iPhone 7 Migration: Home Automation
Unrelated to two-factor authentication issues and Apple Trusted Devices, my home automation system also updated their software that required a login.
I wonder what other accounts and services do I need to fix?
Passion
iPhone 7 Migration: Apple Trusted Device
While moving to a new iPhone, don’t forget to make this new phone a trusted device with Apple. By doing so, whenever you’re prompted to provide a security code, your new iPhone 7 is one of the choices to receive this security challenge. If you don’t make this update, then your security challenge will most likely go to your old iPhone that you probably don’t have with you.
Go to Apple ID to manage trusted devices. Check under Account – Security and look at Trusted Devices. Verify devices as needed or remove devices that are no longer valid.
iPhone 7 Migration: Authenticator
I should have seen this coming, but I forgot that my two-factor authentication codes might get messed up switching phones (and also upgrading to a new iOS). Sure enough, launching Google Authenticator on my iPhone 7 brought up a new, blank configuration. Luckily, all my accounts and codes are on my old iPhone so accounts are still accessible although inconvenient.
So I’ve been fixing all my two-factor authentication accounts but this time, I’m trying LastPass’ Authenticator app instead of Google Authenticator. I think this is the third time that Google Authenticator wiped out everything. I kinda understand the ramification related to security, but boy, what a hassle to resolve.
I’m hoping LastPass Authenticator remembers a bit better although I have to read up on its feature set.
My First iPhone 7 Accessory Purchased
A new phone means a new case. While I’m satisifed with my current Spigen case for my iPhone 6, the look of this Caseology Vault Series in Stealth Armor won me over, especially for ten bucks. Although it’s not carbon fiber, I do like its faux look. Just hoping it looks okay in real life.
My Second iPhone 7 Accessory Purchased
So I didn’t think the missing headphone jack of the iPhone 7 was going to be a big thing. Apple does include a Lightning to minijack adapter with the iPhone 7. Even then, I’m looking at getting Griffin’s iTrip Clip.
At $20, this small device “bluetooth-ifies” regular headphones. Sure you gotta charge it, but this device seems convenient. I’m thinking for running where I hand hold my iPhone 6 and wrap excess headphone cable around my iPhone. Will the iTrip Clip make things easier or not… I still have to deal with extra cable from my traditional running headphones. I’m not yet willing to give up on these running earbuds since they fit well and stay secure while running. Or just use the Lightning adapter…
NBA Hall of Fame Speeches
Usually, I’m not one to watch long videos. Even spending the time to watch short videos is tough for me, but I happened to come across the speeches of this year’s NBA Hall of Famers. I sat and watched for over one hour to Yao Ming, Shaq O’Neal, and Allen Iverson. Each of their speeches were good in their own way although I think AI’s was the most moving for this controversial player. Shaq made me crack up, that big ole son of a b*tch (watch his speech and you’ll understand), and even Yao got into it, poking fun at his fellow HOF inductees.
Even if you don’t have the time, watch these videos. Yao’s is the shortest, but if you want impact, watch the Answer, and for laughs, watch the Big Aristotle.
Allen Iverson
Yao Ming
Shaquille O’Neal
Because I Wanted an Itchy Butt
…I tried Starbuck’s newest addition, the Chile Mocha. Think a mocha with some heat from ancho and cayenne spices. And yes, there is some heat, even if the drink is iced.
Overall, the drink is okay with nothing overly distinctive. There’s the heat, but it dissipates in an iced version as the ice melts to water down the drink. The Chile Mocha is a nice change up to Starbucks’ seasonal menu, but I won’t order it again this season. Maybe one hot version just to try.
Really though, the unsung hero of the fall lineup is the Salted Caramel Mocha. This is the guilty pleasure of sweet and savory in between the Pumpkin Spice Latte and the Chile Mocha. Hot, cold – no matter. It’s all good.
But oh yeah, be ready for an itchy butt if you do try the Chile Mocha.
From Hurricanes to Stranger Things
Well, there went a planned outing to the cabins at Bellows due to the hook and slice of Hurricanes Madeline and Lester. With Bellows cancelling stays starting from Saturday, we now had lots of free time over the Labor Day weekend. That time was spent watching (and finishing) the inaugural season of Stranger Things.
This Netflix series came highly recommended by @gquiks487, and @locke02000 said it was the only series he seriously considered binge watching in one sitting. So with three days of canceled plans, we watched all eight episodes of Stranger Things. Averaging about one hour per episode, the show isn’t what I imagined with supernatural occurances in the small town of Hawkins, Indiana. Yeah, I liked all the kids, but Dustin was my favorite with his John Riggins curls and his unique cleidocranial dysplasia. If I could only place that red, white, and blue hat of his… kinda looks Montreal Expo-ish or old school Chicago White Sox of the MLB.
Other than the kids, I thought Winona Ryder did an excellent crazed and desparate mother. The Hawkins Chief of Police, Hop, was my favorite adult character with more skills than he lets on.
Of course, the best, best, best part of the show is its retro setting in 1983. The paramount encapsulation of that is the opening title sequence with its old school animation and graphics and that theme song. I’m simply transfixed by it.
I won’t go into summarizing the storyline since it’s been done many times already. Just go watch it and enjoy the ride. In the meantime, take a listen to the theme song and also see the titles for Season 2.
Quick Review of the AUKEY EP-B4 Bluetooth Headphones
So these were a bargain on Amazon selling for only $10 so why not spring for the AUKEY EP-B4 Bluetooth Headphones in the sporty lime green color? Even if these were a bust, $10 isn’t a big investment.
First of all, these wireless headphones do in fact work and connected easily to my iPhone and Apple Watch via Bluetooth. The sound is decent – not great but not terrible either. With different ear covers and “wings,” you can customize the fit in a lot of ways, and the earpieces lock into place with a quarter turn. I’m still playing with the fit since the earpieces don’t feel completely secured in place. Really though, I think the culprit to not staying in place lies in the flat cable connecting the left and right ear pieces. Out of the box, the cable stays kinked in its folded shape and doesn’t flex easily. Because of this rigidity, the cable very often pulls on the earpieces, dislodging them.
Battery life is kinda short (to me). After the initial charge, I used the headphones three times for about 45 minutes per session. Although I do admit that I wasn’t diligent with powering down the headphones when I was done. Powering up is kinda tricky as well, but I’ve found it best to put them on then hold the power button until you hear the AUKEY say “powered on.”
All in all, the AUKEY EP-B4 hasn’t disappointed. It hasn’t completely won me over quite yet, but I do like the appeal of less wires in my personal space.
Mobile Blogging with Keyboard
Hey, this makes mobile blogging a lot easier. I just picked up a Logitech K380 multi-device Bluetooth keyboard and paired it with my iPhone. Typing longer posts isn’t as difficult now that I don’t have to inaccurately peck away at the iPhone’s virtual keyboard.
The K380 feels pretty good. The key layout seems just a tad cramped, but that could be my imagination. I’m still more accurate typing on the K380 than tapping on-screen.
No wires since it’s Bluetooth connected, and this keyboard can pair with three devices. Need to try out my AppleTV to see what the experience is like. I probably won’t use this keyboard with my MacBook Air since what’s the purpose. But the keyboard is small-ish and light, so it’s easily transportable to make mobile blogging a better experience.
Hmm, I just noticed that the virtual keyboard no longer shows up in WordPress while I’m using the external K380.
Daisy Chaining DisplayPort Displays
Bye VGA, bye DVI. Got Dell UltraSharp U2515H displays that only have HDMI and DisplayPort inputs. But there’s this “weird” DisplayPort that wasn’t working for me…until I learned that it’s an ouput for DisplayPort, not an input. But why would a monitor need an output port? So you can daisy chain them.
Yup, I learned that monitors that support DisplayPort 1.2 can actually be daisy chained to each other and still work as independent displays. Of course, your graphics card has to be able to keep up, pushing out all them pixels. But wow, this is convenient and with less cable clutter on your computer, especially a laptop. But… for these UltraSharp U2515, you need to enable DisplayPort 1.2. By default, it’s disabled to the more commonly used version 1.1, indicating that daisy chaining isn’t a common consumer feature.
On the Mac front however, my older MacBook Air doesn’t support daisy chaining aka Multi-Stream Transport (MST). I kinda expected that from a mid-2012 computer, but my Air does flawlessly power the U2515’s 2560 x 1440 resolution via the ThunderBolt port that shares the same form factor as a miniDisplayPort (mDP). So yay!
Next, make a return to the MacBook Pro line…
Great Customer Support, Nike!
Wow, I was hopeful but uncertain. But sure enough, Nike pulled through with great customer service and support, approving my return of my Air Max Lunar1. Although two years old and technically right outside the defective products period, I had nothing to lose by trying a return.
Nike.com purchases: Flawed shoes, apparel and gear can be returned if manufactured less than two years ago.
After about a week of processing, I finally received notification that my return was accepted and fully refunded. I forget how I originally paid for my Lunar1 since part of my refund is on gift card. In any case, I’m more than satisfied, and both you and I know that this act will definitely make me buy another pair of Nikes very soon. Ooops, already did!