PlayStation VR - 399€ Oct 2016

The headset will go on sale in October 2016 in a standalone package for a RRP of €399 EUR.
The package will not include the PlayStation 4 Camera or Move controllers which may be required for certain experiences such as head-tracking and motion controls.

The final technical specifications of the consumer version of the PSVR have also been confirmed and are as follows.

• OLED 5.7" screen
• 1920 x RGB x 1080 (960 x RGB x 1080 per eye)
• 120hz, 90hz refresh rates
• 360 degrees of tracking via 9 LEDs with the PlayStation 4 Camera (sold separately)
• FOV of 100 degrees
• 18ms latency

Although the launch of the virtual reality headset has been delayed until October 2016 (previously slated for Q1) the price is much lower than that of its closest competitors - the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive.

Will you be betting on the future of VR and picking up a PlayStation VR come October?

Play Station Hacked - 4 BADIRET Kernel Exploit Leaked

The BadIRET source code for PS4 has been leaked by someone. It has been tested and works on firmware 1.76

Sony delays 'Uncharted 4' again, to May 10th

If you're waiting for the next installment of the Uncharted series, get ready to wait just a little bit longer than you might have planned. While its open beta may be just days away, tonight Sony announced that Uncharted 4: A Thief's End will launch on May 10th. That's instead of the plan to launch April 26th, which was a delay from the previously announced release date of March 18th. According to Sony it's still on track to go gold for disc manufacturing later this month, but the delay is to allow for more manufacturing time.

Xbox One update boosts Party Chat and lets you buy Xbox 360 games

One of the most notable additions is improved access to Xbox 360 games. Microsoft has allowed Xbox One gamers to play older titles on their console for a few months now, but finding and launching them can be a pain. With the new update, older-generation games will be listed in a similar way to digital Xbox One titles, making them easier to buy and download to your console.

Party Chat has been given a nice little overhaul too. It can now be used during Twitch broadcasts and there's now the ability to listen to conversations through your headset and speakers at the same time. The Party Chat limit has been expanded from 12 to 16 people, which is either a blessing or a curse depending on what type of games you play.

Microsoft has also listened to gamers who are frustrated with having to jump between apps to check on their achievements. They'll now be loaded into the Xbox One guide and videos will now be playable from your Activity Feed. On top of that, Microsoft is scrapping the hard 30 second limit on Game DVR recording and adding a number of new recording lengths. Footage can now be saved in 15 second, 30 second, 45 second, 1 minute, 3 minute or 5 minute clips.

If you're a member of Microsoft's Xbox One Preview program, you can download the update today. Everyone else will have to wait for it roll out over the next few weeks.

Valve and HTC's Vive priced at $800

HTC today announced that the Vive virtual reality kit created in conjunction with Valve will launch in April for $799. The Vive headset will come packed with two wireless controllers, room-scale movement sensors, and (for a limited time) two games: Job Simulator and Fantastic Contraption.

HTC has revealed the recommended PC specs for use with its SteamVR-powered Vive headset, as reported by Upload VR. For the most part, they are consistent with those published by Oculus VR, though the Vive's 4GB RAM requirement is half that suggested for the Rift.

PlayStation VR launching this fall - GameStop CEO

It looks like PlayStation VR will trail the competition to market. In an interview with Fox News this week, GameStop CEO Paul Raines narrowed the release window on the console maker's entry into virtual reality.

"It's a big launch," Raines said. "We're getting ready for it. We will launch the Sony product this fall, and we are in discussions with the other two players."

So far, Sony has only said it will launch PlayStation VR sometime this year. A fall release would have it lagging behind the high-profile launches of two other major VR headsets, Oculus Rift (with a launch scheduled for March 28) and HTC Vive (debuting in April). Regardless of when the headsets launch or which ones prove to be the most successful, Raines said GameStop has plenty of advantages that should help it "dominate" the market.

Google is exploring wireless charging for self-driving cars

IEEE Spectrum found two FCC filings about Google's foray into resonant magnetic induction.

Self-driving cars are poised to be an incredible tool of the future, but they won't be much use if they can't hold a charge. It looks like Google wants to solve this problem via resonant magnetic induction, a form of wireless charging that could use manhole-style transmitters embedded in pavement to juice up driverless vehicles, IEEE Spectrum reports.


The outlet spotted documents that Google filed with the Federal Communications Commission outlining its work with Hevo Power and Momentum Dynamics. These companies were cleared to install experimental chargers at Google's headquarters in Mountain View, California, and in its nearby Castle facility used to test self-driving cars.

The idea is that self-driving vehicles would hover over a charging pad for a few minutes to power up, or pass over a series of transmitters as the car is in motion, scoring a nearly constant charge.

Wireless charging solves a few problems for the makers of self-driving people-movers. An efficient system would allow Google and other manufacturers to use smaller, lighter batteries than the ones in current electric vehicles, slashing the cars' overall price. Plus, accessible wireless charging removes a barrier to traveling for children, the elderly and people with certain disabilities, IEEE notes.