Fitbit Public Preview adds food & water logging, more as app redesign comes to free users
Latest
Google Store stops selling Cardboard VR headsets
The drawn-out death of VR on Android is now more or less complete as the Google Store has ceased selling its Google Cardboard DIY VR goggles.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle releases Cardboard Unity SDK in another ‘move away from smartphone VR’
In November, Google Cardboard was open-sourced as the company stopped active development on the affordable, smartphone-based VR platform. As promised, Google today released the Cardboard Unity SDK to continue letting the community develop with the platform.
Google Cardboard open sourced as active development on Google VR SDK stops
Last month, Google stopped selling Daydream View as modern Android phones — including the Pixel 4 — lack support. The company’s mobile virtual reality offerings are being further diminished today as Google Cardboard gets open sourced.
Google Chrome to support Windows Mixed Reality headsets
Google Chrome has supported some virtual reality headsets like Oculus Rift on Windows for almost a year now, through Google’s WebVR program, but Windows Mixed Reality headsets were notably incompatible. This is soon to change, as a new flag coming to Chrome will enable early testing of Windows Mixed Reality headsets with WebVR.
Chrome 66 for Windows adds ‘Oculus hardware support’ to use WebVR apps
Chrome 66 rolled out earlier this week with a new password export feature and restrictions to when media can autoplay. On Windows, this update also adds support to view web-based virtual reality apps through an Oculus VR headset.
Google launches Daydream Impact to provide organizations w/ VR training, equipment rentals
One of the frequently cited uses for virtual reality is building empathy by immersing users in the viewpoint of others. Google today is doubling down on that VR use with Daydream Impact — a training program that provides equipment to various organizations.
You might be able to sort-of see today’s eclipse through Google Cardboard
As great as today’s solar eclipse will be, you need special eye protection in order to properly view the it without doing moderate damage to your retina. There are a few different ways to go about this, but one way to do so — although definitely not ideal — could be with a phone, Google Cardboard, and a virtual reality camera capture app from the Play Store…
YouTube adds heatmaps to help creators see where people gaze in 360 VR videos
Virtual reality is incredibly important and YouTube has been doubling down over the past year to ensure that it is the premier platform for the format. The latest update for creators adds heatmaps to see how viewers are interacting with 360-degree and VR videos.
HTC announces a Japan-only VR headset for the U11 w/ built-in display, 6DoF tracking
Google might preview a standalone VR headset w/ inside-out tracking at I/O 2017
What I/O 2017 set to kickoff in less than 24 hours, Google might showcase a standalone virtual reality headset at the event. Rumored for over a year, it will not require a smartphone or a PC and possibly use inside-out positional tracking.
Google’s WebVR now compatible with Cardboard, new experiments website [Video]
Back in June of 2016, it was revealed that Google was working on a way to make virtual reality accessible from every web browser, dubbed WebVR. Then, with the release of Chrome 56 Beta, Google started to allow developers to begin testing their WebVR projects on the web. Today, Google has published 12 WebVR experiments for users to test out not only with Daydream headsets but also those with Cardboard…
You can now explore the wonders of the ancient city of Petra with Google Cardboard
Petra is an ancient city found in southern Jordan that is known for its architecture. What’s unique about the city is that all of the buildings and water systems were carved right into the surrounding rocks. Last year, Google released a virtual tour of the city within Maps but now they have created a full 360-degree experience for Cardboard.
Google, Samsung, and others form the Global Virtual Reality Association to create VR standards
Announced yesterday, some of the biggest names in the virtual reality world have come together to form an association that will hopefully make VR something that everyone can enjoy and partake in. This non-profit hopes to not only conduct research and identify the best practices for VR, but to also start a conversation between everyone currently involved in the field…
The ‘Bohemian Rhapsody Experience’ Google was showing at I/O is now available for all
Seth and I got to experience a really cool VR music video earlier this year at Google I/O 2016, but at that point the only way to see it was to… be at Google I/O. The version they were showing was an unfinished ‘prototype,’ if you will. Now, anyone with a relatively-capable Android phone can see what we saw, and those with an iPhone will be getting access soon…
Google is reportedly still working on a standalone mixed reality Daydream successor
A Google I/O 2014 attendee wearing a Project Tango/Cardboard hybrid
A report from Recode a few days ago said that a project in Google X to create a “high-end standalone” VR headset was recently cancelled in favor of more focus on Android — and, specifically, the Mountain View company’s new Daydream platform. Now, another report (via Engadget) says that Google is indeed still working on a standalone headset, albeit one “that blurs the line between virtual reality and augmented reality.”
Google was working on its own Oculus-style VR headset, but it was scrapped
With virtual reality gaming quickly on the rise we’re seeing more and more consumers pick up VR headsets such as the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift. Currently these are the two biggest players in the game, but if plans from Google had come to fruition, there may have been another headset on the market…
Curious mention of ‘Google Cardboard’ in Pokemon Go could hint at future VR features
It goes without saying that Pokemon Go is blasting off, but what’s keeping the hype from already waning is the fact that there is so much more to come. The original trailer shown off last year touted the ability to trade and battle Pokemon with other players, and those features are almost certainly already in the works, but how else could we see the game evolve in the coming months?
If you want to make a not-so farfetch’d guess based on the Licenses page in the app, VR features in the form of Google Cardboard could be in the cards…
Google working to make every website viewable in virtual reality with Chrome
It’s no secret that Google is heavily interested in virtual reality technology and now it’s looking to bring some of that technology to Chrome. As noticed by Road To VR, the latest builds of Chrome Beta and Chrome Dev bring the beginnings of support for WebVR.
This could be the newly redesigned, cleaner, iOS-esque TouchWiz to come with the Galaxy Note 7 [Video]
Hands-on with an early preview of Daydream, Android’s upcoming VR platform [Video]
VR is slowly taking over the tech space as more and more companies make their attempts to steal your content-consuming eyeballs. As you may know, Google was among the first to debut a mobile VR experience with Google Cardboard, but it was pretty barebones to say the least.
At Google I/O 2016 we got a sneak peek at what Google has in store for virtual reality in the coming months with Google Daydream. And right around the corner from the full Android N release, Google has debuted a set of developer tools to allow anyone with a Nexus 6P to test out Daydream right now…
9to5Toys Lunch Break: Nexus 5X 32GB $240, Nest Thermostat $199, Seagate 8TB Desktop HDD $200, more
Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.
TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:
LG Nexus 5X 32GB (Factory GSM Unlocked) for $240 shipped (Orig. $399)
The Nest Learning Thermostat will help lower your energy costs throughout the summer: $199 (Reg. $249)
You can store everything on this Seagate 8TB external hard drive for $200 shipped, more
We thought you needed 5TB of extra space, here’s a Seagate Expansion hard drive for $110 shipped (Reg. $130)
Ticket to Ride on iOS and Android drops to its lowest price in years: $2 (Reg. $7)
Apple’s Thunderbolt Display has been put out to pasture, here are the best alternatives at every price point
Vansky’s $23 USB LED light strip gives you multi-color mood lighting
Review: Jaybird’s new Freedom Wireless headphones score high marks on design, sound [Video]
How-to: Put a USB Charging port just about anywhere, without AC power for as little as $50 (Solar+Battery)
MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:
Amazon Gold Box has something for everyone: ECCO Shoes, High Sierra Backpacks, GoT, Pets, Humidifiers
- Samsung Smart TVs: 60-inch 4K HDR $999 (Reg. $1,200) or 50-inch 1080p $440 (Reg. $580)
- AOC 16-inch USB-Powered Portable LED Monitor (Refurb) $75, Samsung Galaxy S7 $540, more
- Games/Apps: Star Fox Zero/Guard $37, WWE 2K16 $30, Metro Last Light $4, iOS freebies, more
- The DJI Phantom 4 quadcopter is incredible and it’s on sale for $1,150 shipped (Reg. $1,399)
- EC Technology 22400mAh Power Bank $19 Prime shipped (Reg. $33), more
- This Samsung soundbar brings 350W of power + a wireless sub to your home theater for $400
- Just $9 Prime shipped for a new Apple Watch band? Sounds good to me.
- App Store Free App of the Week: Give It Up! 2 rhythm-platformer goes free (Reg. $1)
- Runtastic’s Road Bike GPS Cycling App goes free for the first time in a year (Reg. $5)
- One of the best RPGs of all-time just went 50% off on iOS: Secret of Mana $4 (Reg. $8)
- The iPhone 5c (16GB GSM Unlocked Refurb) makes a great first phone $100 shipped
- Get an iPhone 5s 16GB (refurb) w/ a month of FreedomPop’s Unlimited for $160
- PowerTime Apple Watch Charging Dock w/ 3 USB Ports: $39 shipped (Reg. $49)
MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:
JBL’s Charge 2 Bluetooth speaker is a solid option for your party this summer: refurb for $60 (Orig. $150)
Smartphone Accessories: 2-Pack of Mpow MFi Apple-Certified Lightning Cables $8 Prime shipped (Reg. $14), more
Google CEO Sundar Pichai’s Quora account was briefly hijacked, auto-tweeted for hackers
Cybersecurity is one of the most important — and talked about — aspects of our digital lives, and a high priority amongst tech companies. Just this past week, Google made it easier for users to adopt its two-factor authentication system, but ironically, it was none other than its CEO Sundar Pichai that saw his account hacked earlier today…
Galaxy Note 7 logo leaks, iris scanner and other specs apparently confirmed
Update 2: It looks like Evan is on a roll right now — a second follow-up message is here to seemingly confirm a slew of additional, previously rumored specs: as per him, the Note 7 will sport a 5.7″ QHD AMOLED display, 64GB of expandable memory (via microSD; it’s unclear whether other storage options will see the light of day), a 12MP/5MP combo of cameras (back and front respectively, shutting down reports that wanted the Note 7 to have a dual camera setup, which we won’t likely see until the Galaxy S8 lands), IP68 certification, and three colorations: blue, black and white.
Update: A follow-up tweet by @evleaks also seems to confirm that the much rumored iris scanner will indeed make it to the Note 7. It is not sure what it will be used for, but we assume it will likely be related to biometric identification, much like fingerprint readers.
There has been much speculation regarding the sequel to America’s most loved phone. Most of it regarded its shape, but a series of leaked memos suggested that Samsung was looking forward to changing the name, too.
And now it seems like those leaks were all but true…
9to5Toys Lunch Break: Huawei Watch $250 w/ free band, Seagate External HDD $110, more
Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.
TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:
Save on Huawei Watch for iOS/Android, starting at $250 shipped w/ free extra watch band (total $430 value) | Newegg
We thought you needed 5TB of extra space, here’s a Seagate Expansion hard drive for $110 shipped (Reg. $130)
LG Nexus 5X 32GB (Factory GSM Unlocked) for $270 shipped (Orig. $399)
Buy the Moto X Pure Edition 64 GB for $400 ($50 off) and get the Moto 360 Sport ($200 value) FREE
The latest 11-inch MacBook Air drops to just $700 w/ .edu (Reg. $899), 256GB from $800 (Reg. $1,099)
Grab Apple’s latest 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro on sale from $1,000 shipped w/ .edu ($300 savings)
Review: Jaybird’s new Freedom Wireless headphones score high marks on design, sound [Video]
How-to: Put a USB Charging port just about anywhere, without AC power for as little as $50 (Solar+Battery)
Giotto’s $10 Rocket Air Blaster is the best way to keep your Mac clean for the money
MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:
JBL’s Charge 2 Bluetooth speaker is a solid option for your party this summer: refurb for $60 (Orig. $150)
- Games/Apps: XCOM 2 for Mac $36, iOS freebies, more
- Add a Sony 4K 725W 5.2-Ch. A/V Receiver to your home theater for $150 shipped
- Daily Deals: CyberPower 150W Power Inverter $13, Logitech Anywhere Mouse MX $28, more
- Pick up a stainless steel rotating waffle maker for under $18 Prime shipped (Reg. $30), more
- 2-Pack of Mpow MFi Apple-Certified Lightning Cables $8 Prime shipped (Reg. $14), more
- The iPhone 5c (16GB GSM Unlocked Refurb) at only $100 shipped (Orig. $550)
- Get an iPhone 5s 16GB (refurb) w/ a month of FreedomPop’s Unlimited for $160
- Best Buy will give you an Apple Watch for $49 w/purchase of iPhone 6s/+ plan
- App Store Free App of the Week: Give It Up! 2 rhythm-platformer goes free
- Ticket to Ride on iOS and Android drops to its lowest price in years: $2 (Reg. $7)
- Tower defense games for iOS are on sale: Kingdom Rush Frontiers & Origins from $1, more
- Don’t Starve for iOS drops to its lowest price yet: $1 (Reg. $5)
[tweet https://twitter.com/9to5toys/status/746364511435755520 align=’center’]
MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:
The Fitbit Aria Wi-Fi Smart Scale will track your weight, BMI & more: refurb $50 shipped (Orig. $130)
