Periscope Introduces Virtual Currency Allowing Broadcasters to Earn Revenue

Twitter-owned live video streaming platform Periscope received an update on Wednesday that introduces a new feature enabling broadcasters to earn revenue for the first time.

Since Periscope’s inception, viewers have embraced the “like” or “heart” function as a way to show their appreciation for broadcasts while they’re streaming, but until now there’s been no means for users to reward broadcasters monetarily.

However, as of this week, viewers can now purchase “Super Hearts” and reward live broadcasters, who can then cash out the value of the virtual goods at the end of each month. The hearts are similar to “cheering”, the paid reward in rival Amazon broadcast platform Twitch.

Any user of Periscope can buy and send Super Hearts during live streams, but not for replays. Hearts are purchased within the app using newly introduced virtual currency, Periscope Coins, which range in price from 99 cents for 1,050 to 132,650 for $100.

Super Hearts come in three types with increasing price, in order to enable viewers to reward broadcasters with larger amounts in one go and appear higher up in the live chat stream. Broadcasters who gain Super Hearts will see them as stars in their profile, and to cash them out they have to enroll in Periscope’s new “Super Broadcasters” program, which requires filling out an application and tax form.

Periscope is a free download for iPad and iPhone available on the App Store. [Direct Link]

Tag: Periscope
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Vivo Could Announce First Smartphone With Fingerprint Sensor Embedded in Display at MWC2017 Shanghai

Chinese mobile maker Vivo could be set to beat both Apple and Samsung to the punch by announcing the first smartphone with a fingerprint sensor embedded in the screen, if an official company Mobile World Congress teaser is anything to go by.

Last week a video began making the rounds online that purported to show a Vivo smartphone being unlocked using a fingerprint sensor integrated into the display. Doubts were soon cast on the video’s authenticity, however yesterday the company shared an official teaser image on Twitter appearing to hint at an imminent fingerprint sensor reveal at MWC2017 Shanghai, which starts on June 28.

We are thrilled to be launching a new solution in just a few days at Shanghai #MWC2017. Let’s unlock the future together! #VivoMWC2017 pic.twitter.com/U2MQKrU6Uo

— Vivo India (@Vivo_India) June 21, 2017

The teaser image shows the outline of what appears to be a human digit complete with fingerprint passing through a smartphone-like profile, accompanied by the phrase “Unlock the Future”, apparently implying a fingerprint-based unlocking mechanism embedded in the display of an upcoming Vivo phone.

As regular MacRumors readers will know, Apple is expected to include a fingerprint-sensing display in this year’s “iPhone 8”, which is due in September, but the company was said to have faced significant technological hurdles before it reportedly finalized a practical solution last month.

Samsung, for its own part, chose to forego the opportunity to announce the first phone with a screen-embedded fingerprint sensor when it launched the Galaxy S8 in March, with the sensor instead relocated to the back of the handset, alongside the camera lens. The controversial decision to move the sensor to the rear to make way for a larger display was made because the company could not meet the challenges involved in embedding the sensor tech in an OLED screen in time for the S8 launch.

The idea that Vivo could be the first to bring fingerprint sensing screens to consumer phones might seem like a stretch, but the company has been willing to take risks in the past and actually has a decent track record for market firsts. In 2013, for example, it released the world’s first “2K” resolution phone – the Xplay3s – featuring a 2560 × 1440 resolution and 490ppi pixel density screen. With the release of the Xplay5, the company also became the first mobile maker to release a smartphone with 6GB of RAM.

Regardless, announcing the first fingerprint-aware display is a different prospect altogether and would be some feat for Vivo, which holds a 6.8 percent market share in worldwide smartphone sales, behind Chinese rivals Huawei and Oppo. By contrast, Apple and Samsung command a 13.7 percent and 20.7 percent market share, respectively, according to first quarter 2017 figures from Gartner.

Stay tuned to MacRumors for updates and other related news from the Mobile World Congress 2017 in Shanghai, which begins on Wednesday, June 28.

Related Roundup: iPhone 8
Tags: Vivo, MWCS17
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LG rolls out the world’s first 77-inch flexible OLED display

LG has unveiled a new 77-inch 4K Ultra HD flexible and transparent OLED display that can be rolled up to a radius of 80mm without affecting the picture. It’s the first time a display like it has ever been produced.

• Roll out your OLED TV like a projector screen, or turn a window into a TV, thanks to LG

LG’s latest creation is also 40 per cent transparent, so while it won’t be sitting pride of place in your living room anytime soon, it has its sights set on digital signage, smart desks and, like in the picture below, virtual mirrors. However, the company hasn’t given any indication as to when such a display will be commercialised.

LG

LG has produced the flexible OLED display in collaboration with the Korean government, which has given the company an investment of 126.2 billion Won ($110 million), as part of a Future Flagship Program. LG Display beat out close rival Samsung Display to develop OLED screens for the project. 

Lee In-ho, vice minitiser of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said at the unveiling event: “The display development can expand the use of OLED panels – currently used for smartphones and televisions only – into more diverse areas including architecture, automobiles and health care”.

It’s not the first time LG has produced a flexible OLED screen, but with each release the size gets bigger. The company’s first example was an 18-inch flexible OLED panel, released in 2014, followed by a 55-inch display with 40 per cent transparency in 2016. 

New Slack Rival ‘Twist’ Aims to Streamline Team Interaction With Fewer Distractions

The group behind popular productivity app Todoist today launched a new team chat platform called Twist, which aims to make online collaboration more meaningful and efficient while minimizing distractions.

Eschewing the more traditional real-time chat channels common to services like Slack, the Twist interface instead splits channels into topic-specific threads that function like online message boards, while real-time conversations are initiated through separate direct messages.

New chat thread posts and replies are corralled into an inbox, allowing users to check and respond to collated messages when it’s convenient for them to do so. The idea is that users no longer have to spend time scrolling through channel threads to find conversations that are relevant to them, and they won’t be distracted by notifications and pop-ups when they’re working.

In line with this philosophy, Twist has no online presence indicator, which is supposed to prevent other team members from expecting an immediate response whenever they post something. The developers say the UI and interaction method aims for a better balance between timely communication and distraction-free work.

Twist launched in beta in January but officially launched today. In terms of pricing, the communication platform has a free tier that limits archived and searchable messages to one month, while the Unlimited tier costs $6 a month, or $5 a month if paid annually.

Twist can be downloaded for free on Mac and iOS devices, with a web interface also available.

Tag: Twist
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By request, Linksys adds web-based interface to its Velop networking kit

Why it matters to you

Linksys heard the feedback provided by Velop networking kit owners and will provide a web-based interface accessible on a desktop or laptop.

Linksys first introduced its Velop whole-home networking solution in January. Now the company is enhancing the kit with a firmware update that adds a web-based interface for PC-based network management. Prior to the update, Velop system owners were required to install a mobile app (Android, iOS) to set up and manage the system from their smartphone or tablet.

“Similar to the browser-based user interface available with Linksys WRT and Max-Stream routers, the user interface is now available for Velop users to access advanced features as well as manage their home network from a Mac or Windows computer,” the company said. “With the browser-based setup, there are even more ways to control the home network for a better Wi-Fi experience.”

The web-based interface brings a new level of customization to the Velop kit. Users can adjust the network’s security spanning firewall, VPN passthough, and DMZ settings. The interface also provides greater insight into the network and its connected devices, such as providing a device table, ping/trace route capabilities, router logs, and more.

Other new settings provided by the new interface include access to the DHCP server, which automatically assigns a local IP address to each connected device. Users will also have the ability to change the DNS settings so they can rely on a third-party domain name system rather than what’s provided by their internet service provider.

The Velop networking kit starts at $350 (or $200 for one unit). Rather than relying on a single router and additional wireless repeaters, the Velop kit consists of two or more identical rectangular devices (miniature skyscrapers) based on mesh networking technology. They create a blanket of connectivity, and provide two 5Ghz connections at up to 867Mbps each, and a single 2.4GHz connection at up to 400Mbps.

Typically, mesh-based networking kits solely rely on mobile devices for setting up and managing the network, leaving desktops and notebooks out of the picture. That’s mostly because there are a minimal number of settings to tweak, thus the kits are best managed with a mobile device. Mesh-based networking systems are typically designed to be plug-and-play, with very little tweaking involved.

But Linksys seemingly wants to change that with Velop. The company heard the pleas of customers and is introducing the requested web-based interface in the latest firmware. It has actually been present since the kit went retail, but remained “hidden” for “testing purposes.” Many Velop owners discovered the interface and requested that it become an official, unlocked component.

In addition to the Velop kit, the Linksys App is also getting an update, too. Along with providing notifications, showing the best channel, and offering a speed test, the app now displays each node and their connected devices. In turn, the app will show each device’s signal strength so that users understand their networking performance.

The new firmware should download and install overnight if Velop’s Automatic Firmware Update feature is enabled. If the feature is turned off, users can download and install the firmware manually at Linksys’ website.

The Visio urges you to imagine the possibilities of outdoor projection

Why it matters to you

The portable Visio projector makes outdoor projection easier than ever.

Visio is a super-powerful mobile projector ideal for emblazoning huge still images onto large outdoor spaces.

The France-based team behind the Visio were keen to overcome limitations found with many of today’s projectors, including their high cost, physical fragility, high energy consumption, and large size.

Aiming “to bring still projection out of the shadow of animated projection,” the device projects photo slides onto potentially enormous surfaces, offering quality beyond that of 4K digital projection.

You can pop regular 35mm slides into the device’s holder, including of course digital images converted to slides. Yes, most people want the opposite these days, but professional services do exist for such a conversion.

The Visio’s key components are a 35mm lens, and the LED 1500-lumens projector light. Between the lens and the light are a series of mounts and rings, and also the slide holder, which combine to create one complete unit.

The device, which weighs just 2.2 pounds (1 kg) and runs for three hours on a single charge, could appeal to artists interested in creating outdoor installations or as a way of showing off work already completed. As well as imagery, you can also scratch text onto darkened glass slides to project messages or other kinds of artwork.

“We aim to convey the pleasure of photo-projection to picture lovers,” the team behind Visio says. “This practice consists in combining a projected picture onto a support to allow the expression of an idea, a message, a representation.”

All of the components are already available in stores, but the team have turned to Kickstarter for help with building the all-important slide-holder ring. They also want to be able to offer a device that’s ready to use out of the box, as well as one you can build yourself, confident in the knowledge that you have all the necessary parts. “While these items are standard, they can have different designs that create problems to fit together,” the startup explains. “That’s why we want to provide a perfectly compatible set of items selected and checked.”

The good news is that the team has just hit their funding target, suggesting it’s on course to fulfill its promise of an October, 2017, shipping date.

If you don’t already have lenses of your own, the team will include one of two lenses — either a Yongnuo 50mm model ideal for indoor and short-distance projection, or a Kelda 85mm model ideal for outdoor and long-distance projection.

Pre-ordering the Yonguno kit will set you back 379 euros ($425), while the Kelda package costs 429 euros ($480). A no-lens option that offers a choice of mounts (Canon, Nikon, Pentax, etc) costs 289 euros ($320), while an unbuilt kit (without lens) is going for 269 euros ($300).

Can’t view August’s total solar eclipse? NASA has you covered

Why it matters to you

NASA’s coverage means that one way or another you’ll be able to enjoy this stunning spectacle.

Millions of people across the U.S. will be treated to a breathtaking solar eclipse on August 21.

A total of 14 states stretching coast to coast from Oregon to South Carolina will see a total eclipse, which’ll include the somewhat eerie experience of more than two minutes of darkness in the middle of the day as the moon monetarily blocks the sun.

Even better, if the sky’s clear and you’re in the right location, you’ll be able to witness the awe-inspiring diamond ring moment where only a tiny part of the sun is visible.

But what if you can’t make it to any of the best spots to view the eclipse, or you’re living in a part of the world where you won’t even notice it? In that case, NASA can help.

In a special online show to be streamed live called Eclipse Across America: Through the Eyes of NASA, the space agency plans to show real-time imagery captured by 11 spacecraft, 3 aircraft, and 50 high-altitude balloons. Even the folks aboard the International Space Station are joining in the fun, live-streaming the celestial even from their orbiting satellite some 250 miles above Earth.

NASA

Commenting on NASA’s in-depth coverage of the event, Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington, said, “Never before will a celestial event be viewed by so many and explored from so many vantage points — from space, from the air, and from the ground.”

Zurbuchen added, “With our fellow agencies and a host of scientific organizations, NASA will continue to amplify one key message: Take time to experience the August 21 eclipse, but experience it safely.”

For more information on how to do just that, be sure to take some time to look over NASA’s safety tips for viewing a solar eclipse.

The last total solar eclipse occurred in March 2016 though you had to be Asia for the best view. August’s event will be the first total solar eclipse in 99 years to cross the entire continental U.S., so you’d better start making plans now to find out where you’ll need to be for the best experience. Or there’s always NASA’s online show, which itself promises to be something very special.

Stunning short film made entirely in GTA 5, you won’t believe your eyes

We knew Grand Theft Auto V (aka GTA 5) looks good, even though it’s almost three years old, but we never knew it could look this good.

Director Matt MacDonald has used the game to create a 12-minute short film that, for the most part, looks like a big budget action flick shot in downtown LA.

A mighty list of mods were used on the PC version of the game, but that shouldn’t distract from the superb visuals and mastery in telling a clever, tight story. Not Normal is a gritty, almost Taxi Driver-esque tale with a truly stunning car chase sequence that has to be seen to be believed.

You can watch it right here. It’s even available in 2K.

MacDonald has made several other short movies and videos, all heavily influenced by videogames. His live action GoldenBox is inspired by the N64 classic GoldenEye 007.

• 61 incredible Snapmatic pics that show how good GTA 5 on PS4 and Xbox One can look
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You can also watch a behind the scenes video on the making of Not Normal, which shows some of the techniques he used when constructing the short film from videogame footage. There is an excellent commentary throughout, which will help you if you ever want to attempt something similar.

If you do, please let us know. We’d love to see your work.

‘Pokémon Go’ will flag creatures caught using cheats

Niantic has decided that forcing Pokémon Go cheaters to a life of catching Pidgeys isn’t quite enough of a punishment. Now, any Pokémon caught using “third-party services that circumvent normal gameplay” will be marked with a slash in people’s inventories and “may not behave as expected.” The developer has announced its new anti-cheating measure on The Silph Road subreddit, explaining that they’re meant to ensure its new features remain fun and fair for all Trainers. Niantic is probably talking about its recently announced raid battles, wherein up to 20 players can participate, that’s expected to launch in the coming weeks.

A Twitter user posted a video showing all the slashed Pokémon in his inventory, showing that the new measures are already live:

pic.twitter.com/b8dIYZDc0K

— Gonzalez Monroy (@OKRODRIGO) June 21, 2017

The “third-party services” in Niantic’s post most likely pertains to a number of tools cheaters use, including spoofers that use fake GPS locations for those living in places where Pokémon rarely spawn. Some players also use mappers that tell them where powerful monsters appear, while others use bots to catch Pokémon for them.

It’s unclear what the developer means by saying that the flagged monsters may not behave as expected. Will they just flop and die in the middle of a battle, or will they leave their owner’s inventory altogether? According to Kotaku, some players are already reporting that the marked creatures don’t give trainers candies when transferred to the Professor. They seem to lose their marks when evolved, though that’s likely a bug or an oversight that Niantic may fix that in the future.

Via: Kotaku

Source: Reddit

Imagination puts itself up for sale after being dumped by Apple

Once the world learned that Apple will design its own GPU for upcoming iPhones and iPads instead of using Imagination Technologies PowerVR tech, the UK company quickly lost 70 percent of its value. While it’s still in “dispute” with Apple over the breakup, it already put two of its units, MIPS and Ensigma up for sale, and today announced that the entire company is open to being acquired. Its board of directors said in a press release that “it has received interest from a number of parties for a potential acquisition of the whole Group…and is engaged in preliminary discussions with potential bidders.”

Losing Apple as a customer can be a nightmare, especially when it accounts for about half of your company’s revenue. The question now is whether Imagination will actually sell, and if so, who is buying? Since it believes that Apple’s attempts to move forward alone on graphics hardware are likely to infringe upon its patented technology, the New York Times reports that analysts believe lawsuits are likely.

Meanwhile, the Financial Times notes that Apple already owns an 8.1 percent stake in the company. Now, another competitor or supplier could buy Imagination and put itself in an interesting licensing position — especially since Apple’s move to its own tech is still a year or two away.

Source: Imagination Technologies