Recent works by Don Norman, one of my personal heroes, in the area of Computer User Interface.

Recent works by Don Norman, one of my personal heroes, in the area of Computer User Interface.

As part of the Nielsen Norman Group, this former Apple Fellow continues to produce articles and videos that make you think, about making machines that make us smarter.

https://www.nngroup.com/articles/author/don-norman/

We may be well past the Turing Test point, where computers can emulate human speech and writing.

We may be well past the Turing Test point, where computers can emulate human speech and writing.

The latest software from OpenAI, nonprofit AI research company, will not be released due to concerns on how it could be misused.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/18/tech/dangerous-ai-text-generator/index.html

Yesterday Microsoft announced details of the anticipated HoloLens 2.

Yesterday Microsoft announced details of the anticipated HoloLens 2.

Different CPU Chip that improves startup time, improved power consumption for longer batter life and improved field of vision for better immersion. Oh, and more comfortable!

https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-announces-hololens-2-with-a-snapdragon-850-and-a-larger-field-of-view

Direct Link to Youtube video: https://youtu.be/eqFqtAJMtYE

What is the future of VR? We talked about that at our “What is the future of VR/AR/MR?” discussion at MagFest 2019.

What is the future of VR? We talked about that at our “What is the future of VR/AR/MR?” discussion at MagFest 2019.

One of the two panels I moderated, it was a lively discussion with experts on Virtual Reality.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ih4xJatEphQ

From the MagFest program: “We have talked about the past and explored the present, so what will be the future of Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality? Will our dreams be fulfilled, or will the future go beyond our imaginations. Our visionaries will lead the group discussion, with audience participation, of what we should expect in the near and distant future.”

Virtual Reality Oasis provides detailed information of what we know about the upcoming Oculus Quest VR

Virtual Reality Oasis provides detailed information of what we know about the upcoming Oculus Quest VR

This new standalone Virtual Reality headset has everyone excited. Much of this is guess work, but it is a good briefing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCuy47JbmGs&feature=share

The 2nd edition of the 360 Video Handbook by Michael Wohl has been released.

The 2nd edition of the 360 Video Handbook by Michael Wohl has been released.

The step-by-step guide to creating video for VR now includes new hardware/software included the latest standalone HMDs.

https://www.360videohandbook.com

John Nelson’s talk on Building your first VR game for Oculus Go has been posted to YouTube.

John Nelson’s talk on Building your first VR game for Oculus Go has been posted to YouTube.

His presentation, part of the Virtual Reality track of MagFest 2019, was well received.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_TQPT04mEU&t=560s

From the MagFest program: “John will walk you step by step through the design, build and deployment process for creating a Virtual Reality game for Oculus Go headset in Unity 3D.”

The video of my talk at MagFest 2019 on the State of the Union in Virtual Reality as been posted.

The video of my talk at MagFest 2019 on the State of the Union in Virtual Reality as been posted.

Slowly the videos of all of the talks from Virtual Reality track will be posted, I will announce them as the become available.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCwiAwvFm-c&t=10s

From the MagFest program: “It is hard to keep tracking of the changing environments in the VR community. Steve will explore what 2019 means for Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality & Mixed Reality. If you don’t know the difference, he will explain this too, by telling you about all the hardware, software and accessories that are available today.”

To understand what makes good Augmented Reality, it is smart to know a bit about how the eye works.

To understand what makes good Augmented Reality, it is smart to know a bit about how the eye works.

Article from UXDesign explaining some of the Basic properties of the human eye, relating to simulating AR.

https://uxdesign.cc/human-eyes-understanding-of-space-for-augmented-reality-d5ce4d9fa37b

When is a face not a person? When it is a completely randomly created computer image.

When is a face not a person? When it is a completely randomly created computer image.

Programmed by Uber AI developer, the “This Person Does Not Exist” website generates a new face every time it is updated.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/this-person-does-not-exist-ai-generates-fake-faces-on-website-1.4299515

Direct Link (generates different photo each time): https://www.thispersondoesnotexist.com

Facebook page with details of the project: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DeepNetGroup/permalink/805364403189777/

Special Reminder: DCVR in NoVA February meeting with be all about Magic Leap VR

Special Reminder: DCVR in NoVA February meeting with be all about Magic Leap VR

Jordan Higgins of ByteCubes will talk about his experience working with the Magic Leap One, and demonstrate a real unit

https://www.meetup.com/DCimmersive/events/258459385/

Interested in an incredible diverse blog of diverse computer & tech topics? Try O’Reilly’s 4 Short Links.

Interested in an incredible diverse blog of diverse computer & tech topics? Try O’Reilly’s 4 Short Links.

Nat Torkington's eclectic collection of curated links is updated daily.

https://www.oreilly.com/feed/four-short-links

Anchoring Principle, a cognitive bias where an individual relies too heavily on an initial piece of information, relating to UI

Anchoring Principle, a cognitive bias where an individual relies too heavily on an initial piece of information, relating to UI

Therese Fessende of Nielsen Norman Group explains the importance of setting Accurate Expectations at the start of a workflow.

https://www.nngroup.com/articles/anchoring-principle/

It is Friday, let’s find something silly. How about a copy of Super Mario being sold at auction for $100,000?

It is Friday, let’s find something silly. How about a copy of Super Mario being sold at auction for $100,000?

That is not a typo, a handful of the original Mario cartridges were made for test markets.  One just sold for a small fortune.

https://techcrunch.com/2019/02/14/a-ridiculously-rare-copy-of-super-mario-for-nes-just-sold-for-over-100000/

Even in these days of Swift, there is valid reasons to include cross-platform C++ code in your project.

Even in these days of Swift, there is valid reasons to include cross-platform C++ code in your project.

A bit dated, but Phil Jordan’s excellent article on using Objective-C++ (combo of C++ & Obj-C).

http://philjordan.eu/article/strategies-for-using-c++-in-objective-c-projects

I have unlimited budge, and infinite vacation days, so where can I find mobile conferences to attend?

I have unlimited budge, and infinite vacation days, so where can I find mobile conferences to attend?

Bugfender is kind enough to solve your problem (not mine) with this compilation of Mobile (iOS and Android) Conferences in 2019.

https://bugfender.com/conferences/

More announcements from Apple regarding medical records.

More announcements from Apple regarding medical records.

Soon US Veterans will be able to access their medical information using iOS Heath Records App. 

https://www.macrumors.com/2019/02/11/apple-health-records-us-veterans/

Announcement Link: https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2019/02/apple-announces-health-records-feature-coming-to-veterans/

Tech Wizards create this VR suit that designed not to improve your life, but simulate what it is like to be older, so you can prepare for it.

Tech Wizards create this VR suit that designed not to improve your life, but simulate what it is like to be older, so you can prepare for it.

It reduces your vision, interfere with you hearing, reduced your mobility, even simulates the brain disassociation of a stroke.

https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/mvx5vy/i-wore-a-suit-designed-to-show-me-what-its-like-to-be-old-067

Swedish company is releasing the “Kalk&”, an electric street legal motorcycle.

Swedish company is releasing the “Kalk&”, an electric street legal motorcycle.

Still unpriced (expected $10K+), this will be a high-performance, electric off-road bike.

https://www.popsci.com/cake-kalk-street-legal-electric-motorcycle

My guess is that this will have a wicked acceleration, like all electric motors.

Tiantian Xu challenged himself to create 100 animations in 100 days, here is how he did it.

Tiantian Xu challenged himself to create 100 animations in 100 days, here is how he did it.

Using Sketch, Principle, Illustrator & After Effects, he designed, drew and programmed these vector effects.

https://uxdesign.cc/100-days-of-motion-design-463526af852f

Animation on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/100daysofmotionbytx/

Animation on Dribble: https://dribbble.com/tiantianxu/tags/100daysofmotion

Are 3D Hand Gestures and Face ID coming in future home products like the HomePod?

Are 3D Hand Gestures and Face ID coming in future home products like the HomePod?

MacRumor analyzes recent Apple Patents for "countertop speaker" with various sensors and cameras that "gather hand gestures and other three-dimensional gesture input."

https://www.macrumors.com/2019/02/07/homepod-3d-hand-gestures-face-id-patent/

Link to Patent: http://appft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PG01&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=%2220190026056%22.PGNR.&OS=DN/20190026056&RS=DN/20190026056

2 names, Wallace Kirschner & Lawrence Haskel, the untold inventors of the Game Cartridge.

2 names, Wallace Kirschner & Lawrence Haskel, the untold inventors of the Game Cartridge.

The Fairchild Channel F was first cartridge based Video Game machine, but ultimately unsuccessful.

https://www.fastcompany.com/3040889/the-untold-story-of-the-invention-of-the-game-cartridge

Misc: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairchild_Channel_F

A sincere cry for why game developers should work alone.

 A sincere cry for why game developers should work alone.

“cohesiveness” in design and product is his major argument.  I understand his point of view.

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

Tetris was a revolutionary game, possible the first mega-hit casual game, with a lot happening behind the scenes.

Tetris was a revolutionary game, possible the first mega-hit casual game, with a lot happening behind the scenes.

Both a wonderful story about making something great, and a cautionary tale on maintaining control of your creations.

https://www.ozy.com/flashback/moscow-was-home-to-tetris-until-a-bidding-war-made-the-tiles-fly/90672

The Lenna image is part of Computer History, the source of which not many real know about.

The Lenna image is part of Computer History, the source of which not many real know about.

A cropped image of Lena Söderberg became the first JPEG test sample, and the possibly one of the most used images in computer history. 

https://www.wired.com/story/finding-lena-the-patron-saint-of-jpegs/

An extremely detailed explanation of various VR/AR technologies from Hackermoon.

An extremely detailed explanation of various VR/AR technologies from Hackermoon.

While many look at the hardware as black box magic, it is better for software developer to understand what is going on inside.

https://hackernoon.com/fundamentals-of-display-technologies-for-augmented-and-virtual-reality-c88e4b9b0895

15 years into mission, which is 14 years 9 months longer than it was designed for, the Mars rover is shutting down.

15 years into mission, which is 14 years 9 months longer than it was designed for, the Mars rover is shutting down.

Nasa’s Opportunity probe has finally gone quiet. No one expected it to stay functional so long.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/lost-opportunity-after-a-15-year-odyssey-nasas-trailblazing-mars-rover-approaches-its-end/

We are now stepping into Twilight Zone, with tech that can translate thought patterns into word.

We are now stepping into Twilight Zone, with tech that can translate thought patterns into word.

A break through in computer human interaction! Previous attempts had no where near the 75% success rate this experiment achieved.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190129081919.htm