Latest news with #Campfire
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
'There's fire all over the place': Wildfire forces mass evacuation of Pelican Narrows as only escape route threatened
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel A rapidly advancing wildfire has forced the evacuation of people living in Pelican Narrows, a remote community in northern Saskatchewan, as flames threaten the sole access road and nearby Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN), which governs Pelican Narrows, declared a state of emergency on Tuesday(May 27) morning. Chief Peter Beatty emphasized the urgency: "It's a single road that goes south to Hanson Lake Road. The fire itself, when the winds shift late tonight or early tomorrow, it's going to drive that fire toward the access road into Pelican Narrows. That's why we're trying to get people out of the community, as many people as we can today."Residents were instructed to register at Pelican Narrows High School to board evacuation buses starting at 1 pm CST. Approximately 2,000 people remained in the community of 4,000 and were urged to leave immediately, either by bus or personal wildfire has already forced hundreds to relocate to centers in Saskatoon, Prince Albert, and Flin road between Pelican Narrows and Sandy Bay, Highway 135, remains closed, and residents are advised not to use this route. Highway 106, known locally as the Hanson Lake Road, and several roads around Narrow Hills Provincial Park are also closed due to fires, the Campfire and the Shoe fire, which have been burning since early May north of Prince Albert, have merged into one, now referred to as the Shoe fire. This fire has prompted evacuations at Lower Fishing Lake, Piprell Lake, East Trout Lake, and Little Bear Lake, with a pre-evacuation notice for Whiteswan/Whelan of Tuesday morning, the fire had grown to more than 216,000 Ballantyne, a resident of Pelican Narrows, described the harrowing experience: "It's so scary. My hometown is burning. There's fire all over the place." He is now among the evacuees housed at the Saskatoon Hall Lake, about 230 kilometers north of Prince Albert, the Pisew wildfire expanded rapidly from 14,000 to 44,000 hectares within 24 hours. A mandatory evacuation affects about 380 people. A back burn was conducted to protect the community, but concerns remain. "We're kind of worried about if this back burn will hold," said Lac La Ronge Indian Band Coun. Norman Ross. "Yesterday, people were starting to panic because of the smoke [from the back burn], but it was doing what it's supposed to do."The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) reports 21 active wildfires across the province, with only five considered contained. Many communities, including Little Bear Lake, Lower Fishing Lake, and East Trout Lake, are under evacuation orders. Southeast of Prince Albert remains under a pre-alert, and special air quality statements are in SPSA has expanded the provincial fire ban to include all vacant Crown land, provincial parks within the provincial forest, and the provincial forest itself, effective as of 5 pm on May 26, ban prohibits any open fires, controlled burns, and fireworks in the designated areas. "An extreme fire risk exists across most of the province," said SPSA Vice-President of Operations Steve Roberts. "The majority of the active fires in the province are caused by human activity. Everyone needs to know that human-caused fires are preventable."
Business Insider
14-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
This tech startup wants to shake up AR — and the aerospace industry is paying attention
Reviewing 3D models on a 2D platform like PowerPoint can make product development difficult, but AR/VR might change that. At Collins Aerospace, a leading manufacturer of aerospace equipment, engineers and designers can now use AR/VR headsets to view CAD files in real time, letting them view and change designs far more quickly than before. Thomas Murphy, a manufacturing programs chief engineer at Collins Aerospace, told Business Insider the change is like Sears switching from a catalog to e-commerce. To make this possible, the company has tapped a relatively young AR/VR collaboration tool called Campfire. Jay Wright, the CEO of Campfire, sees the platform's use at companies like Collins Aerospace as just the beginning of AR/VR collaboration. Unlike many of Campfire's competitors, which often target narrow use cases, Wright hopes to make AR/VR collaboration as popular and accessible as videoconferencing platforms like Zoom. "People can just start. They can download something for free, and then they can upgrade to a paid plan when they feel they've exhausted the features of what's free," Wright said. "Just like a Zoom, a Teams, a Slack, a Miro, a Figma. That's the exact same thing with Campfire." Taking AR/VR collaboration mainstream The adoption of AR/VR collaboration has been slow in part because most tools are difficult to download and use. Many lack a free trial, or if one is offered, it may only be available for a limited time. Hardware requirements, like a headset or a powerful computer, and device compatibility are additional obstacles. This can raise barriers for companies and individuals looking to explore the tech before making a full investment. Like many AR/VR collaboration apps, Campfire is designed for 3D, real-time collaboration in an AR/VR environment. Users can load 3D files and view them at an accurate scale, zoom in and out to see components in more detail, and make alterations on the fly. But unlike most competitors, Campfire also provides a comprehensive free tier. Under this plan, users can view up to five projects with up to five collaborators and receive 5GB of total file storage. The free tier has no time limits. Campfire also offers broad device compatibility, including Windows, Mac, Varjo headsets, and more. "It's a model similar to other software-as-a-service, where people can download something for free," Wright said. "People can use models up to a certain size, in certain formats, and it's really good. They can see what the collaboration experience looks like, they can put their own data in." Even with the recent release of more affordable and accessible headsets, like Meta's Quest 3, flexibility is key to the company's strategy. Wright said roughly 80% of Campfire's users log in through a computer, tablet, or phone. If collaborators on a project lack a headset, they can still use a laptop to view the perspective of a team member who's wearing the device. From ideation to the air Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of RTX, builds components for commercial and defense aviation, from navigation equipment and landing gear to passenger seats. The company began using Campfire in 2023. Murphy told BI he sees an opportunity for the tech to reinvent the company's complicated review process. Collaborators typically view the 3D models, take detailed notes, create action items, make changes, reconvene to discuss the updates, and repeat until they finalize the product. "We have design reviews, and we're pasting 3D models into two-dimensional PowerPoint slides and going through those cross-sectional views on a Zoom call," Murphy said. Campfire, by contrast, allows direct and real-time collaboration. Murphy said users can view 3D CAD files that offer a much clearer representation of what a final product will look like. Collaborators can also alter the file in real time, making it possible to share iterations on the spot and experiment with new ideas. The aerospace industry's demanding timelines make speedy collaboration particularly valuable. Murphy said that Collins Aerospace needs to move in step with major customers. "From the Boeing and Airbus perspective, they're looking for us to have the agility," he said. While the tech has been used successfully at Collins Aerospace and companies like DataFusion and Whirlpool, Campfire could face potential adoption hurdles as tech giants remain undecided about AR/VR technology. Microsoft, for example, has largely retreated from Windows Mixed Reality and HoloLens, the holographic headset it once pitched to engineers, and Meta's Reality Labs reported a $4.2 billion loss in the first quarter of 2025. Even so, Wright told BI that the time is right for AR/VR collaboration to go mainstream. "Everything is not obvious until the moment that it's very obvious," he said. "The promise has been there for a long time, and it's just a matter of getting to that tipping point where you've got price, performance, and a user experience that makes it simple."
Forbes
14-04-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Campfire Audio Launches Its New Alien Brain In Ear Monitors
The new Campfire Audio Alien Brain IEMs contain five drivers in each earpiece including an ... More innovative dynamic bass unit with a glass dome. Portland-based Campfire Audio has announced its second new pair of IEMs in a month. The all-new Alien Brain earphones are the next entry in Campfire's acclaimed line of hybrid-design, in-ear monitors. Alien Brain IEMs are described as having 'an expertly tuned sonic signature paired with Campfire's renowned, hand-crafted build quality.' Ken Ball, founder and lead acoustic engineer at Campfire Audio, explains: 'Building on over a decade of earphone design and engineering, we expanded the legacy and boundaries of what is possible in a dynamic-BA hybrid, with the all-new, five-driver Alien Brain. The price performance of the new Alien Brain was one of our main goals here. Get your close encounters of the hi-fi kind with the all-new Campfire Audio Alien Brain!' With the launch of Alien Brain, Campfire's dual-magnet dynamic driver has had an innovative update with an all-new 10mm glass-PU diaphragm. As a dedicated low-frequency driver, this new dynamic driver has a glass speaker dome and a polyurethane diaphragm, bringing a new flavor of bass presentation while keeping all the strengths of Campfire's dual-magnet line. The Alien Brain IEMs from Campfire Audio are supplied with a new 32-bit/384kHz USB-C DAC dongle. Complementing this new dynamic driver are two mid-frequency dedicated balanced armatures that have been tuned by Campfire's acoustic engineering team for precision, detail and emotive quality. Rounding out Alien Brain's driver complement are two high-frequency balanced armatures for a crisp treble and wide soundstage. The five drivers in each earpiece and their tuning elements form a sonic signature that ranges from an impactful bass drop or the delicate nuances of a classical symphony to a sound that Campfire says is low-fatigue and eminently listenable. Housed in a sleek, black PVD full CNC stainless steel shell, the Alien Brain IEMs have a modern aesthetic along with durability and resonance control. A combination of high-grade materials and ergonomics provides a robust and premium feel with comfortable wear for long listening sessions. Campfire's new iridescent dome lid rounds out the playful and striking design of Alien Brain. Alongside enhanced performance comes an upgraded accessory pack. Alien Brain IEMs are bundled with Campfire's new 32-bit/384kHz USB-C DAC dongle, offering high-quality performance with portable devices. Two more new additions to Campfire's already accessory pack are a compact leather carrying case and High & Clear high-traction silicon ear tips. Campfire Audio's new Alien Brain IEMs will be available later this month from a range of retailers. The suggested retail price is $999 / £999.
CairoScene
13-03-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
Saudi's Scopely Acquires Pokémon GO Creator's Game Division for $3.5B
The deal transfers Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, and Monster Hunter Now to Scopely, as Niantic pivots to geospatial AI technology. Mar 13, 2025 Niantic, the company behind Pokémon GO, has sold its gaming division to Saudi-owned Scopely in a $3.5 billion transaction. The deal includes Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom, Monster Hunter Now, and supporting platforms such as Campfire and Wayfarer. As part of the agreement, Niantic will distribute an additional $350 million to its equity holders, bringing the total deal value to $3.85 billion. Following the sale, Niantic will transition into geospatial AI technology under a new company, Niantic Spatial, led by founder and CEO John Hanke. The newly formed entity will receive $250 million in funding, with $200 million from Niantic's balance sheet and $50 million from Scopely. Existing Niantic investors will remain shareholders in Niantic Spatial. Scopely, a mobile gaming company acquired by Saudi Arabia's Savvy Games Group in 2023 for $4.9 billion, has committed to integrating Niantic's game development teams. Pokémon GO, which still boasts over 20 million weekly active players, will continue operating under Scopely's management. The deal follows Niantic's struggles to replicate Pokémon GO's success, leading to layoffs in 2022 and 2023 and the shutdown of projects like Harry Potter: Wizards Unite. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia continues to expand its gaming investments, with its Public Investment Fund (PIF) allocating nearly $38 billion to gaming-related initiatives. Through Savvy Games Group, the PIF has acquired stakes in Nintendo and other major gaming firms, positioning Saudi Arabia as a growing force in the global gaming industry.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pokémon Go maker Niantic sells its game division to Saudi-owned Scopely
Niantic Labs just announced that it has found a buyer for its game division after putting out feelers back in February. The Saudi Arabia-owned company Scopely has agreed to purchase the division for $3.5 billion. Scopely was founded in Los Angeles but was purchased using money from Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, otherwise called the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). The agreement includes most of Niantic's portfolio of AR games, including Pokémon Go, Monster Hunter Now and Pikmin Bloom, among several others. It also includes the company's social companion apps for Pokémon Go, Campfire and Wayfarer. The deal is still subject to regulatory approval and other closing conditions. Scopely says it will receive 'Niantic's entire team of exceptional gamemakers and category-leading games.' There are a couple of titles, however, missing from this purchase. Niantic Labs will retain the AR gaming titles Peridot and Ingress. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Scopely is a major player in the mobile games industry. It's the company behind games like Star Trek Fleet Command, Marvel Strike Force and Monopoly Go!, to name a few. As for Niantic's games division, it's a shadow of its former self. Pokémon Go engaged more than 500 million players in its first year, but the game's staying power has waned in recent times. At its peak, the mobile monster battler attracted over 230 million players each month. Nowadays, that number has shrunk to around 80 million. The company has also struggled to replicate the Pikachu-shaped lightning in a bottle with other titles. It tried to reskin the Pokémon Go formula onto other franchises like Harry Potter and NBA basketball, but nothing stuck. The Monster Hunter and Pikmin projects, however, are still active. This led Niantic to cancel multiple games and lay off hundreds of employees. Niantic's valuation has taken several hits and the company's long-promised 'real-world metaverse' has yet to materialize. If the sale goes through, the company will focus on building out its standalone entity Niantic Spatial. This group builds real-world 3D maps and is led by company CEO John Hanke. The Saudi PIF has become a major player in the games industry in recent years. It not only owns Scopely and its parent company Savvy Games Group, but has financial stakes in organizations like Nintendo, EA and Activision Blizzard.
