Things are not looking good for Epic legal battle against Apple.

Things are not looking good for Epic's legal battle against Apple.

When the Judge says they do not agree with your legal case, you are in trouble.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/28/tech/apple-fortnite-epic-hearing/index.html

Federico Zanetello of Five Star blogs gives us a great explanation of SwifUI Labels.

Federico Zanetello of Five Star blogs gives us a great explanation of SwifUI Labels.

Why can’t all of Apple build-in documentation give us the detailed information that was Federico does? A call should not just have a brief explanation, but a breakdown of usage with examples.

https://fivestars.blog/swiftui/label.html

Swift has come to Windows! Swift 5.3 release included a Windows Toolchain Image.

Swift has come to Windows!  Swift 5.3 release included a Windows Toolchain Image.

The perfect touch would be having SwiftUI is ported to Windows.

https://swift.org/blog/swift-on-windows/

It has taken me years to learn the Mac & iOS Lifecycle, Kilo Loco video is a timesaver in learning SwiftUI’s life cycle.

It has taken me years to learn the Mac & iOS Lifecycle, Kilo Loco video is a timesaver in learning SwiftUI’s life cycle.

Understanding an App lifecycle, the correct sequence of events from creation to termination, is vital when designing software.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4_YXovq1L8

I like simple rules, here are 8 for when you create a Logo.

I like simple rules, here are 8 for when you create a Logo.

These tips from Matt Lecours are great for all makers of graphic user interfaces.

https://medium.com/@mattlecours/8-tips-to-design-a-notorious-logo-3abaccef2a5f

Here is a blast from the past: Ken Williams, the founder of Sierra On-Line, is releasing a behind-the-scenes book.

Here is a blast from the past: Ken Williams, the founder of Sierra On-Line, is releasing a behind-the-scenes book.

Sierra On-Line went from a husband-wife team to a billion-dollar industry, and then it disappeared. I want to read this book!

https://kensbook.com

The Facebook announcement: https://www.facebook.com/groups/5251478676/permalink/10160342488953677/

Amazon has announced (shipping next year) an indoor-only, video drone for home security: the Ring.

Amazon has announced (shipping next year) an indoor-only, video drone for home security: the Ring. 

I find the remote viewing and the automated docking system to be interesting. Obviously, an outdoor version comes next.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/24/tech/amazon-ring-drone/index.html

Ring Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2jFN_QEcS4

Photoshop is the perfect platform for algorithmically generated images.

Photoshop is the perfect platform for algorithmically generated images.

This tool replaces the boring sky within an image with a more vibrant one.

https://www.popsci.com/story/technology/photoshop-ai-sky-replacement-tool/

Eric Yang explains 10 of the most powerful @ keywords (attributes) for Swift.

Eric Yang explains 10 of the most powerful @ keywords (attributes) for Swift.

If if you do not use them, you should understand when you see them.

https://medium.com/better-programming/10-powerful-attributes-in-swift-d4e4153a0001

A followup to yesterdays Bjarne Stroustrup posting, here is an article based on his ideas.

This article by Zachary Minott is based on interview Bjarne gave last year.

https://medium.com/dev-genius/bjarne-stroustrup-on-what-beautifully-written-code-looks-like-c68adb53c740

Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTxRF5ag27A&ab_channel=LexFridman

CNET shows off Apple’s new iPad Air Touch ID button, and suggest it would be perfect for the iPhone 12.

CNET shows off Apple’s new iPad Air Touch ID button, and suggest it would be perfect for the iPhone 12.

With the current COVID crisis, masks prevent FaceID from working. I often wish my phone had the older Touch ID.

https://www.cnet.com/news/iphone-12-should-have-ipad-air-touch-id-button-and-face-id-unlock-during-coronavirus-wearing-masks/

Apple’s Tim Cook says that remote work is working at Apple, and could continue after the crisis.

Apple’s Tim Cook says that remote work is working at Apple, and could continue after the crisis.

“some things that actually work really well virtually” is a big shock for a company that disliked hiring people remotely.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-22/apple-ceo-impressed-by-remote-work-sees-permanent-changes

Youtube video of computer scientist Bjarne Stroustrup on the creation of C++.

Youtube video of computer scientist Bjarne Stroustrup on the creation of C++.

One of the things I always forget was how small the community, and industry, was back then.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBjjnqG0BP8

Microsoft has purchased Bethesda Softworks for $7,500,000,000.00.

Microsoft has purchased Bethesda Softworks for $7,500,000,000.00.

There is no doubt this will affect the gaming industry, specifically which titles will be exclusives now.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/21/tech/microsoft-bethesda-acquisition/index.html

Biometrics like Face ID & Touch ID are available to developers as a way to unlock encrypt data sensitive information.

Biometrics like Face ID & Touch ID are available to developers as a way to unlock encrypt data sensitive information.

Bill Morefield of Wenderlich explains the new additions to Apple’s Keychain Services with this tutorial.

https://www.raywenderlich.com/11496196-how-to-secure-ios-user-data-keychain-services-and-biometrics-with-swiftui

Some real-world extension to Swift/SwiftUI by Shubham Singh

Some real-world extension to Swift/SwiftUI by Shubham Singh

Not only are his extensions useful, he explains the concept so you can know how to create your own.

https://medium.com/macoclock/swift-extensions-to-speed-up-your-ios-development-dccc00c72604

AppCoda 4 part tutorial on Sandboxing, part 4 is Implementing security-scoped bookmarks.

AppCoda 4 part tutorial on Sandboxing, part 4 is Implementing security-scoped bookmarks.

Thanks to Apple, things that used to be easy, are a lot harder now. (No, I am not a fan of Sandboxing.)

https://www.appcoda.com/mac-apps-user-intent/

Big Mountain Studio releases their free SwiftUI book.

Big Mountain Studio releases their free SwiftUI book.

One of the reasons to think about switching to SwiftUI now is great resources for learning.

https://www.bigmountainstudio.com/free-swiftui-book

LONG Video presentation of Elon Musk's Neuralink, advancement in Human-Computer Brain Interface.

LONG Video presentation of Elon Musk's Neuralink, advancement in Human-Computer Brain Interface.

I am not sure what made me cringe more, the idea of wiring connections into your brain, or that a Robot does it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVvmgjBL74w&feature=youtu.be

Swift 5.3 officially released this week!

Swift 5.3 officially released this week!

Xcode 12 supports this new version of Swift.

https://swift.org/blog/swift-5-3-released/

Use Swift Evolution to track the new changes: https://github.com/apple/swift-evolution

Even today, Apple’s binary plist file format is something of a mystery.

Even today, Apple’s binary plist file format is something of a mystery.

Christos Karaiskos provides one of the best explanation of it that I have found.

https://medium.com/@karaiskc/understanding-apples-binary-property-list-format-281e6da00dbd

Honestly, I very rarely use this format now for my own projects. Yes, occasionally Apple’s API requires it, but if you are creating your own plist, stick to the more verbose XML version. It is human-readable and easier to edit.  Nowadays, memory is cheap. There is really no reason to use the binary format.

Skarred Ghost great recap of the announcements at Facebook Connect.

Oculus will be phasing out Rift VR, PC linked style virtual reality.

 Oculus will be phasing out Rift VR, PC linked style virtual reality.

Quest style, stand-alone VR that can also be connected to a more powerful PC graphic card, appears to be their future.

https://www.roadtovr.com/facebook-discontinue-rift-product-line-2021/

RoadVR comes thru with a comparison of the new Quest 2 vs the older one.

RoadVR comes thru with a comparison of the new Quest 2 vs the older one.

Everything a little better, including the price, with a lot of stuff for the future.

https://www.roadtovr.com/oculus-quest-2-review-better-in-almost-every-way/

A excellent article by Steven Curtis on how, and most importantly why, you should use Apple’s Color calls.

A excellent article by Steven Curtis on how, and most importantly why, you should use Apple’s Color calls.

With Dark & Light modes, hardwiring colors is not a good idea.

https://medium.com/@stevenpcurtis.sc/stop-hard-coding-colors-in-ios-apps-18f96f3b30e0

Shoaib Bilal leads us through 3 major user interface changes to iOS.

Shoaib Bilal leads us through 3 major user interface changes to iOS.

I like how he explains the new feature, and then goes into the consequences (not all good) of the change.

https://medium.com/macoclock/why-apple-has-broken-some-basic-design-principles-in-the-new-macos-release-419cf74af099

Stanford University’s 14 part class on SwiftUI is available on YouTube!

Stanford University’s 14 part class on SwiftUI is available on YouTube!

Part of CS193p (Developing Applications for iOS using SwiftUI) during the Spring quarter of 2020.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbtqIBpUG7g&list=PLYDpTWtHskYocR-S2HGTMdOO-v9848WGZ

Wow, after searching for Life in the solar system without luck, we may have found evidence of it on Venus.

Apple acquires VR company Spaces.

 Apple acquires VR company Spaces.

Originally VR experience company, due to COVID, Spaces branched out into VR Conferencing App.

https://uploadvr.com/report-apple-acquires-spaces/

Mercedes is deploying 100s of HoloLens to their dealer for remote expert assistance using AR.

 Mercedes is deploying 100s of HoloLens to their dealer for remote expert assistance using AR.

This is exactly the technology model that Microsoft has been imaging for the past few years, I did not expect it so soon.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/09/tech/hololens-mercedes-repair/index.html

I been waiting for someone to explain the new Hand/Body Tracking. Thank you Jose Rossi! At Orange Loop!

I been waiting for someone to explain the new Hand/Body Tracking. Thank you Jose Rossi! At Orange Loop!

This Vision Framework will be extremely important if Apple ever ships their AR Glasses!

https://orangeloops.com/2020/08/hand-tracking-body-pose-detection-with-vision-framework/

VR/AR is starting to appear on websites & browsers. Nicholas Kramer gives insights into these new opportunities.

VR/AR is starting to appear on websites & browsers.  Nicholas Kramer gives insights into these new opportunities.

It is not enough to use this tech, you need to know how to do it well.

https://medium.com/studio-design/designing-ar-and-vr-for-websites-7d6b37b94dfc

Nothing beats real experience developing new technology like VR!

Nothing beats real experience developing new technology like VR!

Skarred Ghost talks about his experiences creating Venice VR.

https://skarredghost.com/2020/09/04/venice-vr-expanded-lessons/

I had known people have wanted this for years, but I had no idea about the full history of Self Driving cars.

 I had known people have wanted this for years, but I had no idea about the full history of Self Driving cars.

One of the complaints of horse & buggy drivers about early cars, was that when you were drunk, the horse could drive you home on its own late at night.

https://onezero.medium.com/the-100-year-history-of-self-driving-vehicles-10b8546a3318

SwiftUI-Lab has released this Mac utility to shows you 99.5 % of the SwiftUI abilities with code and visuals.

 SwiftUI-Lab has released this Mac utility to shows you 99.5 % of the SwiftUI abilities with code and visuals.

A bit pricey, but if your project is jumping onto SwiftUI, this would be a godsend.

https://swiftui-lab.com/companion/

I loved the ergonomic design of Apple’s original iSite camera. Apparently so did this Do-It-Yourselfer!

I loved the ergonomic design of Apple’s original iSite camera.  Apparently so did this Do-It-Yourselfer!

He put a miniature Rasberry Pi into the case, making it a stand-alone webcam.

https://onezero.medium.com/todays-webcams-are-boring-so-i-brought-back-a-classic-291cc7c94c76

A lighter tech post today: some hilarious review of lines embedded by Valve Programmers.

A lighter tech post today: some hilarious review of lines embedded by Valve Programmers.

I once found the comment “Here lies Dragons!” In an especially difficult bit of open source code.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k238XpMMn38

An article from Space dot Com explaining how private spaceships will help the ISS.

An article from Space dot Com explaining how private spaceships will help the ISS.

Anyone else remembers the movie “2001”? The space clipper sent to the moon was owned by Pan American Airlines.

https://www.space.com/commercial-crew-international-space-station-science.html

In 1968, Douglas Engelbart of Stanford Research institute gave the first public demo of a computer mouse.

In 1968, Douglas Engelbart of Stanford Research institute gave the first public demo of a computer mouse.

This video has a number of other firsts, including hypertext linking, multi-windowing, and more…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6rKUf9DWRI

Slightly tongue in cheek look at 3 often debated topic only programmers care about.

Slightly tongue in cheek look at 3 often debated topic only programmers care about.

I would blow this off, except I have had hour long arguments, err, discussion on where to put the {.

https://levelup.gitconnected.com/the-3-wars-of-programmers-and-how-will-they-end-37fabaa0e37b

Developers don’t write nearly enough custom Controls. Jordan Osterberg explains how.

Developers don’t write nearly enough custom Controls. Jordan Osterberg explains how.

When released in 1984, Steve Job & company were expected an explosion of UI widgets, that never really occurred.

https://www.raywenderlich.com/10787749-creating-a-custom-calendar-control-for-ios

I really like Abhinav Chandoli list of 5 MacOS products to help your work day.

I really like Abhinav Chandoli list of 5 MacOS products to help your work day.

To be an efficient software developer, you have to be an efficient computer user.

https://medium.com/macoclock/5-macos-apps-to-save-your-work-life-d6672fb33e9c

A great animated explanation of the chaotic nature of the 3 Body problem in space.

A great animated explanation of the chaotic nature of the 3 Body problem in space.

How hard is this problem? Einstein spent a good portion of the last years of his life trying to solve it. He failed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D89ngRr4uZg

This is what good online learning can look like.

Anupam Chugh explains the reason behind recent security improvements to iOS 14.

Anupam Chugh explains the reason behind recent security improvements to iOS 14.

TikTok, LinkedIn, Reddit and other apps seem to be peaking on users' private data.

https://medium.com/macoclock/apple-puts-the-spotlight-on-popular-apps-that-spy-your-keystrokes-c150a3136f3c

A less than helpful feature of Excel forced the Science of Human Genes to change.

A less than helpful feature of Excel forced the Science of Human Genes to change.

This falls into the Unforeseen Ramifications category. Due to a Microsoft bug, a genetic term had to change.

https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/6/21355674/human-genes-rename-microsoft-excel-misreading-dates

Years before other action RPG, Dave “Dr Cat” Shapiro gave us “Caverns of Freitag” on the Apple //.

Years before other action RPG, Dave “Dr Cat” Shapiro gave us “Caverns of Freitag” on the Apple //.

I love strolls down memory lane, thank you Samuel Messner for this trip!

https://medium.com/@obskyr/the-secret-origin-of-the-action-rpg-254a180079dd

ps. Freitag was/is a little stuffed Red Dragon that Dave often took out for meals. Last I heard, he is still around.

Nasa patents a less expensive, but slower way, to send small probes to the move.

Nasa patents a less expensive, but slower way, to send small probes to the move.

Gravity assists (I.e. slingshots) are well known, but this one uses the Earth to get to the moon.  

https://www.businessinsider.com/nasa-patent-moon-travel-farside-lunar-orbit-dapper-dark-ages-2020-8

It is also interesting that Nasa used an inexpensive patent as a way to distribute this idea.

25 years ago today, cartoonist Bill Holbrook posted the 1st Kevin & Kell Webccomic on CompuServe.

25 years ago today, cartoonist Bill Holbrook posted the 1st Kevin & Kell Webcomic on CompuServe.

That makes K&K the longest-running daily Webcomic.  He really helped start the industry!

https://www.kevinandkell.com/2020/kk0902.html

Bill is also the creator of Safe Haven & On the Fasttrack comic, seen daily in newspapers everywhere!

Antoine van der Lee of Swift Lee article on using Closure Programming.

Antoine van der Lee of Swift Lee article on using Closure Programming.

Antoine shows the advantages of using a closure in place of target action on a UIButton.

https://www.avanderlee.com/swift/uibutton-uicontrol-closure-target/

I have been an advocate of this style of development for a few years. I am glad to see others talking about this approach. If you want to see more tools of this style, check out my Slam kit for MacOS: https://github.com/magesteve/SlamMacOSKit

Janna Cameron gives us 5 of the best books on UI Design.

Janna Cameron gives us 5 of the best books on UI Design.

Great, more things to add to my reading list.  Well, these ones look like they are worth it.

https://uxplanet.org/5-books-to-read-about-ui-design-b6a9fe3a3e13

Nathan Lorenz of AllSwiftDev gives us a youtube video on how to make your app an iMessage app.

Nathan Lorenz of AllSwiftDev gives us a youtube video on how to make your app an iMessage app.

Thanks to new APIs, you can send almost any type of date from your app, using iMessage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8uKtLLRYSU