The end of the year is always a fun time for me to reflect on many things and look forward to what’s coming. 2022 is even more special because it’s the year I left web development to focus on podcasting full-time.
As part of that, I like to review my favorite tech and media from the past year. I’ve been doing it for 14 years! The only change this year: I’m no longer labeling the tech and media section. It used to be only tech, then half and half. Now it’s mostly non-tech.
I’ve long considered getting a reMarkable 2 but have never pulled the trigger on it.
Part of the reason was I’ve always been partial to reading Kindle books and taking notes on them, and my iPad Mini does that fine.
Then Amazon announced the Kindle Scribe. More affordable, initial deal for Prime members and a good trade-in price for my Kindle Oasis and the $500 device got down to $280. So I bought it. Here are my initial impressions:
It’s big, but I don’t think too big. And I love the extra space on one side to grip the device.
Reading on it is nice. I can crank up the font size without feeling crowded.
I love the notebooks feature. I’ve been using it as my primary note taking device this week and it’s been great.
The pen is light and super neat. There’s an “eraser” on the other end, and a shortcut button you can configure. I use mine to highlight.
Writing on it feels the most paper-like I’ve experienced on a digital device.
If there is lag, I don’t notice it.
You can directly markup PDFs. So. Good.
The battery life is incredible.
If there’s one shortcoming, is the lack of ability to get my RSS feeds on the device. I’d love to make this my one and only reading device, but it’s tough.
That’s not really the Kindle’s fault either. Articles written for the web don’t work well on a book medium.
In my online travels recently, I came across several stories talking about the merit of e-readers, and specifically reading comprehension when using them. The first story I came across (via Lifehacker) was on Time and titled, Do E-Books Make It Harder to Remember What You Just Read? I thought a little about the claim and how the author supports it, but I cynically thought that Time has something to gain since they do produce print media primarily. Then I followed the link talking about Larry Page, co-founder of Google, thinking the same thing.
Why I Ditched iTunes for Amazon MP3s (gizmodo): I’ve been preaching this for years. I’m glad some influencers are finally seeing the lights. And PS- Amazon mp3 has always been DRM Free.
This is something I’ve wanted to become more consistent with, as I usually post these lists sporadically and at poor times. I figure Black Friday is a good day to settle on this type of post, since it is the official start of Holiday Shopping.
Amazon Kindle: This is number one on my list of recommendations. E-Readers have been around for a few years now and I think the Kindle has proven king. It’s a great way to read books (it’s a lot like reading a real book), it’s easy on the eyes, and with apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, you can keep your books with you and synced at all times. Plus, they are also offering a very affordable Wifi Only version. I truly love mine, which I got last Christmas. ($189 for 3G + Wifi, $139 for Wifi only)
See Messages the Matter (Facebook): This is an interesting hybrid and probably one that will get used a lot. Facebook was smart not to make an email client. There are already giants in that area. But if this makes communication easer (and it seems it does), that’s a very good move.
Kindle and Kinect Christmas (Kottke): Kottke’s got a great point here. Amazon absolutely won by making Kindle books cross platform. I own a Kindle, and have a droid and an iPad. The books I’m reading are always with me.
iTunes and The Beatles: A Day We’ll Soon Forget (appstorm): I really thought it was going to be an announcement about online streaming, especially since they bought lala last year (though it’s starting to look more and more like they just bought it to get rid of a competitor). This shouldn’t have been more than an announcement on the homepage and in the iTunes Store.
Opt Out Day: “Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a Temporary Safety, deserve neither”.Ben Franklin. What the TSA is doing is deplorable. Protect your citizens, but do not violate them.
