YouTube and Spotify will not be launching a dedicated app for the new Apple Vision Pro mixed-reality headset, joining Netflix after the streaming giant had already ruled it out.

As reported by Bloomberg, a YouTube statement detailed how they would not provide fresh app support for the upcoming Apple launch nor allow its existing iPad app to work on the device. It means YouTube and Netflix will recommend users use a web browser if they want to view content on the mixed-reality headset. Spotify is also not providing, or planning, a dedicated app for VisionOS, the operating system for Vision Pro.

The Apple device is due for launch over the coming weeks. It is the latest product by the trillion-dollar company seeking to break down barriers of what’s possible with technology while also adding convenience to its users. Users can interact with the product’s OS by using their eyes, hands, and voice, and even if YouTube, Netflix and Spotify are out there are still more than 1 million compatible apps already existing in current iOS and iPadOS app stores.

Extensive demo required for Vision Pro

Within the headset, Vision Pro will include access to Apple’s own apps for music and podcasts, but the absence of giants like Spotify, YouTube and Netflix is a blow. This is significant as the Apple product is being presented as an entertainment platform, for video, games, music, and other interactive experiences.

The situation could change later but there is no sign of it at present. The existing YouTube and Spotify apps for iPad and iPhone should provide an easy route toward supporting the Vision Pro if desired.

Pre-orders for the Apple Vision Pro are underway, with a hefty price point of $3,499.

But don’t expect to plug-in and play. Apple is training its retail store workforce to demonstrate the Vision Pro to customers with sessions that could last 25 minutes.

Image: Apple

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Apple has recently taken a significant step in its ongoing patent dispute with Masimo Corp by removing the blood-oxygen measurement feature from its latest Series 9 and Ultra 2 Apple Watches, according to a Bloomberg report. This move comes as a strategy to comply with a U.S. ban imposed by the International Trade Commission due to patent infringement claims by Masimo.

In October, the ITC ruled that Apple’s devices infringed on Masimo’s patents related to blood-oxygen measurement technology. To avoid the repercussions of this ruling, Apple temporarily halted the sales of the affected smartwatches just before Christmas. However, an interim stay later allowed the company to resume sales at the end of the month.

Apple’s team of engineers worked on developing a software workaround to bypass the dispute. They aimed to modify the blood-oxygen app and its algorithms to circumvent the issue without completely losing the feature. However, the most immediate solution to prevent a potential reimposition of the ban was to remove the capability altogether.

Impact of the blood-oxygen removal from the Apple Watch

The decision to eliminate the blood-oxygen feature from the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 is a significant one, as it was a prominently advertised function of these devices. Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Tamlin Bason noted that while this move addresses the immediate risk of a ban, it could potentially affect customer demand.

Apple has already started distributing the modified versions of the Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches to its retail locations across the United States. Store employees have been instructed not to open or sell these new models until they receive further instructions from Apple’s corporate offices.

In addition to these changes, Apple is awaiting a federal appeals court’s decision on its motion for a continued stay on the ban. The ITC has recently argued against Apple’s request, labeling their arguments as “weak and unconvincing.”

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Apple has announced the Vision Pro will be available to purchase in US stores from February 2, with pre-orders beginning on January 19.

The tech giant first revealed the Vision Pro headset in June last year, with Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, saying, “The era of spatial computing has arrived.”

In their most recent announcement, Apple claims Vision Pro “seamlessly blends digital content with the physical world and unlocks powerful spatial experiences in visionOS, controlled by the most natural and intuitive inputs possible.”

It is the latest innovative product by Apple that looks to break down barriers of what’s possible with technology while also adding convenience to its users. The California-based company explains that users can interact with the product’s OS by using their eyes, hands and voice, with more than 1 million compatible apps already existing in current iOS and iPadOS app stores.

“Intuitive gestures allow users to interact with apps by simply looking at them, tapping their fingers to select, flicking their wrist to scroll or using a virtual keyboard or dictation to type,” the announcement says.

The Vision Pro can also be used for FaceTime calls, which Apple says “takes advantage of the space around the user so that everyone on a call appears life-size,” which sounds like it will feel like you’re actually in the room with the person you’re Facetiming, presumably only if you’re both using the Vision Pro.

Other features include users experiencing their favorite memories in the Photos app in “entirely new ways,” watching entertainment using the Vision Pro’s ultra-high-resolution displays that deliver more pixels than a 4K TV for each eye, and gaming, including more than 250 titles on Apple Arcade.

How much does Apple Vision Pro cost?

The technology and the product look incredible, almost futuristic, so it is no surprise that Apple has announced a price point of $3,499, while prescription lenses will cost an extra $149. Reading lenses are $99.

For your money, you get 256GB of storage, a Solo Knit Band, Dual Lopp Band, Light Seal, two Light Seal Cushions, an Apple Vision Pro Cover, Polishing Cloth, Battery, USB-C cable and USB-C Power Adapter.

Featured Image: Apple

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Apple has halted the online sales of its Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the United States due to a patent dispute. According to MacRumors, this decision comes just before the enforcement of an import ban on these models. Visitors to Apple’s online store will now find these devices marked as “currently unavailable.” Additionally, Apple has withdrawn refurbished Series 7 and Series 8 models from its website.

The suspension of sales is in compliance with an International Trade Commission order. This order prevents the import of components linked to the Apple Watch’s blood oxygen monitoring technology, which the ITC found to infringe on patents owned by Masimo, a medical device company.

Retail sales to cease post-Dec. 24

While the Apple Watch is still purchasable at Apple’s brick-and-mortar stores, sales will end after Dec. 24. The ban is confined to the United States and only affects Apple’s direct retail channels. However, third-party retailers like Target, Walmart, and Best Buy are allowed to continue selling the Apple Watch until their stock runs out. The Apple Watch SE, which does not feature a blood oxygen sensor, is exempt from this ban and will remain available for sale.

The fate of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 now hinges on the White House’s decision, which has until Dec. 25 to review the order and potentially veto the import ban. If the ban remains unchallenged, Apple will be unable to sell the affected models until it removes the technology that infringes on Masimo’s patents.

In an effort to overturn the decision, Apple is set to appeal on Dec. 26. The company is actively seeking various legal and technical solutions to resume sales as quickly as possible. One potential resolution being explored is a software update. Apple’s engineers are working on modifying the method for measuring oxygen saturation and the way this data is relayed to users. The company hopes that this software approach could persuade U.S. Customs to lift the ban. However, the effectiveness of this strategy is uncertain, as the patents in question are related to hardware components.

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Apple has warned buyers of its Apple Watches to be vigilant and take care when purchasing chargers in case they are fakes.

The tech giant released a support document last week reminding users of the importance of using only Apple-branded or Apple MFi-certified chargers for its line of watches.

Apple said that by using counterfeit or uncertified chargers, users are risking harmful effects which range from slow charging or repeated chimes to a reduced battery lifespan.

How to spot genuine Apple Watch chargers

Method 1: look at the charger for model numbers

The support document said that Apple’s chargers are always white, and frequently have text and markings on the cable.

If a charger is any other color or has any other designs on the cable, it is almost certainly not an Apple-branded charger. The tech company has given a list of model numbers that appear on Apple Watch chargers.

Method 2: use a Mac to check the manufacturer

Because the writing on the Apple Watch charging cables is so small that it might be difficult to check, they have also provided an alternative method of ensuring you’re using an Apple-certified charger, but it does require a Mac.

1. Connect your Apple Watch charging cable to your Mac.
2. On your Mac, choose Apple menu  > System Settings, then click General in the sidebar.
3. Click About on the right.
4. Click System Report.
5. Click USB.
6. Choose your watch charger to view details.
7. Locate the manufacturer. Watch chargers made by Apple list Apple Inc. as the manufacturer.

Method 3: check the packaging for the MFi badge

There are third-party chargers available which have MFi (Made for iPhone) certification. According to Apple, you identify theseby the MFi badge appearing on the packaging.

Method 4: Search the MFi-licensed database

Apple has also released a public database of MFi-licensed accessories. Users can search by model, brand, or UPC/EAN barcode numbers to determine if their accessory is MFi-licensed.

Apple Watches are the most popular wearable tech at the moment, and as they continue to innovate, particularly in health monitoring, this will likely remain true. People looking for a quick buck are sure to take advantage of this with low-quality accessories, so it’s vital to know the signs of Apple or MFi-certified products to ensure the longevity of your tech.

Featured image credit: Pixabay/Pexels

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Scientists are creating virtual reality goggles for mice so they can study the brain activity of the tiny creatures in various scenarios.

Putting animals into VR scenarios is nothing new but it usually needs cumbersome and expensive equipment. What’s more, the scientists involved noted that it was difficult to get the animals to engage, as they seemed to be aware that they were looking at mere screens.

“So far, labs have been using big computers or projection screens to surround an animal. For humans, this is like watching a TV in your living room: you still see your couch and your walls; there are cues around you, telling you that you aren’t inside the scene,” Daniel Dombeck, a professor of neurobiology at Northwestern University who led the research, told the Independent.

“Now think about putting on VR goggles, like Oculus Rift, that take up your full vision. You don’t see anything but the projected scene; a different scene is projected into each eye to create depth information. That’s been missing for mice.”

How do VR goggles for mice work?

Indeed, tiny VR goggles could solve this problem, opening up new areas for potential study. Entire virtual worlds can be created to that scientists can study the mice’s brain activity in a number of different situations, from running through imaginary mazes to being hunted by predators.

Rather than attaching the VR goggles to the mice’s heads as you would with humans, the technology involves perching them directly in front of the animal’s face while keeping it in place on a treadmill. There are also sensors used to detect brain activity so that researchers can closely examine the neural circuits associated with specific behavior.

Such experiments are vital to understanding how animals react to certain stimuli and it’s hoped that more scenarios may be added down the line, such as placing mice in situations where it’s predator, not prey.

Featured image: Pexels

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Although Apple and Meta have yet to release their first consumer virtual reality headsets, the tech giants are already working on the subsequent iterations.

According to an Oct. 8 Bloomberg report, Apple’s first headset, the Vision Pro, will likely launch in early 2023. The Vision Pro features high-resolution cameras that enable mixed reality, a powerful Apple-designed M2 chip, and crisp micro-OLED displays.

However, the current Vision Pro prototype is large and heavy, and testers have reported neck strain from wearing the device for prolonged periods.

For the next version, Apple engineers want to reduce the headset’s weight and size to improve comfort. One option under consideration is an over-the-head strap to better distribute the weight. However, designing lighter hardware components may be the best long-term solution. Apple also aims to simplify prescription lens integration for glasses wearers.

Meta prepping Quest 3 release

Meanwhile, Meta is preparing to release its Quest 3 headset next week at a starting price of $500. The Quest 3 offers upgrades like faster performance and a refined design compared to the prior model — but at $200 more than the Quest 2, Meta wants to lower costs on future versions to expand mainstream appeal.

One strategy is to launch a new entry-level headset without controllers, allowing hand gestures to control the interface. This would lower the production cost, with some rumors suggesting a price under $200 — albeit at the expense of functionality. Meta also plans a high-end replacement for the failed $1,500 Quest Pro.

Though confidence is high at Apple, Meta sees the Vision Pro as a potential game-changer in making virtual reality mainstream. One Meta employee compared the anticipation to how the mobile industry awaited the original iPhone reveal:

“We’re in the ‘afraid of Apple’ stage.”

Both companies continue to have long-term ambitions in augmented reality devices. Apple paused its AR glasses project last year due to immature technology — but it may restart development to fulfill CEO Tim Cook’s vision of sleek and discrete AR spectacles. Meta remains committed to eventual AR spectacles and is already testing display components.

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It’s easy to see why wearable medical devices have become increasingly popular in recent years. These gadgets have been made to be worn on the body and offer a wide variety of advantages to the user. Wearables have enormous potential to transform the healthcare system, particularly in vitals monitoring and activity tracking. Materials that can intelligently and autonomously adapt to the wearer’s movements and changing environmental conditions are necessary for these devices to be truly effective. Polymers are helpful for this purpose.

Polymers are synthetic macromolecules characterized by long, repeating chains of monomers. They have many uses, ranging from plastics and textiles to medicine and electronics. Polymers’ versatility in responding to shifting environmental conditions makes them ideal for use in wearable technology. Some polymers, for instance, are well-suited for use in soft robotics and smart skin applications because their rigidity can be altered depending on environmental conditions.

Polymer materials with built-in switchability have recently been developed by scientists at the Universities of Stuttgart and Tubingen; these materials hold great promise for future wearable medical technology. These materials are extremely flexible because of their ability to adjust to their surroundings automatically. Even when subjected to large deformations, they can still undergo elastic changes that allow them to conform to the needs of the application at hand.

The researchers detail their methodology for creating these smart polymer materials in a paper published in Advanced Materials Technologies. As the wearer moves and the surrounding environment shifts, the material’s properties can change on their own. Due to their malleability, these materials have been dubbed “intelligent rubber materials” by the study’s authors.

These smart polymer materials have a wide range of possible applications in the medical field. For instance, they might be used to make soft exoskeletons that help stroke patients walk again. These tools would benefit from variable viscoelastic properties to accommodate fast and slow motion. Researchers at the Universities of Stuttgart and Tubingen have created intelligent polymer materials capable of doing just that, making them ideal for use in soft robotics.

These materials may also find use in the delivery of drugs through the skin in a controlled fashion. This material can be used as a patch for transdermal drug delivery due to its hydro-adaptability and reversible water absorption capacity. The researchers found that the patch itself regulated the release of the active ingredient in response to the varying moisture levels of the wound, allowing them to conduct experiments with the release of the painkiller diclofenac in a skin model.

In the future, researchers at the Universities of Stuttgart and Tubingen hope to look into multifunctional material systems that can both respond actively to triggers like electrical stimuli while also adapting on their own to their surroundings. Additionally, they intend to model and predict complex architectures with the help of simulations.

The university’s Data-Integrated Simulation Science (SimTech) cluster of excellence also benefits from the findings of the polymer materials research. Polymer research combined with data-integrated simulation science paves the way for next-generation wearable medical devices that can respond to patients’ needs in any setting.

In conclusion, intelligent polymer materials are an integral part of the future of wearable medical devices, which have the potential to alter the healthcare system radically. Researchers at the Universities of Stuttgart and Tubingen are paving the way for cutting-edge wearable medical devices by developing materials that can adapt autonomously to the wearer’s movements and changing environmental conditions. Everything from flexible exoskeletons to transdermal drug patches is within reach. These tools have the potential to revolutionize medical practice with more study and refinement.

First reported on Phys.org

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are wearable medical devices, and why are they becoming more popular?

Wearable medical devices are gadgets designed to be worn on the body, offering various advantages to users. Their popularity has surged due to their ability to monitor vital signs and track activities, providing valuable health insights in real-time.

Q. What role do polymers play in wearable medical devices?

Polymers, which are synthetic macromolecules with repeating chains of monomers, are versatile materials used in a wide range of applications, including wearables. Their ability to intelligently respond to changing environmental conditions makes them ideal for wearable technology, such as soft robotics and smart skin applications.

Q. What are “intelligent rubber materials,” and how do they work?

“Intelligent rubber materials” refer to smart polymer materials developed by researchers at the Universities of Stuttgart and Tubingen. These materials are highly flexible and automatically adjust their properties based on the wearer’s movements and the surrounding environment, making them suitable for various medical applications.

Q. What are some potential applications of smart polymer materials in the medical field?

Smart polymer materials hold great promise for wearable medical devices. They could be used in soft exoskeletons to aid stroke patients in walking by accommodating both fast and slow motion. Additionally, these materials might enable controlled drug delivery through the skin, providing transdermal drug patches that adjust release based on moisture levels.

Q. What are the future research directions for intelligent polymer materials?

Researchers are interested in exploring multifunctional material systems that can actively respond to triggers like electrical stimuli while adapting autonomously to their surroundings. Furthermore, they aim to model and predict complex architectures using simulations, paving the way for even more advanced wearable medical devices.

Q. How could wearable medical devices impact the healthcare system?

Wearable medical devices have the potential to revolutionize the healthcare system by providing continuous and personalized health monitoring. They enable early detection of health issues, remote patient monitoring, and more efficient treatment plans, leading to improved patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.

Q. Are there any challenges or limitations in using intelligent polymer materials for wearable medical devices?

While intelligent polymer materials offer exciting possibilities, there may be challenges related to their integration into complex wearable devices and ensuring long-term durability and biocompatibility. Addressing these challenges will be crucial to harness these materials’ potential in medical applications fully.

Q. How might wearable medical devices with intelligent polymer materials benefit patients and healthcare professionals?

Wearable medical devices with intelligent polymer materials can enhance patient care by providing real-time health data and insights. These devices enable remote monitoring and early intervention for healthcare professionals, leading to more proactive and personalized treatment approaches.

Q. When can we expect to see wearable medical devices with these advanced materials in the market?

The timeline for market availability of wearable medical devices using intelligent polymer materials may vary. As researchers continue to refine and study these materials, technological advancements and regulatory approvals will significantly determine when these devices become widely accessible to the public.

Q. How might the integration of polymer research with data-integrated simulation science benefit wearable medical devices?

Combining polymer research with data-integrated simulation science, as done by the SimTech cluster of excellence at the Universities of Stuttgart, can accelerate the development of next-generation wearable medical devices. This interdisciplinary approach allows for more accurate predictions, optimization, and customization of wearable devices to better meet patients’ needs.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Fly-D; Unsplash; Thank you!

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Using SoundCloud Pro you are able to discover new music that you won’t stumble upon anywhere else. When first launched you have the option of Search, Explore, Following, Account and Guide. You can find new favourites with suggested tracks based on your likes and what you listen to most. Listen to your favourite tracks and artists from a variety of genres, countries, and artists. You also have the ability to download your favourite song and save it in the mobile for listen offline ( save the song in folder “Download/ SoundCIoud” in the mobile).

The app works really well if you also install the Music Cloud Provider app on your Android smartphone, also available for FREE, which allows you to download your favourite songs on the mobile and also Play the song from the Gear smartwatch on the mobile. The app only supports the Gear S2 / S3.

New Features Version 3.0.1
After you log in to your SoundCloud account, you can Access Tracks, PIayList, Favourites.

Video
Check out the video below to show you how to login your SoundCIoud account.

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On its face, the term metaverse implies a single place. This might seem to mean that the metaverse has to be experienced by everyone in the same way. Yet the reality is that users can and should experience the metaverse in different ways. 

And when one closely examines Extended Reality (XR), the core technology that most people use to access the metaverse, it quickly becomes apparent there are a spectrum of XR technologies, each of which delivers a different metaverse experience.

This XR spectrum includes:

• Virtual reality (VR), which attempts, as much as possible today, to plunge users into an all-digital, fully immersive metaverse experience.
• Augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) whereby the metaverse augments or is mixed with the user’s experience of physical reality.
• Assisted reality, whereby small, bite-sized amounts of digital content provide the user with an intentionally limited metaverse experience designed to assist them in the completion of real-world tasks without interfering with their situational awareness. 

This spectrum of XR technologies allows digital transformation leaders to develop and deploy a wide variety of metaverse applications, and ensure that each one delivers its user – be they a CEO in an office, business line director in a meeting room, or frontline worker in the field – a metaverse experience that engages, empowers, and elevates them, without compromising workplace safety.

Information Density and Environmental Intensity

In examining which XR technology is best suited for a particular use case, two terms – information density and environmental intensity – can help those developing and deploying metaverse applications determine which XR technology will best allow them to achieve their business objectives. 

Information density refers to the richness and detail of content delivered by an XR experience to the user. For example, VR technologies use binocular streaming of immersive video that fully occupies a user’s field of vision to deliver high information density. AR and MR technologies that mix digital content with a user’s view of their physical reality have a lower level of information density. Assisted reality technologies that allow users to see or glance at digital content while otherwise viewing all of their physical environment have an even lower level of information density.

 XR technologies with high information densities provide users a more immersive experience, enabling these users to gain a fuller and more detailed understanding of complex digital data and other information. However, at the same time, XR technologies with high information densities demand higher levels of attention and information processing from the user than those with lower information densities. In fact, technologies at the very far end of the XR technology spectrum are so informationally dense that they can practically block out information from physical reality, greatly limiting the user’s situational awareness, which can compromise workplace safety.

Environmental intensity refers to the risk that the user’s physical environment:

• Could damage either the user or their XR device;
• Might require the user to operate their XR device for an extended period of time far from a power source; or
• Presents health and safety risks that require the user to wear certain types of personal protective equipment (PPE) or possess a certain ongoing level of situational awareness.

Examples of places with low environmental intensities include an office in a commercial building, a conference room in a hotel, or a trailer outside a construction site. Meanwhile, places with high environmental intensities include an operating room in a hospital, a garage in an automobile repair shop, the assembly line in a factory, an active construction site, or the top of a high voltage transmission tower or wind turbine.

As we examine the spectrum of XR technologies, we will generally see that metaverse use cases that require high information density are best used in locations with low environmental intensity. Meanwhile, metaverse use cases that take place in areas with high environmental intensity generally require technologies with a lower information density.

Virtual Reality — High Immersion, Low Situational Awareness

At one end of the XR technology spectrum lies VR, which delivers highly immersive metaverse experiences in which the user primarily sees and hears what is in the digital world. VR technologies, like the Oculus Quest (or the newer, rebranded Meta Quest 2), have high information densities that allow them to immerse the user in a virtual world, so that everything they see (and most of what they hear) are images or sounds generated by the VR technology. The ultimate virtual reality is exemplified in the Ready Player One movie, in which the users live their lives almost completely in a virtual world (until they are liberated from its all-consuming control).

Current technologies might not be able to mimic the virtual reality depicted on TV or movies, but they can provide us with visual and audio experiences that allow us to pretend we are a crane operator loading containers onto a ship, test-driving a new vehicle design , or virtually repairing a complex piece of industrial machinery.

VR’s high information density makes it ideal for gaming, entertainment, education, training, and simulation use cases in which any level of awareness of one’s actual physical environment lessens the value of the experience. However, at the same time the fully immersive experiences delivered by high information density VR technologies make them a poor choice for use cases where there is any environmental intensity at all. In fact, as those who have seen people using VR headsets know, tables, walls, and other objects that are usually safe can suddenly become a danger when someone loses most or all of their situational awareness in a virtual world.

This is the main reason why the use of VR in places with even moderate levels of environmental intensity – a city street, a bustling kitchen, a busy warehouse – is to be prohibited or aggressively avoided. Moreover, use cases in these places often involve the user wanting to augment or mix their physical reality experience with digital information, or just use digital information to assist them with a task. Yet in occupying most or all of the user’s cognitive load and information processing capabilities, VR leaves the user with little-to-no attention or information processing capabilities left to use with the physical world.

Augmented and Mixed Reality – Some Immersion, With Some Situation Awareness

In the middle of the XR technology spectrum lies AR and MR, in which the user augments or mixes their experience of the physical world with video, images, audio, and other digital information. AR and MR technologies, like Microsoft’s HoloLens 2, do not provide high enough information densities for a user to totally immerse themselves in the metaverse. Rather, they tightly integrate the metaverse with the physical world, delivering the user a hybrid physical and virtual experience.

There are many uses cases in which the integration of the physical world with the metaverse can be valuable – a gaming application that allows children to discover and interact with digital pets in their neighborhood, an entertainment application that shows a tourist in Rome what an ancient event in the Coliseum would have looked like from where they currently stand, a training application that overlays repair steps and tips on top of the physical object that the student is learning to fix, or an e-Commerce application that allows someone to see how new furniture would look in their home.

However, while AR and VR are well suited for gaming, entertainment, training, and e-Commerce use cases like these, there are still many use cases where high levels of environmental intensity demand that users have a full field of vision and a high level of situation awareness. Though they are less immersive than VR, the information density of AR and MR can still obscure aspects of one’s physical environment and draw attention away from environmental dangers. In addition, since AR and MR technologies generally cover most of the user’s field of vision, like VR technologies, it can be difficult to use them with hardhats, safety glasses, air purifiers, and the other types of PPE required in industrial and other places with high environmental intensities.

Assisted Reality – Low Immersion, with Full Situational Awareness

Assisted reality, a newer and less known XR technology, lies on the opposite end of the XR spectrum than VR. Unlike VR, assisted reality technologies, like my company’s RealWear Navigator 500, provide the user with nearly complete situational awareness, adding in digital content and experiences designed to only “assist” the user with their physical task. The user can consume information and collaborate with others through a digital metaverse experience, but these experiences are clearly separated from the user’s physical reality. One way to think of assisted reality is that it provides a small window into the metaverse that the user can quickly look or step away from whenever they need to. 

Assisted reality is best suited for remote expert guidance, digital workflow, field service, audit and inspection, and other use cases where a reality-first, virtual-second experience is required. Examples of such use cases include a frontline-worker on a factory floor receiving guidance on how to repair a machine from a remote expert, a refinery worker calibrating a new measurement device with the device’s vendor, or a field-service technician using a workflow application to set up a new piece of equipment at a worksite.

Assisted reality technologies are typically appropriate for workers that must keep their field of vision free to prioritize situational awareness. This is typical of front-line workers across many industries who work alongside or with machines – from manufacturing systems on the plant floor, to material moving machines in the warehouse, to complex, dangerous systems located in the field like drilling equipment on an offshore oil platform.

For the frontline worker in industrial environments like these, the need for situational awareness translates directly into safety needs, where the introduction of an XR technology must never compromise safety. For industrial frontline workers maintaining and working with active machinery, safety is not just an imperative, it is a workplace culture that is often regulated and monitored by government agencies, and measured with KPIs that hold workers, managers, and company executives to account for safety violations. 

Safety concerns like these mean that assisted reality must allow industrial frontline workers to keep both of their hands free and maintain situational awareness in places that are dirty, dangerous, and loud.  As such, assisted reality solutions need to provide users with hands-free control of their metaverse experience, through voice command capabilities uniquely designed for high noise environments.  In addition, with safety a baseline imperative, assisted reality technology must integrate seamlessly with PPE (especially hard hats with integrated hearing and eye protection). At the same time, these assisted reality solutions must be comfortable and powered to sustain all-shift usability. 

A Spectrum of XR Technologies for Different Use Cases

The VR, AR, MR, and assisted reality technologies described above all vary greatly in form factor and where they lie on the XR technology spectrum. Yet, despite these differences, they are all being used today to connect workers to the metaverse in a range of markets and industries — from employee classrooms to factory shop floors, warehouses to offshore oil rigs. By finding the right balance of immersion, situational awareness, and other capabilities companies can use these XR technologies to offer their workers metaverse experiences that translate into increased efficiency, precision, and safety.

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The fashion trend dubbed “Wearable Tech” in Silicon Valley (but seen all over and highlighted by Google Glass) is taking the world by storm.

Did you know that fashion is one of the most prominent tech trends right now? Isn’t that crazy? However, these ten new breakthroughs in the world of wearable technology are blowing our minds, from health to privacy to straight-up stunning design.

1. Radiate Athletics: Workout Tech

Fitness-related wearable technology excites our inner gym rat. With so many devices on the market, such as the Jawbone UP and Nike+ Fuelband, it’s always exciting to see a brand try something new and different to better our health.
Radiate Athletics does this perfectly. They’re making wearable training gear that responds to your body’s activity. In addition, it displays how hard you’ve been working in real-time. The color of the garment changes and spotlights the muscles you’re working on. This allows you to see how effective your workout is.

2. Sesame Ring: Travel Tech

Have you ever dug through your suitcase looking for your public transportation card? Worse, have you ever been late for a bus or train because you couldn’t find it?
This simple, 3D-printed ring is meant to take the place of those cards. In addition, it promises to make your travel more efficient. The Sesame Ring was successfully financed on Kickstarter. They currently only operate in the Massachusetts Bay Area. Perhaps this will change soon!

3. Daredroid: Fun Bar Technology

This cocktail-making gown is about the coolest thing you’ve ever seen. Seriously. The company designed it for waitresses or bartenders. Furthermore, it dispenses drinks according to certain rules. It will dispense juice when it detects your presence.
However, here’s the fun part! You have to earn the booze you’ll need to finish your cocktail. In order to do that, you’ll have to play a game of Truth or Dare and respond correctly. However, don’t approach too close to the dress or the person wearing it. If you do, the system will shut down and you will not be able to get your drink. Therefore, maintain a safe distance. This may be a fun approach to creating a unique bar experience. In addition, it might even be a fun party game. (Just a thought.)

4. NFC Ring: The Wearable Key

The NFC ring is a ring with embedded data. It lets you operate your technology and transfer information with simple motions. It also received its funding on Kickstarter.
The ring is used as a key. These are the two coolest applications on the gadget right now. It can be used to unlock any NFC-enabled smartphone or tablet with a single touch. In addition, it can also be used to control an NFC-enabled front door lock. It includes separate public and private data inlays. This allows you to communicate contact information and passwords without fear of them being stolen.

5. Ping: Hoodie Phone Control?

This hooded top is intended to be the first social networking clothing. It is relatively simple to use. It will link to your Facebook account. In addition, it will carry out tasks based on your actions. It will Like, Comment, or Friend you if you pull up your hood, tie a bow, and zip it up.
It’s only a concept right now, and it’s a little crazy. However, the thought of being able to access social media without having to pull out your phone is really cool. In addition, it’s a touch spooky.

6. Sensoree: Clothing with Feeling

This is a clothing brand that makes clothes that displays “extimacy,” or externalized intimacy. (This week’s challenge: utilize the word in a sentence with someone.)
Essentially, the clothing changes color shades to reflect the wearer’s emotions. If you’re feeling peaceful, it’ll turn blue, and if you’re feeling excited, it’ll turn pink. Sensors that monitor biological rhythms are used to accomplish this. Maybe you’re not sure if you want everyone to know our every feeling. However, it could be good to check if your boss is enraged just by looking at a shirt.

7. Insider Bands: Wearable Tech for the Music Lover

This is a product that leverages wearable technology to make music festivals even better. In addition, it just debuted at Outside Lands.
Festivalgoers wear an NFC-enabled wristband. It allows them to check into areas, snap photos, and send messages to their friends. This lets music fans capture their favorite moments even when mobile service is restricted. In addition, it helps them instantly locate their pals in a large crowd.

8. Stealth Wear: Wearable Tech for the Cautious

Stealth Wear is similar to WiFi-blocking wallpaper. This wearable technology is great for the slightly paranoid but not quite insane individual.
It sports counter-surveillance fashion. It offers thermal imaging protection. In addition, it protects from incoming and outgoing phone signals. Okay, so it’s a touch paranoid. However, you can appreciate the growing focus on personal privacy in this country.

9. Sensoria: The Fitness Tracker

This is a wearable fitness tracker.  However, instead of wrapping around your wrist like others, it comes in the form of a sock!
That’s true, slip this under your shoe and it will track your activity. In addition, it will also identify and improve your form. Likewise, this is excellent for joggers who are prone to injury.

10. Hand Tech: Hand Projection and More

Whoa. Unfortunately, this is still only a wearable tech concept. However, it’s so cool anyway.
You could use your hands to project, take images, share data, and record videos with this glove. It also has the ability to translate sign language. The concept is amazing. Here’s hoping that they will be commercially viable. That way, everyone can (literally) get their hands on them.

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Smartwatches are one of the most popular consumer goods as they have so many features that improve everyday life. Here are five to look for.

If you’re looking for a watch, a smartwatch is a terrific alternative because there are so many on the market nowadays. When it comes to purchasing a smartwatch, it can be difficult if you are unfamiliar with the various features, hardware, and so on. Smartwatches range in price from $50 to $500 or even more. In addition, each one performs differently.
Read reviews and comparisons on some of the biggest brands in the market. Learn about brands such as Apple, Fitbit, Garmin, and others. This is the best approach to finding and buying a smartwatch. If you’re interested in a Xiaomi watch, you can compare all of them here to pick the one that’s right for you.
Before you spend your hard-earned cash on a smartwatch, there are five things you should know to get the most out of your investment.

1. First, check for compatibility.

One of the first stages in purchasing a smartwatch is to determine whether or not your smartphone is compatible with the watch. Apple watches, for example, are designed to function only with iPhones. Samsung smartwatches, on the other hand, are designed to work with Samsung phones and other Android devices.
You won’t be able to use your watch very effectively if it isn’t compatible with your smartphone.
If it is not compatible, it will have limited functions and features you can use. Therefore, when you buy a smartwatch, think about what kind of smartphone you have (or want). Similarly, consider whether you want a watch like Fossil or Fitbit that works with all kinds of operating systems.

2. Consider the life of the batteries of your smartwatch.

With the amount of time people spend staring at screens during the day, it’s critical to pay attention to battery life.
There are various smartwatches on the market with battery life ranging from 3 to 20 days. As a result, your smartwatch’s battery life will vary depending on the functions and features it has to offer.
Therefore, while buying a watch, pay attention to the battery life. The last thing you want is for your phone battery to fail before your day even begins. Smartwatches, nevertheless, are notorious for their poor battery life.

3. Avoid cheap brands.

When purchasing a watch, it’s always preferable to go for well-known brands rather than brands you have never heard of. The reason for this is simple; numerous timepieces imitate these branded businesses and sell them as alternatives.
It’s better to invest in a high-quality smartwatch. Don’t get stuck with a cheap knock-off watch that only lasts a few months.
This does not imply that you must get the most expensive watch on the market. Rather, look for good brands that are within your price range. Make a list of the features you’re looking for and then pick the ideal watch for you. Learn more about the various characteristics of a smartwatch by reading on.

4. Decide on the best features of smartwatches.

Smartwatches are popular because of the many features you access with a simple tap of the wrist. Most of the tools on your smartphone are easily accessible through your smartwatch. This allows you to complete your everyday duties more efficiently.
Smartwatches are also able to help promote your health. Many provide a variety of fitness tracking modes with precise results. Pedometers, heart rate monitors, sleep monitors, water intake, and exercise programs are some of the possible features. In addition, media management and social notifications are some of the most common features.

5. Consider the design features of your smartwatch.

When it comes to style, size, color, and other factors, picking a smartwatch is exactly like buying a smartphone. Similarly, seek out smartwatches that best suit your needs.
The square-shaped watch and the standard round watch are the two most popular watch designs. Along with the design, manufacturers also offer a variety of designed straps. The straps should complement your clothing and personal style.
Everyone wants to look nice in their new watch. Therefore, you might consider Fossil, Garmin, Samsung Galaxy Active, or Ticwatch. In addition, check out other popular brands if you’re looking for round-shaped watches. If you prefer square-shaped designs, Apple, Fitbit, and Amazfit are your best bet.

Wrap it up, I’ll take it.

Following this basic guidance, you should be able to pick the ideal smartwatch for your lifestyle.
Make sure you read the warranty on repair and replacement so you know how to get your gadget fixed if it breaks. Although Apple’s smartwatch is the most popular on the market, there are a few Apple competitors that offer a variety of smart capabilities in addition to reliable service.

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Samsung is releasing some more watch faces for the Galaxy Watch 4, which already has lots of watch faces. There will be 4 more, a basic dashboard, one primarily focused on weather, one being an info brick, and one being a live wallpaper. The GIF below is a GIF of all 4 watch faces.

Though the faces are cool in their way, they’re not the only features that are going to be added. You’ll be able to use a knock-knock motion in the air to launch a preset. Fall detection has been improved, so if you are standing and you fall, the watch will know. The features will be added on Wednesday for the Bluetooth versions of the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic, and as for LTE versions, Samsung says that the updates will be released shortly after.

Samsung is also releasing limited edition Maison Kitsuné versions of the Galaxy Watch 4 and the Galaxy Buds 2. They come in a taupe colour and have a custom band, charger, and box. The Galaxy Buds 2 have the taupe colour, a custom wire, a custom case and buds, and a custom box. Pictures from The Verge can be found below:

Source

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Samsung has announced that it is trialling a new VMS system. This is so far is only available in Australia. VMS is part of re-open.com – a cloud-based platform created by Deakin University, NTRI, and SaniteX Global to control the world following Covid-19.

Employers and employees will use the platform to gather health-related information such as the heart rate and SpO2 sensor — a virtual medical health screening whilst the user is still at home. The user will also be required to fill out a survey and will then receive a QR-Code – this can be used to attempt access to their workplace.

Employees will have to share their health data on a daily basis. As we can see the situation in Australia and the forced government control and vaccine mandates – Employers will most likely force employees to share their health data on penalty of dismissal.

Is VMS safe?

Samsung says it is. There is a long version of this discussing encryption etc, but if the data is simply handed over to third parties then it really doesn’t matter if the damn thing was encrypted in the first place or not.

Source

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The new Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra has just leaked online – such as leaked images of the packaging, specs, and any new features.

Specs

The watch will have the new Snapdragon Wear 4100 chipset and will have the same old 72 hours of battery life, just like its predecessor. It will have a dual-layer display that powers down to a monochrome LCD, though the highest resolution it can achieve would be at AMOLED. It will run Wear OS 2.0 when launched, but will eventually get Wear OS 3.0. As these are only leaks, we do not know what the price will be.

A compass will be featured on the watch, which can be helpful when doing outdoor activities, such as camping somewhere.

New Heart features

The smartwatch will have GPS, a compass, military standard 810G toughness, and 20 workout modes. Some new features could include metrics that show the load on the heart from arteries hardening and TruHR. It seems to be a way to detect afib’s using the optical sensor. This will come out to the TicWatch GTH Pro, and the GTH+

Via 1

Via 2

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Just a few days ago, Apple themselves held an event where the iPad Mini, iPad, iPhone 13 and a new Apple Watch were revealed. What wasn’t there was any sort of computer/MacBook of any kind. However, there now may be an October event that will introduce the M1X Mac‘s, the AirPods 3 and possibly more.

When will it occur?

The event isn’t final. However, we do have an idea about it. Apple has said that there would be another event in September, while it is unlikely to have events 7 days across from each other. If it were to be in September, Apple would’ve already sent out the invites. It makes sense if it were to come out in October, just as Apple has done in the past. Unfortunately, in the past, the events have been mid-to-late ones. However, Apple can change it this month. It could be on a Tuesday in October. Gurman recently reported that M1X MacBook Pros would be launching in several weeks. This says that the M1X MacBook Pro’s could be released on October 19 or 26 on Apple’s events.

AirPods 3 – They’re late to the party

The AirPods 3 have been set to launch for a long time and is extremely late to being released. It basically should’ve been released in the September event. For some reason, they did not appear, and lots of people were expecting it in the September event. For this reason, we ought to believe that it will come out in October. Apple is planning to make them look more like AirPods Pro, and ill have shorter stems that will make the product more compact. They will not have any silicon tips, though this is extremely worrying as these are the very key to AirPods Pro ANC (Active Noise Cancelling) and should be included as an extra option.

M1X Mac Mini

The Mac Mini right now only has the Apple M1 chip for its latest version of the Mac Mini. However, it is set to have a major update, that will change the already pretty fast chipset into an ultra-fast chip. It will have more Thunderbolt ports, a MagSafe power connecter, and a “plexiglass-like top.” The M1 Mac Mini was just launched, yet Apple is already upgrading and will have a better design.

M1X MacBook Pro – 14-inch model?

The MacBook Pro is said to slim down its bezels and expand its screen to make it a 14-inch model, and the display will be made out of mini-LEDs that is in the iPad Pro. This will make the laptop brighter and have more contrast. A big feature is that they are finally going to ditch the touch bar for the first time since 2016. Instead of having to buy a separate device just to plug in an HDMI cable to your laptop, a return of the missed MagSafe, the HDMI port and an SD Card Slot. The chassis will also be remade into a flat-edged design. The new M1X chip will be inside the laptop and will sport better graphics. All changes will be integrated into the MacBook Pro 16-inch, which will have an M1X chip with additional GPU cores, for the first time.

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A recent study published in the medicals journal claim that blood pressure monitoring on all recent Samsung smartwatches could help people with Parkinson’s disease manage OH (Orthostatic Hypotension).

Galaxy Watches such as the Galaxy Watch 4 series, the Galaxy Watch 3 and the Galaxy Watch Active 2 could help people with Parkinson’s disease manage OH. OH is a problem seen mainly in elderly people, and is a form of low blood pressure caused by blood vessels not narrowing. Galaxy Watches could help detect fluctuations to help manage the disease. Samsung’s Medical centre compared blood pressure readings of the Galaxy Watch 3 with a sphygmomanometer to compare the accuracy of its smartwatches. The readings from the Galaxy Watch 3 were comparable.

The Galaxy Watch Active 2, Galaxy Watch 4, and the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic use pulse wave analysis using heart rate sensors to monitor blood pressure.

The test was run on 56 patients, most over 66 years of age.

Overall, it seems as though medical centres could use Samsung smartwatches to detect early issues of Orthostatic hypertension in the near future.

Source

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Samsung has launched its very own Galaxy Watch 4 Golf Edition in South Korea. As the name speculates, the watch is mainly made for golf.

Though it is only available in South Korea, the Galaxy Watch 4 Golf Edition comes pre-installed with the app Caddie. Caddie measures and displays golf players performance, such as power, how far away they hit the ball and even automatic hole information recognition.

The watch comes in two versions, a 40mm Silver version and a 44mm Black. The 44m Black costs $281 while the 40mm Silver comes at $256. The watch can be bought off Samsung’s website, Golf Zone Market, Samsung Digital Plaza, and Golping Market.

So, what is this watch?

Well, the Watch is basically the Galaxy Watch 4, however with more specialising in golf rather than fitness / daily use. The pre-installed Caddie app measures aerial photos, satellite maps, automatic hole information recognition, power, shot distance, and elevation.

The Galaxy Watch 4 series consists of 3 smartwatches. The Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic, and now the Galaxy Watch 4 Golf Edition (Only available in South Korea)

Source

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