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

Mophie’s new cases let you charge wirelessly

Mophie’s new line of cases will move you away from using a cable to charge. The Juice Pack cases will let you recharge your smartphone while magnetically holding it in place, meaning you can charge it at home, work, or even in the car. Of course, you’ll need the mounts but we’ll talk about that in a bit. Mophie is offering cases for the iPhone 6/6s and 6 Plus/6s Plus with an extra 1,560mAh and 2,420mAh, respectively. They also have versions of the Juice Pack for the Samsung Galaxy S7/S7 edge with a 2,950mAh and 3,300mAh boost, respectively. Its charging base, which is part of Mophie’s new Charge Force line, has a desk stand and vent mount options.

If you want to buy the Juice Pack with the charging base, it retails for US$99.95 (approx. CA$130) for the 1,560mAh version of the iPhone 6/6s, while it costs US$129.95 (approx. CA$170) for the 2,420mAh model for the iPhone 6 Plus/6s Plus. The Juice Pack for the Galaxy S7 phones go for US$99.95 but that doesn’t come with the wireless charging base yet, which you can get for US$39.95 (approx. CA$52). If you want the desk and vent mounts, those retail for US$59.95 (approx. CA$78) each. It’s going to be quite an investment to start using these cases. You can check them out on Mophie’s site if you’re interested.

Source: The Verge

Airbnb now allows your neighbors to complain against unpleasant guests

As Airbnb gives its customers a glimpse at local life, that also means they’re immersed into the life of living in the neighborhood, even for a short period of time. And not all guests meet certain standards of a certain area. That’s why Airbnb is giving the people that live around your Airbnb place a chance to complain with the new Neighbors feature. The complaints can be anything from excessive noise, inappropriate activities, to misuse of common areas.

Once reported, Airbnb will study the case and match the address description with a possible listing on their service. If it matches, they will then inform the host without naming the neighbor about the complaint. If they want to meet up with the host, that can also be arranged by the service by giving their contact information to the host. We’re not sure how mediation will work though. That might be an entirely different issue altogether. 

Source: Airbnb