Mannequin head records intimacy for VR porn
Why it matters to you
Interpersonal technologies get even more personal with virtual reality intimacy simulation that emotionally charges scenes via kisses, caresses and whispers.
Self-love just got a tech upgrade that heads in the virtual reality direction of on-call cuddles mixed with a bit of George Orwell.
Related Article: Realdoll is building a fleet of AI-powered sex robots with customizable personalities
Porn tech pioneers VR Bangers announced the release of a severed head that records the audio and visual nuances of intimacy. The POV head rig captures the caresses and sweet-nothing whispers of pornography performers via stereoscopic cameras in its eyes and head, and binaural microphones in its ears. The multiple cameras attain 4K resolution at 60 frames per second.
The company aims to forge an ultra-real, immersive emotional connection for porno performers and viewers.
“This rig was built especially for adult VR scenes because we noticed that there is a much warmer and more intimate emotional attachment between the performer and the recording device if the device itself is able to be kissed, caressed and whispered to in the same sort of ways that a real person would sense those subtle communications,” said VRBangers.com CTO Boris Smirnoff in the press release. “It’s easy to think that performers will be able to overcome all the odd positions and constraints of filming content so it looks pristine on a virtual screen, but the fact is, the more we can help our models get the most out of their play space, the better our content will continue to be and the real winner in this line of advancements is always our fans.”
The device was deemed too freaky for CES 2017, despite its unique strategy to level-up interpersonal technology.
“The show didn’t allow us in because they still think this industry and tech are different or something,” Smirnoff said in the press release.
Motherboard reports the company showed off the controversial tech at the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo instead.
China is now the biggest producer of solar energy
You probably don’t think of China as a clean energy champion given its frequent problems with smog and continued dependence on coal power, but you may have to rethink your views after today. The country’s National Energy Administration has revealed that its solar energy production more than doubled in 2016, hitting 77.42 gigawatts by the end of the year. The country is now the world’s biggest producer of solar energy in terms of capacity — it doesn’t compare as well relative to population (Germany, Japan and the US could easily beat it), but that’s no mean feat for any nation.
Right now, solar is a drop in the bucket for China. It represents just 1 percent of the country’s total energy output. However, the NEA plans to add over 110 gigawatts by 2020, giving the technology a much greater role within a few years. It’ll help China increase its use of non-fossil fuel power from 11 percent now to 20 percent by 2030.
Not every country can compete with these increases, of course. Even if you discount the population advantage, China has large regions that are relatively friendly to solar energy farms. Still, this puts pressure on the rest of the world to up its game. Countries like the US may be seen as trailing behind, especially with policies that are bent on protecting the fossil fuel industry instead of phasing it out.
Source: Reuters
Drones help expand the world’s busiest airport
Drones and airports usually go together like oil and water, but you can’t say that about Atlanta’s air hub. The city has formed a partnership with 3DR, Autodesk and engineering firm Atkins that has drones mapping Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport as part of a planned expansion. The key to making it work was Site Scan, 3DR’s autonomous data capturing tech. The drones could capture 2D mosaics and 3D point scans while staying well away from the airliners — no mean feat when they’re flying between runways at the busiest airport in the world (over 100 million passengers per year).
If anything, the biggest challenge was getting the green light from extra-wary FAA regulators. Site Scan helped convince the FAA that the mapping drones wouldn’t fly into harm’s way, but the approval also demanded that the drone operators stay in constant contact with air traffic control and submit to controllers’ authority.
The effort should pay dividends before long. The maps and models will help with both demolishing old locations and the early designs for their replacements. Also, 3DR hopes that the lessons it learned in getting FAA clearance will help with other commercial drone outfits. It recently published some learning tools that could give other companies a helping hand, so projects like this may soon be run-of-the-mill.
Source: 3DR (Medium)
Former Apple Creative Director Reveals the Story Behind the 1999 ‘HAL’ Super Bowl Commercial
Super Bowl LI is almost here, not forgetting of course the high-profile TV commercials that accompany the event. While recollections of notable Super Bowl ads from years gone by typically reference Apple’s groundbreaking “1984” commercial, fewer mention the company’s 1999 ad starring HAL, the malicious computer from Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey.
“HAL” was Apple’s first Super Bowl appearance since its 1985 “Lemmings” commercial and arrived amid a flurry of largely media-driven panic surrounding the Y2K bug, which was supposed to make computers go haywire when the millennium ticked over and bring about a precipitous collapse of global infrastructure.
Macs on the other hand would be immune to the bug, thanks to their ability to recognize dates at least up to 29,940 – a fact not lost on Steve Jobs, who in 1999 had not long begun his second stint as Apple CEO. Over 12 months before the collective PC rollover from x99 to x00, Jobs decided he wanted to do a commercial that would promote the advantages of Mac ownership before worldwide calamity struck. So, Jobs tasked Ken Segall, then-Apple creative director at TBWA/Chiat/Day, to get the ball rolling and come up with an idea for an ad that would highlight the Mac’s resistance to the Y2K bug.
This week, Segall relayed detailed memories of making the “HAL” ad. In a blog post on his site, Segall relates his experiences of dealing with Jobs directly as the idea for the commercial took shape, and reveals how his team overcame legal, technical, and Steve-related challenges to make the commercial a reality – and a surprise Super Bowl hit. For an interesting read, check out Segall’s full story here, and “HAL” below.
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The best ultra-wide monitor you can buy
Sometimes you need a little extra screen real-estate, and the typical 16:9 monitor won’t do. Whether you’re a creative professional who needs a massive curved display, or a gamer looking for the most immersive experience you can possibly get outside of VR, there’s probably an ultra-wide monitor for you. Be careful though, ultra-wides are dangerous – once you try one, you’ll be spoiled for all other monitors. Even the sharpest, clearest 16:9 monitor will seem insubstantial and inadequate by comparison.
That said, if you’re prepared to take the plunge, read on. We’ve gathered the best of the best in the ultra-wide monitor market and run them through a barrage of tests to determine their fitness to display your games, your movies, or even your workspace.
Our pick
Why should you buy this: You want a monitor with the sensibility and size of a small luxury yacht.
Our Score
The best
Samsung CF791
With a reasonable price, stunning display, and understated, premium design, the Samsung CF791 is easily the best ultra-wide monitor on the m…
$949.99 from Amazon
$949.99 from Samsung
Who’s it for: Gamers, professionals, and everyone in between.
How much will it cost: From $950 to $1000
Why we picked the Samsung CF791:
First and foremost, this monitor is a striking piece of hardware. The design is understated, effortless and professional. The frame and stand all seem to melt away when you’re seated before that massive curved display. Colors saturate your vision from all angles, and the monitor is all-encompassing.
The CF791 offers stunning picture quality, with rich inky blacks, vivid and lifelike colors — right out of the box. Without any tinkering, it hits a stellar 940:1 contrast ratio, which puts it well ahead of similarly priced competitors.
This level of quality on a standard 16:9 display would be outstanding. The fact that it’s on a massive 21:9 display with a deep curve makes it truly a sight to behold. Video content is rich and fluid thanks to the monitor’s 100Hz refresh rate, and AMD’s FreeSync.
In addition to the stunning display, it has a simple and professional exterior design which makes it a bit of a chameleon. It would be just as comfortable beside a flashy gaming PC decked out in LEDs as it would in an office beside a dusty old workstation.
The Samsung CF791 doesn’t need a flashy exterior design because its size, clarity, and resolution make it a showstopper all on its own.
Our full review
100 awesome iPhone apps for 2017
Apple’s iPhone is the most popular smartphone in the world, and we want you to get the most out of yours. From dating apps to QR scanners, your phone is capable of nearly anything these days, and some apps just rise above the rest. We’ve recently cut our list of the best iPhone apps in half, bringing you the true cream of the crop: 100 apps, sorted by category, that will make your life simpler, easier, and more enjoyable.
Related: Thirty of the juiciest portable battery chargers money can buy
iOS essentials
Want to find nearby restaurants or track a package using your voice? Well, the official Google app allows users to have full-fledged conversations with their phone. It’s just like Siri, except it connects with your Google accounts.
iTunes
Google Chrome
Google Chrome is an upgrade from the default browser, Safari. The app can sync your history and bookmarks across devices, and includes features like search bar autocomplete and unlimited tab functionality.
iTunes
Facebook is the social network. If you want to make your phone Facebook official, you should download this app. A must-have for nearly anyone, as many other social apps connect through Facebook to acquire vital information.
iTunes
YouTube
YouTube used to come with your phone, but with iOS 6, Apple removed it. Luckily, Google brought it back. If you need to know what YouTube is, please meet us back in 2005. Now featuring Youtube Red, a monthly subscription service that allows downloaded playlists to be used offline and playback with no ads.
iTunes
Wikipedia Mobile
Wikipedia finally made a revised version of its iOS app, which aims to give you better recommendations for content that you’re interested in and match you with articles that pertain to your interests. The app now offers users an “Explore” feed with a number of the most popular articles, as well as a featured article and picture of the day.
iTunes
It may be owned by Facebook, but Instagram is still the best social network for sharing pictures and ruining them with silly filters. We say ruining, but we put X Pro II on just about everything.
iTunes
IMDb is shutting down its infamous message boards
IMDb’s message boards were supposed to encourage discussion among movie buffs, but that’s not how they’ve turned out. If anything, they’ve developed a reputation for haters and trolls — you’ll even find naysayers ragging on people who like Casablanca and Citizen Kane. And apparently, IMDb has had enough. The Amazon-owned database is shutting down the boards on February 20th after determining that they’re “no longer providing a positive, useful experience” for most users. Data and traffic helped influence the decision, IMDb adds, suggesting that they weren’t popular enough to warrant keeping around.
While the closure will be unfortunate for those users who just wanted to explore plot theories or enthuse about their favorite actors, the warning signs were everywhere. The IMDb boards haven’t had strong moderation, making it all too easy for hollow commentary, personal attacks and even racism to go unchecked. And as our TechCrunch colleagues note, message boards aren’t as vital these days — why go to IMDb to chat about a movie when you can share your thoughts on Facebook or Twitter? While the news is unfortunate, you probably won’t see too many people mourning this loss when there are other, healthier options.
Via: The Film Stage (Twitter), TechCrunch
Source: IMDb
US Navy decommissions the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier
It’s the end of an era for the US sea power, in more ways than one: the Navy has decommissioned the USS Enterprise (CVN-65), the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The vessel launched in 1961 and is mainly known for playing a pivotal role in several major incidents and conflicts, including the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War and the 2003 Iraq War. However, it also served as the quintessential showcase for what nuclear ships could do. Its eight reactors let it run for years at a time, all the while making more room for the aircraft and their fuel.
As you might guess, the decommissioning process (which started when the Enterprise went inactive in 2012) is considerably trickier than it would be for a conventional warship. It wasn’t until December 2016 that crews finished extracting nuclear fuel, and the ship will have to be partly dismantled to remove the reactors. They’ll be disposed of relatively safely at Hanford Site, home of the world’s first plutonium reactor. It’s hard to know what the long-term environmental impact of the ship will be — while there’s no question that the radioactive material is dangerous, this isn’t the same as shutting down a land-based nuclear power plant.
Whatever you think of the tech, the ship leaves a long legacy on top of its military accomplishments. It proved the viability of nuclear aircraft carriers, leading the US to build the largest such fleet in the world. Also, this definitely isn’t the last (real-world) ship to bear the Enterprise name — the future CVN-80 will build on its predecessor with both more efficient reactors and systems designed for modern combat, where drones and stealth are as important as fighters and bombers. It won’t be ready until 2027, but it should reflect many of the lessons learned over the outgoing Enterprise’s 55 years of service.
Source: US Navy
Google wants you to have remote meetings via a drone
Why it matters to you
While most robotic teleconference systems today rely on bots with wheels, this new design suggests that an aerial approach to meetings may be best.
If you already have trouble focusing at business meetings while colleagues are droning on, the addition of an actual drone could either be the best or worst thing to happen to your career. As per a new Google patent, the tech giant has plans for a small, screen-equipped quadcopter that would buzz around a room, bringing the teleconference into the 21st century. While the patent was first filed back in August, it was only made public on Thursday, and came with a couple of updates.
The point of the drone is to help teleconferencing business partners “feel as if they are present, at the same location as that of the second users.” Attempting to replace the standard videoconferencing setup (which normally consists of a stationary camera and screen that makes at least one, if not all, meeting participants look somewhat isolated), the drone solution would fly about the room, focusing in on each meeting member at the appropriate time. Outfitted with a microphone and speakers, this drone idea may just be the closest we’ve come to being together, even when we’re apart.
As per the patent, the quadcopter is H-shaped, with a propeller on each of the H’s “legs.” One version of the drone shows a screen hanging off the front end of the machine, while a mini projector sits at the back. The screen’s display area would be “semi-translucent” to allow for the viewing of images projected from the rear.
Related: When African doctors can’t reach sick people, they send this drone to help
Also involved in this grand plan appears to be a smartphone with a built-in projector, similar to the Smart Cast phone. And as per the most recently updated patent, the screen system on the drone adjusts itself to ensure that it stays aerodynamic, and the projection system self-corrects whenever images are becoming distorted.
It’s still a work in progress (and nothing more than a patent at this stage), but soon, we could be having meetings with not only other humans, but drones as well. And finally, you’d be able to move around in your remote meetings, and count on your image and your audio remaining stable throughout.
Article originally published in August 2016. Updated on 2-05-2017: Added news that Google’s patent has been updated and made public.
Google wants you to have remote meetings via a drone
Why it matters to you
While most robotic teleconference systems today rely on bots with wheels, this new design suggests that an aerial approach to meetings may be best.
If you already have trouble focusing at business meetings while colleagues are droning on, the addition of an actual drone could either be the best or worst thing to happen to your career. As per a new Google patent, the tech giant has plans for a small, screen-equipped quadcopter that would buzz around a room, bringing the teleconference into the 21st century. While the patent was first filed back in August, it was only made public on Thursday, and came with a couple of updates.
The point of the drone is to help teleconferencing business partners “feel as if they are present, at the same location as that of the second users.” Attempting to replace the standard videoconferencing setup (which normally consists of a stationary camera and screen that makes at least one, if not all, meeting participants look somewhat isolated), the drone solution would fly about the room, focusing in on each meeting member at the appropriate time. Outfitted with a microphone and speakers, this drone idea may just be the closest we’ve come to being together, even when we’re apart.
As per the patent, the quadcopter is H-shaped, with a propeller on each of the H’s “legs.” One version of the drone shows a screen hanging off the front end of the machine, while a mini projector sits at the back. The screen’s display area would be “semi-translucent” to allow for the viewing of images projected from the rear.
Related: When African doctors can’t reach sick people, they send this drone to help
Also involved in this grand plan appears to be a smartphone with a built-in projector, similar to the Smart Cast phone. And as per the most recently updated patent, the screen system on the drone adjusts itself to ensure that it stays aerodynamic, and the projection system self-corrects whenever images are becoming distorted.
It’s still a work in progress (and nothing more than a patent at this stage), but soon, we could be having meetings with not only other humans, but drones as well. And finally, you’d be able to move around in your remote meetings, and count on your image and your audio remaining stable throughout.
Article originally published in August 2016. Updated on 2-05-2017: Added news that Google’s patent has been updated and made public.
AIVAnet 