According to 404 Media, disturbing reports suggest that Tumblr and WordPress.com are gearing up to sell user data to Midjourney and OpenAI for AI training purposes. This information comes from a source with insider knowledge of the deals and internal documentation referencing the transactions.
I find this situation unacceptable.
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Lately, I’ve noticed a growing trend among fellow bloggers as they attempt to monetize their blog. While I won’t call out specific individuals, it’s become apparent that something fundamental has changed. The content I once enjoyed reading regularly has changed, and unfortunately, not for the better.
These bloggers seem to be adjusting their writing styles and content strategy, likely in pursuit of pleasing subscribers or attracting advertisers. And the frequency of their posts has increased, but the substance has dwindled.
The question that lingers in my mind is whether the income generated from these efforts is truly making a significant impact on their lives. It’s disheartening to witness a departure from the engaging and valuable content they used to create or share through links.
Published first to ldstephens.me – February 23, 2024
Get ready sports fans Apple Sports is a brand new free app for iPhone! The app delivers real-time scores, stats, and more designed for your favorite teams and leagues.
What’s inside?
Available today!
Download Apple Sports for free on iPhones in the U.S., U.K., and Canada.
Published first to ldstephens.me – February 21, 2024
Karl Bode – techdirt “Last week Amazon began charging Amazon Prime Video customers (who already pay $140 per year) an extra $3 extra per month to avoid ads that didn’t previously exist. […] The move this week resulted in a class action lawsuit by annoyed subscribers, whose lawyers insist that Amazon violated subscriber agreements by suddenly charging for something that subscribers understood they were already paying for: […] Prime Video’s efforts to nickel-and-dime customers is the latest example of the steady enshittification of a streaming video industry that appears to have learned nothing from the scale-chasing issues that plagued cable TV. Now that the market has saturated, streaming companies are looking for creative ways to provide Wall Street the unrealistic endlessly improved quarterly returns bean counters demand.”
Well, congrats to Amazon for joining the ad party and the enshittification of Prime Video! Now my TV watching experience comes with a side of unwanted shit called ads. I’d like to think the Class Action suit will go somewhere but I doubt it will.
Published first to ldstephens.me – February 19, 2024
I’ve tried Obsidian before, but the whole process of migrating my Apple Notes into it just seemed like too much fucking work. I ended up deleting it and moved on. Then, the other day, I stumbled upon news of an Obsidian importer plugin for Apple Notes. Importing everything, including attachments, suddenly felt doable. So, I reinstalled Obsidian, imported my notes, and voila! It worked like a charm.
Next, I dove into the world of Obsidian setups and workflows. I watched videos, read articles, and eventually came across an insightful piece on the Drafts Forum by Stephen Millard, a highly respected member of the Drafts community.
Stephen describes his usage of Drafts and Obsidian, highlighting the distinctive roles each plays in his workflow. Drafts serves as his capture hub, a place where he preprocesses information for use elsewhere, acting like a transport service for his ideas. Obsidian, on the other hand, is one of his destinations, functioning as a personal filing cabinet for notes and writing.
He emphasizes that Drafts and Obsidian serve different purposes. Drafts excels in speedy capture and flexible text manipulation, focusing on simplicity and efficiency. Meanwhile, Obsidian is more about finding and exploring relationships between notes, featuring a more complex plugin architecture and a specialization in Markdown format.
Stephen’s longer investment in Drafts makes it a staple in his workflow, as it does for me, and he sees himself using multiple tools rather than replacing one with another. The availability of Obsidian on more platforms, including Windows and Linux, is a significant factor for him. Additionally, he discusses the lock-in aspect, mentioning that while Drafts allows easy extraction of data, Obsidian’s use of Markdown files makes it more accessible on different platforms and apps.
Stephen’s approach gave me a clear picture of how I could actually continue using Drafts seamlessly while still benefiting from Obsidian’s powerful features.
For some Apple Vision Pro buyers, the honeymoon is already over.
It’s no coincidence that there’s been an uptick on social media of Vision Pro owners saying they’re returning their $3,500 headsets in the past few days. Apple allows you to return any product within 14 days of purchase — and for the first wave of Vision Pro buyers, we’re right about at that point. Comfort is among the most cited reasons for returns. People have said the headset gives them headaches and triggers motion sickness. The weight of the device, and the fact that most of it is front-loaded, has been another complaint. Parker Ortolani, The Verge’s product manager, told me that he thought using the device led to a burst blood vessel in his eye. At least one other person noted they had a similar experience with redness. (To be fair, VR headset users have anecdotally reported dry eyes and redness for years.) “Despite being as magical to use as I’d hoped, it was simply way too uncomfortable to wear even for short periods of time both due to the weight and the strap designs. I wanted to use it, but dreaded putting it on,” says Ortolani, who also posted about returning the device.
Shocking!
In a recent blog post Jason McFadden advocates for a “good enough” approach to computing, prioritizing efficient use of resources and avoiding unnecessary spending on excessive power. The principle of “good enough” is a rule in software and hardware. It indicates that consumers will use products that are good enough for their requirements, despite the availability of more advanced technology.
Nevermind the $3,500 Vision Pro, just comparing laptops has me questioning how much of a computer I really need. I mostly use my M1 MacBook Air, which I bought on Apple’s refurb store for $850. But I know I can do basically most of my computing on an iPad (with accessories) for less than that. Further still, I know I can do all my computing on a $300 Chromebook too – gasp! Web apps and Android mobile apps are enough.
My needs are simple: text wrangling, web surfing, email, etc. Photo editing is about as complex as my computing gets, and my smartphone handles that well enough, whether I use iCloud Photos, Google Photos, Snapseed, or maybe Pixlr. Actually, on occasion, I create graphics for my blog and find Canva, the web-app, to be great for my simple needs. So yeah, I have totally done that on a Chromebook.
[…]
As a consumer on a budget, besides asking myself if I can afford a gadget, I ask if I should.
I’ve been thinking about this idea a lot lately. In fact, I’ve had the beginning of a blog post titled “Just Because You Can Doesn’t Mean You Should” sitting in my ideas folder for several weeks now. Just because you can afford the fanciest, most powerful device doesn’t mean you should buy it. I fall into this trap myself from time to time, and this is a good reminder for all of us not to get caught up in it. “Good enough” truly is good enough despite the availability of more powerful technology.
I have been using Alfred since 2016 version 2. My Alfred workflows and muscle memory are so ingrained that moving to Raycast just isn’t an option. That said, I’ve got Raycast installed, and I’m currently using the free version, leveraging just two extensions that I find particularly useful.
The first is the Raycast Reminders extension. Here’s what it does:
The second is the Calendar My Schedule extension. Here’s what it does:
Alfred simply has nothing like these two extensions.
Let me tell you something: I love my iPad Pro. It’s a fantastic tool for reading, research, and even writing. But here’s the deal: the lack of a decent clipboard manager makes me want to tear my fucking hair out.
Every. Single. Day. I’m copying and pasting things. Snippets from articles, research notes, half-written sentences. And yet, on the iPad Pro, it’s an exercise in frustration. The measly one-item clipboard is a joke.
Sure, there are those workaround tactics that I wrote about the other day, but let’s call a spade a spade – they’re just that, work-arounds. I get pissed when I start a task that demands copying and pasting; it’s at that moment I reluctantly shift to my Mac. A move that shouldn’t be necessary yet becomes an unavoidable ritual due to the iPad Pro’s clipboard limitations.
Why should I be compelled to switch devices mid-stream just to manage a fundamental function like copy-pasting? This iPad Pro issue really bothers me, even though I enjoy using it. It deserves better, and it’s high time Apple addressed this glaring shortcoming. Fix it please, Apple.
Bill Toulas, Bleeping Computer
An Android remote access trojan (RAT) known as VajraSpy was found in 12 malicious applications, six of which were available on Google Play from April 1, 2021, through September 10, 2023. The malicious apps, which have now been removed from Google Play but remain available on third-party app stores, are disguised as messaging or news apps.
Apple has fought against third-party app stores on iOS for several reason and the above is an example of exactly why.
Apple argues that allowing apps from outside the App Store would compromise iPhone security and user privacy. They point to potential malware risks and the difficulty of regulating third-party stores. Apple values tightly controlling the iOS ecosystem to ensure a consistent and curated user experience.
Published first to ldstephens.me – February 1, 2024
Apple’s next MacBook Airs and iPads get closer to release. Back in December, I reported that Apple had pretty extensive plans for March: There will be several new iPads, alongside the next batch of Macs with M3 chips. More specifically, you should expect the biggest revamp ever for the iPad Pro, a refreshed iPad Air, a larger iPad Air, and 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Airs with M3 processors. The latest: I’m told these machines are likely to come out around the end of March — and that the new iPad Pros and 13-inch MacBook Air are already deep in production overseas.
Looks like I may be indulging in some Apple upgrades in March. At the top of my list is an M3 MacBook Air to replace my trusty M1. And if Apple unveils a new M3 iPad Mini, well, that’s a no-brainer too. I recently wrote about how seamlessly my iPad Mini and MacBook Air work together, and the extra screen real estate of a 15″ Air is tempting. I rarely travel in which case, my 11″ M2 iPad Pro will go with me instead of the more bulky 15″ MacBook Air.
Published first to ldstephens.me – January 29, 2024
The battle lines in the iOS App Store and Payments controversy are often drawn between some developers but not all, upset by Apple’s fees and restrictions, and the tech giant itself. But what about the users, the silent majority in the Apple ecosystem? Their voices missing from the conversation.
Here’s a different perspective: a user’s point of view on the App Store and its walled garden.
Sebastian de With, on Threads:
This is apparently incomprehensible to some people on this website, but to many people it’s actually a good and beneficial feature that Apple doesn’t let you install software on your iPhone from anywhere else.
I, as a user, have absolutely no desire to install another App Store on my device, nor buy my apps from anywhere else. It is a terrible experience on desktop to need several stores to just play a few games, and will only make things worse.
Sebastian de With and Greg Morris, both quoted above, highlight an important point: for many users, the App Store’s curated experience is a feature. The convenience of a single platform, the guarantee of security and quality control, and the ease of managing subscriptions are all valuable aspects that outweigh the potential benefits of alternative app stores. The prospect of navigating multiple stores, vetting apps for security risks, and dealing with fragmented user experiences is a deterrent for many myself included.
While I don’t take issue with alternative payment systems outside the App Store, I would never use one. The ease of managing my subscriptions and seeking refunds, coupled with a sense of trust in Apple’s handling of sensitive information, makes it my choice.
Here’s a gem from my 56 years of business experience: for those grumbling developers, here’s a groundbreaking idea — choice! Just as in the business world, where dissatisfaction leads to seeking alternatives, developers have the power to choose whether to continue developing for iOS or explore other platforms. It’s Apple’s playground and they get to set the rules! So stop fucking bellyaching.
Published first to ldstephens.me – January 28, 2024
Forget the Pro, the iPad Mini has finally won me over. After years of failed attempts to make iPads my go-to device, this little powerhouse has redefined how I use the iPad.
It’s become my most used device, effortlessly handling tasks I used to rely on my iPhone and even my MacBook for. From watching videos to jotting down notes with Apple Pencil to researching blog posts on the couch, and my RSS reader the Mini’s perfect size makes it my constant companion.
Yes, I still grab my M1 MacBook Air when it’s time to write and do more complex tasks. It’s still my work-horse but the iPad has found a place in my life with the Mini.
Published first to ldstephens.me – January 23, 2024
I prefer organizing my day sorted by lists in Apple’s Reminders. While the app provides alternatives like sorting by due date, creation date, priority, and title, the list-based sorting feature is noticeably missing. In this post, I’ll share the workaround I’ve crafted to view my Today tasks sorted by lists until Apple (hopefully) introduces this feature in a future update.
Creating a Group:
To get started, I create a new Group in Reminders and give it the name “Today’s ToDo List” or any title that suits my preference.
Smart Lists for Each List:
Within the “Today’s ToDo List” group, I set up a smart list for each of my existing lists. This involves creating a new smart list and filtering tasks based on the specific list criteria.
Accessing Today’s ToDo List:
When I want to see my tasks sorted by lists, I simply click or tap on the “Today’s ToDo List” group. This action opens up a comprehensive view of all my tasks for the day, neatly organized by lists.
Now, managing my daily tasks is organized in a way that I can quickly identify and prioritize tasks based on their respective lists. Give this method a try to streamline your daily task management in Reminders.
Published first to ldstephens.me – January 21, 2024
While iPadOS offers an API for apps to access the clipboard, it’s limited to when apps are in the foreground. This poses a challenge for clipboard manager apps like Copy ‘Em, as they miss the latest copied item when inactive.
To address this limitation, I have two effective workarounds:
These workarounds enhance the clipboard experience, ensuring accessibility across your different workflows.
Now that today’s iMacs and iPads are essentially the same in terms of their internal hardware, maybe it’s time for Apple to do the unthinkable and allow the iPad Pro (and only the iPad Pro) to run macOS in a virtual machine. How much more useful and valuable would an iPad Pro be if it could not only run in touchscreen mode, driven by fingers or Apple Pencil, but if it could be attached to a keyboard and trackpad and used like a Mac laptop?
The hardware is capable. The virtualization would allow macOS to act like an iPad app. It wouldn’t need to support the touchscreen since a keyboard and trackpad would be required. And security-wise, Apple could lock the “Mac app” down as much as it needed to… but also, wouldn’t the extra complication be worth it for a product that’s only of interest to pro-level users? There are some things I just can’t do on my iPad Pro because of limitations in iPad software. Adding optional support for the Mac would solve that problem in one swift stroke.
Speculation for sure, but the prospect of running macOS on the iPad Pro through a virtual machine is undoubtedly a feature that would pique my interest, regardless of its potentially higher price tag.
Published first to ldstephens.me – January 17, 2024
Vision Pro? Who gives a shit, right? That’s probably what most folks on the sidewalk would say. And honestly, I get it. Even knowing what this fancy new Apple gizmo is, I can’t muster much excitement either. Maybe I’m just stuck in my old ways, but the idea of strapping a computer to my face just doesn’t do it for me.
Let’s face it, the Vision Pro ain’t exactly chump change. It’s like dropping a house payment on a glorified pair of goggles. For most folks, that’s a tough pill to swallow. Sure, it might be cutting-edge tech and all, but for the average Joe, it’s about as fucking practical as a new Lamborghini.
But hey, that’s just me, the grumpy old tech geek. Perhaps there’s a whole world of augmented reality magic waiting to be unlocked, hidden behind those sleek lenses. Maybe I’m missing out on the next big revolution in human-computer interaction.
So, yeah, for now, I’m content to keep my feet planted firmly in the present, with my trusty old iPhone glued to my hand and my face thankfully unencumbered by high-tech headgear. Maybe someday, the Vision Pro will win me over. But until then, I’ll happily watch from the sidelines, waiting to see if this augmented reality dream turns into reality, or just another expensive fad gathering dust in a corner.
Published first to ldstephens.me – January 16, 2024
As you know I’m a fan of RSS feeds as a way to keep up with the latest news and updates from my favorite blogs. I used to subscribe to Feedbin, a RSS service that syncs across devices and integrates with popular apps like Reeder and NetNewsWire. However, I decided to cancel my Feedbin subscription, which cost me $50 per year, and switch to iCloud sync instead.
iCloud sync is a free feature that allows you to sync your RSS feeds across your Apple devices using your iCloud account. Both Reeder and NetNewsWire, two of the most popular RSS apps for iOS and macOS, support iCloud sync. However, not all sync services are created equal, and I found out that iCloud sync works much better with NetNewsWire than with Reeder.
Reeder is my preferred RSS app in terms of design, features, and customization. However, its iCloud sync is very slow and unreliable. Sometimes it takes several minutes for new articles to appear, and sometimes they don’t show up at all. This makes for a really frustrating RSS reading experience.
NetNewsWire, on the other hand, has a very fast and reliable iCloud sync. New articles show up almost instantly. NetNewsWire may not have as many features as Reeder, but it does the basics well. It has a clean and simple interface, a dark mode, a built-in browser, and support for keyboard shortcuts and gestures.
So, after trying both apps with iCloud sync, I settled on NetNewsWire as my RSS reader of choice. It may not be my favorite app in terms of aesthetics or functionality, but it delivers on the most important aspect of RSS: sync. And for that, I’m willing to compromise on other things.
Published first to ldstephens.me – January 14, 2024
Hertz is selling off a third of its electric vehicle fleet, which is predominantly made up of Teslas, and will buy gas cars with some of the money it makes from the sales. The company cited lower demand for EVs and higher-than-expected repair costs as reasons for the decision.
The sell-off began last month and will continue through 2024. As some electric vehicle-focused blogs have noted, they’re being sold at steep discounts. The company said in a Thursday morning filing that it is recognizing “approximately $245 million of incremental net depreciation expense related to the sale,” which is a dry way of saying it’s taking a bath on the decision. Hertz told shareholders that it believes it will be able to make up that loss in the coming years.
This is not a good look for Tesla and EVs in general.
Published first to ldstephens.me – January 12, 2024
Sparky and Stephen’s deep dive into journaling on the Mac Power Users podcast episode 762: got me thinking about how I approach this practice. So I thought I would chime in with how I journal.
Here’s my workflow:
This workflow is a part of my daily life. Drafts provides the perfect place for capturing fleeting thoughts, while Day One transforms them into memories I can revisit anytime.
Published first to ldstephens.me – January 8, 2024
ldstephens 