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Army moves Microsoft HoloLens-based headset from prototyping to production phase

PENTAGON—United States Army announced that it will work with Microsoft on the production phase of the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) program as it moves from rapid prototyping to production and rapid fielding.

The IVAS headset, based on HoloLens and augmented by Microsoft Azure cloud services, delivers a platform that will keep Soldiers safer and make them more effective. The program delivers enhanced situational awareness, enabling information sharing and decision-making in a variety of scenarios.

Microsoft has worked closely with the U.S. Army over the past two years, and together pioneered Soldier Centered Design to enable rapid prototyping for a product to provide Soldiers with the tools and capabilities necessary to achieve their mission.

Microsoft welcomes this new and innovative partnership with the U.S. Army, and are grateful for their continued trust in transitioning IVAS from rapid prototyping to rapid fielding. The firm announced they look forward to building on this successful partnership with the men and women of the U.S. Army Close Combat Force.

Reports by Bloomberg and CNBC point to an Army deal close to $22 billion in value.

^{Sources/photos: by Alex Kipman, Microsoft/BDPA-DC —} ^{Top/Cover photo: BDPA at the Microsoft Store, Pentagon City}

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CES 2021 Moves to an All-Digital Experience

ARLINGTON, VA — The Consumer Technology Association (CTA)® today announced CES 2021® — January 6-9, 2021 — will be an all-digital experience connecting exhibitors, customers, thought leaders and media from around the world. The new format will allow participants to hear from technology innovators, see cutting-edge technologies and the latest product launches, and engage with global brands and startups from around the world.

“Amid the pandemic and growing global health concerns about the spread of COVID-19, it’s just not possible to safely convene tens of thousands of people in Las Vegas in early January 2021 to meet and do business in person,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CTA. “Technology helps us all work, learn and connect during the pandemic — and that innovation will also help us reimagine CES 2021 and bring together the tech community in a meaningful way. By shifting to an all-digital platform for 2021, we can deliver a unique experience that helps our exhibitors connect with existing and new audiences.”

CES 2021 will be a new immersive experience, where attendees will have a front row seat to discover and see the latest technology. This highly personalized experience will bring a global event to the comfort and safety of your home or office.

For over 50 years, CES has been the global stage for innovation. CTA’s goal for CES 2021 is to provide an engaging platform for companies large and small to launch products, build brands and form partnerships, while prioritizing health and safety. Members of the tech community thrive by coming together, sharing ideas and introducing products that will shape our future.

: “Implementing Diversity from the Top” at CES 2020. (L-R) Tiffany Moore, CTA; Carmalita Yeizman, Bosch; Lesley Slaton Brown, HP; Ben Hasan, Walmart. © 2020 bdpatoday

Mark your calendars for the first week in January and be on the lookout for more exciting news about CES 2021. CES plans to return to Las Vegas for CES 2022, combining the best elements of a physical and digital show.

**— Source and photos: CTA and BDPA**

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BDPA HSCC Alumna Receives Eleanor Dee Greer Scholarship Award

WASHINGTON, D.C. (bdpatoday) — BDPA of Greater Washington, D.C. (BDPA-DC), an information and communications technology (ICT) trade association, announces a 2018 Eleanor Dee Greer Scholarship award recipient. Dr. Melvin Greer, Founder and Managing Director, Greer Institute for Leadership and Innovation, presented a 2018 Eleanor Dee Greer Scholarship award to Ms. TurKenya Herring during BDPA’s annual Northeast Regional Innovation Summit at the MEADE Training and Conference Center near Ft. Meade in Odenton, Maryland.

(L-R) During this year’s BDPA Northeast Regional Innovation Summit, Ms. TurKenya Herring is presented with a 2018 Eleanor Dee Greer Scholarship Award from Dr. Melvin Greer, Founder and Managing Director, Greer Institute for Leadership and Innovation.

— photo © 2018 bdpatoday

Eleanor Dee Greer was a teacher, principal and inspiration to underserved students. She devoted her life supporting and encouraging technologists, engineers and scientists and the scholarship Greer Institute awards each year honors her and students she would inspire. Greer Institute is proud to recognize students that are maturing their engineering and science skills via National, Regional, or local BDPA Chapter programs. Ms. Herring plans to complete her undergraduate studies at Bowie State University in 2019, obtain her Master’s degree in Cybersecurity, and assist others in accomplishing their career goals. Ms. Herring is a BDPA High School Computer Competition (HSCC) alumna currently serving as one of this year’s HSCC Chaperones for BDPA-DC’s HSCC team. Ms. Herring is a BDPA Oracle Scholars finalist and Cyber Intern with Enlightened, Inc., a leading Information Technology (IT) consulting firm and BDPA Chapter mission-partner delivering cyber security, system integration, and management consulting solutions.

Mr. Greer stated Ms. Herring “is a deserving recipient of the 2018 Eleanor Dee Greer Scholarship.” Ms. Herring will lead this year’s HSCC finalists from the National Capital Region to compete in National HSCC Scholarship rounds later this summer in New Orleans, LA, during the National BDPA Technology Conference, August 9-11, 2018.

About BDPA of Greater Washington, D.C.
BDPA’s mission in the District of Columbia and the National Capital Region (NCR) is to bridge cybersecurity (CS), information technology (IT) and telecommunications competency gaps in urban, under-represented, and underserved communities. Local chapter goals and objectives across the region include, but are not limited to, providing IT and CS professional development programs, industry publications, and community outreach services for professionals, young adults, and youth in direct support of software development initiatives, cyberspace workforce development, and government relations. Local chapters support and advocate workforce development and accelerating technology inclusion initiatives with industry mission partners.

Coders and junior developer (JrDev) finalists from BDPA’s Northeast Region design and develop new apps during the association’s annual regional high school coding competition (HSCC). Regional finalists move on to compete in national HSCC scholarship rounds later this summer in New Orleans, LA, August 9th to 11th, during the 40th Annual National BDPA Technology Conference (BDPA.org). For more on this year’s NE Regional Innovation Summit, visit BDPADC.org.

— Cover and HSCC photo © 2018 bdpatoday

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Oculus and ESL Team Up for VR League: Season 2

MENLO PARK, CA —Last year, Oculus helped launch the world’s first VR esports league, including the first ever Echo Arena North American Regionals at OC4 and a global livestream of the Finals from IEM Katowice. Oculus announced this week a brand-new look and expanded lineup for VR League—and the kick-off of Season 2 with ESL!

VR League Season 2 features a prize pool in excess of $220,000 USD, a more flexible tournament system, and up to seven participating titles in the five-month competitive period—all leading up to the climactic grand finale at Oculus Connect 5!

Oculus hit the ground running on May 18, with a month of competitive urban spell-casting in The Unspoken, followed by a month of fast-paced parkour racing in Sprint Vector beginning June 4. An additional two titles with prized competition will be unveiled on ESL Play during the months of July and August, plus additional action as three new games make their first foray into esports.

Echo Arena returns on May 20 with the start of a four-week competition. Last year, this fast-paced zero-g title brought out 258 players across 98 teams worldwide, and we’re excited to build upon that initial success as we continue to grow the community. Later this year, we’ll partner with Ready At Dawn to bring Echo Combat to VR League with a ladder-style competition of its own.

“Oculus is committed to fostering long-term growth of the VR esports ecosystem, and Season 2—with its new format and additional games—is an amazing next step on this exciting journey,” says Oculus Head of Esports, Christopher K. McKelvy.

To that end, VR League will also support VR Master League and the grassroots community that’s developed around Dante Buckley’s mil-sim success story with an Onward Invitational event from June 16 – 17. One of three live events to be held at the ESL UK Studios, the Onward Invitational will also benefit Stack Up, a charity that supports US and Allied veterans through gaming.

VR esports represent an exciting and promising area of growth for both the VR industry and the community it supports, and we’re proud to partner with ESL to help change the game. Visit vr.eslgaming.com for more information, and follow VR League on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates.

Source and photos — The Oculus Team

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CES2018: Youth = The Future of Technology

By DaMisha Brown

LAS VEGAS, NV — For young people who are willing to move just as fast or faster than technology itself, CES is where you should be. But, “Why?”

Technology is always moving rapidly into the future. What once needed man-power has become electronically made easier for us to market better and faster.

For over a decade, bdpatoday has shared the world’s latest tech creations with small businesses, Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). However, in order to share, one must go to where technology and our futures meet, at CES in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show, for over 50 years this global event is a gathering place where many who are affected by technology can network, learn and push technology to the next level, all within an exciting and action-packed week.

Who does technology affect? It affects any social media navigator, content creator, entrepreneur, small business owner, video producer, photographer, freelance writer or college graduate. Young people are affected by technology.

With technology constantly moving, young people are regularly the first to test a new invention’s fate: success or failure.

For example, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is on the rise. It was the biggest discussion of CES2018. Young people use AI to help navigate to new destinations with Siri, play their favorite tunes at home with Alexa, search the web with Cortana or use Samsung’s new assistant and latest AI invention “Bixby” to remind them of what the next day holds.

— Photo Credit: Twitter

Young people may not be the predominate creators of new technology, but, they promote the path of a new invention as a need for the future or a one-time convenience.

How far technology can go is in the hands of its fastest critics, young people. It’s their call, being a group of great travelers and closer to what is current, to tell creators “This works!”, or “This could be better”.

International DJ Val Fleury (@iamValFleury pictured to the right) showcased her musical skills playing for Intel among our CES2018 fun and infotainment. Fleury is Los Angeles based and quickly became noticed for her style and diverse sounds. She is featured during our credits on bdpatoday‘s CES2018 sizzle reel now airing on your Popular Technology TV (PTTV) YouTube Channel.

Photo Credit: @iamValFleury

Young people, get active, get involved and be present next January at CES2019. YOU hold the future of tech! Send it forward.

—Source: CES2018 and cover photo credit: Intel

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OCULUS Rift Software Development Kits Available for Developers

— Samsung and Oculus photos

Rift SDK 1.0 Shipping to Developers with Final Rift Hardware

If Virtual Reality (VR) developers are shipping a Rift title in 1Q16 (first quarter, 2016), they will need early access to Rift hardware and new platform features to finalize games or applications. The Rift SDK 1.0 and runtime include features tied to the consumer product, so Oculus has currently limited the release to developers putting final touches on launch titles.

If planning a launch title and don’t yet have hardware, developers can now upload a preview of their apps through the Oculus submission tool, and Oculus will be in touch with next steps.

Oculus is shipping more Rift hardware out to developers every week in the run up to launch. In the meantime, DK2 and SDK 0.8 continue to be the right platform for early Rift development — one only needs SDK 1.0 if development teams are imminently shipping.

New customers and Industry are anxiously looking forward to seeing new VR experiences on Rift when it launches in Q1!

— The Oculus Team