ThermoReal lets you feel heat, cold and even pain in VR and AR

While some companies are trying to make AR and VR more immersive via haptic feedback, one startup decided to focus on the thermal aspects of the experience. TEGway, a spin-off of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, has created a slim, flexible thermo-electric device (or “TED” in short) that can rapidly heat up or cool down, covering a temperature range of 4 to 40 degrees Celsius (39.2 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit). Better yet, it can simultaneously produce both heat and cold in different zones on the same surface, which enables the simulation of a pinch on one’s skin to produce pain. Now packaged as ThermoReal, the company is hoping hardware makers will integrate this solution into the likes of joysticks, gloves, haptic suits, chairs and more for a new level of immersiveness.

In a nutshell, a TED works by running an electric current through its array of thermoelectric semiconductor, which would create a heat flow between the top and bottom substrate layers and thus making it behave like a heater or cooler. But it’s actually better known for its reverse process: a temperature difference applied to the semiconductor can induce a current flow (this phenomenon is called the Seebeck effect), in which case the TED acts as a power generator and can therefore be used for harvesting waste heat.

In order to optimize the efficiency of capturing heat on non-flat surfaces, TEGway found a way to develop flexible TED. Not only does this have better energy harvesting performance than its ceramic counterpart, the company also found a new use case for it: adding realism to gaming using thermal feedback, hence “ThermoReal.” It just so happened that by applying one line of heat in parallel to one line of cold, this creates the sensation of a nasty pinch, so ThermoReal also serves as a weak self-torturing device.

At TEGway’s HTC Vive X demo day booth in Shanghai, I first tried a demo where I held onto a stick partially wrapped with a TED, and the whole apparatus was linked up to a laptop which was running ThermoReal’s showcase software. For the cold simulation, I watched a video of a man slowly dipping himself into icy water, and the deeper he went, the colder the stick became — to the point where I almost felt sorry for the man. To show off its fast thermal response, the stick’s temperature also fluctuated ever so slightly to correspond with the man popping his head in and out of the water.

In a more impressive simulation, while I was watching a candle flame being slowly waved around a hand in the video, I felt an intense heat spot running across my palm in the same manner. It was scarily real, so I was very relieved when the candle flame was replaced with an ice cube in the video. Again, the simulation was quite convincing.

Then came the pinch: at first I could feel a hot line and a cold line building up in parallel, and within about a second or two it turned into a sharp pain on my palm. It was as if a bug had broken out of the stick to give me a nasty bite. It felt real but definitely not enjoyable, so it didn’t take long before I let go of the stick.

I then proceeded to TEGway’s AR demo. This time there was a smartphone attached to a battery-powered TED stick, with the former running an AR app to recognise two drawings: one showed a house on fire, while the other showed two firefighters blasting water at same scene. With the first picture, the AR app mapped a virtual flame on top of the house while the TED became hot; and with the second drawing, the app showed splashes of water on the house while the TED became cool.

Last but not least, I was given a gamepad with a TED taped around its left and right grips. The gamepad was paired with a smartphone running a mockup jet fighter game, and it’s basically the same deal: the TED instantaneously heated up whenever the aircraft sprayed fire through its exhausts, and it rapidly cooled down when it sprayed mist or whatever it was for deceleration.

All in all, ThermoReal works surprisingly well, so it’s now down to TEGway to convince manufacturers to adapt its solution. On the software side, the company will be licensing software patches to content creators. It’s a bit early to tell

Kanye West reportedly quits Tidal over money dispute

Kanye West has been one of Tidal’s biggest champions: he joined the company the moment Jay-Z relaunched its service, and The Life of Pablo was one of the streaming music service’s largest (if temporary) exclusives. However, it appears that the relationship has… soured. TMZ sources claim that Kanye has left the company over a payment squabble involving both Life of Pablo and music videos. It’s reportedly a messy dispute, and certainly not what Tidal wanted in an already tumultuous period for the business.

Tidal allegedly owes Kanye over $3 million for both the performance of Life of Pablo (it reportedly helped obtain 1.5 million new subscribers) and producing music videos. The two sides tried to negotiate a truce, but talks are believed to have broken down two weeks ago. Naturally, the tipsters say that Tidal has a different story: while it’s not clear how the firm views the bonus, it maintains that Kanye had to deliver the videos to get paid. It also believes that Kanye still has an exclusive contract, and has threatened a lawsuit if he jumps ship for another streaming provider. Kanye would sue back.

We’ve reached out to Tidal over the money fight. There’s no doubt that both sides already have some bad blood, though. Jay-Z already has a strained friendship with Kanye, and his new 4:44 album starts with a track that appears to chastise his former ally and suggest the two drop their egos to discuss their problems. A battle over compensation isn’t going to help matters.

The news suggests that Tidal’s unique artist partnership is running into trouble, and it’s exacerbated by word that Jay-Z’s 4:44 Tidal exclusive isn’t quite as special as it sounds. Billboard’s own sources understand that the album is headed to Apple Music and iTunes on July 7th, just one week after Tidal and Sprint hyped the exclusive to the Moon. That’s good news for would-be listeners if the scoop is accurate, but it it also undermines both Tidal and its alliance with Sprint. If they can’t get Tidal’s superstar owner to hold to an exclusive for more than a week, what will they get from lower-profile musicians? You may still have bragging rights when you play an album before your friends, but that sense of superiority won’t last long.

Via: NME

Source: TMZ

Man arrested for flying drone over wildfire, delaying firefighters

Why it matters to you

If drone operators don’t pay attention to local flight restrictions, it can lead to significant legal trouble.

The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office in Arizona announced this weekend htat 54-year-old Gene Alan Carpenter from Prescott Valley has been arrested for hindering aircraft after allegedly flying his unmanned drone in close proximity to one of the firefighting planes. Detailed by police, the drone was spotted circling one of the planes and forced officials to ground 14 aircraft fighting the raging wildfire for roughly an hour.

Besides planes, those aircraft include five helicopters and multiple air tankers. Contained around 44 percent as of Saturday, the fire has been burning through the Prescott National Forest over the past week. That area is located roughly 100 miles north of Phoenix. Authorities have restricted the area from non-firefighting aircraft in order to clear all flight paths. As of Friday, over one thousand firefighters are battling the wildfire.

Police have charged Carpenter with fourteen counts of felony endangerment and one misdemeanor count of unlawful operation of an unmanned aircraft. Before picking him up, a witness had described a man fitting Carpenter’s description standing near a white van positioned near the Mount Union Lookout Tower. When police searched Carpenter’s website, they found several pictures of the Goodwin Fire taken from a drone’s aerial position.

It’s possible that Carpenter will face additional charges from federal authorities, specifically related to temporary no-fly zone federal statutes. While detectives are planning to meet on Monday with federal authorities regarding those charges, Carpenter is currently facing a bond of $25,000 as well as a court date on July 6, 2017.

The FAA created a set of guidelines to help drone operators keep flights legal. Some of those recommendations include staying clear of airports (a five-mile radius) as well as avoiding large event areas like stadiums. The radius is extended during major events like the Super Bowl. During 2016, the FAA warned drone operators that all drones within a 36-mile radius would be shot down if seen in flight.

Of course, this isn’t the first time that a drone operator has been arrested for flying in the wrong place. During 2015, a California man was arrested after his drone flew within 50 feet of an LAPD helicopter. Also during 2015, two people were arrested in a plot to illegally transport goods into a prison utilizing a drone.

App Attack: It’s time to get off the couch and ‘In the Kitchen’

Do you ever find yourself glued to your TV mesmerized by all the dishes you see on the Food Network?  The struggle with recreating meals is that sometimes we need a visual guide in the kitchen. Food Network’s aptly-named In The Kitchen app knows that not everyone’s a seasoned chef — no pun intended — and it’s purpose is to get you off the couch.

The app gives you access to all its popular recipes — more than 70,000. whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert — from renowned chefs like Bobby Flay, Rachael Ray, Guy Fieri, and more. The “Shows” tab gives access to all the recipes from Food Network shows like Barefoot Contessa to The Pioneer Woman, and it will even let you know which shows are currently airing at the moment.

You can save the recipes and create collections based on themed events or types of cuisines that you want to try out later. Another convenient option is to export ingredients into your notes app for the next time you plan on going grocery shopping.

While the app has been around for a while now, it just recently received a huge update based on a pain point we all experience — having to touch your phone with food-covered hands while cooking. Whether it’s scrolling to the next direction or having to unlock your screen, food residue is definitely a pain to clean off your phone.

That’s why there’s now a new feature called “Cook with Me,” and it came to life after the team behind the app — Scripps Lifestyle Studios — observed how people interacted while cooking. Users would often have no choice but to dirty their screens when unlocking their phones to see more steps and information, Al Ming, director of products and apps at Scripps Lifestyle Studios, told Digital Trends.

But the new feature allows you to keep your hands free while cooking, and you can control the app using voice commands. Similar to any voice assistant currently out there, this one goes by the name of Sage. To switch from step to step, say “Sage, next” or “Sage, previous.” The app also prevents the screen from auto-locking if you have a recipe open.

I have absolutely zero experience with cooking unless you count Easy Mac and cereal as preparing a meal. Oh, and I also did try to make pasta once, but burned it — yes, it’s possible. But this app made me feel like as though I was as capable as any of these expert chefs, so I went ahead and tried it out.

The Cook with Me section only has a handful of options to choose from at the moment. I went with “Classic Banana Bread,” because it didn’t require any fancy tools.

Click on the dish and you get a star rating, reviews, level of difficulty, how long it would take to bake, and the option to cook hands-free. It was definitely super helpful to be able to export the ingredients into my Notes app, because I was able to easily cross things off my list while shopping.

Then came baking, which turned out better than I expected. The steps are listed in large font, and it’s easy to follow along. Sadly, I did have trouble with the voice assistant. I had to either speak really close to the microphone, or speak loudly. I recommend making sure your cooking area is incredibly quiet if you’re going to rely on the hands-free aspect of the app.

Almost two hours later and a taste test from both my parents –who are harsh critics — the cake-like bread turned out to be edible.

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The new feature is definitely ideal for anyone that enjoys getting their hands dirty while cooking — which isn’t me seeing as how I subconsciously wiped my hands on any napkin I could find. Hopefully, the microphone won’t give you as much of a hassle as it gave me, because I think it’s a great solution to a problem that gets in the way of cooking.

In The Kitchen — available on iOS and Android — is a great cooking app. You can also scroll through to gain inspiration for future meals or even to pass the time if you’re tired of Instagram foodie accounts. I definitely wouldn’t recommend scrolling through if you’re even the slightest bit hungry and don’t have access to a kitchen — you’ve been warned.

Having trouble finding the best motherboard for your rig? We’ve made it easy

Looking for the best motherboard can be a daunting task. The problem starts when AMD or Intel launch a new family of desktop processors, such as the Core-X series or the Ryzen 7 1800x, which in turn introduces three or more new chipsets packed with fresh features. Then you have third-party manufacturers who generate at least four boards per chipset. For instance, Gigabyte now offers six motherboards using Intel’s new H270 chipset, 20 using the beefier Z270 chipset, and four using the just-off-the-press X299 chipset.

Once you add in mother-manufacturers like ASRock, Asus, Biostar, MSI, and all the others, finding just the right motherboard for your next PC can be an overwhelming task. Lucky for you, we did a lot of filtering and feature comparisons for each manufacturer, and pitted those results against each other to create what we believe is a great list of the best motherboards you can buy for your consideration.

Below you will find several picks for the best motherboards supporting AMD’s latest Ryzen desktop processors that fit into the company’s new AM4 socket. These processors are backed by new chipsets: X370, B350, and A320. However, in our search, we discovered that Ryzen-based motherboards aren’t priced above the $300 mark. That will likely change when AMD’s Ryzen Threadripper processor family and the X399 chipset hits the market in late July.

On the Intel front, we provide what we believe are the best motherboards supporting seventh-generation “Kaby Lake” Core processors as well as the new high-end “Skylake-X” and “Kaby Lake-X” Core X-Series processors. This latter “extreme” group is backed by Intel’s new Z299 chipset whereas its mainstream seventh-generation processors rely on the company’s latest Z270 and H270 chipsets. But get ready: These boards can shoot past the $500 price range.

The Best Motherboards for AMD Ryzen CPUs

$200 to $300

Asus Crosshair VI Hero (Wi-Fi AC)

This board consists of four memory sockets supporting up to 64GB of dual channel DDR4 memory. The sockets also support overclocked memory modules with base speeds of 3,200MHz, 2,400MHz, and 2,133MHz. They’re complemented by numerous storage-focused connections including one M.2 slot supporting SATA 3 (A-Series) and PCI Express 3.0 x4 (Ryzen) modes, and eight SATA 3 ports for standard storage devices.

The board’s memory and storage capacities are joined by two PCI Express 3.0 x16 slots (x16 or dual x8), one PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot (maximum x4), and three PCI Express 2.0 x1 slots. This enables PC builders to install two AMD Radeon graphics cards in CrossFire mode, or two Nvidia GeForce graphics cards in SLI mode. This model does not provide any on-board video outputs.

On the connectivity front, the Crosshair VI Hero provides plenty of options. Thrown into the huge USB mix are two USB 3.1 Gen2 ports (Type-A and Type-C) capable of data transfers of up to 10Gbps. Meanwhile, the board provides built-in Wireless AC (up to 867Mbps) and Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity. Additional features include 8-channel high definition audio, gold-plated audio jacks, S/PDIF output, support for water cooling, support for Aura Sync RGB lighting, and support for 3D printers.

Chipset: X370
Size: ATX
Price: $270

$100 to $200

ASRock Fatal1ty X370 Gaming K4

This motherboard consists of four sockets supporting up to 64GB of dual channel DDR4 memory. With a Ryzen processor installed, system builders can overclock memory sticks already running at 2,933MHz. Otherwise, AMD seventh-generation A-Series APUs only support 2,400MHz and 2,133MHz memory. Note that the memory sockets have 15μ gold contacts.

As for other features, the board provides two PCI Express 3.0 x16 slots, and four PCI Express 2.0 x1 slots. This enables the board to support four AMD Radeon cards in CrossFire mode, or four Nvidia GeForce cards in SLI mode. Joining these slots is one M.2 slot for a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth module, two M.2 slots for stick-shaped SSDs, and six SATA 3 connectors for hard drives and standard SSDs.

If that wasn’t enough bang for your buck, this Fatal1ty-branded board includes two headers for connecting RGB LED strips, support for Creative Sound Blaster Cinema 3, premium Blu-ray audio support, 7.1-channel HD audio, and a premium headset amplifier provided by Texas Instruments. There’s even two USB 3.1 Gen2 ports (Type-A, Type-C), and a dedicated Fatal1ty Mouse Port (also USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A).

Chipset: X370
Size: ATX
Price: $160

$50 to $100

Gigabyte GA-AB350-Gaming 3

This AMD Ryzen-focused motherboard from Gigabyte packs four sockets supporting up to 64GB of dual channel DDR4 memory. They’re also capable of supporting overclocked memory sticks with default speeds of 3,200MHz and 2,933MHz. The sockets are compatible with ECC un-buffered, non-ECC un-buffered, and Extreme Memory Profile-compatible memory modules.

For add-on cards, the board consists of one PCI Express 3.0 x16 slot running at x16, one PCI Express 3.0 x16 slot running at x4, one PCI Express 3.0 slot running at x1, and two PCI Express 3.0 x1 slots. This setup enables system builders to install two AMD Radeon graphics cards running in CrossFire mode. Unfortunately, there’s no mention of using multiple Nvidia GeForce graphics cards running in SLI mode.

On the storage front you’ll find one M.2 slot supporting SATA 3 or PCI Express 3.0 x2/x4 connectivity, depending on the stick-shaped SSD and processor. There are six SATA 3 connectors too, for hooking up hard drives and standard solid state drives. Other notable features include two USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A ports, a water cooling CPU fan header, an RGB LED strip extension cable header, and integrated RGB Fusion lighting. Pretty!

Chipset: B350
Size: ATX
Price: $100

Camp, grill, or just find fireworks with the best Fourth of July apps

We generally don’t need an excuse to dip out of work, hang out with friends, crack a beer, and blow up some stuff, but we’ll take one when we get it. The Fourth of July is America’s birthday, and as such, someone has to throw the party. Today, we have technology that our founding fathers could have never imagined, and we think they’d be ashamed if we didn’t utilize the products of American ingenuity to celebrate their hard work. So grab your smartphone or tablet and get ready to celebrate with the best Fourth of July apps around (all of which are listed below).

Of course, these apps aren’t necessarily made just for the Fourth of July. You can use most of them throughout the year, much like those on our roundup of the best Android apps and best iPhone apps. For other, Independence Day-specific articles, check out our guide on how to photography fireworks and the best music for the Fourth of July.

Find a camp spot and fireworks

The first step in the planning of any successful Fourth of July party is finding the perfect camp spot or the nearest fireworks display. Here are some apps that will help you find the best place for your patriotic celebration.

Camp Finder ($3+)

The Fourth falls on a Tuesday this year, which means it’s the perfect opportunity to take an extended weekend. And four days off right in the middle of summer can only mean one thing — it’s time to go camping. Grab your tent and fill your backpack with all the essentials before launching Camp Finder. With more than 19,000 camping sites in its database, it’s the perfect tool for finding where to stake out for the weekend. You can also filter results based on proximity, price, amenities, policies, and activities, so you make sure to land on one that allows you to enjoy the weekend the way you want.

Download now from:

Amazon iTunes Google play

Foursquare

It isn’t always easy to figure out where the closest fireworks display will be held, and sometimes you want to see fireworks go off more than once. If you’re looking to find out where the Fourth of July celebrations are being held this year, all you have to do is search for fireworks in Foursquare, and you’ll see all the events in your area.

Download now from:

iTunes Google play Windows Phone Store BlackBerry World

EventBrite

The Fourth of July is a holiday best spent with good company, after all, what’s a birthday without the party? Thankfully, you can see what events are going on around you or put together your own using Eventbrite. It’s a hyper-local app, one that focuses on what’s happening in a small radius surrounding your location. Check out the parties and gatherings planned for the Fourth, see where your friends will be spending the day, then send out invitations to your own shindig. Everything from neighborhood block parties to massive city parades will show up in Eventbrite’s listings.

Download now from:

iTunes Google play

Liligo

Traveling for the weekend? The Fourth of July falls on a Monday this year, which makes it the perfect time to travel. Unfortunately, traveling can be a real pain. Liligo is here to help, providing you with the quickest, cheapest, and easiest way to get to your destination, whether that involves taking a plane, train, or automobile. You can even let the app suggest destinations for you based on metrics such as temperature, price, and so on.

Download now from:

iTunes Google play

Find the perfect recipes and drinks

Once you’ve figured out where you’ll be celebrating, it’s time to check out the best recipes and drinks for the Fourth. Here are some of the best grilling and drinking apps to help you plan.

Grill-It! ($1)

Nothing tastes as good as a slab of meat cooked over an open flame. If you’re looking to make your tastebuds water this Fourth of July, check out some of the recipes in Grill-It! There are a ton of recipes housed within the app, and they’re not solely related to meat. Here, you’ll also find great recipes for grilling vegetables, fish, and a host of other types of food. You can even browse recipes, or try something new by checking out the list of newly-added recipes.

Download now from:

iTunes Google play

Drizly

It can be a real pain to run out of beer on the Fourth of July. There could be any number of reasons you can’t go get some yourself — you’ve already had a few and can’t drive, you need to entertain guests, whatever. In any case, there’s an app that’s designed to fix all that on your behalf. It’s called Drizly, and you guessed it, it’s an alcohol delivery service. The service touts itself as the fastest and most convenient way to get wine, beer, and liquor to your door, and claims that everything costs the same that it would at the liquor store. With Drizly, you’ll never run out of beer!

Download now from:

iTunes Google play

Weber’s on the grill ($5)

If you’re looking for grill-related recipes and a timer to make sure you don’t burn your steaks, Weber’s On the Grill has you covered. The app comes with 280 Weber recipes, along with 40 dedicated recipes for making great rubs, marinades, and sauces that are sure to take your meal to the next level. You can tag your favorite recipes, or create and share a grocery list, so you’ll never forget the ingredients. There’s a timer within the app, too, so your steak doesn’t become a charred mess.

Download now from:

iTunes Google play

Untappd

Sam Adams, Coors, and Budweiser may be fine for some red-blooded Americans, but if you’re looking to get more adventurous with your brews, Untappd will help you find some great ones. The apps shows you what your neighbors and friends are drinking, but you can also search for beers based on your individual preferences. All the beers come with ratings, which helps you avoid the ones that are little more than water.

Download now from:

iTunes Google play Windows Phone Store BlackBerry World

TapHunter

Maybe you’re not into big parties, and you want to hang out at a bar for the Fourth instead. In that case, TapHunter has you covered. The app guides you to great bars near your location and even makes sure they have your favorite drinks. If you’re feeling more adventurous, TapHunter will make some recommendations on what to drink, based on your preferences. The app covers everything from spirits and liquors to beers and wine, so you’re sure to find something appealing.

Download now from:

iTunes Google play

Take perfect patriotic photos

What would a Fourth of July celebration be without photos to document the event? Just in case you’re the kind of person who Instagrams every meal and tries to take pictures of fireworks every year, here are some great photo apps to use on the Fourth.

iLightningCam ($2)

Every Fourth of July brings a bang, with fireworks being shot off at every opportunity. This usually prompts people to attempt to capture fireworks in the sky. Stop watching the light show through your smartphone screen and trying to time when to snap the photo. Instead, fire up the iLightning Cam and let it do the work. All you have to do is point the camera at the sky and the app will snap photos for you, using your iPhone’s speedy processor to make the split decisions.

Download now from:

iTunes

Lightning Camera

Don’t worry, Android users. The Lightning Camera app does the same thing as iLightning Cam, and it will take great pictures of the fireworks for you, too.

Download now from:

Google play

Treat your inner history buff

Now that you’ve got your camping spot, your grill fired up, your beer chilling in the cooler, and you’re all set to take some nice photos, it’s time to brush up on your American history. After all, you don’t want your friends to find out that you don’t know who Paul Revere was.

History Here

There’s no holiday more steeped in history for Americans than the Fourth of July. While our nation is still young compared to much of the world, we have plenty of history all around us. Tap into the roots of the country and check out the historical action all around you with History Here. The app is a must-have if you’re located in any of the original 13 colonies, or simply craving a bit of background regarding your surroundings. History Here functions as an interactive guide to landmarks scattered across the United States, one that will fill you with facts and, on occasion, pride.

Download now from:

iTunes Google play

American Revolution

Looking to do some reading over the long weekend? Why not take a little refresher course on the events that we celebrate on the Fourth of July? The American Revolution app from the American Revolution Center is an interactive timeline that will walk your through what took place all the way back in the 1700s. With this app, you can check out digital recreations of important artifacts and documents from the days of the Revolutionary War, and find out amazing facts about the people involved in the earliest days of the United States. It’s the best way to remember exactly what the holiday is all about.

Download now from:

iTunes

Everything else

Not everything you’ll need this July 4 will be immediately obvious — but we’ve still got you covered for the apps that aren’t. Check out the apps below to ensure you’re getting the most you possibly can out of your July 4 celebrations.

UV Lens

Spending the holiday outside? If you’re fair-skinned, you know the pain that often accompanies a sunburn. That’s where UV Lens comes in. Simply open the app, and using your location, it will tell you the temperature and exactly how long it will take for you to get burned. The app will even tell you to apply sunscreen, then remind you when it thinks you should reapply.

Download now from:

iTunes Google play

Gas Buddy

If you’re driving long distance for your celebrations, it can help to know the best places to stop and refuel, especially when gas prices are rising around the country. Thankfully, Gas Buddy will tell you where to find the cheapest gas along your route. You can use the app to filter through different types of gas, and sort nearby gas stations based on distance and price, meaning you can get the best bang for your buck no matter where you go.

Download now from:

iTunes Google play

Update: Added Grill-It, UV Lens, and Gas Buddy.

bHaptics’ TactSuit is VR haptic feedback done right

Every now and then, we come across a new attempt to bring haptic feedback to VR, but we’ve yet to see one that’s fully convincing; those that are still around tend to be both pricey and far from ready for the market. Well, this is apparently no longer the case thanks to bHaptics. At HTC Vive X demo day in Shanghai, I got some hands-on time with this Korean startup’s TactSuit, a wireless kit consisting of a haptic mask (which is a rarity), two haptic sleeves and a haptic vest. The fascinating part here is that it comes with a total of 87 feedback points, which is a lot more generous than what the other suits offer. It’ll also cost less than its direct competitor, Nullspace VR’s $549 Hardlight suit which only has 16 feedback points.

The TactSuit’s 87 feedback points are powered by eccentric rotating mass vibration motors. These actuators are distributed as follows: there are seven on the face, 20 on the front of the vest, another 20 on the back, and 20 on each sleeve. The obvious advantage with such a high density of feedback points is that games can be programmed with refined haptic feedback for a more immersive experience.

In other words, rather than feeling one large pad vibrating somewhere on your body, you can actually make out the cutting lines of, say, a sword or even claws from an enemy creeping up behind you. To take this to the next level, games can even be programmed so that the same cutting pattern can be mirrored to both sides of the haptic vest, in order to simulate the feel of one being cut in half. Lovely, isn’t it?

Other interesting possibilities include having a snake slithering around your upper body, being punched in the face, sensing your weapon’s recoil, feeling an explosion’s blast wave and more. This can all be achieved by using bHaptics’ dedicated haptics editing software, which appears to be quite versatile and straightforward to use, plus it works in conjunction with Unity. In a demo video, I saw a programmer drawing simple haptic feedback paths and patterns across a grid of 20 points, with the option to adjust the force of each point or path, as well as the roughness of the vibration.

Unlike most of its competition, bHaptics’ TactSuit has already been tried and tested by many people. According to CEO Kiuk Gwak, almost 47,000 people used it between March and June as part of a horror game called Zombie Attack at Seoul’s Lotte World amusement park. Even nowadays, this three-minute game hosts over 500 players per day on average, and it’s apparently the most popular VR booth at the venue. “This is the ‘real VR’ that people are going to pay more [for],” Gwak added.

I was able to try the TactSuit with the same game at the HTC Vive X demo day, with the only difference being there was just one spot instead of the usual eight. The suit didn’t feel too heavy and the sleeves were easy to put on, but the only thing that bothered me was the haptic mask which forced me to take off my glasses. Luckily, I managed to get a good enough eyesight with some quick adjustments on the Vive headset.

The game itself was very much the usual horror affair, featuring a bunch of slow-moving zombies that eventually have you surrounded in some deserted theme park. I’d like to think that normally I wouldn’t be too bothered by such zombies, but with the TactSuit on my body, I found myself fearing for my life whenever I felt a strike on my back. As soon as I turned around, the bloody zombies were right in my face and boom! That was when I instinctively fired my shotgun into their ugly faces, and with the instantaneous recoil sensation on the haptic sleeves, those were definitely the most satisfying shots I had ever had in a VR game. Before long, I removed the headset and was greeted by a long line of curious folks waiting for their turn.

From a hardware standpoint, the TactSuit certainly succeeded in delivering an immersive experience as promised: the kit isn’t clunky, the haptic feedback execution is unique and, most importantly, I didn’t feel any delay. For its performance and sub-$549 price point, the TactSuit is by far the most promising haptic feedback suit to date. That said, don’t expect bHaptics to be selling to consumers any time soon. For now, it’s focusing on B2B while also selling to developers only, but that’s a good move — it’s all about getting as many games to support this suit as possible. If all goes well, you’ll be seeing TactSuits pop up in your local VR arcades in the near future.

The best air conditioner

By Liam McCabe

This post was done in partnership with The Sweethome, a buyer’s guide to the best homewares. When readers choose to buy The Sweethome’s independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here.

After six summers of researching, testing, and recommending window air conditioners, we’ve learned that quiet and affordable ACs make most people the happiest—and we think the LG LW8016ER will fit the bill in most rooms. It cools as efficiently and effectively as any model with an equal Btu rating, and runs at a lower volume and deeper pitch than others at this price. Little extra features like a fresh-air vent, two-axis fan blades, and a removable drain plug help set it apart, too.

How we picked and tested

The air conditioners we tested in 2017. Note: Stacking them in this way does not constitute a proper installation. Photo: Liam McCabe

For most people, the best window air conditioner runs quietly without jarring whines, whooshes, or whirs, and with as much control over climate settings and air direction as possible. Ideally, it should pass the bedroom test: If it’s good enough to sleep near, it’s good enough for any other room in your house.

Everything else is much less important. Installation and maintenance should be easy, but they don’t vary too much from model to model, and you have to deal with them only a couple times per year. And cooling power and energy efficiency are so similar for window ACs at a given Btu rating that it’s barely worth worrying about. For this guide, we focused on models with 8,000 Btu, which are the most popular size and are suited for spaces between 300 and 350 square feet.

Our testing began by tracking down about 45 current-model window air conditioners with that cooling capacity. Based on specs, features, price, and our experience with older versions of some models, we settled on eight finalists. We then tested each of the finalists for noise by standing 6 feet away from each unit and measuring volume at the low, medium, and high fan settings, with and without the compressor running, and making note of any frequency spikes.

We also judged our finalists on the level of user control they allowed. One important area where window ACs can differ is their fan vents, which control the direction of airflow. We also considered the number of fan speeds, extra cooling modes, and the depth of remote control.

Our pick

The LG LW8016ER is the best affordable AC for a home office or living area because it’s quietish, gives you more control than others, and tends to cost less than its competition. Photo: Liam McCabe

The LG LW8016ER is the window AC you should probably get, especially if it’s for an office, den, or other room where you won’t be sleeping. Compared with other ACs at this price, it’s quieter and hums along at a lower pitch, so it’s easier on the ears. It offers a greater level of flexibility than most of its competitors, covering all the little details, from the fan’s directional controls and outdoor-air vent to the dehumidifier mode and removable drain plug. This is the second summer in a row that we’ve recommended the LW8016ER as our top pick.

Most air conditioners are loud, but the LW8016ER is a bit quieter overall and sounds lower-pitched than the other 8,000-Btu models we tested. At its absolute loudest, with the compressor on and the fan at full speed, we measured it running at 66 dBC; the lowest fan-only setting is about 60 dBC. Although the overall volume is not much quieter than competing models, the LW8016ER will probably sound quieter to most people because it’s loudest at low frequencies. The most prominent sound it makes is a deep hum, which is almost (almost) relaxing.

The LW8016ER was the most cumbersome to install of all the window units we tested, but only modestly so. The worst part is that the weight is lopsided toward the back of the unit, so it feels slightly more treacherous to seat on a windowsill. Another nitpicky detail: The side curtains screw in, whereas those of most other units slide in. That said, you’ll have to deal with installation only once each spring and once each fall, so it’s not a huge deal.

Runner-up: As effective, a bit louder

A close look at the fan blades on the Frigidaire, a solid window unit that’s a bit loud compared with the units we’ve found this year. Photo: Liam McCabe

If our main pick is unavailable, the Frigidaire FFRE0833S1 is another affordable, widely available window AC. On cooling performance, the FFRE0833S1 works just like our main pick, and its price is often similar. But it runs slightly louder than our top pick (63 dBC on the lowest fan setting, and 67 dBC on the max setting) and with a more noticeable, higher-pitched whine.

Some little user-control features are lacking, too. The disc-shaped fan blades on the FFRE0833S1 permanently blow at least some air toward the right side of the unit, even if you direct most of it to the left. It also doesn’t have a drain, so in very humid conditions it can start to make an obnoxious flickering, bubbling noise as the fan passes through the pool of condensed water built up in the baseplate.

In its favor, though, the Frigidaire FFRE0833S1 is easier to install than our main pick. It’s 10 pounds lighter, with a smaller chassis and a more-centered weight distribution. Also, its side curtains slide in, rather than screw in, saving a few minutes of work and frustration.

Upgrade: Quieter but pricier

The Haier Serenity Series ESAQ406T runs much quieter than our main pick or runner-up, though at 6,000 Btu, it’s meant for smaller rooms. Photo: Liam McCabe

If you’re installing an air conditioner in your bedroom, or if you just value peace and quiet in other rooms, a few ACs are noticeably quieter than our main pick or runner-up, although they are more expensive.

As of late June 2017, our favorite bedroom AC, the Frigidaire Gallery FGRQ08L3T1 is out of stock. While we wait for it to come back, we recommend the Haier Serenity Series ESAQ406T in its place. The only caveat is that it’s available only in a 6,000 Btu version and is best suited for rooms smaller than 300 square feet.

At its lowest fan setting and with the cooling mode turned on, the Haier ESAQ406T runs at just 54.5 dBC, and at the high fan setting, it’s at least 6 dBC quieter than any other run-of-the-mill window AC.

If 6,000 Btu isn’t enough, but you can’t wait for our favorite 8,000 Btu bedroom unit to come back in stock, your other choice is the Friedrich Chill series, our upgrade pick for the latter part of summer 2016. These ACs are louder, larger, and more expensive than the new 2017 Frigidaire or Haier models, but they are widely available and come in a wider range of sizes.

This guide may have been updated by The Sweethome. To see the current recommendation, please go here.

Note from The Sweethome: When readers choose to buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn affiliate commissions that support our work.

Jay-Z’s Album ‘4:44’ Rumored to Arrive on Apple Music After One Week of Tidal Exclusivity

Soon after Jay-Z’s newest album, “4:44,” launched as an exclusive on his own streaming service Tidal, sources speaking to Billboard this weekend have said that 4:44 will be coming to Apple Music and iTunes later this week. Tidal and Sprint are believed to have a one week exclusivity window on 4:44, so it’s predicted that the album will launch on Apple Music next Friday, July 7.

A rumor last year stated that Apple was in talks to purchase Tidal, but Apple Music executive Jimmy Iovine eventually denied those reports by saying, “We’re really running our own race. We’re not looking to acquire any streaming services.” For a brief period of time earlier this year, Jay-Z even removed all of his albums from Apple Music and Spotify, although most eventually reappeared on Apple Music a few days later.

A track on 4:44, called “Smile,” references the Apple Music and Tidal feud by specifically calling out Jimmy Iovine (via Business Insider).

F*** a slice of the apple pie, want my own cake
Chargin’ my own fate
Respect Jimmy Iovine
But he gotta respect the Elohim as a whole new regime

The ongoing rivalry between the two competing music services is said to be negatively affecting the music industry as a whole, according to Kanye West who tweeted about the two companies last summer. Later in 2016, West blamed the fight between Apple Music and Tidal as the main factor behind the reason why there won’t be a sequel to Watch The Throne, his 2011 collaboration with Jay-Z. Kanye’s album “The Life of Pablo” began as a Tidal exclusive as well, before it eventually streamed on Apple Music and other services after a few months.

Exclusive deals for services like Apple Music, Tidal, and Spotify have come under fire in recent years by music labels and critics, but Apple has continued releasing exclusive music on its streaming service. Tidal has done the same thing with 4:44, tying the album into the service’s recent acquisition by Sprint.

That source also confirmed that fans need to sign up for Sprint service in order to get the album if they are not already Tidal subscribers. Otherwise, as noted by disgruntled Jay fan hit-making producer Mark Ronson, it is only available to those who were pre-established Tidal subscribers before June 26 or already had Sprint service.

If this weekend’s report is accurate, Tidal/Sprint’s exclusivity window will be ending very soon, allowing more users to get a chance to listen to 4:44 than if it remained a streaming exclusive on Tidal. The sources didn’t confirm whether 4:44 will make it to other streaming services in addition to Apple Music, like Spotify, after Tidal’s exclusivity window ends.

Tags: Sprint, Apple Music, Tidal
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The best 360 cameras you can buy

As immersive content continues to evolve, consumer-grade 360 cameras are caught in the awkward stage of tech adolescence: They are prone to stitch-line breakouts, gangly and awkward user interfaces, and less than ideal resolution. But, while the image quality and usability still has some growing up to do, the immersive view certainly has the cool factor going for it. Because this type of camera is so nascent and there’s no standard in design, what are the best 360 cameras out there?

Like any new technology, a 360 camera is an early adopter gadget at the moment, but the medium has potential – especially if virtual reality applications become mainstream. So, if you want to get into the fun before everybody else does, here are our current favorite 360-degree cameras – and what you need to know before you buy.

Before you buy

If you buy an $800 360 camera and expect to see the same quality as an $800 DSLR, you’re going to be disappointed. Current specs employed by consumer 360 cameras can’t muster the kind of resolution you’d find in a traditional camera, considering it’s shooting and processing more information. Heck, your smartphone photos will look better. But for now, the point of this niche camera is to capture nearly everything around you, which you can then play back or share the immersive experience. Luckily, pricing for some new 360 cameras are becoming affordable, like Samsung’s Gear 360. So, before you jump into the 360 bandwagon, there are two things you need to know.

4K isn’t the same as a regular 4K camera. In 360, those 4,000 pixels are wrapping all the way around that view. That means you don’t get the I-can-see-your-pores-from-here detail of 4K on a standard aspect ratio – it’s closer to a standard-definition view on a typical screen with all that stretching. Still, 4K is a good comparison point, since a 4K camera is going to offer better quality than a Full HD (1080p) 360 camera.

Most 360 footage comes from multiple cameras. A 360 camera is really more like multiple cameras. Most 360 cameras use two or more lenses and sensors to capture the video (the 360Fly is an exception), and then software (either in-camera or on a computer) stitches that data together. Expect to see some sort of stitching artifact or edge in the video, but newer cameras are getting better and better at a creating seamless picture.

Our pick

Garmin Virb 360

Hillary Grigonis/Digital Trends

Why should you buy this? Easy-to-use, durable 360 action camera that’s both full of features and low on those annoying stitch lines.

Our Score

Garmin Virb 360

A 360 camera that’s big on performance and low on those weird stitch lines.

$799.99 from Amazon

$799.99 from Garmin

Who’s it for? Action junkies who want a 360 camera that can follow the action pretty much anywhere.

How much will it cost? $799

Why we picked the Garmin Virb 360:

Most 360 cameras we’ve tried are either lacking in usability or image quality, but the Garmin Virb 360 hits both marks and then tosses in some pretty sweet data overlays for action videos. While you’ll still notice some stitching lines on objects close to the camera (like whatever the camera is mounted to), the Virb 360 had the most seamless stitches we’ve seen yet. That’s thanks in part to two different stitching modes for near and far – so you will have to remember to switch modes when heading from the big outdoors to the inside of a small room. Resolution and detail is comparable with other 4K 360 cameras, but that nearly seamless stitching puts the Virb 360’s image and video quality a bit above the rest.

The Virb 360 is also easy to use, largely because Garmin made room for a small display. The companion smartphone app is still the best way to use the camera, but if you need to leave your smartphone on shore, you can use the camera’s controls to start and stop a video or take a picture– a nice feature considering the camera is rated to head down to 32 feet underwater.

In addition, Garmin added features that are just now coming into the action camera category, including voice controls. The Virb 360 includes image stabilization, with multiple steady modes that make a big difference in the final video. The Virb 360 includes a number of different built-in sensors, much like their Virb 30 action camera, that allows users to add overlays that share details like how fast you were going or even how high you jumped. Both the stabilization options and overlays are accessible in both the Garmin app and the desktop editor.

Between the almost stitch-free videos, easy use, rugged design, and extras like stabilization and action overlays, the Garmin Virb 360 is a serious performer. Live video is supporter, but it only works with iOS devices. At $799, the Virb 360 is overkill for users who don’t need the “action” features, but this is the camera to beat.

Our full Garmin Virb 360 review

The best 360 camera for live-streaming

Samsung Gear 360 (2017)

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Why should you buy this? Easy live-streaming in 360, and it won’t break the bank

Our Score

Samsung Gear 360 (2017)

The 360 camera that’s both easy to use and easy on the wallet.

$243.90 from Amazon

Who’s it for? Any consumer that wants to get started in 360 without paying big price tag

How much will it cost? $230

Why we picked the Samsung Gear 360

The Garmin Virb 360 is a great action camera, but $799 is probably overkill for simple 360 shots. The Samsung Gear 360 is an easy-to-use variant that offers excellent connectivity and even live-streaming, for $230.

The Gear 360 packs two lenses into a spherical body with a permanently attached stand that doubles as a handle. While the 2017 update maintains a similar design principle as the original model, it’s smaller, weighs 4.6 ounces, and easier to hold. While it’s not designed to take a dip, it can withstand some dust and scratches.

A companion smartphone app pairs with the the Gear 360 seamlessly – a great improvement over the first version. The app is also more responsive, and is now compatible with select iPhones and Samsung Galaxy devices.

This second-generation camera also brings 4K resolution, which, again, stretches around the entire perspective. The image quality isn’t the best, but it’s pretty decent considering the price point. The Gear 360 also adds a new trend in 360 video: live streaming. The feature isn’t in 4K, and requires a Facebook or YouTube account, but it’s an interesting way to share live content.

Our full Samsung Gear 360 review

The best for smartphone photographers

Giroptic iO

Daven Mathies/Digital Trends

Why should you buy this? Shooting in 360 is as easy as shooting with a native camera app.

Our Score

Giroptic iO

The camera that brings 360 to your smartphone — easily and affordably.

$0.00 from Giroptic

Who’s it for? Smartphone users who want to capture in 360.

How much will it cost? $250

Why we picked the Giroptic iO

You don’t need a dedicated device to capture casual 360-degree content. The Giroptic iO makes shooting 360 video from an iPhone and now even an Android quick work. The smartphone-attachable camera is easy to connect because there’s no Wi-Fi pairing process, thanks to a physical connection (the Lightning port for iPhone users and a Micro USB or USB Type-C connector for Android). Without waiting on wireless, the camera is also more responsive and easier to use. Once connected, the companion app automatically launches.

The Giroptic iO will shoot both the scrollable, virtual-reality-style 360 shots, as well as the “little planet” effect. Recording is as simple as plugging the device into the phone, navigating the app to select photo, video, or live broadcasting, and hitting the onscreen shuttler button. Like the Samsung Gear 360, live-streaming capability is a big perk – just make sure you have good signal before starting a broadcast.

Quality wise, the Giroptic iO has a much lower resolution for videos at 1,920 x 960 pixels than options like the Samsung Gear, so that’s the downside to not using a dedicated deice. Although, the still photo resolution has a nice 3,840 x 1,920 capture. Still, for capturing and sharing videos that will most often be viewed on a mobile device anyways, the Giroptic iO offers an incredibly easy interface and a reasonable price point from a device that will fit in a pocket.

Our full Giroptic iO review

Should you buy?

It’s worth repeating: 360 cameras are still a nascent technology that have some quirks, but the ability to drop the viewer into the middle of a scene, for many users, makes it worth the risk on a newer technology. As 360 cameras continue to grow up, expect to see some lower price points, better stitching, higher resolution, and probably some new features we haven’t even thought of yet – GoPro’s Fusion has us excited, for example. When that happens, we’ll update this list accordingly.