FEED Validator

for Atom and RSS and KML

Congratulations!

This is a valid RSS feed.

Recommendations

This feed is valid, but interoperability with the widest range of feed readers could be improved by implementing the following recommendations.

line 33, column 0: Use of unknown namespace: com-wordpress:feed-additions:1 (25 occurrences) [help]
```
<site xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">127845174</site>	<item>
```
line 288, column 0: content:encoded should not contain decoding attribute (4 occurrences) [help]
```
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img decoding="async" src="https://in ...
```

Source: http://initialcharge.net/feed/

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"
xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
xmlns:georss="http://www.georss.org/georss"
xmlns:geo="http://www.w3.org/2003/01/geo/wgs84_pos#"
>
<channel>
<title>Initial Charge</title>
<atom:link href="https://initialcharge.net/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
<link>https://initialcharge.net</link>
<description>A daily weblog written and produced by Mike Rockwell which focuses on Apple products, mobile applications, the web, and other geek-related topics.</description>
<lastBuildDate>Wed, 17 Apr 2024 13:13:23 +0000</lastBuildDate>
<language>en-US</language>
<sy:updatePeriod>
hourly </sy:updatePeriod>
<sy:updateFrequency>
1 </sy:updateFrequency>
<generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2</generator>
<image>
<url>https://initialcharge.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/bolt-150x150.png</url>
<title>Initial Charge</title>
<link>https://initialcharge.net</link>
<width>32</width>
<height>32</height>
</image>
<site xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">127845174</site> <item>
<title>Proton Acquires Standard Notes</title>
<link>https://initialcharge.net/2024/04/proton-acquired-standard-notes/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mike Rockwell]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 19 Apr 2024 13:41:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Linked List]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Acquisitions]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Cindy Harper]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Proton]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Reclaim the Net]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Standard Notes]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://initialcharge.net/?p=20529</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Cindy Harper, writing for Reclaim the Net: The Switzerland-based firm, Proton, known for its focus on privacy, has made a key addition to its suite of applications by acquiring the note-taking app Standard Notes. Originally founded in 2017, Standard Notes has since been offering its users an equally robust privacy promise through the use of […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Cindy Harper, writing for Reclaim the Net:
<blockquote>
The Switzerland-based firm, Proton, known for its focus on privacy, has made a key addition to its suite of applications by acquiring the note-taking app Standard Notes. Originally founded in 2017, Standard Notes has since been offering its users an equally robust privacy promise through the use of end-to-end encryption (E2EE). […]
Proton assured that Standard Notes, accessible on both mobile and desktop platforms, will maintain its open-source nature and will continue to be fully supported. The company also stated that Standard Notes’ current pricing would remain unchanged, and pledged to honor any existing five-year subscription plans.
</blockquote>
It’s a shame they won’t be changing the pricing for <a href="https://standardnotes.com/">Standard Notes</a>. It’s a nice product, but if I were to use it, I’d want some of the features on the paid plan. And $90 per year is just a smidge too much for me to spend on a notes app.
➝ Source: <a href="https://reclaimthenet.org/privacy-company-proton-acquires-standard-notes" rel="nofollow">reclaimthenet.org</a>
]]></content:encoded>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">20529</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>The Podcast Landscape Is a Fantastic Mess</title>
<link>https://initialcharge.net/2024/04/justin-pot-podcasting-mess/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mike Rockwell]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 18 Apr 2024 13:41:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Linked List]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Justin Pot]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Lifehacker]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Podcasting]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://initialcharge.net/?p=20527</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Justin Pot, writing for Lifehacker: Similarly, podcasting is built on top of RSS, a protocol built in the early 2000s. Tech-savvy people like me love to tell you that the internet would be better if we ditched social networks and used RSS instead. The internet at large loves to ignore this advice—except when it comes […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Justin Pot, writing for Lifehacker:
<blockquote>
Similarly, podcasting is built on top of RSS, a protocol built in the early 2000s. Tech-savvy people like me love to tell you that the internet would be better if we ditched social networks and used RSS instead. The internet at large loves to ignore this advice—except when it comes to podcasts. When it comes to podcasts, everyone has a favorite app, and they’re all a little different. And, crucially, the difference isn’t which shows you can get. Every show worth listening to is on every podcasting app.
</blockquote>
You can use <a href="https://pocketcasts.com/">Pocket Casts</a>, <a href="https://overcast.fm/">Overcast</a>, or <a href="https://castro.fm/">Castro</a> and I can subscribe to shows in Apple Podcasts and sync them to a twenty year old iPod for playback. Podcasts are dope.
➝ Source: <a href="https://lifehacker.com/entertainment/why-the-podcast-landscape-is-a-mess" rel="nofollow">lifehacker.com</a>
]]></content:encoded>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">20527</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>Apple Further Explains Why iGBA Was Removed From App Store</title>
<link>https://initialcharge.net/2024/04/igba-removed-from-app-store/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mike Rockwell]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Wed, 17 Apr 2024 13:41:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Linked List]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[App Store]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Apple]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Developers]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Emulators]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Gaming]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[iGBA]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Joe Rossignol]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[MacRumors]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://initialcharge.net/?p=20525</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Joe Rossignol, reporting for MacRumors: Notably, Apple confirmed to us that emulators on the App Store are permitted to load ROMs downloaded from the web, so long as the app is emulating retro console games only. Apple also said it had approved iGBA’s functionality, before learning that it was a knockoff app, suggesting that Game […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Joe Rossignol, reporting for MacRumors:
<blockquote>
Notably, Apple confirmed to us that emulators on the App Store are permitted to load ROMs downloaded from the web, so long as the app is emulating retro console games only. Apple also said it had approved iGBA’s functionality, before learning that it was a knockoff app, suggesting that Game Boy emulation is permitted on the App Store, but the company has yet to share any other examples of retro game consoles.
</blockquote>
I learned about iGBA on the App Store when <a href="https://youtube.com/shorts/2P9s5HX3pQs?si=IsmJjnMPeXtw4fim">Retro Game Corps published a YouTube short highlighting it</a>. I was going to write about it here on Monday and <a href="https://libertynode.net/@mike/112272169530604489">discovered that it had been removed</a>. 
I’m happy to learn that there wasn’t a mixup in app review and that emulators are allowed. I think there’s some question about what Apple considers to be “retro” emulation, though.
My suspicion is that Apple isn’t going to make an explicit decision on this and will, instead, rely on their policy of restricting access to <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just-in-time_compilation">JIT</a> to limit what their hardware is capable of emulating.
Without access to JIT, current emulators that are available through sideload are only able to emulate up to PlayStation, Nintendo 64, and Sega Saturn for home consoles and PSP and some Nintendo 3DS for handheld consoles.
Regardless, though, I look forward to seeing more emulators make their way onto the App Store.
➝ Source: <a href="https://www.macrumors.com/2024/04/15/apple-further-explains-igba-removal/" rel="nofollow">macrumors.com</a>
]]></content:encoded>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">20525</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>The Magic Is Gone</title>
<link>https://initialcharge.net/2024/04/apple-magic-gone/</link>
<comments>https://initialcharge.net/2024/04/apple-magic-gone/#comments</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mike Rockwell]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 16 Apr 2024 13:41:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Feature]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Apple]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Apple Store]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[iPad]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[iPhone]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Mac]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Retail]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://initialcharge.net/?p=20522</guid>
<description><![CDATA[I remember around ten years ago, whenever I was near an Apple Store, I just had to go. If I was visiting family in Pittsburgh, I had to visit the Apple Store. If I was around Syracuse, if I was in Philadelphia, wherever. If there was an Apple Store nearby, I had to take the […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[I remember around ten years ago, whenever I was near an Apple Store, I just had to go. If I was visiting family in Pittsburgh, I had to visit the Apple Store. If I was around Syracuse, if I was in Philadelphia, wherever. If there was an Apple Store nearby, I had to take the time to visit, even if just for a little bit.
From my earliest days with Apple products, in 2004, I’ve always been 2-3 hours from the nearest Apple Store.
But the products felt so cool during that era. The idea of having a half an hour or so with the entire lineup was too much to pass up.
I’d check out every MacBook they offered and chat with my wife (then girlfriend) about which one struck the right balance for my needs. I’d check out the Mac Mini, each iMac, and the Mac Pro and have an internal debate about which one I’d buy if money was no object. Even after leaving the store, I’d spend the rest of the day thinking about my dream setup.
I’d check out the latest iPods, iPads, iPhone, and browse through all of the accessories. Sometimes I’d leave with something — a new pair of headphones, a power adapter, or the like — and sometimes I’d leave completely empty handed.
Today, though, I can’t remember the last time I even went to an Apple Store. It was probably before 2020 and it was more than likely because I actually needed to go there for something. The last time I made a point to go to the Apple Store just to browse was probably a year or two prior.
The magic of Apple’s retail stores is gone.
Part of that is because Apple products are a bit more accessible in my area now. I can go to my local Target or Walmart and toy around with the Apple Watch, iPhone, and iPads on display. If I want to check out a new Mac, the local Best Buy carries a good portion of those.
But even more so, Apple’s products aren’t really exciting to me anymore. Most of what they release is a relatively minor iteration over the previous version. Sometimes with, what feels like, downgrades compared to the previous model. I’m looking at you, <a href="https://initialcharge.net/2024/03/action-button-game-launcher/">Action Button</a>.
“But what about the Vision Pro”, you’re invariably asking? Well, that product isn’t appealing to me in the slightest. I have no interest in augmented or virtual reality. I consider it to be more akin to 3D television or motion controls in games. Neither of those will necessarily go away entirely — they will rise and fall in popularity over time, but they’ll never be the predominant medium or even a major player.
Maybe I’ll eat my words, but I don’t expect the Vision Pro or any other AR/VR computing product to ever be much more than a novelty device.
Outside of the lack of excitement for Apple’s new products, though, there are obviously other factors that have an impact.
I’m at a different part of my life now than I was ten years ago. My wife and I have <a href="https://initialcharge.net/2023/10/josh-at-four/">started</a> a <a href="https://initialcharge.net/2023/11/caleb-andrew-rockwell/">family</a>, I have <a href="https://automattic.com/work-with-us/">a great job</a>, and with that comes a bit more disposable income and a lot less free time. I can often just buy products that I would have, previously, had to save for.
And the lack of time means that I’m unable to obsess over all of the little details of an announcement. Or read through every line of the product pages and press releases. All of the things that built excitement for actually getting my hands on the products.
All of this isn’t a bad thing, of course. There are the clear benefits of spending time with family instead of caring so much about the products of a <a href="https://www.macworld.com/article/183057/applename.html">former computer company</a>.
I think the lack of excitement in folks like me represents an opportunity for another company to build something truly neat. To get people excited and start making waves in the consumer electronics industry.
Valve’s <a href="https://store.steampowered.com/steamdeck">Steam Deck</a> and the recent explosion of retro emulation handhelds from <a href="https://www.goretroid.com/">Retroid</a>, <a href="https://anbernic.com/">Anbernic</a>, and others immediately comes to mind. There’s a lot to be excited about in that market.
But I’m hoping for something bigger. Something that will give me the same feeling I got from Apple in the late 2000s. The type of feeling that will have me going out of my way to spend a few minutes with a new product in a retail store.
]]></content:encoded>
<wfw:commentRss>https://initialcharge.net/2024/04/apple-magic-gone/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
<slash:comments>6</slash:comments>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">20522</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>The Verge Looks at Europe’s Alternative App Stores</title>
<link>https://initialcharge.net/2024/04/verge-dam-app-stores/</link>
<comments>https://initialcharge.net/2024/04/verge-dam-app-stores/#comments</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mike Rockwell]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Sun, 07 Apr 2024 13:41:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Linked List]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[App Store]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Applications]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Digital Markets Act]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Europe]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[The Verge]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://initialcharge.net/?p=20520</guid>
<description><![CDATA[It’s unlikely, as I’m sure Apple has sufficiently locked it down, but it would be rad if someone figured out how to trick iOS into installing these alternative app stores outside of Europe. ➝ Source: theverge.com]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[It’s unlikely, as I’m sure Apple has sufficiently locked it down, but it would be rad if someone figured out how to trick iOS into installing these alternative app stores outside of Europe.
➝ Source: <a href="https://www.theverge.com/24100979/altstore-europe-app-marketplace-price-games" rel="nofollow">theverge.com</a>
]]></content:encoded>
<wfw:commentRss>https://initialcharge.net/2024/04/verge-dam-app-stores/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">20520</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>Apple’s New Rule for Emulators on iOS</title>
<link>https://initialcharge.net/2024/04/apple-emulator-app-review-guidelines/</link>
<comments>https://initialcharge.net/2024/04/apple-emulator-app-review-guidelines/#comments</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mike Rockwell]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Sat, 06 Apr 2024 16:41:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Linked List]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[App Store]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Apple]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Applications]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Developers]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Emulation]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Gaming]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[iOS]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[iPad]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[iPhone]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Retro Gaming]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://initialcharge.net/?p=20516</guid>
<description><![CDATA[From Apple’s App Review Guidelines: Additionally, retro game console emulator apps can offer to download games. You are responsible for all such software offered in your app, including ensuring that such software complies with these Guidelines and all applicable laws. When I first saw the email announcing this change last night, I saw the word […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[From Apple’s App Review Guidelines:
<blockquote>
Additionally, retro game console emulator apps can offer to download games. You are responsible for all such software offered in your app, including ensuring that such software complies with these Guidelines and all applicable laws.
</blockquote>
When I first saw the email announcing this change last night, I saw the word “emulators” and may have <a href="https://libertynode.net/@mike/112221374731614210">jumped to conclusions</a> about what this would mean.
I suppose it’s still possible that emulators like <a href="https://retroarch.com/">RetroArch</a> and <a href="https://www.ppsspp.org/">PPSSPP</a> would be allowed, but it seems like the rule could imply that this is just for retro game collections that allow for downloading of more games within the app. More like Sega releasing a Sonic the Hedgehog collection that utilizes emulation or a game developer that wants their homebrew NES game available on iOS.
I suspect someone will test the rule and see exactly where the line is drawn, but I get the feeling <a href="https://initialcharge.net/2024/02/emulation-on-iphone-guide/">we’ll still need sideloading</a> to have what we think of as “emulation” on iOS.
➝ Source: <a href="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/" rel="nofollow">developer.apple.com</a>
]]></content:encoded>
<wfw:commentRss>https://initialcharge.net/2024/04/apple-emulator-app-review-guidelines/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">20516</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>Amazon Ditches ‘Just Walk Out’ Checkouts at Grocery Stores</title>
<link>https://initialcharge.net/2024/04/amazon-just-walk-out/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mike Rockwell]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 04 Apr 2024 13:41:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Linked List]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Amazon]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Artificial Intellegence]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Gizmodo]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Grocery]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Maxwell Zeff]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://initialcharge.net/?p=20514</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Maxwell Zeff, writing for Gizmodo: Just over half of Amazon Fresh stores are equipped with Just Walk Out. The technology allows customers to skip checkout altogether by scanning a QR code when they enter the store. Though it seemed completely automated, Just Walk Out relied on more than 1,000 people in India watching and labeling videos to […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Maxwell Zeff, writing for Gizmodo:
<blockquote>
Just over half of Amazon Fresh stores are equipped with Just Walk Out. The technology allows customers to skip checkout altogether by scanning a QR code when they enter the store. Though it seemed completely automated, Just Walk Out relied on more than <a href="https://www.theinformation.com/articles/how-amazons-big-bet-on-just-walk-out-stumbled?rc=5xvgzc">1,000 people in India watching and labeling videos</a> to ensure accurate checkouts. The cashiers were simply moved off-site, and they watched you as you shopped.
</blockquote>
Big lol.
➝ Source: <a href="https://gizmodo.com/amazon-reportedly-ditches-just-walk-out-grocery-stores-1851381116" rel="nofollow">gizmodo.com</a>
]]></content:encoded>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">20514</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>Threads ActivityPub Beta</title>
<link>https://initialcharge.net/2024/04/threads-activitiypub-beta/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mike Rockwell]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Wed, 03 Apr 2024 13:41:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Linked List]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[ActivityPub]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Andrew Heinzman]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Beta]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[How-To Geek]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Meta]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Threads]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://initialcharge.net/?p=20512</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Andrew Heinzman, writing for How-To Geek: Threads’ fediverse-sharing feature is still in beta. It’s disabled by default, and Meta says that it’s trying to iron out some of the aforementioned flaws. Users who want to dive into the fediverse must open Threads, go to Settings, open “Account Settings,” and click “Fediverse Sharing.” Threads will give […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Andrew Heinzman, writing for How-To Geek:
<blockquote>
Threads’ fediverse-sharing feature is still in beta. It’s disabled by default, and Meta says that it’s trying to iron out some of the aforementioned flaws. Users who want to dive into the fediverse must open Threads, go to Settings, open “Account Settings,” and click “Fediverse Sharing.” Threads will give you an explanation of the fediverse before asking you to opt in.
</blockquote>
I wouldn’t advocate that anyone start using Threads because of this, there are far better options available. But if you know someone that’s already using Threads that you’d like to follow from Mastodon or another ActivityPub compatible service, I’d send the link their way and encourage them to enable the feature.
➝ Source: <a href="https://www.howtogeek.com/threads-now-connects-to-mastodon-and-other-fediverse-platforms/" rel="nofollow">howtogeek.com</a>
]]></content:encoded>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">20512</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>Action Button as Game Launcher</title>
<link>https://initialcharge.net/2024/03/action-button-game-launcher/</link>
<comments>https://initialcharge.net/2024/03/action-button-game-launcher/#comments</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mike Rockwell]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Sun, 31 Mar 2024 19:41:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Feature]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Action Button]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Gaming]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[iPhone]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Shortcuts]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://initialcharge.net/?p=20510</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Since receiving my iPhone 15 Pro this past fall, I have been racking my brain trying to figure out how to make the Action Button feel useful to me. Up until recently, I’ve felt like it was a massive step backward when compared to the simple silence switch that the iPhone has featured since the […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img decoding="async" src="https://initialcharge.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/minecraft-game-launcher.jpeg" alt="Game Launcher shortcut with Minecraft and Steam Link"/>
Since receiving my iPhone 15 Pro this past fall, I have been racking my brain trying to figure out how to make the Action Button feel useful to me.
Up until recently, I’ve felt like it was a massive step backward when compared to the simple silence switch that the iPhone has featured since the original launched in 2007. The switch was nice because you could interact with it by feel. If you’re at a movie theater or some other live event and needed to make sure your phone wouldn’t randomly make noises, disturbing everyone else, you could check the switch with your iPhone still in your pocket.
This isn’t something that has ever worked for me with the Action Button. With it set to toggle Silent Mode, my experience usually goes something like this:
<ul>
<li>Press the Action Button.</li>
<li>Feel the haptic feedback.</li>
<li>Try and remember what that specific haptic feedback means.</li>
<li>Probably press the Action Button another one or two times so that you can feel the difference between the two types of haptic feedback.</li>
<li>Ultimately take your iPhone out of your pocket to make sure it’s set the way you wanted.</li>
</ul>
Despite my discovery of a useful Action Button shortcut, I still think that the above situation is such a mess that I’d rather just have the silencer switch back. But even if Apple decides to bring back the switch, I’m stuck with the Action Button for at least another year-and-a-half. I might as well make the most of it.
<img decoding="async" src="https://initialcharge.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/game-launcher-action-button-shortcut.png" alt="Game Launcher Example Shortcut"/>
I’m now using the Action Button as a dedicated game launcher. But it doesn’t just display a menu, listing the games (<a href="https://initialcharge.net/2024/02/emulation-on-iphone-guide/">and emulators</a>) on my device, and launch the one I select. Instead, it always opens the game or emulator that I most recently played and I have the option to display a menu to launch something else.
I’m accomplishing this with <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/toolbox-pro-for-shortcuts/id1476205977">Toolbox Pro</a>, which offers Global Variable actions. Each time I launch a game or emulator using this shortcut, the name of that application will be saved to a Global Variable and the next time I run my game launcher, it will automatically launch the game saved in that variable.
As for the menu to launch something else, that will only display if I want it to. I’m accomplishing this by checking the device’s volume at the beginning of the shortcut and then checking it again two seconds after the Global Variable app is launched. If the volume is different upon that second check, the menu will display.
The way it works in practice is, I press the Action Button, the most recent game opens. If I’d like to play something else, I have a two second window to press either of the two volume buttons. If I do, I’ll get a menu that lists the other games and emulators on my device and I can choose one to launch.
Then, the next time I run the shortcut by pressing the Action Button, the most recently launched game/emulator will open first.
This setup does require you to update the shortcut whenever you add or remove a game from your device and the shortcut itself is going to be unique to you and the collection of games you play. But I’ve put together an example shortcut showing how it works, that you can adapt to your setup.
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/97a4e839a589444fa32ee325dbb55cae">Game Launcher shortcut</a>.</li>
<li><a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/toolbox-pro-for-shortcuts/id1476205977">Toolbox Pro</a> (Required for the shortcut’s Global Variables).</li>
</ul>
The example shortcut is just setup to open Minecraft and Steam Link because those are the only games that I have on my device that aren’t <a href="https://initialcharge.net/2024/02/emulation-on-iphone-guide/">sideloaded through AltStore</a>. But again, the method that I’m using can be adapted to launch any number of games on your device. You’ll just need to update the If action that checks the Global Variables and opens the initial app, as well as the Menu action that displays a list of and launches the other games.
I’m hoping the example shortcut will do the trick, but if you decide to set this up for yourself and run into any trouble, feel free to <a href="https://initialcharge.net/about/#contact">reach out</a> and I’d be happy to help with all that I can.
]]></content:encoded>
<wfw:commentRss>https://initialcharge.net/2024/03/action-button-game-launcher/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">20510</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>It’s Time for a New AirPort</title>
<link>https://initialcharge.net/2024/03/apple-resurrect-airport/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mike Rockwell]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Sun, 31 Mar 2024 16:41:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Linked List]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[AirPort]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Apple]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Joe Rosensteel]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Networking]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Six Colors]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Wireless Router]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://initialcharge.net/?p=20504</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Joe Rosensteel makes the case for Apple to rejoin the wireless router market. I’ve advocated for this in the past and while I still believe it would be wise for Apple to do so, I’m not positive I would end up purchasing one. At least not from the Apple of today. The Apple of today […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Joe Rosensteel makes the case for Apple to rejoin the wireless router market. I’ve <a href="https://initialcharge.net/2016/12/apple-airport-future/">advocated for this in the past</a> and while I still believe it would be wise for Apple to do so, I’m not positive I would end up purchasing one. At least not from the Apple of today.
The Apple of today would just use the AirPort lineup to sell more services.
➝ Source: <a href="https://sixcolors.com/post/2024/03/its-time-for-a-new-airport/" rel="nofollow">sixcolors.com</a>
]]></content:encoded>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">20504</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>‘Giving Up on Siri and HomePod’</title>
<link>https://initialcharge.net/2024/03/siri-homepod-give-up/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mike Rockwell]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Sun, 31 Mar 2024 13:41:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Linked List]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Apple]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[HomePod]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[HomePod Mini]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Michael Tsai]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Siri]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Voice Assistants]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://initialcharge.net/?p=20502</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A great collection of thoughts about Siri and the HomePod, put together by Michael Tsai. To add my two cents, I’ve disabled “Hey Siri” on every device in the house. I didn’t really find myself triggering it accidentally often, but any number of false positives is enough to be annoying. The real kicker, though, was […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[A great collection of thoughts about Siri and the HomePod, put together by Michael Tsai.
To add my two cents, I’ve disabled “Hey Siri” on every device in the house. I didn’t really find myself triggering it accidentally often, but any number of false positives is enough to be annoying. The real kicker, though, was that I didn’t like the idea of the microphone always being on.
At this point, my Siri usage has been relegated to telling one of our HomePod minis to turn off a box fan, setting timers on the kitchen HomePod, and occasionally asking Siri to start a web search on my iPhone when one of my hands is busy tending to <a href="https://initialcharge.net/2023/11/caleb-andrew-rockwell/">Caleb</a>.
➝ Source: <a href="https://mjtsai.com/blog/2024/03/28/giving-up-on-siri-and-homepod/" rel="nofollow">mjtsai.com</a>
]]></content:encoded>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">20502</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>Glassdoor Adds Real Names Without Consent</title>
<link>https://initialcharge.net/2024/03/glassdoor-add-real-names/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mike Rockwell]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 29 Mar 2024 16:41:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Linked List]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Ars Technica]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Ashley Belanger]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Glassdoor]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://initialcharge.net/?p=20500</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Ashley Belanger, writing for Ars Technica: Glassdoor, where employees go to leave anonymous reviews of employers, has recently begun adding real names to user profiles without users’ consent, a Glassdoor user named Monica was shocked to discover last week. What an unbelievable, ridiculous thing to do. ➝ Source: arstechnica.com]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Ashley Belanger, writing for Ars Technica:
<blockquote>
Glassdoor, where employees go to leave anonymous reviews of employers, has recently begun adding real names to user profiles without users’ consent, a Glassdoor user named Monica was shocked to discover last week.
</blockquote>
What an unbelievable, ridiculous thing to do.
➝ Source: <a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/03/glassdoor-adding-users-real-names-job-info-to-profiles-without-consent/" rel="nofollow">arstechnica.com</a>
]]></content:encoded>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">20500</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>Apple Versus the World</title>
<link>https://initialcharge.net/2024/03/tear-down-the-wall/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mike Rockwell]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 29 Mar 2024 13:41:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Linked List]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Apple]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Chris Hannah]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[iPad]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[iPhone]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Mac]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Services]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Walled Garden]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://initialcharge.net/?p=20498</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Chris Hannah: I’m no longer a die-hard Apple fan, so I’m not going to get overly caught up on any of the arguments for or against them. But there’s a reason people talk about Apple’s “walled garden”. And rightly or wrongly, it seems that more and more people are starting to want to tear down […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Chris Hannah:
<blockquote>
I’m no longer a die-hard Apple fan, so I’m not going to get overly caught up on any of the arguments for or against them. But there’s a reason people talk about Apple’s “walled garden”. And rightly or wrongly, it seems that more and more people are starting to want to tear down the wall.
</blockquote>
Ten years ago I felt like Apple could do no wrong. And feel like I wasn’t too far off on that. They had an incredible run, releasing some of my favorite products of all time.
But today, it feels like they make more poor decisions than good ones. I’m sort-of stuck, though, because of the services lock-in and a small number of third-party apps that there aren’t any good options for on other platforms.
I’ll continue to dabble with Linux, though, and consider whether Android is a viable option. And maybe one day I’ll feel like it’s time to make the switch away from Apple.
➝ Source: <a href="https://chrishannah.me/apple-vs-the-world" rel="nofollow">chrishannah.me</a>
]]></content:encoded>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">20498</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>11-Inch MacBook Air</title>
<link>https://initialcharge.net/2024/03/11-inch-macbook-air-favorite/</link>
<comments>https://initialcharge.net/2024/03/11-inch-macbook-air-favorite/#comments</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mike Rockwell]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 28 Mar 2024 13:41:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Feature]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[11-inch MacBook Air]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Apple]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Mac]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[MacBook Air]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[OWC]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Used Macs]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://initialcharge.net/?p=20495</guid>
<description><![CDATA[I often find myself checking OWC to see the used Macs that they have available. Especially the Mac Mini and Mac Pro. Two machines that I’ve just fallen in love with over the years. I currently own five Mac Minis, all of which are in use throughout the house. They’re great for home servers, retro […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[I often find myself checking <a href="https://eshop.macsales.com/">OWC</a> to see the <a href="https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/Apple_Systems/Used/Macs_and_Tablets">used Macs</a> that they have available. Especially the Mac Mini and Mac Pro. Two machines that I’ve just fallen in love with over the years.
I currently own five Mac Minis, all of which are in use throughout the house. They’re great for home servers, retro emulation, or general computing. And they’re dirt cheap now. You can routinely find 2014 and earlier models for around $100 with a decent amount of memory and storage.
As for the Mac Pro, I’ve never owned one at all. But back in my early days of writing on the web, I would find myself jealous of folks like <a href="https://shawnblanc.net/">Shawn Blanc</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/glennwolsey">Glenn Wolsey</a> who used these powerful machines as their daily drivers. I haven’t been able to pull the trigger on one yet, but the prices on old Mac Pros are reaching a point where they’re just too inexpensive to pass up.
But there’s one more Mac model that I keep an eye out for — the 11-inch MacBook Air.
The 11-inch MacBook Air is my absolute favorite Mac ever released. Ever.
Aside from the 12-inch MacBook, the 11-inch MacBook Air is the smallest and lightest laptop Apple has ever released. And unlike the 12-inch MacBook, the 11-inch MacBook Air has a functioning keyboard and a great assortment of ports — two USB-A ports, a single Mini DisplayPort/Thunderbolt port, and MagSafe for charging.
I bought two 11-inch MacBook Airs back in 2011. One for myself and one for my wife (girlfriend at the time). The one purchased for her is no longer working properly. It has a bad trackpad, bad battery, and possibly a bad logic board. Mine is now used by my wife as her occasional non-work machine. It’s still on High Sierra, but it can run <a href="https://www.libreoffice.org/">LibreOffice</a> and <a href="https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/enterprise/">Firefox ESR</a>, which is about all she needs it for.
I could probably put some effort into the broken one and get it working, but for the price of a trackpad and battery, assuming the logic board is actually okay, I’m already about half-way to the price of another 11-inch from a later model year and I would get the benefits of a newer machine — faster USB ports, longer battery life, increased performance, and support for later versions of macOS.
Luckily enough, last week while perusing OWC’s available models, I noticed they had a 2015 11-inch MacBook Air with 8GB of memory, in “excellent” condition, with good pricing on storage upgrades. It, unfortunately, only had the 1.6 GHz Core i5 instead of the higher-end 2.2 GHz Core i7. Nevertheless, I pulled the trigger.
I selected the 500GB storage option, paid $300 after tax, and am expecting it to arrive by the end of this week.
I could probably find a better price on EBay, especially if I upgraded the storage myself, but I’ve bought a handful of used Macs from OWC and have always been happy with my purchase.
When the machine arrives, I’ll give it a once over in macOS. I’ll make sure the battery is still in good shape, the specifications are what they should be, and that all of the ports and whatnot are working properly. At that point I’ll more than likely try setting it up to triple boot macOS Monterey, Windows 10, and Ubuntu using the <a href="https://www.rodsbooks.com/refind/">rEFInd boot manager</a>.
And then I’ll have the coolest laptop setup ever.
]]></content:encoded>
<wfw:commentRss>https://initialcharge.net/2024/03/11-inch-macbook-air-favorite/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">20495</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>Dial-Up Is Still, Just Barely, a Thing</title>
<link>https://initialcharge.net/2024/03/dial-up-hackaday/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mike Rockwell]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 08 Mar 2024 14:41:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Linked List]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Dial-Up]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Hackaday]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Internet]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Lewin Day]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[The Open Web]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://initialcharge.net/?p=20493</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Lewin Day, writing on Hackaday: Despite significant advancements in telecommunications technology, there are still many regions in the U.S. where geographical challenges and the high cost of infrastructure development make it difficult for service providers to offer typical broadband or wireless services. In these areas, dial-up internet becomes the only feasible option for connecting to […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Lewin Day, writing on Hackaday:
<blockquote>
Despite significant advancements in telecommunications technology, there are still many regions in the U.S. where geographical challenges and the high cost of infrastructure development make it difficult for service providers to offer typical broadband or wireless services. In these areas, dial-up internet becomes the only feasible option for connecting to the digital world. For context, in 2019, census figures suggested <a href="https://www.howtogeek.com/890520/how-many-people-in-the-us-are-still-using-dial-up-internet/">just 0.2% of households</a> used dial-up internet, a number surely even smaller today.
</blockquote>
My grandparents were using dial-up internet up until just a few years ago when they switched to a cellular provider.
➝ Source: <a href="https://hackaday.com/2024/03/06/dial-up-is-still-just-barely-a-thing/" rel="nofollow">hackaday.com</a>
]]></content:encoded>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">20493</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>High-Level iOS Emulator touchHLE Aims to Preserve Old iOS Gaming Apps</title>
<link>https://initialcharge.net/2024/03/touchhle-ios-game-emulator/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mike Rockwell]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 07 Mar 2024 14:41:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Linked List]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Alfonso Maruccia]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Apple]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Emulation]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[iOS]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[iPhone]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Michael Tsai]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Software Preservation]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[TechSpot]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[touchHLE]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://initialcharge.net/?p=20491</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Alfonso Maruccia, writing for TechSpot: There’s a new iOS emulator in town, and it wants to bring 32-bit gaming apps back into a working state on modern machines and operating systems. touchHLE is specifically designed to run games “from the early days of iOS,” with a focus on iPhone/iPod touch apps for iPhone OS 2.x. In its […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Alfonso Maruccia, writing for TechSpot:
<blockquote>
There’s a new iOS emulator in town, and it wants to bring 32-bit gaming apps back into a working state on modern machines and operating systems. <a href="https://touchhle.org/">touchHLE</a> is specifically designed to run games “from the early days of iOS,” with a focus on iPhone/iPod touch apps for iPhone OS 2.x. In its current state, however, the emulator doesn’t even support touch controls, at least not yet.
Born as a “full-time passion project” by a single developer in December 2022, touchHLE is radically different from traditional low-level emulators (like QEMU) as it is based on a “high-level emulator” design: the program’s simulated CPU only runs the code from an app binary and some needed iOS libraries. touchHLE takes the place of iOS, the developers explain, providing its own implementations of the system framework components like Foundation, UIKit, OpenGL ES, OpenAL, etc.
</blockquote>
It’s a real shame that there are so many apps and games that would otherwise be completely lost to time without access to emulation. I wish Apple and other platform makers would build things with software preservation in mind.
Wouldn’t it be nice if Apple built a “Classic” mode that was built in to iOS that emulated older versions of the operating system for the purposes of running older software?
You can still see many of these applications and games if you’ve purchased on your account by navigating to Account > Purchased within the App Store. But unless you have an old device laying around, there’s no official way to install and run them.
(Via <a href="https://mjtsai.com/blog/2024/03/05/emulation-on-iphone/">Michael Tsai</a>.)
➝ Source: <a href="https://www.techspot.com/news/97504-high-level-ios-emulator-touchhle-aims-preserve-old.html" rel="nofollow">techspot.com</a>
]]></content:encoded>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">20491</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>Apple Walks Back Decision to Disable Home Screen Web Apps in the EU</title>
<link>https://initialcharge.net/2024/03/apple-reverses-pwa-eu-decision/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mike Rockwell]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Wed, 06 Mar 2024 14:41:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Linked List]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Apple]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Digital Markets Act]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[European Union]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Progressive Web Apps]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Regulation]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[The Open Web]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://initialcharge.net/?p=20488</guid>
<description><![CDATA[I’m glad they changed their mind on this. Although, ideally, iOS would give users in the EU and the rest of the world the option to choose whether Home Screen bookmarks open in your default browser or in a full screen, chrome-less Safari view. ➝ Source: macrumors.com]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[I’m glad they changed their mind on this. Although, ideally, iOS would give users in the EU and the rest of the world the option to choose whether Home Screen bookmarks open in your default browser or in a full screen, chrome-less Safari view.
➝ Source: <a href="https://www.macrumors.com/2024/03/01/apple-walks-back-decision-to-disable-eu-web-apps/" rel="nofollow">macrumors.com</a>
]]></content:encoded>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">20488</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>Apple Cancels Electric Car Project</title>
<link>https://initialcharge.net/2024/03/apple-cancels-car-project/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mike Rockwell]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 04 Mar 2024 14:41:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Linked List]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Apple]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Car]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Jeff Williams]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Juli Clover]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[MacRumors]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://initialcharge.net/?p=20486</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Juli Clover, writing for MacRumors: Apple’s Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams today told approximately 2,000 employees working on the ‌Apple Car‌ that the project was canceled, and the information reportedly came as a surprise. They had two thousand people working on this thing? Seriously? ➝ Source: macrumors.com]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Juli Clover, writing for MacRumors:
<blockquote>
Apple’s Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams today told approximately 2,000 employees working on the ‌Apple Car‌ that the project was canceled, and the information reportedly came as a surprise.
</blockquote>
They had two thousand people working on this thing? Seriously?
➝ Source: <a href="https://www.macrumors.com/2024/02/27/apple-cancels-electric-car-project/" rel="nofollow">macrumors.com</a>
]]></content:encoded>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">20486</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>Emulation on iPhone</title>
<link>https://initialcharge.net/2024/02/emulation-on-iphone-guide/</link>
<comments>https://initialcharge.net/2024/02/emulation-on-iphone-guide/#comments</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mike Rockwell]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 01 Mar 2024 02:41:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Feature]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[AltStore]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Apple]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Emulation]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Gaming]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[iOS]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[iPhone]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Limon]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[PPSSPP]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[RetroArch]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Sideloading]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://initialcharge.net/?p=20484</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Last year I wrote an about retro gaming on iOS. I’ve had a lot of fun playing games on the platform, especially through emulation. Much of what I wrote last year is still applicable today, but I thought I’d revisit the topic with a focus on the state of emulation on iOS and all of […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<img decoding="async" src="https://initialcharge.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/psp-emulation-razer-kishi.jpeg" alt="iPhone Running PPSSPP with Razer Kishi V2"/>
<a href="https://initialcharge.net/2023/05/backbone-gaming-iphone/">Last year</a> I wrote an about retro gaming on iOS. I’ve had a lot of fun playing games on the platform, especially through emulation. Much of what I wrote last year is still applicable today, but I thought I’d revisit the topic with a focus on the state of emulation on iOS and all of the software and accessories you’ll need to get started.
<h4>Controllers</h4>
You can get by with some games using the touch screen controls — turn-based RPGs like Pokémon come to mind — but if you’re interested in playing anything else, you’ll want to get some kind of controller. Apple has done a great job of adding support for controllers in iOS, you can use Sony’s DualSense Controller, for example — <a href="https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HPNG2VC/A/sony-playstation-dualsense%E2%84%A2-wireless-controller?fnode=07c8bf7031d807f741f95e7fb098bcd29324d3fd8551fed629b62121856932fa0c15af55cffa15497799766265d7640fd5e2d37a1a42f551724222770fba3df6c8f99920b4e67cf667970a7fde12dc17c8b747cb01a65cf46034e51dc72387e8">Apple even sells it on their site</a>. I’m a huge fan of 8BitDo controllers and would highly recommend their <a href="https://www.8bitdo.com/pro2/">Pro 2 controller</a>.
These traditional controllers are all well and good if you’re going to be connecting your iPhone to a television to play games. Although, I wouldn’t recommend it unless you have an iPhone with a USB-C port. Lightning devices have notoriously bad latency in their HDMI output.
If you want to play on the iPhone’s display, though, you’ll want a controller that attaches to the device itself. This gives you a gaming experience that’s more in-line with a dedicated gaming handheld.
There are plenty of options on the market, but I think there are three clear front-runners in the space.
<a href="https://www.gamesir.hk/products/gamesir-g8-galileo">GameSir G8 Galileo</a> — This controller is USB-C only, so if you’re using an iPhone with a Lightning port, it’s not going to be an option for you. I’ve also not used this one myself, however, everything I’ve seen and read has been overwhelmingly positive. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBdC6KJeQsI">Russ from Retro Game Corps mentioned in his review</a> that, going forward, whenever anyone asks for a recommendation in this category, the GameSir G8 Galileo will be his first pick.
<a href="https://www.razer.com/mobile-controllers/razer-kishi-v2">Razer Kishi V2</a> — This is available for Lightning and USB-C devices, it has the least flex of any of the controllers I’ve used — it fits on my iPhone 15 Pro like a glove and the expanding portion in the middle doesn’t bow inward toward the back of the device. It’s very close to being my favorite of the controllers I’ve tried. But I hate that the controller’s start/select/share/menu buttons aren’t symmetrical. It’s also a huge bummer that the USB-C version isn’t fully supported on iOS. The Razer Nexus app doesn’t recognize the controller and you can’t use its additional buttons on the platform at all. Hopefully a future software update will change that, but I’m not holding my breath.
<a href="https://playbackbone.com/products/backbone-one/">Backbone One</a> — Also available for Lightning and USB-C devices, but all of its functionality is supported on both Android and iOS. There is a bit of flex in the controller during use and the expanding portion bows in toward the back of your device, but it feels really good in the hand. I love how all of the buttons feel on the Backbone, they have a much softer press than the Razer Kishi V2 and all of the additional buttons are symmetrical. The Backbone app requires a subscription, which I’m not fond of, but it’s not something you have to use. And compared to the Razer Kishi V2 that doesn’t even work with the app on the iPhone 15, it’s a clear win for the Backbone. It’s also worth noting that there is <a href="https://playbackbone.com/products/backbone-one-usb-c-playstation/">a PlayStation edition</a> of the controller and an <a href="https://playbackbone.com/products/backbone-controller-case/">official carrying case</a> available to match both versions.
<h4>AltStore</h4>
Apple, being the restrictive little platform vendor that they are, doesn’t allow emulators on the App Store. In order to install them on your device, you’ll have to utilize sideloading. <a href="https://altstore.io/">AltStore</a> is the best method for installing and managing sideloaded applications on iOS.
You’ll want to follow <a href="https://faq.altstore.io/">the official guide</a> for the latest installation process, but essentially, you install AltServer on your computer, use it to install AltStore on your iOS device, and you’re ready to start loading emulators on your iPhone.
You will need to login using your Apple ID throughout the process. This is used to sign the applications so they can run on your device. If you have a free Apple ID, you’ll be limited to just three signed apps at a time and they will only be useable for a week before you’ll need to re-sign them.
If you have a paid Apple Developer account, though, the limit on the number of apps is lifted and the apps will last a full year before they have to be re-signed. You can definitely get by with a free account — I’d recommend your three apps be AltStore, <a href="https://retroarch.com/">RetroArch</a>, and either <a href="https://limonemulator.com/">Limon</a> or <a href="https://www.ppsspp.org/">PPSPP</a> — but if you want a larger assortment of systems available at all times, it may be worth considering a paid developer account.
If you choose to stick with a free Apple Developer account, you’ll be happy to know that AltStore itself is completely free to use. You can choose to subscribe to the project’s Patreon for access to <a href="https://faq.altstore.io/patreon/beta-access">beta versions of the app</a>, but it’s not necessary unless you want to be on the bleeding edge.
Currently, the biggest feature available exclusively in the beta is the ability to add third-party sources. It’s a neat feature, for sure, but I haven’t found many sources that feel essential. Almost all of them are poorly maintained with outdated versions of apps. Because of this, I’m not sure if the Patreon is worth subscribing to just for access to the beta.
<h4>Recommended Emulators</h4>
There are a fair number of emulators available for iOS. Not nearly as many as Android or other platforms, though. Primarily because of Apple’s limitations on the App Store. But just about all of the systems you could ever want are covered.
<img decoding="async" src="https://initialcharge.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/emulation-collection.jpeg" alt="RetroArch, Crash Team Racing for PlayStation, PPSSPP, and New Super Mario Bros. 2 for Nintendo 3DS"/>
The following are a list of the emulators that I’m currently using and the ones that I would recommend others use as well. They’ll get you home consoles through <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_video_game_console_generations">the fifth generation</a> and every handheld console up to and including the PlayStation Portable and Nintendo 3DS.
<a href="https://retroarch.com/">RetroArch</a> — The Swiss Army knife of emulators, which will handle the bulk of the systems available. It’s a little finicky to setup — I tend to refer to <a href="https://retrogamecorps.com/2022/02/28/retroarch-starter-guide/">Retro Game Corps’s excellent starter guide</a>. But once it’s configured to your liking, it offers an excellent experience for PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Nintendo DS, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, Nintendo Entertainment System, and more.
<a href="https://www.ppsspp.org/">PPSSPP</a> — This is the best option for emulating PlayStation Portable games on iOS. RetroArch has a core that supports PSP games — based on PPSSPP — but the performance just isn’t up to par with the standalone release.
<a href="https://limonemulator.com/">Limon</a> — It’s still in the early days for this Nintendo 3DS emulator — there isn’t currently a way to exit a game, for example, you have to force quit the app instead. There’s definitely limited compatibility with games, but I’ve been using it to run New Super Mario Bros. 2 and it’s been great.
<h4>Other Emulators</h4>
This is by no means an exhaustive list of the remaining emulators on iOS, but they’re the ones that I’ve tried myself. I don’t recommend the first three primarily because they require the use of just-in-time compilation (JIT). This is a method for executing code that allows for more performance, but it isn’t available by default on iOS.
In order to use JIT, you have to enable it with a tool on another device — AltServer has this built in. Since the release of iOS 17, though, I haven’t been able to get JIT working at all. So unless <a href="https://faq.altstore.io/how-to-use-altstore/altjit">you have better luck than I</a> or you have an iOS device that you haven’t updated to iOS 17 yet, you’ll likely have to wait for a more robust method for enabling JIT.
<a href="https://dolphinios.oatmealdome.me/">DolphiniOS</a> — An excellent release of <a href="https://dolphin-emu.org/">Dolphin</a> specifically for iOS that supports GameCube and Wii emulation. When I was able to get JIT working on my iPhone 13 Pro, it was a fantastic experience. I played many hours of Mario Kart Wii and Tony Hawk’s Underground on it. I only ran into a single game that didn’t run well — Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland — but I could probably get it to a reasonable frame rate with a bit of tweaking. If the JIT situation changes in iOS 17, DolphiniOS will be the first thing I install.
<a href="https://github.com/flyinghead/flycast">Flycast</a> — A Dreamcast emulator available for iOS. I never ran into any compatibility issues with the games I’ve played on it. It’s a shame that there isn’t an option to run it without JIT enabled. There are plenty of low powered Android handhelds that are capable of emulating Dreamcast at the top end and the iPhone 15 Pro is significantly more powerful than those devices. I don’t know, maybe the current iPhone wouldn’t be capable of emulating Dreamcast games without JIT, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the iPhone released in a few years was able to. And in the meantime, there could be some RPGs or what have you that would be playable at lower frame rates.
<a href="https://purei.org/">Play!</a> — A PlayStation 2 emulator with pretty pitiful compatibility. I haven’t had much luck with games I’ve tried in this emulator. The only one that seemed to run flawlessly was <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider-Man:_Friend_or_Foe">Spider-Man: Friend or Foe</a>, which isn’t a particularly good game, but you could also just run the PSP version in PPSSPP instead.
The remaining emulators all work well, but have overlap with the systems supported by RetroArch:
<a href="https://provenance-emu.com/">Provenance</a> — An all-in-one emulator akin to RetroArch. I prefer RetroArch’s interface over Provenance, though, especially if you have a large library of ROMs.
<a href="https://deltaemulatorapp.com/">Delta</a> — It emulates Nintendo systems and has excellent skins for touch screen controls, but RetroArch is able to emulate everything Delta supports.
<a href="https://github.com/yoshisuga/MAME4iOS">MAME4iOS</a> — An arcade emulator that I’ve spent very little time with. I’m generally not too interested in emulating arcade games, though, and the few I have enjoyed run just fine in RetroArch.
<h4>Emulation Frontend</h4>
This is the only piece of the puzzle that there isn’t a solution for on iOS. On Android you have apps like <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.magneticchen.daijishou&hl=en_US&gl=US">Daijisho</a> and on PC you have apps like <a href="https://www.launchbox-app.com/">Launchbox</a>. I’m not aware of anything like this on iOS at all.
The best I’ve been able to come up with is a shortcut that uses the <a href="https://support.apple.com/guide/shortcuts/use-the-choose-from-menu-action-apdd7bf369da/7.0/ios/17.0">Choose From Menu</a> action to list each of the emulators I have installed and then opens the one I select using the Open App action.
You could just save that shortcut to your Home Screen and tap on it whenever you’d like to play a game, but if you chose a controller that has a companion app that can be launched using a button on the controller, there is an option for a more seamless experience.
If you’re using the Backbone controller, for example, you could setup an automation in the Shortcuts app that automatically runs the shortcut whenever the Backbone app is launched. Now when you want to play a game, you can attach the controller to your device, press the Backbone button, and select one of your emulators from the shortcut’s menu.
If you’ve come up with a better solution for this, though, I would absolutely love to hear about it. Feel free to <a href="https://initialcharge.net/contact">reach out to me</a> with the details.
]]></content:encoded>
<wfw:commentRss>https://initialcharge.net/2024/02/emulation-on-iphone-guide/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
<slash:comments>20</slash:comments>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">20484</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>Apple Vision Pro Returns</title>
<link>https://initialcharge.net/2024/02/gurman-vision-pro-returns/</link>
<comments>https://initialcharge.net/2024/02/gurman-vision-pro-returns/#comments</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mike Rockwell]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 20 Feb 2024 14:41:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Linked List]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Apple]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Mark Gurman]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Virtual Reality]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Vision Pro]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://initialcharge.net/?p=20477</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Mark Gurman: In speaking to more than a dozen people who have returned the Vision Pro over the past week, I’ve heard some similar reasons: The device is simply too heavy, too cumbersome to manage, headache-inducing and uncomfortable. The current lack of applications and video content doesn’t justify the price. The work features don’t make […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Mark Gurman:
<blockquote>
In speaking to more than a dozen people who have returned the Vision Pro over the past week, I’ve heard some similar reasons:
<ul>
<li>The device is simply too heavy, too cumbersome to manage, headache-inducing and uncomfortable.</li>
<li>The current lack of applications and video content doesn’t justify the price.</li>
<li>The work features don’t make people more productive than just using a normal external monitor with a Mac — and they’re difficult to use for long periods.</li>
<li>The displays have too much glare, the field of view is too narrow, and the device causes eyestrain and vision problems.</li>
<li>The product can make users feel isolated from family and friends. Meaningful shared experiences don’t yet exist, and the Vision Pro can’t easily be passed around to others because of the need for a precise fit.</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
I’m unconvinced that many of these concerns will be addressed in future iterations of the Vision Pro. Perhaps I’ll look back at this and feel foolish, but I don’t think VR/AR is the next big thing. And I’m not sure it ever will be.
(Via <a href="https://podcastindex.social/@js/111953125570321410">John Spurlock</a>.)
➝ Source: <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-02-18/apple-vision-pro-returning-3-500-device-over-comfort-lack-of-apps-and-price-lsrk88mq" rel="nofollow">bloomberg.com</a>
]]></content:encoded>
<wfw:commentRss>https://initialcharge.net/2024/02/gurman-vision-pro-returns/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">20477</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>iOS 17.4 Changes PWAs to Shortcuts in EU</title>
<link>https://initialcharge.net/2024/02/pwa-eu-seventeen-point-four/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mike Rockwell]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 19 Feb 2024 14:41:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Linked List]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Apple]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Digital Markets Act]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Michael Tsai]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Progressive Web Apps]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[The Open Web]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://initialcharge.net/?p=20475</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Michael Tsai: Apple had two years or so to prepare for the DMA, but they “had to” to remove the feature entirely (and throw away user data) rather than give the third-party API parity with what Safari can do. I find the privacy argument totally unconvincing because the alternative they chose is to put all […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Michael Tsai:
<blockquote>
Apple had two years or so to prepare for the DMA, but they “had to” to remove the feature entirely (and throw away user data) rather than give the third-party API parity with what Safari can do. I find the privacy argument totally unconvincing because the alternative they chose is to put all the sites in the same browser. If you’re concerned about buggy data isolation or permissions, isn’t this even worse?
</blockquote>
I don’t understand what Apple’s end game is with this and the rest of their “compliance” with the DMA. It seems foolish to expect regulators in the EU to turn a blind eye to Apple’s changes, which are obviously outside of the spirit the DMA’s intentions.
Users are irritated, developers are irritated, and I would expect regulators to be irritated as well. It seems inevitable that there will be further action from the EU to force Apple’s hand, so what’s the point? Is the goal just to get as much revenue from the App Store as they can before they have no other option but to truly level the playing field? That seems so incredibly short-sighted when you consider the bridges that they’re burning along the way.
➝ Source: <a href="https://mjtsai.com/blog/2024/02/09/ios-17-4-changes-pwas-to-shortcuts-in-eu/" rel="nofollow">mjtsai.com</a>
]]></content:encoded>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">20475</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>‘The Joe Rogan Experience’ Returns to the Open Web</title>
<link>https://initialcharge.net/2024/02/jre-returns-open-web/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mike Rockwell]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 12 Feb 2024 14:41:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Linked List]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Joe Rogan]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Podcasting]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Podcasts]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Spotify]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[The Open Web]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://initialcharge.net/?p=20472</guid>
<description><![CDATA[No longer a Spotify exclusive, The Joe Rogan Experience is available wherever you get your podcasts. The show’s RSS feed is active again with the latest episodes, which means it’s actually a podcast again. ➝ Source: macrumors.com]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[No longer a Spotify exclusive, The Joe Rogan Experience is available wherever you get your podcasts. The show’s <a href="https://anchor.fm/s/308e8de0/podcast/rss">RSS feed</a> is active again with the latest episodes, which means it’s actually a podcast again.
➝ Source: <a href="https://www.macrumors.com/2024/02/09/joe-rogan-experience-apple-podcasts/" rel="nofollow">macrumors.com</a>
]]></content:encoded>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">20472</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>Plex Announces Movie Rentals</title>
<link>https://initialcharge.net/2024/02/plex-movie-rentals/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mike Rockwell]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 12 Feb 2024 14:41:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Linked List]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Home Theater]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Media]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Plex]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://initialcharge.net/?p=20470</guid>
<description><![CDATA[I’m not in love with Plex moving into this space — I don’t want the Plex app to turn into an advertisement for their add-on services. I just want it to give me a great interface for the media I have stored on my home server. But I understand that they need to make money […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[I’m not in love with Plex moving into this space — I don’t want the Plex app to turn into an advertisement for their add-on services. I just want it to give me a great interface for the media I have stored on my home server.
But I understand that they need to make money somehow and they will eventually hit a dead end with revenue if they continue to offer lifetime Plex Pass as an option. Hopefully they will keep the feature in sensible places within the app so users that don’t want to see it never have to.
➝ Source: <a href="https://www.plex.tv/blog/welcome-to-rental-land-on-plex/" rel="nofollow">plex.tv</a>
]]></content:encoded>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">20470</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>‘The Productivity Use Cases Simply Didn’t Materialize for Me’</title>
<link>https://initialcharge.net/2024/02/vision-pro-ben-thompson/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mike Rockwell]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 08 Feb 2024 14:41:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Linked List]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Apple]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Augmented Reality]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Ben Thompson]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Virtual Reality]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Vision Pro]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://initialcharge.net/?p=20462</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Ben Thompson: The net result is that the Vision Pro, at least in its current incarnation, does not come close to being the productivity tool I was so excited about last summer, when I wrote that I suspected the Vision Pro was “the future of the Mac”, and that’s even before getting to the limitations […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Ben Thompson:
<blockquote>
The net result is that the Vision Pro, at least in its current incarnation, does not come close to being the productivity tool I was so excited about last summer, when I wrote that I suspected the Vision Pro was “the future of the Mac”, and that’s even before getting to the limitations of Apple’s iOS-based operating system in terms of app capabilities and business models. That latter point, along with the limitations of eye-tracking as a default user-interface model, also makes me worry that new and better hardware won’t change this reality. […]
Now, having used a Vision Pro of my own, I have to say that were I making a decision independent of my job, I would not buy a Vision Pro. I personally don’t watch that much TV or movies, and while I am a huge sports fan, there is not yet the sort of immersive content available that would make it worth it to me (but I’m hopeful!). Meanwhile, the productivity use cases simply didn’t materialize for me, although I am hopeful for the ability to project two monitors in a software update.
</blockquote>
I don’t find the Vision Pro to be compelling at all. I think of it like 3D movies or motion controls in games — something that will be popular for a period time, but will ultimately only be useful for specific applications and thought of more as a novelty than as the default.
And I think too many people are getting lost in the weeds talking about this specific hardware and software rather than about the category as a whole. As <a href="https://libertynode.net/@mike/111868164104479441">I mentioned on Mastodon last week</a>:
<blockquote>
If we take this product to its logical conclusion, though, and remove all of its existing limitations, I still don’t see how it would add to my life. There are just inherent limitations that can’t be so obviously “fixed” — having more than one person see what’s on the display at a time, for example.
</blockquote>
Admittedly, I have a reasonably sized home office and haven’t traveled for work in a few years, but beyond it’s capabilities as a large display in a relatively small package, I don’t think VR/AR is all that useful for general computing. I’m also skeptical as to whether larger screens actually make people more productive — I only use my MacBook’s 13-inch screen during my work day, even though I have a 27-inch display available to me.
The only other seemingly compelling feature of the Vision Pro is the immersive experiences, giving you the ability to disconnect from the world around you to help you focus on your work. But much of those benefits could be had with a decent pair of noise canceling headphones and you don’t have to worry as much about eye strain or at all about motion sickness.
➝ Source: <a href="https://stratechery.com/2024/the-apple-vision-pro/" rel="nofollow">stratechery.com</a>
]]></content:encoded>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">20462</post-id> </item>
</channel>
</rss>

If you would like to create a banner that links to this page (i.e. this validation result), do the following:

Download the "valid RSS" banner.
Upload the image to your own server. (This step is important. Please do not link directly to the image on this server.)
Add this HTML to your page (change the image src attribute if necessary):

<a href="http://www.feedvalidator.org/check.cgi?url=http%3A//initialcharge.net/feed/"><img src="valid-rss-rogers.png" alt="[Valid RSS]" title="Validate my RSS feed" /></a>

If you would like to create a text link instead, here is the URL you can use:

http://www.feedvalidator.org/check.cgi?url=http%3A//initialcharge.net/feed/

Home · About · News · Docs · Terms