Oculus disables Gear VR app on Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7
Oculus has pushed an update to the Galaxy Note 7 that disables the Gear VR app on the device, according to several sources. Instead of loading the app, it shows a message (above) stating that “until further notice, Note 7 devices will not be compatible with the Gear VR.” The move is a prudent one, given the device’s tendency to catch fire or even explode, and the fact that the Gear VR puts the smartphone in close proximity to your face and eyes.
Samsung has explicitly stated that Galaxy Note 7 owners should “power down and take advantage of the remedies available, including a refund at their place of purchase.” The Oculus update disabling the headset was first reported by Reddit user Bahaman23 and confirmed by Android Central. Despite the danger, some Redditors are complaining that they can no longer use not only their Galaxy Note 7s, but their Gear VR headsets, too. (We’ve reached out to Oculus and Samsung for more details.)
You do have options with a new Gear VR, however, provided you’re willing to stay in the Samsung camp (and it would be hard to blame you if you didn’t). The headset supports older Samsung headsets that don’t explode, including the Galaxy S7, S7 Edge, S6, S6 Edge and Note 5, according to Samsung’s site. All of those devices (including the Galaxy S6 Edge, I can confirm) still work with the Gear VR. If you still want smartphone-based VR but have had it with Samsung, your best bet might be Google’s new Pixel phones and the Daydream VR headset.
Via: Android Central
Source: Reddit
Skype’s live translations are now available in Russian
Since launching last year, Microsoft has steadily been building out Skype’s automatic live-translating ability, and making it even easier to speak with more people around the world. The feature, which translates the voice of the person on the other end of your skype call into instant subtitles, can now handle voice-to-text for Russian, in addition to the eight other languages it already supports.
As the eighth most popular spoken language in the world, it makes sense that Russian would join English, Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, Italian, Portuguese and Arabic. If you’re only texting via Skype chat, rather than video calling, Skype also supports text-to-text translations in over 50 different languages.
With so many Russian dialects, Skype Translator is bound to be a little clunky with the language at first, but the company claims its built-in machine learning layer will continue to improve the translations as more and more people use it. While the feature will technically translate between any of two of the supported languages, it works best between English and a second language — but it will also get smarter about that as it gets more use over time.
For now, Skype Translator only works for the Windows Desktop version of Skype.
IMAX VR is coming to Manchester this year
IMAX is teaming up with Odeon to launch a pilot “VR centre” in the UK. The new facility, based at the Printworks multiplex in Manchester, will house modular “pods” that can be adapted for different experiences. So whatever you want to do — a solo film viewing, or a group session in a game like Star Trek Bridge Crew — the centre should be able to facilitate it. For the hardware, IMAX is teaming up with Acer and Starbreeze AB, which make the StarVR headset. The content portion is a mystery, although IMAX has hinted it’s working with “Hollywood studios” and game publishers.
Virtual reality is in high demand right now. The HTC Vive and Oculus Rift are now widely available, and Sony’s PlayStation VR is launching this week. Google has unwrapped its own Daydream View headset and Oculus has revealed plans for a new, self-contained unit of its own. That’s led to some interest from the entertainment industry — theme parks, for instance, are now using VR headsets to modify and enhance their existing rollercoasters. In the UK, mentalist and illusionist Derren Brown has even created a new type of ride, mixing VR and live action, inside Thorpe Park.
High-end VR is expensive, for now. IMAX’s centres could, therefore, appeal to people who only have a mild or passing interest in VR. A sensible strategy — not everyone has the funds, or space, to invest in a gaming PC and Rift-level headset right now. IMAX also seems to be skewing toward original, exclusive content. That could appeal to both new and longtime VR enthusiasts who have grown tired of the games available elsewhere. IMAX says each experience will last between 5 and 15 minutes — not too long, then — and will eventually include films shot with its JUMP camera.
The new VR centre will open “by the end of 2016.” IMAX is also “in the process” of launching a facility in Los Angeles, and hopes to open additional locations in China, Japan, the US, the Middle East and Western Europe “in the coming months.” These will be pilots too, so that the company can figure out which experiences and pricing models work best. With this information in hand, IMAX then hopes to push the concept globally, spanning multiplexes, shopping malls and tourist destinations.
Casual ‘Pokemon Go’ trainers now have a fighting chance
Pokémon Go players know if their pocket monster is a catch and even have one of them scurry behind your avatar. The latest update is aimed at balancing the in-game battles, giving the Pidgeottos and Mr. Mimes of the world a (slightly) better chance against the constant armies of Dragonites and Snorlaxes resident in most Pokémon gyms. Not only will trainers be be able to bring six Pokémon to the fight, the CP (Combat Points) of rival Pokémon will be nerfed to match your own team’s battle level. However, Niantic Labs says that the CP ranking “may” be lowered, suggesting it may not always be the case.
A catch bonus will also come into effect: the more of a certain type you catch, the easier it’ll be to snag more of them. (This is key to getting the more advanced, evolved versions — you need to capture a lot of Pikachus to evolve one into Raichu.) The developer has also decreased the evolution animation time — which often took longer than catching the Pokémon in the first place.
Now, if the game could kindly direct me towards the nearest Charizard, I’d be very grateful.
Source: Pokemon Go
Apple Shares Hit New High for 2016 as Samsung Considers Scrapping Note 7 Brand
Samsung is likely to permanently stop selling its Galaxy Note 7 smartphones following the latest halt of sales and production, according to reports on Tuesday.
Samsung halted sales and paused production of the Note 7 smartphones in the last 24 hours and told owners to power down the devices while it investigates reports of fires, fueling expectations the tech giant will scrap the flagship device.
The BBC this morning referred to “unnamed sources” cited by South Korean Hankyoreh newspaper claiming that Samsung would can the device and seek to make up for lost Note 7 sales through its Galaxy S7 models as well as the Note 5, which was the predecessor for the Note 7.
Separately, Reuters reported Samsung is now considering permanently halting sales of its flagship smartphones as an option, “according to a source familiar with the matter”. The person declined to be identified because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
Samsung did not immediately comment on the BBC report, but told Reuters no final decision had been made. Meanwhile, the South Korean finance minister said it would hurt the country’s exports if the device is scrapped altogether.
“Right now we can’t tell what the impact will be in the long term. It’s up to the company and the government cannot interfere,” Yoo Il-ho said. “But if they do scrap the model, it will have a negative impact on exports.”
According to analysts, the Note 7 recall could cost Samsung as many as 19 million lost unit sales, or as much as $17 billion, if it permanently stops selling the smartphone for a second time, following multiple reports of replacement handsets setting on fire.
“This has probably killed the Note 7 brand name,” said Edward Snyder, managing director of Charter Equity Research. “By the time they fix the problem they have to go through recertification and re-qualification and by the time that happens, they’re going up against the [Galaxy] S8 launch.”
Investors wiped $18.8 billion off Samsung’s market value on Tuesday as its shares closed down 8 percent, their biggest daily percentage decline since 2008. Meanwhile, Apple stock closed on Monday up 1.9 percent at $116.05 per share, its highest value this year. Apple is now trading at levels not seen since December 2015 and has jumped 20 percent over the past three months, partly on renewed optimism over iPhone 7 sales, but also in response to its arch rival’s woes.
“The Apple share price was doing nothing for over a year – it was considered ex-growth – now it’s possibly the only game in town when it comes to buying a mobile phone,” said Michelle McGrade, chief investment officer at TD Direct Investing.
However, with last week’s launch of its own-branded Pixel smartphones, Google is also expected to benefit.
“From Google’s perspective the timing couldn’t have worked out better for them in that they’re essentially trying to compete now in the premium sector against the likes of Apple and Samsung,” said Creative Strategies analyst Ben Bajarin, speaking to the BBC.
“Now with this issue around Samsung and some questions and stigma around the brand, the product itself, could certainly help Google out. But I think Apple’s definitely the biggest beneficiary from here. If there were people on the fence about whether or not to get an iPhone 7 Plus, for example, which is kind of in the same size range as the Note 7, that was one of the things that we think is benefitting Apple the most, just because that’s a competitive product and it’s an established brand,” Mr Bajarin added.
The news comes on the same day the two companies are set to face off in the Supreme Court over a long-running smartphone design patent case.
Tags: Samsung, Galaxy Note 7
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Facebook Launches New Team Collaboration Tool Called ‘Workplace’
Facebook yesterday officially launched its ‘Workplace’ platform, an organization and business collaboration tool to rival the likes of Slack.
Previously known as Facebook Work, Workplace combines social network, chat messenger, and productivity features to help teams work together online. The app includes groups, custom profiles and ad-free news feeds, including tools for team members to make audio and video calls as well as host live broadcasts.
There’s also something called Multi-Company Groups, which allows employees from different organizations to work together.
Workplace is free for non-profits and schools, but Facebook will charge commercial users of the platform $3 per month for organizations of up to 1,000 people, and as low as $1 per month for organizations comprising over 10,000 employees.
That contrasts with Slack’s Standard plan of $6.67 per user and its Free tier, which has some search and archive limitations.
Workplace exists as a web interface and an iOS app similar in style to Facebook’s other mobile offerings. The app is a free download for iPhone and iPad available on the App Store. [Direct Link]
Tag: Facebook
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Oculus disables Gear VR functionality on Galaxy Note 7 due to fire concerns
Oculus, the Facebook-owned company that powers the software inside Samsung’s virtual reality ambitions (as well as the Oculus Rift headset, sold separately), has disabled its app from working with the Galaxy Note 7 after a number of replacement phones reportedly caught fire over the weekend.
Image from Reddit user Panda_Turtle
As first reported on Reddit, and confirmed by Android Central, Oculus has issued a forced update to its mobile app that, when paired with a Galaxy Note 7 inside a new Gear VR headset, shows the following message:
Customer safety is Oculus’ top priority. Oculus is removing support for all Note7 devices on the Oculus platform. Until further notice, Note7 devices will not be compatible with the Gear VR. For more information regarding the Note7, please contact Samsung directly.
While the move has annoyed current Note 7 owners, many of whom don’t see the immediate danger of owning a device that Samsung explicitly says should no longer be turned on, we applaud the company’s move, even though it probably should have happened the moment the phone was first recalled in early September. Facial burns probably wouldn’t be a good PR association for the up-and-coming VR giant.
The software update doesn’t appear to affect any other compatible Galaxy devices, like the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, which have not been affected by the battery debacle.
Samsung Galaxy Note 7
- Galaxy Note 7 fires and recall: Everything you need to know
- Do not buy a Galaxy Note 7 right now
- Samsung Galaxy Note 7 review
- The latest Galaxy Note 7 news
- Join the Note 7 discussion in the forums!
Duke hopes HoloLens will assist with tricky brain surgeries
When Microsoft envisioned the medical world embracing HoloLens in the future, it wasn’t kidding around. Duke University is testing the augmented reality headset as an assistive tool for difficult brain surgeries like extraventricular drain placement, which relieves potentially fatal pressure. Instead of relying on CT scans and markers to insert a catheter into the skull during the draining procedure, Duke’s doctors would use HoloLens to overlay a reconstructed CT scan on the patient’s head. The virtual approach should not only be more accurate than conventional markers (the target is frequently too small or shifts around), but faster and simpler.
The newer hardware is particularly important, too. Augmented reality surgery is nothing new, but HoloLens eliminates a large amount of the jittering and lag that simply wouldn’t be acceptable during delicate operations.
Duke has only tested HoloLens on a model so far, and only with that one procedure. It won’t shock you to hear that the school wants to prove the wearable can work in real situations and different procedures before there’s widespread adoption. However, it’s not hard to see HoloLens and other augmented reality gear becoming a mainstay in operating theaters. Surgeons could spend more time completing procedures and less time fretting that one slip might endanger a patient.
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Duke University
Theranos faces lawsuit from a major investor
When Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes announced that the company was shifting its focus, she said her team is lucky to have investors who believe in its mission. But there’s at least one major investor who doesn’t, and it has already sued the controversial blood-testing provider. According to The Wall Street Journal, Partner Fund Management (PFM) LP is accusing the startup of convincing it to pour $100 million into the startup by feeding it a “series of lies.” The San Francisco-based hedge fund firm filed the lawsuit in Delaware today and sent out a letter to its own investors.
In the letter, the firm said:
“Through a series of lies, material misstatements, and omissions, the defendants (Theranos), engaged in securities fraud and other violations by fraudulently inducing PFM to invest and maintain its investment in the company.”
It went on to say that Holmes and former COO Sunny Balwani deceived PFM by claiming that their proprietary technologies were close to getting regulatory approval. PFM was reportedly told that Theranos’ proprietary machine called Edison was capable of performing more types of tests than it actually was. The fund also accuses Holmes and co. of overstating their capabilities to meet the Walgreens’ demands. Walgreens, if you’ll recall, used to offer Theranos blood tests in its drugstores. Thus, the fund has formally filed a case against the startup for engaging in securities fraud, negligent misrepresentation and violations of the Delaware deceptive trade practices act.
A company spokesperson told the WSJ that it will fight the lawsuit:
“[T]he suit is without merit and Theranos will fight it vigorously. The company is very appreciative of its strong investor base that understands and continues to support the company¹s mission.”
Theranos has been in hot water ever since the FDA investigated claims that put its practices into question and the WSJ published its outcome. While the company promised results with just a drop of blood, the WSJ found reports showing that it only did a handful of tests on Edison — the rest were done on traditional machines. Since then, Balwani left the company, Walgreens ended their partnership and Holmes was banned from running a lab for two years. Holmes also shut down its clinics and Wellness Centers in early October, letting 340 employees go in the process. The company still isn’t completely dead, though. It recently debuted a new proprietary device called miniLab and now plans to focus on its development.
As for Partner Fund Management, it’s now seeking to recoup its $100 million investment with damages on top.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
Nature documentary ‘Planet Earth II’ looks absolutely stunning
For people who love showing off their high-end A/V gear, documentaries from BBC Earth are about as good as it gets for infinitely rewatchable reference material. But the clock ticks ever forward and some of those older releases don’t look quite as good anymore thanks to screen sizes getting dramatically bigger and pixel counts higher. But now we have our first glimpse at the shot-in-4K Planet Earth II by way of a trailer from BBC One.
As you might expect, it looks great, even with YouTube’s compression and a max resolution of 1080p. Judging by the minute of footage embedded above, this installment will cover everything from gila monsters, a giraffe being taken down by a lioness and swimming sloths (!!!).
There isn’t anything else by way of details, sadly, so we’re left guessing exactly what BBC’s definition of “soon” is in terms of an air date. Same goes for word if the series will broadcast (or stream) in UHD. What we do know, however, is that the inimitable Sir David Attenborough will lend his dulcet tones for narration — as nature intended. Given the timing, chances are we could have an Ultra HD Blu-ray version of this before even seeing a glimpse of Netflix’s Our Planet, which is scheduled to release in 2019.
[Thanks Anthony!]
Source: BBC (YouTube)
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