Category: Gadgets

Project Fi is opened up to certain device users in the US

| March 14, 2016

The tech giant has announced that it is making its mobile network available to all users in the United States.

Google has now announced that it is making its mobile network, Project Fi, available to everyone in the United States that is a user of the Nexus models of smartphone.

The idea is that the devices can connect to Google’s cellular networks and WiFi hotspots through T-Mobile and Sprint.

The Project Fi connections can be used for text, voice and data services. In this way, mobile device users are able to send and receive tests and phone calls, even when connected exclusively to WiFi. The service also provides comparable pricing structures to those available through more traditional mobile networks. There is an up-front fee of $20 for users to be able to take advantage of unlimited domestic calling and unlimited international texting.

Before now, Project Fi had been available only to those who were directly invited to use it.

For another $10, users can purchase another GB of data. Users can purchase as many $10 one gig data increases as they want and any unused data will be credited back to their account at the end of the month, so it won’t be lost.

According to the service’s product manager, Simon Arscott, “this mobile network service was first launched exclusively to those who received invitations as a part of their Early Access program. This allowed the company to fine tune its quality in time for its full launch to all American consumers. “Today, we’re excited to be exiting our invitation-only mode and opening up Project Fi so that people across the U.S. can now sign up for service without having to wait in line for an invite,” he said.

That said, it is important to note that only certain tablets and smartphones can connect to the Project Fi network. It may not be in invitation-only mode but Americans can use it only if they have the right devices. Certain tablets can connect, such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab S, iPad Mini 4 and the iPad Air 2 can connect exclusively to the data portion of the service. Talk and Text are available to people with a Nexus smartphone such as the 5X or 6P.

Samsung and Six Flags team up for virtual reality roller coaster

| March 11, 2016

The amusement park is hoping to appeal to thrill seekers in a whole new way using VR tech.

The Six Flags amusement park is taking several of its roller coasters in a unique and thrilling new direction by implementing virtual reality technology to certain rides as a result of a partnership it has made with Samsung.

These high tech VR based rides will be available during the 2016 season at the amusement park.

When park visitors make their way onto virtual reality equipped rides, which include some of the most popular roller coasters, they will be provided with Samsung Gear VR headsets. This is meant to allow them to experience all the “heart-pumping adrenaline” from the turns, twists and sharp drops, which will function in conjunction with the sensors, accelerometers and gyros of the ride. While the riders will still be seated on their favorite roller coasters, as they always have, the headsets will offer an additional thrill to the experience that wouldn’t otherwise be available.

Samsung and Six Flags plan to be able to have the virtual reality experiences available as early as this month.

Virtual Reality - Roller Coaster at Six FlagsIn fact, this week will provide visitors to the Arlington, Texas location who hold season passes with an opportunity to experience a preview of the VR roller coaster experience on “Shock Wave”.

There will be a total of nine different rides that will have a virtual reality upgrade, this year. Among them, three will be using “Superman virtual reality”. All the rides with the headsets will have an age restriction so that users will be 13 years and older. The experience that will be provided to those who are older than that age will be a “futuristic battle to save planet earth from an alien invasion.” That said, the Superman focused roller coasters will be providing riders with a trip around Metropolis that is designed to be a “360-degree comic-book world” experience.

According to the president and CEO of Six Flags, John Duffey, in a statement about the virtual reality, “This remarkable technology is a definite game-changer for theme park rides and represents everything our brand stands for – delivering the most thrilling and innovative rides.”