thatvirtualboy

Why I Built a Pokémon Social Network

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Pokemon has a way of pulling people back in.

Every so often, it releases something that, quite effectively, taps into that nostalgia. Pokémon GO. Pokopia. FireRed and LeafGreen on Nintendo Switch.

For me, it was the Scarlet & Violet 151 TCG set. Every original Kanto Pokémon in their original numbered order. Kadabra, returning after a 20-year hiatus in the TCG. Insanely iconic Special Illustration Rares. It was an exciting opportunity to tap into that feeling of collecting the original Base Set back when I was 10 years old.

But the more I got back into the hobby, the more obvious something felt missing: there still wasn’t a great social app built specifically for Pokemon TCG collectors.

There are plenty of places online where pockets of collectors hang out, of course. But everything felt fragmented. Nothing felt like a true home for collectors where posting, trading, tracking your collection, and just generally being a Pokemon card nerd all lived together in one place.

That’s the gap that led me to build Route 25.

I Wanted Something Collectors Would Enjoy

Most social apps are general-purpose first, and collector-friendly second.

I wanted the opposite.

I wanted an app where the feed made sense for pulls, slabs, binder flexes, and daily activity. I wanted a place where your profile wasn’t just a username and avatar, but a reflection of what you actually collect. I wanted online trading to feel safer and more thoughtful. And I wanted collection tracking to be part of the social experience instead of living in some completely separate app.

That mindset shaped every part of Route 25.

More Than a Feed

At its core, Route 25 is a social app for Pokemon TCG collectors, but I never wanted it to stop at just “post some of your cards.”

I wanted it to support the full collector experience:

A social feed for pulls, pickups, slabs, and activity
A Binder for tracking your collection and browsing sets
A Trade Hub designed to make trading feel safer and secure
Daily community prompts like Trainer Talk
Mini games and XP so participation feels a little more playful

Collecting isn’t just inventory management, and it isn’t just social media either. The hobby is part showcase, part organization, part trading, part nostalgia, and part community.

I wanted Route 25 to reflect that.

Why Safety Matters So Much

One of the biggest things I kept coming back to was trust.

Trading cards with people on the internet can feel sketchy fast. Collectors are often dealing with expensive cards, personal shipping details, and the uncertainty of whether the other person is legit.

That is a big reason Route 25 includes a trading experience designed around privacy and safety. I wanted trading to feel less like rolling the dice in DMs and more like something built with real guardrails.

I’m sure there is still plenty to improve over time, but that principle was there from the beginning: if trading is going to be part of the app, it has to feel worthy of the community using it.

I Also Wanted It to Feel Like a Great iPhone App

Another big motivation for me was craft.

I love building native Apple-platform apps, and I wanted Route 25 to feel modern on iPhone instead of like a generic wrapper around a website. That meant leaning into native design, fast interactions, and platform features that make the app feel more at home on iOS.

That probably won’t matter to everyone equally, but it matters to me. If I am going to spend the time building something ambitious, I want the experience to feel polished, intentional, and fun to use.

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Why This App Exists

At the simplest level, I built Route 25 because I wanted this app to exist.

I wanted a place where collectors could show off a new pull, organize their binder, make trades more confidently, and feel part of a larger community. I wanted to make something fun.

Pokemon should be fun. Collecting should feel social. Sharing cards should feel natural. That’s the entire spirit behind Route 25.

Still Early, Still Building

Like any app worth making, Route 25 is still evolving.

Some of the best parts of building an app like this are seeing how people actually use it, what features they gravitate toward, what they ignore, and what they wish existed next. That feedback loop is where the product gets better and where the original idea becomes something more real.

This is only the beginning of what I want Route 25 to become.

If you want to check it out, visit route25.app.

And if you’re already using it, thanks for being a part of the journey.

The Best Mini Backpack for Travel, Theme Parks, and Minimal EDC

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I’ve been trying to simplify what I carry day to day — especially for coffee shop work sessions where a full-size backpack just feels unnecessary.

This mini backpack has quietly become my go-to.

👉 See it on Amazon

The Single Strap Sold Me Immediately

The thick single strap design is easily my favorite feature.

It makes the bag:

Fast to swing around for access
Comfortable to wear for a few hours
Less bulky than a traditional backpack

Small Bag, Big Carry Potential

This thing looks and feels compact but it holds way more than you’d expect.

It’s the perfect size for a productive coffee shop outing or a light travel day when you want to stay mobile without feeling limited.

What I Pack in It

For a typical day out, here’s what fits comfortably:

Macbook Pro 14”
iPad Pro 11”
iPhone
Water bottle (fits my 18oz YETI)
abxylute M4 magsafe gaming controller
Apple Magic Mouse
Notebook + Pen
Macbook Power brick and cord
plus there was still more room for sunglasses, USB cables, chapstick, and other small items.

High-Quality Zipper (Worth Calling Out)

The zipper is smooth and solid. Feels like it’ll last.

Ideal for Theme Parks & Travel

Another reason I was looking for a bag of this size was for Theme Park days. My kids use their Disney Loungefly bags, but that’s never been my style. I wanted something that felt larger than a fannyepack, but more practical.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a minimal EDC bag that’s:

Comfortable with a smart single strap
Small but surprisingly capable
Well-built with quality materials
Great for travel, theme parks, or coffee shops

This mini backpack is an easy recommendation.

👉 Check it out on Amazon

If you’ve found a similar minimalist bag you love, I’m always down to compare notes.

The Perfect Short USB-C Cable for Rivian Headrest Mounts

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Get Gear Shop $$$ and free Rivian charging credits! Use code RYAN4190772 when ordering your new Rivian.

If you’re using Rivian’s Headrest Device Mounts for backseat entertainment, you’re going to need a cable that not only matches the aesthetics of the Rivian interior, but one that’s as rugged as your truck.

After trying a few different options, I landed on what I think is the perfect cable for this setup: the
chubbycable FlexElbow 90 Degree 240W Fast Charging Cable.

Why This Cable Works So Well in a Rivian

This cable checks three big boxes for me: aesthetics, durability, and length.

1. It Matches the California Dune Interior 👌

Let’s start with the obvious: it looks fantastic in the R1T.

The yellow accent color on the FlexElbow cable pairs incredibly well with the subtle yellow interior accents in the California Dune R1T. Makes things look much more intentional, which is nice in these premium cabins.

Although I opted for yellow, really all the colors they offer look really good.

2. Built Like a Tank (Seriously)

This is one of the most solid-feeling USB-C cables I’ve ever used.

Thick, braided exterior
Reinforced strain relief
Firm but flexible construction
90-degree elbow connector that takes stress off the port

That elbow design is especially clutch when devices are mounted on the headrest. No awkward bending, no torque on the device, and no fear of the connector getting bumped or snapped when kids climb in and out.

3. The 0.82ft Length Is Perfect for Headrest Mounts

At 0.82 feet, the cable is:

Long enough to comfortably reach mounted devices
Short enough to avoid dangling loops or cable clutter
Ideal for iPads, Kindles, and Nintendo Switches on Rivian Headrest Device Mounts

No excess cable to tuck away. It looks good.

Bonus: Overkill Charging Specs (In a Good Way)

The FlexElbow supports up to 240W fast charging, which is obviously more than you’ll ever need for tablets or handhelds — but that also means it’s future-proof.

I’m a big fan of accessories that are under-stressed in daily use.

Final Thoughts

If you’re setting up rear-seat entertainment in your Rivian and want something that:

Looks like it belongs
Holds up to real-world use
Keeps your setup clean and clutter-free

The chubbycable FlexElbow 90 Degree 240W USB-C Cable is an easy recommendation — especially in the 0.82ft length.

It’s one of those small upgrades that quietly makes the whole experience better.

If you’ve found other interior add-ons that level-up your cabin experience, I’d love to hear about it 👇

Get Gear Shop $$$ and free Rivian charging credits! Use code RYAN4190772 when ordering your new Rivian.

Why a 'Done List' Might Be the Productivity Tool You're Missing

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

At the end of the day, it’s easy to focus on what didn’t get finished. That unchecked to-do list can make you feel like you’re falling behind, even if you got a lot done. That’s where a “done list” comes in. Instead of tracking what you should do, it keeps track of what you actually did.

Turns out, there’s plenty of research showing this simple shift can improve focus, reduce stress, and even help you move forward in your career.

Why Done Lists Work

They calm the brain
Checking something off gives your brain a sense of completion. That little “I did it” moment matters—studies show it reduces anxiety and helps you regain a sense of control (Self.com).
They make progress visible
During stressful times, a traditional to-do list can feel like a never-ending reminder of what’s left. A done list flips the perspective—you can see proof of what you’ve already accomplished, even if it’s something small (Wired).
They build momentum
Productivity experts point out that done lists create a feedback loop. Each recorded win—big or small—reinforces progress and makes it easier to tackle the next thing (Inc.com).
They help with reflection
Looking back on what you’ve accomplished is motivating in itself. Chris Bailey, author of The Productivity Project, suggests reviewing your done list at the end of each week to spark ideas and focus for the next one (ChrisBailey.com).

Why Not Just Stick With To-Dos?

To-do lists aren’t the enemy—they’re useful for structure, prioritizing, and reducing mental clutter. The problem is when they’re the only system. They show you what’s left, not what’s working. Pairing a to-do list with a done list gives you the full picture: what needs attention and proof of progress.

How Didly Fits In

The idea of a done list is simple, but keeping up with it consistently can be hard without the right tools. That’s where Didly comes in. It’s built around the value of helping you see progress clearly, stay motivated, and avoid burnout.

Here’s how the platform supports that:

Instant logging of wins – Capture accomplishments in real time, big or small, so nothing slips through the cracks.
Momentum tracking – Didly builds a running record of your progress, giving you perspective that traditional to-do apps miss.
Weekly recaps that work for you – The app automatically charts together what you’ve finished, making reflection part of the workflow instead of another chore.
Support for the small stuff – Gentle prompts encourage logging everyday wins, because those add up to resilience and motivation.

Under the Hood: How Didly Is Built

An Apple-exclusive, Didly is built with care for the platforms you use every day.

Native to iOS and macOS – Built with SwiftUI, Didly feels right at home on Apple devices.
Syncs with Apple Reminders – Optional integration keeps your existing ecosystem connected.
Minimalist by design – The interface is simple and uncluttered, so the focus stays on your progress.
Big impact, low friction – Every feature is designed to help you log, reflect, and move forward without slowing you down.

Why This Matters

For your mind: Done lists take the edge off stress and help you leave work feeling lighter.
For your career: Progress tracking shows you where your time really goes—and makes it easier to highlight wins during reviews or job interviews.
For your motivation: Seeing your track record makes starting the next task feel less daunting.

Final Thought

Perhaps it’s time to flip the script on your traditional to-do list and try focusing on your done list. Remember, you didn’t do didly… you’ve done more than you think.

👉 Download Didly on the App Store
👉 Learn more about Didly

New Rivian? Check out these 5 tips

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

So, you’ve just taken delivery of your new Rivian and are trying to remember all the Infotainment settings and options you covered with your Rivian Guide. There’s a lot to dig into! I’ve compiled five essential tips to help you get the most out of your new ride. Whether it’s an R1T, R1S, or even an upcoming R2! Here we go!

Get $500 of Rivian credit! Use code RYAN4190772 when ordering your new Rivian.

1. Adaptive High Beam Assist

Starting off with a bang, this is definitely one of my favorite features of the R1 Gen 2 vehicles. Also known as Adaptive Drive Beam (ADB), this tech enhances nighttime driving by dynamically adjusting the headlight beams to maximize road illumination while avoiding blinding glare for oncoming drivers. It really is so cool to see in action!

To enable Adaptive High Beams Assist, go to Settings > Vehicle > Displays and Lighting > and configure High Beams Assist to Adaptive

2. Lane Departure

This may be more subjective, but my thoughts are if you’re going to have it, go all in so that you maximize the value. Lane Departure is most effective when it has the highest liklihood of keeping you from crossing the paint lines and driving into oncoming traffic, or swiping into the car next to you. For this reason, I suggest configuring Lane Departure to its most sensitive option.

To maximize Lane Departure safety, go to Settings > Vehicle > Driver Assistance > Lane departure warning and configure it to Early. The Normal setting was just a little to lax for my liking. I also prefer the steering wheel vibration and Lane Keeping Assist enabled.

3. Software Updates

My Rivian Guide made a clear point to keep software updates as a munual procedure, i.e., keeping Automatic Updates disabled. The biggest reason being you don’t want to need to hop in the car only to find it in the middle of an update, crippling your ability to get going. You would be forced to sit and wait for the update to complete, which can take up to an hour on average.

This setting is probably disabled by default for you, but take a moment to go double check: Settings > Vehicle > Updates and ensure Automatically install updates is toggled Off. Now, you can ensure you kick off future software updates when the timing is best for you.

4. Finding Your Odometer

A common question on Rivian forums and online discussions is how to know how many miles you’ve actually driven your car. Many people say, “It’s in the app” which is true, but there is indeed a way to see it in the vehicle itself, as you would expect.

To see your total driven miles head to Settings > About and you’ll see your Odometer in the top right

5. Apple Music Sound Quality

Speaker performance and sound quality is certainly a subjective topic, however a quick browse of the forums and you’ll find a healthy amount of discussions around the Rivian Premium Audio sound quality. If you primarily use Apple Music like I do, you may find a large disprepancy between the quality of the sound amongst your library. Whether I was listending to modern Dolby Atmos tracks, tracks from the 90s and 2000s that have never been optimized for digital streaming, or anything in between, one thing was certain: there was a definite inconsistency in how good it sounded.

After playing with a lot of the settings, here is what I ended up doing to make Apple Music sound better:

Disable Spacial Audio
Configure EQ to Rock
3D Surround Sound On (makes use of the overhead tweeters)
Set Dynamic Sound Adjustment to Low

To disable Spacial Audio, tap on your user profile button on the top right:

And tap the toggle for Spacial Audio to disable it. This is most likely enabled by default for you

With these settings, YMMV so if it doesn’t sound quite right for you, continue playing and adjusting. I’d love to know what settings work best for you!

Hopefully Rivian will continue to tweak and enhance the default soundscape via software updates to really get the most out of this premium sound system.

BONUS TIPS

Whoohoo, Bonus! I’ve got 2 bonus tips for you – they’re bonus because they do require an additional purchase, but they are both totally worth it.

1. 90 Degree USB C Adapters

These little CableCreation 90 Degree USB-C Adapters are super cheap, and super worth buying. They make it so any USB-C cords you plug into the center console aren’t sticking straight up, risking getting bent or broken. It keeps the cords neatly tucked away to the sides and give that extra peace of mind. Even better, at the time of this writing they are 10% off of a $10 two-pack. See them on Amazon.

2. Portable External Solid State Drive

The very first accessory I bought for my R1T (before I even took delivery of my California Dune!) was a Portable External Solid State Drive for extending Gear Guard’s capability. You can see it in the above picture tucked away on the left. Gear Guard is great for adding an extra level of security and peace of mind. There are 3 types of recordings Gear Guard covers:

Road Cam
Incidents
Motion Cam

Incidencts and Motion Cam both utlize the Rivian’s internal storage, so no external hard drive is needed to take advantage of those, which is super cool! However if you want to be able to continuously record driving footage while the vehicle is in motion, you’ll want to get a small SSD to store captures.

Furthermore, with Road Cam setup, two-minute clips can be manually captured by tapping a button on the display, honking your horn for over 1 second, or pressing the SOS button. I certainly wanted this ability in any event where additional footage would come in handy. And the best part is once the hard drive is plugged in and setup, it’s basically a “set it and forget it” – so I know I’ll always be covered!

I personally went with the 1TB Samsung T7 Shield in Beige. Figured it should match the Sandstone California Dune color scheme =)

Thanks for reading and congratulations on your new Rivian!

Get $500 of Rivian credit! Use code RYAN4190772 when ordering your new Rivian.

R1T XPEL PPF and Tint

Wed, 28 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Get $500 of Rivian credit! Use code RYAN4190772 when ordering your new Rivian.

I shared a photo of my Rivian R1T California Dune’s recent tint work on the front windows and was asked about some of the details. I thought I’d break down the process and cost for anyone interested in doing something similar. My receipt scans are below!

Dune looking good with the front windows tinted pic.twitter.com/Nv75hLKu94
— thatvirtualboy (@thatvirtualboy) May 24, 2025

Choosing XPEL

I started by following the Rivian x XPEL link in the Rivian Gear Shop. This took me to the XPEL site where I could select my desired product and coverage. Using their configurator, I chose the Ultimate Plus PPF on the Full Front and Prime XR Tint for the driver and passenger front windows. The total in the tool shows $2,195 – which is really quite close to what I anticipated the cost to be. Just look at all that coverage!

With this number in mind, I called a local shop I’ve used before to get a quote for essentially the same configuration, but this shop didn’t use XPEL. To my surprise, their quote was over $3000! 🥵

Without any hesitation, I looked up the nearest XPEL shop which was about an hour’s drive away from me. After sharing with them I called due to their partnership with Rivian for work on the R1T, they gave me a quote for the same options I spec’d out on the XPEL website. Of course I anticipated their quote to match the website and was pleasantly surprised by their number: $1874

I thought that even if they jacked up the price to what I saw using the online tool, at least it was significantly less than the $3000 quote I got.

Tint

At the shop we confirmed the options and tinting. We landed on 20% tint for the front windows, as that level would best match the factory tint on the R1T.

I didn’t get any other windows darkened or UV film applied, just a simple matching of the front to everything else.

PPF

This shop told me that the Rivian PPF can be applied 1 of 2 ways: using Rivian’s pre-cut sheets which tend to cover the body panels up to the edges, or using their method of larger full sheets that get fully wrapped around each edge for maximum protection.

The Rivian sheets were cheaper since it’s ultimately less material, and less laborious to apply and that’s what I ended up going with.

The interesting thing is the sheet used on the hood actually does wrap around all edges - the ENTIRE thing is covered with the Full Front option which is just so awesome. So many other companies just do a third or half of the hood. I feel pretty good knowing the hood is 100% protected.

Paperwork + Final Numbers

In case you’re interested, below is the receipt for the work completed. The total ended up exactly at $1874 + tip. Overall I would certainly recommend the XPEL product – it’s already proven useful here in the Rockies! And if you’re in the Colorado area, I would highly recommend Advance Industries - they were really great to work with! Thanks for reading!

Get $500 of Rivian credit! Use code RYAN4190772 when ordering your new Rivian.

A Fresh Look for Bento|Craft

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Introducing the new Bento|Craft icon — a refined visual that embodies the essence of its creative workspace.

Inspired by the recently released Canvas design tool, the icon zooms in on the core element of all bentos: the box. It overlays the signature grid workspace, and features a beautiful blue gradient fill. Most notably, it features the iconic blue dot handle, a staple of Bento|Craft’s new intuitive interaction model.

This refreshed icon represents precision, flexibility, and creativity, just like the tools inside Bento|Craft. It’s a nod to the way you manipulate, resize, and craft with ease.

Excited to see this in action? Update now and dive into the latest version of Bento|Craft!

Your cards have never looked so good

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Developing apps is like homeownership: you’re constantly fixing things, upgrading things that still work but ‘it’s time’, and you’re probably still in debt over it. But somehow it doesn’t take away the joy and the pride of it all. I’ve been working hard on the latest update to Hello There and it ended up becoming probably the biggest update since its launch.

Simplification

The scope of an app is something I’ve always felt evolves somewhat over time. You want to focus on achieving a task really well, but you want options, flare, other things that would make a user say, “hey that’s nice.” But these things can sometimes take away from the primary function and end up being a distraction.

I decided to simplify my greeting card organizer app, Hello There, in several ways. And when the idea hit me, I wish I had thought of it much, much sooner. I’m getting rid of the abstract concept of collections which allowed users to select a color theme, and add a cover image from their photo library or from the vast library of copyright-free images from Pexels, and then cards added would belong to these collections. The idea of cards belonging to a category needed to remain - think of it like a Hallmark store: Birthday, Valentine’s, Sympathy, Thank You, etc.

These categories are now called stacks. And they’re defined by you. But why stacks? Because generally that’s how we store greeting cards in real life. I literally have a stack of Christmas cards from last year sitting on a coffee table that need dealing with. And thus, you can understand the new visual design of these simple stacks, featured right on the main page when opening the app.

One fun bit about these stacks – they shuffle a tad every time the view reloads, so they never look exactly the same.

Additionally, part of the simplificaton process, Nudges were removed. I realized that even though the idea of creating custom alerts aligned with special occasions fit the overall theme of the app… most people like to keep reminders and alerts neatly organized in a single location – be it Apple Reminders, Google Tasks, etc. So Nudges are gone for now, along with the widgets that accompanied them.

Interaction

In light of simple ideas… a greeting card should look like a greeting card. I was always a little disappointed with my own implementation of viewing cards in Hello There as it was simply flat, uninspired images of cards. Nothing inherently wrong with that, but c’mon. A card should look like card. So I’m happy to introduce 3D card interaction.

This is enabled by default, and can be turned off per card. Most standard cards will work really well with this format, but some won’t. Pop-up cards for example. Or cards with multiple pages or odd shapes. For these situations, you can still photograph the cards however you want, and then disable the 3D interaction and it will show your tab view of images just like before.

Intelligent E-Post

E-cards are called E-Post in Hello There. The term post is used because Hello There Post consists of two ways to send post, or cards, to other people: ecards, and hand-written letters via USPS. I really enjoyed making the E-Post collections and I’ll likely make more in the future. But with generative AI, it makes much more sense for allowing users to create their own cards with their own wording and their own images. Introducing E-Post Studio, an intelligent and delightful ecard designer.

Studio is powered by OpenAI for now. I’d like to eventually move this to Apple Intelligence for a native and locally processed experience, but that will have to come at a later time when Apple Intelligence is more mature and accessible. For now, users will be happy with the performance and results of Dall-E 3 as the backend.

App Store

Like when it’s time for a new bedspread or new towels… it was time for a new App Store presence. App Store screenshots pair with ASO in a way that really impact first impressions. Lame screenshots don’t encourage installations. So with the help of Picasso I went back to the drawing board and came up with a new theme that I’m very happy with. Somewhat inspired by the Calm app listing, the first 3 images include accolades, compelling image, and the basic point of the app.

The rest of the images are for those with piqued interest, and each screenshots focuses on an action. Notice each word at the top is a verb. You can see the rest of the screenshots not included here on the app store listing.

Ending for now

Like a house, there’s always more to do. However I hope users will appreciate the new direction, look, and features of Hello There. If this post is up, it means these updates are already available, or will be very soon. Watch for version 2025.2 and let me know what you think.

It may be time to reset your Apple Watch

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

I remember the days where it was not only commonplace, but encouraged to wipe your computer and start fresh on a regular basis. A common performance troubleshooting tactic, starting over with a clean slate was good for your operating system, as well as your mental health. Windows even has a built-in “Refresh” feature that essentially blasts Windows back to new while keeping your files intact. macOS supports Time Machine backups for conveniently restoring personal files in the case of a system wipe (or system replacement).

I would argue this practice of a full system wipe and starting fresh is less common these days. However it may be more common on our personal devices, like our smart phones, than it is on our primary computers. I know some folks to start fresh every year with a brand new iPhone. Others take the “Restore from backup” route and breathe easy knowing they don’t need to fiddle with their settings.

Whatever camp you fall into, it’s still a general best practice to factory wipe and start clean eventually. There’s plenty of data out there supporting this, so feel free to research it. My most recent experience with this was for a device that may seem like an unlikely candidate: the Apple Watch.

Apple Watch issues

I wear my watch every day, without fail. My primary use cases for the little wearable is keeping tabs on my schedule at a glance, tracking my workouts and health performance data, setting cooking timers, and staying connected while trying to use my iPhone less. This last one has been top of mind for me more and more lately as my kids are growing up. I don’t want them to remember time with dad as “he was always on his phone.”

Lately, however, my Apple Watch was making it very difficult to reduce reliance on my iPhone. I was having frustrating issues like

Calls would fail to connect, or one person would fail to hear the other
Listening or streaming music to AirPods would fail, either due to acting like it had no LTE connection, or failing to connect to my AirPods
Home App tasks, like controlling my garage door when going for a walk, would spin and spin and spin
General poor performance when I was away from my iPhone

These issues made me question why I even had the darn thing. If I couldn’t rely on it while away from my phone, what real value was it providing me?

A clean start

Knowing that this device should be capable of so much more than how it was performing helped me remain determined to get it working well again. I really didn’t want to write it off and say, “ehh, when it dies it dies… I likely won’t upgrade or get another one.” I truly want the Apple Watch to work, and work well. I want it to succeed not just for me, but as a product that has the potential to help ween my fellow man from phone addiction.

About a week ago, I decided to factory reset the Apple Watch. In the grand scheme of resetting devices, the Apple Watch is, in my opinion, the least risky device to perform a reset. Watch faces can be easily re-added, most user data is pulled from my iPhone, and my watch settings mostly consist of simply putting it in silent mode.

Going through the reset was a painless operation, and relatively quick (compared to the Series 3 resets and restores… ughh). I was pleasently surprised by the new setup process and steps in watchOS 10, which users wouldn’t have seen when upgrading from watchOS 9. I chose to go with the clean start and I didn’t restore any backups. I think this may be the key to having success with the whole operation.

The results

So the main question then: did it make any difference?

I’m glad to say that it did. At least it appears to have helped so far. Cellular calls are connecting and we can both ends can hear each other. I was able to play a playlist from my watch to my AirPods just yesterday while doing yardwork, away from my iPhone, without any connection issues. The Home app is more responsive. The overall experience is more what you would expect it to be: delightful.

If you find yourself in a similar sitiation where your Apple Watch simply seems to not be performing at the level you remember, or what you think it should be, it may be time to reset and start fresh.

Have you found yourself needing to reset your Apple Watch? Let me know about your experience!

The surprise use-case of iPhone Mirroring on macOS Sequoia

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Apple debuted iPhone Mirroring as a first class feature in macOS Sequoia during the 2024 World Wide Develeper’s Conference (WWDC). An extention of Continuity, Apple highlighted the ability to fully interact with your iPhone virtually, while the actual device’s screen remains locked and secure.

Craig Federighi noted several use cases for how this could be a useful feature, including using a coffee app to place your coffee order, using Duolingo, or dragging files from the Mac directly inside an iPhone app. He even showed how iPhone notifications can be displayed alongside macOS notifications (further muddying lines of context, but I digress…) and when clicked on, it launches the virtual interface of your iPhone. Pretty neat!

Source: Apple

There’s one feature I’m personally excited to use iPhone Mirroring for, and it’s something that really shouldn’t have required a full virtual iPhone interface to achieve, but here we are.

Send app to another device

For years, I’ve wanted the ability to browse the App Store from one device, and send an app to another device for installation. Maybe I’m on my Mac and want to install a game to my iPad for when I’m home. Or maybe I’m on my iPad and see a fellow indie released a new killer app for iPhone. In the days of olde, I did this a ton with my PC and my Android phone. It was so handy to discover an app on the Goole Playstore in the browser, and say “Install this to my phone.” Then the next time I picked up my phone, poof! The app was already installed and ready to rock.

I’m hoping this is a feature that will still make its way to the Apple ecosystem, since launching an entire virtual device screen is a bit overkill for the feature, but I’m looking forward to the ability nonetheless!

What about you? How do you see yourself using iPhone Mirroring?