Creativity - Playgrounds Conference Lighting Talk ⚡️

I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to present a lightning talk at Playgrounds Conference in Melbourne this week. I spoke about creativity in app/software development. I've turned my presenter notes into a blog post, GIFs included:

Programming isn't the first task that jumps to mind when someone says creativity. As a result, it's fair to assume most developers wouldn’t consider ourselves to be very creative. We don't question the creativity of a designer's work, but the work of a software developer isn't always seen as creative.

The biggest lie I ever told myself was that I’m not a creative person. I’m terrible at painting, singing, and acting. I can’t possibly be creative, right?

Creativity is a term we humans begun to use quite recently. As shown by the graph, usage of the term picked up only around 70 years ago. As leisure has become more abundant, humans have more time for creative endeavours.

I know for myself, all through primary school I'd tell myself I wasn't creative. I sucked at drawing, and being good at drawing or drama was what it meant to be creative. Even in early high school, I couldn't wait to drop art and music classes and focus on the subjects I enjoyed.

I didn't realise at the time, but when I started programming and begun toying around with making iPhone apps, I was exercising the creative part of my brain. I hadn’t considered this to be creative because creativity meant something different to me. It took many years to realise that I too was creative. Developing an app is a complex problem-solving task, and problem-solving is aided greatly by creativity.

Programming is all about creating something to do something else. By making an app, you are bringing a piece of software to life. By its very nature, programming is creative. There are technical parts of the jobs we all do which aren’t so creative - tweaking and optimisation of an algorithm for efficiency might be more technical, but writing code itself is a creative task.

An app is an expression of the developers who make it. In that sense, an app that serves the same purpose but is build by two different developers will be written slightly differently, reflective of the person who is writing the app and the way they think. The way you write and implement a feature is different to the way your colleague might write it. More than just the code, the creation of an app itself is a creative process. You start with an idea, build a prototype, go on to develop then polish the project into a finished product. This is a creative process. If programming weren't creative, Tweetbot and Twitteriffic would both work and function the same way.

How often have you stepped away from a programming problem, only to realise in a moment of downtime exactly how to go about solving it? Or coming back to work the next day and instantly solving the problem you were frustratingly stuck on for hours the previous afternoon? Our best ideas often come when we’re away from the computer, in a state of boredom. This is a trait of creativity, and a link between stepping away from our work and having a good idea is present. Stepping away from the computer can help us as programmers, as we solve challenging creative problems.

It's fair to say almost every software developer is either working on or has worked on a side project. I saw a talk once that made me think differently about programming side projects. The talk was given by iOS Developer Alex Akers. He raised the point that programmers must love what we do because we go home from work and continue to program. A hairdresser doesn't cut their kid's hair just for the fun of it. Other creative professions, however, involve side projects. Musicians write a tonne of music; they do it because that's what they enjoy. Lots of people write in their spare time as a creative outlet, without intent to ever be published. People with an eye for visual design often like to sketch in their own time. Once again, programming has the traits of a creative task.

“What we do is also kind of an art. ”

— Samuel Giddins - Playgrounds Speaker Podcast

If you’re like me, you’ve been working your way through listening to the Playgrounds Conference Speaker Podcasts. Toward the end of his episode, Samuel Giddins said the following, “What we do is also kind of an art.” Art is typically defined as, “the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination,” so in other words, art is an expression of creativity.

I took this photo last week while walking past a bath accessories store here in Melbourne. The mirror up top reads, “The art of bathing.” It’s easy to ignore the fact that even taking a simple bath can be art. If that’s an expression of creativity, developing an app certainly is.

Don’t focus on the technicalities of programming. Instead think of it as an art, as an expression of creativity, and see how that helps when finding the solution to your next difficult programming problem.

AirPods Review

I’ve been using the heck out of the AirPods

It’s fair to say these are more than just EarPods with the wires cut off.

Making the cut

“Describe yourself in three words.” This famous question is as old as job interviews themselves. Interviewers favour it for the brief and simplistic response that follows, while also opening up the interviewee. What do they think of themselves? Are they humble? The good news is that AirPods don’t have to choose their characteristics. That’s my job, and hence I can throw away with typical, humble responses to the question. Three words which accurately describe AirPods are:

1. Transformative.
2. Magical.
3. Exciting.

As is the case with any human interviewing for a job, there’s more to the story than a mere three adjectives.

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The Purpose of AirPods

Many argue the Apple Pencil was the most transformative Apple product of the last few years. Combined with iPad Pro, it changed workflows and allowed once devout Mac users to use iOS almost exclusively. That said, Apple Pencil is still a niche product, and iPad Pro is just a faster and bigger version of the iPad we’ve had since 2010. Apple Watch was a new product category for Apple - a wearable computer. Since the original Pebble I’ve been convinced of the utility of a smartwatch and, while they aren’t for everyone, have found them to be useful in many aspects of life. Describing wearable technology back in 2013, the CEO of Apple Tim Cook called it ”Profoundly interesting.” Apple Watch wasn't announced at this time, but I find it hard to believe it was the only wearable product in the pipeline.

AirPods were announced by Apple back in September, alongside the iPhone 7 and Apple Watch Series 2. Much of the focus of this event was on the new iPhone and the removal of the ancient headphone jack. At the time I was surprised so many people were talking about AirPods as “wireless earphones” and not as a “wearable device.” After spending the last few days with the AirPods, it rings true that their significance lies more in the latter than the former. These are more than special earphones. They’re a new category of wearable device. By design, they are the type of product that can passively stay in a wearer's ear regardless of if audio is playing. Apple Watch is worn all the time, whether a user is actively using it at that moment or not, while iPhone and the Mac get used deliberately, an explicit action is taken to use them. Even picking up a device and unlocking it is a definite action. Not unlike the Apple Watch, AirPods are worn passively. There is social a stigma surrounding AirPods for the moment, but the potential is abundant once people are used to them and not afraid of wearing them in public. (Yes, I am that guy who did his Christmas shopping walking around with one AirPod in.) Just like an Amazon Echo or Google Home brings a voice assistant to the home, AirPods bring Siri directly into the ear of a wearer. The “always on” approach is different to how most people I know now use earphones. Putting in earphones expresses an intention to listen to something then and there, and taking them out means you’ve finished. I believe that with time, as good wireless earphones emerge, this won’t be the case, and it won’t be uncommon for people to leave earphones in regardless of whether they’re listening to something. AirPods are modern, wearable technology at its finest.

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Design

Apple chose the same white bud design as we’ve seen them use for the EarPods since 2012. EarPods are almost certainly the most popular earphones in the world because of the sheer amount of iPhones sold. You can’t get on a bus or walk down the street without seeing a pair. EarPods have always been a comfortable fit in my ears (who would’ve thought having relatively large ears is a good thing?), and the AirPods are just the same. They haven’t once felt like they’re going to fall out and this includes while at the gym doing all of my regular exercises including running, weights, pull-ups, push-ups, sit-ups; you name it. They’re hardly noticeable in the ear. More on the sound quality later, but I think they’re enough to make me ditch the pair of Bose earphones I used to use while running and at the gym. Without wires, the AirPods don’t get caught on things, don’t get tugged out of ears, and most importantly don’t get tangled in your pocket, making them fantastic for moving around. The charging case is a necessary part of the AirPods package, and it’s ideal for ensuring they aren’t misplaced when out of your ear. My one problem with it is that it’s noticeable in a pocket. With previous earphones, I could throw them into a pocket with my iPhone and couldn’t tell they’re there. The same can’t be said for the charging case. It’s somewhat bulky and noticeable in a pocket. I’d recommend keeping it in a separate bag or pocket if possible.

Wireless

The marketing departments at earphone companies have been a few steps ahead of the product for the last few years. The term “wireless” has been used to describe any earphones that connect wirelessly to another device (typically over Bluetooth). However, most of these earphones have a wire going between the two earbuds. Sure this is a nitpick, but it’s the truth. It’s been a couple of years since I first heard about Earin - a similar product to AirPods in the sense that they are also truly wireless. Earin has only just come to market this year after years of media attention, which proves just how complicated truly wireless earbud technology is. Not everyone wants real wireless, either. There are already products on the market that introduce a cord between the two earbuds. In the case of the AirPods, the decision to adopt an entirely wireless design was a good one and adds to the uniqueness of the product. Going wireless allowed for each AirPod to be incredibly lightweight - 4 grammes (or 0.14 ounces). They are so light that I often forget they’re in my ear when nothing is playing.

Initial setup and pairing

The W1 chip inside of the AirPods promises to simplify the pairing process and ensure the “clunkiness” of regular Bluetooth is no longer an issue. The pairing process was simpler than I could have imagined and went something like this:

1. Open AirPods case
2. Hold near iPhone
3. Press Connect button that magically appeared on iPhone screen

That was it! AirPods were connected to my iPhone and every other device on my iCloud account. The next time I sat down in front of my Mac, I could pair to the AirPods. The option to connect also appeared on my iPod touch and even my Apple Watch recognised them. By default when AirPods are taken out of the case they connect to your iPhone, but the switching process is just as easy. To connect them to another iOS device the switch can be made in Control Centre with just a few taps. On the Mac, you can connect to the AirPods from the Sound menu bar item. I like the way Apple have implemented the switching, as it is a significant improvement over the typical "un-pair then pair" method of switching connections on a regular Bluetooth device.

Bluetooth range

There’s been a lot of talk about the “special sauce” used by Apple in the W1 chip that allows for brilliantly fast pairing and incredible Bluetooth range. I don’t have any other Bluetooth earphones to compare the range to, but I am impressed. I can walk around the entirety of a relatively large house with my phone in one corner of the house and the AirPods in my ears across the other side of the house, and the sound is as clear as ever. My experience is similar at the gym. My phone can be left in a locker, and I can be using equipment 15 or so metres away through multiple walls and the connection holds. I’m not sure if it’s normal for Bluetooth, but it sure is impressive.

Sound quality

As mentioned in my initial impression, I’m no audiophile. Whether they’re better than EarPods or not, I can’t say. It’s too close to tell. That said, I do appreciate good sounding earphones (to an extent). Up until now, I’ve used Bose SoundSport earphones while running and at the gym. I do notice the sound quality is better on these than AirPods, but at this stage, I don’t think they’re better enough to warrant choosing them over the AirPods when at the gym. Only time will be able to confirm this, but I think the convenience of AirPods will be enough for me to use them 95% of the time.

Phone calls

As a proud Millennial, I rarely make phone calls. The couple I had the misfortune of making while wearing AirPods went fine. They were uneventful. I could hear the person I was talking to, and they could hear me. I’ve nothing more to say here, move on…

Battery life and charging speed

AirPods

The battery life and charging speed of the AirPods go hand in hand. Although battery life isn’t fantastic for “wireless” earphones, my early usage suggests 5-6 hours on a single charge - in line with Apple’s estimates. They charge so fast that I don’t see this as an issue. By design, when finished listening to AirPods they go straight back into the case where they start charging again. A 10-minute break in usage might charge the AirPods nearly 50%. Apple says a quick 15-minute charge will give 3 hours of listening time (equating to a 60% top-up) and my tests have all either matched or bettered this figure. Having to charge so frequently might sound in conflict with what I said earlier about wearing them constantly. However, that isn’t necessarily so. Future models will undoubtedly achieve “all day battery life”, but until then I imagine most wearers - even those who want to wear them all day - will be able to find a few 10-15 minute blocks to top them up. The result of which is almost all day battery with little worry. As an example of my workflow, I might have them in for 3 hours of my morning while I work at my computer, two of which I’ll be listening to something. At this point, the battery is around 70% when I leave for the gym before lunch. The 5-minute drive to the gym is enough for the AirPods to almost top up completely to 100%, and the same goes on the way home, so I start the afternoon at 100% again. They charge so quickly that I see battery life being a non-issue.

Charging case

Just charging my pack of Tic Tacs

Apple says that a fully charged AirPods plus a fully charged charging case will total 24 hours of battery life. I haven’t done any formal testing, but it seems about right. I went 72 hours between the initial charge and the first recharge of the case. It’s hard to say how long I used them for each day, but either way, a wearer will have no trouble getting a full day of heavy listening on one charge. Remember I was using them an awful lot over these few days for testing, so I’d say an average user will manage to go close to a week between charges of the case. As an aside, charging the case does feel a bit like charging a pack of Tic Tacs. Now let's move right along.

Charge time

I mentioned before that the AirPods charge quickly, however, the same can’t be said for the charging case. As an example, the left earbud was at 9% battery, the right one had died at 1%, and the case was also on 1%. Plugging the case into charge brought both AirPods to 80% after 15 minutes, and to 100% only 7 minutes later. After an hour of charging, the case was at 64%. It took a little over 120 minutes to bring the AirPods charging case up to 100% battery. While you can expect the AirPods themselves to charge quickly, my recommendation is for wearers to get in the habit of charging the case overnight alongside your iPhone, as it takes about as long to charge.

Controls

AirPods know when they’re in your ear, and when you take them out. If you take just one AirPod out, the audio you’re listening to will pause and resume upon the replacement of this AirPod. This handy feature and has worked reliably every time I’ve tried it. Double tapping on either AirPod will toggle Siri; however, this control can be changed to play/pause the audio as required.

Siri

Siri on AirPods has been a disappointment for me so far. The way to active it is to double tap on either bud and then talk. It feels clunky and is less than ideal while out in public where others can hear you. It’s weird to talk about apparently nothing to nobody, asking to play, pause, skip, or turn the volume up. In my experience, it hasn’t worked reliably either. I would tell Siri to “play”, it would respond with “okay”, and then nothing happened. It’s also just an inefficient way to control whatever audio is playing, as it’s time-consuming, and results in paused audio while speaking to Siri. Controlling audio from your phone is much more efficient. Pressing the play button is going to work 100% of the time on your phone. But having to carry a phone around just to control AirPods isn’t perfect, as it defeats the freeing wireless ideal of not being weighed down by anything. One of the greatest advantages of AirPods is that my phone can stay anywhere in the house, in the locker at the gym, or in a bag and I can still listen to the audio. There is a solution, however.

Apple Watch as an accessory to AirPods

Just like the Apple Watch is an accessory to your iPhone, in many ways it is an accessory to AirPods. To truly be free from your phone while using AirPods, a smartwatch with audio controls of some kind is necessary. It doesn't necessarily have to be an Apple Watch, but for the sake of this paragraph, I’ll refer to the Apple Watch. The Apple Watch allows for the best of both worlds - control over the playback from the AirPods but also the freedom to walk around without a phone in reach. The “Now Playing” app in watchOS allows for basic play, pause, and skip controls, as well as volume adjustments. The Music app allows more detailed control over what album or playlist is playing, and my Podcast player has a watchOS app that allows me to change what Podcast is up next without having to unlock my phone. Interfacing with the audio through the Apple Watch is far superior to Siri, and for that reason, if you are at all interested in freeing yourself completely from your phone I’d strongly recommend the Apple Watch as an accessory to the AirPods. It’s strange to call it an accessory to a device that’s a third of its price, but that’s what it feels like after a few days of use.

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Wrapping up

AirPods are a transformative product. As a new kind of wearable device, their use in the immediate and long-term future are two different things, and I’m excited about the possibilities. As a product itself, they are more exciting than both this year’s iPhone and MacBook Pro. Their truly wireless deign sets them apart and contributes to the uniqueness of the product. The way they connect via Bluetooth is innovative and perhaps a little bit magical. I’m excited to use them daily going forward and to see where future generations of the product go. I’m prepared to make the prediction that these will replace almost all Bluetooth earpieces that are commonly worn by business professionals trying to look important, and drivers who spend long days in trucks and need to make a lot of phone calls while on the road.

My recommendation

There is currently a six-week wait on AirPods across most of the world, so it’s unlikely you’ll find a pair before Christmas. That said, they will make a great present for anyone who might’ve ordered them already. Should you get a pair? It comes down to a few things. If you’re someone who cares a lot about audio quality, then perhaps they aren’t for you. If you wear an Apple Watch, then you’re someone who already likes Apple accessories and new tech, and should probably check out the AirPods, both for the convenience as mentioned earlier and also because you’ll probably like the new tech inside of the AirPods. Finally, it comes down to whether or not they fit in your ears. As great as they are, the unfortunate reality is that AirPods won’t be very useful to you if they don’t stay in your ears. For anyone who is unsure, I’d encourage you to order a pair and take advantage of Apple’s 14-day return policy in the case they don’t fit. If anything I’ve mentioned in this review excites you, then AirPods are probably for you. So try them out, and let me know what you think.

24 Hours with AirPods

For a little over 24 hours, I’ve been using Apple’s newest wearable device - AirPods. I plan on writing a full review in the coming days so stay tuned for that, but in the meantime here are some first impressions. 

- Design: They’re incredibly small and light. It’s easy to forget they’re in your ears.

- They're easy to pair and make it easy to switch the connection between devices. More on that in the full review.

- I’m no audiophile, but they sound as good as the wired EarPods. 

- They charge fast. I haven’t used them enough to do full battery life tests, but every time I put them back into the case (which charges the batteries), they seem to get up to 100% before I pull them back out. 

- The freedom of wireless buds is great around the house and means I don’t have to carry my phone around while listening to a podcast.

- The range is great. I haven't yet stress tested this, but they were working when I was about 15-20 metres away with multiple walls in between my iPhone and AirPods. 

- Have used them during one gym session, and they didn’t fall out, nor did they feel as though they were going to fall out. They’re hardly noticeable once in their ears. 

- It’s useful to have an Apple Watch to control the volume on the EarPods without having to use Siri.

2016 MacBook Pro

With so many tech “reviews” out there in all forms - text, video, audio etc., I’ve decided that instead of writing a review of the 2016 MacBook Pro, I’ll write a blog post focusing on a unique perspective that I can provide - how this MacBook Pro compares after upgrading from a 2012 non-Retina model, while also highlighting how some of the controversial changes will affect my workflow.

MacBook Es-cah-pay

MacBook Escape

I’m a fan of the name I believe was coined by Marco Arment for this machine, the “MacBook Escape.” For clarification, I’m talking about the late-2016 13” MacBook Pro without a Touch Bar. The Apple ‘official’ name is “MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)” but that’s quite a mouthful. The name is fitting as it’s the only 2016 model MacBook Pro with an escape key on the keyboard, although for me the name could also relate to the world I’m “escaping” - the world of non-Retina screens. After reading many reviews and comparisons, I decided the non-Touch Bar model was for me. It performs well enough, and has superior battery life to the Touch Bar models (or at least that’s what the reviews would have you believe). One of the main reasons my old MacBook Pro just wasn’t good enough anymore was because of the battery life that machine was getting. 3-4 hours just isn’t enough on a machine that needs to be carried around and used for a full day at University. At this stage, the Touch Bar seems gimmicky. That’s not to say it isn’t useful, but it seems as though both Apple and developers are still figuring out appropriate use cases for it and it might be a while before we realise what it’s truly useful for. On the other hand, having Touch ID on a Mac would’ve been great - but for now, Auto Unlock with the Apple Watch will have to suffice. I must say I’m pleasantly surprised with the speed of Auto Unlock. Auto Unlock has proven to unlock my Mac faster than I can by typing in a long, randomly generated password.

The Touch Bar model that I did not purchase

2012 MacBook Pro (non-Retina)

Upgrading from a 2012 non-Retina MacBook Pro was a long time coming. I was hoping to buy a new laptop earlier in the year, but seeing as though the MacBook Pro laptops weren’t updated I wasn’t so keen on purchasing one that was already a year old. As can be expected, I was rather hyped for this recent announcement. That old, clunky machine was quite the workhorse, however. Its i7 processor almost never failed to handle what was thrown at it, and since having upgraded the internal storage to an SSD a couple of years ago, I had no complaints about the snappiness of the machine. Although that machine, and the work completed on it, will always be fondly remembered, there are certain things that will not be missed, including the 1280-by-800 pixel display, its 2.41cm thick body, and its 2.06kg weight. I won’t be surprised if I one day look back on this shiny new MacBook Escape and scoff at its display, its 1.49cm thin body, and the 1.37kg it adds to a bag. Yes, I’m aware that I didn’t get the thinnest and lightest possible machine available in 2012, and the upgrade is less significant for those coming from any rMBP model, but this has been my upgrade experience.

Quite the difference

Retina

So it’s 2016 and I’m all caught up in this Retina business. Yes, sure, most have been using laptops with high-resolution displays for years now but now it’s my time to look at this thing and say, “Wow!” What a difference the clearer screen makes. Text is sharper and more comfortable to read, images look fantastic, and now whenever I look at the screen of my old computer my eyes feel like they’re bleeding! These new MacBook Pros are also the first Apple laptops to incorporate a new fancy wide gamut display (DCI-P3) which is supposed to make colours look more realistic. My iPhone 7 also has this new colour display, but honestly, I don’t notice the difference. If you’re a photographer or designer I’m sure you’ll love it, but I don’t really notice a change. In this section of, “things Zach has missed out on for the last four years,” I’d like to also mention how great the macOS “Power Nap” feature is. I believe it’s sort of supposed to be background refresh for the Mac, whereby emails, messages, and notifications are downloaded while the computer is ‘sleeping’ and ready for you upon wake. Unfortunately my old MacBook Pro, even after the upgrade to an SSD, never supported this feature. Over the last few days, I’ve realised it really is quite handy to wake up your Mac and have everything ready to go. It’s another thing that contributes to the feeling of overall increased speed in newer machines.

Design

There isn’t too much to say about the overall design of the machine, other than it feels great. As someone for whom the 12” MacBook is just a tad too small, this machine feels like an appropriate tradeoff between thinness/lightness and a comfortable amount of screen real estate. The weight, in particular, is an advantage, as this machine will come with me to and from uni for the next few years, and when taking 10000+ steps a day with a laptop in your bag, lighter is definitely better. As a part of cutting down on the weight of the machine, the bezels both around the keyboard and screen are noticeably smaller on this laptop than my old one. The screen is the same size, but it feels smaller overall, and that’s an improvement.

Battery

As alluded to earlier, battery life was a critical feature when deciding what model MacBook Pro to buy. The MacBook Escape is really more of a MacBook Air replacement than a Pro, and I’m perfectly okay with that. The lower power 15-watt CPU combined with a 10% larger battery seemed to make the most sense as far as battery life concerns go, and I must say it hasn’t disappointed yet. It’s only been in use for a few days, but I’m getting between 8-10 hours of usage on an average load with rather high screen brightness. When it comes to more processor-intensive work such as working with Xcode’s simulator, the battery takes a noticeable hit but this would be the case with any machine. At this point, anything above the 3-4 hours I could get with my old laptop feels incredible. Not having to worry about bringing a power cord when I take this MacBook Escape out of the house sure is a nice change!

USB-C and Thunderbolt

The MacBook Escape comes with two USB Type-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports, while all other 2016 MacBook Pro models come with four. This has been a controversial decision, as although the ports are versatile, there aren’t many compatible accessories. This should change in the coming months led by Apple’s decision to including nothing but these ports on the new MacBook Pros. Personally, I don’t find it to be a huge hassle. The only accessory I needed to buy was a single USB-C to USB-A adapter so as I can still continue to plug in my external Time Machine backup hard drive. I might occasionally use it to plug in and charge my iPhone while on the go, but I haven’t had to use it for that yet. It would've been nice if Apple had included this adapter in the box with the laptop, as I'm sure a majority of buyers will find a need for such a product. Other than that, I seldom need to get data off of a USB thumb drive that it doesn’t bother me. The only other port I used on my old machine was the Thunderbolt 2 port to plug into an external monitor, but once the external 4K LG display I’ve ordered arrives, I’ll be able to connect it directly to a Thunderbolt 3 port and that won’t be an issue.

USB-C / Thunderbolt 3

Bye-bye MagSafe

MagSafe was fantastic. I can’t possibly mention it here without singing its praises. There’s nothing wrong with a USB-C connector per se, but it does feel like a step back from MagSafe which was a virtually indestructible means of charging your Mac. Pro tip: Try not to trip over the USB-C charging cable, I don’t imagine the results will be pretty. For what it’s worth, the MacBook Escape seems to charge impressively fast. I’m not sure if it relates to the USB-C connection, something to do with the battery, or whether it’s just my imagination, but it feels fast when charging.

Apple Watch unlock

There is one feature I like so much about this new laptop and that is the Auto Unlock with Apple Watch. This is a new feature in macOS Sierra + watchOS 3, and I’m pleasantly surprised as to how well it works. Having bought the MacBook Escape, this means no Touch ID, so Auto Unlock is the next fastest way to unlock this Mac. I’ve heard of mixed results with this feature on Twitter, but in my experience over the last few days it's worked all but once (and I believe the failure was because my phone was too far away - presuming the wireless communication goes from Mac —> Phone —> Watch, but don’t quote me!) It’s definitely a faster way to unlock the MacBook Escape than typing in my password would be.

Wrapping up

It’s been only a few days, but I love using the MacBook Escape already. The design improvements are significant, the machine has all of the performance I require, and the newer MacBook Pro hardware features such as the Retina screen is a nice touch that improves the overall experience of using this laptop. If all goes to plan, this will be the laptop I continue to use throughout my remaining three years of University, and it would appear as though it's more than capable of fulfilling that plan. The new MacBook Pro lineup has been a long time coming, and I know many of us were getting impatient towards the end of the wait. This computer won’t be a radical upgrade for most but it is an improvement in enough small areas that it’s a worthwhile upgrade for many - especially those who feel as though their current Mac laptop has seen better days.

Why? New rules and road safety.

It is the job of a government in this great democracy to make and change laws that are in the best interest of their citizens. Inherently this is a good thing.

Driving is a dangerous activity. Humans just aren’t very good at it. Safety should be paramount. There are solutions, and self-driving cars will be transformative both for safety and efficiency, but they’re a fair way off. Already this calendar year there have been 333 deaths on NSW roads, which is almost as high as the 340 in total during all of 2015. A leading contribution to increasing road tolls is mobile phone usage, and other forms of distracted driving.

As of next month, the NSW road safety commission are introducing a new rule for P2 (green P plate) drivers:

From 1 December 2016: P2 licence holders must not use any function of a mobile phone while driving or riding, or when stationary but not parked.

As a P2 driver for at least the next twelve months, this rule impacts me in many ways. But here’s the thing - I use my mobile phone in a way while driving that increases my safety on the road. I don’t use it for phone calls, text messages, or Tweeting, but instead only use the GPS/maps functionality. The current law states that a P2 driver is not allowed to touch his or her mobile phone, but it is allowed to be used for navigation. This is, in fact, more safe and more convenient than the alternative. Safer because my only job while driving is ensuring that I don’t crash the car. Use of a mobile phone as a GPS allows the driver to focus on what they need to, and not get caught up too much in the route when travelling to an unknown location. I don’t like driving at the best of times, and this rule will only add to my own stress on the road as I now need to be on top of navigation too.

There are a couple of “solutions” that aren’t as great as they may first seem:

• Use a UBD. Yeah, that’s right. That old printed book thing with maps in it. Not only do they become outdated very quickly, but they’re also a downright danger to look at while driving. “Well pull over and read it!” I hear you say. Sure, but that’s a step backwards from having my phone yell directions at me as I drive around. Hello, 1990.

• Buy a standalone GPS. They aren’t illegal for a P2 driver to use. This is true and is the “solution” that I will ultimately choose. But why? Why is this the solution? A standalone GPS device is also a step backwards from using a mobile phone. There’s still a screen to potentially be distracted by, albeit without the notifications streaming in.

When I use my mobile phone as a navigation device while driving, I don’t doubt its accuracy. It’s never failed to direct me somewhere, including times when it feels like I’ve driven to Narnia and back. I know that the maps on my mobile phone are always up to date - and they get better each day. They’re extremely reliable. GPS units are difficult to update, which discourages people from ever doing so. This can lead to out-of-date maps which in and of themselves can be a danger if they misguide you. If a GPS started taking me a route I knew was incorrect, but I didn’t know the area well enough to correct it, I’d panic. Remember, the only drivers affected by this rule change are young and inexperienced, and hence less likely to be familiar with different roads.

Another thing is, a mobile phone that’s mounted on the dashboard or front window of a car is in a position that’s difficult for the driver to touch and/or manipulate. This means they’re unlikely to try and send a quick text, or any other dangerous use of the phone while driving. If a GPS is mounted instead, and the driver’s phone is within arms reach, they’re probably more likely to try and use their phone while driving. Allowing use of a phone as a mounted GPS would surely be safer in that regard.

It comes down to safety, and convenience. It’s the government’s responsibility to reduce injuries and fatalities on the road, and while reducing mobile phone use by drivers is a good thing, safe, responsible young drivers such as myself are hugely disadvantaged. As someone who relies on their phone for navigation when driving, the alternatives aren’t as reliable, and in turn, have the potential to decrease the safety of myself and others while we drive. The alternatives aren’t as reliable, nor as convenient, and every time I have to drive somewhere unknown after December 1st I will be slightly more anxious than I already am in these scenarios. This new rule only impacts responsible drivers, and yet the ones who do make dangerous decisions on the road (like allowing themselves to be distracted by a mobile phone) will continue to do so. We need to do everything we can to ensure drivers “get their hand off it,” but this isn’t the right way to go about it.

The Touch Bar mistake

This morning at a special event Apple introduced what they believe to be the next big thing in laptop computing. A majority of the introduction of the new MacBook Pro was spent focused on its new Touch Bar.

I’m in the market for a new laptop. My current 2012 non-Retina MacBook Pro is starting to show its age and is significantly thicker and heavier than the new MacBook Pro which isn’t so great for carrying it around Uni.

Prices were raised across the board, and while I’m not happy about that, I won’t focus too much on why that’s bad. Simply put, previous MacBook Pro prices reflected the “Pro” part of the device already, and any increase now is just too much. Fortunately, they’ve released a “cheaper” model, which is still more pricey than the previous generation entry-level MacBook Pro, without the Touch Bar.

Regarding the Touch Bar, honestly, I don’t see much use for it at the moment. Its best feature at the moment is Touch ID for unlocking the MacBook Pro. This isn’t to say that it’ll remain this way, though. As developers implement the API, and as Apple introduce new updates to macOS we may very well see some cool uses for the Touch Bar that can’t be imagined right now. This is a big “if.” I’m torn between purchasing the base model with the Touch Bar or upgrading the model without the Touch Bar - 16GB RAM / 512GB internal storage is very appealing.

Back in 2012 when I bought my current non-Retina MacBook Pro, I talked myself out of the Retina model because of the cost savings. That’s something I’ve since regretted, as I’ve come around to not only the benefits of a Retina display but also the advantage of the thinness and lightness of the machine I didn’t buy. It was a mistake to not buy the best computer I could’ve at the time. And I’m worried that’ll happen again here if I purchase the new MacBook Pro without the Touch Bar. I mightn’t miss the Touch Bar for the first couple of years, but this laptop is likely something I’ll own for 4+ years and the Touch Bar may have increased significance in the future. One argument I’m using to talk myself out of it is that ~50% of my usage involves having my MacBook Pro connected to an external monitor with MacBook Pro out of reach, so I won’t be able to use it half of the time anyway. Right now I’m conflicted, and I just am hoping I won’t look back in a few years and say, “Well that was a mistake,” just like has happened by not purchasing a MacBook Pro without a Retina display.

Fortunately, I have a few months to make this decision. It’s a lot of money to spend, and I want to make the right one. My indecision will undoubtedly be expressed via Twitter if you’d like to follow along. 🙂

“I like it. Google being in the hardware game is only a good thing. I’m not a fan of Samsung and what they do with their phones, so having a phone completely designed and controlled by Google is good for consumers and the Android platform. It’s also good for Apple. Improvements to Android and also Android software only push Apple and iOS forward, and vice-versa. It’s an interesting decision to position it directly as an iPhone competitor - something Google haven’t done before. Samsung have done this previously but only with their high-end phones. This might be their biggest problem though: it’s the same price as the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 is a far more attractive phone. We’ll see how it sells once it’s release, but Google sure are expecting this phone to sell well based off of their huge marketing push over the last ~30 hours since the announcement.”

— My response when asked to comment on the new Google Pixel smartphone announced yesterday. Tl;dr I like it more than anything Samsung have ever done.

What a Time to Be Alive

What a time.

This phrase is repeated constantly throughout Mark Di Stefano’s 2016 political campaign diary.

If you religiously followed #AusPol and/or #AusVotes for the gruelling eight weeks of the campaign, then this is a must-read that provides plenty of insights into life on the road as a political journalist, as well as many behind-the-scenes tidbits about the campaigns run by both Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten.

There has never been a better time to read this book.

Five years already

Five years without Steve today. I still miss the guy. Stay hungry.

— Federico Viticci (@viticci) October 5, 2016

Wow. Five years, huh?

I sure remember where I was when I got the news. And like millions of others, the news was delivered through a handheld supercomputer which he helped bring to life. Apple products have, quite literally, changed the world and had an impact on billions of people - for good and for bad. Would our world, our society, our culture be the same without Steve Jobs? No way.

To end, here are a few of my favourite quotes by Steve:

• “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.”
• “What a computer is to me is the most remarkable tool that we have ever come up with. It’s the equivalent of a bicycle for our minds.”
• “Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life.”
• “Here’s to the crazy ones.”
• “Stay hungry. Stay foolish.”

Introducing Aussie Slang

So I made a Sticker Pack. It’s called Aussie Slang, and it’s a bit of fun. 🤷¯\_(ツ)_/¯

You can check it out on the App Store here: https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/aussie-slang/id1143967757?mt=8

If you really want to get creative, you can follow it on Twitter (yes, a sticker pack has it’s own Twitter account), or like it on Facebook.