Google & Sony Collaborate to Bring Hi-Res to Android – The new Android Nougat has over 30 new features and about 250 bug fixes so every Andriod mobile user will benefit from Google. Bluetooth is reliable but not hi-res yet, so Sony lent its LDAC wireless audio coding tech to Android O. This is the same technology already in the Sony sound bar, Walkman NW-ZX2, and Sony Glass Sound Speaker. It can transfer data at about three times better than Bluetooth, and allows for efficent coding and optimized packetzation for an impressive sound quality. Google has already added this tech to their AOSP base code so developers can take advantage of it. The goal is to have hi-res streaming on your smart phone whether it’s a Sony or not.
UK Ban on Carrying Laptops and Tablets on Inbound Flights Could be Extended to All Flights – Passengers can no longer carry large electronic devices on inbound flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia. It would theoretically stop terrorists from physically triggering a bomb concealed in a laptop. It follows a similar measure announced by U.S. authorities affecting flights originating in a longer list of mainly Muslim countries. The restriction also covers e-readers as well as some gaming systems and large smartphones.
Sony’s PlayStation 4 Pro Media Player Gains 4K Video – An upgrade saves 4K videos on a USB stick or home server that can be played by the PlayStation. They can also watch 4K contact from streaming apps such as Netflix and YouTube. The PlayStation 4 also has a beefier CPU and GPU and supports High Dynamic Range visuals, but doesn’t support UHD Blu-ray discs. The “Boost Mode” in the upgrade gives increased performance for legacy games not initially optimized to take advantage of PS4 Pro hardware.
Classical Music in NYC – Last week was a concerto of works by Tristan Perich at The Kitchen. He uses one-bit early electronic sounds with live music. The electronic elements were loud, enchanting and slightly comic. Mahan Esfahani performed Henry Cowell’s 1960 work for harpsichord Set of Four. He also spoke of the trying circumstances in the composer’s life, including four years in prison on a morals charge. The Orpheus chamber players did the Five Movements for String Orchestra by Webern, whose entire output consists of little more than evanescent moments.
