Google’s own Cardboard viewer arrives in four more countries

Google’s most accessible VR headset is now available in France, the UK, Canada and Germany, via the official store. For something that was meant to bring VR to the masses, Google had been unusually coy about actually putting it out there. The search giant only started selling its own version of the headset in the US in February. Before then, you had to source from third parties (fortunately there are many), or change your cereal or newspaper of choice. Even then, headsets varied in quality for something made of cardboard, and not all the manufacturers offered the newer version, so buying was a bit of an (affordable) minefield.
Either way, if you’re sold on the Google-branded headset, expect to pay 20€/$20(CAD) or £15 depending where you are, with savings to be made if you’re willing to buy in pairs (30€/$25/£25 respectively). Shipping is free. Right now, it doesn’t look like the two other VR viewers Google sells in the US (Mattel’s View Master, and the Goggle Tech C1) are available in the new locations. It’s good to see more options reaching more places, but we all know there’s only one proper way to roll with Cardboard.

Source: Google Plus, Google Store

Google tries turning search links black

As much as Google has changed over the years, there have always been certain constants in its search results: a plain white background, 10 results per page and blue site links. However, some users have had to cross that last one off their list. The Telegraph has noticed that Google recently started testing black links, giving the page a certain This is Spinal Tap (or maybe goth) flair. There doesn’t appear to be a clear pattern that determines who gets picked, but some test subjects have reported that the links revert to blue when you log out of your Google account and sign back in.

Google has declined to comment so far (we’ve asked for a statement regardless). However, as with most such experiments, it’s safe to say that those black links aren’t guaranteed to reach everyone. Their fate likely depends on both raw test data and public feedback. The links may get the A-OK if Google sees more people clicking results, or fade into oblivion if there’s enough of a public outcry. One thing’s for sure: the very fact that this is even an issue shows just how much people take Google’s design for granted.

Google saw my blue links and they’ve painted them all black,
No colours any more, they want them to turn black! pic.twitter.com/NItnW8NF05

— Mark Summerfield (@patentology) May 9, 2016

Via: Reddit

Source: Telegraph

Google and Fiat Chrysler aren’t sure who owns self-driving car data

Google and Fiat Chrysler left a lot of questions unanswered when they unveiled their self-driving car partnership… and that’s because they haven’t answered some of those questions themselves, apparently. Fiat Chrysler chief Sergio Marchionne told guests at an event that the two companies have yet to decide who will own the data from the fleet of 100 autonomous Pacifica minivans. The vehicles need to be “viable” first, he says. He adds that the firms have yet to decide whether or not they’ll offer open source code that would help others build self-driving technology.

Nonetheless, Marchionne is optimistic. Based on his experiences, he believes that practical self-driving cars will be ready in 5 years, not the 20 that some have predicted. “It isn’t pie in the sky,” the CEO claims. He’s also suggesting that the partnership could grow once the self-driving minivan is on the road. Think of this as just a start, then — you may see a lot more in the pipeline.

Source: Reuters, New York Times

Inhabitat’s Week in Green: Chicago’s high-flying cable cars

When it comes to transportation, no vehicle is more futuristic than the hoverboard — and it’s getting a lot closer to reality. This week a French inventor broke a Guinness World Record by flying 7,388 feet on a hovering device. Meanwhile, Chicago is considering building a line of high-flying crystalline cable cars throughout the city. Chrysler and Google teamed up to create a self-driving minivan, while Lyft announced plans to launch self-driving electric taxis within a year. We also interviewed Lucas Toledo, who created the Gi FlyBike, a futuristic electric bicycle that folds in half in a single second.
This week the US celebrated a renewable energy milestone as it installed its one millionth solar system, and that figure is set to double in the next two years. San Diego is moving forward with ambitious plans to become the largest US city to run completely on renewable energy. Two German states managed to reach 100-percent renewable energy, and solar power is now cheaper than coal in Dubai.

The UK’s bright red telephone booths are iconic, yet seldom used. That’s about to change, as a company is transforming the booths into tiny offices complete with 25-inch screens, WiFi, printers and vending machines. In another example of adaptive reuse, two designers are transforming old Swiss ski gondolas into cool electric saunas that can pop up anywhere in the world. In other design and technology news, Aerofarms is planning to build the world’s largest indoor vertical farm just 45 minutes from Manhattan. And if you hate doing laundry, this bicycle washing machine makes the chore just a little more exciting.

ICYMI: RoboDoc beats humans, touchpad skin and more

Today on In Case You Missed It: The Smart Tissue Autonomous Robot performed surgery on its own (with a human standing by) and turns out, makes such fine, consistent stitches that it actually beats those done by real counterparts. Carnegie Mellon created a wristwatch display and ring system that makes the skin of your forearm a touch pad to interact with the screen. And McDonald’s made something called the McTrax placemat in the Netherland’s and music folk everywhere want one, asap.

We also rounded up the week’s big headlines in TL;DR and hope your weekend conversations touch on whether the UAE should build an artificial mountain to get more rain. As always, please share any great tech or science videos you find by using the #ICYMI hashtag on Twitter for @mskerryd.

Sesame Workshop launches an experimental new YouTube channel

The organization that’s made Sesame Street for nearly 50 years is now looking to branch out in a different way on YouTube. In addition to the existing Sesame Street channel, Sesame Workshop is now launching Sesame Studios, a channel specifically for new and experimental educational videos. It’s designed as a way to reach a new generation of kids that spend more time with smartphones and tablets than sat in front of the TV. NPR is reporting that, despite the name, the stars of Sesame Street won’t be appearing in any capacity, and will instead groom a whole new group of cute characters to win our hearts.

As Sesame Workshop CEO Jeffrey Dunn says, the outfit needed to “expand the intellectual property” and “figure out how different kids engage.” Working with YouTube is one such way, and the team is hoping it’ll make producers a lot more nimble than they have been in the past. After all, making one episode of television is a long and time-consuming process, but YouTube videos can be knocked out in days. It’ll also be cheaper, with Dunn saying that you can “create an unbelievable amount of content” for the cost of two 30 minute episodes of TV. It’ll also enable his team to take more risks knowing that failure will be tolerated since the stakes are lower.

Sesame Street has been in a period of transition for the last few years as it tries to maintain its place in the world. Sponsor-free, psychologist-approved kids TV is still as important as ever, but the Workshop was struggling with money woes. Producers had covered a shortfall in PBS funding with DVD sales, but the internet has eroded the team’s ability to sell discs. Eventually, the program signed a deal with HBO, which gets first-run rights to all new episodes for nine months before they air on PBS. The firm has also launched its own venture fund to help groom projects that could help with child development.

Via: NPR

Source: Sesame Studios (YouTube)

YouTube helps advertisers jump on viral content

With YouTube’s Google Preferred program, advertisers can target the most popular channels and categories, so that kitchen brands don’t end up on, say, the Steiner Tractor Parts channel. Now, the site will let companies catch viral trends with Google’s Preferred Breakout Videos. “Our new breakout videos offering lets them advertise on the hottest and fastest-rising videos on YouTube … so brands can be there alongside the next breakout star,” according to the blog.

While you may not care who advertises where, it will have an impact on what you watch. With the new program, advertisers will be able to quickly jump on viral content like Nae Nae or cat at a dog show with display, skippable or non-skippable video ads. Google says that it saw a 400 percent jump in spending on the Preferred program overall, which is a big deal considering that YouTube is still trying to make a profit. At the same time, music labels still believe that YouTube underpays artists compared to streaming sites like Spotify.

We reach more [18 to 49 years-olds] during prime time than the top 10 TV shows combined.

Advertisers seem to be getting with YouTube’s program, as well, to the detriment of cable TV. During its Brandcast presentation last night, YouTube pointed out that one agency, Magna Global, shifted $200 million worth of ads from television to its site. The NBA also announced that its content would become part of Google Preferred, meaning it will gain higher rankings on Google Search and YouTube. According to YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki, “we reach more [18 to 49 years-olds] during prime time than the top 10 TV shows combined.” And of course, YouTube will compete directly with cable TV next year via its upcoming Sling TV-like “Unplugged” program.

Source: YouTube