This list is somewhat inspired by the “Upgradies” from one of my favorite podcasts. It’s essentially a list of favorites of 2024. I will give their choice ( on their categories) and my choice in this list.
iOS App of the Year
They chose Flighty, which is for people that travel via airlines. I had no need for such an app in 2024, so I went with Carrot Weather. It is one of those few apps that gets meaningful updates all the time. I think weather is something we are all interested in, so it’s my top choice. It was a runner up on their list.
Best Newcomer iOS app
We both chose Delta. It officially brought ROMs to iOS and was easier to use than other options, in my opinion. I paired it with a Gamesir G8 for a perfect combination. I still have my old NES and cartridges, so it is great to take them portable.
iOS App of the Year
They chose Flighty, which is for people that travel via airlines. I had no need for such an app in 2024, so I went with Carrot Weather. It is one of those few apps that gets meaningful updates all the time. I think weather is something we are all interested in, so it’s my top choice. It was a runner up on their list.
Best Newcomer iOS app
We both chose Delta. It officially brought ROMs to iOS and was easier to use than other options, in my opinion. I paired it with a Gamesir G8 for a perfect combination. I still have my old NES and cartridges, so it is great to take them portable.
Best Mac app
Another one that we agreed on.. Pixelmator Pro. I wanted to give them a going away present since they got purchased by Apple in 2024. Just a great intuitive app to live alongside apps like Lightroom and Photoshop. My runner up would be Alfred 5. Still use this all the time to launch apps on my Mac using an iPad.=
Favorite Tech Podcast
Macbreak Weekly. I have watched this on my AppleTV for as long as I have had an AppleTV. It is both funny and entertaining with their take on the latest Apple News. Special mention to Upgrade ( which also has Jason Snell as a host).
Favorite Podcast ( non-Tech)
Their choice for favorite podcast was The Rest is History, which I am unfamiliar with. The Joe Rogan Experience was my choice. Was any podcast discussed as much as Rogan the last few years? It’s for good reason, whether he was interviewing Trump/Vance, discussing UFOs, or interviewing comics and academics, the show is almost always entertaining. I don’t listen to all his shows, but outside of tech, he is my first “ go to” podcast.
Most disappointing TV show
Unlike Upgrade, which named a favorite show (Shogun), I have to say that I loved “Shrinking”, but this year, somehow the show just started to lose my interest as they dug into side characters and left the main characters in the background for too many episodes. I remember having a similar situation with Walking Dead a while back, and on both accounts, I decided to stop watching. Of course, it was many seasons into Walking Dead before that happened and some of it could be blamed on killing off several pivotal characters. Here, it just feels like they just ran out of ideas for the main characters.
Favorite Apple Product
They chose the Mac Mini M4 and I can see why. It shrunk while increasing performance. The dollar to perform ratio is off the charts. Personally, I just mounted my M1 Mac Mini under my desk, so a smaller size wouldn’t be a gain of any kind for my needs. On the other hand, the slimmer, lighter design of the iPad 12.9 M4 has been a welcome design change. I find it easier to hold than the heavy M1. The OLED screen is also amazing. It feels like a fully realized machine without a ny hardware trade offs. We just need more powerful apps to get the most out of it now.
Favorite Accessory for an Apple Product
This would be the awesome ESR Case for the iPad. I reviewed it here.
Another one that we agreed on.. Pixelmator Pro. I wanted to give them a going away present since they got purchased by Apple in 2024. Just a great intuitive app to live alongside apps like Lightroom and Photoshop. My runner up would be Alfred 5. Still use this all the time to launch apps on my Mac using an iPad.=
Favorite Tech Podcast
Macbreak Weekly. I have watched this on my AppleTV for as long as I have had an AppleTV. It is both funny and entertaining with their take on the latest Apple News. Special mention to Upgrade ( which also has Jason Snell as a host).
Favorite Podcast ( non-Tech)
Their choice for favorite podcast was The Rest is History, which I am unfamiliar with. The Joe Rogan Experience was my choice. Was any podcast discussed as much as Rogan the last few years? It’s for good reason, whether he was interviewing Trump/Vance, discussing UFOs, or interviewing comics and academics, the show is almost always entertaining. I don’t listen to all his shows, but outside of tech, he is my first “ go to” podcast.
Most disappointing TV show
Unlike Upgrade, which named a favorite show (Shogun), I have to say that I loved “Shrinking”, but this year, somehow the show just started to lose my interest as they dug into side characters and left the main characters in the background for too many episodes. I remember having a similar situation with Walking Dead a while back, and on both accounts, I decided to stop watching. Of course, it was many seasons into Walking Dead before that happened and some of it could be blamed on killing off several pivotal characters. Here, it just feels like they just ran out of ideas for the main characters.
Favorite Apple Product
They chose the Mac Mini M4 and I can see why. It shrunk while increasing performance. The dollar to perform ratio is off the charts. Personally, I just mounted my M1 Mac Mini under my desk, so a smaller size wouldn’t be a gain of any kind for my needs. On the other hand, the slimmer, lighter design of the iPad 12.9 M4 has been a welcome design change. I find it easier to hold than the heavy M1. The OLED screen is also amazing. It feels like a fully realized machine without a ny hardware trade offs. We just need more powerful apps to get the most out of it now.
Favorite Accessory for an Apple Product
This would be the awesome ESR Case for the iPad. I reviewed it here.
Best Non-Apple Tech Product
They chose Meta Glasses. Personally, I would rather not have Meta seeing everything I see, but that’s just me, apparently. Instead, the Wiim Ultra is a fantastic music streamer and preamp. I did a couple videos about it in 2024.
Most Disappointing Tech
They said Image Playgrounds. I have to give that honor to the Vision Pro. It is too expensive, too heavy and cumbersome, too isolating, and does not have enough apps or features to justify that price for most people. All of those things were disappointing, so I hope Apple comes out with something lighter and with a video input so it can be used with other stuff (PC), etc. Not to mention that the price is ridiculous unless you fit a very specific market.
Most Life-changing Hardware
They said AirPod Pro 2s and I tend to agree with them. It’s not every day that you get an update to an older product that can make a huge change to some users lives. The new hearing aid function will be a real game changer for some people. For me, it was the “Clearly Filtered” pitcher. It gave me reason to drink clean water rather than guzzling Diet Mtn Dew all day. It also improved our coffee and tea.
Favorite Tech Story
This has to be the story of Starlink providing internet to Hurricane Helene victims. It is crazy to think that you can get fast internet with a small dish. We were looking into Starlink already since it would be nice to have on Jeep adventures, so this story caught my eye.
Favorite non-tech product
Shoes are a kind of tech, but I am mentioning Birkenstock clogs in this category. These are the best “house” shoes I have ever owned. They slip on and off, get more comfortable with each wear, and give plenty of support.
Favorite Magazine
I read a lot of magazines, but my favorite is probably Garden & Gun. It may be because I am a dog lover and their Good Dog article is fantastic ( this month, the author of the article is John Grisham). However, it is just a great guide to some of the better things in the South. Whether it is whiskey, the arts, amazing restaurants, great music or a host of other things, it gives you a window into amazing things going on.
Favorite Album
MJ Lenderman - Manning Fireworks - I have always had a soft spot for alt-country. I guess that started with The Flying Burrito Brothers and this one follows that great tradition.
Favorite Song
Million Dollar Baby - probably not meant for my demographic, but we listened to this more than any other song this year. I also want to give a special mention to Chris Stapleton’s Higher which has one of his best vocals.
Favorite Concert
We just went to an amazing Gregory Porter concert, but I haven’t to give this to JJ Grey & Mofro. I had never listened to his music, but was invited to go, so I figured “why not?” Before the concert was over, I was a true believer and look forward to seeing him again.
Most listened to artist
For the second year in a row, The Rolling Stones were my most listened to group. I am kind of surprise, to be honest. I can think of several artists that I thought I preferred, but I guess the proof is in the pudding on this one. Their ranking probably has something to do with the album Exile on Main Street being one of my summer background music these days.
Favorite Photo that I took this year
They said Image Playgrounds. I have to give that honor to the Vision Pro. It is too expensive, too heavy and cumbersome, too isolating, and does not have enough apps or features to justify that price for most people. All of those things were disappointing, so I hope Apple comes out with something lighter and with a video input so it can be used with other stuff (PC), etc. Not to mention that the price is ridiculous unless you fit a very specific market.
Most Life-changing Hardware
They said AirPod Pro 2s and I tend to agree with them. It’s not every day that you get an update to an older product that can make a huge change to some users lives. The new hearing aid function will be a real game changer for some people. For me, it was the “Clearly Filtered” pitcher. It gave me reason to drink clean water rather than guzzling Diet Mtn Dew all day. It also improved our coffee and tea.
Favorite Tech Story
This has to be the story of Starlink providing internet to Hurricane Helene victims. It is crazy to think that you can get fast internet with a small dish. We were looking into Starlink already since it would be nice to have on Jeep adventures, so this story caught my eye.
Favorite non-tech product
Shoes are a kind of tech, but I am mentioning Birkenstock clogs in this category. These are the best “house” shoes I have ever owned. They slip on and off, get more comfortable with each wear, and give plenty of support.
Favorite Magazine
I read a lot of magazines, but my favorite is probably Garden & Gun. It may be because I am a dog lover and their Good Dog article is fantastic ( this month, the author of the article is John Grisham). However, it is just a great guide to some of the better things in the South. Whether it is whiskey, the arts, amazing restaurants, great music or a host of other things, it gives you a window into amazing things going on.
Favorite Album
MJ Lenderman - Manning Fireworks - I have always had a soft spot for alt-country. I guess that started with The Flying Burrito Brothers and this one follows that great tradition.
Favorite Song
Million Dollar Baby - probably not meant for my demographic, but we listened to this more than any other song this year. I also want to give a special mention to Chris Stapleton’s Higher which has one of his best vocals.
Favorite Concert
We just went to an amazing Gregory Porter concert, but I haven’t to give this to JJ Grey & Mofro. I had never listened to his music, but was invited to go, so I figured “why not?” Before the concert was over, I was a true believer and look forward to seeing him again.
Most listened to artist
For the second year in a row, The Rolling Stones were my most listened to group. I am kind of surprise, to be honest. I can think of several artists that I thought I preferred, but I guess the proof is in the pudding on this one. Their ranking probably has something to do with the album Exile on Main Street being one of my summer background music these days.
Favorite Photo that I took this year
The picture below was from my wife's gallery opening.
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