Virtual Reality is Here

A little different lead this time out… so a the IBS show this past week one of the bigger plays was showing Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) in action.  I have been following this space for our world for a while and I am huge fan of the potential.  The issue is the costs are so far in the stratosphere that putting this into play is just not realistic at this point.  But someday it’s going to be and when that happens, it will be a game changer.  The technology is incredible and it will allow the potential customer to see the end product in place and in action and that excites me.  I thought about this also during a recent trip to Florida.  I did the “Void” at Disney Springs and it is a truly immersive VR experience.  In this case I was in the middle of a Star Wars battle and I will tell you… It. Was. Real.   The detail was incredible.  Between that and seeing some of the tests with building products, I just can’t wait.   (Note there is a Void in Las Vegas, I may have to sneak to that before or after BEC)

If you’ve experienced the Void or have thoughts on VR or AR in our world, please drop me a line…

Elsewhere…

--  Last week I covered the beauty of the new Glass Magazine.  This week its time to look at the brains of it and also give out my “ad of the month.”  The articles this month feature detailed and intense reporting.  The World of Glass and Industry Forecast pieces were loaded with insight and I loved the “Trendhunter” piece by Ron Crowl of Fenetech.  I could see that series becoming a favorite of mine.  All in all a loaded issue content wise!

--  As for the ad of the month, I mentioned last week the ads just “popped” more and so this month it was tough to pick just one winner- so I have a few.  I really liked Swisspacer’s piece of cold and warm- really excellent use of an image and story.  I have no idea who deserves the credit from Swisspacer so please if you are reading this and you know the person- pass along my kudos!  I liked HHH’s new ad- it used color and image perfectly and jumped off the page.  Props to you Melissa Blank and Mike Synon!  FuseRocket from DFI was a fabulous ad.  Stopped me in my tracks.  Syndi Sim well done!  Last but not least the creative Q&A that Consolidated Glass Holdings caught me perfectly.  Great work by Angela Beach from CGH, who nailed it on a cool 2 page spread.  Overall this may have been the best magazine for ads I have ever seen.  May it continue!

--  The latest Architectural Billings Index came out and reported a huge positive jump last month. A massive score of 55.3 was posted and folks I will tell you I am stunned.  That is an amazing and unexpected report.  Obviously I’m thrilled with it, it’s the highest total in quite a while, but I surely did not expect it.  Let’s keep rolling.

--  Fellow road warriors… how about these new airplane seats?  I am always seeing these articles and wonder which major airline will jump in and take a chance with something radically different.

--  A list of the richest cities in the US came out this week…  and you know me, I love lists like this… the rankings are pretty static from last year but a few things jumped out.  Rumson, NJ jumped 19 spots this year to now the 19^th richest city in the US.  Which one of you glass superstars moved in there?  (I have never heard of that area) I was surprised to see my former home of Ohio have a few spots in the top 50 including Village of Indian Hill at #11.  I was also surprised that Malibu, CA was at 43^rd- I thought it would be higher- just my perception always assumed that.   Anyway the entire top 50 is HERE. 

--  Last this week… a hearty congratulations to John Wheaton.  25 years ago this past week John started his incredible firm Wheaton Sprague.  John is a wonderful, smart and positive voice in our industry and I am happy to see him celebrate the silver anniversary.  Well done John and here’s to many many more successful years ahead!

LINKS of the WEEK

--  Interesting take on the whole Amazon HQ 2 adventure.

--  I have used “hidden city” airline sites before but I have been wimping out on booking tickets- and now I am glad I do.  Story is one to watch here.

--  I am not a scientist or a beer drinker-  but can this be real?  Seems very far fetched.

VIDEO of the WEEK

Coming in March to Netflix… “The Dirt” which is based on the awesome book of the same name about the music group Motley Crue.   The book was incredible- how will the movie be?  I am pumped to see it….