This isn’t my first air fryer, but it’s the first one that feels like it could replace half my oven. The Ninja XXXL FlexDrawer is massive. It takes up so much bench space that it could probably apply for its own postcode. Moving it is a two-hand job, and once it’s on the counter, that’s where it lives. But here’s the thing: the size actually makes sense when you start cooking with it.
When I joined WIP.co, I was hopeful. The idea of a maker community—a place to share progress, gain motivation, and connect with other creators—sounded exactly what I needed. However, after spending time on the platform and exploring its features, I came to a frustrating realisation: for a platform that charges USD 199 per year for its pro plan, it feels more like an indie hacking project than a polished, valuable product.
Chess is an age-old game that many cherish for its elegance, simplicity, and depth. In a time when technology is seeping into every aspect of life, the ChessUp board emerges, promising to elevate the game without losing its essence. But can it deliver? I am relatively new to chess. My eight-year-old son has been playing chess since he was four, and he was the one who taught me how to play funnily enough. He beats me quite often, and the gap has widened because he gets chess lessons at school. I wanted something with some smarts to help me improve at chess and improve my son’s game too.
As someone who’s spent countless hours behind the glow of my computer screen, weaving retro-futuristic textures and creating beats on FL Studio, music production isn’t new to me (even if I am not that good at it). So, when I decided to step out of my comfort zone and into the world of physical music production hardware with the Akai MPC Live 2, I knew I was in for an interesting ride.
When Apple released the M1 chip in 2020, it caused a significant shift in the industry—by abandoning Intel, Apple’s silicon achieved impressive benchmark numbers that widened the gap between Apple and its competitors. The laptop game was changed again, and Apple was leading the charge. With the M2 chip, not much has changed since the introduction of the M1. The design of the MacBook Pro and specs are mostly the same, except for a small bump in performance. You still get blistering performance, just a bit faster than the M1. It’s nothing to sing from the hilltops about but nothing to complain about.
Let me cut to the chase here – I love this mouse. I mean, I really, really love this mouse. It’s the Logitech MX Master 3S, the latest version of the MX Master series, and let me tell you, Logitech has managed to make an already fantastic mouse even better. The moment you hold this mouse, you’ll notice how nicely it sits in your hand. It’s like it was made for you. The MX Master series of mice are known for their unrivalled comfort. Gone are the days of aching wrists after long hours in front of the screen. And those buttons? They’re right where you’d naturally rest your fingers, making them easy to access.
As a self-proclaimed “beer nerd,” I’ve taken my fair share of dives into the frothy, hop-filled world of home brewing. From the first seductive whiff of malt to the last satisfying “pop” of a successfully capped brew, there’s a euphoria to the process that, dare I say it, rivals the taste of the final product. Yet, as any homebrewer worth their yeast will tell you, the journey from grain to glass can be as complex as a quadruple IPA. Enter Brewer’s Friend.
Only a few readers of this blog might know I am a serial Kickstarter backer. Fortunately, I’ve backed tens of projects over the last few years and have yet to back something that didn’t eventually deliver. One of the most recent projects I backed was the SES Ultra Screwdriver. Considering there isn’t much info about it yet, I wanted to share my first impressions and anything you should know about this.
I’ve heard about Notion for years, and admittedly, I wrote it off as a fancy writing application until recently when I used it at work and got exposed to everything it can do. I’m also averse to overhyped things (it wasn’t until Breaking Bad was in its third season I succumbed to the hype and watched the show). As a developer, I have a lot on my plate. Between the consulting and freelancing work I do, there are numerous things that I have to manage daily. That’s why I’m always looking for productivity tools that can help me streamline my work and keep me on track.
Being a remote worker, a good tech setup is essential. A comfortable chair, nice desk, well-positioned monitor and a keyboard and mouse you love. Then there are the other parts that people don’t think about as much: webcam and microphone. Before buying the Microsoft Modern Wireless Headset, I was using an AT2020+ microphone on a boom arm, which I use for streaming and other purposes. Then I got the Blue Yeti X, a great microphone, my primary one. It’s a great microphone, but I have to adjust the audio levels with it through my interface routinely.