Qualcomm plots cheaper VR with all-in-one headset

Snapdragon VR820 reference platform priced similar to “higher-performance tablets.”

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Qualcomm has unveiled a new reference platform for standalone virtual reality headsets, which it hopes will dramatically reduce their cost.

Dubbed the VR820, the reference device pairs the mobile chip maker's now ubiquitous Snapdragon 820 SoC with an eye-tracker, six-axis motion tracker, and a pair of AMOLED displays at resolutions up to 1440x1440 pixels each—a big jump over the 1080x1200 resolution displays of the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, albeit running at 70Hz rather than 90Hz.

While that might sound expensive—particularly as the VR820 essentially integrates a high-end smartphone into its Galaxy Gear-like shell—Qualcomm hopes that third-party manufacturers will be able to save on R&D costs by using the platform, thus bringing down the overall cost. Qualcomm performed a similar trick with smartphones, putting out a series of reference designs that several manufacturers (particularly those in China) used to produce smartphones at cheaper prices.

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Netgear Orbi: Heim-WLAN mit dediziertem AP-zu-AP-Kanal

Netgears Orbi ist ein Komplettpaket aus einem WLAN-Router und einem dazugehören Access Point zur Reichweitenerhöhung. Dank eines dedizierten, drahtlosen Funkkanals zwischen beiden kann Netgear die volle Bandbreite versprechen. (Netgear, WLAN)

Netgears Orbi ist ein Komplettpaket aus einem WLAN-Router und einem dazugehören Access Point zur Reichweitenerhöhung. Dank eines dedizierten, drahtlosen Funkkanals zwischen beiden kann Netgear die volle Bandbreite versprechen. (Netgear, WLAN)

Alienware unveils VR-ready 13, 15, and 17 inch laptops with NVIDIA GTX 10-series graphics

Alienware unveils VR-ready 13, 15, and 17 inch laptops with NVIDIA GTX 10-series graphics

Dell is updating is Alienware gaming laptop lineup with new models featuring 13, 15, and 17 inch displays.

They all feature discrete graphics options including NVIDIA GeForce GTX 10-series graphics, and they all support virtual reality systems such as the Oculus Rift or HTC Vive. You can also connect any of the new laptops to an optional Alienware Graphics Amplifier, which allows you to connect a desktop graphics card to your laptop.

The 13 inch model will certainly be the most portable of the bunch, but it also might be available with one of the most vivid displays: Dell says it’ll have an optional OLED screen with a 100,000:1 contrast ratio and 1ms response time.

Continue reading Alienware unveils VR-ready 13, 15, and 17 inch laptops with NVIDIA GTX 10-series graphics at Liliputing.

Alienware unveils VR-ready 13, 15, and 17 inch laptops with NVIDIA GTX 10-series graphics

Dell is updating is Alienware gaming laptop lineup with new models featuring 13, 15, and 17 inch displays.

They all feature discrete graphics options including NVIDIA GeForce GTX 10-series graphics, and they all support virtual reality systems such as the Oculus Rift or HTC Vive. You can also connect any of the new laptops to an optional Alienware Graphics Amplifier, which allows you to connect a desktop graphics card to your laptop.

The 13 inch model will certainly be the most portable of the bunch, but it also might be available with one of the most vivid displays: Dell says it’ll have an optional OLED screen with a 100,000:1 contrast ratio and 1ms response time.

Continue reading Alienware unveils VR-ready 13, 15, and 17 inch laptops with NVIDIA GTX 10-series graphics at Liliputing.

Moverio BT-300 ausprobiert: Wir rollen eine Kugel durch ein AR-Labyrinth

Leichter, hochauflösender, besseres Bild: Epsons neue Augmented-Reality-Brille Moverio BT-300 gefällt uns ziemlich gut. Die Demo war faszinierend, noch besser finden wir die Anwendungsszenarien. (Epson, OLED)

Leichter, hochauflösender, besseres Bild: Epsons neue Augmented-Reality-Brille Moverio BT-300 gefällt uns ziemlich gut. Die Demo war faszinierend, noch besser finden wir die Anwendungsszenarien. (Epson, OLED)

Anonymisierung: Tor-Projekt nimmt neue Bridge-Authority in Betrieb

Eine neue Bridge-Authority soll auch künftig sicherstellen, dass Tor trotz Zensur genutzt werden kann. Ein von Aktivisten angekündigter Generalstreik im Netzwerk ist weitgehend ausgefallen. (TOR-Netzwerk, Zensur)

Eine neue Bridge-Authority soll auch künftig sicherstellen, dass Tor trotz Zensur genutzt werden kann. Ein von Aktivisten angekündigter Generalstreik im Netzwerk ist weitgehend ausgefallen. (TOR-Netzwerk, Zensur)

Samsung issues recall for Galaxy Note 7 after some units catch fire

Just a few weeks after shipping the first Galaxy S7 smartphones, Samsung is issuing a recall. The company will voluntarily replace any of the 2.5 million phones that have been sold so far.
The move comes in response to reports that some Galaxy S7 phone…

Samsung issues recall for Galaxy Note 7 after some units catch fire

Just a few weeks after shipping the first Galaxy S7 smartphones, Samsung is issuing a recall. The company will voluntarily replace any of the 2.5 million phones that have been sold so far.

The move comes in response to reports that some Galaxy S7 phones were catching fire due to battery problems.

Samsung says 35 cases have bee reported so far and that the company is conducting an inspection.

Continue reading Samsung issues recall for Galaxy Note 7 after some units catch fire at Liliputing.

Auslesen von Kontaktliste: Datenschützer hält Whatsapp-AGB für unwirksam

Die neuen AGB von Whatsapp enthalten einen ungewöhnlichen Passus zur Weitergabe von Kontaktdaten. Nach Ansicht des Hamburger Datenschützers Caspar steht dessen Wirksamkeit daher infrage. (Whatsapp, Soziales Netz)

Die neuen AGB von Whatsapp enthalten einen ungewöhnlichen Passus zur Weitergabe von Kontaktdaten. Nach Ansicht des Hamburger Datenschützers Caspar steht dessen Wirksamkeit daher infrage. (Whatsapp, Soziales Netz)

Report: Google to launch Pixel phones, 4K Chromecast, DayDream and Home devices Oct 4th

Report: Google to launch Pixel phones, 4K Chromecast, DayDream and Home devices Oct 4th

You know that report which said the two new phones Google is designing with HTC wouldn’t be called Nexus? Yeah, apparently that’s because they’ll be part of the Pixel family.

Android Police reports that Google will launch the Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones at an event on October 4th… along with a whole bunch of other new hardware including a new media streamer, a virtual reality device, and the company’s answer to Amazon’s Echo.

Continue reading Report: Google to launch Pixel phones, 4K Chromecast, DayDream and Home devices Oct 4th at Liliputing.

Report: Google to launch Pixel phones, 4K Chromecast, DayDream and Home devices Oct 4th

You know that report which said the two new phones Google is designing with HTC wouldn’t be called Nexus? Yeah, apparently that’s because they’ll be part of the Pixel family.

Android Police reports that Google will launch the Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones at an event on October 4th… along with a whole bunch of other new hardware including a new media streamer, a virtual reality device, and the company’s answer to Amazon’s Echo.

Continue reading Report: Google to launch Pixel phones, 4K Chromecast, DayDream and Home devices Oct 4th at Liliputing.

The Ford Focus RS: The Blue Oval’s best is a performance car for the people

Ford finally brings its hottest hatch to the US, and it was worth the wait.

Getting to know the Ford Focus RS at Monticello Motor Club, NY. Video shot and edited by Jennifer Hahn. (video link)

Don't let the familiar name fool you—the new Ford Focus RS is no mere shopping hatchback. Behind that gaping front grill is a turbocharged 2.3L engine with 350hp (261kW) and 350lb-ft (475Nm) torque-vectored to the road via all four wheels. The wheel arches are blistered. There's a great big wing at the back; there's a diffuser, too. And if that doesn't already sound like a very special Focus, the new RS even has a "Drift" mode.

Despite all the fancy carbon fiber supercars Cars Technica spends time with, I'd been looking forward to getting behind the wheel of this vehicle more than just about any other. From auto shows to race weekends to other Ford track events, the car has taunted me, sitting static but resplendent in that eye-catching Nitrous Blue paint. Our first drive was originally slated for July, but scheduling conflicts at the Blue Oval saw that opportunity bumped into late August. That's delay is now a minor blip; the RS was more than worth the wait.

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Minix Neo Z83-4 fanless Windows 10 mini PC coming Sept 16th

Minix Neo Z83-4 fanless Windows 10 mini PC coming Sept 16th

The latest tiny desktop computer from Minix features a quad-core Intel Atom x5-Z8300 Cherry Trail processor, 4GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, a fanless case, and Windows 10 64-bit software.

Minix is unveiling the Minix Z83-4 mini PC today, and the company says it’ll be available for purchase starting September 16th for about $170.

This isn’t the first Windows PC from Minix. The company also has a model with an Intel Celeron N3150 Braswell processor and one with an Inteal Atom Bay Trail chip.

Continue reading Minix Neo Z83-4 fanless Windows 10 mini PC coming Sept 16th at Liliputing.

Minix Neo Z83-4 fanless Windows 10 mini PC coming Sept 16th

The latest tiny desktop computer from Minix features a quad-core Intel Atom x5-Z8300 Cherry Trail processor, 4GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, a fanless case, and Windows 10 64-bit software.

Minix is unveiling the Minix Z83-4 mini PC today, and the company says it’ll be available for purchase starting September 16th for about $170.

This isn’t the first Windows PC from Minix. The company also has a model with an Intel Celeron N3150 Braswell processor and one with an Inteal Atom Bay Trail chip.

Continue reading Minix Neo Z83-4 fanless Windows 10 mini PC coming Sept 16th at Liliputing.