Visor
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Twitter has been plugged into a Handspring Visor for some reason
A 'working' Twitter client exists for the PDA from 1999.
Blizzard bans third-party 'Overwatch' stats apps
Blizzard has declared that players are not allowed to use certain third-party Overwatch stat-tracking apps. The company said running software such as Visor and Pursuit while playing the game violates the End User License Agreement, and those who continue to use those tools could face permanent bans.
AI service gives 'Overwatch' players in-game coaching
A typical Overwatch match is hectic and fast-paced. You can't exactly consult strategy guides in the middle of a manic team fight to figure out the best course of action, so you've probably had to rely on your own experience and knowledge of the game. Your Overwatch decision making might be about to get a boost though, as an AI analytics service called Visor could help you improve at the team-based shooter by analyzing what's happening in real time and providing in-game contextual tips.
Dell's $350 Windows Mixed Reality 'Visor' is now up for pre-order
Dell is finally ready to show you Microsoft's mixed reality vision. The electronics maker has started taking pre-orders for its $350 Windows Mixed Reality headset called Visor, which it showcased at IFA this year. Visor is one of the fruits of Redmond's partnerships with several manufacturers, including Acer and Asus, in an effort to release AR-and-VR devices much, much more affordable than its $3,000 HoloLens. It boasts 1,440 x 1,440 in resolution per 2.89-inch LCD panel for each eye, a 110 degrees field of view, a 360 panoramic view and a 90Hz refresh rate. The headset also flips upwards for convenient transitions from reality to mixed reality -- just lower it down when you want to use it.
Sony's HMZ-T2 3D headset at TGS: gaming at close range (video)
Sony's second generation 3D visor didn't make a big splash back at IFA, but the HMZ-T2 certainly has a pigeonhole at Tokyo's premier gaming event. In addition to the headset's substitutional reality prototype, the standard model stakes claim to almost a fifth of PlayStation's demo area. With all the local buzz, we decided to weigh in on how the $900 headgear shapes up as a gaming display. The answer? Heavily. Out of necessity, the HMZ-T2 crams the majority of its hardware in front of the users eyeballs, bearing most of its weight on the nose. Over extended gaming sessions, we could see this becoming uncomfortable -- and indeed, in our short time with the device we found our neck relaxing, begging to give in to the weight of the device. As silly as hung-head gaming might appear, however, the visual effect certainly does the trick -- creating the illusion of a large 3D television 4-6 feet in front of the user. It didn't add anything to Hot Shots Golf 6 in terms of gameplay or experience, but it certainly comes in a more compact form than a full size television. The fancy headgear could surely be a boon for gamers living in a tight space, but folks with room (and cash) to spare are probably better off with a proper flat screen. On the other hand, visors are way more futuristic looking. Don't believe us? See us get our Geordi La Forge on after the break.
Sony reveals HMZ-T2 head-mounted display pricing, launch date and features in Japan
Sony rolled out its first head-mounted 3D visor last fall, and announced the HMZ-T2 followup recently at IFA 2012. Now in Japan it has revealed few more details about the changes it's made this time around as well as a release date and pricing. Scheduled to hit shelves on October 13th, the HMZ-T2 features all the upgrades we'd heard about: lighter total weight, redesigned head strap for improved comfort, ear buds instead of headphones plus 24p cinema support and a "Clear" panel drive mode for fast moving content. While we still don't have a US price the Japanese damage is 70,000 yen ($894), a 10,000 yen ($127) boost over last year's model which cost $799 in the US. Sony Japan has also put together an "Institute for Immersive Pleasure" Facebook page , and plans to show it off again at the Tokyo Game Show. Check out our hands-on impressions from IFA here, we'll let you know when there's more release information for other regions.%Gallery-163907%%Gallery-163650%
Sony HMZ-T2 3D display, heads-in
Sony didn't exactly go out of its way to talk up the new HMZ-T2 during its press conference the other day at IFA, never actually mentioning it on stage. The device did, however, pop up in a small corner of the company's show booth. The reason for the silence is pretty clear, when you get down to it -- not a lot has changed here. Really, the T2 is just a minor update to a first generation product, most of its changes revolving around making the admittedly slightly uncomfortable wearable a bit easier on your head. It's 100 grams lighter than its predecessor and features improvements to its adjustable parts. The head pad is larger and can be moved to better fit your head, the strap can be adjusted at a number of points and the sliders beneath the 0.7-inch OLED monitors can be adjusted independently from one another. Oh, and while there are Virtualphone built-in, there's also a headphone jack, so you can bring your own pair. All in all, we have to say it did feel a bit more comfortable than the set we tried on for the first time roughly this time last year. The headset also features different viewing modes, including 24p True Cinema for slower paced movies and Clear mode for action scenes, as well as Auto Color Temperature to help improve the picture. All told, however, it's not much to write home about -- if you were thinking of picking up the T1, this guy is certainly an improvement. If you've already got one to call your own, however, it's probably not worth the upgrade when it hits later this year. %Gallery-163907%
Accessory maker Moshi settles patent suit with three firms
The California-based Mac, iPhone and iPad accessory maker Moshi announced yesterday that the company has settled three suits it brought against other vendors. The other companies were allegedly copying Moshi's patented iVisor touchscreen protector, which is designed to be applied bubble-free. Moshi says it has sold more than 3 million iVisor units in iPhone, iPad and Android-compatible forms. Moshi gained permanent injunctions against PhoneDevil Ltd. and Shenzhen Membrane Precise Electron Ltd. that prevent those two firms from selling products in scope of the patent (US patent 8,044,942, which describes touchscreen protectors with an "air gap" between cover and screen). Both companies are also making financial payments to settle the dispute. This follows an earlier case where Splash Products LLC agreed to pay Moshi a settlement fee and exit the market for these products. We hear constantly about the patent lawsuits at the top level of the technology industry between giant firms such as Samsung, Motorola Mobility, HTC, Kodak and Apple -- but the same cat and mouse game is taking place throughout the tech sector, much as it is across all business areas. If you've got a patent covering a popular product category, chances are sooner or later you'll have a lawsuit.
Optinvent promises to offer Clear Vu HMD for less than $200
While some may say that price isn't the main factor that's been holding HMDs back from mass acceptance, France's Optinvent (a spin-off of Thomson S.A.) is apparently of that opinion, and it's now promising to deliver a full-fledged HMD for less than $200 by the end of next year. In addition to their trend-setting good looks (to be further refined in the final version), the company's so-called Clear Vu goggles make use of a reflection system that displays images in the wearer's field of vision rather than completely obstructing it, which the company says opens to the door a whole host of augmented reality possibilities -- like heads-up GPS directions, for instance. Unfortunately, the company isn't offering much in the way of actual specs just yet, although it does say the goggles will display an image size equivalent to a 71-inch TV placed 2.5 meters away.
Jailbroken iPhone 3G gets external keyboard, says "Hello"
If you're one of those people always complaining about the iPhone keyboard (the lack of one, that is), then this is probably a vital piece of news, even if it's not totally practical. Or practical in any way, actually. Some very enterprising citizen of the world seems to be running a chunk of Ruby code on his jailbroken iPhone 3G, which allows it to recognize what appears to be a Palm / Visor external keyboard connected via a custom cable. The results of this intense bit of modification? Well -- not much, honestly, but it's still kinda cool. "Hello Keyboard," indeed. Check out the video of it in action after the break. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Aftermarket sun visor boasts display, DVD / TV / MP3 playback
Anyone who lives in a moderately large city or has seen just about any episode of Cribs is probably familiar with the LCD-infused sun visor, but the Sun Visor Theater ups the ante on the usual rendition by including the multimedia playback utilities right alongside the LCD. This aftermarket visor is sure to look completely awkward installed all by its lonesome on just the passenger's side, but packs a seven-inch widescreen display, built-in DVD / CD /MP3 player, TV tuner, and even includes an SD slot and USB port for additional expansion options. Moreover, you'll get integrated controls and a wireless remote, and while we're not sure if this thing includes a built-in speaker, we do spot a couple of headphone jacks just in case. So if you're looking for an admittedly tacky way to add a bit of in-car entertainment before your next long haul, and aren't swayed by the fact that a one-year warranty costs an additional $45, the Sun Visor Theater is available now for $299.95.[Via TRFJ]
Thanko Video Glasses for iPod make you the coolest kid in town
We're still not really sure who exactly is buying these crazy-looking video visor displays, but companies still seem to be coming out with 'em. Thanko's the latest to try its hand at one of these crazy getups; its new offering is supposed to simulate a 37-inch screen when viewed at two meters (6.5 feet). The price of ¥29,800 ($256) isn't bad either, though it doesn't quite match the $200 cost of the Kowon MSP-209 visor that we spotted back in May. Still, the main reason why we're holding off on getting these (aside from the fact that they probably won't come Stateside anytime soon), is that we're waiting for a set that can simulate HD. Of course, we could just watch "Battlestar Galactica" on our HD sets at home, but then we wouldn't look nearly as ridiculously cool as this dude pictured above.[Via Impress]
Visor
Love Quake? Love the Terminal? Visor is just the app for you! Brought to you by the good folks behind Quicksilver (and you know how much we like that), Visor is a cool Terminal mod that creates a hot key enabled Terminal console available no matter what you're doing.Hit one button and from the top of your screen slides a terminal window. It is pretty cool, though it isn't ready for Bob and Jone Mac User.[via Infinite Loop]
Mr. LaForge, your iPod video is ready
Introduced at last week's Macworld expo, the MyVu Personal Media Player by MicroOptical looks like...well...Geordi's visor. When connected to a fifth generation iPod, it allows you to watch stored video displayed, quite literally, right before your eyes. Attached earbuds provide the sound. From the press release:"By connecting the small, ultra-light 'binocular' eyewear viewer to an iPod, users can watch their favorite music videos, video podcasts and TV shows with a large image right in front of their eyes...Because the display and audio systems are built into the eyewear, myvu can be worn in any position -- reclining on an airplane, sitting on a park bench and even lying down on a couch."It provides a virtual field of view at approximately 13.5 degrees horizontal and 16.8 degrees diagonal on a 25" (virtual) screen at 2 meters. It reminds me of all of the "virtual reality" hubbub we had to endure in the early 90's.
