Back to the #openweb I go. Not that I ever left it…but to be quite frank, it’s so easy to post and get immediate feeback on #Twitter that I spend most of my day-to-day “chit-chat energy” there and not on my own #website.
No longer! Now that Elon Musk is buying Twitter and taking it private, I’m done putting serious effort into creating content for walled gardens. Everything, and I mean everything I publish from here on out will start on my own properties and then get syndicated elsewhere.
I’m also in the process of switching from Revue (owned by Twitter) to ConvertKit for my email newsletter. In the meantime, feel free to email me to get in touch! 😃
Even in its nascent state, Universal Control changes everything. Suddenly iPadOS becomes a true extension of #macOS…like many power users I’ve run an #iPadPro on a stand next to my desktop Mac for years, but ergonomically-speaking, switching between the two was a major pain. It became incrementally easier with the Magic Keyboard/Trackpad, but issues remained…not the least of which is transferring files and even bits of in-context data back and forth doesn’t always feel natural and smooth.
With Universal Control, you start to forget you’re running two different devices running two different environments…suddenly you’re just using “AppleOS” everywhere. Heck, I’ve even gone from desktop Mac (M1 Mac mini) to laptop (Intel MBP) as well when I need to do something on one from the other. And yes, you can span all three with nearly zero lag or fiddling—even when using drag ‘n’ drop!
This is without a doubt the biggest quality-of-life improvement #Apple has brought to its ecosystem since cursor support on iPadOS first appeared almost two years ago.
I stopped by my local #Apple store yesterday to take a look at the new #iPhone as well #iPadmini models.
I was fairly surprised that the first impressions I’d had of the devices solely from watching the announcement keynote and glancing at marketing materials carried over intact to my hands-on trial.
I just don’t like any of the non-pro iPhone colors this year. And that’s disappointing because the rumor mill seems convinced that this is the last year for an iPhone mini form factor. And being a mini enthusiast, it sucks I have no interest in purchasing this year’s mini.
On the other hand, this may be my favorite lineup of iPhone Pro colors to date. All of the models look fantastic and quite premium up close, and they feel good in the hand. Graphite and Gold are definitely my favorites. Despite my love for the trusty mini, I’m sorely tempted to get a Gold iPhone 13 Pro as a holiday treat. (BTW, the Max size is laughably gigantic…I don’t know who buys phones this large! 😂)
Watching Apple’s recent event, I was blown away by the iPad mini. Clearly it was the star of the show for me. And holding it and seeing it in real life, the accolades are well-deserved. The size is delicious, the Apple Pencil 2 is an amazing note-taking and sketching companion at this size, and it’s just so light and “airy” (sorry iPad Air!). It’s the sort of device that simply begs you to use it and carry it around with you everywhere.
Having an #iPadPro already in my possession, I’m still thinking through where an iPad mini would fit in my life. But I have no doubt at some point down the road, it will join my collection. Well done Apple. The iPad mini finally gets its opportunity to shine.
j/k. I’m super excited to present my newly-redesigned website (still powered by #Bridgetown of course). The previous design was heavily centered around a “social network” vibe, as if you were looking at my profile page. I literally repeated my name and avatar for every post, and even had an ❤︎ Awesome button you could click.
This time however, I decided to go back to my blogging roots and come up with a concept that’s both retro and forward-looking. So in terms of typography, shading, mobile navigation, performance, and other small touches, it feels like a modern website…but at the same time it’s totally obvious that it’s a blog. It’s definitely my most holistic and disciplined personal website design to date. I hope you enjoy it!
P.S. One of my secondary goals in working on the new design was to create a codebase from which I could extract a Bridgetown theme for others to use. I don’t have immediate plans to start on that, but it’s only a matter of time… (meanwhile, if you’re curious, my website repo is open to all).
As many speeches and pundits have been saying today, Democracy has prevailed. We had the worst president of the modern age wreak havoc on our institutions and public discourse, make a mockery of peaceable faith, and all but destroy global alliances.
This is a test of posting on my blog via my new #Apple Mac mini M1. If you’re reading this, it means the test was a success! 😎
The Fresh Fusion Podcast will return December 9. I apologize for the unplanned hiatus. An unexpected work emergency, coupled with some minor health problems, has set me back this past month. But the show must go on! See you soon and keep your spirits high! The best has yet to come.
My love affair with the iPhone has returned. It’s been a ways down on the list for some time, bested by iPad Pros & Macs alike. But this device has captivated me. I love just holding it and carrying it around in my grip.
Yay for retro iPhone 5 vibes!
Hey, wha’d’ya know…I have a Now page now! It’s an official destination to keep you updated on what I’m focusing on Right Now. 😊
Every few months to a year, I get an itch to freshen up the typography on my blog. I’ve been using Helvetica Now as my body font for a while, and I still love it. But for long-form articles, I’m now using Sina Nova. I think it looks ace!
P. S. In related news, my whole #website (blog/podcast/newsletter/the works) is now powered by #Bridgetown. Farewell #Jekyll — you were my first love in the world of Static Site Generators. Parting is such sweet sorrow! (OK, I’m being dramatic…Bridgetown is a fork of Jekyll. 😆)
Haters gonna hate, but the thing is I likedThe Last Jedi—even more than some others such as (shock, gasp, horror) The Return of the Jedi. 😱
But it felt small…half of it takes place in outer space or on a small island.
All I want from The Rise of Skywalker is a feeling of BIG BIGBIG.
I’m back from hiatus and currently in post-production for the next episode of The Jared White Show. Trying out a whole new topic: dealing with mental health struggles (depression, anxiety, etc.) while working as a creative freelancer. I know a lot of you have similar challenges, so I hope this episode will provide some insight and food for thought as you work on your path. Stay tuned…
