Author: kenmay

In Detroit and other cities, nearly 40 percent go without Internet

It may be hard to believe, but there are big cities in the US where 30 to 40 percent of residents have no Internet access at all. And among those who are online in America’s worst-connected cities, a sizable percentage get by with only cellular Internet. That’s according to 2013 census data compiled by Bill Callahan, director of  Connect Your Community 2.0 , a group promoting Internet access for residents of Cleveland, OH, and Detroit, MI. Callahan published charts on his blog yesterday  showing how many households lack Internet access in the 25 worst connected cities in the US (out of 176 that have at least 50,000 households). In Laredo, TX, 40.2 percent of the 65,685 households have no Internet access, not even mobile broadband on a phone. Detroit was second in this list with 39.9 percent of households lacking Internet. In all 25 cities, at least 29.8 percent lacked Internet access. The 25 cities varied in size from 52,588 households (Kansas City, KS) to 255,322 households (Detroit). Read 7 remaining paragraphs | Comments

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In Detroit and other cities, nearly 40 percent go without Internet

GTA V’s new console/PC re-release to add optional first-person view

Since its launch as a top-down, sprite-based crime simulator in 1997, the Grand Theft Auto series has always taken place strictly from a third-person perspective. That’s set to change on November 18, as the previously announced re-release of Grand Theft Auto V hits the Xbox One and PS4 with a series-first optional first-person perspective. The new first-person mode goes a lot farther than unofficial mods that have tried to add a behind-the-eyes perspective to GTA games in the past. “You have to change pretty much everything,” GTA V animation director Rob Nelson told IGN in a promotional interview talking about the new feature. “I mean, if you want to do it right. We have a very solid third-person animation system, but you don’t just put the camera down there and expect to see the guns, aim, and shoot. All those animations are new when you switch to first-person, because it all has to be animated to the camera, to make it feel like a proper first-person experience that I think people would expect. All the timings have to be re-evaluated.” Other little details added for the benefit of the new view include recoil on weapons, view-restricting goggles and helmets when piloting certain vehicles, and a cell phone menu that your character now actually holds in front of his face. The official trailer for the new mode seems to show the perspective automatically swiveling around to view important story and character moments. Read 3 remaining paragraphs | Comments

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GTA V’s new console/PC re-release to add optional first-person view

Sharp’s night vision camera records color even in total darkness

Say goodbye to the days of monochrome night vision footage , folks. Sharp recently unveiled an infrared security camera that captures color 720p video, even in absolute darkness. The trick is an imaging sensor that uses near-infrared for illumination; unlike virtually every other competitor, this camera doesn’t have to resort to conventional lights (and thus give itself away) to get a vivid picture. The device will likely be limited to corporate and government customers when it goes on sale in late November, but it could have a big impact on your safety. Building managers will soon have an easier time identifying intruders, not just spotting them — while the technology might not stop a break-in, it should increase the chances of catching thieves before they strike again. Filed under: Cameras Comments Source: Sharp , CEATEC

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Sharp’s night vision camera records color even in total darkness

The Internet Archive Created a Free Online Arcade With Over 900 Games

If you were planning a productive morning of work, you may want to reschedule: the Internet Archive has created an online arcade which lets you run over 900 classic games right there, in your browser. Read more…

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The Internet Archive Created a Free Online Arcade With Over 900 Games

With the Successful Funding of the iBox Nano, 3D Printers Just Got a Lot Smaller and Cheaper

Surely some of you remember the toy called Shrinky Dinks, the polystyrene toy that allows users to turn pieces of plastic into smaller pieces of plastic. (According to Wikipedia, 90’s alt-rockers Sugar Ray were originally known as ‘Shrinky Dinx’ until Milton Bradley threatened a lawsuit—more nostalgia than you asked for on a Tuesday morning, I know.) If it’s a somewhat dated reference, I must say that I envy the children of the future, who may well grow up with the parentally supervised fun of the 3D printing thanks to iBox Printers . The Melbourne, FL-based company’s flagship Nano model is available for pre-order for under $300 on Kickstarter . We’ve previously seen a similarly diminutive CNC machine , but the iBox is rather more impressive, considering that 3D printing adds a veritable dimension of complexity. Moreover, the portable device is quiet, lightweight and can run on batteries, all thanks to the use of ultra-efficient LCD lamps to UV-cure the resin. Made from a series of stacked acrylic plates, the housing looks something like a tissue box, with an overhead-projector-style print head; on the UI end, the Nano is controlled primarily via mobile/web app over WiFi. (more…)

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With the Successful Funding of the iBox Nano, 3D Printers Just Got a Lot Smaller and Cheaper

Amazon giving Prime Members unlimited cloud photo storage

If speedy delivery and a video service wasn’t good enough, Amazon is now throwing another sweetener in to convince you to sign up to Prime. The retailer has announced that it’ll offer Prime subscribers unlimited photo storage in the company’s cloud drive. According to the release, users will be able to upload their collections in full resolution to ensure that their image is always protected. As well as the company’s own smartphone and tablets, the service will work on iOS and Android devices, and the snaps can be accessed with a variety of hardware including the Fire TV, Stick, PS3, PS4 and, presumably, any device that can already access the company’s other online attractions. Filed under: Internet , Amazon Comments Source: Businesswire

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Amazon giving Prime Members unlimited cloud photo storage

Movie filmed to look like a first person shooter game looks incredible

Here’s an action scene from a movie called Hardcore that’s filmed completely from one character’s point of view so it looks exactly like a first person shooter video game. In fact, it’s so good, it’s as if those FPS video games like Call of Duty all of a sudden came to life. Watch it. Read more…

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Movie filmed to look like a first person shooter game looks incredible

AT&T and Verizon want your LTE calls to cross networks

As nice as it is that the big US carriers are starting to roll out high-quality calls over LTE , there’s a big catch: those calls don’t cross networks, so you’re frequently stuck with regular voice service. Happily, that’s going to change soon. AT&T and Verizon have revealed plans to make voice over LTE work between their systems in 2015. If all goes well, you’ll get pristine-sounding conversations when you reach a Verizon customer from your AT&T phone (and vice versa). As for playing nicely with other networks? Well, that depends. Sprint is still being cautious with its VoLTE launch. T-Mobile, meanwhile, has already been testing interoperability — as CEO John Legere is eager to point out , AT&T and Verizon may be late to the party. Whoever can claim bragging rights, the upgrades are good news if you’ve ever had trouble making out muddy calls. Filed under: Cellphones , Wireless , Mobile , Verizon , AT&T Comments Source: PR Newswire

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AT&T and Verizon want your LTE calls to cross networks

Android 5.0 Lollipop Is Here

Anyone blessed with a Nexus or Google Play edition device will very soon be able to enjoy Android’s latest software masterpiece, Lollipop. An official blogpost announces that Lollipop will begin its public rollout today though it’s light on specifics. Read more…

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Android 5.0 Lollipop Is Here