Hot Gadget Hacks News Stories — Page 62 of 129

News: Essential Phone Drops Three Stunning New Colors [Photos]

The story of the Essential Phone isn't one for the faint of heart. The company was founded by Andy Rubin, and their first phone was supposed to have only the "essential" qualities. Unfortunately, it lacked a decent camera, and still cost as much as most flagships. Since that rough start, however, things have taken a turn for the better. Now, Eseential's doubling down with a new set of colorways for the PH-1.

News: Apple Highlights Augmented Reality's Role in Its Future with Dedicated Page on Its Website

Apple CEO Tim Cook's most recent tech prophecy is that "AR will change everything." And now, that includes Apple's own website.

News: Google Pulls Off a Virtual Double Axel with Winter Olympics AR Stickers Pack

The cup of augmented reality options for Winter Olympics fandom runneth over, with Google pouring a pack of AR Stickers into the mix.

News: Here's What the 2018 LCD iPhone Could Cost

This year will be an interesting one for iPhones. With speculation that the expensive iPhone X is underperforming, rumors have circulated that Apple will release three "bezel-less" devices, one of which will cost less by omitting the OLED panel for a traditional, yet large, 6.1" LCD. Now, thanks to the source of this rumor, we have an idea how much that lower-tier iPhone will cost.

News: Axon 7 Oreo Beta Now Open to US Users — Here's How to Get It

In January, ZTE announced they would be conducting an Oreo beta program for Axon 7 users to test Android 8.0 before the masses. Since then, no additional information was released — until today, when ZTE finally opened up the Oreo beta to US customers.

News: Here's What Magic Leap's Screens Feature Might Look Like

During the unveiling of its content partnership with the NBA, Magic Leap CEO Rony Abovitz, with an assist from former player/current pitchman Shaquille O'Neal, described at least one of the ways fans would be able to experience sports using the augmented reality device.

News: Meet the 2018 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Cover Model in AR or Become One in Snapchat

Old school media stalwart Sports Illustrated is billing this year's Swimsuit Issue as the "Most Immersive Experience Ever," and it certainly lives up to that statement, as the magazine has added augmented reality and virtual reality experiences to this year's version via Snapchat and the Life VR app.

News: NBA Announces Partnership with Magic Leap to Bring AR Experiences to Fans

On Tuesday, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver joined Magic Leap CEO Rony Abovitz on stage to unveil a partnership between the two companies.

News: Nokia 8 Seems to Be the First Non-Google Phone to Get Android 8.1

Ever since Microsoft sold Nokia to HMD, they've hit the ground running with a new lease on life. Quick updates have become their hallmark, with even their lower-end phones getting Android Oreo in a timely fashion. The same holds true for their current flagship, the Nokia 8, which by our count is now the first phone outside of Pixel or Nexus devices to get Android 8.1.

News: Former Microsoft Engineers Achieve Best Hand-Tracking Capabilities We've Seen for AR

While augmented reality headset makers are faced with tackling numerous challenges before the category is truly ready for prime time, a start-up comprised of former Microsoft engineers may have nailed fast and precise tracking of hand gestures and full-body locomotion.

News: Elon Musk's Tesla-Riding Starman Comes to Snapchat via Custom Lens

The Tesla-riding Starman that was launched into space via Elon Musk's SpaceX last week will miss its Mars target and is instead headed toward a lonely asteroid belt in the void of space. But if you missed the initial launch and would like to get a taste of what Starman is seeing, you can now take a short ride along thanks to a new Snapchat Lens.

News: Magic Leap Patent Reveals the Lightpack May Be More Than Meets the Eye

Among the revelations uncovered during the December unveiling of the Magic Leap One: Creator Edition was the fact that the Lightwear augmented reality headset would be tethered to a wearable computer called the Lightpack.

News: Here Are All the New Emojis in the Galaxy S8 Oreo Update

New emojis are coming with the Android Oreo update for Galaxy S8 and S8+. Samsung Experience 9.0 has been updated to Emoji 5.0, adding 239 brand new emojis when you take into account gender and skin tone variants. While there are minor changes across the board, we wanted to focus on the newly created emojis so you'll know what's available to you.

News: Hasbro Makes Marvel Movie Magic Real with Iron Man AR Helmet

Soon, kids young and old aspiring to imitate Iron Man will only need to learn how to duplicate Tony Stark's snarky wit, because Hasbro will now supply the augmented reality helmet.

News: Update — Apple Linked to OLED Maker Investment, but eMagin CEO Says No Cash from Cupertino

Update: Monday, 11 p.m. ET: In a report from Bloomberg, eMagin CEO Jeffrey Lucas has contradicted what appeared to be investor information found in SEC filings that surfaced on Monday. Although Apple is listed among several other investors in the company in filing, Lucas told Bloomberg that Apple is not, in fact, an investor in the company. Offering further clarification, Lucas told the news site that eMagin "listed those companies in the filing because it had discussions with them at industr...

News: ZTE Axon 9 Specs, Pricing, Release Date & Rumors

UPDATE April 4, 2019: We had high hopes for the ZTE Axon 9, but it won't be releasing in the United States. If you're in another area of the world, you can look into the ZTE Axon 9 Pro, but we cannot recommend this device to American readers due to carrier incompatibility. Below, we've saved the early rumored information on the Axon 9 for posterity.

News: The New Web-Based Snap Map Lets Anyone Watch Public Snaps, No Account Needed

When first released, Snap Map made a lot of users uneasy. Beaming their location to the world at all times isn't necessarily the definition of privacy, but Snapchat's map is nonetheless intriguing, offering users a view into the lives of people across the globe. Now, you don't even need to have an account to access Snap Map — you can view it right from your web browser.

News: Magic Leap Lands a New Investor from Europe's Media Sector

On Monday, German newspaper and digital publisher Axel Springer announced its role as the latest company to invest in Magic Leap. This is just the latest in a series of investments the augmented reality company has garnered from the likes of Google, Qualcomm, Alibaba, Legendary Entertainment, Warner Bros., and others amounting to almost $2 billion in overall funding.

News: Cover Girl Opts for Browser AR Try-on Tool Instead of Mobile App & the Results Are Tragic

The latest cosmetics brand to launch its own augmented reality try-on tool is Cover Girl, which introduced its browser-based experience this week.

Market Reality: AR Pleases Snapchat Shareholders, Entices Investors & Mints New Venture from Deutsche Telecom & Zeiss

Investors aren't keen to throw money at a new technology sector without at least some hope of a significant return on their investment in the future. That's why a recent run of activity within the augmented reality business space has stoked some new optimism among the financial community.

News: Your Custom Snapchat Lens or Filter Could Cost You $1,000

Snapchat just rolled out a feature that lets you create custom Filters and Lenses. While the average Geofilter won't run you more than a few bucks, it's not that hard to exponentially jack up the price. Amazingly enough, Snapchat's latest attempt to monetize their platform can ultimately cost you as much as $999.99. Ignore the penny, let's call that a cool grand.

News: Washington Post Opts for Fun Over Function with AR App for Winter Olympics

Although The New York Times may have won the race in terms of presenting coverage of the 2018 Winter Olympics through augmented reality first, The Washington Post is nevertheless working to compete in AR in a different way—via gaming.

News: Atheer's Enterprise AR Platform Now Available on HoloLens via Design Interactive's App

Enterprise augmented reality developer Atheer is bringing its AR solution for enterprise businesses to the HoloLens by way of a joint venture with fellow AR developer Design Interactive.

News: Snapchat Unveils Web-Based Tool for Creating Custom AR Lenses & Filters

Snapchat just fast-tracked the majority of its app user base into the world of augmented reality production by making its Lens and Filter tools available to anyone with a web browser.

News: This HoloLens App Brings Animals into Your Home Without Violating Your Lease

Augmented reality headsets with depth sensors, like the HoloLens, offer a much more immersive experience than the average smartphone at present, and one app demonstrates that in a uniquely entertaining fashion.

News: iBoot Source Code Leaked — Here's What iPhone Users Need to Know

A massive leak appeared the web today, and it's got some huge security implications for every iPhone on the market. On the plus side, it also has some potential for enabling deep-level modifications and jailbreak tweaks.

Apple AR: Now You Can Give Your Sweetheart an AR Valentine's Day Card

Those looking for a creative way to loose a metaphorical Cupid's arrow at the figurative heart of the object of their affection can now add augmented reality greeting cards to their quiver.

News: Snap Highlights Augmented Reality's Role in Favorable 2017 Results & Optimistic 2018 Plans

After closing its 2017 financial books on a high note, Snap, Inc. is planning to ride the momentum of its augmented reality products into the new year. That's the main takeaway following the company's 2017 earnings conference call, which was held on Tuesday.

News: Gboard Makes Finding Emojis Even Easier on iPhone

If you're looking for an alternative iOS keyboard for your iPhone, look no further than Gboard. The Google-made keyboard is bursting with features like web search, Google Maps, GIFs, and more. Now, Gboard is adding a new feature that'll make it easier to find the perfect emoji.

News: Google Skips ARCore to Add AR to Motion Stills App

If you're an Android user, you're very likely jealous of your iPhone friends who have access to the wide, wonderful world of augmented reality thanks to ARKit.

News: Deutsche Telekom & Zeiss Launch Smartglasses Startup Tooz

A new smartglasses powerhouse is rising in Europe, led by two of the region's leading brands, optical systems company Zeiss (also known as Carl Zeiss) and telecommunications giant Deutsche Telekom.

News: Snapchat Adds 'Best Of' Filter & Lens to Celebrate its New Redesign

Snapchat's redesign has really taken off, slimming the app down to two sections: Friends and Discover. Snapchat appears to be celebrating this massive success by giving all users a sort of "best of" filter, one that encapsulates the complete Snapchat experience complete with the Dancing Hot Dog.

News: Audi Drives into AR Ahead of SpaceX Moon Landing Mission

Amazingly, SpaceX founder Elon Musk just launched a Tesla into space, bound for Mars. But just because you're not a billionaire with drone rockets at your disposal, that doesn't mean you can't participate in the automobile-infused future of space here on Earth.

News: Amazon Will Finally Disable Lock Screen Ads on Their Discounted Phones

Amazon has had a long-standing partnership with its consumers regarding special offers. Amazon sells these Prime Exclusive Phones with lock screen ads and Amazon apps in exchange for discounts on the phones. You also need to be an Amazon Prime Member, leading us to historically believe that these "special offers" weren't really all that special. That is, until today.