Blind mother uses new eSight glasses to see her baby for the first time

Canadian woman, Kathy Bleitz, has been living with Stargardt disease, an inherited degenerative disease of the retina that leads to progressive vision loss, often to the point of legal blindness. While Bleitz still has vision, all she can see is fuzzy, wavy shapes, that are even harder to see in dim light. Even something as simple as a person’s expression has been impossible for her to make out.

But Bleitz has gained access to a new eSight headset, which is worn mounted onto perception lens frames just above or in front of the eyes. Inside the headset is a high-definition camera, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screens, and a range of other technologies designed to capture and display a real-time video feed to the user. 

As James Maynard explains at Tech Times, users are able to adjust the contrast, colour, and brightness of the video feed, just like you would on a television screen. It also allows users to zoom in on things with 14 times the magnification of natural vision, just like their own personal set of binoculars.

"Interestingly, eSight's many unique features - such as 14-times zoom, image contrast enhancement, reverse colour display, etc. - enable eSight users to actually see many things that normally-sighted people cannot see,” the developers write on their website. 

While the device does not work for those who are completely blind, it can help theapproximately 95 percent of legally blind individuals who have some vision remaining. Right now, a pair of eSight glasses will set you back $15,000, but the developers have set up financing schemes to help people acquire a pair. Tech Times reports that so far 140 people around North America are using them, and the company is now working on making them more compact and less obtrusive.

Watching Bleitz use hers to see her newborn baby for the first time - the first baby she's ever seen, in fact - shows why even such a high cost of purchase is worth it. 

But thanks to a special device from eSight, Beitz was able to see her son Aksel for the first very first time. Aksel is only a few weeks old.

“I got to see that he had my husband’s feet and toes, and I got to see that he had my lips,” Beitz told CBC News.

Beitz said she is especially excited about the glasses because it will give her independence in her parenting.

Microsoft's new HoloLens goggles

Earlier this week, Microsoft announced the development of the world’s first holographic computing goggles, called HoloLens, and I could really get used to life like this.

Invented by Alex Kipman, the man behind Xbox Kinect's voice-response technology, the wireless HoloLens will create a kind of augmented reality for its users, where holographic images can be mapped onto anything you like - your walls, your kitchen counter, your desk, and even the air around you.

you’ll see the technology being used to design a life-sized model of a motorbike, teaching home plumbing over Skype, and playing the most amazing game of Minecraft you could ever imagine. The technology is said to track the position of the user’s hands at any given moment, which means you can grasp holographic images and move them around wherever you like. You can project three-dimensional weather forecasts onto your counter, and your email interface on your fridge. If Microsoft has it their way, you’ll never take this thing off.

Which, of course, raises some interesting questions. As DJ Pangburn writes at Motherboard

"While Microsoft believes HoloLens will become a new engine of creation and communication, with developers creating apps that exploit the headset's depth camera, the blending of realities will result in people spending more time, if not staring at an actual screen, computing nonetheless. 

 As we’ve seen with the ubiquity of mobile devices, there has been an erasure of offline and online existence. With virtual objects, interfaces, and experiences mapped onto the territory of our analog worlds, the obliteration of the line separating our offline or unplugged lives from our online ones will only be amplified.”

The whole thing is pretty out-there, but it kinda has to be to change the future. Jesse Hempel at Wired was lucky enough to get a hands-on trial with the HoloLens, and describes the prototype as "amazing".

Hempel describes how the depth camera has a field of vision that spans whopping 120 by 120 degrees, so you can stretch your arms out as far as you like, and the HoloLens will have no problems tracking them. Sensors in the headset communicate with the system at a rate of several terabytes per second, but the computer won't feel hot on your head, because it's got air vents on either side to keep it constantly cool. Holograms can be adjusted using a set of buttons on the side of the device.

 And I can't wait for the augmented reality of tomorrow.For u ?

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NASA, Microsoft Collaboration Will Allow Scientists to ‘Work on Mars’

New NASA software called OnSight will use holographic computing to overlay visual information and data from the agency's Mars Curiosity Rover into the user's field of view. Holographic computing blends a view of the physical world with computer-generated imagery to create a hybrid of real and virtual

NASA and Microsoft have teamed up to develop software called OnSight, a new technology that will enable scientists to work virtually on Mars using wearable technology called Microsoft HoloLens.

Developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, OnSight will give scientists a means to plan and, along with the Mars Curiosity rover, conduct science operations on the Red Planet.

“OnSight gives our rover scientists the ability to walk around and explore Mars right from their offices,” said Dave Lavery, program executive for the Mars Science Laboratory mission at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “It fundamentally changes our perception of Mars, and how we understand the Mars environment surrounding the rover.”

OnSight will use real rover data and extend the Curiosity mission’s existing planning tools by creating a 3-D simulation of the Martian environment where scientists around the world can meet. Program scientists will be able to examine the rover’s worksite from a first-person perspective, plan new activities and preview the results of their work firsthand.

“We believe OnSight will enhance the ways in which we explore Mars and share that journey of exploration with the world,” said Jeff Norris, JPL’s OnSight project manager.

Until now, rover operations required scientists to examine Mars imagery on a computer screen, and make inferences about what they are seeing. But images, even 3-D stereo views, lack a natural sense of depth that human vision employs to understand spatial relationships.

The OnSight system uses holographic computing to overlay visual information and rover data into the user's field of view. Holographic computing blends a view of the physical world with computer-generated imagery to create a hybrid of real and virtual.

To view this holographic realm, members of the Curiosity mission team don a Microsoft HoloLens device, which surrounds them with images from the rover's Martian field site. They then can stroll around the rocky surface or crouch down to examine rocky outcrops from different angles. The tool provides access to scientists and engineers looking to interact with Mars in a more natural, human way.

"Previously, our Mars explorers have been stuck on one side of a computer screen. This tool gives them the ability to explore the rover's surroundings much as an Earth geologist would do field work here on our planet," said Norris.

The OnSight tool also will be useful for planning rover operations. For example, scientists can program activities for many of the rover's science instruments by looking at a target and using gestures to select menu commands.

The joint effort to develop OnSight with Microsoft grew from an ongoing partnership to investigate advances in human-robot interaction.  The JPL team responsible for OnSight specializes in systems to control robots and spacecraft. The tool will assist researchers in better understanding the environment and workspace of robotic spacecraft -- something that can be quite challenging with their traditional suite of tools.

JPL plans to begin testing OnSight in Curiosity mission operations later this year. Future applications may include Mars 2020 rover mission operations, and other applications in support of NASA's journey to Mars.

JPL manages the Mars Science Laboratory Project for NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington, and built the project's Curiosity rover.

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Windows 10 will be a free upgrade for Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1 user

Microsoft operating system chief Terry Myerson announced Wednesday that Windows 10 upgrade will be free of cost to the current Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1 user for the first year. The surprising announcement was made during the Windows 10 event in Redmond.

Most of the devices will be able to get the upgrade facility depending upon the hardware and software requirements, he said.

“It is our intent that most of these devices will qualify, but some hardware/software requirements apply and feature availability may vary by device. Devices must be connected to the internet and have Windows Update enabled. ISP fees may apply. Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1 Update required. Some editions are excluded: Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise, and Windows RT/RT 8.1. Active Software Assurance customers in volume licensing have the benefit to upgrade to Windows 10 Enterprise outside of this offer. We will be sharing more information and additional offer terms in coming months.”

Since now, Microsoft has been charging for every OS, this will be the first time when a present Windows 7,8/8.1 user will be able to upgrade to Windows 10 for a year for free.

Though not the latest but Windows 7 is currently the most popular operating system leaving behind the current Microsoft’s Windows 8  which many users find a bit radical in approach and are still hesitating to upgrade too. Most probably because Windows 7 is more user friendly than its successor Windows 8 and not to forget mentioning how difficult it becomes for the first few weeks to shift to a newer interface.

Windows 10 is said to loaded with a bit more user friendly interface than its predecessor Windows 8.

Windows 10 will be available for all of the Microsoft gadgets including Windows phones, PCs, tablets and Xbox. Windows phone users will be also able to upgrade to windows 10 for free.

It however remains to be seen as to how much Microsoft charges for Windows 10 after the free period of 1 year comes to an end.  And since Microsoft has stopped giving extended support to Windows 7 since 13th Jan, what will happen if Windows 7 users who upgraded to Windows 10 want to fall back on their old Windows 7.

Next-Gen Pulsar 150NS Revealed, Looks Interesting!

Bajaj is the segment leader when it comes to 150 cc motorcycles in terms of sales but apart from the new Discover 150 twins, they haven’t touched the Pulsar 150 for a long time now (the Speedlines dual tone color treatment was more of a marketing gimmick than anything technical).

But with the rising competition in the form of Gixxer, FZ v2 and to continue with the lead, Bajaj is, for a long time now, working on the next-gen Pulsar 150 which we know is getting the ‘Naked Sports’ treatment from the elder sibling Pulsar 200NS.

Back in October 2014, Bajaj first unveiled the Pulsar 200SS at an event in Turkey, which also included the new Discover and more importantly the new Pulsar 150NS. However, due to the lack of clear pictures and details not much was known and understood at that point of time.

However, these new set of spy pics of the new motorcycle courtesy Indianhoods, reveal a few interesting bits including the complete design the new motorcycle will adorn.

These new pics are probably from the same dealer event in October or probably a new function but are from Turkey.

The new Pulsar 150 will come with three spark plugs, a fact which BikeAdvice busted first, back in August 2014. The bike also gets a nitrox based rear mono suspension, pretty much like its design inspiration P200NS. The display bikes here however come devoid of that eyesore tyre hugger

The new P150 NS also gets split seats and the naked Pulsar 200NS-alike headlamp. The alloy wheels are also similar as are the rear grab rails. The rear tyer is, however, thinner and appears to be the regular 100/80 17 incher. Though not clear from these pics, but the new Pulsar 150NS is will carry a kick starter as well. The tail is also a little different from the Pulsar 200NS and the rear disc brakes are not present as well.

However, the biggest revelation comes from the branding of the motorcycle. There is no other label on the motorcycle apart from ‘Pulsar’ on the tank but there is a board which clearly reads Pulsar 150. This may mean that, contrary to the earlier rumors of a bigger 160cc engine, Pulsar 150NS may continue with a 150cc engine.

There is no ‘NS’ suffix but in India, Bajaj may choose to use it since we believe, this next-gen Pulsar will co-exist with the current Pulsar 150.

The present 149cc unit produces 15.06 PS of power and 12.5 Nm of torque and hence we expect a bump in power on the NS version, along with lesser overall weight from the current 144 kg kerb which is one of the highest in the segment.

Interestingly Bajaj is using a new tag line Sehrin Hakimi in Turkish, which means ‘the judge in the city’! The prospects look interesting and the overall motorcycle, with that broad chest, looks mean. However, will the 200NS buyers accept the new motorcycle? Launch of Pulsar 150NS is expected sometime this year, possibly towards the first half!

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Microsoft's Spartan Browser for Windows 10

HERE SPARTAN  ARE ARRIVED TO RESCUE  FROM INTERNET EXPLORER

We've previously heard Microsoft is working on a new browser for Windows 10, and the first details related to the unannounced 'Spartan' browser came across last month. Now, the first alleged screenshot of the Spartan browser has surfaced on the Internet showing the design.

The screenshot of the Spartan browser purportedly shows the loading of a Facebook page. Posted by BGR, the screenshot shows the browser sporting a different and flatter design than Microsoft's Internet Explorer and features UI elements on top left side of the browser just below the URL section.

BGR notes that the 'Spartan' browser comes with a "minimalistic design, featuring clear, straightforward and clutter-free UI elements." Sources claim that Microsoft assigned a special team in September for development of Spartan browser and the team is said to be working "non-stop" on the design of the browser.

"A third redesign was completed by Christmas, with the image above belonging to the second version of Spartan, dating back to early November," notes the report.

Notably, Microsoft's Spartan browser is said to support voice-commands with some listed in the report such as 'add to favourites', 'make that my home page', and 'go to Facebook.com'. Relevantly, last month, a leaked early build of Windows 10 had showed that Microsoft will integrate Cortana into the OS.

In addition, Spartan browser will be reportedly able to run different browsers inside it - with the push of a button. "For example, users could split the browser into four windows that would be showing them four different ways to seeing a website or online application, as long as those browsers are also installed on the same device," explains the report.

Unfortunately, the report does not name the final marketing name of the Spartan browser; though it confirms that the browser has been indeed codenamed Spartan.

The earlier report had revealed that the Spartan browser will be an overhauled version of the Internet Explorer (IE), and might be even shown at the scheduled 'The Next Chapter' event for MicrosoftWindows 10 on January 21. The Spartan browser was said to pack new features and look more like Chrome and Firefox. The browser was also stressed to be a "lightweight browser."

EXCLUSIVE ABOUT GOOGLE PROJECT ARA

The modular smartphone behind GOOGLE PROJECT ARA could revolutionize the market , in any case, it is one of the most exciting projects in the near future. Here you will find all your future information and rumors about the ambitious undertaking. Ara proposes that you buy a modular design instead. When one part gets old or a better version appears, you’d just swap the old component for a new one. It sounds great, but will it work?

IDEA BEHIND PROJECT ARA
The idea behind Project Ara is simple enough, although Google doesn’t do it any favours by describing it as “a development effort to create a modular hardware ecosystem”. It takes a smartphone and breaks it down into LEGO-style blocks, and those blocks are attached to each other and to a metal base plate using magnets. The base plate is shaped with block-sized slots to make assembly easier and to help reinforce the overall structure.

PROJECT ARA FEATURES
Lack of built-in obsolescence is a major selling point here. If you’ve ever binned a perfectly good phone because you wanted better battery life, a better camera sensor or a better mobile data experience you’ll know that in many cases you’re sacrificing perfectly good components for the one or two extra features you want. With a Project Ara phone you’d be able to replace just the bits you want to replace. You wouldn’t even have to turn your phone off. It’d save you money, save the environment, make people find you even more sexually attractive… you get the idea. In the long term you might even be able to 3D-print the components to make a smartphone that’s completely and utterly unique.

Another key selling point is repairability. If something goes wrong with the innards of your smartphone it’s often new-device time; with an Ara device you’d just replace the broken bit and keep on computing. That helps cut down on unnecessary electronic waste too.

IS PROJECT ARA VAPOURWARE
Maybe Early coverage suggested that Ara could be as big a deal as Google Glass, but of course so far Google Glass hasn’t been that big a deal. The main areas of concern are weight and bulk – by its very nature an Ara device can’t possibly be as slim as today’s all-in-one smartphones – and whether the cost of buying multiple components means that an Ara phone would end up costing more than an off-the-shelf one, which would seriously ruin its sales. There are potential compatibility issues and performance concerns too. Remember the good old days of Windows PCs with their endless device driver problems and hardware conflicts? Exactly.

Project Ara has often been compared to the idea of building your own PC: instead of buying a device that isn’t quite perfect, if you go down the DIY route you can end up saving money and making a machine that fits your needs perfectly. That’s true, but if you look at the sales figures most people are perfectly happy with a good-looking laptop.

RESONS FOR EXCITEMENT
If it delivers on its promises you could see the equivalent of the Google Play Store for smartphone hardware as well as apps. A phone that never becomes obsolete, that doesn’t require really expensive replacements every year or two and that can be repaired for pennies is a great idea, and the customization options are effectively limitless. If you want a device that’s truly your own, Ara promises to be the ultimate way of creating it.

That said, if Ara was Android we’d still be in the days of Android Astro Boy, Bender and R2-D2: a system with lots of potential that isn’t remotely ready for prime time. It arguably took Androidfour years to really hit its stride (with Ice Cream Sandwich, AKA Android 4.0), and getting the hardware equivalent right might take even longer. If Ara works it could revolutionize mobile computing. It just probably won’t do it in 2015.

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Micromax Yureka released in India

Micromax Yureka released in India

Micromax released new smartphones series in its Cyanogen Mod supports Yu brand. The first smartphone is named as Yureka and Micromax caption for the new smartphone is ‘Play God.’ This all new smartphone runs with Android 4.4.4 but remember this is the CyanogenMod customized version of the OS and this OS is like Android on ‘steroids’.

CyanogenMod is a free developed version of Android which is extremely customized and is designed to increase the performance of your Android device. It simply started on Github, which is still the second biggest project on the site. The Micromax Yureka runs Cyanogen OS 11 and the greatest news is that users will flow OTA updates every month. Micromax has also guaranteed that the Android 5.0(Lollipop) update will be available soon to the users.

Micromax Yureka costs only Rs 8999 and that will absolutely plea to those who love to play with their devices. Users can have fun rooting the phone, play with the OS and not fret about losing their warranty.

Specs of Micromax Yureka:

Micromax Yureka has a 5.5-inch HD screen

2GB DDR3 RAM

16 GB storage can be expanded up to 32 GB.

64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 Octa-core processor.

13 megapixel rear camera, a 5 megapixel front camera and a 2500 mAH battery.

A 4G LTE device.

You can Subscribe and Purchase here to register for the sale on 13th Jan, 2 P.M.

Micromax Yureka smartphone has a 5.5-inch HD IPS display with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for further protection. The pixel density of the phone is 267 ppi and this phone has an 80 degree viewing angle. Micromax Yureka runs CyanogenMod OS 11. The dimensions of the smartphone are little uneasy, they are 154.8x78x6/8.8 mm and whereas it is not a huge looking device, the 5.5-inch display means that if you have small hands, you may face trouble handling the phone. For phablet geeks, the extra-screen size is always a plus. Micromax Yureka has a ‘polished moonstone finish’ on the back. The polished moonstone finish material doesn’t sense or look like plastic and honestly that’s a big improvement, especially for a device which comes at low cost. It’s a pretty strong smartphone design, and it is only available in black color.

Processor of Micromax Yureka, Memory Space: Micromax has gone for a Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 Octa-core processor which is 64-bit, and interestingly clocked at 1.5 GHz, and comes with Adreno 405 GPU. The chipset supports 4G LTE. The RAM is 2GB DDR3. This is a dual-SIM smartphone. The total memory space on the phone is 16 GB which can be expanded up to 32 GB via microSD.

This smartphone lets for data encryption and remote wipe data in case if you lost your device. It has a feature that allows users to password-protect apps.

The Yureka has a 2500mAh battery. Micromax says the standby time is 210 hours and is offering 11 hours of battery on 4G LTE and close to 13 hours on 3G.

This is positively a worthy smartphone from Micromax. Micromax Yureka may not be the easiest name, but with the specs, low price and OS, it may well be the game changing device that could increase the company’s revenue in the year 2015.

Windows 10 Leak Reveals Cortana Search Bar

Microsoft has already shown the groundwork for Windows 10 on the Developer Preview, the new start menu, build in metro-apps on desktop and various interfaces for power users show a gradual move to one OS design for all types of users. The second event for Windows 10 is scheduled for January 21, but the big announcements may have already been leaked online, in a new ‘Build 9901’, cited as the Windows 10 consumer edition preview.

Released a few days ago, the main features on the new preview include Cortana, an new Xbox app and various updates to the interface.

Starting with the Cortana search menu, Microsoft is essentially importing all data from Windows Phone or starting from scratch on Windows 10. Cortana will be a virtual assistant and offer information about the weather, local places, general information and tap into other third party apps for updates.

On Windows 10, Cortana is located on the task-bar, either in a search button or search box (depending on preference). The task-bar has been updated with a new shadow design, taking a dark color from the current theme.

The next big change on Windows 10 is the Xbox app. Right now, it just looks like a place to check the Xbox news feed from friends, but advertisements of exclusive Xbox One games hint at PC cross-platform support.

Having exclusive Xbox One games on PC would be a nice idea, but the catch may be only gamers with the Xbox One game can download it for PC. It is still unclear what Microsoft is attempting to do with Xbox.

Microsoft has built in a contact support app, allowing users to potential screen share their problems with a member of staff. There is a new startup guide for Windows 10, which hints at users being able to make phone calls on Windows 10.

The leak shows all of the visual updates to the apps on desktop mode, giving them a Metro redesign. Microsoft still has not announced availability or price, this information will most likely come on the January event.