LJPUK

I hope Nintendo is working on it’s joy-con reliability

April 25th, 2022

This is an interesting read for those of us that have sent Joy-Con off to Nintendo for drift issues. I’ve sent in a couple of pairs and also just bought 2 when it’s been an issue on others. In 5 years of Nintendo Switch ownership I’ve had this issue pretty much every year. I’ve also had creaky stick issues on one particular set.

I’m hoping Nintendo see this as a massive issue and with the introduction of the latest revision we get an improvement. I know I won’t be buying anything until this is fixed.
I don’t feel the need to tweet anything

April 25th, 2022

I’ve realised that I’ve become a passive user of Twitter since 2020, I’ve not felt the need to share any thoughts there at all. I enjoy replying to comments on posts I share and replying to some threads but I just don’t have anything to give.

I share here because for me it feels more natural, now in the light of a potential new Twitter owner maybe I’ve lost interest in the platform at the right time.

Twitter to me now just feels like talking loudly at a party (not that I go to many of these) hoping someone latches onto my conversation.

Writing at my blog feels more personal, sharing more and knowing that readers that want to see my content will.
Xbox Series X: long term review

April 24th, 2022

I realised today that I’ve had my Series X for 10 months so thought I’d jot down a few thoughts on how I’m feeling about it 10 months later.

This was the first Xbox I’d purchased since the 360 and I’ve owned every PlayStation, my current console was the PS4 Pro. I had the choice of a PS5 or the Series X and I have to say I have zero regrets about choosing the X.

The main reasons for making this switch were the games I wanted to play (Halo Infinite, Forza and Flight Sim) and Game Pass. Games are expensive at £60-£80 a go and being able to get access to a library of games at £10.99 a month was very attractive. Game Pass has lived up to everything I expected. It’s great being able to pop in, download and just play without the worry of if it’s going to be a good game or not. I’ve also discovered indie games that I would never have thought to try (check out Totally Accurate Battle Simulator).

The console hardware itself has been great too. It’s been reliable and quiet. Even playing these great looking next generation games I don’t even hear the fan. My PS4 sounds like a jet engine, it’s louder than the TV volume even when sat in the menu.

The controller at first was larger than I was used to but now I prefer it over the dual shock of the PlayStation. I do wish though it came with a rechargeable battery rather than having to purchase wasteful AA batteries. You can purchase a rechargeable pack separately and I will be doing this once my current set of AA run out. I feel for the money Microsoft should have included this.

The interface is intuitive now I’m used to it and is very fast compared to what I was used to on my PS4 Pro where the interface at times was laggy. I’m sure it’s better on PS5 but I can’t compare having never even seen a PS5.

So overall I’m very happy with my Xbox Series X, the exclusive games have been great and I’m especially loving Flight Simulator. I have no regrets choosing this over a PS5 and game pass is a system seller. I’d definitely recommend picking up an Xbox Series X (or S) of you want to give it a try.

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A basic iPhone Home Screen

April 23rd, 2022
I’ve stopped worrying about productivity apps and started to just use the basics, this led to my Home Screen completely changing and also being more simplified as you can see.

The main changes since last time
- Settled on using Apple apps for productivity. They do the basics well and don’t cost a monthly subscription
- Pixelmator Photo editor has worked it’s way onto the main Home Screen
- Glass is my only social media app I put on the main page, I’m in it multiple times a day
- Reeder is my only source of reading news
- Now I’m the owner of a car again I’ve moved Apple Maps onto the Home Screen although that may change. In using it I’m realising it’s flaws (including yesterday telling me instructions after turns!)
I’m still planning on starting up a podcast again to talk about this stuff, if you’d like to come on please let me know.

(Wallpaper is from Initial Charge).
I stopped trying to make the iPad something it isn’t

April 23rd, 2022

I’ve been using an iPad since the original launched and over that time tried to use it as my main machine that does everything. This has always led to frustration but over the last year of owning both a MacBook Air and iPad Mini this has changed.

I’ve come to the conclusion that Apple doesn’t see the iPad as your do everything machine, so I stopped trying.

My iPad Mini is a companion device but in letting it be an iPad I’m actually using it the majority of the time. It’s that device between an iPhone and a Mac. I use it for editing photos, taking notes, checking email and consuming content.

I don’t try to make it do things it’s not good at. If I want to create I use the Mac. If I want to do some Zoom meetings and take notes at the same point I use the Mac.

I’ve found where the iPad fits into my workflow and let it excel at that.

I think that even Apple are figuring out where the iPad fits in. It needs to cater for both a school age kid and a Pro. I don’t see how it can be good at both with iPadOS in it’s current state. But, with iPadOS 16 just around the corner maybe this year the iPad will be lifted up a bit with some updates because I feel it’s in an odd on hold state for many Pro users now.
Don’t pay to watch F1 on NOWTV

April 22nd, 2022

I’ve used NOWTV to watch F1 this season but I’ve recently cancelled my account, all for one reason – their iOS apps.

I started to watch it on Apple TV and ads aside (losing the audio, which isn’t a bad thing) it worked ok but their iPadOS might be one of the worst apps I’ve experienced. For example I missed FP1 today so wanted to catch up, I was presented with the never ending waiting loop as seen in the image above. This happens about 70% of the time on any of their streaming – it’s not really acceptable when they charge £30 a month. This was the final straw for me and I’ve cancelled my account until they show some focus on their mobile experiences.

I’ll listen to it on the radio for the rest of the season I think unless I see some improvement.
How to see new music from Artists you like in Apple Music?

April 22nd, 2022

I’ve been using Apple Music for ages now and I like it, it’s my favourite music streaming service but there’s one area I’d improve – discovery.

When looking at the app this morning I’m struck with how difficult it is to find all the new releases from my favourite artists.

Correct me if I’m wrong here but I don’t see any way to show me a list of all artists in my library that have a new release.

Is this really the case?

That’s an area Spotify does better, it feels a bit more of an active service and I’d always be in new music whereas Apple Music feels a bit more like just listening to your favourite music – if this makes sense.

Am I missing a trick here?
Why I still take my DSLR out with me

April 21st, 2022

I’m a big fan of iPhone photography but on days out I always go back to taking my Canon 70D DSLR.

I’m not the greatest photographer but I do enjoy getting in closer than my iPhone ever will and love the background blur I can get.

I take my Canon out everywhere with me pretty much. Be a day at the Zoo, an air show (remember those!), national trust visit or even just an early morning walk.

I just can’t get anywhere close with an iPhone and wouldn’t expect to.

I think of my iPhone as a way to store memories of where I’ve been and I’m not worried about fidelity of the image.

If I’m out somewhere I know I’ll want to use images as wallpapers or really want to practise then the DSLR comes with me.

Where the iPhone easily has the DSLR beat though is video and I use my iPhone 13 a lot when I’m out. Even using digital zoom it’s a great way to record bits of your trip.

Do you use your iPhone for everything when you go out and about?
Apple silicone case drop test

April 20th, 2022

My iPhone 13 had a hard bump against something, even with Apple Care + I was pleased my iPhone 13 was just fine.
Don’t buy a moonswatch on eBay

April 20th, 2022

I’m in no hurry to get a Swatch Moonswatch, they will come to the online store eventually and are not being sold in limited numbers. I’m selling some guitar stuff on eBay at the moment so had a look at how the Moonswatch is going with scalpers.

At the moment they are more than double their retail price, selling for between £600 and £900.

Don’t help support these enterprises.