Weekend In Tech Trends

Tech Trends- Jan 16-17

New details on Hololens, an Android Pay promotion, Uber could take to the skies and more in this week’s Weekend in Tech Trends.

Tech Trends 1) New detail emerge over the Microsoft Hololens

Not many details are known about the Hololens. Which is Microsoft’s contribution to augmented reality. But now, during a recent event in Tel Aviv, more information about the Hololens has surfaced. And it doesn’t disappoint.
New details were revealed by Bruce Harris, a technical evangelist at Microsoft, in a YouTube video posted by Israel-based wearables entrepreneur Niv Calederon that was surfaced by Petri IT Knowledgebase on Friday. The video has since been removed but only after the new details were heard.
Thanks to the video, we now know that the device will offer roughly five to five and a half hours of battery life when working on Word documents or email, and about two and a half hours when using it for highly intensive computational work involving detailed renderings. The Hololens can connect to anything with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth technology. Harris also addressed how what the FOV looks like. Saying it feels like having a 15 inch monitor about one foot from your face.
As of now, the Hololens is looking much more affordable for developers rather than the general public since the price tag is $3,000. But hopefully the technology becomes cheaper and more widely available as time goes on. Check out the video below to see Microsoft’s vision for the Hololens.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aThCr0PsyuA
Source: Mashable 

Tech Trends 2) New Android Pay promotion lets you earn a free Chromecast

If you don’t use Android Pay already, you should start now. Google is running a new promotion that will allow Android Pay users to receive three free songs from Google Play as well as a final gift, a free Google Chromecast.
The promotion, which is called Tap10, requires that Android Pay users make 10 purchases using Android Pay by February 29th. To enter, simply download and install Android Pay, you should then be prompted to join in the promotion. With a simple 10 purchases you can enjoy your free Chromecast.

Tech Trends 3) SpaceX unsuccessful when trying to land on water

Not too long ago, SpaceX was able to successfully land their reusable Falcon 9 on land. On Sunday, SpaceX set out to deliver a satellite to space and then land their Falcon 9 on a drone ship floating in the ocean. Today’s launch didn’t fully end as planned.
While they were successful in delivering the satellite, SpaceX was unable to land the rocket on the drone ship. This time, a leg didn’t fully lockout. Causing the rocket to tip over once landed. This is SpaceX’s third unsuccessful attempt at landing their rocket on a drone ship. So hopefully next time goes better.

Tech Trends 4) Uber could be taking to the air sooner than expected

Uber has signed a deal with Airbus for when cars just aren’t enough. The deal has Airbus supplying helicopters for a transportation test project launching in “several weeks.” No details on the project have surfaced yet but I’ll definitely be keeping my eye on it. It’s only a matter of time before Uber is able to take to the air and a partnership with Airbus seems like the right way to do it.