Apple AR/VR
Excited about Apple's new AR/VR headset, but the struggle of learning to code for yet another platform is real! However, the potential for immersive experiences and cutting-edge innovation keeps me motivated.
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Notes
The Arc Browser
I recently discovered Arc Browser and it's an incredible tool for organizing and browsing the web! Sleek interface, seamless navigation, and customizable features make it my current must-have.
WDN Web Docs
WDN Web Docs play a huge and vital role in shaping our digital landscape. I don't understand why I don't reference it as much as I should, but from HTML to CSS, JavaScript to accessibility, they've empowered developers with essential knowledge.
The Power of Planning
It's easy for client project planning, design/development scheduling, networking, continuing education, personal branding, and technology experiments to get ignored or undervalued due to current deadlines and unforeseen client emergencies. I personally map, plan, and do personal inventory every Friday afternoon with the hopes of staying focused. "Plan for what it is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small.
Domain Names, My Only Vice
I admit it. I'm an addict. I constantly feel the need to register domain names just to redirect them to my main website brandennnichols.com. Case in point, I've made four more 2AM purchases – nashvilleappdeveloper.com nashvillemobiledeveloper.com nashvillewebsitedeveloper.com nashvilleweb3developer.com
WWDC23
I've never gotten much out of the in-person WWDC experience – education, tools, networking opportunities, etc. and I don't see that changing anytime soon. That being said, I will defiantly binge content on the Apple Developer app.
TikTok for Search?
Is TikTok's popularity among Gen Z for search (Vs Google) symbolic of a lack of diverse interests? I've run my own tests and mimicked Wired's Lauren Goode's experiment in spending a week using only TikTok for search. Try to find a coffee shop location, a business review, a definition of a word and/or phrase and you will be throughly disappointed – no angry. With that being said, I see the mindless entertainment factor and how people could get lost in the endless scroll of cat videos.
Adobe Document API
As an Adobe Certified Expert, I've built many dynamic documents and reports for client web and mobile applications. Last week I finally had the opportunity (by client request) to use the Adobe Document Generation API to merge data from multiple CRM SQL calls to create a final PDF document formatted perfectly based on a predesigned template. Highly recommend for use in both web and mobile projects. 📄📊
Nostr, A Quick Review
Nostr (Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays) at it's core is flat out Awesome. I've spent the last couple of weeks following the white rabbit and the concepts of relays and owning your data are unique and, frankly, outstanding. There's a bit of a hurdle getting started, the "conversation" is lacking, and most clients are clunky (minus Damus for iOS), but I'm bullish on a future with Nostr. It definitely deserves your attention. Learn More »
Sky Defender for WatchOS
Took some effort, but Sky Defender is now running on WatchOS 9. 🔥🔥🔥 Tons of lessons learned in dealing with touch radiuses!
iOS Application Preview
A busy few weeks of building/upgrading client database architecture and general DBA duties, but here’s a quick preview of the new Branden Nichols iOS app. Some minor preflight testing before submitting to the AppStore. Clients will be able to track tasks, tickets, notes, invoices, and more!
Free Phone Consultation
Book a phone consultation to ask me about anything! If you'd like to see if I'm a good fit for your digital project before we build formal requirements, book a 15 minute phone consultation with me to discuss your goals and get your questions answered. During our consultation, you will receive a 20% off discount towards any awesome digital product I design + build. Book Now »
More Machine Learning
Fascinating results of the Machine Learning (ML) Python script I quickly wrote a few weeks ago. 🔥 Bring back the long hair circa February 2022?
Algorithms 101
Are custom algorithms that control what we view and interact with mystical, complex and/or proprietary? Not necessarily, just datapoints with human adjustments and weighted values. A simple peek behind the curtain.
Google Live from Paris
Just realizing the Google Live from Paris event starts Wednesday at 7:30 AM locally. 🚨 Alert – adjust calendars accordingly.
SRM Concrete 2023
Requirements scrum meeting. Big things and chanllenging feature rich projects to come! 💪
Crash Report
It's been a productive week of debugging, refining, and refactoring code – all the little items that go unnoticed by users the weeks following a launch. My goal is to always have 0 crashes, but seeing it on App Store Connect always brings me joy.
Machine Learning
Machine Learning (ML) is finally getting a little interesting. These are the results of a quick Python script I cooked up a few weeks ago. Of course, there will be more to come. 🔥🔥🔥
Custom Pillows
An old mentor of mine once said, "If you can't find it, make it". New custom brandennichols.com pillows for the office lounge. Dedication to “The Brand” in 2023.
Inspiring Illustrations
Amazing work by Aleksey Rico. The work done for The Thing board game is inspiring. The illustrations are second to none and the project is rattled with easter eggs. Definitely made me smile. Keep up the awesome work Aleksey. Enjoy »
Twitter Verified
Has the Twitter user experience improved, since being "verified"? Short answer, yes. There is far less bots and spam making it into my feed and DMs. My follower count has taken a hit, but I've never put much value in the follower metric as a determination of audience size and reach. Over the last several weeks, topic trends have improved slightly, but both search and trending platform functionality need some work. Thoughts? DM Me »
Sports Analytics
Spring is always a great time to be a sports fan and numbers geek. The abundance of sports odds apis that have cropped up over recent years has got my inner data scientist jumping with joy. Needless to say, I've gone down the deep rabbit hole of building my own Python desktop client that interacts with the awesome "The Odds API". API Docs »
Project Launch
It's taken a great deal of hard work, building of APIs, redevloping UI/UX interactions, and retooling code, but Version 2.0 of the SRM Concrete iOS and Android universal mobile application is complete. Download »
Building Decentralized Applications
Should you care about DAPPS? How do Decentralized Applications (DAPPS) relate to my business? I had some great questions and input in my INBOX over the last several months regarding the topic. Business leaders from all verticals are really interested in the future of the web and the opportunities ahead. Hit me up to learn more about how DAPPS might impact your business and industry. DM Me »
Non-digital Experiments
By no means do I consider myself an artist, but I do enjoy the challenge of completing a non-digital project. I paint abstract landscapes and like to consider myself, at best, a remedial Neo-Surreal Abstract Landscape Artist. Gallery »
Jean-Michel Inspiration
An artist who rose to success during the 1980s as part of the Neo-expressionism movement and still a major inspiration of mine. Stumbled upon this fine JMB website with awesome parallax movements and animations. Enjoy »
Web3 Got You Down?
You're confused, lost, and downright exhausted hearing about Crypto, NFTs, and The Blockchain. Unfortunately, I feel the pain of the overwhelming hype of the next iteration of the internet. Don't be jadded, Web3 is not Web 2.0. An archive Forbes article I discovered in my saved bookmarks does I great job of simplifying things. Learn More »
Weather Happiness Index
Is happiness based on your location and weather conditions? I decided to spend a Sunday afternoon and put together a quick algorithm to see if the weather determined my mood. GitHub Repo »