Most of the “Face with Medical Mask” emojis should be redesigned. The face should be completely neutral, even just closing eyes is not neutral.
Google Maps Ditched the Hamburger Menu
Everyone else focused on the icon update, but I’d really like to zoom in with the removal of hamburger menu in Google Maps for iOS:
Screenshot of Google Maps for iOS
The hamburger menu now is just a placer holder with no functions, and I expect it to be removed in a future update. And they also moved more features to the bottom tab bar. What a welcome change. It certainly feels more homey on iOS. Therefore, I forgive the new icon 😜
Hanabira工房 Makes Crazy Detailed Miniature Houses
Check out Hanabira工房's YouTube Channel, every single one of their videos is a treasure.
∞ Apple Weighs Letting Users Switch Default iPhone Apps to Rivals
Mark Gurman, reporting for Bloomberg:
The technology giant is discussing whether to let users choose third-party web browser and mail applications as their default options on Apple’s mobile devices, replacing the company’s Safari browser and Mail app, according to people familiar with the matter. Since launching the App Store in 2008, Apple hasn’t allowed users to replace pre-installed apps such as these with third-party services. That has made it difficult for some developers to compete, and has raised concerns from lawmakers probing potential antitrust violations in the technology industry.
Let me check, what apps do I need an alternative default? Mail, Maps, Calendar, Calculator, Reminder, Camera, Weather, Photos, Notes, News. 10 freaking apps.
I also just realized that, the Keyboard effectively already allows alternative default. Files app too.
(News is special here because RSS URLs are forced to be opened by it, 🖕 Apple News.)
Doraemon and Costumes of Tang Dynasty
Zi De Guqin Studio presents the Doraemon theme song in costumes of Tang Dynasty. It can’t get any better.
dA CamCal v6
dA CamCal v6 is now available. Release notes:
- NEW: DoF calculation now supports feet & inches distances
- IMPROVED: Better layout on iPhone SE
Happy photographing.
-- Dolee ^_^
∞ Apples Releases Swift Playgrounds for the Mac, Powered by Catalyst
Apples just released Swift Playgrounds for the Mac. And yes, it's powered by Catalyst. Now, I am 👀 at you, Shortcuts team.
dA 5Star v6 Adds Easy Sharing
dA 5Star v6 is now available. This new version allows you to easily share the 5-star review and wallpaper.
Happy sharing your 5-star reviews to the world ^_^
∞ A Quick History of Why Asians Wear Surgical Masks in Public
Jeff Yang, writing for Quartz:
The bottom line is that in East Asia, the predilection toward using face-coverings to prevent exposure to bad air is something that predates the germ theory of disease, and extends into the very foundations of East Asian culture. In recent years, however, mask-wearing has become rooted in new and increasingly postmodern rationales.
Studies have found that among many young Japanese, masks have evolved into social firewalls; perfectly healthy teens now wear them, along with audio headsets, to signal a lack of desire to communicate with those around them. This is particularly true for young women seeking to avoid harassment on public transit, who also appreciate the relative anonymity the masks provide.
Masks are even becoming an element of East Asian style: In Japan, surgical masks bearing chic designs or the images of cute licensed characters can be purchased in every corner drugstore, while last month at China Fashion Week, designer Yin Peng unveiled a line of “smog couture” clothese paired with a variety of masks, from Vader-esque ventilators to whole-head riot-gear rebreathers.
This is so different in western where you only wear masks when you are actually sick to protect others. You will have different perceptions when seeing people wearing a mask on the street.
∞ Canada Wins, U.S. Loses In Global Fight For High-Tech Workers
Toronto saw the biggest growth in technology jobs of any North American city over the past five years, outpacing San Francisco, New York and Seattle. Vancouver also made the top five.
This trend will only continue for a while.