scampercom

The question isn’t whether you adore Clinton (which I do not… but that’s irrelevant). It’s whether you want an administration whose tech platform backs Apple’s positions on encryption, privacy, innovation. That was the question, and that, I do.

I’ve written three novels on mine, and it’s been the perfect companion. For writing, I demand the tiniest, lowest-specced laptop I can get, stripped down to only writing-related software. Granted, my needs are pretty uncommon, but I’ve loved my MacBook. Now I guess I’ll be keeping it until it quits on me, because I’m not about to upsize to a hulking 13-inch lummox. (Kidding … but seriously.)

This headline is exactly the kind of levity we needed today.

I wouldn’t say I “hate” so-called spatial audio, I’d just say that in most cases it’s inappropriate or irrelevant to the way I listen to music. I listen—on headphones at least—because I want to hear the best mix the artist/producer is capable of, and that includes a _fixed sound field_ that plays as intended no matter what the orientation of my head is. If I want to roll around on the ground or turn around to do something else, I should be able to without the entire mix shifting. So I’d put it this way: add whatever gimmicks you want, but _always_ default them off Off, or allow me to switch them off. Not everyone wants to sit completely still to listen to music with the optimal mix.

The reason I’m not liking this news is because TouchID _sucks_. Passwords suck too, but at least I can use a password manager, and never worry about signing in (unless the password expires or is compromised in a leak, etc.). But biometrics are unreliable. I have to re-train my TouchID constantly—several times a week—or it forgets my fingers. I can see it degrading within hours, failing multiple attempts, and forcing me to go into Settings to tune it, tune it, tune it. Is it more secure? Maybe. But it requires so much babysitting and handholding and just _effort_ that I’d much rather be using a password any day!

I can’t be the only one who TouchID doesn’t work for. (FaceID is fine.)

This is exactly the correct amount of snark I need to start my day. I salute you.

Correct. Working from home is now demystified, and companies have seen productivity levels maintained (or exceeded in some cases). Side benefits are greater accessibility for those who have trouble commuting physically or otherwise, fewer cars in the road, lessened need to live in expensive, crowded urban hubs, etc. The greater flexibility is beneficial to companies and employees. We shouldn’t just forget that as the viral risk levels decline.

Plus some people just hate offices. Hi!

“iPhone owners must use a nano-SIM for their primary line…”

My hope was that I could move my primary line to the eSIM “slot” (since that won’t be changing), so that I could use the physical SIM slot for prepaid SIMs when I travel. Having it the other way around is pretty inconvenient. Or maybe there’s something I’m not getting. Shouldn’t the physical slot be the one that travelers would keep open?

command_f said:

The only time I've had problems with TouchID is when my hands have had a hard time (sanding wood, plaster etc being a good example). If your hands have a tough time, could you perhaps use your little finger* for TouchID hoping that it gets less damage?

*I think that's 'pinky' in US English.

That’s what I thought. I’ve tried all my fingers, but none works longer than a day or two. (I haven’t tried my toes.)

my mother couldn’t use her fingers at all, worse than me. Maybe it’s hereditary.