∞ WeChat's App Revolution
Adam Minter reporting on WeChat's "mini programs" for bloomberg:
Mini programs, by contrast, aren't found in an app store. Users get links to them from friends or groups in a chat, or by scanning a QR code in real life (at a restaurant, say).
"Mini programs" are best for ad-hoc, "offline" uses. For example, pay parking fees just by scanning the QR code of the meter. It sounds like Android's Instant Apps, but more light weight and works far better because of WeChat's ecosystem.
WeChat had already morphed beyond its roots as a chat service to become a one-stop app for everything, from banking to shopping to dating to dining.
That's very true. I'm constantly amazed by how much work it can be done inside WeChat without ever leaving the app.
In short, WeChat is starting to look quite a bit like a mobile operating system. As it becomes more powerful and self-contained, Chinese phone consumers will stop asking what phone and operating system they should buy, and start contemplating what phone best runs WeChat. That's a long-term threat to iOS and Android, as well as any company that makes phones to run them.
It's not a threat to iOS or Android though. They are at different levels. It only means that it stops mattering whether you choose iOS or Android. It removes the limitation of OS lock-in. It gives the freedom of choosing any phone.
For now, WeChat is changing smartphones in China. One day soon, its impact will be felt worldwide.
Certainly, WeChat has changed China. But I'm not sure about developed countries. They already have a developed system - apps. It's the same reason why it takes so long to advance US' payment system - credit cards.
El Yunque National Forest Hike
Summary
The habitat doesn't have large variety of plants like a typical tropical rain forest does, but it is still tropical. Good amount of trail choices as shown below:
Trails in El Yunque National Forest.
Numbers
Time: 2016-12-30, 1.3 hours.
Distance: 3.1 km (1.9 miles).
Route
See this Google Map for more details.
Photos
Replacing My iPhone 6s for Free
My iPhone 6s has had the Unexpected Shutdown issue for a while. After months of procrastination, I finally went to the Apple Store this Saturday afternoon.
My appointment was at 16:50. The staff told me that it takes 3 hours to replace the battery, and the store closes at 19:00. So I have to leave the phone overnight and pick up the next day.
I said OK.
However, I remember last time Apple had this issue with iPhone 5, they would actually replace my old phone with a new one (or refurbished one?) immediately in the store. Oh yes, I am very lucky to be a victim twice.
I'm totally fine without a new phone this time.
Then the next day, a different person handled my case. They brought both my old and a new phone to me. Guess what? The new phone was for me. And I just need to reset my old phone for them.
They said one thing, but did another.
I'm very confused. The only reasonable explanation I could think is, they wanted to take a look at my old phone then decide what to do.
Maybe I should have a doubt about anything they say. After all, they have told me "not closing your apps will kill your iPhone”.
∞ Having Fewer Things to Do Is the Best Way to Get Things Done
@jasonfried answering @andyorin's question of What’s your best time-saving shortcut or life hack, for a Life Hacker interview:
Having fewer things to do is the best way to get things done.
Can't argue with that.
Oh! Darling (The Beatles) by Casey Adams at Grand Canyon Western Ranch
Me and my wife stayed and had a great thanksgiving dinner at Grand Canyon Western Ranch.
After dinner, the professional musician Casey Adams built a campfire and played numerous songs for all the guests, including many of the ones he wrote. This is Oh! Darling (with a good night song in the middle for the family leaving early).
∞ VIPKid Matches Students in China with North American Instructors
Peter Elstrom and David Ramli reporting for Bloomberg:
Today, Mi is 33 and founder of a startup that aims to give Chinese kids the kind of education American children receive in top U.S. schools. Called VIPKid, the company matches Chinese students aged five to 12 with predominantly North American instructors to study English, math, science and other subjects. Classes take place online, typically for two or three 25-minute sessions each week.
Ignore the clickbait title, that's a very worth reading report.
Hornworm Eating Tomatoes
A timelapse recorded on 2016-09-24 at our backyard.
Wildcat Trail at Monument Valley
Summary
Great view of the Monument Valley, even though the trail is on the edge of the valley.
Numbers
Time: 2016-11-26, 1.8 hours
Distance: 6.5 km (4 miles)
Route
See this Google Map for more details.
Photos
∞ Visual Studio Code 1.8
Microsoft released Visual Studio Code 1.8.0 today. The most exciting news for me is this:
On macOS, we are now drawing our own custom title instead of the native one to allow for the theme color to be picked up.
That means it now looks terrific with the Atom One Dark theme:
Harding Icefield Trail at Kenai Fjords National Park
Summary
This is the longest and most elevated hike I have done so far. It's very cold during the later half of the trail, which is mostly covered by snow. The visibility also turns lower and lower when you reach the top. And, there are many wild lives (and vegetation!) throughout the trail.
A Mountain Goat on the Edge of a Cliff
There is a small shelter near the top. You can, and definitely should, take a break and have some food inside. We had our instant noodle "cooked" with cold water. You would think it tastes like garbage, but after you hiked in such conditions, that's the best reward!
Harding Icefield Shelter
Numbers
Time: 2016.08.12, 8.7 hours.
Distance: 14.0 km (8.7 miles).
Elevation: 900 m (2960 ft).
Route
See this Google Map for more details. You can also see the map on nps.gov.
Photos