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News & Updates
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January 26, 2018
HTC Vive Pro cameras can be used to track hands, controllers
The HTC Vive Pro virtual reality headset comes with two front-mounted stereoscopic cameras. They’re mainly designed to stop you bumping into things, but could offer a new hand and controller-tracking solution.
The post HTC Vive Pro cameras can be used to track hands, controllers appeared first on Digital Trends.
Source: Digital Trends VR
January 26, 2018
Ethical Design – 2018 SXSW Programming Trends
Each year, different trends emerge from SXSW programming and act as identifiers for where we’re at and where we’re headed. From the 12 significant trends identified by the SXSW Programming Team for the 2018 event, Ethical Design explores the social and psychological effects of our increased dependency on smart devices, and how these forces leave us vulnerable to the influence of product designers. Get to know this trend and related-SXSW sessions below that we think will dominate discussions this March.
Ethical Design Trend
Our current relationship with technology is close-knit and only growing closer as computing models advance to learning-based algorithms and tech companies shift their priority from hardware to software. We’re moving towards a post-device era, gradually abandoning the traditional shells that host mobile apps while designers evolve to provide device-independent services. With these changes, it’s crucial that designers keep technology in service of the people it is intended to serve.
Learn from cyber-psychologist Dr. Mary Aiken and Simon Segars, CEO of Arm, why it’s imperative that we develop a human-centered ethos around new technologies in the session Rebooting Tech for a Human-Centered Approach. Hear from Margaret Stewart, VP of Product Design at Facebook, on the importance of design ethics throughout her career designing at scale for Google, YouTube, and Facebook in the session Able, Allowed, Should: Navigating Design’s Complexity, and dive deeper into the design world in the session The Shadow Side of Human Centered Design focusing on what happens when designers fail to create for the whole human experience.
As technology accelerates at an exponential rate, it is essential we ask ourselves, what has happened to us since the dawn of the smartphone, social networking and mobile apps? And more importantly, what will happen to us if we fail to recognize the effects of our technology as we blindly trust designers to build products that integrate with nearly every aspect of our lives. The Ethical Design Trend at SXSW aims to answer these questions and is sure to leave attendees with perspectives challenged.
Stay tuned as we continue to announce more sessions through March. But for now, be sure to add these sessions to your 2018 SXSW Schedule.
Ethical Design Session Highlights
- Able, Allowed, Should: Navigating the Complexity of Modern Design Ethics
- Choice Architects: Design for Humanity’s Best Self
- The Designer’s Weakness, Understanding Power
- How Do We Ethically Manipulate 2b Minds
- The Shadow Side of Human Centered Design
Join Us for SXSW 2018
The SXSW Conference includes 24 programming tracks divided amongst Interactive, Film, Music, and Convergence. Each March, some of the world’s most creative minds come together in Austin, Texas to discover, learn, network, brainstorm and collaborate.
Explore new opportunities during 10 days of sessions, screenings, showcases, exhibitions, networking, and beyond from March 9-18 at SXSW 2018. Save big when you register to attend before Friday, February 9.
SXSW registrants get access to SXSW hotels at the lowest rates available by making reservations through SXSW Housing & Travel. Visit our availability page and then book your stay today to save.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and SXSW News for the latest SXSW coverage, announcements, and updates.
Teaser Photo by Sara Marjorie Strick
The post Ethical Design – 2018 SXSW Programming Trends appeared first on SXSW.
Source: SxSW Film
January 26, 2018
The Daily Chord Weekly Recap – Friday, January 26
This week in music news included buildup to Sunday’s Grammys show, more legislative and financial jockeying from major music services, and the deaths of Mark E. Smith and Hugh Masekela. The Daily Chord selects six stories each weekday to keep you current on the business and culture of music. Subscribe to the Daily Chord email newsletter for your first look at today’s important stories.
Monday, January 22
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How Spotify beat Apple to charting the future of music
Post from The Ringer -
When it began: The birth of the alternative Grammys and the commodification of the underground
Post from Uproxx -
Nazi punks f**k off: How Black Flag, Bad Brains and more took back their scene from white supremacists
Story from GQ -
Tom Petty died of ‘accidental drug overdose’
Item from BBC News -
Stetsons, beards and good honest sweat: Why pop stars are going back to basics
Post from The Guardian -
Tom Waits preps reissues of his first seven albums
Item from Billboard
Tuesday, January 23
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Apple bows Apple Music For Artists to provide acts with deep analytics dive
Post from Billboard -
Childish Gambino signs with RCA, new music on the way
Post from Variety -
Your brain responses to music reveal if you’re a musician or not
Post from Medical Xpress -
Austin honors Daniel Johnston with ‘Hi How Are You’ day
Post from Pitchfork -
Neil Diamond diagnosed with Parkinson’s, retires from touring
Post from CNN -
Hugh Masekela, trumpeter and anti-apartheid activist, dies at 78
Obituary from NY Times
Wednesday, January 24
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YouTube is asking promoted musicians to sign non-disparagement agreements
Post from Gizmodo -
With 70 million subscribers and a risky IPO strategy, is Spotify too big to fail?
Feature from Variety -
Opportunity in the global music industry brings new challenges as services find one size doesn’t fit all
Post from Billboard -
SZA almost quit music. Now she’s a Grammys contender.
Story from NY Times -
Jack White bans phones at gigs for ‘100% human experience’
Item from NME -
It’s 2018 and Alesis has debuted a new wireless keytar
Post from The Verge
Thursday, January 25
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Mark E. Smith, founder and lead singer with The Fall, dies aged 60
Obituary from The Guardian -
Perverted by language
Appreciation from The Believer -
50 Cent sold album for bitcoin, forgot about it, made millions
Item from The Independent -
How Elton John’s VR retirement announcement hit your headset
Post from Wired -
SoundHound, once just a music-recognition app, is now a billion-dollar company
Post from Recode -
Music industry’s brave new world requires new breed of executive
Post from Variety
Friday, January 26
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Internet giants endorse music licensing legislation
Story from Variety -
Inclusion in the recording studio?
Report from USC/Annenberg -
The Grammy Awards at 60: What a long, strange trip it’s been
Post from LA Times -
How Ben UFO became the most-loved meme in electronic music
Post from The Independent -
Why you should still be buying digital downloads
Post from Gizmodo -
A listening ear for musicians in need
Story from NY Times
The post The Daily Chord Weekly Recap – Friday, January 26 appeared first on SXSW.
Source: SxSW Music
January 26, 2018
Digital Photography: 2019 Mercedes G-Class by Markus Wendler
Digital Photography: 2019 Mercedes G-Class by Markus Wendler
Mercedes-Benz has recently introduced the 2019 G-Class model, the first redesign in nearly 40 years. A lot of people will mention that this model looks pretty identical but it’s mostly a redesign to improve the on-road dynamics and adding loads of new tech for the next generation. We are taking a look at the work of Markus Wendler, a photographer based in Germany. Markus has worked with many big brands (mostly car companies) like: Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and more. In this collection, we are following the magnificent car in different locations like Iceland, Frankfurt and Utah, USA.
Photographer Markus Wendler shot the new generation of Mercedes’ G Class in 3 looks. It was a massive job spanning the USA and Europe. The results are breath taking automotive landscape shots, showing the off road vehicle mastering different elements.
More Links
- Learn more about Markus Wendler at markuswendler.com
- Follow Markus on Instagram
- Follow LEVINE / LEAVITT on Behance
Photo Gallery
AoiroStudio
Jan 26, 2018
Source: Abduzeedo Photography
January 26, 2018
Watch: How ‘Dunkirk’ Uses a Classic Audio Illusion to Ratchet Up the Tension
The auditory phenomenon known as the Shepard tone is used to add suspense to <i>Dunkirk</i>.<p>When filmmakers use every cinematic element at their disposal, …
Source: CW’s Flipboard Feed
January 25, 2018
Abstract Illustration: City Skylines
Abstract Illustration: City Skylines
The amazing people over at RETOKA . just shared another set of their coolest abstract series title Skylines. They also have animated some of them creating a even more nostalgic look. I say nostalgic because it reminds me of the classic Sega Genesis title Streets of Rage for some reason. They are city skylines translated to vertical and colorful lines, including famous places like San Francisco, Panama, Chicago amongst others.
Retoka is an art director and designer based in Barcelona, Spain. For more information make sure to check out http://retoka.com/
Illustration
abduzeedo
Jan 25, 2018
Source: Abduzeedo Illustration
January 25, 2018
25 Years of SXSW Film Festival – Aaron Katz, Kris Swanberg, Jim Cummings, and Jody Lee Lipes
To commemorate the 25th edition of the SXSW Film Festival, we continue our weekly alumni spotlight on careers launched, artists discovered, powerful performances, and more with Aaron Katz, Kris Swanberg, Jim Cummings, and Jody Lee Lipes.
Aaron Katz
Katz has world premiered four films at SXSW including his debut feature Dance Party USA in 2006, Quiet City in 2007, Cold Weather in 2012, and most recently the thriller Gemini in 2017, distributed by Neon and starring John Cho, Zoe Kravitz, Lola Kirke, and Ricki Lake. In 2014 he co-wrote and directed the adventure-comedy, Land Ho with SXSW alum Martha Stephens.
“In 2005, after working on my first movie for almost two years, I had no idea what to do with it. I submitted it to SXSW, not knowing anything except that it was one of the few festivals I had heard of. Much to my surprise, I got a call one day and learned that my movie had been accepted into competition. That first chance to show my movie and meet other filmmakers gave me the confidence that a life and career in film was possible.”
Kris Swanberg
Swanberg’s directorial debut It Was Great, But I Was Ready to Come Home premiered at SXSW in 2009 in the narrative feature competition. Her short Baby Mary premiered in the Narrative Shorts Program in 2014 and Swanberg’s second feature, Unexpected screened in Festival Favorites in 2015 after its Sundance premiere. In addition to her work as a filmmaker, Swanberg has acted in many SXSW alumni films including Joe Swanberg‘s Kissing On the Mouth (2005), Hannah Takes the Stairs (2007), and Win It All (2017). She also acted in It Was Great, But I Was Ready to Come Home.
“SXSW changed my life by taking a chance on my early work and giving me constant encouragement as a growing filmmaker.”
Jim Cummings
Cummings has produced three world premieres at SXSW including Euphonia (2013), Confusion Through Sand (2014), and The Grief of Others (2015). Cummings received a Special Jury Recognition for Acting in Thunder Road at SXSW 2016, a film which he also directed, wrote, and edited. His next short, The Robbery screened at the festival in 2017. He is currently working on the feature adaptation of Thunder Road.
“SXSW changed my life by showcasing the most culturally significant artwork on the planet, which gave me an understanding of what was possible by making movies on your own. I love SXSW because I get to fall in love with movies and meet the wonderful people who make them. SXSW was the first festival that treated me like a filmmaker. It is the reason I’m still making movies.”
Jody Lee Lipes
Lipes is a director and cinematographer. At SXSW 2009 he was here for his first film as director, Brock Enright: Good Times Will Never Be the Same and as a director of photography for Antonio Campus’s After School. In 2010, he world premiered his next feature, NY Export: Opus Jazz, which earned the Audience Award for Emerging Visions. He’s shot a number of other SXSW selections like The Great Invisible (2014), the jury award- winning Tiny Furniture (2010) and Girls (2012) to name a few. Recently, Lipes shot the Academy-Award winning drama Manchester by the Sea and the pilot for the new USA series The Sinner, in addition to directing an episode.
“I love SXSW because they were the first festival that embraced me as a director, by selecting my first feature length documentary to be a part of their program almost ten years ago. That honor inspired me to continue making my own work. It’s always been the most fun festival in the world, going there is a joy rather than an obligation.”
Join Us For SXSW 2018
Grab your Film Badge today for primary access to all SXSW Film events including world premieres, roundtables, workshops, and parties. Register to attend by Friday, February 9 and save. Book your hotel through SXSW Housing & Travel for the best available rates.
Stay tuned for the 2018 SXSW Film Festival lineup which will be announced in January.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and SXSW News for the latest SXSW coverage, announcements, and updates.
World Premiere of Gemini – Photo by Amy E. Price/Getty Images for SXSW
Kris Swanberg – Photo by Chris Saucedo
Jim Cummings – Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for SXSW
Jody Lee Lipes – Photo by Nita Rios
The post 25 Years of SXSW Film Festival – Aaron Katz, Kris Swanberg, Jim Cummings, and Jody Lee Lipes appeared first on SXSW.
Source: SxSW Film
January 25, 2018
Solving Fake News, Changing the Media, and the Future of Journalism: News & Journalism Track Sessions for SXSW 2018
Join us this March at SXSW for the News & Journalism Track and explore how journalism and analysis is dispersed and how it will be impacted by the future of technology.
According to SXSW Programmer Brianna Carney, “As the credibility of media is thrust into the spotlight now more than ever, the News & Journalism Track explores how news and the media continue to inform and engage us through ideas like representation, the pivot to video, and the use of social media.” Discussions range from how social media sparked social evolution in Korea to the many faces of modern media censorship, as well as a deep look at communicating authentically in the age of social media.
Dive deeper into the News & Journalism Track from March 10-15 during SXSW Convergence programming. SXSW Convergence programming features a range of topics that straddle the cultural and technological intersection at the heart of SXSW with primary access granted to all SXSW Badges.
News & Journalism Session Highlights
The Only Solution to Fake News: Education for All
Speakers: Esther Wojcicki (Journalistic Learning Initiative), Ed Madison (University of Oregon), and Barbara McCormack (Newseum)
Your mother shared a fake news story. Your students cited “alternative facts.” There’s only one thing to do: implement news and media literacy education. In this session, education experts discuss why a system-wide change is needed to support informed, effective news consumers, and the characteristics of effective responses. Case studies of successful education programs will prepare participants to empower all participants in the news media cycle, from students to seniors.
Investigative Journalism in the Social Media Age
Speakers: David Fahrenthold (The Washington Post), and Sonya Gavankar (Newseum)
Washington Post reporter David Fahrenthold won a 2017 Pulitzer Prize for his national reporting on then-candidate Donald Trump’s charitable giving. Fahrenthold used Twitter to fact check his reporting, asking for help from Twitter users. This conversation will focus on the future of transparent investigative journalism in the age of social media and during the Trump administration.
Latinx Representation, Resistance & Identity
Speakers: Curly Velasquez (BuzzFeed), Joanna Hausmann (YouTube Producer & Personality), Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodriguez (Writer), and Andrea Gompf (Remezcla)
Representation, resistance, and identity are crucial elements to making Latinx-targeted content work. Panelists will answer questions like: How do you listen to your audience carefully to create content that they want – and need? Why is the Latinx representation so varied – what identifies us and what brings us together? And how do you market to and target such a diverse community? Finally, learn what resistance means for the Latinx community and how it’s portrayed in Latinx-targeted content.
The Humanoid Future of Journalism
Speakers: Hanna Tuulonen (Göteborgin Sivukonttori), and Robin Govik (MittMedia)
Learn how modern newsrooms in Sweden and Finland use automated content as an editorial platform, with algorithms analyzing the facts, writing the news and pointing the journalists to the most interesting stories. Panelists will present academic research on automation in the newsroom, and practical experiences from Sweden and Finland – where robots now write more news articles than humans – as well as how all this will affect the news industry in the future.
Browse All News & Journalism Sessions
Crossover Track Recommendations
Explore topics outside of your focus area and learn from SXSW sessions across all 24 Tracks of Conference programming. These recommended sessions are outside of the Food Track but will interest any SXSW attendee.
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Documenting The Unknown-Storytelling in the Amazon
– Alexander Santa (Rainforest Partnership), Rafa Calil (duo2), Matt Lankes (Photographer), and Niyanta Spelman (Rainforest Partnership)
Track: Making Film & Episodics -
The Misinformation Age: Can AI Solve Fake News?
– Amie Stepanovich (Access Now), Andy O’Connell (Facebook), Mark MacCarthy (Software & Information Industry Association), and Sameena Shah (Thomson Reuters)
Track: Startup & Tech Sectors -
Nardwuar’s Video Vault! – Nardwuar The Human Serviette (Nardwuar the Human Serviette Inc)
Track: Music Culture & Stories
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Purchase your SXSW Badge and reserve your hotel today to experience these sessions along with 10 days of screenings, showcases, exhibitions, networking, and more this March 9-18 in Austin, TX. Take the Tracks Quiz to discover which badge will suit your needs.
Already have your badge? Learn how to upgrade to Platinum for primary access to all of SXSW and then begin building your 2018 SXSW Schedule.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and SXSW News for the latest SXSW coverage, announcements, and updates.
Teaser Photo by Akash Kataria
The post Solving Fake News, Changing the Media, and the Future of Journalism: News & Journalism Track Sessions for SXSW 2018 appeared first on SXSW.
Source: SxSW Film
January 25, 2018
SXSW Music Weekly Round-up: Kelela, Todd Rundgren, From CBGB to the World Session & More
January is almost over!? We’ve still got so many Conference Sessions and Showcasing Artists to share with you before March. Let’s jump into the highlights so you can start adding them to your favorites on the SXSW Schedule.
Recently added Music Tracks sessions includes From CBGB to the World: A Downtown Diaspora, a Featured Session with members of The Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club (Chris Frantz & Tina Weymouth), Television (Richard Lloyd), The dB’s (Chris Stamey) and rock photographer Julia Gorton discussing the abrupt shift in rock music styles in the late seventies and early eighties. Kenny Aronoff, legendary rock n’ roll drummer, also joins the conference line up to talk about teamwork in the music industry while providing insights from his career behind some of the biggest bands in the world.
Some highlights from the 100+ Showcasing Artists added this week include R&B star Kelela, Parisien indie pop band Papooz, Rough Trade glam-rock band Starcrawler, 70’s rock legend Todd Rundgren, German house music producer/DJ Florian Kupfer, experimental folk singer/songwriter Odetta Hartman, and much more. You can find all announced Showcasing Artists on the SXSW Schedule.
If you’re picking up what we’re putting down, now is the time to register for your Music Badge so that you can book your hotel while there are still great options available. The Music Badge provides you with primary access to hundreds of showcases and sessions, secondary access to Interactive and Film Conference Tracks, and much more.
We know you’re eager to dig through these lists of newly announced programming, but we suggest queuing up an appropriate soundtrack first. Jam the SXSWfm Specialty Show and Spotify Weekly Round-up playlist to discover artists from this announcement, as well as our YouTube playlist featuring artists from all our SXSW 2018 announcements.
New 2018 Conference Additions (Music)
From CBGB to the World: A Downtown Diaspora
Teamwork, Innovation & Rock n’ Roll with Kenny Aronoff
2018 New Music Meeting
Stop the Scroll: Creative Strategy in Social Media
Instagram for Music: Best Practices
Artist Discovery in Social Media Driven Landscapes
New 2018 Showcasing Artist Additions
The Academic (Mullingar IRELAND)
Acid House Ragas (Montreal CANADA)
Belako (Mungia SPAIN)
Bishop Gunn (Natchez MS)
Black Guayaba (San Juan PR)
Blonde Maze (New York NY)
Breakout (Austin TX)
Brother Dege (New Orleans LA)
Candy West (Dallas TX)
Ceramic Animal (Philadelphia PA)
Chastity (Whitby CANADA)
CLARA-NOVA (Los Angeles CA)
Courtney Farren (Brooklyn NY)
Creamer (Nashville TN)
David Barbe and Inward Dream Ebb (Athens GA)
Dayne Alexander (Chicago IL)
Dentist (Asbury Park NJ)
DJ Ace (London UK-ENGLAND)
DJ Baby Roo (Houston TX)
DJ Hella Yella (Austin TX)
DJHerShe (Boston MA)
Doeman (Houston TX)
Dominican Jay (Austin TX)
Dramatic Lovers (Milwaukee WI)
DVWEZ (Orlando FL)
EDF (Houston TX)
Emily Wolfe (Austin TX)
Eric Tessmer (Austin TX)
Ethan Kent (Dallas TX)
EZI (New York NY)
Fat Tony (Houston TX)
Fire From The Gods (Austin TX)
Florian Kupfer (Berlin GERMANY)
Francine Thirteen (Dallas TX)
Genesis Blu (Houston TX)
Gold Casio (Portland OR)
Grace Vonderkuhn (Wilmington DE)
Grand Rapids Soul Club (Grand Rapids MI)
Half Stack (Oakland CA)
Haunted Summer (Highland Park CA)
Hayley Coupon (New York NY)
HNRY FLWR (Brooklyn NY)
Hoodlem (Melbourne AUSTRALIA)
Ida Mae (Norwich UK-ENGLAND)
Idk Ariel (Bergen NORWAY)
Izzie Gibbs (London UK-ENGLAND)
Jackie Mendoza (San Diego CA)
Jackie Venson (Austin TX)
Janiva Magness (Detroit MI)
Jason James (Texas City TX)
Kaela Sinclair (Los Angeles CA)
Kara Nichole-Robinson (San Antonio TX)
Kayla Freeman (Austin TX)
Kelela (Washington DC)
King Tucka (Austin TX)
Kitten (Brooklyn NY)
Kotomi (Long Beach CA)
KP Tha Profit (San Antonio TX)
Kyle Craft (Portland OR)
Ley Line (Austin TX)
LIFE (Sheffield UK-ENGLAND)
Linda Lee (Berlin GERMANY)
Little Destroyer (Vancouver CANADA)
Livingmore (Los Angeles CA)
Lord Buffalo (Austin TX)
Los Coast (Austin TX)
The Lulls (San Diego CA)
Many Rooms (Houston TX)
Margaret Chavez (Austin TX)
Masha (Belgrade SERBIA)
Memories In Broken Glass (San Antonio TX)
Monoplasma (Los Angeles CA)
Moonrise Nation (Chicago IL)
Motorcade (Dallas TX)
Moxizishi & Jikehabu & 3He Project (Beijing CHINA)
Mozes and the Firstborn (Eindhoven NETHERLANDS)
Mr. Frankie Wilson (Dallas TX)
Neil Frances (Los Angeles CA)
Ness Nite (Minneapolis MN)
Odetta Hartman (Washington DC)
OHMME (Chicago IL)
Oh, Rose (Olympia WA)
Papooz (Paris FRANCE)
Passeport (Cincinnati OH)
Renata Zeiguer (Brooklyn NY)
Ryan Culwell (Nashville TN)
SassyBlack (Seattle WA)
Second Hand Rose (Beijing CHINA)
Señor Loop (Panama City PANAMA)
Shelita Burke (Los Angeles CA)
Shy Speaks (Dallas TX)
Simon Grossmann (Miami FL)
Skratch Bastid (Toronto CANADA)
Sons Of The East (Sydney AUSTRALIA)
Starcrawler (Los Angeles CA)
Stove (Newtown CT)
Stuyedeyed (Brooklyn NY)
Subhi (Chicago IL)
Sun June (Austin TX)
Teddy and The Rough Riders (Nashville TN)
The Fam (Dallas TX)
Todd Rundgren (Los Angeles CA)
Tomar and the FCs (Austin TX)
Tyro The Epic (Dallas TX)
Valvai (Santiago CHILE)
Vanilla Summit (Richmond VA)
Warren Wolfe (Sinking Spring PA)
Worldwide (San Antonio TX)
Xiaoxia & Mr. Asbo & Soulspeak (Beijing CHINA)
The Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers (Soldiers Grove WI)
Yori Swart (Amsterdam NETHERLANDS)
Young & Sick (Los Angeles CA)
Everything subject to change
Photo credits, clockwise from top left:
Papooz – Photo by Alice Moitie
Blonde Maze – Photo courtesy of the artist
Todd Rundgren – photo courtesy of the artist
Tomar and the FCs – Photo by Lyza Renee
The post SXSW Music Weekly Round-up: Kelela, Todd Rundgren, From CBGB to the World Session & More appeared first on SXSW.
Source: SxSW Music
January 25, 2018
Oculus Rift vs. Vive Pro
With the first generation HTC Vive and Oculus Rift, we settled on HTC’s offering as our favorite of the two. The question now arises, when you pit the Oculus Rift vs. Vive Pro, can the Oculus headset still keep up?
The post Oculus Rift vs. Vive Pro appeared first on Digital Trends.
Source: Digital Trends VR