Techstination

Google shaking up video game world with Stadia.   

Google is shaking up the world of video games….unveiling Stadia…a cloud gaming platform that will turn just about any device running the Chrome browser…into a game machine.  At this month’s Game Developer Conference, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said…

“If you think about games, there are a lot of barriers for users to play high end games.  Beautiful graphics really need high end consoles or PCs.  And games don’t have instant access.  Think about the way the Web works, you can easily share a link and it works seamlessly.  We want games to feel that way too.  Instantly enjoyable with access for everyone.

Google’s tag line for Stadia is No Boxes, No Downloads, No Limits.  It is due to arrive this year..pricing hasn’t been announced.

 Wearables market growing, evolving: IDC    

We are buying more and more smart wearable devices.  IDC is out with a forecast that says the worldwide market for wearable devices…including wireless headphones with smart assistants…will grow more than fifteen percent this year.  Watches….like the Apple Watch…are leading the way…and much of the focus there is on health care.   IDC Research Director Ramon Llamas…

“We’re not at the point where smart watches are diagnosing your physical condition.  I think we’re several cycles away from that.  But that certainly says something.  And Apple also is not the only one.  Fitbit has its own collection of smart watches.”

And others like Samsung as well.  IDC says the wearables phenomenon is just getting started. Check out the IDC.com Web site for more.

 BioLite's HeadLamp 330 shines: Marketing Dir. Erica Rosen in Techstination interview.

 Pioneer jumping into telematics with rDrive & adding wireless NEX receivers.   Techstination interview with Marketing VP Ted Cardenas.

 An Outdoor Sensor from Philips Hue

 The Philips Hue brand has been a pioneer in connected lighting for the smart home and one of the newest additions to the line up is the Outdoor Sensor.  It is a motion sensor that can be used indoors or out to trigger Hue lights.  I’ve found the addition to be both reliable and very useful.  Product Marketing Director Mike Deschamps…

“Really great product, fully outdoor rated,  can be easily installed.  Battery powered, but will still last for up to two years.  And now you can really have more of that peace of mind and security from your outdoor space.”

Utilizing some of the recent additions for outdoor lighting from Philips Hue….or to trigger indoor lights to come on as you approach the door.  The price…about fifty dollars.  There’s more at MeetHue.com.

 More new iPads from Apple.   Apple says the Mini just got mightier.  A new iPad Mini is on the way along with a new iPad Air.  The designs are a bit of a throw back….with the once familiar white bezels….and even a return to the Lightning port.  But the new iPads will be able to use Apple’s Pencil stylus….a 99 dollar add on.  The displays are better and there are faster processors…along with speedier LTE connections available as an option.  The new iPad Air starts at about 500 dollars for a 64 gigabyte model while a 256 gigabyte version comes in at 649 dollars.  The new iPad Minis are 100 dollars less.  The ability for mobile connections adds about 130 dollars.  For iPad fans….count me as one of those….these are more affordable options that the latest iPad Pro designs. 

 Mobility for all ...greatest promise of autonomous vehicles.     

When it comes to self driving vehicles….there’s an awful lot of confusion out there.  A recent Triple A survey found nearly three quarters of us have a negative impression of self driving vehicles or even the testing of them.  At Princeton University, the faculty chair for autonomous vehicle engineering, Alain Kornhauser, says those perceptions will have to be turned around…and understanding some of the benefits is a great place to start.  Full disclosure…I co-host the Smart Driving Cars podcast with Professor Kornhauser…who advocates for the technology to be used to create mobility for those most in need…

“The biggest opportunity for this mobility is to serve those who need it the most.  But what we need to do is figure out what is it that mobility disadvantaged community really needs.”

Those working on the technology…and governmental agencies…he says…should spend a lot of time listening.

Techstination Week is a compilation of this week's Techstination Reports with tech journalist and host Fred Fishkin

 Black Eye Pro Kit G4 lenses for mobile photos and video.  Today's Techstination.