Month: July 2023
The Meta ‘Super Rumble’ game is the first of many next-gen Horizon Worlds VR titles
Meta has just launched a new game for Horizon Worlds called Super Rumble, and it’s unlike any other game released for the social VR application. Previously known as Titanborne in beta, Super Rumble is the the first game out of Meta’s in-house studio, Ouro Interactive. It could also herald a new era for the Horizon Worlds platform, one embodied by experiences with better graphics and more complex gameplay. Vishal Shah, Meta’s VP of Metaverse, called the shooter “more than just a new world” and described it as “the next generation of Horizon Worlds” to Janko Roettgers of Lowpass Roettgers said everyone he played the beta version with “seemed awestruck by the level of fidelity the game offered.” Apparently, that’s because it was built using imported objects, assets and textures, which wasn’t possible in the past. Shah said Meta rebuilt the VR platform’s underlying technology to give it the ability to support higher-quality games and to allow developers to import assets created using third-party tools. The company has reportedly given Ouro and select partners the capability to use the import feature so they could develop new Horizon Worlds games to be released over the next six months. Shah told Lowpass that the company’s metaverse team has been working on improvements for Horizon Worlds over the past year. “As consumers come to Horizon, we want to make sure there’s a bunch of compelling content that they can find on day one. We’re going to seed the ecosystem, bootstrap it with stuff that we build both in-house, but also with some studios that we’re working with,” he said.In addition to building an improved version of the platform, the Horizon team has also apparently been developing a mobile app. They’d reportedly finished creating one a year ago but weren’t happy with the result, so they chose to build it again. Super Rumble will be one of the first titles to be available when the mobile app comes out, and Shah said it will feature cross-platform play. A mobile app with cross-platform capabilities could help Meta reach new audiences who can’t afford or aren’t interested enough to get a VR headset. The company’s VR business unit, Reality Labs, posted a $3.7 billion operating loss in the second quarter of 2023. In all, the division has lost $21 billion since the beginning of 2022 and had to axe some projects last year. A mobile app could make Horizon Worlds more accessible, which in turn could translate into greater revenue. Shah’s team has been working on other improvements for the VR platform, as well, including investing in generative AI tools for creation. The idea is to give more creators the ability to build new worlds even if they don’t know how to use professional 3D tools. He didn’t tell Lowpass when the mobile app or generative AI tools will be available, though, so we’ll have to wait for their official announcements.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-meta-super-rumble-game-is-the-first-of-many-next-gen-horizon-worlds-vr-titles-130141631.html?src=rss
Meta has just launched a new game for Horizon Worlds called Super Rumble, and it’s unlike any other game released for the social VR application. Previously known as Titanborne in beta, Super Rumble is the the first game out of Meta’s in-house studio, Ouro Interactive. It could also herald a new era for the Horizon Worlds platform, one embodied by experiences with better graphics and more complex gameplay. Vishal Shah, Meta’s VP of Metaverse, called the shooter “more than just a new world” and described it as “the next generation of Horizon Worlds” to Janko Roettgers of Lowpass
Roettgers said everyone he played the beta version with “seemed awestruck by the level of fidelity the game offered.” Apparently, that’s because it was built using imported objects, assets and textures, which wasn’t possible in the past. Shah said Meta rebuilt the VR platform’s underlying technology to give it the ability to support higher-quality games and to allow developers to import assets created using third-party tools. The company has reportedly given Ouro and select partners the capability to use the import feature so they could develop new Horizon Worlds games to be released over the next six months.
Shah told Lowpass that the company’s metaverse team has been working on improvements for Horizon Worlds over the past year. “As consumers come to Horizon, we want to make sure there’s a bunch of compelling content that they can find on day one. We’re going to seed the ecosystem, bootstrap it with stuff that we build both in-house, but also with some studios that we’re working with,” he said.
In addition to building an improved version of the platform, the Horizon team has also apparently been developing a mobile app. They’d reportedly finished creating one a year ago but weren’t happy with the result, so they chose to build it again. Super Rumble will be one of the first titles to be available when the mobile app comes out, and Shah said it will feature cross-platform play.
A mobile app with cross-platform capabilities could help Meta reach new audiences who can’t afford or aren’t interested enough to get a VR headset. The company’s VR business unit, Reality Labs, posted a $3.7 billion operating loss in the second quarter of 2023. In all, the division has lost $21 billion since the beginning of 2022 and had to axe some projects last year. A mobile app could make Horizon Worlds more accessible, which in turn could translate into greater revenue.
Shah’s team has been working on other improvements for the VR platform, as well, including investing in generative AI tools for creation. The idea is to give more creators the ability to build new worlds even if they don’t know how to use professional 3D tools. He didn’t tell Lowpass when the mobile app or generative AI tools will be available, though, so we’ll have to wait for their official announcements.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-meta-super-rumble-game-is-the-first-of-many-next-gen-horizon-worlds-vr-titles-130141631.html?src=rss
Nikon Zf: what we want to see
The rumored retro full-frame ‘Nikon Zf’ could be the camera for photography and design lovers in 2023
With shutter speed and ISO dials, a faux leather finish and a metal-effect top plate, the Nikon Z fc wowed us in 2021 with its retro charm. The Z fc, one of the best beginner mirrorless cameras, represented a compelling Fujifilm X-T30 II alternative, and remains competitively priced.
But I, like many Nikon fans, was left asking: will there be a more high-end, full-frame version of the ‘casual’ Z fc, one that truly pays homage to the Nikon FM2 – the 30-year-old 35mm film camera that the Z fc directly took its design cues from, a camera with legendary ruggedness.
If Nikon Rumors is accurate, we’ll see such a camera in 2023, and I couldn’t be more excited for what is likely to be one of this year’s best mirrorless cameras. It will do what’s so important now – make for a delightful shooting experience, especially for enthusiast photographers.
We spoke exclusively with Nikon back in 2021 about how it designed the Nikon Z fc, and why it thinks the future is retro, and the Zf could well realize Nikon’s vision for cameras that the Z fc designer Shu Suzuki (of Nikon’s Design Center) described as “designed with a focus on joy of ownership”. Let’s take a look at what we can expect from the upcoming Nikon Zf.
Nikon Zf: Cut to the chase
The top plate of the Nikon Z fc camera (Image credit: Future)
What is it? A full-frame Nikon Z camera with the same retro design concept as the crop-sensor Nikon Z fc. When is it out? Likely the final quarter of 2023 How much will it cost? Unknown, but we predict similar to the Nikon Z7 II, which had a list price of $3,000 / £3,000 / AU$5,500 at launch in 2020.
Nikon Zf: What’s in a name?
The ‘f’ in the Zfc stands for ‘fusion’, as in of the old and new, while the ‘c’ means casual. Nikon’s ‘f’ nomenclature was actually first seen a full 10 years ago in 2013, in the Nikon Df DSLR camera, which was a full-frame, weather-sealed, photography-only, design delight.
Based on those two cameras, we can expect the rumored full-frame mirrorless version of this classic design, with a rugged build quality, to be called the Nikon Zf.
Nikon Zf: which full-frame sensor?
The next obvious question is what sensor the Nikon Zf will have. Nikon has three current full-frame sensors: the 24MP one in the Nikon Z6 II, a higher-resolution 45.7MP in the Nikon Z7 II, and a ‘stacked’ 45.7MP sensor in the Nikon Z8 and Nikon Z9.
The latter stacked sensor delivers some serious firepower, offering next-level continuous shooting and video performance, with negligible rolling shutter. It’s what enabled Nikon to do away with the mechanical shutter in the Z9 altogether.
Great as that stacked sensor would be in a rumored Zf, it’s a super-expensive component, and feels a bit overkill for a retro snapper that’s primarily drawing the attention of photographers. If I was to hazard a guess, the 45.7MP sensor from the Z7 II will make its way into the Zf, and I predict that Nikon might recycle a lot of Z7 II’s tech into the new shell of the Zf.
Creating a Z7 II in a new shell will allow Nikon to set the price of the Zf that little bit lower than the $4,000 / £4,000 / AU$7,500 Nikon Z8. But just how much lower can we realistically hope for?
(Image credit: Future)
Nikon Zf: price and release date
According to the rumors, the Zf is the only remaining Nikon mirrorless camera in the 2023 pipeline. As for pricing, we think the Zf will be pitched at the level of the Nikon Z7 II, which was launched in 2020 with a list price of $3,000 / £3,000 / AU$5,500 body only – that’s a full 25% less than the Nikon Z8. I don’t think Nikon can reasonably go much higher than the Nikon Z7 II, but I don’t think it’ll be a lot less.
If indeed we’re talking Z7 II-like pricing, then throwing in the retro Z 28mm f/2.8 SE full-frame lens that was launched alongside the Z fc would be the cherry on the cake. I’d also love to see more retro Nikon Z lenses that take design cues from the Zf, or of course Nikon’s legacy 35mm lenses.
It’ll feel a somewhat hollow exercise if you have to pair the Nikon Zf with the all-black, industrial-looking Z lenses. Of course, we can use an adaptor to pair Nikon lenses from the past, but you won’t get the Z-mount lens benefit for image quality and autofocus performance; we’ll need more retro Z glass.
Nikon Zf: design delight
Design will be where the Nikon Zf shines. I think lovers of traditional cameras for photography need a Fujifilm alternative – and not just the Leica offerings that are unattainable for most people – and the Nikon Zf could be that very camera.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
It will be an altogether different shooting experience to an awkward smartphone camera. The Zf will have those tactile exposure dials – shutter speed, ISO, exposure compensation – plus a top LCD. Yet it could fuse that retro goodness with a modern flip-out screen that gives you the best of both worlds: easy viewing from any angle, or folded away completely to allow you to pretend it’s a screen-less camera like in the good old days.
The Zf will be beefier than the Nikon Zfc – both physically larger, and tougher, with a proper weather-sealed build quality that’s hopefully even more rugged than the Df. Except, being a mirrorless camera, the Zf won’t be as large as the Nikon Df, which is a DSLR with chunkier pentaprism optical viewfinder and greater flange depth (the distance between image sensor and lens mount) that requires the camera to be physically deeper.
Most of all, the Zf will look damn good, and will tap into your creativity in a way that a smartphone and even a modern run-of-the-mill mirrorless can’t. It should be a camera that’s a joy to use, and I can’t wait until to get my hands on one.
‘Talk to Me’ Is Horror Made by and for the Internet Generation
A “teens dabbling in the dark arts” movie looks different through the lens of social media natives hoping to make #content.
A “teens dabbling in the dark arts” movie looks different through the lens of social media natives hoping to make #content.
Top Stories: iPhone 15 Pro Rumors, iOS 17 Beta 4, Vision Pro Developer Kit, and More
The next iPhone launch is rapidly approaching, and rumors are continuing to fly about what to expect for the next-generation models. Plus, we’re expecting some fresh Mac updates not too long after that.
This week also saw the fourth betas of iOS 17 and related operating system updates as Apple works toward an official release alongside the new iPhones in September, while developers will soon be able to get their hands on Vision Pro headsets to help them design their apps, so read on for all the details on the biggest stories from the past week!
iPhone 15 Pro Action Button Options Potentially Revealed
Following in the footsteps of the Apple Watch Ultra, iPhone 15 Pro models are rumored to feature a customizable Action button that can be assigned to various system functions.
In the fourth beta of iOS 17 made available to developers this week, MacRumors contributor Steve Moser discovered potential Action button options for the iPhone buried in the code, including Flashlight, Camera, Shortcuts, Voice Memos, and many others.
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 15 lineup in September, despite a manufacturing issue impacting the Pro models.
Apple Considering Price Hike for iPhone 15 Pro Models
Bloomberg’s Debby Wu and Takashi Mochizuki this week reported that Apple was considering raising the prices of the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro models.
In a research note obtained by MacRumors, Barclays analyst Tim Long said that he expects the iPhone 15 Pro to cost up to $100 more than the iPhone 14 Pro in the U.S., and the iPhone 15 Pro Max to be $100 to $200 more expensive than the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Everything New in iOS 17 Beta 4
In addition to potential Action button options for the iPhone 15 Pro models, the fourth beta of iOS 17 includes a handful of other small additions and changes for the iPhone, so be sure to check out our article rounding up everything new in the latest beta.
iOS 17 should be released in September alongside new iPhones. In the meantime, Apple has released iOS 16.6 with bug fixes and security improvements.
iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus Said to Feature 48-Megapixel Camera That Can Capture More Light
The lower-end iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models launching later this year will feature a 48-megapixel rear camera lens with a new stacked sensor design that can capture more light, according to well-connected Apple industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
A rumor on Weibo claims that the 48-megapixel camera lens on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will have a smaller image sensor than on the iPhone 15 Pro models.
Apple Vision Pro Developer Kits Now Available
While the Vision Pro does not launch in the U.S. until early next year, Apple is now allowing developers to apply for a Vision Pro developer kit to build and test out their apps on the AR/VR headset. The kit is free and must be returned to Apple upon request.
Developers can also apply to attend Vision Pro developer labs that will be hosted by Apple in Cupertino, London, Munich, Shanghai, Singapore, and Tokyo.
Apple Suppliers Reportedly Gearing Up for New Macs Later This Year
Apple’s supply chain will be gearing up for the launch of new Mac models later this year, according to Taiwanese publication DigiTimes.
Earlier this month, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said the first Macs with the M3 chip could launch as early as October of this year. Models due for an update the soonest include the 13-inch MacBook Pro, 13-inch MacBook Air, and 24-inch iMac.
MacRumors Newsletter
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we’ve covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!Tag: Top StoriesThis article, “Top Stories: iPhone 15 Pro Rumors, iOS 17 Beta 4, Vision Pro Developer Kit, and More” first appeared on MacRumors.com
The next iPhone launch is rapidly approaching, and rumors are continuing to fly about what to expect for the next-generation models. Plus, we’re expecting some fresh Mac updates not too long after that.
This week also saw the fourth betas of iOS 17 and related operating system updates as Apple works toward an official release alongside the new iPhones in September, while developers will soon be able to get their hands on Vision Pro headsets to help them design their apps, so read on for all the details on the biggest stories from the past week!
iPhone 15 Pro Action Button Options Potentially Revealed
Following in the footsteps of the Apple Watch Ultra, iPhone 15 Pro models are rumored to feature a customizable Action button that can be assigned to various system functions.
In the fourth beta of iOS 17 made available to developers this week, MacRumors contributor Steve Moser discovered potential Action button options for the iPhone buried in the code, including Flashlight, Camera, Shortcuts, Voice Memos, and many others.
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 15 lineup in September, despite a manufacturing issue impacting the Pro models.
Apple Considering Price Hike for iPhone 15 Pro Models
Bloomberg‘s Debby Wu and Takashi Mochizuki this week reported that Apple was considering raising the prices of the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro models.
In a research note obtained by MacRumors, Barclays analyst Tim Long said that he expects the iPhone 15 Pro to cost up to $100 more than the iPhone 14 Pro in the U.S., and the iPhone 15 Pro Max to be $100 to $200 more expensive than the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Everything New in iOS 17 Beta 4
In addition to potential Action button options for the iPhone 15 Pro models, the fourth beta of iOS 17 includes a handful of other small additions and changes for the iPhone, so be sure to check out our article rounding up everything new in the latest beta.
iOS 17 should be released in September alongside new iPhones. In the meantime, Apple has released iOS 16.6 with bug fixes and security improvements.
iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus Said to Feature 48-Megapixel Camera That Can Capture More Light
The lower-end iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models launching later this year will feature a 48-megapixel rear camera lens with a new stacked sensor design that can capture more light, according to well-connected Apple industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
A rumor on Weibo claims that the 48-megapixel camera lens on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will have a smaller image sensor than on the iPhone 15 Pro models.
Apple Vision Pro Developer Kits Now Available
While the Vision Pro does not launch in the U.S. until early next year, Apple is now allowing developers to apply for a Vision Pro developer kit to build and test out their apps on the AR/VR headset. The kit is free and must be returned to Apple upon request.
Developers can also apply to attend Vision Pro developer labs that will be hosted by Apple in Cupertino, London, Munich, Shanghai, Singapore, and Tokyo.
Apple Suppliers Reportedly Gearing Up for New Macs Later This Year
Apple’s supply chain will be gearing up for the launch of new Mac models later this year, according to Taiwanese publication DigiTimes.
Earlier this month, Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman said the first Macs with the M3 chip could launch as early as October of this year. Models due for an update the soonest include the 13-inch MacBook Pro, 13-inch MacBook Air, and 24-inch iMac.
MacRumors Newsletter
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we’ve covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!
This article, “Top Stories: iPhone 15 Pro Rumors, iOS 17 Beta 4, Vision Pro Developer Kit, and More” first appeared on MacRumors.com