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5 New Ingress Mods For Portals

Ingress Report video revealed new game items — Mods.

Up to now, players could only use Shields, which was apparently not enough for many of us. Remember, we wanted at least Turrets? Our prayers have been heard. Fasten your seat-belts, we are taking off the ground!

Turrets

 

Ingress Mod Turret

 

These ones increase rate of portal attack. Basically, all these lightning attacks, when you fire XMPs, are the same turrets, but now they will be much more active. Not sure if they fire just when you pass by, but this is logical.

Update: Portal attacks 2 times faster and a bit harder

 

Heat Sink

 

Ingress Mod Heat Sink

 

Should be something related to portal burn-out time. Either decrease portal burnout duration or timeframe between hacks. Or probably increase hack number before burnout.

Update: Descreases time between hacks. -20% every other Heat Sink. So, 4 Heat Sinks will allow you to make 4 hacks in 6 minutes, instead of 15

 

Force Amplifier

 

Ingress Mod Force Amplifier

 Amplifies something like portal strength or field durability.


Update: Amplifies overal portal strength by 2

 

Link Amplifier

 

Ingress Mod Link Amplifier

 This one affects links. Probably, length of the link or its effect on the portal strength.

Update: Increases distance of the link – up to 3 times! So, L8 portal should theoretically link across 1200 miles or 1970 km around

 

Multi Hack

 

Ingress Mod Multi Hack

 Hack portal more times or faster than each 5 minutes. Similar to Heat Sink Mod.

Update: This adds 8 additional hacks before burnout (12 total)

 

Overall, there are many questions still but soon exact function of those new Mods will be tested and reported. Just wait for the next Ingress app update

Ingress Portal Attack Simulator

Those of you playing Ingress game probably want to build a better strategy, while attacking bunch of enemy portals, don’t you?

There is a special web tool, which makes it quite easy to plan future attacks and simulate the results of using XMPs. It is called IPAS – Ingress Portal Attack Simulator and is totally web-based application.

There are huge customization options. You can set each individual resonator, place its location around the portal, put shields, if any. Then choose XMP, place “yourself” in the field and fire!

The result will be calculated for both Portal Health and Resonator percentage. Multiple formulas can be used for the result, though I am not sure, which one is the most realistic.

Another interesting feature is the heatmap for the chosen XMP. It shows the damage area and colors it according to the radius around your firing position.

The only thing this application lacks, IMHO, is the calculation of player’s XM energy level. As you know, firing XMPs costs you XM and the higher XMPs the more energy it consumes. This can be critical in the field.

But it is already a valuable tool for every serious player, whether you are Enlightened or from the Resistance.

Ingress Portal Attack Simulator

Olympus HMD Earlier Than Google Glass

More and more people find out about Google Glass. But let’s be honest, Google was not the first one to present similar concept to the public. While I also do not know, who was the first, here are some pictures from the 2010 by Olympus.

Yes, something similar to MEG4 glasses, but in a more stylish form, I bet.

Japanese mobile phone carrier NTT Docomo and Olympus presented this device at the Ceatec event. I really like the design.

Olympus HMD

I don’t have exact specs of it, but at least it had acceleration and direction sensors 🙂 For example, you could look up and see the weather forecast. Pretty neat. Wonder, if MEG4 was a direct development of these glasses? MEG4 design is not so appealing, though.

Olympus HMD Glass

Actually, there was even a 2008 year model, but it was quite heavy. Around 91 grams, opposed to 10-20 of the normal glasses weight.

As a bonus, another concept from that conference, which has two displays. Manufacturer is a Japanese company Scalar. Playing Ingress would be much more fun with these.

HMD Scalar

Ingress April Hangout With Niantic

Another Ingress Hangout with Niantic employees has occurred recently. As you remember, the previous one revealed many interesting facts about the game and its future development.

Ingress Hangout April

This one is no difference, check out some of the most interesting points.

  • Ambitious plan to have 1 billion gamers. Way too much, I think 🙂
  • Social networks are closely monitored for valuable ideas. Keep posting with corresponding hashtags.
  • IITC related AP discrimination does not exist. But Niantic still discourages users from TOS violations.
  • API is on its way. It will have option to create custom missions (eagerly waiting for this).
  • Balancing is still being calibrated to ensure that game stays exciting for both factions in all areas.
  • No iOS at the moment, will take quite some time.
  • Local MU score is on its way. There is really no need for global as no one cares.
  • Niantic considers some role-play options for the Ingress. Different roles, which can include fighters, defenders, farmers etc. My thought — this should be changeable after some period of time or anytime.
  • Idea of exchanging items is also quite strong. Probably, via NFC or some other way?
  • NFC based missions — link players for some period of time to collaborate.
  • Niantic is not really Google. They work independently, using Google’s resources and support.
  • NIA is an actual US agency and government was questioning Niantic on “what the hell you’re doing there??” 🙂

Just to remind that there should be extra invites available for L2+ users and current waiting time for email invite is around 3 weeks.

Google Glass Revolution Has Begun

Google Glass Revolution Has Begun

So, Google Glass revolution has begun.

Couple of days ago, first lucky winners of the Google’s contest got Glasses and web has already been flooded by images and videos shot from the 1st person view and.. with user hands in the frame 🙂

These are first users outside Google, so be prepared for the very exciting beta-testing period.

There are also some extra information about device itself. Yes, it really uses bone conduction principle to deliver sound. Camera is pretty nice — 5MP for images and 720p for video. Display resolution is 640 x 360, which is equivalent to viewing a 25-inch HD display from eight feet.

Though Glass has 16GB storage on board (12GB usable), main functionality will be provided via paired Android smartphone and app called MyGlass. Glass can be connected via Bluetooth and it also has a built-in Wi-Fi. Charging is by Micro USB and special recommended adapter.

Not much functionality yet, device can be mostly used as a camera and search engine, but Google promised software updates every month. Sounds interesting.

Have I already said they are damn stylish? Currently, five colors available, though I guess black and white will be the most popular ones. Below is the adaptation for sunglasses, it is not part of the Glass Exporer lineup.

Google Glass Orange

Also, Google warned that reselling and even lending is strictly prohibited. They reserve the right to switch off your Glass in this case. No idea, how it is done, but apparently they have a simple way to do that (by serial number, for example).

A special warning has been issued that in some exceptional circumstances, Glass can cause eye-strain or headache. I believe this is similar to the headache some people experiencing while watching 3D movies.

And as a conclusion, here is a manual of how to use Glass. While most of us do not have it yet, we can at least check how it should be used.

Sony Steps In Glass War With Own HMD Device

If you don’t like Google much or afraid of their dominant position on the market, then you will be pleased to know that not only Google works on augmented glasses project.

You have already read about Olympus concept. And now there is a patent from Sony describing similar device, which is called there “head-mounted display (HMD) apparatus”

Sony Augmented Glasses

 

Let’s look at the key points.

The main difference I see — there are two displays behind the glasses’ lenses. These are movable, so that you could adjust and fine tune according to your preference. Earplugs are probably traditional, not bone conduction audio, which Google Glass will have.

At the same time, Sony is a hi-tech company with a rich history and lots of resources, so pretty sure they will add some innovation into this emerging topic.

Device will display 2D content, though I think is enough. Imagine 3D Avatar movie while you are walking across the street. A bit distracting 🙂

Unfortunately, no other info available regarding technical specifications, but I bet we won’t wait for long.

HMD Glass topic becomes more and more popular, so Google’s competitors definitely do not want to be left aside. It is time to jump the train or to be left on the platform.

Ingress Baltic Fog Report

Here is English field report from Ingress Resistance team in Belarus, regarding that huge blue cover last week.

Report can be read here.

Well done! Good example of brilliant cooperation and dedication to the game. As far as I can see, people really planned it and travelled to exchange keys etc, so if you accuse them in cheating, please provide some evidence.

Ingress Resistance Belarus

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