Google wants to ensnare readers in its iOS search app

If you want to dive deeply into a particular topic, consider using Google’s app for iOS instead of your other browsers. The big G has made it much quicker to find and explore articles and other content related to what you’re looking at by adding suggestions at the bottom of page. Say, you’re reading one of our CRISPR or Cassini posts: when you’re done and scroll back up, a panel will pop up from the bottom with cards that link to related pieces marked “People Also View.” The cards could lead to Wikipedia articles about the genome-editing technique or the Saturn probe, they could link to NASA pages, scientific studies — anything related to the topic, really.

This sample shows it in action while on Mars Curiosity rover’s Wikipedia page:

The feature is now out as part of the app’s latest iOS update, but unfortunately, only in the US. If you also want to spend an inordinate amount of time in its search app, though, don’t worry: Google promises to make it available in other languages and other countries in the future.

Source: Google (iTunes)

Roku might be building its own smart speaker

Roku could be next in line to create its very own smart speaker. The company’s latest batch of job offers, and recent hires, have got Variety speculating that it may be prepping an Amazon Echo clone. Roku is currently advertising for multiple roles, with an eye on recruiting audio and voice experts. One open position for a senior software engineer claims the individual will be tasked with building the company’s “center of audio excellence.” It’s also on the hunt for a “voice user interface designer” who will act as its “expert on all things voice related.”

It comes as no surprise that another company may be interested in emulating the runaway success of the Amazon Echo, and (to a lesser extent) Google Home. After all, the likes of Samsung, Sony, and Sonos (to name a few) are all pushing or pursuing similar products. But, there’s also the possibility the flurry of vacancies could simply be linked to Roku’s existing line-up.

Some of its streaming devices already boast basic voice controls, which it could be looking to expand. The company’s software can also be found on a range of affordable TVs from TLC and RCA. These sets already collect your viewing data to serve up ads, and bolstering their voice capabilities could be another way for the firm to amass user info. It could also be chasing something akin to the Element Fire TV Edition, which packs support for Amazon’s digital assistant.

Still, Roku’s recent hires do little to hide its newfound obsession with audio. Variety spotted that it’s been busy recruiting individuals with a background in speech recognition. One such person is senior software engineer Jim Cortez, who is tinkering with “voice interfaces” for his employer. Notably, Cortez co-founded Ivee, a startup that produced “home voice assistants” such as the Ivee Voice and Ivee Sleek. And, there’s the fact that Roku has dabbled in audio in the past, courtesy of its failed SoundBridge internet radio player (pictured above).

We reached out to Roku for a comment, but seeing as it didn’t respond to the original report, it’s likely keeping quiet on the matter.

Source: Variety

Self-powered patch monitors glucose levels during exercise

Diabetics could soon have an effective, non-invasive way to measure glucose levels during exercise, thanks to a patch designed by researchers at the State University of New York. The paper-based patch sticks directly onto the skin like a Band-Aid, and wicks sweat into a reservoir where it’s converted into electrical energy, powering a biosensor that monitors glucose without the need for external power.

It’s a significant develop because glucose tracking traditionally relies on invasive measures, such as pricking a finger to draw blood or sensors under the skin, which then require additional kit to provide a reading. There are some devices that can monitor glucose non-invasively through sweat, but a recurring problem for these has been too much sweat rendering the kit unusable. Preventing hypoglycaemia during exercise, then, has been a big challenge, but the new patch could represent an effective and inexpensive means of overall diabetes management which, according to the researchers, “holds considerable promise.”

Via: phys.org

Source: Micromachines

Apple Opening New Store at Meadowhall in Sheffield on iPhone 8 Launch Day

Apple today announced that its retail store at Meadowhall in Sheffield, United Kingdom reopens Friday, September 22 at 9:00 a.m. local time.

Apple’s original Meadowhall store opened in December 2005
The store has been closed for renovations since November 2016, and when it reopens later this week, it will be nearly twice as large with an updated design, likely including large glass doors, sequoia wood tables and shelves, a large video screen for Today at Apple sessions, and light boxes spanning the ceiling.

The grand reopening will coincide with iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus launch day. Friday is the first day the new smartphones can be purchased in stores.

Thursday will likely be the last business day for Apple’s temporary store at Meadowhall that has been open during the renovation process.

Apple has been a retailer at Meadowhall since December 2005.

(Thanks, Phillip!)

Related Roundup: Apple Stores
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Tim Cook Calls Today’s Launch of iOS 11 and ARKit ‘A Day To Remember’

Apple CEO Tim Cook appeared on Good Morning America earlier today to discuss topics surrounding iOS 11, taking place a few hours ahead of the software update’s launch later this afternoon. One of the major topics of the conversation Cook had with Robin Roberts centered upon augmented reality and ARKit, which will introduce advanced AR features onto compatible iPhones and iPads.

As he has in the past, Cook talked excitedly about augmented reality, explaining that the AR features of iOS 11 are a “huge” addition to the iPhone and iPad ecosystem and will be “unbelievable” for users.

“Well this is huge because it’s the first time that hundreds of millions of customers will be able to use AR for the first time. So we’re bringing it to mainstream, if you’ve got an iPhone 6s or later, you have augmented reality today.”

Roberts then pointed out that AR has been around for a long time before Apple began to work on the technology, and Cook responded by explaining that the company is “taking the complex and making it simple,” with the help of the ARKit developer framework.

Cook capped off the discussion of iOS 11 and ARKit by calling today “a day to remember.”

“This is what Apple is so fantastic at. We want everybody to be able to use AR, and so we’ve taken the complexity that developers would normally have to do in their apps, and made it simple for them to convert all of their apps to an AR experience. And the thing that is very different about Apple is that, in one day, we can make AR available for hundreds of millions of people. That will happen in a few hours from now.

The interview then shifted to the iPhone X and facial recognition, where Cook reiterated that user privacy and security are not an issue with the upcoming smartphone. “Once you place your face in the phone, it’s in the phone, and Apple doesn’t have it,” he explained, further pointing out that only those you allow access to your iPhone will be able to get the data.

“We’re very protective of our customers’ data. We believe that privacy is very important in this world, there are hackers everywhere trying to steal your information. We want it to be yours, it is not ours.”

In response to a viewer question, Cook said the cost of the iPhone X is a “value price” for the technology inside of the smartphone. He also said that “very few people” will actually pay the full price of the iPhone at launch, thanks to monthly payment plans that various carriers and Apple itself offers.

Other topics include Cook’s response to the potential end of the DACA program, as well as different user questions surrounding Face ID. You can watch the full nine-minute interview on Good Morning America’s Facebook page right here.

Related Roundup: iOS 11
Tag: Tim Cook
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Virchybike Lite indoor bike puts you in the heat of the race

Indoor cycling is a great way to get your cardio on without having to dodge traffic, but it can get a little boring. Still, dedicated spin-class bikes like Peloton are expensive (and there’s a monthly fee) and not everyone can experience the joys of cycling in front of a giant IMAX screen. Virchybike Lite, which launched on Kickstarter today, offers a different solution. It combines realistic course riding, indoor classes, a VR mode, a personalized workout trainer and more for just around $700 (the Kickstarter price, however, is around $400).

By all appearances, Virchybike Lite looks like a normal indoor bike. But look a little closer and you’ll notice a few differences. Instead of just adjusting the seat’s height, you can also move the seat forward and backward, and the handlebars can be moved horizontally and vertically as well. If you don’t quite know where to align everything, Virchybike’s app will guide you through the bike fitting proces when you first get it. Like a lot of other indoor bikes, you can also adjust the resistance levels (the app also has programs that auto-adjusts the resistance for you) and there’s a heart-rate monitor as well.

Speaking of the app, that’s really at the heart of what makes the Virchybike Lite proposition a compelling one (the app is Android only for now, though Virchybike says an iOS version will be out next year). You can either select a mode where you’re cycling through real-world courses, or play it safe with a Studio setting that mimics the feel of a spin class. There’s also an interesting VR mode, where you can use an app called “rora”, slap the phone in a VR headset like the Gear, and cycle through virtual worlds like you can on something like the VirZoom.

No matter which mode you pick, Virchybike says that the app will monitor your progress and heart rate, and will suggest modes that will cater to your particular fitness level. Oh, and you can also enable “Multiriding” and race along with family and friends if they happen to have Virchybikes too.

Perhaps the most interesting bike mode is the one that has you riding through 70-plus different real-life courses around the world. As you’re cycling through the course, you’re not just watching the road; the topography of the map actually matches the incline of your bike as you cycle along. Plus, the faster you cycle, the faster you move through the map. You also have the option changing your “gears” as you race.

And if you decide to pay a little extra, Virchybike is also going to throw in an accessory called the VR Fan. Connect it to the app, position the fan towards you and it’ll attempt to simulate the wind blowing in your face as you breeze through the Tour De France.

I saw a demo of the Virchybike Lite at a booth at TechCrunch Disrupt, and it looks like a pretty well-made bike. The seats adjusted well, and the app looks pretty polished as well. It showed me data like the cyclist’s heart rate as well as the speeds and inclines of the entire course. It doesn’t look as cool as the Virchybike Pro, which was also there for demonstration, and it definitely doesn’t have the same tilting frame. A spokesperson said that the Pro is more for professionals and gyms, while the Lite is more for home use. Unfortunately, there was no VR fan in sight, as the Virchybike folks are still looking for manufacturing partners for it.

Virchybike was created four years ago by Jaehyun Shin, a self-professed sports lover who wanted fitness to be more accessible to the masses. Specifically, he wanted to alleviate the boredom and tediousness so often associated with exercise. The first bike Shin and his team created was the RX Cycle in 2015, which then evolved to the Virchybike Pro in early 2017. But as that was a little too expensive — over $1,000 — Shin decided to make a Lite version for what he calls “family use.”

The Virchybike Lite went on Kickstarter today with a $15,000 goal, and at the time of this writing, is already almost 80 percent funded. Virchybike hopes to deliver the bikes (and the VR fans) to backers by February of next year.

Source: Virchybike Lite Kickstarter

Amazon’s $150 Fire tablet summons Alexa hands-free

To date, Amazon’s devices with hands-free voice control have been decidedly static. At last, though, they can go where you do. The internet shopping giant is launching an updated Fire HD 10, and it’s the company’s first tablet with hands-free Alexa built-in. If you want to turn down the lights or check the weather, you don’t have to tap the screen or wander within earshot of an Echo. This is far from new in the mobile world (just ask anyone familiar with “hey Siri” or “OK Google”), but it’s definitely helpful if you want access to Alexa’s skills when your tablet is across the room.

There’s only one microphone versus the array you find on an Echo, but Amazon tells us the chipset helps the Fire HD 10 efficiently listen for your commands.

This isn’t the new tablet’s only upgrade. It finally has a 1080p display, and it packs both a speedier 1.8GHz quad-core processor (Amazon isn’t mentioning the chip by name) as well as a healthier 2GB of RAM. The expandable storage now starts with 32GB built-in, too, and the 64GB option is still around if you need more built-in space. You can also expect Dolby Atmos audio support for more immersive movie watching.

The biggest upgrade might be the price, though. Amazon is taking pre-orders for the updated Fire HD 10 today ahead of its October 11th launch starting at a modest $150 (£150). That’s considerably lower than the $230 for last year’s 16GB tablet, and it’s close enough to the price of a standard Echo that you might prefer to buy this if you’re more interested in a general-purpose device than music quality. Just be sure to check for a software update if you buy one: Amazon says hands-free Alexa support will require a patch that arrives in sync with the tablet itself.

Source: Amazon

Fox readies its VR suite for a key college football matchup

From Super Bowl 51 to the recent Gold Cup broadcasts, Fox Sports has been ramping up its virtual suite tech to let viewers view big sporting events in virtual reality. Now the broadcaster, in association with fast-food company Wendy’s and the sports VR group LiveLike, has plans to offer a similar experience to college football fans as it brings historic rivals Notre Dame and Michigan State to virtual reality on September 23rd at 8:00 PM ET.

Like the past virtual suite offerings, Fox’s system will give you the opportunity to view the football action through multiple live, high-resolution camera angles and go back in time to watch your favorite plays again. You can choose the viewpoint yourself, or lean back to watch a director’s cut of the live game. New to this broadcast is a 360-degree Skycam look at the action between the Spartans and Fighting Irish, like you’re watching the game from the blimp itself. You can connect with up to four of your Facebook friends — or random fans, if you like — to watch the game together in Social VR. Plus, you can check out the pre-game action, halftime events and post-game analysis right in the VR app itself.

The Fox Sports VR app is on iOS, Android, Gear VR (and Oculus), which means all you really need is to pop your smartphone into a headset to get in on this historic football rivalry in virtual reality. Don’t want to use VR? You can watch the game on your favorite Fox channel in regular high def.

Source: Fox Sports

Watch an entire New York City music festival live in VR

NextVR and Live Nation are getting pretty good at covering concerts in VR compared to others, and now they’re amping up their ambitions. In partnership with Citi, they’ll broadcast the Global Citizen Festival live in VR from New York’s Central Park on September 23rd, with performances by The Chainsmokers, The Lumineers, Big Sean, Alessia Cara and others. They’re also presenting “Backstage with Citi,” with access to artists, bands and producers not available to concert-goers.

Virtual reality still can’t compete with the real thing, but thanks to its use of 6K RED cinema cameras and cutting edge VR production tech, Next VR has generally won over critics. It launched a partnership with Live Nation last year, and the companies have already broadcast concerts by Coldplay, Anthrax and others. NextVR has also collaborated with the NBA, broadcasting free highlights and selling VR games by subscription and à la carte.

The VR concert series will be free, apparently underwritten by Citi, a partner of the Global Citizen festival. The event — which also runs concerts in Hamburg and Mumbai — is organized by the Global Poverty Project with the aim of reducing extreme poverty. You’ll be able to watch the September 23rd Central Park concert on Samsung Gear VR or Google Daydream headsets by downloading the respective apps (from the Oculus store or Google Play) to a compatible smartphone. The Backstage with Citi segments will be available on demand on Citi’s VR channels.

TripIt will keep your shared travel plans updated in iMessage

After giving its travel organization app a tidy makeover for iOS and Android last year, TripIt is back with another update. This time it’s focussing on iPhone messaging. With the arrival of iOS 11, TripIt for iMessage can now update your shared itinerary plans to account for any changes. That includes real-time flight info for TripIt Pro users (which costs $49 per year).

Whether you change a hotel booking at the last minute or add more guests to your dinner reservation, the app will ensure people in the conversation stay on top of your plans. What’s more, all the info is automatically refreshed, meaning your friends and family needn’t leave iMessage to keep up with you. Flight info tracking in particular is a boon for frequent travellers.

Users can send all or part of their info via iMessage. But, keep in mind that all parties must have the app downloaded in order to access the itinerary.