Hi-Tech
Hands-on HoloLens experience available throughout the month
Microsoft is in the spotlight right now for the brilliant launch of Windows 10 for mobile devices with the Lumia 950 being the flagship, as well as for the launch of the Surface Book aka the Surface Pro 4 and the Microsoft Band 2. The company’s most interesting and innovative project, however, remains the Microsoft HoloLens augmented reality headset, which is yet to become widely available. Those of you interested in actually getting a HoloLens hands=on under your belts can do so thanks to Microsoft scheduling a series of events throughout October and November in both Canada and the U.S.
The HoloLens hands-on opportunity is only open to developers who might like the chance to see how the hardware works and feels before creating their own augmented reality apps for the Windows store. The HoloLens is an augmented reality headset which projects virtual details onto the real world, in a truly futuristic manner. The device has been announced last year, but the development process is still underway. With the HoloLens hands-on events now confirmed, Microsoft is essentially saying that the headset is close to being ready for commercial release. Asking developers to go hands-on with the device and get in on the fun of actually making apps that take advantage of the augmented reality engine can only mean that all that’s left to do for the device is software optimization.
With the hardware of the HoloLens probably at a final form at this time, developers now have to focus on making their apps compatible with Microsoft’s gear as well as making the experience in their apps immersive and flawless. Microsoft has high hopes for the HoloLens and so does the public, because the demo that the company showcased a couple months back was truly impressive. In the demo, we could see graphic artists designing, makers refining their hardware, fridges hosting a slew of virtual notes complete with animations and photos, sports games projected onto the wall, etc. The concept of the HoloLens is awesome and Microsoft seems to be close to pulling it off.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3rNIxMlKmI
The HoloLens hands-on event schedule for the U.S. can be found below, and developers interested in participating in any of them can already register for a spot on Microsoft’s website. If they are lucky and get a spot, they will have the chance to see an entirely new HoloLens demo as well as play around with the device themselves. Microsoft also announced that a developer unit of the HoloLens will be available for a whopping $3000 before consumer versions of the product are released.
October 13-16: Seattle, Washington
October 19-22: Toronto, Ontario
October 20-22: Salt Lake City, Utah
October 26-29: Chicago, Illinois
October 26-30: San Francisco, California
November 2-5: Los Angeles, California
November 2-5: New York City, New York
November 9-11: Minneapolis, Minnesota
November 10-12: Phoenix, Arizona
November 17-19: Atlanta, Georgia
November 17-20: Austin, Texas
Although developers are definitely not happy with the HoloLens price for the developer unit, many have expressed interest in developing for the device. Getting hands-on time with the device is valuable to developers because they can examine how the headset works and thus estimate their own development processes for apps. HoloLens will be as strong and popular as the apps that support are, so Microsoft needs to make good with developers if it wants the device to take off. The HoloLens price for consumer variants has not yet been announced, but rumors say the device will most likely go over the $1000 mark once it is released. We’re looking forward to the HoloLens hands-on events and we’ll be back with more from developers after they actually tested the hardware.
Gadgets
Remake of Silent Hill 2 Dev is “Very Safe” with Any Changes
The developer of the PS5 recreation of Silent Hill 2, Bloober Team, has said it will take a “very conservative approach” to whatever alterations it makes. Chief marketing officer Anna Jasiska claims that the Polish developer is being very cautious when making changes because they want to remain authentic to the PS2 masterpiece. However, we are making changes to some areas where time has passed and things need to be modernized.
While maintaining “the conventional tale canon,” the team is concentrating on “putting the distinct, visceral atmosphere back in the modernized Silent Hill 2” and modernizing the gameplay and graphics “from the ground up.” Hardcore fans shouldn’t worry that the developer “missed the point” of the original title, Bloober Team then emphasizes. We simply have some thoughts on how to make the odd fright components more accessible to the present audience. “We are not moving away from the original objective of making this cult masterpiece,” the statement continued.
Pyramid Head sexually rapes an enemy in a kitchen quite early in the game, and this is one particular scene Jasiska is questioned about. Jasiska effectively answered “no comment” when asked if the cutscene had been changed or not.
Out of several other studios, Bloober Team was selected by Konami to oversee the production of the Silent Hill 2 remake. This decision was reportedly made because of Bloober Team’s “commitment and enthusiasm for horror.” The Layers of Fear series, Blair Witch, and The Medium are some of its earlier games. Because so many Bloober Team employees are ardent fans of the game, our business was astounded when we learned of this wonderful news.
The PS5 console exclusive Silent Hill 2 doesn’t yet have a release date, but given that it is in the last stages of development, this year’s release looks feasible.
Artificial Intelligence
Using AI to develop arithmetic algorithms that are more effective
Using AI, researchers at Google’s DeepMind in London have discovered that matrix multiplication issues can be solved more quickly. The team outlines enhancing math-based algorithms through reinforcement learning in their research that was published in the journal Nature. In the same journal issue, a Research Briefing detailing the work done by the London team was also released.
In computer programming, math is frequently used to describe and then manipulate representations of real-world phenomena. It can be used to represent nodes in a synthetic network, meteorological conditions, or pixels on a computer screen. Calculations on matrices are one of the main ways that math is used in these situations. Matrixes can be used, for instance, to describe potential movement options in game programming. Matrices are frequently multiplied or added to in order to effectuate such movements; occasionally, both operations are required. This is labor-intensive, especially as the matrices get bigger, therefore computer scientists have devoted a lot of time and effort to creating ever-more-effective algorithms to do the task.
In this new endeavor, the DeepMind researchers questioned whether it may be feasible to deploy an AI system based on reinforcement learning to develop new algorithms with fewer steps than those already in use. They sought inspiration from gaming systems to learn the answer, observing that the majority of them are based on reinforcement learning. The team focused on tree searching after developing a few prototype systems, which is also used in game programming. It gives a system a way to consider multiple options in light of a specific condition. The researchers discovered that turning an AI system into a game allowed for searching for the most effective technique to arrive at a desired outcome—a mathematical result—when used to multiplying matrices.
The system was put to the test by the researchers by having it look for, evaluate, and employ pre-existing algorithms while utilizing incentives to select the most effective one. The system gained knowledge of the elements that affect the effectiveness of matrix multiplication. The researchers then gave the system the freedom to develop its own algorithm in an effort to increase efficiency. The researchers discovered that the algorithms selected by the system were frequently superior than those developed by their human forebears.
Gadgets
Arriving with higher speeds and a new high-gloss look is Google’s Nest WiFi Pro.
As is believed, a single pack Google’s Nest Wifi Pro costs $200, and three cost $400.
As anticipated, Google has announced the Nest WiFi Pro mesh router system, which features a sleeker appearance, WiFi 6E speeds that are quicker, and a straightforward setup. When Google’s new smart home protocol debuts, it will also function as a Matter hub, although it costs a little more than the existing Nest WiFi router.
The Nest WiFi Pro has a similar circular appearance to the previous version, but Google claims it utilizes a high-gloss material “inspired by ceramics” that is made of more than 60% recycled materials overall. In comparison to the WiFi Nest, which has a softer matte surface, it appears incredibly glossy in the promotional photographs. To fit nicely with most houses, it is available in four earth tone-inspired tones, “Snow,” “Linen,” “Fog,” and “Lemongrass.”
A crucial component is the tri-band WiFi 6E protocol, which Google claims offers “a quicker and more direct path to the most dependable internet connection” and operates on the less congested 6Ghz frequency. The end result is speeds that can be up to twice as fast and support for the most recent smartphones and other WiFi 6E-compatible devices. It prioritizes high-bandwidth activity like video chats or streaming while analyzing network performance and optimizing connections to keep things moving swiftly.
The Nest WiFi Pro is compatible with the majority of smart home devices that are linked, and it has the speed to simultaneously handle video chats, 4K films, and security camera feeds. According to Google, a single router can span 2,200 square feet. It has a Thread border router built in to link smart home appliances via a low-power mesh. When Google’s new Matter smart home protocol debuts later this year, it will support it as well.
You’ll spend more than the existing Nest WiFi gadget for all of it. One unit costs $200 (as opposed to $169 for the existing Nest WiFi router), two units cost $300, and three units cost $400. Pre-orders are currently available, and shipment will begin on October 27.
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