September 1, 2019
Earlier this year, there were rumours that Bioshock Infinite’s multiplayer modes had been cancelled, now Ken Levine has confirmed that is indeed the case. He announced there would be no multiplayer when a fan asked about it on Twitter.Bioshock 2 was the first in the series to have a multiplayer mode and although there were many different game types, it mostly saw you as a splicer, killing and competing against other splicers. It got a luke-warm reception and obviously, Levine must have decided it wouldn’t work in Infinite.Some gamers may worry about a lack of multiplayer as it often adds to the longetivity of a game, but it’s likely that most will be relieved as bad multiplayer can also detract from a title. It also means Irrational Games‘ attention is not diverted away from the all important single-player experience and main story. Bioshock Infinite looks like an emotional, story-driven game, and fans will be playing it for the single player experience.In Infinite, you play a Pinkerton agent called Booker DeWitt and you’re on a rescue mission to save a woman called Elizabeth who’s been imprisoned since she was a child. It looks very different from the previous Bioshock games, which were dark and creepy. In comparison, it’s a very bright and colorful looking game.The first Bioshock proved multiplayer wasn’t needed to make a successful game, Infinite is better off without it. Infinite plans to launch worldwide on February 26 next year. Let’s hope it can still make that release date.via GC
Hardcore gamers may not be fans of Microsof’s decision to only partially focus on game quality in promoting the Xbox One, but this latest advertisement featuring Zachary Quinto hits with the precision of a Vulcan nerve pinch.There’s been a series of missteps in introducing Microsoft’s next-gen console, but the overall message was never one of them. The idea of an “everything” console linking together the devices housed in your entertainment center is a powerful message to send. If Microsoft can convince users to put the Xbox One in their living room, in between the cable box and the TV, they will be able to do what no one else is doing on the TV right now.Microsoft’s “Invitation” promo is everything it needs to be. The idea that the Xbox One is not simply sitting there waiting for you to turn it on, but actively pulling you back in front of the TV, is unique because Microsoft can actually deliver on that experience.The ability to Skype with your friends right after something interesting happens on TV, or the option to just curl up on the couch and ask for a movie to start playing has the potential to be a huge deal for more than just gamers.Most importantly, Microsoft made sure to also focus on the right games for their demographic. Titanfall, FIFA 14, and of course Dead Rising 3 all get not-so-subtle references during the video. It all comes together to accurately focus on the strengths of the Xbox One, and as long as Microsoft can actually deliver this experience it will make a huge difference in the life of the console.
In a spectacular demonstration of both the capabilities of the Kinect and the ease with which you can take advantage of your fellow gamers in the heat of the moment, one user changed his Xbox One gamertag to the amusement of all.When sitting in the comfort of your living room enjoying a couple of rounds of your online game of choice, it is more than a little common to shout the username of someone in the same game as you. One user decided to take advantage of the situation by changing his gamertag to “Xbox Sign Out” to see what would happen.According to the user, a lot of people accidentally signed themselves out and removed themselves from the game. In order for this to happen, you have to not only accidentally tell your Xbox One to sign out, but you’d have to accidentally follow that up with a button press to confirm it. Those who didn’t sign themselves out managed to put on quite a show, one that is well worth a look.It seems unlikely that Microsoft will allow these kinds of gamertags to exist after today, but you can’t help but laugh and admire how effective this troll really is. There’s so many different voice commands for the Xbox One now that this joke could be adjusted several times over and still be funny.It’s the kind of thing that is hard to pay attention to in the heat of the moment, but is way too funny even if it happens to you.
Remember AIBO, Sony’s adorable little robodog? Boston Dynamics has their own robotic family pet now, and it has a claw for a head.To be fair, when SpotMini’s claw is “parked” it looks a bit like like a small, slackjawed dog’s face. It’s also not just claw-shaped to add an element of futuristic creepiness. SpotMini is incredibly dextrous with that appendage and can use it to perform many of the same tasks that you can with your hands.Tasks like picking up a pop can and dropping it in the blue bin or moving a rinsed glass from the the sink into the dishwasher. SpotMini isn’t solely focused on mundane domestic chores, however. This a robotic dog, after all, and Boston Dynamics had made sure that it knows how to enjoy playtime with its humans, too.Beverage delivery with a side order of doggish playfulnessThink of SpotMini as a BigDog or AlphaDog for your home. A brutishly-strong ‘bot that can lug around several hundred pounds doesn’t really make sense, but one that’s been scaled down and given a helping hand seems like a good fit. He can also gyrate like a champ, which is sure to liven up any party:Boston Dynamics says SpotMini weighs just 55 pounds “dripping wet,” and right now it can last for about 90 minutes before needing a recharge. Those sound pretty close the specs of my 7-year-old charcoal lab, and I’m guess it’s a heck of a lot cheaper to feed SpotMini.Also no poop to scoop. I think I found my next canine companion.
Stay on target To most people, the terms of service that pop up when they hop on free Wifi is nothing more than a speedbump. An annoyance that stands between them and the latest cat videos or /r/mildlyinteresting submissions.That’s precisely why public Wifi and analytics provider Purple decided to have a little fun with their TOS recently. They made a minor tweak, one that they were confident would go unnoticed by the vast majority of connectivity seekers who utilized Purple’s service.According to Purple, 22,000 people agreed to perform 1,000 hours of community service at the company’s discretion. Fortunate folks would have been giving hugs to cats and dogs. Others who weren’t quite so lucky could be tasked with picking up dog poo or scraping gum off sidewalks. Those who drew the short straw might have to clean the porta-johns at a local festival or clear sewer blockages by hand.Purple doesn’t actually plan to enforce the clause, of course. “We aren’t going to round up these individuals and ask them to don their rubber gloves and repay the community debt,” reads their blog post. It was mostly done in fun, but Purple wanted to prove a point, too: that people blindly click past terms of service and they really ought to take an interest.Especially in this case. Apart from telling its users what Purple plans to do with the data it gathers, they also missed the chance to take home a nice little prize. They left their prank terms up for a full two weeks, and only one person spotted it.Let us know what you like about Geek by taking our survey. China Preps 5G Coverage For World’s Longest Sea BridgeT-Mobile Thanks U.S. Military With New Wireless Plan 
Waymo’s self-driving service is officially open to the public.Early riders from the company’s Phoenix-based trial get first dibs, before the program, dubbed Waymo One, rolls out to more people and places.The fleet of self-driving vehicles—available 24 hours a day, seven days a week—currently operates across several Metro Phoenix areas, including Chandler, Tempe, Mesa, and Gilbert.AdChoices广告“Whether it’s for a fun night out or just to get a break from driving, our riders get the same clean vehicles every time and our Waymo driver with over 10 million miles of experience on public roads,” according to a blog announcement.Users can simply download the application (which doesn’t appear in my searches of the iTunes and Google Play stores), then get started by confirming your pickup and drop-off locations. Accept by pressing the “Request Ride” button.Up to three adults and a child can ride at once.As the novelty of self-driving transportation has yet to wear off (and likely won’t for another decade), most first-timers have a lot of questions and concerns about their autonomous commute.So Waymo put support front and center with in-car consoles and screens, as well as the mobile app.“Self-driving technology is new to many, so we’re proceeding carefully with te comfort and convenience of our riders in mind,” Waymo CEO John Krafcik said in a separate blog post.Initially, trained drivers will supervise all Waymo One vehicles for users’ comfort and convenience. Eventually, the firm will transition to fully driverless rides.“We’re never done learning,” Krafcik said, announcing an extension of the early rider program, in which select participants will continue testing new features.“There’s a long journey ahead,” he added. “But we believe that Waymo One will make the roads safer and easier for everyone to navigate.”More coverage on Geek.com:Waymo, GM Lead Self-Driving Car RacePeople Prefer Driverless Cars Hit Animals, the ElderlyNHTSA Curbs Autonomous School Bus Plans in Florida Researchers Teach Autonomous Cars to Predict Pedestrian MovementAutonomous Bar Will Drive Up And Mix You Drinks Stay on target
Boy do I hate printers. They’re clunky yet fragile. They require screwing around with messy expensive ink. They get paper jams. Wirelessly syncing them up is a nightmare. The list goes on. Being able to print things on demand is super convenient, but actually owning and maintaining a printer constantly makes me question if it’s worth it.The HP Sprocket 2nd Edition won’t fully replace all your printer needs. But just giving you a fun and easy way to print photos on the go is already doing the lord’s work.AdChoices广告The HP Sprocket 2 looks more like the phone you pair it to than the printer it actually is. The small size makes it cute and easy to travel with, but should also give an idea of the size of the photos (2.3 by 3.4 inches) it can print. It also comes in a variety of sparkly metallic colors.You connect your phone, iOS or Android, to the Sprocket via Bluetooth and send pictures via an app. In the app you can also customize photos with text or stickers before printing them. The paper costs have gone down but image quality has gone up. The most nifty features of all though are the various augmented reality gimmicks.You can scan the printer itself to get a status update. That’s why its top is so sparkly, like a QR code constellation. However, you can also scan photos to watch little videos associated with them. Instead of using ink, the HP Sprocket heats up special paper in different patterns to reveal specific colors. This fascinating process can also embed AR information into the photos. A portable printer already feels cutting-edge but this is just from the future.For more on the HP Sprocket 2nd Edition check out the extensive review on our sister site PCMag.com. For more on cool printers check out this mobile thermal printer and bedside bioprinter.More on Geek.com: Geek Pick: Philips Hue Play Light Bar Lights Up Your MediaGeek Pick: Nokia 7.1 Is an Excellent, Affordable Android PhoneGeek Pick: Flir One Pro Is a Hot Thermal Camera Geek Pick: Ikea Sonos Symfonisk Is A WiFi Bookshelf SpeakerGeek Pick: Fi Smart Dog Collar Sniffs Out Your Pet 
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Study: Tesla Autopilot misleading, overestimated more than similar technology This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only. Explore further Citation: Audi Unveils iPhone-like Car Phone (2007, October 18) retrieved 18 August 2019 from https://phys.org/news/2007-10-audi-unveils-iphone-like-car.html The Audi phone is part of the A1 Metroproject Quattro Concept, Audi´s latest urban car prototype. A hybrid, the A1 combines a 150 bhp 1.4-liter TFSI engine with power directed to the front wheels, and a 41 HP electric motor on the rear axle for extra torque. Operating only on electricity, the A1 can travel up to 62 miles, and can be recharged at a normal power outlet.One of the most innovative parts of the A1 concept is the phone, acting as a remote version of the in-car Audi MMI interface, which can slide into a slot on the dash. Equipped with both Wi-Fi and 3G UMTS technology, the phone features a combination key fob, remote starting, and even allows drivers to control the heating system remotely, warming up the car on cold winter mornings.And because everyone is going to want an Audi A1, the phone has anti-theft features, too. The phone teams up with an onboard camera, which snaps pictures when suspecting the entrance of an intruder, and then wirelessly sends the pictures to the phone. Then, acting like a LoJack, it switches on the car´s tracking device following the car´s location.The Audi phone can also function as an MP3 player and a navigation unit. The interface, a touch-sensitive screen with only four main softkeys (like an iPhone), can recognize Latin and Japanese characters, and can also decipher handwriting. Perhaps the biggest concern about such a high-tech device is getting used to safely using it—or not using it—while driving.via: Motor Authority and Jalopnik Audi has recently introduced a new concept car phone, cramming a ton of features into a tiny device. Called the Audi Mobile Phone, the handheld interface controls a number of systems on the car, while also serving as a phone, and video and audio player. The Audi Mobile Phone, part of the A1 Metroproject Quattro Concept, is a phone, MP3 player, navigation system, and also controls a multitude of features on the Audi A1.
As you watch a video, have you ever wondered what’s happening beyond the camera frame? If you could jump inside the video and look around, you would have a 360-degree view of the world in your TV screen or computer monitor. Explore further Using virtual reality could make you a better person in real life A company based in Calgary, Alberta, called Immersive Media Corp. is trying to achieve exactly this type of immersive experience with a new camera and software technology. When watching a video filmed with the Immersive Viewer (IMViewer) system, users can control the scene, seamlessly moving the perspective up, down, sideways, or even behind the original frame. The technology is based on a Dodeca 2360 camera, which can record eleven image streams that are arranged in a geodesic geometry. The camera captures images at a resolution of more than 100 million pixels per second – significantly more than HDTV. The 20-pound camera also has four built-in microphones for simultaneous omni-directional audio recording. When recording, camera operators can check each individual lens to see what´s being recorded at every angle. Immersive Media’s software then turns the video files into “telemersion” files. A processor compresses, records, and synchronizes up to 12 channels at once. Then, the videos can be viewed on computer monitors, video screens, head-mounted displays, or projected onto a dome screen. When watching video on a computer monitor, viewers use the mouse to turn the viewing in any 360-degree direction (demos available at Immersive Media’s Web site). The viewing engine essentially blends camera image streams together in real time to make a movable window. With a head-mounted display, a viewer can see different angles simply by turning their head.To enhance the immersion experience, viewers can also “direct” the video by rewinding, pausing, speeding up, slowing down, or zooming in on certain areas. The technology is also compatible with GPS or other metadata, enabling viewers to determine the location they´e viewing.The software can also blend the entire 360-degree scene onto a single 2D screen, called a “sphere movie.” These sphere movies show the whole environment in motion at once, without having to direct the field of view. Sphere movies can be watched on standard software such as Quicktime or Windows Media Player, or recorded on DVDs. They’re also compatible with MPEG-2 and MPEG-4, and can be broadcast using HDTV-resolution channels.With another feature, viewers can watch three frames on a single screen: the controllable video, the full sphere movie (with crosshairs that correspond to where you are looking in the controllable frame), and a GPS frame telling you your location as you move. While Immersive’s camera technology was developed three years ago, it was originally used by the FBI to study street routes of visiting dignitaries for security purposes. More recently, Google Earth has used the technology to create its StreetView videos. Immersive also hopes to use the technology for applications such as urban planning, oil and gas resource management, emergency response and first responder operations, and commercial media.One notable company taking advantage of the technology is Adidas, which has featured videos incorporating the immersion capability on its Web site. Viewers can zoom in on their favorite basketball players and replay scenes to see reaction shots – in short, experiencing the event with a personal perspective.More information: Immersive Media Demos Citation: Jump into the screen with 360-degree immersive video (2008, February 27) retrieved 18 August 2019 from https://phys.org/news/2008-02-screen-degree-immersive-video.html Immersive Media´s Dodeca 2360 camera. This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.
In the new solar cell design by MIT researchers, more light can be captured, increasing efficiency and decreasing cost per watt. Image credit: 1366 Technologies. Sachs and his colleagues have started a company called 1366 Technologies. With the help of a recent $12.4 million grant, the team is building a pilot-scale manufacturing plant to fabricate their first batch of solar cells. The cells currently have an efficiency of 19.5%, and cost about $1.65 per watt. That´s a 27% improvement in efficiency over similar commercial solar cells of today, which have about 15% efficiency and cost about $2.10 per watt. 1366 Technologies´ solar cells are made from multi-crystalline silicon – a material that is normally less efficient than top quality single-crystal cells, but significantly cheaper. However, with the improvements by Sach´s group, the multi-crystalline solar cells reach about the same efficiency as the single-crystal variety.Over the next year, the group will decide whether their pilot manufacturing results justify building a factory for commercial production. Sachs also predicts that the cost of the solar cells will drop to around $1.35 per watt in the near future, due to anticipated advances.One of the biggest improvements to the new design is the addition of texture to the surface of the solar cells. In the past, this step has been very difficult for researchers to achieve with multi-crystalline silicon. The rough surface allows the cells to capture more light, since it bends the light and causes it to bounce around longer inside the cell, rather than reflect straight off the back and exit the cell. The researchers also etched wires inside the solar cell so that they too allow more light to enter the cell. Another improvement involved making the silver wires that harvest the current very thin, which cuts down on the cost and allows more light to enter the cell.Sachs, who is taking a leave of absence from MIT to help build the company, says that other solar cell makers will be free to use 1366 Technologies´ designs, and hopefully make solar power a more affordable and efficient method to meet global energy requirements. In the future, the company hopes to build industrial, 100-megawatt plants around the world.”Once the pilot plant has proven itself, we´ll work with governments and energy agencies worldwide to build a string of factories,” said Carmichael Roberts. Roberts is a general partner at North Bridge Venture Partners, which – along with Polaris Venture Partners – is funding 1366 Technologies. Roberts is also joining 1366 Technologies´ board of directors as chairman. More information: 1366tech.comvia: MIT Technology Review Explore further Researchers from MIT have improved commercial solar cells that will soon be significantly cheaper and more efficient than those available today. Ely Sachs, a professor of mechanical engineering at MIT, predicts that by 2012 such solar cells will be comparable in price with coal, which is about $1 per watt. Best of Last Week: A loose thread in string theory, e-cigarettes harm brain stem, and diet’s role in obesity pandemic Citation: MIT spin-off plans to manufacture cheap, efficient solar cells (2008, March 27) retrieved 18 August 2019 from https://phys.org/news/2008-03-mit-spin-off-cheap-efficient-solar.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.
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