The WAN Show - Android N and Roller Coasters with VR! - Mar 11, 2016
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Promos
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The WAN Show episode from March 11, 2016 covers a wide range of tech topics, with a core frame of Android N details, VR experiments on roller coasters, and ongoing industry and policy discussions. The hosts start with a light banter exchange about pacing and humor, then jump into the day’s main topics. They discuss Google’s Android N developer preview, highlighting potential features and the overall trajectory of Android releases since Lollipop. The segment on VR explores Six Flags’ plans to use Samsung Gear VR on roller coasters, evaluating the technical and experiential implications of riding with a phone as the VR processor and display. The hosts also touch on encryption policy in France, considering the potential penalties for companies that refuse to decrypt devices, and then segue into sponsor spots for Squarespace and TunnelBear. Sponsorships are interwoven with topic transitions, keeping the show financially supported while delivering tech analysis. A notable portion of the discussion is dedicated to hardware and software updates from the PC and mobile ecosystems, including Manus VR gloves, unRAID 6.2 beta, and OnePlus’ marketing investments in media placements, followed by a broader look at gaming and GPU rumors from Nvidia. The conversation shifts toward software and services with FreshBooks invoicing, and the built-in Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) style feature set, including data saver, extended notifications, and a redesigned settings interface that expands interaction with individual items. The panel then dives into longer-form content ambitions, revealing plans for half-hour to 45-minute episodes of Scrapyard Wars, a shift toward more in-depth, reality-TV-like documentation of builds, testing, and competition. Dennis joins the show as a co-host, adding new dynamic and energy to the discussion, and the team debates the balance between long-form content and the traditional short-form WAN Show format. In addition to tech news, the hosts explore consumer electronics, kitchen gadgets like the sous vide cooker as a potential focus, and a broader discussion on the role of technology in everyday life, including alarm clocks and home automation ideas. The show closes with a reminder about the Squarespace and TunnelBear sponsors, and a preview tease of upcoming extended episodes and Scrapyard Wars challenges. Throughout, the hosts use humor to frame technical topics, acknowledge occasional stream issues such as echo and occasional flicker, and emphasize the ongoing evolution of the WAN Show format and its community.
Topics · technology · virtual reality · gaming · policy_and_regulation · consumer_electronics · online_services · video_podcast
Questions answered
- What Android N features were highlighted in the WAN Show discussion?
- The hosts discussed a data saver feature for Android N, which helps apps adjust video streaming bitrates near data limits, and improvements to notification handling and the expanded settings UI for easier interaction with individual items.
- How is Six Flags planning to use VR on roller coasters, and what are the technical implications?
- Six Flags plans to use Gear VR headsets on roller coasters, leveraging phones as the VR processor and display. The discussion notes potential power, cycling, and synchronization challenges, with exploration of whether the experience could be tied to specific ride experiences or allow different passengers to see different content.
- What is the new direction for Scrapyard Wars mentioned on the WAN Show?
- Scrapyard Wars is moving toward longer, half-hour to 45-minute episodes with a reality-show style format, more complete filming, and a two-team competition setup, aiming to provide a more cohesive, narrative-driven series.
- What encryption policy topic was discussed in France during the WAN Show?
- France was considering legislation to punish companies that refuse to decrypt devices, potentially imposing fines or jail time, signaling a tougher approach to encryption and law enforcement access.