It’s not always easy to read someone’s emotions — and that’s a problem for retailers, which can’t easily tell if their products intrigue you or simply confuse you. They may not have to guess for much longer, though, as Emotient has launched the private beta for a Google Glass app that identifies feelings using the device’s camera. The software scans faces for emotional cues that reflect an overall sentiment, even if it’s subtle; the app can tell if you’re mildly pleased, for instance. Privacy shouldn’t be an issue, since the app is only saving anonymous data, not images. Emotient is testing its app with just a handful of companies right now, but the finished app should help stores please customers in the future. There’s also a chance you’ll see the underlying technology in something you can try for yourself. The company tells The Next Web that its emotion detection will reach Intel’s RealSense platform, so don’t be surprised if your next webcam can tell that you’re in a good mood. Filed under: Wearables , Google , Intel Comments Via: The Next Web Source: Emotient

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Emotient’s Google Glass app tells you how others are feeling

Spotify now owns The Echo Nest , better known as ” the company that powers the vast majority of internet radio .” That includes competing services like Pandora, Twitter Music, Rdio and more. But today’s news doesn’t necessarily mean that those services will lose support from Echo Nest’s API, as Spotify’s news announce today says, “The Echo Nest API will remain free and open to support its robust developer ecosystem.” The Echo Nest is staying in Somerville, Mass., with employees assuredly making Revolutionary War jokes every now and again to their Spotify counterparts in England. It’s not clear just yet what this will mean for Spotify Radio, but there’s this one oblique line about the acquisition’s potential impact: “The addition of The Echo Nest to Spotify will also strengthen Spotify’s ability to help brands and partners build amazing music experiences for their audiences.” Sure! Anyway, Spotify now owns the company that powers most of your internet radio. Take that as you will. Filed under: Software , Mobile Comments Source: Spotify

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Spotify just bought the company that powers most online radio

That death knell AMD has been ringing for DirectX? Microsoft’s having none of it. The software giant is now teasing the next version of the Windows graphics API, inviting developers to join it at GDC for the official reveal of DirectX 12. The splash page reveals little besides the version’s numeric and announcement time, but it does feature partner logos for Intel, Qualcomm, Nvidia and, of course, AMD. AMD’s disdain for the platform helped birth Project Mantle — a competing API that gives developers lower-level access (and as a result, more leverage over) PC graphics hardware. One of Microsoft’s GDC sessions suggest that something similar is in the works for its own development platform: “You asked us to bring you even closer to the metal… …so that you can squeeze every last drop of performance out of your PC, tablet, phone and console, ” reads the description for one of the firms DirectX presentations. “Come learn our plans to deliver.” It sure sounds similar, and indeed, it meshes well with recent rumors. Sources close to ExtremeTech say that while the two APIs will have different implementations , both should offer the same benefits. They also say that Microsoft’s “close to the metal” lower-level access API is a relatively new project in Redmond, meaning it probably won’t muscle in on Mantle’s territory until sometime next year. Between that, and the fact that Microsoft has recently taken to limiting Direct X upgrades to Windows upgrades , it’s possible that we might not see DirectX 12 in access until we’re installing Windows 9. Filed under: Gaming , Microsoft Comments Source: Microsoft , ExtremeTech

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Microsoft teases DirectX 12 reveal for GDC, rumors pit it against AMD’s Mantle

Ever tried loading websites full of selfies and filtered food images on a shabby connection? If your answer is yes, then you know it always leads to tears and frustration. Good thing Mozilla’s got your back — the non-profit behind Firefox just announced a project called mozjpeg, which aims to shrink JPEG file sizes for faster-loading web pages. To get the ball rolling, the group made a fork of an existing JPEG codec ( libjpeg-turbo ) and threw in a feature that crunches photos without affecting quality. That gave rise to mozjpeg software version 1.0, which successfully shrunk the file sizes of 1, 500 JPEG photos by an average of 10 percent during a test run. It even worked on PNG images, though it was a lot less effective and only managed to shave 2 to 6 percent off their sizes. Mozilla chose to improve JPEG compression instead of developing an alternative because the org believes the two-decade-old standard won’t be going away anytime soon. Also, unlike newer choices (such as Google’s WebP ) that promise better quality at smaller sizes, JPEG’s already compatible with most software and browsers. Sticking to JPEG means you won’t have to endure years of poor compatibility, and you can now get through a lot more cat pics on your coffee break. Filed under: Misc Comments Via: CNET Source: Mozilla Research

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Mozilla to improve web page load times through image trickery

Off-white business cards with Silian Rail lettering are so passé — these days; it’s all about creativity . This Game Boy look-alike, for instance, demonstrates its creator’s skills in one fell swoop: It doesn’t just display a résumé, it’s also a simple gaming handheld that can play Tetris . The device was made by Oregon programmer Kevin Bates, who calls it the Arduboy, because it uses a barebones Arduino board (the tiny computer also found inside Kegbot and Fish on Wheels ) connected to an OLED screen. To make the hand-held gaming experience as authentic as possible, he also equipped the card with capacitive touch buttons, a speaker and a replaceable battery that lasts up to nine hours. Thanks to all the feedback he’s received since demonstrating the card on YouTube, Bates is now planning to launch a Kickstarter project in the coming weeks, specifically for DIY enthusiasts. He aims to sell Arduboy kits for at least $30 per card and promises to make assembly as beginner-friendly as possible through video instructions. Not exactly fond of Tetris ? Don’t worry, Bates is also developing another version that runs Pokemon . Comments Via: Boing Boing Source: Bateske

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This Arduino-powered business card looks like a Game Boy and runs Tetris (video)

In early August 2012, OnLive employees told us that the cloud gaming company was close to falling apart . Despite creating an impressive service rooted in a futuristic idea — playing bleeding edge PC games on the highest settings, remotely, streaming from the cloud to virtually any device — a cocktail of financial issues all crested at once . The result was mass layoffs ( “at least” 50 percent ), including lead evangelist and company CEO Steve Perlman. OnLive had a new owner, venture capitalist Gary Lauder, and a renewed directive to become profitable. Then, the company went silent. “My focus has been on turning this from proof of concept into a real business.” – Gary Lauder Its services continued operating — business as usual, as it were — and as media, we didn’t hear a peep. The usual trade show appearances and interview opportunities dried up. Our last post about OnLive before this was in February 2013 . Today, that’s changing: the company is re-opening the lines of communication, announcing two new initiatives in CloudLift and OnLive Go. The first, CloudLift, takes the cloud streaming concept of OnLive and applies it to games you already own. By logging in with a Steam account (required, at least for now), games you’ve got attached will be “unlocked” in the cloud, playable using the OnLive client or Microconsole anywhere else (including save data that syncs between devices). Of course, not all games registered or bought through Steam will work with CloudLift; just 20 games are launching with the service today, with “dozens more planned.” Lauder told us OnLive’s game onboarding process has been streamlined significantly, specifically with the intent to bring more games, more rapidly to OnLive. The First 20 Games Batman: Arkham Asylum GOTY Batman: Arkham City GOTY Batman: Arkham Origins Darksiders II Dead Island GOTY Dead Island: Riptide LEGO The Lord of the Rings Metro 2033 Mortal Kombat Komplete Edition MX vs. ATV Reflex Painkiller: Hell and Damnation Red Faction: Armageddon Saints Row IV Scribblenauts Unlimited Strike Suit Zero The Book of Unwritten Tales: The Critter Chronicles The LEGO Movie Videogame The Raven: Legacy of a Master Thief Truck Racer Type: Rider Interested? OnLive’s hoping you’re interested enough to drop $15 every month for the functionality (there’s also a seven-day trial). It goes live today. The other side of today’s news is a totally new route for OnLive. A new business unit, dubbed “OnLive Go, ” takes the company’s cloud abilities and applies them to other people’s stuff . The first example is “SL Go” (or “Second Life: Go”), a mobile interface for…you guessed it, Second Life . In this particular example, OnLive’s powering cloud support for Second Life on Android. In another example, OnLive’s working with Gaijin Entertainment to help support people testing out games — rather than having to download a huge file and start a game, you can just stream a demo. OnLive’s executive staff called this a “much more efficient” method of stabilizing the company, while still supporting legacy customers. It’s not hard to see their logic: Gaikai employed the same method for growth before being purchased by Sony for a whopping $380 million . Lauder insists that the goal here isn’t to “flip the company, ” but to build value — and lasting value — whether it’s for us or for some future suitor.” So, what does that mean for those of us still using OnLive’s PlayPass system? It is no more, “but users who have purchased games will continue to have access to them, ” an OnLive rep told us. The functionality is being replaced (and enhanced) by CloudLift, thus obviating its continued existence. The PlayPack “all-you-can-eat” model — which costs $10/month and offers access to all of OnLive’s games — remains in place. Whether these moves will turn OnLive around is still up in the air, but Lauder and co. certainly sound more realistic than their predecessors. With major players embracing game streaming in PlayStation Now and Steam , the playing field is more crowded than ever. OnLive is certainly the underdog here: can it fight its way back? Filed under: Gaming , Software , HD Comments

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OnLive reborn: can the cloud gaming company find footing with two new services?

When Roku released its first Streaming Stick in late 2012, it was a tough sell. It cost $99 (as much as the highest-end Roku box), only worked with TVs that were certified as ” Roku Ready , ” and it didn’t even ship with a remote. So the god-father of set-top streaming boxes went back to the drawing board for the 2014 version of the Roku Streaming Stick, which abandons its reliance on MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) for standard issue HDMI. It also comes prepackaged with a remote, though it lacks the motion control and headphone jack you get on more expensive models. For the internals, the company essentially crammed the Roku 1 into a dongle format — and that includes its wallet-friendly $50 price point. While it’s not quite as cheap as the Google’s streaming stick, it does play host to a plenty more content sources. Whether or not PBS , Showtime and over 1, 000 niche channels of video programming is worth the extra $15 is depends on you. Other than form factor, the only difference between the Roku 1 and the Stick is that the latter ships with the latest versions of Roku’s apps, though, those will be coming to the full sized box in the near future. That means you’ll be able to cast photos and videos directly from your phone. Alongside the 2014 edition of the Streaming Stick, the company is launching a revamped mobile app. The most immediately obvious different is the UI, which puts stark purple line drawings on black background. More importantly though, it puts the platform’s universal search at your fingertips. So, rather than having to look at your TV to browse through the results, you can pick out the best place to watch Sherlock for free with just the tap of your touchscreen. The new Roku Streaming Stick will be available in April either direct from the company’s site or through the usual retailers (like Best Buy) for $50. Filed under: Home Entertainment , HD Comments

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Roku’s new Streaming Stick works with most TVs, drops price to $50

RadioShack’s Super Bowl ad showing how cool and hip it is may’ve come a little too late, as the retailer has today announced its intention to close up to 1, 100 “underperforming stores” across the US. The news was bundled in the company’s 2013 financials, which tell a story of declining sales and continued losses. RadioShack’s CEO blamed poor performance on “lower store traffic” and “intense promotional activity, ” among other things, but expressed faith in the retailer’s changing brand identity to turn things around. On the up-side, the fancy new “Concept Stores” are allegedly going strong, and around 4, 000 locations on top of the thousand-odd facing closure will continue to operate as usual. Perhaps some of those underperforming stores should’ve been cleared out in the 80s, after all. Filed under: Misc Comments Via: The Wall Street Journal Source: RadioShack

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RadioShack plans to close over 1,000 ‘underperforming’ stores

You no longer have to live in one of a few fortunate countries to make a Skype call while checking your Outlook.com email: as of today, Skype for Outlook.com is available worldwide . All you need now is to download a browser plugin and link your Skype account. The global release comes alongside improved software support, too. PC users can now participate in HD video chats, while Mac users get a Safari plugin. If you’re heavily invested in Microsoft’s internet services, everything you need to get started is at the source link. Filed under: Internet , Microsoft Comments Source: Skype

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Skype for Outlook.com is now available worldwide

Apple has officially announced CarPlay , its new in-car interface that’ll be compatible with new Ferrari, Mercedes and Volvo cars unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show this week. Designed “from the ground up” to bridge the gap between your iPhone and your auto, it will offer touch and Siri-based voice navigation of your smartphone services, including contacts, voicemail, notifications, map directions and music cueing — it will even support third-party apps like Spotify and iHeartRadio from launch. Voice controls will be activated by a button on the steering wheel, while the in-car touchscreen is populated with those familiar iOS 7 icons for easy access. The service will launch as an iOS update for Lightning-enabled iPhones (that’s iPhone 5 and up), with CarPlay-compatible vehicles launching later this year. And if any of the above aren’t your preferred automaker, Apple says that you can expect compatible cars from BMW, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Toyota and several more in the near future. Update: At first CarPlay will only allow you to connect through a Lightning cable, but WiFi should be coming in the near future — at least from Volvo. And, in case you’re wondering, the CarPlay connection is based on the H.264 video protocol, and sends user input from the touchscreen back to your iDevice. There’s also a video demo/teaser that we’ve added after the break. Filed under: Cellphones , Transportation , Mobile , Apple Comments Source: Apple , CarPlay , Volvo

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Apple announces CarPlay: in-vehicle voice and touch access to notifications, maps and music (update: video)