In the mean time, Travis and I have been re-evaluating the xenoDisplay and platform support.  The iPhone OS (now iOS) has presented us with some problematic restrictions and honestly, I’m not sure it’s going to work out as planned.  We originally picked the iPhone OS because it IS the most popular platform for mobile smart devices and because I have experience developing for the iPhone.  What we don’t like is the restrictions (some artificial, some less so) that Apple has on iPhone development that make it hard to develop the xenoDisplay Application for the iPhone.

So where does that leave us?  Well, we’re not sure, but I suspect there is a good chance we’ll be moving to Android for the xenoDisplay.   We’re also considering moving to an Open Source model for the xenoDisplay (!).  I’m not sure what form of licensing that will entail, but most likely, it would be free for personal (single user) use, so hobbyist EV builders can use it without having to pay.

Okay, so how is the SPARC coming then?  The work on the SPARC continues in a round about way.  Right now, I’m honing  my Carbon Fiber fabrication skills by building a recumbent bike with a Carbon Fiber frame.  The reason for this project (besides me always having wanted to build a recumbent bike) is to work out the kinks in Carbon Fiber fabrication on a relatively small scale before committing to the large scale project of the SPARC.  By doing so, I minimize the number of mistakes that would be much more costly when done on the SPARC than on the bike frame.   So far, the practice has proven to be very worthwhile.  I am shooting for a completion date of July 4th (roughly) for the recumbent bike.  It’s aggressive, but I really want to get it done ASAP.  I’ll try to post some pics and updates on occasion.  Knowing me though, I’ll probably forget and just post the “done” pics..

Once the bike frame has been completed, I’ll return to the SPARC project.  I am eager to get the SPARC on the road (even if only in a skeletal state), and to get it to that point only really requires that the drive train be installed and all the electrical components built up.  The only real fabrication work necessary for that to happen is building the battery box since Kale was kind enough to include a nice motor face mount and belly support with the frame.

So that’s the quick update from here.  Hope all your projects are going well!

Eric

XENOPI.COM Mobile

The mobile version of XENOPI.COM uses the “Carrington” theme which is a very simple theme that eliminates all front page images, but maintains them in pages and posts.  We might add an iPhone specific theme for a more “integrated” look for iPhone visitors, but that’s not set in stone.

Please let us know what you think and if you encounter any problems with the site.  We’re always looking for ways to improve the site, so please don’t hesitate if you have a suggestion or comment.

Eric

Click HERE to go to the Xenopi Studios Forums.

xenoDisplay with a Black & White Daytime Theme

Xenopi Studios is proud to announce our first product for Electric Vehicles: xenoDisplay.

xenoDisplay is a combination of software for your Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad and hardware that allows you to monitor your Electric Vehicle’s onboard systems via a dedicated wireless connection.

xenoDisplay is currently in development.  For more information, please go to the xenoDisplay Product Page.

We’ve switched to a WordPress-based site that will allow us to easily post updates.   Since we want to be responsive and connected to Xenopi fans, customers, & clients, we’ve also added a forum to facilitate discussion with us (and each other) as well.

Soon we’ll be revealing our first non-game product, “xenoDisplay” and after that you can follow along as we release news and info about our exciting expansion into electric vehicles and technology.  Electric Vehicles are something that Eric has been excited about for a long time, so it only seemed natural to incorporate this passion into Xenopi’s vision.  We’re not going it alone though.  Xenopi is in the process of developing relationships with other electric vehicle companies and individuals.

Are we still going to make video games?  Of course! we’re still passionate about video games.  You’ll still see us putting out new games here and there.  We love making video games.   It’s just not the only thing we do anymore.

Speaking of video games, we also offer video game related contracting services now.   If you have some artwork (or programming) that you need help with, please contact us – we offer competitive rates and an experienced staff.   Go here for contact information.

We hope you enjoy our new look, new direction, and features!

Eric & Lee

After 10 years of being exclusively a videogame development company, Xenopi Studios is moving in a new direction – sustainability.  Specifically, we’re taking our skills and applying them to the goal of sustainable living.  The first fruits of these efforts will be in the area of electric vehicles (or EV’s as their commonly known).  We believe the future of sustainable living includes a transportation model that is less dependent on fossil fuels, and we see EV’s as the prime candidate for attaining that model.  We’re making our own little contribution towards changing the world we live in.  Hopefully, for the better.

It’s been a long journey.  One with lots of highs and lows.  Through it all, we’ve always kept the faith and the love for what we do.  Videogames are something we’ll always be passionate about, but as they say, “there is more to life than fun and games”.

As a father of two young children, I look at the world around us and wonder what the future will bring.  Huge challenges face not only us, but future generations.   We only have one planet to bequeath to our children.  Our way of life is unsustainable and the time for sitting on the sidelines is rapidly disappearing.  I believe that we are at a critical juncture in our history as a society.  Will we, as a society, choose to exchange our consumptive, inefficient, and unsustainable way of life for one that is productive, efficient, and sustainable?

What I do believe is that God calls on us to be responsible for our actions.  To care for those who are around us, and to cherish what he has entrusted to our care.  The time has come to make a choice.  I choose to take action.  I choose to work for our children.  I choose to be part of the solution.

I encourage you to make a choice for the future too.

Eric