Google unleashed a new map-based game called Smarty Pins (get it, Smarty Pins, oh Google). The game is a great way to remind yourself that you have no idea where things happened.
The quiz game asks questions that have location answers. For example:
You answer the question by playing the pin on the correct location. The game does help you out by starting each question in the general region of the answer. But it’s up to you to place the pin in just the right location.
Smarty Pins uses “miles” as a point system. You start off with 1000 miles and if you answer a question correctly, you get to keep those miles, or if you answer quickly enough, you get bonus miles (up to 15 miles per question). If you answer incorrectly the miles (as the crow flies) between the right answer and your pick are deducted from your miles total.
Fortunately, there are categories to help you find a topic you feel comfortable tackling: Arts and Culture, Science & Geography, Sports & Games, Entertainment, and History & Current Events. There is also a Featured Topics category. Today’s topics are World Cup Trivia and March Madness.
Your score can be shared to Google+, Facebook and Twitter. Or in my case, quickly clicked away.
➤ Smarty Pins
Don’t miss: Explore Google’s DevArt exhibition
Facebook reportedly in talks with major film studios and directors about creating content for the Oculus Rift
Facebook’s $2 billion acquisition of Oculus VR is seen as a long-term play for the future that naturally includes much more than just video games. It should thus come as no surprise that Facebook is reportedly in talks with executives at all the major film studios (including Disney, Fox, Warner Bros., Paramount, NBCUniversal, and Sony Pictures) as well as with individual directors about creating content specifically for the Oculus Rift, according to four sources cited by The Information .
The main goal is to ensure the device isn’t limited to just the gaming market, but can woo the larger entertainment industry too. One way would be to convince Hollywood filmmakers and major media companies to develop “Oculus experiences” that would complement feature films. Full-length movies that could be released directly to the device are also being considered, but wearing a headset to watch something so long could be a bit too much for many.
Unsurprisingly, talks are still exploratory and at the “proof-of-concept” stage, so it’s very unlikely that Facebook has signed any deals yet. Nevertheless, the fact the company is considering turning it into a next-generation movie and TV-watching device shows just how much potential it has.
See also – HBO’s Game of Thrones Oculus Rift exhibit is the most immersive entertainment I’ve ever encountered and Oculus CEO Brendan Iribe on assembling a dream team, working with Facebook and the Metaverse
Microsoft announces the dual-SIM 3G Lumia 730 and LTE Lumia 735, with selfies in mind
The first global Lumia event under the Microsoft banner took place in Berlin today. And in addition to the mid-range 830 , the tech titan unveiled the 3G Lumia 730 (dual SIM) and its LTE Lumia 735 off-shoot. Selfies were very much the focus of the conversation here, much like HTC earlier today .
While its 5MP front-facing camera doesn’t scream WOW, Microsoft was keen to push the other facets of the camera, including enhanced focal length of 24mm, which means a wider lense to capture group selfies.
Perhaps more interestingly, Microsoft announced a dedicated ‘Selfie’ app for those wishing to capture themselves (and friends). The app is preloaded on the 730 and 735, though it will be available to download for all Lumia phones from the Windows Phone store. The app basically serves up quicker access to the front-facing camera, as well as additional editing options and filters.
While each phone has clear differentiators from each other insofar as one is dual-SIM and 3G, and the other is single-SIM and LTE, to look at, both are essentially the same. They sport a 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400 processor, 4.7-inch 720p OLED display, 16GB of storage built-in (expandable to 128GB via the microSD slot) and 1GB of RAM. It’s not all about selfies however – both devices feature an adequate 6.7MP camera.
Both will come in (bright) green, red, white and black – the 730 will come in at an affordable €199, while the 735 will set you back €219. Both will go on sale globally later this month. Check out some more pictures below.