Apple Journal Concerns

I’ve been journaling for many years, using different apps, and typically like Apple’s software. So of course I’m interested in Apple’s upcoming new Journal app. But I have some reservations and don’t think I’ll be switching to it. In fact, I’ve already started journaling in another new app again.

A Week Without Apple Watch

After years of wearing my Apple Watch everyday, I thought about going without it for 24 hours. The idea made me hesitate. Wouldn’t I miss constant activity tracking and closing my fitness rings? Leaving my smart timepiece behind kind of felt like amputating an appendage. But I had to try, just for a day. It turned into a week-long experiment.

Unbundling The Apple One Subscription

This week, Apple raised the costs of its subscription services. Nobody likes a surprise price hike. I was reluctant to accept increased expenses. At the same time, my family was in need of more iCloud storage space, which would cost us more. One way or another, I wanted to avoid all this. So we quickly unbundled our subscription plan!

Logitech Folio Touch For iPad Review

If you want an iPad to be more than a tablet, you can totally have that. For my iPad Air 5 to replace my M1 MacBook Air, it needed a good keyboard and trackpad. It’s tough to get any better than Apple’s hardware, but the Magic Keyboard is expensive. So I found a good deal on a keyboard case by one of the next best gadget makers. It’s the Logitech Folio Touch. After a month of usage, I find it meets or exceeds my expectations. There are a few minor downsides, but overall it lets my tablet be my laptop.

My iPad Is My Computer Again

Five years ago today, I blogged that My iPad Is My Computer. Not much has changed overall. Back then, I used an iPad Air 2; now it’s an iPad Air 5. Since 2017, I’ve switched from a laptop to an iPad as my personal computer three different times. What’s so compelling about Apple’s tablet that I keep coming back to it? Chromebooks and MacBooks are adept mobile devices, but the iPad stands out in key ways. It’s simple, familiar, and flexible.

Newer Is Not Always Better And Change Is Hard

Something’s weird. I’m a tech nerd who likes to switch things up. A new or novel software feature excites me. I might be akin to an Apple Fanboy. Despite all that, the recent overhaul to how the Apple Watch works actually put me off; I’m not a fan. In early summer at WWDC23, WatchOS was hyped to have a new widget-based interaction model. But I must be doing it wrong. Or my aging brain is more averse to change than I thought. Is it a paradox, wanting new features but disliking change?

A Smartphone Is A Requirement

Most people today use a smartphone. We live in an app-driven culture, accessing the web and data any place or time. It’s convenient. And it’s expected to the point that, like electricity or water, a smartphone is now practically required to function in modern society. In fact, my job recently imposed on me in this regard, much to my dislike. But smartphones should be considered a luxury, not a necessity.

One Winner In Mobile Versus Console Gaming

Growing up, I was a console gamer like I am today, though I did own a few handheld systems and played PC games too. But there was a stretch of years when I only played mobile games on smartphones or tablets. Reminiscing of some enjoyable touch-based titles, I sometimes wonder why I don’t play mobile games anymore, especially now with better games and greater devices to play them.

October Activities

Howdy, friends. I can’t believe we’re nine days into October and I’ve yet to blog this month. Well, until now. I’ve been super busy and focused on adding a bathroom to our house. It’s a challenge and I’m in git’r’done mode. But that’s not all I’ve been up to, making progress in Tears of the Kingdom as well. Can’t be all work and no play. Topping things off, I’ve even been turning pages on my Kindle.