https://fixationstudio.com/Fixation Studios2024-01-04T18:52:16-06:00Fixation Studios offers dedicated software engineering services, with an emphasis on providing quality support and cost effective solutions.Harold M.Jekyllhttps://fixationstudio.com/jobs/3D-Artist-Animator-Contract-Jan-2024/3D Artist/Animator - Contract2024-01-03T00:00:00-06:00Harold M. Jr.3D Artist/Animator for 3-6 month contract in the Chicago, IL area. As a 3D Artist, you will be responsible for creating 3D characters and other models for use within a game environment.<h3 id="about-us"><strong>About Us</strong></h3>
<p>Fixation Studios is a software development company based out of Chicago, IL that focuses on creating entertaining and engaging applications and games on desktop, laptop and mobile devices.</p>
<h3 id="job-details"><strong>Job Details</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>$30 to $35 per hour (based on talent and experience)</li>
<li>3 - 6 month contract position (Can turn into a full-time role)</li>
<li>Part-time (max 20hrs per week)</li>
<li>Hybrid job type preferred (preference to Chicago residents)</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="benefits"><strong>Benefits</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>None</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="position-summary"><strong>Position Summary</strong></h3>
<p>As a 3D Artist, you will be responsible for creating 3D characters and other models for use within a game environment. You will be responsible for understanding common 3D applications, tools and techniques to aid in creating the best looking characters and models for AAA, VR and mobile games. Ensuring that high-quality 3D graphics are produced to support product configuration and visualization needs for each gaming platform.</p>
<p>This will be a remote role with daily interaction with the dev team. There will be a content review once per week to discuss progress and next steps for the current project.</p>
<h3 id="what-youll-be-doing"><strong>What You’ll Be Doing</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>Create 3D characters and other 3D models based on concept art and design
specifications</li>
<li>Work on rigging and texturing 3D models to ensure characters can be animated and
displayed correctly on targeted game engines</li>
<li>Work with other artists and programmers to create a performant set of 3D assets</li>
<li>Assist with animating characters and creating a library of 3D motions</li>
<li>Assist in creating other 3D assets such as weapons, furniture and special effects</li>
<li>Work on building levels for each stage of the game</li>
<li>Assist in the setup and implementation of 3D UI elements</li>
<li>Work on other art tasks communicated by design team</li>
<li>Help out testing and bug fixes when necessary</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="required-experience-and-qualifications"><strong>Required Experience and Qualifications</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>Mastery of at least one standard 3D modeling package (Maya, Blender, 3DS Max)</li>
<li>Fluent in 3D modeling</li>
<li>Good foundation and understanding of 3D concepts, tools and best practices</li>
<li>Expert in setup and application of UV texture coordinates</li>
<li>Fluent with Photoshop and ability to paint textures</li>
<li>Familiar generating Normal maps and adding details to 3D models</li>
<li>Has experience rigging, animating and creating motion libraries</li>
<li>Familiar exporting and managing FBX and other 3D file formats</li>
<li>Solid foundation in art and design</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="preferred-experience-and-skill-sets"><strong>Preferred Experience and Skill Sets</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>Some experience with 3D sculpting and retopology</li>
<li>Extensive experience using Blender and it’s modeling and animation tools</li>
<li>Experience creating complex 3D rigs and controllers</li>
<li>Able to communicate effectively about art and design in English</li>
<li>Some experience working with Unreal or Unity</li>
<li>Previous game company experience</li>
</ul>
<p>This position is available as hybrid or fully remote. We are currently only seeking candidates
eligible to work in the US.</p>
<p><strong>To apply send resume and portfolio links to <a href="mailto:careers@fixationstudio.com" target="_blank">careers@fixationstudio.com</a></strong></p>
2024-01-03T00:00:00-06:00https://fixationstudio.com/blog/news/Augmented-Reality-Eyewear-The-Race-To-Consumer-Affordability/Augmented Reality Eyewear: The Race to Consumer Affordability2019-01-13T00:00:00-06:00Harold M. Jr.As Augmented Reality engagement with products, machinery, people, and just about anything visible to the human eye grows; mobile brands and other companies are pouring money and resources into developing affordable AR eyewear for consumers.<p>In recent times, the tech world has been buzzing at a rapid pace regarding the new technology that has emerged over the last few years. Technological advances such as <strong>Machine Learning</strong>, <strong>AI</strong> <em>(Artificial Intelligence)</em>, <strong>IoT</strong> <em>(Internet of Things)</em>, <strong>Image Recognition</strong>, <strong>VR</strong> <em>(virtual reality)</em>, and <strong>AR</strong> <em>(augmented reality)</em> have really taken the industry by storm; and are ushering in a plethora of new products and changes to our daily functions. Developers everywhere are clamoring to utilize and invent exciting ways to apply these new technologies. We are at an interesting age of discovery where every product and idea has the potential to set a lasting standard and impact on multiple generations to come. One of the most intriguing and potentially impactful of these technologies to the general public is Augmented Reality, or AR.</p>
<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augmented_reality" target="_blank">Augmented reality</a>, or <strong>AR</strong>, is defined as technology that superimposes computer-generated imagery onto a user’s view of the real world, thus providing a composite view. While some still view AR as a gimmick or just something interesting to look at, the truth is AR is slowly changing the way we interact with the world around us. It presents a brand-new way of engaging with products, machinery, people, and just about anything visible to the human eye or camera lens. Augmented reality is having a profound impact on navigation systems and will soon be common place as part of the <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/01/09/wayrays-ar-in-car-hud-convinced-me-huds-can-be-better/" target="_blank">HUD (heads-up-display) in most vehicles</a>. We have already seen the impact of AR on the gaming and shopping industries with the highly successful <a href="https://www.pokemongo.com/en-us/" target="_blank">Pokemon Go™</a> mobile game and the many room measuring and furniture placement tools like <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/airmeasure-ar-tape-ruler/id1251282152?mt=8" target="_blank">AirMeasure</a>, <a href="https://lens.io/" target="_blank">Lens.io</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/adlp/arview" target="_blank">Amazon’s AR View</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<img src="/images/blog/affordable_ar_devices_3.jpg" width="100%" />
</p>
<p>While these products are good examples, they only scratch the surface of what AR can offer. In order for augmented reality to really take-off and gain wider adoption, it requires readily available access as well as the ability to be hands-free.</p>
<p>Current AR hardware is primarily limited to mobile devices, other camera accessible hardware, or an expensive group of AR-dedicated headsets and eyewear available for purchase. Most people in the general public experience augmented reality through their mobile devices. Smartphones and some tablets are capable of recognizing and reading spatial data — referred to as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simultaneous_localization_and_mapping" target="_blank"><strong>SLAM</strong></a> — while over-laying anchored visuals. The problem is that while viewing or utilizing augmented reality on a mobile device users are unable to use that device for other functions; such as talking, texting and browsing the internet.</p>
<p>That’s where dedicated augmented reality eyewear comes in. With dedicated eyewear, users can be presented with augmented elements without the need to manually access their mobile device or strap it to their face. Current cost for AR eyewear ranges from around $1500 to $3500 U.S. dollars. Magic Leap’s headset, the <a href="https://www.magicleap.com/magic-leap-one" target="_blank">Magic Leap One</a>, was touted as being the platform to bring affordable AR eyewear to the general public. In that feat Magic Leap failed miserably, as the Magic Leap One retails for a whopping $2,295. The <a href="https://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-ar-glasses,review-2804.html" target="_blank">other players in this class</a> — and there are not that many — are all equally as expensive. <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/hololens" target="_blank">Microsoft’s HoloLens</a>, said to be the most widely used AR hardware, sells a developer edition for $3,000 and a commercial edition for $5,000. Meta’s <a href="https://www.metavision.com/" target="_blank">META2</a>, another solid AR device, retails somewhere between $1,200 to $1,495 U.S. dollars. The <a href="https://x.company/glass/" target="_blank">Google Glass</a> originally retailed at $1,500, but since that device has been discontinued I won’t include it as an available option for augmented reality eyewear.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<img src="/images/blog/affordable_ar_devices_2.jpg" width="80%" />
</p>
<p>Given the rise in smartphone prices, it’s nearly impossible for consumers to justify shelling out an additional $1,500 to $2,000 for hardware whose everyday usage is still to be determined. For this reason, there is a definitive push to make augmented reality eyewear more accessible and affordable to the public.</p>
<p>This obvious opportunity in the industry has caught the eye of larger mobile brands and many other companies, who are pouring money and resources into developing affordable AR eyewear for consumers. <a href="https://mobile-ar.reality.news/news/apple-ar-apple-smartglasses-progress-ready-for-public-by-2020-report-says-0181038/" target="_blank">Apple recently announced they were working on a pair of AR glasses</a> targeted to be available sometime in 2020. Chinese mobile giant <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/14/huawei-augmented-reality-ar-glasses.html" target="_blank">Huawei unveiled plans to release augmented reality eyewear</a> in the next year or two. <a href="https://medium.com/silicon-valley-global-news/samsung-reveals-an-experimental-ar-headset-that-isnt-a-samsung-product-d7b75ec8f52e" target="_blank">Samsung revealed an experimental AR headset</a> they’re currently using in testing for a rumored AR headset based on their Gear VR technology. Newcomer <a href="https://www.vuzix.com/Products/Blade-Smart-Glasses" target="_blank">Vuzix recently released the Blade</a>, their stylish new pair of AR glasses retailing for $999. <a href="https://venturebeat.com/2019/01/25/facebook-and-microsoft-patent-filings-offer-dueling-visions-of-small-ar-headsets/" target="_blank">Microsoft and Facebook are filing new patents</a> signaling their venture into the development of smaller, more affordable AR eyewear. Additionally, other forms of AR eyewear were on full display at the <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/charliefink/2019/01/14/why-2019-was-the-best-year-for-ar-vr-at-ces/#22a234e19e35" target="_blank">2019 Consumer Electronics Show</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<img src="/images/blog/affordable_ar_devices_1.png" width="100%" />
</p>
<p>The race has begun. More and more affordable augmented reality eyewear and devices will start to pop-up over the next few years. I estimate $399 to $599 to be the target price range for widespread consumer buy-in, but I do not have any statistics to support that claim. As mobile manufacturers improve device processing power in smaller form factors, it only helps to improve the quality of consumer AR products sooner to define the next generation of computer interfaces.</p>
<p>Personally, am looking forward to the many devices that will come out of this push for affordable augmented reality. So, stay tuned as it should be a fun ride.</p>
2019-01-13T00:00:00-06:00https://fixationstudio.com/blog/news/Netflix-Black-Mirror-Bandersnatch-Great-Concept-Limiting-Execution/Netflix’s Interactive Movie Black Mirror: Bandersnatch - Great Concept, Limiting Execution2018-12-31T00:00:00-06:00Harold M. Jr.Netflix’s first major venture into interactive cinema where as a viewer you get to make choices at specific moments in the film and influence the final outcome works, and proved viewers will participate. The film itself just didn’t measure up.<p>The talk of the town during the weeks leading up to the beginning of the 2019 new year was the new interactive movie on <a href="https://www.netflix.com/title/80988062">Netflix, Black Mirror: Bandersnatch</a>. This film was Netflix’s first major venture into interactive movies where as a viewer you get to make choices at specific moments in the film and influence the plot and final outcome. While I completely grasp the concept of an interactive film and the enjoyable possibilities presented, in this case the movie was just too dull and dry for me to actually enjoy the nuances delivered with this new form of media engagement.</p>
<p>The idea of interactive movies is referred to as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interactive_cinema">“interactive cinema.”</a> It is a concept that dates back to 1967 where the first interactive film, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinoautomat">Kinoautomat by Radúz Činčera</a>, gave viewers nine moments throughout the movie where the audience got to choose which of two scenes would be played next. Over the decades since that time interactive cinema has taken on many forms and gained a wider adoption, especially in the gaming industry. It was a key gameplay element during the rise of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interactive_movie#Laserdisc_games">LaserDisc interactive games</a> back in the early 1980s. The bulk of LaserDisc games centered around playback of pre-recorded video clips based on a user’s input. One of the most notable and popular examples of an interactive cinema LaserDisc game is the all-time classic <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon%27s_Lair">Dragon’s Lair</a>, which was released in 1983.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<img src="/images/blog/bandersnatch_selection.jpg" width="100%" />
</p>
<p>So interactive cinema isn’t a new concept. Yet Netflix’s fray into this genre gives it a global audience and places the genre center-stage for the entire world to experience. I, personally, was extremely excited when I first heard about this new type of entertainment. Based on the viewer’s selections you supposedly would be able to lead the movie to completely different endings. Wildly curious was I. How were scene choices presented to the user? What happens if you don’t make a selection? How much time were you allotted to choose? Would my deliberations interrupt the pace of the movie? So many questions, so much intrigue.</p>
<blockquote>… interactive cinemas could become a very engrossing and engaging form of entertainment. One where we struggle to understand how we ever lived without it.</blockquote>
<p>After seeing the final product, I must say I was convincingly impressed. The delivery, the simplicity of how the choices were presented to the user, the ease of making a selection, it all fits and makes sense. The timing given for next scene selection was spot-on and flowed nicely with the film. The first three or four selections felt great and gave me this sense of being in control of the storyline. I was fully engaged in how my movie would turn out. Yes… “my”. I suddenly was endowed with a sense that this film was now unique to me and the choices I make. That’s around the time reality started to set in and I realized the film, itself… just didn’t measure up.</p>
<p>The movie’s plot was so dry and boring that it struggled to maintain my attention. There barely was enough visual activity and dialog most of the time to keep my interest long enough to even notice when a choice was on screen awaiting my response. What’s worse is that the interactive portions of the movie often didn’t lead you anywhere. When you didn’t select the proper or expected outcome, you were forced to go back and redo the previous scene selection. I really wished there were more choices that offered a completely different pathway through the movie because what everyone truly wants is the option to become either the hero or the villain.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<img src="/images/blog/bandersnatch_screenshot_01.jpg" width="80%" />
</p>
<p>This first mainstream version of interactive cinema, in my opinion, was just too limiting. It appeared that in moments where a user choice seemed obvious, no choice was offered. The film had a very rigid set of endings that forced viewers to follow a specific choice path. I clearly see the need for a restriction in the number of choices presented, as there’s only a finite amount of footage available for the film. However, my wish is that when your choices lead onto a branch that does not flow into one of the defined endings, that scenario should handled gracefully and still feel in unison with the film. That versus the abrupt “Go Back” selection screen actually presented in those situations.</p>
<p>This may sound really harsh, but once I finally reached an ending and the credits rolled; I felt relieved. It was just so dull and boring of a movie that I have never been so delighted it was over. Some may find my critique off-base, while others may praise the movie for the depth of its characters or its hidden symbolism and technical references. However, if you ask my opinion, the film truly struggled to maintain a viewer’s interest. In the end, I verbally uttered the words, “please… no more. I’m done.”</p>
<blockquote>… I highly recommend everyone to experience this movie for themselves.</blockquote>
<p>The genre itself works. While this highly broadcast outing into interactive cinema was just too gimmicky, as a first iteration my curiosity is definitely stoked about the possibilities that lay on the horizon. Given more options, a better storyline — much, much better storyline — interactive cinemas could become a very engrossing and engaging form of entertainment. One where we struggle to understand how we ever lived without it. Despite my critique, I highly recommend everyone to experience this movie for themselves.</p>
<p>This first film solidly proved viewers would watch as well as participate throughout the movie. The ratings cited <a href="https://www.themarysue.com/netflix-bird-box-viewers-transparency/">nearly 26 million U.S. viewers watched and participated in this movie</a> during its first week alone.</p>
<p>Interactive cinema works. Viewers will participate. This first movie was an introductory offer, but it’s got me excited and eager to know what future installments have to offer.</p>
2018-12-31T00:00:00-06:00https://fixationstudio.com/blog/news/articles/developers-should-keep-watch-as-us-reviews-controls-for-emerging-technologies/Developers Should Keep Watch As U.S. Reviews Controls For Emerging Technologies.2018-11-27T00:00:00-06:00Harold M. Jr.Every developer should keep a close watch on the United States' request for Review of Controls for Certain Emerging Software Technology. Recent computing advancements such as artificial intelligence could soon require strict licensing.<p>This past November in 2018, an official <a href="https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-11-19/pdf/2018-25221.pdf">request for public comment</a> was published in the U.S. Federal Register asking whether a long list of emerging and soon-to-be common place software technologies should be subject to stricter export-control rules. Every developer in the Western hemisphere should be very alarmed as this notice is a forewarning that all recent computing advancements such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and image recognition <strong>“could”</strong> potentially require an export license if they are included within a product you or your company intends to sell on the global market.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.gpo.gov/help/about_federal_register.htm">The Federal Register</a> is the United States government’s official journal of government agency rules, proposed rules, and all public notices. Its main purpose is to provide a means for the U.S government to announce to the general public potential changes to government requirements, policies, and guidance.</p>
<p>While I won’t point fingers or start attacking and condemning the Trump administration, I will instead highlight the seriousness of this most recent request and it’s potential impact on the entire tech industry. This latest posting in the Federal Register could be devastating to small and mid-level businesses nation wide. Potential export-control would stifle global market access for nearly all “indie” developers. Small firms would feel the impact as well if they are leveraging targeted technologies as part of their core product offering or are simply a company trying to keep up with the current pace of the today’s tech industry.</p>
<p>A few of the technologies included in the Federal Register request include:</p>
<ol>
<li>Artificial intelligence</li>
<li>Machine Learning and Neural Networks</li>
<li>Computer vision (e.g., object recognition, image understanding)</li>
<li>Speech and audio processing (e.g., speech recognition)</li>
<li>Natural language processing (e.g., machine translation)</li>
<li>Advanced surveillance technologies, such as Faceprint and voiceprint technologies.</li>
</ol>
<p>The listing is vast, and targets a lot of key software already utilized in everyday consumer products. From face recognition and <a href="https://www.apple.com/iphone-xs/face-id/?afid=p238%7CsRWSYsWNs-dc_mtid_20925d2q39172_pcrid_305083746932&cid=wwa-us-kwgo-iphone-slid--" target="_blank">Apple’s Face ID</a>, to augmented reality and <a href="https://www.tensorflow.org">Tensor Flow’s neural networks</a>.</p>
<p>What’s worse is the review request could trigger a chain reaction of government overview. The Export Control Reform Act (ECRA) mandates that all technologies identified as <strong>“emerging and foundational”</strong> must at a minimum require a license for their export, re-export, or transfer to or in a country subject to a U.S. embargo or an arms embargo. <sup id="fnref:1" role="doc-noteref"><a href="#fn:1" class="footnote" rel="footnote">1</a></sup></p>
<p>Furthermore, technology designated as <strong>“emerging and foundational”</strong> also is considered <strong>“critical technology”</strong> that may trigger a review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States or (CFIUS) to determine whether transactions involving these technologies would threaten to impair U.S. national security.<sup id="fnref:2" role="doc-noteref"><a href="#fn:2" class="footnote" rel="footnote">2</a></sup> Could this go so far as to require national security clearance in order for developers to utilize image recognition or facial detection libraries within their mobile apps?</p>
<p>Export license requirements are not a “pay once” endeavor. If put in place, they would require purchasing a license for each individual country where you intend to sell your software and services. In some cases, instead of an export license requirement, the mandate may require you to have to pay an additional tax in order to sell your products outside the U.S.</p>
<p>I understand that by definition ALL goods and services sold to any country outside the United States is classified as an export. I also understand that the U.S. Constitution grants Congress the authority to regulate and tax international imports and exports.</p>
<p>However, as a mobile software developer my global market store costs could move up to nearly 50% of my initial sale. Estimated after giving Google and Apple their required 30% for sales utilizing their mobile market places, but now factoring an additional 20% for potential licensing fees for sales outside of the U.S. What about non-profit organizations that may be leveraging AI or ML tools to facilitate and organize research? How would these tighter restrictions affect their yearly goals, outreach initiatives and future funding?</p>
<p>The export controls review is scheduled to be open for submissions until December 19, 2018. I will certainly keep a close watch on the outcome, and an even closer eye on everything that follows.</p>
<div class="footnotes" role="doc-endnotes">
<ol>
<li id="fn:1" role="doc-endnote">
<p>Find out more about the Export Control Act at <a href="https://www.skadden.com/insights/publications/2018/09/tightened-restrictions-on-technology-transfer">www.skadden.com</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="reversefootnote" role="doc-backlink">↩</a></p>
</li>
<li id="fn:2" role="doc-endnote">
<p>Read more about the CFIUS overview process <a href="https://www.lw.com/thoughtLeadership/overview-CFIUS-process">here</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="reversefootnote" role="doc-backlink">↩</a></p>
</li>
</ol>
</div>
2018-11-27T00:00:00-06:00https://fixationstudio.com/blog/news/stan-lee-loss-of-a-legend/Stan Lee - Loss of A Legend2018-11-12T00:00:00-06:00Harold M. Jr.<a href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stan_Lee'>Stan Lee</a>, a true legend who's influence will be felt for many generations to come, dies at the age of 95. The publisher and editor of Marvel Comics, passed away leaving a void felt by multiple generations.<!--more-->
<p>It’s ironic when you look at the order of “when” things happen within our universe. This past Monday, on November 12th 2018, we lost a true icon from my and many generations. Stan Lee, the publisher and editor of <a href="https://www.marvel.com">Marvel Comics</a>, passed away at the tender age of 95. The ironic part to all of this, is just few weeks prior I lost my own brother, who just happened to be the person that first introduced me to Marvel Comics and the vast assortment of characters and stories spawned from Stan Lee’s imagination over the decades.</p>
<p>I remember myself as a 5 year old kid back then. Learning to draw by mimicking the artwork and body poses from Marvel comics such as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider-Man">Spiderman</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thor_(Marvel_Comics)">The Mighty Thor</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conan_the_Barbarian_(comics)">Conan the Barbarian</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_Rider">Ghost Rider</a>. The excitement and joy of Stan’s creations only grew once i was able to begin to comprehend the depth of the characters embedded within this forum. Seeing heroes struggle not just with apprehending villains, but with everyday problems such as depression, minimum wage, dating and heart-break. Heroes that were torn between answering the higher calling thrust upon them by their abilities, while trying to find a piece of normality in a world that both feared them and wanted to exploit their powers for profit.</p>
<p><img src="/images/blog/stan_lee_2.jpg" /></p>
<p>Such richness spread across so many countless pages. A platform producing so many memorable characters. From <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_America">Captain America</a> to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-Men">X-Men</a>. From <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Man">Iron Man</a> to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thing_(comics)">The Thing</a>. From the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hulk_(comics)">Hulk</a> to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_Strange">Dr. Strange</a>. Conceptualizing countless undiscovered riches on planet earth. Substances like <a href="https://scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/16328/why-cant-adamantium-cut-through-vibranium">adamantium and vibranium</a>. Providing so many memorable villains in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magneto_(comics)">Magneto</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venom_(Marvel_Comics_character)">Venom</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_Doom">Doctor Doom</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultron">Ultron</a> and of course my all-time favorite… <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocalypse_(Marvel_Comics)">Apocalypse</a>. Stan even expanded our vision to the outer realms of the universe. Breathing existence into powerful cosmic entities such as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galactus">Galactus</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_Tribunal">The Living Tribunal</a> and of course, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanos">Thanos</a>.</p>
<p>Where would we be without the profound conflict and struggle wrought in intense mini-series as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-Cutioner%27s_Song">“X-Cutioner’s Song”</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_Hulk">“World War Hulk”</a> or <a href="https://www.marvel.com/comics/discover/302/the-korvac-saga">“The Korvac Saga”</a>. How about the unrelenting and always surprising <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_If_(comics)">“What If”</a> comics series? Which were relentless in immersing your favorite heroes within a truly fatal scenario. Who else could have comprised a lasting universe where <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odin_(comics)">Odin</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeus_(Marvel_Comics)">Zeus</a> can co-exist, interact with each other and it make sense?</p>
<blockquote>Just because you have superpowers, that doesn’t mean your love life would be perfect. I don’t think superpowers automatically means there won’t be any personality problems, family problems or even money problems. I just tried to write characters who are human beings who also have superpowers. - Stan Lee</blockquote>
<p>Our eyes and minds were presented with such opulence watching <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_Rider">Johnny Blaze</a> spiral out of control with the curse of his powers. The mindset of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Warlock">Adam Warlock</a>, who had an incessant fear of not living up to being a true hero. <a href="https://comicvine.gamespot.com/cyclops/4005-1459/forums/the-evolution-of-cyclopshow-the-x-mens-leader-lost-614767/">The mental decline of Scott Summers as an competent leader of the X-Men</a>. Where would I personally be without the true meaning of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Marvel_(Mar-Vell)">Captain Marvel’s “cosmic awareness”</a>, a term I regularly use within my urban landscape.</p>
<p>Stan Lee and Marvel comics became common place in our culture. It was our morning coffee and paper. Leaving us cliff hanging until the next issue. Giving us countless TV shows, movies, songs, sound-bites, books and novels. Even giving us hope and an idea that we ourselves can overcome the struggles of this everyday life, just like our comic book counterparts.</p>
<p>I miss my older brother dearly. You Stan, provided one of the biggest influences on us both. For that… I salute you for the gifts you’ve given me, my children, my family and beyond. A true pioneer and a lasting legacy.</p>
<blockquote>I don’t know where the hell I’ll be in five years. Maybe I’ll be producing movies maybe I’ll be on a corner selling apples. I don’t know, but I’m having a hell of a lot of fun. - Stan Lee, IGN.com</blockquote>
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2018-11-12T00:00:00-06:00https://fixationstudio.com/blog/news/why-apples-a12-chips-just-buried-the-competition/Why Apple's A12 and A12x Bionic Chips Trounce The Competition2018-10-25T00:00:00-05:00Harold M. Jr.With Apple's release of the A12 and A12x Bionic chips, Apple may have changed the mobile playing field and the stadium.<p>This September at Apple’s annual “Special Event” for 2018, they unveiled this year’s line of new mobile devices in the <a href="https://www.apple.com/iphone/">iPhone Xs, Xs Max and Xr</a>. During the keynote, as always, they covered the essential components that highlight this new round of iOS mobile phones. Despite most of the gaping wows from the crowd coming in response to the features housed in the new 12 mega-pixel camera offered in the iPhone Xs nd Xs Max, the bigger news unbeknown to most was the advent of Apple’s new A12 Bionic CPU chipset powering this next round of Apple mobile devices.<sup id="fnref:1" role="doc-noteref"><a href="#fn:1" class="footnote" rel="footnote">1</a></sup></p>
<p>Bundled with a hefty 6-core CPU, a powerhouse 4-core GPU, and an updated Machine Learning Nueral Engine; the A12 Bionic technical specs definitely live up to Apple’s claim of the A12 being <a href="https://appleinsider.com/articles/18/10/05/apples-a12-bionic-comes-close-to-desktop-cpu-performance-in-benchmarks">“the smartest and most powerful chip ever in a smartphone.”</a> The event itself did a good job of highlighting key performance increases built into this new chip. The A12 boasts computation power of 5 trillion operations per second. It yields Machine Learning tasks nearly nine times faster, up to 50% lower power usage, and a 3D graphics rendering processor claiming to provide <a href="https://www.anandtech.com/show/13392/the-iphone-xs-xs-max-review-unveiling-the-silicon-secrets/7">50% higher performance over last year’s A11 GPU</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Hold on, time out… Let’s not get too extreme here.</strong></p>
<p>However, the benchmarks are in. The numbers are real. Countless articles are surfacing across the internet advertising the sheer horsepower packed into this tiny new mobile CPU. <a href="https://www.guidingtech.com/apple-a12-bionic-vs-snapdragon-845-comparison/">The A12 just completely dominates over the next best mobile processor on the market, the Qualcomm SnapDragon 945</a>, which currently powers Samsung’s Galaxy S9 and Google’s soon to be released Pixel 3 mobile phone. In tests the A12 has shown to be nearly twice as fast in multi-threading proficiency and computation operations. And if that wasn’t enough, in October at Apple’s next special event they announced the next set of iPad Pro models powered by an even beefier version of the A12 chip… <a href="https://www.phonearena.com/news/iPad-Pro-2018-A12X-Bionic-most-powerful-mobile-chipset_id110556">the A12X Bionic</a>.</p>
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<p>The A12X Bionic houses an octa-core CPU (8-core CPU), a 7-core GPU with 3D rendering that Apple characterizes as <a href="https://www.gamereactor.eu/news/707833/Apple+New+Ipad+Pro+is+as+powerful+as+the+Xbox+One+S/">“Xbox One S-class graphics performance”</a>.</p>
<p><strong>But What Does All This Mean To The Normal User?</strong></p>
<p>Well, the long of it is within a mobile device you gain a snappy user-interface and a faster phone/tablet with a very responsive feel. The short of it… The A12 chipset has set the bar substantially high for the next-level of processing prowess required for all mobile devices going forward.</p>
<p>As the world eagerly expands and embraces new technologies in AI, Machine Learning, Augmented Reality, Image Recognition, Virtual Reality and IoT; heavier computation power and graphics potential housed within smaller form factors are needed to power the next round of consumer and industrial devices and products.</p>
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<p>Just understand this simple concept: the A12 and A12X mobile CPUs — by themselves — are more powerful with better graphics than the standard 13-inch 2016 Mac Book Pro you’re probably using to read this article. The capabilities housed in these new chips are countless. It places the full capacity of modern software at your finger tips housed within a device that is just a fraction of the size of your current computer hardware.</p>
<p>Nothing in the consumer market is even close this level of computing power at this size. I know it’s got me excited, and I can’t wait to get my hands on one.</p>
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<p>Find out more about the A12 Bionic at https://www.apple.com/iphone-xs/a12-bionic/ <a href="#fnref:1" class="reversefootnote" role="doc-backlink">↩</a></p>
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2018-10-25T00:00:00-05:00