On Apple Planning to Ditch Touch Bar
Jan 21, 2021, 4:28 PM
Note: This is currently a rumor, and I hope it doesn’t come to pass.I remember the early 90s, when I was first considering getting a 5-string bass. 5-string had suddenly become very popular, thanks to Grunge and a lot of other popular...
My New Laptop
Nov 11, 2020, 4:21 PM
Yesterday I ordered a new Apple Silicon Mac. The 13-inch Pro, to be precise. With all the trimmings.I did this, even though:This is clearly a Mac meant to be a replacement for the entry-level 2-port model of the 13-inch Pro. Not the...
Finally, a Small Phone I Can Buy
Oct 15, 2020, 1:25 PM
Long-time readers know I am no fan of big phones. I’ve been begging Apple to make a smaller iPhone since the iPhone 6 was released. And while the SE was a smaller option for a while, I had many good reasons not to go in that direction.I...
My New Theory
Sep 22, 2020, 10:46 AM
Here’s my new theory. Maybe I’m nuts.The new Apple Solo loops are not about the Watch. They are an operations experiment, to see how well Apple can manufacture at grand scale products that are more personal and customizable than ever...
RECaf Gains Sleep Analysis, Other New Features
Sep 8, 2020, 9:13 AM
Rumor had it, Apple was going to add native sleep tracking to Apple Watch.In 2019.That summer, I began work to add sleep data analysis to RECaf, a feature I had wanted since I conceived of the app. The timing seemed right. If Apple were...
WWDC 2020
Jun 26, 2020, 12:21 PM
I totally understand why so many devs are loving the new WWDC format this year. I can see why many don’t want to see it go back to the “old” way. I don’t, either.There’s no question this online format gives more access to far more people.
“Sharing”
Jun 9, 2020, 10:43 AM
This privacy page in the HBO Max iOS app is a work of art.Let’s start with how I navigated here. (Shout out to Dave Mark for making me aware of its existence in the first place.) Launch the app, tap on the account tab on the bottom right,
Magic Keyboard for iPad, 2020: First Impressions
Apr 24, 2020, 6:50 PM
Over two years ago, I wrote a piece about long form writing on iPad, which I’ve grown to love as an activity over the years. My combination of iPad and Canopy/Magic Keyboard served me well for much of the intervening time.But then I made...
We’ve Changed
Feb 2, 2020, 10:09 AM
“it appears the world is going up in flames, both literally and figuratively, and the Apple rumor mill, which once brought us a bit of cheer throughout the winter doldrums, is now greeted with a general sense of weariness and...
About That Keyboard
Nov 16, 2019, 10:22 AM
I managed to get my fingers on one of the new MacBook Pro 16-inch laptops at an Apple Store yesterday. As someone who actually likes the butterfly keyboard that preceded it, I thought I’d share my perspective. I know I’m not alone in...
It’s not an App. It’s a Store.
Nov 1, 2019, 10:54 AM
Apple TV+ is launching today. We’ve already heard, and will continue to hear, hot takes on how Apple has far too little content, how the shows are hit or miss, that they can’t possibly compete with Netflix and Disney, and on and on.But...
SwiftUI and PopToRootController Workaround
Aug 30, 2019, 11:17 AM
I’m thoroughly enjoying using SwiftUI. But like any new API, there are limitations that can at times be maddening.One issue I ran into while developing the UI for logging custom and favorite items in my RECaf watch app was the lack of any...
Watch Dependence
Aug 11, 2019, 3:01 PM
I have reached the unfortunate conclusion that RECaf’s watch app will not be able to go fully independent this fall with the release of watchOS 6. While you have always been able to log from your wrist using the app or Siri shortcuts, I...
If the Shoe Doesn't Fit, Grab Your Shoehorn
Jul 1, 2019, 7:35 AM
The internal drama explains a lot about Apple’s dilemma. Its one major new product of the post-Jobs era, the Apple Watch, made its debut five years ago. Its iPhone business is faltering, and more recent releases like its wireless AirPods...
The Day the Duplicates Died
Jun 24, 2019, 9:13 AM
It’s almost hard to believe I wrote this post about duplicate track issues in iTunes and iCloud Music Library way back in December 2017, and yet, in the shipping version of iTunes today, that bug is still present.Not a day goes by since I...
On Intentional Subscriptions
May 28, 2019, 2:14 PM
There is a concept in user interface design called the Principle of Least Surprise, where you want to design systems in such a way that they surprise their users least. I think a similar concept applies to subscription pricing. The ideal...
Release Notes 2019
Apr 1, 2019, 1:00 PM
Tickets are now on sale for Release Notes 2019. Our show is already pretty close to sold out, but there are still some available spaces left.
Charles and I are really excited about this year’s show. We took a year off after our successful...
I Now Have a Cardiologist
Mar 28, 2019, 11:46 AM
With Apple’s release of watchOS 5.2, I see the ECG feature is now more widely available throughout Europe and other regions. That’s great news.
I want to encourage those of you with Apple Watch devices in those supported regions to go grab...
Some Thoughts on Apple’s Services Event:
Mar 26, 2019, 2:58 PM
Branding
Apple is clearly solidifying the prefix branding for its new products. (The “i” days are long behind us now.)
At the same time, they seem to be introducing + as a suffix. (Suddenly, Teleprompt+ feels ahead of its time.)
tv+...
RECaf 1.6
Feb 20, 2019, 8:46 AM
RECaf 1.6
For a while now, I’ve noticed RECaf users had a very different approach than I intended of logging an item from earlier in the day, or from the day before.
The frequents list on the front panel of RECaf is great for one-tap...