Apps
Google gives up on Project Tango for good
The writing was on the wall: Google is shutting down Project Tango, its ambitious augmented reality system, by March 2018.
Project what? If it doesn’t spark any memories, we can’t blame you. It was first introduced in 2014 and only two smartphones have since launched with it installed, specifically Lenovo’s Phab 2 Pro and ASUS’ more recent ZenFone AR.
What made the AR system so difficult to apply to a handset and market to consumers was the complicated camera setup and separate apps needed to get the pieces together — and the fact that only two phones were compatible with it.
Our hands-on experience with the ZenFone AR and Project Tango made it all seem simple, but that was only after you invested in the platform and set everything up.
The speculation about Project Tango being put to rest began when Google launched ARCore, which is the search giant’s newest platform for augmented reality. That, and the Tango website being shut down.
Although limited to the first- and second-generation Pixel phones with Android 8.1 Oreo for now, ARCore is able to run without the need for a complicated camera system. By downloading the software from Google Play, these handsets instantly get full access to nifty features, such as the built-in camera app’s AR stickers.
That automatically makes ARCore superior to Project Tango. People speculate that this move came out of pressure since Apple revealed ARKit, which is their take on augmented reality software that needs only a single smartphone camera to work.
Google’s virtual reality system Daydream, on the other hand, is still active thanks to its simplicity and wider compatibility. Combined with ARCore in all future Android phones, both augmented and virtual reality will finally hit the mainstream level everyone was initially hoping for.
SEE ALSO: ASUS ZenFone AR review
[irp posts=”15440″ name=”ASUS ZenFone AR review”]
New users on X might soon face a tough time on the platform. The social media website will likely start charging new accounts a small fee for the right to post on the platform.
Now, the fee isn’t a new one. Almost six months ago, the company tested the paid system in New Zealand and the Philippines. New users in those countries had to pay a dollar per year for the ability to post and reply to content.
As spotted by X Daily News on the same platform, the company might be ready to take the experiment to a larger market. New text strings have shown that the policy is rolling out worldwide.
SPECULATION: X might be expanding its policy to charge new users before they reply/like/bookmark a post https://t.co/odqeyeiHBx pic.twitter.com/EU71qlwQ0D
— X Daily News (@xDaily) April 15, 2024
The policy is designed to combat a wave of bots appearing on the platform. By preventing new accounts from creating posts, X hopes to stave off the standard behavior of bots these days. You might have noticed them as OnlyFans creators in unrelated posts, peddling NSFW content on their bio.
Though the global rollout was only just spotted, owner Elon Musk has seemingly confirmed the change. Replying to X Daily News, Musk says that it is “the only way to curb the relentless onslaught of bots.” He says that the current breed of bots can easily bypass simple checks these days.
Apps
Disney+ might get always-on channels similar to cable TV
Featuring content from Marvel, Star Wars, and classic Disney
The burden of choice on streaming platforms is real. If you’re like us, you’ve spent hours just mindlessly scrolling through titles on Netflix or Disney+ without watching anything. Netflix, at least, has a Play Something button to fight off that irresistible urge. Now, Disney+ is reportedly trying something different: always-on channels.
If you already cut cable from your lives, you’re likely missing traditional channels or networks that have pre-determined programming. It was a flawed system that eventually ended up with mediocre content and a downpour of ads. However, cable did allow us to keep watching without deciding what comes next.
Now, according to The Information, Disney+ is working on adding those channels to its streaming service. Naturally, these channels will include content from the platform’s library such as Marvel, Star Wars, and its list of classic animated films.
Strangely, the reported feature might still have ads in between programs. Though the addition of ads does mean a better similarity with real television, users still have to be paying subscribers to access the channels. Even if you’re already paying for Disney+, you might still get hit with ads.
Disney has not confirmed the reports yet. The platform might launch a version of the feature outside of the scope included in this report. It’s also unknown when these always-on channels will launch.
SEE ALSO: Macross to be available on Disney+
A few years ago, Apple unleashed one of the most interesting features for the iPhone today: Emergency SOS. Designed for those who like their fair bit of the outdoors, Emergency SOS allows users to contact emergency services without network coverage. Other manufacturers, however, are struggling to adopt the same feature. Now, Google might soon join Apple in providing satellite connectivity for its users.
Despite the convenience, satellite connectivity hasn’t taken off as much as the industry expected it to. For one, a network of satellites isn’t the easiest thing to maintain. Apple is still currently offering its services for free, a gamble that may or may not pay off. Now, the iPhone maker won’t be alone.
According to Android Authority, Google might start offering the same service to Pixel 9 users. Starting with this year’s upcoming flagship, the company is reportedly teaming up with T-Mobile to create satellite connectivity for its users. The telecommunications network is teaming up with SpaceX for the feature.
The same report describes how the feature might work. Once activated, the feature will ask users of their situation: is everyone breathing, are people trapped, are weapons involved, among others. The phone will then relay this information to emergency authorities for a rapid response.
Unfortunately, pricing remains a mystery. While Apple is still offering its satellite connectivity for free, other brands might put the burden of cost on the end user. Hopefully, they won’t, but a paid version is unfortunately expected at this point.
SEE ALSO: Should you be excited for Apple’s satellite connectivity?
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