‘The Mummy’ in VR was shallow, but the seats were not

VR seat company Positron teamed up with Universal at SXSW this year to showcase a “Zero Gravity VR Experience” tied in with the studio’s The Mummy reboot.

While it fell (way) short of simulating weightlessness, it was nonetheless a nice way to watch virtual reality. If only the stuff I was watching wasn’t quite so shallow.

Like the movie it’s based on, Universal’s setup at SXSW is flashy and expensive. You walk into a nondescript ballroom at a convention center, and are greeted by a section of an aircraft’s fuselage, together with a life-sized “Egyptian” sarcophagus from the movie. Behind a blackout curtain lay 20 or so VR seats, arranged as you’d expect seating in a high-class movie theater. These seats — Positron Voyagers — are the real stars of the show.

Positron debuted the Voyager at Sundance earlier this year, and has since been touting the seat at various VR and film shows. Resembling an Arne Jacobsen egg chair, but with none of the charm and subtlety, the Voyager contains motors to control pitch and yaw to simulate motion, a built-in Subpac for vibrations, as well as a standard Oculus Rift headset and some noise-canceling headphones.

The actual VR experience was of the shallow PR-grab variety; a 10-minute featurette narrated by Tom Cruise, showing how the movie’s zero-gravity action sequence (which was pretty much 90 percent of the trailer) was filmed.

This featurette started with perhaps the most-impressive demonstration: You sit in a plane, it takes off. Thanks to its impressive dexterity and vibration motors, the seat effectively simulated the inertia you feel when you’re “pinned back” on takeoff. Likewise, as the camera circled around, and the chair swiveled synchronously, it provided a real sense of place you don’t get when you’re sitting stationary — it seems an effective way to reduce motion sickness by tricking your body into feeling like it’s moving around.

Where the demonstration fell apart was in the “zero-gravity” sequences. Something definitely happened — the seat tilted back, vibrations cut out, and so on — but in no shape or form did it replicate weightlessness.

I really like the Voyager. Positron wants this chair in theaters everywhere, and it’s partnered with IMAX to at least start working towards that goal. The problem now is content. It’s really difficult to get hyped about virtual reality, or this genuinely good chair, when watching a lifeless featurette, or honestly any of the shallow VR experiences Hollywood is tentatively churning out. VR isn’t going anywhere, sure, but it’s also not going to get people excited until they can watch something more interesting than a floating scientologist.

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

PassivDom makes totally autonomous homes capable of withstanding zombies

Why it matters to you

Environmentally friendly and totally autonomous, PassivDom homes are for the truly adventurous folks who just want to get off the grid completely.

PassivDom is making a lofty claim, but if it’s even a little bit true, it could change the way we humans live our lives. Meet the Ukrainian company that is taking house-making to a new level — one capable withstanding a Zombie apocalypse. That’s right, PassivDom, the maker of “the first totally autonomous house in the world,” wants you to be able to enjoy an off-grid 3D-printed gadget house. Because sometimes, living in society just gets too hard.

“PassivDom is the world’s first mobile and transportable house with Passive House parameters,” said Max Gerbut, the company’s founder, in an interview with TechCrunch. “Due to the use of advanced materials and unique developments by our engineers, PassivDom has the highest thermal performance among residential buildings. The walls of PassivDom are as warm as brick. Thermal characteristics are high enough to use 20 times less energy than an ordinary building. That’s why it is possible to realize full off-grid autonomy in a cold climate without complex and expensive engineering heating system.”

More: Solar Skins could help aesthetics-conscious homeowners go green

With a PassivDom house, residents are able to manage all systems from their smartphones. And all those systems are powered by the sun. With no electricity or gas to speak of, this may be the among the most environmentally friendly houses you’ve seen. And because it’s so one with nature, it also claims to be totally autonomous. “PassivDom allows living in the mountains, in the forest, on the seashore in conditions as comfortable as a 5-star hotel,” the company state on its website.

And you can live in all those locations because the PassivDom is really a house on wheels. You can travel just about anywhere you’d like and rest assured that you can rest your head on your pillow in the PassivDom when you’re done exploring for the day.

But convenience doesn’t mean discomfort. PassivDom promises “maximum comfort conditions” thanks to its self-learning system that keeps temperature and humidity levels in check by monitoring your oxygen and carbon dioxide content. And this smart house is truly ready for move-in right out of the box, as it comes with furniture, household appliances, pillows, and yes, wine glasses.

As its stands, PassivDom has three models available for order. The most basic truly autonomous version will set you back about $64,000, and will get you 36 square meters of self-managing fun. The module comes with furniture, all necessary appliances, built-in kitchen, bathroom (toilet, sink, shower), heating and cooling systems, and a smart air ventilation system with oxygen level control.

A cloud-based video surveillance and alarm system promises to keep your home safe, and a self-sufficient power system, independent water supply, and independent sewage will allow you to take the home wherever you need to go.

New York sets aside $5 million for its tech training fund

New York’s authorities want the state’s residents to benefit from its ongoing transformation into a high-tech locale. Their new Tech Training Fund could be the key to make that happen. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced that the Empire State is setting aside $5 million to award to various tech training providers. He and his team will soon start accepting proposals from interested providers, and the ones chosen are expected to conjure up novel training and education solutions. The campaign’s aim is to make sure New Yorkers are ready and qualified for various current and future tech jobs across the state.

Governor Cuomo said in a statement:

“The New York Tech Training Fund and Tech Workforce Task Force will engage industry and academic leaders to help prepare New Yorkers for jobs in the ever-growing tech field and guarantee that New York remains at the forefront of the innovation economy. The strength of our economy depends on the strength of our workers, and by ensuring that our workforce is equipped with the skills and opportunities to succeed, we are building a stronger, more prosperous state for generations to come.”

In addition, Cuomo will meet with local leaders in April to discuss how they can better prepare everyone, from K-12 students to older employees, for more tech-oriented opportunities. You’ll be able to access the official Request for Proposals on the New York State’s website — the page doesn’t lead to anything at the moment — on March 13th.

Source: Governor Andrew Cuomo

NASA offers first look at planet-rich Trappist-1 star system

NASA was quick to offer conceptual images of Trappist-1 and its abundance of Earth-sized planets. But what does the star system look like, really? At last, now we know… sort of. As part of a raw data release, NASA has offered a simple, 11-by-11 pixel animation that shows the dwarf star as it was on February 22nd. Technically, you’re looking at a target pixel file that represents the light levels the Kepler space telescope caught while studying Trappist-1 for an hour. You won’t see planets, unfortunately — an Earth-like planet would barely make a blip in the brightness levels, even if it crossed directly in front of the star.

Why rush to offer such a rough look? As with the raw info, it’s all in the name of research. NASA explains that this data gives scientists an “early look” so that they can shape their research proposals for further investigations that start next winter. They’ll have a better sense of what they want to look for. Fully calibrated data will be available in May, NASA says, so don’t despair if you’re hoping for more polished material.

This is a target pixel image of #TRAPPIST1. Its starlight and story traveled 40 yrs to reach the Kepler spacecraft.https://t.co/UJsLZ7sQgO pic.twitter.com/2Pg1DvuLTv

— NASA Kepler and K2 (@NASAKepler) March 11, 2017

Source: NASA (1), (2), (3)

The Hideez Key 2 is a universal key that will manage your passwords, open doors, and more

Why it matters to you

You need more security and efficiency in your life, and the universal key known as the Hideez Key 2 can help.

We briefly mentioned the Hideez Key 2 last week, when it made its debut at the London Wearable Technology Show, but there’s much more for you to know. The Hideez tech company is currently known best for its small password manager that you can clip onto your keyring, but its newest product, which is already up for pre-order and will be available for purchase in May, is a considerable step up from the original.

The Hideez Key 2 is a digital identity manager that allows you to do everything from store passwords to open doors to maintain a Bluetooth connection with your phone, laptop, or other device if it’s stolen.

More: 5 of our favorite mad gadgets from the London Wearable Technology Show

Branded as a “universal digital key designed to save time and give additional privacy and security to our digital lives,” the Hideez 2 comes with a hardware-encrypted password manager with second factor authentication, as well as RFID credential storage that lets you lock and unlock more than a thousand doors using this single wearable device. It also comes with a Bluetooth LE transceiver, which means you can unlock your mobile devices or laptops from a distance, and actually verifies your identity using your eye veins.

“As technology quickly develops and its importance in our daily life continues to grow, many digital security solutions are failing to keep up with the pace of development,” said Oleg Naumenko, Founder and CEO of Hideez Group. “Our company brings personal and digital security to a new level, allowing our customers to feel comfortable and confident in their digital lives. The Hideez Key 2 brings that sense of security in a neat, easy-to-use package like nothing else on the market.”

When the Hideez 2 becomes widely available this summer, it’ll come in four “easy-to-use form-factors — keychain fob, wristband, pendant or clip — each in a thin, water-resistant case” and set you back about $65. So if you need to keep your information secure, streamline your life, and otherwise become a denizen of the 21st century, this universal key just might do the trick for you.

The Hideez Key 2 is a universal key that will manage your passwords, open doors, and more

Why it matters to you

You need more security and efficiency in your life, and the universal key known as the Hideez Key 2 can help.

We briefly mentioned the Hideez Key 2 last week, when it made its debut at the London Wearable Technology Show, but there’s much more for you to know. The Hideez tech company is currently known best for its small password manager that you can clip onto your keyring, but its newest product, which is already up for pre-order and will be available for purchase in May, is a considerable step up from the original.

The Hideez Key 2 is a digital identity manager that allows you to do everything from store passwords to open doors to maintain a Bluetooth connection with your phone, laptop, or other device if it’s stolen.

More: 5 of our favorite mad gadgets from the London Wearable Technology Show

Branded as a “universal digital key designed to save time and give additional privacy and security to our digital lives,” the Hideez 2 comes with a hardware-encrypted password manager with second factor authentication, as well as RFID credential storage that lets you lock and unlock more than a thousand doors using this single wearable device. It also comes with a Bluetooth LE transceiver, which means you can unlock your mobile devices or laptops from a distance, and actually verifies your identity using your eye veins.

“As technology quickly develops and its importance in our daily life continues to grow, many digital security solutions are failing to keep up with the pace of development,” said Oleg Naumenko, Founder and CEO of Hideez Group. “Our company brings personal and digital security to a new level, allowing our customers to feel comfortable and confident in their digital lives. The Hideez Key 2 brings that sense of security in a neat, easy-to-use package like nothing else on the market.”

When the Hideez 2 becomes widely available this summer, it’ll come in four “easy-to-use form-factors — keychain fob, wristband, pendant or clip — each in a thin, water-resistant case” and set you back about $65. So if you need to keep your information secure, streamline your life, and otherwise become a denizen of the 21st century, this universal key just might do the trick for you.

Wave-cutting SV Alpha sport yacht tops 90 miles per hour

Why it matters to you

If the idea of owning a yacht is appealing but at heart you crave speed, here’s your vessel.

Some yachts are built for entertaining crowds in opulent spaces, while others are world travelers with room and facilities to keep owners and 10-20 of their best friends (and hangers-on) comfortable on long journeys. Newcomer SV Yachts has the straightforward goal of building the world’s fastest yacht. Its SV Alpha claims that position, and made its debut just before the Miami International Boat Show.

The SV Alpha is the yacht builders’ first vessel. Its 90-plus mph top speed and two Mercury Racing 700SCI racing engines make good on its performance claim. The SV Alpha isn’t a single-purpose racing boat, however. Maximum capacity is 15 people on board for day cruising in style. The 700SCIs aren’t the only power option. You can choose dual Mercury 520, 565, or 662 SCIs for power that’s formidable without the highest offshore top end.

More: Want a Bugatti Chiron supercar? Dream bigger and get the matching yacht

Performance boats usually have rows of switches and buttons at the helm, but the SV Alpha has virtually none. Three large touchscreen displays and a windshield with unobstructed view comprise an entirely glass helm. The exceptions are two large start buttons. When you start the SV Alpha, a sequence of events engages, activating blowers and providing visual feedback as the engine reaches readiness.

Even with all the power and drama of startup, SV Yachts says the SV Alpha is designed to keep the volume down using Mercury Racing noise reduction technology, including submerged muffler boxes to meet EU noise emission standards when the vessel is not on plane.

The SV Alpha is constructed entirely of composite components for strength, quality control, and weight reduction. The Aramid fiber hull is built of the same material used in tactical body armor to withstand the forces and strain of ocean racing.

The interior seating and sunning surfaces are patterned after vintage GT sports car upholstery. A Wi-Fi managed LED light system both on deck and underwater sets the mood when the vessel is docked or anchored for entertainment.

So whether you want to just sit on a yacht that has a performance-slanted look or if you can’t wait to take her out for booming, wave-cutting offshore high speed runs, the SV Alpha is sure to attract attention.

Android ‘Taste Test’ helps you make a personalized home screen

If you’re an Android fan, there’s a good chance you already know how to customize your home screen with launchers, icon packs and widgets. But what about everyday users? That’s where Google wants to help. It just launched a #myAndroid Taste Test that devises a personalized home screen based on a series of rapid-fire questions, such as whether you prefer a natural or human-made look, or your overall skill level. Once you’ve finished, you get download links to all the apps you need to create the intended effect, such as wallpaper utilities and keyboards.

Sadly, it’s not a tap-and-you’re-done affair. You’ll still have to go through each app to get the exact design you see when you’ve completed the test. However, this could still be particularly helpful, whether or not you’re an Android rookie. It’ll save you from having to search for apps if you’re a veteran, and could reveal a whole new side to the platform if you’re a newcomer. That last part is the point, really — Google wants to highlight Android’s personalization for everyday users who might not realize what their phone can do.

Via: Google+

Source: Android

TAG Heuer confirms March 14th debut for its next Android watch

Those rumors of TAG Heuer unveiling its next Android Wear watch this month? They’re true. The brand has posted a pair of teasers confirming that it will unveil a future Connected smartwatch on March 14th. There are no major giveaways regarding the design (surprise: it’ll likely be familiar), but there is a hint that it’ll be better-suited to women’s wrists than the chunky original. In a teaser video, TAG chief Jean-Claude Biver says that women had input — don’t be surprised if you see an option for a smaller case, different colors and other features that make the wristwear more accessible.

Previous leaks had hinted that the design would revolve around modularity, letting you swap in a mechanical timepiece if the digital one isn’t fashionable for a given situation. It would also pack in considerably more features, including Android Pay support, a brighter screen and GPS. The new Connected is still likely be mind-bogglingly expensive compared to most smartwatches, but we suspect TAG won’t mind. The first model easily outperformed the company’s (admittedly modest) expectations, and a follow-up won’t need to sell in massive numbers to justify its existence.

March 14, Stay Tuned… #ConnectedToEternity pic.twitter.com/fKaNJ8FLkv

— TAG Heuer (@TAGHeuer) March 11, 2017

March 14, Stay Tuned… #ConnectedToEternity pic.twitter.com/ioLH1DdcO7

— TAG Heuer (@TAGHeuer) March 10, 2017

Via: 9to5Google

Source: TAG Heuer (Twitter 1), (2)

Latch shows off its new Latch R Series, a smart access system for the modern home

Why it matters to you

The lock and key is old technology that doesn’t really fit with your modern home, but the new Latch R Series access system might be a good alternative.

The inside of your home is getting smarter, so shouldn’t the exterior be getting the same treatment? At the very least, your modern home should have a modern entry system. We’re talking about getting rid of that old lock and key, and looking to a company like Latch. Its new Latch R Series is heralded as the “first smart access [system] for apartment and office building entrances and elevators.” Now, in the same way that you can swipe a keycard and get into work, you can swipe your way into your home.

Thanks to the Latch R, residential users will be able to lock and unlock doors with a smartphone, smartcard, or special door code. No more worrying about losing your keys or someone duplicating them with your knowing. With the Latch R, security becomes a much more straightforward endeavor. And of course, you can manage guest access by way of Latch R’s digital log.

More: Factory living: Turning a disused industrial space into a garden home

“While many companies have focused on home automation gadgets, the R Series recognizes that a whole generation of users need smarter devices in the apartments and workplaces where they actually spend the most time ” said Luke Schoenfelder, Latch Co-Founder and CEO. “We have built our system to work through enterprise contexts that have been largely ignored and our philosophy is to make these environments great by default, providing an unmatched experience to the thousands of people who live and work in urban buildings.”

Promising to serve as a standalone access control system that doesn’t require any fancy wiring or reader devices that can get very expensive very quickly, the Latch R instead makes use of onboard Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, and Wiegand communications to help folks access their modern buildings.

“This is the second object we launched using our innovative interface that is offering a variety of ways to enter spaces,” said Thomas Meyerhoffer, Latch Co-Founder and Chief Design Officer. “The simple interface was designed to deliver a seamless and trustful experience. It’s very exciting for us to have more people using our system designed for the new life patterns in today’s cities.”

Meyerhoffer is an award-winning designer who has gained international attention with previous work, including his past tenure at Apple.

You can reserve your own Latch R today for $399, which comes with a two-year service contract.