Huami, a subsidiary of Xiaomi has released a new version of the Amazfit Pace. (more…)
Category: Wearable
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How to change Xiaomi Amazfit Watch to English guide
Amazfit Pace and Amazfit Watch change to English
For Xiaomi Amazfit, a change to English from Chinese has been frustrating for some users. While Xiaomi Amazfit Watch aka Huami Amazfit Pace has recently been announced for official release in the United States, there is still no word of an official Amazfit English ROM. (more…)
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Facebook to make 360 degree content available
Now that Google and YouTube are well into the the 360 craze, Facebook will be implementing 360 image compatibility within the next couple of weeks.
Users will be able to use a mouse to view 360 images, touch and drag with touch devices, or use VR headsets to view the 360 content.
VR here to stay
360 content has been hitting major strides in 2016. The release of the $15 Google Cardboard 2 and a profusion of cheap China brand headsets such as VR Box, ShineCon and the slightly pricier, but community recommended BoboVR Z4 (4th gen BoboVR) with built-in headphones has helped the industry along immensely.
Google has also released Google Cardboard app, which along with providing an easy method to take 360 photos, also provides a community portal to sharing and viewing 360 photos others have taken.
Premium VR equipment from $100-1000
There is almost more expensive gear available, Facebook owned Oculus Rift, HTC/Valve Vive, Playstation VR, and Gear VR by Samsung. All of these provide a more upscale VR experience than the aforementioned products, but the cost of these range from about $100 for the Samsung VR, up into $1000+ for the Oculus Rift and Vive.
Best to start slow before diving in
Our suggestion, is to get your feet wet with the very inexpensive Google Cardboard 2, or if a bit more serious, the BoboVR Z4, before going full plunge with the more expensive devices.
In addition to 3D images, there are already a plethora of ways to use a VR device, including games, movies and virtual location tours.
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LinkIt and Aster from MediaTek
Along with the MT7681 and MT7688 SoC for wearable and home devices, MediaTek will also be releasing “Aster” SoC and “LinkIt” development platform. LinkIt development platform will be mainly geared towards working with Aster.LinkIt is especially designed to develop for wearable networking equipment operating systems and supporting touch GUI infrastructures. LinkIt platform will support development for Android and iOS devices.
From J.C. Hsu, General Manager of New Business Development at MediaTek:
“MediaTek is now in a unique position to assume leadership by accelerating development for wearables and IoT, thanks to our LinkIt platform,”
From MediaTek:
“The launch of LinkIt is a part of MediaTek’s wider initiative for the developer community called MediaTek Labs™ which will officially launch later this year. MediaTek Labs will stimulate and support the creation of wearable devices and IoT applications based on the LinkIt platform.”
According to MediaTek, the key features of MediaTek Aster and LinkIt:
- MediaTek Aster, the smallest SoC in a package size of 5.4×6.2mm specifically designed for wearable devices.
- LinkIt integrates the MediaTek’s Aster SoC and is a developer platform supported by reference designs that enable creation of various form factors, functionalities, and internet connected services.
- Synergies between microprocessor unit and communication modules, facilitating development and saving time in new device creation.
- Modularity in software architecture provides developers with high degree of flexibility.
- Supports over-the-air (OTA) updates for apps, algorithms and drivers which enable “push and install” software stack (named MediaTek Capsule) from phones or computers to devices built with MediaTek Aster.
- Plug-in software development kit (SDK) for Arduino and VisualStudio. Support for Eclipse is planned for Q4 this year.
- Hardware Development Kit (HDK) based on LinkIt board by third party.
The purpose of LinkIt is to provide a turnkey reference software development kit (SDK) for developers to help bring products to market as quickly as possible.
Aster SoC aka MT2502, comes in at a tiny 5.4*6.2mm, but is a full on SoC with CPU and RAM, and configurable by manufacturers to include Bluetooth, 2G and GPS modules.
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MediaTek To Release SoC for Wearable and Home Devices – Review MT7688 MT7681
People love making things as simple and easy as possible and I can see a big market for smart home devices being operated via your smartphone. (more…)
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Fitness Tracker Fitbit Force Review!
As some of you may have heard in the news, Fitbit has issued a recall on its Force fitness trackers due to rashing around the band area. This could lead people to believe one of two things about the manufacturer. (more…)
