Tip: you don’t need to have seen Knives Out to enjoy Glass Onion on Netflix.

I was finally sold on the idea of using a Stream Deck for productivity. I got an XL version on sale and it arrived today. I am liking it so far! I am even using it to control my office’s smart things, like the lights. Once it is fully configured to use profiles, it’s gonna soar.

It has been 0 days since I’ve forgotten that I can now just type in Swift if let someVar { instead of the lengthier if let someVar = someVar {.

The new Avatar movie was cool. A thrilling, visual spectacle. At the risk of sounding old, it’s not the same impact the first one had 10+ years ago — that one I did see in theaters four times!

I saw Black Adam on HBO Max. Honestly, expected worse based on what I’d heard about the film. Ended up being a nice way to turn off my brain on a Friday night.

I finally decided to dust off the Mastodon account I created years ago. I even set up crossposting from Micro.blog.

Find me as @fcantu@mastodon.social

I doubt I’ll start posting more, though 🙃

I upgraded from the series 4 to the Apple Watch Ultra. I am never going to use it to its full potential, but what sold me was the bigger screen and more rugged design. I actually agree with reviews that it doesn’t feel as big/heavy as expected.

I got my iPhone 14 Pro Max today. Initial impressions are mostly good, including the always-on display which I do like. The dynamic island stands out more than the notch, but I am waiting for 3rd party apps to make full use of it. Haven’t had a good excuse to try the camera much.

iPhone 14 preorders are live in Mexico, finally. Got a space black 14 Pro Max. And with that accomplished, time to get some sleep 😴

In my search for a smarter home, I cannot recommend Rachio as a sprinkler controller. I first had a defective unit and the second did not last even a year. Their support is okay, but the hardware failures left a bad impression.

Happy iPhone preorder day, everyone. May your shopping bags be full, wallets not in much pain, and enjoy short delivery times.

I’d definitely get one if Apple Mexico had a date for preorders, but it seems to be delayed just like last year.

It is my goal to have Pinstachio with Lock Screen widgets on day one of iOS 16, if app review permits. Just submitted it.

Traveling as a developer with the new M2 Air was such a delight in terms of balancing power and portability. Glad I splurged into maxing out the RAM.

I met the 360iDev community in 2012 when John kindly offered me a student discount. This 2022 is the conference’s last and I am lucky I got to be a speaker for a 2nd time. Words barely express how grateful I am to John for his kindness back then that helped shape my dev path.

Thank you everyone for coming to my App Review Horror Stories session at 360iDev. And of course, thank you to everyone at 360iDev for the invite and making the experience fantastic.

Also related: hi Denver! See you at 360iDev!

I suddenly got a severe case of nostalgia by seeing NetProtect pop up in my Speedtest while in Denver.

On my flight to Mexico City yesterday I noticed that iOS 16’s Earth lock screen was intermittently updating the location even as I was crossing the Gulf with airplane mode turned on. This is cool.

More M2 Air impressions:

It’s about as fast in Xcode compile times as an M1 Mini. I know it’s not supposed to be a big diff, but maybe it’s just not noticeable here or it’s the lack of a fan.

It gets hot with constant use but not more uncomfortable than a 16” MPB with i9.

I actually decided to get an M2 MacBook Air and I am loving it so far. Feels amazing to hold and work on. Haven’t had an Air since the 11” model (which is my fave Mac of all time BTW). Decided for the 24 GB of memory to keep it happy with all these apps I insist on keeping open.

It feels like we’re overdue for new betas from Apple.

Finally finished Elden Ring after playing almost only weekends. Don’t know the hours I put in, but did every boss I could, including the infamous Malenia. I also confess this is the first game from this studio I’ve beaten because my patience actually stuck around this time.

I had an update stuck waiting for review for over a week. So I rejected and resubmitted it, then had it approved in less than 24 hours. This is unusual but not rare. Those systems just need a kick every once in a while, I guess.

I got an Apple Studio Display and I like it very much. Even if it’s got a premium price over that LG one that’s also 5K.

I’m a speaker at this year’s 360iDev! I’ll see you all there!

Current status: installing iPadOS 16 on my M1 iPad Pro. Solely for development purposes, of course. Why do you ask?

All this new iPad stuff is cool and all but that means I have a lot of work to do this summer, right?

And I think that the Playdate’s crank isn’t necessarily gimmicky, but something that gives it its personality. Getting Nintendo DS vibes of doing something differently that actually pays off.

Playdate is soooo good. Ignoring the lack of a backlit screen, the biggest complaint is the lack of choice at the start with games: if you could choose which game(s) to unlock first, that would’ve made a world of difference because not everyone likes the same kind.

My Playdate is finally here! It looks so cool in person. It’s charging right now so all I have to do is wait a bit more — I’ve waited one year, what’s one more hour?

Blast from the past. I found that semester-long independent study report I did about iOS development at UTSA. Complete with skeuomorphic app screenshots. It was hiding in a very old USB drive I found today. Easily one of the most pivotal moments in my life. Thanks Prof. Shonle.

I’m so glad I’m part of micro.blog even if I post things only once in a blue moon.

I was still not able to catch up on my queue of shows this long weekend, but Severance on Apple TV+ is quickly becoming a new favorite of mine.

And so the tango begins anew with the App Store Review team, but this time on more than the one front I was complaining about previously! Apple is so predictable.

I’ve had Xcode Cloud set up for Pinstachio pretty much since I got access. While my needs are minimal, I’ve set it up in a way that makes life easier – which is the point. The positive experience makes me wish that the account of the company that I work gets invited to it soon.

On a different topic tonight I finished Inscryption on PC. Not since Portal 2 have I played such a delightful game. Don’t let the card game fool you.

I don’t always post to social media. But when I do, it’s to complain about Apple.

I cannot believe it, but finally the app has been approved for TestFlight after literal weeks of arguing with App Store Review. Oh, and I also had to remove the key feature from the app in order to please Apple. In the end it feels like a hollow victory.

App review appeal was rejected Friday. Had the weekend to think; at the moment I think I have two objectives:

1. Submit dumbed-down app hoping Apple will approve it (now awaiting review).

2. Release real app externally on Mac using Catalyst. If there’s interest, will improve it.

First App Store appeal seems to have fallen through the cracks because it’s been almost two weeks without a response. New appeal sent. Whether successfully appealed or not, this opaque review process is successfully testing my sanity.

Apparently App Store Review does not listen to reason so, yeah, appeal submitted.

I’ve submitted yet another build for App Store Review but this time with a long rebuttal to their claims, even comparing to other apps currently published. I really hope that they’ll read and not ignore it; in the past they’ve shown they don’t always do so.

I fixed App Store Review’s concerns with the app. They turned around and now have an issue with the core function of the app. I am literally not the first app that does this in the Store. Some from big players. Review is frustrating at a minimum, but maybe just unfair/broken.

I have resubmitted a new build to App Store Review where I am complying with their changes… no matter how much I dislike it. Hopefully third time’s the charm.

Of COURSE there’s another rejection from the App Store Review team. But at least this time they are clear what they have an issue with. Sadly it’s not possible to work around this, so if I can’t convince them I may end up removing a feature completely. Should’ve seen this coming.

I never got a reply from App Store review during the last TestFlight rejection. I’ve submitted the latest build and I’m hoping sanity will prevail this time during review. 😅

These days I am no longer surprised by Apple when they reject an app for any mundane reason on the first round. One such rejection tonight for the TestFlight of a new app. I have a bruised forehead because of the facepalm from reading their reason, but definitely not surprised.

💉3️⃣ = ✅

realityOS Distortion Field™

Work kindly provided me with a new MacBook Pro and I knew this was going to bug me the most about its new design: its feet. The bumps are very noticeable especially when handling, compared to the smoother old ones. Extremely minor complaint for an incredible machine.

Part 3?