VR-Zone Tech News for the Geeks Feb 2013 Issue

February 1st, 2013 Published by: VR-Zone
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VR-Zone.com | Tech News for the Geeks!
VR-Zone | Stuff for the Geeks is a bi-weekly
publication covering the latest gadgets and stuff for the
geeks.
Google Maps offers
panoramic view of Grand
Canyon
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/google-maps-offers-panoramic-view-
of-grand-canyon/18860.html
February 1st, 2013
Google has released a panoramic view of the Grand Canyon,
giving people throughout the world a glimpse of a whopping
75 miles of trails and roads at the iconic location.
Google has released a panoramic view of the Grand Canyon,
giving people throughout the world a glimpse of a whopping
75 miles of trails and roads at the iconic location.
The beautiful site, revered by tourists and Native American
pilgrims, can now be seen from the safety of one's very
home, letting internet users make a virtual hike down the
Bright Angel Trail and South Kaibab Trail, take a peek at the
Colorado River, explore the nearby Meteor Crater, and get
360-degree views from some scenic overlooks.
There are a mind-blowing 9,500 panoramas available of
the Grand Canyon, and this represents only part of the
monumental canyon. While Google did not say, it is likely it
will be sending staff back to the rocky terrain in the future to
capture images of the rest.
The area was mapped by a Google team wearing 40-pound
Android-powered Trekker backpacks with 15-lens camera
systems. The team had to endure long and tiring hikes and
extreme weather conditions, but the result is a permanent
panoramic experience the entire world can enjoy.
In what is likely a dig at Apple's map app disaster, Ryan
Falor, Product Manager for Google Maps, said that the
addition of the interactive images makes Google's map of the
area “more comprehensive, acurrate and easy to use than
ever before.”
To take a look at the Grand Canyon, click here.
Designers unveil plans for 3D
building on the Moon
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/designers-unveil-plans-for-3d-
building-on-the-moon/18859.html
February 1st, 2013
The designers and architects behind the London City Hall,
Wembley Stadium, and Millenium Bridge have come up with
plans to make a building on the Moon using 3D printing.
The designers and architects behind the London City Hall,
Wembley Stadium, and Millenium Bridge have come up with
plans to make a building on the Moon using 3D printing.
London-based Foster and Partners revealed the designs as
part of a consortium set up by the European Space Agency
to examine the feasibility of 3D printing in space.
The plan is to send an inflatable dome on a rocket from
Earth, and then cover the basic shell using regolith, the
Moon's soil, as the material in robot-operated 3D printers.
The technique was tested on a smaller scale using simulated
regolith and 3D printers, all in a vacuum chamber to give an
approximation of the lunar environment.
The result will be a four-person dwelling on the south
pole of the Moon, where there is more light, with
room for further expansion. The housing can protect
astronauts from meteorites, gamma radiation and high
temperature fluctuations.

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It is not yet known if, or when, such proposals will be put
into action, but it is likely only a matter of time and funding,
as 3D printing presents a way to build structures in space
without the typically prohibitive costs of launching materials
and pre-built structures on rockets. NASA is also exploring
use of the technology to make tools and parts on the Moon.
Images Credit: Foster and Partners
Microsoft 64GB Surface Pro
comes with a meager 23GB
of free storage
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/microsoft-64gb-surface-pro-comes-
with-a-meager-23gb-of-free-storage/18856.html
February 1st, 2013
Microsoft’s Surface Pro tablet is due for launch on February
9, but it seems like the Intel-powered tablet will come with
less than the desirable amount of free storage—especially the
64GB model.
In an age where 1GB is more or less the amount of space
it takes to store a full length non-HD movie, a $900 tablet
that comes with 23GB of free storage out of the box is a sign
that there’s something missing from the device, and 23GB
of free space is exactly what the Surface Pro 64GB will come
with. Windows 8 is partly to blame because it takes up the
majority of the space, and in total, Microsoft’s latest OS plus
various included applications will suck up 45GB worth of
space.
Wise tech consumers will probably steer clear of the 64GB
Surface Pro, but for first time tablet buyers, the lack of space
will become a burden when they figure out after a few days
that they have almost no free space left.
In response to criticisms from tech bloggers and enthusiasts,
Microsoft had this to say:
"The 128 GB version of Surface Pro has 83 GB of
free storage out of the box. The 64GB version of
Surface Pro has 23GB of free storage out of the
box. Of course, Surface Pro has a USB 3.0 port for
connectivity with almost limitless storage options,
including external hard drives and USB flash drives.
Surface also comes pre-loaded with SkyDrive,
allowing you to store up to 7GB of content in the
cloud for free. The device also includes a microSDXC
card slot that lets you store up to 64GB of additional
content to your device. Customers can also free
up additional storage space by creating a backup
bootable USB and deleting the recovery partition."
For many people who are ditching laptops and desktops in
favor of tablets, the main focus is that they want to keep
everything as mobile as possible—meaning, less peripherals
to lug around. A USB 3.0 external hard drive isn’t a bad
solution, but the problem is that people may not want to
carry around an external drive. A microSD will do just
fine with small documents, but for larger files it’ll become a
hassle to deal with. Lastly, SkyDrive is fine, too, as long as
you have a connection.
For $100 more, people can purchase the 128GB Surface Pro,
which has the same specs as the 64GB version but will come
with 83GB of free storage out of the box, a better number
when compared to the 64GB model—although, 83GB will
run out just as quickly if a person decides he wants to use the
Surface Tablet for work and fun.
Nvidia struggles to convince
vendors to adopt Tegra 4
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/nvidia-struggles-to-convince-
vendors-to-adopt-tegra-4/18853.html
February 1st, 2013
Consumers will not see a lot of Nvidia Tegra 4-based
smartphones and tablets in the later part of 2013, according
to reports out of Taiwan.
The Tegra 4 features 72 custom Nvidia GeForce GPU cores,
which is purported to boast six times more horsepower than
its predecessor—the Tegra 3. It also includes ARM’s quad-
core Cortex A15 architecture, and 4G LTE voice and data
support with the optional Nvidia Icera i500 chipset.

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Despite the performance increase as well as added
functionalities in the Tegra 4, it seems like Santa Clara-
based chip maker is struggling to woo tablet and smartphone
vendors to adopt its next-gen SoC. According to DigiTimes,
Toshiba is the only vendor, thus far, to confirm the launch of
Tegra 4-based tablets some time in mid-2013.
Major OEMs like Asus and Acer are putting a lot of effort into
developing ARM tablets, but they have not confirmed any
orders of Tegra 4. Asus has close ties with Qualcomm in the
smartphone department, so it’s likely that Asus will continue
to use ARM chips from Qualcomm for future smartphones.
Rather than forcing the issues with the Tegra 4, Nvidia will
try to remain relevant by lowering the price of its Tegra 3
to attract vendors that are developing entry-level devices.
However, even with a price cut on the Tegra 3, there are still
cheaper solutions coming from MediaTek and other China-
based chip makers.
Sony hints at February 20 as
PlayStation 4 unveiling date
with teaser video?
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/sony-hints-at-february-20-as-
playstation-4-unveiling-date-with-teaser-video-/18852.html
February 1st, 2013
A short 45 second video is teasing Sony PlayStation fans with
a February 20 date. Could this mean that we will finally see
the official PS4 later next month?
This year’s E3 in Los Angeles, California will be an
interesting one as people are speculating that major game
console makers such as Sony and Microsoft will unveil or
give fans official announcements as to the development and
deployment dates of the next generation consoles. Sony,
however, may be jumping the gun by a few months with the
PlayStation 4. A recent video released by Sony is pointing
at a February 20 unveiling date, which is a lot sooner than
what most people were expecting.
Sony could be showing off anything next month, but most
console gamers are hoping that it will be the PS4. The
average console lifespan is about half a decade, and certainly
anything over 10 years will deem the hardware a relic.
Therefore, the PlayStation brand is due for a makeover as
it’s been sitting on retail shelves for more than 7 years.
Eurora Supercomputer
achieves world record for
energy efficiency with Nvidia
Tesla GPUs
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/eurora-supercomputer-achieves-
world-record-for-energy-efficiency-with-nvidia-tesla-gpus/18851.html
February 1st, 2013
Italy’s newest and fastest supercomputer, nicknamed
Eurora, set the world record this week for energy efficiency,
maintaining 3150 megaflops per watt of performance.
Eurora, a Supercomputer based at the Cineca facility in
Bologna, Italy has recently broken the record for highest
performance-to-energy-efficiency by 26 percent over the
previous highest system on the Green500 list of the world’s
most efficient supercomputers, the National Institutes for
Computational Sciences’ “Beacon”. Powered by 128 of
NVIDIA’s Tesla K20 GPUs and Intel Xeon 'Sandy-Bridge EP'
E5-2687W, the Eurotech-built system was able to sustain
3150 megaflops per watt of performance, and a total of 350
teraflops in one rack.
Eurora, deployed at the Cineca Facility in Bologna, Italy

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The system is cooled using Aurora Hot Water Cooling
technology, a process originally developed by IBM that
passes warm water up to 45 degrees Celsius (113° F)
directly to processors and memory. This cooling system
is significantly more compact and energy efficient than a
comparable air-cooling system.
The Aurora Cooling System, coupled with Tesla GPU
accelerators based on NVIDIA Kepler, is proving to be
an effective team of power saving, reducing total cost of
ownership by between 30-50 percent. "GPU accelerators
are inherently more energy efficient than CPUs, and Tesla
K20 accelerators widen this gap considerably," said Sumit
Gupta, general manger of the Tesla accelerated computing
business at NVIDIA. "Energy efficiency has become the
defining element of computing performance."
As the trend of using GPUs over traditional CPUs continues
and cooling methods become more innovative, we should see
a huge boost in both performance and energy efficiency in
future super-systems and smaller devices alike.
FCC documents reveal a
sleeker, more powerful Apple
TV
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/fcc-documents-reveal-a-sleeker-
more-powerful-apple-tv/18848.html
February 1st, 2013
After months of speculation about an update to the Apple
TV, the production of a sleeker, more powerful Apple TV is
on its way.
New FCC documents have revealed an Apple TV that is a
much sleeker than what we’re expecting to see. It will also
come with the A5X SoC “quad-core graphics technology”
along with the Apple iOS 6.1.
This update from Apple promises faster app performance
and more processing power than the current gen Apple TV.
It will also include firmware 5.2, which adds more ability
to stream songs from your iTunes in the cloud and support
for a TV controller.
One new and interesting feature for the device is its ability to
operate from any standard Bluetooth keyboard connection.
You will also be able to edit or add new songs very simply
from a remote app or your Apple remote controller.
It is easily compatible with most popular models of TVs
such as JVC, Samsung, Hitachi, and Toshiba. Just like
all previous designs, the new Apple TV is compatible with
HDTVs with HDMI and is capable of 1080p output.
When Apple TV was first introduced it was considered
nothing more than a hobby, but recently Apple’s CEO
changed his perspective on that. Nevertheless, there still
has not been any major changes to the model other than the
software mentioned and a few features added to the device.
Another big absence in the recent FCC filing was details
regarding Siri or any type of motion control features.
Apple TV sales have done fairly well, and recent statistics
show it gaining popularity and is one of the most popular
TV streaming devices on the market. Recent sales reports
from Apple reveal that the company sold more than 2 million
Apple TV devices in its fiscal first quarter, which was up
from 1.4 million during the previous holiday period. In total,
Apple has sold more than 10 million Apple TV devices since
its inception.
Herschel Space Telescope
identities star past prime that
can create planets
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/herschel-space-telescope-identities-
star-past-prime-that-can-create-planets/18850.html
January 31st, 2013
The Herschel Space Telescope, operated by the European
Space Agency (ESA), has identified a star presumed to be too
old to create new planets, but which appears to be doing just
that.
The Herschel Space Telescope, operated by the European
Space Agency (ESA), has identified a star presumed to be too
old to create new planets, but which appears to be doing just
that.
The TW Hydrae star is a whopping 10 million years old. It
is technically “young” when compared to other stars, but it
was believed to be past its prime, which means it should no
longer be able to create new planets.
Those accepted beliefs in the science community might now
be shattered, however, as the star appears to have such a
large mass of material swirling around it that it could make
dozens of new planets in the future.

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“We didn't expect to see so much gas around this star,” said
Edwin Bergin of the University of Michigan, lead author of
the study. “Typically stars of this age have cleared out their
surrounding material, but this star still has enough mass to
make the equivalent of 50 Jupiters.”
This artist's concept illustrates the planet-forming disk
around TW Hydrae.
Using newly-developed techniques to figure out the weight
of the disks around a star that form planets, the scientists
were able to discover evidence that suggests TW Hydrae's
parenting days are not over.
“Before, we had to use a proxy to guess the gas quantity in
the planet-forming disks,” said Paul Goldsmith, a scientist
for Herschel from NASA, which also worked on the project.
“This is another example of Herschel's versatility and
sensitivity yielding important new results about star and
planet formation.”
Astronomically-speaking the voluminous star is fairly close
to Earth, just 176 light years away, and it has been the subject
of considerable study by astronomers. These latest findings,
published in the Nature journal, could have a huge impact
on how we view the creative abilities of stars.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
EA denies video games
promote violence
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/ea-denies-video-games-promote-
violence/18849.html
January 31st, 2013
The head of game studio EA has defended the gaming
industry, refuting claims that video games promote violence
in the real world.
The head of game studio EA has defended the gaming
industry, refuting claims that video games promote violence
in the real world.
John Riccitiello, CEO of the game giant, told analysts at
a company conference call that the gaming industry was
suffering from a perception issue, but he firmly denied that
there is any link between games and real-life violence.
“There's been an enormous amount of research done in
the entertainment field about looking for linkages between
entertainment content and actual violence, and they haven't
found any,” he said, according to the BBC. “Hundreds of
millions of dollars of the research has been done [and] has
been unable to find a linkage because there isn't one.”
He said that there “appears to be the perception of a
problem” and admitted that gaming studios do have to
tackle this. He said members of the Entertainment Software
Association are prepared to deal with the issue.
The comments follow a growing debate in the US over gun
control, with many gun advocates, including the National
Rifle Association (NRA), blaming video games for the recent
spate of gun massacres in the country. Of course, the NRA
also released its own shooting game, so it is perhaps not the
best critic of the industry.
As part of his gun reform package, US President Barack
Obama promised investment in research to identify the
link, if any, between violent video games and gun violence.
Previous studies have largely been inconclusive, while some
have come out with support on either side of the bitter
debate.
Vice President Joe Biden, however, said: “There is no hard
data as to whether or not these excessively violent video
games in fact cause people to engage in behaviour that is
antisocial, including using guns.”
The gaming industry faces a potential clampdown as gun
violence escalates in the US, which could mean changes to
the minimum age to play such games, or perhaps even a
total ban on popular first-person shooters, which are often a
staple of teens' entertainment.

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Survey confirms more frugal
users on Android than iPhone
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/survey-confirms-more-frugal-users-
on-android-than-iphone/18847.html
January 31st, 2013
Apple’s iPhone is simplistic in design and function, but the
baggage that almost every iPhone user has to deal with is the
carrier bills.
Some recently released data from Consumer Intelligence
Research Partners (CIRP) reveal that, on average, iPhone
users shed a bit more tears when the carrier bills come in. A
poll conducted by CIRP showed that 49 percent of the people
in the survey spent $100 or more per month on their cell
phone bill, with 10 percent spending an astonishing $200 or
more. Only 6 percent had bills that were $50 or less, and
right in between was the 36 percent that spent in between
$51 to $100 per month.
Android users also donated quite a sum to the carriers’
monthly treasure chest, as 46 percent of Android users in the
survey reported that they pay $100-200 per month to use
their smartphone. However, the over-the-top $200 monthly
premium Android users was less active, with 7 percent
reporting that they had to pull out two Benjamins each
month to feed their bloated carriers. Frugal Android users
outnumbered iPhone users 2 to 1, as 13 percent revealed
that they paid $25-50 for their monthly bills—compared to
iPhone’s 6 percent.
CIRP co-founder, Michael Levin, was quick to point out that
Android and iPhone carrier bills do not reflect user habits,
rather it’s because Android devices are more feasible for pre-
paid and unsubsidized plans.
“We think it has to do with their data plans and carriers,
rather than their usage habits,” said Levin. “They are all on
expensive data plans, unlike Android users, some of which
are on prepaid or unsubsidized plans with regional carriers.”
Levin continued by saying that “carriers are working hard to
make their money back during the course of the contract...
with the exception of perhaps the hottest Android phones,
we think the subsidies on Android phones are lower, so the
carriers make more money even with slightly lower per-
subscriber revenue.”
Thanko's "Peeping Tom" USB
Microscope
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/thanko-s-peeping-tom-usb-
microscope/18839.html
January 31st, 2013
Thanko introduces the USB Flexible Endoscopic Light Scope
DX2 USB microscope. The main feature of the unit is
a flexible camera, an optical tool that would have been
typically used only on medical check up procedures or on
certain special observation/optical tasks.
Looking through tight corners and small spots with a camera
can be very difficult. Even with the use of smaller cameras,
flexibility still often becomes the issue. It'd be great if we can
get those medical endoscopes to be easily available to the
market. Thankfully though, Thanko has the affordable and
commercially viable solution.
The USB Flexible Endoscopic Light Scope DX2 is designated
as a USB microscope. Yes, it is in the same line as those
low powered rigid optical devices, but there is one very
small but important (albeit obvious) difference. It makes use
of a flexible cable, therefore enabling the user to stick the
microscope into small cracks and nooks where your average
USB camera or microscope can't reach.

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The "endoscopic" camera is 10mm in diameter. The four
LED lights around the camera allow the unit to efficiently
search in dark areas, and of course keep the energy
consumption to the USB allowed minimum. It uses a 0.3
megapixel CMOS sensor, has a maximum "viewing angle" of
60 degrees, and has a focal length of 50mm.
In addition, the camera's cable length is 83cm, while the USB
cable is 185cm. The portion that connects the camera cable
to the main unit is water proof. It's optimized for USB 2.0
ports, has a unit weight of 210g, and works on Windows XP/
Vista/7 OS. The price of one unit in Japan is 4980 yen (54
USD).
Source: MyNavi (JP)
Lexar unveils microSD cards
with 90MB/sec speeds
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/lexar-unveils-microsd-cards-
with-90mbsec-speeds/18840.html
January 31st, 2013
Lexar plans on rolling out their new high-performance data
card sets as early as February 2013. Among these, is a
microSD card that has a 90MB/sec maximum data transfer
speed.
Lexar has previously unveiled their new set of high-
performance microSD, SD, and XQD cards. They plan on
making them commercially available as early as around
the end of February 2013. Many of these cards trump the
fastest (possible) data transfer speeds of the other high-end
products that they have released just a few months ago.
First among these products is the high-performance 600x
microSD UHS-I card. The 600x means that it has a standard
speed rate comparable to CD-ROM read rates (150KB/s)
times 600. Thus, it has a theoretical maximum data transfer
speed of 90 MB/sec. The product itself comes with a special
USB 3.0 compact card reader (with dimensions at 20 x 39 x
8 mm). For the lineup, there will be a regular 16GB version
at 3,600 yen (39.5 USD), a 32GB version at 5,600 yen (61.3
USD), and 64GB versions at 12,600 yen (138 USD).
Next in the line is the professional 600x SDXC UHS-I
256GB SD card. It has the same multiplying value as the
microSD card line, so it also has a 90MB/sec maximum
data transfer speed. The product is a direct step up from
the 400x version that was previously revealed and now
commercially available. The estimated retail price for this
product is around 88,000 yen (963 USD). The product will
come with a free download coupon of their Image Rescue 4.0
image recovery software.
Last is the professional XQD card. It would have a minimum
read speed of 168MB/sec (1100x). The lineup holds a 32GB
version for 39,800 yen (435 USD), and a 64GB version for
59,800 yen (654 USD). Both versions will come with USB
3.0 XQD card reader (dimensions: 89 x 54 x 13 mm, weight:
78g).
The microSD and the SD card products are scheduled
for a March 2013 release, while the XQD cards will be
commercially available at around April 2013.
Source: PCWatch (JP)
NVIDIA Project Shield started
life as smartphone and
controller attached by wood
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/nvidia-project-shield-started-life-as-
smartphone-and-controller-attached-by-wood/18846.html

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January 31st, 2013
Many were astonished that NVIDIA decided to drop Project
Shield at CES 2013, and some were giddy right from the get-
go. In trying to satisfy people’s hunger to know more about
NVIDIA’s Android-based handheld game system, the folks
over at NVIDIA has posted a lengthy (and perhaps even over-
romanticized) blog post as to how Project Shield came about
and the steps it took to become a showroom prototype.
Naturally, for something to become tangible it must
be conceptualized through ideas and brainstorming, and
according to NVIDIA Senior VP of Content & Strategy,
Tony Tamasi, they were “talking on and off about building
something for more than 5 years, maybe 10.”
Fast forward several years and finally NVIDIA became
serious about making a console of its own. Add that to
the fact that the Android ecosystem is now saturated with
followers, and NVIDIA saw a perfect business opportunity.
Now it was time to get to work on the actual hardware.
The people that brought us graphic cards that contributed
to global warming began slapping a few parts together to
see if the thingamajig could “revolutionize” the video game
industry. One of the first contraptions was basically just
“a game controller fastened to a smartphone with wood.”
Interestingly enough, the smartphone, controller and wood
combo made sense to the engineers and voila, Project Shield
was born!
Skipping straight to the months that led up to CES 2013,
and we found out that the engineers worked 14-hour days to
mold the controller plus smartphone (sorry wood, you never
had a chance) "thingy" into one unit. Finally, Project Shield
was ready to be unveiled, and it was fun for us to see NVIDIA
CEO Jen-Hsun Huang show off the cool little Android toy (at
first I thought it was a dummy unit when I awoke from my
slumber during the previous announcements).
Project Shield is no doubt a highly anticipated product, but
NVIDIA is not the only firm to be conjuring up Android
gaming consoles as of late. Startups have been working on
Android consoles and handhelds like the Ouya, and even
established firms like ARCHOS have released its Android-
based GamePad (slated for US in February). So the idea of
a controller attached to an Android smartphone is nothing
new, but perhaps NVIDIA’s cloud gaming solution on
Project Shield will give it a boost. The addition of Project
Shield to Android’s vast open network is sure to be an
interesting one. Will we see NVIDIA dominate the gaming
sector of Android, or will Project Shield become just another
antiquated novelty right off the shelf? We'll find out soon
enough.
Facebook mobile
advertisement earnings
increases, a welcoming sight
for investors
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/facebook-mobile-advertisement-
earnings-increases-a-welcoming-sight-for-investors/18845.html
January 31st, 2013
Despite its IPO struggle, Facebook has managed to slowly
regain some lost grounds in recent months, and the social
network’s mobile platform should be given some of the credit
for helping the Zuckerberg engine gain steam.
According to a recent report, Facebook generated 23
percent, $306 million, of its total revenue from mobile
advertisement, that’s a 14 percent increase in the third
quarter. In total, Facebook’s revenue rose 40 percent from
$1.13 billion to $1.59 billion.
Critics and naysayers of Facebook’s decision to go public
jeered at the fact that Facebook did not have anything

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else to fall back onto should Facebook’s advertisement
platform crumble. Many knew that Facebook had its eye
on mobility, with some even speculating early on that a
Facebook smartphone may become a reality. Co-founder
and CEO Mark Zuckerberg rejected the notion that Facebook
is considering getting into the hardware business, and said
that it will continue to stick to its core business model—
advertisement.
Facebook’s earnings in the October-December period was
down $360 million compared to a year earlier, but its
earning from mobile advertisement increased. Meaning,
Zuckerberg has maintained his position of keeping Facebook
an advertisement conglomerate.
“I think more people are starting to understand mobile is
a great opportunity for us,” Zuckerberg told an analyst. “It
allows us to reach more people, we have engagement from
the people we reach and I think we will be able to make more
money for each minute people spend with us on… mobile
devices.”
The recent increase in money generated from mobile
advertisement is by no means evidence that Facebook
stock will continue to rise, but it’s definitely a sign that
the potential earnings via interaction with people's mobile
devices is quickly rising as people move away from desktop
PCs and onto smartphones and tablets.

February 3rd, 2013 Published by: VR-Zone
1
geeks.
Sandisk Ultra Plus 256GB
SSD Performance Preview
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/sandisk-ultra-plus-256gb-ssd-
performance-preview/18503.html
February 3rd, 2013
Before we embark on long-term endurance testing on the
drive, we take a quck look at the latest market entrant from
Sandisk which uses a Marvell 88SS9175 controller and 19nm
MLC NAND.
In a bid to increase storage densities and performance, deep
pocketed companies with fabs like Intel and Sandisk are
investing in newfangled NAND technologies and controllers
to drive the NAND chips used in the latest SSDs. These
require months to years of stringent validation before they
can be deployed.
Thanks to Samsung's and OCZ's aggressive retail pricing
initiatives for their offerings, SSDs are no longer
prohibitively expensive and have finally reached levels that
are competitive with regular mechanical drives.
Depending on which territory you get the drive from,
the pricing of the Sandisk Ultra Plus SSD can either be
considered reasonable or borderline expensive. For example
in the USA market, the 256GB model costs just USD$220
(or $0.85/GB) which positions it at the lower-middle tier
of the market. In Singapore, the corresponding MSRP is a
whopping SGD$360 (or $1.40/GB), placing it in the same
league as premium drives like Intel 520 and just a notch
below the current king of the hill OCZ Vector.
To take a look at the innards of the drive, one must tear open
the white label sticker (which instantly voids the warranty)
to access the screws holding the casing together.
Inside, we see a relatively small PCB occupying just a fraction
of the usable space. The four Sandisk branded chips (two
on each side) are the company's own 19nm eX2 ABL 64GB
MLC NAND, which are flanked by a Marvell SS889175
6Gbps SATA/NAND controller and 128GB Samsung DDR2
DRAM cache. Although the effective number of flash write
cycles was not disclosed, total MTBF is rated at a purported
two million hours and the company offers a 3-year limited
warranty.

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128GB Motorola X-Phone
running Android Key Lime Pie
rumored to drop in May
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/128gb-motorola-x-phone-running-
android-key-lime-pie-rumored-to-drop-in-may/18866.html
February 3rd, 2013
Some more details about Google and Motorola’s X-Phone
have surface, and sources are pointing to I/O 2013 in May as
the unveiling date.
Previous rumors suggested that the X-Phone will have a 5+
inch screen, but it seems like engineers have settled on a
4.8-inch 1920x1080 display instead. Sony’s Exmor camera
sensor is expected to be gracing the X-Phone as Apple’s
exclusivity to that technology has ended. Additionally, the
X-Phone is engineered to be rugged to withstand the beating
that a lot of smartphones have to go through. Insiders are
saying that the phone will utilize Motorola’s Kevlar design,
and is built to be water-resistant.
The X-Phone will also sport Google’s latest Android 5.0 Key
Lime Pie, which is purported to have added functionalities,
and other features that will help improve battery life. The
most interesting rumor, however, is not that it’ll boast the
latest Android or that it will be durable, but that a 128GB
variant will also be available (in addition to a microSD slot).
Development of the X-Phone seems to be going smoothly
as sources have reported that a few lucky persons are
currently testing out the phone in public—although, none
of the X-Phone prototypes have been spotted in the wild,
yet. Chances are, once the device launches, Google’s Play
Store will be one of the sources for buying the X-Phone, and
hopefully Google’s pricing scheme will be similar to that of
the Nexus 4.
Gaming Roundup: Defiance
MMO Shooter, Dead Space 3
DLC, and Countdown to Prey
2
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/gaming-roundup-defiance-mmo-
shooter-dead-space-3-dlc-and-countdown-to-prey-2/18865.html
February 3rd, 2013
As Sony's imminent PS4 reveal closes in, we take a look at
some of the other news updates in the gaming sphere such as
Trion's upcoming open-world MMO shooter that blurs the
lines between television and gaming, Dead Space 3's sizeable
launch day DLC offering, and a new countdown site that
hints at a March release window for Prey 2.

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Characters of the TV-show (left) and the game (right)
blend the two mediums together, bringing a new realm of
entertainment possibilities.
Trion Worlds' upcoming MMO open-world shooter Defiance
has been on the radar of many gamers ever since it was
revealed, and has gained momentum as one of 2013's most
highly anticipated multiplatform titles. The game's most
groundbreaking feature is that it ties-in with a television
series of the same name, which is scheduled to broadcast
on SyFy, and promises to deliver an unprecedented
entertainment experience that blurs the line between
gaming and television.
Set in a futuristic terraformed version of Earth decades into
the future, Defiance takes place in the San Francisco Bay
Area and tells the story of a fractured planet wherein most
of the plants and animals have been eradicated, and extra-
terrestrials--known as Votans, which are actually a covenant
of seven different species--have landed on Earth to seek a
new home.
The game takes place in the San Francisco Bay Area,
featuring many scenic landmarks such as the Golden Gate
Bridge.
The arrival of the alien species ignited a chaotic war between
the Votan and human race, further devastating the already
damaged planet. After the war, humans and the Votan have
made a pact and learned to live alongside one another, and
the game focuses on the rebuilding and the further survival
of both races on the ruined world.
Players take on the role of Ark Hunters, who are enlisted
to search for valuable alien technology as well as secure
and protect their findings from thieving enemies with
enhanced weaponry and abilities. Essentially everyone--and
everything--on the planet is searching for this tech in order
to survive, and Ark Hunters must do what they can to acquire
it by any means necessary, and to keep it once acquired.
Defiance features a wide variety of weapons and armors,
each with their own signature in-game appearance.
Defiance is planned to feature extensive open-world
elements, bringing an authentic massive multiplayer online
experience that blends distinct sci-fi elements with action-
orientated shooter gameplay. Co-operative play is also one
of the main features within the game, as players can work
together or compete with one another in a variety of missions
and objectives.
Another distinct element of Defiance is that gamers have
an effect on the world based on the in-game decisions
they make, with consequences for certain actions that send
ripples of affect throughout the world. Players can change
the world for the worse, or the better, and sway the tide of
conflict towards peace or war. This is a unique feature that
brings a true sense of open-world gameplay, allowing players
to have a real effect on the virtual world rather than it being
simple terrain.
The MMO shooter also features random events known as
Arkfalls, which are akin to events found in the PC game
Rift. The arkfalls are huge pieces of alien ships containing
valuable technology that crash down from space, attracting
just about every faction of friend and foe on the planet to the
source.
The Defiance television series is planned to premiere on
Mon. April 15, 2013 at 9/8 C on SyFy. The video game is also
slated for a release in April 2013 for Xbox 360, PlayStation
3 and PC.
For more information on the show or to pre-order the game
please visit Defiance's official website.
Dell mega buyout deal
nearing closure
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/dell-mega-buyout-deal-nearing-
closure/18864.html
February 3rd, 2013
Recent reports are suggesting that Dell Computers will be
getting bought out by Monday, February 4, 2013. Michael
Dell, who is the founder and current CEO of Dell, is expected
to have a 16% majority stake in the company once it goes
private.
Around mid-January 2013 many rumors surfaced that Dell
was looking to go private in order to save the company.
Some reports even suggested that Microsoft and Silver Lake
Partners investments were looking to purchase the publicly
owned computer maker.
Now it seems those rumors are more possible than ever. So
the question for Dell is not if they go private, but a matter of
when will they go private?
Reuters is reporting that at least four major banks are
looking at investing in Dell, which are, Barclays, Bank of
America Merrill Lynch, Credit Suisse and RBC Capital. It
has also been rumored that as part of the buyout and
investment deal, Michael Dell would contribute his stake in

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Dell of nearly 16% towards gaining the majority ownership,
and Microsoft would be willing to invest as much as 3 billion
dollars.
Dell, which is mainly known as a PC desktop brand, is
nowhere near as popular as it was during the “Dude, you're
gettin' a Dell” days. During the months of November and
December of 2012 alone, PC sales slipped nearly 6.5 % as
tablet sales shot up as much as 75%.
For Dell to be able to compete they will need to shed off their
older PC desktop image that so many knew them for. Dell is
currently having a hard time competing in a global market
with competition from powerful brand names like the South
Korea-based Samsung, U.S. based Apple and China-based
Huawei.
Turkey considers buying $4.5
billion worth of iPads for
students
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/turkey-considers-buying-4.5-billion-
worth-of-ipads-for-students/18863.html
February 2nd, 2013
Sales of Apple’s iPhone 5 have slumped a bit since the
extremely overhyped device launched last year, but a new
source of income from Turkey may help to restore some of
the company's value.
News out of Turkey is suggesting that Apple’s executive John
Couch and other Apple execs are currently in talks with
Turkish President, President Abdullah Gül, regarding a deal
that will put $4.5 billion worth of iPads in the hands of
Turkish students.
Apple stocks topped out at just above $700 billion late last
year, but have since dipped to around $450 billion (Exxon
has taken back the title of “World’s Most Valuable Company”
when the Apple-stock bubble popped).
Analysts are pointing to the fact that Apple has saturated
the market with its high-end iPhone, and therefore sales
of its latest iPhone are below what investors are hoping it
would be. To regain momentum in the mobile market and
restore investors’ confidence, Apple released a “budget” iPad
—dubbed the iPad mini, and is expected to release a low-end
iPhone that will cater to budget conscious consumers as well.
Recently Apple got a bit of good news as a report by Strategy
Analytics revealed that the iPhone maker outshined its
handset vendor rival, Samsung, by shipping more iPhones
in the US than Samsung in the fourth quarter.
HTC CEO teases people with
a white M7?
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/htc-ceo-teases-people-with-a-white-
m7-/18862.html
February 2nd, 2013
HTC’s next flagship, codenamed “M7”, will likely be
available in both white and black, and people may have
gotten a peek at the white variant when HTC’s CEO, Peter
Chou, whipped out his slick unknown white phone at an HTC
event.
Press cameras were not able to get a close look at what Chou
was actually holding up as he snapped a few pictures with his
device, but from the looks of it, the device in Chou’s hands
was most likely a white M7.
According to the rumored specs, the M7 is a 4.7-inch 1080p
device, which boasts a quad-core processor (we’re guessing
a Snapdragon), 2GB of RAM, 32 GB of ROM, a 12MP rear
camera, a 2300mAh battery, and Android Jelly Bean with
HTC’s Sense UI 5.0 as the cherry on top. All the major
carriers, except T-Mobile, are expected to carry HTC’s next
flagship.
The Taiwan-based handset maker has fallen behind in the
smartphone race as of late, but perhaps the M7, along with
its refreshed Sense UI 5.0, will help HTC regain the lost
grounds. People are expecting HTC to unveil the M7 (most
likely a “One” device when it’s all said and done) at an NYC
event on February 19. Samsung, HTC’s ultimate rival in
the Android handset market, will probably follow with the
Galaxy S IV, but an announcement date for the next Galaxy
flagship probably won’t come around until mid-2013.

5
250,000 Twitter accounts
hacked, possibly the work of
Chinese hackers
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/250-000-twitter-accounts-hacked-
possibly-the-work-of-chinese-hackers/18861.html
February 2nd, 2013
Twitter recently came out in a blog post and admitted that
about 250,000 user accounts were compromised. Among
the information stolen from these accounts were email
addresses and user names.
“This week, we detected unusual access patterns that led
to us identifying unauthorized access attempts to Twitter
user data. We discovered one live attack and were able to
shut it down in process moments later,” according to Twitter
director of information security, Bob Lord.
Security advisors at Twitter are encourage people to use
“strong passwords” that are a mix of numbers, symbols,
case-sensitive and passwords that are not duplicates of other
online accounts. Twitter is also advising people to disable
Java in all browsers.
Twitter believes that the people behind the recent account
hackings were not amateurs, and that Twitter was not
their only target. Some recent major hacking of websites
includes the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal,
both of which are considered to be the work of Chinese
hackers’. Some believe the slew of hacked websites may
have something to with recent criticisms of Chinese Prime
Minister Wen Jiabao by the media. Twitter, however, have
not pointed its finger at any particular organizations.
Sources reveal new PS4
features?
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/sources-reveal-new-ps4-
features-/18858.html
February 2nd, 2013
Sources who claim to be close to the PS4's hardware
development have supposedly shared new information on
Sony's next-gen console, such as controller features and
specs.
Earlier we reported on Sony's teaser video that hints at a
reveal of the PS4 at their "See the Future" event on Feb. 20.
Now even more sources have made new claims on the
capabilities and features of Sony's next-gen console, such as
the PS4 will be even more powerful than Microsoft's new
Xbox. Some of the other new features include changes on
the PS4's controller like an integrated Share button and a
touchpad.
While these sources claim to be close to the PS4's hardware
development, their claims still haven't been confirmed and
therefore must remain speculation.
Below you can find a categorization of each of the claims
made to the PlayStation 4, as well as their capabilities and
differences from Sony's current PlayStation 3 console:
Seen above is the "Heatshock", one of the many PS4
controller concepts.
The PS4 Controller
As far as the PlayStation 4's controller, sources claim that
the console will ship with a redesigned controller that makes
use of a small touchpad instead of the Start, Select and PS
buttons. The controller is supposedly the same size as the
DualShock controller, and the touchpad technology is based
on that found on the PS Vita and responds in a similar
manner.
Along with the touchpad, a new Share button has been
included, allowing gamers to share their user-created
content such as screenshots and video online, adding an
easy-to-use social mechanism to gaming. Users will be able
to edit up to 15 minutes of on-screen action--which is
recorded by the PS4 itself--and broadcast it through the
internet.
A new Share button on the controller will, when pressed,
launch a new feature that will allow screenshots and video
to be distributed online. The PS4 hardware will continually
record the most recent 15 minutes of onscreen action (with
no processing penalty, claims our source), which users will
then be able to edit and broadcast via the Internet.

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The launch
Alongside the console, Sony will also introduce a new,
improved iteration of its PlayStation Eye peripheral, which
remains compatible with the PlayStation Move controller.
Move will be available at launch, but it’s not clear yet whether
it will be bundled with the hardware.
Under the Hood - PS4's Specs
Sources have gone on to report on one of the most important
parts of the PS4: its specs. The following specifications have
not been confirmed and still remain rumor, and may in fact
be totally erroneous.
As far as specs, the dev. sources have supposedly confirmed
that some of the recently leaked specs are in fact accurate,
and that Sony is pushing to match Microsoft's supposed 8GB
of RAM for the next Xbox console. The PS4's development
hardware is also purported to be much more PC-like in
its makeup than the PS3, providing more opportunities to
developers that may not have been there before.
In terms of RAM, Sony may use an 8 GB GDDR5 that's
capable of data speeds of up to 176 GB/s for the PlayStation
4, which will definitely alleviate many of the PS3's many in-
game performance issues.
One of the more interesting concept pieces depicting the
PS4.
Sources also go on to say that both Microsoft's and Sony's
consoles will utilize an eight-core AMD CPU that's clocked at
1.6GHz, yet Microsoft has supposedly planned to make use
of a D3D11.x GPU whereas Sony has chosen a more capable
solution with AMD's R10XX architecture.
A source who is familiar with the PS4's hardware says that
Sony's system is "slightly more powerful" and that it is "very
simple to work with", which will most likely garner praise
from game developers.
To showcase the PS4's capabilities, Sony plans to
demonstrate the console's full ability in terms of graphics
and hardware performance with huge budget releases such
as the next-gen Uncharted sequel.
All in all, gamers around the world may find out what the
PlayStation 4 has under its hood on Feb. 20th during Sony's
"See The Future" event, where Sony plans to unveil their new
next-gen console.
Rockstar pushes back
release date of GTA V to
Sept. 17, 2013
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/rockstar-pushes-back-release-date-
of-gta-v-to-sept.-17-2013/18857.html
February 2nd, 2013
Rockstar has finally revealed a release date for one of the
most anticipated games for 2013...but they've also pushed it
back all the way to Sept. 17, 2013.
Rockstar's newest post on their Newswire update page
reveals an official bona-fide release date for Grand Theft
Auto V, but it's not the launch date we were expecting: the
game has been pushed back from Spring 2013 to Autumn
2013.
Rockstar Games has the following to say about the game's
moved release window:
"We know this is about four months later than
originally planned and we know that this short
delay will come as a disappointment to many of you,
but, trust us, it will be worth the extra time.
GTAV is a massively ambitious and complex game
and it simply needs a little more polish to be of the
standard we and, more importantly, you require.
To all Grand Theft Auto fans, please accept our
apologies for the delay, and our promise that the
entire team here is working very hard to make the
game all it can be.

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We are doing all we can to help ensure it will meet if
not exceed your expectations come September – we
thank you for your support and patience."
This of course puts an official end to all of the rumors of
a possible "March" release window which many retailers
have shown via confirmation e-mails and on-site pages
for the game--those dates have been revealed as simple
placeholders rather than the actual release dates.
Many fans are no-doubt disappointed from the anticipation
that went into a Spring 2013 release window, which probably
led to more pre-orders and advanced purchases of GTA V.
Rockstar is taking a few months to make the game better and
refine Grand Theft Auto V to a fine sheen, and push-backs of
such highly anticipated titles can be a common thing in the
games industry.
Grand Theft Auto V is planned for release on Sept. 17,
2013 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. For more information
please visit the game's official website.
Best Buy stores go out of
business without telling
employees
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/best-buy-stores-go-out-of-business-
without-telling-employees/18854.html
February 2nd, 2013
Best Buy just recently shut down 8 Future Shop and seven
of their Best Buy main stores in Canada. Many employees
were not told of the closings beforehand, only to discover a
note left on the store window when they arrived for work.
Best Buy has just shut down 15 stores across Canada as part
of their restructuring and ‘transformational plan’.
The resent closings came as a shock to a few of the locals not
current on Best Buy's problems, but in reality they should
have seen it coming all along. Once the leader in regards
to brick and mortar sales, Best Buy has been fighting a
very tough up-hill battle with sites like Amazon.com and
countless other on-line Internet stores.
In 2011 Best Buy reported a total loss of 1.23 billion dollars
(U.S.). Richard Shulze, who was the founder of Best Buy,
has been trying to buy back the company to take it private.
However, this has not come easy and is a really tough sell
with board members.
Best Buy based their decision on the closings after an
extensive review of Best Buys’ retail footprint in the region.
Company official said the closings were necessary to
help reduce costs and to help with eliminating “redundant
operating systems and to optimize its real estate strategy to
reflect a changing retail landscape.”
The five Best Buy stores that were closed were located
in South Surrey, Queensborough, Nanaimo, Victoria,
Langford (Westshore Town Centre). The two Quebec store
closing were the Lachenaie, and Sherbrooke (SmartCentres
Sherbrooke) areas. The Future Shop closing were located
in Manitoba (Regent), Alberta (Calgary), Columbia (West
Kelowna), Quebec (Montreal and Laval), and Ontario
(Ancaster, Barrie South and Erin Mills).
To add insult to injury, many Canadian on-line media outlets
reported that employees working at the Sherbrooke Outlet
in Quebec did not know beforehand about the closing. A few
arrived to work on Thursday, January 31st
only to find a note
left on the window saying the store was permanently shut
down. In all about 900 people will lose their jobs from the
closings over all.
Currently, there are still about 120 Best Buy and Best Buy
Mobile locations operating in Canada at present. They
also have approximately 140 Future Shop stores scattered
throughout the region as well.

February 5th, 2013 Published by: VR-Zone
1
geeks.
Photos suggest Iran's space
monkey is fake
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/photos-suggest-iran-s-space-
monkey-is-fake/18893.html
February 5th, 2013
Iran's claim that it successfully launched a monkey into
space and retrieved it alive is under question as photos of the
monkey before and after highlight significant differences.
Iran's claim that it successfully launched a monkey into
space and retrieved it alive is under question as photos of the
monkey before and after highlight significant differences.
The monkey that was allegedly sent to space appeared to
have a red mole above its right eye, along with a light colour
to its fur. The monkey purported to have returned from
space has no mole and much darker fur.
The pictures, released by Iranian media, have caused many
to speculate that the space mission was not as successful as
the government claims, and that either the monkey did not
return alive or the flight never happened at all.
Before and After pictures
If the flight was staged, however, it raises questions as to why
Iran did not report its failed 2011 launch as a success also.
That flight also featured a monkey, but it did not survive.
Iran's ability to launch rockets into space has been a cause of
grave concern to Israel and the US, which believe Iran could
use the rockets to fire nuclear weapons. Iran denies this, but
if the launch of the monkey into space was faked then its
truthfulness on other matters is also in question.
Pen invented that informs
users of spelling mistakes
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/pen-invented-that-informs-users-of-
spelling-mistakes/18892.html
February 5th, 2013
While word processors have spellcheck features, the old-
fashioned pen and paper has no way to tell you when you've
gone wrong. Until now. A pen has been invented that will
vibrate when a user makes a spelling mistake.
While word processors have spellcheck features, the old-
fashioned pen and paper has no way to tell you when you've
gone wrong. Until now. A pen has been invented that will
vibrate when a user makes a spelling mistake.
The unusual invention, currently in the prototype stage,
is programmed to detect movements associated with each
letter of the alphabet, and therefore it can tell what words
you are writing, or attempting to write, and so identify
possible errors.
The device will feature two modes, one for pointing out
spelling and grammatical issues, and another for addressing
problems with the form and legibility of handwriting. That's
doctors sorted then.

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The pen comes from German-based Lernstift, with the aim
of helping children improve their spelling, but the company
hopes to market it to people of all ages. The inventors said
they were inspired to create the pen when they witnessed
their young son's first attempts to write.
The firm has proposed a number of potential future
additions to the technology, including pressure sensors
and computer connectivity. There is also the suggestion of
making an open source platform for developers to make apps
that make use of the pen's abilities.
Lernstift has launched a crowdfunding project to finance the
invention.
Image Credit: Lernstift
Check out 15 minutes
of video from the DayZ
standalone
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/check-out-15-minutes-of-video-
from-the-dayz-standalone/18891.html
February 5th, 2013
DayZ, the zombie apocalypse survival mod of Arma II, is
currently developing a standalone version, and creator Dean
"Rocket" Hall has finally released some footage of what we
might expect from it.
DayZ is an Arma II mod which is still under development,
but has been released as an alpha, and seen immense
popularity among pc gamers. The mod, which is about
surviving a zombie apocalypse, saw Arma II's sales go up
500% in the months following the mod's arrival on the net.
Since last year, the mod's developer, Dean "Rocket" Hall, has
been working on a standalone version, and he's finally ready
to let us see some of it.
He has released a 15 minute in-game video showing an early,
and understandably rough version of what we can come
to expect. The biggest changes detailed in the video is a
simplified interface, the ability to customize your clothes,
a new swamp and an island off the coast of the in game
world. Finally, the loot system has also been reworked so
that you truly have to scavenge buildings for gear and food,
as opposed to the current system of just running in and
looking for a pile of stuff on the floor. The loot system is also
moved from the client to the server's side, to ensure it's less
exploitable and hackable.
Fly over an erupting volcano
in this interactive video
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/fly-over-an-erupting-volcano-in-this-
interactive-video/18890.html
February 5th, 2013
A Russian film crew recently used drones and a 360 degree
camera mounted on a helicopter to capture images and video
of one of four simultanious erupting volcanoes.
The Russian Airpano film crew had been filming a segment
on five star hotels in Mumbai when they heard news of
not one, not two, but four separate volcanoes erupting
simultaneously, in a 110 mile radius, on the Kamchatka
Peninsula in Russia's far east. The film crew rushed to the
area to capture some footage of the event, utilizing several
R/C hex drones and a helicopter to capture some stunning
imagery.
The drones took photos, making panoramas of the
Tolbachick volcano's crater, while the helicopter, which was
mounted with a 360 degree camera, filmed the event. The
film crew had to battle -31 C temperatures, and ground so hot
it could melt your boots, but they got some stunning footage.
Lucky for us, they decided to post it online, and we've got the
links for you!
British troops deploying nano-
sized copter in Afghanistan
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/british-troops-deploying-nano-sized-
copter-in-afghanistan/18889.html
February 5th, 2013

3
British troops in Afghanistan are deploying the smallest
military grade spy drone to date, the Norwegian built Black
Hornet nano copter.
The Black Hornet nano copter is the latest spy drone to join
the British war effort in Afghanistan. Weighing in at just 16
grams, this 10 cm (4 in) long RC helicopter is the smallest
military grade drone to date. Developed by Norwegian
manufacturer Prox Dynamics, the copter is capable of still
and video imagery and is small enough to easily be carried
by a solitary soldier.
The usefulness of a small, portable spy drone is obvious:
It allows soldiers to see around corners; exploring possible
insurgent firing points and exposed areas, before the
soldiers themselves need to be exposed. Sgt. Christopher
Petherbridge of the Brigade Reconnaissance Force told the
British Ministry of defense that the drone was "[...] a real
asset"
Aww, how cute.
The drone is the result of a $4 million contract by the
Ministry of Defense, signed back in 2011, and is just
the latest in a slew of miniaturized drones: The US,
while simultaneously investing in larger unmanned vehicles,
have developed several portable drones as well, including
the hand launched Raven, the collapsible, backpack sized
Switchblade and the Airforce's Micro-Aviary.
Another major benefit, or perhaps the greatest of all, is
that the black hornet is meant to be deployed and operated
by a single person. Predator drones are few and far apart
and serve a large number of troops simultaneously. Getting
clearance to fly one requires going up the chain of command
and involving a lot of people. A black hornet however, only
needs one person to launch and operate it, and it serves that
pilot specifically. It may be a game changer from that fact
alone.
Ouya Android game console
hits Best Buy and Target in
June 2013
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/ouya-android-game-console-hits-
best-buy-and-target-in-june-2013/18886.html
February 5th, 2013
The Android-powered Ouya game console has received so
much support that major retailers such as Amazon and
Target will also take part in distributing the tiny $99 game
console.
Over 68,000 Ouya pre-orders are going to be shipped out
in March; many of these early Ouya early birds are backers
that helped fund the project with contributions of more than
$8.5 million on Kickstarter. Target, Best Buy and GameStop
will sell the console for about $100 and the gamepad for $50,
while Amazon will take care of online shoppers.
The $50 Ouya gamepad is pricey considering the console
itself is only $100. However, Ouya CEO Julie Uhrman
argues that the addition of a touchpad on the controller
justifies the “premium price” in retail.
Uhrman pointed out that the Ouya was not created to
compete with other major game consoles like the Xbox
and PlayStation. Rather, Ouya is an open platform console
that anyone from developers to enthusiasts can mess with.
Moreover, the Ouya’s hardware capabilities will be nowhere
near that of Sony’s upcoming PS4 and Microsoft’s Xbox 720,
hence, the $100 price tag for the Ouya.
Pre-orders for the Ouya are currently being accepted on the
company’s website. Early bird enthusiasts/developers can
have an Ouya by April if they put in an order on February
4. The going price, as mentioned above, is $99 for the
console and a controller, but an additional controller will
cost shoppers an extra $30. USA shoppers will have to pay
$10 for shipping, whereas people outside the US will have to
pay $20.
HTC M7 might be a Droid DNA
upgrade for Verizon
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/htc-m7-might-be-a-droid-dna-
upgrade-for-verizon/18884.html

4
February 5th, 2013
Recently leaked details are suggesting that Verizon will offer
the HTC M7 as a refreshed version of the carrier’s current
“Droid DNA” device.
The Droid DNA was codenamed “DLX” before it was finally
launched last November, and a recent tweet by an HTC
insider revealed a “DLXPLUS” will soon be in Verizon’s
lineup of handsets. According to the tweet, the DLXPLUS is
a 4.7-inch 1080p device that boasts a Qualcomm APQ8064
quad-core clocked at 1.7GHz, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal
storage, and Android Jelly Bean plus HTC’s Sense UI 5.0 to
boot. Other features include a 13MP rear shooter (2.1MP
front), GPS + Glonnas support, and Bluetooth 4.0 along with
the standard Wi-Fi connectivity.
People that have been following the HTC M7 rumors
will notice that the DLXPLUS’s specs are very similar to
that of HTC’s upcoming flagship smartphone. The major
difference, however, is that the current Droid DNA (DLX)
has a 5.0-inch display versus the 4.7-inch on the DLXPLUS.
Therefore, it’s quite possible that Verizon will carry the M7,
but under its Droid DNA branding system.
Seeing as how many vendors have been using the “mini”
marketing scheme lately, the DLXPLUS might as well be a
“Droid DNA Mini”. However, as its codename suggests, the
DLX “PLUS” might also be an upgraded Droid DNA, albeit,
with a smaller screen.
HTC is set to officially unveil the M7 in NYC on February
19, so we should know more about the M7’s status on the
carriers’ side of things soon after.
Corsair Hydro H55 & H60
CPU Liquid Coolers Review
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/corsair-hydro-h55--h60-cpu-liquid-
coolers-review/18877.html
February 5th, 2013
Liquid cooling used to be an unattractive solution for
amateurs and everyday users for many years, until the recent
release of closed loop, ready-to-run products. Today we will
be having a look at two such watercooling kits from Corsair,
the H55 and the new H60.
Liquid cooling has been known to enthusiasts and hardcore
overclockers ever since the 486DX2 CPU era but it was
not until many years later that a few pioneering companies
decided to release retail liquid cooling products and kits. The
situation changed significantly a couple of years ago, when
the first sealed and ready-to-run kits found their way into the
market, allowing even amateur users to install and use liquid
coolers without the fear of leaks or other problems. Today
several companies offer such ready-to-run liquid cooling
solutions and one of the most well-known is Corsair.
With seven ready-to-run watercooling products, Corsair
most likely has the widest selection of models currently
available, with the company obviously trying to have at least
one product for each and every kind of user. Today we will
be having a look at two of them, the all-new H55 and the
upgraded version of the H60. These two liquid coolers are
very similar but there are distinct differences between the
models, which we will explore in this review.
Dyson reveals Airblade Tap,
a wash and dry all-in-one
faucet
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/dyson-reveals-airblade-tap-a-wash-
and-dry-all-in-one-faucet/18883.html

5
February 5th, 2013
Dubbed the “Airblade Tap”, the product does what many
other basic faucets do, but what conventional faucets don’t
have are air blowers on both sides to dry your hands after a
soapy rinse. There’s nothing spectacular, or even innovative
about the Airblade Tap, as a person can easily “air dry” his
hands with a hairdryer on the side.
What the Airblade Tap does offer, however, is an elegant all-
in-one design that will have your house guests in awe once
they realize that the faucet can both rinse and dry their dingy
hands. Built into the Airblade Tap are sensors that detect
hand positions and release water, and once a person is done
rinsing the blowers on the two sides will send “unheated
filtered” air at a person’s hands at a speed of up to 420
mph. Dyson claims that the Airblade technology in its faucet
“literally [scrapes]” a person’s hands dry in 14 seconds.
Also in the Airblade Tap are six silencers to drown out the
noise generated while the faucet is at work. The Dyson faucet
is made with stainless steel, and a HEPA filter is utilized for
the “clean” air-drying action.
iPad Mini 2 ups display
resolution with Retina
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/ipad-mini-2-ups-display-resolution-
with-retina/18881.html
February 5th, 2013
A report from a Chinese news service states that an iPad Mini
2 is underway and that its resolution is getting huge a boost.
Brightwire, the Chinese investment news service, cited
Taiwanese Apple suppliers in saying that the production of
a 7.9 inch iPad Mini 2 is underway. The report also says that
AU Optronics is the pilot behind the iPad Mini 2. Currently,
AU builds displays for a handful of Apple products, one of
them being the first generation iPad Mini.
The report by Brightwire states the next-gen iDevice would
feature a 2048 x 1536 pixel display, or 324 ppi (pixels
per inch). That number is quadruple that of the current
iPad Mini. While better resolution seems like good news to
consumers, it can occasionally be bad news for developers.
Different resolutions may call for a redesign of an app to fit
the dimensions and be aesthetically pleasing. Fortunately,
the resolution for the next gen iPad Mini will not require
such a thing since it is equivalent to that of the larger Retina
iPad.
Many have speculated about the coming of a higher
resolution version of the iPad Mini, especially when the first
gen did not show off a retina-level display.
Foxconn to allow staff union
elections
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/foxconn-to-allow-staff-union-
elections/18879.html
February 4th, 2013
Chinese manufacturing firm Foxconn, best known for
making Apple's popular iPhone and iPad ranges,
has announced plans to allow staff to elect union
representatives, the latest in a series of changes at the
company aimed at improving working conditions and the
firm's ailing reputation.
Chinese manufacturing firm Foxconn, best known for
making Apple's popular iPhone and iPad ranges,
has announced plans to allow staff to elect union
representatives, the latest in a series of changes at the
company aimed at improving working conditions and the
firm's ailing reputation.
The company, also known as Hon Hai Precision Industry,
will allow the election of a chairman and 20 members of its
Federation of Labour Unions Committee every five years,
addressing a key concern of the Fair Labour Association and
complaints from workers that they are not being properly
represented.
The move comes as Apple continues to pressure the firm,
which provides cheap manufacturing of its lucrative high-
end products, to make improvements to how it treats staff.
The company has already made some changes, including
reducing the maximum working hours and increasing pay.

6
It has reputedly made 280 of the 360 changes asked for by
the Fair Labour Association, which is a major step in the
right direction, but it clearly still has a long way to go.
Foxconn entered the media spotlight a few years back
when a number of employees committed suicide, which
immediately highlighted the poor conditions and excessive
working days staff are subjected to. With a whopping
1.2 million workers at the company, proper union
representation is a significant advance, and may help spur
further changes.
Samsung unveils new Smart
TV line-up
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/samsung-unveils-new-smart-tv-line-
up/18878.html
February 4th, 2013
Samsung has announced its latest line-up of Smart TVs, with
additional “smart” features, improved picture quality, larger
screen sizes, and digital audio advancements.
Samsung has announced its latest line-up of Smart TVs, with
additional “smart” features, improved picture quality, larger
screen sizes, and digital audio advancements.
The first big change with the new products is the Smart
Hub, which has been completely redesigned to feature
personalised panels, easier navigation, and thumbnail
previews. The panels cover: TV programme suggestions
based on viewing habits; premium movies, TV shows, and
VOD content recommendations; photos, videos and music
from AllShare; a social panel to find content shared on
various social platforms; and an apps panel for easy access
to Samsung apps.
S-Recommendation with Voice Interaction is another major
feature, letting users find new content easily without the
use of a remote. It aggregates content form broadcast TV,
premium VOD, apps, social content and even locally-stored
content.
Improved picture quality is also on the agenda, with new
Samsung Ultra High Definition (UHD) TVs, including the
UHD TV 85S9, a whopping 85-inch model with four times
the resolution of existing full high-definition displays, and
120-watt array speakers, all within a floating minimalist
design for those who consider their devices part of their
décor.
Samsung is also expanding its premium line of TVs in
Europe, with the F8500 LED Smart TV becoming the
flagship model in its premium Magnum catalogue of
displays. The frame and stand are made up of a single
piece of aluminium. It is powered by a quad-core processor
and comes with a unique feature called Intelligent Viewing,
which means the display adjusts the picture quality to the
type of content displayed.

7
The addition of a Valve Amplifier, a world first, means
the HW-F751 Soundbar provides more natural sound, with
increased performance. Since it connects wirelessly it can
also double as a wireless speaker for smartphones and
tablets.
Samsung is also delivering on its promise to update old
devices. It is offering an Evolution Kit for Series 7, 8, and
9 2012 Smart TVs, which will provide both software and
hardware updates for those devices, including updating
to the new Smart Hub and upgrading from dual-core
processors to quad-core. The new 2013 devices will also
allow Evolution Kits for the next round of updates.
The TVs will launch in the first half of the year. Pricing varies
from retailer to retailer.
Halo 3 may soon be available
through Steam
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/halo-3-may-soon-be-available-
through-steam/18876.html
February 4th, 2013
Over half a decade ago, Halo 3 made its way onto the Xbox
360, but despite the game’s popularity, Microsoft has yet to
release a PC port of the game. That may change, however,
as some evidence have arisen which suggest that a PC Halo
3 may be coming soon through Valve's Steam.
According to a recent post on the NeoGAF message board
(which cites the Steam database), Halo 3 was spotted
amongst some games that will eventually be distributed by
Valve’s Steam service. Halo and Halo 2 have already been
ported to the PC, but they, too, are among the games that
may eventually end up a part of Steam’s selection.
It took a while for Microsoft to release PC versions of Halo
and Halo 2, and if milking the cow until its bone dry means
anything, Microsoft will do the same with Halo 3. However,
Bungie’s last touch on the Halo franchise is certainly way
past its expiration date, so Halo 3 will probably follow the
path of its predecessor and become a PC title, eventually.
Currently, a Halo 3 PC release is strictly pure speculation,
but if the game is really destined for Steam, then may see it
in Steam in about half a year or maybe longer.
HP launches $329 Pavilion 14
Chromebook
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/hp-launches-329-pavilion-14-
chromebook/18874.html
February 4th, 2013
HP has launched its first Chromebook to join other major
brands (Acer, Samsung, and Lenovo) in supporting Google’s
lightweight Linux-based OS.
The HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook is a 14-inch notebook that
is powered by an Intel Celeron Processor 847 clocked at
1.1GHz, 2GB of RAM (supports up to 4GB), and a 16GB SSD.
It also comes with an HDMI output, 3 USB ports, an SD
card slot, and built-in webcam for video conferencing. HP
estimates that people can get approximately 4 hours of use
off a single charge.

8
Spec-wise, there’s nothing to rave about when it comes
to the Pavilion 14 Chromebook, but powerful hardware is
not something that Google and vendors are going after.
Rather, Chromebooks are targeted at budget conscious
consumers who want a basic notebook that will allow them to
complete daily tasks such as browsing the internet, drawing
up documents, and checking emails.
The HP Pavilion 14 Chromebook is priced moderately at
$329, and for most frugal shoppers that’s a nice tag to look at
when considering a basic computer. HP’s Chromebook isn’t
the cheapest solution, however, as Chromebooks from Acer
can be found at prices that are well below $300 (although
the display sizes are smaller).
Chrome OS won’t be stealing any major market shares away
from Microsoft’s Windows OS and Apple’s OSX anytime
soon. However, as more and more vendors begin developing
Chromebooks, we may see Google carve out for itself a nice
following for its Linux-based OS

1
geeks.
Kowa-Girlie, the Snap-On
Instant Door Camera
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/kowa-girlie-the-snap-on-instant-
door-camera/18916.html
February 7th, 2013
Magrex Japan introduces the Kowa-Girlie camera, the
camera that you can easily "snap on" and install on any door,
and can be conveniently accessed via smartphone.
Want to install surveillance cameras at your place but find
the installation and networking procedures a hassle? Then
this tech item might be for you. Japanese tech hardware
developer Magrex has introduced the Kowa-Girlie camera,
the wireless, portable surveillance camera that you can easily
install anywhere and whenever you need it.
Like a huge clip, the Kowa-Girlie camera can be conveniently
snapped onto any door. It doesn't need screws to fix on, no
frames to latch on, and no bases to hang on. In fact, aside
from the user's preferred placement or position, it requires
absolutely no technical installation procedure. And because
it is wireless, there's also no need for any extra wiring,
making it tidy to look at and easy to fix to the door. When
not needed, or if you want to use it on another door, you can
simply pull the Kowagirlie camera off the door and it will be
"uninstalled".
Smartphones can connect to the Kowa-Girlie camera via Wi-
Fi. Aside from simply recording whatever the camera sees,
users have the other option of instantly taking a snapshot
instead, using the camera's special app. In addition, the
camera is installed with a motion sensor, and it is set by
default to only start working when someone is in front of the
camera.
The main camera of the device uses a 655x488 CMOS
sensor. It has a maximum observation angle of 95 degrees
horizontally, and 73 degrees vertically. Using the device
requires a minimum ambient illumination intensity of 5
lux before it can properly register images. Saved videos are
encoded in H.264 format. Frame rates are set at 10, 15 and
20 fps, while bitrates are set at 0.1~2.0Mbps. Display size
can simply be adjusted from the smartphone's side.
As for its general hardware specs, its dimensions are 189 x
99 x 102 mm, and weighs 180g. It is powered by a 4400mAh
battery. When used non-stop, it can run for 15 hours. If it
is used with the motion sensor on, assuming that it goes off
in one day around 10 times for 1 minute each, it can last for
almost 3 months. Recharging is done via USB.
The Kowa-Girlie camera and its special app are compatible
with iOS 4.3+ and Android 2.2+. It has an estimated price of
14,800 yen (158 USD) in Japan.
Xbox 720 rumored to be
always online, possibly
blocking use of secondhand
games
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/xbox-720-rumored-to-be-always-
online-possibly-blocking-use-of-secondhand-games/18914.html
February 7th, 2013
More rumors have been spun on Microsoft's Xbox 720 with
possible inclusions like required internet, 50gb Blu Ray
game discs, restrictions against secondhand games, and a
new Kinect motion sensor.
According to recent reports, sources have revealed that
Microsoft's new next-gen Xbox console will require an
internet connection in order to function, which aims to rule
out the possibility of playing secondhand and used games. A
new form of Xbox LIVE will be fundamental to the Xbox 720,

2
and new Kinect motion sensor hardware will ship alongside
the console.
These sources claim to have "first-hand experience of
Microsoft’s next generation console". Whether or not they’re
credible and their information valid remains to be seen,
hence, we must still treat this info as speculation and rumor
and take them with a grain of salt.
Along with the new features, sources also say that the Xbox
720's revealed specs are indeed factual, pinning the 720 with
an AMD eight-core x64 1.6GHz CPU, a D3D11.x 800MHz
graphics solution and 8GB of DDR3 RAM.
Additionally, these sources claim that Sony's next-gen
console is much more preferable to work with and that
Microsoft's console is more oppressive in nature. Sources
also say that the next-gen consoles are much more
like computers than the current generation of gaming
consoles, allowing developers have more freedom with their
concoctions.
When it comes to game discs, sources claim that the Xbox
720 will utilize Blu-ray discs with 50GB capacities. The
upgrade to Blu-Ray has obvious advantages including more
storage space as well as the alleviation of games released
with an extra disc of renders to be installed onto the console.
The sources haven't said anything about Blu-Ray movie
playback support, which is believed to be restricted on the
Xbox 720.
These rumors are a bit unnerving and will most likely
send a ripple of dissent throughout the gaming world, as
the market of secondhand games is thriving and allows
gamers to purchase titles at a reduced cost. The Blu-Ray
disc capacity is an advantage, but without Blu-Ray movie
playback (something that the PlayStation 3 already has)
Microsoft's console looks less appealing, especially when
coupled with the restriction of used game and online-only
functionality.
In any case, gamers will most likely be able to put these
rumors to the test at this year's E3 event, where Microsoft is
believed to unveil its new console.
NASA turns on Curiosity drill
on Mars for first time
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/nasa-turns-on-curiosity-drill-on-
mars-for-first-time/18917.html
February 7th, 2013
NASA has turned on the drill of the Curiosity rover on
Martian soil for the first time, marking the latest stage in the
exploration and analysis of the Red Planet.
NASA has turned on the drill of the Curiosity rover on
Martian soil for the first time, marking the latest stage in the
exploration and analysis of the Red Planet.
The space agency previously employed the hammer action
of the tool, but now the robot has drilled directly into
the ground, resulting in deposits that will be collected
for analysis on the rover's built-in laboratories, where
they will be analysed for their chemical and mineralogical
compositions.
The move is more significant than it sounds, because NASA
has to be careful when using any instruments to dig holes
in the planet's surface, due to fears that it could lead to
unintended damage. The engineers on the project have
therefore carefully checked to ensure the drill is working as
intended and that the area chosen for drilling is suitable and
safe.
A mark left in the Martian ground after the first test use of
Curiosity's drill.
Curiosity's mission is to explore the possibility that the
Gale Crater on Mars once supported life, making drilling an
essential component in accessing rocks that could record the
planet's history.
The rover, which landed on Mars last August, has been
taking pictures and sending them back to NASA, resulting in
some amazing glimpses of the planet. It will soon be directed
to drill deeper into the ground to collect samples that could
potentially change our understanding of the planet.

3
Images Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS
Dead Space 3 exploits allow
players to avoid in-game fees
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/dead-space-3-exploits-allow-players-
to-avoid-in-game-fees/18915.html
February 7th, 2013
Players of Dead Space 3 can use a number of exploits to
circumvent the in-game cash shop, reports suggest, raising
questions over the ethics and legality of game cheats when it
comes to microtransaction models.
Players of Dead Space 3 can use a number of exploits to
circumvent the in-game cash shop, reports suggest, raising
questions over the ethics and legality of game cheats when it
comes to microtransaction models.
GameFront showed how some of the exploits work, with one
requiring the user to go a specific location, pick up an item,
and then save and quit before returning to the game to loot
the item again.
Another of the exploits is as simple as walking into a building
to pick up an item, and then walking out and returning again
to find the item has immediately respawned. It sounds like
extremely bad coding, and many people will be unaware they
are even exploiting the game in this case.
An exploit is considered any use of the game in an
unintended way, and does not necessarily have to result
in the player profiting from its use. Often times they are
discovered by accident, which a player can claim in their
defence, but repeated use, which may be logged on the game
servers, could show deliberate intent to exploit the game.
Of course, many players will consider the turn of events
appropriate, given that this is the first game in the series to
feature microtransactions, and the main purchase already
costs a substantial amount. Developer Visceral Games said
players are not required to purchase the in-game items,
which can be found elsewhere in the game. The purchases
simply unlock them earlier.
A lawyer told the BBC said exploiting microtransactions is
a grey area of the law. Some users claim they do not believe
it is unethical, but that may not stop EA from issuing game
bans or other penalties. It is almost certain to issue updates
to prevent these exploits in future, given the potentially large
amounts of revenue it is losing.
Valve and JJ Abrams may
collaborate on Half-Life and
Portal movies
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/valve-and-jj-abrams-may-
collaborate-on-half-life-and-portal-movies/18911.html
February 7th, 2013
The 2013 DICE summit, a yearly gathering of executives in
the video game industry is currently ongoing in Las Vegas.
During the opening presentation, Valve and JJ Abrams
announced they would be teaming up to make movies and
games in the future.
Every year, the top people in the video game industry gather
at the DICE summit to discuss the industry for a few days.
The opening presentation on Tuesday, titled "Storytelling
across platforms", was presented by Valve's CEO, Gabe
Newell (Half-Life, Portal) and director/producer JJ Abrams
(Lost, Star Trek). During the end of the presentation, they
revealed that Valve and Abrams' production company Bad
Robot would be teaming up to make movies and even games,
in the future.
This handshake could lead to some interesting things
“We’re going to figure out if we can make a Portal movie
or Half-Life movie together" stated Newell during the
presentation. Valve have said in the past that they would
consider having one of their games made into a movie, but
made it clear that it would only happen if they were directly
involved in the process; that does indeed seem to be the case
here.

4
Abrams then added "There’s an idea we have for a game that
we’d like to work with Valve on." Again, this is something
which, in a way, has been brought up in the past. Portal 2
contained an interactive trailer, essentially a minute long
game made in Valve's source engine, for JJ Abram's movie
Super 8. It may have been a tiny collaboration, but it was a
collaboration nonetheless.
Screenshot from the interactive Super8 trailer
The surprise announcement took the form of a rehearsed
discussion of whether games or movies functioned as
a better storytelling medium. Games were critiqued by
Abrams for often putting the player in an empty vessel of
a character (Half-Life's mute protagonist Gordon Freeman
being the archetypical example), while Newell remarked on
how the interactivity and self pacing of a game is sometimes
preferable to the lack of control one has in movies. The
discussion was a leadup to the advantages of having both
industries work together, and the announcement that the
two parties would be teaming up.
No specifics have been released as of yet, beyond the
mention of Half-Life and Portal, but we will update you on
this story as it develops.
Researchers create working
biobattery to power hearing
device
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/researchers-create-working-
biobattery-to-power-hearing-device/18904.html
February 7th, 2013
For the first time ever an actual device was powered by the
ear itself, although it was the ear of a guinea pig. Scientists
are saying that they have found a way to tap into the body’s
own electrical energy to power small devices!
A team of researchers are saying the days of old fashioned
hearing aids may be over. They have created an
experimental chip planted in the inner ear that gets its
energy from the body itself.
Tina Stankovic, an auditory specialist and neuroscientist
with Harvard University, headed the team that created
the self-powered device in conjunction with MIT’s
Microsystems Technology Laboratory. She stated that
we could easily see some form of autonomous power for
cochlear implants in the foreseeable future. The team was
able to develop a small electronic chip with numerous low
resistance electrodes that are able to grab infinitesimal
amounts of the inner ear’s electrical activity.
While the technology seems straightforward enough,
harnessing this small amount of power in the human body
for long durations will be a challenge. That amount of energy
made with our nerves is very small. Stankovic says that while
science has known about the DC power in the human body
for decades no one has even attempted to harness it until
now.
(A close up of the tiny device that was implanted into the
guinea pig's inner ear.)
“In the past, people have thought that the space where
the high potential is located is inaccessible for implantable
devices, because potentially it’s very dangerous if you
encroach on it,” Stankovic said. “We have known for 60
years that this battery exists and that it’s really important
for normal hearing, but nobody has attempted to use this
battery to power useful electronics.”
For nerve cells to operate they must use a positively charged
sodium and potassium ion across the membrane to create
a very small electrochemical gradient. Stankovic says that
the inner ear has that same process in the cochlea as well. It
works by borrowing from the mechanical energy created on
the eardrum and then converts it to electrical signals for the
brain where it deciphers what was heard.
Stankovic and her team ran the first test and only test so
far on a guinea pig’s inner ear. Electrodes were connected to
both sides of its cochlea cell membranes, and then the device
was connected to a small radio transmitter and monitored.
The guinea pig’s hearing was determined to be normal
during the test, but it was only able to transmit just under 5
hours. The team said that the technology can work for short
durations; however, there is a risk of damaging the fragile
tissue inside the inner ear for any longer. Nevertheless, the
device is proof of concept that such a technology can be
attained.

5
In the very near future the team plans to minimize the device
so there will be little or no chance of the inner ear being
harmed. The team also speculates that as the technology
progresses there may be a way of harnessing the energy
stored in individual cells all throughout the human body to
power other types of devices.
Boeing's 787 Dreamliner may
soon return to the skies
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/boeing-s-787-dreamliner-may-soon-
return-to-the-skies/18909.html
February 7th, 2013
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner was grounded in January due to
a faulty battery design which led to electrical fires. Now, a
redesign of those batteries may put the Dreamliner back in
the skies soon.
Boeing's 787 Dreamliner was designed to be quite
progressive. It is 20% more fuel efficient than Boeing's
767 (which the Dreamliner is due to replace), and
is the first major airliner to be made primarily from
composite materials. Unfortunately, for the past month, the
Dreamliner has been grounded due to an electrical fault
in the plane's lithium-ion batteries, which caused them to
overheat and catch fire mid-flight.
The futuristic new 787 Dreamliner - that's one hot plane.
Lithium-ion batteries, like their cousins the LiPo batteries,
have a very good capacity for storing energy, but that
comes with the drawback of being somewhat volatile.
Other airplanes use NiCd batteries. However, the batteries
themselves aren't really at fault: Li-Ion batteries have made
their way to laptops, cell phones and all manner of other
electronic devices, proving that if handled properly, they
don't pose any substantial danger. Thus, Boeing is not
planning to replace the battery type, but rather, to redesign
the way the batteries are stored on the plane.
A new proposal will redesign the batteries to have more
spacing between the cells (reducing heat exchange and the
potential of a fire spreading to other cells). Added heat
sensors are also included in the proposal, as is a new casing
which will reduce movement in the batteries during flight. As
of now, the proposal isn't finalized, but Boeing has a massive
team of tech experts and engineers working on the problem.
Considering that the Dreamliner is Boeing's take on a next
generation airliner, it's not surprising they want the problem
taken care of and the 787 back in the skies.
Samsung Galaxy S IV
rumored to launch in April
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/samsung-galaxy-s-iv-rumored-to-
launch-in-april/18910.html
February 7th, 2013
Samsung's Galaxy S III smartphone has been so well
received globally that many have raised their expectation for
the S III's successor. While no one likes to wait, it seems like
Samsung may launch the Galaxy S IV in April, and people
will see for themselves if the next Galaxy S device can live up
to all the hype.
Many believe that Samsung will not even hint at the current
development of the Galaxy S IV at Mobile World Congress,
much less unveil it. However, according to rumors, the
South Korean tech company will launch the Galaxy S III’s
successor at the end of April to Asian and European markets,
while North America, Australia and Africa will get their
portion come May or June.
Also, according to Sam Mobile, Samsung will officially
announce the Galaxy S IV on March 15, which is about half a
month after MWC. Press invites for the unveiling event will
go out some time after MWC.
Spec-wise, the upcoming Galaxy S IV is purported to boast
Samsung’s Exynos 5 Octa (an “8-core” chip) that will provide
more than enough horses to pull any apps and multitasking
features thrown at it, but at the same time have power saving
features built-in that will keep the horses at bay when not
needed. A Mali-T658 GPU will take care of the graphical end
of things on the 4.99-inch Super AMOLED 1080p display.
Other rumored specs include a 13MP rear shooter (2MP
front), 2GB of RAM, as well as Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean to
boot.

6
Canonical expects Ubuntu-
powered smartphones to hit
retail in October
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/canonical-expects-ubuntu-powered-
smartphones-to-hit-retail-in-october/18908.html
February 7th, 2013
Fans of Linux will be happy to know that Canonical intends
to have smartphones running the open source Ubuntu
operating system on the market by October 2013.
Mark Shuttleworth, CEO of Canonical Ltd., recently dropped
the news at a meeting in New York on Tuesday. Ubuntu’s
entrance into the mobile sector marks a significant shift in
which desktop functionalities are beginning to merge with
the portability of tablets and smartphones.
Ubuntu for smartphones is Canonical’s approach to making
desktop features more accessible to mobile users. A
smartphone running Ubuntu can be used as a fully
functional desktop when docked to a larger display and
wireless peripherals like a mouse and keyboard. As a
standalone smartphone, the Ubuntu OS switches to a
“mobile interface”, something the company refers to as a
“distilled version of the Ubuntu desktop interface.”
Canonical is tackling a heated market in which Google’s
Android is the top open source mobile OS, and Apple’s iOS
is the preferred proprietary. Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8
OS as well as BlackBerry’s recently launched (formerly RIM)
BB10 OS are strong contenders in the mobile space—albeit,
with far less market share than Android or iOS.
Aside from the enthusiasts, Ubuntu for smartphone
shows promises in corporate settings where IT specialists
can manage all employee devices much more easily
through the consolidation of hardware and software.
However, in recent years, the phenomenon known as
“bring your own devices” (BYOD) has been catching on,
and many IT managements have practically overhauled
their infrastructures to accommodate different devices with
various mobile OS.
Yahoo sites to display ads
from Google's AdMob &
AdSense
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/yahoo-sites-to-display-ads-from-
google-s-admob--adsense/18905.html
February 7th, 2013
Yahoo recently announced that it will begin displaying ads
from Google’s AdMob and AdSense on Yahoo co-branded
sites as well as Yahoo-specific sites.
Google has outplayed Yahoo in essentially every single game
thus far, so it shouldn’t surprise anyone that Yahoo has
decided to partner up with its rival. The deal between Yahoo
and Google will allow Google to have an even bigger presence
on the web, while also allowing Yahoo to have more ads to
display. Many Yahoo-specific sites such as News, Answers,
Sports, and Mail have strong followings, and the deal seems
to benefit both search engines—although, one can argue that
Google is the on the better end of the bargain.
Yahoo says that the deal will help it to become more “focused
on doing everything [they] can to make user experience
inspiring and engaging… [and] one of the way [they] can
do this is by providing relevant and well-targeted content—
whether that be editorial or advertising content.” Moreover,
Yahoo claims that there won’t be a “noticeable difference in
how or where ads appear” on the sites.
It is worth noting that Yahoo’s current CEO, Marissa Mayer,
was a former Google engineer, designer, product manager,
and executive. Instead of “abandoning Google”, Mayer may
have helped to build a bridge between the two competitors.
We’ll see where this partnership leads Google and Yahoo,
but for the time being Google has the stronger hand.
Sony WG-C10, pocket server
makes external storage
access universal
Source: http://vr-zone.com/articles/sony-wg-c10-pocket-server-makes-
external-storage-access-universal/18885.html
February 7th, 2013
Sony unveils the WG-C10, a wireless server that can be used
to access external storage devices. With it, you can wirelessly

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