Facebook’s upcoming “360 Photos” feature will allow users to upload panoramas taken on smartphones and cameras and convert them into enhanced 360-degree images with panning functionality for their News Feeds and the Oculus-powered Samsung Gear VR, essentially enabling consumers to publish VR content without the need for special equipment. “Facebook is also releasing Gear VR usage stats for the first time, saying Gear VR has 1 million monthly users, and those who use it spend 25 minutes per day on the device,” reports TechCrunch. “That could encourage developers to build for the platform.” Continue reading Facebook Helps You Morph Flat Panoramas into ‘360 Photos’

Amazon is taking on Google with the launch of its Video Direct ad-supported video service, which allows anyone to upload original or licensed video content, similar to the YouTube model. Amazon account holders will have the options of offering their content for free, to rent or own, via a subscription channel, or exclusively to Amazon Prime members. The move is another step in Amazon’s push into media as the company continues to invest in original programming and exclusive deals with the likes of HBO and Epix, while introducing a month-by-month subscription option to compete with Netflix. Continue reading Amazon Ramps Up its Google Rivalry with New Video Service

Uber has agreed with a union to launch the Independent Drivers Guild for its 35,000 drivers in New York. The association will be affiliated with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union, and will afford Uber drivers “some limited benefits and protections,” but “would stop short of unionization,” reports The New York Times. While Uber drivers have formed various groups across the U.S., this is the first officially recognized by Uber. “The agreement is Uber’s latest attempt to assuage mounting concerns from regulators and drivers’ groups about the company’s labor model, which treats drivers as independent contractors,” notes NYT. Continue reading Uber Agrees to Forming Independent Drivers Guild in New York

While Facebook continues its push into mobile, it may be surprising to learn that its popular mobile messaging service WhatsApp has released a desktop app for both Windows and Mac. “Like WhatsApp Web, our desktop app is simply an extension of your phone: the app mirrors conversations and messages from your mobile device,” explains the WhatsApp Blog. The ability to continue conversations that users “start on their phone even if they switch devices,” suggests Re/code, will prove “useful, and something that Google and Apple also allow with Hangouts and iMessage respectively.” Facebook paid $19 billion for WhatsApp two years ago. The service currently has about one billion users. Continue reading Facebook’s WhatsApp Unveils Desktop App for Mac, Windows

Nvidia CEO Jen-Hsun Huang debuted the much-anticipated GeForce GTX 1080 gaming GPU, the first based on the new Pascal architecture, promising dramatic improvements in performance, memory and power efficiency. Huang told the crowd at DreamHack in Austin, Texas that the new GPU delivers twice the performance and three times the efficiency of Titan X. For a sense of Pascal’s capabilities for gaming and virtual reality, attendees were treated to demos involving next generation character models, the Ansel game capture tool and the compelling “VR Funhouse” experience. Continue reading Nvidia Unveils GeForce GTX 1080 Advanced Graphics Card

Apple is now offering its Apple Music subscription service to college and university students at a 50 percent discount ($4.99 per month). Apple will verify student status via Unidays, which provides discounts across major retailers and brands. The new offer brings Apple’s “music service in line with Spotify and Tidal, both of which already offer $4.99 student subscriptions,” reports The Wall Street Journal. “Google Play Music offers no discount for students, just the industry-standard $9.99 a month. All four rival services do offer family plans, where multiple users can share a subscription at a starting price of $14.99 a month.” Continue reading Apple Music Now Available to College Students at Half Price

The Federal Communications Commission has approved the proposed acquisitions of Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks by Charter Communications. If California regulators also approve (a decision is expected by Thursday), the deals would result in the second-largest broadband provider and third-largest video provider in the U.S. The Time Warner Cable deal is valued at $56.7 billion, while the Bright House deal is valued at $10.4 billion. Thomas Rutledge, president and chief exec of Charter, said the deals would lead to increased competition, more access to affordable broadband and new jobs. Continue reading FCC Approves Charter’s Purchase of TWC and Bright House

Ride-sharing services Uber and Lyft are planning to suspend their operations in Austin, Texas after voters rejected the Proposition 1 ballot measure over the weekend. The initiative would have allowed the two services to set their own regulations, and essentially bypass a city ordinance that requires fingerprint background checks for drivers, which the companies argued were “burdensome and unnecessary,” reports Re/code. Lyft and Uber are pausing operations in Austin as a result of the loss, and suggest they may need to take the same action in other markets with similar laws. Continue reading Ballot Measure Rejected, Uber and Lyft Pulling Out of Austin

According to Microsoft’s 178-page annual Security Intelligence Report, the world is experiencing a dramatic increase in vulnerabilities and malware involving Internet services and computers. Microsoft’s anti-malware software sees more than 10 million attacks on identities daily. “Microsoft says around 50 percent of these attacks can be traced back to Asia, and 20 percent to Latin America, although such attacks do not always succeed,” notes Digital Trends, adding that “one of the most popular phishing methods is pretending to be an online service, like eBay, Facebook, Amazon, or Google.” The greater concern may be that, on average, it takes about 240 days to detect most breaches. Continue reading Microsoft’s Latest Security Report Warns of Increased Threats

Already the top-grossing R-rated movie in history (earning $761 million worldwide), “Deadpool” has broken another record by selling one million units in Digital HD sales during its first week, the fastest of any superhero title. The film “holds the record as Fox’s best performing Digital HD title ever,” notes The Wrap. “In comparison, ‘The Martian’ hit the one million unit mark in three weeks over Christmas, which was a record back then.” Digital HD includes Comcast, Google Play, iTunes, Xbox, and other digital outlets. “Deadpool” will be available on Blu-ray, DVD and on demand starting May 10. Continue reading ‘Deadpool’ Sets New Record: Sells One Million Digital Units

Action cam manufacturer GoPro is delaying the release of its Karma drone from June to the end of the year after the company announced a $107.5 million quarterly loss. “The drone’s success is critical to GoPro’s efforts to attract new users to its devices,” reports The Wall Street Journal. “The drone delay adds to GoPro’s string of problems launching recent products. Last year, GoPro slashed the price by half of its entry-level camera, the Hero 4 Session, to entice consumers.” While revenue dropped 49 percent from the previous year, the numbers weren’t as bad as analysts predicted. CEO Nick Woodman said the company is optimistic about “lessons learned from last year,” and is, “seeing the benefits of our simplified product lineup today.”

Continue reading In Wake of Q1 Loss, GoPro Pushes Drone Launch to Holidays

ETC@USC has scheduled a panel discussion — “Audience Intelligence at the Frontier: AI, Neuroscience & the Data Revolution in Hollywood” — for Tuesday, June 21. Yves Bergquist, co-founder & CEO of Novamente, and director of ETC’s new Data & Analytics Project will moderate. Leading data scientists, neuroscientists and senior studio execs will discuss the application of next-generation cognitive computing to the audience intelligence challenges in Hollywood. Sponsored by Cloudera, the event will take place 2:00–4:00 pm at the USC Ronald Tutor Campus Center, followed by a cocktail reception. For more information and to register, visit the panel’s Eventbrite page. Continue reading ETC Panel: AI, Neuroscience & Data Revolution in Hollywood

Philips launched a new 43-inch, 16:9 computer monitor in the U.S. this week that features a 4K Ultra HD LCD display touting 3840 x 2160 resolution, 178-degree horizontal and vertical viewing angles, and a 5ms response time. Model BDM4350UC touts 10-bit color support (with color reproduction rated at 1.07 billion colors) and a dynamic contrast ratio of 50,000,000:1. The IPS monitor — which also features MultiView functionality, built-in 7-watt speakers, and a four-port USB 3.0 hub — is currently available on Amazon for $800. Continue reading Philips Releases 43-Inch, 4K Ultra HD LCD Computer Monitor

The Federal Communications Commission has approved Altice NV’s proposed $17.7 billion acquisition of Cablevision Systems Corp. As part of the deal, the European telecom group would assume Cablevision debt and invest to upgrade the company’s broadband. According to the FCC, Altice has a record of improving services after investing in broadband companies in Belgium, France, Israel, Luxembourg and Portugal. In December, the FCC approved Altice’s $9.1 billion purchase of Missouri-based cable company Suddenlink Communications. Continue reading FCC Signs Off on Altice Acquisition of Cablevision Systems

Netflix continues to invest heavily in its original programming as the company competes with pay TV and rival streaming services. The company has also reduced its U.S. library as licensing costs climb, while adding to its international offerings in markets such as Canada and Great Britain. To get a sense of the brand’s perception in an evolving digital landscape, AllFlicks surveyed 3,000 visitors to its own site and Reddit to learn how the company is faring as compared to pay TV and other entertainment businesses. With this select group, 75.5 percent believe Netflix could replace traditional TV. Continue reading Survey: Netflix Subscribers Envision the Service Replacing TV