Slade Watkins

  • Google’s Rolling Out “Pixel VPN” App, But I Think They Should Enable It on Pixel 6 and Later

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    From 9to5Google:

    “While VPN by Google One is going away next month, the company will continue to offer a virtual private network for Pixel owners. Ahead of that, the service is now called ‘Pixel VPN by Google.’ […]

    That new version shown in those screenshots is not yet available, so Pixel 8+ owners should also expect an update. Meanwhile, VPN by Google One is installed on a 7 Pro running Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2.2, but there’s an account error when attempting to enable it.

    We’re presumably waiting for that app or stable system update.”

    Check out the article to see the screenshots of the app listing on the Play Store.

    Listen, I personally believe they should enable this feature on Pixel 6 and later, and even Pixel Tablet. It’s possible for them to do, and frankly, they should. Especially with how they’re marketing the service to users.

    That’s just my take, though.

  • MKBHD Shares Insider Look at Apple’s iPhone Durability Testing

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    “Have you actually seen how they water test phones for IP ratings?” No, never! But holy cow, this is cool. Check out the Thread on Twitter (linked above!) There’s even a chat with Apple’s John Ternus in there too.

  • Apple Confirms WWDC24 Details

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    From Apple Newsroom:

    “Apple Keynote

    June 10, 10 a.m. PDT
    WWDC24 kicks off with a first look at groundbreaking updates coming to Apple platforms later this year. The Keynote address will be available to stream on apple.com, the Apple Developer app, the Apple TV app, and the Apple YouTube channel. On-demand playback will be available after the conclusion of the stream.

    Platforms State of the Union

    June 10, 1 p.m. PDT
    Following the Keynote, the Platforms State of the Union will take a deeper dive into the latest advances across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS, and new tools that will further empower Apple developers. The Platforms State of the Union will be available to stream on the Apple Developer app and the Apple Developer website. A playback will be available after the conclusion of the stream on the Apple Developer app, website, and YouTube channel.”

    I’ll be watching with a friend of mine, and we’re both very excited to see what gets announced. I’m personally interested in iOS and macOS this time round. iOS is apparently getting a redesign, so we’ll see what happens…

  • Help Oliver Continue Their Film Education Journey

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    Oliver (they/them) is a friend of mine from all the way back in high school, and recently, they started raising funds to continue their film education journey. Just wanted to boost this for them! Please share and/or donate if you’re able and willing! <3

    If you’d like to learn more about my friend, they have a website at https://www.olivergraceschaffer.com/.

  • Splatoon 3’s Spring 2024 Splatfest: Baby Chicks vs. Li’l Bunnies vs. Bear Cubs

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    Splatoon 3’s latest Splatfest will see Baby Chicks, Li’l Bunnies, and Bear Cubs facing off to see which one’s the (cutest) fan favourite. Japan will be participating this time round, so the Splatfest will be taking place globally once more.

  • Oman and I Answered Questions (And I Ranted About Xbox)

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    Last night, Oman (Repflez) and I got together to answer the rverse community’s questions on our recent rebranding, the service’s future, and more. You can watch the two hour (I’m so sorry) Q&A on YouTube!

  • Heads Up! Oman and I Hosting Live Q&A Tomorrow; Accepting Questions Now

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    As I wrote on our official Discord server:

    Tomorrow, April 5th, 2024, at a time yet to-be-determined, Oman and Slade will be doing a live streamed Q&A on our recent rebrand, our direction following Nintendo Network’s closure, among other things. If you have questions for us, please drop them here so we know what’s going to come up — You may ask as many as you’d like for now, and we’ll answer a few of the most popular ones from this form on stream tomorrow, but of course, you’ll be able to ask follow ups from us live as well!

    [By submitting a question, you consent to having your question asked and answered live on stream. This form will be disabled on Friday about three hours prior to the stream, and responses will be fully destroyed on Monday, April 8th, 2024.]

    Please click/tap here (or the linklog entry on the SladeWatkins.net site) to ask a question. I will share out the stream tomorrow when it starts.

  • Billie Eilish Automatically Adding New Followers to Close Friends List

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    https://www.threads.net/@mattnavarra/post/C5WRpJZC83x

    So, I’m actually also curious: is this even allowed? Maybe we’ll find out, but in my quick Google search–I can’t find any APIs that make this happen. I’m almost definitely missing something here, so take that with a grain of salt, but this feels like it might be against Terms of Service, even if it is a really great (and clever) marketing tactic!!

  • Verge Gets First Look at AltStore — One of Many Alternative iOS App Stores Coming to the EU

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    Callum Booth from The Verge writes:

    Fundamentally, in their current state, third-party iOS app stores like AltStore will only be attractive to power users, groups of enthusiasts who are desperate to solve niche issues or have particular interests in something they can’t get on the App Store, like a fully functioning clipboard manager or game emulator.

    I don’t know if I necessarily agree with the “ONLY” argument there, given the sentiment online — however I don’t think Booth is entirely wrong either. Apple’s malicious compliance (with the Core Technology Fee) is also a big issue, and I have a feeling the EU isn’t done with the company on that front.

    Only time will tell. Check out their hands on at the link here or above.

  • Pixel Fold Gets “Circle to Search”

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    After I initially got it wrong on reddit, Google is in fact rolling out “Circle to Search” to Pixel Fold users right now (via 9to5Google). Why they’ve waited so long to give features to their most premium flagship phone will always be beyond me. Point is, this feature is becoming available in supported markets now.