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Alt-week 6.29.13: DARPA's robot finalists, the IRIS solar mission and empathetic computers
Alt-week takes a look at the best science and alternative tech stories from the last seven days. Sure, DARPA is slightly sinister, but it's so into robots that we're willing to let that slide. In fact, last year it launched the DARPA Robotics Challenge, and it just announced the top six nine seven teams to advance. But if just the idea of figuring out robotics frustrates you, NC State's face tracking program literally gets that, and NASA just launched the IRIS solar probe from the belly of a transport jet. It's Alt-week, baby.
The Daily Roundup for 05.02.2013
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Intel details 4th-gen Core's HD 5000, Iris and Iris Pro graphics: up to 3X faster, 3-display collage mode
Many already believe that the real highlight of Intel's 4th-generation Core processor lineup would be a giant graphics update. Today, Intel is revealing that they're right -- and, importantly, that there's an equally large shift in naming strategy. Where 3rd-generation Core graphics were divided into two tiers, the new generation is focused on three, two of which are built for performance over efficiency. Ultrabooks with 15W U-series processors will use comparatively ordinary (if still faster) HD 5000 graphics. Thin-and-light laptops with 28W U-series chips get a new tier, Iris, that Intel claims is up to twice as fast in 3D as last year's HD Graphics. Power-hungry parts see even more of a boost: they can carry Iris Pro graphics with embedded DRAM, which should double the 3D speed on H-series mobile chips (47-55W of typical power) and triple it for the R-series (around 65-84W) on the desktop. We also know that M-series laptop and K-series desktop CPUs will have Iris Pro options. The feature set for the graphics trio is slightly more familiar to us, although there are a few tricks up Intel's sleeve. All three can draw DirectX 11.1 and OpenGL 4 visuals, as well as take on OpenCL 1.2 computing and faster media processing. We're almost more interested in the display modes, though. Along with receiving "enhanced" 4K output, the new Core graphics can handle a 3-screen collage mode -- we won't need dedicated video for a large, multi-monitor canvas. Sadly, Intel isn't providing more than incidental details about the processors themselves, although it has already teased that we'll get the full story around the Computex show in early June. %Gallery-187340%
AOptix Stratus lets iPhone users check ID through eyes, faces, fingers and voices
The many attempts at weaving biometric identification into mobile devices have usually focused on only one aspect at a time, whether it's fingerprints or voices, and often for access to just the device itself. AOptix isn't quite so narrowly focused. Its new Stratus system combines an app with a custom iPhone 4 / 4S case (the Stratus MX) to verify faces, irises, fingerprints and voices for grander purposes, whether it's office workers checking in or entire national ID programs. The bundle should be more portable than most such alternatives, as well as more intuitive through its familiar interface. Odds are that you won't be buying a Stratus kit to scan friends and family at home, though. Apart from the bundle's lack of support for the iPhone 5 or any non-iOS platform, the Stratus software in the App Store isn't an impulse purchase at $199 -- and an emphasis on quotation-based case sales likely means you'll be the scanner's target, not its owner.
Verizon brings wireless monitoring service to Lowe's Iris smart home system
If you're haunted by dreams of left-on irons and stoves while trying to holiday, Verizon has announced it'll team up with Lowe's to help you wirelessly correct any carelessness. The operator is bringing a USB modem to Lowe's Iris smart home system, letting you monitor and manage your house remotely from a smartphone, sans WiFi or broadband. That'll let you track family members (or intruders) and control thermostats or appliances via smart plugs. Lowe's kits start at $180, so if you'd rather hear "are we there yet?" instead of "is the house on fire yet?" on your next trip, tap the PR after the break.
IRISNotes 2 looks to undercut Livescribe, digitizes your scribbles for $99
IRIS is trying to make a big name for itself in the OCR world. But, top notch software alone isn't going to put its name on the tips of consumers tongues. For that they're gonna need something sexier, more... tangible. With its portable scanner line already on shelves the company is pushing out an update to its digital pen series IRISNotes. The IRISNotes Express 2 and Executive 2 are very similar to the intriguing Livescribe that, while compelling, never seemed to fly off the shelves. IRISNotes ditches the special paper required by its more popular competitor, and instead uses a small receiver that clips to the top of a standard sheet to record your scrawl in digitized form. IRIS hasn't specified how much storage is on board, only saying that it can save 100 pages worth of notes before you'll need to download its contents to a PC. The $99 Express undercuts Livescribe's cheapest offering by $20, but it's worth noting that it doesn't have support for voice notes or a stable of applications that tie into its ecosystem. The Executive model retails for $149 and sports a more elegant finish, befitting its name. It also comes with a 30-pin adapter that lets you dump your missives directly to an iDevice. Both are available now, and you'll find complete PR after the break.
IRIScan Anywhere 3 saves your receipts and photos without the cables
Portable scanners aren't quite the novelty they used to be, that much is true. But they're no less impressive or useful. The latest IRIScan, the Anywhere 3, follows a long tradition of tiny, wireless document and photo scanners with rechargeable batteries. It's capable of saving your files to its internal storage, an SD card or even a standard USB thumbdrive. At $199 the IRIScan Anywhere 3 isn't any cheaper than its competitors and, as you can see from the photo above, it's certainly not the smallest portable scanner. But, it does come with some free apps (Readiris Pro and Cardiris Pro) that let you import contact info from business cards into Outlook or Lotus and turn your scanned docs into editable files through OCR. For more check out the PR after the break.
Iris Online opens the Lost Temple of Atlantis
Iris Online players are in for a treat today because it's patch day. And not just the small sort of patch with a bunch of bugfixes, either -- this is the big kind, the kind that opens up new areas and expands the level cap. In fact, it's exactly that kind, as today's update opens four new zones and the Lost Temple of Atlantis for player exploration. The temple is meant as the most challenging dungeon in the game and contains a variety of treasures for players braving its depths. Beyond the temple, the new zones give players new chances to strike back and liberate the land from the Sahar, complete with new quests to enjoy. Those new quests will also help as players head for the new level cap of 75, but if that alone isn't enough, the development team is doubling all EXP and SXP rates until April 29th. Players can also earn special treasure boxes for a limited time, a little extra boost for enjoying the game's new content. [Source: gPotato press release] %Gallery-104882%
Iris Online celebrates its first birthday
Iris Online publisher gPotato has a very optimistic outlook on sharing a birthday with a holiday, saying that "you can either be sad that all your friends are busy doing holiday things or you can throw such a tremendous party that they make time to drop by and visit you!" Of course, the studio is choosing the latter (we still feel for you, people with late-December birthdays) to celebrate Iris Online's first birthday. The celebration begins today and runs until November 26th. For the duration of the festivities, players will be granted experience, skill, and battlefield point boosts. Drop and enhance rates will also be increased, and to top it off, any player who's been part of Iris Online since September will be given a unique costume just for logging in. To get in on the celebration, just head to the game's official site. [Source: Gala-net press release]
First Impressions: Lucent Heart
Once again I have been tasked with taking a look at an upcoming or newly released MMO, this time one called Lucent Heart. The game has been brought to us by Gamania, the same company responsible for the adorable Hero 108. Each time I am asked to play one of these games and to report to you lovely readers what I found, I am a little frightened that the game will simply suck. Yes, I know, "suck" is not a very good descriptive term, and it does not quite detail exactly what I disliked about something, but if a game is just not meant for me, it can be hard to describe why. No, I did not just spoil my entire article for you by telling you how I felt about the game in one word (you should always read to the end anyway). I've described to you how scared I am of finding a game that does, indeed, suck. Lucent Heart does not suck. In fact, I was relieved to find a game that, like Iris Online, seems to offer the same overall wonderful experience that so many of these Anime-style, not-from-our-shores games seem to avoid. Of course, Lucent Heart has plenty of issues, so let me tell you about those as well. Click past the cut, will ya?
gPotato releases Tears of Arcana update for Iris Online
gPotato has announced the official release of its latest update for Iris Online. The Tears of Arcana patch went live today and brought with it plenty of new content for fans of the free-to-play fantasy MMORPG. In addition to a level cap increase (65) and a new elite monster zone, today's patch features a revamped hard mode for the Wood Garden instance. The new difficulty level rewards unique items (and epics) and represents a significant step up the challenge ladder. Iris Online also features a new accessory imprinting system that allows for customization via stat additions and a nifty item forging mechanic that upgrades weapons, mounts, and armor (and turns your unused items into epics). Finally, Terminus boasts a new armor exchange NPC which gives players the opportunity to temper their equipment for free. You can learn more about the Tears of Arcana update, as well as download Iris Online, at the game's official website.
gPotato prepping Iris Online Tears of Arcana content update
Crafting is often the red-headed step-child of newer MMOs, so it's always a happy event when we can report on a title that adds it, improves it, or otherwise takes it seriously. One such game is Iris Online, and the free-to-play offering from gPotato is gearing up to introduce a new forging system that allows for the crafting of epic items as well as a slew of other features. What kinds of features? How about an accessory upgrading system, flying mounts, three new maps, and an increased level cap (65)? All of these bells and whistles are included in the forthcoming Tears of Arcana update, which is currently scheduled to take a bow in the month of May. In the meantime, gPotato is showering its Iris Online faithful with leveling perks, free items, and various celebratory events. First up is a double XP gig (April 18th through the 22nd) followed by an Easter shindig featuring quests that could lead to exclusive mounts and head pieces. Check out the Iris website for more event details.
Researchers experiment with drug-delivering robot... implanted in an eye
If the notion of a tiny robot swimming around in your eye leaves you a bit uneasy then, well, you might want to stop right here. For the rest of you, though, you may be interested in some new tests now being conducted by Michael Kummer and his team of researchers at the Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems in Zurich, Switzerland. What you're looking at above is a pig's eye, and the tiny black spec near the top is a microbot that's able to roam around the eye with the aid of an electromagnetic system. While things are still obviously very early, the researchers say the microbots could eventually be used to precisely deliver drugs in humans, and treat issues like macular degeneration. Head on past the break for the video.
GDC 2011: New Iris Online videos show off mounts, classes
If you've been following the adorably epic Iris Online, you'll know that the game has had its share of exciting developments over the last few months. Furthering that theme, members of the gPotato team sat down with Massively to show off some new cool videos at this week's GDC 2011! One video shows off the three races and 15 classes you can find in the game as well as gives a look at the tarot card system. Players will hunt after and gather a collection of cards that, once completed, can be used to buff the player and even predict the future! Forget the Magic 8-Ball -- tarot cards rule. The second video details mounts -- a lot of new mounts. Want to ride a motorcyle or polar bear? Iris has them. There are also some new dungeons and epic bosses, a ton of beautiful detailed landscapes, and a look at a system that allows players to transform into actual monsters, enabling them to fight as those monsters or to sneak past aggro. You will also be able to see PvP battles like capture-the-flag, PvP zones that players will fight their way through, and even a bout of friendly dueling. Now, what are you waiting for? Click past the cut and watch!
Iris Online expansion slated for the 26th
If you've been enjoying the gypsy-themed MMO Iris Online, you probably want more of the game to enjoy. That coincides nicely with the fact that the game is getting a major update Wednesday. The game's first expansion (in the usual free-to-play model of a large patch) will be released on January 26th, bringing along a new dungeon, new monsters, and four new maps to accompany a boost in the level cap to level 60. The update also contains several bug fixes and mechanical tweaks, including the removal of the "Force" mechanic to help balance Battlefield encounters. All of the new areas to explore will contain monsters between levels 50-62, with the new dungeon Wood Garden limited to players at level 40 or higher. There's also a new PvP zone dubbed Spirit's Shelter, featuring a field boss for players to spar against as well as wandering cactus monsters. Iris Online players will luckily not have to wait too long for the game's additions, but the new visual additions to the gallery below will help tide players over until the patch drops. %Gallery-104882%
Iris Online heads into open beta today
Looking at the above screenshot of a party going on in Iris Online, you can tell immediately whether this is the type of game you will enjoy. For some, those crazy, brightly colored worlds full of goofy fun are absolutely their thing. For others, not so much. With that said, if you're the type who digs crayola-colored silliness in MMO form, then you'll likely be interested to know that Iris Online is headed into open beta today! Offering three races (humans, elves, and part-animal humanoids), some of the most horribly adorable mounts we've seen in a while, a card system allowing you to morph your character, a level cap of 55, and 20 areas to explore, Iris Online has quite a bit to offer new players. After all, it's not every day that you get to go up against a world full of carnival-themed monsters who fling pies. If it sounds like your idea of fun, you can head over to the Iris Online site to get signed up for open beta, or check out the trailer we've lovingly tucked behind the cut for your amusement.
Iris Online enters second closed beta
Testing for Iris Online is something that isn't going to float everyone's boat... but one glance at the game's screenshots should make it clear that it will be deeply satisfying to certain people. There's no other game in which you can ride a purple cat with a jester's cap, for instance. If that tickles your fancy, you'll be happy to know that the game's second closed beta test has started, complete with bonuses to both former participants and those who didn't get a chance to test the game the first time around. Beta testers from the previous phase will be happy to find that their prior characters have not been wiped, allowing them to continue playing from where they had left off. Players who weren't in the previous test, on the other hand, will be able to take part in this testing phase, as a beta key is not required for this phase of testing. The client download link is available with the official announcement, so Iris Online hopefuls should take a look now and get to work on earning their purple cat.
Grab a key for Iris Online here and be prepared for its October 15th closed beta
Do you need more cute in your life, or do you have a deep appreciation for tarot cards? If you said yes to either of those statements, then we here at Massively may just have the title for you. It's gPotato's newest free-to-play entry: Iris Online. Information about the game is just starting to surface, but let me give you a brief rundown. You're a gypsy-fantasy-themed hero who's out to save the world by utilizing tarot cards. The cards can be used to enhance your weapons and armor, and you can have your hero's fortune told to lay on the buffs and other types of special boosts. The game also features 22 dungeons, each one tied into a specific major arcana card. Plus it's cute, and you really can't argue with cute. Unless you want to be a cute hater, in which case I ask you to argue against this. (Conclusion: Don't be a cute hater.) But if all of this seems like it's up your alley, then I encourage you to jump after the break, where you can claim a key for the game! We've got 5,000 keys to give away, so there's plenty for everyone! %Gallery-104882%
Iris Online opens registration for beta testing
While free-to-play games aren't everyone's cup of tea, it's hard to deny that some imaginative mechanics come out of them that wouldn't thrive anywhere else. Iris Online is a prime example, utilizing a Tarot-based set of mechanics that tie 22 dungeons of the game to the 22 Major Arcana and allow players to change into monsters via a card system. Gala-Net is opening the game up for beta testing registration, with the game's testing set to commence at an unspecified time in the future. Described as a gypsy-themed fantasy game, the aesthetics feature a surfeit of bright colors and surreal imagery, such as the accordion-legged horses seen in the title image. (Those are mounts, for the record.) It also sticks to the Tarot theme in its dungeon mechanics -- the Lovers dungeon, for instance, may only be entered by a male character and a female character, both of whom must survive together. While the details on gameplay are yet to be fully revealed, Iris Online certainly has a unique look to it, and those interested can sign up for beta testing now.
Nuovations' Iris + Reflex brings ambient light sensing to Macs of all stripes
It may not be of much use to anyone with a recent iMac or MacBook, but folks with a Mac that doesn't have a built-in ambient light sensor will soon be able to get their fix courtesy of Nuovation's new Iris + Reflex combo. That includes the Iris USB light sensor, which is small enough to not obstruct any nearby ports, and works in conjunction with the company's Reflex software to dial down your display's brightness to suit your surroundings. In fact, it even bests Apple's standard offering when it comes to advanced settings, although we're still trying to figure out why you'd want to have two of the sensors connected. Still no actual pictures of the sensor, unfortunately, but you'll apparently be able to pick it up this summer for between $20 and $30.
