A peek at inside-out computer vision tracking on Oculus. Much like HoloLens, the VR prototype uses built-in positional tracking that relies on computer vision, tracking motion in-headset without any plug-in sensor bar camera. Called "inside-out tracking," it's the sort of tech that virtual reality's been waiting for. Mixed-reality headsets like the HoloLens use inside-out tracking, but no VR headsets on the market can do this yet. There are no plans for when inside-out tracking could appear in an Oculus VR product, and the teased demo at Oculus Connect was incredibly brief. But it's a reminder that the VR hardware we see now is far from where VR hardware will end up in the next couple of years. At the least, inside-out tracking could help make a mobile headset like Gear VR a lot more like the PC-connected Rift, letting users walk through space as if in a Star Trek holodeck. And it means Oculus could be on the road toward wireless for all of us.
Update, 4:12p.m, PT: We just tried the wireless Oculus Rift, Read about it right here, Somewhere between phone-based VR and the wired, PC-connected Oculus Rift, Zuckerberg introduces a peek at something new, Oculus has another new VR platform on the slider case for iphone 8 horizon, and it looks like something different from PC- and phone-connected virtual reality, At Oculus Connect on Thursday, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg made a lengthy appearance to discuss the future of VR software, He also introduced a surprise, acknowledging the need for something different -- hardware that's not a PC or mobile VR headset, It's a standalone device that looks completely wireless, like a VR version of Microsoft HoloLens..
Update, 1:25 p.m. PT: Adds confirmation from Google. Key features will be available only on Google's new Pixel phone. Android fans who want to check out Google Assistant will be out of luck unless they get one of the company's new Pixel phones. Android 7.1, the latest version of Google's mobile software, will have exclusives for the Pixel, leaving other devices stuck with the Google Now voice-activated personal assistant instead of the AI-powered assistant Google showed off at its event on Tuesday.
It connects to your phone with iOS or Android, Pebble's app connects to a watch face and app store, and most things are free, There are plenty of weird and (sometimes) wonderful watch faces to pick, But the Pebble 2 is black and white, unlike last year's Pebble Time watches, which had color screens, The plastic body has rubberized side buttons, plus a microphone that lets you dictate text and Gmail responses, The Pebble 2 packaging: redesigned and emphasizing slider case for iphone 8 heart rate, This model is the "Pebble 2 + HR," and a non-heart rate Pebble 2 will be available later on for $100..
The closely packed buttons are a little hard to press. And no, Pebble 2 does not have a touchscreen. A rear optical heart rate monitor, new to Pebble watches. It continually pings for heart rate readings. Pebble 2 (left) vs. Fitbit Charge 2 (right). Fitbit is a dedicated fitness tracker, and has easy-to-read info. Pebble's health data needs to be pulled up by pressing on a side button. Pebble 2 (middle) next to Fitbit Charge 2 (left) and Apple Watch Series 1 (right). Pebble isn't really exactly like either, but it's an affordable hybrid of sorts.
