It takes two: A visual history of dual-camera mobile phones
With the recent launches of the iPhone 7 Plus and the LG V20, the dual-lens smartphone camera is once again a hot topic. Of course, many other companies will want to remind you that they were there first, except some have long since given up on the technology. So what happened? And why isn’t this yet a standard feature on all flagship smartphones? For those intrigued, it’s worth taking a trip seven years back in time.
JBL’s Everest Elite cans let you hear actual reality in VR
Normally when you’re tooling around in a virtual world, you want the experience to be as immersive as possible. But there’s a downside to being cut off from the outside world — what if the phone rings or the pizza guy starts knocking or a crazed ax murderer breaks in the back door? Well, if you happen to have a pair of JBL Everest Elite headphones and an HTC Vive, you’ll be able to take that call, receive that pizza or head Mr. Choppy off at the stairs. All without taking off your ear cans.
The system works by pairing the JBL’s Ambient Aware feature to the Vive’s Chaperone boundary markers. Basically, when you hit the edge of the Vive activity zone, right when those Chaperone wireframe boundary markers pop up, the JBLs will lower the in-game audio and turn on the headphone’s external mics so that you can hear what’s going on around you. Move away from the boundary and the in-game audio goes back up while the external mics are cut.
What’s especially cool is that this is a software-only upgrade so it’ll work with your existing gear when the feature goes live. That said, Harmon reps tell me that it’s still in beta and they don’t have a firm timetable for when it will be released but guestimate that it could be around the end of the year.
I had the opportunity to try out the feature on Monday at the TechCrunch Disrupt conference and was really impressed by it. It’s super helpful. Used along with the Chaperone wireframe visuals of people standing near me, I was able to carry on a naturally paced conversation with the Harmon rep while wearing both the Vive headset and the headphones. All I had to do was stick my head out of the virtual “room” and I was (nearly) back in regular reality. It’s a head-slappingly simple solution to VR’s issue of situational awareness.
The Eye-Sync system can diagnose concussions in one minute
Concussions are no joke — just ask Cam Newton — but a new diagnostic system developed in conjunction with Stanford University could revolutionize the way these head injuries are determined. The Eye-Sync, from the SyncThink company, uses a modified VR headset and custom software running on a consumer tablet to diagnose concussions in just one minute.
The system has patients look through the VR headset, which has been modified to track their eyes, and follow a small red dot as it rotates around a circular path. The less the patient is able to accurately follow the dot, the more likely they’re concussed. This reading can either be taken as a one-off and compared against the device’s database of 10,000 individuals or compared to the person’s existing baseline for greater accuracy.
I was afforded a brief demonstration of the Eye-Sync system at the TechCrunch Disrupt conference in San Francisco on Monday. The process is straightforward. You hold the headset up to your eyes, wait a few seconds for the system to calibrate, then you look at a spinning red dot. That data is immediately crunched on a connected tablet (in this case, a Microsoft Surface) and displayed onscreen as a heatmap of where you were looking. If you are within bounds, the heatmap looks like you’ve tried to draw a circle freehand. If you’re concussed, it will look like you’ve tried to draw a circle freehand on an Etch-A-Sketch.
Obviously, this isn’t going to completely replace existing protocols but it does offer an efficient and rapid way of helping doctors determine the extent of your injury. Stanford’s football program has already adopted this technology, hopefully the pro system will take notice and do the same.
‘The Sims 4’ heads to the city with its latest expansion
As much as The Sims 4 has done to expand its cultural boundaries over time, it has always been set in the suburbs — you know, that bastion of conformity and homogeneity. What about the city, where experiences tend to be more diverse? Enter City Living, a new paid add-on for the game that (surprise!) takes place in an urban landscape. You can live in or visit four distinct neighborhoods in San Myshuno, and broaden your horizons by attending street festivals or crooning at the local karaoke bar. At first glance, it’s a more varied experience — both culturally and in terms of gameplay.
And while we wouldn’t exactly call a Sims game gritty, it’s clear that City Living at least acknowledges the realities of downtown life. Your goal is to work your way up from a tiny starter apartment to a penthouse, and you have to deal with apartment nuisances like noisy neighbors and landlords (hopefully this doesn’t mean waiting months to get something fixed). There are three new careers, including politics, and activities now include urbanite favorites like basketball or mural painting.
As with many Sims expansions, City Living won’t come cheap: you can pre-order the Mac/Windows title for $40 ahead of its November 1st release date. However, this is a larger change than we’ve seen in some Sims booster packs. Simply put, it’s acknowledging a very common human experience that was conspicuously absent until now.
Source: The Sims
Apple releases iOS 10 and watchOS 3
You no longer have to be a guinea pig to give Apple’s latest software upgrades a try — as promised, the Cupertino crew has released the finished versions of iOS 10 and watchOS 3. As before, iOS’ biggest improvements are in communication — Messages gets apps, hand-drawn images, secret messages and stickers (among many other additions), while Siri now offers you control over third-party apps. You’ll also see major interface revamps in Maps (which now offers proactive suggestions) and Music, a Home app to manage smart household gadgets, lock screen widgets and wider use of 3D Touch on supporting hardware.
As for watchOS 3? It’s nothing less than a major rethink of the platform. Your favorite apps will not only load much faster (as they’re stored in memory), but the side button has changed from its original focus on contacts to bringing up favorite apps. You can also hand-draw replies, quickly access common settings and share activities to get some extra motivation. A Breathe app reminds you to relax, and iOS 10’s Home app gets a wrist-worn counterpart.
And Apple TV fans, you’re included too… although the upgrades aren’t as dramatic. The newly launched tvOS 10 update primarily introduces a dark mode for those late-night movies, a single sign-on to spare you from signing into umpteen services and Siri voice search for YouTube. You’ll need a fourth-generation Apple TV to see any of these differences.
Apple to Reopen Trio of Stores on iPhone 7 Launch Day
Apple has announced that it will be reopening three of its U.S. retail locations on September 16, the same day the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus become available for purchase in stores.
Apple Park Meadows in Lone Tree, Colorado, Apple Ridgedale in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and Apple The Fashion Mall at Keystone in Indianapolis, Indiana will each reopen on Friday at 8:00 a.m. local time. All three stores have relocated to larger units within their respective shopping malls, and it is likely that each location will be facilitating iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus purchases as normal.
Each store will feature Apple’s next-generation retail layout, including a combination of The Avenue, Genius Grove, The Forum, The Plaza, and The Boardroom, coupled with large glass doors, sequoia wood shelves, light boxes extending the length of the ceiling, and large digital screens for product marketing. Apple is in the process of renovating or relocating several of its U.S. stores to reflect the new design.
Apple Willow Bend in Plano, Texas before (left) and after (right)
The trio of grand reopenings will occur just six days after four other locations reopened: Bay Street in Emeryville, California, West Town Mall in Knoxville, Tennessee, Willow Bend in Plano, Texas, and Mayfair in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Apple Legacy Place in Dedham, a suburb of Boston, Massachusetts, and Apple Memorial City in Houston, Texas also reopened on September 2.
In related news, Apple Pentagon City in Arlington, Virginia will be closed for renovations starting September 25.
Related Roundup: Apple Stores
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Mophie Launches ‘Power Capsule’ Charging Case for Wireless Headphones
Third-party accessory company Mophie today announced the “Power Capsule,” a new carrying case with a built-in battery that’s aimed at recharging wireless headphones. Mophie’s new accessory is well-timed, following Apple’s move to Lightning-connected headphones in the iPhone 7 and the slowly growing adoption of wireless solutions, including Apple’s own AirPods, which include their own charging case.
The Power Capsule includes a 1,400 mAh battery, which Mophie said can provide up to eight full charges for wireless headphones. Inside the case is an integrated USB output, so earbuds aren’t the sole beneficiary of the accessory. The company mentioned “small, compatible wireless devices, wearables and other accessories,” like fitness trackers and other wearables, could also be used with the case.
As with most battery packs, the Power Capsule supports pass-through charging, so the device within will be prioritized and then charging will switch over to the Power Capsule itself to fuel up. On the underside of the case is a row of LED lights to provide easy indication of where the current charge is and when users should begin charging it.
The power capsule holds a built-in 1400mAh battery, providing up to eight full charges for wireless earbuds. The integrated USB output also charges a variety of electronics including wearables, fitness trackers and more. Pass-through capabilities allow both the power capsule and your device to charge simultaneously. Once your device is fully charged, an automatic shut-off will engage to ensure maximum charges. Easy-to-find LED power indicators displayed on the outside of the case allow you to check charging status without needing to open the case.
The outside of the case is made out of EVA Foam and high quality silicone and was “developed for those on the move,” so it’ll keep accessories protected on road trips and at the gym, according to Mophie.
The Mophie Power Capsule is available right now on the company’s website for $39.95, and will launch in Best Buy’s retail stores September 18.
Tag: Mophie
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Apple Releases iTunes 12.5.1 With Revamped Apple Music Design
Apple today released a new version of iTunes, iTunes 12.5.1, which is available for OS X El Capitan and macOS Sierra users. iTunes 12.5.1 introduces a new Apple Music design, bringing Apple Music on the desktop in line with Apple Music on mobile devices just ahead of the release of iOS 10.
The update also brings macOS Sierra-specific features including support for Siri, allowing users to ask Siri to play songs on machines running macOS Sierra, and it includes support for Picture-in-Picture, another new Sierra feature.
iTunes 12.5.1 can be downloaded immediately from the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store.
Now with an all-new Apple Music design which brings greater clarity and simplicity to every aspect of the experience.
This update includes support for iOS 10. It also adds enhancements designed for macOS Sierra including:
– Siri. Play music from your Library and Apple Music using your voice. Just ask Siri.
– Picture-in-Picture. Watch videos as you multitask and use different apps. Your video floats above your desktop in any corner of the screen.
While iOS 10 is being introduced today with an all new Apple Music experience that focuses on a cleaner look and easier to use interface, macOS Sierra will not be released until next Tuesday, September 20.
Tag: iTunes
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Apple Releases tvOS 10 With New Siri Features, Improved Search, Dark Mode and More
Apple today released tvOS 10, the latest operating system designed for the fourth-generation Apple TV, bringing a range of improvements that make it easier to locate and watch content on Apple’s set-top box.
tvOS 10 can be downloaded over the air through the Settings app on the fourth-generation Apple TV by going to System –> Software Update. Those who have automatic software updates turned on will be upgraded to tvOS 10 automatically.
In tvOS 10, Apple has brought improved search, expanded Siri capabilities, a new dark mode, a Continuity option for using the iPhone for text input, automatic download of universal apps, and more.
With tvOS 10, Siri is able to search for movies by topic, bringing up content around a theme like “high school comedies from the 80s” or “movies about dinosaurs,” and a new Live Tune-In feature lets Siri go directly to a live channel in a supported app.
A Single Sign-On feature for pay TV apps that lets users sign in once with their cable credentials to access all live cable content included in a cable subscription was supposed to be included in tvOS 10, but it appears Single Sign-On was not included in the first version of the operating system and will be coming at a later date.
Third-party apps can do more in tvOS 10 with developer APIs for recording and live broadcasting, accessing iCloud Photo Library photos, using HomeKit, and developing games with more complicated controls that necessitate a game controller.
iOS 10 features like the Apple Music overhaul and the new Photos “Memories” feature have been ported to tvOS, allowing users to access the new Apple Music interface and view favorite Photos memories.
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For additional details on what’s included in the tvOS 10 operating system update, make sure to check out our full tvOS 10 roundup.
Related Roundups: Apple TV, tvOS 10
Buyer’s Guide: Apple TV (Neutral)
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Apple Releases watchOS 3 With App Dock, Instant Launching, New Watch Faces, Breathe, and More
Apple today released watchOS 3, the newest version of the operating system that runs on the Apple Watch. watchOS 3 is a significant update to the watchOS operating system, introducing an overhauled interface, new apps, new watch faces, and impressive performance improvements.
watchOS 3 can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General -> Software Update. To install the update, the Apple Watch must have 50 percent battery, it must be placed on the charger, and it must be in range of the iPhone. watchOS 3 is available for all Apple Watch models, but requires an iPhone running iOS 10 to install, which was also released today.
watchOS 3 features a new dock that houses your favorite and recently used apps so they’re quicker to access. Up to 10 apps saved to the dock are kept up to date at all times and are able to launch instantly, cutting down on app loading times.
Navigation is improved in watchOS 3, with left and right swipes able to change the watch face. Upward swipes bring up the Control Center, while a downward swipe opens the Notification Center. Pressing the side button brings up the new dock.
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There are new Activity sharing features in watchOS 3, along with workouts and activities for wheelchair users. A new “Breathe” app guides you through daily deep breathing sessions to cut down on stress, and there are new Reminders, Find My Friends, and Heart Rate apps.
Three new watch faces are available, an SOS feature can automatically call emergency services, and an Apple Watch can be used to unlock a password protected Mac with new Continuity functionality. A revamped Messages app makes it easier to reply to incoming texts, plus there’s a new “Scribble” feature for writing replies on the Apple Watch face with a finger.
For more details on what’s new in watchOS 3, make sure to check out our full watchOS 3 roundup.
Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 2, watchOS 3
Buyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
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