Dandy Cat

This new spatial audio thing that Apple is debuting has gotten me feeling very interested in and excited about the possibly upcoming AirPods Studio. Over-ear headphones with that sort of audio immersion would have jaw-dropping sound.

Now that I’ve started to come down off my WWDC keynote high, I’m considering things a bit more objectively. Mostly, I’m feeling a little disappointed that there didn’t seem to be any mention of the Shortcuts app for macOS.

All my macOS love aside, what may prove to be the biggest quality of life improvement over the long term are the minimized Siri and phone call designs. It’s a relatively small change, but I think they’re going to be huge improvements for many people.

I’ve been using my iPad Pro obsessively for work and pleasure for a few years now. It really clicks with how I work. Still though, I’ve never been more excited for a new macOS update. Probably because of their converging appearance. I can’t wait for Fall now.

It’s fascinating to watch older Mac users/developers grumble about the appearance of macOS Big Sur while also watching younger users really see the beauty and potential of these changes. Me? I‘m not going to be dragged kicking and screaming into the future. I’m all in.

Right now is feeling like the night before Christmas when I was a young kid. I’m really looking forward to the start of WWDC tomorrow!

I need to get into the habit of drafting thank you cards elsewhere before writing on the card itself. It always feels like such a rookie mistake when I don’t do that.

I’m usually pretty supportive of Apple, but this issue with the Hey app is frustrating to me, as is a lot of the response to it. I’ve seen too many people defending Apple in following their own guidelines, which may technically be true, but make no mention of the hypocrisy that comes with how they treat other companies, like Netflix. (I have also seen many people make the point I am here, but I want to see more of it.) How is Netflix allowed to have an app that’s completely useless unless, and only if, you subscribe on Netflix’s site and not through In-App Purchase?

The Hey app uses language that’s very similar to what Netflix uses, as shown in the attached picture. So much fuss is being made about how Hey isn’t a reader app when Netflix is, but the truly damning issue isn’t about what is or isn’t a reader app. It’s about how Netflix (and others like it), being a huge and powerful company, is allowed special treatment when another company’s app, that’s imitating Netflix’s own in many ways, is actually being held to Apple’s guidelines.

In an interview on TechCrunch, Apple’s own Phil Schiller says,

You download the app and it doesn’t work, that’s not what we want on the store.

If I didn’t already have a subscription to Netflix, then their app wouldn’t work at all for me. It’s exactly the type of app experience that Apple says they don’t want to have, and yet the Netflix app is surely in no danger of being forced to use Apple’s IAP system lest they be pulled from the App Store.

I don’t think Apple should change their guidelines; it’s up to the company to define them. However, I do think they’re 100% wrong in not applying them consistently across all of the apps on their store.

Apparently competitive cornhole is a game and it’s got sponsors and is televised on ESPN and what the hell am I doing watching this nonsense?

Somehow, despite my best minimalist intentions, I’m running out of space on most of my desk. I may have to start considering something wider. Maybe one of those IKEA countertops would do the trick?

Good.

I was a much more passionate gamer when I was younger, but I still felt a thrill and crazy anticipation while watching the PlayStation 5 reveal video. There’s no doubt in my mind that I’ll be scraping together my pennies and getting one as soon as I can.

As for the games I’m most excited about… Let’s do a personal top five:

1. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart - I’ve loved every one of these incredible, silly, moving games since the very first one. I have much sentimental value attached to them, so that’s surely affecting things here. Still, this one looks like a blast. I‘m intrigued by the portal mechanic they’ve got going. I’m so excited for this one.
2. Spider-Man: Miles Morales - This is sure to be more of a Spider-Man 1.5, but I’m still all in. I can’t recall any other game in recent years that brought me such intense delight. I’m looking forward to web swinging again soon.
3. Horizon: Forbidden West - Zero Dawn was a jaw-dropping experience for me. The fantastical but still very real world that was created still boggles my mind. This new one looks to top it in so many ways.
4. Deathloop - I wasn’t expecting anything like this fascinating game. I’ve always been a sucker for games that mess with time in creative ways (like Prince of Persia: The Sand of Time). Deathloop looks to be inventive and a heck of a lot of fun.
5. Project Athia - I don’t really know what the heck was going on with this one, but color me super intrigued. It looks fast-paced, exciting, and surrounded by a hefty dose of beguiling mystery. I’m looking forward to seeing this one develop.

I’ve always loved the PlayStation system, so I was sure I’d be looking forward to this new generation no matter what. However, I was still blown away with how amazing the games looked. I’m also a huge fan of the appearance of the new console. While the new Xbox definitely looks like a capable machine, the PS5 looks to be both a technical powerhouse and something I would actually feel proud to display in my home.

I can’t wait for it!

‪I already know that GoodLinks (@goodlinksapp, for the Twitterers) is going to become my preferred read later app. It feels like the best of Pocket and Instapaper. Thank you so much, Ngoc Luu. You made the exact app I would have made if only I knew how to do that.‬

This is going to be a fun new project!

Maybe it’s a little silly to be so excited about getting a new box cutter, but when it looks this sleek and sexy it’s hard not to feel thrilled about it.