Beats Pill
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With the M3 MacBook Air, iPhone 16, and Beats Pill, my day flows pretty well from work to play. Here's how I do it.
The devices I use every day are simple – an M3 MacBook Air for work, an iPhone 16 that's always on hand, and a Beats Pill for background music or the latest podcast.
My day begins and ends with my M3 MacBook Air. I used to have a MacBook Pro, but I really miss the thinness and lightness of the Air. It's thin and light enough to carry with me everywhere, whether at my desk or on the couch answering emails.
Most of my work involves writing, working on projects, and managing documents, so I don't need crazy power. But the M3 chip has proven reliable. I never have to worry about whether it can handle the load.
MacBook Air M3 – Attractive Design, But Still Collects Fingerprints
I’m not a big fan of noise when I’m trying to concentrate, so the fact that the MacBook Air stays quiet is something I notice. It’s a small thing, but when you spend most of the day with a laptop in front of you, small things add up.
The battery life also doesn’t give me much to think about. I charge it at night, unplug it in the morning, and don’t worry about it for the rest of the day.
I’m a minimalist and don’t have a dedicated workspace. I have a desk, but I also write and lounge on the couch a lot. Nothing fancy, but it’s utilitarian and it works.
iPhone 16
I love my MacBook Air, but I consider my iPhone my favorite device simply because it’s the most portable computer I own. My iPhone 16 is how I stay organized and connected. It’s the device I reach for when I need to quickly check a note, reply to someone, or open something I saved earlier.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus
For the past few iPhone generations, I've been opting for the iPhone Pro model, but this year I've settled on the regular iPhone 16. It's still a powerful device, and the only thing I miss is a more powerful telephoto lens.
Yes, the screen is still 60Hz, but I can barely tell the difference between 1080p and 4K video, which is not what those hertz are for – they're for smooth scrolling and gaming.
Beats Pill
Sometimes I like to have some background noise, and I've been using the Beats Pill lately. This is a small, portable speaker that can be easily put in a bag or carried around the house.
If I want to listen to a podcast while I work, it connects to my phone in seconds. If I’m working and want some instrumental music playing in the background, it’s there without fuss.
The sound is surprisingly good for such a compact model – balanced, not too bass-heavy. I don’t need to turn it up full volume to fill the room.
Software
The software I chose is boring because I like to use Apple’s default apps. I can’t live without Apple Notes – it’s where I write, jot down ideas, and save articles from the web that interest me. Although, maybe I’m overdoing it because I currently have 2,403 notes.
I love Apple News and it’s one of the apps I use to find out what’s going on. The crosswords are good and I might get into Sudoku someday. I also use an RSS reader called NetNewsWire, though I’m testing Reeder because it can handle more types of content.
My insane Apple Notes database
Podcasts are also open every day and I listen to a variety of shows, though lately I’ve been binge-watching 48 Hours for true crime.
Shortcuts is another app that keeps me firmly entwined with the Apple ecosystem. I try to automate as much as I can to make life easier and use my energy for other things. Examples of shortcuts I've created include a web clipper, various tools for resizing and compressing images for articles, and a great invoice builder for AppleInsider/>.
Finally, I like the Journal app. I used to use Apple Notes as a journal, but I like the Journal app better. It includes more features, like adding locations from maps — like a recent trip — photos, audio recordings, and a mood tracker.
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