Microsoft aims for a ‘mixed reality’ over a virtual one, opens HoloLens development to third-party partners

Microsoft claims the market for virtual reality devices is forecasted to hit 80 million devices per year by 2020. With almost every single tech company putting out some form of a VR headset or accessory, we don’t think that’s far off. But Microsoft is looking beyond the virtual world and entering what they call a “mixed reality” or the mix between the virtual and augmented reality. How Microsoft wants to do this is by opening up development of HoloLens to third-party companies via the Windows Holographic platform. They want to bring the experience not just to their HoloLens device but to whatever VR or AR or “mixed” device it can be made available. It’s not just for the headsets themselves but even the accessories, displays, or PCs needed to make mixed reality devices come to life.

Think of it a bit like Google’s own Daydream VR platform. And Microsoft aims for its partners—which include Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, HTC, Acer, ASUS, CyberPowerPC, Dell, Falcon Northwest, HP, iBuyPower, Lenovo, and MSI—to “push the limits and create opportunity across the ecosystem.” Of course, this means the platform works with Windows. And don’t be surprised if the consumer version of HoloLens comes from a third-party company. Check out the video above to see how Microsoft thinks this technology can be used in the future.

Source: Microsoft

Acer’s new pro 4K monitor hardly has any bezels

A professional photographer or designer needs a good display that can show color as accurately as possible. And they also need as big a screen real estate as they can have. Enter the Acer BM320. This 32-inch 4K display hardly has any visible bezels on its three sides and it covers a wide range of color gamut. Aside from its 3,840 x 2,160 resolution, the screen covers 100 percent of both the Adobe RGB color gamut and Rec. 709 color gamut. It also covers 90 percent of the DCI-P3 color gamut. Now in terms of color depth, the BM320 is at 10-bit, which is said to be 64 times more color depth than the usual 8-bit monitor.

Acer encourages designers to use multiple monitor setups with the lack of bezels. The monitor also comes with an ergonomic stand that you can tilt, swivel, pivot, as well as adjust the height of.

Source: SlashGear + The Verge

Pulse camera remote is a pocket-sized solution for wireless control of DSLR and Mirrorless cameras

Alpine Labs announced the availability of Pulse: the world’s most powerful and user-friendly camera remote. With a wide range of powerful and advanced features and a beautiful and intuitive user interface, Alpine Lab’s Pulse is set to delight photographers of all levels and interests.

Pulse offers a powerful pocket-sized solution to wireless control of DSLR and Mirrorless cameras. Connecting via the USB port and mounted in the hot shoe, Pulse facilitates remote control from the comfort of your mobile device using Bluetooth connectivity and a free mobile app. Unlike other remotes that utilize a camera’s trigger port, the USB connection allows Pulse to wirelessly control ISO, shutter speed, aperture, start / stop video, preview images on the screen of your device, and boasts an operational range of up to 100 ft.

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Apple Pay now available in Canada's Big Five banks, In-app purchases

Apple Pay is now available in Canada to customers of BMO (MasterCard, Interac), TD (Visa, Interac), Scotiabank (Visa, Amex, Interac) which are joining CIBC, Canadian Tire and RBC Credit which launched the service last month. 

Apple Pay also extends to purchasing physical goods within apps or purchasing items from the Apple Store, while American Express is currently live and that won't change, support for all of the rest of the banks above will is also going live.

Launching payments within apps (all credit-card only; Interac support for in-app coming at a later date across these issuing banks) 

• ATB
• Canadian Tire
• CIBC
• RBC
• BMO
• TD
• Scotiabank
• American Express (already live).

Various Canadian apps have updated to be able to integrate Apple Pay for in-app purchases. For Apple Pay to work, users need an iPhone 6/6S, iPhone SE or an Apple Watch since these are the models that feature a secure enclave to enable the safe and secure transactions.

Source: Apple