Migrating from one mobile platform to another is complicated and annoying. With Android Nougat
, however,Google’s making it easier to come on board from an iPhone.
Source: LifeHacker – Android Nougat Now Helps You Import Your Data From Your iPhone
In China, where 80 percent of movie theaters built in the last 10 years have 3D projectors, movie studios often release “exclusive,” three-dimensional adaptations of movies that won’t actually see a 3D release stateside. While that can be lucrative f…
Source: Engadget – ‘Jason Bourne’ in 3D is making moviegoers in China nauseous
New York doubled the number of “measurement points” used by their facial recognitation technology this year, leading to 100 arrests for fraud and identity theft, plus another 900 open cases. An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica:
In all, since New York implemented facial recognition technology in 2010, more than 14,000 people have been hampered trying to get multiple licenses. The newly upgraded system increases the measurement points of a driver’s license picture from 64 to 128.
The DMV said this vastly improves its chances of matching new photographs with one already in a database of 16 million photos… “Facial recognition plays a critical role in keeping our communities safer by cracking down on individuals who break the law,” Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said in a statement. “New York is leading the nation with this technology, and the results from our use of this enhanced technology are proof positive that its use is vital in making our roads safer and holding fraudsters accountable.”
At least 39 US states use some form of facial recognition software, and New York says their new system also “removes high-risk drivers from the road,” stressing that new licenses will no longer be issued until a photo clears their database.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Source: Slashdot – 100 Arrested In New York Thanks To Better Face-Recognition Technology
It’s a cautionary tale and it’s one about letting the tech you love go. And not climbing into literal shit holes.
Source: Gizmodo – Man Gets Stuck In Toilet While Trying to Get Friend’s Phone Back
Being published shortly is a large Windows vs. Linux AMD graphics driver comparison featuring an assortment of OpenGL and Vulkan games. The latest Radeon Software was obviously tested with Windows 10 while under Ubuntu Linux both the AMDGPU-PRO and fully open-source driver stacks were each tested with the cards being used: an R9 Fury and RX 480. For this article as a benefit to Phoronix Premium members is a look at the Direct3D 11 vs. OpenGL vs. Vulkan gaming performance for Dota 2 and The Talos Principle, the only two games with Windows/Linux support where we can test such combinations of renderers…
Source: Phoronix – Direct3D 11 vs. OpenGL vs. Vulkan Radeon Benchmarks On Windows & Linux
ZeniMax is now accusing Carmack of stealing (copying) thousands of VR-related documents and a customized development tool from their offices shortly before and after he stopped working for them. The company also insists that Palmer Luckey is a liar and that he didn’t invent Rift’s VR technology.
“For many years, ZeniMax invested tens of millions of dollars in research and development, including research into virtual reality and immersive technologies. In 2011 and 2012, John Carmack, a singularly experienced and highly proficient ZeniMax programmer who was at that time Technical Director for ZeniMax’s Texas-based subsidiary, id Software, conducted research to address technological issues associated with virtual reality,” the complaint reads. “Carmack and other ZeniMax employees conducted that research at ZeniMax offices, on ZeniMax computers, and using ZeniMax resources.”
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Source: [H]ardOCP – ZeniMax Lawsuit Against Oculus Directly Accuses John Carmack Of Theft
Internet search giants making self-driving cars appears to be a trend, and Russia’s Yandex wants in. It’s partnering with Daimler, truck maker Kamaz and government-backed researchers at NAMI on an autonomous shuttle bus that could carry up to 12 peo…
Source: Engadget – Russia’s search giant is making a self-driving shuttle bus
thegarbz writes: As was covered previously on Slashdot the very hyped up game No Man’s Sky was released to a lot of negative reviews about game-crashing bugs and poor interface choices. Now that players have had more time to play the game it has become clear that many of the features hyped by developers are not present in the game, and users quickly started describing the game as “boring”.
Now, likely due to misleading advertising, Steam has begun allowing refunds for No Man’s Sky regardless of playtime, and there are reports of players getting refunds on the Play Station Network as well despite Sony’s strict no refund policy.
Besides Sony, Amazon is also issuing refunds, according to game sites. In response, Sony’s former Strategic Content Director, Shahid Kamal Ahmad, wrote on Twitter, “If you’re getting a refund after playing a game for 50 hours you’re a thief.” He later added “Here’s the good news: Most players are not thieves. Most players are decent, honest people without whose support there could be no industry.” In a follow-up he acknowledged it was fair to consider a few hours lost to game-breaking crashes, adding “Each case should be considered on its own merits and perhaps I shouldn’t be so unequivocal.”
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Source: Slashdot – Players Seek ‘No Man’s Sky’ Refunds, Sony’s Content Director Calls Them Thieves
(credit: NicoleKlauss)
“Dude, check out who I voted for!”
We soon could be seeing a lot more selfies with that caption. That’s because legislation legalizing ballot selfies in voting booths landed on California Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk on Friday.
Assembly Bill 1494 amends California law that, for now, says “a voter shall not show” a ballot “to any person in such a way as to reveal its contents.” The new law awaiting the governor’s signature says “a voter may voluntarily disclose how he or she voted if that voluntary act does not violate any other law.” The measure passed the state Senate earlier this year and the state Assembly last week on a 63-15 vote.
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Source: Ars Technica – Selfies in voting booths: Depending on where you live, they may be illegal
The 2016 Rio Olympics may be over, but luckily we still have Spider-Man: Homecoming. Damn that boy can flip.
Source: io9 – Tom Holland Shows Us How High His Spider-Man Can Flip
If the administration has its way, trucks and buses would be capped at 60, 65, or 68 mph. All of the horrendous standstill traffic jams I’ve recently dealt with involved turned-over trucks, but it’s hard to say whether the trucker was reckless or some jackass cut him off.
…all newly manufactured trucks, buses, and passenger vehicles weighing more than 26,000 pounds would be required to come equipped with devices limiting their speeds to 60–68 mph. That would cover big rigs, dump trucks, refuse haulers, many buses, and other large work trucks. The new rule is being touted by the feds as an important step toward fighting the rise in traffic fatalities across the country, as well as a key ingredient in lowering CO2 emissions.
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Source: [H]ardOCP – U.S. Government Wants To Electronically Limit Truck Speeds
Mr. Djawadi should be a familiar name to anyone who has even a minor interest in film scores, as he has provided the music for movies such as Iron Man and Pacific Rim, as well as shows that include Game of Thrones and Prison Break. As an aside, I don’t mind suffering through a bad game or movie as long as it has a good soundtrack.
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Source: [H]ardOCP – Ramin Djawadi Is Scoring Gears Of War 4
Solar installations are rising while prices have been steadily declining since 2010. The article points out that lower costs are due to factors ranging from less costly inverters to cheaper installation and permitting.
…the latest data show that the continued decrease in solar prices is unlikely to slow down anytime soon, with total installed prices dropping by 5 percent for rooftop residential systems, and 12 percent for larger utility-scale solar farms. With solar already achieving record-low prices, the cost decline observed in 2015 indicates that the coming years will likely see utility-scale solar become cost competitive with conventional forms of electricity generation.
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Source: [H]ardOCP – Price Of Solar Declining To Unprecedented Lows
Tiki cocktails have the undeserved reputation of being overly sweet and fruity, but—when done correctly—they are complex, balanced, and super drinkable. Lucky Peach has a simple template to help you construct your very own.
Source: LifeHacker – Make Your Own Tiki Cocktails with This Easy Formula
Nintendo is notorious for surprising players with games that fall on both sides of the fan service spectrum. Whether we’ll ever get a title starring the beloved anti-hero duo that is Wario and Waluigi is unknown, but it would sure make for a wonderfully bizarre outing.
Source: Kotaku – It’s Time We Got A Super Wario Bros. Game
Slashdot reader schwit1 quotes an article from The Telegraph: An Indonesian man who claims to be the longest living human in recorded history has described how he “just wants to die”. Mbah Gotho, from Sragen in central Java, was born on December 31, 1870, according to the date of birth on his identity card. Now officials at the local record office say they have finally been able to confirm that remarkable date as genuine. If independently confirmed, the findings would make Mr Gotho a staggering 145 years old — and the longest lived human in recorded history. “One of Mr Gotho’s grandsons said his grandfather has been preparing for his death ever since he was 122,” according to the article. Though he lived long enough to meet his great-great grandchildren, he’s already outlived four wives, all 10 of his brothers and sisters, and all of his children.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Source: Slashdot – ‘Longest Living Human’ Says He Is Ready For Death At 145
Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld Florida have all put up signs about mosquito prevention efforts today. The Florida theme parks will also start offering free mosquito repellant to any visitors who ask for it. But curiously you won’t find the one word that matters on any of the signs or handouts: Zika.
Source: Gizmodo – Walt Disney World Won’t Say The Word Zika
Find out who will win in the final Hackbotz showdown between the Death-A-Nator, Ghandi-Bot and Mr. Pointy? Ben’s weapon of choice is an “intimidation knife” that’s attached with 3D printed parts, but how useful will that be? Then he reveals the c…
Source: Engadget – Ben Heck’s Hackbot wars, part 3
San Diego Comic-Con gave a small group of about 7,000 people a peek at what Thor was doing while everyone else was in-fighting in Captain America: Civil War. Well, now you can find out for yourself.
Source: io9 – So Here’s What Thor Was Up To During Civil War
You may not know his name, but chances are you’ve seen some of Ko Takeuchi’s art. Best known for his simple designs and bold lines, Takeuchi has helped shape the look of both the WarioWare and Rhythm Heaven series. He also draws a lot of nerdy icons, memes, and adorable characters in his spare time.
Source: Kotaku – Ko Takeuchi Is The Master Of Nerd Culture Doodles