Thoughts on the Microsoft Surface Neo and Surface Duo

Microsoft, at its Surface hardware event today, announced a slew of new products, including updates to its Surface tablet and laptop lineup. In addition, it also previewed some new gadgets slated to launch this time next year: the Surface Neo and the Surface Duo.

The Surface Neo is a foldable, dual-screen tablet that, I have to admit, looks pretty slick. The Surface Duo is a very similar form factor, but sized like a phone.

I’m pretty firmly in the Apple camp, but Microsoft’s hardware team has been making strides these past several years. By far the most interesting part of their announcements today were these new dual-screen devices.

So far, the fascination with “foldable” devices has been lost on me. Phones like Samsung’s Galaxy Fold have shown that the technology for a phone with a display that bends isn’t quite where it would need to be for a real mainstream product, and the other implementations from phone makers like Huawei and Oppo seem like they’re reaching for a future that isn’t quite here yet.

I’m much more interested in Microsoft’s approach of using two separate screens, rather than a single foldable panel. In my head, having two screens that sit side-by-side just makes more sense, at least considering where foldable screens are today.

With the Surface Neo, I think the size and versatility are really compelling, and the attachable keyboard is a neat addition, too.

The Surface Duo is neat in its own way, but I have to say that I’m not a huge fan of it running a skinned version of Android. Though I never had a Windows Phone, Microsoft’s phone software always looked really interesting. It’s a shame they’re not doing their own anymore.

It’ll be interesting to see how battery life is (for both devices) and what kind of software support they can get from developers to make apps that take advantage of the hardware.

iOS 13.2 Beta Contains an Image of Redesigned AirPods →

At The Verge, Chris Welch reported on this interesting rumor today about an update to Apple’s AirPods:

Apple’s next version of AirPods are expected to have noise-cancellation capabilities, and the new iOS 13.2 beta offers an early preview of what they’ll look like. As discovered by 9to5Mac, the beta build contains a glyph image of the upcoming AirPods. It’s just a 2D gray-and-white icon, but even that is enough to show that design changes are on the way. 

The noise-canceling AirPods seem to have traditional ear tips that extend out from the white stems for a better fit in your ears. That’s a change from the first two models, which rest in your ears and allow in a lot of ambient noise.

I bought the original AirPods back when they came out in December 2016. Almost immediately, I fell in love with them. They’re some of the best earbuds I’ve ever had. Even if their sound quality isn’t stellar, there’s something so compelling about the fact that they just pop out of their little case and slip right into my ears.

At least, that’s the ideal. In reality, their shape doesn’t quite fit my ears, so they’re never really secure. They do okay if I’m walking and keeping my head relatively still, but I wouldn’t trust them if I were moving quickly, let alone running. In fact, I tend to just keep them in their case.

I’d be delighted if they came out with a redesign that used custom tips. That would give them a better fit for a lot more people, myself included. I’d probably order them on day one.

The Golden Age of Smartphones, or Why I’m Not Spending $1,000 on a New Phone

Brian X. Chen, in his iPhone 11 review for the New York Times:

It’s time to reset our upgrade criteria.

That’s because we are now living in the golden age of smartphones, when the gadgets’ improvements each year are far from seismic. Devices that debuted three years ago remain zippy and more than capable. Those with the iPhone 7 from 2016, for example, still have a very good phone with a stellar camera and fast speeds.

So now is the moment to ask: Do we really need to upgrade our iPhones every two years?

Based on my tests of the iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max, the answer is no. Don’t get me wrong: The newest models are nice. Apple has made them speedier, improved the cameras and lengthened their battery life. The new lineup also starts at a lower price of $700, down from $750 a year ago, which is a relief in an era of skyrocketing smartphone costs.

But none of this is enough to warrant an immediate upgrade if you have had your smartphone for only two years. The latest iPhones just aren’t a big leap forward from last year’s iPhones or even the iPhone X from 2017.

I agree with Chen in part here, but I think each person has a different set of criteria to justify an upgrade. This year’s iPhones are big leaps forward, but mostly in terms of camera performance, battery life, screen brightness. Processing power doesn’t seem to have gotten a huge jump, and that’s totally fine. iPhones from the past few years have been plenty powerful and continue to hold their own today.

The iPhone X I bought (and just recently paid off) at the beginning of 2018 is still quite fast and suits my needs just fine.

Joanna Stern, writing at The Wall Street Journal, in one of her two iPhone 11 reviews—this one specifically “for owners of aging iPhones”:

Are you…the iPhone X owner considering holding out for one more year? You, my iPhone X-owning friend, have it hardest of all. You’ve got the most modern design but you’re now behind on battery life, Face ID improvements and camera tricks. Yet if you upgrade this go-round, you might miss out on next year’s expected big refresh with 5G and more.

If you can live with the current phone, hang onto it for another year. If not, go with the iPhone 11 and skip the iPhone 11 Pro. You might miss that telephoto camera and OLED screen, but you can put $300 toward next year’s upgrade, and enjoy some extra battery life in the meantime.

Despite a momentary lapse in restraint (from which I’ve since recovered), I won’t be upgrading at all this year. But Joanna’s recommendation to hold off has been some of the sensible, reassuring advice I’ve needed in this frenzied time of shiny new gadget fever.

On the eve of preorder day, I talked some sense into myself and will instead be keeping my current phone. Several of the technological leaps in this year’s models (battery, screen brightness) don’t matter all that much to me. Even the highlight feature—the new camera system—is almost inconsequential. Although I often tell myself that I’m going start, I just don’t take a ton of photos.

Another Entrant in the Streaming Wars: Peacock. →

Julia Alexander, reporting for The Verge:

NBCUniversal’s streaming service finally has a name: Peacock.

The name is based on NBC’s iconic logo, the colorful peacock that sits at the bottom of people’s TV screens when shows play. It is also a homage to “NBCUniversal’s rich legacy of creating beloved films, TV series, characters and franchises that have been at the epicenter of pop culture and will continue to define the future of entertainment,” according to a press release.

Apparently, one of Peacock’s prestige projects (say that three times fast) is a reboot of Battlestar Galactica from Mr. Robot’s Sam Esmail, which I’m intrigued by.

What I want to know is who greenlit the Peacock name. Yikes.

Logitech's New MX Master 3 Mouse and MX Keys Keyboard →

Late last week, Logitech announced a pair of new computer peripherals in their impressive MX Master line: an update to the fantastic MX Master mouse and a new keyboard called the MX Keys.

As someone who has a borderline insatiable love of keyboards, immediately the MX Keys caught my eye. It’s slick-looking, with an aluminum frame, built-in rechargeable battery, and backlit keys. Plus, it’s got the ability to pair with up to three devices, so it can switch between, say, a desktop, tablet, and laptop at the push of a button.

The Keys looks to be based on Logitech’s Craft keyboard, whose most unique feature is a dial at the top of the keyboard that can be specially programmed for different functions across applications. The MX Keys is supposed to have a similar feel without the special dial interface. It also comes in at a more digestible price point of $100 vs. the Craft’s $200.

I don’t own a Craft keyboard, but I had the chance to try one out at an Office Depot earlier this year. I was very impressed by its fit and finish—metal construction and a nice, firm feel. The keys are low-travel, more like a laptop keyboard, but I’m fine with that. Plus, I prefer the quieter sound.

The MX Master 3 is the third generation of Logitech’s MX mouse. Design-wise, it looks similar to the ones that have come before it, with a sculpted shape that’s contoured for the hand:

I have the first-generation MX Master, and it’s probably my favorite mouse I’ve ever owned, with a nice click feel, buttery smooth scroll wheel, and some extra buttons for things like invoking macOS’s Mission Control or moving forward/backward through webpages.

This newest version improves on those aspects with metal scroll wheels and tweaked button placement, plus the ability to recharge the built-in battery via USB-C rather than Micro-USB.

The MX Master 3 and MX Keys are available through Logitech’s site, but as of right now, both are sold out.

The Most Dangerous Writing Prompt Generator →

For writers who like to live on the edge, here’s a fun web-based app from Manuel Ebert (@maebert): The Most Dangerous Writing Prompt Generator. The concept is simple and fun (if slightly terrifying): keep writing or lose everything.

You can start off with a totally blank canvas or have the app generate a random first-line prompt to give you some inspiration, and you set either a word goal or how many minutes you want to spend writing. After that, you start typing, and if you pause for a few seconds, the text starts turning red and hazy to warn you to keep typing. If you don’t, the entire page goes red with a “You Failed” message.

Thankfully, the app allows you to export what you managed to get out into a PDF or text document.

I gave it a shot, and while I can’t imagine doing a lot of writing that way, it’s a novel concept that’s well executed. Check it out at The Most Dangerous Writing Prompt Generator.

Second Shack Shack Planned for St. Louis →

Exciting news from St. Louis Magazine: the Ladue neighborhood is slated to be the second location of hamburger chain Shake Shack from St. Louisan Danny Meyer.

To me, Shake Shack is the modern day equivalent of what (in my memory, at least) Steak N Shake used to be. I remember when Steak N Shake had really quality hamburgers. They’ve gone downhill since then, but back in the day they were the top fast-food spot for a good burger.*

While I’m a big fan of Shake Shack, what I’m less a fan of (at their current St. Louis location at least) is their location: the Central West End, where the parking is terrible. This particular spot in Ladue would be a much more accessible location. (And, as a bonus for me, about the same distance from where I live.)

*Their fries, of course, have always sucked.

3 Reasons Why Open Floor Plans Actually Aren’t All That Great →

The Kitchn:

In the past decade or so, life at home has become increasingly informal (Netflix and Trader Joe’s freezer meals, anyone?). Not surprisingly, our houses have grown to reflect that, too. A key indicator? The demise of formal living and dining rooms in favor of open concept living, where rooms flow into each other to maximize entertaining opportunities and casual togetherness. […]

While it may sound like nirvana for some, it often is a tricky layout to live with, in practice. To put it lightly: The walls were there for a reason!

They boil it down to three points: noise, needing to clean more with no place to hide clutter, and having to decorate to maintain separate spaces. I’m not a fan of open floorpans in general, but one of the big reasons for me would be the noise. I’m someone who has to have some quiet. Plus, I just like having separate spaces where I can step away and be alone for a while to catch up on news stories or write something.

Side note: Is eating Trader Joe’s freezer meals really, like, a thing?

Students, Unprepared for Life →

A few days ago, retired tech journalist Walt Mossberg shared on Twitter his thoughts on the relative importance of statistical and financial literacy over more advanced subjects like calculus and trigonometry. (The brief thread, which can be read here, is worth a look.)

In high school, I was always more interested in English, and while I enjoyed—as much as a student can enjoy—math classes like algebra, geometry, and even trigonometry, I have to agree that more time spent on real world mathematics probably would have been more helpful. Looking back, I enjoyed solving problems and equations almost like I enjoy solving puzzles today. They were challenges, and fun in their own way.

Getting a better understanding of the math related to something like finances would have saved me from some pretty questionable money decisions after graduating, though.

The Goddam Popeyes Chicken Sandwich →

Another quick bite on fast food. Here’s Helen Rosner, writing at The New Yorker:

There are dozens of fast-food chains in America, débuting hundreds of new menu items each year. Of these, maybe two or three in a generation make significant inroads into our collective culinary consciousness: a McRib here, an Impossible Whopper there. […] The Popeyes chicken sandwich has ascended to the pantheon in record time, not because of a catchy ad campaign or an irresistible pricing scheme but because it is, if Twitter, Instagram, and uncountable blog posts and off-the-cuff reviews are to be believed, the best goddam chicken sandwich in the world. For the past few days, my social-media feeds—which, most of the time, read like bleak, polyphonic litanies of the falling-apart world—have been overwhelmed instead by discourse about the sandwich. I’ve watched friends and strangers go through the stages of enlightenment: skepticism, curiosity, anticipation, capitulation, ecstasy.

I’ll admit that I, like many others, wanted to try the Popeyes chicken sandwich. Unfortunately, the timing was never right, so neither of the two Popeyes locations within (reasonable) driving distance ever had any left by the time Keith, my partner, and I pulled up.

Keith is an avid fan of Popeyes, but I hadn’t gotten food from there in almost two years. I surprised even myself when I said that I wanted to try and find the sandwich everyone was talking about. I’ve never been to Chick-Fil-A, and it’s one of those places that, since the first thing I think of when I see that damn logo is their anti-LGBT sentiment, I probably never will.

Supposedly the Popeyes sandwich is supposed to be available again in October, so we’ll see what happens then.

Lion's Choice Declared Missouri's Best Fast Food by Food & Wine →

David Landsel, writing at Food & Wine, recently ran through his picks for each state’s best fast food. For Missouri, he picked Lion’s Choice:

We’ll get to those classic roast beef sandwiches, some of the best you’ll find at a fast food joint, and to the little dispensers sitting on the counter labeled “Au Jus,” from which you may allow yourself just as much as you like, turning that sandwich into a French dip, for all you care. (Don’t forget the horseradish.)

I have a back and forth relationship with fast food. About three years ago I went through a good stretch, nearly a full year, where I avoided drive-throughs like a black hole, but ultimately that greasy gravity pulled me back in. Now I just try not to eat it too often or at least balance it out with relatively un-terrible breakfasts and lunches.

I was never really an Arby’s roast beef person, but Lion’s Choice? That’s some roast beef I can chow down on.

Also interesting was his pick for Milo’s in Alabama.

I was recently on a work trip to Birmingham, and after a series of airline mishaps and delays, I arrived at my hotel at nearly dusk. Worn, weary, and hungry, I checked in and then walked over to the Milo’s just down the street. I don’t know if it was this particular location or the fact that it was getting later on in the night, but I did not have the same impression as Landsel. My burger was rubbery, and the BBQ sauce was underwhelming. The crinkle-cut fries and the sweet tea, however, almost made up for it.

(Via Saint Louis Magazine)

‘5 times when using paper and a pen is better than using an app’ →

Stephanie Vozza, writing at FastCompany:

We’re living in a digital world—one where screens dominate our time. The average American adult spends three hours and 43 minutes on mobile devices, according to 2019 research by eMarketer. This doesn’t include the time spent on a computer at work or parked in front of the television at home.

It’s easy to find an app or software platform to help you do run [sic] your life, making paper and pen feel old-school. But paper products offer advantages that tech does not.

Although I’m someone who genuinely loves all things tech-related, I’m still decidedly analog when it comes to taking notes. Despite flirtations with digital note taking, I always come back to the immutable truth that I’m a pen and paper guy.

Even beyond the valid benefits that Vozza writes about in her blog post—namely, the fact that writing things down is typically faster, keeps you more focused, and helps with recalling information—there’s something beautifully tactile about moving a pen across paper. Typing has its own unique pleasures, but the physical act of writing, even if I don’t have calligraphic penmanship, engages a certain part of my brain that typing doesn’t.

Plus, when I’m having a phone conversation at work, it’s easier (and much more comfortable) to have a pen and pad of paper next to me versus trying to type with a phone wedged between my head and shoulder.

Gearing up for Disney+

Here in the past couple weeks, I’ve been getting more and more amped up for Disney+.

Not that I’m all that excited to have another monthly subscription to pay, but what we’ve seen from Disney for their new streaming service (both in terms of their Marvel offerings and now the official trailer for The Mandalorian) makes me think it’s probably going to be a no-brainer.

And the price ($6.99 a month, or $69.99 a year) is low enough that it doesn’t feel like splurging.

Lingering behind my excitement, though, is the thought of having another batch of TV shows to keep up with. This age of quality content is incredible, but it’s a killer for trying to be productive. From what I’ve read, Disney+ will release episodes weekly (which makes sense, as they won’t have as huge a library of content as Netflix, for example), but still, it’s another service trying to get me to spend my time sitting in front of the TV.

The Mandalorian Trailer

Disney’s D23 expo kicked off this week, and now we have an official trailer for the new live-action Star Wars TV show, The Mandalorian, coming this November.

It definitely looks like Star Wars, both in terms of the style and the quality. This looks like it’s on par with the recent feature films in terms of sets, CGI, and quality actors. It’s been reported that the show’s tone is going to be a littler grittier, and that’s certainly the feeling that this trailer gives. It’s got some Rogue One vibes, which I don’t think is a bad thing.

Here’s the trailer:

I’m definitely getting more and more on the Disney+ train as we start to see more of what this new streaming service is going to offer.

Apple Arcade gaming subscription service rumored to cost $4.99 per month →

Guilherme Rambo, writing at 9to5Mac:

Today, I was able to get information about the price of an Apple Arcade subscription to customers. This information is available in one of the APIs used by the App Store app. According to a promotional message found in the service, the price for Apple Arcade will be $4.99 / month, including a one-month free trial. As Apple previously announced, the service will allow access to all members in a Family Sharing account.

When Apple Arcade was announced, I had assumed that it would be another $9.99 subscription, but (if true) $4.99 is an incredibly compelling price point. And, for iOS users who take advantage of Family Sharing, it’s an even better bargain.

I’d originally had my doubts about signing up when Apple Arcade launches later this year, but if this rumor’s true, I might just have to try it out, especially if Apple’s been able to pull together a quality roster of gaming talent.