The iPad Kind Of Sucks Now:

I’ve been mulling over these thoughts for months now, but resisted on posting them because of the backlash. I know I should never do that, and feel free to post what I want, but you know what the internet is like. Following yesterday’s meagre offering following 18 months of development, the time has come. The iPad sucks now, and that’s a real shame.

Indeed. Apple’s releases are largely uninspired, especially in the mobile device space. For me, the best device they’ve released is the most recent iPad Mini (2021 or 6, depending how you look at it). USB-C? Apple Pencil 2? Improved display?  Touch-ID?  Portable?  Good storage option? 

The iPhone feels to me like it is treading water, especially since I don’t care a smidge about the camera. And the camera is the only thing that seems to change. The iPhone XS Max I have is more than sufficient, and the iPhone SE (2020) works perfectly for my work phone.

Apple Watch is also meh. It also has incremental upgrades but it still seems like the software isn’t up to the task, mostly due to the app ecosystem stagnating. I still use a S1/2 when my main S5 charges, and it is totally fine (random powering off not withstanding).

The answer to the age-old question of “what iPad should I buy” is now “last year’s model”. Should anyone dare to ask what tablet they can get to do some work on might need some follow-up questions, but in reality the correct reply is “a Surface Pro”. That hurts a little.

While I agree with Greg’s iPad thoughts throughout, it doesn’t hurt me at all to recommend the Microsoft option. The Surface Pro is a great device and Windows has come a long way.

And, anyway, I’m loving the new MacBook Air.

If a critter spends most of its time in water, eating it is cool for Lent … apparently. I wonder if penguin or platypus would also qualify.