It's Apple Vision, Bro

No doubt your social feeds have recently been swarmed with memes, demos and commentary on Apple's first iteration of a spatial computing product, the Apple Vision Pro.

It's been fascinating to witness the overwhelmingly positive sentiment surrounding this release. While some have suggested it might be due to a sunk-cost fallacy, I beg to differ. Apple has once again demonstrated their commitment to user-centric design, crafting an AR/XR experience that feels not only seamless but also deeply intuitive.

What's truly remarkable is how Apple has brought to life a vision that has been in the making for decades. The groundwork for an Apple "headset" was laid as far back as 2007 (the year the original iPhone was released), with the acquisition of a patent for a face-worn content viewing device. Fast forward to today, and we're witnessing the fruition of that long-held vision, pun most definitely intended.

So, what sets the Apple Vision Pro apart from its competitors?

I've laid out three of the features I believe have set the bar for the industry.

1. Pass-through: The ability to engage with the real world while wearing the headset sets a new standard for immersive AR experiences.

2. AR lock: The feature that allows virtual windows/apps to be locked in place ensures a seamless and uninterrupted user experience, enhancing immersion and eliminating spatial incongruence.

3. Virtual monitor: Transforming your MacBook display into a massive 4K window in virtual space opens up exciting possibilities, particularly for productivity and multitasking.

Now, let's talk about the name. 

"Pro" isn't just a suffix; it's a statement of intent. Does this hint at the possibility of a more accessible "Apple Vision" product in the future, with a reduced feature set and a lower price point? Only time will tell...

The Apple Vision Pro represents a significant leap forward in the world of augmented reality. As we eagerly await what the future holds, one thing is certain: the possibilities are limitless and the journey is just beginning. 

A New Era of KISS

Legendary rock band KISS ended the final show of their Farewell Tour with an encore not performed by themselves, but by Digital Avatars.

The unveiling no doubt took fans by surprise, witnessing a performance by KISS not as their human counterparts but rather as KISS is meant to be experienced, by larger than life beings, lightning shooting from guitars, phosphorescent energy exploding from every drum beat and Gene Simmons flying above the audience supported by 12-foot demon wings, as a rock legend does.

The decision to digitally immortalise the band is a shrewd one. While giving fans the chance to enjoy this legendary act in new and different formats, KISS as a band has transcended the medium.

"The band deserves to live on because the band is bigger than we are."

Frontman Paul Stanley's words reveal the ultimate aim of this decision.

Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley realised early on in the band's career the importance of branding and embracing new mediums.

From appearing in video games and animated films, such as Tony Hawk's Underground and Scooby-Doo!, respectively, digital avatars is the next logical step for a band looking to meet a new audience where they are.

These avatars will allow KISS to rock forever, in perpetuity throughout this galaxy and the next.

KISS in Fortnite? Digital Collectibles? A KISS Metaverse experience?

There is no limit.

Rock on!

What is a Blockchain?

The textbook definition of a Blockchain goes something like this:

A blockchain is a decentralized, distributed ledger that allows data to be stored in a secure, tamper-proof way. In essence, it is a database that contains a continuously growing list of records, called blocks, which are linked and secured using cryptographic algorithms.

Each block contains a cryptographic hash of the previous block, a timestamp and transaction data. Because each block is linked to the one before it, it creates a chain of blocks, hence the name "blockchain."

Once data is added to the blockchain, it cannot be deleted or modified, ensuring its immutability and making it an ideal platform for applications that require a high level of security, transparency and accountability. Blockchains are commonly used in cryptocurrencies, but can also be used in a variety of other applications, such as supply chain management, voting systems and medical record keeping.

With that said...

What this means to you and me is closer to this:

A blockchain is like a digital book that keeps records of transactions, like how much money someone sends to another person. But instead of being owned and controlled by one person or organization, it's spread out across many different computers around the world.

Because it's spread out, it's much harder for someone to hack or cheat the system. It's also designed so that once something is written in the book, it can't be changed or erased, which makes it very secure.

People can use blockchains to do things like trade money, buy things online or keep track of important information like medical records.