HornetCAST 360 - ESU's first 360 degree IT Podcast!

This week we embarked on a new endeavor--podcasting!  But this is no normal podcast--this one is video and 360 degrees!  That means you can interact with the video by scrolling around the video or watching it in your favorite VR gear.  Since this was our first attempt, it's a little rough and we're working on adding in graphics and more features.  For our inaugural episode, Tyler and I discuss our experience at the annual Microsoft Ignite conference, then Sandy joins us to cover all the latest devices and technology news from the past couple weeks that will impact ESU.  Check out HornetCAST 360 and let us know what you think!

Watch it here!

Brian Osbourn
Director, Web & Digital Strategies

A Cheaper Alternative to VR!

The Oculus Go was released this past May and it is an affordable price to get into the VR world. Although this isn't the most advanced tech in the VR world, for $199 it matches up pretty strong against the two flagship VR devices, the Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive. To give you a price comparison, the Oculus Rift sells for $399 and the HTC Vive for $499. Another difference between the Oculus Go and the other two is that the Oculus Go is a standalone device. This means that you don't need a phone or computer to power your VR world. You won't only save on the VR headset, but also a VR Ready device! So, if you're a student looking to get into VR, take a look at the Oculus Go!

Sam Derksen
Student Web Developer
Web and Digital Strategies

Create Your Own Augmented Reality with Lens Studio

Create Your Own Augmented Reality with Lens Studio 

Have you even wanted to make your own augmented reality (AR) characters, objects, or art well now there is a chance with Snapchat's creation of Lens Studio that lets users put their creative pieces in augmented reality for everyone to experience and enjoy.

Lens Studio launched on December 14, 2017.  Following the launch Snapchat employees created instructional videos (https://lensstudio.snapchat.com/guides/getting-started/) to introduce and educate new users on how the software works along with how to operate the technology.

This software will open opportunities for lots of creativity and projects in AR while giving new users the ability to understand how AR works furthering this technology.

Us at ESU IT have even gotten to work with Lens Studio and put Emporia State's mascot Corky into AR to create some videos with Corky. Here is our result:

So for those who have ever wanted a specific character, object, or art for Snapchat now it is possible with Lens Studio. Coding and programming knowledge is not needed just select the wanted template, clear some space for the wanted image, and upload the desired image.