Blog Layout

Sony’s new full

Sony follows up on its high-end full-frame lens announcements with more affordable models intended for both its APS-C and full-frame mirrorless cameras. The FE 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 G OSS may not seem cheap at $1,200 (£1,150; Australian price not available, but US converts to AU$1,580), but it’s likely more than half the price of the as-yet …

Read More »

The dangers of virtual reality

You set up a room with an advanced VR kit, and wire it to your PC. It all seems fine. Anything to be worried about? Actually, I worry a lot. Virtual reality is amazing, but it isn’t safe. It isn’t easy. And with the complicated hardware being released now, it could end up being a nightmare in the wrong hands. …

Read More »

A wireless

If you like streaming “The Walking Dead” to your phone, there’s good news ahead: Wireless carriers are facing off to make sure you can keep watching those videos without a stutter for years to come. Tuesday is the start of the Federal Communications Commission’s so-called Incentive Auction, which will take valuable spectrum away from TV broadcasters and sell it to …

Read More »

Eyes

The Samsung Gear VR is rapidly shaping up to be the preferred VR headset for folks who don’t have $600-$800 to spend on an Oculus Rift or HTC Vive. Outfitted with the headset and a compatible smartphone, you can enjoy some Oculus-style experiences for a fraction of the cost. The latest: Hulu. The streaming service just released an app for …

Read More »

Is your NCAA bracket on life support? You’re not alone

Here’s my sliver of pride in forecasting this year’s March Madness tournament: I’ve got more teams in the Final Four than Bing Predicts. I’ve got two teams — North Carolina and Oklahoma — still standing as we head into this weekend’s games. Microsoft’s forecasting engine, by contrast, has just Carolina. Of course, that’s cold consolation for one of the wackiest …

Read More »

Microsoft megahit Minecraft to get more powerful on mobile

Part of the appeal of Minecraft, Microsoft’s immensely popular video game, is that its remarkably adaptable. Fans can rewrite the rules to make Minecraft’s blocky virtual world behave any way they want. Well, some fans can. People who play Minecraft on PCs get lots of flexibility compared with those who use Minecraft Pocket Edition, the $7 version for phones and …

Read More »