iPhone 7 – Augmented & Virtual Reality Confabulation

March 29, 2017

New Samsung Gear 360 Broadens Support to Include Apple Devices

Fans of South Korean technology giant Samsung have been inundated with new tech to salivate over today, with the official unveiling of the flagship Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus smartphones. Also featuring at the Unpacked event earlier was the new Gear 360 model for 2017, with a new design and improved features. One of these is support for smartphones, with Apple devices now included.

To enable more consumers to have access to the new Gear 360, Samsung has ensured that it runs on a massive range of smartphones, mostly its own, but Apple users can now join in the 360 fun.

gear-360_4k_hand

Samsung states on the camera’s dedicated page that: “Compatible devices include Galaxy S8, S8+ S7, S7 edge, Note5, S6 edge+, S6, S6 edge, A5/A7(2017) running Android 5.0 or later, and iPhone 7, 7+, 6S, 6S+, SE running iOS 10.0 or later.” Also noted – but not detailed – is: “There are functional limitations when using with iOS devices. Availability of features may differ depending on the mobile device, OS version, and region.”

The new camera now features a 4K resolution for shooting videos and stills are captured at 15MP. In terms of storage the device accepts up to a maximum 256 GB SD memory card with a top battery life of 130-minutes when recording at 2560×1280@30fps.

As yet no prices or release date have been confirmed but Samsung has said an April/May time frame is expected and it will be cheaper than last years model, which retailed for $350 USD/£350 GBP, reports cnet.

As further details are announced VRFocus will bring you the latest.

December 30, 2016

Exploding phones and Snapchat clones: the biggest tech letdowns of 2016

There were many products that promised so much and delivered so little

While there were some good things in technology released this year, there were also quite a few let downs. From detonating devices to damp squibs, these are the biggest let downs of 2016.

November 20, 2016

The best game console you can buy

Both the PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Xbox One have received updates over the last few months, but the improvements haven’t changed our verdict on the best gaming console.

The post The best game console you can buy appeared first on Digital Trends.

September 16, 2016

Apple CEO: VR Has “Lower Commercial Interest” than AR, New Hires from Magic Leap & Oculus

Apple CEO Tim Cook has stated that in his view, augmented reality and not virtual reality holds the ticket for commercial success in immersive technologies in the future.

Apple CEO Tim Cook [Image courtesy Mashable]

On the subject of virtual and augmented reality Apple is still largely ‘mum’ on it’s intended direction, even in the wake of its latest hardware launch, the iPhone 7. As its largest competitors trail-blaze a particular path, Apple is content to be Apple and survey the chaos and decide to do things when it’s good and ready. This is what Apple has always done for the most part, and they’ve done very nicely as a result.

Up until recently we’ve only had circumstantial evidence (significant amounts mind you) that Apple is working towards an immersive technology product. Numerous acquisitions and hires point to a company who recognises mobile technology, such as its iPhone, is now reaching or indeed past its zenith in commercial potential, and (much like former mobile giant HTC has) needs to find another route to remaining relevant in the space in the future.

Now, in an interview with Good Morning America (as reported by Vanity Fair), Tim Cook has stated that, in his (and therefore Apple’s) opinion, virtual reality as he sees it is far less attractive to consumers than its close relative augmented reality. “Virtual reality sort of encloses and immerses the person into an experience that can be really cool but probably has a lower commercial interest over time,” said Cook.

See Also: Apple Granted Patent for Gear VR-like Mobile Headset, Could Have “Broad Ramifications” for Such Devices — **See Also:** Apple Granted Patent for Gear VR-like Mobile Headset, Could Have “Broad Ramifications” for Such Devices

Augmented reality on the other hand “gives the capability for both of us to sit and be very present, talking to each other, but also have other things—visually—for both of us to see,” says Cook, “Maybe it’s something we’re talking about, maybe it’s someone else here who’s not here present but who can be made to appear to be present.”

Cook has already gone on record with hints that Apple are working towards an immersive future, although recent comments were more supportive of virtual reality as a technology. Recode reported that Cook said on VR’s “geeky niche” image “In terms of virtual reality, no, I don’t think it’s a niche,” Cook replied. “I think it can be … it’s really cool and has some interesting applications.”

Apple meanwhile are still making significant, strategic hires which seemingly indicative of their growing commitment to an immersive future. Macrumors reported yesterday that the company have recruited two new team member, Zeyu Li from Magic Leap and Yury Petrov from Oculus. Li, who formerly served as “Principal Computer Vision Engineer” at Magic Leap has joined Apple as “Senior Computer Vision Algorithm Engineer”, which could indicate a focus on anything from inside out mobile tracking to hand gesture input. Petrov meanwhile has joined as a “Research Scientist”, having held a similar title at Oculus.

Given Apple’s biggest hardware launch this year, the iPhone 7, is now out of the way, it seems unlikely we’ll learn more about the technology giant’s plans for AR or VR this year. But, with Google’s Android-integrated Daydream VR platform due to drop very soon, Apple will indeed be playing catch up with their competitors from hereon out. But then, that’s what they do best.

The post Apple CEO: VR Has “Lower Commercial Interest” than AR, New Hires from Magic Leap & Oculus appeared first on Road to VR.

September 8, 2016

What Apple Failed to Announce During its Annual Event

You can be forgiven if you thought Apple was going to unveil something, anything, to do with virtual reality (VR). The VR community was buzzing, as well as the general tech community, wondering what kind of VR accessory was going to be revealed, let alone if there was even going to be any. Alas, all we were given was a hint towards augmented reality (AR), but only in the sense that they appropriated it for the Smart Watch to be included with a companion app for Pokémon GO which actually ignored the app’s AR qualities in exchange for promoting the new tech.

After this relatively disappointing event for the VR community, you cannot help the feeling that there was an absence of what really should have been there, especially when some of the announcements would have been more than suitable to lead up to VR additions. So instead here at VRFocus we have taken it upon ourselves to list a couple of things that we should have really heard:

iphone 7 tom cook

3D/VR Video

Was it only us who stopped and looked around when they mentioned the two cameras on the iPhone 7 Plus? Yes, we understand that the main aim to this was to create a depth of field effect that DSLR cameras effortlessly achieve, but what if it went one step further?

The only other answer is to hope that this is actually a trial leading up to enabling some sort of 3D or even VR recording for the next installment (which, let’s be honest, is right round the corner and has already been designed).

A head-mounted display (HMD)

This was the main announcement that we were all expecting. Let’s face it – it’s what everyone (except Nintendo) is creating, so why are they not? We can already imagine it: a rose gold HMD, a massive illuminated Apple symbol, and a new take on how it is strapped to your head such as a whole helmet or even Yeezy-branded shades with integrated Beats headphones. But, there was no sign of such thing.

We get it, Apple. You want to make your camera quality better, and take away yet another common accessory feature to make you seem like you’re ahead of the game by setting your own standards. However, you are missing out on a massive market right now that is counting down the days till when you give in and accept that VR is going to diversify what you can offer.

Yes, it is sounding like we are in slight denial of what really went on yesterday, and that we are starved of some tasty announcements, but there needs to be a few explanations as to why there is such a lack of interest in VR.

September 8, 2016

Pokémon Go Coming To Apple Watch

There is no doubt that Apple products are popular among people across the world, and perhaps that’s the reason they keep on waiting desperately for the updated versions of these devices. In yesterday’s event, the company launched iPhone 7 and upgraded version of an Apple Watch. The company also mentioned that it will be taking pre-orders at present and the products will be made available from September 16.

As far as wearable technology is concerned, Apple’s move to launch an updated version of Apple Watch on September 16, will contribute a lot to wearable world. Users will be able to connect with the latest version of Apple Watch in the same way as their iOS mobile devices.

At yesterday’s event, Apple also announced a highly popular game called Mario for iPhone in collaboration with Nintendo- a well-known game development company. This indicates that Mario- the oldest and the most popular game will now be available to all the people on their IOS devices especially on iPhone 7.

Apple Watch, which is nothing but a line of smartwatches , is famous among people ever since it was first launched by Apple way back in April 2015. And that’s the reason people were also excited to know more about the features incorporated in its latest version. Hence, the other important news was the announcement of the famous game “Pokemon Go” for Apple Watch. There has been a huge craze among the players for this game and so they will be excited more than the other ordinary Apple users.

Pokemon Go has been growing its popularity among its players and Apple’s decision to bring it to its wearable device will further add to its popularity.

Now, the users will be able to play this game by wearing the Apple Watches and will be able to track the characters of Pokemon on their Apple Watch screen. Earlier this year, Pokemon Go started on the Android and iOS mobile devices wherein the players need to walk to track different types of Pokemon on their screens depending on what time it is.

Apple’s move to bring Pokemon Go on Apple Watch is definitely going to contribute when it comes to enhancing the popularity of virtual reality,augmented reality and wearable technologies.

And since the most awaited Apple products are officially out now, users will soon be able to reap their benefits in reality.

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