Motion

Apple buys motion capture firm Faceshift

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 25, 2015

Apple has acquired a Zürich, Germany-based startup FaceShift which provides a proprietary technology for real-time motion capture that was used in the latest Star Wars film and in production of a number of high-profile video games. Apple has officially confirmed the deal in a prepared statement to TechCrunch.

Speculation is rife as to how Apple might be taking advantage of such a sophisticated motion capture technology in its own products, including potentially using it to power real-time avatars for FaceTime video chats.

Apple refreshes Final Cut Pro X, Motion and Compressor with new features

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 9, 2016

Monday, Apple announced a major update to its pro-grade video editing and processing programs for the Mac — Final Cut Pro X, Motion and Compressor — with a bevy of new features for motion graphics and key enhancements available to accelerate video editing, packaging and delivery.

“From Hollywood blockbuster directors to first time movie makers, Final Cut Pro X is changing the way we edit movies today,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing. “The updated Final Cut Pro X, Motion and Compressor make it even easier to edit, title and package everything from short videos to feature-length films.”

Final Cut Pro 10.2 introduces new easy to use 3D titles, improved masking for color grading and effects, and native support for more camera formats, as well as GPU-accelerated RED RAW processing.

Just Dance Now uses your iOS device as a motion controller

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 26, 2014

App Store games that use your iPhone as a motion controller are few and far between. Aside from the interesting Motion Tennis and the quite addictive Dance Party, both produced by Rolocule Games, I haven't played any other game that would AirPlay action through the Apple TV and turn my iOS device into a Wii-like controller.

That's why I was so excited about Ubisoft's Just Dance Now, a new take on the world's #1 rhythm-based dance game in which you're challenged to use an iPhone as your motion controller. Just Dance Now is available on a freemium basis so In-App Purchases are unavoidable. Jump past the fold for the full reveal.

Apple updates its pro apps: Compressor, Final Cut Pro, MainStage and Motion

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 24, 2018

As we continue to chew on the ramifications of Apple's eyebrow-raising decision to stop development of Aperture and iPhoto for OS X and focus exclusively on the upcoming Photos for OS X Yosemite (due in 2015), the Cupertino firm has just issued a round of updates to its pro apps: Compressor, Final Cut Pro, MainStage and Motion.

New versions of these apps are now available in the Mac App Store under the Updates tab. I've included release notes for each app right after the break...

Misfit unveils Pebble activity tracking app

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

Kickstarter-funded smartwatch maker Pebble has teamed up with another young startup, Misfit, on an activity tracking application for the Pebble smartwatch that doesn't require a dedicated tracking accessory or a smartphone to function.

Of course, the new Misfit Pebble app also talks to the official Misfit for iPhone software, which will be updated soon with support for setting your activity goals via the Pebble, tracking progress and more.

Pebble says it's “the first milestone in an ongoing partnership,” but stopped short of specifying what other goals the arrangement with Misfit might entail...

Upcoming Dance Party game promises multiplayer fun on Apple TV

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

I've long thought that the Apple TV could make for a full-blown video game console. Between the set-top box, AirPlay, and Apple's line of iOS devices with built-in motion sensors, you basically have a Nintendo Wii—you just need developers to take advantage of it.

And nobody understands this better than the folks at Rolocule Games. The India-based app-maker released a game called 'Motion Tennis' last summer, and this year they're back with another innovative, motion-based game for iOS and Apple TV called Dance Party...

iOS 8 uses M7 chip and motion sensors for accurate indoor positioning

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 5, 2014

Apple with iOS 8 is advancing the CoreLocation API with new features designed to provide users with even more reliable, faster and precise indoor positioning in supported venues. Currently, iOS determines your location using a combination of GPS, a crowd-sourced location database of nearby Wi-Fi hotspots and the cellular triangulation technique that determines your rough location based on cell tower signal strength.

As GPS/cellular are often unavailable or perform poorly inside buildings and in underground places like parking lots, iOS 8 can resort to using a combination of iBeacon transmitters, if any, and motion data provided by your device's accelerometer, compass and gyroscope sensors...

Microsoft Research demos mechanical keyboard that can interpret motion gestures

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 30, 2014

Microsoft's research and development arm has shown off a novel mechanical keyboard prototype which incorporates elements of natural user interaction such as touch and low-effort motion gestures. The goal is to enhance user interfaces on desktop by allowing for smooth transitions between text entry and gestures.

The system uses an array of proximity sensors embedded in the keyboard itself and is coupled to a software that uses the motion signature technique which utilizes pairs of motion history images and a random forest classifier to robustly recognize a large set of motion gestures.

It works like magic and we have an impressive video right after the break to prove it...

Google using Apple’s PrimeSense in ‘Project Tango’ smartphone, beating Apple to the punch

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Google has beat Apple to the punch by using PrimeSense's Capri PS1200 3D imaging system-on-a-chip in the Project Tango smartphone, before Apple could in its iPhone line-up, the teardown specialists over at iFixit found.

PrimeSense is the 3D technology sensing company Apple acquired for $350 million late-November 2013, and its chips weren't expected to be found in Google's Project Tango smartphone given the fierce competition between the two companies. Only Movidius Myriad 1 3D-sensing chips were expected, but Apple's PrimeSense showed up as well...

Strava Cycling now tracks your runs, too

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2018

Strava Cycling, a biking and cycling tracking app that keeps tabs on your rides and analyzes your performances, has been rechristened Friday to reflect its expanded tracking capabilities. The software shall be known henceforth as Strava Running and Cycling for it can now track your runs, too.

I guess rebranding signals that the existing Strava Run is next on the chopping block. The name change is already reflected in the latest version 4.0 update, now available in the App Store. They have a new icon, too, and of course a set of new features dedicated to tracking your rides...

Apple’s M7 motion coprocessor caught tracking movement after battery dies

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 5, 2014

Apple's M7 motion tracking chip found inside the iPhone 5s, iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina display is apparently able to track a user's motion activity even after the battery dies. According to a post by Reddit user Glarznak, his iPhone 5s was able to track his every movement even after the battery died on him. He was able to confirm this by using the Argus fitness app which showed a number of steps for the four days that his phone was dead...

Apple ‘iRing’ concept brought to life by Kickstarter project

Cody Lee ∙ March 5, 2014

Around this time last year, Topeka Capital Markets analyst Brian White made headlines for a note he sent to investors regarding the 'iRing.' White said that Apple was working on a television set that could read motion gestures from a user who was wearing a ring-shaped device on their finger.

Well, we have yet to see the product materialize, but a company called Logbar is looking to change that with their new Kickstarter project. It's called 'Ring: shortcut to everything,' and once connected to your mobile device, it allows you to send texts, control your home appliances, and more...