Nokia has launched a new breed of device today which marries Microsoft’s services with an Android-derived operating system.
The device was revealed at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on Monday and is the first device from Nokia to use the Nokia X OS – a fork of Android. However, like the Asha series it also uses the Fastlane UI for quick navigation.
Both the Nokia X and Nokia X + have similar spec lists, for example, both have 4-inch touchscreens but the ‘+’ model includes more storage and an SD card by default.
In a surprise move, Nokia also launched the Nokia XL which comes with a larger 5-inch display and a 5-megapixel camera on the rear, and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera.
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Related reading: Hands-on with the Nokia X Android-based smartphone // Nokia’s X family of Android-forked devices targets price-conscious customers in growth markets
Mark Zuckerberg reveals Oculus’ glove-like VR controller prototypes
On a trip to Oculus’ research lab in Redmond, Washington, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg tried out the company’s prototypes for glove-like controllers that are designed to be used in VR and AR experiences with the Rift headset, and shared a photo of them which you can see above.
Zuck described the controllers’ functionality in the photo’s caption:
The picture shows Zuckerberg surrounded by sensors that are likely tasked with detecting the gloves’ position in space; it also looks like he’s using a wireless version of the Oculus Rift headset.
It’ll be interesting to see if Oculus goes ahead with its glove concept. The company previously released handheld Touch controllers to accompany the Rift, but those clearly can’t offer the flexibility and dexterity that gloves might – especially if you’re talking about typing and web-slinging.
Of course, Oculus is hardly the only one working on controllers for VR experiences. The HTC Vive already works with a pair that are kind of like the handles on ski poles, and gaming giant Valve revealed last October that it was working on its own take on the concept.
It’s also worth noting that back in 2014, Oculus acquired Nimble VR , a firm that specialized in hand tracking tech. That could give the company an advantage in the race to build real-life Minority Report-style controllers.
British Airways passengers can use phones and tablets from take-off to landing from tomorrow
British Airways has become the first airline in Europe to allow its passengers to use mobile phones and tablets from take-off right through until landing, starting tomorrow.
The decision follows a recent relaxation of the rules within Europe, but isn’t perhaps the always-connected option you may have been expecting – while devices can stay on throughout the journey now, they’ll still have to be in ‘flight mode’ for the duration.
Previously, the use of electronic devices had been permitted aboard BA flights, but only when above 10,000 feet. Recent changes to the rules in Europe are beginning to pave the way for more data connectivity options and the potential for voice calling at 30,000 feet. While it’s the first in Europe, some US airlines, like American Airlines and United among others, have already been allowing passengers to do this since a change in the rules earlier this year.
➤ BA eases curbs on handheld devices during take-off [Reuters]
Featured Image Credit – Getty Images