Amazon Echo review 2017

The original Echo has held up well over the years, even if it is (erm, or was) a little expensive. Now it’s only going to get better.

Ed. Note: We’ve reviewed the Amazon Echo a couple times now. First in February 2015, not long after it was first released. We took another look at it in November of that year, to see where things stood. Now that we’re expecting an updated Echo later this year, it’s time to take one last look back at the speaker that started it all. Also: We’re re-reviewing the venerable Amazon Echo Dot, as well.

“How long has it been?” That’s what I asked myself before I looked up our original Amazon Echo review. I know that it’s been a while, and the Echo — and Alexa — have been somewhere in my home every day since. But I was honestly surprised to see that it’s been almost two years since the Echo first sprung forth from Amazon.

And it’s probably even more surprising that other companies — Google, Microsoft and Apple, specifically — are only now figuring out smart speakers.

It had to happen eventually, of course. But the original Amazon Echo remains a strong choice — if you can get it at the right price.

See at Amazon

The design of the OG Echo mostly holds up, too, though I’m definitely looking forward to a refresh. It’s not that there’s anything inherently wrong with the 9-inch black cylinder look — but I’ve never been a fan of the plastic that Amazon used. It’s got that sort of matte finish that picks up oil from your fingers any time you happen to touch it. And while I’ve probably moved my Echo around more than most folks, I (like a lot of you out there) also have kids who can’t help my touch it any time you they use it.

It was good enough for what it was at the time, and it definitely says something that the design has held up for this long. But it’s time for something new.

(And before you say “You should have gotten a white one,” remember that you couldn’t get that color until September 2016, some six months and change after my initial review. Time and SEO wait for no one.)

An updated Echo is almost certainly on the horizon, so don’t spend more than $100 on this one if you must.

Interestingly, Amazon has kept with the rotating top section for volume control, eschewing the physical buttons that the Echo Dot switched to. Either one is just fine with me — it’s just interesting to see a divergence. Will the dial live on in the next-generation Echo?

The real story of the original Amazon Echo in 2017 comes down to price. It’s still listed at $179, and has been for a while. But it’s also not been uncommon to see it discounted, most recently to a much more reasonable $99 or so. Sometimes a little more, on rare occasion less.

But that’s really the price point you’d expect to find this sort of speaker at these days. It’s never been the best in terms of audio expectations, but it always was a hard sell at nearly $200. Maybe that was to make room for the Echo Dot (particularly at its $50 price point). But it also meant the only real choice of Echo for anyone who wanted easy music that also sounded good was one that was too expensive.

Then came the new Echo Show, however, and the original Echo now fits squarely in the middle. Echo Dot, $50. Original Echo, $100. Echo Show, $200+.

The real question is “what’s next.” The answer, of course, will be another Echo. We haven’t had too much in the way of leaks. What we do have comes from Engadget and boils down to this:

The new Echo will be both shorter and slimmer than the original, almost as if it were three or four Echo Dots stacked on top of each other, our source claims. Amazon is also softening its design with rounded edges and a cloth-like covering, rather than the current Echo’s plastic shell and flat ends.

None of that is overly surprising. Better design, better sound. The hardware is important, for sure. But it’s still just one half of what makes the Amazon Echo special. The other half we call Alexa, and it’s fair to ask where she’ll head in the future.

Amazon’s not alone in this space any more. It was first, and arguably the best, and it’s done well to get multiple devices to market at multiple price points, when its competitors are barely out of the gate. Consider:

• Amazon: Echo ($179), Echo Dot ($49), Echo Look ($199) , Echo Show ($229), Amazon Tap ($99).
• Google: Google Home ($129).
• Microsoft: Harman Kardon Invoke (price unknown), coming later this year.
• Apple: HomePod ($349), coming later this year.

That’s four Echo devices from Amazon, plus the Tap (which I argue counts). And that’s not even counting third-party devices, like the UA Boom and Megaboom speakers, or the integration on the HTC U11 phone, or any number of other things out there.

Amazon hit us all extremely early, and extremely well, when it came to the Echo, which has held up remarkably well given its age. And it’s only going to get better with the next one.

Amazon Echo

• Tap, Echo or Dot: The ultimate Alexa question
• All about Alexa Skills
• Amazon Echo review
• Echo Dot review
• Top Echo Tips & Tricks
• Amazon Echo vs. Google Home
• Get the latest Alexa news

See at Amazon

5 reasons you should switch away from AT&T

AT&T is a great carrier, but there are reasons to make a change.

Having phone service that’s cheap and good is important to us.

It wasn’t so long ago that you had very few choices when it came to good phone coverage most everywhere you wanted to go. Today, though, you have plenty of other choices when it comes to the company who provides your service. That means you just might be able to get exactly what you need and save some money every month. Everyone loves to save money, right?

There are a lot of folks using smartphones on AT&T. Some because it was the only company who gave the coverage they needed, others because only AT&T had the phone they wanted. Both things have changed and now is a great time to think about switching away. Here are a few reasons why you might want to try another company.

Coverage

Coverage is always the most important thing to consider when you pay for service each month. You need to be able to use what you’re paying for.

AT&T offers great nationwide coverage. But now so do a lot of other companies. Verizon has eclipsed AT&T when it comes to rural coverage, and most every company offers service when you’re in a city or town. T-Mobile, Sprint or any of the numerous alternative carriers (MVNOs) have service as good or better when you don’t stray too far from the beaten path.

For a lot of people, only AT&T offers the coverage you need. If that’s the case, you should stick with what works. But be sure to check other options, because things have changed!

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Price

If the coverage is equal, there is no reason to pay more.

AT&T has one of the most expensive unlimited plans for people who aren’t DirectTV subscribers and also offer a throttled (3 Mbps maximum) plan to keep folks who aren’t into spending over $100 for a single line plan once fees and taxes come into the picture. If you want true high-speed data, you can save money if you find another carrier who offers comparable coverage.

Check your coverage, ask your friends, check the maps, etc. And when you check the prices you’ll like what you see.

AT&T’s unlimited plans: Everything you need to know!

Other devices

AT&T has this in common with all of the Big Four carriers in the U.S.: You can’t use the same plan you have for your phone on another device (except a car in AT&T’s case) without having a phone plan and spending more money.

Data is data, and the carrier providing it shouldn’t care what device you’re using. You’ll find smaller MVNO carriers that don’t care if you swap the SIM card out of your phone and put it into a hotspot or tablet or smartwatch. AT&T offers 10GB of tethering data on its more expensive unlimited plan, but you’ll need to make sure the phone you’re using is compatible. Many are (unlocked phones or AT&T branded phones) but others aren’t.

It’s the little things, like this, that can make a difference.

Saturation

Being the popular choice can sometimes be a bad thing. Ask most anyone who has tried to use AT&T in downtown New York or San Francisco and they will tell you that certain times of the day mean you’ll have no service with AT&T despite having a strong signal.

Only a certain number of devices can connect to a cell tower at once, and when that number is exceeded it’s not pretty. AT&T doesn’t seem to have the backhaul or network infrastructure to handle all their customers when everyone is trying to use their phones.

This is why you see the big trailers with AT&T and Verizon logos at sporting events; COWs (Cell On Wheels) are designed to handle those kinds of load. But AT&T can’t drop off a COW every day at lunch time on 3rd Avenue. You’ll find other carriers are less crowded and offer better service when AT&T is oversaturated.

Better prepaid plans

If you don’t want or need to pay for an unlimited data plan, grabbing a prepaid SIM card and using the phone you already have is a great idea. You can shop around and find a plan that offers just what you need without paying for any extras you don’t.

AT&T has a decent prepaid system. Formerly GoPhone, AT&T prepaid has several plans between 1 and 10 GB per month as well as an unlimited plan. But your data speeds are capped at 3 Mbps on all of them. There are plenty of other options that aren’t purposefully throttled and might even save some money.

There are dozens of great prepaid MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Providers) companies and at least one of them will have exactly what you’re looking for.

AT&T does offer good nationwide phone service. But it is no longer the only game in town and if you think it’s time to make a switch here are a few extra reasons to think about.

5 reasons you should switch away from Verizon

Alternative carriers (MVNOS)

• What is an alternative mobile carrier?
• What are the advantages of going with an alternative carrier?
• How to make sure your phone works on a prepaid alternative carrier
• 8 Important Considerations When Switching To An MVNO
• These are the cheapest data plans you can buy in the U.S.
• Mint SIM vs. Cricket Wireless: Which is better for you?

Grab an LG V20 with both of its displays for just $350 at B&H

The folks at Thrifter are back again, this time with a sweet deal on LG’s popular V20 smartphone!

The LG V20 is one of the last flagship smartphones that allows you to remove its battery and swap in a new one. This is a feature that some people absolutely need in a phone, and if that happens to be you, you’ll be happy to see that B&H Photo is offering a great discount on one. Right now you can pick up the unlocked 64GB LG V20 for just $349.99, which is a savings of $100 from its regular price.

Being unlocked, you’ll be able to use this model (US996) on both CDMA and GSM carriers. It comes equipped with 64GB of internal storage, so you don’t have to worry about filling it up too easily taking pictures with its awesome dual-camera setup. The V20 also has a 5.7-inch main display, as well a secondary display above it that shows some useful information.

If you want to save a little more, and don’t mind picking up a refurbished phone, Daily Steals has you covered. Right now you can pick up an unlocked Verizon version (US995) for just $249.99 with coupon code LGV20UNLOCKED.

See at B&H Photo

More from Thrifter:

• What does Amazon’s takeover of Whole Foods mean for you?
• Five free travel apps to help you save big on hotel stays

For more great deals be sure to check out our friends at Thrifter now!

Essential customers are being targeted in a phishing attack

If you’ve received an email from Essential asking for additional information, do not reply to it.

The Essential Phone is finally going out to customers after lenghty delays, but the company isn’t done with its share of controversy yet. An email that’s going out to customers from an Essential support account (customercare@essential.com) is soliciting additional information in the form of a photo ID to process shipments. While the address itself is legitimate, it looks like the company’s customers have been targeted by a phishing attack.

Judging by the responses to the Reddit thread, the hacker found a way into the company’s mailserver. Here’s the email in its entirety:

Hi,

Our order review team requires additional verifying information to complete the processing of your recent order. 

This verification is performed to protect against unauthorized use of your payment information and similar to what is conducted for in-person purchases. 

Please provide an alternative email and phone number to confirm this purchase..

We would like to request a picture of a photo ID (e.g. driver’s license, state ID, passport) clearly showing your photo, signature and address. NOTE: the address on the ID should match the billing address listed on your recent order.

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your cooperation.  Once verified, we look forward to shipping your order.

Thanks!

Essential Products Customer Care

For its part, Essential has mentioned that it has taken steps to “mitigate the issue:”

We’re aware of & looking into a recent e-mail received by some customers. We’ve taken steps to mitigate & will update with more info soon.

— Essential (@essential) August 30, 2017

Did you receive an email from Essential requesting verifying information?

6 reasons why you should consider a Ring Doorbell (and 3 reasons you shouldn’t)

I have a lot of connected tech in my home. Maybe too much. But a smart doorbell — the Ring Pro, specifically — is one of the keepers.

A $200 doorbell is a little exorbitant. Let’s just get that out of the way now. But as I’ve said time and time again, the Ring Doorbell has quickly become one of those crazy pieces of tech that just works, and that has become damned near indispensable for me and my family.

If you have a door, you’ll want a doorbell that can see what’s going on. And for me that’s been the Ring — OK, Ring Pro, actually. Here’s why:

See Ring Doorbell 2 at Amazon   See Ring Pro at Amazon

1. It’ll be your most-used security camera.

I have quite a few cameras on the inside and outside of my house, a side-effect of testing this sort of stuff for a living. For the most part, I could do away with the lot of them.

But not the Ring. While this is going to be different for everyone depending on your layout and circumstances, for my money the front door is where I want to see from. I can see who’s coming to the house before they get there, and I can see who they were should something untoward happen while I’m not paying attention.

The package-on-the-porch scenario is the obvious one. Did the delivery driver even attempt to drop it off? Did someone make off with your Amazon loot while you were at work? Now you’ll know.

But I also use the Ring while I’m home, should I be expecting someone to show up. Because nobody likes surprises.

It’s also great to for knowing when the kids get back from school.

2. It’s not that expensive.

As I said at the outset, upwards of $200 is a lot to spend on a doorbell. But that’s how strongly I feel about this, and Ring in general.

It’s easy to set up, whether you go with the Ring Doorbell 2 (that’s the one with the internal battery that charges via your existing doorbell wiring, or by USB) or a Ring Pro (which requires the low-voltage wiring to work at all). If you have do basic home improvement stuff — as in, hold a screwdriver and maybe twist some wires — you’re good here.

If you do need help (I had to deal with some voltage issues) their customer service is aces.

I went ahead and ponied up the $30 for 24/7 recording, but the Ring also works just fine, for free, should you decide to go without that. The live feed doesn’t cost a dime.

3. It just works. Everywhere.

One of my favorite pastimes is hearing Windows fans grumble about not having proper Windows apps. My second favorite pastime is grumbling about not having proper Mac apps.

Ring works everywhere. Yeah, it’s got a web portal, and that’s just fine. But it also has native apps on Windows, Mac OS, Android and iOS, and they can all notify you when the Ring detects motion, or when someone actually hits the bell.

4. It gives you an excuse to buy an Echo Show.

Even cooler? It works with the new Amazon Echo Show.

While it’s more of a passive sort of camera in that sense — you have to tell Alexa to show you the front door; it doesn’t automatically pop up on the screen just yet — it’s a great alternative to finding your phone when the Ring sees someone coming.

5. It’s got decent IFTTT support

Having a good native app is just start of things. Ring also works with IFTTT, as well as with other smart home manufacturers, so you can do things like have your connected lights blink when someone rings the bell. Or log all the times someone hits the button.

There’s a world of clever stuff that can be done here.

6. It’s actually for more than just doorbells

OK, OK. Ring isn’t just a doorbell. (Or a trio of doorbells, actually.)

It’s worth taking a look at the other options they’ve got. I have a Stickup Cam in my backyard, and it’s powered by a solar panel, so I didn’t have to deal with any wiring. That’s cool.

And I’m getting close to picking up a Floodlight Cam. Because it’s floodlights, and a camera. (There’s also a Spotlight Cam on the way.)

And once you have four (or more) Ring devices it’s worth going in on the $100-a-year “Protect” plan, which lets you connect as many devices as you want, adds a lifetime warranty, and gets you 10 percent discounts on future orders. Not bad.

See Ring Doorbell 2 at Amazon   See Ring Pro at Amazon

Why wouldn’t you want a Ring Doorbell?

Fine, twist my arm. I came up with a few reasons.

You don’t have a door. You poor, poor soul.
You’re renting and can’t install stuff. This is actually a legit problem. Some landlords don’t let you have nice things. I recommend moving.
You don’t like security. Don’t be that guy.

Really, though. If you have a home, you should consider one of the Ring Doorbells, or one of the accessory cameras. It’s one of those surprising connected home products that I’ve only been happy with, and that has proven itself time and time again.

Ring Doorbell

• Ring Pro Review
• Setting up a Ring
• The latest Ring Doorbell news

Amazon
Best Buy
Ring.com

Essential customers hit with deceptive phishing emails

Some customers who pre-ordered the Essential phone have reported getting suspicious emails asking for “additional verifying information.” Based on the copy someone posted on Reddit, the email is asking for a photo ID clearly showing your picture, signature and current billing address. The email was sent by an @essential address and looks pretty legit, but since the company says it’s investigating the situation and has “taken steps to mitigate” the issue, then it’s best to assume that it’s a phishing scheme or a scam of some sort. Needless to say, do not reply to it with any identifying info if you’ve received something similar.

We’re aware of & looking into a recent e-mail received by some customers. We’ve taken steps to mitigate & will update with more info soon.

— Essential (@essential) August 30, 2017

According to the replies in that Twitter and in the original Reddit threads, every email has multiple recipients, and a lot of people have already replied with copies of their IDs. Worse, they CCed the other recipients in their responses, putting themselves in even more risk. Some reported getting fraudulent transactions on their credit cards, as well.

It’s really quite easy to fall for the scheme, since the email’s identifying headers seem to check out, and it’s no secret that the company is having supply issues. However, because the company hasn’t released an official statement yet, there are lots of theories floating around. In addition to the big possibility that it’s a scam, some people think the company just misconfigured their email and sent it to multiple people at once, while others believe Essential was hacked. We’ve reached out to the company and will update you once it has revealed the results of its investigation. Here’s the full copy of the email going around:

On Aug 29, 2017, at 9:23 PM, Customer Care customercare@essential.com wrote:

Hi,

Our order review team requires additional verifying information to complete the processing of your recent order. 

This verification is performed to protect against unauthorized use of your payment information and similar to what is conducted for in-person purchases. 

Please provide an alternative email and phone number to confirm this purchase..
We would like to request a picture of a photo ID (e.g. driver’s license, state ID, passport) clearly showing your photo, signature and address. NOTE: the address on the ID should match the billing address listed on your recent order.

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your cooperation.  Once verified, we look forward to shipping your order.

Thanks!
Essential Products Customer Care

Via: 9to5google

Source: Reddit

Google Assistant is coming to more speakers and appliances

Last May, Google opened up its AI Assistant’s software development kit to the wider world of third-party smart devices, including blenders, smart locks and web cameras. At the IFA in Berlin, Google has just announced that even more gadgets will be able to integrate Google Assistant. You’ll soon see the digital helper in more speakers, various appliances and home automation systems.

Google Assistant is already part of the Google Home smart speaker, but the company is looking to enable it on various other upcoming devices, like Anker’s Zolo Mojo, Mobvoi’s TicHome Mini and Panasonic’s GA10. Google promises even more speakers as the week progresses, too. Similarly to Amazon’s quest to get Alexa on as many non-Amazon devices as possible, Google wants to ensure you can get the “OK Google” experience on as many smart speakers as possible to help tie you into the Assistant’s ecosystem.

“Ok Google, is the laundry done?” may soon become your favorite thing to ask, too. Google has also announced partnerships with companies like LG for smarter, voice-controlled washers, dryers and vacuums. You’ll make your request via an Assistant-enabled speaker or mobile phone (including an iPhone) and your smart appliance will take it from there. There are also a bunch of home automation systems connecting up with Assistant, including Honeywell, Netatmo and TP-Link. Schedule your sprinklers, turn on your slow cooker on a schedule or dim the lights when you want, all with a simple “Ok Google” command.

Follow all the latest news from IFA 2017 here!

PSVR’s crazy ‘Headmaster’ soccer heading game is on PC

With VR going mainstream, families are going to be looking for titles that won’t give their kids nightmares. One of the best of those, Headmaster, has only been available on Sony’s PlayStation VR until now, but today it arrives to the Oculus Rift and SteamVR in a surprise launch. Described by the developer Frame Interactive as the “bizarre love child of Wii Sports and Portal,” it simulates soccer heading (football, if you like) in a surreal, carnival-like “Football Improvement Center.”

The game is easy to grasp, which is one of the reasons for its popularity on the PSVR. You simply head a simulated soccer ball with the same motion you’d use in real game, and the motion tracking and graphics takes care of the rest. The balls come in streams from all over the place, and along with nets, you aim at pinatas, rubber duckies and a rotating dummy using a “knife ball.”

There’s a fairly elaborate backstory, as developer Frame Interactive describes: “You are a professional soccer player who had a bad season, so your club sent you to The Football Improvement Centre (FIC), which is not a prison. There you learn The Proper Heading Motion™ and enthusiastically participate in your re-education by passing lessons and exams until you graduate.”

Headmaster’s physics are well done, according to critics. A slow head nod will lob the ball in a curve, while a sharper snap will send it like a cannonball. “The physics feel so accurate, it’s jarring not to feel the impact of an actual soccer ball on your forehead,” Wired wrote.

A metacritic user adds that Headmaster creates the atmosphere of being “alone on a full size pitch, heading real balls into a full-size goal,” thanks to the solid game physics. “Mistakes always feel like the fault of the player and not the game.” That could be in part due to Sony’s PSVR headset, but there’s no reason why that won’t carry over to the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive.

The developer says it worked hard to keep the “surprise launch” for PC VR systems under wraps, much as Rez Infinite managed to do. There are a few new features on PC: It introduced a “lonely party mode” that supports one whole player but does let you compete against other scores. There’s also a “practice zone” to buff up your skills, and a “stadium level,” which is just the same thing but in a giant stadium. The latter feature that will be used at an upcoming Headmaster tournament at Pax West, the developers say.

Finally, there’s something called no hands support. “After thinking about the Football Improvement Centre’s strict NO HANDS policy, we created Handball Avoidance Mitts, which ‘some people’ would say are dirty oven mitts wrapped in duct tape,” Frame Interactive jokes. It’s not clear how that affects gameplay (a GIF shows it above), but the feature is currently in beta and not enabled by default. Headmaster is available starting today — check Frame Interactive’s Headmaster site for more info.

B&O and LG made a TV you can move with a remote control

A partnership between Bang & Olufsen (B&O) and LG has long been in the offing, and now the fruits of its labor have been unveiled at IFA 2017, in the form of the BeoVision Eclipse. The AV lovechild blends B&O’s audio expertise and design craftsmanship with LG’s renowned OLED technology to create a top-of-the-line television that predictably boasts a raft of impressive specs, and perhaps less predictably, a fairly controversial design.

An OLED 4K screen, integrated 450-watt three-channel sound center and LG’s most recent webOS 3.5 platform means the Eclipse does its job as a TV and does it exceptionally well. And it’s helpful, too. The BeoRemote One BT has been updated with shortcuts, and the motorized floor stand not only swivels but actually moves the TV across the floor at the push of a button, where it can be adjusted for any seating position.

But no matter where you’re sat, you won’t be able to escape the Eclipse’s biggest design feature: the sound bar that’s been slapped right across the slim glass screen, extending beyond either side. Now, according to B&O vice president Stefan K, Persson, the TV’s name, Eclipse, was chosen to represent “two outstanding objects meeting and creating something even more spectacular and beautiful”. It is certainly true that two objects have met here, but the result feels less like the beautiful creation of a partnership and more like two major companies jamming bits of technology together in a bid to create, well, something. Frankenstein’s TV, if you will. Still, its aesthetic will appeal to design fans, and you can’t argue with the goods inside it, which account for its (also) predictably high price tag. BeoVision Eclipse will be available in September as a 55-inch for $10,990/£8,920 and a 65-inch for $15,990/£11,590.

Follow all the latest news from IFA 2017 here!

Source: Bang & Olufsen

‘Sea Hero Quest’ hides dementia research inside a VR game

On the face of it, Sea Hero Quest could be just another mobile game. Cheerful, colorful and with plenty of bite-sized levels intended to test memory and spatial awareness. But while you’re captaining your little boat along snaking channels towards checkpoints, the game is watching you. It’s scoring your spatial navigation skill, one of the first innate abilities dementia sufferers experience a deterioration in. The data gathered is contributing towards a better understanding of what ‘normal’ looks like — the benchmark for navigation skill across different demographics of people. The organizations behind the game are now back with a VR sequel, and the goal of advancing dementia research even further with their gamified approach.

The data from all the playthroughs of the Sea Hero Quest mobile game is already revealing some interesting preliminary insights. Analysis shows differences in basic spatial navigation skill begins to show at around 19 years of age, suggesting that deterioration can begin earlier than expected, long before other hallmark symptoms of dementia start presenting themselves. Men and women also tend to employ different strategies to solve puzzles — choosing certain routes over others to complete a level, for example — and people from Nordic countries seem to be better than average at the game. These kind of observations are already telling scientists that different demographic and socioeconomic factors produce different results.

Sea Hero Quest VR has been created not only to renew momentum behind the citizen science project, but to also nourish a much richer dataset. The mobile game records changes in orientation as you wind your way through channels with a 22.5-degree buffer, partly because slightly erratic movement might simply be a product of finicky touchscreen controls. When you are guiding the direction of the boat with your eyes, however, control is more natural and so changes in direction are registered every 1.5 degrees. By monitoring much subtler changes in navigation, researchers will have a more detailed picture of how you went about completing a level.

Head-tracking adds another important layer to the dataset, too. While the boat is stationary, you are free to look around. What do you focus on to get your bearings, at what points do you hesitate, and where are you looking when you do? The answers to these kind of questions can help us better understand the cognitive processes behind spatial navigation, and where differences may lie between two runs of the same level even if the route and time taken are the same. For the researchers at University College London, the University of East Anglia and Alzheimer’s Research UK — who created the title with the help of game developer Glitchers and the backing of Deutsche Telekom, which hosts all the data on its servers — VR also allowed them to add a new level type: The Morris water maze.

This experiment is typically conducted with rodents. They are dropped into a small, walled pool with an invisible platform hidden somewhere below the surface. The rodents must swim around until they find this platform, and because of at least one visual identifier on the wall of the pool, they should find the platform faster in subsequent tries. It’s a spatial memory test that wasn’t possible in the mobile game, mainly because the boat moves automatically.

It works perfectly well in VR thanks to a deeper control scheme that lets you drive the boat, though you’re searching for a friendly sea monster in the game, rather than trying not to drown, which is the main motivation for rats hunting out that invisible platform. This, again, generates a whole new dataset for study and cross-referencing against initial results from the mobile game.

There are a few other potential benefits to a virtual reality sequel, the game’s creators tell us. As the whole experience is more immersive and the interface is simpler, it’s hoped that some people that wouldn’t necessarily play the mobile game might give this VR version a try. The intuitive control scheme is also an improvement over the mobile version, meaning researchers needn’t compensate as much in their analyses for players getting used to steering the ship. Launching on what’s still a fledgling medium is also expected to create some additional buzz around the title, helping to meet the goal of collecting data from 10,000 players.

I find the game pretty fun, too. The interface is cartoony and colorful, and the gameplay is in short bursts. The pick up and play nature of the game lends itself well to VR in that respect, since you can take of the headset after two minutes and still have contributed the equivalent of five hours of lab-based research. I particularly liked levels where you navigate down a winding path to a checkpoint and then attempt fire a flare in the direction of your starting point, which is much harder than it sounds (at least for me). I repeated these levels until I completed them, which is interesting data in and of itself. How many times did I replay the level, by how much did I improve each go, and how did I approach the replays differently?

The game features level completion ratings and various other types of achievements that encourage you to keep playing. What I didn’t immediately realize is the premise of the game itself is a nod to one of the sadder outcomes of the progression of dementia. You take on the role of a sailor’s son whose father is losing his memory. As you explore the various levels, you are effectively reliving entries in his journal, helping him remember the past.

If you want, you can just… play Sea Hero Quest VR, which is available now, for free, for Gear VR and Oculus Rift headsets. Like the mobile game, the VR title asks that you answer questions about your age, sex, location, and others such as how you would rate your orientation skills. You can opt-out of sharing any data, if you like, but the more information you provide, the more valuable your contribution.

Virtual reality is being well received by the medical community. VR experiences show potential in the treatment of anxiety, stress and depression, while others can raise awareness of disabilities or help us cope with the fear of death. Unfortunately, there are no effective treatments for dementia and associated conditions like Alzheimer’s disease just yet, though research continues.

The citizen science project that is Sea Hero Quest VR could be invaluable, regardless. Nearly 3 million people have downloaded the mobile game, generating what’s said to be the equivalent of more than 12,000 years of lab-based research. The VR sequel will build on this, generating more complex and accurate data, which in turn will allow us to look more deeply at differences in spatial memory across age groups, between sexes, and where varying environmental factors are at play.

In the shorter-term, how spatial navigation deteriorates may help us arrange environments that are better suited to dementia sufferers. Once we know what normal (and abnormal) results looks like, we can improve diagnosis and run better-informed, placebo-controlled studies of possible medications. On that point Deutsche Telekom’s Wolfgang Kampbartold told us: “To be able to do something in the future, the first thing you have to have is a benchmark. Because if you don’t know what normal is, you don’t know whether you are developing a disease. Like with many other diseases, the earlier you detect something, the more likely a positive outcome.”

Source: Deutsche Telekom, Alzheimer’s Research UK