Android N Developer Preview 3 Adds VR Support, Instant Apps, and Sustainable Performance Mode

Google has also unveiled the third Android N Developer Preview at Google I/O 2016, and the first “beta quality” release, available on Nexus 6, 9, 5X, 6P, Nexus Player, Pixel C, and Android One as a “seamless updates” if you opt-in to the Android Beta Program in order to get an over-the-air update with the very latest firmware. Google wants Android N to be faster, safer and more productive. The first two previews addressed performance with a new JIT compiler and Vulkan 3D graphics API support, productivity with multi-window support and direct reply from notifications, as well as security thanks to seamless updates bringing the latest security patchsets to your phones in a timely manner. The third preview brings fixes, and some interesting new features: VR Mode in Android – Google has modified and augmented the Android stack in N to reduce lag between sensor data readings (e.g. head motion) […]

Pico Neo Android Virtual Reality Headset is Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 Processor

If you want an enjoyable experience with virtual reality you’d need a 2K+ display, and a powerful processor, and even Chinese manufacturers are going high-end with DeePoon M2, or Pico Neo, which features an innovative design to keep the headset light (320 grams) as it only comes with the screen and lenses, while a Snapdragon 820 processor coupled with 4GB RAM, 32GB storage, and the battery can be found in the optional remote controller (220 grams). That all means you could just purchase the head mount display (HMD) and connect it to your computer, or get the bundle with the gamepad to get an all-in-one Android VR kit. The HMD includes two 3.81″ AMOLED screen with 1200×1080 resolution, and 90Hz screen refresh rate, features aspheric lenses with 102 degrees field of view, focus adjustment, and support for 0 to 800 degree myopia, as well as a 9-axis motion sensor with 20 […]

HA544 Android Virtual Reality Headset Powered by Rockchip RK3188 Processor Sells for $155

Virtual reality headset have become more and more popular recently, from the basic Google Cardboard using your own smartphone, to models interfacing with a computer such as the $599 Oculus Rift or $700 HTC Vive. Chinese manufacturers have all launched a few standalone models running Android such as the high-end Deepoon M2 based on Samsung Exynos 7420, or the relatively inexpensive HA544 powered by Rockchip RK3188 quad core processor with 2GB RAM, and 8GB flash. HA544 virtual reality headset (aka VR HMD “Head-mount display”) specifications: SoC – Rockchip RK3188 quad core Corter A9 processor @ 1.6 GHz with Mali-400MP4 GPU System Memory – 2GB DDR3 Storage – 8GB NAND flash + micro SD slot Display – 5.5, 1920×1080 resolution Lenses 2x aspherical lens for myopia under 700 degrees Diameter – 42mm 90 degrees field of view (FOV) IPD (Interpupillary distance) & focus adjustment Connectivity – WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0 with […]

Ultracker US360 360 Degrees Camera Features 4 Wide-Angle Lenses, Runs Android

We’ve already seen 360 degrees cameras with some rather expensive setups with multiple GoPros, as well as more affordable solutions (around $500) such as Gyroptic 360 Camera and ALLIe cameras. Taiwan based Ultracker Technology is now promising a 360 degree camera for around 300 dollars with their US360 model featuring four lenses for up to 1080p30 or 6144×1760 @ 6 fps video recording or live streaming. US360 camera specifications: FPGA implementation  Camera Image Sensors – 4x 2.4 MP Sony Exmor CMOS Sensor Lens – 4x 2.3mm wide angle lenses View angle – 360° x 200° Image Settings Image Adjustment – Brightness, Contrast, Saturation, Sharpness, DWDR, AEC, AGC, AWB, Noise Reduction (2D/3D) Image Orientation – Flip, Mirror, 360˚ Rotation Photo format – JPEG Video Codec – H.264 or MJPEG Resolution & frame rate – 6144 x 1792 @ 6 fps , 1920 x 1080 @ 30 fps , 1280 x 720 […]

Meet the First Affordable 360 Degrees Cameras: Gyroptic 360Cam and IC Realtech ALLIe

Last year, I discovered one company developing and selling 360 degrees video recording solutions, and you could then watch the videos using a VR Kit like vrAse, Google Cardboard, or Oculus Rift. It was all cool, but  involved a camera mount for 6 GoPro cameras with a total cost well over $2,000. This year, GoPro also unveiled their own camera array for 16 GoPro cameras, again very cool, but even less affordable to the masses. But thanks to two CES 2015 videos recently uploaded to ARMdevices.net, I found out about two interesting sub $500 cameras that can record 360 degrees videos at 1080p, which can then be optionally uploaded to YouTube 360˚,  and watched with a VR Kit, using a tablet, or on a touchscreen enabled video sphere. Gyroptic 360 Camera The cool looking 360 degrees camera comes with 3 lenses, a Nike+ Fuelband like display, WiFi or Ethernet connectivity […]

Crowdfunding Report for 2014 on CNX Software Blog

Following up on my 2013 Crowdfunding Report, I’ve gone through all 55 Kickstarter and Indiegogo crowdunding projects featured on CNX Software between December 2013 and November 2014 (inclusive) to see how well they fared. The table below sort projects chronologically as they were published on this very blog. Date Project Crowdfunding Site Funded? Pledged amount / Goal Expected Delivery Actual Delivery Comments 2. Dec. 2013 Micro Python Kickstarter Yes 97,803 GBP / 15,000 GBP 03/2014 04/2014 Available @ https://micropython.org/store/#/store 5. Dec. 2013 Plugaway Kickstarter Yes $162,835 AUD / $50,000 AUD 04/2014 – People upset because of lack of updates. Project might be dead, and backers lost their money 6. Dec. 2013 AIRTAME Indiegogo Yes $1,268,332 / $160,000 05/2014 12/2014 People have started received the beta versions, after a massive 8-month delay 7. Dec. 2013 Crystal Board Kickstarter No $14,574 / $200,000 04/2014 – The project appears to be dead 10. […]

NEJE ZB01 Clone of Google Cardboard Virtual Reality Kit Sells for about $12

Can you remember Opendive, a low Cost DIY open source 3D virtual reality kit for smartphones? The kit can be built by anybody as long as you happen to own a 3D printer. But Google liked the concept, and at the latest Google I/O, the company designed the cardboard equivalent using the same lenses, and adding accessories namely a magnet, Velcro strips, and a rubber band to complete the kit. But some people saw a business opportunity here, and created NEJE ZB01, a nearly identical reproduction of the Google kit that can be bought for $12.66 on DealExtreme, instead of the $19.95 you’d have to pay for the original kit. The complete kit includes the cardboard, a rubber band, two magnets with 2cm diameter, two lenses with 2.3 cm diameter, and a pair of Velcro strips. It’s suppose to work with device using displays between 4″ and 7″ large. You’ll […]

ANTVR is a Full HD Virtual Reality Kit that Connects to Your PC or Game Console via HDMI or WHDI (Crowdfunding)

I must have heard about virtual reality for many years, even since I was a kid. But during that time, progress was slow, but it seems the time is ripe for virtual reality kits targeting consumers. The cheapest way to get started is with a smartphone adapter such as vrAse or Opendive, but if you want a possibly better experience using the power of your PC or game console you’ll want a more expensive kit such as Oculus Rift, or for developers, Oculus Rift Development Kit 2 that sells for $350. One possible downside of such kit is that it requires USB, HDMI and power cables, so it limits your mobility. ANTVR, a Beijing startup, will soon launch a virtual reality kit of the same name that will be available either with an HDMI cable, either without cable using WHDI (Wireless Home Digital Interface) with less than 1ms lag. The […]

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