Newsletter: week of 6/30

I love what Nothing is doing in the tech space. In a world of metal slabs and typical camera bumps, Nothing has continued to bring truly wild-looking devices to market. And the new Nothing Phone (3) is no exception. The phone features asymmetrical camera rings embedded into a cyberpunk-looking back, plus a "Glyph Matrix" composed of 489 LEDs that is controlled by a force-touch button. You can see battery life, the time, and even play "games" like spin the bottle, all on this tiny display.

And while many folks are disappointed with the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset and USB 2.0, which are not in line with most flagship offerings, I will gladly take fashion over function when the function is more than sufficient for most people.

The price, on the other hand, is high. I can't say too much because the review embargo hasn't been lifted, but an $800 price tag will certainly test just how much people are willing to pay for that fashion.

I've been busy taking lots of photos and videos with the Nothing Phone (3), so stay tuned for my coverage. If you've any questions, feel free to drop 'em in the chat or comments!

With that, here is everything I scrolled through, watched, and listened to this week.

📖 Scrolled through:

Dead members of Congress can’t stop posting
“When a member of Congress dies, nobody seems to care about getting the log-ins from you, or assuming control of the Facebook page,” Brown said. “I still, if I wanted to, could go post to Facebook as Congressman Young — I could still tweet today as Congressman Young. And nobody from archives or records or from House administration, or anybody, seems to give a shit.”

Apple patent hints at massive leap in camera sensor tech, nearing human eye dynamic range
All roads lead to the Vision Pro.

'My Bad:' Babyface Vance Meme Creator On Norwegian Tourist's Detainment
"Do you have a favorite Vance edit?
MCNAMEE: My favorite Vance Edit is probably the one someone did of him as the little boy from Shrek 2 with the giant lollipop...I didn't make that one but it uses the face of one of the edits I did and it is solid gold. I would like to add that this meme seems to have become the biggest meme of the 2nd Trump administration and one of the biggest political memes of all time and if it does enter a history book down the line I would like them to use a flattering photo of me."

📺 Watched:

Laxaþjóð | A Salmon Nation | Patagonia Films
I'm back on my Patagonia nature doc shit, and the sound design on this one is chefs kiss.

I Missed VHS... So I Made My Own
Every day I grow closer to buying a 3D printer and becoming an inventer like Matty or Brenden.

Making a $20 Smart Boombox
A slightly easier build than the VHS.

Five Days in Sardegna, Italy | Sony FX3
Some more great sound design.

🎶 Listened to:

Alter Ego - Doechii & JT
Doechii with a damn Edna Mode "Milan, Darling" sample at the top of this 🔥

Islands In the Stream - Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers
Imagine a very tired, sore, and stinky Becca eating sausage and eggs in a townie diner at 6am while this song plays from a '90s boombox on the counter. It's a scene right out of my bike trip and a song I haven't been able to get out of my head since.

Hey Driver - Zach Bryan, The War and Treaty

Pa Pa Power - Cat Power

Ok, bud. That is all I have for this week. I'll have two(!!) videos for ya next week, including my long-awaited bike-trip video. I hope you and everyone you love are well.
Aprreciate ya <3
-Becca