BBC’s ‘Planet Earth’ team is making a mini VR nature series

While the BBC is respected for its varied slate of programming, its nature documentaries are deservedly elevated above the rest. The corporation’s second Planet Earth series recently broke viewing records in the UK and will debut in the US, but it’s also been working on a new project that will bring its nature expertise to virtual reality. BBC Earth, the producer behind the groundbreaking footage, has announced a new partnership with Oculus to launch three new VR experiences, which will be available for the Rift and Samsung’s Gear VR headsets in the coming weeks.

Viewers will be able to interact with three individual episodes that chart the “daily adventures” of a Caracal Cat, an Oogpister Beetle and Black Bears. Cat Flight will demonstrate how the feline predator survives in the wild, focusing on its explosive leap. The BBC says it will freeze the Caracal mid-jump, allowing viewers to zoom in and interact with the animal in 360 degrees.

The second episode, Oogie, is a computer-generated game that is based on footage of the Oogpister Beetle “as it scurries through the African Savannah.” Players will assume the role of the beetle, guiding it to safety by navigating obstacles and avoiding predators.

The final experience, Bear Island, follows Black Bears on their journey to an Alaskan river. Viewers will be able to jump between different perspectives and varying storylines, with virtual reality helping to make it feel like they’re really there. The BBC says the episodes will be available before the end of January and will be free to download for the first three months.

Who needs a six-inch touchscreen Windows desktop?

Dutch startup Ockel believes that what the world needs right now is a six-inch, Windows 10 desktop PC that’s also kind of a tablet. Ish. The nonfunctioning prototype was on show at CES, with final models expected to reach Indiegogo backers in May. Which give us a few months to wonder what exactly we’d ever use it for.

Ockel made a name for itself building credit card-sized PCs for people who wanted to take their desktop with them wherever they went. The Sirius B (and its pro-edition brother) were both hits, prompting the company to build a version that you could use on the go. That product was the Sirius A, a wedge-shaped device with eight regular-sized ports at the back and a touchscreen up top.

Both versions are pitched as full-bodied desktops that you can happen to use in motion, with full-size USB (and USB-C), HDMI, DisplayPort and even an Ethernet jack. The vanilla edition will run Windows Home and ships with 4GB RAM / 64GB Storage, while the Pro version runs Windows Pro and packs 8GB RAM/128GB storage. Both, however, will run off the same Intel Atom x7-Z8750 processor. The company won’t be drawn on a battery size, but it’s hoped that it’ll last for up to four hours at a time.

As Ockel’s Nathalie van Wijkvliet explains, the idea was to create a desktop that you could take with you and use, should the need arise. She said that “it’s not a smartphone, not a tablet and not a PC,” but an amalgamation of the three. It’s hoped that the device will be used by doctors on their rounds in a hospital and as a more elegant remote control for a smart home.

That’s great, but for the fact that the Ockel Sirius A will retail for $700 (Regular) or $800 (Pro) and — have you heard of these things called laptops? If you want a desktop you can take with you, then you can pick one of those up for a lot less than $700. If you want a portable computing device that’s a little less demanding that can also double as a smart home control, then grab a $200 premium Android tablet.

This device reminds me a little of the Neptune Pine, another crowdfunding success that looked great on paper and wasn’t great in reality. The notion of having a slightly shrunk-down smartphone on your wrist was great in theory, but… not so much in use. I’m sure a small subset of people will find a reason to love it but everyone else should maybe steer clear.

Nick Summers contributed to this post.

Click here to catch up on the latest news from CES 2017.

Source: Indiegogo

Faraday Future’s first car secures over 64,000 reservations

EV-maker Faraday Future says it has received 64,124 reservations for the car it unveiled at CES within 36 hours of the event. Sure, that’s nowhere near the 232,000 pre-orders Tesla got for Model 3 in a day, but we’re talking about company that has yet to release a product — in fact, the model it presented at CES (an SUV called the FF 91) is its first car ever. Sadly, Faraday Future didn’t say how many paid $5,000 for priority reservation and how many opted for the free standard option. That means we also can’t say if it racked up enough money to keep going.

The electric-automaker was reportedly plagued by all kinds of money trouble last year, you see, from bills and rent to lawsuits. Things were so bad, various sources said it could shutter by February 2017 if it fails to raise funds after CES. The company would have made over $320 million if all 64,124 slots chose the priority option, but we somehow doubt everyone paid up, even if it is refundable. As Electrek said, the free reservation tier makes it hard to gauge how many people are actually interested in buying and how many merely signed up to keep an eye on new updates.

One thing’s clear, though: FF 91 successfully piqued people’s curiosity. Whether that will translate to sales, who knows. The flashy electric SUV is an all-wheel drive, has a 378-mile range and can go from 0 to 60 in 2.39. Faraday Future hasn’t revealed how much one would cost you yet, but it plans to start production in 2018.

Source: Faraday Future

Apple Will Open its First Retail Store in South Korea This Year

Apple will open its first retail store in South Korea this year, according to a report on Friday (via Reuters).

The country’s Yonhap News Agency said that construction was underway for a store in the southern district of Seoul and that work on the site would likely be completed by the end of November.

Image: Flickr

“We’re excited about opening our first Apple Store in Korea, one of the world’s economic centers and a leader in telecommunication and technology, with a vibrant K-culture,” Apple told Reuters in a statement Friday.

“We’re now hiring the team that will offer our customers in Seoul the service, education and entertainment that is loved by Apple customers around the world.”

Yesterday, Apple listed hiring notices for 15 positions on its website, including a store leader and business manager. The exact location and start time for the jobs was omitted from the listings.

Apple’s first Korean brick-and-mortar store will be in Samsung’s back yard – the rival smartphone maker has its main headquarters in Suwon, about 13 miles south of the capital city.

Related Roundup: Apple Stores
Tags: Apple retail, South Korea
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Wrists-on with Garmin’s new fenix 5 lineup at CES 2017

If you’re a serious athlete that’s been looking for a powerful multisport fitness watch, odds are you’ve stumbled across Garmin’s fēnix line of devices. While they are quite pricey, the fēnix 3 line has proven to be one of the most powerful multisport watches on the market.

At CES 2017, Garmin has unveiled three new entries to its fēnix lineup, the fēnix 5, fēnix 5S and fēnix 5X.

As the names might suggest, all three of these new devices are in the same family, so they all sport most of the same features. There are a few big differentiators between the three, though. The fēnix 5S, for instance, is a lighter, sleeker and smaller version of the standard fēnix 5. The fēnix 5 is the standard model, sporting all the same features as the 5S in a bigger form factor. The 5X is the highest-end device in the bunch, complete with preloaded wrist-based mapping.

Garmin’s new QuickFit bands will make switching between leather, metal and sport bands a breeze

If you’ve ever tried switching out the strap on a traditional watch, you’d know it can be quite a hassle. With Garmin’s new QuickFit bands, though, users will easily be able to switch between leather, metal and sporty bands without tools.

See also:

The best fitness trackers

4 weeks ago

Here are a few other differences you need to know:

fenix 5

The fēnix 5 is the standard model of the group. Measuring 47mm, it’s more compact than previous models like the fēnix 3HR, but still packs all the multisport features you’d come to expect from the series.

fenix 5S

Garmin says the fēnix 5S is the first watch in the line designed specifically for female adventurers. Measuring just 42mm, the 5S is small and comfortable for petite wrists, without compromising any multisport features. It’s available in silver with either a white, turquoise or black silicone band color options with a mineral glass lens.

There’s also a fēnix 5S Sapphire model with a scratch-resistant sapphire lens that’s available in black with a black band, champagne with a water-resistant gray suede band, or champagne with a metal band. This model also comes with an extra silicone QuickFit band.

fenix 5X

The higher-end fēnix 5X measures 51mm and comes preloaded with TOPO US mapping, routable cycling maps and other navigation features like Round Trip Run and Round Trip Ride. With these new features, users can enter how far they’d like to run or ride, and their watch will suggest appropriate courses to choose from. The 5X will also display easy-to-read guidance cues for upcoming turns, allowing users to be aware of their route.

In addition, the 5X can use Around Me map mode to see different points of interest and other map objects within the user’s range to help users be more aware of their surroundings. This model will be available with a scratch-resistant sapphire lens.

All three fēnix 5 devices come preloaded with full multisport functionality for running, hiking, swimming, biking and more. They all feature Garmin’s impressive Elevate heart rate trackers, water resistance up to 100 meters, as well as built-in navigation features with a 3-axis compass, gyroscope and barometric altimeter, and, of course, a GPS.

They all also feature a variety of connected features that make these devices true smartwatches. Users can get call, text and email smartphone notifications. All Sapphire models are also Wi-Fi enabled, so users will be able to connect with their home network and upload statistics even if their smartphones aren’t around.

All three watches are coming to market in Q1 2017

All three watches are coming to market sometime in Q1 2017, though we don’t have exact launch details at this time. The fēnix 5 and 5S will launch with a suggested retail price of $599.99, while the fēnix 5 Sapphire, 5S Sapphire and 5X Sapphire will have a suggested retail price of $699.99. If you’d like to learn more about these devices, head here to visit Garmin’s website.

Android Authority is on the show floor at CES 2017, so be sure to stay tuned for more coverage on the latest and greatest tech gadgets at the world’s largest consumer tech show!

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Fitbit Charge 2 vs Garmin vívosmart HR+

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Samsung expects a rise in profit thanks to chips and OLED

Samsung’s mobile division might have tanked in 2016, but things are looking up. According to the Korean chaebol’s earnings forecast for October to December last year, its operating income for the fourth quarter was 9.2 trillion won ($7.8 billion). That’s 50 percent larger than the income posted for the same period in 2015 and the highest since the third quarter of 2013, thanks mostly to its its strong chip and OLED sales.

Bloomberg says it definitely helped that the huge demand for memory chips by China’s lower-end smartphone market led to a “persistent rise” in their prices. In fact, analysts expect its chip business to be responsible for 4.5 trillion won ($3.8 billion) of its operating income. Samsung’s numbers were boosted by a weak Korean won, as well, since it only takes US dollars for component sales.

What happened to its mobile division, which was once its top-earning business, you ask? You might be surprised to know that it’s actually doing well. While Galaxy Note 7 was a disaster and cost the company billions, the division still posted solid earnings from the sales of the Galaxy S7 and other older models — likely with more than a little help from the holiday season. If you want to see the earnings’ details and breakdown, you’ll have to wait until the company releases fourth quarter’s final results later this month.

Source: Bloomberg, Reuters

All NYC subway stations will have cell service by January 9th

When officials recently vowed that all New York City underground subway stations would have cellular coverage sometime in early 2017, they weren’t joking. Governor Cuomo has revealed that all active stations will have service from AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint and Verizon on January 9th. That’s on top of WiFi, which went live just before 2016 came to a close. The only exceptions are four stations that are either in mid-renovation or about to go through renovations, but they’ll have live service as soon as the makeovers are finished.

The cell service is slightly behind schedule, since the initial plan was to have every station connected in 2016. However, Cuomo and crew are quick to stress that this shouldn’t cost New Yorkers a cent. Key partner Transit Wireless spent “well over” $300 million on deploying both phone and WiFi access, but it should recoup its investment through sharing revenue from the network’s services.

Not everyone will be enthusiastic. If you were hoping that the subway station would be a brief respite from people constantly using their phones on the streets, you’ll be disappointed. And if you do appreciate service underground, you’ll still have to go without in the tunnels. However, it’s hard to deny the conveniences and safety advantages, especially in a city that practically revolves around its transportation grid.

Via: DNAinfo

Source: Governor Cuomo

Awesome Games Done Quick’s charity video game marathon starts Sunday

Looking for a fun, exciting and altruistic way to kick off the new year? Try watching people beat a ton of classic video games at record speed for charity. Awesome Games Done Quick 2017 kick off on January 8th — a week long speedrunning marathon that raises funds for charities like Doctors Without Borders and the Prevent Cancer Foundation.

The week starts on Sunday morning with Ape Escape 2 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, and doesn’t stop until the the team finishes Undertale with the “true pacifist ending” almost a week later — but along the way speedrunners will finish three more Zelda games, 9 Mario titles (including Mario Paint!) as well as games from the Dark Souls, Contra, Star Wars, Sonic the Hedgehog and Final Fantasy franchises. There are enough fan favourites to please anybody, but the group snuck in a few surprises: this year’s schedule includes obscure japanese titles, indie games and even a couple of weird bootleg games. Ever hear of “Donkey Kong 5: The Journey of Over Time and Space?” We hadn’t either.

So take a day off, unwind and start off 2017 by enjoying amazing gameplay for a good cause. You can watch the whole show right here, or on the Games Done Quick Twitch channel.

Watch live video from GamesDoneQuick on http://www.twitch.tv

Source: Games Done Quick

CES 2017 Day Three: How many pixels do you really need?

Three screens are better than one

Razer’s concept laptop is just… insane.

There are the laptops that everybody else is showing off at CES 2017, and there’s Razer’s Project Valerie. The bottom half is a standard Razer Blade Pro — a powerhouse gaming laptop, no doubt — but the lid contains not one, not two, but three 17.3-inch 4K displays. Combined they span around four feet, tucking back behind the center screen when not in use. It’s a crazy cool and just plain craze concept. And we want one so hard.

• Razer’s concept laptop has three 17-inch 4K displays
• Razer’s interactive projector fills your room with your games
• Project Ariana will blow you away

ASUS’s updated Chromebook Flip is a Chrome OS powerhouse

No tolerance for slouches.

There’s no doubt about it: Chromebooks are coming into their own. From the Samsung-Google partnership that resulted in the Chromebook Plus and Pro to ASUS’s new Chromebook Flip C302, they’ve never been better or more capable. The new ASUS Chromebook is a powerful little beast, sporting an Intel Core processor, up to 8GB of RAM, and two USB ports. Chrome OS is finally coming into its own.

• Hands-on with the awesome ASUS Chromebook Flip C302
• Chromebooks are making a huge comeback in 2017

Dell’s 8K monitor is the new king of the display hill

Just when you were getting comfortable with the idea of 4K.

Let’s be honest: most of us don’t have 4K displays yet. But that doesn’t stop the march of technological progress, nor will Dell let such trivialities slow them down. So they unveiled a 32-inch 8K monitor that they’re planning to have available to buy as soon as March. Words can’t really describe the beauty of this beast.

• Dell’s new 8K monitor is simply jaw-dropping
• 4K is so passé: Dell announces 8K display among slew of new monitors

The connected everything

Is it a thing? Can it be connected to the internet? Stop asking silly questions.

Some things have long been “connected” and are getting more so, like security cameras and thermostats and door locks. Other things are new to the connected space, like Lego robots and women’s health fertility trackers. Others… are hairbrushes with built-in artificial intelligence.

• D-Link’s Omna 180 Cam HD is the HomeKit security camera you’ve been waiting for!
• This connected hairbrush will get you brushing smarter, not harder
• HomeKit support coming to Honeywell’s Lyric Security and Home Control System
• Comper’s suite of connected tools put women’s health first
• LEGO Boost lets kids build their dream robot

Dell Canvas is a big honkin’ touch screen to go with any PC

Think of it as a Surface Studio without the built-in PC.

If there was one let-down with the Microsoft Surface Studio, it was the lack of true oomph from the computing hardware behind that gorgeous touch screen. So Dell decided to make a screen that does the same things, but without the included computer bits. So this is the Dell Canvas, a 27-inch QHD panel that lets you tap with your fingers, draw with the included pen, and spin away with a Dell “totem” — their take on the Surface Dial. It’s not cheap, but it’s still cheaper than a Surface Studio, and you can hook it up to the high-powered PC of your choice.

• Dell’s Canvas display lets you get a Surface Studio without buying a whole new computer
• Dell’s Canvas display is like a Surface Studio without the PC

There’s now a white variant of Xiaomi’s bezel-less Mi Mix

The stunning Mi Mix, now in white.

At CES, Xiaomi announced a white version of the bezel-less Mi Mix. Unveiled back in October, the Mi Mix sports a 6.4-inch Full HD display, but the lack of bezels and a 91.3% screen-to-body ratio means that the phone isn’t any larger than a traditional 5.5-inch handset.

The phone is kitted out with high-end internals in the form of a Snapdragon 821, 6GB of RAM, 128GB storage, 16MP camera at the back, 5MP front shooter, and a 4400mAh battery. As is the case with the standard black variant, the white Mi Mix won’t be available for sale outside of China.

The white Mi Mix has a “unique” scratch-resistant finish, and while Xiaomi didn’t reveal the price, the new color option is expected to be up for grabs in China later this year.