19th-century ‘dandy horse’ throwback bike is a hipster’s dream come true

Why it matters to you

Saarland University’s retro bicycle revival shows that even obsolete tech stands to benefit from a 21st-century upgrade.

Disconcerted by the fact that mustache wax and beard oil is now for sale in strip malls? Saddened that Mason jar cocktails can be ordered alongside Budweiser in your nearest chain restaurant? Fearful that the Walkman you carry around is no longer clearly ironically retro enough?

If you are a 2017 hipster in search of the ultimate vintage, nonconformist statement, you could do a lot worse than checking out the vehicle created by a team of computer scientists at Germany’s Saarland University. Combining a two-wheeled mode of transportation that precedes the bicycle with the latest Arduino tech, they have built a modern version of the draisine or “dandy horse.”

“What we have developed is a symbiosis of old and new,” Ph.D. student Gereon Fox told Digital Trends. “We took the invention that Karl Drais made in 1817: A wooden means of transportation that is propelled by pushing with your feet — and combined it with today’s electric motor support bike technology. The result is a bike that looks a bit like we stole it from a museum, but if you examine it carefully, you see all the wires and sensors, the motor, the battery, and the Raspberry Pi computer that controls the whole vehicle.”

The wooden bike uses its sensors to detect when the user pushes with his feet, in order to amplify these pushes with the motor. In terms of smart tech, it packs a 200-watt rear hub motor, a battery mounted on the frame, an accelerometer, a Raspberry Pi microcomputer, and an RPM-measuring magnetic sensor in the rear wheel.

“We built this prototype because we, as computer scientists, needed to learn how to actually program a bike,” Fox continued. “Now that we have gained some understanding of this, the next step is to evaluate the current verification technology in order to identify its weaknesses and shortcomings when it comes to applying it to a system of this complexity. We do not really aim for commercialization of a wooden Draisine because, although it has a motor, it’s still a bit harder to ride than one with proper pedals.”

In other words, you will not be able to buy it on Amazon anytime soon. But wouldn’t it kind of ruin the high-tech hipster ethos if you could?

Google pushes update that lays the groundwork for Google Home calling

Why it matters to you

Google Home is about to get a pretty significant update, including one that could allow you to manually reroute your Assistant requests.

Google wants to make it easier for you to control your smart home. To that end, the company has pushed an update to the Google Home app that brings some pretty major and helpful changes, including the ability to manually reroute voice commands to the user’s smartphone.

The app update was first spotted by Android Police, which notes that it also lays the groundwork for Google Home calling — a feature coming to the smart speaker at some point in the near future. Using Google Home, you can simply ask the Google Assistant to make a call, and it will call from a masked number by default, or from your phone number if you link that number.

The update clears some of the air as to how this works — while some theorized that the feature will still occur through the user’s phone but would use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to handle the audio, in reality it looks like the phone number is linked directly to Google Home, and calls are handled through Google Voice. The update also shows that, at least for now, only outgoing calls can be handled through Google Home — and you’ll have to answer incoming calls on your actual phone. It’s possible support for incoming calls will be added in the near future.

As mentioned, the app also offers manual control over which Google Assistant answers any given question. You might have multiple versions of Assistant at your disposal — one on your phone, another on your Google Home speaker, and another on your Android TV. According to Android Police, it’s not yet known exactly how you’ll be able to manually select an Assistant, but a string of code in the update does refer to it being possible — so presumably we’re waiting for Google to enable the feature.

Eye tracking is coming to HTC Vive: Here’s what you need to know

aGlass brings eye tracking support to the HTC Vive – here’s what you should know!

Following the release of several high-end VR headsets, hardware manufacturers are beginning to search for the “next big thing” in virtual reality. While wireless VR and improved visual fidelity are seeing heavy investment, various new technologies are emerging which promise to deliver a more immersive experience. Enhanced tracking is one of these areas of interest, in an attempt to further bridge the gap between your physical body and the virtual world.

Eye tracking looks to be one of the more interesting technologies, potentially offer huge leaps in immersion and performance. With companies like “FOVE” taking orders for VR headset sporting full eye tracking, we’re already beginning to see small companies push for technology. But what if you could use eye tracking on your existing VR hardware?

Read more at VRHeads!

China and India expected to be the biggest smartphone markets by 2019

What will smartphones even look like then, you think?

The United States may be one of the top-selling smartphone markets in the world, but it’s on track to soon be eclipsed by India, according to Statista.

After breaking down smartphone sales over three years (2013-2016) by geographical region, the report concluded that both China and India are headed for the top two spots on the regional sales charts. Today, China is the current leader at 31%, while the U.S. sits in second at 16.7%, says Statista.

At present, 220 million people in the U.S. own a smartphone, but by 2019 — two years from now — India is expected to surpass that number and have almost 15% of the entire world’s smartphone market share. The U.S. is expected to stall at 10%, with Brazil a distant fourth with 4%.

News like this is certainly inside baseball for the rest of us. But for those who’ve been closely following smartphone releases over the past few years, it should also come as no surprise. Companies like Google and Apple have taken great strides in attempting to capture both Chinese and Indian markets, with initiatives like Android Go and selling used iPhones in India.

Smartphone shipments worldwide are also expected to increase to two billion units by 2019, with China laying claim to at least half of those sales.

Android O is version 8.0, but we still don’t know its name

This is a full point release in terms of features and importance.

The speculation over what Android O’s “tasty treat” nickname will be continues, but we now know that Android O will be marked as version 8.0 of the operating system. With Nougat currently topping out at Android 7.1.2, we have wondered how big of a leap Google would eventually claim Android O is — and apparently it thinks O is worthy of a full point designation.

Just looking at the initial Developer Previews and seeing fresh interface changes, tweaks to the notification system, under-the-hood performance improvements and more, you can see why Google thinks this is more of an 8.0 release rather than a 7.2 or 7.3. And this is, of course, before we see the full release later in the year where Google always holds back a handful of features to debut to consumers — the Developer Previews give you a hint, but not a view of the whole experience.

The version number is one more line item checked off — we’re getting close to the final release of Android O.

Android O

• Everything new in Android O
• Should you put Android O on your phone?
• How to get the Android O Beta on your Pixel or Nexus
• Join the Discussion

Both variants of the Samsung Gear S3 are now available at Verizon

You can buy the Gear S3 frontier or Gear S3 classic for $400.

Six months and one delayed release later and the Gear S3 is finally on sale at Verizon. The carrier announced the arrival of the long-awaited Samsung wearable with an official press release, which also mentions the watch’s compatibility with Verizon NumberShare. The program lets current subscribers use their number for both a smartphone and a smartwatch at the same time. Verizon explicitly advertises the fact that you can leave your smartphone at home and still take calls from the watch out on the road:

Picture this: You’re out running an errand and reach for your phone, only to realize (dramatic music plays) you forgot it at home or in the car. How will you know if you got an urgent call or new message? How will you pay for those groceries and cookies you’re in line for? How will you search online for that random celebrity’s name you can’t remember from that movie you’re thinking about?

It’s ok, because you have a connected smartwatch like the new Samsung Gear S3 to do all that, while phoneless.

Verizon users have been long waiting for the Gear S3 smartwatch to make its way to the carrier. Both the Gear S3 Frontier and Gear S3 Classic are available at Verizon stores and online for $400. Previously, it was thought that only the Gear S3 frontier would come to Verizon, but it’s possible that the reason it was delayed in the first place was wait to launch alongside the Gear S3 classic, which only recently received 4G LTE capabilities. Now they’re both options for Verizon users, and they work with the iPhone, too.

LG Watch Sport vs. Gear S3: Which should you buy?

Verizon is also offering the option to buy either smartwatch for $350 with a new two-year activation plan, or you add it to an existing plan for $5 a month. There is also a $100 discount if you purchase it along with a new Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S7. Note that Verizon’s offering is still $100 more than the watch sells for at Best Buy.

See at Verizon

Step inside the history of fashion with VR

Google Arts & Culture has brought us virtual museums featuring everything from dinosaurs to presidential history, and now they’re debuting a new collection. Their latest project, We Wear Culture, covers the history of fashion over the course of three millennia and charts how our culture shapes our fashion choices — and vice versa.

From virtual reality films to video to ultra high-resolution photography, Google has taken advantage of many different media to bring an interactive, one-of-a-kind museum to your computer or smartphone. Fashion fans can explore all manner of history; for example, how trades such as shoe making and jewelry making are passed down through generations.

If you’re a geek about fashion, you’ll probably find quite a few things to fascinate you within this virtual collection. Discover how a Chanel dress, dating to 1925, changed how women wore the color black. Or take a look at how the corset has inspired designer Vivenne Westwood. You can also see Marilyn Monroe’s iconic red heels and learn how stilettos became such a fashion statement.

You can access We Wear Culture on the web or through Google Arts & Culture’s mobile apps on iOS and Android. Google has done excellent work taking advantage of cutting edge technology to digitize museum contents, making these exhibits and important historical items accessible for anyone with a computer or smartphone.

Source: Google Arts & Culture

IKEA designers will live in a Mars simulator to seek inspiration

If you need a laugh today, get ready for IKEA’s latest news: The Swedish furniture giant has sent a group of its designers to live in a Mars simulator. They’ll live there for seven days, and the project will culminate with the Curious Collection on Space, launching in 2019.

As the population of Earth increases, Marcus Engman (IKEA’s head of design) and his team believe that space-saving, small-footprint furniture will be key. He hopes that this endeavor will inspire his team to design new types of furniture. “It’s the same way we work with home visits, but this is a home in space,” explained Engman to Wired. “They get into the vibe to explore what we could do that we don’t think of today for for products for Earth.”

It’s not exactly clear why these designers needed to specifically live in a Mars simulator for small furniture inspiration, rather than in just a tiny urban apartment — but hey, it makes for good press. But if IKEA’s end goal is to actually collaborate with NASA to provide furniture for an eventual Martian habitat, then it makes sense they’d want their designers to experience the challenges of living in such an environment.

IKEA also is working with fellow Swedish electronics design house Teenage Engineering for an upcoming collection. FREKVENS is specifically aimed at millennials and will focus on products that IKEA thinks are necessary for an awesome house party, such as a vinyl player, lighting and an electronic choir — because the one thing my last get-together was sorely missing was an electronic choir.

Source: Wired, IKEA (1), IKEA (2)

Amazon opens Alexa voice control to all video streaming services

Alexa is about to be even more useful when it comes to your entertainment needs. Simple voice commands already let you navigate apps like Netflix, but tools to incorporate those types of commands are now available to any TV company, streaming service and other content providers.

Amazon just introduced its Video Skill API, which will allow developers to expand how Alexa lets users find content in their apps. With this tool, entertainment apps could let their customers find specific shows or movies, search genres or even change the channel with voice commands. As long as you have an Amazon Echo or other Alexa device, video apps taking advantage of the new function will be navigable by voice.

Some companies have already begun using this feature. Dish Network began rolling out the expanded voice control last month while UK-based YouView announced today that it would be using Video Skill API to incorporate the new functions.

Amazon told TechCrunch that it’s now working with a number of other video providers to develop the new service. But it will likely take some time for streaming services to update their apps. So, for now, you’re just going to have to keep navigating Hulu with your hands like a chump.

Via: TechCrunch

Source: Amazon

Super realistic racing returns with ‘Project Cars 2’ in September

Barely a month after the release of the racing game Project Cars back in May 2015, the creators announced they’d already set up a crowdfunding page for a sequel. It seems they were right to be so audacious. Two years after the first game came out, Slightly Mad Studios has released a sizzle reel of footage from the upcoming title as well as a release date: Project Cars 2 is out on September 22nd for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.

Like the first game, Project Cars 2 is aiming for realism with its LiveTrack system, which adjusts how environmental conditions affect the racing surface and subsequently performance. Accuracy was a hallmark of the original: Slightly Mad Studios had brought on Nicolas Hamilton, a racer with cerebral palsy who had climbed the ranks of simulated racing tournaments to compete in the British Touring Car Championship, to consult on both the first and second games. With this emphasis on competition, Project Cars 2 built eSports in from the get-go, creating a personal driver rating that factors in both success and sportsmanship. The studio also added functionality for non-players to help the competitor stream races.

Source: Project Cars 2 E3 Sizzle Reel (YouTube)