Apple Vision Pro
03/30/2024
Apple Vision Pro
Paul Simmons
As a long-time Appleholic, resisting the urge to buy Apple’s latest technological wonder was impossible.
About 2 months in with the Apple Vision Pro (AVP)…
First, it’s an amazing piece of technology! Spatial Computing (Apple’s name) has to be experienced to understand and appreciate. Secondly, this is obviously a first-gen teaser of what’s to come. Yes, it’s typical Apple in it’s polish and attention to detail, but there are still a lot of areas in need of further development - both software and hardware. So, here are some initial thoughts, in no particular order of importance…
It’s hard to wear more than a couple of hours or so at a time - even with either of the supplied head bands - it starts to weigh down on your face, particularly the bridge of your nose.
There is a minor problem with lens flare - once you notice it, it can be annoying. And, once you see it, you can’t unsee it!
You can’t cry when watching content… there’s no place for the tears to go! The face band has a tight light seal around your face.
Keeping the battery connected to a power source full time seems to be best - if the battery gets too low, the AVP sleeps/shuts down and no longer syncs with iCloud. Battery life is a couple of hours or so. The battery is external and hangs down on a cable.
3D movies (lots on AppleTV, no extra fee) are really fun, but not as sharp as I'd like. That’s probably a 3D encoding problem… You can record 3D content on iPhone 15s or on the AVP. If you record local video in 3D with an iPhone or the AVP… wow! Movies and TV shows look really awesome… everything I’ve watched so far has a theatrical film quality, not a 4K video image where you can count every hair on an actor’s head! I actually prefer the theatrical appearance.
Adding a Magic Trackpad and Magic Keyboard really enhance the user interface experience. The popup keyboard is clunky at best and hard to use. Bluetooth mice are not supported. Apple’s interface tracks your eye movements and what you’re looking at. Stare at a button or some menu item, then tap your fingers together to select it. Move your hand up and down or left and right to scroll.
The built-in speakers in the headband above your ears are exceptional. I’ve experimented with Air Pods Pro 2 to replace the speakers… the speakers actually sound much better - a fuller, more immersive, sound.
Eating/drinking while wearing AVP can be problematic… if you’re in an immersive environment (your room is totally masked), you can’t see your hands, you can't see an object to grab/pick up - you can’t see where your mouth is!!! The AVP app store has a growing number of apps specifically engineered for the AVP. Quite a few take advantage of the 3D capabilities. A lot of iPad apps will work, and many developers are promising AVP versions in the near future. Interestingly, Apple’s core apps - Pages, Numbers, and KeyNote, are not available yet.
Bottom line, I’m impressed and can’t wait to see where Apple goes with the AVP. And, I’m still learning… the more I use it, the more I discover.
Paul Simmons
As a long-time Appleholic, resisting the urge to buy Apple’s latest technological wonder was impossible.
About 2 months in with the Apple Vision Pro (AVP)…
First, it’s an amazing piece of technology! Spatial Computing (Apple’s name) has to be experienced to understand and appreciate. Secondly, this is obviously a first-gen teaser of what’s to come. Yes, it’s typical Apple in it’s polish and attention to detail, but there are still a lot of areas in need of further development - both software and hardware. So, here are some initial thoughts, in no particular order of importance…
It’s hard to wear more than a couple of hours or so at a time - even with either of the supplied head bands - it starts to weigh down on your face, particularly the bridge of your nose.
There is a minor problem with lens flare - once you notice it, it can be annoying. And, once you see it, you can’t unsee it!
You can’t cry when watching content… there’s no place for the tears to go! The face band has a tight light seal around your face.
Keeping the battery connected to a power source full time seems to be best - if the battery gets too low, the AVP sleeps/shuts down and no longer syncs with iCloud. Battery life is a couple of hours or so. The battery is external and hangs down on a cable.
3D movies (lots on AppleTV, no extra fee) are really fun, but not as sharp as I'd like. That’s probably a 3D encoding problem… You can record 3D content on iPhone 15s or on the AVP. If you record local video in 3D with an iPhone or the AVP… wow! Movies and TV shows look really awesome… everything I’ve watched so far has a theatrical film quality, not a 4K video image where you can count every hair on an actor’s head! I actually prefer the theatrical appearance.
Adding a Magic Trackpad and Magic Keyboard really enhance the user interface experience. The popup keyboard is clunky at best and hard to use. Bluetooth mice are not supported. Apple’s interface tracks your eye movements and what you’re looking at. Stare at a button or some menu item, then tap your fingers together to select it. Move your hand up and down or left and right to scroll.
The built-in speakers in the headband above your ears are exceptional. I’ve experimented with Air Pods Pro 2 to replace the speakers… the speakers actually sound much better - a fuller, more immersive, sound.
Eating/drinking while wearing AVP can be problematic… if you’re in an immersive environment (your room is totally masked), you can’t see your hands, you can't see an object to grab/pick up - you can’t see where your mouth is!!! The AVP app store has a growing number of apps specifically engineered for the AVP. Quite a few take advantage of the 3D capabilities. A lot of iPad apps will work, and many developers are promising AVP versions in the near future. Interestingly, Apple’s core apps - Pages, Numbers, and KeyNote, are not available yet.
Bottom line, I’m impressed and can’t wait to see where Apple goes with the AVP. And, I’m still learning… the more I use it, the more I discover.
Ohio SAFE Act
12/29/2023
Saving Ohio Adolecents from Experimentation - Is it really SAFE?
To enact sections 3109.054, 3129.01, 3129.02, 3129.03, 3129.04, 3129.05, 3129.06, 3313.5319, and 3345.562 of the Revised Code to enact the Saving Ohio Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act regarding gender transition services for minors, and to enact the Save Women’s Sports Act to require schools, state institutions of higher education, and private colleges to designate separate single-sex teams and sports for each sex.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio is HB-68 as passed by the Ohio House and Senate and is currently on the Governors desk for signing.
As we enter this next political election cycle it was expected that we would see more redirect with political speak like “Save the Children and SAFE.” The easiest way to try to get re-elected is to try to tell your base that you are doing something to protect them, even if there is no protection at all and simply an attack for the sake of bullying on the most vulnerable in our society, the transgender community. It is a small percentage of our population therefore the easiest to attack without to much political damage to yourself, right? In 2023, 589 anti-trans bills have been introduced in 49 states, 85 have passed, 269 are still active, and 235 have failed.
It does seem that political parties find it advantageous to find a group or person to attack to advance their political position rather than stand on policy itself. The medical community, state and local LGBTQ Communities, national organizations, and educational professionals turned out to oppose HB-68, but testimony was not allowed, it was pushed straight through. Those that showed up at the Capitol to protest and offer testimony were told to leave that the bill had been passed without testimony so all should leave. The only hope is that the governor will listen to the experts and veto this bill, yet in the past he has typically given in to the extreme right, so only time will tell.
Many all over Ohio have been reaching out to the governor to encourage him to veto this bill.
In a press conference held on 12/29/2023, Governor Mike Dewine did VETO HB-68, stating the consequence of this bill could not be more profound, and is about protecting human life and these gut wrenching decisions should be made by parents with the advice of doctors. Please thank Governor Dewine.
To enact sections 3109.054, 3129.01, 3129.02, 3129.03, 3129.04, 3129.05, 3129.06, 3313.5319, and 3345.562 of the Revised Code to enact the Saving Ohio Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act regarding gender transition services for minors, and to enact the Save Women’s Sports Act to require schools, state institutions of higher education, and private colleges to designate separate single-sex teams and sports for each sex.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio is HB-68 as passed by the Ohio House and Senate and is currently on the Governors desk for signing.
As we enter this next political election cycle it was expected that we would see more redirect with political speak like “Save the Children and SAFE.” The easiest way to try to get re-elected is to try to tell your base that you are doing something to protect them, even if there is no protection at all and simply an attack for the sake of bullying on the most vulnerable in our society, the transgender community. It is a small percentage of our population therefore the easiest to attack without to much political damage to yourself, right? In 2023, 589 anti-trans bills have been introduced in 49 states, 85 have passed, 269 are still active, and 235 have failed.
It does seem that political parties find it advantageous to find a group or person to attack to advance their political position rather than stand on policy itself. The medical community, state and local LGBTQ Communities, national organizations, and educational professionals turned out to oppose HB-68, but testimony was not allowed, it was pushed straight through. Those that showed up at the Capitol to protest and offer testimony were told to leave that the bill had been passed without testimony so all should leave. The only hope is that the governor will listen to the experts and veto this bill, yet in the past he has typically given in to the extreme right, so only time will tell.
Many all over Ohio have been reaching out to the governor to encourage him to veto this bill.
In a press conference held on 12/29/2023, Governor Mike Dewine did VETO HB-68, stating the consequence of this bill could not be more profound, and is about protecting human life and these gut wrenching decisions should be made by parents with the advice of doctors. Please thank Governor Dewine.
2023 Transgender Day of Rememberance
11/02/2023
2023 TDOR Dayton Brings Excitement
The Dayton Community Coalition of volunteers and community organization have come together to plan Transgender Dayton Of Remembrance, TDOR. This annual event is a Celebration of Life presented for all those transgender individuals who have lost their lives this year due to violence and hate and to often unclaimed and abandoned. The celebration of life will take place on Monday, November 20th at 7 PM at Sinclair Community College’s building 11 in the Grand room. Tickets are available FREE of charge with proceeds to benefit the local trans support group, The Gatlyn Dame Group.
The keynote speaker for this event is the nationally know Jeopardy Champion, Amy Schneider, the Centerville native who went on to become the most winner female champion in Jeopardy history and the second highest earning champion just behind Ken Jennings. Amy Schnieder is a software engineer who begain their transition in 2018, a bit later in life. Today Amy is an author of her memoir and is current on a national book signing tour. She graduated from Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School and the University of Dayton.
Our featured speakers are Lana Moore, Sean Miller, and Nico.
The Dayton Community Coalition of volunteers and community organization have come together to plan Transgender Dayton Of Remembrance, TDOR. This annual event is a Celebration of Life presented for all those transgender individuals who have lost their lives this year due to violence and hate and to often unclaimed and abandoned. The celebration of life will take place on Monday, November 20th at 7 PM at Sinclair Community College’s building 11 in the Grand room. Tickets are available FREE of charge with proceeds to benefit the local trans support group, The Gatlyn Dame Group.
The keynote speaker for this event is the nationally know Jeopardy Champion, Amy Schneider, the Centerville native who went on to become the most winner female champion in Jeopardy history and the second highest earning champion just behind Ken Jennings. Amy Schnieder is a software engineer who begain their transition in 2018, a bit later in life. Today Amy is an author of her memoir and is current on a national book signing tour. She graduated from Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School and the University of Dayton.
Our featured speakers are Lana Moore, Sean Miller, and Nico.
Emerging Artist Award
10/15/2023
Los Angeles College of Music (LACM) proudly celebrates the outstanding achievement of its alumnus, Drew Louis, a graduate of the LACM Songwriting program in 2022. Hailing from Hudson, Ohio, Drew Louis has been honored with the Music Forward Foundation’s esteemed LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Award presented by Citibank. Part of the House of Blues and Live Nation family, the Music Forward Foundation is dedicated to transforming young lives. It just announced the 2023 LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Award,
Featured Poets: True Hoffman
08/28/2023
To live in a world that tries
to hide all the sin
Behind dollars and taxes
and big corporations
or parties with creeps
on an island celebration
Guess it’s scary then
To believe what you know
To love who you love
And to never let go
I went out
And I saw the truth
People got all caught up in the news
Bottles of something on every block
And no one knows when their clock will stop
So make the most of it
And help one another
Quit fighting over nothing
With your sisters and brothers
I went out and
I felt more alive
I saw that the dove
Had started to fly
It was beautiful
To have seen what I’ve seen
To live in a world
That could hold all your dreams
What a miracle
To be right here
So be mindful of choices
And enjoy all your years
to hide all the sin
Behind dollars and taxes
and big corporations
or parties with creeps
on an island celebration
Guess it’s scary then
To believe what you know
To love who you love
And to never let go
I went out
And I saw the truth
People got all caught up in the news
Bottles of something on every block
And no one knows when their clock will stop
So make the most of it
And help one another
Quit fighting over nothing
With your sisters and brothers
I went out and
I felt more alive
I saw that the dove
Had started to fly
It was beautiful
To have seen what I’ve seen
To live in a world
That could hold all your dreams
What a miracle
To be right here
So be mindful of choices
And enjoy all your years
Featured Poets: True Hoffman
08/28/2023
I went out
and I saw the streets
They were covered in troubled things
There was a woman holding an old photograph
And a man with a mind that’s gone nearly black
I went out
and I know what I’ve seen
It’s the world itself tearing apart at the seems
People are screaming “God help me”
And wildfires rage across the seven seas
I guess you could say
you could all donate
Instead of giving your time just to serve up a plate
Let me tell ya friend
What some good love will do
It’ll keep you safe while you heal from a bruise
I went out
And I reached for the sky
There was a dove that fell
Like a tear from an eye
I went out
And I touched the grass
I thought about my future
And remembered my past
Anti-Drag Bill Introduced
07/31/2023
An Anti-Drag Bill Has Been Introduced In The Ohio Legislature, 135th General Assembly
Angela King, (R-Celina) along with Representative Josh Williams, (R-Sylvania) has introduced H.B. 245 to prohibit adult cabaret performances. The bill as introduced reads: To amend sections 2907.39 and 4301.25 of the Revised Code to prohibit adult cabaret performances in locations other than adult cabarets. This bill then goes on to attempt to define an adult cabaret performance.
(b) Live performances that are characterized by the exposure of specified anatomical areas or specified sexual activities; (c) Films, motion pictures, video cassettes, slides, or other photographic reproductions that are distinguished or characterized by their emphasis upon the exhibition (4) “Adult cabaret performance” means a performance in a location other than an adult cabaret that is harmful to juveniles or obscene and that features topless dancers; go-go dancers; exotic dancers; strippers; performers or entertainers who exhibit a gender identity that is different from the performer’s or entertainer’s gender assigned at birth using clothing, makeup, prosthetic or imitation genitals or breasts, or other physical markers; or other similar performers or entertainers who provide entertainment that appeals to a prurient interest, regardless of whether or not the performance is for consideration. While we know this is just a long reach to make it illegal for a drag queen to read a book to children in the library, the vagueness could also be stretched to making it illegal for a drag performance at courthouse square during PRIDE.
A good portion of this bill is directly referring to porn or adult sexual displays or activities that could be seen outside a cabaret or bar setting by anyone under the age of 18; it might seem the intent is that a law enforcement officer could easily extend the law to cover more innocent acts such as drag performances in public, which are simply designed to entertain but that are not necessarily sexual in nature - simply because it could be a judgement call as to what is sexual in nature as a whole. Many of these types bills seem on the surface, to “Protect The Children” - lead the public to think we are being proactive to protect the public from a potential problem that just has not manifested itself yet; or, we could see it for what it really is, a way to strike at a minority to make a few politicians look pious in the eyes of their base.
Link to The Ohio Legislature House Bill 245
Link to HB245 PDF text
Linked references current as of July 31, 2023.
Angela King, (R-Celina) along with Representative Josh Williams, (R-Sylvania) has introduced H.B. 245 to prohibit adult cabaret performances. The bill as introduced reads: To amend sections 2907.39 and 4301.25 of the Revised Code to prohibit adult cabaret performances in locations other than adult cabarets. This bill then goes on to attempt to define an adult cabaret performance.
(b) Live performances that are characterized by the exposure of specified anatomical areas or specified sexual activities; (c) Films, motion pictures, video cassettes, slides, or other photographic reproductions that are distinguished or characterized by their emphasis upon the exhibition (4) “Adult cabaret performance” means a performance in a location other than an adult cabaret that is harmful to juveniles or obscene and that features topless dancers; go-go dancers; exotic dancers; strippers; performers or entertainers who exhibit a gender identity that is different from the performer’s or entertainer’s gender assigned at birth using clothing, makeup, prosthetic or imitation genitals or breasts, or other physical markers; or other similar performers or entertainers who provide entertainment that appeals to a prurient interest, regardless of whether or not the performance is for consideration. While we know this is just a long reach to make it illegal for a drag queen to read a book to children in the library, the vagueness could also be stretched to making it illegal for a drag performance at courthouse square during PRIDE.
A good portion of this bill is directly referring to porn or adult sexual displays or activities that could be seen outside a cabaret or bar setting by anyone under the age of 18; it might seem the intent is that a law enforcement officer could easily extend the law to cover more innocent acts such as drag performances in public, which are simply designed to entertain but that are not necessarily sexual in nature - simply because it could be a judgement call as to what is sexual in nature as a whole. Many of these types bills seem on the surface, to “Protect The Children” - lead the public to think we are being proactive to protect the public from a potential problem that just has not manifested itself yet; or, we could see it for what it really is, a way to strike at a minority to make a few politicians look pious in the eyes of their base.
Link to The Ohio Legislature House Bill 245
Link to HB245 PDF text
Linked references current as of July 31, 2023.
Methodist congregations split from denomination
07/09/2023
Thousands of US United Methodist congregations split from denomination over LGBTQ issues.
Worthy read from The Daily Caller.
Click here
Worthy read from The Daily Caller.
Click here
Is Democracy Under Attack In Ohio?
07/01/2023
Ohio has proposed a change in the State Constitution to raise the simple majority of votes up to 60% of the vote for ballot initiative to change the State of Ohio Constitution.
There will be a special August 8th election to offer this change up in what can only be viewed as the most anti-democratic action we have ever seen. Republicans cannot want this, democrats cannot want this, so this begs the question; what is behind this and what is the purpose? This is terrible for democracy. The answer is that this is a preemptive strike in an attempt to block a ballot initiative from taking place in the fall election that has really gained traction. There is a large group of individuals and organized groups that are amassing over 400,000 signature to present a pro-choice measure on the ballot this fall. Should this receive 50% of the vote, as current polls say it will, it will pass, according to our currently constitution and become law without state legislature’s interference. So it is believed if they pass a 60% threshold this will deny the votes in Ohio the ability to amend the State Constitution by a petition and ballot initiative by the will of the people. The only way to stand up to this change in the threshold is to defeat it. Show up to the polls in the middle of August and defeat it! Whatever the initiative is, the will of the people should always stand! To do anything less is just anti democratic and just another step towards fascism.
This seems to be just the latest in a long line of anti-democratic actions, such as the State’s gerrymandering efforts. The republican leadership led by Frank LaRose submitted a gerrymandered plan three times. This comes after the citizens of Ohio voted to put an end to partisan gerrymandering in a previous election. The republican controlled Ohio Supreme Court struck down LaRose’s plan all three times stating that it was unconstitutional, yet he just did not care and continues to defy the Court.
So how does this get resolved? One, get out and vote on August 8th and protect your right to petition with a majority voice! The bonus just may be the ablity to protect women’s rights.
Secondly, voting on August 8th will show that Ohio is serious about democracy and these gerrymandering tactics will not succeed and the public should always have its voice and put an end to rigging the rules against democracy.
There will be a special August 8th election to offer this change up in what can only be viewed as the most anti-democratic action we have ever seen. Republicans cannot want this, democrats cannot want this, so this begs the question; what is behind this and what is the purpose? This is terrible for democracy. The answer is that this is a preemptive strike in an attempt to block a ballot initiative from taking place in the fall election that has really gained traction. There is a large group of individuals and organized groups that are amassing over 400,000 signature to present a pro-choice measure on the ballot this fall. Should this receive 50% of the vote, as current polls say it will, it will pass, according to our currently constitution and become law without state legislature’s interference. So it is believed if they pass a 60% threshold this will deny the votes in Ohio the ability to amend the State Constitution by a petition and ballot initiative by the will of the people. The only way to stand up to this change in the threshold is to defeat it. Show up to the polls in the middle of August and defeat it! Whatever the initiative is, the will of the people should always stand! To do anything less is just anti democratic and just another step towards fascism.
This seems to be just the latest in a long line of anti-democratic actions, such as the State’s gerrymandering efforts. The republican leadership led by Frank LaRose submitted a gerrymandered plan three times. This comes after the citizens of Ohio voted to put an end to partisan gerrymandering in a previous election. The republican controlled Ohio Supreme Court struck down LaRose’s plan all three times stating that it was unconstitutional, yet he just did not care and continues to defy the Court.
So how does this get resolved? One, get out and vote on August 8th and protect your right to petition with a majority voice! The bonus just may be the ablity to protect women’s rights.
Secondly, voting on August 8th will show that Ohio is serious about democracy and these gerrymandering tactics will not succeed and the public should always have its voice and put an end to rigging the rules against democracy.