LJPUK

My first SeikoMod

July 9th, 2022

I’ve just received my first SeikoMod watch and I’m pretty impressed. I went to Etsy and looked at UK based makers that could ship fairly quickly.

As you can see from the image I went for a homage to the Submariner. I’m not a Rolex fan but I do like that vintage Tudor Submariner look, with a nylon strap as I’ve fitted. It came on a cheap bracelet, which was uncomfortable but I was fine with it as I always use these Archer quick release straps. For less than the price of a Seiko 5 I get a Seiko automatic movement in the case that I wanted. What this also does is helps me on my path to understanding more about watches and watch repair for when I do my own mod.

I’ve been into watches for as long as I can remember and now I have a watch I can tinker with.
Using the iPhone 13 Mini without a case

July 8th, 2022

The iPhone 13 Mini is rapidly becoming one of my favourite iPhone models and I’ve started to use it without a case. I had previously been using the Apple leather one but now I’m past my return period and paying for Apple Care+ I’ve gone back to the case-less lifestyle.

When I asked other 13 Mini owners it seems that the majority of users also use them without cases. Now I hope this 80% has Apple Care+ or more careful than me but I have to say I’m liking it without a case. It brings me back to those iPhone 5 days. It is taking a bit of adjust to the grip and width but I’m getting there.

It’s also nice seeing the design, I’ve got the starlight model so I like the white back.
Can you still charge your iPad Mini after iOS 15.5?

July 8th, 2022

This is a strange one, some users are unable to charge their iPad Mini after installing 15.5. Mines ok thankfully but what a strange bug where you can’t charge your iPad Mini after a software update. I wonder what condition causes this to happen.
Alternatives to Apple trade in

July 7th, 2022

I’ve traded in with Apple recently, sold privately and sold via third party sites and in light of Apple again dropping trade in value it might be worth looking at alternatives.

Apple is without question the easiest way, be it in person or by post but you’re missing out on some extra money. If you have anything older than an iPhone 12 don’t even bother looking. For Apple Watch and Mac I also wouldn’t bother looking. You also can’t sell an existing model e.g. they won’t take any iPhone 13 models until the iPhone 14 is out.

eBay is my choice for selling yourself. Other sites I’ve used like Gumtree are terrible for tech, you just get low ball offers or spam.

If you want an easy alternative selling yourself try using Music Magpie. You get a QR code for postage and you get paid the same day it’s received. I’ve also had the same amount as quoted. Don’t use something like CEX where they only give you a good price if you get it in vouchers, cash price is always less.
No iPhone 14 Mini means it’s a win for the environment

July 7th, 2022

With all of the rumours now heating up before the iPhone 14 release in a few months it got me thinking about the apparent lack of an iPhone 14 Mini and how this might be a good thing.

Maybe it won’t matter in the grand scheme of things based on how many 12 and 13 Mini users but if we all stick with our Mini model we love then we aren’t contributing to the mountain of e-waste.

E-waste is a massive problem and one that I’m conscious of whenever I buy new tech, something I try to minimise these days. If I buy I try to buy used and if I do buy new I sell the old one so that it offsets my purchase a little.

Maybe Apple will bring back the Mini form factor in the next SE once the home button is finally done with or maybe we’ll never see the Mini again but as I wrote up yesterday I’m not the only one that loves this model.
The worlds thinnest watch

July 7th, 2022

Wow, what a feat of engineering this Richard Mille is. Just 1.75mm, amazing to see the movement that is behind this watch. RM is a brand I could never afford (bar a lottery win!) but I have to admire this one even if it’s over $1M.
A durable Apple Watch made of metal?

July 7th, 2022

There’s been rumours of the G-Shock equivalent or Garmin competitor of the Apple Watch for a while but now Mark Gurman has given some details.

As a lover of watches and also G-Shock I find that it’s hard to believe a durable Apple Watch made of metal is going to compete.

The extreme sports watch will use a strong metal material rather than aluminum, have a more shatter-resistant screen and include a larger battery compared with standard Apple Watches

G-Shock took a while to get to a place where you could have a watch that would survive anything and also be light and comfortable. What gives me pause is a metal extreme model would look beat up over time and also unless they have invented a new type of aluminium would be a heavy watch.

You’d also want to see some protection around the screen, a border around it that is raised maybe.

G-Shock do now make watches out of forged steel so it’s not impossible I just think bold to come straight out with one. Now we know Apple are experts with new materials so I’m sure it’ll be great but I’m sceptical at the moment.

I’m fascinated with this model.
The iPad Mini has helped me rediscover the iPad

July 6th, 2022

I’ve been on my MacBook Air for the last year and went a long time (for me) without an iPad. A few months ago I picked up the iPad Mini and it’s rapidly become my favourite iPad ever. It’s also moved a lot more of my day to day needs back to the iPad. I’m enjoying having a smaller form factor device that I can do 90% of my tasks on.

I’m not podcasting or making video so I get away with the limitations of iPadOS and can easily blog, mail etc from my mini.

I’m also using an iPhone 13 Mini these days and the iPad Mini has complemented it really well for editing the photos I take on it. I love using the iPad for editing images.

The only thing that hasn’t stuck is using the pencil and using as a digital journal, I just prefer pen and paper.

Lastly changing things up is good for RSI so now I’m spending more time on the iPad my keyboard use (outside of my day job) has reduced significantly.

Do you still use an iPad daily?
Skipping the iPhone 14

July 6th, 2022

As a current user of the iPhone 13 I enjoyed this post from Jason Snell singing it’s praises.
Keeping your iOS setup simple (and a switch of apps)

July 6th, 2022

I’ve been using a lot of Apple apps lately and appreciated their simplicity but I’ve found Reminders has gotten a little too complicated (especially managing sub tasks). In a bid to simplify things I stopped using it.

As you’ll see from my Home Screen I switched over to Things. I realised it was a lot simpler to add tasks and also manage sub tasks. I have lists like go to the shops, then I have a sub task for each item I need to buy. Things is by far the simpler way for me to do this. It’s also easy to retrieve and review later when I need it. I like the upcoming view and the widget.

I still have my gripes with their stance on accessibility and I’m hoping they adopt system size fonts soon. It’s my only concern about me staying on it long term, eye strain is a real thing for me.

What I’m finding is both Apple Calendar and Mail both serve their purpose for me, I use them both at a basic level.

For keeping Notes there’s no better solution (for me) than Apple Notes. It’s been reliable and it works really well for my needs.

Maybe I’m getting older and want less fuss but I find a simple setup is the best place for me right now.