Minecraft is ending all virtual reality support next spring

For Minecraft players, virtual and mixed reality will soon go the way of a hissing creeper. Developer Mojang announced last month that March 2025 would be the last update for the game on PlayStation VR. Yesterday’s patch notes for the Bedrock edition of the game use similar language, stating that “Our ability to support VR/MR devices has come to an end, and will no longer be supported in updates after March of 2025.”

All is not lost for the block builders who have been enjoying Minecraft in virtual reality. After the final March 2025 update, the patch notes clarify that “you can keep building in your worlds, and your Marketplace purchases (including Minecoins) will continue to be available on a non-VR/MR graphics device such as a computer monitor.” It’s a sad development for a game that was such a good match for the VR experience. And with the huge sales figures Minecraft continues to put up year after year, it’s also a bit discouraging for the broader virtual reality and mixed reality ecosystem to lose such an iconic title.

There is a silver lining for the Minecraft community, however. After a very long wait, the game finally has a native edition available for the PlayStation 5. Sony’s latest console generation has been relegated to using the PS4 version until now, but going forward the game will have 4K resolution and 60 fps even at a longer draw distance. If you’re a PS5 owner who already has the PS4 version of Minecraft, you can claim the new update for free in the PlayStation Store. And with the Bundles of Bravery update rolling out yesterday, it’s a promising time to start a new blocky adventure.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/minecraft-is-ending-all-virtual-reality-support-next-spring-212953347.html?src=rss

JVCKENWOOD Showcases Brainwave-Activated AI-Driven Music Composition and Video Creation At CEATEC 2024

At CEATEC 2024, we visited the JVCKENWOOD booth, which featured three areas themed around “Connecting people, time, and space to create the future.” This aligns with the company’s philosophy of “bringing excitement and peace of mind to people around the world” through cutting-edge technology to enrich lives. JVCKENWOOD showcased innovative video, audio, and wireless solutions designed to create new value for the future. The first area, labeled by the company “Impression – Entertainment Area,” * featured tech demonstrations that engaged all five senses—vision, hearing, touch, smell, and taste—providing a deeply immersive, multi-sensory experience.

JVCKENWOOD booth 3D rendering for CEATEC 2024 – image courtesy of JVCKENWOOD

AI Creates Music and Video Based On Your Subconscious Emotional Response

At the JVCKENWOOD booth’s “Impression Entertainment Area,”* we experienced an innovative demo combining brainwave detection, human senses, and AI to create personalized music and video. Participants are exposed to stimuli, such as pre-prepared videos, designed to evoke emotional responses. A brainwave headset then detects the emotions generated, and AI uses this data to compose music and project corresponding images in real-time. The result, described as “the music and video you created,” is played back. The AI further classifies the participant’s subconscious reactions, automatically generating music and visuals that reflect their emotional state, offering a unique interactive experience.

How Does The Technology Behind the Emotion-driven AI-Generated Music And Video Creation Work?

Suguru Goto, Associate Professor in the Department of Musical Creativity and the Environment at Tokyo University of the Arts, presented a demo developed by a team of researchers with the support of JVCKENWOOD. Suguru Goto, who is also a composer and a media artist, showcased the innovative use of brain-computer interface technology for art creation at the JVCKENWOOD booth.

How Did The Demo Work?

The team used an Emotiv Insight EEG headset designed to help researchers and engineers develop innovative solutions for brain-computer interfaces in various fields. Having personally tested several Emotiv products in their early days, I can vouch for the robustness of their brainwave-enabled hardware tools, which have become trusted solutions in neuroscience-based interface development.

When we arrived at the demo, the headset was already calibrated to the participant’s brainwaves. According to Suguru Goto, the system requires just a few minutes to calibrate for each new user. The process began with a brief meditation session, followed by the participant viewing several pre-prepared videos designed to trigger specific emotional responses. The Emotiv Insight headset recorded the brainwaves during these activities while AI-driven software interpreted the data.

Suguru Goto explained that brainwaves are analyzed using machine learning algorithms, which categorize the data into 28 emotional states. These states are organized on a Cartesian plane, with the X-axis (horizontal) ranging from discomfort (unpleasure) to pleasure, and the Y-axis (vertical) ranging from alertness (arousing) to sleepiness.He also showed me a tablet displaying a graphic representation of how the software further divides these 28 emotional states into 64 subdivisions, providing a more detailed view of the participant’s emotional responses.

28 emotional states, subdivided into 64 divisions, are organized on a Cartesian plane, with the X-axis (horizontal) ranging from discomfort (unpleasure) to pleasure and the Y-axis (vertical) ranging from alertness (arousing) to sleepiness.

After the participant completed the video sessions, the system automatically generated music and video based on his emotional responses. This demonstration highlighted how brainwave data, combined with artificial intelligence, can create subconscious-based personalized audio-visual content, offering a glimpse into the potential of brain-computer interface technologies in creative fields.

For the demo at CEATEC, the sound was played through  JVCKENWOOD wooden speakers, and the AI-generated video was displayed on a large screen.

The artistic concept of the project, shared with me in a private video, involves showing emotion-triggering videos on a monitor facing the participant, while the AI-generated visuals are projected onto the floor in a dark room where the person is seated.

 

Beyond AI-based Art: Unlock Limitless Possibilities For Human Wellness

Even though this is an impressive artistic research project, Associate Professor Suguru Goto indicated that it offers significant potential for health-related applications, particularly mental health care. 

I know that Emotiv’s primary goal is to provide high-quality EEG-based hardware and software tools to enable researchers to develop solutions that improve cognitive and mental health. This includes creating innovative approaches to music neurofeedback therapy.

JVCKENWOOD Wooden-made SP-WS02BT speakers – the audio playback was great

In addition to video stimuli, other sensory inputs—such as sound, taste, and smell—could also trigger emotional responses in participants. For example, the participant could hold a JVCKENWOOD “Hug Speaker” (see photo), which vibrates in sync with the sound, or enjoy the scent of the wood from speakers crafted from various types of natural wood. These stimuli could complement the AI-generated video and music created from brainwave data.

“Hug Speaker” – photo courtesy of JVCKENWOOD

Although we didn’t experience the demo for other sensory stimuli at the booth, I am confident they would work seamlessly with the same demo setup and AI-driven software, creating images and music based on the participant’s subconscious emotional response to this sensory stimulation.

* Editor’s note: “Impression – Entertainment Area” is an English translation by Google based on JVCKENWOOD  Japanese Press Release

JVCKENWOOD Showcases Brainwave-Activated AI-Driven Music Composition and Video Creation At CEATEC 2024

, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

Minecraft is ending all virtual reality support next spring

For Minecraft players, virtual and mixed reality will soon go the way of a hissing creeper. Developer Mojang announced last month that March 2025 would be the last update for the game on PlayStation VR. Yesterday’s patch notes for the Bedrock edition of the game use similar language, stating that “Our ability to support VR/MR devices has come to an end, and will no longer be supported in updates after March of 2025.”

All is not lost for the block builders who have been enjoying Minecraft in virtual reality. After the final March 2025 update, the patch notes clarify that “you can keep building in your worlds, and your Marketplace purchases (including Minecoins) will continue to be available on a non-VR/MR graphics device such as a computer monitor.” It’s a sad development for a game that was such a good match for the VR experience. And with the huge sales figures Minecraft continues to put up year after year, it’s also a bit discouraging for the broader virtual reality and mixed reality ecosystem to lose such an iconic title.

There is a silver lining for the Minecraft community, however. After a very long wait, the game finally has a native edition available for the PlayStation 5. Sony’s latest console generation has been relegated to using the PS4 version until now, but going forward the game will have 4K resolution and 60 fps even at a longer draw distance. If you’re a PS5 owner who already has the PS4 version of Minecraft, you can claim the new update for free in the PlayStation Store. And with the Bundles of Bravery update rolling out yesterday, it’s a promising time to start a new blocky adventure.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/minecraft-is-ending-all-virtual-reality-support-next-spring-212953347.html?src=rss

Minecraft is ending all virtual reality support next spring

For Minecraft players, virtual and mixed reality will soon go the way of a hissing creeper. Developer Mojang announced last month that March 2025 would be the last update for the game on PlayStation VR. Yesterday’s patch notes for the Bedrock edition of the game use similar language, stating that “Our ability to support VR/MR devices has come to an end, and will no longer be supported in updates after March of 2025.”

All is not lost for the block builders who have been enjoying Minecraft in virtual reality. After the final March 2025 update, the patch notes clarify that “you can keep building in your worlds, and your Marketplace purchases (including Minecoins) will continue to be available on a non-VR/MR graphics device such as a computer monitor.” It’s a sad development for a game that was such a good match for the VR experience. And with the huge sales figures Minecraft continues to put up year after year, it’s also a bit discouraging for the broader virtual reality and mixed reality ecosystem to lose such an iconic title.

There is a silver lining for the Minecraft community, however. After a very long wait, the game finally has a native edition available for the PlayStation 5. Sony’s latest console generation has been relegated to using the PS4 version until now, but going forward the game will have 4K resolution and 60 fps even at a longer draw distance. If you’re a PS5 owner who already has the PS4 version of Minecraft, you can claim the new update for free in the PlayStation Store. And with the Bundles of Bravery update rolling out yesterday, it’s a promising time to start a new blocky adventure.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/minecraft-is-ending-all-virtual-reality-support-next-spring-212953347.html?src=rss

Tesla says it will ‘begin launching’ new and more affordable EVs next year

One of Tesla’s biggest downsides has always been the upfront cost of its electric vehicles versus gas models. The cheapest car it currently sells is $42,490 before subsidies, and the average Kelley Blue Book starting price of its 2024 models is just over $63,000.

Tesla wrote in its third-quarter disclosure report that it’s making “preparations” to offer new vehicles with “more affordable models.” The EV maker’s cost of goods sold per vehicle also came down to “its lowest level ever” at $35,1000.

“Plans for new vehicles, including more affordable models, remain on track for start of production in the first half of 2025,” the report reads. “These vehicles will utilize aspects of the next generation platform as well as aspects of our current platforms and will be able to be produced on the same manufacturing lines as our current vehicle line-up.”

Tesla also says it plans to “begin launching” its cheaper EV models “in the first half of 2025.” That wording is still fairly loose, so there’s no guarantee that a new model will ship the same year.

The other surprise in Tesla’s report came from the numbers. It turns out that despite setbacks like the Cybertruck’s fifth recall and a federal investigation into its EVs’ Full Self-Driving feature, Tesla had a fairly robust third quarter. The carmaker’s net income rose by 8 percent to $2.51 billion and sales rose by 2 percent year-over-year. The news also ends its four-quarter streak of missed earnings targets.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/tesla-says-it-will-begin-launching-new-and-more-affordable-evs-next-year-215038050.html?src=rss

Roblox to launch new child safety protocols next month

Roblox has adopted several new policies designed to give parents control over how their children use the sprawling online game platform. Bloomberg reported that the company has created a new type of parental account so that a guardian can oversee their kids’ online activities and friends. Roblox is also now requiring parent permission for users under age 13 to access certain features. Users age 9 and younger will also need permission in order to access game modes with moderate violence or crude humor. The publication said these changes are slated to go into effect next month.

Concerns about safety for young players have been a recurring issue for Roblox. The platform faced a lawsuit claiming exploitation of a minor in 2022. Sony was reluctant to host the game on its hardware over questions of whether Roblox exposed children to inappropriate sexual content, and the same justification led to a ban in Turkey earlier this year. Hindenburg Research recently released an exposé about predatory behavior as well as misleading financial activity at Roblox (although that source has a shaky reputation of its own). An investigation by Bloomberg Businessweek found that at least two dozen people have been arrested by US law enforcement since 2018 for abusing or abducting child victims they met on Roblox.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/roblox-to-launch-new-child-safety-protocols-next-month-225552516.html?src=rss

Tesla says it will ‘begin launching’ new and more affordable EVs next year

One of Tesla’s biggest downsides has always been the upfront cost of its electric vehicles versus gas models. The cheapest car it currently sells is $42,490 before subsidies, and the average Kelley Blue Book starting price of its 2024 models is just over $63,000.

Tesla wrote in its third-quarter disclosure report that it’s making “preparations” to offer new vehicles with “more affordable models.” The EV maker’s cost of goods sold per vehicle also came down to “its lowest level ever” at $35,1000.

“Plans for new vehicles, including more affordable models, remain on track for start of production in the first half of 2025,” the report reads. “These vehicles will utilize aspects of the next generation platform as well as aspects of our current platforms and will be able to be produced on the same manufacturing lines as our current vehicle line-up.”

Tesla also says it plans to “begin launching” its cheaper EV models “in the first half of 2025.” That wording is still fairly loose, so there’s no guarantee that a new model will ship the same year.

The other surprise in Tesla’s report came from the numbers. It turns out that despite setbacks like the Cybertruck’s fifth recall and a federal investigation into its EVs’ Full Self-Driving feature, Tesla had a fairly robust third quarter. The carmaker’s net income rose by 8 percent to $2.51 billion and sales rose by 2 percent year-over-year. The news also ends its four-quarter streak of missed earnings targets.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/tesla-says-it-will-begin-launching-new-and-more-affordable-evs-next-year-215038050.html?src=rss

Blizzard announces Warcraft 30th anniversary stream next month

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Warcraft gaming universe but there’s not going to be a BlizzCon gathering to celebrate it. So Blizzard is doing the next-best thing by holding a live streaming event.

Blizzard announced that its special Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct stream will start at 1PM ET on Wednesday, November 13. The broadcast will run on Blizzard’s official streaming channels for Twitch, YouTube and TikTok.

There aren’t many details available about what Warcraft fans can expect to see during the livestream except for a special concert celebrating World of Warcraft’s 20th anniversary. Following the stream, Blizzard will broadcast a live concert called World of Warcraft: 20 Years of Music from Switzerland. The 21st Century Orchestra and the choirs Tales of Fantasy, Ardito and the Madrijazz Gospel will perform selected songs from the MMORPG’s iconic soundtrack.

Activision Blizzard announced back in April that it wouldn’t be holding a BlizzCon gathering this year despite WoW’s momentous milestone. Maybe that’s because things have been a little rocky for the game company in the past few years. Microsoft included Activision Blizzard in its round of 1,900 layoffs alongside ZeniMax at the beginning of the year, and in the months after the studio formed the largest wall-to-wall union in the industry.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/blizzard-announces-warcraft-30th-anniversary-stream-next-month-210021972.html?src=rss

ROSCon 2024: LG Unveils Self-Driving AI Home Hub And Open SDK

At ROSCon 2024, LG Electronics unveiled its Self-Driving AI Home Hub, showcasing its open Software Development Kit (SDK). The event, held in Odense, Denmark, from October 21-23, brings together Robot Operating System (ROS) developers from various skill levels to exchange ideas and innovations.

LG’s exhibit focuses on demonstrating the Self-Driving AI Home Hub’s capabilities, such as storytelling, small talk, and reading sessions using Optical Character Recognition (OCR). Visitors also get hands-on experience with LG’s APIs through a guided experience using predefined apps.

LG’s open SDK package allows developers to enhance and customize the AI Home Hub’s functionality. Through standardized ROS 2 interfaces, developers can access various tools and APIs to create or expand applications for the Hub. The SDK is available on LG’s developer site, which also offers a platform for community interaction and an application marketplace.

LG is actively seeking partnerships with organizations for advanced development projects, providing engineering samples and pursuing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreements.

Baek Seung-min, head of LG’s Advanced Robotics Lab, will give a talk during the conference on optimizing the SDK’s performance for the AI Home Hub. LG’s strategy aims to promote an open platform ecosystem, allowing users to personalize their home appliances by downloading services. This initiative reflects LG’s broader vision of leading the evolution of smart home technologies.

At ROSCon 2024 attendees can explore the Self-Driving AI Home Hub and its development tools at LG’s booth, located on the first floor of the Odeon Concert Hall.

ROSCon 2024: LG Unveils Self-Driving AI Home Hub And Open SDK

, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

TCL LINKPORT IK511: Affordable 5G Connectivity With Qualcomm X35

On October 17, 2024, TCL has introduced the TCL LINKPORT IK511, a portable 5G connectivity device developed in collaboration with T-Mobile, o Designed as an affordable entry into 5G, it offers a faster, more reliable, and secure experience compared to Wi-Fi and 4G LTE. This release is a key milestone in enhancing wireless communication across the continent.

The device features the Qualcomm Snapdragon X35 5G Modem-RF System, launched on November 6, 2023. This modem enables connection to T-Mobile’s 5G RedCap [Reduced Capability] network (we talk more about the tech in this article), which provides improved power efficiency, extended battery life, and better 5G coverage with high uplink speeds and low latency.

Notably, the TCL LINKPORT IK511 is the first 5G RedCap device available in North America, allowing users to upgrade their existing devices without purchasing entirely new hardware.

It is important to note that the TCL device is not an IoT device. While MediaTek’s RedCap-enabled SoC (T300) for IoT integrates a modem (M60), Qualcomm’s X35 is solely a modem, requiring integration into a device with an existing processor, microcontroller, or SoC—essentially, the “brain” of the device.

The LINKPORT IK511 offers plug-and-play 5G connectivity via USB-C, supports major operating systems, and provides up to 220 Mbps data transfer speeds. It delivers significantly faster speeds than traditional tethering and LTE Cat 4 connections, along with advanced features like network slicing for businesses.

Priced at $96, with a 50% limited-time discount, the device is an affordable option for upgrading to 5G.

TCL LINKPORT IK511: Affordable 5G Connectivity With Qualcomm X35

, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.