Tuesday, October 07, 2014

Article: After a strong start, Hyperlapse looks a lot like Facebook’s other failed experiments

Hyperlapse, released under the guise of Instagram, initially out-performed Facebook's other side projects — Poke, Slingshot, Camera, and Paper — on the App Store charts. But now, a mere six weeks since launch, interest in Hyperlapse appears to be fading fast. Hyperlapse is Instagram's iOS-only ap...

http://venturebeat.com/2014/10/06/after-a-strong-start-hyperlapse-looks-a-lot-like-facebooks-other-failed-experiments/

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Article: Obscure lets you edit messages, send them, and delete them later if you want

Obscure is a new free app that has arrived to Google Play, bringing an experience somewhat akin to photo/message sharing apps like Snapchat but with a few twists to the experience. Obscure actually lets you send messages and pictures to your existing contacts, Google+ friends, Facebook friends an...

http://www.androidauthority.com/obscure-app-534328/

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Monday, October 06, 2014

ESPN deal lets you stream live NBA games without needing TV service

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/05/espn-nba-live-streaming-service-leak/

DeAndre Jordan of the LA Clippers

ESPN has made plenty of forays into streaming video, but services like WatchESPN typically require that you already have TV service. That partly defeats the point of viewing online, don't you think? However, you might not face that limitation for much longer. According to sources for the Wall Street Journal, the NBA has signed a pact with Disney (ESPN's parent) to launch a new streaming service that doesn't demand a cable or satellite subscription -- a big deal for ESPN, which still makes most of its money from paid TV. Just how it differs from the NBA's own League Pass isn't clear, although both are focused on live regular season games. In other words, you'll still have to fire up an old-fashioned TV to watch the playoffs in real-time. Just when it arrives isn't clear, although you may not have to wait long for an announcement. If the tipsters are accurate, the NBA will announce its partnership as early as Monday.

[Image credit: Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images]

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Source: Wall Street Journal

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The new Unreal Engine will bring eerily realistic skin to your games

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/06/unreal-engine-4-5/

Skin in Unreal Engine 4.5

It hasn't been hard to produce realistic-looking skin in computer-generated movies, but it's much harder to do that in the context of a game running live on your console or PC. That trip to the uncanny valley is going to be much easier in the near future, though, thanks to the impending arrival of Unreal Engine 4.5. The gaming framework adds subsurface light scattering effects that give digital skin a more natural look. Instead of the harsh visuals you normally get (see the pale, excessively-shadowed face at left), you'll see softer, decidedly fleshier surfaces (middle and right). The scattering should also help out with leaves, candle wax and other materials that are rarely drawn well in your favorite action games.

That's not the only party trick. A new raytracing technique should produce soft, reasonably authentic long shadows in sunsets. Mobile games can finally handle dynamic shadows, too, so a character carrying a lantern may look that much more ominous. Developers will have to implement the new Unreal Engine in their projects before you can see the upgrades first-hand, but it shouldn't be too long before you're playing shooters and other titles that feel much more true to life.

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Source: Unreal Engine

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Sunday, October 05, 2014

HTC's next Desire phone reportedly captures 13-megapixel selfies

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/04/htc-desire-eye-leak/

HTC Desire Eye in blue and red

If you've wanted to shoot 13-megapixel selfies with your phone, you've usually had to get either a knock-off or a one-of-a-kind device like Oppo's N1. You might not have to look very hard if a handful of leaks are correct, however. Both HTCFamily.ru and @upleaks have posted pictures of what's reportedly the HTC Desire Eye, a relatively conventional upper mid-range Android phone that would pack 13-megapixel cameras on both the front and back. They'd even have flashes to help with those dimly-lit dance club snapshots.

The Desire Eye could be quite the powerhouse beyond its photographic abilities, too. Another rumor from @upleaks has it carrying a 5.2-inch 1080p display, a speedy quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor, 2GB of RAM and 32GB of built-in storage. There's no direct clues as to when this new Desire would show up, although HTC already has a "double exposure" event lined up for October 8th. It won't be shocking if the company has more up its sleeve that day than an action camera.

HTC Desire Eye

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Source: HTCFamily.ru (Twitter), @upleaks (Twitter 1), (2)

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