Watch the first live VR surgery stream on April 14th

Virtual reality has already been used to assist with surgery, and now it’s giving you a chance to see that surgery as it happens. Medical Realities says it’ll host the first live VR stream of surgery on April 14th, using a 360-degree camera to show the entire operating table. You’ll only need the company’s app and Google Cardboard (or a viable alternative) to tune in. The surgery isn’t particularly risky (it’s a fairly standard tumor removal), but the company is aware of the dangers — the feed is delayed by a minute in case something goes awry.

The move isn’t surprising for Medical Realities, which sees both VR and augmented reality as useful educational tools for aspiring doctors. Ultimately, though, this stream is just a stepping stone. The company’s Shafi Ahmed hopes to eventually see VR simulations of surgery that give trainees the full experience without the typical risks.

Via: Wired

Source: Medical Realities

‘Titanfall 2’ is coming to PlayStation 4, watch the trailer

PlayStation Europe dropped the first teaser trailer for Titanfall 2 on Twitter Monday. Titanfall 1 was the Xbox One’s marquee exclusive when it launched shortly after console’s debut back in 2013, which makes the sequel landing on its rival platform all the more intriguing. And given Microsoft’s recent agreement with Sony to allow cross-platform multiplayer, this could portend some very cool online matches that exceed the original’s 6v6 player limit. There’s no word on when Titanfall 2 will actually be released, however PS Europe says the game’s gameplay trailer will be go live on June 12th.

Titanfall 2 is coming to PS4. Watch the first teaser trailer before 12 June gameplay reveal: https://t.co/4NL7IhAH8C pic.twitter.com/g9McPQpPPc

— PlayStation Europe (@PlayStationEU) April 11, 2016

Source: Playstation Europe (Twitter)

Vodafone contracts now include a 30-day escape guarantee

There are plenty of things to consider when eyeing up a new mobile contract, from network quality and coverage to handset selection and pricing. All carriers try to tip the scales in their favour with device pre-order bonuses, a complimentary subscription here, free roaming there, et cetera. And in an attempt to distinguish itself from competitors, Vodafone announced a brand new customer perk today: The 30-day guarantee.

Alright, so it’s not as sexy as a free Spotify Premium account, but it does mean any new or upgrading customer can back out of a pay-monthly or pay-as-you-go plan within the first 30 days, no questions asked. As Vodafone is keen to point out, this is significantly longer than the industry-standard, 14-day window subscribed to by all other major UK operators. So, if you want to test drive a new phone, or are just prone to buyer’s remorse, you now know Vodafone will give you a full month to figure everything out.

Source: Vodafone (1), (2)

‘Punch-Out’ reveals a surprise nearly 30 years later

More than a few games have extremely obscure Easter eggs that might take months or years to uncover, but this one might just set a record. Reddit user Midwesternhousewives has discovered an egg in Punch-Out (aka Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out) that tells you when to deliver a knockout blow to two fighters. See that bearded man in the front row of the crowd, to the left? If you’re in your second fight with either Piston Honda or Bald Bull, he’ll duck at the exact moment you need to punch — you only have to watch him to guarantee victory. Believe it or not, no one caught this secret in the 29 years since the boxing game reached the NES.

There might even be more. Back in 2009, Nintendo’s late, great Satoru Iwata mentioned that there were numerous secrets in Punch-Out that no one had found, such as the camera flash that tells you when to hit Bald Bull with a body punch. It won’t be surprising if you’re still hearing about Easter eggs well after Little Mac has entered his golden years.

Via: Geek

Source: Reddit (Midwesternhousewives), (Unvaluablespace)

The revolution in action cameras will now be stabilized

Shaky action camera footage is such a common problem that it’s almost become an accepted part of the experience. There are thousands of forum threads seeking advice about what software is best for smoothing out video that’s already been shot. The inevitability of the shakes is so accepted, that stabilizers (known as gimbals) for GoPro cameras have become their own cottage industry — with companies like FeiYu tech making a name for themselves for selling products that keep your camera steady. Revl founder Eric Sanchez clearly had enough of the situation, though, and created the 4K Arc action camera with a gimbal built right in. The Arc is currently on Indiegogo, but you can expect more cameras like this to follow.

On paper, the Arc sounds like a capable action camera in its own right. It shoots in 4K, takes 12-megapixel stills, includes g-force and accelerometer data in the video, and can pair with GPS and heart-rate monitor devices. The camera is also waterproof to three meters, even without a case. The campaign also says the device will come with a smart video editing app that will create a highlight video based on data from its sensors (similar to how Antix or Blast Motion work). The real selling point, however, is the built-in gimbal.

This idea of putting physical stabilization inside the camera might seem novel now, but it’s a sign of things to come. Back at CES I was shown an action camera concept from a different company that used this exact same idea, and the popularity of FeiYu tech’s hand-held gimbals proves regular consumers are willing to pay for a hardware solution (rather than fix it later with software). The problem with current action camera gimbals is that they usually add bulk, and are one more thing to charge.

Squeezing the gimbal into the camera solves a few practical problems. It reduces cost (FeiYu tech’s products can cost upwards of $300 alone), and it makes the whole rig more space economical. Now, you don’t have space for a gimbal just to get smooth video. For example, with the stabilization inside the camera, you could attach it to any drone and be able to record smooth aerial video without needing to buy any other kit or worry about compatibility. Right now, you either have to spend out on a separate gimbal, buy a pricier quadcopter with a gimbal and camera built in, or accept that your footage won’t have that silky smooth feel.

That said, there’s a history of action cameras launching with “GoPro-beating” features that never seem to topple the category giant. Sony is probably the strongest rival, matching most of GoPro’s features, while adding its proprietary SteadyShot stabilization. That one feature alone has earned it fans, but not the mind-share that GoPro enjoys. Yet stabilization could still turn out to be the trick that changes the market more than anything. Once you’ve seen the difference it makes, it’s pretty hard to go back. And there’s a whole other industry that already knows this: drones.

DJI may have made its name in the drone business, but it’s diversifying into cameras. In particular, its Osmo hand-held rig borrows the same gimbal and imaging technology from its Inspire 1 quadcopter, and packages it into a slick hand-held rig. It’s arguably a logical step that this method of smoothing out your video shrinks, and find its way directly inside the cameras. When I asked GoPro if such technology might be a feature we could expect to see in its cameras soon, it declined to comment — but we do know it’s already developed the core ideas, as they’re a vital part of the Karma drone (as we can see in the video here).

For now, it’s looking like the first action camera with a gimbal inside will come from new-comers Revl, but I wouldn’t be surprised if such stabilization becomes the new “hot” feature. With 4K becoming standard, and no place else to go on the resolution front, the next best way to improve video is simply making it nicer to watch. In that regard, we can all appreciate a bit of stability.

Source: Indiegogo

NASA’s Kepler space telescope is back in good health

You can breathe again, space fans — NASA has returned the Kepler space telescope to normal after a nerve-wracking weekend spent in an emergency mode. It’s still not clear what triggered the crisis (a planned maneuver wasn’t at fault), but the team plans to double-check systems for the next week before carrying on with its extended mission. Let’s just hope this doesn’t happen again. Kepler barely managed to survive its first big incident, and there’s no guarantee that it’ll be so lucky the third time around.

Source: NASA

Many iPhone SE Users Experiencing Bluetooth Phone Call Audio Issues

Over the past two weeks, an increasing number of iPhone SE early adopters have reported audio issues with Bluetooth phone calls when the smartphone is paired with a vehicle or wireless headset. The issue extends to GPS voice navigation for some, but streaming music over Bluetooth appears to be unaffected.

Specifically, dozens of users in the Apple Support Communities and MacRumors discussion forums claim to be experiencing distorted, staticky, or inaudible phone calls when using an iPhone SE over Bluetooth. Many of those affected noted that their previous iPhone model had “crystal clear” audio quality.

MacRumors reader HickDead recently posted a forum topic to share his experience:

I actually had to return my SE back to Verizon because my Bluetooth calls reception quality was terrible. Playing music or YouTube videos through the Bluetooth was excellent but when it came to phone calls, the sound was constantly cutting in and out and sounded “scratchy” and distorted.

Never had this issue with my previous 6S or my work-issued Android phone. Tried my SE in a different vehicle and got the same results. I’ve unpaired and repaired and I even restored my SE and set up up as a new device but nothing has worked.

Based on crowdsourced information, the issue appears to affect all iPhone SE models running iOS 9.3 or 9.3.1, regardless of carrier or model, in the U.S., Australia, Canada, Germany, Sweden, U.K., and possibly elsewhere. The first iOS 9.3.2 beta does not appear to resolve the problem.

The issue does not appear to be isolated to any particular carmaker, as customers have reported identical issues with vehicles sold by Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jeep, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen, and many other makes and models.

It remains unknown if the problem is rooted in software or hardware, but a number of affected customers have attempted basic troubleshooting without success, including restoring the iPhone SE, resetting network settings, un-pairing and re-pairing Bluetooth, toggling cellular data, and changing SIM cards.

Some users that contacted Apple support by phone claim to have been escalated to higher-level iOS advisors that asked for log files. At least a few customers received confirmation that Apple engineers are aware of the Bluetooth issues internally and are working on a fix, but the timeline remains unclear.

Apple Support Communities user Ross_H_D posted this message on April 9:

I have been working with a high level support person who has assured me he is working directly with engineering. Apple has very much become engaged in this issue. They have had me do extensive testing of various conditions in order to document and troubleshoot. Further, there is an internal “Issue” board and tracking system for Apple support and this BT issue is on the top of the list. It was conveyed to me that this has become a very real issue internally and resources are now committed to its resolution.

This type of problem is not unprecedented. In early October 2014, some users experienced trouble pairing their devices to their car audio systems over Bluetooth after upgrading to iOS 8 or purchasing a new iPhone 6 or 6 Plus. The problems appeared to be fixed when Apple released iOS 8.1 later that month.

(Thanks, Jon!)

Related Roundup: iPhone SE
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Apple Maps Expands Transit Data to Portland, Oregon

Apple Maps has been updated with all-new transit data in Portland, providing users with aerial tram, bus, MAX light rail, WES commuter rail, and downtown streetcar routing in Oregon’s most populous city and the surrounding metropolitan area. The public transit information is supplied by the city and its transportation agency TriMet.

Apple Maps transit routing and trip planning is available throughout most of Greater Portland, including connections with the suburbs of Beaverton, Gresham, Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Sherwood, Tigard, Tualatin, West Linn, and smaller communities, along with the nearby city of Vancouver, Washington.

Portland is the latest North American city to support Apple Maps transit after Austin and Montreal. Other regions with Apple Maps transit directions include Baltimore, Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, Mexico City, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Sydney, Toronto, and 30 cities in China.

Transit mode was added to Apple Maps as one of the headline features of iOS 9 last year.

(Thanks, Ram!)

Tags: Apple Maps, Transit, Portland
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Send emojis faster with keyboard shortcuts – CNET

Each time you send an emoji, you’re probably opening the menu and selecting it manually. But did you know there’s a faster way to do this? Here’s how:

iOS users

Emojis can be assigned text labels that make it super quick to add them into any conversation.

• Head to Settings > General, then look for Keyboard.
• Tap Text replacement, then the Add button.
• Select an emoji as the phrase and give it a personalized shortcut label.

When you want to use it, just type the label and it will insert automatically.

Android users

Although the Android mobile operating system doesn’t have a direct way to map emojis and words together, you can use a third-party keyboard like SwiftKey to help you access them a bit faster. You can’t map them to your phrases of choice, but when you type a word that corresponds with a supported emoji, it will appear as an autocomplete suggestion. To make sure this feature is enabled:

• Open the SwiftKey settings menu, then head to Typing.
• Choose Typing & Autocorrect, check the box next to Emoji predictions.

How to enable the LG G5’s always-on display – CNET

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Jason Cipriani/CNET

When LG announced the G5, one of the headlining features outside of its modular design is the always-on display. Yet, out of the box the feature isn’t enabled, which is likely to confuse users.

To enable the G5’s always-on display, launch the Settings app, then select Display from the list of options at the top of the screen.

Next, scroll down until you find the setting for Always-on Display. You can slide the switch next to it to the On position, or you can tap on the three dots to the left of the switch to turn it on and customize the feature.

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Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNET

Currently, the only customization option is to have either the current time or what LG calls a “Signature” on the screen. Time will naturally display a digital clock, while signature will display some text. The feature defaults to your name, and it indeed makes it look like you signed the screen of your device thanks to a fancy font. However, you can alter the text and font to say whatever you want during the setup process.

With LG’s always-on display enabled, any time your device is locked the screen will remain on, albeit at a very low brightness. When the device is in a purse or pocket, however, the feature automatically turns the screen all the way off to preserve battery life.

Otherwise, the time or signature, date, and any pending notifications will be shown at all times. You can’t read the contents of an alert, but you can quickly and easily identify which app(s) have a new notification and decide if you should unlock your phone or if it can wait.