Issue #1
The Untitled Newsletter Oct 2020
New Device Month
It's October, but for others it's known as Techtober. Usually this starts in September with Techtember and the announcement of a new iPhone. This year is a bit different for obvious reasons. Apple did have a couple of announcements in September followed by a second event in October.
Apple Watch
First was the Apple Watch, this didn't really speak to me. I'm trying hard to get back into this device but I just love mechanical watches so much. The health stuff is undeniably helpful and possibly life saving, so I'm giving my Series 5 watch a go again. I'll report back in future with how it's going.
I did pick up the new solo loop band. Actually I picked one up twice. Apple's measurement tool seems to be off and I got one two sizes too big. I guess Apple thought everyone was The Grinch. But I returned that and got the Cypress Green Solo Loop in the proper size. I'm usually not a big fan of green, but a dark neutral green mixed with my typical black clothing looks awesome.
iPad
Apple also announced two new iPads at the September event. First is a new base model iPad. There's really only two things of note that is different. First is the A12 processor. This is a dramatic speed improvement over it's predecessor that used the A10 chip. Second it now comes with a USB-C charging brick and USB-C to Lightning cable. Personally I think every tech product should be using USB-C in 2020. I got to review this product and I think it is a compelling iPad for a kid or somebody that wants to try out an iPad without spending a lot of money.
The second iPad is an all new iPad Air. I reviewed one last week and I'm really proud with how that video turned out. It has a all new design with colors! I think this is the new default iPad for a lot of people. If you're looking for a great modern tablet this is the iPad for you.
HomePod Mini
The HomePod Mini is probably the most compelling new product. It's $100 smart speaker with AirPlay 2 support. I haven't been able to listen to one yet, but I'm definitely going to be ordering one ASAP. Apple has proven they can make great sounding devices. Plus I really want a stereo speaker setup in my kitchen, so If I'm being honest I'll probably be buying two. If this is the purchase that can guilt me into cooking instead of ordering take out I'm all for that.
The HomePod Mini isn't just a speaker though. You'll be able to control smart home devices. Use the new intercom feature to make calls through out your house. But most importantly, to me at least, run shortcuts.
Like I mentioned it has AirPlay 2 support, so if you have any other HomePods or Airplay 2 speakers you can then play music or podcasts to all of those at once. I have a stereo pair of the original HomePods in my office. I bought them when they were on sale durning the holiday season for a great price. Also my sound system on my TV in my living room has AirPlay 2. With the addition of HomePod Mini in my kitchen I can have music or a podcast play through out my whole house.
iPhone 12
Of course there is the biggest new product Apple announces every year... the iPad Pro. I'm just kidding, even I have to admit the iPhone is a juggernaut compared to the iPad. Apple announced four new phones. There are a ton of great videos and articles out there talking about the differences so I'm not going to recap that here.
Personally I'm intrigued by the mini, the 12 pro, and the 12 pro max. I ended up buying the 12 Pro, but I'm starting to regret not waiting to get the Max. The video footage with the 12 pro is great, and getting the better stabilization with the 12 Pro Max could make this the perfect YouTube camera. My only concern is giving up that bokeh background my Canon EOS R gives me. But I'm definitely going to fiddle around with integrating iPhone footage back into my videos regularly. Even if that just means it's a second angle. With the 12 pro max I could see that being a great b-roll camera. After all it shoots 4K 60fps and even my fancy camera can't do that.
Shortcut
You have now reached the part where I will talk about a shortcut. I will include a link to the shortcut below and you can download it from there. If you have any shortcuts request for feature newsletters please let me know on twitter @Chris_Lawley.
Since I've been getting back into the Apple Watch, and now that the Apple Watch has a proper shortcuts app it only seems fitting to talk about a shortcut that runs from the Apple Watch.
On my Apple I use the Infograph Modular face. I figured if I'm going to use a computer watch might as well embrace it. Once I set it up I only had one complication left for a shortcut, problem is I wanted to add two. So that's where this shortcut comes in.
I wanted the ability to quickly create a new task and a new draft right from the watch face. This shortcut starts off with a menu asking what you want to do then passes you off to the appropriate action. I can then enter either a new task or write a new draft from my wrist. This has been incredibly helpful in getting me to appreciate the Apple Watch as a computer and not a replacement for mechanical watches.
If you don't use Things 3 or Drafts you can just swap out those actions for whatever task management or notes app you do use.
Wallpaper
This Months Videos
I'm also including videos from September in this newsletter.
iPad Air 2020 Review - Is This the Only Computer You Need?
MUST HAVE LumaFusion Accessory - EditorsKeys Magic Keyboard Cover for LumaFusion
The BEST iPad Accessories & Hardware - My Daily iPad Workflow Part 4
What are Shortcuts and How to Build Them - Shortcuts 101
The NEW 8th Gen iPad: EVERYTHING You Can Do With A Small (or Second) iPad
iPadOS 14 Walkthrough - EVERYTHING You Need To Know!
iPad Productivity & Utility Apps - My Daily iPad Workflow Part 3
My Daily iPad Workflow Part 2: File Management, Writing Code, Git, and... Microsoft Office?
My Daily iPad Workflow Part 1: My Morning Routine