Fun for the Friday, a Robotic Rubik's Cube that solves itself!

Fun for the Friday, a Robotic Rubik's Cube that solves itself!

A video of creator Takashi Kaburagi demonstrating his invention at the San Jose Makers Faire.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PGjTt4xkWM

Special: Announcing Zing, my UIView-based Animation Sequencer (MageSteve’s 3rd Open Source project).

Special: Announcing Zing, my UIView-based Animation Sequencer (MageSteve’s 3rd Open Source project).

Use Swift Dot Notation style programming to quickly and easily animate on the iPhone. This open-source utility is available for all to try out and use.

https://github.com/magesteve/Zing

ps. This is not a CocoaPod, but a single Swift file that you can include in your code. ZingLab project will show you how to use the tool.

C++ is an 30+ year old language, but new additions have helped keep it current.

C++ is an 30+ year old language, but new additions have helped keep it current.

C++ version 11 introduced lamba, auto deduced type casting and more. Old C++ developers need to learn and use these modern language features.

https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/some-awesome-modern-c-features-that-every-developer-should-know-5e3bf6f79a3c/

The Free Wolfram Engine SDK is now available for Developers

The Free Wolfram Engine SDK is now available for Developers

Access the power of the Wolfram Language for almost any computational need within any standard platform.

https://blog.wolfram.com/2019/05/21/launching-today-free-wolfram-engine-for-developers/

A lengthy, if at times rambling, article regarding current state of Magic Leap AR products.

A lengthy, if at times rambling, article regarding current state of Magic Leap AR products.

Lots of possibilities, lots of ides, lots of business deals, not a lot of product. Like the article, my opinion is on hold.

https://thevrheadset.com/magic-leap-one-mixed-reality-glasses-prices-and-reviews/

This wins the award for most Unusual Haptic device for VR, a robotic boxer that hits you during the VR boxing game.

This wins the award for most Unusual Haptic device for VR, a robotic boxer that hits you during the VR boxing game.

Youtube Maker James Bruton worked with Portsmouth University CCI students to make the Robot interface with a Vive.

https://vrscout.com/news/vr-boxing-robot/

Direct link to video: https://youtu.be/OYfzaAWIBpc

An explosion of scientific data is flooding scientist ability to analyze it all. AI Algorithms will be the solution.

An explosion of scientific data is flooding scientist ability to analyze it all.  AI Algorithms will be the solution.

Wire magazine article on why AI are so good at hard science.

https://www.wired.com/story/ai-algorithms-are-now-shockingly-good-at-doing-science/

In 1959, the worlds first fully transistorized commercial computer was announced. There is now only one working Elea 9003 left.

In 1959, the worlds first fully transistorized commercial computer was announced. There is now only one working Elea 9003 left.

Computer historian Elisabetta Mori pursues the history of one of the earliest computers.

https://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-history/silicon-revolution/the-italian-computer-olivettis-elea-9003-was-a-study-in-elegant-ergonomic-design

Background about the article: https://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/tech-history/silicon-revolution/when-the-history-of-computing-comes-alive

Wiki about the Olivetti Elea: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olivetti_Elea

Graphic Gradients on iOS are attractive, when you animate them, they become visually stunning.

Graphic Gradients on iOS are attractive, when you animate them, they become visually stunning.

Ross Butler provides explanation and code on how he added Animated Gradients to his program.

https://medium.com/@rwbutler/animated-gradients-on-ios-aa117551e533

Animated GIF showing effect: https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1600/1*TgJVF6rA1Ny2c14OUMqSmA.gif

Mirror Worlds are VR environments that map the real world, but with an alternative dimensions of reality.

Mirror Worlds are VR environments that map the real world, but with an alternative dimensions of reality.

Excellent article from Leap Motion explaining that VR is not just for fantasy worlds.

http://blog.leapmotion.com/mirrorworlds/

An Article on how “Apple squandered its own head start over rivals Amazon and Google in the digital assistant realm.”

An Article on how “Apple squandered its own head start over rivals Amazon and Google in the digital assistant realm.”

The history, background and current mess of the Siri technology.

https://www.theinformation.com/articles/the-seven-year-itch-how-apples-marriage-to-siri-turned-sour

My article from last year begging Apple for some changes to Siri to make it comparable to Alexa: https://medium.com/@magesteve/dear-apple-we-need-a-siri-information-intent-9082e8146cb9

Google announced next generation Google Glass for $999.

Google announced next generation Google Glass for $999.

Like HoloLens, this AR device will not be directly available for consumers, but only sold to Enterprises.

https://www.theverge.com/2019/5/20/18632689/google-glass-enterprise-edition-2-augmented-reality-headset-pricing

MVC was a fantastic programming design pattern that helped us move into OOP, but it’t time may be past.

MVC was a fantastic programming design pattern that helped us move into OOP, but it’t time may be past.

Alfian Losari Medium article explains a new pattern, Containment & Child View Controller. I personal have found MVC has issues in larger programs.

https://medium.com/appcoda-tutorials/avoiding-massive-view-controller-using-containment-child-view-controller-alfian-losari-98429158faf5

Silversmith Doug Heifetz of Lost and Forged makes custom silver Apple Watch bands.

Silversmith Doug Heifetz of Lost and Forged makes custom silver Apple Watch bands.

I met Doug yesterday at the Reston Art Festival, and thought he had some of the most attractive Apple Watches I had ever seen!

https://lostandforged.com/products/apple-watch-band-sterling-silver-with-gemstones-gold-stripes

List of Lost and Forged’s Apple Watch products: https://lostandforged.com/pages/search-results?q=apple%20watch

Something silly, the history of the Delorean.

Something silly, the history of the Delorean.

Something silly, the history of the Delorean. I love the comparison “The Tesla of it’s Era”. Only 9,000 were made, but it’s style will be timeless (pun intended).

https://www.cnn.com/style/article/dmc-delorean/index.html

Join us at the latest DCVR NoVA chapter meeting where we explore the new Oculus Quest!

Join us at the latest DCVR NoVA chapter meeting where we explore the new Oculus Quest!

Hosted by NoVa Lab in Reston, new Quest owners are encourage to bring their knowledge, and devices, to share.

https://www.meetup.com/DCimmersive/events/261505022/

Kotlin, the new preferred language for Android development, makes using Android Activities easier.

Kotlin, the new preferred language for Android development, makes using Android Activities easier.

 Joe Howard, Steve Smith & Namrata Bandekar of RayWenderlich give us a great tutorial on this subject.

https://www.raywenderlich.com/2705552-introduction-to-android-activities-with-kotlin

Bay Area Makers Faire this weekend

Are any of my San Jose friends or family going to the Bay Area Makers Faire this weekend? If so, take lots of notes and pictures please!

https://makerfaire.com/bay-area/

Don Norman, Guru of all things User Interface, comes out against the trend for Empathic Design

Don Norman, Guru of all things User Interface, comes out against the trend for Empathic Design

He explains that when we can’t design products for individual people when dealing with millions of users. Instead, focus on the activities.

https://theblog.adobe.com/why-i-dont-believe-in-empathic-design-don-norman/

US Supreme Court rules that class action suite against Apple iTune Store monopoly can continue.

US Supreme Court rules that class action suite against Apple iTune Store monopoly can continue.

They are not saying case will win, just consumers can sue Apple. If the case wins, will have major impact on ALL app stores.

https://www.macrumors.com/2019/05/13/supreme-court-lets-app-store-monopoly-suit-proceed/

Google I/O announced a lot of new equipment, but they also retired some useful tech.

Google I/O announced a lot of new equipment, but they also retired some useful tech.

By killing “Works With Nest” program, 3rd party hardware can not work with Google Nest.  They claim protecting privacy, others claim control of market.

https://www.tomsguide.com/us/google-works-with-nest,news-30053.html

DCUX 2019 conference is looking for Presenters!

DCUX 2019 conference is looking for Presenters!

With the theme "Design for People, Places, and Things”, the two day conference (Nov 8-9, 2019) will showcase mid-Atlantic region’s collective knowledge of User Experience and Design.

http://dcux.org

Link to Call for Proposal: http://dcux.org/call-for-proposals/

With today's tech, anyone can modify classic film scenes!

With today's tech, anyone can modify classic film scenes!

Technically anyone needs permission to modify copyright material like this, but Lucus, and now Disney, have been understanding if you do it without profit. But as tech gets will that stay true? And where will it end?

https://www.fastcompany.com/90347039/this-fan-made-nerd-approved-edit-of-an-iconic-star-wars-scene-took-2-5-years-to-make

Google I/O has become an important conference in all areas of tech. Here’s the announcements.

Google I/O has become an important conference in all areas of tech. Here’s the announcements.

Pixel 3a, Android Q, Google Assistant, Duplex on the Web, Live Relay & more…

https://www.wired.com/story/google-io-2019-announcements/

I am attending Swift Cloud 5, “Swift Anywhere” really is fact.

I am attending Swift Cloud 5, “Swift Anywhere” really is fact.

8 Presenters, lots of material online, I will post details about posted presentation.

https://www.swiftcloudwork.shop

Paul van der Meer, VR game designer at Vertigo Games explains Skyworld’s UI for VR.

Paul van der Meer, VR game designer at Vertigo Games explains Skyworld’s UI for VR.

A rotating round game table, attaching info panels & designing for comfort, are all concepts used.

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/312469/Game_Design_Deep_Dive_Creating_comfortable_UI_for_VR_strategy_in_Skyworld.php

HTC Vive has posted their videos from the 2019 Game Developer Conference.

HTC Vive has posted their videos from the 2019 Game Developer Conference.

Their Keynote, a talk on Developer Success, another on Getting Started, some really great resources here for free.

https://community.viveport.com/t5/Developer-Discussion/GDC-2019-Developer-Day-Video-Sessions-amp-Resources/td-p/30141

There’s gold in them dar hills! As well as in Game related Kickstarters!

There’s gold in them dar hills! As well as in Game related Kickstarters!

Kickstarter backed Games have had over $1 Billion in pledges ($1,000,000,000). This really shows how that industry is booming!

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/340979/Kickstarters_games_category_surpasses_1_billion_in_pledges.php

Microsoft Research comes up with another experimental Haptic device, for holding small items.

Microsoft Research comes up with another experimental Haptic device, for holding small items.

The TORC (TOuch Rigid Controller) simulates holding items between one’s thumb & first 2 fingers.

https://uploadvr.com/microsoft-torc-haptic-controller/

Computer Interfaces are animated, so we should turn to Disney, the best Animators in history, for their secrets.

Computer Interfaces are animated, so we should turn to Disney, the best Animators in history, for their secrets.

UX Designer Vamsi Batchu explains Disney’s twelve basic principles of animation, principles worth knowing!

https://uxdesign.cc/how-disney-conquered-the-animation-industry-with-these-12-principles-687acca99716

A fun one for Friday. Don’t know what to do with your old Commodore 64? Convert it into a keyboard!

A fun one for Friday. Don’t know what to do with your old Commodore 64? Convert it into a keyboard!

An Instructables By EricHOlsen on adding Bluetooth support to that dusty computer in your closet.

https://www.instructables.com/id/Turn-a-Commodore-64-Into-an-IOS-Bluetooth-Keyboard/

Using ML & AI tools to advice decisions, good idea. Having them make the decisions, bad idea.

Using ML & AI tools to advice decisions, good idea. Having them make the decisions, bad idea.

Amazon warehouse system tracks the user productivity, but then on its own, fires the employees. Yes, there are ethical issues!

https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-system-automatically-fires-warehouse-workers-time-off-task-2019-4

Facebook’s F8 conference had the announcement everyone in VR was waiting for, the Oculus Quest has arrived (May 21 ship date).

Facebook’s F8 conference had the announcement everyone in VR was waiting for, the Oculus Quest has arrived (May 21 ship date).

An untethered, portable, 6 Degree of Freedom movement, 6DOF handset, VR system. All the requested features for $399.

https://www.oculus.com/quest/?locale=en_US