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December 30, 2017

HTC Vive Tracker Review

The HTC Vive Tracker is a weird peripheral for your VR setup. It’s a little black puck with tiny feet, like something you’d use to prop up furniture. What it does, though, is stranger still — it brings physical objects into virtual reality.

The post HTC Vive Tracker Review appeared first on Digital Trends.

Source: Digital Trends VR

December 29, 2017

Frequency

Understanding frequency is key to a complete understanding of audio and how to manipulate it. We’ll cover this important aspect as a basis for many …
Source: CW’s Flipboard Feed

December 29, 2017

The 10 Best Web Series of 2017: John Early, Zoe Cassavetes, Black Girl Magic, and More

Bestof2017

In a year when the growing role of Netflix in Hollywood raised age-old fears about the death of cinema, the question of what is television versus a movie versus a web series grew ever murkier. As younger audiences become increasingly blasé about the difference, preferring streaming sites to the movie theater experience, production companies are scrambling to engage them with quality online content. At the same time, the internet remains the easiest way for emerging filmmakers to get their work seen without having to rely on meddling middlemen or jaded gatekeepers.

IFC Comedy Crib, Stage 13, Super Deluxe, and Vimeo all ramped up their original content production this year, and underrepresented filmmakers are taking risks and reaping the rewards. As a result, there are more high-quality web series to choose from than ever before.

Here are the top ten web series of 2017:

10. “Neurotica”

In the vastly overpopulated world of online video, “Neurotica” is the perfect title for an airtight concept: A comedy about a dominatrix with OCD. Creator Jenny Jaffe stars as small town S&M enthusiast, whose mom and pop shop is being threatened by a mega dungeon. Jaffe is like a bubbly Julie Klausner, bopping around in her black leather boots while making her clients wash their hands. Slapping some much-needed comedy into the growing genre of BDSM-related entertainment, “Neurotica” ensures “Fifty Shades of Grey” will not have the final word in the kink conversation.

9. “Bagdad, Florida”

If there were more than two episodes of this dreamy new queer series, it would be higher up on this list. But the fact that the first 14 minutes are good enough to merit its inclusion are a very good sign. Arriving with the confidence of a fully formed auteur, “Jay and Pluto” creator Matthew Fifer set out to create a star vehicle worthy of Freckle, whose scenes in “The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo” birthed many memes popular with a discerning set of young queers. The newly-crowned genderqueer doyenne of internet comedy, Freckle recently declared social media “ur Vaudeville” on Instagram, and we’re inclined to agree.

8. “City Girl”

If ever there proof never to throw anything out, it’s this charmingly bizarre micro-series written by a 12-year-old girl. Comedian Sarah Ramos dug back into the archives to find a script she wrote as an adolescent, which has now been given a full production with Ramos playing her young self. The result is a predictably hilarious ride that unearths a few surprises along the way. The surreal comedy is tonally similar to Dean Fleischer-Camp’s “David,” also from Super Deluxe, but with a bubble gum-flavored sheen that won’t depress you quite as much.

7. “Eighty-Sixed”

Say what you want about legacy in Hollywood, but you’d be crazy to not be a little bit curious about what Larry David’s daughter has to say. Her name is Cazzie David, and she’s the creator, with Elisa Kalani, of “Eighty-Sixed.” The six-episode series stars David as Remi, a dry and self-deprecating girl reeling from a break-up the best way she knows how — which is pretty much not at all. Whether it’s spying via drone or failed attempts to make new friends, Remi uses Millennial tactics to solve age-old problems. It’s quick-paced, tightly scripted, and appropriately neurotic. It’s hard not to see Remi as Larry David if he were a teenage girl. Pretty, pretty, pretty good.

6. “Sport Court”

“High Maintenance” charmer Chris Roberti leads the silliest comedy on this list, which takes place in an ad hoc courtroom set up to prosecute rowdy fan behavior in the basement of the Hartford Ultradome. Roberti plays Judge David Linda, chillest judge ever, esquire. He is joined by a rotating cast of characters who cycle through his basement chambers, and bolstered by a bailiff with a heart of gold, played by the delightful Monique Moses. Written by Joe Schiappa and directed by Shaina Feinberg (“Shiva”), “Sport Court” is guilty as charged of being hilarious.

5. “Junior”

Though many worry that streaming video will bring the death of movies, the outpouring of money into developing online content has also been a boon to indie filmmakers willing to embrace the form. In the case of “Junior,” Zoe Cassavetes made the most of the resources available to her and made a darkly seductive coming-of-age story starring a teen girl protagonist without the usual clichés. Starring Lucia Ribisi as Logan and Amy Seimetz as her mother, “Junior” ups the ante on the cinematic possibilities of online video.

4. “Let Me Die a Nun”

Spirituality and sexuality may sound like strange bedfellows, but queer filmmakers have always explored the duality in surprising and enlightening ways. Arriving as a quirky companion piece to the graceful meditations of this year’s “Princess Cyd,” “Let Me Die a Nun” presents a twsited take ont he lesbian nun genre — which really never gets old. Offbeat comedian Ana Fabrega stars alongside “Transparent” star Hari Nef in the dark comedy with just enough romance to pull at your heartstrings.

3. “Two Sentence Horror Stories”

Based on a viral Reddit thread of the same name, “Two Sentence Horror Stories” is an ambitious anthology series of that accomplishes a lot in a short amount of time. Populated by characters as various as its chilling premises, each episode is full of a tightly-wound terrors and visuals that go way beyond what we’ve come to expect from the medium. “Horror gives us the permission to explore our most primal fears and deepest anxieties in a safe and hopefully, cathartic way,” said series creator Vera Miao, who brings a fresh perspective to the genre with her socially conscious horror.

2. “195 Lewis”

If Issa Rae were a queer woman, “Insecure” might look more like “195 Lewis,” a show so stylish, sexy, and assured that it has steadily built momentum by word of mouth since its festival premiere over a year ago. Set in the heart of Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, “195 Lewis” follows a black lesbian couple as they strive to practice radical honesty in their newly polyamorous relationship. Surrounding them are a group of close-knit young black queer friends, peppered with characters as unique and colorful as the greens and purple hues of every gorgeous frame.

1. “555”

There are five episodes of the Vimeo original series “555.” Each one, like stars John Early and Kate Berlant, complementary but brilliant in its own special way. Under the direction of Andrew DeYoung, Early and Berlant exhibit a skill not every comedian can claim: A flair for highly visual cinematic storytelling.

Each episode features Early and Berlant as different showbiz caricatures: aspiring pop stars, a clueless stage mom and her shy son, over-earnest acting students, extras playing aliens, and cutthroat agents. The series acts as a showcase for the duo’s impressive arsenal of lovable eccentrics, as well as their ability to poke fun at the dark side of ambition. The result is a stylish creative debut that plays more like a collection of short surrealist films than a comedic web series — while never losing sight of the absurd.

Source: IndieWire Digital TV

December 29, 2017

How Facebook teaches photos to talk

Facebook’s News Feed is a feast for the eyes, filled with photos, videos and status updates.<p>That’s not great for visually impaired individuals, so Facebook has turned to artificial intelligence to improve their experience. A blind person can now hear an audio message describing a friend’s photo …
Source: CW’s Flipboard Feed

December 29, 2017

Looking for some mobile VR fun? Here are the top 10 Google Daydream apps, games

Google Daydream may not be the most powerful way to experience virtual reality, but there are still a ton of great apps to experience — provided you have a Daydream-compatible phone and Daydream View headset.

The post Looking for some mobile VR fun? Here are the top 10 Google Daydream apps, games appeared first on Digital Trends.

Source: Digital Trends VR

December 29, 2017

Clever Animal Illustrations made of circles, triangles and squares

Clever Animal Illustrations made of circles, triangles and squares

We are featuring this fun illustration project by Nikola Radojčić and Nenad Radojčić from Braća Burazeri. As you may have noticed, it’s a series of illustrations of animals made of circles, triangles, and squares. The results are just fantastic and quite clever. It’s such a good creative challenge to limit ourselves to create under some circumstances like shapes. Braća Burazeri did an incredible to embrace the challenge and also shared a bit of the process along the way. With the commencement of a new year real soon, this might be a great opportunity to set up some goals. What will be on your list?

Grid, circles, triangles and squares 🙂

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Clever Animal Illustrations made of circles, triangles and squaresClever Animal Illustrations made of circles, triangles and squaresClever Animal Illustrations made of circles, triangles and squaresClever Animal Illustrations made of circles, triangles and squaresClever Animal Illustrations made of circles, triangles and squaresClever Animal Illustrations made of circles, triangles and squaresClever Animal Illustrations made of circles, triangles and squaresClever Animal Illustrations made of circles, triangles and squaresClever Animal Illustrations made of circles, triangles and squaresClever Animal Illustrations made of circles, triangles and squaresClever Animal Illustrations made of circles, triangles and squaresClever Animal Illustrations made of circles, triangles and squaresClever Animal Illustrations made of circles, triangles and squares

 

AoiroStudio
Dec 29, 2017

Source: Abduzeedo Illustration

December 28, 2017

Yi 360 VR Camera review

The Yi 360 VR Camera is a direct competitor to GoPro’s much more expensive GoPro Fusion. We take a look at how it stacks up in design, features, and overall experience.

The post Yi 360 VR Camera review appeared first on Digital Trends.

Source: Digital Trends VR

December 28, 2017

Final Fantasy is being turned into a VR roller-coaster ride in Japan

Universal Studios Japan will debut a Final Fantasy-inspired virtual reality roller-coaster ride in January. The ride, Final Fantasy XR, will feature popular characters Cloud, Sephiroth, and others.

The post Final Fantasy is being turned into a VR roller-coaster ride in Japan appeared first on Digital Trends.

Source: Digital Trends VR

December 28, 2017

Route 66 Through the Eyes of Ralph Graef

Route 66 Through the Eyes of Ralph Graef

We’re delighted to bring you these beautiful shots of the infamous Route 66 by German-based photographer Ralph Graef. Established in 1926, Route 66 is perhaps the most famous original highway in the USA running from Santa Monica to Chicago. As transportation advances were made, it was swallowed by the Interstate road system and was officially removed from the US highway system in 1985. As a way to celebrate, historical remnants are now labeled as a scenic byway with “Historic Route 66” signs. Travelers can now enjoy many memories of the past on the current highway providing a nod of the exciting past when the country was developed for long-distance car travels. While some old historic motels and gas stations are still in use, many are abandoned and in visible disarray. In August 2016, Ralph Graef travelled along this inconic route creating a portrait of the Historic Route 66 from California to New Mexico. We hope you enjoy the ride as much as we did. And be sure to check out Ralph’s entire portfolio at: here.

Gassing up at Roy’s – Winner Sony World Photography Award 2017

ABOUT RALPH GRAEF

I was born in southern Bavaria and spent most of my life in Munich. In fall 2006, my scientific career as a cell biologist brought me to Potsdam near Berlin. Owing to my friends from the Photo Gallery Potsdam I found a great creative environment here to spend  most of my spare time for my creative talents. Photography excites me since my boyhood and I have tried myself in various photographic genres. Meanwhile I found my focus of interest in landscapes, cityscapes, interior architecture and staged scenes. I prefer available light and clearly composed pictures with a discreetly arranged motive. I want to stimulate the imagination of the viewer and to tell a story that emotionally touches him, since sensing emotions is the prerequisite to keep pictures sticking in the viewer’s mind. In this context, image processing should only support the expression of the picture and help to mediate the intended mood to the viewer. I prefer working with a series concept in mind. You’ll find the concept descriptions if you click on the links behind the short texts in the gallery overview. Mostly I use a digital exchangeable lens camera or analog medium format cameras, and almost always a tripod. However, the type of camera used to take the picture is usually unimportant. The most important factor is always found behind the viewfinder. In case of interest in my photos just use the ”contact” form to send a message.

ibby
Dec 28, 2017

Source: Abduzeedo Photography

December 27, 2017

Lenovo’s stand-alone Daydream VR headset finally appears on FCC site, with a name

Although HTC bailed out on Google’s Daydream plans, the FCC shows Lenovo is still forging ahead with its compatible stand-alone VR headset. The device passed Wireless AC and Bluetooth 5.0 testing.

The post Lenovo’s stand-alone Daydream VR headset finally appears on FCC site, with a name appeared first on Digital Trends.

Source: Digital Trends VR