Month: October 2023
Apple’s Work on visionOS Continues With Beta 5 Launch
Apple today seeded the fifth beta of visionOS, the software that runs on the Vision Pro headset. The fourth beta came out in early October, so it has been nearly a month since Apple last released a visionOS update.
Only a limited number of developers have access to Vision Pro at this time, with the headsets used for app testing purposes. Most people do not have access to the visionOS beta outside of Xcode, and it is not entirely clear what Apple is adding in each visionOS update.
Apple is letting developers attend Vision Pro labs around the world, and developers who visit these locations are able to test the Vision Pro in person and get help from Apple engineers on their visionOS apps.
The Vision Pro headset is not expected until early 2024, so Apple still has several months to refine the hardware and software.Related Roundup: watchOS 10Related Forum: Apple ProgrammingThis article, “Apple’s Work on visionOS Continues With Beta 5 Launch” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Apple today seeded the fifth beta of visionOS, the software that runs on the Vision Pro headset. The fourth beta came out in early October, so it has been nearly a month since Apple last released a visionOS update.
Only a limited number of developers have access to Vision Pro at this time, with the headsets used for app testing purposes. Most people do not have access to the visionOS beta outside of Xcode, and it is not entirely clear what Apple is adding in each visionOS update.
Apple is letting developers attend Vision Pro labs around the world, and developers who visit these locations are able to test the Vision Pro in person and get help from Apple engineers on their visionOS apps.
The Vision Pro headset is not expected until early 2024, so Apple still has several months to refine the hardware and software.
This article, “Apple’s Work on visionOS Continues With Beta 5 Launch” first appeared on MacRumors.com
Discuss this article in our forums
Belkin Debuts $130 BoostCharge Pro Dock for iPhone and Apple Watch
Belkin this week announced the launch of its latest charging product, the BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Dock that is able to charge an iPhone and an Apple Watch at the same time.
Available in sand or charcoal colors, the BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Dock has an adjustable iPhone charging mount that can be set to multiple viewing angles from 0 to 70 degrees. It is able to hold an iPhone at the correct landscape angle for StandBy to work, plus it can be positioned into a flat charger for charging devices like AirPods.
The BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Dock includes an official Apple MagSafe charger so it is able to charge compatible MagSafe iPhones at up to 15W. The Apple Watch charging puck is a fast charger so it is able to fast charge the Apple Watch Series 7 and later.
Belkin is selling the BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Dock with a 30W USB-C power supply and a 5-foot braided USB-C cable that is color matched to the charger.
The BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Dock will be available for purchase from Apple starting on November 7. It is priced at $129.95.Tag: BelkinThis article, “Belkin Debuts $130 BoostCharge Pro Dock for iPhone and Apple Watch” first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums
Belkin this week announced the launch of its latest charging product, the BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Dock that is able to charge an iPhone and an Apple Watch at the same time.
Available in sand or charcoal colors, the BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Dock has an adjustable iPhone charging mount that can be set to multiple viewing angles from 0 to 70 degrees. It is able to hold an iPhone at the correct landscape angle for StandBy to work, plus it can be positioned into a flat charger for charging devices like AirPods.
The BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Dock includes an official Apple MagSafe charger so it is able to charge compatible MagSafe iPhones at up to 15W. The Apple Watch charging puck is a fast charger so it is able to fast charge the Apple Watch Series 7 and later.
Belkin is selling the BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Dock with a 30W USB-C power supply and a 5-foot braided USB-C cable that is color matched to the charger.
The BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Dock will be available for purchase from Apple starting on November 7. It is priced at $129.95.
This article, “Belkin Debuts $130 BoostCharge Pro Dock for iPhone and Apple Watch” first appeared on MacRumors.com
Discuss this article in our forums
Tesla Autopilot not responsible for 2019 fatal crash, jury says
It’s Autopilot’s second big jury win in California this year.
Enlarge (credit: Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
Tesla’s controversial driver assistance feature Autopilot has received another pass. On Tuesday a jury in California found that Autopilot was not to blame for a 2019 crash in Riverside County that killed the driver and left his wife and son severely injured. That marks the second time this year a jury has found that Autopilot was not responsible for a serious crash.
The case was filed by the two survivors of the Riverside crash and alleged that an Autopilot malfunction caused Micah Lee’s Tesla Model 3 to veer off a highway at 65 mph (105 km/h) before it struck a tree and burst into flames. Lee died in the crash, and his wife and then-8-year-old son were seriously injured; as a result the plaintiffs asked for $400 million plus punitive damages.
But Tesla denied Autopilot was defective and claimed that Lee had been drinking alcohol before the crash. Nine members of the jury agreed with Tesla after four days of deliberation.
Apple’s App Charges Violate EU Antitrust Law, Dutch Agency Says
Apple could be forced to scale back its App Store fees for developers after one of the European Union’s antitrust watchdogs said its commissions violate the bloc’s rules. From a report: In the latest twist in a long-running clash between the Dutch Authority for Consumers & Markets and the US tech giant, officials ruled that Apple’s commission on certain app subscriptions are an abuse of the company’s market power. In a confidential decision seen by Bloomberg, the Dutch regulator said Apple’s rules unfairly target companies that offer subscription services, such as Match Group’s dating app Tinder, which has to pay high commission rates on app sales, unlike ones that don’t have paid digital content.
Apple harms such companies “by charging them an additional and inexplicably higher fee,” according to the Dutch decision, which was sent in July. Apple had earlier offered to reduce app sale commission in the Netherlands from 30% to 27%, but the ACM’s confidential findings state this offer doesn’t go far enough. The decision could pave the wave for greater antitrust scrutiny across the 27-nation EU on the fairness of Apple’s fee structure for different apps. The European Commission in Brussels is already investigating how Apple restricts apps from informing users of cheaper subscriptions outside the app store.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Apple could be forced to scale back its App Store fees for developers after one of the European Union’s antitrust watchdogs said its commissions violate the bloc’s rules. From a report: In the latest twist in a long-running clash between the Dutch Authority for Consumers & Markets and the US tech giant, officials ruled that Apple’s commission on certain app subscriptions are an abuse of the company’s market power. In a confidential decision seen by Bloomberg, the Dutch regulator said Apple’s rules unfairly target companies that offer subscription services, such as Match Group’s dating app Tinder, which has to pay high commission rates on app sales, unlike ones that don’t have paid digital content.
Apple harms such companies “by charging them an additional and inexplicably higher fee,” according to the Dutch decision, which was sent in July. Apple had earlier offered to reduce app sale commission in the Netherlands from 30% to 27%, but the ACM’s confidential findings state this offer doesn’t go far enough. The decision could pave the wave for greater antitrust scrutiny across the 27-nation EU on the fairness of Apple’s fee structure for different apps. The European Commission in Brussels is already investigating how Apple restricts apps from informing users of cheaper subscriptions outside the app store.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Why Comcast built an accelerator to nurture sports startups
Comcast, a division of NBCUniversal, which broadcasts multiple sports, developed an accelerator to help encourage sports tech startups.
© 2023 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Comcast, a division of NBCUniversal, which broadcasts multiple sports, developed an accelerator to help encourage sports tech startups.
© 2023 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Russia-Ukraine conflict and its global economic impact
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has cautioned about the potential economic consequences arising from the ongoing conflict between Russia and
The post Russia-Ukraine conflict and its global economic impact appeared first on ReadWrite.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has cautioned about the potential economic consequences arising from the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which may severely affect worldwide trade, financial movements, and the availability of crucial commodities. The IMF’s warning highlights the potential risk of disruptions in the global supply chain, along with the possibility of regional destabilization affecting trade and investment decisions. Furthermore, the uncertain future of energy and food markets due to the conflict could contribute to rising inflation rates and put immense pressure on the economies of countries that depend heavily on those exports.
In its initial thorough assessment of the potential macroeconomic outcomes of the conflict, the IMF emphasizes the numerous manners in which the crisis could impact not only the countries involved but also the larger global economy. Gita Gopinath — deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund and chief economist, admits that it is challenging to foresee the full scope of the economic consequences precisely; however, she observes that the ramifications of disrupted trade and surging commodity prices might be significant. As a result of the conflict, there may be ripple effects in various sectors, with some industries bearing the brunt of disrupted supply chains and increased production costs. Additionally, the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the situation could further undermine investor confidence and hamper global economic recovery efforts as businesses and governments worldwide attempt to navigate the evolving landscape.
Impact on the energy sector and food supply chains
The energy sector is particularly prone to the economic impacts of the conflict, as Europe relies on Russia for nearly 40% of its natural gas requirements. Crucial food supply chains could face interruptions, as Ukraine is a major global exporter of agricultural goods such as wheat and corn. This interference could increase food prices, intensifying food security issues globally. In addition to these threats, the potential imposition of further sanctions on Russia by Western countries could impede trade relations and contribute to volatile market conditions. Additionally, the disruptions caused by the conflict could slow down the transition to renewable energy sources, given Russia’s significant role in the oil and gas industry.
Building a robust, sustainable global economy
The present conflict highlights the necessity to develop a more robust, sustainable global economy capable of withstanding geopolitical instability. Strengthening international collaboration, diversifying energy supplies, and establishing defenses against geopolitical risks are all essential for ensuring long-term stability. To achieve this stability, it is imperative for nations to actively cooperate in sharing resources, technology, and expertise while fostering open communication and understanding. Additionally, policymakers must prioritize implementing green energy solutions and invest in innovative technologies, ultimately reducing reliance on non-renewable resources and mitigating the consequences of future conflicts on the world economy.
Featured Image Credit: Photo by Markus Spiske; Pexels; Thank you!
The post Russia-Ukraine conflict and its global economic impact appeared first on ReadWrite.
Atari is buying retro game specialist Digital Eclipse
Atari has agreed to buy developer Digital Eclipse. The acquisition, which is expected to close in the coming days, will be worth up to $20 million based on the performance of Digital Eclipse over the next decade. Atari says that by bringing Digital Eclipse under its wing, it “will be able to further support its retro-focused growth strategy.”
Over the last several years, Digital Eclipse has become well-known for its expertise in remastering older titles and releasing them as collections. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection, Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King and the SNK 40th Anniversary Collection are among its more notable projects.
Digital Eclipse caught the attention of many last year with Atari 50: The Anniversary Collection. That well-regarded compilation pulled together dozens of games from across Atari’s 50-year history and placed them in context with the help of marketing and development documents, archival footage and new interviews with former Atari employees. Digital Eclipse built on the “interactive documentary” format with this year’s release of The Making of Karateka.
It plans to continue with this Gold Master Series preservation project under Atari’s umbrella. It will still have the ability to work with third-party developers and publishers, and there are several non-Atari projects in the works that it has yet to announce.
Atari seems to be on a mission to become a powerhouse in retro gaming and game preservation. It also bought Nightdive Studios, a developer that specializes in remasters, and AtariAge (a community and news site that focuses on Atari) this year. In addition, Atari has been snapping up many gaming franchises from the 1980s and 1990s.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/atari-is-buying-retro-game-specialist-digital-eclipse-195419696.html?src=rss
Atari has agreed to buy developer Digital Eclipse. The acquisition, which is expected to close in the coming days, will be worth up to $20 million based on the performance of Digital Eclipse over the next decade. Atari says that by bringing Digital Eclipse under its wing, it “will be able to further support its retro-focused growth strategy.”
Over the last several years, Digital Eclipse has become well-known for its expertise in remastering older titles and releasing them as collections. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection, Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King and the SNK 40th Anniversary Collection are among its more notable projects.
Digital Eclipse caught the attention of many last year with Atari 50: The Anniversary Collection. That well-regarded compilation pulled together dozens of games from across Atari’s 50-year history and placed them in context with the help of marketing and development documents, archival footage and new interviews with former Atari employees. Digital Eclipse built on the “interactive documentary” format with this year’s release of The Making of Karateka.
It plans to continue with this Gold Master Series preservation project under Atari’s umbrella. It will still have the ability to work with third-party developers and publishers, and there are several non-Atari projects in the works that it has yet to announce.
Atari seems to be on a mission to become a powerhouse in retro gaming and game preservation. It also bought Nightdive Studios, a developer that specializes in remasters, and AtariAge (a community and news site that focuses on Atari) this year. In addition, Atari has been snapping up many gaming franchises from the 1980s and 1990s.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/atari-is-buying-retro-game-specialist-digital-eclipse-195419696.html?src=rss