Google adds support for free Spotify accounts to Home

Google announced at I/O that it was adding support for more streaming services as well as opening its Spotify support not just to Premium subscribers but those with free accounts, too. The latter is rolling out as Google adds support for those free users of the streaming service. To add your account, just head to the Home app and go to the Music section. You’ll find Spotify there. Just enter your login information and then you’ll be able to play music via voice commands. Here’s a complete list of the voice commands you can use.

Source: Android Police

Patent shows new details about Facebook’s AR glasses

If you’re wondering what Facebook is doing in the augmented reality space, a newly published patent shows us the possibilities. The device is described as something that can “augment views of a physical, real-world environment with computer-generated elements" and "be included in an eye-wear comprising a frame and a display assembly that presents media to a user's eyes." It has what’s called a waveguide display with a two-dimensional scanner being developed by Facebook's virtual reality arm Oculus VR. The display could be used not just for AR but for virtual reality, mixed reality, or a combination of those three.

The display will make use of lasers, scanning mirrors, and other elements to display content. According to the patent filing, the lasers will emit light onto the lens displays and transform these into the images and videos you’ll be able to see. There might also be audio courtesy of connected speakers or headphones. While the patent might be here, this doesn’t necessarily mean we’re getting the device soon. As Mashable points out, Oculus’ chief scientist Michael Abrash spoke at F8 saying that always-on AR glasses are at least five years away. For now, we can just think about the possibilities.

Is there a ‘Star Wars’ Obi-Wan Kenobi movie in our future?

It’s not exactly a new rumour, but with the untitled Han Solo film now in its final stages, it seems the fixation is moving towards the other possible standalone movies from the Star Wars universe. And the rumour mill this time is saying a solo Obi-Wan Kenobi movie might be in the works, or at least in its very early stages. The Hollywood Reporter claims Oscar-nominated director Stephen Daldry might be taking the helm for this project. The director behind Billy Elliot and The Hours is reportedly in early talks with Lucasfilm to have him oversee the development and writing of the film.

Lucasfilm has been planning to release more standalone films and it isn’t an unusual thought that we’d get an Obi-Wan film, especially with Alec Guinness even getting an Oscar nomination for taking on the role in the original trilogy. Ewan McGregor took on the role in the prequels. But if they want to take a look at a younger Obi-Wan, he might not be able to reprise the role. We’d just have to wait and see. The wait might be a while, though.

VW's I.D. Buzz EV Microbus tapped for possible 2022 release

Volkswagen's I.D. Buzz concept for an eletric microbus could be put in mass production by 2022. According to a report from Automotive News Europe which notes, "Volkswagen brand CEO Herbert Diess is expected to announce on Saturday details regarding the production of the battery-powered I.D. Buzz microbus slated to debut in 2022."

I got to see the I.D. Buzz at the Detroit Auto Show early this year and was impressed at the mix of retro flavour and innovative EV and driverless features the concept proposed. A futuristic successor to the nostalgic Microbuses, Vanagons and Eurovans of decades past, the I.D. Buzz is one of three EVs VW plans to build and a unique concept in a world of EV sedans and SUVs.

Diess will likely be joined by Eckhard Scholz, the head of Volkswagen's light commercial vehicle business, which manufactures the Transporter in Hanover, Germany, where all six generations of the van have been produced since 1956.

Coming off the Dieselgate scandal, a tangible entry into the EV market could set VW up for future success as EVs become more mainstream.

Source: Automotive News Europe