John
AppStories Episode 406 - Our iPhone Lock Screen and Control Center Controls
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Federico and John share the iPhone Lock Screen and Control Center controls that they’re currently using them.
Home Screens: Federico
My iPad Home Screen, October 2024 Edition Over the next few weeks, I’m going to share what my setup looks like across the iPhone, iPad, and my desk. These stories are the results of two different initiatives: I spent some time after wrapping up the iOS and iPadOS 18 review finally understanding how Home Screen...
After Five Years of Pro iPhones, I’m Going iPhone 16 Plus This Year
If you asked me two weeks ago which iPhone model I’d be getting this year, I would have answered without hesitation: my plan was to get an iPhone 16 Pro Max and continue the tradition of the past five years. I’ve been using the largest possible iPhone since the XS Max and have bought the ‘Pro Max’ flavor ever since it was introduced with the iPhone 11 Pro Max in 2019. For the past five years, I’ve upgraded to a Pro Max iPhone model every September.
And the thing is, I did buy an iPhone 16 Pro Max this year, too. But I’ve decided to return it and go with the iPhone 16 Plus instead. Not only do I think that is the most reasonable decision for my needs given this year’s iPhone lineup, but I also believe this “downgrade” is making me appreciate my new iPhone a lot more.
It all comes down to a simple idea: fun.
I Had to Pick Two Apps Eventually
Those who have been reading MacStories long enough know that there are, broadly speaking, two categories of apps I’ve historically been dissatisfied with: task managers and read later apps. We’ve recorded numerous episodes of AppStories about them; I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve switched between Reminders, Things, and Todoist or GoodLinks, Safari Reading...
iOS 18 App Updates We Love
Using Apple Journal to Track Home Screen Setups→
I love this idea by Lee Peterson: using Apple’s Journal app (which got some terrific updates in iOS 18) to track your Home Screen updates over time.
Every so often, I see screenshots from people on Threads or Mastodon showing their Home Screens from over a decade ago. I routinely delete screenshots from my Photos library, and it bums me out that I never kept a consistent, personal archive of my ever-changing Home Screens over the years. Lee’s technique, which combines Journal with the excellent Shareshot app, is a great idea that I’m going to steal. Here’s my current Home Screen on iOS 18:
As you can see, I’m trying large icons in dark mode and there are some new entries in my list of must-have apps. The Home Screen is similar, but a bit more complex, on iPadOS, where I’m still fine-tuning everything to my needs.
I plan to write about my Home Screens and Control Center setup in next week’s issue of MacStories Weekly. In the meantime, I’m going to follow Lee’s approach and begin archiving screenshots in Journal.
Scanning Wi-Fi with a Discontinued App
I was recently optimizing my Wi-Fi network (as one does) and stumbled upon a fascinating challenge: I needed to check which wireless channels the Wi-Fi networks around my apartment were using so I could pick a different one. And since it was 1 AM and I was in bed, I wanted to get this done...
A Single Apple EarPod Has Become My Favorite Wired Earbud for Gaming
 controllers, Steam Deck OLED, and Ayn Odin 2. Also, [you should play UFO 50](https://wavelengths.online/posts/ufo-50-a-review).](https://cdn.macstories.net/img_0097-1727201828231.jpeg)
Nintendo Switch with Hori’s Split Pad Compact controllers, Steam Deck OLED, and Ayn Odin 2. Also, you should play UFO 50.
Picture this problem:
Because of my podcast about portable gaming NPC with John and Brendon, I test a lot of gaming handhelds. And when I say a lot, I mean I currently have a Steam Deck, modded Legion Go, PlayStation Portal, Switch, and Ayn Odin 2 in my nightstand’s drawer. I love checking out different form factors (especially since I’m currently trying to find the most ergonomic one while dealing with some pesky RSI issues), but you know what I don’t love? Having to deal with multi-point Bluetooth earbuds that can only connect to a couple of devices at the same time, which often leads to unpairing and re-pairing those earbuds over and over and over.