Cosmos
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HTC will sell its Cosmos Elite headset and faceplate tracker separately
If you've already got a HTC Vive, you might be in two minds about forking out for the complete Cosmos Elite bundle. If you've got base stations and controllers already, why drop dollars on more? But HTC has you covered. In the coming weeks, it will be launching a headset-only version of the Cosmos Elite and the external tracking faceplate as standalone products. And as is the case for the complete Cosmos Elite package, both purchases will come with a redemption code for Half-Life: Alyx.
‘Cosmos: Possible Worlds’ finds hope for humanity in a hopeless era
In a time where it's easy to feel a bit concerned about the fate of civilization -- take your pick of calamities, really -- National Geographic's Cosmos is like a hope-filled salve. Developed by Ann Druyan, the co-creator of the original show together with her husband Carl Sagan, and hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson, Cosmos: Possible Worlds is an exploration of humanity, our past, present and our potential future. The 1980 series redefined how complex topics could be communicated on TV. And with Possible Worlds, Druyan and her co-writer, Star Trek alum Brannon Braga, recapture that magic. But, it's delivered with a new sense of urgency for our turbulent era, which is fueled by climate change and political instability.
Podcast: Coronavirus hits tech and a chat with Cosmos's Ann Druyan
This week on the Engadget Podcast, we dive into the many ways the coronavirus is affecting the tech industry, all the while remembering to wash our hands and not touch our faces. It's not quite a pandemic yet, but there's some hope on the horizon, now that social media companies like Facebook are actually trying to fight coronavirus disinformation. And for something completely different, Devindra chats with Ann Druyan (starting at 26:59), the co-creator of Cosmos, on the show's incredible new season. Listen below, or subscribe on your podcast app of choice. If you've got suggestions or topics you'd like covered on the show, be sure to email us or drop a note in the comments! And be sure to check out our other podcasts, the Morning After and Engadget News! Subscribe! iTunes Spotify Pocket Casts Stitcher Google Play Music Links Facebook will run free WHO ads to counter coronavirus misinformation Fake cures and other coronavirus conspiracy theories are flooding WhatsApp, leaving governments and users with a 'sense of panic' Pandemic film Contagion becomes one of iTunes' most-watched movies TCL's concept device folds twice to fit a 10-inch screen in your pocket Does the Xbox Series X make gaming PCs obsolete? Credits Hosts: Devindra Hardawar and Cherlynn Low Producer: Ben Ellman Music: Dale North and Terrence O'Brien
HTC's expanded Vive Cosmos family may help lure more VR users
HTC's Vive Cosmos is positioned as a high-end VR kit that's easier to use, and we liked it, but one concern we had was its $699 price -- a notable jump from Oculus' $400 offerings, tethered or otherwise. The good news is that according to Engadget Chinese, the company plans to release a more affordable version dubbed Cosmos Play, along with the more advanced Cosmos Elite and the experimental Cosmos XR. Best of all, these variants share the same core headset, meaning Cosmos Play owners can later upgrade with other faceplates to suit their needs.
Add eye tracking to your HTC Vive headset for $149
VR companies have been hyping up eye tracking for years, yet even today, options are limited when it comes to VR headsets with integrated eye-tracking -- namely the HTC Vive Pro Eye we first saw back at CES. Thankfully, a Chinese company dubbed 7invensun is soon offering a $149 upgrade kit that will let existing HTC headsets gain the same feature. Not bad considering the Vive Pro Eye costs $1,599. Pre-orders will commence in mid-November, followed by shipment in December.
HTC's Cosmos VR headset features a sharper display and six tracking cameras
HTC revealed back in January that its forthcoming VR headset, the Vive Cosmos, will be designed with comfort and accessibility in mind. Now, the company has unveiled a few more details about the device. Major features include a vented front design, to help users stay cool, and a flip-up design, which allows users to step out of VR without having to remove the headset.
Neil deGrasse Tyson will continue with 'Cosmos' after investigation
Fox and National Geographic have completed their investigation into Neil deGrasse Tyson over alleged sexual misconduct, and have decided to give both Cosmos: Possible Worlds and StarTalk the go-ahead. While the channels didn't reveal their findings (they have "no further comment"), they now expect to find a new air date for Cosmos after a last-minute delay and will return Nat Geo's remaining 13 StarTalk episodes in April.
Fox delays 'Cosmos' season 2 premiere over misconduct investigation
Fox's investigation into sexual misconduct claims against Neil deGrasse Tyson has led to a change of schedule for Cosmos: Possible Worlds. The company has quietly removed the show's season 2 premiere from its March 3 schedule, indicating that it's waiting on the results of the investigation before making a decision on airing the science program. There's no official update on the investigation so far.
Fox investigates Neil deGrasse Tyson over sexual misconduct claims (updated)
Astrophysicist and Cosmos host Neil deGrasse Tyson is facing investigations by Fox, National Geographic and show producers in the wake of fresh claims of sexual misconduct. The two networks told Hollywood Reporter in a statement that they were "reviewing" allegations from two women in a Patheos story who accused deGrasse Tyson of groping and making unwanted sexual advances. The Cosmos team, meanwhile, said they would embody the philosophy of the show and "follow the evidence wherever it leads" with its investigation.
'Cosmos: Possible Worlds' trailer explores alien life and butterflies
After the briefest of teases at the start of the year, Fox is ready to show Cosmos: Possible Worlds in earnest. The network has released an initial trailer that suggests Possible Worlds will follow the basic formula of the reborn series' first season while covering some decidedly different ground. As the name implies, there's a focus on extraterrestrial exploration and seemingly fantastical ideas. What would alien life be like, Neil deGrasse Tyson asks, and what are we doing to venture beyond Earth? There's even talk of exploring "paradoxical realities."
The new 'Cosmos' returns for second season in spring 2019
You won't have to wait nearly as long for the second season of the new Cosmos as you did for the first. Fox has announced that Cosmos: Possible Worlds will premiere worldwide in spring 2019, with Fox itself airing the show in the US and National Geographic broadcasting it elsewhere. And yes, the familiar gang from the 2014 series is back. Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson will host, with Ann Druyan taking charge. Seth MacFarlane, Brannon Braga and Jason Clark will return as executive producers.
Twitch kicks off Science Week by streaming Sagan's 'Cosmos'
Prepare to see all kinds of science-y streams on Twitch next week. The streaming platform is holding a week-long celebration of all things science, starting with a marathon of Carl Sagan's Cosmos: A Personal Voyage. Twitch's Cosmos channel will broadcast all 13 episodes of the series twice -- the first one will begin on April 24th, 3PM Eastern, while the second run will start airing on April 27th, 5PM Eastern. Creators will also be able to co-stream the show, though, so check around if you want to hear some modern commentary on top of Sagan's dulcet tones.
Recommended Reading: What will astronauts eat while exploring Mars?
Recommended Reading highlights the best long-form writing on technology and more in print and on the web. Some weeks, you'll also find short reviews of books that we think are worth your time. We hope you enjoy the read. How NASA Is Solving the Space Food Problem by Elizabeth Preston Eater The first manned test flight for NASA's Orion capsule may have been pushed back this week, but the project forges on. One issue that the agency faces in the quest to send humans to explore Mars is food. This piece from Eater examines the challenges NASA looks to overcome with regards to the dietary needs of the crew during deep-space missions, including some onboard gardening.
Neil deGrasse Tyson bringing Star Talk to late night TV in April
Fans hoping for a Neil deGrasse Tyson fix this year needn't worry if Cosmos will be renewed -- the astrophysicist will bring his popular StarTalk podcast to the National Geographic Channel. The new show will be filmed before a live audience at the Hayden Planetarium in a Bill Maher-style roundtable format featuring comedians and celebrities. Tyson said that because the established podcast is already streamed on video, the show "is kind of low-risk, I think, for National Geographic." He added that it'll let him "continue to spread wonder and excitement (of Cosmos) through Star Talk."
Cosmos for Android lets you browse the web via SMS
In many parts of the world where LTE and 3G aren't as accessible, something like the Cosmos browser for Android could be incredibly cheap and useful. This upcoming Android app, you see, doesn't need data to work -- you simply plug in a URL, and it sends back a simple, stripped-down version of the page via text messages. On the project's GitHub page, its developers explained that once you input a URL, the app texts it to their Twilio number, which then forwards it to their backend. The system then gets the source code of the website and nukes the CSS and javascript to deliver a series of clean text messages to the user's phone.
'Cosmos' brings Neil deGrasse Tyson's moustache to Blu-ray and DVD in June
If you've missed a few episodes of the Cosmos revival or maybe just want to fill the universe-sized hole in your media rack, the series hits Blu-ray and DVD this summer. Come June 10th (two days after the final episode airs), you'll be able to watch the doc's 13 installments plus a smattering of bonus features whenever you want. And speaking of supplements, the release will sport a five-part documentary chronicling the... documentary's making, with the Blu-ray getting an interactive history of the universe dubbed "The Cosmic Calendar." The price-tag on that 662-minute space-time odyssey? Sixty bucks for the Blu-ray and $50 for the DVD, but Amazon has each listed for a few ducats less. [Image credit: Associated Press]
Must See HDTV for the week of March 10th: Cosmos, Vice, F1 and Titanfall
After omitting Cosmos from the listings last week, we can only offer our deepest apologies. The premiere episode Sunday night wowed us with its display of the universe at large, and we highly recommend checking out this week's episode (the premiere is available either tonight at 10PM on National Geographic or online right here). Other than that, have you seen Titanfall? Assuming you're not diving deep into the new PC / Xbox One game, we'd also keep an eye out for the second season of Vice Magazine's show on HBO premiering this Friday, and the return of F1 racing. The Australian GP will air live on NBC Sports at 2AM Sunday morning, so arrange your schedules accordingly. Check after the break for trailers plus our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and gaming.
Cosmos debuts tonight with a special message from Barack Obama
As if the revival of Carl Sagan's Cosmos couldn't get any more grandiose, tonight's debut has a pretty special guest. President Barack Obama will intro the episode with a pre-recorded message that'll supposedly urge viewers to explore new frontiers -- like space! -- and to imagine what the future could hold. Regardless of what your politics may be, it sounds like it could be pretty inspiring. Now, if the POTUS could just remind the nation to set its DVRs for 9pm ET tonight we'd be all set. [Image Credit: Pete Souza for the White House]
Here's a peek at the new Cosmos series, hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson
Yup, that is Neil deGrasse Tyson standing amidst a virtualization of the universe, which can only mean one thing: the astrophysicist has ascended beyond our mortal coil into a higher plane of being! ...Or that we've got our first look at the updated Cosmos series, which was originally helmed by Carl Sagan. The first trailer is just below, and it looks and sounds just as grandiose as you'd hope from the pedigree behind the franchise.
Neil deGrasse Tyson's 'Cosmos' reboot hits FOX on March 9th
It's been years in the making, but the reboot of Carl Sagan's landmark series Cosmos is finally on its way. The spiritual sequel, entitled Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, is produced by Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane and stars the charismatic director of the Hayden Planetarium Neil deGrasse Tyson. Rather than PBS, however, this series about the cutting edge of science and physics will air on FOX during primetime. The big premier of the 13-parter will be on Sunday, March 9th at 9 PM, eventually reaching 170 countries and 45 languages. While the original Cosmos may be sacred to some, and the involvement of Seth MacFarlane is certain to worry a few viewers, it's worth noting that two of Sagan's original collaborators, Ann Druyan and Steven Soter, are involved. Besides, its pretty hard to be upset when FOX is investing heavily in a primetime documentary series about space, time and the nature of the universe.
