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This Is A Thing: Are You Ready To Become A Virtual Reality Trooper?

PlayStation

Virtual reality has finally become a reality — and its cooler than we imagined.

Large technology companies like Oculus, Valve and Sony are trailblazing this illusory path and behind them are an entire network of inventors, designers, and visionaries looking to capitalize on the bright, shining future of virtual video gaming.

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While virtual reality technology isn’t totally brand new, it hasn’t been until now that game developers have given it its just due. Video game behemoth Sony is planning to launch their virtual reality apparatus for their PlayStation 4 system as early as this October.

The new virtual reality experience goes by the alias PlayStation VR and it will allow its users to experience gaming on a unique level. Retailing for $499.99 USD, gamers will be able to pre-order the headset as soon as the end of March. Containing everything that’s included in the PS VR “Core” bundle (the headset, cables, stereo headphones and demo disc), the limited “Launch” bundle will also contain a PlayStation Camera coupled with two Move motion controllers and the game PlayStation VR Worlds.

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The future of virtual reality has been clouded by uncertainty. First introduced in the late 1980’s, VR flourished as educational and military applications, with a brief stint in the commercial world through peripherals like Nintendo’s Virtual Boy, Morton Heilig’s The Sensorama and VRML. Recently, however, achieving a viable and sustainable virtual reality model came closer to fruition thanks to the creative efforts Palmer Luckey, the California native that created the VR gaming device called Oculus Rift.

Also, with Google Cardboard and Samsung’s Gear VR apparatuses looming on the horizon, developers have actually reached a level of efficiency earlier than many expected — leaving many customers salivating over the perspective of owning a affordable and aggressive VR platform very soon. When people look at what VR has accomplished in such a small span, they will see why these economical friendly mobile VR systems have quickly mesmerized over 5 million users since their inception.

Among the 200,000 developers involved, and a minimum 700 startups globally, and of course the tech titans cited above, we are way past the “if” phase of Virtual Reality and on to the “when” aspect.

Not only have Oculus, Valve, and Sony made VR cost efficient, but they have also produced a quality of devices that move simulator sickness from a technical trial and error issue to one that good design can probably answer. Undoubtedly, there is still ample space for technical improvement for things like retina displays and haptic feedback issues, but even in the first iteration of these proper VR systems (which are bound to desktop computers or gaming consoles) are dominant by comparison.

Get ready, folks: your dream of total video game immersion is virutally a reality.

This Is A Thing: From Digital Civilians To Social Media Celebrities

Daaaaaaamn Daniel!, major keyssss, ohhhhh hell naaaahhhhh!!!, eyebrows on fleek !!! Internet catchphrases like these have become mainstays of pop culture through the power of social media. Apps like Twitter, Facebook and Snapchat have become essential parts of any smartphone home screen, transforming how people connect and communicate one Snap at a time.

According to Recode.net, Snapchat’s 100 million-plus daily users are watching a massive 8 billion videos a day collectively on the video-sharing app and devoting an average of 30 minutes on the app every day. With all the attention focused on this social media tool, millions of people seemingly decide what content is popular and “shareworthy” — and ultimately, a chosen few Snapchat superstars are catapulted into a new stratosphere by their digital peers: into the world of Internet super-stardom.

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NBA’s New York Knicks Named Most Lucrative Franchise, Still Can’t Make Playoffs

Former Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin and the Linsanity craze that swept the city in 2012.

Former Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin.

During the existence of the New York Knicks, a few larger than life sensations have left its fandom in a frenzy — Jeremy Lin, Carmelo Anthony and Phil Jackson have all instilled a level of hope when they first hit the court (or board room in the case of Jackson) that perhaps the team is going to turn things around.

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Kanye West Builds Anticipation For His Yeezy Season 3 Clothing Line

Kanye West has two loves: fashion and attention.

He fulfilled his necessity for both by teasing the Internet with a short clip related to his high-end clothing line, Adidas YEEZY Season.

For those of us who don’t subscribe to all things Kanye, YEEZY Season is a clothing line founded by the Chicago emcee and made conceivable by legendary sneaker powerhouse Adidas. Kanye’s clothing collaboration consists of menswear, womanswear and footwear known as Yeezy Boost.

Kanye West's new line Yeezy Boost debuted during Fashion Week in New York City.

Kanye West’s new line “Yeezy Boost” debuts this Thursday during February’s Fashion Week in New York City.

The release of the Yeezy Boost and the full Adidas partnership debuted in Manhattan on February 11, 2015, streaming to 50 cinemas in 13 countries throughout the globe. A soft release of the Adidas Yeezy Boost 750 — roughly 9000 pairs of shoes — was only made available for purchase via an Adidas smartphone app, and they sold out within minutes.

The full line hits globally on February 28, 2015, limited to exclusive boutique stores with Adidas accounts and Adidas Originals stores.

A mixture of style and art, "Yeezy Boost" will blend high-end design with the over-the-top nature displayed by its brainchild West.

A mixture of style and art, “Yeezy Boost” will blend high-end design with the over-the-top nature displayed by its brainchild West.

West made it clear through social media that the third season of his clothing line would debut at Madison Square Garden and that it would also be a musical experience incorporating his super mysterious forthcoming album which is currently untitled and slated for a mid February release. He released tickets for the fashion show that sold out instantly, bolstering any and all excitement surrounding the clothing line.

As if enough madness hadn’t transpired around the brand, Kanye’s team took over the Internet and social media this week asking for extras to model his line. The broadcast struck last week via an email blast sent out to choice fans, voicing the requirement for paid extras.

“Yeezy Season 3 is launching a casting for up to 1,200 paid extras to participate in the exclusive YEEZY Season 3 fashion show, and premiere of Kanye West’s upcoming album at Madison Square Garden on February 11.”

Shortly after releasing a YEEZY Season 3 teaser video on his website Kanye used Twitter to disclose images of handpicked pieces from YEEZY Season, debuting alongside his heavily anticipated untitled studio album on February 11th.

If we haven’t all died from eagerness, expect to see Yeezy Season in all its glory real soon.

By Andrew White