Paul Haddad :tapbots_logo:

I break things for a living!

website: https://tapbots.com
home: Flower Mound, TX

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Last Notes

2026-01-06 16:51:26 GMT

My ZTE USB -> LTE randomly died recently after about 5 years of being pretty reliable. Anyone have a link to one currently available that works with pfSense (and hopefully pretty cheap)?

2026-01-02 18:11:13 GMT

Yep, she's my daughter alright.
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/115/826/849/918/903/337/original/7e701a89e0c27957.png

2025-12-28 16:51:41 GMT

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AI can go all the way to hell. Limit 2!
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/115/798/225/623/079/559/original/2a2f394b86a1d0ec.jpeg

2025-12-28 16:44:38 GMT

Every time I hit Microcenter I get mournful for the time when I could also hit up Fry’s on the way there. 😢

2025-12-26 23:38:48 GMT

PS Portal quick review. Latency + picture quality is good for local games. Battery life seems really good. Could use an OLED screen. Lack of Bluetooth audio is ridiculously annoying. Controls feel a little plasticky but otherwise good. Not sure if I’ll keep it but seems a lot better than initial reviews.

2025-12-20 19:42:18 GMT

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just way too expensive.

2025-12-19 22:51:33 GMT

I was wondering why this crappy Nest doorbell never actually showed video once the subscription expired. I thought it was some network issue or bug with the Nest app, but nope it’s apparently by design. Pretty sure this used to be 24 hour history + video playback.
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/115/748/679/874/057/062/original/77753f9c29ae6167.png

2025-12-08 21:21:26 GMT

Device request: Universal remote device pre-programmed to do nothing but issue commands to disable motion smoothing on TVs in waiting rooms.

2025-12-01 14:17:37 GMT

Wearing this, mostly because I forget where my Tapbots hoodies are.
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/115/644/737/362/034/611/original/d12be084e4d95d14.jpeg

2025-11-20 00:33:23 GMT

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it’s actually extra illegal.

2025-11-19 23:36:19 GMT

Poor endcap deserves better. Also $27 that’s a lot to spend on your least favorite relative.
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/115/578/986/567/017/248/original/3926ae35c0b80da4.jpeg

2025-11-15 17:02:29 GMT

My personal car is one generation too old for connected features and now I may never get rid of it.
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/115/554/788/709/256/672/original/411ba2548423a406.png

2025-11-08 23:14:14 GMT

After much research it seems like the best medical insurance plan for this year for me & the wife is to jump on the nearest iceberg.

2025-10-21 18:51:43 GMT

I think we’re one or two usb charger/battery pack generations away from having one with app support. Current models have screens and super complex charging power matrices. App with port power control has to be next.

2025-10-17 16:26:06 GMT

I promised I won't make (too much) fun of anyone who answers yes. But does anyone with an original Vision Pro plan to buy the new one or does anyone who never bought one plan to buy it now? Curious as to why.

2025-10-10 02:17:42 GMT

I had at least 3 screenfuls of these.
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/115/347/466/438/664/723/original/f1943e3ba4b60929.png

2025-10-08 19:52:26 GMT

At the rate things are going, I expect an "Apple provides government with list of users who downloaded ICEBlock app" headline in a few more weeks. I’m feeling embarrassed for them.

2025-10-07 16:15:23 GMT

Thanks Amazon.
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/115/333/773/383/345/242/original/3ce23abcb855a7f8.png

2025-09-18 02:20:35 GMT

This actually looks impressive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cVGKvl7Oek

2025-09-04 15:11:41 GMT

Just shoot me.
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/115/146/666/607/574/185/original/90afa386115a939a.png

2025-08-31 20:18:29 GMT

I’d really like to be able to check the status of my garage doors without feeling like tossing my phone out the window. *
* Yes I know about ratgdo and others.
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/115/125/223/802/527/401/original/5f9a036554c09ec8.png

2025-08-29 16:16:04 GMT

Apparently the product my wife asked me to get is not called Epstein Salt. Now I’m probably on another list.

2025-08-06 23:03:44 GMT

I found myself thinking “Maybe its only 24k gold plated" but really who the hell cares, its super gross.

2025-07-25 14:37:52 GMT

It takes a huge amount of 💩 for me to be dumbfounded by enshitification but this did it.
Looking at the online account statement on a Chase checking account. There was a transfer transaction to an investment account. Right under it there was a hyperlink with “You can invest in J.P. Morgan…” text.
Freaking ads in a checking account, what the actual hell?

2025-07-21 20:10:33 GMT

After reading about the Dallas cop stealing from Apple Stores and selling on Facebook I looked (not just in DFW) and found a bunch of new Aipods Max for ~$100. Wonder what the scam is…

2025-07-19 05:16:48 GMT

I know it was over 15 years ago but I’m still annoyed that Oracle bought Sun.

2025-07-18 18:14:08 GMT

New experience. Go into a public toilet and hear someone blasting pro wrestling from one of the stalls. I mean not the worst sound I’ve heard coming out of a stall, but still.

2025-07-07 22:43:24 GMT

Maybe Facebook can hire all the other Apple AI engineers and Apple can go back to focusing on what they are actually good at.
https://mastodon.social/@markgurman/114814179140076196

2025-07-07 19:46:42 GMT

Prime Day, the "day" you wait for to buy stuff you would've bought a week before but didn't because the price was raised so that it could be lowered back to normal on Prime Day.

2025-06-29 02:24:18 GMT

Ran into my most frustrating login experience ever, made me want to throw the phone against the wall.
Tried to login to the AA app, entered user/pass and then was told to enter in the code that was emailed.
Switched to Mail app and manually refreshed a bunch of times until the email came in.
Switched back to the AA which had now re-sprung.
Tried logging in again with the emailed code, which of course was now invalid.
Repeat 3 times before I just gave up in frustration.

2025-06-25 02:12:40 GMT

The Accountant 2 is such a strange sequel. Even if I ignore the distinct lack of accounting I just don't understand what they were going for. The weird voice, total tone shift info a half slapstick comedy, overly convoluted story line, Wick-lite underworld. None of it made any sense to me.

2025-06-15 20:28:51 GMT

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I actually bought a black mug too, just haven't even opened that one.
I didn't see hoodies, only shirts…

2025-06-15 20:22:41 GMT

I picked up this ridiculously expensive Apple mug but can’t bring myself to actually use it. Not sure if I’m worried about breaking it or staining it or what but it just sits in a cabinet silently judging me.
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/114/689/242/406/954/866/original/4ad2c72e48108e9f.jpeg

2025-06-10 01:16:06 GMT

Foundation Models seems like magic, on top of magic, on top of more magic. No idea if its any good or not, I just hope I never have to debug it.

2025-06-09 17:40:39 GMT

What app is that? Looks so cool.

2025-06-05 01:51:31 GMT

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https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/114/628/249/828/477/080/original/df9592a6597a52d9.png
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/114/628/250/068/814/723/original/9dd3b43fd7bf472e.png

2025-06-05 01:47:08 GMT

Just saw a walkthrough video of an amazing house, I could never afford, where every single TV was mounted way too high on the wall. Main bedroom, above fireplace. Secondary bedrooms, above walk in closet doors. Super fancy basement two sided fireplace, both sides have freaking TVs mounted above the fireplace. 🤬

2025-06-04 19:59:23 GMT

Would you like to login via Code or Password?
> Password
Thanks for entering your password, please enter the code we just texted you.

2025-05-28 20:41:09 GMT

I've been doing “Read Later” stuff last few days and went to download the Pocket app to check one thing. It's already been removed from the App Store.
What a huge waste. Spin it off, sell it or just leave it in maintenance mode.

2025-05-27 19:39:09 GMT

I wish this bubble would pop already.
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/114/581/487/364/631/902/original/2090a4c2188c3d8c.png

2025-05-02 02:04:01 GMT

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Will Apple be forced to refund the 27% fees it collected? Hell maybe even the 30% since lots of people didn't bother with external links because of the 27%…

2025-05-02 01:16:06 GMT

Someone got spanked.
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/114/435/592/249/960/596/original/d0669b4f09ccf840.png

2025-04-25 01:17:57 GMT

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she likes to have some style.

2025-04-24 21:11:00 GMT

I drove 6 hours but she’s the one who is tired.
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/114/394/992/249/678/790/original/14205e4c3374d3ec.jpeg

2025-04-14 18:15:14 GMT

Looks legit, totally a font Apple would use.
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/114/337/678/063/656/267/original/20ab4af75aa70f11.png

2025-04-05 13:36:52 GMT

I thought Tim Cook attended the Microsoft event until I zoomed in.
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/114/285/622/656/847/027/original/0ddbb87495b380e5.jpeg

2025-04-04 19:56:49 GMT

Winning?
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/114/281/454/417/718/274/original/4ffb2ea02a15c7da.png

2025-04-02 22:36:19 GMT

Yay 10% pay cut!

2025-04-01 14:09:46 GMT

My Xcode build analyze process is this.
Build Analyze
Fix an issue
Build Analyze
Curse that warnings aren't cleared for some reason
Build Clean
Repeat
Doesn't quite feel like the most optimized process, but hey at least the M4 is a fast chip.

2025-03-27 15:40:13 GMT

How I know I'm getting really old. Have the chance to upgrade from 500Mb/$50/month service to 2Gb/$100/month service and not jumping on it.

2025-03-24 21:12:08 GMT

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Been beating up on the CPU of the M4 Max Studio, 20m+ compile + compression workload and it barely topped 80C and the fans never sped up from idle. Good stuff.
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/114/219/465/116/680/760/original/f8fa20afc0bbc73e.png

2025-03-23 23:19:14 GMT

TIL Seagate drives have a “power on hours/year” rating. Some of their consumer models are only rated for about 7 hours a day. What a world!
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/114/214/302/595/139/921/original/231db2ec05de890d.png

2025-03-23 01:47:17 GMT

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After switching to Xcode 16.3 beta 3 the M4 Max 10/4 is pretty consistently 30% faster than the M1 Ultra. Really curious as to what the 12/4 would do, not sure if I'm curious enough to order one though…

2025-03-22 03:55:43 GMT

This has been driving me nuts most of the day. Working on a header file in a framework, which means most of the app gets recompiled every build.
Xcode 16.2
M1 Ultra: builds in ~14s
M4 Max: builds in 14-220s+
So crazy, kept futzing around with spotlight, networking, devices, etc…
Nothing until I tried Xcode 16.3 beta 3
M1 Ultra: ~9s
M4 Max: ~6s
What the actual hell? I was probably a couple hours away from sending this thing back to Apple.

2025-03-21 20:47:53 GMT

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pretty sure there's a BT dongle for this desk, if I was actually into using it I'd just set it to automatically lift/raise on a timed basis. Harder to ignore then a watch app specially when half the time my watch is out of battery.

2025-03-21 18:55:11 GMT

How I thought I'd use a standing desk: Randomly sit and stand through out the day to improve my health.
How I actually use a standing desk: I sit all day and only raise the desk when I need to cable manage something.

2025-03-14 19:33:14 GMT

Going for a space gray accessory vibe today.
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/114/162/453/105/424/442/original/2d282ad8cae3c036.jpeg

2025-03-14 00:36:01 GMT

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that is also fine. 🔥

2025-03-14 00:28:36 GMT

This is fine. 🔥
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/114/157/952/227/448/851/original/f5626fb900c39e4d.png

2025-03-08 01:10:11 GMT

I feel like all the streaming services (excluding Netflix) are in an aggressive battle to create the worst Mac/Safari viewing experience.
"Oh still have 5 minutes to go on your show, better click on this tiny box within 5 seconds or we're going to skip to the next episode."
"You moved your mouse, I assume that means you want the entire video covered with controls and the content dimmed for 30+ seconds.”

2025-01-29 22:55:20 GMT

I’m guessing Mexican coke is a lot cheaper in Mexico.
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/113/914/106/164/982/909/original/a9a60c560a9b9e3a.jpeg

2025-01-27 19:27:03 GMT

You call it a “Feature" I call it a nasty surprise.
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/113/901/962/559/902/923/original/1e6e6ef32b43e9e9.png

2025-01-07 03:41:20 GMT

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Prediction: Nvidia’s 2x performance increase generation to generation claim is a big fat lie and those numbers will only get hit in very specific cases when turning on every new DLSS 4 trick. I’d bet real world is 20-40%.

2025-01-07 03:23:25 GMT

AI Tops, Nvidia really knows the metric gamers care about! Seriously though 5080 pricing isn't as bad as I had expected, though I'm assuming all of these will get scalped to hell and back.
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/113/784/927/205/694/516/original/7df667ea4d3c7f70.jpeg

2024-12-08 23:14:57 GMT

Where did the weekend go?

2024-12-06 21:34:23 GMT

Finally some more news on the Asus 6k monitor. Guessing it’ll actually ship early next year. You'll finally be able to choose between an ugly forehead, an ugly chin or selling a kidney.
https://press.asus.com/news/press-releases/asus-rog-strix-gaming-monitor-proart-display-zenscreen-2025/

2024-11-25 23:23:52 GMT

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I was about 1" away from testing out how good AppleCare+ accidental damage coverage was on my M4 mini. Maybe plugging headphones into the front jack isn't the best idea…

2024-11-23 01:48:29 GMT

Does Apple subsidize carrier commercials in the US? Every commercial I see has "with Apple Intelligence" at some point while showing absolutely no AI features.

2024-11-17 17:26:09 GMT

iCloud Photos (and most other iCloud services) turned off. Photos Library completely empty. But for some reason mediaanalysisd still sucks up a bunch of CPU.
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/113/499/463/110/661/588/original/894883b2ae8db988.png

2024-11-16 22:35:01 GMT

Holy crap someone actually bought one of these?
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/113/495/015/335/120/550/original/8912134669821447.jpeg

2024-11-12 16:07:23 GMT

I did a thing I never thought I would do and plugged headphones (DT 770 250 Ohm) directly into a computer and you know what? It's pretty good. I've always used a dedicated DAC/AMP but other than missing the control of a dedicated analog volume slider the Mini is just as good. I wouldn't use Planar Magnetics with it, but hey other than that I'm a fan.
I'll probably change my mind when I accidentally send the Mini flying off the table in a couple of days.
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/113/470/841/819/734/953/original/b9e71b99ffbad58a.jpeg

2024-11-11 21:10:36 GMT

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their screwdriver is really nice, works well enough for simple stuff into walls. M12 wise you might want to look at the installation tool and make sure you are comparing battery vs no battery weight.

2024-11-11 20:58:11 GMT

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12v tools are probably going to be quite a bit quieter (and smaller). I like the Dewalt Xtreme line up they feel quite a bit nicer than the M12 in hand, but can't really beat M12 for number of available tools.

2024-11-09 06:52:24 GMT

Ivory iOS Xcode 16:
Clean build
M4 24s
M4 Pro 19s
M1 Ultra 24s
Analyze build
M4 101s
M4 Pro 73s
M1 Ultra 72s
Compile single change, re-launch app in simulator
M4 4.5s
M4 Pro 4.5s
M1 Ultra 5.5s
————
Clang build
M4 907s
M4 Pro 614s (fan audible)
M1 Ultra 517s

2024-11-08 20:40:16 GMT

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I assume its made that way so they can tell if its been used.

2024-11-08 20:33:07 GMT

What do you do for a living?
"I'm the chief cord holder designer at Apple. I have a master's degree in origami!”
Someone, somewhere, probably.
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/113/449/237/482/554/251/original/462c195b18bb8cbe.png

2024-11-07 16:05:24 GMT

I feel like reviewers should start calling out Apple's standard one year warranty as a "The Bad”. Given how premium their devices are, 3 years should be the standard warranty.
Specially bad when you consider Apple's out of warranty procedure is normally give us your old machine and buy a refurb at standard refurb pricing.
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/113/442/522/522/202/375/original/13b328788e4b6b57.png

2024-10-30 16:43:23 GMT

So what did y’all order?
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/113/397/373/321/131/379/original/981a656cfc61955b.png

2024-10-23 00:18:07 GMT

So many choices, I'm going to have to spend a lot of time researching who to vote for.
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/113/353/862/952/104/399/original/4d8b2b185ecfccc4.png

2024-10-22 15:17:56 GMT

Apple should announce new Macs to take the press coverage away from their lackluster iPad Mini refresh.

2024-10-17 20:00:59 GMT

9 months of severance? Even if I was happy working there, I'd sure as hell consider it.
https://mastodon.social/@404mediaco/113323993041161078

2024-10-16 01:43:36 GMT

Working on cleaning up my office (going to be a many months long project). Had to break out this nightmare of a contraption to wipe some old drives (don't think there's anything sensitive on them, but better safe than sorry). T3->T2->FW800->FW400->ATA.
Probably should've just used a hammer.
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/113/314/562/933/952/533/original/fba8fb8ed9d9a608.jpeg

2024-10-12 22:41:30 GMT

I'm too lazy to read up on this stuff, but who am I supposed to be rooting for on this WordPress stuff?

2024-09-22 19:57:23 GMT

NSCache's built in thread safety sounds cool until you realize that it can (and does) release cached items in any thread.

2024-09-19 16:07:44 GMT

Not super helpful.
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/113/165/078/415/640/358/original/d96348655fafba93.png

2024-09-17 18:41:03 GMT

I'm shocked, I thought after they fired everyone involved in the project that it'd have a long and productive life!
https://mozilla.social/@mozilla/113153943609185249

2024-09-17 17:43:13 GMT

Exploding pagers as a weapon seems like a plot for a terrible movie.

2024-09-16 17:19:39 GMT

I have it installed on a test device but haven't daily driven it. Should I update to Mac + 1 now or when Xcode forces me to?

2024-09-14 01:05:11 GMT

Intuit must be quite the work environment.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/315753483502
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/113/133/217/942/701/543/original/1e0680219f0098cc.jpeg

2024-09-09 18:01:53 GMT

I thought having a bunch of megapixels was supposed to be bad?

2024-09-09 17:27:08 GMT

I bet shutting down all the AI data centers would probably make being carbon neutral a lot easier.

2024-09-07 23:18:46 GMT

Not the most confidence inspiring brand name.
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/113/098/825/363/799/041/original/7fb4b5f98b22e4ea.jpeg

2024-09-04 23:58:54 GMT

Say what now?
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/113/081/996/461/606/756/original/f18a551238b63b47.png

2024-08-24 17:51:04 GMT

New Covid shots dropped. Got mine scheduled for a couple weeks from now since it’s been a while since I felt like crap.

2024-08-22 17:38:03 GMT

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Not in stock but this looks like a winner, not bluetooth but QMK support makes up for it.
https://binepad.com/products/kn01?variant=48142829125930
A lot of folks mentioned the PowerMate. I have the BT one but I just don’t like it, the rotation never felt right. I'm guessing the USB one probably felt quite a bit better. Not going to spend $100+ on one with iffy software support.

2024-08-22 16:47:15 GMT

Today's adventure in accessories is seeing if I can find a decent, preferably bluetooth, dedicated volume knob.
I've only found two possible choices.
Razer Wireless Control Pod, which seems to be setup just for this, but has that stupid Razer logo on top.
Surface Dial, no built in Mac support (though apparently some stuff on GItHub). No detents on dial.
This can't be that niche of a product can it?
https://tapbots.social/system/media_attachments/files/113/006/689/112/904/571/original/3095a760c2e59251.jpeg

2024-08-22 00:33:05 GMT

Mac Studio storage upgrades can be a thing now. This needs to be an iFixit or OWC kit ASAP.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDFCurB3-0Q

2024-08-17 23:35:12 GMT

Re-watching World War Z for the first time since it was released. My internal “why are they so stupid" monologue really hits different post Covid.

2024-08-08 15:44:24 GMT

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They say smallest computer ever, I hear external PSU, fewer ports, more expensive and fanless. 👎

2024-08-08 15:39:27 GMT

IMO mini is small enough, keeping the same footprint year after year is a feature. not something to be improved on.
https://mastodon.social/@macrumors/112927115667010777