NOTABILITY

One of the apps I use most and has become utterly indispensible is NOTABILITY. A note taking application that is maxed out.

It works on mac/pc and iOS devices, can import just about anything from photos, sounds, links, pdfs, graphs, shapes etc. and, most important for me, works perfectly with an Apple pencil on iPad. Everything is automatically synced across all platforms and every sketch I make is in 'vector' format so it can be zoomed into infinitely. Essentially it makes all sketches analogue rather than digital.

The reason I bring it up is the the newest update will take all handwritten notes (I have 100's) and make them searchable. It can even convert notes to speech. I've been playing with the new version all morning and it's amazing. All my notes are written in calligraphy or my own hand writing and being able to search through these now is something I wasn't expecting. Even without an iPad it's well worth a look. It is very suitable for young 'uns too as it is incredibly simple yet is capable of super advanced functionality if needed. Another reason it's good is that a child can practice handwriting because the program will read it correctly if it can be read and does this at a near human level.

Jab

AI AND DARK PHOTOS

Badly lit jpeg photos repaired with nothing more than machine learning.. Jab

Watch how machine learning can enhance low-light images

Boing Boing · by Andrea James · May 22, 2018

At this year's Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, researcher Chen Chen presented a cool project that vastly improves the quality of images captured in low-light conditions.

Via his presentation:

Imaging in low light is challenging due to low photon count and low SNR. Short-exposure images suffer from noise, while long exposure can induce blur and is often impractical. A variety of denoising, deblurring, and enhancement techniques have been proposed, but their effectiveness is limited in extreme conditions, such as video-rate imaging at night. To support the development of learning-based pipelines for low-light image processing, we introduce a dataset of raw short-exposure low-light images, with corresponding long-exposure reference images. Using the presented dataset, we develop a pipeline for processing low-light images, based on end-to-end training of a fully-convolutional network. The network operates directly on raw sensor data and replaces much of the traditional image processing pipeline, which tends to perform poorly on such data. We report promising results on the new dataset, analyze factors that affect performance, and highlight opportunities for future work.

Here's the full project page for more information.

RANDOM VIDEO OF THE DAY

When I get the VIDEOS module added to the Screens app these are the type of videos you could play at random at any time of the day. Could be a class feature: one random video pops up at a certain time. Jab

QUILLBOT

Not sure if this is useful (yet) but I'm keeping my eye on it. It seems like a thesaurus for phrases. Jab

QUILLBOT

CIRCUIT GAME

Might be a bit fiddly to use and not as good as Minecraft for circuits but thought I'd add it as a maybe. Jab

Circuit Maze Logic Game

When I was a child my favorite game was Mousetrap because the experience wasn't simply about rolling dice and moving around a board. Rather, it was an invitation to construct environments with the reward of something special happening.

I still enjoy games where you build but I especially love it when they offer clever, valuable lessons as well. Circuit Maze teaches spacial reasoning and electrical engineering with simple to understand concepts. As you play, the levels naturally get more difficult and are challenging even to adults.

If your child is interested in games at even higher tech levels, there's also a game series called CODE that teaches the valuable superpower of computer coding concepts. I only wish I had access to these games when I was young.

MACHINE LEARNING FOR KIDS

Check out this site. Some great starting points for AI/Machine learning and all aimed at kids n' classrooms. Works in Scratch. Jab

Machine learning for kids.

'MINI YOU's

I do love these. Simple idea, 720 pieces to make any one you know. Bought some for myself. Jab

BrickHeadz: Go Brick Me LEGO Review (DIY x2!)

slashgear.com · April 10, 2018

There’s a new sort of LEGO set in town, and it’s all about the brand’s new label: BrickHeadz. This is the “Go Brick Me” box set, and it’s as entertaining as it is challenging to wrap one’s mind around. What on earth is such a strange collection of odd pieces doing presenting itself as a LEGO make-it-your-own set? And why didn’t LEGO think of this a long, long time ago?

In the first Go Brick Me set, the user gets one massive number of bricks compiled in order to give you a variety of options. These options apply to the LEGO BrickHeadz universe of custom-made collectable figurines. You might recognize the scale of these figures as sort-of similar to that of Funko POP.

ARDUINO SIMULATOR

A full Arduino simulator from simplest circuits to maximum mental. I think we can tie in the Minecraft projects using this as a buffer to the real world. Jab

Donald Bell of Maker Project Lab interviewed Becky Stern about Tinkercad's new and very cool Arduino simulator. It's a good way to teach a bunch of people Arduino in a classroom setting.

THEREMINI

It's a Theremin. It's smaller. It's a Theremini.

It also has a MOOG modulator built in!! It also comes in black...

Why are you still reading this?!?!!

MOOG THEREMINI LINK

Jab

MIND-NUMBING 8K VIDEO - Watch fullscreen/full res on youtube

Travel through Japanese festivals and tourist sites with this stunning 8K highlight reel 【Video】

soranews24.com · May 17, 2018

You’ll want to watch this astounding video more than once to soak in all the beauty they’ve packed into two-and-a-half minutes.

We’re no strangers to the power of a good camera. Last year’s 4K introductory video to San’in prefecture, with its gorgeous foliage and eerily perfect beaches, set an incredibly high standard. Now, Akita-based cinematics company Armadas is here to push that standard doubly high, with eye-searing, gorgeous shots from a number of locales around Japan – in 8K resolution!

THEY'RE COMING...

The last couple of frighteners from Boston Dynamics. Jab

I WANT ONE

The bendy spider with tangled legs is the best thing. If I can't source the original puzzle we can 3D print or even make as an in school app. Jab

A puzzle expert shows off some of his favorites

Boing Boing · by Andrea James · May 25, 2018

Tim at Grand Illusions chose several of his favorite "photogenic" puzzles to share. Some of them he has not solved yet, and even some that he's solved are still quite challenging to replicate.

SOUND EXPLAINER

Interactive tool showing how sound waves work

Boing Boing · by Clive Thompson

Josh Comeau, a software developer at the Khan Academy, has created a superb interactive tutorial showing how sound-waves work.

POCKET WHITEBOARD

Out of stock at the moment but it opens up to a wipeable size of just under 1 metre. Popular with D&D heads and mad scientists. Jab

The Noteboard

kk.org · January 6, 2016

Pocket-size dry erase board

The Noteboard is a pocket whiteboard. I’ve been using it since version 1 and it has earned a permanent place in my work backpack. It’s as compact as a small paperback but folds out to cover a generous area (35” x 15”). One side is white, the other has various grids to make more precise drawings. It comes in a small cloth bag that holds a dry erase pen and doubles as an eraser.

Some of the things I’ve used it for over the years:

1. Impromptu white boarding (obviously!)
2. Boardgaming: My boys and I once invented a game while waiting for a delayed flight. Each Noteboard rectangles had different effects when you landed on them
3. Role Playing Games: Useful for drawing maps, dungeons, etc. not to mention players writing quick notes too
4. Conferences: I’ve been to many conferences with insufficient space to draw & explain things. Noteboard to the rescue!
5. Storyboards: Each rectangle is the perfect size for a storyboard

One of the nicest features of the Noteboard is the reaction you get from people. It’s almost always attracted interest and, more often than not, sold another one!

More information here.

NIMBUS

Road tested for over a month now the Nimbus is the best controller I've used for iOS control (works on Mac too). Charged with a standard iphone cable and working with every game I tested it with, it's a solid alternative to the Xbox and PS4 controllers. 

I'll make all the games work with it from now on. At the moment the cheapest is shipping it from Amazon US for about $45.

MAIN SITE

Jab

WHAT COULD GO WRONG?

Expertly-piloted micro drone records breathtaking HD video of Japanese high school girls【Video】

soranews24.com · April 30, 2018

Watch this tiny camera effortlessly zip around school like an inquisitive bee.

Footage taken by camera-equipped drones can be absolutely spectacular, providing refreshing visual perspectives of gorgeously-captured scenery.

With loads of practice flying the little things, YouTube channel Katsu FPVshows viewers just how stunning drone filming can be by recording a group of high school girls in the confined spaces of a school building.

▼ Get ready for a unique viewing experience.

OH, FOR THE MONEY!!!!

They finished it! Looks like they're aiming the price at expensive offices and hotel lobbies unfortunately. Jab

Sisyphus: the Hypnotizing Kickstarter-Funded Kinetic Sand Drawing Machine is Now Available to The Public

thisiscolossal.com · April 30, 2018



Art Design

#furniture #kinetic sculpture #sand

April 30, 2018

Laura Staugaitis

Sisyphus, the wildly successful Kickstarter-funded kinetic table designed by Bruce Shapiro (previously), is now available to the public via pre-order. The 2016 project raised $1,924,018 and is, to date, the most-funded campaign in the history of Kickstarter’s art category. The coffee table design includes a bed of sand with a magnetic steel marble that continuously traces programmed patterns through the malleable material. Many of the original designs are meditative mandala-like configurations, but it’s also possible to program the marble to create continuous line drawings or custom messages.

Sisyphus started taking pre-orders this weekend via their website. The table is available in two styles (coffee table or end table) and a variety of metallic and wood finishes. You can also follow the brand’s progress on Facebook and Instagram.

CONFIRMATION!

Some proper confirmation and with stats far above those predicted. If this does happen it will solve our problem of clunky VR equipment and allow proper development of our AR/VR stuff. 

The specs here and with Project North Star are looking good. Jab

Report: Apple's Rumored Headset Will Run Both AR, VR Technology

appadvice.com · by Brent Dirks · April 27, 2018

The report says that the device could hit the market in 2020:

The company is working on a headset capable of running both AR and VR technology, according to a person familiar with Apple’s plans. Plans so far call for an 8K display for each eye — higher resolution than today’s best TVs — that would be untethered from a computer or smartphone, the person said.

Interestingly, while previous rumors indicated that the headset would be somehow tied to an iPhone, CNET says Apple has different plans using wireless technology:

Apple’s headset would connect to a dedicated box using a high-speed, short-range wireless technology, according to a person familiar with the company’s plans. The box, which would be powered by a custom Apple processor more powerful than anything currently available, would act as the brain for the AR/VR headset. In its current state, the box resembles a PC tower, but it won’t be an actual Mac computer.

And unlike with the HTC Vive, users wouldn’t have to install special cameras in a room to detect their location. Everything would be built into Apple’s headset and box, the person said.

Apple’s Tim Cook has long been a proponent of AR technology, this is the first mention we’ve heard that the headset could also offer VR. While augmented reality places other objects into a normal field of view, like the hit game Pokemon Go, virtual reality provides a completely computer-generated landscape.

ABOUT TIME

I wish Apple would give an alternative to 'HEY' when using using remotely. Jab

Alexa to reward kids who say: 'Please'

BBC · April 25, 2018

Amazon

Amazon has released coloured versions of its Echo Dot speaker to accompany the new features

Amazon's smart assistant Alexa can now be made to encourage children to say: "Please," and: "Thank you," when issuing it voice commands.

LANDSCAPES

Following on from the character examples, here are some landscapes. These are mostly computer generated and with the last two an A.I. has copied the style of a famous artist. With a little work these places can be explored in AR/VR or normal apps. JAB

CHARACTERS

Just a brief example of how much detail my human rendering programs are spewing out these days. All these characters are fully adjustable (in fact all the ladies are the same basic model with texture and features dialled differently).

With a small bit of work I can have characters as realistic as this working real time in Unity, even interacting with people as they pass.

Jab

After seeing the Black Panther promo shots...

Walter Matthau riff...

The Crazy ones..

Facial muscle testing....

HTTPS CERTS - COMMUNICATING IDEAS

Your server, my servers and the K-server set up is now recognised fully https with secure certificates. This is boring stuff but what it means for us is that I may finally be able to use 'Over the Air' delivery for iOS apps I make. Not thinking of this as a way of delivering to all the ipads of a school but more as a way of communicating our new idea to Charlie and other people we consider V.I.P.s. They would simply receive a link, click it and the newest game, idea, app or curio would automatically install on their personal devices. It would be nice way to keep Charlie up to date on games and AR stuff without my long waffly emails. You too.

Jab

AUTO COLOURING

This site uses an AI to convincingly colour in a sketch or line drawing. Machine learning continues to achieve things that were impossible just a few years ago. Jab

AUTO COLOUR

MOONIE!

Watch fullscreen and highest resolution on Youtube. Jab

PROJECT NORTH STAR

These are the guys that made the laser tech I played with to detect fingers. Will keep an eye on this. Jab

Unveiling Project North Star

LINK TO BLOG

Leap Motion is a company that has always been focused on human-computer interfaces.

We believe that the fundamental limit in technology is not its size or its cost or its speed, but how we interact with it. These interactions define what we create, how we learn, how we communicate with each other. It would be no stretch of the imagination to say that the way we interact with the world around us is perhaps the very fabric of the human experience.

PROCEDURALLY GENERATED INFINITE CITY

Great little demo of an infinite city made from a single random seed. Similar method to the pseudo-random generated shapes demo I made in Unity or the entire world of Minecraft. Jab

INFINITOWN

This WebGL experiment is an attempt to create a procedural city that feels alive and is fun to watch.

First, we generate a finite grid of random city blocks. Then, using some tricks, the viewpoint wraps around this grid, which creates the illusion of an endless cityscape.

Made with: Three.js, Blender, Unity. 
Models by SimplePoly.

3D FROM iPHONE PHOTOS

I'm continuing to push readily available technology and the iPhone 8 is still allowing me to innovate. 

Using a single iPhone photo I was able to extract the extra info taken with the newer upgrades and use it to create a rough 3D image from a single show. 

Here you can see the original image taken by the Suzie, a depth map extracted from the info and a reconstructed 3D model in photoshop. If I had time I could make an app that does this automatically.

Jab

HUNDREDS OF BOTS

Over a thousand of them! Jab

UNITY DEMO

It's getting almost impossible to keep up with the constant updates to Unity and all its components let alone every other program I use. But here is a nice demo using the latest release showing a scene that would work great in a classroom. The character is great. The tech is too! And it's all real-time.

Jab

ROLLING SPIDERBOT

Based on a real spider too. Jab

CHEAPER IPAD WITH PENCIL

Looks like the next batch of cheaper iPads will use the pencil too. Could be useful. Jab

A New Low-Cost iPad Might Support the Apple Pencil

appadvice.com · by Brent Dirks · March 23, 2018

The invitation for Tuesday's media event.

Here’s more from the note:

Strong demand for low-price 9.7-inch iPad in 2017. iPad shipments hit 43.8mn units in 2017, well above the 35mn units forecast by the market at the beginning of the year. The primary driver was the low-price 9.7-inch model, whose selling points are competitive pricing and a significantly larger panel than those of six- to seven-inch smartphones (iPad mini was a flop because it was replaced by large-screen smartphones). In a bid to strengthen its selling points and to differentiate it more from low-price Android tablets, the new low-price 9.7-inch iPad (starting mass production in 2Q18) will likely support Apple Pencil.

Kuo said that if the 9.7-inch iPad does support the Apple Pencil, shipments could possibly double in 2018.

While there have been no concrete rumors regarding Apple Pencil support for a new lower-cost iPad, Apple’s invitation for a special media event on Tuesday, March 27 sparked renewed speculation. As you can see, the invitation apparently looks drawn with the Apple Pencil.

Earlier today, a separate report from Bloomberg said that Apple will indeed unveil the iPad and new education-related software at the event.