Posts Tagged: headset
The Morning After: Apple’s mixed-reality headset may have MagSafe-style ports and external power supply
As Apple’s WWDC approaches, the rumor frequency for the company’s VR/AR headset is gathering pace. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says the device, rumored to be named Reality Pro or Reality One, will have two ports: a USB-C interface for data transfers and a “new proprietary charging connector.” Judging by Gurman’s description, the latter is reminiscent of Apple’s recently reintroduced MagSafe power port. As for the power supply, it’s about the size of an iPhone, similar to Apple’s own MagSafe Battery Pack for iPhones. The component can reportedly power the wearable for up to two hours on a single charge, but you’ll be able to buy extra packs, given how quickly the headset may drain them.
It doesn’t sound particularly elegant, but there are reasons for it. At the start of 2023, Gurman first hinted at an external power supply. He reported Apple was concerned about the device overheating, while also chasing a lighter, more comfortable headset.
– Mat Smith
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Leaked Pixel Fold video shows an internal display with chunky bezels
It looks a lot like the Galaxy Z Fold 4.
Days after CNBC reported Google’s plans for a foldable Pixel phone at I/O 2023, an alleged video of the device is circulating online. On late Friday evening, leaker and developer Kuba Wojciechowski shared what he says is a clip of the Pixel Fold. Unfortunately, the video doesn’t show any features that definitively identify the foldable as a Pixel device, but if this is the real thing, be prepared for some noticeable borders to the device’s internal screen. The Pixel Fold will reportedly cost around $ 1,700 when it arrives later this year. According to CNBC, the device will have a book-like design, with a 5.8-inch external screen and a 7.6-inch folding display. It’s also said to sport the “most durable hinge” of any foldable to date and a battery that can last up to 72 hours in Extreme Battery Saver mode.
Twitter adds blue checks to accounts of dead celebrities
Tapping the icon says the deceased individuals are "subscribed" to Twitter Blue.
Twitter has begun handing out blue ticks to celebrity users and accounts with more than one million followers. Among the users who received the verification but say they did not pay for the service include author Neil Gaiman, actor Ron Perlman, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Twitter comic dril. Also, accounts that once belonged to Chadwick Boseman, Kobe Bryant and Anthony Bourdain, celebrities who died long before Musk’s takeover of Twitter, were also reverified over the weekend. On Friday, Musk claimed he was “personally” paying the Twitter Blue subscription for a few celebrities, including LeBron James and Stephen King.
You can't share Xbox clips directly to Twitter anymore
The change is likely down to Twitter's decision to charge for API access.
Microsoft said it had to switch off the option to upload Xbox screenshots and clips directly to Twitter from Xbox consoles as well as the Game Bar on Windows. There are other options, but they're a little more inconvenient. You can use the Xbox mobile app to download console captures and share them to Twitter.
When asked for comment, Xbox declined to shed more light on the reason for the change. It seems likely that Microsoft dropped the built-in sharing option due to Twitter's decision to charge at least $ 42,000 per month for enterprise access to its APIs. That move is breaking functionality for all kinds of organizations, including disaster response services. This week, Microsoft said it would soon remove Twitter integration from its social media management tool for advertisers.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-apple-mixed-reality-headset-rumors-111549504.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
Rode’s first headset is aimed at creators and gamers
Rode only dipped into headphones last year, but now it’s ready to unveil its first headset — and this time it’s courting gamers in addition to creatives. The NTH-100M takes the familiar design of the NTH-100 but adds a detachable condenser microphone. It’s too early to say if the hardware is truly “broadcast-grade,” as Rode claims, but the company’s reputation for mics bodes well if you want quality audio when you’re chatting with teammates or hosting a livestream. You can even buy the boom mic separately (as the NTH-Mic) if you already have the headphones.
The design will otherwise seem familiar. Rode claims the 40mm dynamic drivers are designed for accurate frequency response with minimal distortion. The NTH-100M might be your pick if you want a neutral sound for editing podcasts and videos. You won’t get perks like noise cancellation or Bluetooth, but the headset will be surprisingly comfortable. When we tried the NTH-100, we found the cooling gel and other design touches to help for extended listening sessions.
The NTH-100M will retail for $ 189 which is $ 50 more than the headphones it’s based on. If you already have the NTH-100, you can snag the NTH-Mic separetely for $ 69. This means if you were holding out and can make use of the mic, the combo deal represents a $ 20 saving. Or, for that matter, you could always buy the base 100 for listening and upgrade when you’re ready to create content.
The NTH-100M is also a unique product in Rode’s lineup. While it’s not part of the company’s Rode X gaming brand, it’s clearly aimed as much at gamers and Twitch streamers as it is musicians and podcasters. In that sense, it straddles the line between consumer and creative in a way that even the headphones didn’t quite manage.
Apple’s mixed reality headset could feature full-body FaceTime avatars
Apple is expected to reveal its long-anticipated mixed reality headset in the coming months. The device has been in the works for several years and it'll be Apple's first new product category since Apple Watch, which debuted in 2015. Many details about the device have emerged through the rumor mill. Although much of the information in his latest piece on the headset has already been reported, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has revealed some more details about what to expect from the product, which may be called Reality Pro.
It's said to be a standalone device with an interface similar to that of iPhone and iPad and the option to pin widgets to the home screen. Alternatively, it may be used as an external display for a connected Mac. Along with Siri voice commands, there'll be the option to use a Mac, iPhone or iPad keyboard to enter text on the so-called "xrOS" operating system, according to the report. Apple is believed to be working on a way for users to type with their hands in midair, like in many sci-fi movies, but that option likely won't be available when the headset debuts.
It's expected that there will be health-tracking features and the option to install third-party apps. Virtual reality video is said to be a focus, with the company adding support for Apple TV+ content. It's believed that Apple has held talks with Disney, Dolby and other media partners regarding VR content, and that there will be the option to watch video on virtual screens in environments like space or a desert. Users might need to wear AirPods or other supported headphones for spatial audio if they want to be fully immersed. Gaming may be an important aspect of the device as well.
The key selling point for the headset could be Apple's approach to hand and eye tracking. It's believed that the device will have sensors that can follow wearers' eyes and several external cameras that can monitor hand movements. The idea, according to the report, is that users would be able to select an item (such as an app icon or button) by looking at it and then squeezing their thumb and index finger to carry out that action. If this approach works as expected, wearers wouldn't need to use hand controllers — rival headsets typically require those. Meanwhile, the headset may have a screen on the front that can display the wearer's eyes, which might be a little offputting for some.
The device is expected to support virtual reality and augmented reality, with the ability to switch between the two modes using a Watch-like digital crown. Meta's latest headset, the Quest Pro, offers full-color passthrough for AR use and it's expected that Apple will offer a similar function.
Apple may be keeping users who need prescription glasses in mind. Many glasses wearers have found it uncomfortable to wear VR and AR headsets. However, it's claimed that Apple will offer custom lenses that sit within the headset's enclosure, which could make it more comfortable to use.
One intriguing aspect of the headset that doesn't seem to have been reported before is how it will handle one-on-one FaceTime calls. It was previously believed that other people on a call will be displayed as an icon or Memoji. That's still likely to be the case for group calls. For one-on-one chats in which both participants are wearing a Reality Pro, the report suggests that FaceTime will render realistic versions of their face and body. Processing limitations seemingly prevent this feature from being available for group calls. Other companies, such as Meta, typically render users in a more cartoonish fashion (and don't yet include legs).
Any of these features may still yet change as the headset is months away from coming to market. However, it's believed that Reality Pro will be powered by an M2 chipset. A second chip called the "Reality Processor" is expected to handle graphics and mixed-reality experiences.
While other headset makers typically opt for a plastic body, Apple is believed to be constructing Reality Pro using aluminum, glass and cushions with a similar look to the AirPods Max headphones. However, the battery is not expected to be built into the device. According to Gurman, the battery will be in an external pack that connects to the headset via a cable and is placed in a user's pocket. That, and a cooling fan, could help avoid the headset from overheating, but it could lead to a weight imbalance. The battery life is said to be around two hours.
Apple may reveal the device this spring — before this year's Worldwide Developers Conference in June — and release it this fall. The price, though, may put off many who might otherwise be interested in Reality Pro. It's long been expected that the headset will retail for around $ 3,000. That's twice as much as the Quest Pro.
This is a gamble for Apple as it moves into a new market that hasn't yet seen mass adoption. The report suggests that Apple expects to sell around 1 million units in the first year and the company even anticipates that the first version of Reality Pro won't turn a profit. Another version that will cost around $ 1,500 is said to be in the pipeline, though that may not arrive until late 2024 or early 2025. The cheaper model may eschew the Reality Pro's 4K displays for ones with lower resolution to reduce the cost.
Apple’s mixed reality headset may feature an M2 processor
The latest version of Apple’s long-rumored mixed reality headset features the company’s recently announced M2 system-on-a-chip and 16GB of RAM, according to Mark Gurman. The Bloomberg reporter shared the tidbit of information in his latest Power On newsletter – along with details on a “deluge” of devices Apple plans to release over the next year, including a new HomePod speaker.
As The Verge points out, most recent reports, including those from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and The Information, have suggested the augmented and virtual reality headset would feature two processors. According to Kuo, one of the SoCs would have the same capabilities as the company’s M1 chip, while the other would be a lower-end chip designed to handle data from the device’s sensors.
After years of rumors, there’s been increasing evidence Apple is getting closer to the day when it will finally announce its mixed reality headset. In May, a Twitter user found evidence Apple likely used a shell company to obtain trademarks for “RealityOS.” Earlier in the year, developers also found references to the operating system in App Store upload logs. More recently, Tim Cook told China Daily he “couldn’t be more excited about the opportunities” presented by augmented and virtual reality, and told the publication to “stay tuned and you will see what we have to offer” on that front.
Recent ‘realityOS’ trademarks hint at Apple moving closer to AR/VR headset announcement
At the start of the year, a handful of developers, including Steve Troughton-Smith, found references to “realityOS,” the operating system for Apple’s long-rumored virtual and augmented reality headset. Now, a little more than a week before the start of WWDC 2022, the name has resurfaced in trademark filings seemingly linked to the company.
It cannot be a coincidence that the “realityOS” trademark owned by a company that seemingly doesn’t exist and is specifically for “wearable computer hardware” is being filed around the world on June 8, 2022 https://t.co/myoRbOvgJa + https://t.co/AH97r95EMnpic.twitter.com/uvsiZCj2rR
— Parker Ortolani (@ParkerOrtolani) May 29, 2022
On Friday, Vox Media product manager Parker Ortolani took to Twitter to share two United States Patent and Trademark Office filings he found registered by a company called Realityo Systems LLC. As Parker and others have pointed out, there’s evidence to suggest Realityo Systems is a shell company created by Apple to obscure its tracks.
First, there’s the June 8th foreign filing deadline for both trademarks, which falls just two days after the start of WWDC 2022. Additionally, as noted by 9to5Mac, Realityo Systems LLC shares the same address as Yosemite Research LLC, the shell company Apple used to secure trademarks for past versions of its macOS operating system, including macOS Monterey. One more interesting tidbit of evidence is that in some countries Realityo Systems submitted trademark filings that include a realityOS logo written in Apple’s signature San Francisco typeface.
The timing of the filings suggests Apple is getting closer to the day it will feel comfortable sharing details about its augmented and virtual reality ambitions. However, we would caution against expecting an announcement as early as next week. In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman predicts the company won’t hold “a full-blown presentation” on its mixed-reality headset at WWDC. In fact, he says he would be “wary of expecting” such an announcement from the company. Gurman previously reported that Apple was considering pushing the device's debut back to 2023 due to ongoing development problems. Still, the company is clearly moving forward with the project.
Valve’s Index headset is sold out and VR ‘Half-Life’ isn’t even here yet
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‘No Man’s Sky VR’ puts the universe on your headset for free
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HTC’s next VR headset is the Vive Cosmos
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‘Star Trek: Bridge Crew’ drops its VR headset requirement
There's no question that Star Trek: Bridge Crew benefits from VR — it helps fulfill that fantasy of helming a starship. Most people don't have the VR headset you need to play the game, however, which makes gathering a crew rather difficult. Red Stor…
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Vive Focus pegged as HTC’s standalone Daydream virtual reality headset
The HTC Vive was a virtual reality collaboration project between Valve and HTC. It’s expensive, though, running $ 599 even after the most recent price cut. It also doesn’t work without a beefy computer rig to actually handle the heavy lifting. The next big development in VR, therefore, should be a headset that doesn’t need a […]
Come comment on this article: Vive Focus pegged as HTC’s standalone Daydream virtual reality headset
Samsung working on a fully standalone VR headset with an Exynos CPU
Samsung’s Gear VR line has been moderately successful at bringing virtual reality to the masses without investing in any high-end hardware or equipment. Simply drop your Galaxy S or Galaxy Note smartphone in the headset and you’re ready to go. On top of that, Samsung has given away a free VR headset with all of […]
Come comment on this article: Samsung working on a fully standalone VR headset with an Exynos CPU
Microsoft didn’t make Xbox One’s first easy-pairing headset
In an age where technology is becoming increasingly wireless, it's baffling that Xbox One headsets still require either a transmitter or lengthy wires in order to work. Thankfully, LucidSound's latest is about to change that. Connecting directly to X…
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Vive Video puts a personal home theater in HTC’s VR headset
We've seen VR video theaters for Oculus and PlayStation VR, and now HTC has an upgrade in that department. Vive Video supports all kinds of media: 2D, 3D, 180-degree or full 360-degree, with options to make the environment as much of a realistic thea…
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Daydream believer: Google’s VR headset is only $50 at the moment
Google has cut the price of its Daydream View VR headset from $ 80 down to $ 50 in its latest deal, making it an excellent deal for Pixel phone owners keen to try out virtual reality.
The post Daydream believer: Google’s VR headset is only $ 50 at the moment appeared first on Digital Trends.
Lenovo and Kopin are working together to accelerate the AR headset market
Could 2017 be the year of augmented reality? A new partnership between Lenovo and Kopin just may make it so. Lenovo Capital and Incubator Group (LCIG) and Kopin Corporation announced the formation of a new joint venture — Lenovo New Vision.
The post Lenovo and Kopin are working together to accelerate the AR headset market appeared first on Digital Trends.
Xbox controller support is coming to Samsung’s Gear VR headset
Last month, Microsoft announced plans to bring Xbox Wireless tech to PCs and other gaming accessories starting with Lenovo's IdeaCentre Y710 Cube. Today, the company went a step further with controller support for Samsung's Gear VR headset. That's ri…
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Give yourself a glaucoma test with your smartphone and the Viewi headset
Meet the Viewi, a headset that lets you slide your phone right into its place (much like a Gear VR), and give yourself a glaucoma test from the comfort of your own home. And best of all, it costs around $ 25.
The post Give yourself a glaucoma test with your smartphone and the Viewi headset appeared first on Digital Trends.
Xiaomi announces the Mi VR Play, a virtual reality headset for your smartphone
Xiaomi’s taken the wraps off the Mi VR Play, a smartphone-powered headset made of stretchable Lycra material. It’s available to select “beta testers” now, with general availability to follow in the future.
The post Xiaomi announces the Mi VR Play, a virtual reality headset for your smartphone appeared first on Digital Trends.
Why not? Huawei is making its own VR headset for phones
Huawei has announced Huawei VR, a virtual reality headset that will challenge Samsung’s Gear VR. Or will it? There are conflicting reports on how Huawei VR works, but here’s what we think we know about it so far.
The post Why not? Huawei is making its own VR headset for phones appeared first on Digital Trends.
Huawei’s TalkBand B3 doubles as a fitness tracker and a Bluetooth headset
Along with the P9 and the P9 Plus, Huawei has unveiled a new wearable — the TalkBand B3, a successor to the B2 that also doubles as a Bluetooth headset. The B3 comes in three models — the Active, the Classic, and the Elite.
The post Huawei’s TalkBand B3 doubles as a fitness tracker and a Bluetooth headset appeared first on Digital Trends.
Google might make a VR headset that doesn’t need a phone to work
We have been hearing talk that Google is working on a new VR headset. They already have the Google Cardboard, but this one is said to be much better.
One of the reasons this headset will be much better, and totally different from anything else out there, is the fact that it will be an all-in-one device. It won’t need a phone or a PC in order to work.
Google is actually said to be releasing two new VR headsets. One that is similar to a Samsung Gear VR, which uses a phone to be powered, and another one that doesn’t need anything else to work. The second one would be in its own class as everything else out there must have other devices to function properly.
We don’t know if these reports are true or not as we have heard that one headset is supposed to debut this year, however, we have also heard that Google might dump the idea entirely. If the rumours are true, a likely time frame to see the device would probably be at the Google I/O developer conference later this year. However, it would probably be the headset that works with phones first, and not the stand-alone one just yet.
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Microsoft’s Hololens headset may need charging every couple of hours
Microsoft’s augmented reality headset, Hololens, may only last for around 2.5 hours on a single battery charge, if you use it for power-intensive tasks. The news, along with several other new features, has been revealed by a Microsoft technical evangelist.
The post Microsoft’s Hololens headset may need charging every couple of hours appeared first on Digital Trends.
LG bringing its updated Tone Infinim HBS-910 audio headset to CES 2016
LG has revealed even more of its CES lineup by announcing it will be showing an update to its Tone Infinim audio headset, the HBS-910, at this year’s show. Unlike most wireless in-ears, these use an around-the-neck base unit that allows for much more battery life.
The post LG bringing its updated Tone Infinim HBS-910 audio headset to CES 2016 appeared first on Digital Trends.
Updated HTC Vive Headset and Controllers Leak Ahead of CES 2016
New photos posted on Reddit Thursday revealed what appear to be the consumer versions of the HTC Vive headset and controllers. The leak comes just ahead of CES 2016, where HTC may unveil new details about the device.
The post Updated HTC Vive Headset and Controllers Leak Ahead of CES 2016 appeared first on Digital Trends.
[TA Deals] Save 30% on the Homido virtual reality headset
Virtual reality has slowly been on the rise in recent years, but now it seems to finally have become mainstream. Brands big and small are attempting to get a headset on your face, allowing you to watch video and play games in an immersive way. The pricing of capable headsets, though, is pretty high if you want to get one of good quality. But we are currently offering the Homido virtual reality headset on Talk Android Deals with savings that make it a worthwhile consideration.
Here’s what you need to know about the Homido:
- Screen size compatibility
- Greater than 4 inches
- Less than 5.7 inches
- Screen resolution support
- Optimal: Full HD (1920×1080) or higher
- Compatible: HD (1280×720)
- Limited: 800×480
- Operating system support
- Optimal: Android, iOS
- Compatible/Limited: Windows Phone
Forget about paying the usual $ 100 price for the Homido because we’ve knocked 30% from that price. So you can bring home an impressive virtual reality headset for less than $ 70 with free shipping. Included with the Homido is one pair of lenses, three pairs of lens holders for different sights, a soft case for storing, and a strap. You’re getting everything you need to immerse yourself in 360-degree experiences. Upon ordering, you can expect your Homido virtual reality headset to be delivered November 13-20.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Come comment on this article: [TA Deals] Save 30% on the Homido virtual reality headset