All Experience Dark Star Studios Inc.
(https://www.darkstarstudios.com)
All Experience
(Only major projects are listed)
See also: Projects by Software Language or Projects by Hardware platform

Project Title Platform Year Company
Android booking app for travel
Hotwire.com app
Android, iOS
Java, Kotlin, ObjC, Swfit
2021-current Hotwire, SF -- Principal Engineer
Mobile education product
Cash Assist
iOS
Swift
2021 Taoti, Washington DC -- Sole developer. Uses trained Tensorflow models to recognize and identify camera images of US currency.
Mobile education product
Cash Assist
Android
Kotlin
2020 - 2021 Taoti, Washington DC -- Sole developer. Uses trained Tensorflow models to recognize and identify camera images of US currency.
Mobile education product
Money Adventure
Android
Java
2018 - 2019 Taoti, Washington DC -- Sole developer. Money Adventure app. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.taoti.moneyadventure
Mobile education product
Money Adventure
iOS
Swift
2019 - 2021 Taoti, Washington DC -- Upgrading iOS and creating Android ‘Money Adventure’ app.
Mobile streaming video testing product
Lookback
Android
Kotlin
2019 Lookback, Stockholm/Palo Alto -- Short project to assist with rewriting current Android product
Mobile booking app for travel
Hotwire Hotels & Cars
Android
Java
2017 - 2021 Hotwire, CA -- Managing android team adding and enhancing features of Hotwire mobile apps -- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hotwire.hotels
Mobile booking app for travel
Hotwire Hotels & Cars
Android & iOS
Java, ObjC
2014 - 2017 Hotwire, CA -- Leading android and iOS team adding and enhancing features of Hotwire mobile apps.-- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hotwire.hotels
Panna Recipe Videos & Cooking Classes
Panna
Android
Java
2017 - 2019 Panna Cooking -- Sole Android developer creating hybrid native and web app with video player and Javascript hooks.
iOS App
Mobile app for Gig Workers/Employers
Android / iOS
Java / Swift
2016 RocketFarmStudios -- One of 4+ developers working on multi-platform/multi-app project with many screens for data entry/editing/review
Android App for Home IP Camera
Blink Camera
Android
Java
2015 - 2016 Immedia Semi -- Created app to interface to IP Cameras and cloud video storage. Primary Android developer. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.immediasemi.android.blink
Android Wear 3D watch app
3D Utility/Game App
Android
Java, C++, OpenGL
2015 - 2016 Dark Star Studios -- Developed a 3D utility/game app for the Android Wear watches (part time project)
Project Tango 3D AR App
Haunted House AR
Android
Java, C++, OpenGL
2015 - 2016 Dark Star Studios -- Developed a 3D augmented reality game (part time project), won cash prize for concept from Google
Currency Exchange App
Coinbase
Android
Java
2015 Coinbase -- One of 2 developers working on adding features to existing currency exchange app that keeps local database of ‘wallets’ along with comm. securely with exchange server. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.coinbase.android
Private Jet Booking App
MyJet
Android/iOS/Xamarin
Java, ObjectiveC, C#
2015 - 2016 Sole developer of a complete search/booking/planner/messaging app for booking private planes. (project currently on hold)
Wave Animation/Model
Simulate ocean surf
C#
Unity Game Engine, Unreal Engine, Blender
2015-2016 Dark Star Studios Inc. - sole developer
Port Obj C app to Swift
Convert an old productivity app to the Swift language
Obj C & Swift
XCode
2015 Dark Star Studios Inc. - sole developer of desktop calendar app
iOS Social/Medical App
iPhone app to share diagnostics and advice between medical professionals
iOS
Xcode
2014 RocketFarmStudios, NY -- short term assistance to existing team
Office suite for iPhone/iPad
Update/modify Sheets, Slides, and Docs
iOS
Xcode
2014 Shafer Systems, TX -- One of 3 developers upgrading/customizing office suite of integrated apps.
Real Estate app for iPad
App for Real Estate marketing
iOS
Xcode
2014 RocketFarmStudios, NY - Sole programmer.
Android 3D digitizing/viewing consumer application
Prototype app for interactive 3D experience
Android, iOS
Unity Game Engine
2014 RocketFarmStudios, NY - Sole developer of proof of concept consumer app.
Android Futuristic Prototypes
Prototype apps showing future mobile technology, augmented reality
Android
Java, JNI C, OpenGL ES
2014 RocketFarmStudios, NY - Sole developer of two proof of concept augmented reality apps for enterprise use.
Big screen (theater) multi-player video game.
Interactive multiplayer game from mobile phone to game server.
Windows
C++
2013 TimePlay , Toronto/L.A. - Sole developer of multiplayer hockey game running on Windows/DirectX, played in theatres
Android and iOS SDK performance evaluation
Winamp For Android
Android, iOS
Java, Objective C
2013 RocketFarmStudios, NY - Sole developer of apps for iOS and Android to stress an analytics SDK. Part of team of 2 creating unit tests.
Android Muzik client for custom headphones
(unreleased product)
Android
Java
2013 Applico, NYC - One of 2-3 developers creating music player for specialized hardware, local and streaming music and social features.
Android & iOS streaming radio player
Winamp For Android
Android, iOS
Java, Objective C
2013-2014 ClearChannel, NYC - Adding features to iHeartRadio for automobile use.
Android music player with cloud extensions
Winamp For Android
Android
Java
2013 AOL, Virginia - added cloud play, sync, search features to WinAmp for Android
iOS Music Player
Winamp For iOS
iOS
Objective C
2013 AOL, Virginia - Creating iOS version of Winamp mobile music player
iOS Upgrades
PriceGrabber
iOS
Objective C
2013 PriceGrabber, Calif. - Adding features to make existing app into hybrid web/client architecture for Spanish language app.
Android Upgrades
PriceGrabber
Android
Java
2013 PriceGrabber, Calif. - Sole programmer adding features to make existing app into hybrid web/client architecture
Android Tablet Video Player/App
Arts & Entertainment apps
Android
Java
2012-2013 A&E, NYC - created Android video player for network content delivery.
iPhone 5 Upgrades
PriceGrabber
iOS
Objective C
2012-2013 PriceGrabber, Calif. - Sole programmer adding features and iPhone 5 compatability.
Android Internet Radio/Automotive
iHeartRadio for Auto
Android
Java
2012-2013 ClearChannel, NYC (1 of 3 Android programmers on team porting iHeartRadio UI to work with automotive audio head-units)
Android Timecard Entry App
Enterprise app
Android
Java
2012-2013 CareerFirsts, NYC (sole programmer/developer)
Android Music Player
Android tablet, phone
Android
Java
2012 AOL, Virginia (assisting with adding features to and porting of WinAmp to tablets)
Android VNC Client
Android tablet and Smart Phone versions of WSJ
Android
Java, JNI C
2012 Antecea, MA (set up Android client, interfaced with existing VNC C code)
Android Honeycomb / News Reader
Android tablet and Smart Phone versions of WSJ
Android
Java
2012 Dow Jones (Wall Street Journal), NYC (3 developers)
Amazon Kindle News Reader
Mobile access to remote Juke Box, social
Android
Java
2011-2012 Dow Jones (Wall Street Journal), NYC (3 developers)
iOS Instructor
Mobile access to remote Juke Box, social
iOS
Objective C
2011 Instructor for 60 hr course in advanced iOS programming, NJ.
Android social media app
Mobile access to remote Juke Box, social
Android
Java
2011 TouchTunes, Montreal (Android client programmer)
iOS & Android POC
Proof of concept, networking, point of sale, location
iOS, Android
Objective C, Java
2011 AT&T Research, NJ (client programmer)
Mac OS X Stream Analysis Tool
Mac
Mac OS X, Java
2011 Competitrack, NY (sole developer)
iPad Business Analysis App
iPad
Objective C++
2011 SAP, Calif. (2 developers)
Android & iPad News Readers
Android, iOS
Java, Objective C++
2010-2011 Dow Jones (Wall Street Journal, NYPost), NYC (5 developers)
BREW video game
Verizon BREW
C++
2010-2011 Connect2Media, London (sole programmer)
iPhone/Android/Blackberry
Proof of concept, audio, networking, security
iPhone
Objective C++
2010 AT&T Research, NJ (client programmer)
iPhone Game Upgrade
Game feature enhancements
iPhone
Objective C++
2010 Treemo, Calif (sole developer)
iPad Application
Port from iPhone
iPad
Objective C++
2010 PriceGrabber, Calif (contributer - contracting through Pick Up And Play)
Android Application
Portal to online e-commerce
Android
Java
2010 PriceGrabber, Calif (sole developer - contracting through Pick Up And Play)
Multimedia Application
System architecture, events/messaging , UI subsystems
BREW
C++
2010 Wilshire Media Group, Calif - app is the primary interface to the Muve music service on Cricket handsets
iPhone Application
Portal to online e-commerce
iPhone
Objective C++
2009 PriceGrabber, Calif (sole developer - contracting through Pick Up And Play)
J2ME Application
UI for online personal data sync
Blackberry, etc.
Java, J2ME-Polish
2009 Fusion One, Calif (sole developer - contracting through Pick Up And Play)
3 iPhone Games
Games using accel and microphone inputs.
iPhone
C++, OpenGL, Objective C++
2009 Treemo (lead for team of 3)
BREW App. porting
Port of camera and audio intensive app to dozens of BREW phones.
BREW
C++
2009 Strumsoft (sole developer - contracting through Pick Up And Play)
iFPS Online
3D multi-player online game
iPhone
C++, OpenGL, Objective C++, ARM Asm
2009 Pick Up And Play (lead for team of up to 6)
ITGE
Conversion of Torque Game Engine from Mac to iPhone
iPhone, Mac
C++, Objective C++, OpenGL
2008-2009 Garage Games (sole developer - contracting through Pick Up And Play)
IGN GameSpy
SDK and sample game for iPhone
iPhone
C++, Objective C++
2008 IGN (sole developer - contracting through SpeakTech)
MySpace
Application for iPhone and Android
Application for iPhone and Android
C++, Objective C++, Java
2008 MySpace/Fox Interactive (part of team of 4 - contracting through SpeakTech)
Nintendo Wii game development
Full length (still unpublished) Video Game
Nintendo Wii SDKs
C++
2007-2008 Pick Up & Play, Laguna Hills
MaMoCa3D
3D Modeling and Motion Capture console
Windows and Linux
C++,Python,XML,OpenGL
2006-2007 MaMoCa, Inc., Santa Ana (contractng through Pick Up And Play)
Mobile Postcards and Wallpapers
Mobile UI, scripting and net interfaces
BREW and J2ME
C++
2005 DotPhoto, N.J. (contracting through Pick Up And Play)
Mobile/online PDA synch. Applications
Secure synchronization of phone contact information with online database
ARM
BREW,C++
2005 Tarsin, Lake Tahoe (contracting through Pick Up And Play)
BREW Internals
DRM and auto-install firmware
ARM
C++,XML,ROAP
2005 Qualcomm, San Diego (contractng through Pick Up And Play)
Barnyard Bouncin, Alien Siege, Turkey Shoot, Santa's Workshop
Cellphone Games on Verizon, Sprint and many more (see www.puap.com)
J2ME & BREW SDKs
Java,C++
2002-2007 Pick Up & Play, Laguna Hills
NCAA Final Four Basketball (989) Sony PS2 Dev System
C++
2003 Killer Game, San Diego
Midnight Club II
Xbox (Rockstar)
Microsoft Xbox Dev System
C++, DirectX
2002 Angel Studios, San Diego
Smugglers Run II Warzones
GameCube Video Game (Rockstar)
Nintendo GameCube Dev System
C++
2002 Angel Studios, San Diego
Interactive Golf Simulator
Outdoor pedestal -- interactive multimedia, flat panel display, Dallas Semi iButton, radar ranging
Win98
Java
2001 Virtual Range, Naples, FL
Test Drive Offroad 4
Playstation 2 and Microsoft Xbox Video Game (Infogrames)
Sony PS2 Dev System, Microsoft Xbox Dev System
C++, HTML, JavaScript
2001 Angel Studios, San Diego
SCSI Win32 file system
For embedded instrument
Motorolla 68332, WinNT
Visual C++/MFC
2001 Ocean Sensors, San Diego
Midnight Club
Playstation 2 Video Game (Rockstar)
Sony PS2 Dev System
C++, HTML, JavaScript
2000 Angel Studios, San Diego
Smugglers Run
Playstation 2 Video Game (Rockstar)
Sony PS2 Dev System
C++, HTML, JavaScript
2000 Angel Studios, San Diego
Extreme Golf
Nintendo 64 Video Game (cancelled)
R4400, N64/SGI Dev System
C, R4400 Asm
1998 Angel Studios, San Diego
R/T Control Software
Editor/Interpretter & R/T Parallel State Machine
68332, SDS Dev System
C, 68000 Asm
1998 Ocean Sensors, San Diego
Virtual Scope
Virtual Oscilloscope for Windows
Win 3.1, Win95/NT
Visual C++/MFC
1998 Ocean Sensors, San Diego
Madison Avenue Races
Demonstration Slot Machine
DOS
Borland C++
1998 Anthem Gaming, San Diego
User Interface to Instrumentation
GUI for interface with OS200 sensor unit
Win 3.1, Win95/NT
Visual C++/MFC
1997 Ocean Sensors, San Diego
Hell's Kitchen
Demonstration 3D Shooter
PS1
GNU C, R3000 Asm
1997 Killer Game, San Diego
Courier Crisis
3D Arcade Action
PS1 & Saturn
GNU C, R3000 Asm, Delphi Tools
1996-1997 New Level Software, San Diego
Game Day Football
Frontend Splash/Menus
PS1
GNU C, R3000 Asm
1995 Sony Interactive Studios, San Diego
Display Engines/Tools
Hockey, Baseball
PS1
Delphi, Borland C++, GNU C, R3000 Asm
1994-1995 Sony Interactive Studios
Consultation Playstation 1994 Curriculum TV (Lightspan), San Diego
ESPN Baseball Pennant Race Sega CD
68000 Asm
1994 Sony Imagesoft, San Diego
(Tengen) Awesome Baby Basketball Sega Genesis
68000 Asm
1993 Park Place Productions, Carlsbad
Sprite Cutter, Graphics Tools SNES, Genesis
68000 Asm, Borland C++, Pascal
1993 Park Place Productions, Carlsbad
Port of Mac "LecturActive" to Windows Toolbook Mac Hypercard, Windows Toolbook
Pascal DLL
1993 Archipelago Productions, Del Mar
Port of Mac "Science Essentials" to Windows Toolbook Mac Hypercard, Windows Toolbook
Toolbook
1992 Archipelago Productions, Del Mar
Cacique
Spanish Multimedia Education Demonstration
Windows
Smalltalk, Borland Pascal
1992 Jostens Learning, San Diego
Lantastic Network Maintenance Windows, DOS 1992 Spring Color, San Diego
Auto/Manual Modem Communications Software DOS
Borland Pascal, 80x86 Asm
1991 Entrance Controls, HI
Tandy Laptop Receipt Generator Tandy Laptop
8085 Asm
1991 Entrance Controls, HI
DataPark MPU Controller
Complete hardware/firmware design, PC layout, prototype
64180
64180 Asm
1991 Datapark, Union City
Credit Card Reader
Firmware design, PC interface
DOS, 64180
Pascal, 80x86 & 64180 Asm
1991 Datapark, Union City
John Wayne Airport, Orange Co. Civic Ctr Parking System
Multi-computer, hierarchical topology, management, control, data acquisition and communications software
DOS, 64180
Pascal, C, 80x86 & 64180 Asm
1991 Datapark, Union City
PC Expansion Chassis
Hardware design
Logic 1991 Viewport Technologies, Santa Clara
Multi-tasking voice mail system DOS TSR 1991 Talking Technology, Alameda
Controller/Communications Board
Hardware and Firmware
64180
64180 Asm
1990 Datapark, Union City
Communications Relay Board
Hardware design
Logic 1990 Datapark, Union City
On-line Cash Register
Hardware and Firmware design
64180
64180 Asm
1990 Datapark, Union City
San Diego Convention Ctr, Aventine Parking Lot
Multi-computer, hierarchical topology, management, control, data acquisition and communications software
DOS, 64180
Pascal, C, 80x86 & 64180 Asm
1990 Datapark, Union City
Chemistry
Information Life Science Series
Windows
Actor (OOP)
1989 Another Adventure, Palo Alto
Hi-res, multi-user graphics terminal
Hardware design
Logic 1989 Viewport Technologies, Santa Clara
Pen Plotter
Hardware/Firmware design
64180
64180 Asm
1989 Zericon, Milpitas
Parking lot system
Hardware and Software design
DOS 1989 Intertech, Union City
Earth Science
Information Life Science Series
Apple IIgs
C, 65816 Asm
1988 Another Adventure, Palo Alto
Life Science
Information Life Science Series
Apple IIgs
C, 65816 Asm
1988 Another Adventure, Palo Alto
Parking lot system
Hardware and Software design
DOS 1988 Intertech, Union City
Life Science
Information Life Science Series
Apple II+
6502 Asm
1987 Another Adventure, Palo Alto
Multi-computer Diet Center
Diet Center management software, hardware and software drivers for instrumentation
DOS 1987 Berkeley Medical Research, San Leandro
Exercise Bicycle
Microprocessor controlled/programmed exercise bike with heart rate sensor
8096 & 80x86 Asm 1987 Berkeley Medical Research, San Leandro
Cross Assemblers, Symbolic Debuggers TI99, Coleco, Atari, Commodore
Z80, PDP11, 6502, TI99 Asm
1986 Activision, Redwood City
Infrared alcohol and acetone breath tester
Hardware and firmware design
6502
6502 Asm
1985 Caldetect, Richmond
Graphics workstations
4010/4020 emulations
6809
6809 Asm
1984 Selanar Corp., Santa Clara
Semiconductor SECS communications line monitor/tester DOS
Pascal
1984 Optical Specialties, Milpitas
Cartoon Programmer
Pre-School Logic Game
Commodore 64
6502 Asm
1984 Childware, Mt. View
Number Tumblers
Grade School Arithmetic Game
Commodore 64
6502 Asm
1984 Childware, Mt. View
Up & Add 'Em
Pre-School Arithmetic Game
Commodore 64
6502 Asm
1983 Childware, Mt. View
Fuel cell alcohol breath tester
Hardware and firmware design
F8
F8 Asm
1983 Caldetect, Richmond
Graphics printer 6809, 8085
6809 & 8085 Asm
1983 Selanar Corp., Santa Clara
Semiconducter Wafer Oven System RTOS
Control, communications, management software
6803, 6805, 6809
6803, 6805, 6809 Asm
1982 Tempress, Los Gatos
Graphics printer F8
F8 Asm
1982 Selanar Corp., Santa Clara
Multi-channel digital-analog tape recorder
64 channel digital tape recorder control
Logic 1982 Precision Echo, Sunnyvale
SECS Communications simulator/tester 6805
6805 Asm
1981 Tempress, Los Gatos


Ancient history: 1973-1981, many contract/consulting projects, including...
Intelligent telephones (4-bit appliance processors)
Arcade Video Games for Meadows Games and Wizard Kings, including

  • Laser Command
  • Cobra Gunship
  • Deadeye
  • Gypsy Juggler
  • Grid Iron
  • Big Foot Bonkers (hardware)
    (all hardware design, F8 and 2650 assembly language)

    Graphics printers and CRT terminals hardware design.
    Minicomputer graphics controller cards.
    Software translations (microprocessor assembly languages).
    Satellite Launch Tracking Emulation. (1974)
    Mainframe-minicomputer shared memory. (1974)
    Automated blood pH, Na, K, Cl tester (PPS-25 hardware/assembly language) (1974)
    Household solar energy monitor/controller (F8 hardware/assembly language)
    Macro keyboard for Apple 2+
    Special function calculators (for sea and air navigation). (1974)
    Game playing calculator. (1974)
    RAM Loader. Paper tape reader with interface & formatter. (1974)
    Pocket Pilot's Calculator. (PPS-25 hardware/assembly language) (1973)
    Misc. support tools, e.g., Cross assemblers, Source-to-source translaters, Wire List generators, Basic language interpreter, Micro code assembler, peripheral (hardware) interfaces for line printer, cassets, paper tape reader, PDP-11 data link, etc.

    1973 Singer Business Machines, San Leandro, CA
    (F/T) Designed 8-bit, single chip CMOS microprocessor and support chips for point of sale terminals.
    Designed hardware simulators and software debuggers and cross assemblers.
    1969-1972 Lockheed Missiles and Space, Sunnyvale, CA
    (F/T) Designed automated test equipment hardware and language compilers.

    1969 CW Hicks graduated with BSEE from UC Davis.