Both are good

I know it must be a lot too take in if you're new

it's not like just understanding 1 new feature which is all we're often asked to do with a new coin. I can try help with a summary of their main activities -
BitShares XSummary:
http://invictus-innovations.com/bitshares-as-dac-bankView Progress:
https://bitsharestalk.org/index.php?board=3.0BitShares DNSVideo Summary
http://vimeo.com/user24356268/review/89219239/9a45e730ca Check Progress
https://bitsharestalk.org/index.php?board=50.0BitShares MusicLet's talk Bitcoin interview gives a good summary (Starts at 31 minutes, or skip to 40 minutes for simple explanation.)
http://letstalkbitcoin.com/blog/post/bitcoins-gravy-18-silver-bullets-and-the-5th-beatleWe will be the first full blown, feautured, public, in your face, we take credit card, paypal, crypto, buy your song,
look out iTunes, get out of my way Amazon, I am coming up the middle, I am coming right up the middle!
View Progress https://bitsharestalk.org/index.php?board=54.0
BitShares GamingGraphic Summary:
https://bitsharestalk.org/index.php?topic=4597.0View progress:
https://bitsharestalk.org/index.php?board=55.0Those are the main ones they're working on I think.
There's also Keyhotee which isn't a company as such, but very interesting
Video summary:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pZaTdEtK-8Keyhotee is a platform for taking back control of your digital life by combining your identity, your communications, and your finances into a single secure program. Keyhotee is under active development and currently provides an alternative to BitMessage
Some development going on in Lending & Insurance DAC's too...