I really like this one.

A new, partially recycled iPhone case

When I got my new iPhone last year I picked up a dirt cheap case of Amazon for some basic protection. It was fine, but not attractive and I didn’t realise how much it reduced Magsafe. Well, last week I replaced it with an Otterbox core (using an Amazon voucher I got from work). It’s great. I love the flecked look and the stronger magnets have made it attach better to my Belkin mount and Kuxui 3-in-1 Magsafe charger. Plus, it’s made from 50% recycled plastic.
I’m sure there are nicer cases out there, and I would have a loved a good orange case (Orange is clearly the best colour, and yet so many shades suck) but I’m happy with my choice. At least for now.

Unsolicited iPad Positioning Advice

I’m interested in getting a new iPad (eventually) and I’ve heard a few interesting rumours about the next iPad updates (But I’m not following religiously). But, here’s my take on where the product lines should go.

These are not what I expect Apple will do, but I what I believe would be a good, clear delineation and attractive line up.

TLDR

  • iPad mini is the small one
  • iPad is the cheap, causal device
  • iPad Air (change name to studio) is the Artists one
  • iPad Pro is the future touch laptop replacement one.

iPad mini

This is the one iPad Apple has nailed. There are a few performance compromises over the larger ones, but it does a great job as a small reader iPad that you can also sketch on. You can even hook it up to a display if you really want.

Just keep on this track and you’re fine.

iPad

The iPad is doing…okay. It’s better now with the USB pencil avoiding that confusing usb to lightning cable and adaptor. It’s great as a first computing device with the folio keyboard or casual browsing device. Just give it a chip update and improve the screen refresh.

iPad Air (Studio)

The Air is the strange one at the moment. It’s a halfway house between the regular iPad and pro. Some of the compromises are just to make the pro more attractive, while it has some really impressive spec that make it almost as good. I suggest Apple makes this take the place of the current Pro in their line up, make it more for artists and designers, and call it the studio.

  1. They don’t have to compromise and hold the Air back
  2. Air is a strange name, it suggests lightweight but it’s more pro than the regular. Calling it the Studio helps fit with the mac naming system.
  3. Artists/aspiring artists are a great market and keen users of the iPad. By tailoring this device for them, they can really hone in on what they need.

One other factor to mention, add a 13" size. That’s a bit plus for some artists.

But what about the pro? I’m glad you asked.

iPad Pro

The rumours for the iPad pro are that it will be a foldable device and gain even more power. That sounds really intriguing and could help push the pro more towards the hybrid laptop/tablet so many users want. But, will a foldable be great for the artists? How will it affect using a pencil on the screen? I have no idea but let’s imagine there are some compromises for the first couple of years. By elevating the air to the studio, you mitigate against those risks AND can still charge more for both devices (I’m pitching to Apple execs right now).

Plus this would allow the Pro to really stand out as a different device from in the line up.

And, if this is perfect for an Artist with no compromises from the folding of the screen, you can pitch this as a larger cintiq replacement too.

Final line up

  • iPad Mini (7")
  • iPad (11" ish)
  • iPad Studio (11")
  • iPad Studio (13")
  • iPad Pro (7-14" foldable)
  • iPad Pro (12 - 24" foldable)

Not perfect at all, but I’d certainly know what I’d buy next.

...What if I didn't use an iPad?

I love my iPad pro. It’s probably my favourite Apple device (although my m1 Macbook Air and iPhone are great too). But, do I have to stick with it?

For years, the iPad was the only choice of tablet.

Sure, Microsoft had some more powerful tablet-shaped laptops, but that’s what they were. Big heft laptops that could dress up (or down?) as a tablet if you really wanted (but no one would want to read an ebook on them for an extended time).

While there were several factors that kept me in the Apple ecosystem, the portability and battery life of the iPad was a big one (it was the perfect EFL teacher’s device) and Procreate made it more inevitable than Thanos.

But now I’m not a teacher and there a more than viable (and arguably far suprerior) alternative to procreate in Adobe Fresco (Concepts is great too but I’ve never quiet got on with it).

So what if I switched?

I’ve had a long term plan to replace my iPad after the screen got a white spot due to overheating. It still works, but obviously isn’t great for drawing (and it doesn’t harm that the new Pros have a better pencil, better support for external displays, new multitasking, and so on.

But, if I’m using Adobe fresco, maybe there’s a cheaper or better alternative? (I just did a quick check and it’s not looking great. Surface options look pricey and don’t have great battery life. Sure, it’s more of a computer when plugged in but I have other needs).

For a long time I’ve liked Apple as a company.

Their philosophy of devices that work well together, opinionated products and commitments to environmental causes have resonated with me. But their attitude to recent anti-monopoly regulations has left a bad taste in my mouth.

That said, Apple still does seem to align with my values (though I’m sure there are alternatives who do align more). And buying an Apple or alternative device so close to rumoured release dates for updates would be crazy — I don’t have the funds anyway!

In all likelihood I’ll still end up with an iPad. The combination with my Macbook is fantastic and it is probably the best tablet tablet for me around. But it’s not a guarantee.

Be curious, not judgemental

– Walt Whitman

— Ted Lasso

I’ve started to see some rumours about the Nintendo Switch 2. It sounds like it will be a bump in spec and rumours of backwards compatibility are great. But If Nintendo are as user focused as they normally are, I think it might fail. Nintendo often keeps releasing its best games on the previous generation of consoles, so their update consoles (like the WiiU or the 3DS) often are improvements but don’t push users to upgrade. If they stop releasing games or had novel ways of playing with each generations, more people would upgrade, but they don’t. It’s great for consumers, but not great for the corporation.

Maybe I’m wrong (or the rumours are wrong) and maybe the switch 2 will be more unique / have unique games/ etc, but even if it does, I don’t think I’ll be upgrading (especially as I regularly think I should get rid of of my switch as it iss!

Just finished The Beat season 1 with my wife. A bit out off our typical series choice but very good.

Possibly my most controversial opinion:

Loving the oxford comma is a virtue signal.

The new Lublin bus station last night.

The central Lublin bus station. With pillars that look like tree branches.

The Fujifilm x100 vi is out so of course I’m checking out Kai Wong’s review. I still remember his review of the X100T during the hong kong umbrella protests. It was so great. Also, he now lives close to my home town. I wish the X100 series wasn’t so expensive. I miss my X100T a lot, but my Nikon is great.

My colleague: I really hate working this way. We should do it that way.

Me: Okay, I’ll do it that way.

A week later

My colleague: So I’m going to do the exact thing that caused that situation last time.

Me:… But isn’t that what you disliked last time.

My colleague: No, it’s different.

Narrator: it wasn’t.

I’ve been keeping the boxes to my Apple devices …but I have no idea why. I upgraded my phone last year but i didn’t need my old phones box for a trade in.

So now im reviewing all the boxes I’ve kept.

It might be different if I upgraded more often and tried to sell my devices off.

A morning without kids so I went to an art exhibition at the National Museum in Krakow.

How I think I’ll feel when fasting vs how I actually feel.

Just me?

Rare UK politics tweet. The tory chairman has blamed low turnout for the massive swing to Labour. Even if true, that still their fault.

The pessimist says it’s half empty.

The pedant says it’s full.

My wife and I managed got 50% through The Marvels before it got too late/the baby woke up. So far I’ve really enjoyed it. There’s some decent character work, Ms Marvel is a delight, Brie Larson is great. I do think they could have done a bit more on Captain Marvel and Monica Rambo’s relationship but SO FAR I don’t get the hate. It does possibly help that my expectations were low after the reviews which was the same as my expectation prior to watching Ant-man 3…which was okay (But I’d bet the CG would be crazy in the cinema).

I have the first client for my sketchnote services (which I haven’t really advertised!) but now I’m working out how to collaborate with her. I’m thinking of using a tool like Basecamp or something as I want to have a place with documents (contract, logos, brand information) and files. Suggestions?

It always amazes me how much harder fasting is than I remember, but how easy it is too. Also always start eating again with a small amount.

My approach to slack is to write one message (even if its long) and send that so I cause as few disturbances as possible.

My boss hates this.

It gives her a wall of text.

So what do other people do? They send a dozen small message one after another and another.

It’s often longer but it doesn’t look as long and forces you out of whatever task you’re doing at the time. I hate it.