Hey friend!
Congratulations on making it to the middle of the week 😎
It’s time to reconnect and dive into the world of tech, productivity tips and unearthing the latest tech-related news. Excited?
Let’s get cracking…
Tech to Try This Week:
LumaFusion/MojoApp/Storyblocks
Level up your video editing game with the following apps and service!
LumaFusion: This app is still the go-to video editing app for iPad users despite Final Cut Pro and DaVinci Resolve now being available for those wielding the mighty iPad Pro as their primary computing device (at least it is for me!). With its comprehensive suite of features, including multi-track editing, colour correction, and third-party plugin support, LumaFusion is nearly unparalleled. However, it’s not all sunshine and roses when it comes to video title graphics, but this is where the app and service listed below come into play, complementing LumaFusion by infusing modern, attention-grabbing video titles into projects, effortlessly bridging the gap between professional aspirations and high-quality outcomes. LumaFusion is available for iOS and Android devices and is priced at $29.99 as a one-time purchase with no subscription. (Link: luma-touch.com)
Mojo App: Tailored primarily for crafting compelling social media content, Mojo transcends its intended boundaries with an array of professional and visually appealing video title templates and much more. These templates grab the viewer’s attention and make your message aesthetically pleasing, showcasing Mojo’s versatility and user-friendly interface. It is an indispensable tool, especially when combined with other powerful applications like LumaFusion, for creators across various mediums aiming for that extra pizzazz. The Mojo App is available on both the Apple and Google app stores and is priced from FREE to $4.99 per month for one user to $8 per month for teams, billed annually. (Link: mojo-app.com)
Storyblocks: For those seeking stock video, music, animations, images, sound and effects, and much, much more, Storyblocks is the service you’re looking for to give polish to your video creations. You can use the well-put-together Storyblocks website to download the media you need, and it is also available as a cut-down version with the LumaFusion app. The integration of Storyblocks into your content creation workflow means access to a vast repository of high-quality, royalty-free assets that can significantly enhance the appeal and depth of your videos. Storyblocks is available at several different price points when purchased on a yearly subscription via their website and as a paid subscription plug-in within LumaFusion at $70 per year. Link: www.storyblocks.com)
(These links are not affiliate links and I have not been paid to promote these apps and service.)
Productivity Tip of the Week: The Pomodoro Technique
Photo by Marcelo Leal on Unsplash
The Pomodoro Technique was developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s as a time management method. It initially used an old-fashioned kitchen timer to break work into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes long, separated by short breaks. There are digital versions available nowadays, but the aim is still the same, which is to enhance focus and flow by reducing the impact of internal and external interruptions. The method is relatively straightforward: decide on a task, set a timer for 25 minutes, work on the task, take a short break after the timer finishes, and repeat the cycle. After four pomodoros, a more extended break is recommended.
The effectiveness of the Pomodoro Technique can be attributed to its foundation in cognitive and behavioural principles. It capitalises on the human attention span, which typically ranges between 20 to 45 minutes, by aligning work intervals within this span followed by breaks. This structure helps maintain a high concentration level and makes time an ally rather than a source of anxiety. It turns time into a vehicle for achievement rather than something that merely elapses. The technique’s cycle of work and rest aligns with natural rhythms, facilitating sustained concentration and preventing burnout. Short breaks between pomodoros increase the ability to concentrate, while the longer breaks after every four pomodoros allow for more significant rest and recovery, depending on the intensity of the work and personal tiredness.
This method also incorporates psychological elements, such as the physical act of setting a timer, which can enhance the user’s commitment to the task and the audible ticking to maintain focus - which is why advocates encourage a physical timer over a digital one. Over time, users may find the constant ticking sound calming, indicating that everything is proceeding well with their concentrated work.
Overall, the Pomodoro Technique is more than just a time management tool; it’s a comprehensive approach to enhancing productivity by structuring work and rest to align with human cognitive patterns, reduce anxiety, and foster a healthy work-life balance.
This Week in Tech News:
Apple’s Autonomous Electric Car Project Cancellation
Apple’s ambitious project to develop an autonomous electric car, known internally as Project Titan, has been cancelled. This project was part of Apple’s exploration into the automotive industry, aiming to revolutionise how cars are designed and operated with Apple’s signature innovation and technology. However, after years of speculation, rumours, and hiring a significant number of automotive experts, Apple decided to halt the project. The decision leads to layoffs and marks a significant shift in Apple’s direction, indicating the challenges even tech giants face in pioneering new industry sectors. The cancellation raises questions about the future of Apple’s involvement in the automotive space and what the next big innovation from the company will be after its recent launch of VisionPro.
Google Gemini AI Controversy
Google’s AI tool, Gemini, designed to generate images from typed instructions, faced criticism last week for producing racially biased images. This controversy emerged when users pointed out that AI’s attempts to depict a diverse range of historical figures and scenarios often resulted in inaccurate representations. For instance, a request for images of America’s founding fathers generated images of women and black people. Another request asking Gemini to depict stereotypical Viking men generated a similar image creation response. These examples, among many, sparked a debate about AI’s over-correction for diversity. Google responded by pausing the software’s ability to generate images of people, acknowledging the inaccuracies and promising improvements. The incident highlights the complexities of training AI models to accurately understand and depict human history's diversity without imposing modern biases or erasing historical realities. Google’s response and ongoing efforts to address these issues reflect tech companies' broader challenges in developing responsible AI.
Threads App Downloads Surge
The Threads app, introduced by Instagram’s parent company, Meta, as a direct competitor to Twitter, has experienced a significant surge in popularity. Its daily downloads on iOS have tripled, signalling a potential trend in users seeking alternative social media platforms. This growth comes amidst growing dissatisfaction with traditional platforms over content moderation, privacy concerns, and the overall user experience.
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Please look out for my Friday’s Insights email this coming Friday, where I’ll end this week on a personal note and share something of my journey as a content creator or what might have inspired me or made me think. Hopefully, it will leave you with something to ponder, a question to ask yourself, or a challenge to overcome!
See you then 😀
“The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” – Alan Kay
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