Month: June 2016

Valve's Steam-y fingerprints are all over the system software, but its HTC's logo that's found on the headset itself.

The SteamVR-powered Vive headset is the most exciting thing that struggling handset maker HTC has had going for its brand in years. HTC seems to realize this, at some level, because it's now separating its virtual reality business into a wholly-owned subsidiary. The new HTC Vive Tech Corporation will be somewhat separated from the struggles facing the rest of HTC's business.

In a statement provided to The Verge, HTC called the new subsidiary "a vehicle for developing strategic alliances to help build the global VR ecosystem." But it's not hard to see the move as a way to create space between HTC's blossoming VR interests and a headset manufacturing business that has posted historic losses, been forced to lay off thousands, and hit a ten-year stock market low in recent years.

The Vive sold roughly 25,000 to 30,000 units in its first month on sale earlier this year, according to an Ars Technica Steam Gauge analysis. At an $800 asking price for each unit, that represents a significant infusion of new revenue for the company. Now, that revenue can be managed free from the troubles affecting the rest of the company.

(credit: blackplans)

After two days of evidence, Lauri Love still does not know whether he will be extradited to the United States.

In hearings at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, the Judge heard from 15 witnesses for the defence, but none from the prosecution. Lauri Love, 31, of Stradishall, has been accused by the US authorities of hacking into the US Federal Reserve, NASA, the FBI, and the Missile Defence Agency.

He was first arrested by the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) in October 2013 and was released on bail in July 2014. US prosecutors claim that Love’s alleged offences were not politically motivated and were instead designed to “to disrupt the operations and infrastructure of the US government” by stealing classified data and personally identifying information of government and military personnel.

Nikolaus Wogen

Meet Ducati's Squadra Alpina, all previous champions in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. From left to right: Greg Tracy, Micky Dymond, Carlin Dunne, Gary Trachy.

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb was an all-car affair for most of its 100 years. But the past few decades have seen motorcycles return to the mountain, getting faster (and more dangerous) since the entire road was paved in 2011. As with their four-wheel-riding cousins, bike racers have started looking at electric motors, which, unlike internal combustion engines, aren't fazed by altitude.

This year, 36 bikes, quads, and sidecars were entered in Sunday's race. They would get first crack at the course; running the cars first creates the risk of dirt or rocks being dragged onto the road, and the 12.4-mile (19.99km) route is already unforgiving enough.

"Unfortunately, now that it's all pavement and the speeds are higher, the risk factor is much greater [and] the future of bikes could be in peril. They've had a death the past two years, unfortunately," explained Don Canet. Canet is road test editor for Cycle World and has competed at Pikes Peak in recent years. To try to manage the risk, all of this year's motorbikes have to have single-piece handlebars, and the fastest liter-class Superbikes are no longer allowed. "Not to say that the bikes we're running now are nearly as fast, but at least it's a move—probably to appease the insurance carrier," Canet said.

In a somewhat unexpected twist, Facebook has won a legal battle against Belgium's data protection authority, which had sought to prevent Facebook from tracking non-Facebook (or not-logged-into-Facebook) users, both on the Facebook website itself but also via the company's Like and Share buttons that can be found in even the darkest depths of the known universe.

The Brussels appeals court dismissed the case on Wednesday, saying that the Belgian CPP (Commission for the Protection of Privacy) had no jurisdiction over Facebook, which has its European headquarters in Dublin, Ireland.

"We are pleased with the court's decision and look forward to bringing all our services back online for people in Belgium," a Facebook spokesperson said.