WebGL provides a seamless Google Maps experience

WebGL allows web developers to build interactive 3D graphics within a modern browser (Chrome/Firefox). It basically allows websites to use your graphics card just like a desktop app or video game would. If you have a compatible browser and video card, you can head over to Google Maps and enable a WebGL experience. Using vector graphics, Google Maps with WebGL seamlessly zooms in and out without waiting for image tiles to load, transitions from maps to satellite images is snappy and swooping around the map in three dimensions feels natural.

This is how the future of web applications is going to look. Fast, reliable and nearly indistinguishable, in experience and performance, from their desktop counterparts.

See the video below for a demo.

Finally Friday - Want to Play Angry Birds, But Why?

I like playing some Angry Birds. I like, not love playing it, but a lot of people out there love it to the point of creepiness. How does a game developer get this kind of response? Nothing about the premise is truly revolutionary. It is pretty much a tower defense game from the perspective of the invaders. The true genius behind Angry Birds is in the user experience. Transitional wait times, air velocity, and mysterious elements all add to the greater allure and addictiveness of the game.

Check it out: Why Angry Birds is so successful: A cognitive teardown of the user experience

While it is a little bit of a long read it reveals the true reason why you can't just put this game down.