Augmented Reality
Work around augmented reality has been around for quite some time I believe, but I really believe that the success of the iPhone has led to increased attention and feasibility of augmented reality. Google's Android has also helped open the doors. I am not going to go into arguing whether the Apple's iPhone or Google's Android is better, but the reality is that Apple's iPhone has been a game changer in the mobile phone realm. Putting that discussion aside, I believe augmented reality is really the next step. Augmented reality is creating something we can call "Reality 1.5" because it is not yet something we can interact with using the majority of our senses, and requires an intermediary device to interact with it. A separation is clearly present between the two, but once that separation disappears we will be in "Reality 2.0".
Theme Change
Yet again, another theme change. Haven't written anything for a while, and I think it's because I myself have gotten tired of one thing - searching for pictures to throw in to support the magazine style layout I chose. It's a small barrier, but caused me to just not care about writing anymore because of it. So now I'll be trying to write a few more things - hopefully.
Microsoft Retail Stores
Microsoft is a really, really big company. They're also really good at a lot of things. There are a lot of things behind closed doors that we just don't hear about until they're finalized, or never see the light of day for some reason, regardless of how novel we may find them. But seriously, the latest things coming out of MS seems to be the farthest from novel. It just sounds like MS has run completely out of ideas by blatantly copying Apple. I'm a recent Apple fan, so my opinions are biased, but then who's opinions aren't biased? Take the latest tidbit of news on Macrumors.com. Microsoft is including something called, "Guru Bar", which for anyone who's been in an Apple store will realize sounds VERY similar to Apple's "Genius Bar", right? Even the much acclaimed Windows 7 is mimicking features found on Apple's OSX. I know Windows lovers will argue against that and find it innovative, but if you've studied the design process and the process behind product creation you'll know that it is much easier for people to do "incremental innovation" or improve upon what's already been built that create something new from scratch. There are many things I hate about Windows, but a lot of features in Windows 7 seem visible in OSX. I am really not sure what MS can sell in these stores since they really don't have much of their own genuine product line that you can't find at any other electronics store like Best Buy, and you can probably even get it for cheaper at Best Buy. It just sounds like a "novel" idea in the head of whoever is leading this to spend millions of dollars to set up stores right next to Apple to try and step on some feet instead of actually using that money to do something. Sounds much like Apple's commercial where MS just puts all the money they have into (horrible) advertising instead of actually fixing problems with Vista... MS seems to be suffering the same symptoms as GM, but to be honest, any company as large (and successful) as MS runs that risk along with the risk of being really complacent. Project Natal is awesome, but I think the gentleman at Lionhead who introduced it really needs to check in with reality. He stated, "science fiction writers, film makers, they haven't imagined what we're able to do here today." Actually, buddy, they've been imaging FAR more than what we're capable today. Remember the whole thing about flying cars by 2000? How about Star Wars with androids and interplanetary space travel? If this was a statement made in excitement during his live presentation, I'd understand. But this was something he said during the video presentation, so he gets no sympathy. Anyways, digressed a bit. MS, please stop trying to imitate or destroy the competition in order to survive. You're only prolonging your own death by doing so as you die from the inside out. I know there are amazing ideas with amazing applications that can turn a profit as long as you guys LISTEN to what's going on around you and inside your own company.
Seattle Heat Wave
Seattle is hot... UNUSUALLY hot this year. In fact, it's not really the heat that's really making it this unbearable. The humidity level is at 46%, which is incredibly high for a city that is usually at 0 %. We also have a week long Excessive Heat Warning and Air Stagnation Advisory. It honestly feels like Japan... Actually, it's hotter than Japan right now. 3 out of 4 of the major weather reporters are predicting that we'll break 100 F today (~37 C+). Japan will only reach around 30 C with 86% humidity according to weather.com. Considering that Seattle has never reached above 100 F in 115 years, I say it's a big deal.
RE:branding
After considering how I wanted to use jtmoon.com, I decided to do some rebranding by choosing a different design for the site. I have always tried to make my own design, but always struggle when trying to design something for myself. So instead of getting caught up in the design process, I decided it was best to focus on content while waiting until I finally finish a design, which may be never. I stumbled across this design while browsing the Internet, and it is called Equilibrium, which is Made By On. I like it because it takes a simple, clean, minimalist approach.