Trends with Benefits: Google Daydream VR challenges Samsung, also Snapchat Sunglasses?

By Greg Nibler Published November 11, 2016

Our latest weekly episode of Trends with Benefits features Nick Mokey, Marcus Yam, Brendan Hesse, and Greg Nibler.

Our topics this week:

Google Daydream VR challenges Samsung: Samsung’s Gear VR system has had a stranglehold on mobile systems, but Google is now ready to make a challenge. Not only has it introduced the Daydream platform, which other manufacturers will surely develop for, it also has the Daydream View headset.
Snap Inc. puts Snapchat on your face: Snapchat is looking to increase the amount of pictures you post with their new Spectacles glasses. They just went on sale at unique kiosks around the country and the resale price is skyrocketing online.
Digital Trends Outdoors and NASA jackets: Marcus lets us know about the ways tech is incorporated into outdoor gear and the great section at DT. Then he shows us a cutting-edge jacket by Oros Apparel that uses aerogel for insulation. Aerogel was designed by NASA and is even used in a new water bottle from Crio.
LED e-sneakers: Vixole’s product is billed as the world’s first customizable midtop e-sneakers. You can put virtually anything on them, and they are available for a pretty reasonable price. Will this soon become the vehicle for walking advertisements?
Sausage drone fiasco: An Australian man is in big trouble after filming a drone-sausage delivery to his friend awaiting in a hot tub. This sounds like the greatest possible use of technology, but there are a lot of laws and regulations that need to be worked out. How soon can we expect our own grill to hot tub drone deliveries?

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Former Host

Greg has worked as a Host, Producer, and Writer in radio and television since the early 2000s, working for such companies as…

Topics

Entertainment

The best scary podcasts to keep you up all night

amazon lumberyard game engine spooky

It doesn't feel like long since the start of summer, but believe it or not, Halloween is right around the corner. As the dark nights roll in, fall is the perfect time for Gothic novels, spooky horror movies, and, of course, hauntingly good podcasts -- mug of pumpkin-spiced chai optional. There are plenty of scary podcasts to choose from, whether you're looking for fictional dramas or strange-but-true tales of things going bump in the night. Whatever you're h(a)unting for, you'll find something in our list of the best scary podcasts. And if you're looking for something that won't leave you cowering under the covers, check out our roundup of the best podcasts.
Audio drama/fiction
The No Sleep Podcast

This award-winning anthology of short original horror stories is now in its 18th season, with over 500 episodes to listen to. Each episode has a haunting, atmospheric soundtrack that ensures you're truly immersed in the tale. Be warned, though -- as the name suggests, this is definitely not a podcast to listen to in bed unless you plan on staying awake all night.
Apple Podcasts Stitcher

Audio / Video

Spotify looks to lure podcasters, listeners away from Apple with polls, Q&As

Spotify app icon on iPhone.

It's no secret that Spotify has its sights set on total podcast domination, given its high-profile acquisition of The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, along with several exclusive launches like The Michelle Obama Podcast and one that features the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, better known as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. But the streaming music giant is still looking for additional ways to attract both listeners and podcast creators to its platform, and its latest move is the introduction of podcast polls and Q&As.

If you're a podcast creator, polls and Q&As give you a free way to increase your engagement with your audience. Normally, a listener has few ways to directly interact with their favorite podcasts, given that most platforms like Google Podcasts and Apple Podcasts are essentially no more than a way to find, subscribe to, and play podcast episodes. With Spotify's new tools, podcasts become interactive, with polls and the ability to ask listeners questions, right on the episode page.

Podcasts

Apple’s Podcasts+ subscription service makes debut at Spring Loaded event

apple podcast subscriptions

Apple will make podcasts a more integral part of its ecosystem with the launch of Apple Podcasts+, a subscription-based service that will offer exclusive podcasts only available to subscribers, along with the wider library of shows available on its existing podcasts app. The entire Apple Podcasts app will also get a redesign, as announced during the Spring Loaded event on April 20.

The premium Podcasts+ service will launch in May with several new shows only available to Podcasts+ subscribers. Along with receiving additional curation options and recommendations for subscribers in the redesigned app via Channels, Podcasts+ subscribers will also enjoy ad-free listening settings, early access to certain shows, and more, yet-to-be-announced features.