This week in tech
We got our hands on the Dulux Visualizer 3.0. It is a free application on both the Google Play Store here, and Apple App Store here. The Dulux Visualizer is an augmented reality app that virtually alters a room’s wall colour. You can use it to take photos or videos of your visualized room and share on social media. Friends and family can feedback and comment on your colours too while also giving you suggestions with the app.
Oculus just updated their software recently. They removed their Headset-specific Digital Rights Management (DRM) restrictions in this update. The DRM has proven to be quite unpopular among users as it allows only the use of Oculus Rift to play Oculus Virtual Reality (VR) games. The removal of this DRM now allows people to use headsets like the HTC Vive to play their VR games.
Xiaomi introduced their latest addition to the electronics family. It is an electric bike named the Mi Qicycle. The Qicycle has a 250W 36V motor that will be propelled by an 18,650 litium-ion battery packed into the body of the bicycle for about 45km before needing a charge. There is a smart software fitted with the bike to track and manage its battery, show ride statistics, and control its ride settings. There are four ride modes on this vehicle; Fitness, Power Save, Balanced, and Battery Charge (you expected – Sport, Eco, Balanced, and Comfort huh? It is not a car). For pedaling it will come with a Shimano Nexus 3-speed gear. It is a foldable bike so it will stow away pretty easily. This 14.5kg of Xiaomi goodness will set you back RMB2,999 (MYR1,798).
Adobe just updated their Creative Cloud (CC) services. You get new Stock services for all the desktop apps. There are a tonne of new features on some CC desktop apps too. With Creative Sync and Assets you get super easy access to all your previous materials or at least your favourite ones; Comic Sans font anyone? CC for Enterprises is now faster and way more secure with new payment plans.
Andy Rubin, father of Android is out of Google. But this does not mean he is out of the tech industry. Recently he has been investing heavily on Quantum computing. He also states that Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) is the future and that quantum computing is the key to an A.I. future.
Acquire!
Incipio just acquired Skull Candy. Incipio is a accessories company based in California. Last year they bought over InCase and ClamCase. Skull Candy makes premium budget headphones. Incipio is technically expanding their accessories empire with this one.
Google Fiber acquired Webpass. Webpass is a San Francisco based Gigabit internet service provider. With Webpass expect Google Fiber’s expansion speed to explode.
Samsung made two acquisitions one right after another. First up they got a cloud computing startup named Joyent. Experts are suggesting that Samsung will be looking to be more competitive in the cloud computing services while improving and enhancing other services. Right after Joyent they acquired AdGear, a canadian based digital advertising solutions provider. With AdGear they are planning to use their SmartTVs as advertising mediums while providing advertising solution and services to existing clients.
In The Courts
Apple is being sued by a small Chinese firm Shenzen Baili for infringing a certain design patent. The infringement was targeted towards the iPhone 6 and above. Oddly the small tech manufacturer hardly even exist with no website or proper communication channel at all. Its lawyer says though it is “operational at its necessary functions.”
Qualcomm is also looking to take on a Chinese manufacturer to court. The manufacturer in question is Meizu. Qualcomm has filed a formal complaint against Meizu for the infringement of 3G and 4G radio standards patent. Latest update says that Meizu is in talks with Qualcomm to reach an agreement but they are ready to go to the courts if Qualcomm decides to pursue a legal case.
Launches, Not Lunches
Samsung just launched their Notebook 7 Spin, a windows 10 convertible laptop PC. They also launched Samsung Creators in America for filmmakers and storytellers. The purpose of the project is to assist and encourage filmmakers and storytellers create more contents using Samsung’s technology especially their VR and 360 contents. That said, Samsung also opened the Samsung VR platform (previously known s Samsung Milk VR) to the public so filmmakers can now share their 360 and VR contents with the public.
A little late, but Samsung also participated in the E3 with EA by showcasing their latest curved screen gaming monitors.
Local Flavours
ASUS organised an ROG Champions Cup on the 25th of June, 2016 in Sunway Pyramid in collaboration with Garena. The game of choice for this tournaments is League of Legends (LoL). This LoL gathering has brought over 1,500 gamers to Sunway Pyramid to compete.
Grab has launched their new inter-country, inter-border car sharing service. Known as Hitch, app users can now order Grabcar that would take them from Johor to Singapore. Average cost for a round trip will be SG$12 or MYR36. This is all good but apparently the Singaporean government is not too happy, saying that this is an illegal service.
