Autocomplete is only helpful if it is done right, with good design.

Autocomplete is only helpful if it is done right, with good design.

This research article from Baymard Institute gives 13 rules for correct Autocomplete.

https://baymard.com/blog/autocomplete-design

VR of King Tut’s tomb and treasure, how can you not like this?

VR of King Tut’s tomb and treasure, how can you not like this?

Being able to experience places and things from the past or distance. This is the perfect use of VR!

https://news.artnet.com/exhibitions/virtual-reality-king-tut-1716471

Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fPrIcyuCzA&feature=youtu.be

VR/AR has gone mainstream, when the New Yorker magazine gets into it.

VR/AR has gone mainstream, when the New Yorker magazine gets into it.

New Yorker app on iPhone provides Augmented Reality animated cartoons.

https://www.newyorker.com/cartoons/cartoon-desk/introducing-new-yorker-cartoons-in-augmented-reality

Ps. Happy Thanksgiving!

Introducing Anna Zhilyaeva, A Virtual Reality Artist who creates 3D VR masterpieces

Introducing Anna Zhilyaeva, A Virtual Reality Artist who creates 3D VR masterpieces

Her creations are set pieces, as well as a performance art, since watching her create is an experience by itself. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHP8hpnJt_A

Anna Zhilyaeva website: https://www.annadreambrush.com

Another video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMkJQ6QVvMY

Her Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKEfXMw7538wvuulXy_RNcQ

What To Play’s list of 2020 VR Games on YouTube.

What To Play’s list of 2020 VR Games on YouTube.

In the future, a lot more FPS, some multiplayer, and finally some AAA class game franchises.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLR6_jXKjcY

List: https://whatoplay.com/upcoming/vr 

Paul Hudson’s Hacking with Swift Black Friday sale has started early (50%).

Paul Hudson’s Hacking with Swift Black Friday sale has started early (50%).

I recommend his work, and am picking up SwiftUI by Example.  

https://www.hackingwithswift.com/offers

Even in these days of IDE, the venerable MakeFile should be a tool ever developer understands.

Even in these days of IDE, the venerable MakeFile should be a tool ever developer understands.

The Mindlessness Life blog gives a great article on using the MakeFile.

https://blog.mindlessness.life/makefile/2019/11/17/the-language-agnostic-all-purpose-incredible-makefile.html

The Void Experience tomorrow!

The Void Experience tomorrow!

Several of us are going to be at the Tyson's Corner The Void VR arena tomorrow at 6:00 pm to play a round of their Star Wars "Secret of the Empire" adventure. I will post later about our experience.

RayWenderlich comes through with a Swift 5.1 Cheat Sheet/Quick Reference.

RayWenderlich comes through with a Swift 5.1 Cheat Sheet/Quick Reference.

I have over half a dozen cheat sheets taped to my office wall, they are a great way to look up things fast.

https://www.raywenderlich.com/6362977-swift-5-1-cheat-sheet-and-quick-reference

Direct to pdf link: https://koenig-media.raywenderlich.com/uploads/2020/12/RW-Swift-5.1-Cheatsheet-1.0.pdf

VR Websites & Newsletters

At the VRDC in VA meeting on Tuesday, I was asked what websites I read in order to keep up to date on the state of VR/AR. Which ones do you review? When I finish my list (with help), I will post it.

Games are not the only VR Experiences that need to be interactive.

Games are not the only VR Experiences that need to be interactive. 

Enrique Tromp of VRMADA encourages rich VR interaction for all apps, including training. He presents examples he has created the showcase this.

https://www.roadtovr.com/delighting-users-rich-vr-interaction-design-enrique-tromp/

10 Rules of UI that everyone should remember.

10 Rules of UI that everyone should remember.

Why do I keep harping about UI Design? A good idea can make a great program, but a good UI keep customers using it.

https://uxdesign.cc/10-rules-of-thumb-in-ui-design-aa5f91885444

Famed literary magazine The Atlantic has upgraded their graphics to a new 21 century look.

Famed literary magazine The Atlantic has upgraded its graphics to a new 21-century look.

The changes are striking, and a great example of a UX upgrade.

https://kottke.org/19/11/a-fresh-look-for-the-atlantic

Great Video Showing changes: https://youtu.be/TlkzewtoJ8Q

Announcement from The Atlantic Magazine: https://www.theatlantic.com/press-releases/archive/2019/11/atlantic-makes-new-mark/601810/

Voice Cloning takes a very small sample of your voice and creates a synthetic model of your voice.

Voice Cloning takes a very small sample of your voice and creates a synthetic model of your voice.

Two Minute Papers explains a new technique that only needs 5 seconds of your real voice (it infers the rest).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sR1rU3gLzQ

Original “Transfer Learning from Speaker Verification to Multispeaker Text-To-Speech Synthesis” paper: https://arxiv.org/abs/1806.04558

Medium Article on the same subject: https://medium.com/syncedreview/clone-a-voice-in-five-seconds-with-this-ai-toolbox-f3f116b11281

Eugene Belinski recently announces Swiftly, a one-stop quick reference spot for Swift developers.

Eugene Belinski recently announces Swiftly, a one-stop quick reference spot for Swift developers.

Similar to his popular iOSRef site, Swiftly is a great resource for new and experienced Swift users.

https://swiftly.dev

His anncounement: https://ebelinski.com/swiftly-announcement/

His iOSRef: https://iosref.com

Epic Game released FREE packs of 3D Photos for use on Unreal.

Epic Game released FREE packs of 3D Photos for use on Unreal.

The photos are from Epic recent purchase of Quixel, the world's largest photogrammetry asset library.

https://www.engadget.com/2019/11/12/epic-quixel-photogrammetry-unreal-engine/

Link to free mega scan: https://www.unrealengine.com/marketplace/en-US/content-cat/assets/megascans

Sample Video using these assets: https://youtu.be/9fC20NWhx4s

More about using Photorealism in Epic: https://www.engadget.com/2019/03/21/unreal-engine-short-film-photorealism-epic-games-quixel/

Are APIs copyrightable? Or can others implement an API compatible with an established platform?

Are APIs copyrightable? Or can others implement an API compatible with an established platform?

The Supreme Court has agreed to review the case where it was decided that Google infringed Oracle's copyrights by creating an independent implementation of Java.

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/11/supreme-court-will-review-high-stakes-google-v-oracle-ruling/

I know which way I think would be best for the industry.

Cross Powerpoint with VR, and you get the Flow Editor app, from Flow Immersive.

Cross Powerpoint with VR, and you get the Flow Editor app, from Flow Immersive.

Designed for the Magic Leap platform, this takes data visualization to a new level.

https://next.reality.news/news/flow-immersive-launches-magic-leap-augmented-reality-data-slideshow-app-puts-powerpoint-shame-0212654/

A short & simple article on using SwiftUI across all Apple devices (Mac, iOS, Watch).

A short & simple article on using SwiftUI across all Apple devices (Mac, iOS, Watch).

The SwiftWithMajid blog uses conditional platform macro to tweak the code by platform.

https://swiftwithmajid.com/2019/10/23/reusing-swiftui-views-across-apple-platforms/

The Swift Server Working Group has posted a status on their work and tools.

The Swift Server Working Group has posted a status on their work and tools.

Useful Tools, Libraries and other Proposals are listed, as well as hints of Future direction of Server Side Swift.

https://swift.org/blog/sswg-update/

A new DC iOS Meetup will have their first gathering tomorrow in Tysons Corner.

A new DC iOS Meetup will have their first gathering tomorrow in Tysons Corner.

Meeting at Capital One, this group is a merger of the Cocoaheads and MoDev groups.

https://www.meetup.com/DC-iOS/events/266059336/

An academic paper from the Code 4 Libraries journal on using AR in an exhibit.

An academic paper from the Code 4 Libraries journal on using AR in an exhibit.

This step by step study show how they concluded Augmented Reality enhanced the victors experience.

https://journal.code4lib.org/articles/14838

Computer Memory is not infinite, efficient memory use is required. That is where AutoRelease Pools come in.

Computer Memory is not infinite, efficient memory use is required. That is where AutoRelease Pools come in.

Bruno Rocha traces AutoRelease Pools from its original Objective-C form, and on to the current Swift use.

https://medium.com/swift2go/autoreleasepool-uses-in-2019-swift-9e8fd7b1cd3f

Two Minute Paper video showing how an AI Hide & Seek Game did the unexpected to win.

Two Minute Paper video showing how an AI Hide & Seek Game did the unexpected to win.

The Machine Learning agents taught themselves to exploit mistakes in the Physic engine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu56xVlZ40M

The paper "Emergent Tool Use from Multi-Agent Interaction”: https://openai.com/blog/emergent-tool-use/ 

CNN review of Microsoft’s updated HoloLens 2, now that it is shipping.

CNN review of Microsoft’s updated HoloLens 2, now that it is shipping.

There is no doubt MS is aiming at remote assistance & training, so home buyers will probably not buy one.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/07/tech/hololens-2-shipping-first-impressions/index.html

Another point of view on Encryption, not from a technical side, but from a legal one.

Another point of view on Encryption, not from a technical side, but from a legal one.

Jim Baker, an exceptionally qualified legal expert, tells people regarding cyber tech to “Embrace Reality and Deal With It”.

https://www.lawfareblog.com/rethinking-encryption

Functional Programming is the rage right now, sure would be nice to have someone identify pitfalls.

Functional Programming is the rage right now, sure would be nice to have someone identify pitfalls.

James Sinclair tells about assumptions and things he wish he had known.

https://jrsinclair.com/articles/2019/what-i-wish-someone-had-explained-about-functional-programming/

A survey by the Cleveland Museum of Art show how interactive display enhances a visitor’s museum visit.

A survey by the Cleveland Museum of Art show how interactive display enhances a visitor’s museum visit.

Having a computer and graphical interaction improves one experiencing of the traditional Arts.

https://www.cleveland.com/arts/2019/05/cma-survey-digital-technology-isnt-just-fun-it-sharpens-understanding-of-art.html

A real meaty article on how to make a great visual effect: collapsing iOS Headers

A real meaty article on how to make a great visual effect: collapsing iOS Headers

Thanks to Massimo Polimeni, iOS engineer, for this gemstone of information. 

https://blog.usejournal.com/how-to-collapse-a-custom-header-view-in-ios-while-scrolling-5e0949c64ecd

Rumor has it US game developer Valve is partner with Apple for their AR Glasses.

Rumor has it US game developer Valve is partner with Apple for their AR Glasses.

This Augmented Reality project is becoming more and more real!

https://www.macrumors.com/2019/11/04/apple-has-partnered-with-valve-ar-headset/

Bilguun Batbold wants you to spice up your app with Core Animation

Bilguun Batbold wants you to spice up your app with Core Animation

I like his premise that even if you are not a game, making your app pretty makes it stand out in the App Store.

https://blog.usejournal.com/beautifying-your-ios-app-with-core-animation-fec66cc3fced

Join us for our first DCVR Lunch

Join us for our first DCVR Lunch on Tuesday, November 5th, 2019, at Red’s Table in Reston. Red’s Table address is 11150 S Lakes Dr, Reston, VA 20191. I will reserve a table for all for noon. This is not a structured meeting with dedicated topics and speakers. Instead, it is just a chance for VR/AR lovers to socialize. Friends and first-timers are encouraged! Thank you, Steve

A 3-part posting, from Colocation America containing the History of IP address.

A 3-part posting, from Colocation America containing the History of IP address.

From the original ARPANET to the innovation of TCP/IP to Internet names.

https://www.colocationamerica.com/blog/history-of-ip-address-part-1-arpanet

Part 2: https://www.colocationamerica.com/blog/history-of-ip-address-part-2-tcp-ip

Part 3: https://www.colocationamerica.com/blog/history-of-ip-address-part-3-rirs

From the Game Dev Vaults, a random video on generating random numbers which are optimized for player-psychology.

From the Game Dev Vaults, a random video on generating random numbers which are optimized for player-psychology.

Not only has Dave “Dr. Cat” Shapiro been involved with all levels of game design, but he also runs the longest-running MMORPG.

https://www.gdcvault.com/play/1023562/Math-for-Game-Programmers-Random

ps. I am slightly depressed when I realize how long Dave & I have known each other.