University of Glasgow makes 3D models with single-pixel sensors, skips the cameras (video)

University of Glasgow makes 3D models with single-pixel sensors, skips the cameras (video)

Most approaches to capturing 3D models of real-world objects involve multiple cameras that are rarely cheap, and are sometimes tricky to calibrate. The University of Glasgow has developed a method that ditches those cameras altogether. Its system has four single-pixel sensors stitching together a 3D image based on the reflected intensity of light patterns cast by a projector. Reducing the pixel count lowers the cost per sensor to just a few … [Read more...]

Firefox 22 beta enables WebRTC by default, HiDPI displays on Windows

Firefox 22 beta enables WebRTC by default, HiDPI displays on Windows

Though Mozilla has long been a proponent of WebRTC for plugin-free video and voice chat, it hasn't been ready to enable the full protocol in Firefox as a matter of course. It's more confident as of this week: the newly available Firefox 22 beta turns on complete WebRTC use by default, allowing for both live web conversations and peer-to-peer file swaps. There's more to the release as well, depending on the platform. Windows users receive support … [Read more...]

Photoshop Express brings its quick photo fixes to Windows 8 and RT

Photoshop Express brings its quick photo fixes to Windows 8 and RT

Adobe's Photoshop Express has been taking care of our botched photos on Android and iOS for quite some time, but it hasn't had its turn on a desktop-class platform. That changes with today's launch of a version for Windows 8 and RT. Like their mobile counterparts, Windows users can now make basic edits, apply filters and sync photos to Revel in a touch-friendly interface; the chief difference is the landscape-oriented Windows Store look. If … [Read more...]

Soundhalo beta for Android lets us buy concert videos before the show is over

Soundhalo beta for Android lets us buy concert videos before the show is over

The urge to record video at a concert can be distracting for fans and musicians alike -- enough so that some bands now forbid it altogether. Soundhalo's new media service and Android beta might just keep both sides happy, as long as they've got the money to spend. The platform lets a backstage team make audio and video available for purchase from the app, as soon as a song is done; theoretically, you can start a replay before you've left the … [Read more...]

Pinterest lets users send pins directly to friends, receive instant feedback

Pinterest lets users send pins directly to friends, receive instant feedback

Despite being one of the hotter social networks, Pinterest hasn't been on the cutting edge of sharing: members wanting to send their pins through official channels have had to use old-fashioned email. The service is catching up to the modern era in style, however, with a new option to send pins directly to friends through Pinterest's mobile and web apps. While email is still hanging around, both ends now just have to be mutual followers on … [Read more...]

Amazon lands Prime Instant Video exclusives for five NBCUniversal shows

Amazon lands Prime Instant Video exclusives for five NBCUniversal shows

Amazon is still determined to snag every TV exclusive possible, and it just scored one of its better deals -- or at least, one of the more forward-thinking. It now has the sole unlimited subscription streaming rights to the previous seasons of five NBCUniversal shows. The highlight could be Hannibal, which will reach the service later this year; gamers may also like the crossover SyFy series Defiance, which should be ready in early 2014. Those … [Read more...]