The Brooks Review

Month: March 2015

  • Ben Brooks’ Morning Routine on My Morning Routine

    I didn’t even realize I came across so hateful to snooze buttons. Live and learn.

    Fun interview and I am honored to be amongst the others on that site.

  • New Google Calendar iPhone app

    Conor McClure:

    Finally—the biggest problem of all—the app’s damn name is so long that is displays as “Google Cal…” on the homescreen, which is absolutely hideous. Unusably hideous.

  • Obligatory Apple Watch and MacBook Thoughts

    I watched the event with everyone else and I wasn’t going to post about it. I had nothing to say, but on the drive home something happened. I missed a text.

    I didn’t hear it, or see it. When I got home I was annoyed I missed it. And I was amazed at how many calls and text messages I miss daily because I either don’t or can’t hear my phone (or feel the vibration).

    It drives me nuts.

    And it hit me: that’s the actual problem the Apple Watch solves for me. I’ll feel it. I’ll get my notifications. I won’t miss things I’ve deemed that I don’t want to miss. That’s worth the price of entry, any other features is just the cherry on top of it.

    MacBook

    My God is that a thing of beauty. I’ve written a lot about this, but I think I’ll snag one of those. I like every spec about it except the processor, but I’m honestly not sure how much that matters anymore.

    My iPad Air rocks and it’s slow by comparison to my Mac. I think I need to realize that for how I use computers the processor doesn’t matter at this point. I’m thinking base model, and I can’t wait to get my hands on one. I had thought about the Air instead, but I’ve heard a few concerning things about them and I’m dissuaded from choosing that for my needs.

    It’s just a gorgeous looking Mac. Through and through. The MacBook was the best part of the event for me, maybe it’s nostalgia, but I love new Mac announcements and Apple didn’t disappoint today.

    Event

    Overall it was a solid event from Apple. The watches were as good as expected. The MacBook was awesome. And the ResearchKit work looks spectacular.

  • 14 Things That Are Obsolete in 21st Century Schools

    Ingvi Hrannar:

    The idea of taking a whole class to a computer room with outdated equipment, once a week to practice their typewriting skills and sending them back to the classroom 40 minutes later, is obsolete.

    Computers or technology shouldn’t just be a specific subject, that’s not sufficient anymore but rather it should be an integral part of all the subjects and built into the curriculum.

  • 10 Under Appreciated Leadership Qualities

    Sean Sperte:

    I’m convinced leaders who develop a habit of thanking those they lead — recognizing sacrifice, effort, and thought — benefit even more than the recipient.

    Fantastic post.

  • How The iPad Empowers Grandparents

    Kevin Wild:

    Without the iPad, my grandparents would've continued living their lives disconnected from the wonders of the internet and modern technology. It has empowered – not intimidated – them to embrace how technology can improve their lives.

    I can echo many of these sentiments over three sets of grandparents in our family. My grandfather spends hours each day looking at new photos we post to iCloud, and prints the ones he wants. He likes stuff all over Facebook, while my grandmother watches Japanese news from her hometown — live.

    On my wife's side her grandfather FaceTimes almost everyday at lunch. Another likes and comments on photos in iCloud constantly.

    I've spent hours with them fixing routers and computers in the past. But with iOS they've fixed things themselves and have been empowered to try what they want without waiting for me.

    I tell them one thing when it comes to iOS (after I get the first backup done in iCloud): don't be afraid to do, press, install, or try anything. There's nothing you can break which I can't easily tell you how to fix over the phone.

    I've never been called in to fix something that took more than a moment. I love it, and I know they do.

  • My iPad Week

    On Monday there is an Apple event scheduled, and it’s likely to center around the Apple Watch — this post is not about the Apple Watch — there are two far more interesting rumors about the event for me: the 12″ Retina MacBook Air, and the iPad Pro. Both have had their share of rumors of late and both are things that I really want.

    While I want a watch, I actually need a computer.

    (more…)

  • BitTorrent Sync 2.0

    I recently did a clean install on my Mac and I had to move only some system files. Everything else came in via BitTorrent Sync — it's a tool that I absolutely love. It's secure and decentralized and simple well done.

    Now it is on version 2.0 and man are there some good changes. First the iOS apps got some love (and it was needed), but most important there is selective sync, which is really cool. Instead of just telling the app not to sync a folder, it shows placeholder files in that folder so your search works.. Double clicking a file downloads just that file and keeps just that file in sync. Amazing stuff, but that's a Pro feature which is $39/yr — chump change.

    Everyone should be using this over Dropbox, it's just too good.

  • Optimization Without Thinking

    There was a recent update to Slack for iOS and it said it paid special attention to the iPhone 6 and 6 plus. This is of particular importance to me because I am a 6 plus user and Slack is my most used iPhone app. Upon opening the app I didn’t notice much, but then I swiped to switch channels.

    Woah, they made that wider, now it’s easier to select new channels one handed with my right hand. Sweet!

    (more…)

  • Workflow Field Guide

    New Field Guide video from David Sparks on Workflow, I can't wait to watch it. Stellar app and David knows his shit.