U.K. hospital uses 360-degree video to reassure kids ahead of MRI scans

Why it matters to you

Virtual reality and 360-degree video are often used for entertainment, but projects like this one further demonstrate how experiential tech can be used to help people.

Virtual reality and 360-degree video can allow people to experience things that would be otherwise impossible, like getting an up-close view of the Super Bowl, or exploring a floating village. However, these technologies can also be used to give people a preview of something they’re going to experience in real life, as evidenced by a project being implemented at King’s College Hospital in London, England.

MRI physicist Jonathan Ashmore observed that children who needed to undergo an MRI scan were often very anxious about the process. When he received a 360-degree camera as a gift, he decided to give patients a way to become familiar with the procedure before doing it for real.

More: You won’t watch a live NFL game in VR this year. Here’s why

Ashmore put the camera inside the scanner to gather footage, before collaborating with Jerome Di Pietro to turn his work into an app. Now, anyone that’s preparing for an appointment with an MRI scanner can use a VR headset or a mobile device to preview the experience.

The app helps children prepare themselves to keep completely still for the duration of the procedure, which is required for a successful scan. It also helps familiarize them with the loud tapping noises caused by the electric current in the machine’s scanner coils being turned on and off, which often upset younger patients.

“I was really worried before my first scan because I didn’t know what to expect, even though my dad explained I couldn’t imagine what it would be like,” said Matthew Down, a 10-year-old who trialed the app. “I think that the app is really helpful as it shows you what to expect and it really feels like you are inside the machine.”

The My MRI at King’s app is available now from the Google Play Store for Android devices, and will soon be available on iOS devices via the App Store.

USB Killer V3 now comes with even more power and an ‘anonymous edition’

Why it matters to you

USB Killer is back with an even more dangerous version. All the more reason to be skeptical of mysterious USBs.

USB Killer, the USB stick that scorches your device with a lethal dose of voltage that renders it useless, has just become even more treacherous.

The new third iteration of the dastardly hardware, USB Killer V3, claims to be 1.5 times more powerful with twice as much surge power as its predecessor, sending 8 to 12 surges into a device once it is plugged in. The USB Killer charges its capacitors from the USB power lines at a super-fast pace sending 200-plus volts through a computer or phone.

More: Watch what you connect! ‘USB Killer’ fries almost anything it’s plugged into

And it gets better or worse, depending on your perspective, as the maker is also selling adaptors for connecting to USB-C, Lightning, and MicroUSB ports. To make it even sneakier, the Hong Kong company behind the device is selling an “anonymous edition” that comes without the logo or any branding so it just looks like any old USB.

USB Killer, which has FFC and European approvals for retailing, is advertised as a testing device and costs about $50. The approvals essentially mean that the device is safe for human handling and won’t electrocute anyone. In other words, the actual use cases of the USB Killer haven’t been approved or endorsed by any authority.

The makers added that they have come across copy devices being sold by other vendors that “should be considered as dangerous to the user.”

The company goes on to warn users against anyone tinkering with the device and trying to take it apart.

Things can get a little shady with USB Killer. The company is marketing it as a testing device and there are legitimate use cases for that. However if anyone can buy the USB, then anyone can put it to any use. The availability of an “anonymous edition” makes things look even more suspicious; why would a testing device need to be disguised?

Either way the company is avoiding any responsibility. “Willful destruction of third-party material with this device is illegal and not condoned by USBKill.com,” it says on its website.

Need a new computer? Acer Aspire E5-575-33BM laptop just $350 on Amazon

Acer is a well-known manufacturer of computer hardware and has made an especially big mark on the budget laptop market, proving that you don’t need to break the bank when you’re shopping for a new PC. One popular and well-reviewed model is the Acer Aspire E5-575-33BM laptop, which is now available for $350 with free shipping from Amazon.

The Acer Aspire E5-575-33BM laptop runs on Intel’s seventh-generation Core i3-7100U processor which boasts a 2.4GHz clock speed. This dual-core CPU works together with the integrated Intel HD Graphics 620 GPU and 4GB of DDR4 RAM (expandable up to 32GB), and the 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080 LED display features Acer ColorBlast and ExaColor for a vibrant picture while gaming or watching videos. Acer BluelightShield automatically filters any harsh light emanating from the screen during extended periods of use, preventing eye-strain and helping you to wind down in the evening hours.

More: Carry your devices with ease with the Ecosusi vintage-look laptop bag (51 percent off)

The computer comes equipped with a 5,400rpm SATA hard drive which gives you 1TB of internal storage. Four USB ports include one USB 2.0, one USB-C 3.1, and two USB 3.0 for peripheral connections. The laptop also features an 8x M-DISC enabled DVD drive and an SD card slot. A VGA and HDMI port provide video output while two built-in stereo speakers and a 3.5mm audio jack deliver crisp, clear audio via Acer TrueHarmony technology.

A six-cell lithium ion battery offers up to 12 hours of energy, giving you enough juice for a day’s work on a single charge. The 802.11ac Wi-Fi card provides dual band wireless and the laptop is Bluetooth-capable as well. The wireless card also supports MU-MIMO, optimizing your connection for faster speeds and fewer drops when multitasking or performing bandwidth-heavy jobs like online gaming and streaming.

The Acer Aspire E5-575-33BM laptop comes with Windows 10 Home pre-installed and is a solid general-use personal computer for work, study, and entertainment. This PC goes for as high as $440 from some retailers, but is currently available from Amazon for just $350.

$350 on Amazon

What did you think of the Pixel’s design? Google wants to know

Why it matters to you

If you’re a Pixel user with something to say, Google is taking your praises and criticisms to heart as it prepares the next iteration of its Android flagship.

The Pixel marked the beginning of a new era for Google as a smartphone manufacturer in the very same right as Apple and Samsung. Now, the company is hoping to gain feedback from that experience, as indicated in a post by Pixel Product Lead Krishna Kumar on Google’s own user community site.

Kumar took to Google’s forums Thursday to ask customers what they liked and didn’t like about the design of its first handset. The criticisms mostly struck upon the same notes, with many users requesting water resistance, front-facing speakers, and thinner bezels.

More: Common Google Pixel problems and the solutions to deal with them

“Missing waterproof is … way behind the times,” one person responded, while another added “knowing my phone can survive a little water is reason enough for me to want this in a phone.”

The iPhone 7 and Samsung Galaxy S7 lines both sport water resistance — the iPhone with an IP67 rating, allowing it to withstand being submerged in water for up to 30 minutes at 1M depth, and the Galaxy with an IP68 rating, good for the same length of time at 1.5M depth. The Pixel’s lack of protection against splashes and swims was seen as one of the phone’s major disadvantages compared to its two most significant rivals.

Still, many users praised the premium look and feel of the device. Though some noted similarities to the iPhone’s design at the front — a point we made in our review last year — the build quality and wedged form factor were considered some of the Pixel’s greatest strengths. Google’s phone is slightly thicker at the top than the bottom to accommodate space for the camera sensor, and several responders remarked that the trade-off was a smart way to eliminate a potential lens bump.

Unsurprisingly, some sidestepped Kumar’s question about design altogether and complained that the greatest problem facing the Pixel was lack of availability. Many configurations are still listed as out of stock on the Google Store more than three months since the device’s launch — especially those with 128GB of storage. The limited release of the “really blue” color, along with its restriction to 32GB models only, was also brought up as disappointing on several occasions.

As Google reflects on the execution of its first smartphone, feedback like this will be instrumental in the development of the Pixel’s successor. It’s encouraging to see Google reach out to the community in a direct way, and if the most frequent complaints relate to a supply shortage, that shines pretty positively on the company’s design prowess.

Google effectively ends support for Android 2.3 Gingerbread

Why it matters to you

With the release of the new Google Play Services, devices running Android 2.3 Gingerbread are unlikely to receive updates.

It’s the death knell for a deprecated operating system. On Friday, Gingerbread, version 2.3 of Google’s mobile platform, is no longer officially supported.

That’s due to a previously announced update to Google Play Services, the core Android component that synchronizes contacts, keeps privacy settings up to date, drives lower-powered location-based services, and provides third-party apps with invaluable resources. Google Play Services 10.2.0 drops support for API level 9, the most recent development resource library supported by Android Gingerbread. The new minimum API — level 14 — was introduced in 2011 alongside Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

More: Big day for Android 7.0: Nougat finally cracks 1 percent of Android devices

That doesn’t mean Gingerbread devices — or apps that have already been installed — will suddenly stop working. Rather, they’re likely to see fewer updates as developers migrate to newer devices and versions of Android — going forward, apps will still have access to Google Play Service’s older libraries, but those updated to 10.2.0 and newer will lose Gingerbread compatibility.

Gingerbread wasn’t the only version of Android to receive the ax. Honeycomb, the first tablet-optimized version of Android (3.0), will lose support, too.

More: When is your phone getting Android 7.0 Nougat? We asked every major phone manufacturer

That’s not exactly cause for worry — Gingerbread is far from ubiquitous. It represents about 1.3 percent of Android users, as of Google’s last usage report. Honeycomb’s share is an estimated 0.1 percent. And Google says it believes “that many of these old devices are not actively being used.

In fact, Android version 6.0 Marshmallow represents the vast majority of users, with a 30.7 percent share of the market. Android 5.1 Lollipop has the second-largest slice with 23.1 percent, and Android 4.4 KitKat takes third place with 21.9 percent.

More: Get the most out of Android 7.0 Nougat with these tips and tricks

In other news, Google Play Services 10.2.0 brings welcome additions to Android’s growing feature roster. Developers using Google Fit, Google’s eponymous workout platform, can now monitor health data like blood pressure, blood glucose, oxygen saturation, body position, body temperature, and reproductive health data. Games on Google’s cloud-powered gaming platform, meanwhile, can now tap a more efficient method to sign users in. And there’s an improvement to Ads tools, including support for video assets.

NBA’s Google Daydream app to launch with VR series featuring basketball greats

Why it matters to you

Millions of fans may not yet be clamoring for NBA games in VR, but the league is preparing for that day by expanding its virtual reality offerings.

The NBA on Friday launched its own virtual reality app on the Google Daydream. As part of the launch, the NBA will debut its first-ever episodic VR series, House of Legends, featuring NBA Hall of Famers and other greats.

Hosted by comedian Chris Distefano, House of Legends will be an immersive interview series where former NBA athletes discuss their careers and a bit of pop culture. The first episode will feature one of the most-clutch NBA players ever, seven-time NBA champion Robert Horry. Future episodes will include more NBA greats like James Worthy, Bruce Bowen, John Starks, John Salley, and Chauncey Billups. No schedule for the episodes has been announced yet.

More: Courtside cameras weren’t enough. This year, the NBA is doing VR right

The new NBA VR app will feature a virtual sports lounge where you can catch Steph Curry splashes, Lebron James passes, and many other NBA highlights. The app was built by visual effects company Digital Domain, which also produced the House of Legends series, as well as designed and created the 3D sports lounge.

The NBA has been holding court in the VR realm so far this year. The league and premier virtual reality production company NextVR recently announced plans to offer free on-demand highlights from all of the 2017 NBA All Star Game festivities in virtual reality for the first time ever. Anyone with the NextVR app and a Samsung Gear VR or Google Daydream headset will be able to enjoy the Taco Bell Skills Challenge, JBL Three-Point Contest. and Verizon Slam Dunk Contest this weekend in virtual reality.

For the 2016-2017 NBA season, one game a week has been live-streamed in virtual reality on the NextVR app for those with NBA League Pass subscriptions. Starting February 23, anyone can now pay to watch single games through NBA League Pass for $6.99 per game.

The NBA is taking an “if you build it, they will come” approach with virtual reality. “There aren’t millions upon millions of people clamoring to watch NBA in VR, just yet,” Jeff Marsillo, vice president of global media for the NBA, told Digital Trends in the press room at Madison Square Garden last November. “When that does arrive, we want to be ready.”

The NBA VR app is available in the Google Play Store.

Yes, you can run Windows 10 on Microsoft’s original Surface coffee table

Why it matters to you

It’s really just a curiosity but seeing Windows 10 running on a Microsoft Surface coffee table might make you interested in owning one.

Long before there was Microsoft Surface Pro, Book, and Studio, there was Microsoft Surface, the coffee table. That product was mainly a proof of concept and it never did become a significant product for the company, but it was important in the ultimate development of what is now a successful line of hardware products for Microsoft.

Flash forward to Friday and the industrious folks at Windows Central were able to get Windows 10 installed and running. As you can see from the video, the Surface coffee table runs Microsoft’s latest and greatest operating system as if the two were made for each other — almost, that is.

More: Beneath the Surface: How Microsoft is missing the boat on tabletop computing

Of course, the original Surface came with the Windows Vista operating system and a custom user interface shell that enabled a number of features that Windows 10 doesn’t support. Originally, the Surface coffee table was meant to be shared by multiple users, with an interface that was able to work at any angle and allow multiple people to grab objects and flip them around the screen. None of that functionality is supported by Windows 10.

The Surface, originally introduced in 2007, was renamed as PixelSense in 2012, likely to make room for the impending Surface brand that has spawned today’s highly successful Windows 10 2-in-1s and the latest Surface Studio all-in-one creativity workstation. PixelSense essentially referred to sensors built between individual pixels on the display panel that allowed it to receive both visible and infrared lights and thereby “sense” input.

Microsoft didn’t do away with the confusion, however, because PixelSense is also the name it gave to the touchscreen displays used on contemporary Surface products. Confused yet? If you are, it really doesn’t matter — the original Surface was priced at more than $7,500 in all of its incarnations and so really was a novelty product. The following video shows the Surface coffee table running in its original configuration.

Today, the Surface coffee table is more of a curiosity, and seeing it run Windows 10 mainly serves as a tease of what such devices could look like one day. If you want to install Windows 10 on your own old-school Surface device, then go search the web and see if you can find one for sale. Otherwise, you can hold out hope that Microsoft will bring its Surface line full circle and release a new Surface coffee table again one day.

Time to start stockpiling RAM as shortages might cause PC prices to spike

Why it matters to you

The PC market is facing some rocky weather. Despite buyers being willing to spend more on premium rigs, component shortages are set to drive up costs for manufacturers and prices for end users.

There might be more budget PCs on the market than ever before, but in 2016 we saw overall prices go up and sales go down — a trend that’s unlikely to change in 2017.

Prices fluctuate for a number of reasons, but component shortages will reportedly play a key role in the overall price hikes we’re already starting to see. According to CIO, shortages of RAM, SSDs, batteries, and LCD panels have already started driving up manufacturing costs.

More: Samsung Group chairman arrested on charges of bribery and corruption

During an earnings call, Lenovo’s chief operating officer, Gianfranco Lanci, confirmed that prices would continue to rise for manufacturers, as sourcing components becomes more difficult and expensive. Those increased manufacturing costs are already trickling down to customers, particularly users in the market for individual components.

According to PC Part Picker, RAM prices have gone up significantly since last year. Average prices remained relatively consistent in 2016, dipping down to about $40 for 4GB in May, but as of January 2017, the average price of 4GB is around $65.

Luckily SSD prices have remained relatively consistent so far, with no major upward spikes, but according to Lanci, the price hikes are very likely to be coming soon.

Component shortages are driving costs up at a peculiar time for the PC industry. According to CIO, millennials and gamers are more willing than ever to buy expensive, high-end notebooks and desktops, even as the overall PC market continues to fall short of sales expectations.

More: Disgruntled cafe owner bills customers extra if they charge their phones on-site

According to CIO, Intel’s chip prices increased by about 7 percent in 2016, but the popularity of VR-capable PCs kept them flying off the shelves, despite the price hike.

So, not only are component shortages driving costs up for manufacturers and customers, but the overall PC buyer profile is changing. It’s a volatile time for the PC market, and it remains to be seen how that will affect marketing strategies and sales numbers going forward.

Still, it might be a good time to stock up on those SSDs.

Apple’s patented cracked screen sensors could lead to more durable iPhones

Why it matters to you

Work is always being done to make smartphones stronger but data gathered from sensors could help Apple make your future iPhone more durable.

Try as we might to stop it, dropping our smartphones is an inevitability. In spite of manufacturers’ greatest efforts to design more durable devices with materials like Gorilla Glass and aluminum, there is always the potential for a shattered screen — which is precisely why Apple filed a patent to make diagnosing and repairing a busted phone easier.

Patently Apple caught wind of a proposal from mid-2015 that uses sensors to characterize a crack and identify its location on a phone’s cover glass. As always, patents do not guarantee features, but they do serve as clues to what is being considered for future products.

More: Got a broken iPhone screen? Here’s how to fix or replace it

There are multiple potential benefits to this idea. First, it would help Apple gain insight as to the circumstances in which its devices break. But, more valuable to the customer, the technology could relay information to the user about how the damage has specifically impacted their phone’s systems.

According to the filing, there are several ways Apple might achieve this. The first involves a sensor grid packed tightly against the cover glass. Once the phone is dropped, data from the accelerometer will detect the shock, triggering analysis of the grid. If a gap is detected, the phone could ask the user to draw a circle around the damage to aid in location. Ideally, however, the system would also be sensitive enough to detect hairline cracks the user couldn’t see.

The second approach involves the distribution of “contact points” across the front of the device, both covering the touchscreen and the non-interactive surface area around it. A change in electrical resistance between those connected points would be characterized as a crack. The system could then refine the location by triangulation. The more contact points, the greater the accuracy.

Many companies, like Motorola and Samsung, responded to the fragility of smartphones by making them stronger through research and development. While continued innovation in building more rugged devices is happening all the time, it may also be helpful, as Apple has suggested, to gather insight regarding the nature of these incidents and when and where they happen. Technology like this could give the user some peace of mind after destroying an expensive smartphone, give technicians critical information that could aid in repair, and ultimately help Apple design more durable products.

Corel VideoStudio raises the bar with 360 compatibility and mask tools

Why it matters to you

Corel’s VideoStudio allows even novice editors to tweak their videos, and now the program includes more features than ever.

Corel’s advanced video editor is getting even more, well, advanced — VideoStudio Ultimate X10, announced earlier this week, now includes 360 video support as well as masks for objects (even if they are moving), along with several other enhancements.

Corel

Corel says that the new features build on the program designed to offer creative video edits to all skill levels. The program is the firm’s most advanced editor, and is offered alongside the slightly less featured VideoStudio Pro X10. The X10 version is set to launch next Tuesday from retailers but is already available to download directly from Corel.

More: Hilarious video perfectly captures love/hate relationship editors have with videos

“VideoStudio stands out in consumer video editing because we’ve created an environment that offers high-end features while remaining surprisingly simple to use. Users choose VideoStudio because it lets them tell their stories in a personalized way, whether they’re capturing family memories, an exciting event, or reaching viewers online. With VideoStudio X10, we’re giving you powerful new options to make a movie that’s truly unique,” said Senior Director of Product Management for Corel’s video products Michel Yavercovski.

With the update, the program now accepts video from 360 cameras. Along with working with the 360 footage using the suite of tools, the program also allows users to edit it down to a traditional screen, choosing where the viewer looks and when.

Corel

Single objects within the footage can now also be selected — even if they are moving. The new mask tool allows editors to use brush and shape tools to select a portion of the shot to then adjust only that object — or, on the flipside, adjust everything else while leaving the mask untouched.

While stop motion and other time adjustment features were part of earlier versions, in X10, users now have access to a simpler control scheme for freezing, speeding up, slowing down, or reversing the action.

The latest version also builds on the multi-camera editing and other favorite features from previous versions to add custom transparencies for fade effects, three new premium effect collections and an overall update for a simpler, faster workflow. Video templates, for exporting to a disc with a full menu, are now also included with the program.

The VideoStudio Ultimate X10 joins a recently updated Video Studio Pro, which, for $10 less, skips out on the masks and special effects templates, and only syncs multi-camera footage from four sources instead of six. The VideoStudio Ultimate X10 retails for $99.99, with a 30-day free trial.