The Brooks Review

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Leica Sofort 2June 13, 2024
The Hype: Yoshida & Co’s Porter BagsAugust 26, 2025
Casio Duro MDV-106 Re-ReviewDecember 15, 2022

Recent Articles

  • ‘Your New iPad Might Be Lying When It Says Its Battery Is at 100%’

    John Brownlee reporting: >“I measured the power actually drawn by the AC adapter and found that the new iPad continues to charge for up to 1 hour after it claims to reach 100%,” says Dr. Soneira. “This affects the battery run time if you stop charging when it says 100%.” I’d love to see the…

    John Brownlee reporting:
    >“I measured the power actually drawn by the AC adapter and found that the new iPad continues to charge for up to 1 hour after it claims to reach 100%,” says Dr. Soneira. “This affects the battery run time if you stop charging when it says 100%.”

    I’d love to see the actual research here. I have only had to charge my iPad once since getting it so I can’t say whether I have noticed anything like this. Obviously it takes longer to charge, but not really being charged when it says it is? Sounds dubious to me.

  • Can You Hear Google Breathing on Your Phone Call?

    Drew Olanoff: >The patent discusses the technology to analyze the background noise during your phone call and serve up ads for you based on the environmental conditions Google picks up on. Yeah, that’s creepy. The patent also covers the backgrounds of photos and videos — I can’t think of any better reason to *not* buy…

    Drew Olanoff:
    >The patent discusses the technology to analyze the background noise during your phone call and serve up ads for you based on the environmental conditions Google picks up on. Yeah, that’s creepy.

    The patent also covers the backgrounds of photos and videos — I can’t think of any better reason to *not* buy Android devices. ((Yes of course this is *just* a patent application, but come on this is seriously creepy.))

  • The Updated Ristretto from Tom Bihn

    *(Disclaimer: Tom Bihn sent me the Ristretto to test out, this is the only bag they have sent me — the others I gladly paid for.)* [A while back I purchased my first Tom Bihn bag, the Ristretto for 13” MacBooks](https://brooksreview.net/2011/02/new-bag/). I really liked that bag, but I had one huge complaint about it: stuff…

    *(Disclaimer: Tom Bihn sent me the Ristretto to test out, this is the only bag they have sent me — the others I gladly paid for.)*

    [A while back I purchased my first Tom Bihn bag, the Ristretto for 13” MacBooks](https://brooksreview.net/2011/02/new-bag/). I really liked that bag, but I had one huge complaint about it: stuff was prone to sliding out of the front compartment — especially when on a plane.

    This wasn’t a deal breaker, but it was annoying — requiring an extra level of attention needing to be paid while you are deplaning, or de-anything-ing. The only reason I moved away from the Ristretto is because [Michael Lopp opened my eyes to the world of freedom that a backpack offers](http://www.randsinrepose.com/archives/2011/12/04/a_bag_of_holding.html).

    Now, I love my Smart Alec from Tom Bihn, but I couldn’t help but smile when Tom Bihn responded to feedback and offered a new, modified version, of [the Ristretto](http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/200/TB0223).

    The front pocket now fully zips shut.

    [ ](http://c276381.r81.cf1.rackcdn.com/ristretto-2.jpg)

    That alone makes the bag near perfect because your goods are far more secure, but Tom Bihn didn’t stop there.

    Tom Bihn has changed two other things that may seem minor to most, but adds quite a bit to the bag.

    [They changed the nylon used to make the bag](http://www.tombihn.com/blog/?p=2400):

    >The Ristretto is now made with an exterior U.S. 1050d high tenacity ballistic nylon and an interior lining of our ultralight Dyneema/nylon rip-stop fabric from Japan. Both fabrics are made specifically for us. Previous, the Ristretto was made with an exterior of 1000d Cordura® and an interior of 500d Cordura®. For the time being, we will continue to offer one Cordura® color combination — Olive/Cayenne — in all three sizes of Ristretto. Why the switch in fabrics? Our 1050d ballistic nylon has a stiffer hand and a rich weave and we like the way it reflects light. We work with our fabric mills to get this fabric just the way we want it. Our Japanese ultralight Dyneema/nylon fabric saves weight and is as tough as nails. And it’s quite handsome to boot.

    This new nylon is much stiffer and while that may seem less appealing — it actually makes the bag quite a bit better. For one the bag is a lot more rigid when you set it down, instead of flopping over like the old version, it sits up.

    [](http://c276381.r81.cf1.rackcdn.com/ristretto-1.jpg)

    Overall this new nylon adds a bit of structure to the bag and I like that a lot. The old version was just a floppy bag in comparison.

    The second change was to add a new lining to the bag — this lining is the typical Tom Bihn grid. While it is not my favorite look, it does greatly aid you when you are digging about the bottom of the bag looking for something — particularly something small. It’s a very nice finishing touch.

    This isn’t an extensive review because it doesn’t need to be — everything I liked about the original bag is still here. Tom Bihn made the changes that the bag needed to go from very good to great.

    The new zippered front pocket is a godsend.

    ### The Catch

    There is one other thing that was added that I dislike, but it’s pretty minor. It’s this:

    [](http://c276381.r81.cf1.rackcdn.com/ristretto-3.jpg)

    A QR code, really? Ugh.

    ### Wrap Up

    Quite a few people asked me if these changes are enough for me to switch back to the Ristretto from my Smart Alec. That’s a tough question to answer. I never *wanted* to get rid of my original Ristretto, but I did so to partly fund the purchase of the Smart Alec — and because I just don’t switch bags that often.

    Having both the Ristretto and Smart Alec at the same time offers an interesting conundrum for me. I love having a backpack and all the room and mobility a backpack affords, but I also like how small a light the Ristretto is — I feel more mobile with the Ristretto.

    If I had to choose I would still stick with the Smart Alec, but only because I have seen *the light* when it comes to backpacks versus shoulder bags. If I had both? Well, the Ristretto would get used regularly, very regularly.

    It’s a great bag, [go get yours here](http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/200/TB0223).

  • Retina iPads and File Size

    Khoi Vinh on iPad magazine sizes: >Eventually we will get enough bandwidth so that we can download the 150 megabytes or more that these apps ask us to retrieve. Though what I fear is that when we have that capacity, publishers will be asking us to download gigabytes per issue; this is after all an…

    Khoi Vinh on iPad magazine sizes:

    >Eventually we will get enough bandwidth so that we can download the 150 megabytes or more that these apps ask us to retrieve. Though what I fear is that when we have that capacity, publishers will be asking us to download gigabytes per issue; this is after all an industry that cannot resist imposing greater and greater demands on its users in order to impress itself.

  • The Ultimate “Inline Link” Markdown Macro in Keyboard Maestro

    Now *that is* impressive.

    Now *that is* impressive.

  • Quote of the Day: MG Siegler

    “We need a Consumer Reports to protect us from Consumer Reports.” — MG Siegler

    “We need a Consumer Reports to protect us from Consumer Reports.”

  • Hard Graft’s Flat Pack for MacBook 13″

    It’s taking all of my self control to not buy this bag. Oh do I want this bag.

    It’s taking all of my self control to not buy this bag. Oh do I want this bag.

  • 2012 ‘Retina’ iPad Cellular Data Tests from Bare Feats

    Spoiler: LTE is *way* faster than 3G. There is also a very interesting note about using the iPad as a hotspot: it splits the bandwidth speed.

    Spoiler: LTE is *way* faster than 3G. There is also a very interesting note about using the iPad as a hotspot: it splits the bandwidth speed.

  • ‘Microsoft banning Mac, iPad purchases by its sales and marketing group?’

    Mary-Jo Foley: >Some folks think moves like the alleged Mac and iPad ban make sense. Others find them overblown. If current purchase levels really are low, as the alleged memo says, why go so far as to ban them, asked one former Softie. And what about knowing your enemy? >What’s your take? If it’s really…

    Mary-Jo Foley:

    >Some folks think moves like the alleged Mac and iPad ban make sense. Others find them overblown. If current purchase levels really are low, as the alleged memo says, why go so far as to ban them, asked one former Softie. And what about knowing your enemy?

    >What’s your take? If it’s really happening (which I believe it is, given where I got the e-mail), is this a smart or a pointless move on Microsoft’s part? My vote is smart. In fact, I’m surprised this policy wasn’t put in place before.

    I’ve always been of the mindset that if your employees don’t want to use your own products, you have way more to worry about than whether customers see your employees using a competitors products or not. After all shouldn’t your employees be your most loyal users? And if you don’t have that, then what does that say of your future as a business? Not much.

  • Path Keeps With the Dishonesty?

    David Barnard asked Path to delete all his user data and got a support email confirming the data was gone. Today he signed back up and all his old data was still there for him to use. So, I guess we know now that Path values that data more than trust?

    David Barnard asked Path to delete all his user data and got a support email confirming the data was gone.

    Today he signed back up and all his old data was still there for him to use.

    So, I guess we know now that Path values that data more than trust?

  • Quote of the Day: Jeff Atwood

    “iPad 3 reviews that complain ‘all they did was improve the display’ are clueless bordering on stupidity. Tablets are pretty much by definition all display; nothing is more fundamental to the tablet experience than the quality of the display.” — Jeff Atwood

    “iPad 3 reviews that complain ‘all they did was improve the display’ are clueless bordering on stupidity. Tablets are pretty much by definition all display; nothing is more fundamental to the tablet experience than the quality of the display.”

  • ‘Hardware Defects So Long’

    Paul “Supersite” Thurrott amuses me greatly, so I always like to read his takes on Apple “issues”. Today he posted about the iPad heat hubbub (which I have not personally noticed): >In the scope of things that could go wrong with a consumer electronics device, this is probably on the mild side. Wow, right there…

    Paul “Supersite” Thurrott amuses me greatly, so I always like to read his takes on Apple “issues”. Today he posted about the iPad heat hubbub (which I have not personally noticed):

    >In the scope of things that could go wrong with a consumer electronics device, this is probably on the mild side.

    Wow, right there in agreement with you Supersite.

    >After all, Apple’s iPhone 4 shipped with a list of hardware defects so long, just covering them all accurately was difficult.

    Say what now? The only actual “hardware defect” I can think of that he could be referencing is the antenna issue. I searched about and the only other issues that popped up were a the couple of reported battery explosions (not to minimize that danger) and home button inconsistencies. To say that the list was “so long” that they cannot be covered seems to me like the biggest jackass statement of the week.

    The nerds on Twitter remember the following issues:

    – Antenna.
    – Battery explosions.
    – The white ones being delayed forever and discoloring (I don’t recall the latter bit).
    – Color issues with the screen (I thought that was resolved as a glue drying thing. Wherein once the glue dried it looked fine, perhaps I am mistaken.).
    – Easily scratched (Don’t recall that, but searches did pop up complaints).
    – Shattering the glass taking on and off cases That doesn’t seem like a hardware defect to me, but OK).
    – Home button not feeling right on some units.
    – Home button not being responsive, but was later fixed (in most cases) with software updates — meaning it was not a hardware defect in most cases.

    That’s 8 issues, many of which I don’t think are fair to classify as hardware defects as much as manufacturing defects — but either way a list that is not too long to recite. Oh, Supersite.

    Then Supersite just pulls me back in with this comment:

    >Consumer Reports, more famous for not recommending the iPhone 4 than for its decades of consumer advocacy, is reportedly investigating. We await their ruling from on high.

    LOL. Oh Supersite, you are so hit and miss.

  • The Smack Down

    John Gruber writing about Mike “Theatrical Performance” Daisey: >There is no larger truth here. This is not a mistake. This is simply a lie, a lie that was told to draw attention and create sympathy at the expense of the actual truth.

    John Gruber writing about Mike “Theatrical Performance” Daisey:
    >There is no larger truth here. This is not a mistake. This is simply a lie, a lie that was told to draw attention and create sympathy at the expense of the actual truth.

  • ‘In-App Ads Consume Mucho Battery Life’

    And cue the deletion of any apps that display ads (unless I can pay to remove them).

    And cue the deletion of any apps that display ads (unless I can pay to remove them).

  • 20% Off iTunes eGift Cards

    Last time a deal like this came around I bought $300 worth for $240. I get no kickback here, just buy these up because they are a great deal (works not just for Music/Movies, but for Apps too). Again you are essentially getting 20% off of every app in the App Store.

    Last time a deal like this came around I bought $300 worth for $240. I get no kickback here, just buy these up because they are a great deal (works not just for Music/Movies, but for Apps too).

    Again you are essentially getting 20% off of every app in the App Store.

  • Australian Federal Police Airport Teams Are Just ‘For Show’

    Robyn Ironside reporting on the Australian equivalent (or I assume) of the TSA >One senior executive said in his experience, the officers were expensive window-dressing. >”When you add the body scanners, the ritual humiliation of old ladies with knitting needles and the farcical air marshals, it all adds up to billions of dollars to prevent…

    Robyn Ironside reporting on the Australian equivalent (or I assume) of the TSA
    >One senior executive said in his experience, the officers were expensive window-dressing.

    >”When you add the body scanners, the ritual humiliation of old ladies with knitting needles and the farcical air marshals, it all adds up to billions of dollars to prevent what? A politician being called soft on terror, that’s what,” he said.

    Sounds about right.

  • iCloud Tabs

    I hope this features makes it to the release version — it’s also the kinda feature that creates a lot of browser lock-in.

    I hope this features makes it to the release version — it’s also the kinda feature that creates a lot of browser lock-in.

  • Dictating to Your Mac

    Here’s a neat trick that I am sure many of you have figured out, but that I just discovered Friday night. If you have [TouchPad](http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/touchpad/id297623931?mt=8) on your iOS device (probably other apps allow this as well) you can use the `dictation` key in iOS to dictate text into your Mac. If that sounds really easy,…

    Here’s a neat trick that I am sure many of you have figured out, but that I just discovered Friday night. If you have [TouchPad](http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/touchpad/id297623931?mt=8) on your iOS device (probably other apps allow this as well) you can use the `dictation` key in iOS to dictate text into your Mac.

    If that sounds really easy, that’s because it is. I use this now when I am trying to type things out on our “media center” Mac mini that is hooked up to a TV without a keyboard — works surprisingly well. I for one am pretty happy with this little trick.

  • Best iPhone Battery Case

    Not named Mophie…

    Not named Mophie…

  • How Apple.com Will Serve Retina Images to New iPads

    Jason Grigsby researching how Apple serves high quality images to Retina screen iPads: >As far as I can tell, there is no attempt to prevent duplicate downloads of images. New iPad users are going to download both a full desktop size image and a retina version as well.

    Jason Grigsby researching how Apple serves high quality images to Retina screen iPads:
    >As far as I can tell, there is no attempt to prevent duplicate downloads of images. New iPad users are going to download both a full desktop size image and a retina version as well.