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Google eyes new video game console; heres how it would change the game
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The video games news website Kotaku reported that Google is working on a video game console that would be more akin to a streaming service device that allows gamers to download their favorite games. - photo by Herb Scribner
Herb Scribner
Deseret News
Published: Jul 2, 2018, 9:39 AM
Google may be on the cusp of releasing its own video game console.

The video games news website Kotaku reported that Google is working on a video game console that would be more akin to a streaming service device (like a Roku or Apple TV) that allows gamers to download or stream their favorite games, some of which would be developed by Google-owned developers.

Sources told Kotaku that there are three factors to how the console would work:

  • It would be a streaming platform.

  • There would be physical hardware.

  • Google is trying to bring game developers into the fold.

In fact, according to Kotaku, Google met with high-end game developers at the Game Developers Conference in March to discuss the idea of a video game-based streaming service, which is codenamed Yeti.

Google also met with developers at E3 in Los Angeles a few weeks back for the same reason.

Sources told Kotaku that Google hopes to buy game developers outright for the potential streaming service.

Rumors of the Yeti service date back to February. The Information reported that the Yeti would include a subscription service that would allow gamers to download games and wouldnt require discs or hard copies.

In fact, according to Kotaku, Google has thought about entering the video game market since 2014. Rumors even suggested it was ready to buy Twitch, which has become insanely popular among video game streamers.

There were also rumors Google wanted to launch an Android-based console, but nothing ever happened there.

But Googles own Niantic jumped into the video game market in 2016 with Pokemon Go. However, Niantic was an independent developer by that point. (There's actually a lot to that story.)

According to Uproxx, the Yeti idea would be the next step in the console wars, which has traditionally been played out between Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo for the last decade.

Googles goal would be to infringe on the territory of the traditional consoles and take down some of the barriers between console and PC gaming, according to Uproxx. And with a company like Google behind the tech and development, its certainly possible that much like Microsoft with the Xbox, Yeti could become the norm in gaming in the future.
Its toxic: New study says blue light from tech devices can speed up blindness
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A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers. - photo by Herb Scribner
Herb Scribner
Deseret News
Published: Aug 13, 2018, 1:39 PM
It turns out checking Twitter or Facebook before bed is bad for your health.

A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers.

That process can lead to age-related macular degeneration, which is a leading cause of blindness in the United States, according to the researchs extract.

Blue light is a common issue for many modern Americans. Blue light is emitted from screens, most notably at night, causing sleep loss, eye strain and a number of other issues.

Dr. Ajith Karunarathne, assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, said our constant exposure to blue light cant be blocked by the lens or cornea.

"It's no secret that blue light harms our vision by damaging the eye's retina. Our experiments explain how this happens, and we hope this leads to therapies that slow macular degeneration, such as a new kind of eye drop, he said.

Macular degeneration is an incurable eye disease that often affects those in their 50s or 60s. It occurs after the death of photoreceptor cells in the retina. Those cells need retinal to sense light and help signal the brain.

The research team found blue light exposure created poisonous chemical molecules that killed photoreceptor cells

"It's toxic. If you shine blue light on retinal, the retinal kills photoreceptor cells as the signaling molecule on the membrane dissolves," said Kasun Ratnayake, a Ph.D. student researcher working in Karunarathne's cellular photo chemistry group. "Photoreceptor cells do not regenerate in the eye. When they're dead, they're dead for good."

However, the researchers found a molecule called alpha-tocopherol, which comes from Vitamin E, can help prevent cell death, according to Futurism.

The researchers plan to review how light from TVs, cellphones and tablet screens affect the eyes as well.

"If you look at the amount of light coming out of your cellphone, it's not great but it seems tolerable," said Dr. John Payton, visiting assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. "Some cellphone companies are adding blue-light filters to the screens, and I think that is a good idea."

Indeed, Apple released a Night Shift mode two years ago to help quell blue lights strain on the eyes, according to The Verge. The screen will dim into a warmer, orange light that will cause less stress on the eyes.