Sony released a kid-edition controller, Mini Wired Gamepad

Sony has just released new gaming gear, namely the long-awaited Mini Wired Gamepad compatible with PS4. For the creation of this tool, Sony collaborated with Hori, the well-known producer of gaming equipment. As the name said, the controller comes in a small size, and is likely made especially for children.

What’s so special about the Mini Wired Gamepad?

If you compare the Mini Wired Gamepad with the original controller, it is about half the size of the latter, and 40 percent of the DualShock 4. It comes in the color blue, so typical of PlayStation consoles. However, this is the only color available. Some other specifications include a wire which connect the controller to the console.

These are the features which make it stand out. Then, most of the other elements make it really similar to DualShock 4. All the buttons present on the Mini Wired Gamepad can also be found on DualShock 4. They allow you to play any PS4 game you like, while using the same controls you are already used to.

The smaller size made Sony give up some features

However, your experience might suffer a bit, as some of the exclusive features present on other controllers are now gone. As the Mini Wired Gamepad is smaller than you have been used to, Sony had to give up some of vibration, the speaker, the touch pad, the jack for the headset, or the motion sensor.

However, even if the touch pad is gone, it doesn’t mean your controls will suddenly be cut in half. By manipulating the sticks present on the mini controller, you should be able to simulate the movements offered by the touchpad.

Sony found the perfect way to make gaming more comfortable for children, as spending too much time using the massive controllers could have turned painful by the end of the day. It might work just as fine for humans, as the Mini Wired Gamepad is easier to manipulate and to hold.
Image Source: Pixabay

Anthony Levandowski wants to found his own religion which worships an AI god

Anthony Levandowski has had an interesting trip to fame, and is best well-known for being the man at the center of the Uber-Waymo scandal. He doesn’t cease to amaze everyone, as now is set to start a new religion. This religion is called ‘Way of the Future’, and is supposed to be worshipping an AI god.

Levandowksi is at the center of the Uber-Waymo scandal

Levandowski started as a Google engineer who slowly became well-known everywhere. After he left the company, he made his own startup, Otto, involving self-driving cars. This startup was bought by Uber, and Levandowski became an executive of the bigger company.

However, he is responsible for the infamous scandal between Uber and Waymo. The latter is a division which belongs to Google, and they claim he stole their technology and applied it in the development of autonomous vehicles. Uber fired him after these accusations, but the trial is still ongoing.

He wants to worship an AI god

Levandowski seemed determined not to disappear from the spotlight. It seems the engineer is set to start a new religion with an AI god. Although many regard AIs as an imminent threat, Levandowski sees it otherwise. He also seems to believe the Singularity is possible, or that such machines can actually become smarter than humans.

So far, this religion, called ‘Way of the Future’ hasn’t applied for the necessary paperwork to become a true religious organization. However, the former Uber executive has submitted other papers, entitling him as the CEO and President of this religious group.

The chances that Singularity will occur are quite small but, even if this does happen, Levandowski wants to be on the right side. He might think this is a good thing, but other experts in the field, including Elon Musk, are terrified by such a scenario.
Image Source: Pixabay

A Kuiper Belt mysterious object was found just behind far regions of the Solar System

Two researchers at the University of Arizona are of the opinion that there is a hidden planetary-mass object orbiting the Sun beyond Pluto in our solar system. The researchers from the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory (LPL) are of the hypothesis that the planetary-mass object is, in terms of size, between Mars and Earth. The Kuiper Belt mysterious object was found because it has a perceived ability to control the orbital planes of spaces rocks (or KBOs).

Kuiper Belt Mysterious Object Lurks Behind Pluto

The two authors of the research, Kat Volk and Renu Malhotra, have said that:

“According to our calculations, something as massive as Mars would be needed to cause the warp that we measured”.

The Kuiper Belt mysterious object is supposed to be different from and closer than the Planet Nine, which was not yet demonstrated to actually exist. Rather, it is only a theoretical finding.

For the present study regarding the Kuyper Belt mysterious object, Volk and Renu researched more than 600 KBOs trying to determine the common – or average – direction and tilt of their orbital planes.

The two researchers from the University of Arizona note that the Kuiper Belt mysterious object was not spotted, yet, in the Kuiper Belt. However, they are confident that, after the finishing of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, they will be able to better spot and discover hidden worlds like this one.

While most KBOs – which are debris remained from the formation of the solar system – orbit the sun with orbital tilts, or inclinations, with an invariable plane of the solar system, the farthest KBOs do not. Per the two researchers’ discovery thus far, this Kuiper Bet mysterious object is titled away from the invariable plane by about 8 degrees. Which is more than enough evidence that a planetary-mass object is interfering with the orbital tilting.

Image Source: Pixabay

IKEA announced that its smart lights would come with increased connectivity options for digital assistants such as Alexa.

Earlier this week, IKEA issued a press release which announced the increased connectivity of its smart lights range. This will soon come with integrated support for Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri and HomeKit, and the Google Assistant.

IKEA’s smart light bulb, called Trådfri, can presently only be controlled via an app or remote control. Still, it will soon offer integration with a digital assistant at the user’s choice.

IKEA’s Smart Lights, Just a First Step in the Smart Home Products Area

IKEA is one of the biggest furniture sellers in the world as it operates in 28 countries through 340 stores. Which could also mean that it is one of the most likely and capable retailers to introduce smart home appliances to tech-savvy users.

The company’s smart lights are already available in a number of selected countries. Their digital assistant integration may also help them become more accessible.

“By ensuring that our products work with others on the market, we take another step to meet people’s needs and make it easier to interact with the products for the smart home,” said Björn Block.

He is the leader of the IKEA Home Smart. Jeanette Skjelmose, the Business Area Manager for Lighting and IKEA Home Smart, also stated that the division considers that smart home technology should be accessible to anyone.

The Trådfri range of smart lights includes a number of sensing, remote-controlled, and dimming light fixtures. It also comes with the “Gateway”, a hub device which enables the connectivity with the user’s home network.

Now controlled through an app, this will also be used for the digital assistant integration. It will also support its connectivity with thermostats, ceilings fans, and other smart home appliances. The integration and support should start being rolled out sometime in the latter half of 2017 and will first become available to US and UK users.

Image Source: Wikimedia

Google brought homage to the Antikythera mechanism by transforming it into a doodle for its anniversary.

Earlier this week, Google released another one of its already famous doodles. Its latest subject was the Antikythera mechanism or what is considered as being one of the world’s first computers.

This doodle made its debut on May 17^th, a date which marks the 115^th anniversary of the discovery of this unique relic. Discovered by Greek scientists, this is now part of the collections of the National Archaeological Museum in Athens.

The Antikythera Mechanism and Its Complex Nature and History

The mechanism got its name from the place in which it was discovered. Back in 1902, Valerios Stais, a Greek archeologist, detected a “corroded chunk of metal” as he was sifting through artifacts recovered from a shipwreck in Antikythera.

The particular piece looked like a wheel or gear. Further research revealed that it was, in fact, a part of the Antikythera mechanism. This is the ancient variant of an analog astronomical computer.

“The Antikythera mechanism tracked planetary positions, predicted lunar and solar eclipses, and even signaled the next Olympic Games. It was probably also used for mapping and navigation,” stated Google.

In the same post to announce its release, the company also offered some historical data about the ‘device’. The mechanism features a frontal dial, which offers both solar and zodiacal calendars. On its back side, it came with several other dials, which represented the celestial cycles.

Thanks to 3D tomography, scientists were able to generate computer models of the Antikythera mechanism. These revealed its complex system, based on over 30 “sophisticated gears” as intricate as even some 18th-century clocks. All these pieces are contained by a case, about the size of a shoebox, made out of bronze and wood.

Initially, the mechanism was believed to date back to about 85 BC. The latest research suggests that it may be even older. More precisely, it could date back to around 150 BC.

Specialists continue studying this impressive mechanism and its inner workings as they are also trying to find its exact purpose. Google stated, through its doodle, that the Antikythera mechanism can still open “a skyful of knowledge and inspiration”.

Image Source: Wikimedia