Hacking Emperor

If you save your passwords in Chrome or even just use Android's default password manager, Google has some new security tools you'll be interested in. In just a few taps, you can scan your entire password database against lists of accounts that are known to have been compromised in a hack. Then, depending on your device and the websites in question, you might even be able to make Google Assistant automatically change your compromised passwords for you. Don't Miss: Comparing the 4 Best Password Managers for Android Step 1: Find Compromised Passwords To start, make sure you're running the... more http://dlvr.it/S0djFZ

We're still basking in the afterglow of the HUGE Snap Partner Summit last week, where Snap made Snapchat a much stronger augmented reality platform while also unveiling the AR smartglasses version of Spectacles. This week, we got a peek at how Spectacles AR started and got our hands on Lenses from Lego and Disney featured during the keynote. Undeterred, Facebook made a move to match Snap's masterstroke, with new AR features for creators to integrate into Instagram AR effects. In addition, Volkswagen unveiled a new electric vehicle with some automotive AR features coming along for the ride... more http://dlvr.it/S0djBz

Ever since Snapchat rebuffed its acquisition attempts, Facebook has morphed Instagram with features from Snapchat, such as stories, chat, and, of course, augmented reality. With regard to augmented reality, Snap is iterating at a fairly rapid pace. At its Snap Partner Summit last week, the company released version 4.0 of its Lens Studio AR creation platform and introduced new AR tech like Connected Lenses. Don't Miss: This Viral Instagram Augmented Reality Filter Will Tell You Which Disney Character You Really Are To keep up with Snap's AR arsenal, Facebook has added two new AR capabilities... more http://dlvr.it/S0cjJL

The world of Lego is timeless primarily because everyone, regardless of age or background, can build a wide variety of amazing things with the simple component blocks from the classic toymaker. But now that Snapchat has brought that dynamic to augmented reality via the Rebuild the World Snapchat Lens the possibilities are truly endless. • Don't Miss: Snap Team Member Reveals Early Prototype of AR Spectacles, Plus Here's Another Way to Get Your Own Pair Oddly, when you visit the Lego website, you'll have a difficult time finding any information about the new AR version of Lego, which is why... more http://dlvr.it/S0YTTQ

The electric vehicle space is where a lot of the most cutting-edge technology is used to push vehicles forward (the best example being Tesla). Now, the Volkswagen Group is ramping up the EV competition with its new augmented reality-infused Cupra Born. • Don't Miss: Volvo Teams with Unity to Let You Test Out the XC40 SUV in AR, Launches Developer Innovation Portal Although the official announcement of the EV was made a few weeks ago, this week we finally got an up-close look at some of the detail. Specifically, the car's augmented reality heads-up display is being shown off and, if the... more http://dlvr.it/S0V11j

When Snap CEO Evan Spiegel pulled off the surprise debut of the augmented reality version of Spectacles last week, it was one of the biggest moments in the company's history. In one move, Snap moved from a primarily software-driven social media company to a legitimate hardware player. But how did it come together? • Don't Miss: How to Get a Pair of Snap's New Spectacles AR Smartglasses Well, it turns out that, just like the HoloLens before it, the new Spectacles also had a noteworthy prototype device that led up to the eventual polished version that we see today. Thanks to Snap AR Product... more http://dlvr.it/S0Svks

In the Facebook app for Android and iOS, the shortcut bar has a few necessary tabs to go home and view notifications and settings. But other tabs can make the interface feel cluttered if you don't use them often enough — or at all. Thankfully, there's a quick trick to get rid of them for a cleaner navigation bar. For me, I hated seeing the Marketplace tab in the navigation bar, especially when there were notifications. In recent versions of the Facebook app, Marketplace would be could Shops, but it's essentially the same thing. The version of Facebook I have now on my iPhone places Shops... more http://dlvr.it/S0PYzt

Last week, Snap powered through a mountain of important software and (shock!) hardware updates, as well as a few very big business partnerships. One of those partnerships is Disney World, but if you weren't paying close attention, you might have missed how exactly you can bring Disney's iconic characters into your real world via Snapchat. • Don't Miss: Snap Now Lets You Build Lego in AR Remotely with Others, Reveals AR Tie-Up with Disney, Plus AR Business Tools The new Walt Disney World Resort Snapchat Lenses allow you to take a fully interactive selfie with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, or... more http://dlvr.it/S0L64f

Google and Snap held their annual conferences this week, and both companies managed to upstage their new AR software features with fantastic new AR hardware. After Snap unloaded a deluge of new AR capabilities and tools for creators and brands on Thursday, it dropped the mic with the reveal of its next-generation Spectacles, then followed up on Friday by acquiring the company whose technology helps make those Spectacles smartglasses. Similarly, Google unveiled several new AR features for Search and Maps, along with other tech advancements, during its I/O keynote, which concluded with the... more http://dlvr.it/S08vYk

The tech world was taken by surprise this week with the unexpected unveiling of Snap's augmented reality Spectacles smartglasses. So far, the reaction has been incredibly positive, partly due to the fact that Snap has been underpromising the delivery of AR smartglasses for several years, making it seem like they were far off in the future for the company. Therefore, the device's sudden debut felt more like a gift rather than an aspirational reach. • Don't Miss: Snap Spectacles Finally Evolve into Full AR Smartglasses with Standalone Immersive Superpowers But now that the device is out in... more http://dlvr.it/S08vVx

The big day for Snap that resulted in the debut of brand new augmented reality Spectacles smartglasses is turning into a big week. On Friday, just as the company was still basking in the generally positive reception to its latest version of Spectacles, news dropped that Snap has acquired wave guide maker WaveOptics. • Don't Miss: Snap Spectacles Finally Evolve into Full AR Smartglasses with Standalone Immersive Superpowers The deal not only gives Snap a huge leg up on its competition in terms of producing AR smartglasses in the future, but it also signals in no uncertain terms just how... more http://dlvr.it/S07lYJ

The surging activity in augmented reality in both the business and consumer sectors is being matched with a wealth of updates and partnerships from Snap Inc. On Thursday, during the company's Snap Partner Summit 2021, a wide range of tie-ups and new features were unveiled, with some of the biggest brands on the planet joining the AR fray. • Don't Miss: Samsung Just Gave Us the First Snapchat AR Smartphone, Sort Of Perhaps the most notable partnership is Snap's new effort with the Lego company. Although Lego is known for allowing kids of all ages to use plastic building blocks to create art... more http://dlvr.it/S04Pvf

Throughout Thursday's virtual Snap Partner Summit, Snapchat's parent company made a profound statement: If you use Snapchat, you're a creator. Of Snapchat's more than 500 million creators (aka daily active users), about 40% interact with AR daily to capture content. Don't Miss: How to Use Your Favorite Snapchat AR Lenses on Zoom, Skype, Meet & Other Video Conferencing Apps Considering AR's appeal in Snapchat, it's no surprise that Snap used the event to introduce a veritable plethora of new AR capabilities, headlined by the latest version from its Lens Studio platform for creating AR... more http://dlvr.it/S04Pqr

Android's open source nature means it gets modified quite a bit. First, the phone manufacturer will add their customizations, then your carrier will add even more on top of that. Between the two, someone almost always adds a startup sound so that you and everyone around you will hear their jingle every time your phone reboots. These customizations are done at the system level — in other words, they're part of the OS, which means you can't just delete the WAV or MP3 that plays when you reboot. But you don't need to root your phone just to stop hearing that pesky boot sound — there's a simple... more http://dlvr.it/S01DR8

For most mainstream users, LiDAR sensors for precision depth sensing remain the exclusive domain of Apple iPhones and iPads, but Google is helping Android device makers close the depth gap on the software side via its ARCore toolkit. After introducing new AR features for Search and Maps and previewing the mind-blowing Project Starline 3D video conferencing concept during its I/O keynote presentation on Tuesday, Google unceremoniously announced ARCore 1.24, which brings two new AR capabilities, Raw Depth API and Recording and Playback API, with the former enabling more realistic AR experiences... more http://dlvr.it/S00JWt

Snapchat's first foray into augmented reality started with the selfie camera and face-tracking technology, with the app's AR capabilities expanding from there. More recently, Snapchat creators have gained full-body tracking via Lens Studio, which begat virtual costumes such as Iron Man and Darth Vader. Snapchat's AR superstar dancing hot dog has even joined the full-body costume party. Don't Miss: Let Your Cat or Dog Join in Your AR Antics with These Pet-Friendly Lenses Since then, several developers have come up with some more imaginative uses for full-body tracking. We've uncovered three... more http://dlvr.it/Rzzdp6

During the Tuesday launch of Google I/O, the company's CEO, Sundar Pichai, pulled off a Steve Jobsian "one more thing" move near the end of his keynote address that was simply stunning. It's called Project Starline, and it's a (for now) internal project working to make remote video meetings a lot more immersive. • Don't Miss: Google Adds Sports Athletes to AR Search, Includes Virtual Street Signs in Live View AR in Google Maps The system uses high-resolution cameras, custom-built depth sensors, and what Google describes as a "breakthrough light field display" to deliver what appear to be 3D... more http://dlvr.it/RzwrNy

Since bringing augmented reality features to Search and Maps, Google has made them arguably the most useful augmented reality products in its portfolio. On Tuesday, at Google I/O, Google unveiled some of its new AR capabilities for the pair of mobile apps. Don't Miss: Google Offers Virtual Photo Booth Web App Ahead of Socially Distanced I/O Conference In Google Search, you can now view AR animations of athletes like soccer hero Megan Rapinoe, tennis star Naomi Osaka, and Olympic gymnast Simone Biles. Searching for these athletes now via the Google app for iOS and Android (or via Chrome for... more http://dlvr.it/RzwKGQ

Facebook Reality Labs just experienced its first major executive exit since the pandemic began. Hugo Barra has announced that he's stepping down from his position as vice president of VR at Facebook. Barra's move comes as a bit of a surprise as Facebook and its Oculus brand have been on a bit of a winning streak with the success of the Oculus Quest 2 (which features passthrough augmented reality features) and increased consumer interest in VR during pandemic lockdowns in 2020. • Don't Miss: Facebook Searching for More Troops to Work at Oculus on AR Product Design & Marketing Previously... more http://dlvr.it/RzsDFG

Currently, the COVID-19 pandemic is showing signs of winding down, nevertheless, Google will still hold its annual I/O developer conference as a virtual affair, with keynotes and sessions available as live streams and on-demand videos starting Tuesday, May 18 and concluding on Thursday, May 20. As a consolation prize, Google has a web-based AR treat for attendees and observers to bring a taste of the conference into their own home offices. Don't Miss: Hands-On: Here's How Augmented Reality in Google Search Works The Google I/O Photo Booth is a web app that is available for desktop and... more http://dlvr.it/RzrrpL

One fight for augmented reality branding that we thought had been settled has suddenly turned into a full-fledged legal battle—again. The combatants? Unreal Engine maker Epic Games versus the Chinese startup known as Nreal (aka Hangzhou Tairuo, or Beijing Unicorn Technology). The stakes? Who gets to use the name "real" in reference to augmented reality products. • Don't Miss: Hands-On with the Nreal Light, Smartphone-Powered Augmented Reality Immersion Next Reality was the first to report on this fight back in 2019, when Epic Games filed a lawsuit against Nreal to stop it from using the... more http://dlvr.it/RzqfkN

Since its launch two years ago, the HoloLens 2 has been the best AR headset available, and nothing has come close to touching it since. So, at first blush, new features arriving for the device via an update to the Windows Holographic operating system might seem a bit...tame. Don't Miss: 10 Remote Collaboration Apps for HoloLens, Magic Leap, & Mobile That Can Substitute for in-Person Meetings The top change arriving via version 21H1 is the transition to the Chromium-based Microsoft Edge as the default browser. Yawn? Not so fast. This means better support for WebXR experiences, which is... more http://dlvr.it/RzgKNw

The story of the HoloLens has been a mix of work and play. But while many developers have devoted time to creating gaming and entertainment apps for the HoloLens 1, with the HoloLens 2, Microsoft has been encouraging everyone to focus more on the enterprise side of things. But there's apparently still hope for those looking to harness the powers of the HoloLens for mainstream consumer uses, as HoloLens co-creator Alex Kipman has just commented on the development of a consumer version. • Don't Miss: Microsoft Mixed Reality Developer Shows Off the Full Power of Hand Tracking & Occlusion via... more http://dlvr.it/RzgKMq

The experience of actually using the HoloLens 2 can be difficult to describe to anyone who hasn't had a chance to directly interact with the device in person and be blown away by its immersive capabilities. That's why any new exploration into exposing the augmented reality magic made possible by the HoloLens 2 demands attention as we reveal how computing is about to change for the entire planet. This latest demo is no different. • Don't Miss: Intel Takes Us Inside to Reveal How HoloLens 2 Is Transforming Computer Chip Production This demonstration focuses on displaying the hand tracking and... more http://dlvr.it/RzffzX

Consumers who haven't already delved into the interactive wonders of augmented reality are about to be pushed into the immersive waters by market forces. In the lead up to next week's upfronts, an annual event during which TV networks work to woo advertisers with new shows and marketing techniques for their upcoming programming schedules, NBCUniversal took the wraps off its next big AR initiative. • Don't Miss: Marvel Heroes Invade ESPN's NBA Broadcast of Warriors vs. Pelicans Game via AR Similar to last year, due to the pandemic, the event, which is usually held in New York, is being held... more http://dlvr.it/RzbTjF

In recent years, the tech innovation space has been dominated by the US and Asia, with Europe weighing in, but still being mostly lauded for its art history and architecture. Now, Europhiles with a tech bent can enjoy a unique touch of the future while delving into Europe's past thanks to a new exhibition that uses augmented reality and the Microsoft HoloLens as the key to unlocking an immersive trip to the past. • Don't Miss: Japan-Based Developer Unleashes Giant AR Gundam Robot on the Public via HoloLens 2 The M Leuven museum has launched "Between Heaven and Earth – Experience The Last... more http://dlvr.it/RzVybq

Angry Birds, one of the first franchises to find success in mobile gaming, continues to shoot its shot at new life in augmented reality gaming. After adapting its slingshot gameplay for Magic Leap with Angry Birds FPS: First Person Slingshot and mobile with Isle of Pigs, Rovio Entertainment has pushed its furious feathered friends into the tower defense genre altogether for a web-based AR mini-game. Don't Miss: Hands-On: Angry Birds AR: Isle of Pigs Reinvents the Franchise for Mobile, but Smartglasses Are Its Destiny Launching as a promotional tie-in with Burger King UK, the web-based... more http://dlvr.it/RzTZyW

After awarding $410 million to the company that supplies VCSELs and LiDAR sensors, Apple has made another strategic investment into a company that may contribute to future augmented reality hardware innovations. On Monday, Apple announced a $45 million award from its Advanced Manufacturing Fund to Corning, the company supplying glass for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch products. Corning has previously received a total of $450 million from the fund over two previous awards. Don't Miss: The 10 Biggest AR Investments of 2020 "Apple and Corning have a long history of working together to... more http://dlvr.it/RzTZv2

Pretend you're a phone thief for a moment. You might be a pickpocket or a stickup kid, but you're in possession of other people's phones on a regular basis. Now ask yourself this: what's the first thing you do after you steal a phone? Any real phone thief with half a brain would simply turn the phone off. Not only would it circumvent Google's Find My Device for Android and Apple's Find My for iPhones, but it would also get around the new offline finding features that help locate stolen phones even in airplane mode. In short, if the thief turns your phone off and keeps it turned off, you're... more http://dlvr.it/RzLVhs

Pretend you're a phone thief for a moment. You might be a pickpocket or a stickup kid, but you're in possession of other people's phones on a regular basis. Now ask yourself this: what's the first thing you do after you steal a phone? Any real phone thief with half a brain would simply turn the phone off. Not only would it circumvent Google's Find My Device for Android and Apple's Find My for iPhones, but it would also get around the new offline finding features that help locate stolen phones even in airplane mode. In short, if the thief turns your phone off and keeps it turned off, you're... more http://dlvr.it/RzJ5Hp

Apple has a sterling reputation when it comes to managing its supply chain; it's where CEO Tim Cook proved his mettle to succeed Steve Jobs. Now, the company has made a strategic investment with a supplier that will be crucial to its future plans for AR wearables. While Apple gets its ducks in a row for its debut AR wearable, startup Campfire has benefited from the design expertise of a long-time Apple collaborator. We recently spoke with Campfire CEO Jay Wright about its relationship with famed design studio Frog and its plans for its enterprise-grade AR headset. On the content side of the... more http://dlvr.it/RzHlzM

Back when Android used navigation buttons, there was a large black bar at the bottom of every screen to house the back, home, and recent apps buttons. But after switching to full-screen navigation gestures in 2019, there was no longer a need for it — however, a vestigial black bar still shows up when you're using your keyboard. This bar is particularly egregious on Samsung phones, but luckily, One UI has a setting for just about everything — including a few that will remove all traces of that black bar. Depending on how far you want to take things, you can even remove the sliver of a black... more http://dlvr.it/RzHKQK

The mission to rise above the fray to become a leading player in the augmented reality business is a moving target that depends on innovation, resources, and timing. Last week, Campfire took advantage of these remote-centric times to introduce a new AR product to the market that could change how many of us work. • Don't Miss: Campfire AR Headset Emerges from Stealth to Offer 3D Collaborations for Enterprise & Design Teams The team is lead by CEO Jay Wright, the person who took over at the newly formed Meta View when it rose from the ashes of the now-defunct Meta Company. But that's all... more http://dlvr.it/RzCmmJ

One of the oldest electronic musical instruments is the theremin, a synthesizer that generates sound based on hand gestures, as featured in the classic "Good Vibrations" by the Beach Boys. Now, indie developer Lucas Rizzotto has taken the concept of the theremin and translated it to an augmented reality synthesizer app for HoloLens 2 that can turn people into musical instruments. Don't Miss: Control a Synthesizer with the HoloLens to Make Music in Mixed Reality Yes, technically, people are already musical instruments, or at least those gifted with singing talent or possessing the ability to... more http://dlvr.it/RzCJrP

The future of the HoloLens 2, according to Microsoft, is all about enterprise use cases. But that doesn't mean some of the more creative-minded HoloLens developers won't bend the top-tier augmented reality device to their own designs. The latest example of this trend comes from Japan. • Don't Miss: Microsoft Japan Helps Godzilla Invade Real World Tokyo via HoloLens If you've ever been to Tokyo, you may have seen the incredibly designed "Gundam building," which looks like a giant Gundam robot crouching among the normal buildings of the megalopolis. More recently, a life-sized Gundam was... more http://dlvr.it/Rz7fgm

As Apple prepares to potentially introduce its (mostly) secretive AR headset for possible introduction later this year and launch next year, the company has made a strategic investment to ensure its supply chain can support it. On Wednesday, Apple announced an award of $410 million from its Advanced Manufacturing fund to II-VI, an optics manufacturer that supplies the company with iPhone and iPad components that enable advanced AR experiences. Don't Miss: Concept Video Hints That First Mainstream AR Smartglasses Could Feature Glass from Apple-Backed Corning "The expansion of the company's... more http://dlvr.it/Rz7BSv

As the U.S. inches closer to herd immunity and reopening after the pandemic, it may become necessary to keep your COVID-19 vaccination cards on you at all times to gain access to places and events that are prone to spreading the coronavirus. You probably won't want to lose your card, so it may be wise to load a copy onto your smartphone for easy access. Why You Might Need Your Covid-19 Vaccine Card While there are no nationwide laws that require you to keep your CDC-issued COVID-19 vaccination record card, some cities, events, businesses, and travel methods will require proof of immunization... more http://dlvr.it/Rz38Dt

Why are there no official Star Wars emoji in the Unicode Standard? We've got the "Vulcan Salute" from Star Trek, so where's the force choke hand gesture?! While you may never see Star Wars officially invade your emoji keyboard, there are ways to send Star Wars emoji and stickers to your friends in your favorite chat app. What Are Star Wars Emoji? First, before you start spamming your conversations with Baby Yoda and Darth Vader, know that none of these are official emoji. Real emoji that reside in your Android's or iOS device's keyboard are part of the Unicode Standard, which receives... more http://dlvr.it/Rz2c4l

Thanks to the grandest of puns, May the 4th is Star Wars Day. And what better way to pay tribute to the space opera than with the augmented reality superpowers of Snapchat. While Disney has used AR via Snapchat, Facebook, and Google, among other outlets, to promote Star Wars properties, and now Lens Studio for Snapchat has enabled creators to build their own Star Wars AR experiences. Don't Miss: Next Reality's 30 People to Watch in Augmented Reality for 2020 In previous editions of AR Snapshots, we've featured virtual lightsabers, Mandalorian helmets, and dancing Baby Yoda AR Lenses, but... more http://dlvr.it/Rz2c1D

The Chicago Bulls may not be very relevant in the current NBA standings, but they do lead the league in one other area. With an assist from Nexus Studios, AT&T has debuted StatsZone, an augmented reality experience that presents game statistics in an immersive format, in the Chicago Bulls app. Don't Miss: NBA AR App Launches on Android & Adds Portals to Playoffs Leveraging ARKit from Apple and ARCore from Google for horizontal plane detection, StatZone anchors a tabletop-sized virtual basketball court with customizable dashboards, shot charts, and animations that help visualize the numbers... more http://dlvr.it/Ryz8y9