Oculus now owns an eye-tracking company

Google isn’t the only company trying to figure out eye-tracking for virtual reality — Oculus VR is on the case too. The Facebook-backed VR company has confirmed that it recently acquired Danish startup The Eye Tribe, a firm best known for creating software developer kits that bring gaze-based controls to smartphones, tablets and PCs. Now, that technology belongs to one of the highest profile VR headset makers on the market.

Although Oculus was happy to confirm the acquisition, mums the word on details: we don’t know how much the company was acquired for, what the Eye Tribe’s future is outside of Oculus or when we might see this technology in a future product. Still, the aim of the purchase seems obvious — The Eye Tribe has been working on a foveated rendering for VR, which increases VR performance by only rendering the part of the simulation the user is directly looking at. Either way, it’s a good purchase for Oculus: a casual glance at the VR landscape shows eye-tracking as the next big problem to solve. Knowing where a player is looking could increase immersion, reduce performance bottlenecks and even help prevent simulator sickness.

Via: TechCrunch

‘Mario Kart 64’ is the Wii U Virtual Console’s latest addition

Sure, Mario Kart 8 is great and all, but if you wanted to see the original version of “Toad’s Turnpike” on the Wii U, your options have been pretty limited. Tomorrow changes that, as Mario Kart 64 will release on the system’s Virtual Console. Revisiting the Nintendo 64 game will run you $9.99, and for that you’ll get off-TV play and dim, washed out graphics — the latter is a staple for just about everything on Virtual Console.

Kart 64 is scheduled to come out on Wii U tomorrow, and if you already own it on the Wii Virtual Console it should only cost $2 for the upgrade. Need help passing the time between now and then? You could always take a few minutes to wonder if this, coupled Excitebike 64’s recent re-issue, is a hint at the Switch’s launch software. Then, laugh it off as being absolutely unrealistic because you know better.

Via: Game Informer

Source: Nintendo

Homestar Runner is back with a few laughs before 2016 ends

The internet felt like a kinder, simpler place during Homestar Runner’s heyday. As if to combat all the bad vibes 2016 has given the world, we have a new video featuring Homestar and shirtless luchadore Strong Bad reading a children’s book about a sports competition. Predictably, it’s incredibly charming. Without giving too much away, there are some solid Mr. Mister and Night Ranger references, as well as a gag about the obsolescence of Adobe Flash.

Maybe best of all, your enjoyment won’t depend on how good you are at ignoring the fact that Strongbad can type legible emails while wearing boxing gloves.

There have been a handful of new clips from the Homestar Runner crew over the past couple of years, but output hasn’t been as regular as fans would hope. Maybe that can change in 2017.

Via: The Daily Dot

Source: Homestar Runner (YouTube)

NFL is first to stream live sports on a key Chinese social network

If you enjoy Twitter’s live NFL games, you might just feel jealous very shortly. The NFL has struck a deal that will make it the first sports league to livestream on Sina Weibo, one of China’s largest social networks. The service has already streamed six regular games so far, but the pact will also have it provide the last Sunday Night Football game, a trio of playoff games and even the Super Bowl. Yes, you read that correctly — in one way, Chinese fans will have easier access to the biggest football game of the year than their American counterparts.

The agreement also gives Sina the right to show out-of-game on-demand clips, highlight videos and other footage.

It’s not hard to see why the NFL would go this route. Many NFL games don’t start at a convenient time for Chinese viewers, so TV coverage (and of course, the high-profile ad campaigns that follow) isn’t nearly as important as it is in the US. And of course, American football isn’t nearly as much of a cultural institution in China as it is in its home country. Sina Weibo’s livestreams could serve as a form of marketing for the NFL, giving it exposure that it otherwise wouldn’t get.

Source: NFL Communications

Twitter adds 360 video, still no edit button

Facebook and YouTube jumped on the 360 video train back in 2015, leaving Twitter to tardily trundle out their first all-direction footage experiments during the NBA finals back in June. But at long last, the social network is letting larger broadcasters post their own 360 videos through Periscope for users to view in their feeds.

360 Sunset in Florida. First ever #Periscope360 with @Brandee_Anthony https://t.co/AZWbnnT15S

— Alex Pettitt (@Alexpettitt) December 28, 2016

Posts marked with a red LIVE 360 badge in the bottom-left corner let you pan around by moving or swiping the screen while you’re tuning in. Anyone on Twitter and Periscope can watch, but only select partners can currently broadcast 360 video on the latter. Those interested in joining as they roll out the service to more Periscope users in the coming weeks can sign up here.

Source: Twitter blog

Twitter’s Periscope Now Supports 360-Degree Live Videos

Twitter’s video streaming service Periscope was today updated with support for live 360-degree video, allowing broadcasters to share a more immersive video streaming experience with their fans on Periscope and Twitter.

Live 360 videos are denoted by a special badge and when viewed, users can tilt, rotate, or tap on their devices to see additional angles of an uploaded video. 360 video works on iOS devices and some desktop browsers, but Safari is not supported. An example Periscope video is below:

360 Sunset in Florida. First ever #Periscope360 with @Brandee_Anthony https://t.co/AZWbnnT15S

— Alex Pettitt (@Alexpettitt) December 28, 2016

With 360 video on Periscope, you can experience moments with the broadcaster and take a look around – it’s one step closer to actually being there. Starting today, you’ll be able to join live 360 videos on Periscope and Twitter from some incredible broadcasters – getting front-row access at exclusive events, traveling to places across the globe, and getting up close with well-known personalities.

According to Twitter, the feature is limited to a “small group” of “well-known personalities” who will be broadcasting using the new feature. 360 broadcasts will be rolled out to additional users “during the coming weeks,” and Periscope users can apply to test the feature through the Periscope website.

Periscope can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Tags: Twitter, Periscope
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Samsung MS750 Soundbar Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

Samsung

Samsung has announced its first “all-in-one” sound bar with subwoofer on board — the MS750 sound bar — which will be unveiled at CES 2017.

The sound bar is visually similar to the HW-K950 that was released last year and also features upward-firing tweeters, though it lacks that speaker’s Atmos capabilities.

Like the competitive Zvox SB500, the subwoofer-less Samsung also has DSP and other mechanical technologies on board to prevent low bass from distorting, especially at volume.

Samsung has designed the sound bar to integrate fully with the TVs the company is set to announce at this year’s show by way of a dedicated wallmount system which also includes a power socket for the TV. Using Samsung’s Smart Remote Control, the sound bar is able to be controlled from within the TV itself.

• Samsung’s UHQ 32-bit audio
• HDMI input
• “Distortion cancelling” and “wide-band tweeter” technology
• Pricing and availability to be announced

Samsung UBD-M9500 Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

Samsung

Following on from last year’s UDB-K8500, Samsung has announced its second 4K Blu-ray player, the M9500. Features get a bump on this model with Bluetooth streaming and tighter integration with other Samsung Smart Remote-compatible products.

Like LG Blu-ray players and the Roku before them, the M9500 now features a Private Cinema Mode that enables audio to be streamed to Bluetooth headphones.

In addition, Samsung’s new player will automatically flag HDR content so that your (Samsung) 4K TV switches automatically, which is something that should have happened from day 1, if you ask us.

Samsung also promises improved mobile integration with the ability to “enjoy their favorite Blu-ray titles on their mobile device,” but whether this means the company is using UltraViolet or has managed to circumvent or renegotiate copy protection is unclear.

If you’re sick of having to look at 360-degree photos on Facebook, the M9500 now offers the ability to view them on your Blu-ray player.

Pricing and availability are yet to be announced.

Blizzard marks 20 years of ‘Diablo’ with events across its games

Believe it or not, Diablo is turning 20 years old on December 31st. Yes, the classic clickfest has been around for long enough that some adults weren’t even alive when the first game launched. It’s a historic moment for gaming — and Blizzard is marking the occasion by bringing Diablo-themed events and extras to several of its games. Diablo III, unsurprisingly, gets the most lavish treatment. It’s going to get a Darkening of Tristram event that lets you visit a “reimagined” version of the original game’s cathedral, including some familiar pick-ups.

That’s not to say that you won’t see some pleasant nods to the hellish action RPG in other games. Overwatch will get a slew of in-game sprays and a player icon, while World of Warcraft will have Diablo creatures wandering into Azeroth. Hearthstone will introduce a “dark wanderer” (read: the first game’s corrupted hero) with a “grim deck,” Heroes of the Storm will have a new brawl map and portrait, and StarCraft II is getting a Diablo-themed worker portrait. No, it’s not the same as a fourth Diablo game (please?), but it is an acknowledgment of the series’ influence over the years.

Source: Battle.net

Best laptops and tablets of CES 2017: What to expect

The Consumer Electronics Show, which takes place in Vegas every January, is almost here – and that means a bunch of new laptops are coming.

Companies usually use CES to showcase the latest updates to their laptop, hybrid laptop/tablet device, and tablet ranges. Pocket-lint plans to attend the show this year, as we do every year, to bring you the latest and breaking news as it happens, including hands-on reviews. In the meantime, we’ve rounded up what you can expect in terms of laptop and tablet announcements.

Here’s everything you need to know.

• Best laptops and tablets of CES 2016: Lenovo, HP, and more

CES 2017: Best laptops and tablets

Dell

Pocket-lint

Dell has confirmed that it’s working on a convertible version of its XPS 13 laptop and will announce the new device at CES 2017 in January. Dell said the new 2-in-1 will have the same InfinityEdge display as the existing XPS 13 and XPS 15, meaning you can expect a nearly bezel-free screen. The company also said that it’s planning a convertible version of the Latitude 13 business laptop, which will be unveiled at the same time.

Dell also teased on 2 November that it plans to unveil its vision for the future of desktops. It’ll probably unveil the Smart Desk, a PC with a second screen and a peripheral. It’s basically Dell’s take on the Microsoft Surface Studio and Dial.

Lenovo

Lenovo

Lenovo’s announcing nine new laptops – mostly updates to the existing ThinkPad line. These all have “the latest Intel Core i processors” and are equipped with a Precision Touchpad, MilSpec durability, and bloatware-free Windows 10.

• Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 370: A convertible with a 13-inch FHD touch display. It features Thunderbolt 3, integrated Intel HD 620 graphics, up to 16GB RAM and up to a 1TB SSD, and a 10-hour battery life. It’ll launch in March 2017 with a starting price of $1,264.
• Lenovo ThinkPad T470: A laptop with a 14-inch FHD Touch display. It feature 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, aNVIDIA GeForce 940MX graphics, and both a fingerprint reader and IR camera for Windows Hello facial recognition login. It’ll launch in February 2017 starting at $914.
• Lenovo ThinkPad T470s: A version of the above laptop with integrated graphics, a 24GB RAM cap, and no fingerprint scanner nor IR camera. It also has a WQHD IPS display option and is set for February 2017 availability with a price of $1,099.
• Lenovo ThinkPad T470p: Another version of the T470. It has some added weight and thickness in order to deliver a 12-hour battery life. It’ll also launch in March 2017 but will cost $1,049
• Lenovo ThinkPad 570: A laptop with a 15.6-inch display available in 1080p touch or 4K non-touch options. It features 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, a Windows Hello-compatible IR camera and fingerprint reader, and a battery life of up to 16 hours. It’ll launch in March 2017 for $909.
• Lenovo ThinkPad L470: A laptop with switchable graphics (integrated Intel HD graphics and a discrete AMD Radeon R5 M430 GPU). It features 32GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, and a 14-inch HD IPS display. It’ll cost $799 when it launches in March 2017.
• Lenovo ThinkPad L570: A laptop with a 15.6-inch display (768p TN or a FHD IPS option). It features 32GB of RAM, 1TB HDD or 512GB SSD, and 11 hours worth of battery. It’ll start at $809 when it launches March 2017.
• Lenovo ThinkPad X270: A 12.5-inch laptop with an HD IPS, FHD, or FHD Touch display. It features 16GB of RAM, 2TB SSD or 512GB SSD, and a 21.4-hour battery life. It surprisingly only has a price of $909 and will launch in March 2017.
• Lenovo ThinkPad 13: A budget 13.3-inch FHD IPS touch laptop that features up to 32GB RAM, a 512GB SSD option, and Intel HD 620 Graphics. It’ll cost $674 when it launches in January 2017.

LG

LG

OK, so this isn’t a laptop or tablet, but it does go with desktop setups..

Ahead of CES 2017, LG has announced its latest monitor range. It hasn’t shared all the details, however, as it plans to reveal that news at CES. The highlight is its LG 32UD99, a 32-inch 4K display (that’s a 3840 x 2160 resolution) with HDR10 standard compatibility. It will display 95 percent of the P3 color gamut. It also comes equipped with USB-C support. We’ll have more on the full range of LG monitors when CES 2017 kicks off.

LeEco

LeEco

LeEco recently launched in the US, and shortly after, CEO Jia Yueting took to Chinese social media site Weibo to confirm the company will be at CES 2017. Yueting’s post featured a number of LeEco products, but it was removed soon after. LeEco hasn’t said why.

Xiaomi

Lenovo

Xiaomi has confirmed it will be at CES for the first time ever. Considering the broad range of products Xiaomi makes, there’s a strong possibility that a laptop or hybrid or even tablet could be announced. However, it did just launch the Mi Notebook Air and Air 13 Pro this past summer.

Want to know more?

Check out Pocket-lint’s guide to learn more about CES, including what it is and when it is and what else you can expect to be announced.