Entries by Nicole Batac (11813)

Tuesday
Jun102014

Google Glass update adds new Google Now cards and improves photo sharing

Google is trying to make Glass worth its price tag with new features to the wearable device. The new Google Now cards included in Glass include World Cup updates, package tracking, and locating your parked car. Photo sharing has also been made easier with the new update. When you take photos with Glass, you can instantly view and edit the photos you’ve taken right on the MyGlass app on your Android phone. Plus, you don’t have to be connected to Wi-Fi to use this. This feature will eventually make its way to MyGlass app for iOS but Google didn’t specify when. You will also be getting a battery notification when power drops to 20 percent. These new features are slated to be rolled out later this week.

Source: The Next Web

Tuesday
Jun102014

Microsoft Research aims to develop smartphones with battery life to last you one week

Battery life remains to be one of the major concerns of smartphone users today. That is why Microsoft Research are finding ways to remedy this problem. According to Ranveer Chandra, their team is exploring the possibility of creating smartphones with batteries that can last for seven days without the need to use external battery packs.

One method is to put two li-ion batteries in the phone instead of one. These batteries can split usage depending on what the users need. For example, one can provide larger supply for heavy use and the other can be for standby mode. They are also exploring software optimization through a process called E-Loupe. This will pinpoint battery hungry apps that the software can slow down or pause when not in use. The research team has been able to create prototypes that improved battery life from 20% to 50%. It’s not yet their goal but we’d take that over a lot smartphone batteries we have today.

Source: Ubergizmo

Monday
Jun092014

‘Halo: The Master Chief’ collection will include beta version of ‘Halo 5’

Microsoft has finally confirmed the appearance of the Halo: The Master Chief Collection at E3 and says the remastered games will be available for the Xbox starting November 11th. The collection will include Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Halo 3, and Halo 4. It will keep the multiplayer experience and all the downloadable content plus gamers will have access to the multiplayer beta of Halo 5: Guardians by December as well as the Steven Spielberg-backed TV show called Halo: Nightfall.

The games will remain mostly unchanged expected they will come in 1080p and run at 60fps. You get the option to switch back and forth between the original graphics and the Xbox One’s engine with Halo 2. The first two games will also have new music. And all levels, missions, and maps will be unlocked from the beginning.

Source: Engadget

Monday
Jun092014

New ‘Tomb Raider’ title to land on Xbox One next year

 

Microsoft is bringing more of your favorite badass archaeologist Lara Croft to the Xbox One in 2015. The company announced at its E3 conference that a new Tomb Raider game called Rise of the Tomb Raider will make its way to the console by next year’s holiday season. Microsoft did not reveal much about the upcoming game but we will let you know when we find out more.

Source: CNET