Google wants to bring spatial audio to Cardboard

Google’s Cardboard division, the group in charge of the development of the company’s Virtual Reality Platform recently announced that they’re updating the SDK of the platform to allow for spatial audio to be added into developers’ apps. Spatial audio—or 3D or binaural audio—is designed to allow sound to shift between channels when you move the position of your head to create an immersive audio experience. The new SDK for Cardboard doesn’t just allow developers to determine the relative position of sound, they can also emulate the material and size, even with having to work on a smartphone CPU. So, the next time you use an app with Cardboard, you might even be able to hear things like planes flying by.

Source: Google Developers Blog

Skype to bring free group video calling to mobile devices

Microsoft is celebrating the 10^th anniversary of Skype by bringing group video calling for free to different mobile operating systems. Users on iOS, Android, and Windows 10 Mobile will all get to make free group calls soon. But those who want early dibs can get preview access from this link. There you’ll need to enter your country, email address, Skype username, and device type. Microsoft promises setup for preview participants will be done within a matter of days.

Source: Microsoft | Via: Apple Insider

GoPro to lay off 7% of its workforce

GoPro didn’t have a good end to 2015 and the start of 2016 isn’t shaping up to be any better for the brand. The action camera maker recently revealed that sales during the holiday quarter were “lower than anticipated” and they will be laying off seven percent of their workforce. "Over the past two years, GoPro's headcount has grown by more than 50% annually, to more than 1,500 employees at the end of 2015," the company said in a release. "To better align resources to key growth initiatives, GoPro has implemented a reduction in its workforce of approximately 7 percent."

Shares of the company have dropped from US$65 back in August to just $14 per share this week, which is $10 less of its $24 price during its public offering. And when GoPro made the announcement on Wednesday, the stock fell further to $11 per share. The company said they generated about $435 million in the fourth quarter, which was less than they expected in part because of the multiple price cuts the new Hero4 camera took (which also cost the company some $21 million). They are also expected to incur around $30 million to $35 million for excess inventory and order commitments.

Source: Mashable

Microsoft ends support for Windows 8 and Internet Explorer 8, 9, and 10

If you’re still using Windows 8 and Internet Explorer 8, 9, and 10, it’s time to make an upgrade. Microsoft is ending support for these versions starting today. You’ll no longer get security patches or technical support if things go awry for you. IE 11 will continue to be supported, so will Windows 8.1, which will continue to have support until January 10, 2023.

Source: Lifehacker