apple – Page 2

Links

Great article by John Gruber over at Daring Fireball regarding Apple Watch. He compares the “need” for the Watch to the initial “need” of the iPad. Really well done stuff and in my opinion needed. So many people are tripping over themselves wondering “What do I need a Apple Watch for?” The answer is simple, you don’t.

The right question is simply “Do you want one?”

It’s about desire, not necessity. Convenience, fun, and style are not needs. They’re wants. And people will gladly pay for what they want. The iPad faced similar misguided criticism. How many times did you hear or read someone say of the iPad, “Why would anyone who already has a phone and a laptop need an iPad?” That was the wrong question, because almost no one needed an iPad. The right question was “Why would someone who has a phone and laptop also want an iPad?”

Read the rest of John’s thought here: http://daringfireball.net/2015/04/watch_apple_watch

Technology

Waiting for the Watch

Over the course of investigating the now announced Apple Watch, I’ve researched countless articles of people who have spent extended time with it.

First things first though. It must be said, Apple completely screwed up this launch date situation. Even now, there are commercials that point to a “launch” date of April 24, 2015. This is completely inaccurate for 99% of the world. The real story is Apple either didn’t know the demand for this would have been so immense, or this is all one big marketing ploy (judge for yourself.) Regardless you won’t even be able to walk into a store until June to buy one. Only the select few who preordered within 3 (yes 3) minutes will be eligible to receive theirs on launch date. Yikes.

Anyhow, I digress.

In my research I’ve found a bunch of interesting details, but by far the biggest recurring theme is how little you use your iPhone once you have one.

People that have worn the Watch say that they take their phones out of their pockets far, far less than they used to. A simple tap to reply or glance on the wrist or dictation is a massively different interaction model than pulling out an iPhone, unlocking it and being pulled into its merciless vortex of attention suck.

One user stated that they nearly “stopped” using their phone during the day; they used to have it out and now they don’t, period. That’s insane when you think about how much the blue glow of smartphone screens has dominated our social interactions over the past decade.

In my research, there are a few ways its clear Apple is making this happen.

The Watch will have more context about you than a phone alone ever could. For example, it takes your heart rate periodically, providing you with a last-checked time, which could offer major benefits to health applications and other contextual processes.

Here’s a tidbit you might not know — in order to receive notifications from apps, the Watch must be on your wrist and locked. The Watch requires contact with your skin to receive notifications. There will be no in-app dropdown notifications or constant pinging while it’s off your wrist. Push notifications also cease when the battery reaches 10 percent. Those decisions speak to the care with which Apple is handling notifications.

The notifications are also different at an elemental level than the ones on your phone — both on the developer and user side of things. These are seen right away rather than at some point. You act on them quickly and they don’t stack up like they do on the phone.

There is that added bit of context because you know exactly when they got it, which means that time-sensitive notifications like those that recommend a precise establishment or ping you during a live event become much more germane.

One user said they nearly “stopped” using their phone during the day; they used to have it out and no they don’t, period. If you’re a developer who deals with notifications you know how powerful that could be.

And, as a user, those notifications activate as part of the app right on the Watch home screen, allowing you to act on them without any sort of sliding, unlocking or other junk. These are immediate, actionable items that you can access without the obligations inherent in taking out your phone.

Because the screen of the Watch is so small, there has been a lot of talk about its use as a “notification window.” Yes, notifications are a powerful part of it, but the mechanics of the device actually support much, much more than that.

People that have used the Watch extensively say that the touch targets are actually very precise and sensitive. This means that you will be able to trigger smaller buttons and interactive elements fairly easily. (As a note, the unusual clustered home screen layout means that the “hot” spots for apps will be at the edges, rather than the center. This way you can jet out to the edge of a group in any direction and find an app. Your “bottom row” will become your “outer ring.”)

The digital crown is an important part of the navigation process and has been matched precisely to the scroll velocity. This should give a sense of context that helps when viewing on the smaller screen, as you’re not chasing the scroll with your finger. It’s also changed physically since the Watch was first shown off, and now has more friction for a weightier, higher-end feel.

Pressing and holding the crown activates Siri, which sources have said works incredibly well on the Watch. It can be used for labeling, directions, commands executed by the phone and more. If — and this is a big IF as Siri has been hit and miss over the years for me — if it is truly a “say it and forget it” experience, the confidence in using your wrist as a “commander” for your life is expansive.

Why Watch?

You’re not going to give up your smartphone. That bargain has already been struck. We get access to an entire universe of information and communication and we sacrifice our attention on its smooth glass altar.

But the Apple Watch can return some of that attention and, more importantly, time back to you.

If you argue the Watch isn’t going to sell or do well, it’s worth pointing out that there are very, very, very few products that allow you to hand someone cash and be given back TIME.

In my opinion, this will be the Apple Watch metric to track: time saved.

Think about it, really the only resource we all have exactly in common is time. Kings don’t have more of it than peasants. Not everyone will be able to afford an Apple Watch (or even an iPhone), but if they’re in an economic situation where that’s feasible then they’re also in the situation where they are probably willing to trade money for time.

And that is the target market of the Apple Watch. Not “rich people” (though there’s a model specially for them), not “tech geeks” and not “Apple fanatics.” It’s people who want more time, and that is a very large target.

This, for some reason, is the thing that Apple has had a hard time articulating. This is the primary use case of the Watch. It’s not just that it’s a “notification center”; it’s that it allows you to act without any additional distraction.

For now, the iPhone is a dominant business for Apple and the smartphone is a domineering force in our daily lives. But one day something will come along to destroy it. And, as Apple has expressed many times in the past, it is willing to be the one that finds that thing. With the Apple Watch, we could be seeing the beginnings of that process.

Perhaps someday, the Apple Watch could do the impossible: it could make you stop using your phone.

Personally, mine is set to be shipped in June. I’m looking forward to trying out some of these theories. I will update my thoughts as time passes!

Deep Thoughts, Technology

Uncertainty & iDevices

From time to time, I reevaluate my tech devices and their place in my life. Anyone who knows me will tell you I actually obsess and take extravagant amounts of time to decide what devices I need. An exhaustive process that seems required research at this point in my life.

I genuinely enjoy researching the tech world and following its pulse. Im continually aware of much of the happenings and usually know whats coming to market before most people in the tech world do. So, on that note, Lets begin:

I have made some great purchases in the tech world. Purchases that improved my life, saved me time and enabled me to create some lasting memories. This post is not about those. It’s about the others, the messy ones and most importantly, the possible future.

Allow me to give you a little insight into my previous history in my travels of owning and purchasing 2 particular devices before we get to the subject matter:

IPHONE HISTORY
It took me until the iPhone 4 to be comfortable enough and deem the iPhone platform worthy of my full time usage. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t make the attempt previously. I owned every iPhone before the 4th (that’s 3 different models) and to be honest, during the “3GS” era I bought and returned 4 of them (for those counting that’s 6 iPhones). Just a merger of indecisiveness and not being able to fully use the device for my personal needs. When the iPhone 4 came out, I think what really sold me was the technology that it was boasting was too far ahead of what I was using, and seamlessly, a nice friendship ensued. I’ve owned a 4,5 and now a shiny 6.

IPAD HISTORY
I actually didn’t own the first generation iPad. Truth being told, I had doubts it was a going to succeed. BUT, the iPad 2 came around and all it’s shiny marketing, I gave Apple my money. Returned the iPad 2 and felt good about the decision. Almost a month later I started to want an iPad again and I couldn’t understand why. I just did, which is very unlike me. I decided I was going to wait until the iPad 3 came out and spring for that. They announced it a few months later,I preordered, received and a week later, returned. iPad 4 announcement, I purchased, I returned. iPad Air announced, I purchased and sold on eBay. Currently I don’t own an iPad, but it should come to no surprise, that the iPad Air 2 is constant bait hanging in front of me.

Hopefully by now you get the gist. Now give me some time to defend myself. You are probably asking why the uncertainty? Why the indecisiveness? Well, I have no clue. So you can stop reading if you thought I solved this equation. But I have thoughts….

Here are some of my needs to keep devices, or actually anything for that matter:

Need #1
Most importantly, I need to feel I can use the item to its full potential. The iPhone took some time because I lived my whole life without one. We all did, and then all of sudden it was there. I felt uneasy for the first 3 iterations. Like I mentioned, once the 4 came out it was time and it just clicked, It didn’t take work for me to want one. It was natural.

With the iPad, I am still in this ocean of uncertainty. I don’t think I can ever purchase one again unless I can fully use it as my laptop replacement. Having both the devices seems wasteful to me. I love my mac and it pretty much goes everywhere with me. I write on it, edit video, manipulate files, save great articles, index picture categories, work on the back end of my blog, so much. Until I can do all this as easy with an iPad I just cant see myself owning one.

Let me make one thing clear though, I desperately long for that day to come. As you can see from my purchase history, I have attempted many, many times to squeeze an iPad into my life. Ive heard all types of comments from many people:

1. “It’s a leisure device”
2. “You don’t have to use it for everything”
3. “Just use it to browse the web, etc”

While I completely admire and am infinitely jealous of people who can rationalize owning a device for a few select uses, I just cant. So these suggestions never have helped me much.

Need #2
The device needs to have some legs. What I mean by that is whatever device it is, it needs to last a long time. Physically it needs to hold up and so naturally, build quality is important but technology wise, the device needs to not be “sherlocked” 6 months later by newer, better tech.

This is why I usually spring for Apple products. Apple is not so paranoid about specs. They make their devices with the idea of the “whole” product. This seems to make for a long lasting, great experience with their product.

So I constantly ask myself why? Why do I want one if I know I don’t. I think at least half the issue is a philosophical element. When the iPad works, it does things extremely well. It’s not clunky like my Mac, It’s smooth. The limited tasks it does, it handles exceptionally well. Sure my mac can do everything, but it’s not an elegant experience anymore. iPad is a single purpose, streamlined convertible. My mac is a multi purpose, gas guzzling truck. Couple that with the fact the iPad is less than half the weight of my mac and the battery life is extremely efficient. It just gives off different vibes.

So why write this? Well, the future draws nigh:

Lets fast forward a little bit. In April I have it on good sources Apple will venture into to untraveled seas and start selling a new category. Enter Apple Watch. Disclaimer: I don’t wear watches. I’m not really a jewelry person and I certainly wouldn’t consider myself a “flashy” individual. Yet Apple is slowly selling me on the idea of a Watch. The other day, I re-watched the Apple Watch keynote and more and more, I see it playing a big role in my future.

Part of the reason for this post is to try and work the demons out. I don’t want the watch to be another iPad incident, where I buy and return 5 of them. (eek, not proud) And i’m confidently sure my wife would appreciate an efficient transaction now and again. So I’m aiming for one or none actually.

So at this moment I plan on purchasing but I am puzzled. How can I be extremely excited about buying a watch when I don’t like wearing them? This is stunning to me! Nonetheless, here I am.

An all too familiar feeling.

Stay tuned for part 2 of my uncertainty of iDevices as thoughts on Apple Watch permeate and release nears!

Technology

Apple Watch thoughts and impressions

IPOD INTRODUCTION

The iPod was introduced on October 23, 2001; after discussing iLife and Apple digital hub strategy, the iPod section begins at 11:30. However, the iPod itself does not actually appear on a slide until 20:48, and Jobs pulls it out of his pocket at 21:07, nearly 10 minutes after he begins his introduction. The intervening 10 minutes were spent explaining the music market, why Apple thought they could succeed in that market, and what was special about the iPod.

IPHONE INTRODUCTION

The iPhone was introduced on January 9, 2007. However, the iPhone itself does not actually appear on a slide until 7:03, and only then to introduce multitouch. The rest of the device wasn’t seen until 12:20. Jobs spent all of that time explaining the smartphone market, why Apple thought they could succeed in that market, and what was special about the iPhone.

IPAD INTRODUCTION

The iPad was introduced on January 27, 2010. After a few updates, the iPad section begins at 5:15. However, the iPad itself does not actually appear on a slide until 8:55. Jobs spent the intervening time explaining that Apple saw a market between the iPhone and the Mac, but that any device that played there needed to be better than either device at a few specific use cases.

 WATCH INTRODUCTION

The Apple Watch section began with the iconic “One more thing…” at 55:44,1 and these were the extent of Tim Cook’s words before we got our first glimpse of the Apple Watch:

“We love to make great products that really enrich people’s lives. We love to integrate hardware, software, and services seamlessly. We love to make technology more personal and allow our users to do things that they could have never imagined. We’ve been working incredibly hard for a long time on an entirely new product. And we believe this product will redefine what people expect from its category. I am so excited and I am so proud to share it with you this morning. It is the next chapter in Apple’s story. And here it is.”

Then came the introductory video, and we never got an explanation of why the Apple Watch existed, or what need it is supposed to fill. What is the market? Why does Apple believe it can succeed there? What makes the Apple Watch unique?

Now it’s very fair to note that the biggest difference between the introduction of the iPod, iPhone and iPad as compared to the Apple Watch is that Steve Jobs is no longer with us. Perhaps the long introduction was simply his personal style. But the problem is that the Smart Watch needs that explanation: what exactly is the point?

To be clear, the hardware looks amazing, and I love the idea of the Digital Crown. It’s one of those innovations that seems so blindingly obvious in retrospect, and Cook was spot on when he noted that you can’t just shrink a smartphone UI to the wrist. **But that was exactly the problem with too much of the software demo: there were multiple examples of activities that simply make no sense on the wrist. For example:

There were sixty-four applications (I counted) on the demo watch, and the tap targets are quite small. I can definitely see some compelling Siri use cases for the Watch, but scrolling through movie times is not one of them. If you’re looking for a movie you’re almost certainly in a state of movement and mind that makes it possible to pull out your phone and use a screen much more suited to the task.

“We also looked at how you can carry your photos with you.” Here’s an idea: on your phone!

The Maps demo was the most frustrating: it included panning around, searching for a Whole Foods – including the phone number! – all activities that by definition mean you are stationary and can use your phone.

But that’s when the demo got really good:

While you’re actually traveling, the watch will not only show directions, but will actually use the Taptic Engine to indicate turns by feel. That is awesome, and an amazing use case for the watch. Who hasn’t been dashing somewhere, running into things while looking at their phone? A watch is far more suited, particularly one that doesn’t even require you to look at the screen.

I also like that you can use the iWatch to control your iPhone or any other AirPlay device. This would be incredibly useful around the house, etc.

The “Taptic Engine” makes sure only you know about a notification that you have previously agreed to receive. There are smart options for replying, as well as Siri and emoticons, but you can always use “Handoff” to compose a more extensive reply on a more suitable device.

There is a clear pattern to these examples:

**The bad demos are all activities that are better done on your phone. They are also the activities that make the Watch seem the most like a real computer.

**The good demos are all activities that extend your phone in a way that simply wasn’t possible before. They are also activities that make the Watch seem less capable as a self-contained unit.

This is why I’m worried that the lack of explanation about the Watch’s purpose wasn’t just a keynote oversight, but something that reflects a fundamental question about the product itself that Apple itself has yet to answer: is Watch an iPhone accessory, or is it valuable in its own right?

The question is likely more fraught then it seems: the entry price for Apple Watch is $350, nearly half the price of an iPhone (and $150 more than the up-front cost for a subsidized consumer). Moreover, I suspect Edition models will go for ten times that, if not more. Surely such a price demands a device that is capable of doing more, not less.

In fact, I would argue the contrary. Swiss watches are less accurate, but the benefit they confer on the user are so much greater. Those benefits are about intangible things like status and fashion, but that doesn’t mean they are worth less than more technical capabilities like telling time accurately. Indeed, they are exponentially more valuable.

Moreover, it seems clear to me that Apple wants to play in this space: Jony Ive wasn’t joking when he allegedly said that Switzerland was in trouble. I believe Apple’s long-term plan for Apple Watch is to own the wrist and to confer prestige and status with options like premium bands and 18-karat gold. To do that, though, they must compete not on technical merit but on the sort of intangible benefits that they always win with; chief among these is the user experience. A premium smart watch will win by yes, being fashionable, and yes, conferring status, but above all by doing a few things better than any other product on the market, and – this is critical – dispensing with everything else in the pursuit of simplicity.

To me the instructive Apple product is the iPod. What made the iPod so revolutionary was not just its size and industrial design; it was that Apple’s MP3 player did less than its competitors, thanks to its symbiotic relationship with iTunes. Sure, you couldn’t really make playlists or buy music, but that’s what your computer was for. What remained was the very essence of a music player, and it was because of that simplicity that the iPod became such a success.

It’s worth noting, of course, that the iPhone is in many ways the evolutionary iPod – Steve Jobs even introduced it as such. Similarly, I’m pretty convinced that one day our primary computing device will be something that we wear on our body. But that is many iterations and technical (and battery) advances down the road. Why is Apple in such a rush to get there by 2015?

Ultimately, I’m positive on the Apple Watch, if not for me for Apple. I think the Digital Crown is a big deal, and it’s a perfect companion for the 5.5″ iPhone especially (the device that many fear will cannibalize the iPad itself necessitates another iOS device). I also think the customization and segmentation is really smart and will enable Apple to sell at multiple price points. Moreover, some of the demos were quite compelling, including the very personal messaging; it was telling that Apple gave that functionality a dedicated button.

To ensure the Watch’s success broadly Apple needs to really articulate “Why”, not only externally in their advertising but internally to their product managers who ought to remember that Apple’s greatness is built on saying “No.”

Technology

WWDC eve

Tomorrow is an exciting day.

For those who aren’t tech enthusiasts, tomorrow may not bring much to mind. But for those who are, June 10th marks the first time Apple officially takes the stage in 2013. Crazy to consider we are 6 full months into the year absent of Apple’s official presence. Those who aren’t into tech are probably asking what the big deal is? More importantly; what is going to happen? The amazing answer, us who admire tech can’t even tell you. But we know Apple’s track record enough to know, the possibilities are exciting.

Basically to cut through all the rumors and what not, you can bet on two major things. Firstly, A brand spankin new fresh coat of paint for iOS 7. (the pixels moving on your iPhone’s screen for those who are interested). Secondly, a software bump of OSX (likewise for your mac computers). If you haven’t caught on yet, in recent years this conference has been a software gathering. And while a few rumors still linger in the wind, all signs point in this direction this year as well.

So no. No new iPhone’s, no new iPad mini’s. No iWatch or whatever you call it. To the uninterested, a boring event. To those who’s ears are consistently to the ground of the tech world, a major moment. You ask why? Very simply stated, Apple leads the technology push. Companies watch them. Even so much as steal their idea’s and claim to call them their own. Apple has led the tech industry in many areas in the past recent years and even invented new categories. So my friends, when Apple calls a meeting, it would be wise to attend.

New themes, textured gradience, flat designs or glossy icons. Whatever design direction Apple may head in, rest assured the industry will stand and look. Maybe not copy at this point in the game, but certainly take notice. Jony Ive in, Scott Forstall out is probably all we really need to know regarding design aesthetics and the future of Apple’s software direction. Jony Ive is a master of minimalistic designing and a the sole heart behind Apple’s hardware aesthetics. So it’s certainly not too much a of a stretch to consider him taking those principals over to the software side of things. A welcome addition.

A word of opinion briefly. Personally, I don’t mind iOS and how far it has come since 2007. To me it’s insane to comprehend indeed iOS is the oldest mobile platform on the planet! With Blackberry revamping things earlier this year, Apple’s iOS has moved in the top spot for oldest on the block. With that said, I think it’s a certainly capable entity that has harbored great stuff up to this point. But thats the key phrase “up until this point”. Tomorrow is such an important day because it’s when Apple ushers in the future of their biggest platform. The product that shakes the most user’s hands then any other product in Apple’s pipeline. Apple cant afford to get this wrong, and in my opinion the reason Apple is what it is today is because of moments just like this. Moments where they don’t lay up. They don’t get comfortable. They work hard, push the industry and most importantly for us end users, push the competition.

Whatever tomorrow brings, i’m sure it will be exciting nonetheless. Pondering over my post, it just hit me that keeping expectations grounded and realistic is considerably the most important element of the waiting game. But that’s not to say Apple wont surprise and impress tomorrow. They’ve done it in the past. One thing is as sure as day though. Tomorrow we will be watching, as well as the entire industry.

Your move Apple.

One last thing: i just realized This post didn’t mention Steve Jobs once. Indeed Apple is moving on, indeed.

Deep Thoughts, Life, Technology

Tech > You?

If there was ever a time of having the most control over my life, I would say it’s now. The stars have aligned perfectly with our existence and the gadget industry to not only control our lives more efficiently, but in a whole, force them into submission. Yet why is it I personally don’t feel that way. Moreover, why does it seem reversed? Why do I pull to refresh for the next status update or tweet more often than I do things of substance? A more than worthy question in my humble opinion.

I have been dreaming up this article since I started using an iPhone in 2007. The interesting and maybe very telling thing is, I couldn’t bring myself to write it. I’m not sure if my hesitance was because of uncertainty on what I was feeling or me simply suppressing the truth. Either way, after years of ponder, only one thing could be said. The only fact I’ve learned is a simple one: My tech had altered my life. Some would argue in a good way. Sure, that makes sense to me on the surface, and there’s certainly enough productivity apps to support such an argument. Unfortunately all the dropboxes in the world couldn’t fix my problem. The only workflow that seamlessly fixed my problem was me.

One in my position would probably start this journey of “fixing” their tech ruled world by rewinding to the beginning. So I did. I figured laptops and desktops have been around for a bit, and I certainly owned them. So why all of sudden am I feeling like a slave to my tech? A humble conclusion on my part: Mobile.

Mobile is different. Mobile is with you. Mobile is an extension of you. Mobile slowly claims ownership of you, at least in my case. How could this happen? A cell phone certainly doesn’t aim to control you. What was I doing to let this happen? I simply wanted a phone to call,text and use an app here and there. A simple beginning to a complicated, self recognized middle.

Like any interested researcher, I had to look into the content of my subject. If my subject was my phone, then that content only pointed to one direction, Apps. And on a more personal level, I had to look into myself and how I use apps.

Apps are an amazing new technology that apple invented in 2008. Wait. Wait a second, no they aren’t. Apps have simply went on a diet and slimmed down their figure and look a whole lot more attractive. They used to be called Applications and their existence goes back as far as their elderly host hardware. So why now? Why is the glue stickier than ever between these “apps” and me.

The following two factors are mainly my personal belief and not fact supported, only privately applied and thought through. By no means do intend on solving these issues. Individually, I believe we all have the tools to solve these potential issue personally. My objective is to only shine a light on them.

Intrusion

There it is. In your pocket. You know, your device. All the time. Yes all the time. Isn’t it scary to think the only time you were more than 20 feet away from your current device was when you were tracking it’s shipping status on your previous? Intrusion speaks volumes to me. The attachment I felt, or connection if you will. Any where I go there it is. When does iMovie go from being a revolutionary app to an anxiety filled event because I know what it’s capable of and just don’t have the time. When does siri become more of a trust worthy companion than your long life buddy? Intrusion never allows you to rest. Simply because the security of your “safe wall” if you will, has been permanently lowered. Of course we love the technology that brings us information but something else is happening in the background. Our brains are being programmed to not search, to not inquire and most importantly, to not feel content. Laugh if you will, but don’t laugh too long to miss the writing on the wall.

Instant

It’s safe for me to say these elements were bogging me down and bogging me down in a big way. How do I fight against instant gratification? How do I control instant gratification without limiting the device I adore? We buy these phones for their features. Case in point: Push Notifications. What a great technology. Convenient, up to date, yet unknowingly training us to expect things at the very second. Push is great, it helps and it hurts, but for me personally, the hurt outweighed the help.

Instant gratification allowed my mind to become numb and possibly lazy. We all admire that information gets pushed to us almost immediately as it happens and we love the convenience of such a tool, but something should be said for receiving content in a timely, dear I say old fashioned manner. The digestion of information is something I completely lost. I used to enjoy taking time, reading a story initially, then revisiting time and time again, like a great film. Somewhere along the line, I rapidly moved from comfort reading at my own pace to falling behind in my instapaper queue. Now I’m certainly not saying instant information is a bad thing whatsoever, but its a powerful tool. To quote one of my more enjoyable films: “with great power comes great responsibility.” As I honestly look back, initially I lacked responsibility, or maybe more accurately, I didn’t know I needed it.

My solution: Don’t let those 2 I’s overcome the two on your face. Look around, see the world. Experience a great conversation once and awhile. Talk about something that you aren’t an expert on for a change. I lost that, I lost the wonder I had because I simply wikipediaed what I needed to know instead of actually experiencing it.

A more beneficial ingredient would be to listen and not google. Sure tech is great and smartphones are a great achievement in the history of man. But don’t let it define you. It was defining me to a point that I lost the things I was interested in.

Of course there are settings that I could have manipulated to simply terminate any of my issues. That’s not really the point though is it? My goal was to live with this technology, not show it the back door. The goal was to find a happy medium, there almost always is one. And seemingly, your happy medium is probably different then your friends in your contacts.app.

Although the fight is a daily battle, it’s worth it. If indeed you are a soldier in this fight, keep going. Don’t eliminate try and mediate. Take a look at your life and see what is really needed and most importantly, see what isn’t. Now, if your not in this battle and your pixels don’t hinder your life in the least bit, take this opinionated article as caution, not as confirmation. To forget or ignore something simply allows it to be born again in another form.

Stop pulling down to refresh your life. Look around. It’s liberating. I promise.