Quick first impressions of the LG StanbyME briefcase TV

Thought I’d post some quick thoughts on the LG StanbyME after seeing The Verge has posted another story on LG’s suitcase TV that is still making the rounds of the tech trade shows. Despite the fact that it is still up for preorder on LG.com, I’ve actually had the TV (though that word doesn’t really seem to do it justice) for a couple of weeks and have used it several times.

My main use cases for this delightfully dumb idea for a TV when I ordered it were to use it out by the pool with the kids and next to my main 65″ 4K TV during college football Saturdays. I’ve already had a chance to do both and it worked pretty darn well both times. It’s only 1080p and not super bright but I knew that going in and at 27″ I personally don’t think those are big issues. We had a decent amount of shade so using it outside worked well and it worked even better for football. Watched an entire game and the battery was still above 70%.

As mentioned by The Verge, it is indeed heavy. Easy enough for me to carry around but too heavy for the kids (though I wouldn’t trust them with it anyways.) My 7-year old spent maybe an hour playing the games that came preinstalled and they were pretty shallow. Kind of like the sort of thing you’d get on the tablet restaurants were briefly putting onto every table.

My biggest complaint so far is there is no MLB.tv app on the LG WebOS store so hoping to find a way around that (other than just using Airplay.) Was it worth the money? Probably not, but in the end it’ll actually be cheaper than buying two TVs and hiring an electrician to wire up and mount one on the patio.

Twitter is fully dead, rebranded as X

In a long line of stupid decisions, this may the worst one yet: Twitter is being rebranded as X

There’s so many obvious reasons this is dumb that it’s hard to believe even Elon would make this blunder. Think of all the places you see the iconic Twitter bird and how easily and quickly recognizable it is to even the least online person. News/sports lower thirds. Restaurant menus. Business cards.

What a disaster.

Vision Pro edition reveal live thoughts

With that glass, aluminum band, and brown, the Vison Pro really looks like a face sized Apple Watch.

Damnit I kinda want one.

Ok the spatial video example of you wearing the headset to capture 3d video while the family is singing happy birthday to your kid is truly dystopian. Surprised Apple showcased that type of example even to highlight the camera capabilities. Feels like something Zuckerberg would do. Continue reading “Vision Pro edition reveal live thoughts”

Apple WWDC 2023 live thoughts

I don’t know about the Messages apps being an extra step away. I use the Giphy Messages app a lot. But I do love the stickers coming everywhere and being easy to create. (I’ve loved using Sticker Drop.)

God I hope the autocorrect truly is better/fixed. #ducking

I’ve tried using Day One many times, including paying for it repeatedly. The new Journal app is definitely intriguing. And glad to see their is an API for it. Continue reading “Apple WWDC 2023 live thoughts”

Alternatives to Google alternative DuckDuckGo?

I’ve been using DuckDuckGo on Mac and iOS for years at this point (primarily just to NOT use Google and give them literally all my life’s data) and generally for 90% searches it’s been fine and it’s easy to hop to Google when it’s not.

But… I accidentally searched for “tv” just now and the first result was TV Guide. Compare DDG to the Google results in my screenshots:

In what decade does a person searching for TV mean they want TV listings from TV Guide?

Maybe it’s time to relent and go back to Google or find a alternative to my Google alternative.

Video: An introduction to Photoshop’s Generative Fill

Adobe’s five minute demo of their new AI-based Generative Fill feature in Photoshop is absolutely incredible. Check it out:

I think using AI for iterative creation like this could be the more interesting new capability AI gives us, at least for for a little while. Fabricating new images from thin air still has so many obvious flaws (ethically, technically, and artistically) so this type of use seems like it could be both more successful while also less ethically murky.

My daughter is hogging Tears of the Kingdom

Apparently I need to buy a physical copy of Tears of the Kingdom because after watching me play a bit the last couple of days, my 7 year old has now installed it on her Switch and been playing/hogging it all last night and this morning. She’s finished the first two shrines and is about to need to learn about staying warm. Interested to see how she’ll do as the puzzles and combat get harder but she’s enjoying it so far.

I tried to convince her she’d like Breath of the Wild just as much but as any parent could guess, that did not work.

She’s playing on the main Switch, can I just turn off wifi and then be able play on my OLED at the same time she is?

Watching her NOT obsessively pick up every single tiny item/fruit/tree branch in every single area is driving me a little batty but I’m doing my best to keep that to myself. 🤪

Google Chrome “privacy” enhancements

“We have enhanced your privacy by sharing your browsing history and behavior with random websites. You’re welcome.”

(via @rmondello@hachyderm.io)