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28
Dec

Watch a developer erase his face with the iPhone X


The iPhone X’s Face ID sensors have shown great potential for art, gaming and just weird apps, but a Japanese developer has taken another tack with the device. Using Unity, ViRD game developer @noshipu, aka Kazuya Noshiro, completely erased his face, except for his mouth and eyes, as shown in the 10-second clip below. Calling the trick “optical camouflage,” Noshiro admitted that he has no clue what it can be used for. “If you want to make your face transparent, we’re recruiting,” he joked.

iPhoneXで顔だけ光学迷彩っぽくなるやつできた pic.twitter.com/aPXJcHi8Y4

— のしぷ (@noshipu) December 27, 2017

Noshiro didn’t say exactly how the trick worked, despite curiosity from his followers. However, one person asked him if he fixed the camera to pre-record the background, and he admitted “that’s correct.” So in other words, he likely first recorded what was behind him, then masked out his face — bar his eyes and mouth — and inserted the background. The iPhone X’s motion sensors could synchronize everything with the camera movement.

The effect shows the potential of sensor-laden phones like the iPhone X — which are bound to become more common with Face ID-like security — and how ARkit can work with other developer platforms like Unity. Sure, it seems perfectly useless, which is why it might also make a pretty sweet Snapchat filter.

Via: DesignTaxi

Source: Noshipu (Twitter)

28
Dec

Apple’s original graphical OS will be available for free in 2018


If you’ve ever wanted to try Apple’s graphical interface on the Lisa, the computer that preceded the Mac, you’ve been relegated to either using an emulator or (if you’re lucky) tracking down one of the rare, expensive machines. Thankfully, it’s about to get much easier. The Computer History Museum’s Al Kossow has revealed that the source code for the Lisa’s operating system and programs will be published for free sometime in 2018. And this isn’t some unofficial effort — Apple is reviewing the code itself.

Virtually everything you’d need to give the OS a spin will be available, Kossow said. In fact, the only thing that isn’t likely to be released is the American Heritage Dictionary used for LisaWrite’s spelling checks. Sorry, you’ll just have to proofread your work when you travel back to 1983.

You probably won’t be dual-booting the Lisa’s software right away, since it was intended for a different processor (the Motorola 68000) and much stricter memory limitations. However, the very availability of the code might be crucial to preserving a key part of computing history.

The Lisa (named after Steve Jobs’ eldest daughter) was the first result of Jobs’ fateful visit to Xerox PARC, where he was blown away by researchers’ work on mouse-driven visual interfaces and set out to create a version of it that would be accessible to a mainstream audience. It was slow, limited and wildly expensive ($9,995, or about $24,560 in 2017 money), but it laid the groundwork for the Mac and virtually every other mouse-based computer that followed. The availability of the Lisa’s code should keep the vintage computer’s spirit alive well after the last system stops working, and could offer an insight into what Apple’s engineers were thinking at the time.

Via: Gizmodo

Source: Google Groups

28
Dec

Cryptocurrency windfall — Pineapple Fund gifts $1 million to Internet Archive


The anonymous benefactor of the Pineapple Fund, a bitcoin wallet with tens of millions of dollars worth of the cryptocurrency, announced a donation of a million dollars worth to the Internet Archive. The funds will go towards maintaining the archive’s vast website records, helping to provide “permanent access to websites, software books, [and] music,” forever.

Created in mid-December, the Pineapple Fund is effectively one bitcoin millionaire’s attempt to spread some of their success. The original announcement for the fund was made on the bitcoin subreddit where “Pine” claimed they had more money than they would ever need thanks to bitcoin, so would be donating more than $80 million worth to various charities and organizations. To date, the fund has gifted a million dollars, or around 66 bitcoins, to the Electronic Frontier Foundation, charities like Watsi and The Water Project, and the SENS research foundation.

Just because the latest donation isn’t aimed at saving lives though, doesn’t mean it’s less important. The Internet Archive has been operating since 1996 and helping to preserve the history of the internet. All encompassed in the “Wayback Machine,” the Internet Archive makes sure we never forget how far we have come since those early message boards and Geocities sites.

As much as that is great for those deep dives you make to remind yourself how terrible web design used to be, as VentureBeat points out, it serves another valid purpose in maintaining the true history of website content. That way companies and governments cannot whitewash history or pretend something didn’t happen. While social media users make sure that’s the case with their screenshot abilities, the Internet Archive is a legitimate source of historical truth on the internet.

The Archive’s Katie Barrett published a thank you message to Pine and said how great it was to see those who originally dreamed so big with bitcoin seeing a return on their confidence.

“We so admire this donor using bitcoin as the currency of giving this season, and are honored to be the recipients of such a gift. Whoever you are, you are doing a world of good. Thank you,” she said.

All of this is only possible as of late thanks to the extreme spike in the value of bitcoin. While the Pineapple Fund’s creator plans to give away more than 5,000 bitcoins in total (see them here), if they had done so at the start of 2017 that would have amounted to just over $5 million. Today, it’s worth more than $80 million and who knows how high it might go by the time they’re finished with their philanthropic goals.

Editors’ Recommendations

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  • The Facebook community has already raised over $2 million for Giving Tuesday




28
Dec

Helli helmet automatically calls an ambulance if you crash your motorcycle


We’ve covered some pretty darn smart motorcycle helmets here at Digital Trends. But while a lot of them offer superior protection in the event of an accident, a new helmet wants to go even further — by promising to call emergency services and text your relatives if you’re in a crash.

Called Helli, it’s the creation of a startup in Pakistan, where only 3 percent of households have cars, and people are therefore far more likely to drive a motorcycle. In addition to calling for an ambulance and your next of kin in the event of an accident, the Helli helmet also comes equipped with Bluetooth, speakers, blood oxygen sensor-based heart rate monitor, and a dashcam.

“We started developing this for two key reasons,” Waqas Khalil, managing director of manufacturers Let’s Innovate, told Digital Trends. “The first one is the fact that a few of our team members use motorbikes to commute, and it was almost impossible to get hold of them while they were commuting. We looked at the options available and everything was either too expensive or way too basic. So we thought let’s develop a helmet that would solve the connectivity problem, but also at the same time increase rider safety. This is where we started incorporating emergency SMS, rider heart rate, and health systems into the helmet using a companion app.”

At present, the team is in closed beta phase for the project, with riders busy testing and providing feedback on the device. The helmets are also being put through the necessary stress testing to improve their shape and strength. Khalil said that the team is working toward a launch sometime in the middle of 2018, or sooner if everything goes perfectly.

“Our pricing tiers vary depending on the market and the feature set in place,” he continued. “Our initial launchpad is Pakistan or relatively low income markets, where a basic version of Helli would cost between $70 and $150, [depending] on taxes.”

This isn’t the first smart helmet we have covered. Previous crowdfunding favorite Skully demonstrated the market for connected bike helmets — only to run into financial problems. Given the possibility for Helli to save lives, let’s hope it can manage to deliver on all its promises!

Editors’ Recommendations

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  • Ditch your bulky commuter bike helmet and ride smarter with the foldable Lid




28
Dec

Physical keyboards live on! Here are seven QWERTY phones you can buy right now


There is clearly something about using a smartphone with a physical keyboard. Often regarded as defunct tech, QWERTY phones still live, and there are numerous examples still on sale today. Surprisingly, they aren’t all made by BlackBerry, either. If you like the soft click of a key under your finger instead of the cold, unforgiving surface of a touchscreen, then this roundup is especially for you.

Regardless which major network you prefer, there is a QWERTY-equipped smartphone out there with your name on it — even if you want to spend no money at all. Just don’t expect any of them to rival an iPhone X or a Samsung Galaxy S8 when it comes to design and specs. It’s still a smartphone with a built-in keyboard, after all.

The Best

Blackberry KeyOne

If you’re like us, you have a soft spot in your heart for Blackberry phones. With great battery life, unmatched keyboard shortcuts and customization, and excellent build quality you won’t find a lot of QWERTY phones as good as a Blackberry. The Blackberry KeyOne takes the top of our list. This TCL-built smartphone has the superb build quality that you expect from a traditional Blackberry phone. It has a vibrant 4.5-inch, 1080p display, which makes it very sharp at 433 pixels per inch. It is perfectly usable outdoors, although it isn’t the brightest display we’ve ever tried. Out of the box, it comes bundled with Android 7.1.1, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor, and 32GB of built-in storage, but there’s a MicroSD card slot in case you need more. Blackberry is all about security, so it comes with added security features, and of course, as you would expect from a Blackberry, the best QWERTY keyboard you’ll find.

The KeyOne will set you back $450 if you buy it from Amazon or BestBuy and $500-$530 if you buy it from Sprint or AT&T. You can opt to pay for it monthly, however, if you buy it through a carrier. You can read our in-depth review of the Blackberry KeyOne to find out why we love it so much.

Buy one now from:

Amazon AT&T Sprint Best Buy

The Rest

BlackBerry Priv

Before the KeyOne, the Priv was the most sought-after phone with a QWERTY keyboard, and for good reason. It was BlackBerry’s flagship and looks much like a standard touchscreen phone, but with a slide-out keyboard that lives under the display when not in use.

In making the Priv, BlackBerry did away with BlackBerry OS in favor of Android, opening up the device to the millions of apps on the Google Play Store, as well as an operating system that you’re probably more familiar with. It also offers a display with 2560 x 1440-pixel resolution, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, and a MicroSD card to expand on that storage. The rear camera is 18MP, and it’s further by a 2MP front-facing camera. It’s a cool $250-plus to buy unlocked. Read our full review here.

Buy one now from:

AmazonBest Buy Walmart

BlackBerry Passport

The Passport looks like a blend of classic BlackBerry devices and modern design, and while it’s a nice-looking phone, it will only work through GSM carriers such as AT&T and T-Mobile.

The price is $195, and for that, you are getting decent specs, including a quad-core Snapdragon processor, a 4.5-inch HD screen, and a 13-megapixel rear camera. The keyboard has been updated for modern times and is designed for total typing accuracy, plus it has a cool set of touch-based gesture controls. Read our full review here.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

BlackBerry Classic

Another BlackBerry device, the Classic is a classic-looking phone indeed. It’s priced at $250, runs BlackBerry 10, and has a 3.5-inch screen above the traditional physical keyboard. It’ll connect to 4G networks, and has an 8-megapixel camera on the back.

The Classic is really aimed at the BlackBerry fanatic – someone who misses the days of BlackBerry being the king of the phone world. If you’re not already familiar with BlackBerry OS, you’ll have to get familiar to use the Classic. The price of the Classic depends entirely on which carrier you’re with. Read our full review here.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

LG Extravert 2

The optimistically named Extravert 2 is another device with a side-sliding QWERTY keyboard, which is covered over by a 3.2-inch touchscreen. It’s a chunky little thing at 15mm thick (twice that of a new iPhone), and only has a 2-megapixel camera on the back, but the battery should last 17 days on standby, which the new iPhone definitely can’t match.

At $89 without a contract, it’s just the right price for a feature phone.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

LG Xpression

The LG Xpression is very similar to the Extravert 2, but made for AT&T instead of Verizon. It features a slide-out keyboard, along with a 2MP camera and Bluetooth 2.1. Yes, it’s outdated, but this wouldn’t be the phone to buy if you needed something up to date. It’s about the same price as the Extravert 2, coming in at $80, and it’s probably just about right for what it has to offer.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

LG Cosmos 3

If the Extravert’s 17 days of standby isn’t enough, then how about the more than 30 offered by the Cosmos 3? This feature phone also has a slide-out QWERTY keyboard hidden underneath a small screen and alphanumeric keypad combo and comes with a 1.3-megapixel camera, and – wait for it – software that includes a tip calculator. Dizzying stuff. You can buy a Verizon Prepaid LG Cosmos 3 for $75 at Amazon.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Update: We checked that all the prices and links are up-to-date, and added the Blackberry KeyOne.

Editors’ Recommendations

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  • Got a Benjamin to burn? Here’s the best gear and gadgetry under $100




28
Dec

Ethereum vs. bitcoin: What’s the difference?


Cryptocurrencies can be a little confusing. Are they digital money or more like gold? Are they a new way to pay for things online or a way to store value? Those aren’t easy questions to answer when you’re talking about hundreds of different cryptocurrencies, some old, some new, and some very different from the rest. When you focus Ethereum vs. bitcoin, though, there are some stark, obvious differences.

Their age is the most obvious, with bitcoin having entered this world as the very first global cryptocurrency in 2009 and Ethereum only showing up in 2015 as a potential alternative. Although it is less proven than its predecessor, Ethereum does have a few nifty features which give it a lot more potential than its older sibling in some key areas. For the purpose of this guide, we’ll look at two shared aspects of the cryptocurrencies: Their ability to act as a store of value and as transactional mediums. We’ll also take a look at some of the unique features which make them stand apart.

If you want a more general look at cryptocurrencies, or the steps for how to buy, sell or trade bitcoin and Ethereum, have a read of some of our other guides.

As a store of value

The most successful cryptocurrency for storing value continues to be bitcoin. As the most valuable coin in the world by quite some margin — and the progenitor of the entire cryptocurrency revolution — bitcoin has proven itself. It’s far more recognized than any of its peers, and that makes it easier to buy, store, and sell.

That’s not to say that Ethereum and its coin, Ether, have been ineffective. For such a young currency, Ethereum has proved to be one of the most popular. At the time of writing its market value and 24-hour trading volume are second only to Bitcoin. The actual monetary value for a single “ETH” however, is less than five percent of bitcoin, so owning a few Ether is no way near as pleasant as owning a few bitcoin.

Part of that is down to bitcoins’ built-in scarcity. There is a hard limit on the eventual number of bitcoins, with diminishing returns for miners as they approach that mythical 21 million mark. One day no more bitcoins will be created, and no matter how many end up being lost, no more will be made. Thanks to supply and demand, that means bitcoin should, in theory, grow in value, at least until no more coins appear.

In comparison, Ethereum will continue to release the same amount of Ether on a regular basis forever, so its supply will remain constant and expanding.

Cryptocurrencies are nothing if not volatile, though, and as much as it seems most likely that bitcoin will remain the king of the cryptocurrencies for the foreseeable future, there is no guarantee of that.

As a transactional medium

Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images

Although bitcoin is better at storing value than Ethereum, at least for now, Ether has quickly become a preferred method for transferring wealth to and from people and entities. In the middle of 2017, it overtook bitcoin in the number of daily transactions, and that shows no sign of stopping, with more than double the number of transactions taking place with Ether on a daily basis at the time of writing.

This is because Ethereum can be used as a platform for other cryptocurrencies, and also because Ether transactions tend to be confirmed quicker by the blockchain. It’s built to be more efficient than bitcoin, partly through virtue of being a newer and more optimized cryptocurrency. The specifics of it are rather complicated, but if you want to dig into them, there are some great breakdowns that will let you dive as deep as you want to go.

Another advantage of using Ethereum over bitcoin for transactions is that its fees tend to be far lower. Although there is always the potential that Ethereum will face increased fees as it hits the same sort of scaling walls as other cryptocurrencies, that is unlikely to happen in the same manner as it has bitcoin, so fees will likely remain lower for some time to come.

Empowering others

While the main uses of Ethereum and Ether make it quite different from bitcoin, arguably the biggest difference is in the underlying technology itself — and what that means for other cryptocurrencies. Technically, Ethereum isn’t a cryptocurrency at all, but a special kind of blockchain technology that not only powers Ether transfers between people, but can be used to create all kinds of other cryptocurrencies — and it has.

Part of the reason there are so many crpytocoins today is that many of them are built on Ethereum’s underlying technology, even relying on it entirely in some cases. While the specifics of that are beyond the scope of this guide, it’s all possible because of one key feature that Ethereum has that bitcoin doesn’t: Smart contracts.

Where bitcoin supports quite simple scripting (comparatively), Ethereum can handle much more complexity thanks to its smart contract system. It makes it possible to set simple rules which have to be followed, effectively forcing contractual compliance in a manner that would never be possible with a real-world contract, without some sort of middleman.

An example of how that would work, is that it could be used to effectively emulate a crowd-funding website, only releasing a collection of Ether when a threshold has been reached. No Kickstarter company required. Ethereum operates in a manner that is far more decentralizing than bitcoin, even if its monetary impact on the world has yet to reach the heady heights of its bigger and older crypto-brother.

So, which is best?

Jaap Arriens/Getty Images

Although you will easily find people willing to definitively tell you that one cryptocurrency (even outside of the Ethereum vs. bitcoin debate) is better than the other, that would do a disservice to whichever the ‘loser’ is. Both bitcoin and Ethereum have their advantages and like most other cryptocurrencies, which one is right for you is very much dependent on your financial situation and what you want out of your investment.

If you want to buy in to the most proven cryptocurrency with the most developer support, bitcoin is the better of the two currencies. It’s the most expensive out there though and its transaction fees are high, so if you want a big return on what you’re putting into it, you’ll need to have plenty to spend and be patient. Bitcoin has repeatedly swung upwards and downwards in value in recent weeks, and its historic crashes can be devastating for those with big money invested. But as the die-hard fans often say, just “hold.”

If you plan to make more regular transactions, to pay for goods or services, or send cryptocurrency to a loved one, Ethereum is much more manageable. With less of a scaling problem, its blockchain is far more open and you’ll see your currency confirmed far faster. You’ll be charged much less for the privilege too. It’s not perfect, but it’s far better than bitcoin in that respect.

As with all of our coverage of cryptocurrency here on Digital Trends though, if you plan to put money into bitcoin or Ethereum, do your research first. This is still a young venture and the future of any and all of them is far from certain.

Editors’ Recommendations

  • How to buy Ethereum
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  • The best bitcoin wallets




28
Dec

Charge your phone from three feet away with the new WattUp from Energous


Most of us have yet to experience the joys of wireless charging — Apple’s AirPower, after all, isn’t due out for a few months yet. But thanks to a new FCC approval, we may be able to skip right past that step in the evolution of powering devices. Meet the WattUp Mid Field transmitter from San Jose-based startup Energous. It claims to be capable of converting electricity into radio frequencies, and then sending the resulting energy to devices up to three feet away. All those devices need are the appropriate receiver to accept the charge. So not only will you not have the plug in your phone in the future, you won’t even need to be all that near a charger in order to rejuice your device.

While today’s wireless charging solutions still require smartphones and tablets to be placed on a charging pad, the WattUp Mid Field transmitter needs no such proximity. In fact, no physical contact is needed whatsoever. And better still, the WattUp purports to be able to recharge several devices at the same time, with no regard for what the device is. So whether it’s your computer, your wireless headphones, or your smartwatch (or all three) that is in need of some more battery, simply place the corresponding receiver on those devices, and power on WattUp.

Energous also noted that its WattUp ecosystem “ensures interoperability between receivers and transmitters, regardless of the manufacturer.” That means if you’ve an Apple device but a Samsung transmitter, you’ll still be able to recharge remotely.

“Older wireless charging technologies have received limited adoption over the past 15 years, and are confined to contact-based charging only. The FCC certification of Energous’ power-at-a-distance wireless charging transmitter is a major market milestone,” Energous president and CEO Stephen R. Rizzone said. “Untethered, wire-free charging — such as charging a fitness band even while wearing it — is exactly what consumers have been waiting for.”

Unfortunately, you’ll still have to wait awhile longer to get your hands on one of these WattUps, as there aren’t any retail units available yet. Energous plans to show off its technology at CES 2018, which will take place January 9-12 in Las Vegas, and we’ll update you with any additional news.

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28
Dec

Charge your phone from three feet away with the new WattUp from Energous


Most of us have yet to experience the joys of wireless charging — Apple’s AirPower, after all, isn’t due out for a few months yet. But thanks to a new FCC approval, we may be able to skip right past that step in the evolution of powering devices. Meet the WattUp Mid Field transmitter from San Jose-based startup Energous. It claims to be capable of converting electricity into radio frequencies, and then sending the resulting energy to devices up to three feet away. All those devices need are the appropriate receiver to accept the charge. So not only will you not have the plug in your phone in the future, you won’t even need to be all that near a charger in order to rejuice your device.

While today’s wireless charging solutions still require smartphones and tablets to be placed on a charging pad, the WattUp Mid Field transmitter needs no such proximity. In fact, no physical contact is needed whatsoever. And better still, the WattUp purports to be able to recharge several devices at the same time, with no regard for what the device is. So whether it’s your computer, your wireless headphones, or your smartwatch (or all three) that is in need of some more battery, simply place the corresponding receiver on those devices, and power on WattUp.

Energous also noted that its WattUp ecosystem “ensures interoperability between receivers and transmitters, regardless of the manufacturer.” That means if you’ve an Apple device but a Samsung transmitter, you’ll still be able to recharge remotely.

“Older wireless charging technologies have received limited adoption over the past 15 years, and are confined to contact-based charging only. The FCC certification of Energous’ power-at-a-distance wireless charging transmitter is a major market milestone,” Energous president and CEO Stephen R. Rizzone said. “Untethered, wire-free charging — such as charging a fitness band even while wearing it — is exactly what consumers have been waiting for.”

Unfortunately, you’ll still have to wait awhile longer to get your hands on one of these WattUps, as there aren’t any retail units available yet. Energous plans to show off its technology at CES 2018, which will take place January 9-12 in Las Vegas, and we’ll update you with any additional news.

Editors’ Recommendations

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28
Dec

Charge your phone from three feet away with the new WattUp from Energous


Most of us have yet to experience the joys of wireless charging — Apple’s AirPower, after all, isn’t due out for a few months yet. But thanks to a new FCC approval, we may be able to skip right past that step in the evolution of powering devices. Meet the WattUp Mid Field transmitter from San Jose-based startup Energous. It claims to be capable of converting electricity into radio frequencies, and then sending the resulting energy to devices up to three feet away. All those devices need are the appropriate receiver to accept the charge. So not only will you not have the plug in your phone in the future, you won’t even need to be all that near a charger in order to rejuice your device.

While today’s wireless charging solutions still require smartphones and tablets to be placed on a charging pad, the WattUp Mid Field transmitter needs no such proximity. In fact, no physical contact is needed whatsoever. And better still, the WattUp purports to be able to recharge several devices at the same time, with no regard for what the device is. So whether it’s your computer, your wireless headphones, or your smartwatch (or all three) that is in need of some more battery, simply place the corresponding receiver on those devices, and power on WattUp.

Energous also noted that its WattUp ecosystem “ensures interoperability between receivers and transmitters, regardless of the manufacturer.” That means if you’ve an Apple device but a Samsung transmitter, you’ll still be able to recharge remotely.

“Older wireless charging technologies have received limited adoption over the past 15 years, and are confined to contact-based charging only. The FCC certification of Energous’ power-at-a-distance wireless charging transmitter is a major market milestone,” Energous president and CEO Stephen R. Rizzone said. “Untethered, wire-free charging — such as charging a fitness band even while wearing it — is exactly what consumers have been waiting for.”

Unfortunately, you’ll still have to wait awhile longer to get your hands on one of these WattUps, as there aren’t any retail units available yet. Energous plans to show off its technology at CES 2018, which will take place January 9-12 in Las Vegas, and we’ll update you with any additional news.

Editors’ Recommendations

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28
Dec

Lenovo’s stand-alone Daydream VR headset finally appears on FCC site, with a name


Documents uploaded to the Federal Communications Commission’s “exhibits list” online directory reveals that Lenovo is getting close to launching its stand-alone VR headset based on Google’s Daydream platform. One document clearly lists the upcoming product as “Mirage Solo with Daydream,” which may not be officially announced for another 180 days based on another document dated on December 11, 2017.

Google revealed HTC and Lenovo as its two main partners producing Daydream-based VR headsets during its developers conference earlier this year. Since then, HTC has jumped ship to “focus” on a similar Google-free stand-alone VR headset sold exclusively in China. Meanwhile, Lenovo’s version remained in development limbo with no release date in sight. Now, at least, we have a name and a possible release window.

The upcoming Android-powered headset will be based on a reference design created by Qualcomm. The big selling point is that it incorporates Google’s WorldSense technology, which doesn’t require external sensors to track the position of your head. The means you can move through physical space to fully interact with the virtual environment without all the wiring associated with desktop-tethered VR headsets.

Of course, in the virtual realm, you can’t see where objects and people reside in physical space. That’s where the “world sense” aspect comes in: The technology maps your current environment, so the headset knows where people are sitting, the location of furniture, and so on. With PC-based headsets like the HTC Vive, owners must manually establish a static “play area” during the setup process, and there’s no object detection.

The Mirage Solo will be a different VR headset than what Lenovo currently offers for Windows 10. Released in October, the $300 Explorer is a “Windows Mixed Reality” headset that requires a compatible Windows 10-based PC, connecting to its HDMI and USB ports using a 13-foot cable. But similar to the stand-alone unit, Lenovo’s PC-based VR headset doesn’t require external sensors to track movement although its not using Google’s WorldSense technology.

Qualcomm’s current stand-alone VR headset reference design is based on the Snapdragon 835 mobile processor. The kit includes an integrated digital signal processor to free up the main processor and graphics cores, an AMOLED display with a 2560 x 1440 resolution, head-tracking cameras, 3D positional audio, and more.

But given that Qualcomm just introduced the Snapdragon 845 chip at the beginning of December, the Mirage Solo would essentially be an outdated device if it lands on the market this spring packing the older Snapdragon 835 chip. Product testing began on September 1 and concluded on December 7, so the device could rely on either chip at this point.

The Mirage Solo’s appearance on the FCC indicates it passed specific tests for Wireless AC and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. The only “diagram” revealed in the documents is a basic two-second illustration: A rounded rectangle and two circles for the headset, and a larger, single circular for the head strap. This diagram simply shows where Lenovo must place the FCC label.

Editors’ Recommendations

  • HTC may reveal its China-bound stand-alone VR headset later this month
  • Google Daydream View 2 vs. Oculus Go — which will be the better VR experience?
  • HTC’s stand-alone Vive Focus killed off its Daydream headset in the U.S.
  • Leaked benchmarks for new Windows 10 laptops show meager performance
  • The stand-alone VR headset market just got bigger with Facebook’s new Oculus Go