Game
My Horizon Zero Dawn PC Performance Review
This is my firs try at this sort of thing, but I did a few minutes of commentary on how
Blog
Links
Chrome Becoming a Password Manager on iOS
The beta version of Google Chrome for iOS recently gained the ability to act as a password manager. This is going to be huge.
For lots of people, Chrome is the place they store their passwords and payment details. While people like me (and probably you) like 1Password or LastPass for this, there are tons
Apple
I Never Have to Accidentally Quit Safari Again (using Keyboard Maestro)
I know Mac die-hards hate the relatively new Chrome (and Edge) behavior where you have to hold down the
Links
Netflix and Xbox Game Pass: Are They the Same Thing?
Microsoft announced they are releasing their Project xCloud as a new feature in Xbox Game Pass on September 15. This
Links
I Feel Like a Chump
Google discontinues Pixel 4 after less than a year - 9to5Google
Google confirmed to us that it has discontinued the Pixel 4 line. It will no longer be sold on the Google Store, though it will be available from other retailers while supplies last. The company reiterates that the phones will receive OS and monthly security
Politics
Lift Your Head Out of the River
One of the things I’ve been thinking about lately is how to best consume the news. We live in a time of excess when it comes to news sources and while this is great in many ways, it’s also undeniably dangerous. False news stories crop up all the time, and any idiot with
Links
Widgets on the iPad
The Case for Better iPad Widgets - Jeff Perry
I immediately thought that this was some kind of bug, surely Apple has this planned for the iPad as well right? Wrong. Craig Federighi explained on the podcast Waveform that widgets for the iPad will continue to be constrained.
I had the same reaction after installing the
Android
Thoughts on the New Pixel 4a
Google unveiled the Pixel 4a yesterday, their successor to last year's budget-phone champ, the Pixel 3a. I
video
Why Things 3 is my Favorite GTD Task Manager
Alright, I think this is the video I've been drifting towards for a few weeks now on A
video
Using Things to Track Great Gift Ideas Throughout the Year
I figured out this trick last fall when I was really jumping back into Things in a big way, and it made the holiday season much easier for me. I now know what I can put on a list for my parents, as well as personalized gift ideas that come up throughout the year for
Apple
If Not 30%, What? 4 Ideas on How to Improve App Store Pricing
So I’ve spent a while explaining why I think the 30% cut Apple takes on every sale made on the App Store is not the way it should work in 2020. To summarize:
1. I looked at how taking your own payments is way cheaper than 30%
2. I talked about the benefits of
Apple
On the App Store Turning a Profit
My days-long exploration of App Store pricing has not resulted in actual fisticuffs, but it’s certainly helped me understand why some people feel that “this is fine” and devs should deal with it. The biggest thing people keep coming back to is “the App Store needs to break even”.
My retort: no, it
Links
Shaking Up Email is Worth Paying For
My Thoughts on HEY and Why I’m Paying for Emails in 2020
Let me tell you something: I’m paying to get my emails, even in 2020. In fact, I’m willing to pay for something that tries to reinvent a user experience and succeeds at doing it yet fitting with my desired workflow.
Apple
Why 30%?
I keep thinking about this 30% cut Apple gets on App Store purchases. The conversation usually has three general sides:
1. 30% is the right number
2. 30% is too high and it should be lowered to something like 10%
3. 30% is okay, but merchants should be able to do payments themselves if they
Links
One is a Tragedy, One Million is a Statistic
What makes people stop caring? - BBC
While most of us will see a single death as a tragedy, we can struggle to have the same response to large-scale loss of life. Too often, the deaths of many simply become a statistic.
The millions of lives lost in natural disasters, wars or to famine, for
Links
Plan Your Time
How to Plan Your Week Like a Boss - Shawn Blanc
Start by writing down everything you need and want to get done this week. From the bigger projects all the way down to the smaller tasks.
As I wrote about yesterday, offloading your brain like this is incredibly powerful, and I highly suggest you find
meta
Subscribe to A Better Computer
Almost 2 months ago I launched A Better Computer, a new YouTube channel where I planned on looking at the tips and tricks I use to be productive on the many computers in my life. Since then I've posted 18 videos and I'm getting a feel for what works and what
Links
Restaurants, QR Codes, Splitting the Check, and a Peek Into My Day Job
All Of A Sudden, Qr Codes Are Everywhere
For restaurants, the codes can help solve the labor crunch brought on by the pandemic by requiring less waitstaff. They also offer an opportunity to engage more deeply with guests.
“This is the first time that restaurant POS [systems] have really had access to the patron of