A new virtual reality Kickstarter campaign wants to do more than just bring users a computer-simulated environment; it wants to give them new sensations through those environments. FEELREAL has developed a VR mask and helmet that provides smells and senses such as wind, heat, water, mist and vibrations in virtual reality worlds. “The idea to … continue reading
Microsoft executives demonstrated new projects, products and development tools aimed at spreading the Microsoft environment across multiple platforms to kick off the second day of the company’s Build conference for developers at San Francisco’s Moscone Center. Key to all of the announcements made at the show was a new understanding from Microsoft that its platforms … continue reading
Apple has reportedly acquired NoSQL database startup FoundationDB, according to TechCrunch. FoundationDB has posted a notice informing its community it will no longer offer downloads. The company has a scalable NoSQL database with ACID-compliant transactions, and has raised US$22.7 million in two funding rounds during its five-year startup run. Neither company has officially commented on … continue reading
Google is reportedly building a new version of Android specifically for virtual reality. The Wall Street Journal reported the company already has a team of developers creating a new operating system designed to run virtual reality applications. According to the WSJ sources, Google plans to deliver the new version of Android for free. The operating … continue reading
You could be forgiven for mistaking Game Developers Conference for a virtual reality development event: This year’s conference offered more headsets and visors than any previous show. But despite the popularity of VR headsets and augmented reality applications, the real news of the show was the lowering of price barriers around the 3D engines that … continue reading
As enterprise developers, you may be relatively unaware of what’s going on in the 3D game engine market. At the annual Game Developers Conference in San Francisco this week, the two titans of game development tools are fighting it out in a battle that’s yielding big wins for developers. First to strike a blow was … continue reading
Google has launched Android for Work, a set of mobile enterprise tools for employees to use personal and business applications on the same Android device. The suite of enterprise app-management and security services includes encrypted work profiles, built-in productivity tools integrated with Google Drive, and a standalone app and app store—the Android for Work app … continue reading
The U.S. Defense Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced it is developing a brain interface to inject images directly into the human visual cortex via a “cortical modem” chip implanted in the brain. DARPA announced the project at the Biology Is Technology conference this past week and subsequently in the transhumanist magazine Humanity Plus. DARPA Biological … continue reading
Oculus VR, the virtual reality startup acquired by Facebook for US$2 billion, is developing cinematic experiences specifically for its Oculus Rift VR headset. At the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, the new Oculus Story Studio, led by creative director and former Pixar animator Saschka Unseld, premiered its first short film, entitled “Lost.” Unseld, who created … continue reading
Mobile advertising marketplace Millennial Media has released its State of the Apps 2015 Industry Snapshot, which found that app monetization and programmatic availability as the most prevalent goals for app developers and publishers. The report, which surveyed 351 application developers and publishers from September through November of 2014, found that developers aim to design for … continue reading
HP has announced a new set of computer monitors with interactive virtual reality displays. The new HP Zvr virtual reality display allows users to rotate, manipulate and navigate virtual-holographic 3D images. “HP’s new displays complement our goal of delivering new technologies that maximize the visual experience and change the way people work and create,” said … continue reading
It’s the time of year when every pundit, analysis and researcher puts on his “Carnac the Magnificent” hat and tries to peer into the future to determine which trends will bubble to the top. We’re no different, except for one thing: Top 10 lists are SO Letterman! So cliché! So, in the spirit of differentiation, … continue reading
