The Brooks Review

Author: Ben Brooks

  • My Tablet Has Stickers

    Steven Sinofsky writing about his new iPad Pro:

    It is a good idea for the debate not to center on “developer” scenarios since the vast majority of people don’t do these things, especially when one considers the degree to which many on earth will experience a smartphone as their first and only “computer”.

    The first half of his post is a fantastic analysis of how iPad adoption is likely going to play out. He then dives into his likes and dislikes of the iPad Pro, culminating in this:

    The shift to this new form factor and new platform will bring with it cultural changes that take advantage of what are perceived as disadvantages. As makers, being early is essential, otherwise you are late.”

    Very astute.

    Oh, and I went the sticker route too:

  • Traveling Light: Toiletries

    Editor’s Note: I’m going to be writing some posts about how I travel light. I’ll pull them all back together at the end with one larger post and hopefully a video. I am not a super minimalist packer, I am however a light packer. This will also be very geared to men, sorry to all the women — I just have no way of writing about that.

    There are two things I hate when it comes to trying to pack toiletries light: travel toothbrushes and the idea that you can buy what you need, where you are going. Travel toothbrushes, which are too small to hold comfortably, and fold in half and thus are never great to begin with.

    Just use a regular toothbrush for crying out loud.

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  • Traveling Light: Socks

    Editor’s Note: I’m going to be writing some posts about how I travel light. I’ll pull them all back together at the end with one larger post and hopefully a video. I am not a super minimalist packer, I am however a light packer. This will also be very geared to men, sorry to all the women — I just have no way of writing about that.

    This might be the shortest of all these posts: I don’t buy special socks for travel. There are tons of great options out there which are Merino wool and thus fast drying, anti-stink, and more. They are good socks, and the socks I certainly should be traveling with, but I don’t.

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  • Traveling Light: Packing Aids

    Editor’s Note: I’m going to be writing some posts about how I travel light. I’ll pull them all back together at the end with one larger post and hopefully a video. I am not a super minimalist packer, I am however a light packer. This will also be very geared to men, sorry to all the women — I just have no way of writing about that.

    Packing cubes, packing rolls, field pockets, stuff sacks — every where you turn there’s no shortage of people offering smaller bags to put inside of your larger bags. The promises range from the mundane of being more organized, to the comical of offering ways to keep your clothing wrinkle free. I’ve been fortunate(?) enough to try most of these, and after that testing there’s only a handful of them I would recommend.

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  • Looking at the Future

    Craig Hockenberry in the iPad Pro 9.7 display:

    After using this iPad for a couple of weeks, I’ve realized it’s like the advances of Retina in an important way: I never want to use a lesser display again. And as with higher density, I think it’s obvious that Apple will eventually update all its products to use this improved screen technology. I can’t wait!

    It’s a fantastic display. Can’t wait to get it on all my devices.

  • Traveling Light: Bags

    Editor’s Note: I’m going to be writing some posts about how I travel light. I’ll pull them all back together at the end with one larger post and hopefully a video. I am not a super minimalist packer, I am however a light packer. This will also be very geared to men, sorry to all the women — I just have no way of writing about that.

    Another excuse to talk about bags, most excellent. While backpacks rule the roost for me, I want to cover four different bags.

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  • iOS 10: Wishes and Concept Video

    Federico Viticci:

    I don’t believe Apple should move away from the app-based model of file management on iOS. However, both document providers and iCloud Drive ought to be faster to operate, more transparent, and as versatile as they would be a on desktop computer.

    I still don’t think the file system matters that much — but damn if Viticci doesn’t have some compelling ideas. The video is fantastic too.

  • Five Weeks

    David Sparks:

    As iOS further matures, I’m just not so sure I’ll have much need for a laptop. Trust me. I’m as surprised by this realization as anybody else.

    He is thinking he will only need a desktop, but I suspect that it won’t be but another year before people like Sparks are wondering what they need the desktop for…

  • Traveling Light: Underwear

    Editor’s Note: I’m going to be writing some posts about how I travel light. I’ll pull them all back together at the end with one larger post and hopefully a video. I am not a super minimalist packer, I am however a light packer. This will also be very geared to men, sorry to all the women — I just have no way of writing about that.

    One pair per day, right? Gone five days? Then five pairs of underwear are needed. At least that’s how I used to pack. Travel underwear? No thanks.

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  • Taking Risks

    Kevin Hoctor:

    If you live a life with the impossible notion of having zero risk, you may be happy but you won’t know how much happier you could have been if you explored new experiences with some risk attached.

  • What Is the Apple Watch Good For?

    Great post from Richard on how he uses and sees the Apple Watch. I particularly love his term for the app icons on the watch.

  • He Who Holds the Data

    Gabe Weatherhead on a disturbing trend:

    This new era where every app maker wants to hold my data is not a future I look forward to.

    This is the one change to TextExpander that I dislike the most. It’s also becoming increasingly more common. Sync is not a business model.

  • Replacing TextExpander With Keyboard Maestro

    Gabe Weatherhead has a good overview of some of the quirks with Keyboard Maestro.

  • Poor Apple Watch

    Casey Liss still likes his Apple Watch:

    Thinking of the Apple Watch as a standalone device that replaces the functionality of your phone is a fool’s errand. The Apple Watch improves your visibility into what is happening in your phone, like a satellite giving you a bird’s eye view of the earth. Neither will give you great detail about what is happening, but either can give you a lot of general information very quickly.

    Liss’ post is great and I completely agree with him. The Apple Watch is an awesome device for me everyday — it’s hard for me to understand why people don’t like the device.

  • Patience and Impatience in the Tech Industry

    Nice follow on from Manton Reece, where he talks about why patience is a double edged sword.

  • Silicone Case for iPad Pro

    For the longest time now I’ve been very against most cases — especially on an iPad where thinner and lighter is better — but with the iPad Pro (12.9″) the silicone case is a must have purchase. It makes the iPad Pro better in every way, and my only regret is not buying it sooner.

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  • U.S. Chamber of Commerce Goes for the Extreme

    Barry Ritholtz:

    The Chamber’s priorities are aligned with the small number of companies that are its largest contributors. Maybe that’s only natural. In any case, it no longer seems like the organization serves the interests of business at large.

  • Photograph Everything and Look at Nothing

    This is a great post from Om Malik.

  • 3D Can’t Touch This

    Alternative title: “A Disturbance in the Force Touch”

    John Gruber on a debate about 3D Touch which has arisen:

    A force touch should just be a shortcut to a long press.

    This strikes me as short sighted. 3D Touch is too new to judge and this sentiment (shared by many) seems more like a lack of being open minded to the new technology, than it does a problem with the technology.

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  • The iPad Pro Out Paces My Usage of Any Past Mac

    Since the iPad came out in 2010 I have been alternating between working at a Mac, iPad, and iPhone throughout the day. I used my Mac 45% of the time, my iPhone 30%, and my iPad the remaining 25%. Some days those numbers shift around, but on average those percentages are a fair assessment of where these devices fell.

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