First trailer for A Minecraft Movie delivers on iconic in-game moments

A Minecraft Movie has dropped its first full-length trailer today, expanding on the blocky world hinted at by the teaser released in September. While the game Minecraft gives players only the barest sense of direction, there will be a traditional story driving A Minecraft Movie.

Jack Black provides a voiceover about how his character, Minecraft mascot and stock avatar Steve, was drawn to the mines as a child and discovered the Overworld. He teams up with four other people, seemingly from the real world we know, to protect the Overworld from “dark forces” with their inventiveness and creativity. This all sounds like pretty standard fare for a video game movie — rag-tag group of misfits band together and learn the power of friendship. It’s unclear whether their foes will be baddies from the Nether or the End, because while those can be a pain, they canonically don’t seem interested in world domination.

But I’m not here for a clever, compelling plot. The trailer is a sizzle reel of familiar in-game experiences, and that’s exactly what I want. Taming a wolf with a bone, making a chicken-roasting redstone machine and nighttime coming way faster than you want it to all get their due. The team certainly did their homework on that front. The art style they’ve chosen doesn’t speak to me, but I’m also willing to admit to some bias after hundreds of hours spent looking at the original source material. I’m also not sure if they’ll stick the landing on the humor and emotion or whether it’ll fall flat like an elytra that’s run out of juice. We’ll find out when A Minecraft Movie releases on April 5, 2025.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/first-trailer-for-a-minecraft-movie-delivers-on-iconic-in-game-moments-210252851.html?src=rss

Japan Display’s ZINNSIA Technology: Transforming Everyday Materials into Interactive Sensors

At CEATEC 2024, Japan Display Inc. (JDI) introduced ZINNSIA, a sensor interface technology that has the potential to change how everyday materials can be turned into interactive touch-sensitive surfaces. Originally unveiled in June, the ZINNSIA sensor was showcased at CEATEC with a series of demonstrations designed to illustrate the vast potential for integrating sensor functionality into a wide array of materials, ranging from wood and marble to fabric and leather.

ZINNSIA is a highly adaptable sensing solution that can detect motion even through thick and irregular surfaces. This innovative technology paves the way for seamless and unobtrusive sensing experiences. Its core feature lies in its ability to transform materials that were once considered unfeasible for capacitive sensing into functional touch interfaces, granting designers a new level of creative freedom.

How ZINNSIA Works

The core of ZINNSIA’s functionality is a sensing mat placed behind the target material or object. This mat transforms the surface into a capacitive touch sensor capable of detecting movements without the need for direct contact. Even hovering a hand or a finger above the material can trigger a response. Unlike other technologies turning objects into touch interfaces, such as depth cameras,  ZINNSIA is more reliable and efficient, maintaining its sensitivity through thicker and uneven materials. The precision of JDI’s capacitive sensor sets it apart, even when dealing with objects of complex or irregular shapes.

Demonstrations at CEATEC 2024

JDI’s exhibit showcased the versatility of ZINNSIA through several live demonstrations, each highlighting the different ways the technology can be used across diverse applications. Here are some of the highlights from the event:

Lighting Control Using

Lighting Control with Different Types Of Materials

One of the most interactive parts of JDI’s booth featured six different materials, all of which could be used to control a light. By merely hovering a hand over these surfaces, visitors could switch the light on or off and adjust its intensity. The demonstration underlined the ability of ZINNSIA to work through a variety of surfaces without requiring any physical contact, emphasizing its potential for smart home applications where aesthetics and seamless integration are important.

Thick Wood Board Sensing

A standout demonstration involved a thick wooden board. Despite the material’s density, the ZINNSIA sensor could accurately detect hand positions and movements from up to 10 centimeters above the surface. A JDI representative explained that ZINNSIA could adapt to different material shapes, transforming them into functional remote controls. This capability indicates a future where wooden furniture, for example, could be embedded with hidden controls for home automation.

Interactive Furry Object For Kids

Another intriguing use case shown at CEATEC revolved around a furry object that simulated an interactive stuffed toy. This setup suggested the potential for ZINNSIA to be integrated into children’s toys, allowing them to respond to different types of touch and motion. Although the CEATEC team did not personally experience this demo, it featured a display of a digital cat face that reacted on a laptop screen. By interacting with a soft, blue, furry object, visitors could make the virtual cat respond with various animations, demonstrating how the technology could enhance the sensory experience of toys and make them more engaging for children.

House Plant Becomes A Touch Panel

One of the most imaginative and playful demos featured a house plant that produced sounds when its leaves were touched. ZINNSIA technology leveraged the natural fluctuations in electric potential that occur when plant leaves are touched. These slight variations were conducted through the roots to the plant pot, where a flexible printed circuit (FPC) substrate detected the signal.

Here’s how the setup worked:

  1. An FPC substrate, using the same capacitive touchscreen method as found in smartphones, was positioned beneath the plant pot.
  2. This substrate was connected to a PC via a cable, which processed the signals generated when the leaves were touched.
  3. The slight changes in electric potential caused by the vibrations when touching the leaves were transmitted to the PC, prompting an app to play back preset sounds. Even though there was a gap between the leaves and the bottom of the pot, ZINNSIA’s high sensitivity allowed the plant to function like a touch panel.

The audio output included cheerful phrases like “Konnichiwa” (hello) and “Yokoso” (welcome), and the demo demonstrated how even houseplants could be used as interactive switches. JDI representative noted that the output action could be customized beyond sound, potentially enabling lights or other devices to be controlled through plant interactions.

Applications For Education

ZINNSIA’s potential in educational settings was highlighted through interactive demos designed to make learning engaging and immersive for children. One featured a poster of the solar system, where kids could touch different planets and celestial bodies to receive detailed information displayed on a connected monitor. This hands-on approach transforms a simple educational poster into an interactive learning tool, making complex concepts more accessible and memorable for young learners.

Another educational demo showcased a poster aimed at teaching English vocabulary. The poster displayed various images of everyday objects, fruits, and animals. By pointing at any image, the connected monitor would pronounce the word, helping children learn pronunciation and word association in an engaging, tactile manner. These applications underscore ZINNSIA’s potential to revolutionize educational materials, turning them into interactive resources that can captivate and educate simultaneously.

Japan Display’s ZINNSIA Technology: Transforming Everyday Materials into Interactive Sensors

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

Japan Display’s ZINNSIA Technology: Transforming Everyday Materials into Interactive Sensors

At CEATEC 2024, Japan Display Inc. (JDI) introduced ZINNSIA, a sensor interface technology that has the potential to change how everyday materials can be turned into interactive touch-sensitive surfaces. Originally unveiled in June, the ZINNSIA sensor was showcased at CEATEC with a series of demonstrations designed to illustrate the vast potential for integrating sensor functionality into a wide array of materials, ranging from wood and marble to fabric and leather.

ZINNSIA is a highly adaptable sensing solution that can detect motion even through thick and irregular surfaces. This innovative technology paves the way for seamless and unobtrusive sensing experiences. Its core feature lies in its ability to transform materials that were once considered unfeasible for capacitive sensing into functional touch interfaces, granting designers a new level of creative freedom.

How ZINNSIA Works

The core of ZINNSIA’s functionality is a sensing mat placed behind the target material or object. This mat transforms the surface into a capacitive touch sensor capable of detecting movements without the need for direct contact. Even hovering a hand or a finger above the material can trigger a response. Unlike other technologies turning objects into touch interfaces, such as depth cameras,  ZINNSIA is more reliable and efficient, maintaining its sensitivity through thicker and uneven materials. The precision of JDI’s capacitive sensor sets it apart, even when dealing with objects of complex or irregular shapes.

Demonstrations at CEATEC 2024

JDI’s exhibit showcased the versatility of ZINNSIA through several live demonstrations, each highlighting the different ways the technology can be used across diverse applications. Here are some of the highlights from the event:

Lighting Control Using

Lighting Control with Different Types Of Materials

One of the most interactive parts of JDI’s booth featured six different materials, all of which could be used to control a light. By merely hovering a hand over these surfaces, visitors could switch the light on or off and adjust its intensity. The demonstration underlined the ability of ZINNSIA to work through a variety of surfaces without requiring any physical contact, emphasizing its potential for smart home applications where aesthetics and seamless integration are important.

Thick Wood Board Sensing

A standout demonstration involved a thick wooden board. Despite the material’s density, the ZINNSIA sensor could accurately detect hand positions and movements from up to 10 centimeters above the surface. A JDI representative explained that ZINNSIA could adapt to different material shapes, transforming them into functional remote controls. This capability indicates a future where wooden furniture, for example, could be embedded with hidden controls for home automation.

Interactive Furry Object For Kids

Another intriguing use case shown at CEATEC revolved around a furry object that simulated an interactive stuffed toy. This setup suggested the potential for ZINNSIA to be integrated into children’s toys, allowing them to respond to different types of touch and motion. Although the CEATEC team did not personally experience this demo, it featured a display of a digital cat face that reacted on a laptop screen. By interacting with a soft, blue, furry object, visitors could make the virtual cat respond with various animations, demonstrating how the technology could enhance the sensory experience of toys and make them more engaging for children.

House Plant Becomes A Touch Panel

One of the most imaginative and playful demos featured a house plant that produced sounds when its leaves were touched. ZINNSIA technology leveraged the natural fluctuations in electric potential that occur when plant leaves are touched. These slight variations were conducted through the roots to the plant pot, where a flexible printed circuit (FPC) substrate detected the signal.

Here’s how the setup worked:

  1. An FPC substrate, using the same capacitive touchscreen method as found in smartphones, was positioned beneath the plant pot.
  2. This substrate was connected to a PC via a cable, which processed the signals generated when the leaves were touched.
  3. The slight changes in electric potential caused by the vibrations when touching the leaves were transmitted to the PC, prompting an app to play back preset sounds. Even though there was a gap between the leaves and the bottom of the pot, ZINNSIA’s high sensitivity allowed the plant to function like a touch panel.

The audio output included cheerful phrases like “Konnichiwa” (hello) and “Yokoso” (welcome), and the demo demonstrated how even houseplants could be used as interactive switches. JDI representative noted that the output action could be customized beyond sound, potentially enabling lights or other devices to be controlled through plant interactions.

Applications For Education

ZINNSIA’s potential in educational settings was highlighted through interactive demos designed to make learning engaging and immersive for children. One featured a poster of the solar system, where kids could touch different planets and celestial bodies to receive detailed information displayed on a connected monitor. This hands-on approach transforms a simple educational poster into an interactive learning tool, making complex concepts more accessible and memorable for young learners.

Another educational demo showcased a poster aimed at teaching English vocabulary. The poster displayed various images of everyday objects, fruits, and animals. By pointing at any image, the connected monitor would pronounce the word, helping children learn pronunciation and word association in an engaging, tactile manner. These applications underscore ZINNSIA’s potential to revolutionize educational materials, turning them into interactive resources that can captivate and educate simultaneously.

Japan Display’s ZINNSIA Technology: Transforming Everyday Materials into Interactive Sensors

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

Sony will trial cloud streaming for the PS5 Portal

Sony announced that it will run a beta test for cloud streaming on its PlayStation Portal gaming handheld. The feature will begin rolling out in an update today, with Europe due to get it starting on Wednesday. Only PlayStation Plus Premium members will be able to access cloud streaming during the beta test, but it’s a promising sign that Sony is finally working on this function, even though it took a year to get here. Adding cloud gaming to the Portal addresses one of the big critiques in our review of this handheld, which didn’t seem to have an obvious target audience.

More than 120 titles from the PS5 Plus Game Catalog will be available in the beta test. That covers a range of games including Dave the Diver, Ghost of Tsushima, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Monster Hunter Rise and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. No games from the PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 3 will be supported during the beta, but maybe those will join the roster whenever the feature is more broadly available.

Portal owners might also want to know that this update adds a couple tweaks to audio and volume controls. But let’s be honest, cloud gaming is really the point.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/sony-will-trial-cloud-streaming-for-the-ps5-portal-230817262.html?src=rss

Sony Launches Alpha 1 II: A Pro-Level Camera With AI and 8K Video

Sony Electronics has unveiled the Alpha 1 II, a flagship full-frame mirrorless camera designed to meet the demands of professional photographers and videographers. Combining high resolution, speed, and AI-driven capabilities, the Alpha 1 II serves as a versatile tool for diverse applications, including photojournalism, wildlife, sports, portraiture, weddings, and commercial work.

Key features include a 50.1 MP Exmor RS CMOS sensor, up to 30 fps blackout-free continuous shooting, advanced AI subject recognition, and improved optical image stabilization (up to 8.5 stops). The camera introduces a “Pre-Capture” feature that records images up to one second before the shutter press and supports 8K 30p and 4K 120p video recording with advanced stabilization modes and user LUT compatibility.

Sony has enhanced the ergonomics with a redesigned 3.2-inch 4-axis multi-angle LCD, an improved grip, and an additional customizable button. Workflow features include real-time image transfer via 2.5GBASE-T LAN and 5G connectivity, as well as integration with Adobe Lightroom and Google Drive through Sony’s Creators’ Cloud.

A major innovation is Sony’s Camera Authenticity Solution, which embeds detailed metadata to counter image manipulation and AI fakes, available through a future software upgrade. Sustainability efforts include plastic-free packaging made from bamboo, sugarcane, and recycled paper.

The Alpha 1 II, priced at $6,499.99, will launch in December 2024, alongside new accessories such as a dual-battery charger and deep-type eyepiece cup. Designed based on user feedback, this camera builds on its predecessor’s legacy to deliver a powerhouse for professionals.

Sony Launches Alpha 1 II: A Pro-Level Camera With AI and 8K Video

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

X adds Twitch to its advertising boycott lawsuit

Twitch is now on the docket for X’s lawsuit against companies that stopped advertising on the social media site. X amended its lawsuit on Monday to include Twitch as a defendant in its lawsuit in a federal court in Wichita Falls, Texas, according to Reuters.

The new complaint claims that the gaming stream site owned by Amazon stopped purchasing ads on X at the end of 2022. X alleges that Twitch and other companies conspired with the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) network’s Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM) initiative to withhold “billions of dollars in advertising revenue” from Elon Musk’s social media company. 

The plaintiff alleges the boycott violated federal antitrust laws and is demanding a jury trial to settle the matter. GARM also announced its discontinuation two days after X filed its lawsuit.

X Corp.’s joint lawsuit first filed in August also includes the WFA, the global food manufacturer Mars Incorporated, the drugstore chain CVS and the Danish energy company Ørsted A/S over the advertising boycott. X also has a lawsuit against the media watchdog group Media Matters for publishing a report showing X displayed ads next to antisemitic content on the platform.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/x-adds-twitch-to-its-advertising-boycott-lawsuit-215540775.html?src=rss

First trailer for A Minecraft Movie delivers on iconic in-game moments

A Minecraft Movie has dropped its first full-length trailer today, expanding on the blocky world hinted at by the teaser released in September. While the game Minecraft gives players only the barest sense of direction, there will be a traditional story driving A Minecraft Movie.

Jack Black provides a voiceover about how his character, Minecraft mascot and stock avatar Steve, was drawn to the mines as a child and discovered the Overworld. He teams up with four other people, seemingly from the real world we know, to protect the Overworld from “dark forces” with their inventiveness and creativity. This all sounds like pretty standard fare for a video game movie — rag-tag group of misfits band together and learn the power of friendship. It’s unclear whether their foes will be baddies from the Nether or the End, because while those can be a pain, they canonically don’t seem interested in world domination.

But I’m not here for a clever, compelling plot. The trailer is a sizzle reel of familiar in-game experiences, and that’s exactly what I want. Taming a wolf with a bone, making a chicken-roasting redstone machine and nighttime coming way faster than you want it to all get their due. The team certainly did their homework on that front. The art style they’ve chosen doesn’t speak to me, but I’m also willing to admit to some bias after hundreds of hours spent looking at the original source material. I’m also not sure if they’ll stick the landing on the humor and emotion or whether it’ll fall flat like an elytra that’s run out of juice. We’ll find out when A Minecraft Movie releases on April 5, 2025.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/first-trailer-for-a-minecraft-movie-delivers-on-iconic-in-game-moments-210252851.html?src=rss

The Oura Ring Gen 3 drops to a record low of $249 for Black Friday

The winter months can be a tough time for keeping up with health and wellbeing as colder, darker weather sets in. For anyone looking for a gadget to help them manage their sleep, activity and other health stats, now could be the right time to look into a wearable. The basic finishes of the Oura Ring Gen 3 are on sale for $249 ahead of Black Friday. That’s a $50 savings for the black or silver finish, which is the biggest discount we’ve seen to date on this wearable. You can also snag the luxe finishes for less than usual right now. The brushed titanium and stealth materials are on sale for $279, down from the usual of $349, while the gold and rose gold options are selling for $349 instead of their typical $449 price tag.

The company did just release the Oura Ring Gen 4, so this deal won’t give you the most cutting edge developments in sensors and design. But for someone who wants a less intrusive approach to a wearable, the Gen 3 still has a lot to offer. Our review by Daniel Cooper pointed out that the Oura Ring offers impressively accurate readings even though all its sensors are packed into a much smaller form factor than a smartwatch. While he felt the design of the ring is a little bulky, in practice it was easy to forget that he had it on.

Keep in mind that unless you’re upgrading from another Oura product, you’ll want to buy the size guide to make sure your new ring fits correctly. When you do buy a sizing kit for the Gen 3, you’ll get $10 towards the purchase of the actual wearable.

Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-oura-ring-gen-3-drops-to-a-record-low-of-249-for-black-friday-195248032.html?src=rss

Minecraft is getting its own theme parks

Dust off your pickaxe because Mojang Studios and Merlin Entertainments are building a new series of theme park style attractions called “Adventures Made Real” that will bring the world of Minecraft to life.

Merlin Entertainments will create two permanent Minecraft theme park locations including one in the US and another in the UK with a plan to open them between 2026 and 20277. The new Minecraft parks will have interactive attractions from the top-selling video game, along with all the usual experiences like rides, gift shops and restaurants and plans to “expand these experiences to other destinations globally,” according to Merlin’s statement.

Of course, the parks will also involve some level of digital perks. It’s not clear what they’ll involve specifically, but Merlin claims the parks will include “touchpoints that will allow guests to unlock exclusive in-game content to continue their gaming journey.”

Merlin Entertainments is the second biggest theme park builder in the world behind Disney. The company operates the LEGOLAND theme parks as well as theme parks such as Alton Towers Resort, Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures in the UK, the Gardaland Resort in Italy and Heide Park in Germany.

This isn’t the only time Minecraft has lept from its pixelated, buildable universe into the real world. Warner Bros. released a trailer in September for the A Minecraft Movie starring Jack Black and Jason Momoa, with Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite) directing. A Minecraft Movie is scheduled for release on April 5, 2025.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/minecraft-is-getting-its-own-theme-parks-190603375.html?src=rss

Black Friday Samsung deals include the Music Frame Speaker for $150 off

Black Friday may still be a week and a half away, but if you were hoping to score a deal on Samsung’s Music Frame, there’s no need to wait until Thanksgiving. Ahead of next week, both Amazon and Samsung are selling the speaker for under $250. At $150 off its regular price, that’s an all-time low for the Music Frame, which will usually set you back $400. Considering Samsung only released the device earlier this year, this is a great opportunity to pick up one (or even two) for your home theater.

For the uninitiated, think of the Music Frame as the speaker equivalent to Samsung’s popular Frame TV. Like its television counterpart, the Music Frame doubles as a piece of home decor. While it doesn’t have a display that will automatically cycle through digital artwork, you can manually insert prints and photos. Moreover, while pairing two Music Frames with a Frame TV is possible, it’s not limited to home theater use. The Music Frame works just fine as a standalone Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speaker. You can even use it as a smart home hub. It’s possible to mount the Music Frame on a wall or on a table, thanks to the included stand.

As for sound quality, Engadget senior reporter and resident audio geek Billy Steele was surprised by how good the Music Frame sounded when he got to demo it at CES earlier this year. “I was shocked by how robust and clear the overall sound quality is coming from the speaker,” he wrote at the time. “Highs and mids are adequately represented with great detail, while the bass is more restrained.“ If you’re curious, the Music Frame features two rear-facing woofers complemented by a set of two tweeters and two mid-range drivers, all four of which fire from the front of the speaker. It also offers Dolby Atmos support, and Samsung has included its SpaceFit tech, which assists with room calibration.

All told, the Music Frame is a great option for those looking for a speaker that will disappear into their home decor, but its high price can make it unappealing. At $150 off, however, it’s much easier to recommend, even if you’re on a budget.

Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/black-friday-samsung-deals-include-the-music-frame-speaker-for-150-off-160759262.html?src=rss