Technology - Google News |
- Google Maps is finally getting that crazy AR walking navigation, testing with Local Guides - Android Police
- Uh oh: Insider says Samsung's foldable Galaxy F phone won't launch next week - BGR
- Alex Kipman Teases Microsoft's MWC Announcement - Thurrott.com
| Posted: 11 Feb 2019 07:43 AM PST  Back in May, Google showcased an innovative navigation system that leveraged the phone's camera to provide augmented reality GPS guidance. Although the demo was very promising, the feature wasn't expected to be immediately available, even for testing. However, the company is now letting select people, mostly Local Guides with access to a preview version of Maps, use the feature, and David Pierce from the Wall Street Journal was among the lucky ones to give it a first try. We've all walked for what seemed like miles in the wrong direction before realizing our phone's compass went berzerk and led us the wrong way. These days are almost over, as Google's AR-based guidance is gradually making its way into our lives. Although the version the WSJ tested isn't final, it helps us get a better idea of what's coming up.
The future version of the Maps application will let you access a special AR mode through a dedicated button or by lifting your phone. You'll initially be prompted to move your handset around so it can recognize surrounding landmarks to compare them with GPS location and compass data. The app will then display your camera's input on your screen and overlay arrows pointing towards your destination. A traditional map will still be shown at the bottom of your screen so you can have a bird's eye view of where you're headed. Google isn't expecting you to use this feature throughout the entire guidance but rather wants you to navigate complex intersections more easily. Should you keep walking with your camera pointed at the street, the app will eventually ask you to put the device down to save battery as you're only supposed to use it sparsely. Although this feature seems to be exclusive to pedestrian directions for now, I would love to use it while driving. I've actually grown so accustomed to Mercedes-Benz's new AR-based MBUX (which you can see below) that I can't imagine going back to a traditional navigation system. I believe Google will work on additional safety features before it lets you use this one your mobile, as it probably doesn't want you holding your phone up while you drive!
We're looking forward to seeing this roll out to the masses, and we'll let you know as soon as you can take it for a spin. |
| Uh oh: Insider says Samsung's foldable Galaxy F phone won't launch next week - BGR Posted: 11 Feb 2019 05:17 AM PST It’s a bit peculiar how easy it is for industry watchers to accept Apple and Samsung’s explanations for why smartphone sales slowed down so much last year. Sure, issues with China might have played a role. But it’s a pretty big coincidence that both companies saw big slowdowns in the same year that they also released their most boring flagship phone upgrades ever. In Apple’s case, the iPhone XS series marks the first time Apple has ever released an “S” upgrade without adding a single new marquee feature. Every other “S” phone since the iPhone 3GS has been used to introduce exciting new tech like Touch ID, Siri, and 3D Touch. The iPhone XS, meanwhile, got a minor specs bump and a larger phablet version that tops out at around $1,500. In Samsung’s case, the issue might have been even worse. Apple at least introduced the iPhone XR with a new design and cheaper pricing to help prop up its boring flagship phones. Samsung’s Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+, and Galaxy Note 9 all used the same designs as their predecessors and, like the iPhone XS, brought no new marquee features to the table… only minor specs updates and higher price tags. Both of these smartphone behemoths will look to get their smartphone businesses back on track this year, and so far it looks like Samsung will do the better job of it. The company is planning two completely redesigned flagship series in 2019, as well as a third brand new series with an exciting foldable design. Unfortunately, it looks like we might have to wait a bit longer than expected to see that design in action. Next week on February 20th, Samsung will host its first big “Unpacked” press conference of 2019. When it comes to the stars of the show, there’s no doubt whatsoever that we all know what to expect. The company plans to unveil at least three new Galaxy S10 smartphone models in San Francisco next Wednesday, including the Galaxy S10e, Galaxy S10, and Galaxy S10+. A fourth model with an even larger display and 5G connectivity might also be shown off at the event, but it’s not expected to be released until sometime later. Samsung’s new Galaxy S10 lineup will feature sleek new all-screen designs with hole-punch cameras, in-display fingerprint sensors, and plenty of other exciting tech. But rumors have been swirling that Samsung also plans to launch another new smartphone with an even more innovative design than anything we’ll see from the Galaxy S series this year. It has been referred to as the “Galaxy F” and as the “Galaxy Fold,” and it’ll be Samsung’s first ever smartphone with a foldable OLED screen. The world got its first taste of the Galaxy F late last year when Samsung previewed a prototype of the phone during its annual developer conference. The move was a necessity, since Samsung needs to get developers on board in order to ensure that there are plenty of apps that support the new foldable form factor when the Galaxy F finally launches. Multiple reports suggested that launch would take place next week alongside the debut of Samsung’s new Galaxy S10 line, but now a quick note from an industry insider suggests that might not happen. The Twitter user, who goes by “Max J.,” is known for having inside information and for leaking images of unreleased Samsung devices. In his tweet, he suggests that Samsung does not have plans to launch the new Galaxy F at next week’s event. Instead, we’ll likely just get a quick preview of the phone like we did in November. Reports that the Galaxy F would launch alongside Samsung’s new Galaxy S10 phones were curious, at best. Even though the Galaxy F will be an ultra high-end phone with a limited release, why detract from the new Galaxy S10 lineup with an innovative phone that introduces an entirely new form factor? It makes far more sense for Samsung to give the world another tiny teaser, if anything. Perhaps we’ll get our first look at the Galaxy F’s design without a bulky case intended to obscure the phone, as was the case last year at SDC 2018. This way Samsung can reinvigorate the buzz without taking too much away from the stars of the show, the Galaxy S10 series. Samsung’s big Unpacked press conference is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, February 20th in San Francisco, so we only have about one week left before the cat is finally out of the bag. UPDATE: Samsung just posted a quick teaser video that essentially confirms we’ll see some details about the new Galaxy F during next week’s event. Samsung probably isn’t silly enough to overshadow the S10 with a full launch though, so we’re guessing the company will just offer a quick peek at the Galaxy F’s final design and perhaps give us a rough idea of when the phone will be released later this year.
|
| Alex Kipman Teases Microsoft's MWC Announcement - Thurrott.com Posted: 11 Feb 2019 05:07 AM PST  A teaser video posted by Alex Kipman only confirms that Microsoft will have an announcement at MWC later this month. The assumption, of course, is that this is about the next HoloLens. There’s not much to the video, of course. But in a tweet with the text “#MWC19 – are you excited? I know I am…”, Microsoft Technical Fellow and HoloLens co-creator Alex Kipman introduces a short promo video. It’s very similar to early Surface promo videos in that it focuses on real-world materials and not an actual product. And there’s lots of metal melting and other nonsense. But then there’s the payoff. Just kidding, there’s no payoff. But since Kipman posted it, everyone will assume it’s about HoloLens. Not that there’s any evidence of that in the video. Perhaps the chip seen in the video, briefly, is Microsoft’s “new AI chip,” as Brad calls it. Or maybe it’s just a Snapdragon CPU. Whatever it is, there’s not much to get excited about: We already knew that Microsoft was announcing something at MWC and that Kipman was involved. I guess we’ll know more soon enough. Tagged with HoloLens |
| You are subscribed to email updates from Technology - Latest - Google News. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States | |
This post have 0 komentar
EmoticonEmoticon