Testing 3D virtual reality

Prototype headset tracks player movements; Virtual Reality revival 'certainly possible'

The forgotten fad of virtual reality gaming may be set for a surprise revival, with Sony confirming to Develop that it is experimenting on the technology within its studios.

Mick Hocking, senior director at Sony Worldwide Studios, said that a prototype device used to test virtual reality also displays high-end 3D.

“We've got a new head mounted display [in development] that we showed at Consumer Electronics Show,” Hocking said in a newly published interview with Develop.

He said the prototype device (pictured below) has twin-OLED screens – one for each eye – to eliminate information crossover issues.

Check it out: http://www.develop-online.net/news/38244/Sony-Were-testing-3D-virtual-reality-games

Pad Camp

PadCamp is a free unconference for educators interested in learning about and sharing ideas for using tablets (iPads, Android tablets, ereaders) in the classroom. The free event will be held on August 9 in Galloway, NJ.

PadCamp will follow the same unconference model used at the increasingly popular EdCamp events that have been held across the country over the last couple of years. The idea of an unconference is that there are not any keynote speakers or predetermined workshops. Everyone comes to the event, if you want to share something put your idea on the proposed sessions board, and people vote with their feet by going to the sessions that they have an interest in. It might seem a little messy at first, but trust me it works.

Would you wear your iphone?

What would you think of a Kickstarter project that lets you wear your iPhone on your shirt without velcro, straps or magnets? You would think it was nutty idea that puts your iPhone in peril. But it's not.

The Move is an iPhone case that you wear under your clothing. The iPhone snaps into the case from the outside, creating a sandwich that includes your phone, your clothing and the case. The fabric tension from your clothing helps anchor the iPhone securely in the case. The fit is so snug you can run, walk or bike with your iPhone attached anywhere on your clothing.

Take a look: http://gizmodo.com/5820652/would-you-wear-your-iphone-as-part-of-your-shirt

Texas Funds Elementary Student Nutrition Education Game

Nonprofit medicine research and education company The Cooper Institute is fighting childhood obesity with The Quest to Lava Mountain, an educational game targeted at grade school children.

The game -- which recently concluded its pilot program in fourteen schools -- is described as an exploration-based adventure with avatar customization that teaches children proper nutritional habits. It is part of the NutriGram program, an interactive educational initiative funded by the Texas Department of Agriculture.

The Quest to Lava Mountain was developed by Dallas-based Controlled Chaos Media, a studio founded by former students of The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University. Controlled Chaos previously shipped Pocket Fish and Lumos for iOS platforms.

"It’s great to have a medium that meets kids where they are and provides the motivation to learn how to make better choices in their lives," said Controlled Chaos founder Hunter Woodley. "We’re excited to have created a game that has been so well-received."

The game will roll out across public elementary schools in Texas starting in August. More information on the NutriGram project -- which plans for a nationwide expansion next year -- is available on its official site. The official gameplay trailer for The Quest to Lava Mountain is available on YouTube.

Original Posting: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/35675/Texas_Funds_Elementary_Student_Nutrition_Education_Game.php

Report: The PlayStation 4 Will Have Kinect-Style Motion Controls

Brian Ashcraft — Next year, Nintendo is releasing a new home console, the Wii U. Taiwanese component makers tell tech site DigiTimes that Sony is readying a new home console for 2012. But that's not the interesting part.

These component manufacturer sources tell DigiTimes that the PlayStation 4 will feature body-movement controls like Microsoft's Kinect. That's the interesting, if not unexpected, part.

The PS3 currently has PlayStation Move motion controls, which are similar to the Wii's motion controls.

The report states Foxconn and Pegatron Technology will assemble the PS4 for Sony. Foxconn and Pegatron Technology both assemble the PS3, which was originally manufactured in Japan.

Read more: http://kotaku.com/5817874/report-the-playstation-4-will-have-kinect+style-motion-controls

Google Android continues growth streak over Apple's iPhone

Google's Android mobile OS has continued to widen its lead on Apple's iOS in terms of U.S. smartphone subscribers, while Research in Motion and Microsoft have fallen even further behind, according to a new survey.

comScore's MobiLens report found Google Android to be the top smartphone platform with 38.1 percent market share in the U.S. during the period from March to May. The platform's 5.1 percent gain outpaced Apple's 1.4 percent increase to 26.6 percent.

The gains posted by Android and iOS were taken from BlackBerry maker RIM and Microsoft, which lost 4.2 percent and 1.9 percent market share, respectively. RIM's share of subscribers stands at 24.7 percent after the drop, while Microsoft held onto a 5.8 percent share. Palm fell slightly from 2.8 percent in February to 2.4 percent in May.

Read more: http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/07/05/google_android_continues_growth_streak_over_apples_iphone.html

July Newsletter

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