up!

Watch out Periscope, YouTube Connect is coming for you

Google is reportedly working on a live broadcasting service that will take on Twitter’s Periscope. This service is called YouTube Connect.

According to sources of VentureBeat, YouTube has committed to building the Connect service not only to take on Twitter’s Periscope and Facebook Live but to enhance its live offerings as a whole.

Snapchat has shot to popularity since its release and in February alone accounted for 8 billion video views. That’s an area YouTube won’t want to lose out on.

YouTube connect will reportedly work for iOS and Android as an app that allow users to login with a Google or YouTube account to begin streaming. That makes this another stand alone app for YouTube, joining YouTube Gaming for frag-filled fun and YouTube Capture for recording and editing footage.

Thanks to logging in, users will get a news feed of the latest clips from friends or those subscribed to on YouTube. Storage of previous broadcasts will be possible allowing for replays. But sharing with Facebook or Twitter does not appear possible, according to the source right now.

The YouTube Connect app may make an appearance at the Google I/O developer conference event which starts in May.

READ: Ever wondered what Wi-Fi looks like? These new pictures show it’s stunning

Apple made a documentary with ‘Vice’ for its Music service

Apple has joined forces with Vice for a six-part documentary called The Score that puts a spotlight on different local music scenes across the globe. If you’ll recall, Cupertino is rumored to be making its first original show starring Dr. Dre for a TV service. The company hasn’t confirmed that yet, but perhaps making this docu-series is a way to test things out. The first episode, which is already available, focuses on the Native American (specifically the Ojibwe tribe) hip hop scene in Minnesota.

Now here’s the best part: each episode comes with a playlist. For Reservation Rap, it includes Thug Luv (Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Tupac) and Runnin’ (Tupac feat. The Notorious B.I.G.). The partners also traveled to other places around the globe, including Vietnam and Brazil, so you might find at least one episode interesting enough to watch. If you didn’t renew your free Music subscription when it expired, and you want to know if this documentary’s worth a month’s fee, you can watch Reservation Rap’s trailer below.

Via: TechCrunch

Source: Vice

Nielsen starts breaking down TV streams by device next month

Nielsen already tracks what you’re watching via gizmos like Apple TV, Roku and PlayStation, but has always lumped those viewing statistics together. That changes come April 25th when the ratings-minded folks start breaking over-the-top viewership data (Netflix or Hulu, for example) down by device, according to Variety. The “brand-level” connected device data will pull from Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast and Xbox in addition to the ones mentioned above. This should give content owners a better idea of what platforms their programming is being watched on most.

For a more comprehensive idea of what your flatscreen is being used for, Nielsen is also adding a new measurement method dubbed “Total Use of Television” that’ll bring smart TV use into the fold in addition to over-the-air or cable viewing metrics. As more and more of us cut the cord, data on what we’re watching and what we’re watching it on is still needed. So, Nielsen will meet people where they are.

Source: Variety

iPhone SE and 9.7-Inch iPad Pro Now Available for Order

Apple is now accepting orders for the iPhone SE and the 9.7-inch iPad Pro through its online storefront and through the Apple Store app. Orders are available in first wave launch countries including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Singapore, the UK, US Virgin Islands, and the US.

All of the major U.S. carriers, Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile are accepting orders for the iPhone SE. Most carriers will start accepting orders at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time, but T-Mobile will not accept orders until 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Big box retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, and Target will sell both the iPhone SE and the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, but it is not clear if the stores will offer orders on 3/24.

There have been no rumors pointing towards supply constraints, and as the iPhone SE and the 9.7-inch iPad Pro both use components from earlier devices, we expect supplies to be plentiful and readily available. Ordering as soon as possible is still recommended, however, especially when it comes to accessories like the Smart Keyboard. With the launch of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, the Smart Keyboard was in short supply.

The iPhone SE is available in Silver, Gold, Space Gray, and Rose Gold, in 16 and 64GB capacities. Pricing starts at $399 for an outright purchase of the 16GB model, while the 64GB model costs $499. Customers can purchase the device on a payment plan with 24 monthly payments as low as $13.30 through a carrier or $0 down through a two-year contract.

Through Apple’s own Upgrade Program, monthly payments on the iPhone SE can be as low as $10 for 24 months with the trade-in of an iPhone 5s. Older devices can also be traded in with Apple offering $12/month payments with the trade in of an iPhone 5 or 5c and $14/month payments with the trade in of an iPhone 4 or 4s.

Apple’s 9.7-inch iPad Pro is available in Silver, Gold, Space Gray, and Rose Gold, a color that hasn’t been offered in an iPad before. It is available in 32, 128, and 256GB capacities for $599, $749, and $899, respectively. Wi-Fi + Cellular models in the same capacities are available for an additional $130.

For details on the capabilities and features of the two new devices, make sure to take a look at our iPhone SE and iPad Pro roundups.

Deliveries for iPhone SE and 9.7-inch iPad Pro orders placed today will start next Thursday, on March 31. That is also the date when the two products will be available in Apple retail stores.

Related Roundups: iPad Pro, iPhone SE
Buyer’s Guide: iPad Pro (Buy Now)
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Pornhub unleashes a Virtual Reality channel to steam up your VR headset [NSFW]

Editor’s note: By it’s very nature, nothing about this post is safe for work or safe for children. To be perfectly clear — we’re talking about virtual reality pornography here.

Pornhub, one of the biggest and most popular adult websites online, has partnered with BadoinkVR and just released a new channel with free content for VR headset users.

Pornhub, one of the Internet’s biggest adult websites, has let loose with a new category today — VR porn. Now that’s not exactly a new thing, but Pornhub’s has also made it pretty simple to get started, no matter what VR gear you might be using. Besides being able to download a local copy of a VR-enabled video, they have built the VR experience into their Android app and have released a dedicated Oculus Rift video player app. If that’s not easy enough, you can simply point your browser towards Pornhub’s VR category and pick a video. Once you’re there, you can play the video and watch it on Google Cardboard as well as Samsung’s Gear VR. They’re even giving away 10,000 branded Google Cardboard players for folks who want to sign up for the free membership.

The porn itself isn’t going to surprise anyone. The current offerings are clips from full-length videos that feature all the jiggling and thrusting and squirting that you would expect from porn geared towards a straight male between 18 and 100. The few that I watched varied in video quality, but did deliver the VR experience as promised. Certainly the content will expand in the future, but if you’re interested in VR porn (and we aren’t judging) it’s worth a look now. Hopefully content providers will quickly remember than not everyone enjoys the same thing, and folks with all tastes will be accommodated.

This matters. Nobody really likes to talk about it, but the adult industry can drive technology. The old story about how porn killed BetaMax by going with VHS likely has a good bit of truth behind it, and enabling people to use a cheap or free VR headset with the phone they already have to watch adults do adult things in a 360-degree world certainly won’t hurt VR adoption. While we don’t see the current big players in VR embracing the concept — don’t expect a porn channel in the Oculus store on your Galaxy S7 any time soon — they certainly won’t mind if more users want their products to watch a skin flick or two.

You can find out more by visiting Pornhub, and their full press release follows.

Pornhub Launches Virtual Reality Category on Website

Leading Adult Site Partners With BaDoinkVR to Become First Free Platform to Feature 360 Degree Virtual Reality Adult Entertainment

To Commemorate the Launch Pornhub is Giving Away 10,000 Pairs of Virtual Reality Goggles

New York, NY and Rochester, NY (March 23, 2016) Pornhub – the premier online destination for adult entertainment, and BaDoinkVR, a leader in adult virtual reality entertainment announced that they have partnered to launch a virtual reality category on Pornhub’s platform, making it the first free adult website to feature 360-degree adult content. In partnership with BaDoinkVR, Pornhub will now feature virtual reality videos optimized for both Android and iOS mobile devices, playable through most virtual reality headsets including Oculus Rift, Samsung Gear VR, and Google Cardboard with smartphones. To commemorate the launch, Pornhub is giving away 10,000 pairs of virtual reality goggles to provide users with the immersive experience and is also releasing a fun, infomercial style video to promote the new category.

“At Pornhub it is our duty to provide our global audience with the latest in cutting edge technology. Virtual reality is the next phase in the constantly metamorphosing world of adult entertainment, and will provide users with a mesmeric experience unlike anything they’ve seen before. Now, our users are not only able to view our content, but be protagonists in the experience and interact with their favorite porn stars,” said Corey Price, Vice President, Pornhub. “We encourage our users to request a free pair of virtual reality goggles and visit Pornhub’s virtual reality section. There, users’ wildest fantasies will come alive as they slip into a world of heightened titillation.”

Virtual reality has become a mainstream phenomenon, kickstarting a new era of interconnectivity. According to estimates from Piper Jaffray, an investment bank and asset management firm, by 2025 adult virtual reality is forecasted to be a $1 billion business, the third biggest virtual reality sector, behind videogames and NFL-related content. BaDoinkVR is a key player in the overall adoption of virtual reality across the adult entertainment industry, featuring today’s most popular porn actresses, performing in original scenes shot exclusively by the industry’s most accomplished producers.

“We’re incredibly excited to be providing the content and tech behind Pornhub’s new initiative,” said Todd Glider, CEO, BaDoinkVR. “After decades of kicks and starts, virtual reality is finally hitting its stride. McDonalds Happy Meal boxes are doubling as Google Cardboard; now Pornhub is tossing its hat in the ring. Calling this revolution in mass communication a fad, resisting the urge to Drink the Kool Aid, grows steadily more irrational.”

Unlike similar adult entertainment offerings already on the market, the exclusive collection of 360-degree audiovisual simulations are available to Pornhub users for free. To streamline the content and ensure maximum efficiency, Pornhub has built-in Google Cardboard support to the official Pornhub Android app (http://www.pornhub.com/fun/android ). Pornhub also supports Google Cardboard for Android devices on the mobile web browser. For iOS users, Pornhub supports Google Cardboard and a wide variety of other mobile headsets via an official VR player app developed by BaDoinkVR.”. Oculus Rift, set to begin shipping at month’s end, is supported via Pornhub’s official player—likewise powered by BaDoinkVR technology—and all VR videos are available for download to play on the device.

To pick up a pair of free virtual reality goggles and to learn more about the virtual reality section on Pornhub and watch the infomercial style video, please visit http://www.pornhub.com/vr-goggles

About Pornhub:

Founded in 2007, Pornhub is the leading free, ad-supported adult video streaming website, offering viewers the opportunity to upload and share their own videos. With over 3 million videos and over 60 million visitors a day, Pornhub truly is the best adult site in the world. Pornhub has built the largest dedicated membership base in the adult community, with over 4 million engaged and loyal members, offering viewers a fun and sophisticated social experience directly in site, complete with messaging, photos, achievement badges and much more.

About BaDoink:

Founded in 2006, BaDoink initially launched as a premier online adult entertainment site with a robust proprietary technology platform enabling users to consume content on any device as well as wirelessly stream exclusive content from any device to any TV in the house. BaDoink, based in Barcelona, is owned by CM Productions. BaDoink was recently Named “internet company of the year” from the Free Speech coalition and BaDoinkVR the”Adult site of the Year: Virtual Reality” by XBiz. For more information, visit the consumer web site at http://www.badoink.com and the virtual reality site at http://www.badoinkvr.com.

Apple Pay might soon let you pay for goods from mobile websites

Apple plans to integrate its mobile wallet into the Safari browser by late 2016.

According to Re/Code, the Cupertino-based giant wants to give Apple Pay users the ability to make purchases from websites while using their iPhones or iPads. Apple will therefore add support for browser payments Safari later this year, though it’ll only work on devices with Touch ID.

You’re currently able to use Apple Pay to make purchase through apps as well as in physical stores. For example, in the UK, British Airways supports Apple Pay, so once you select your flight, you can pay from the iPhone without having to plug in your card details.

Browser payments is very much seen as the holy grail of mobile payments, because it will mean you can easily and securely pay for goods or services without having to plug-in your details every times, create new accounts or have to trust your payment data to another website.

Currently this space is dominated by payment services like PayPal.

Apple Pay works with iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus and later (Apple Pay in stores and within apps), iPad Pro, iPad Air 2, or iPad mini 3 and later (Apple Pay within apps), and Apple Watch (when paired with iPhone 5 or later), and it supports most major credit and debit cards providers and banks.

We can apparently expect this Apple Pay expansion with select mobile websites to be ready for the holiday season. With WWDC – Apple’s annual developer conference – on the horizon, there’s a chance we’ll see it previewed, and it wouldn’t be unreasonable to see it roll-out with iOS 10.

Wrong house gets torn down based on a Google Maps error

We’ve seen our share of GPS-guided mishaps, but what happened to the owners of a Texas duplex is particularly heartbreaking. Their house was torn down by mistake (no, this isn’t the first time that’s happened, it’s not even the first time in Texas) after it was damaged by a tornado, and the demolition company apparently blames Google Maps for the error. They lived at 7601 Calypso Dr., and as you can see below, on Google Maps it lists the same location for that address as it shows for 7601 Cousteau Dr. –the home a block away that was supposed to be demolished. (At the time of this writing, both Apple Maps and Mapquest have what appears to be the correct listing for 7601 Cousteau Dr.)

Homeowner Lindsey Diaz told KERA News that she had just applied for a builder’s permit to repair and rebuild, before getting a call from her neighbor about what had happened. An employee for Billy L. Nabors Demolition, the company behind the teardown, apparently sent her a screenshot showing what Google Maps displays, but so far no one from the company has apologized for the mistake.

Despite years of development and crowd-sourced editing, the usually-excellent Google Maps still has occasional blind spots, and this shows that the consequences can be a bit more devastating than a missed delivery, or having to loop around the block an extra time. Of course, while a tornado-damaged neighborhood might not have enough street signs and house numbers left to make verification easy, you’d think it would be prudent to double check the location before getting started on work like this.

Source: WFAA, KERA News

Sony’s ‘ForwardWorks’ will try PlayStation gaming on mobile, again

Sony only just announced an overall restructuring of the PlayStation business under Sony Interactive Entertainment, and now it’s launching a new business to focus on mobile gaming. There aren’t a lot of specifics, but the new company is called ForwardWorks, and it’s promising “full-fledged gaming titles” for things like phones, tablets and other connected devices.

ForwardWorks will leverage the intellectual property of the numerous PlayStation® dedicated software titles and its gaming characters as well as the knowledge and know-how of gaming development expertise which was acquired over the years with PlayStation® business to provide gaming application optimized for smart devices including smartphones* to users in Japan and Asia.

Nintendo recently announced its own plans to develop mobile games, and it looks like Sony will follow a similar path. To that end, it’s bringing gaming development expertise and IP including established characters/franchises along.

Developing…

Source: PlayStation Japan