Hi Gang,
I've got a few things on my mind this week.
The Rumored iPhone Action Button
Last week MacRumors ran an article covering a rumored Action button getting added to the next iPhone Pro. This rumor has been circulating for a while now. MacRumors reports finding some code in the iOS 17 beta supporting this new button. Then this week someone leaked photos of cases with an action button in place of the mute toggle.
If this is true, it would be awesome.
I have an Apple Watch Ultra and find the Action button helpful. It can run many features, from kicking off workouts to running shortcuts. An Action button on the iPhone would be much more useful. Having the interactive screen, you could use it with a “Choose from menu” Shortcuts Action to open a menu of your most common quick actions. You could also have it trigger a focus mode or go straight to your favorite productivity (or non-productivity) app.
As much as I like fancy automation, I expect that if I had an Action button on my iPhone, I’d most likely use it for launching the Camera app. Imagine pushing that action button as you pull your phone out so the camera is ready before you can even seen the screen.
One question is whether this hypothetical button would be physical (as it is on Apple Watch Ultra) or solid-state. There is something nice about the feeling of a physical button, but a solid-state button could offer more options, like press sensitivity.
Don’t forget this is just a rumor, but in about a month, Apple will announce the new iPhone Pro, and then we’ll find out. I’m invested in the iPhone Action Button now. I sure hope we get it.
In the News
iPhone 15 Pro Rumors Abound
We’re just a month away from the announcement so the rumors are coming fast now: titanium, 3nm processor, more cores, and a faster chip. I’m still crossing my fingers for the periscope lens system (giving a better zoom with a smaller bump).
The Emergency SOS Feature Can Save Your Life
Just ask some of the folks being rescued in Maui because of it. Maybe spend a few minutes this weekend familiarizing yourself with this feature, just in case you need it one day. Speaking of Maui …
People are Suffering in Maui
A Red Cross donation can never go wrong.
Have a great weekend.
Your pal,
David
|
|
Get Book Summaries that Count with Shortform (Sponsor)
This newsletter is sponsored by Shortform, the book summary service I use. I tried a bunch of these services out before landing on Shortform. I’m in the second year of my subscription and have no regrets.
The problem with most book summary services is that they are … well … too summary. You don’t get the critical points out of a few-page book summary. Shortform fixes that.
First, they make a mini summary of just a few paragraphs so you can decide if you are interested in a book. Next, they provide that 1-page summary, giving you a better idea of a book’s overall message. But even that isn’t just one page.
Then, they go further with a proper extended book summary. The comprehensive summaries go deeper. In the end, you’ll understand the book’s thesis and arguments. Then you can decide whether you want to go on and read the complete book, but I often get enough with just the Shortform summary.
This weekendI I’m reading the Shortform version of Manage Your Day-To-Day by 99U and Jocelyn K. Glei. I’m always interested in how we manage ourselves each day. That is really where the battle is won. This book covers daily strategies with essays from numerous people on the topic.
Shortform is the necessary audition first step before reading a non-fiction book. They also get all the other parts right. Send the summary to my Kindle? Check. Share my highlights with Readwise? Check. Downloadable PDFs? Check. Long-form article summaries? Check.
I’m a fan. They’ve now got 1000+ summaries, with new books getting added daily. If you dig it, sign up with this link so they know I sent you.