End the year with the best Tech Quotes compiled by WIRE magazine

End the year with the best Tech Quotes compiled by WIRE magazine

“A sense of open-ended mystery in reality and in life is absolutely core to being a good scientist or a good technologist or, for that matter, a good writer, a good artist, or just a good human being.” - Jaron Lanier

https://www.wired.com/story/best-tech-quotes-of-the-year/

European Union has even stricter privacy than the US, and they see the need for more.

European Union has even stricter privacy than the US, and they see the need for more.

I don’t always agree with EU tech policy (ex: classifying App stores as monopolies), but I tend to agree with this one.

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-46675680

Christmas sales using Amazon Alexa tripled over last year!

Christmas sales using Amazon Alexa tripled over last year!

People are using their Alexa for real world activities. I think the Voice interface has arrived.

http://fortune.com/2018/12/26/amazon-alexa-2018-holiday-sales/

A list of the best Cross-platform MultiUser VR apps.

A list of the best Cross-platform MultiUser VR apps.

What are the best games or chat tools to share between Vive & Rifts & PSVR?

https://www.roadtovr.com/best-cross-compatible-multiplayer-games-for-rift-vive-psvr/

Guess who was a guest on “Another Wasted Hour”, an irreverent comedy podcast exploring DC events & culture.

Guess who was a guest on “Another Wasted Hour”, an irreverent comedy podcast exploring DC events & culture.

Yep, yours truely. It felt like a modern “Waynes World” production, with a lot of fun and humor (and a little tech). We pitched MagFest & VR.

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/another-wasted-hour

The episode should be posted next week!

One Unity developers opinion on why working alone produces a better game.

One Unity developers opinion on why working alone produces a better game.

His conclusion: a single cohesive vision produced the best results.  Personally, I think he leaves out the synergy of many minds, but he has a point.

https://connect.unity.com/p/articles-i-work-alone

No tech update today! Go have some eggnog, and unwrap your gadget presents.

No tech update today! Go have some eggnog, and unwrap your gadget presents.

Dec 24, 1955, a misprinted phone number had kids calling CONAD (early continental tracking command) asking for updates on St. Nick.

Dec 24, 1955, a misprinted phone number had kids calling CONAD (early continental tracking command) asking for updates on St. Nick. 

And a tradition was started!

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-norad-santa-tracker-government-shutdown-20181223-story.html

Official Tracker: https://www.noradsanta.org

NORAD site: http://www.norad.mil/About-NORAD/NORAD-Tracks-Santa/

Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NORAD_Tracks_Santa

Astro Bot, a PS4 VR games, is smash hit, being first VR game to be on top 10 list.

Astro Bot, a PS4 VR games, is smash hit, being first VR game to be on top 10 list.

Also becomes best VR game of 2018! This is big news, showing the first AAA quality Virtual Reality game.

https://www.roadtovr.com/astro-bot-ranked-6th-best-ps4-game-of-2018-23rd-of-all-time/

Related link: https://www.roadtovr.com/astro-bot-wins-game-awards-best-vr-ar-game-2018/

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgNJBmRs-i0

Wells Fargo approach vs Facebooks approach: Comparison of how to handle Security Scandals.

Wells Fargo approach vs Facebooks approach: Comparison of how to handle Security Scandals.

Interesting article showing the differences and similarities in their approach to “cleaning up a mess”.

https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/20/tech/facebook-zuckerberg-wells-fargo/index.html

Epic announces their own Game Store, intend to take on the Steam platform.

Epic announces their own Game Store, intend to take on the Steam platform.

While they have a commanding lead in PC game Market, Steam will soon not be the only App Store in town.

https://www.roadtovr.com/epic-aims-take-steam-newly-announced-epic-games-store/

Related older article predicting this: https://www.polygon.com/2018/8/27/17785946/steam-usage-fallout-fortnite-amazon

IMAX shutting down their last VR Center, and stepping away from the tech.

IMAX shutting down their last VR Center, and stepping away from the tech.

2 years ago, IMAX invested $50 million with goal of 25 interactive centers. Now no plans for future.

https://www.roadtovr.com/imax-close-remaining-imax-vr-centres-soon/

California backs away from plan to tax text messaging with monthly fee due to ruling.

California backs away from plan to tax text messaging with monthly fee due to ruling.

FCC declare messaging is information service”, not “telecommunications service”, and as such not taxable. My guess, there will be some interesting long term effect.

https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/16/tech/california-text-tax-vote-canceled/index.html

Original article explaining proposed tax:  https://www.cnet.com/news/california-text-messaging-tax-could-add-extra-fees-to-phone-bills/

One of the most important figures in computer tech history has died, and you’ve never heard of her.

One of the most important figures in computer tech history has died, and you’ve never heard of her.

Evelyn Berezin (age 93) invented word processor and online flight booking, but lived era where women did not “do”, or get credit, for tech.

https://qz.com/work/1494071/the-woman-who-invented-the-word-processor-and-online-flight-booking-system-has-died/

Repeat Special Reminded: Please come join us for December’s DC VR in VA

Repeat Special Reminded: Please come join us for December’s DC VR in VA as we learn all about capturing and displaying 360 Videos!  Our own Joey Cathey will be given this talk at the Capital One Crescent Towers offices in Tyson’s Corner this Monday at 7 pm. Yes, Parking will be Free. And the knowledge will be invaluable!  

https://www.meetup.com/DCimmersive/events/257113220/

Here are 5 great Free assets for Unity Developers

Here are 5 great Free assets for Unity Developers

I tell people just starting in animation to use Unity, over all others, mostly for the amazing amount of readily available materials, artwork & tutorials. It is a great community.

https://assetstore.unity.com/g/five-assets-for-beginners

Capital One officially cuts the ribbon to their new mega office in Tyson’s Corner.

Capital One officially cuts the ribbon to their new mega office in Tyson’s Corner.

C1 does not think of themselves as a bank who does tech, but as a Tech company in the Financial Area.  Their new building really shows this!

https://wtop.com/business-finance/2018/12/grand-opening-for-washingtons-tallest-office-building/

Stories about why Steve Job’s was so good goes viral.

Stories about why Steve Job’s was so good goes viral.

Long time friend Brett Bilbrey’s Quora answers about Jobs are reported by Forbes! Over a million views, great writing Brett!

http://macdailynews.com/2018/12/13/how-did-steve-jobs-thrive-in-a-technical-field-with-a-non-technical-background/

Forbes article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2018/12/13/how-did-steve-jobs-thrive-in-a-technical-field-with-a-non-technical-background/

Quora article: https://www.quora.com/How-did-Steve-Jobs-thrive-in-a-technical-field-with-a-non-technical-background

Even more popular posting about Jobs: https://www.quora.com/What-was-it-like-to-deliver-a-presentation-to-Steve-Jobs

Apple announced building a 2nd major campus, this time in Austin Texas.

Apple announced building a 2nd major campus, this time in Austin Texas.

My guess this is due to 2 factors: the insane expense of living in Silicon Valley, and need for capital expenses due to the loss of Apple's massive European tax write-off.

https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/13/tech/apple-campus-austin-texas/index.html

Another classic game turns 25, all hail Doom!

Another classic game turns 25, all hail Doom!

John Romero founder of id Software looks back at Dooms development in 1993.

https://rome.ro/news/2018/12/10/reflections-on-dooms-development

Help celebrate Its 25th Anniversary by reviewing what made Myst so ground breaking.

Help celebrate Its 25th Anniversary by reviewing what made Myst so ground breaking.

We had graphic adventures before, but nothing prepared players, and the gaming industry, for Myst.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/exploring-myst-25-years-later

Sundance Film will have 18 VR/AR film experiences.

Sundance Film will have 18 VR/AR film experiences.

One or two is a sideshow, that 18 films seems to indicate much more mainstream acceptance of 360 video as a form of entertainment.

https://www.roadtovr.com/sundance-film-festival-feature-18-vr-ar-experiences-next-month/

Special Announcement: December’s DC VR in VA

Special Announcement:

Come join December’s DC VR in VA as we learn all about capturing and displaying 360 Videos!  Our own Joey Cathey will be given this talk at the Capital One Crescent Towers offices in Tyson’s Corner this Monday at 7 pm. Yes, Parking will be Free. And the knowledge will be invaluable!  

https://www.meetup.com/DCimmersive/events/257113220/

iDropNews provides lists of most popular iOS app by a number of categories.

iDropNews provides lists of most popular iOS app by a number of categories.

From last summer, this still shows some interesting trends.  Free utilities are still more popular than free games.

https://www.idropnews.com/news/analysis-highlights-popular-ios-apps-time-see-winners/75870/

Causal Games have become their own Genre, and deserve their own developer book

Causal Games have become their own Genre, and deserve their own developer book

"Crushing Hyper-Casual Games” by Trey Smith, author of numerous casual games shares his thoughts.

https://go.buildbox.com/hyper-casual-book/

For many, watching Lego running around a display box in the store was the first AR they had ever seen.

For many, watching Lego running around a display box in the store was the first AR they had ever seen.

Now Lego’s Augmented Reality is available using your device.

https://www.engadget.com/2018/12/06/lego-playgrounds-ar-available/

Alexa Conference hosted by VoiceFirst.FM will be in Chattanooga, TN on Jan 15-17, 2019.

Alexa Conference hosted by VoiceFirst.FM will be in Chattanooga, TN on Jan 15-17, 2019.

Aimed at Strategist & Developers of Amazon voice, the lineup is impressive.

https://www.voicefirst.fm/alexaconference

Magic Leap, the new AR system that is still only in development, has its first App in its store.

Magic Leap, the new AR system that is still only in development, has its first App in its store.

Nurture, grow and customize alien plant lifeforms in your living room with Insomnia’s Seedling.

https://www.roadtovr.com/insomniac-launches-seedling-magic-leap-ones-first-paid-app/

Video About the App: https://youtu.be/KBS8ZDueBSg

I have this issue! Thought never thought to have Steve sign it.

I have this issue! Thought never thought to have Steve sign it.

A little bit of computer history.  RR Auction authenticated the signing (with photos), and expects the bidding to reach $10,000.

https://www.macrumors.com/2018/12/05/steve-jobs-signed-macworld-magazine-auction/

Direct Link: https://www.rrauction.com/preview_itemdetail.cfm?IN=6150

The Oculus Go is the Grand Award Winner for Gadgets in this years Popular Science “Best of What’s New”.

The Oculus Go is the Grand Award Winner for Gadgets in this years Popular Science “Best of What’s New”.

The listing show 100 greatest innovations of 2018, but #1 is the “first VR headset that can create real immersion experience all on its own”.

https://www.popsci.com/best-of-whats-new-2018

I agree with them!

HTV Vive has published details on how to port their new Vive Focus, their upcoming stand alone VR device.

HTV Vive has published details on how to port their new Vive Focus, their upcoming stand alone VR device.

Currently only available only in China, the Focus will combine ability of high end VR device, without requiring an attached PC.

https://www.vrfocus.com/2018/10/htc-vive-encourages-devs-to-port-to-vive-wave-platform/

It’s a little dated, but interesting article about downloading games from Radio during early days of home computing.

It’s a little dated, but interesting article about downloading games from Radio during early days of home computing.

Pre-Internet, there was not a lot of ways of distributing software. I remember one magazine that embedded code using 2D barcodes.

http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2014/10/13/people-used-download-games-radio