Report claims LG might ditch modular accessories for next flagship

LG G5 Modular smartphone - Photo from Tropicalpost.com

Things are not looking good for LG’s Friends, if this new report is to be believed. Korean-based ETNews cites unnamed sources that claim the “LG G6” or whatever the next flagship phone the brand releases won’t support add-on modules (a.k.a. the Friends). The story claims LG executives want to create a new flagship device that reflects what the customers demand instead of trying to bring innovative features that won’t be used by its users.

While the jury is still out on how useful and successful these modular accessory market (especially with Moto having its own ecosystem with modular accessories), dropping out of this segment too early might also not work in LG’s favor. This is still an unconfirmed rumour at the moment so we can’t say with certainty that LG will be ditching its Friends, especially since an LG spokesman has said the upcoming device will support the accessories. Whether it’s true or not, do you think LG should return to doing more traditional phones or stick with this new path?

Source: Android Authority

Google starts pre-orders for Daydream VR in some countries

It’s not yet Canada’s turn but Google’s affordable virtual reality headset is coming to the US, UK, and Germany soon. The Daydream View VR headset is now available for pre-order in those aforementioned countries and is set to ship next month. It’s made with a breathable fabric surrounding the viewer and is recommended to run with Daydream-ready phones, like the Google Pixel XL. The Daydream VR retails for $79 USD (around $100 CAD). We’ll let you know once we get word about local availability.

Source: The Next Web

Birdie lets you throw your GoPro in the air without destroying it

Drones are obviously the easiest way to take footage with your GoPro. But if you don’t have one of these on hand (or don’t want to spend unnecessarily on one), a shuttlecock-like accessory called Birdie might be your answer. Obviously taking inspiration from badminton, the contraption lets you throw a GoPro in the air without damaging it. While it won’t stay up in the air for too long, it could provide you with some interesting footage or photos. You can throw it straight up or ahead towards something or someone. Birdie first appeared as an Indiegogo project but will soon be up on Amazon for $49 USD (around $60 CAD).

Source: SlashGear

IBM to provide CANet with data analytics for cardiovascular research

IBM partners with the Cardiac Arrhythmia Network of Canada (CANet) to provide an important tool for the digital age: data analytics. The partnership launches Heart-SIGN (System for Information Gathering and Networking), a cloud-based analytics platform designed to “manage, monitor, store, correlate, and analyze” data generated by all CANet research projects. CANet makes use of IBM BigInsights on Cloud and Watson Analytics to build the platform meant to inspire new ideas and share research related to heart rhythm disturbances. Heart-SIGN will serve as a data resource for research and clinical practice on arrhythmia. It can also help researchers identify specific needs of patients, track them through the system, and measure outcomes.

The platform is also designed to provide evidence-based recommended starting points to answer questions that might have taken researchers years to investigate. These are all put in a single, dynamic interface to help “achieve faster and more cohesive clinical outcomes.” Millions of people in Canada experience irregular heart rhythms or arrhythmias, with some experiencing sudden cardiac death and others getting disorders like atrial fibrillation and syncope.