Cheaper Kobo Aura H20 eReader comes to market in time for summer

Are eBook readers still a thing?  Rakuten believes they are, and has released the new Kobo Aura H2O—an updated version of their expensive waterproof eReader. The new device features ananti-glare E Ink display, for a print-on-paper like reading experience. The comfortLight PRO feature reduces blue-light spectrum.

The new Kobo Aura H2O will be available in black and will retail for $199.99 CAD (MSRP) in Canada at www.kobo.com (pre-orders will be available as of May 15) and select retailers starting on May 22; the device will also be available as of May 22 in the US, the UK, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Japan, and Turkey; as of June in Sweden; as of July in Australia and New Zealand; with Philippines, Mexico and Brazil to follow later this year.

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Google helps you put together a quick Mother’s Day clip from your Photos library

Thinking about what to get your mom this coming Mother’s Day? Google wants to help you take a trip down memory lane by helping you assemble a short clip celebrating your mom. While it would be better to get her an actual gift, adding this on will be a nice touch. All you need to do is head to this Google Photos’ page and identify your mom as well as you and your siblings (if you have any). The app will then compile your photos and create the video slideshow for you. When it’s done, it can then be saved on your desktop or mobile phone or be shared on social media.

Source: The Next Web

Facebook to close Oculus VR animation studio

Henry | Oculus Story Studio

The award-winning Oculus Story Studio is going to be shuttered by Facebook so it can focus more on supporting third-party creators. The two-year-old unit was behind the short film Henry, which won an Emmy in 2016 for Outstanding Original Interactive Program. But recognition doesn’t seem to be what Facebook wants to focus on. According to Oculus Vice President of Content Jason Rubin, “We’ve been looking at the best way to allocate our resources to create an impact on the ecosystem. After careful consideration, we’ve decided to shift our focus away from internal content creation to support more external production. As part of that shift, we’ll be winding down Story Studio.

Rubin, in a blog post, emphasizes that Oculus isn’t giving up on producing VR film and other creative content for the platform. He says they’ve even invested US$250 million last year on third-party content creators. “We’re going to carve out $50 [million] from that financial commitment to exclusively fund non-gaming, experiential VR content. This money will go directly to artists to help jumpstart the most innovative and groundbreaking VR ideas.

Source: CNET

Google Play celebrates Star Wars Day

To commemorate this significant date with Star Wars fans we're taking a look at some fun things related to this unofficial holiday. We're travelling back to Jakku to find the most popular Star Wars content of all time on Google Play including the most downloaded film The Force Awakens, the most downloaded game: Star Wars™: Galaxy of Heroes and the most downloaded book Aftermath: Star Wars: Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens. 

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