When Microsoft announced the Xbox One X, one of the major questions raised by gamers was whether the high-end console would support VR. Microsoft had chosen to sit out the early VR craze when Sony jumped aboard with PlayStation VR, almost certainly in part because the weaker hardware of the Xbox One and One S weren’t capable of providing a satisfactory experience. But with the Xbox One X on the way, there seemed to be an opportunity to change this — and Phil Spencer, the head of the Xbox unit at Microsoft, told gamers explicitly that the console would support VR in 2016 — then reiterated the point in 2017 at E3.
Google in favor of the simpler ARCore framework in Android. Now, one of the most useful Tango apps — the aptly named Measure app. As long as you’ve got an ARCore device, you can find out how big something is just by pointing your phone at it. Measure debuted as a pre-loaded app on Tango devices, of which Google only released a handful. Tango used dedicated motion-tracking cameras and 3D depth sensors to build a map of everything the phone could see. That’s how Tango could efficiently place virtual objects in your camera feed that stayed put as you moved around them.
If you’re looking for a new 4K TV, today’s an excellent day to buy. Right now, you can pick up a 65-inch Vizio XLED 4K set for just $600 at Walmart – a $298 discount. And the folks at have also put together a long list of other great deals, so there’s something here to fit just about any taste. Featured Deals for $599.99 at Walmart (List price: $898). with HDR for $479.99 (50″ for $399.99, 43″ for $329.99) at Amazon. Intel Core i7-7500u 1.5lb 2-in-1 Convertible Laptop with Detachable Keyboard, Wacom 4,096 Pressure Point Stylus, 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD for $1399.99 at PCMag Shop (List price: $1599.99).
The US Supreme Court has sided with consumers to in a closely watched case revolving around location data. In the 5-4 decision, the court ruled that police must obtain a valid search warrant before obtaining location data on a suspect from cellular carriers. So, you do have some expectation of privacy while using your phone, despite the objections of law enforcement. The case was brought by Michigan man Timothy Carpenter, who was convicted of a string of robberies at Radio Shack and T-Mobile stores. FBI agents obtained several months of location data from Carpenter’s cellular carrier, thus proving he was in the vicinity of all the robberies.
Samsung has been found guilty of patent infringement and ordered to pay a $400M fine to a South Korean university. Two other companies, GlobalFoundries and Qualcomm, were also found guilty, but Samsung is the only firm required to pay damages. Samsung was judged to have infringed on a patent belonging to the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). If you’ve ever wanted to see just how much fun patent judges have, you can peruse the and treat yourself to an argument over the precise definition of the word “trapezoidal” and how that word should be read to apply to transistor structures, and whether those structures are covered by the patent in question.
The dust storm raging on Mars shows no signs of abating. In fact, it’s still growing in size. NASA says the that completely encircles the planet. The little thanks to a lack of light, but Curiosity is still active. This rover could help us understand why this dust storm is so massive while others dissipate within hours. NASA detected the start of this dust storm several weeks ago in the vicinity of the Opportunity rover. Since that vehicle is solar-powered, NASA suspended science operations and placed it in a low-power state. The rover made its first few check-ins, but now it has stopped responding to signals.
You have most likely been able to avoid paying sales tax on a lot of online purchases over the years, but that’s coming to an end. In a 5-4 decision, the US has that limited which transactions could be charged state sales taxes. This will be a huge boost to state budgets, but online retailers won’t be pleased. Sales tax collection previously followed that is commonly known as the physical presence rule. If a business had a physical presence in a state, then they could be forced to collect sales tax at the time of purchase. Writing for the majority, Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote that the old rule is increasingly “removed from economic reality and results in significant revenue losses to the States.
CHARLESTON, SC — Volvo opened its first US factory to visitors Wednesday and revealed the all-new 2019 Volvo S60 sedan. Then the company gave over the stage to a parade of executives, politicians, and a diplomat who called for freer trade between the US and the world. The $1.1 billion plant sits on 1,600 acres of land, will directly employ 4,000 people, and build 150,000 vehicles a year. About half of production will be exported. The third-generation of Volvo’s compact sedan, the S60, will be built only in South Carolina. It will be priced starting at around $37,000 and include Volvo’s suite of safety and driver assists.
Well, it was nice while it lasted. Earlier this year, California unveiled a net neutrality bill that could’ve served as a model for the nation, after FCC Chairman Ajit Pai used false data and bankrupt arguments to destroy the FCC’s previous net neutrality implementation. But yesterday, Democratic Assemblyman Miguel Santiago, chair of the Communications and Conveyance Committee, passed amendments that would effectively gut the law. Coincidentally, AT&T is one of Assemblyman Santiago’s top donors and a major force behind the drive to kill the bills. Here’s what happened: Lawmakers had struck a deal to combine two competing net neutrality bills, SB 822 and SB 460, from Senators Scott Wiener and Kevin de León.
