Blog Layout

Facebook live

Facebook Live is about to get livelier. The social network on Wednesday introduced new features for its live-streaming service, which lets people broadcast live video feeds over the Internet using a phone’s camera. The video streams can be watched by other people on Facebook. Among the new features: Viewers can click on Facebook’s gamut of …

Read More »

Facebook’s live video service gets more emotional (The 3:59, Ep. 23)

Facebook wants to get us to start oversharing on video, too. The social-network’s Live video feature, which lets folks broadcast live from their smartphones, got a handful of new tools, including more “reaction” buttons, such as Love and Wow, as well as filters like sepia tone. Facebook needs to keep building more features onto Live to keep up the competition …

Read More »

Hands

I continue to be amazed by the virtual-reality experiences you can have right on your smartphone. To ride a virtual rollercoaster, sit onstage with Paul McCartney or blast away at waves of incoming aliens, all you need is Google Cardboard or a similar headset. In fact, now you don’t need a headset at all. With VR Cups, you just suction …

Read More »

How to adjust the Oculus Rift for a perfect fit

Now playing: Watch this: Get your VR headset to fit just right 1:35 Right out of the box, the Oculus Rift probably won’t fit perfectly. But this one-size-fits-most headset just needs a few tweaks to get the best fit. Here’s everything you need to know about adjusting the headset to your head and eyes. Fit the outside first Loosen the …

Read More »

Facebook perks up Live video by copying ideas from other apps

It’s just like Periscope’s hearts… but sideways? Facebook livens up its Live video with floating reaction icons and color filters. Also, Facebook-owned WhatsApp is making some big changes to boost encryption. Get the details by watching CNET Update below, along with news on changes coming to Twitter, Etsy and the expansion of Amazon same-day delivery: Now playing: Watch this: Facebook …

Read More »

How to make your GIFs load fast every time

Have you ever excitedly turned a video into a GIF…and then realized it took forever to load on your phone? Or didn’t load at all? It sucks the joy right out of GIF-sharing. An unoptimized GIF can look jumpy and strange and even look pixelated or jittery. The good news is that you can make fast-loading GIFs with just a …

Read More »

Where we’re going we don’t need headsets: Samsung receives patent for AR contact lenses

Now playing: Watch this: Samsung gets the green light for augmented-reality contacts 1:07 With Gear VR, Samsung was one of the first companies to get its foot in the virtual reality door. Now, it looks like the South Korean electronics giant is experimenting with augmented reality. Samsung has received a patent for “smart” contact lenses, which it originally filed in …

Read More »