Issue #22
Hello, friends,
I’ve been thinking a lot about design recently. As someone who works in iOS app development, I inevitably put my head into how to create great designs in my interfaces, and Apple does a good job making it easy for me to use the interfaces they provide us in iOS.
Another reason it’s been on my mind is because of…
The relaunch of Ready Time! Previously called Little Countdown, the app’s now been re-branded, re-themed, and re-launched. For those new to it, Ready Time is a backward planner: you set a deadline, add your steps, and it tells you when to start. Use it for flights, appointments, or morning routines. I used it when my wife’s water broke and I had to get across the country.
– Ivan
Tron-pilled
When I read Cory Doctorow’s thoughts on what he terms “Tron-pilled,” it makes me think of user-centered design.
Technology is not enough
Some older thoughts from John Gruber about thinking of software as art and how folks who prioritize design/UX/UI can see how other people prioritize what they care about in software. But folks who don’t prioritize design/UX/UI can’t see how people who prioritize design care about design.
NERV app
In my anime nerding hey-day, my anime of choice was Evangelion. To my surprise, there’s a real actual app named after the NERV organization from the anime. And it’s actually useful.
Ketchup, Mustard, BBQ Sauce, what else
Reminds me of stuffing condiments into the fridge door. And also weekends in my childhood helping to unpack boxes of tupperware from shipping containers.
A Netflix concern, not a user concern
I agree with John Gruber here about how new updates to the Netflix Apple TV app alienates users by trying to maintain consistency across platforms. It makes it worse for everyone.
It’s like gonna have like this tab
A fun experiment letting kids build an app using AI. What will they build? What will the prompt look like? Hmmm?
Can we see Iran’s Hormuz tolls on-chain?
Iran said they’re charging vessels a toll to transit the Strait of Hormuz, paid in crypto. That made me wonder: If the tolls are really being paid in crypto, can we see them on-chain? This may be a bit outdated, now, but it was a fun way to burn some Claude tokens.
Design in Mega Man X
This analysis of Mega Man X by Sequelitis has stuck in my mind since I first saw it. I often come back to it to remind myself about designing great experiences and products.
My Precious
Cast it into the crib. Destroy it!