The Rotten Side of Tim Cook’s Apple (Link)
In The Rotten Side of Tim Cook’s Apple, I reflect on how Apple has changed under Tim Cook’s leadership—from a visionary, product-focused company to a slower, more reactive corporate giant. While I remain a loyal fan, I can’t ignore how Apple now seems to chase trends, neglect product quality in key areas, and prioritize profits over innovation. Long-standing bugs, underwhelming entry-level products, and a departure from the “it just works” philosophy reveal a company that no longer lives up to the high standards that drew me to it in the first place.
A Few Notes on my Experience with Photomyne (Link)
When I started using Photomyne to digitize my wife’s baby photos, I was thrilled by how fast and simple it was to batch-scan entire old photo albums—easy reframing, colorization, metadata tagging, even audio notes. It felt liberating to move those memories out of dusty albums and into a digital archive. But the experience soured quickly: the app bombards you relentlessly with review requests, subscription upsells, and banners (even as a paying user), and its face-detection and glare-handling pale in comparison to Apple’s. Plus, I found their cloud a poor substitute for reliable long-term storage (I’d rather export to iCloud). Ultimately, Photomyne captures the job’s surface really well—but expect perpetual nags and a few persistent quality issues.
Upgrading from the iPhone 13 Pro to the iPhone 15 Pro Max — Bigger, Faster, Even More Possibilities (Link)
I upgraded from my iPhone 13 Pro to the 15 Pro Max and while it’s not a revolution, it’s a meaningful leap forward. The larger, nearly bezel-free OLED screen—with its Dynamic Island and peak brightness up to 2,000 nits—makes a noticeable difference, as does the titanium frame’s lighter feel. Under the hood, the 3 nm A17 Pro chip delivers solid speed and future‑proofing, and the new camera system—especially the 48 MP sensor and 5× telephoto—gives me more creative freedom for photos and videos. USB‑C with fast data and external ProRes recording? Game changer. Yes, battery life is similar, but overall it’s a satisfying step up in every key area.
The Roots of My Passion for Apple (Link)
I’ve been passionate about Apple for over forty years, and in “The Roots of My Passion for Apple,” I trace that to three core pillars: people, creativity, and the environment. I connect deeply with Apple’s focus on human‑centered design—its privacy values, accessibility, and diversity efforts. As a creative myself, I’ve long felt at home in Apple’s ecosystem—starting with my early days selling Macs to artists in the mid‑’80s—and have witnessed firsthand how Apple empowers creators. I also admire Apple’s environmental commitment, from glyph‑free product materials under Jobs to Cook’s aggressive push on carbon neutrality. These shared values form the foundation of my lasting love for the company.
Replacing an Aging AirPort Extreme with the Unifi Dream Machine (Link)
I decided to finally retire my aging AirPort Extreme and switch to a Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine, and I couldn’t be happier—I was up and running within fifteen minutes, seamlessly maintaining my Wi‑Fi network’s name and password so everything—from iMacs to HomePods—reconnected without a hitch. After adding two Unifi Beacon HD access points, dead zones vanished and Wi‑Fi speed improved by 5–10%, especially once I disabled the Smart Queue feature. The device’s sleek, Apple‑like design and rich iOS/iPadOS management tools give me granular control and statistics at my fingertips, something I couldn’t get with Apple’s primitive router interface. Sure, it took a bit to learn the system, and a couple of quirks remain—but for power users like me, it’s a dream come true.
Friday Notes #106 — Don’t Be Fools: We’re Already Disconnected From Each Other (Link)
I’ve noticed that even when we’re physically together—at family gatherings, in hotels, or restaurants—we’re often completely disconnected from each other, lost in our phones. It worries me, especially for kids, who aren’t developing the social skills they need and seem more anxious than ever. I can’t help but think that technologies like the Apple Vision Pro will only make things worse, drawing us deeper into isolated, virtual worlds. We need to wake up to what’s happening and make a conscious effort to reconnect with each other in real life.
Friday Notes #105 — The Environmentally Friendly Consumer: The Ultimate Shopping Spree That May Never Happen (Link)
I’ve been thinking about how my purchasing power here in Canada lets me consider so many potential upgrades—from a Tesla Y or electric bike to a fancy espresso machine or even a chalet getaway. But, because I care about the environment, I’ve slowed down and made lots of “don’t-buy” decisions. I’m not zealously eco-fanatic, but I try to buy only what I truly need and what genuinely adds value. So I’ve sidelined the ebike (I’ll wait ’til next season or go second‑hand), held off on a Vision Pro or Mac Studio, postponed replacing my trusty-but-aging HomePod and espresso machine, and even passed on a drone and telescope (though I love the idea of iTelescope). My guiding thought is that real change requires conscious, concrete actions—so resisting impulse buys isn’t just smart budgeting, it’s a small but meaningful way to honor our planet.
Friday Notes #105 — The Environmentally Friendly Consumer: The Ultimate Shopping Spree That May Never Happen (Link)
I’ve been thinking about how the war in Ukraine has quietly shaped the way I choose the apps I use every day. In particular, when I reconsidered using Raindrop.io for bookmarks, I realized its founder lives in Russia—something I can’t ignore while supporting Ukraine and backing international sanctions. Even though it’s an excellent tool, paying for it feels like it conflicts with my principles.