Category: Editorials

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How Microsoft is Gaming Influencers and Algorithms with the Surface Duo

It’s a little bit brilliant.

I’ve written several editorials voicing my concerns about popularity algorithms and the responsibility of reviewers. We can’t escape the fact that online content creators need to be compensated for their work, but YouTube and Facebook style algorithms are designed to manipulate viewers into staying on a platform as long as possible. When those two objectives meet, it creates an echo chamber, a reinforcing cycle of confirmation bias which highlights and celebrates the most popular options. Any product outside the algorithm zeitgeist is dismissed as efficiently as possible.

Precious few smaller-volume sellers have successfully broken through this popularity trap.

What’s a manufacturer to do? Play the influencers against themselves! Continue reading “How Microsoft is Gaming Influencers and Algorithms with the Surface Duo”

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Pixel 4a vs LG Velvet: How much more phone do you get?

One of the most requested comparisons I’ve gotten this year!

Pixel 4a has a lot of people excited about a punchy low price phone, and whether this lil Pixel can outperform more expensive phones. There’s an obvious comparison to be made with phones like the Velvet. The two phones have similar performing processors, but one costs a LOT more than the other. Let’s see why… Continue reading “Pixel 4a vs LG Velvet: How much more phone do you get?”

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NETFLIX! FIX YOUR ANDROID APP! Bring Back Multi-Tasking!

One of Android’s strengths is multi-tasking. Netflix used to embrace this, but recent updates have removed some of my favorite features! NETFLIX! HELP! FIX YOUR APP! Continue reading “NETFLIX! FIX YOUR ANDROID APP! Bring Back Multi-Tasking!”

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Phone vs Gimbal Part 1: Do Gimbals Matter Anymore?

I was planning a video on gimbals, and why they’re such handy tools, but looking at some of my sample shots, it would seem to me that smartphone stabilization is getting good enough that we might not need them anymore.

Share some thoughts on the comparison!

Part 2 will follow soon! Continue reading “Phone vs Gimbal Part 1: Do Gimbals Matter Anymore?”

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Tech Reviewers, Familiar doesn’t automatically mean “BETTER”

If tech reviewers can’t handle nuanced differences, then what good are we?

Different solutions will perform differently, and the different “feel” is what reviewers are meant to convey. It’s not a reviewer’s job to take the most popular solution for a need, and treat that as a “standard” by which every competing solution must be judged. That’s the easiest way to rig the game, and ensure that any competition is viewed as inferior.

Rationally, when presented with the paragraph above, most of us probably nod along. We “know” this. Yet when presented with actual reviews of consumer electronics, all too often, the review scene falls in line with whatever is most popular. It’s broadly the most familiar, and we use that popularity as evidence that it must be “better”.

Take keyboards for example. Continue reading “Tech Reviewers, Familiar doesn’t automatically mean “BETTER””

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Apple Sued for Games with Loot Boxes in the App Store. Google should be next.

The human brain reacts to loot boxes in pretty much the same way as slot machine gambling. Apple is facing a class action lawsuit over apps targeting kids which feature gacha and random number mechanics. If the ESRB won’t change ratings based on monetization mechanics, how else can we change the game industry?

Apple Insider Article https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/06/13/apple-sued-for-allowing-apps-with-loot-boxes-onto-app-store

Continue reading “Apple Sued for Games with Loot Boxes in the App Store. Google should be next.”

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Ways We can Help. Some Charities and Causes to Consider.

People are hurt. People are scared. People are angry.

When I’m angry and afraid I try to remember Mr. Rogers.

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

As I grew up, I realized that I could be one of those people helping. We can all make some effort or contribution. If you’ll pardon the diversion from my normal gadget and tech commentary, here are some causes I feel might be worth supporting.

This is a multi-faceted and complicated issue, so I’m trying to address the needs of our friends, family, and neighbors in multiple areas. Hopefully there’s a cause you will find worth supporting on this list, and if there are any you would like to share, please don’t be shy in the comments.

We really are all in this together. Let’s BE the helpers. Continue reading “Ways We can Help. Some Charities and Causes to Consider.”

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#2020Hearing: Modern Life is REALLY Loud!

How loud is too loud?

We can talk numbers, and decibels. We can chat proximity and exposure. Do you really know what “too loud” feels like? Modern life is FULL of noise. Your ears will try to protect you from discomfort, but you should also try to protect them.

Thankfully you probably already have some great tools to get started!

Catch ALL the #2020Hearing Videos!

Continue reading “#2020Hearing: Modern Life is REALLY Loud!”

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