In “Twitter is really creepy” news, this happened. To be honest, I’m not sure how they get away with this. They’re not supposed to be allowed to pull from your web history or anything if you have the inferred identity and analytics permissions stuff turned off. My guess is that, like many things at Twitter, that feature is broken. Probably intentionally. And even if it wasn’t intentional, it’s not like they’d be willing to fix it: they don’t really have the manpower to do so.
Discovered this entirely by accident, Cobalt[.tools] is a video downloader for several services that isn’t a piece of shit (to put it nicely). No ads, no monetization, just a clean website that does what it says on the tin.
Here’s what it supports, according to the developer:
Joz from Apple said on Twitter tonight that “apps designed specifically for Vision Pro” have surpassed 1,000. The company previously said just a couple weeks ago that there were 600 when the product initially launched at the beginning of this month. [h/t to MacRumors]
This is the first email I’m sending out with help from the folks at ConvertKit. They’re providing the creation tools to rapidly increase the creativity behind these emails — while also allowing me to use my existing infrastructure. It’s a cool piece of tech, and I’m very happy to be playing with it.
For the first time, back issues of The Bulletin will be available to view every Tuesday after they release right on my blog at SladeWatkins.net! If you ever wanted a friend to read, consider forwarding an email to them, or waiting until the back issues are released on Slade’s Corner.
For all the new faces, and even for the old faces, The Bulletin is my flagship newsletter: it’s the most major point of communication in which I interface with the internet. Every week on Saturdays at 8pm Eastern, I provide a peek into my world, and sprinkle in some music recommendations and interesting links to a few things I found while being on (or even off) the internet. It’s a fun time, and I always appreciate replies to these emails, as well.
I wrote on my blog that Apple’s proposed rules for ‘complying’ with the Digital Markets Act the EU enacted are just a giant middle finger to the EU.
Well, I’m not the only one who feels that way, as Microsoft’s own Sarah Bond agrees (so does Spotify, Epic Games, 37signals, and more…) The rules have to be approved by the EU, and part of me doubts they will be.
Tomorrow night’s the Super Bowl! Reba McEntire will perform the US National Anthem, while Usher will take the stage at halftime. Post Malone is set to perform “America the Beautiful,” and there are other small performances from other performers lined up, which CBS News has a list of here.
Nickelodeon, sister company of CBS/CBS News/CBS Sports by way of parent company Paramount, announced that Sweet Victory from the SpongeBob SquarePants episode “Band Geeks” will also be reanimated in CGI and shown at this year’s Super Bowl, as well.
Band Geeks last got a nod in 2019 during the introduction to guest performer Travis Scott. The “performance” was meant as a tribute to Stephen Hillenberg, the creator of the show who passed away from ALS in November 2018.
What I’m listening to…
I’m kind of a Spotify addict, so I happen to listen to a lot of music. Here’s what I’m currently listening to—usually on repeat. Here’s what I’ve got for you, for the week of February 10, 2024…
A little late posting this, but my good friend Chayse came to visit me last Monday and spend some time here in good old Vermont.
We rode around the area, all the way to Williamstown, Mass. and back, and just chatted. We certainly broke the ice and are already planning our next hurrah! This was the first time we met in-person and I miss him already. Truly such a blast!
Just a friendly reminder that The Bulletin will be returning at 8pm Eastern tonight, Saturday, February 10th, 2024. If you aren’t subscribed, you may do so by filling in the form here (or attached below on the web version of SladeWatkins.net).
Complete the Great Sky Island without collecting any materials
Get the Hylian Shield (or alternatively, any shield with a price value)
Speak to a shopkeeper
Say you’ll sell them items
You’ll end up in the shield tab
So just sell them the shield! It won’t disappear from the inventory, so you can just repeat until you’re rich
In other words, not collecting ANY materials and any shield that has a value in Rupees completely breaks the game and nets you infinite Rupees. Try it out! My money’s on Nintendo patching this relatively soon, though. (No pun intended.)
I mean, it’s eerily similar, for sure. But like the many other “predictions” the show has made, including the Trump presidency, I am about 99.9% certain that this is just a coincidence. The other .1%, though…well, I’m not so sure. Perhaps Matt Groening and company are time travelers. We’ll never know.
“We are pleased to announce that our installed base of active devices has now surpassed 2.2 billion, reaching an all-time high across all products and geographic segments.”
That’s impressive for Apple! Although for context, Android has over 3 billion active devices total across all device types and countries. Apple’s growing!
A few years ago, I discovered a weather app so sassy that I just had to have it. That app was CARROT. I got my friends on it and everything. We have a Discord channel dedicated to just sharing some of the unhinged crap the sentient app bot spits out at us. It has even spawned some absolutely hilarious inside jokes for my friends and I, too! We love it!
Well, the developer behind it has brought it to Apple Vision Pro, and it’s really nicely designed. It is worth checking out, even if you don’t have an Apple Vision Pro! It’s just that pretty!
Also, download CARROT. You won’t regret it. Such a good weather app!