3d illusion arts: Walyou

Walyou

Artemis Brings Much Needed Change to Old Cellular Technology
Facebook Highlights Puts the Most Important Moments on the Same Page
How to Win at Flappy Bird
Google Smartwatch Made by LG (or WIMM) Approaches Launch
One More Advantage to Buying HTC
Oral-B Smartphone-Connected Toothbrush Is Coming Out in June

Artemis Brings Much Needed Change to Old Cellular Technology

Posted: 24 Feb 2014 06:00 AM PST

When current cell networks were first built, Netflix, Youtube, and Snapchat were unthinkable, yet data use is growing, and networks need to adapt.

Cellular Data use has double on a per capita basis over the last few years. This is a trend that will only get more significant as time goes on and people consume more higher quality video content. This is definitely not the type of use that was considered when our existing infrastructure was built, and it often strains to provide proper signal depending on circumstances.

If you've ever been to a large concert or sporting event, you've probably noticed that your cell phone is basically completely useless. At least for data. If you're lucky, you might be able to place a call or text. This is because the current cellular tower technology doesn't play nice when towers overlap signal. As a result, towers that support stadiums or other places with dense groups of people have to be able to provide enough bandwidth to support every single person, which they don't, so you don't get a good signal in these places.

Some areas have resorted to providing blanket coverage with a lot of smaller micro-cells in order to cut down on the number of people using each "tower," but even this is an extraordinarily inefficient system as every micro-cell or tower has to be individually tuned and the more there are, the more expensive it is to support them all and the more likely it is something will go wrong.

Enter Artamis. Artrmis claims to be a solution that eliminates these issues by allowing tower signals to overlap and actually mesh them together to allow for a single coherent signal. It isn't clear exactly how this is done, and Steve Perlman—the man behind Artemis—hasn't released any technical details as to why it works, so we can only explain what it looks like while it works.

Perlman recently performed a demo for the New York Times where he lined up half a dozen devices connected to wireless hotspots surrounded by Artemis PCells and streamed perfect 4k video on every device without a hiccup. Perlman claims that it doesn't matter how many devices are running in any geographic area, using his technology they will all be able to simultaneously run at full speed non-stop without any stuttering or loss in bandwidth.

If these results can be replicated outside of a controlled environment, then this is great news for a wireless infrastructure in need of a refresh. Of course it would need a buy in from the carriers, who tend to be resistant to change. Carriers may not have a choice in the matter, though, because if they don't act quickly, this same technology might be able to be used by smaller companies to get fully functioning networks built quickly and for much less expense than older technology would require.

Of course technology like this is always a few years off from hitting the main stream, but at the rate current data consumption is increasing, something needs to happen to cure our bandwidth woes, and Artemis just might do the trick.

Source: Engadget

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Facebook Highlights Puts the Most Important Moments on the Same Page

Posted: 24 Feb 2014 05:30 AM PST

Sometimes the amount of news you get from your friends is simply overwhelming, so Facebook gives you the option of seeing only the most significant events from someone’s life.

After rolling out “A Look Back” and testing Trending Topics (which between you and me, look a lot like Twitter’s), Facebook is looking to introduce Highlights, firstly to mobile platforms and later to desktop. Unfortunately, the new feature is only available on devices running iOS. The latest update for this mobile operating system brought a major change to the table for some lucky iPhone and iPad users: the Requests section went away to make room for People. Within this section, there are 3 tabs, History, Everyone and probably the most important of them all, Highlights.

Facebook Highlights is an experimental feature that points out the event from your friends’ lives that really matter. News of births, weddings and funerals (like it or not, death is still part of our lives, at least until Google finds the answer to eternal life) will most probably appear here, so you no longer have to scroll through endless lists of invitations to Farmville (is that one still around?).

Highlights still shows the new Friend Requests, while hiding the older ones under a See More button. Furthermore, there is the Friends With Birthdays Today panel, in case you’re too lazy to check the Events section of the app. Anyway, this panel gives you no excuse not to call people you’re no longer talking to, but that you haven’t unfriended yet, on their birthdays. After this panel, there’s probably the most interesting part of Facebook Highlights: Life Events. Here’s where you will get to see the things that are truly worth writing home about. More specifically, this panel includes events related to work and education, family and relationships, home and living, health and wellness, travel and experiences – in other words, everything that people submit to the social network through the Life Event feature.

The History tab combines the latest conversations you’ve had with a simplified Activity Log. In other words, Facebook put everything belonging to the past in a single place. The Everyone tab, on the other hand, features all of your connections, listed alphabetically so you can retrieve them easily.

While Facebook Highlights makes things a little easier to browse, I don’t really think that this feature is a major step forward for this social network, let alone something revolutionary. People will tell whether this is interesting or not when and if the features launches on all platforms.

Be social! Follow Walyou on Facebook and Twitter, and read more related stories about Facebook’s Trending Topics and the new Twitter profiles.

How to Win at Flappy Bird

Posted: 24 Feb 2014 05:00 AM PST

Dong Nguyen's game is famous for both its popularity and its difficulty but now, with our guide to Flappy Bird, you can win at one of the world's hardest games.

For a game with an entire concept that's based around a bird with the most terrible flying skills since the dodo was around, Flappy Bird would, perhaps, be better off being called 'aerially inept bird', because no matter how hard you try, it probably seems like getting the game's character through more than one or two sets of pipes seems impossible. But it's not and you know it's not, it's just that the game is proving far more difficult that you initially thought and the horrible 'thwack' of Flappy Bird's character hitting the floor or one of the game's many green pipes is likely starting to grate. Read to our guide then, which can help you win at Flappy Bird.

1. Rhythm

Less in the way of a killer drum beat or a well-timed metronome, the very first point on this list comes through hours of Flappy Bird play. My score is pushing one hundred and it didn't get like that by taking the game anything less than seriously. Analysing the title as a hit app showed me that the key way to win at Flappy Bird is by establishing a rhythm.

That might mean two taps of your thumb and then a rest or it might mean a quick fire succession of jumps and then a dip in the gap between the Flappy Bird pipes, but putting that rhythm in place is almost a surefire way to get the most out of the game. It also means that distractions would likely have to be limited, specifically music, as this can be a real off-putting factor to your Flappy Bird success, if only because the distraction of singing along can and will cause you to accidentally send your bird careening into the floor.

2. A Sturdy Platform

You're on your way to work, the subway carriage is juddering and your Flappy Bird score may as we be in the minus numbers. Or, perhaps, you're playing the game at your desk at work, spinning around in your desk chair both for your own amusement and so that your boss doesn't see you ferreting valuable work time into a popular smartphone app. This will not do if you want your score to do anything but impress your peers.

Another key element to doing well in Flappy Bird is simply to rest your arm or wrist or hand on something as you play, to keep both your screen still and your attention focused. The Super Mario-esque background that the game's developer included can easily become a blur and a tight grip on your smartphone and an arm kept as rock solid as a marble quarry can help you achieve to Flappy Bird greatness.

3. Focus

Unlike the first point in which I pointed out the disadvantages of Flappy Bird distractions, this type of focus is actually more specific. When playing the game, don't watch the pipes, watch the bird.

It may be a difficult feat, given that the pipes are, after all, the primary source of danger in the game, but in focusing upon the bird, you actually yourself in a much better position to maneuverer it than if you were looking to avoid the obstacles. For example, when playing any other game, you might focus on the enemies and not the lead character, but this is one of the reasons why Flappy Bird is so difficult; it's difficult to change the preconceive notions have about games and their difficulties, but doing the opposite of what those other gaming titles are doing is exactly what could allow you to succeed in Flappy Bird.

4. Thumbs

Despite all of the other ways in which we use our smartphones, Flappy Bird is not really designed to a be a two thumb game. We read blogs with two thumbs, we scroll with two thumbs and we type out messages about our lunch on social media sites with two thumbs, but in Flappy Bird, that is most definitely not the way to play.

Going off of the suggestion about rhythm, using anything other than your dominant thumb to play the game (or simultaneous use of your right and left thumbs) could disturb this rhythm, making it all the more difficult to reach success in the game. Another example is that it can actually help up your game if you use your weaker hand to support the device you are playing Flappy Bird on rather than struggling to hold your phone in a position that leaves it to be top heavy, as the weight of the unsupported bit of your phone is only going to keep you from that all impressing Flappy Bird score.

What advice can you give to people who want to improve at Flappy Bird? Let us know in the comments.

Be social! Follow Walyou on Facebook and Twitter, and read more related stories How to Download Flappy Bird, Used Phone Prices Soar, As Long As They Include Flappy Bird

Google Smartwatch Made by LG (or WIMM) Approaches Launch

Posted: 24 Feb 2014 04:30 AM PST

Rumors of Google building a smartwatch started last summer, when the search giant acquired a wearable tech company, and now that the device is getting closer to reality, there are doubts concerning who is going to make it: LG or WIMM?

LG confirmed that it will launch a smartwatch based on Google’s mobile operating system this year, but if we are to believe some rumors, the wearable might be made for Google itself. The South Korean tech company proved at CES 2014 that it has what it takes for building wearables. Its Lifeband Touch, while not a revolutionary product, was enough to demonstrate that LG can design and manufacture nice and functional wearables.

Google, on the other hand, had plans for making an Android smartwatch and console ever since last summer, and most sources claimed that both these products would see the light of day in 2014. Since LG seems to be Google’s latest favorite manufacturer, having built both the Nexus 4 and 5, a smartwatch coming from this South Korean company shouldn’t surprise anyone.

According to Park Jong-seok, the chief of LG’s mobile unit, Google’s smartwatch will be compatible not only with this South Korean manufacturer’s smartphones, but also with devices made by other companies.

Rumor has it, however, that LG is not the only contender to making a smartwatch for the search giant. Chances are that Google’s watch might resemble WIMM One (pictured above), a wearable made by a company Google bought last August. Sources told TechCrunch that the early prototypes featured a metal strap, much like Pebble Steel. To cut down the costs and speed up production, Google is said to have replaced that metal strap with a plastic one, thus making the smartwatch look more common. On top of that, if former employees of WIMM Labs are to build Google’s smartwatch, then the wearable will focus on Google Now.

Regardless of who will be designing and manufacturing it, the Nexus smartwatch (I think it’s safe to call it that, despite the rumors that Google plans to put an end to the Nexus line in 2015) will surely be launched this year – in March or June if it’s made by WIMM’s former employees, or later on if it’s made by LG. The price is yet another detail we’ll only find out on launch day.

Be social! Follow Walyou on Facebook and Twitter, and read more related stories about the Lifeband Touch smart bracelet made by LG and Google’s plans to make a console and smartwatch.

One More Advantage to Buying HTC

Posted: 24 Feb 2014 04:00 AM PST

Smartphones are better than old brick phones in almost every way, except one. Your old Nokia 3310 withstood explosions, but your iPhone can't fall off a table.

If you haven't broken the screen on your phone, you know someone who has. It's glass, that's what it does. In fact, mobileinsurance.co.uk determined last February that more than 25% of iPhones have broken screens. The number may have dropped some due to improved screen technology and increased use of Otterbox protective cases, but that doesn't change the fact that Americans had spent nearly $6 billion had been spent on broken iPhones alone by the year 2012, according to a survey by Square Trade mobile insurance company.

Screen breaks are the type of damage that tends to be more costly—next to liquid damage—because it's considered "incidental" damage and thus is not covered under typical manufacturer warranties. Some people buy screen replacement kits, but these parts are often far inferior to OEM parts. Some people pay a monthly insurance plan for their smartphones, but even those plans can end up costing $120+ a year and only provide a refurbished replacement, not a much better option than buying a screen replacement kit. The only other real option is to buy a new phone at full price or take your chances on craigslist or ebay.

HTC has recently taken a bold step towards fixing this problem with their HTC Advantage program. HTC Advantag program will cover a free screen replacement to any device broken device in the HTC One family, currently comprised of the One, One Max, and One Mini, with the All New HTC One to be announced next month.

This is a great standard to be set by a manufacturer like HTC. Not only does it provide a quality example of customer service and appreciation, but it also shows a lot of confidence in their own brand. This looks good for HTC as well, because the program will not only go a long way to win the favor of new and existing customers, but it also strengthens their brand by helping to ensure that people don't see as many broken HTC devices in the wild.

To be fair, HTC is not the only company to improve their warranty coverage like this. Motorola has been providing expanded coverage for the Moto X, but even that still has a deductible. HTC doesn't have the biggest foot print, but it would be great to see this stance help push more manufacturers towards taking ownership of their devices and standing behind the build quality like HTC.

Source: Fierce Wireless

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Oral-B Smartphone-Connected Toothbrush Is Coming Out in June

Posted: 23 Feb 2014 12:00 PM PST

While electric toothbrushes have been around for quite a while, dental hygiene devices that connect to apps on smartphones were unheard of until Oral-B announced the world’s first Bluetooth toothbrush.

Ever wanted to receive tips on how to brush your teeth better? The innovative toothbrush that Procter & Gamble created for its Oral-B brand connects via Bluetooth to smartphones running its companion app, in order to bring the Quantified Self even further. Mind you, this smart device does not replace your dentist, it merely makes sure you follow his advice by allowing him to program the app. This way, you will know which areas need more attention.

Michael Cohen-Dumani, global associate director for Oral-B, stated in an interview with Reuters that “Dentists always tell us: ‘People do a great job in the week before they come to visit us and in the week after they visit us. But nothing can hide the fact that when we look inside the mouth we can see all the areas they miss.’” In other words, the Oral-B smart tootbrush takes permanent care of your teeth, by pointing out which areas need additional brushing or if you brush too hard, fact that ultimately can damage your gums.

As Cohen-Dumani explained, the smartphone-connected tootbrush made by Oral-B “will guide you in terms of how to brush, and you will be able to fully personalize the brushing routine for you.” Probably the best thing about this device is that it offers instant feedback, which could made visits to the dentist’s office less frequent.

If you obsess about every detail related to your body, there are plenty of things you could do after taking care of your teeth with the Oral-B smart toothbrush. You could eat using a smart fork that prevents you from overeating. It’s probably not the best idea to do physical activities after eating, but if you’re in the mood for the white sport, you could pick up a Babolat Play smartphone-connected tennis racket or Sony’s smart tennis sensor, which also connects to an app to display your stats. Do you see where we’re heading? Soon enough, all the the products that we use will be connected either to the Internet or to our smartphones. Frankly, I think that’s not a bad idea at all, since we could improve our performance in so many ways by seeing what we did wrong.

Oral-B will unveil its smart toothbrush at MWC in Barcelona next week, and the product is expected to be available in June for $330.

Be social! Follow Walyou on Facebook and Twitter, and read more related stories about the bizarre 3D printed mold that cleans your teeth in 6 seconds and what looked like the ultimate toothbrush back in 2011.