It just occurred to me that I’ve not seen blog posts from a few folks in my RSS reader since they moved hosting house. I dunno how many others I’m missing out on. This is your periodic plea to maintain your own RSS URLs (with redirects if necessary). 😘
Today’s goal: install the new propane heat stove. Success! But at the cost of my cook stove being disconnected for a potential leak—and nearly my water heater refusing to relight. 🤦♂️ Between those, major roof water damage, and recent purchases, this is shaping up to be an expensive home year. 🏠
🔗 iOS 18.4 adds tons of new Shortcuts actions, hints at Siri’s future upgrades
Inside the updated Shortcuts app, you’ll find new actions to change settings for various Apple apps. And within each action there’s an extremely granular deeper layer of actions you can perform.
[List of example Safari actions.]
All of this clearly isn’t here just to benefit the Shortcuts app.
Rather, these more fine-grained actions lay the groundwork for new powers Siri will gain in a future update.
It’s about time that Shortcuts got some love!
America Alone. That really sums up America’s current foreign policy. Trump is remolding the United States in his own image — bigoted, confrontational, erratic, reactionary, greedy, belligerent, vindictive, petty, friendless, authoritarian — and he won’t be content until the US is as lonely and isolated as he is.
Winter weather fuels Adirondackers in their favorite outdoor pursuits! The 3P Race (Pole, Pedal, Paddle) is an awesome community event here in @saranaclake that showcases the joy in outdoor movement, no matter the sport. 13.4 miles of alpine skiing, biking, Nordic skiing, paddling (the still partially frozen river), running, and flat-out fun.
Thanks to the dozens (hundreds?) of folks who made this happen! I already can’t wait for next year.
“Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last week ordered U.S. Cyber Command to stand down from all planning against Russia, including offensive digital actions.” Because the US is a Russian ally (or satellite?) now I guess.
If you voted Trump, you had to know this was coming. And ought to be ashamed. Our alignment with Russia (against long-standing allies) is some of the scariest stuff this administration is doing.
Cory Dransfeldt says it’s okay that we self-segregate on socia media:
Self-segregation is a fair description of what we’re seeing, but fleeing a toxic space for one that — well — is a perfectly reasonable course of action. We should be less worried about echo chambers and more worried about harassment and user safety.
“Free speech” advocates have and will continue to have free speech. What they often want — and need not be granted — is a captive audience to harass.
I tend to agree.
Zac Hall: ‘Amazon’s Alexa+ includes a feature that Siri has always needed’
Not only is Siri on your Apple Watch unaware of what you’ve discussed with Siri on your HomePod or Siri on your Apple TV, but the “improved” version of Siri doesn’t even run on any of those devices.
[…] That means the Siri experience is as good as it will ever get on products without Apple Intelligence. Siri’s performance on devices with Apple Intelligence is another story.
In a world with Private Cloud Compute, why can’t every Apple device do Apple Intelligence? Put it in an iMessage chat!
Sunday’s warmer temps made climbing Giant & Rocky Peak Ridge a joy with Todd. We had the trail to ourselves for most of the day and was even gifted a view here and there! Some epic butt slides on the way down kept things fun and fast. ~8 hours round trip
🆕📝 The Keen is pricy, but exactly what I wanted
It was worth the year-long wait.
Kagi Search is quite good. I really like how you get an AI answer only when you add a question mark.
If you want to try it out, here’s a link for 3 months of Kagi Pro for free. https://kagi.com/p/TREATC2611328 🚨 It’s only good for 3 users, so click fast!
Dial in your winter systems with a ski tour through the beautiful High Peaks region in the heart of the Adirondacks! Extend the adventure by camping out with our experienced, knowledgeable, and friendly guides.
@newyorkoutdoorguides @lakeplacidadk #Adirondacks #PerfectDayADK #HireAGuide
There’s nothing quite like climbing these spectacular frozen formations, especially when illuminated and sparkling on a dark winter’s night! Come climb with us on Thursday evenings or book a private trip!
🏠 Two steps forward and one step back in home maintenance today. Got a dishwasher installed (hours of time back, yay!) and propane stove (backup heat, yay!) hooked up. But also discovered a water leak issue from the roof, which led to noticing notable damage to some ceilings and walls. Woof.
🔗 Apple will spend more than $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years
What a specific, purely coincidental, I’m sure, span of time! 🙄
This is good news, but still comes across as licking the boot.
Today closes out my busiest span yet as a full-time guide. 17-days straight of booked climbing, skiing, or hiking — including an overnighter! I had two cancellations, but still spent those days skiing 20-miles and shoveling endless snow. What a privilege it is, this life my wife and I have built. 😌
😋 Certainly these are the best flavors of chips that I’ve tried in quite a while. All Mixed Up takes the top spot. cc: @ruminate@macstories.net
Bluebird morning on Pitchoff Right, getting Michael and Jeri, two longtime rock climbers, onto ice for the first time for @highpeaksmountainguides! They braved the cold and bullet-hard ice to emerge victorious!
No shit, Hans Zimmer??
Jay Peters, theverge.com:
Humane is selling “key AI capabilities” to HP for $116 million and will stop selling AI Pin, the company announced today.
For all the money spent to spin up Humane, I think HP’s getting a steal. But I also can’t help but feel they’re purchasing out of pity.
Ai Pin customers seem to be getting pretty well shafted:
AI Pins that have already been purchased will continue to function normally until 3PM ET on February 28th, Humane says in a support document. After that date, Pins will “no longer connect to Humane’s servers.”
Less than two weeks’ notice.
🍿 Just watched: The Gorge
🔗 iPhone Design to Change ‘Significantly’ This Year:
In a new post, the user known “Digital Chat Station” said that the iPhone's design is “starting to change significantly” this year. The “iPhone 17 Air” reportedly features a “horizontal, bar-shaped” design on the rear, likely referring to an elongated camera bump. On the other hand, the Pro models purportedly adopt a “large horizontal matrix design.”
I’m all for going to a camera bar. Let’s leave the wobble behind!