WEEKLY WHEATIES #2445
Browser Extensions, Apple Updates, Tech Headlines, Nintendo Music
In this newsletter:
📝 Post: Browser Extensions You (may) Need
🗞️ In Case You Missed It: Apple Updates
🗞️ In Case You Missed It: Tech Headlines
😎 Pick of the Week: Nintendo Music
📦 Featured Product: ProtoArc Keyboards
📝 Browser Extensions You (may) Need
Whether or not your phone is the main device you access the internet with, I’m sure at some point you still use a laptop or desktop - either at home or work. And if you do use one of those, you also use a web browser. Over the years, the popularity of web browsers has changed, but the chances of you using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge is pretty high. The other popular alternative is Safari, but that only works on Apple Devices. Chrome and Edge work on any computer, tablet, or phone.
The reason your browser of choice matters is because of the use of extensions. Extensions are mini-programs that can be installed on your web browser to give the browser extra functionality. Sometimes, they may be referred to as Plugins, too. They can allow your browser to talk to other applications and programs or allow your browser to complete tasks not included by default. While most extensions are free, some do have a charge or can require a subscription in order to use it.
Apple’s Safari extensions may be limited, so for the purpose of this post, we’ll focus on Google Chrome extensions. There is a way to hack Chrome Extensions to working in Safari, but I wouldn’t do it - too many security and update issues. Even more so, any Chrome extension can also be added to the Microsoft Edge browser. However, you still may want to search the Edge Add-ons page to download the one built for Edge. A little more information than you may care to know, but Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are both built based on the Chromium Project’s open-source browser. Other popular browsers built on Chromium include: Brave, Opera, and Kiwi.
With the many extensions available, I only wanted to share a few popular ones separated by topic that you may also find of use. If I list a couple that share features that you don’t use, consider searching and testing out an alternative version of the same genre of app. Your favorite one may have an extension, too!
Personal
Second Brain/notes apps: Notion Web Clipper, Save to Pocket, Evernote, OneNote Web Clipper, Raindrop
Password manager: Bitwarden, LastPass, Proton Pass, 1Password
Gmail help: Checker Plus for Gmail, Send from Gmail
Screen recorders: Awesome Screenshot, Loom, Screencastify
Audio: NimbusMind, Chrome Audio Capture,
Document
Chatbots: ChatGPT, Gemini, Sider, (Copilot included in Edge)
PDF help: Adobe Acrobat, Save webpage as PDF, Print Friendly
Reading: Text Mode, WhatFont, Google Scholar Button
Entertainment
Shopping
Fun
As you can see, there are a ton of available Chrome extensions, and this is barely scratching the surface. Of those listed, I’ve at least used each of them (or something similar). There are random one-off use cases for some of them, too. For example, if you are trying to check in to a Southwest flight, open your ticket page a few minutes before they ‘go live’ and turn on the Auto Refresh Screen to refresh the page for you every so many seconds. Getting an A boarding has never been easier!
If you want some other ideas, PCMag listed their Best Free Google Chrome Extensions. Be careful randomly downloading extensions, though. Many may be taking advantage of some new types of scams, viruses, and other issues regarding security and privacy. There have been multiple breaches tracked back to browsers. Watch what information you give access to these extensions, and verify the settings of each during setup.
What extension will you try out next?
🗞️ ICYMI: Apple Updates
In a first (in recent memory at least), Apple released multiple press releases over a week announcing updates to 3 device lineups. This allowed them to give each product their own time (well, day) rather than providing all updates in one major live-streamed event. In order of release, new product updates include: iMac, Mac Mini, and MacBook Pro. Each device touts the new M4 chip and a base of 16 GB of RAM. The amount of RAM is significant, as 16 GB is required to utilize Apple Intelligence - something else released this week for all devices that currently support it. In their Macbook Pro press release, they also announced all new MacBook Airs will also come with 16 GB of RAM (although it still sports the M3 chip - at least for now). Lastly, Apple’s new Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, and Magic Trackpad have USB-C making all devices sold directly from Apple only supporting USB-C and forgoing the years of the Lightening port.
In tandem with the update to Apple Intelligence, iOS 18.1 was also released for iPhones (required for Apple Intelligence). Only a few devices support all Apple Intelligence features (the iPhone 15 Pro and up), but there are many other features and updates that make this install worth it. Three of my favorites include:
🗞️ ICYMI: Tech Headlines
Alphabet's self-driving unit Waymo closes $5.6 billion funding round
Netflix’s new ‘Moments’ feature lets you save and share clips from your favorite episodes
New York Has Landed the First National Semiconductor Technology Center Facility
OpenAI introduces ChatGPT search
Universal Music Group partners with KLAY to develop ethical AI technology
😎 POTW: Nintendo Music
This week, Nintendo released a Music app showcasing all music from their backlog of Nintendo games. Unfortunately, a Nintendo Switch Online membership is required to access this app. However, I can attest to the fact that there are old favorites, including Donkey Kong Countr from N64! Since many of these types of songs can help boost productivity (according to science), it’s pretty cool to extend the time of the songs to 15, 30, or 60 minutes and have them play on a loop. And according to The Walrus Yes, Listening to Music Is Therapy, too. If you’re a Pokemon fan, check out the Pokémon TCG Pocket game that was also released recently. You can open decks while listening to music from any of the Pokemon games!
📦 Featured Product
There are tons of keyboards available to purchase online, so I’m only sharing the one I have recently tested out. I needed a new one for my home computer and purchased the ProtoArc Bluetooth Mechanical Keyboard after some in-depth research. It has panned out to be everything I wanted so far. Features include short, quiet keystrokes, great quality build, a volume knob, wired or wireless options, and a quick way to turn the backlight up or down. If you travel a lot and need a full-size keyboard, consider their Foldable Keyboard. Alternatively, my second option would have been the Ergonomic option.
