Curious about the iPhone user experience.

Even though I'm looking forward to the Android 15 on my Google Pixel 7a, I still see the iPhone and wonder how would be using it as a daily driver.

While the iPhone 16 is due to come up soon, I'd rather go to with the iPhone 15 or the iPhone SE. Mainly because the iPhone 15, or the SE, would be a great fit for my needs and a cheaper way to try the iPhone user experience without breaking the bank.

Until now, the iPhone hasn't had what it take away from Android. It is basically more of curiosity of what it would be using an iPhone instead of an Android device. To be honest, if given the chance to jump to the iPhone 16 or to the Pixel 9, I'd choose the Pixel 9 in a hearth beat. Specially since I'm really happy how the Pixel 7a has been so far, so moving to the Pixel 9 feels like a more natural upgrade for me.

Ever since I stared using Android, with the 4.4 version, there I've no reason to move the the iPhone, specially since with each newer version of Android I've used it has been a great user experience for me. So much so, that I look get a smartphone which I know for sure that will update to the next Android version at least.

Personally, I just need the guarantee I get at least two Android upgrades when getting a new smartphone since two years is the least amount of time I use my smartphones. That's why the Pixel and Nothing Phones have become my go to brands for Android smartphones. These brands are the one that best fit my needs.

While I would love to have the latest, and greatest, Android devices in the market, the mid range Pixels and the Nothing Phone are the best value for my money, and fit, for my lifestyle and what I use my smartphone for.

Yet, with all what I hear about the user experience that the iPhone gives, I'd like to give it a try if it can give me a reason to at least try it out.

Machenike and Linux Mint: quite a nice combo.

I've been using a Machenike L16A with Linux Mint as my daily driver for four months now, and I must admit that I'm impressed with how good the experience has been so far.

The Machenike was recommended to me by a close friend about six months ago, since I told him that I was looking for a new laptop. He had bought one a while ago, and said that it was a solid machine. Not only that, Machenike laptops were quite a great value for the money since they are significantly cheaper than comparable laptops from the competitions. And to be honest, when I got my laptop i expected to be so, but not to the extent it has been so far.

After four months, my laptop feels really snappy and the performance is just great. And since I upgraded to Linux Mint 22 Wilma, it only has gotten better. One of the areas where I see most improvement, in on the Bluetooth connectivity. It connects more consistently with the three Bluetooth headphone I use, and now I can see how much battery the headphones I'm using just by hovering the cursor over the Bluetooth icon on the system tray.

The only downside so far, is that when I try to print something from Microsoft Edge, the printer just spits out blank pages at work. Other than that, Linux Mint has made a great job with the new OS release and Machenike has a solid laptop with the L16A laptop.

So much so, that if Machenike offered an option with Linux Mint preinstalled it would be my go to laptop brand in the future. I can even recommend Machenike laptops for those who just want to run Windows.

Until now, I've only used laptops using Intel CPUs. I've been somewhat weary to make the jump to AMD CPUs, yet with the experience I've had with the AMD Ryzen 7 CPU my laptop has, AMD CPUs have become a real option for my use case.

It also made me realize that I prefer laptops with screens of 15.6 or 16 inches. Smaller screens feel to crowed for me, and larger screens are nor mobile enough. It also made me realize that a 120Hz refresh rate is quite a nice thing to have.

The battery life is decent, in my experience it give me around five hours of use. Which is more than enough for my use case, though seeing improvements would make the whole user experience better though is not something that is that urgent.

At the end of the day, it has become the best laptop I ever owned.

Feelings, opinions, and beliefs aren't the same than scientific fact.

One thing that irks me in social media, is people trying to debate scientific fact as if it is just a matter of opinion. I've come to learn, that they don't care about what the facts are about what they are talking about.

Those people just want to equate their opinions to facts, and have other people to do so to just to make them feel comfortable. Facts are not about making you feel comfortable, or agreeing with your opinions. And how you feel, or believe, doesn't disprove science.

If you want to disprove science, you need to make sure that science actually disproves what you want to be be disproven. If you can't, then your opinions, feelings, and beliefs are just that.

Most importantly, if you want to learn about something talk to the experts in the subjects you are interested in. If you talk to people who aren't experts, you won't learn much about whatever subject you are interested in.

Linux Mint 22 Wilma, a great upgrade.

I made the upgrade to Linux Mint 22 Wilma, an while it isn't a revolutionary upgrade it has been quite a good upgrade. To be honest, is the kind of upgrade that I've come to expect from the Linux Mint team, they bring those upgrades that will continue to give the best user experience without braking the system.

The update I notice the most, is the blueman-manager for Bluetooth devices. It connects to my Bluetooth headphones a lot faster and effectively. It is simply way better, and something I do notice since I do use Bluetooth headphone with my laptop on daily basis, specially at work when I want to concentrate on my job.

With each Linux Mint release, the more I'm convinced that Linux can be used by people that just want an computer that just work for them. While not Linux is not for everyone, it has come a long way to be useful to a larger set of users. Not only that, it has become a lot more user friendly that most people believe.

A user that just wants to browse the Internet and watch YouTube or Netflix, can use Linux Mint without much trouble.; even Spotify runs well on Linux. 

With time, the apps that don't run on Linux have been decreasing. And the reason why they don't run on Linux have more to do with not enough people using Linux than technical reasons. Which means, that if enough people ask for Linux version, software developer will make it available for Linux at some point.

With Linux distros like Linux Mint becoming more user friendly, and with longer support times, means that more users and businesses can use it without more trouble than making sure that the apps they use are supported.

The fact that each Linux Mint major release is supported for four years, is something that make the transition for businesses is a lot easier. I make the upgrade every two years, yet the fact that businesses can wait up to four years is a plus.

I've been using Linux for the better part of two decades, and I've seen getting better with time. Specially in the user experience front, with distros like Linux Mint and Ubuntu. Linux Mint and Ubuntu are distros that are easy to use, and make it easy for people with no Linux experience to make the jump from other operating systems. Specially because most of what can be done on Windows can be done on Linux Mint or Ubuntu without much trouble.

Now it has come to specific software that targets either Windows, or macOS, and has no direct replacement on Linux that make it hard to make the jump. Other than that, there is no reason for not being able to make the jump.

To be honest, I'm glad that I'm witness to how much improvement Linux has made on the user experience with time.

Google Pixel: my favorite smartphones.

I've been using the Pixel 7a for about 5 months now, and it has really surpassed my expectations. From how it just works really great for me, to getting monthly security updates, it has been one of the best Android devices I've used.

So much so, that while I usually prefer mid-range devices because they give the best value for my money, I'd be willing to to move upward when the time comes to change my smartphone. It might be Pixel 11, or 12, when I choose to upgrade but the Pixel devises have proven to be the best fit for me.

The only other Android smartphone I'd consider would be a Nothing device, since my experience with the Nothing Phone (1) also really great. I just prefer the Pixel lineup because of personal preferences.

Mainly because Pixel and Nothing devices are why I prefer to use Android devices. They work out of the box for me, and I can set them up as I want them software wise. On the hardware side of things, I can choose the specs that more closely fit my needs at the price point I'm willing, or my budget allows, to pay for.

What I like most about the Pixel devices, is that I've a choice for mid-range, or premium, smartphone that I now know fits my needs and wants. To be honest, I've been wanting a Pixel device for a while now, but the chance to get one didn't come up until this year.

I use it in the Movistar network here in Mexico, and it works like a charm. I can even get 5G access. While Movistar's 5G network still need to expand a bit, it has quite a good coverage to begin with.

All changes with time, but for now Movistar and the Pixel phone are my go to combination.

Linux Mint 22 Wilma is close.

With the beta of Linux Mint 22 Wilma released for testing, I'm looking forward to upgrading to it when it possible.

The new features that Linux Mint 22 Wilma might not be ground breaking, but they are nice improvements to an already solid OS. To be honest, the fact that Linux Mint upgrades bring whats needed and not just the latest software to say they are bleeding edge, is why it has become my go-to OS.

While being at the bleeding edge might be cool, it isn't something that I prioritize or need on my everyday laptop. What it need is an OS that has update software that just works and doesn't get in the way. Linux Mint does this, in quite an elegant way, without having to worry about an upgrade breaking things.

The Linux Mint developers tend to add new technologies when they are mature, or they have no other option, which makes for quite an stable OS with predictable upgrades. That means that I can focus on using my laptop the way I like while just keeping an eye on updates so nothing breaks on my system.

To be honest, Linux Mint is an example that Linux is user-friendly enough to go mainstream. Any one who can use a Windows or a Mac computer, can use a computer using Linux Mint, POP! OS or Ubuntu to give some examples.

Life is good to be a Linux user, and it keeps getting better.

Linux Mint: from freedom came elegance.

I've been using Linux Mint constantly since about 2019, on three different laptops, and with each new version of Linux Mint it has been getting better. Mainly with little quality of living details, with a few changes that have meant a difference on how I use my laptop.

Yet, even those change have made my experience using the OS better. And one the things I've come to appreciate about Linux Mint since moving to only releasing long-term support releases, is that I'm not in a hurry to get the latest release. Each point release brings more then enough upgrades to keep the Linux Mint current.

Not only that, since each upgrade it the hardware requirements don't jump up that much, it means that my laptop has a longer life expectancy. I don't need to change it that often, mainly if it starts having problems with hardware that can't be changed easily or cheaply.

I used to prefer Ubuntu, but with Cinnamon becoming a mature desktop environment Linux Mint has become my go to Linux distro. Cinnamon just works better for me than GNOME, giving me all what I need and want, and then some more.

And I find Linux Mint to be all that much more of an elegant OS, that just works for me. Simple, yet it can be configured to work as you want it to work while looking like you want it to look. What I love, is that you don't need to much technical know-how to do so, while if you have technical proficiency you can do much do so much more.

Linux Mint just works, and can be actually a good way to get into using Linux of beginner and a great option for those who already use Linux that want a distro that is just easy to use and doesn't get in the way. It is truly one of those distros that prove that Linux is no longer the realm of computer experts.

Machenike L16A: a great value for the money.

I recently got a Machenike L16A to replace the HP laptop I've been using for about 4 years now, and it has been quite a good upgrade.

The value for the price has been excellent, it has really felt like an upgrade. Specially going from 8Gb of RAM to 16Gb. I specially notice the better performance when at work, since I use a remote desktop. I simply don't see as much slowdowns on the same use.

Most of the time, at work I've the remote desktop app, Firefox, Thunderbird, Spotify, or sometimes Rhythmbox, open at the same time and having 16Gb of RAM gives the performance I need since at time around 6-7Gb are used.

I also feel the AMD Ryzen CPU has been quite an upgrade, since it has more cores and threads than the Intel CPU my HP laptop has. That makes for a better user experience.

But, where I see the better user experience is on the keyboard, and display side of things. The keyboard keys got stuck often, making the track pad unusable and characters to repeat themselves. While the Machenike keyboard is not perfect, is far more usable and I find it to be quite nice to use.

On the display play side of things, that the panel is a 2.5k display makes it quite an upgrade. Not to mention that is an 16 inch over the 15.6 inch of the HP laptop. It isn't that bigger, but personally it make quite the difference.

Now I know that my favorite display size for laptops ranges from 15.6 to 16 inches. It has become my sweet spot for me, with the right compromise of size and portability.

And to top it up, Linux Mint works like a charm on the Machenike L16A. I just had to adjust the display resolution to my liking, other than that Linux Mint just works on the laptop. To be honest, I didn't have high expectations about the system when I got it, but after using it I most admit that can recommend it to most users that want a mid range laptop.

Linux Mint going for the long-term support model was the right choice.

Ever since I stared using Linux Mint with the long-term support mantra with the version 19 Tara release, I've come to prefer Linux distros that use development model rather than distros that release updates more often with shorter support windows.

Even though I upgrade to the new Linux Mint release as soon it becomes available, knowing that I don't have to rush it and that the testing to make sure nothing is broken with the new release is a bit more intense, gives me feel a bit safer about thing will continue working as I used to and expect them to. Besides, all the apps I use are updated as continuously. As such, I don't need to worry using versions of those apps that fall behind.

Not only the that, with updates to Linux Mint come as needed and the point releases keep bring the big releases that weren't included at the original release of the OS. For my needs, Linux Mint cover them all, and it gets better with time. With each release, Linux Mint keeps feeling like a modern OS with a lot of stability baked in.

Each release fixes what needs to be fixed, while making sure that everything else keeps working. It also adds the functionalities that people can expect from a modern OS, without having to learn how to used all over again. It just works, and most of the time it just keeps working without much change. While there have been changes here and there, those changes are easy to understand why there were made and easy to get used to.

Most importantly, Linux Mint is quite an elegant OS that can be set up to each user taste if the user wishes to do so. If not, using without changes is a breeze.

No wonder Linux Mint has become my go to OS for both work and personal use.

Linux Mint at work.

After three years of using Linux Mint for work, mainly accessing the work server via remote desktop or web app, I can say that it just works.

Due to several factors, the company I work for decided to use a Windows server in order for us to access the software we need to do our work. And it has proved to be quite a good decision, since it has simplified the software management by the IT department, and help everyone to be able to work remotely when needed. Specially the sales team, because they are almost always on the move.

Personally, it has helped me to better manage my work flow and to keep on top on deadlines. I just like the fact that I can better balance my work-life better, though it would be better if we could work remotely at least a couple of days a week.

Whats more, it has given me even more arguments for me not to return to Windows. Linux Mint work a lot better for me, and I rather use free and open-source software as much as possible.

And as the old Linux Mint tag line use to say: from freedom came elegance, I find Linux Mint to be a lot more of an elegant OS than either Windows , macOS, or any other Linux distro I've used so far. Linux Mint is just simple to use, and with each update has improved its usability and become more reliable.

Cinnamon, Linux Mint desktop environment, has improved leaps and bounds with time. So much so, that other Linux distros like Arch Linux, Debian, and openSUSE include use it.

Linux Mint is a great option for those who want to make the jump to a Linux distro from Windows. It is easy to use, and can be used by people who don´t really have that much technical expertise or those who simple don´t want to get their hands dirty hacking their system.

Laptops: my favorite type of computer.

Ever since I started using laptops exclusively for both work and personal use, I've found that laptops are the best option for me than PCs. Mainly because laptops fit my mobile life style, and they allow me to work or do all what I do on the personal side of my life wherever I am the moment.

What I have made laptops my favorite computer form factor, is the fact that laptops just fit my life style the most. The ability that I can bring my computer with me, no matter where I go, is something that just enjoy and come to appreciate.

If you add that Linux Mint works with most of the hardware out there, is the icing in the cake. Linux Mint just works better for me than Windows. Specially now that, I can access I need for work via Remmina, or an web app via a web browser, for work. It makes a lot easier to use Linux Mint for everything in my life.

And with Flatpak, I've seen a lot more apps being made available while being easier to install. For example Microsoft Edge or Brave can be installed as Flatpak on Linux Mint. Even Spotify can be installed this way.

What's best, is that all can be installed using a graphical package manager. Which is something that makes life easier for users that don't have much technical skills, or just don't want to deal with the command-line interface.

Now that our digital life has become ever more relevant, laptops are one half of what allows me to managing it a lot easier. The other half is the smartphone, and it allows me to manage both my digital and real world lives that much easier.

Google Pixel 7a: quite a good deal for the money.

After using a Nothing Phone 1 for a couple of years, I made the jump to a Pixel 7a. It has been a week since the Pixel 7a became my daily driver, and to be honest I've really liked it so far.

To be honest, I've been looking to move to a Google Pixel ever since the Pixel line came about, but something always seemed to get in the way. And the last time I renewed my smartphone the Pixel 6a wasn't out yet, and since I prefer mid-range smartphones the Nothing Phone 1 was the best option for me a the time.

This time round, I could have waited for the Nothing Phone 2a to come out. But, I wanted to give the Pixel 7a with the Google's Tensor 2 SoC a chance. Specially because I've read really good reviews of the SoC, and good reviews of the Pixel 7a.

So far, I haven't been disappointed. So much so, that I can recommend Google Pixels and Nothing Phones to those people who want good value for their money on mid range smartphones.

And now, I hope that I can save enough money so that in about 2-3 years from now I can make the jump a non a Pixel Phone just to try it out for myself.

Linux is no longer the sole realm of experts.

When people tell me that Linux doesn't have an user friendly distro, I can't help to think that they are either lying or haven't used a Linux distro in the last 10 to 15 years.

While distros like Arch Linux are well known for requiring quite a technical expertise, other distros like Linux Mint can be used by anyone. Yes, there is a learning curve to learn how to use it, but it isn't as high as most people tend to think it is. Most of the time, is just learning how some apps are named or how settings are managed.

Specially, now that for things like installing software there a graphical store that helps people to look for and install apps in a more intuitive way. And there is there a lesser need to use the command line in many distros, and more help online to those who want learn how to use the terminal.

These days, the main question is if the apps you need are available on Linux. The same goes for Windows or macOS, rather than the ease of use of the operating system.

Even now, the hardware support is less of an issue for Linux. Hardware support for Linux has improved greatly, so much so that most of the hardware out there works unless is has been designed to only work for Windows or macOS. So much so, that there are some companies like System76 and Tuxedo Computers that make computers that support run Linux as default.

Even computers from Lenovo, HP, and Dell work nicely with Linux Mint or Ubuntu.

As such, there are options out there that support Linux out of the box using distros for users of every level of technical skills. Now, is only a matter to see which option is a better fit for you.

Linux has come a long way, and while it still has some way to go it is no longer the realm of those who are experts.

Spotify running on the background on Linux Mint.

That I can close Spotifty's window, and it keeps playing in the background in Linux Mint, is one of those details of using a computer that makes it a lot better that you don't miss until you can't do it.

Currently I'm using Linux Mint 21.3 Virginia, but I was able to do so since Linux Mint 21.2 Victoria. And I'm using Linux Mint's system packages, not the Flatpak version of Spotify Linux client. Not that I dislike the Flatpak version of app, just that I prefer using system packages of the apps I trust.

For some years, if you wanted to keep Spotify running on the background on Linux, you had to use workarounds to be able to do so. Not the optimal thing to do, specially for people who didn't know how to do so or wanted to have do some extra steps to be able to do so. So much so, that I got tired of it and stopped doing it

Yet, being able to do so out of the box is something that I really enjoy. Specially since it is something you can do on other OSes like Windows. And to be honest, is one of those small things people notice on an app behavior when they make the jump to Linux from an OS that supported being able to run Spotify on the background when you closed the app window.

For me, that I can run Spotify on the background, just like I do with Rhythmbox, is one of those things that makes the whole user experience of using Linux Mint a lot better. Specially because Spotify has become an integral part of how I consume music and podcasts on daily basis.

Spotify helps be discover new music, and listen artists and songs I already loved wherever I am. Also listen to the podcasts I love on the move, no matter where I am at the moment.

Which is great for me, since I like to so while commuting or walking.

Spotify has become my go to music and podcast streaming service, and it restored functionality of running it on the background when closing the window on Linux Mint has solidified its position for me.

AI: could be a game changer for the better.

With artificial intelligence(AI) getting better, and becoming more mainstream, people seem to be all over the place on how they feel about it. The truth is that AI can be a powerful tool if used correctly, and it seems that there are use cases that prove this.

As it stands, how good the AI is come on how good the information used to train it is. So far, I'm hopeful that AI can become an important tool to help people both at work and leisure. AI can be extremely helpful, though there is still much development ahead of us to see its full potential.

Personally, I do believe AI can be a greatly beneficial if developed in such a way. So far, the signs seem to be good, with legislation seemingly and development making it easier to develop AI that is useful for society and individuals. There have been some uses of AI that highlight how not to use it, but mainly sets the precedence that it is in initial stages of its development.

Cases like that, just make me certain that AI can be useful if the user knows both the AI limitations, and that he or she stills needs to check that the answers given by the AI are correct. With time people will realize that AI is a powerful tool that will enhance our lives for the better if used correctly.

We don't need to fear AI, but we need to fear how people use it for and how AI is trained. At the end of the day, is up to us to make sure that AI is used for our benefit.

Linux Mint 21.3 Virginia: a great point release.

I've  Linux Mint 21.3 Virginia for a couple of weeks now, and coming coming from 21.2 Victoria it has been quite a nice upgrade. While it isn't a groundbreaking upgrade, the OS feels great.

Personally, the one of the best things that came with the upgrade is being able to verify the ISO image with a right click. Which is important for me, since I like to make a live USB of the newest release of Linux Mint to make a clean install when needed, or just install Linux Mint on a new Laptop when I upgrade my system.

Another thing I like, is that testing to move to Wayland started with this Linux Mint release. While Wayland isn't expected to come at least until 2025, the fact that testing has begun is a good thing.

To be honest, with each new release Linux Mint cements itself as my go to Linux distro. It has the right balance of offering access to the modern software without braking things by being on the bleeding edge. As such, it just works and it gives me what I need to being productive at work and access I need to relax on my free time.

I'm looking forward to Linux Mint 22 later this year, while I expect it to come with a bigger set of changes it all points that it will be just another great release by the Linux Mint team.

Linux Mint: just keeps getting better.

I've been using Linux since about 2008, when I decided to use Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron) on my laptop because Windows Vista kept crashing on me multiple times a day. And since then I've using a Linux distro on my personal laptop, and since 2020 on I also started using it for work.

Since 2019, I decided to move from Ubuntu to Linux Mint full time. What motivated the move was that Ubuntu stopped using Unity, and started to use GNOME. And to be honest, I simply don't like GNOME 3 and Linux Mint's Cinnamon is a far better option for my use case. The only thing holding me to using Ubuntu was that I liked Unity and that I was used to how Ubuntu works.

Yet, ever since I made the jump to Linux Mint I can say that it has become my favorite OS. It just works, and it does it in a way that makes my life easier. And since it's based on Ubuntu, I can do all what I'm used to do when I used Ubuntu as my go to OS.

The best thing about Linux Mint, is that with each release it focuses on improvements that feel like an evolution of the OS, rather than trying to change things just to be on bleeding edge of Linux development. That means that things just work and changes tend not to break things.

I just like that Linux Mint feels like an elegant OS, that can be used by users that just want a OS that enables each user to do her or his thing, without getting in the way. The most important thing, is that you don't need to be an expert to use it.

And even if you are a computer expert, Linux Mint is a great option for those who just want an OS that is a great platform to use if you just want an OS that doesn't get in your way after you set it up to your liking, and you don't need to be on the bleeding edge of Linux.

Unless your user case means that you need to use Windows, or macOS, Linux Mint is a great option.

NothingOS 2.5 is a great upgrade.

When the public beta for NothingOS 2.5, which is based on Android 14, for Nothing Phone 1 came out I decided to give it a try. So far, it is a solid upgrade for the device. For my use case, there hasn't been any issue and to be honest the battery life has seen an improvement.

The changes, and tweaks, made to the user interface have for the better. Even though I already preferred Android for use in my smartphones, NothingOS proves that Android is a solid base. So much so, Google Pixels are the main competition to Nothing Phones so far. I would consider the Motorola Razr as a possible option, mainly because I'm interested in flip phones and I like Motorola, but the price makes me doubt about making the jump.

Later this year, or early next year, I might choose to upgrade my smartphone. So far, all points out that Nothing will continue to be my smartphone of choice.