The UK wants to make an olympics for eSports

The UK is throwing its weight behind a plan to launch an international sporting event that’ll mirror the olympics, but for eSports. The eGames is a tournament backed by the government which will invite players from around the world to compete at various challenges. The successful eAthlete (or eAthletes) will be eligible to win medals, although no prize money will be handed out, much like the real Olympic Games. A handful of countries have already signed up, including Britain, Canada, Brazil and the US, and the first event will take place in Rio de Janeiro during the 2016 Games. The two-day competition will be used as a showcase in the hope of encouraging more players from other countries to sign up.

Source: eGames

MIT 3D prints a complete walking robot

A team from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab believe that it’s created a new way to 3D print whole robots. The breakthrough that researchers have made centers around creating what’s being called “printable hydraulics,” a way to create liquid-filled pumps inside the manufacturing process. According to CSAIL director Daniella Rus, the technique “is a step towards the rapid fabrication of functional machines.” She adds that “all you have to do is stick in a battery and motor and you have a robot that can practically walk right out of the printer.”

The technique involves using an inkjet 3D printer that releases drops of material less than half the width of a human hair. For structural areas, photopolymer is placed on the deck and then hardened with a UV light, while the liquid portions are left alone. After lots of trial and error using different combinations of solids and liquids, the team was able to find a winning setup that can create a working robot in one print session. According to Robert MacCurdy, inkjet printing is “the best way to print multiple materials,” and that the technology offers “very fine control of material placement.”

In order to test the principles, the team built a hexapod that moved thanks to 12 hydraulic pumps built into its body. All that was required then was to cram in a motor and it was away, taking just 22 hours from the start of the build to its conclusion. It’s still early days, but it’s hoped that the technique can be improved upon to the point where they could be whipped up from scratch in an emergency. Kinda like grandma’s last-minute cookie recipe, but for hauling civilians out of disaster zones.

Source: MIT

Bot Rush Continues Apace as Kik for iOS Launches Dedicated ‘Bot Shop’

Kik Messenger for iOS officially opened a dedicated bot store yesterday that allows anyone to create chat bots for use within the app.

Bots are automated accounts that are programmed to serve up specific content when users interact with them, sidestepping the need to download a separate app to access the related service.

The popular teen messaging app Kik has been host to a handful of commercial bots offering limited interaction since 2014, but the launch of its ‘Bot Shop’ opens the door for third-party developers to build automated accounts for the platform with genuine two-way interaction.

Currently the store is host to 15 bots from established companies such as Vine and The Weather Channel. Users can access the store on the tab used to create new chats, while developers can get everything they need to start building bots at dev.kik.com.

Bots are increasingly gaining traction in the mobile communication space, thanks to advances in natural language processing that allow AI-based services to be baked into existing chat apps.

Last week Facebook Messenger gained an airline information bot that allows users to receive booked flight information updates, while Facebook is expected to announce its own bot store for Messenger at its annual developer conference next week. Meanwhile, Microsoft announced the introduction of Skype bots including Bing Music, Bing News, and Bing Images, with the promise of more to come.

Kik is a free download on the App Store for iPhone and iPad. [Direct Link]

Tag: chat bots
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WhatsApp Messenger Implements Full End-to-End Encryption

WhatsApp has enabled full end-to-end encryption for all users of the mobile instant messenger app.

The Facebook-owned service started implementing end-to-end encryption to standard chat messages in 2014, but has now completed rollout to all forms of communication within the app, such as photos, videos and calls.

WhatsApp co-founders Jan Koum and Brian Acton officially announced the rollout on the company’s blog:

From now on when you and your contacts use the latest version of the app, every call you make, and every message, photo, video, file, and voice message you send, is end-to-end encrypted by default, including group chats.

The idea is simple: when you send a message, the only person who can read it is the person or group chat that you send that message to. No one can see inside that message. Not cybercriminals. Not hackers. Not oppressive regimes. Not even us. End-to-end encryption helps make communication via WhatsApp private — sort of like a face-to-face conversation.

If you’re interested in learning more about how end-to-end encryption works, you can read about it here. But all you need to know is that end-to-end encrypted messages can only be read by the recipients you intend. And if you’re using the latest version of WhatsApp, you don’t have to do a thing to encrypt your messages: end-to-end encryption is on by default and all the time.

Encryption has become a hot topic in recent weeks following Apple’s high-profile dispute with the FBI, which attempted to compel the company to unlock San Bernardino shooter Farook Syed’s iPhone. On March 28 the Justice Department announced it had found an alternate method to gain access to the iPhone in question and dropped the lawsuit.

While the FBI has not shared how it was able to unlock the iPhone, nor shared details on what was found, it is believed Israeli mobile software developer Cellebrite, a company that offers “mobile forensic solutions,” was enlisted to break into the device. The FBI is still working on analyzing the information found on the iPhone but says it’s too early to tell if the data on the device is useful.

Last month, Swiss software developer and civil liberties outfit Proton Technologies released its end-to-end encrypted email app ProtonMail for iOS. Meanwhile, Apple is working to further harden iCloud security so that even it won’t be able to access user information stored on its data servers.

WhatsApp Messenger is a free download for iPhone on the App Store. [Direct Link]

Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Tags: WhatsApp, Encryption
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Sony H.ear On review – CNET

The Good The Sony H.ear On MDR-100A is a stylish-looking over-ear headphone that comes in eye-catching colors and is very comfortable to wear. It delivers pleasant, detailed sound, and folds up into an included protective carrying pouch.

The Bad Finish can get scratched if dinged, which tarnishes the headphone’s attractive look; a little pricey at $200; falls short of being a true “high-fidelity” headphone.

The Bottom Line While it would stand out from the competition more if it cost a little less, the Sony H.ear On MDR-100A is a likable over-ear headphone that’s comfortable, sounds good, and is attractively designed.

You can get Sony’s H.ear On headphone ($200, ‎£150, AU$300) in standard “charcoal” black, but what makes it stand out is the vibrant, eye-catching colors it comes in, including cinnabar red, lime yellow, Bordeaux pink or the viridian blue pictured here, which has a lot of green in it.

I’m not sure how — or why — Sony came up with the “H.ear On” moniker, but this over-ear headphone’s model number is the MDR-100A. Attractively designed, lightweight (8 ounces or 227g) and very comfortable to wear, it folds up to fit in a simple but stylish nylon carrying pouch.

Sony calls it a “premium Hi-Res” headphone, which implies that to get the most out of it you’ll need a Hi-Res Audio-compatible portable music player, such as Sony’s Walkman NWZ-A17 or the newer and more affordable NW-A25, which costs around $220 online.

The headphones fold up to fit in an included protective carrying pouch.

Sarah Tew/CNET

In the past we’ve tried more modestly priced high-resolution audio headphones and come away a bit underwhelmed. In other words, just because you put the Hi-Res Audio label on a box doesn’t make the headphone a truly high-resolution headphone. At $250, Audio Technica’s ATH-MSR7 is the cheapest true high-fidelity headphone we’ve tested. (We use the term “high-fidelity” to describe highly transparent headphones. Hi-Res is merely a marketing term).

But Sony says the H.ear On MDR-100AAP has Hi-Res Audio chops, with 40mm HD drivers that reproduce sounds up to 60 kHz, augmented bass that’s “complemented by lightweight CCAW voice coils which yield high-linearity responses in high-pitched sounds” and domes of the acoustic diaphragms have been titanium-coated to minimize unwanted vibrations.

On a more mundane level, the detachable headphone cable has a one-button in-line remote and microphone that’s suitable for making calls with Apple iOS, Android or Windows mobile devices. However, it lacks volume controls.

These are the first 4K UHD Blu-rays with HDR and Dolby Atmos you can buy

The year of 4K UHD Blu-ray is here in 2016 and it’s bringing High Dynamic Range and Dolby Atmos too.

Finally those 4K TVs that were bought in the Christmas sales can really get some use with enhanced picture vibrancy, colours and contras from this new Blu-ray format.

Well, once 4K UHD Blu-ray players have been bought too, of course. But at least we now know what to expect as plenty of titles have been announced as coming to the new medium. Here they are in order of release.

All are mastered in full 4K with Dolby Atmos unless specified otherwise. HDR is mentioned if it is included.

4K UHD Blu-ray, February

The Martian, in 4K with DTS audio, on 14 February.

4K UHD Blu-ray, March

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 in 4K UHD, on 1 March.

Chappie lands in 4K UHD, on 1 March.

The Expendables 3 in 4K UHD, on 1 March.

Hancock hits 4K UHD, on 1 March.

Pineapple Express in 4K, on 1 March.

Salt in 4K UHD, on 1 March.

Sicaro in 4K UHD, on 1 March.

The Maze Runner in 4K UHD in DTS, on 1 March.

4K UHD Blu-ray, April

The Revenant in 4K and DTS, on 19 April.

4K UHD Blu-ray, May

Deadpool is coming to 4K UHD Blu-ray with DTS, on 10 May.

4K UHD Blu-ray, June

Star Trek and Star Trek: Into Darkness will arrive on 4K UHD Blu-ray, on 14 June.

Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II will hit 4K UHD, 7 June.

Independence Day ID4, in 4K and Dolby DTS only, lands 7 June.

4K UHD Blu-ray, no date announced

Batman V Superman in 4K UHD will land on Blu-ray but a release date isn’t clear, yet.

The Divergent Series: Allegiant has been announced for 4K.

4K UHD Blu-ray, upscaled

Mad Max: Fury Road,  The Lego Movie,  San Andreas, Man of Steel and Pacific Rim are all due this year.

READ: What is 4K UHD? Ultra-High Definition explained, and why it matters for your next TV

Huawei P9 to bring twin Leica cameras in a powerful slim body

Huawei is today expected to unveil its latest handset as the company looks to increase its global smartphone influence outside of its homeland China.

Following a number of successful launches, Huawei is expected to unveil the P9, the latest in a line of slim yet powerful Android smartphones housed in a premium metal body. 

The highlight of the new flagship smartphone is expected to be the twin cameras on the rear, the fruits of a recently-announced union with premium optics brand Leica. The company has previous dabbled with dual cameras on its Honor sub-brand, appearing on the Honor 6 Plus.

The Huawei P9 is expected to feature a 5.2-inch Full HD display, as the company continues to avoid the use of Quad HD panels appearing on recent Samsung and LG devices. You can expect 32GB of storage, as well as microSD, and a fingerprint scanner on the rear of the device.

The company is likely to use its own silicon to power the device, with a Kirin 950 chipset and 3GB RAM. This octo-core chipset has previously been seen in the Huawei Mate 8, the company’s latest phablet announced in January, but brings lower prices without sacrificing too much power.

Launching on Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the Huawei P9 is expected to have the company’s own EMUI software layered over the top, bringing a wide range of customisations to the visual appearance of Android, as well as adding in a wide range of functionality.

It’s in the software that Huawei has struggled previously, with the EMUI skin being a little over-the-top and lacking the slick refinement you now find in the likes of Samsung’s TouchWiz or HTC Sense.

The Huawei P9 UK price is still to be confirmed, but in the past the company has offered competitively-priced smartphones. We’d expect it to cost around £400. More details will become available from 2pm in the UK, as the company launches the handset.

READ: Huawei P9: Release date, specs and everything you need to know

Huawei P9 launch event liveblog: April 6, 2 p.m. BST

It’s time to meet the new dual-camera smartphone from the maker of the Nexus 6P.

A year on from 2015’s P8 — and with a Nexus launch under its belt — it’s time for Huawei to unveil a new high-end handset. Today we’re live from Battersea Evolution in London for our first look at the Chinese firm’s next major smartphone. The Huawei P9, teased on social media behind the #oo hashtag, is expected (if the rumors are to be believed) to debut a unique new camera system developed in conjunction with German optics firm Leica.

The action kicks off at 2 p.m. BST — that’s 9 a.m. EDT, or 6 a.m. PDT. And we’ll have live coverage embedded right here. And be sure to check back later for full hands-on coverage of everything Huawei announces!

What is Freeview Play, when is it coming and how can I get it?

To stay relevant in a world of television where catch-up and on demand video is king, Freeview has cunning plans for a connected future.

Along with a snazzy new logo and look, Freeview is embracing connected content directly within its electronic programme guide, so you don’t have to hunt for individual applications for channels.

It is designed to make things simpler for the 10.5 million people that choose to use Freeview on their main sets over paid-for or other digital TV services. However, there are caveats, so to help you get to grips with what Freeview Play will offer and when and where you might see it, we’ve put together this quick and handy guide.

What is Freeview Play?

Freeview Play is the connected part of the Freeview offering. Currently, Freeview is the free-to-air digital TV offering for the vast majority of UK television sets and an equally large number of set-top boxes. It offers many standard definition channels, HD channels and Freeview+ as a standard for personal video recording.

Freeview Play will add connected services to the mix so that, within the EPG, you will be able to scroll backwards through the last 7 days of programming and select shows to watch streamed over the internet that you might have missed.

If you are a Virgin Media or Sky subscriber, or have a YouView box, you’ll understand the concept.

The company will be making its technology an open standard, which means manufacturers can skin the experience any way they like, as long as they stick to the agreed standards: the Freeview Play branding will remain prominent, for example.

Freeview

What services will it offer?

Guy North and his team at Freeview have confirmed that BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub and All 4 will be integrated at launch. Channel 5’s Demand 5 content will follow soon after, initially supplying an app, prior to full EPG inclusion.

It is not like a Smart TV platform that offers streaming apps such as Netflix or Amazon Instant Video. The connected content on offer will relate only to channels in the Freeview line-up. For example, you might also see UK TV’s catch-up services available (for channels like Dave) in the future too.

It will also work alongside individual manufacturers’ platforms. When viewers click on a retrospective show in the EPG it will open and play in the existing application, for instance.

However, there’s nothing to stop manufacturers including additional services, which will provide a degree of differentiation between those supplying the hardware. For example, Humax includes Netflix on its Freeview Play boxes, whereas those TVs adopting Freeview Play will offer plenty of other services as other smart TVs do. LG for example, with have the full webOS smart TV platform alongside the Freeview Play functions.

Where will it be available?

Freeview is in talks with a number of manufacturing partners, including TV and set-top box manufacturers. Panasonic was the first TV maker to hit the UK with Freeview Play-enabled sets. Many of these televisions are already available and just require a software update. From October on its 2015 TVs with the model numbers CX680, CR730, CX802 and CR852. It will also be releasing Freeview Play digital recorders and Blu-ray players.

Long-standing Freeview partner Humax is also producing Freeview Play set-top-boxes. The first of these boxes has been announced, the FVP-4000T. Humax has also struck a deal with Netflix, which will be available on the box in early 2016.

READ: Humax FTP-4000T review: The first Freeview Play box

Vestel is another company that will be making Freeview Play products.

LG has confirmed that it would be adopting Freeview Play on its webOS 3.0 TVs in 2016. This will be on new models appearing later in 2016 and will appear as an update, starting by updating apps in May 2016, before switching to the Freeview Play-enabled programme guide in summer 2016. The full list of compatible LG televisions is yet to be confirmed.

Pocket-lint

Will I get it on my existing TV?

Sadly, as a completely new standard, it will only be available on new kit – unless you bought one of Panasonic’s latest sets in the last few months, or have an LG TV with webOS (and the full list of those hasn’t been confirmed) – and not available as an upgrade to other existing TVs or Freeview boxes.

Those who have bought a new television from anyone other than Panasonic recently, or plans to in the month prior to Freeview Play’s launch, will have to add one of the supported set-top-boxes. We’re still waiting to hear the position on LG’s TVs.

When is it coming?

Freeview Play launched in October and we’ve had the chance to test the service on the Humax FVP-4000T set-top box, for those interested in knowing more.

How much does Freeview Play cost?

There are no costs associated with Freeview Play beyond what it costs to buy the equipment. Unlike Sky or Virgin Media, there are no subscriptions, as everything is free to air, or free to use on catch-up.

If your provider supplies additional content through extra apps like Netflix, those will require a separate subscription.

You won’t need an iPad on a flight anymore with these massive seat back screens

If you’ve flown on a Virgin Atlantic or newer British Airways plane recently you’ll have noticed that the latest in-flight entertainment systems have big touch-enabled widescreen displays to enjoy films on, even when flying economy. However, compared to the system shown by specialist Thales they pale into insignificance.

If the Thales Digital Sky system appears on an aircraft near you soon, you won’t need to bring an iPad or any kind of other tablet device with you, that’s for sure.

Displaying its new tech at the Passenger Experience Conference in Germany, Thales offers a 21.3-inch HD touchscreen display that makes up much of the rear of a normal economy.

Cleverly though, as it would be wider than the seats in most economy cabins, it is housed vertically rather than horizontally, giving a massive, better than tablet-like experience for all passengers.

One obvious benefit is that as well as display movies and TV shows, the screen can be used to browse through magazines – such as specific airlines’ own in-flight mags. Games can also be played and a gigantic moving map can transform the seat back for fliers.

According to The Points Guy website, each screen has a decent viewing angle and uses an “off-the-shelf” LCD display to keep costs down.

Whether you’ll see it on flights out of the UK soon is unclear. Thales tends to supply the entertainment to companies like United and Qatar. It’s definitely one to watch. Literally.