> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.hiro.report/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 02FEB2025: A crazy number of dark patterns - URL: https://www.hiro.report/02feb2025-a-crazy-number-of-dark-patterns/ - Published: 2025-02-03T01:00:29.000Z - Updated: 2025-02-03T01:00:28.000Z - Description: PKM’s, cord cutting tips, and more stuff to distract you from the horrors of the news cycle! - Author: Hiro Happy Sunday and Happy Lunar New Year, everyone! This week, I’ve been jumping on the waitlists for a bunch of interesting-looking tech and apps. I’m featuring one below, but two others I’ve signed up for are [Avelo Running](https://avelorunning.com/?r=yI6sF&ref=hiro.report), a mysterious new running tech wearable from a team of ex-Nike and ex-Garmin rockstars, and [Ruckr](https://ruckr.app/early-access?ref=576dbf), an app designed to better track rucking workouts and more accurately calculate calorie burn based on the extra load you carry. Check them out! Outside of health tech, I’ve been geeking out over the crazy discoveries [NASA’s OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/osiris-rex/?ref=hiro.report) has enabled about the origins of life in the universe, and enjoying this fun look at [the history of spaceflight patches](https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/12/after-60-years-of-spaceflight-patches-here-are-some-of-our-favorites/?ref=hiro.report). On to the good stuff! - ⌚ [RePebble](https://repebble.com/?ref=hiro.report) \- Does anyone else remember the Pebble smartwatch from a decade ago? It was an early phone-connected wearable with an e-ink display that looked neat but never really took off. Amazingly, Google has open-sourced the software that ran it, and some of the original team are bringing it back with new and improved hardware while staying true to its minimalist ethos. I’m very excited to see where this goes. Check out Eric Migi’s explanation for [why they want to do this](https://ericmigi.com/blog/why-were-bringing-pebble-back?ref=hiro.report). - 📺 [Channels for Apple TV](https://getchannels.com/?ref=hiro.report) \+ [HD Homerun DVR](https://amzn.to/4hEM5dM?ref=hiro.report)\* - I’ve been trying to prune back subscriptions, and a big pricey one was YouTube TV. In looking for alternatives, I came across this fantastic DIY solution. You get a [cheap indoor antenna](https://amzn.to/4hiMenI?ref=hiro.report)\*, plug it into an HD Homerun DVR box that connects to your home network, and then, with the fantastic Channels app, you can stream live TV at home and while traveling, get a great TV guide, and set up both one-off and recurring recordings—all from your iPhone, Mac, or Apple TV. I’m really digging this setup. - 🔍 [OpenHayStack](https://github.com/seemoo-lab/openhaystack?tab=readme-ov-file&ref=hiro.report#what-is-openhaystack) \- This is a cool little project that builds a framework allowing most Bluetooth devices to be tracked using Apple’s Find My network. Right now, it supports only a few devices, like [Raspberry Pi 4s](https://amzn.to/4hyQuQd?ref=hiro.report)\* and the [Micro:Bit Go](https://amzn.to/4jHUO0C?ref=hiro.report)\* (a pocket-sized computer for coding, making games, etc.), but with the open-source community involved, I expect more support soon. I’m eager to try it out. - 📝 [Reflect for iOS and macOS](https://reflect.app/?ref=hiro.report) \- I’ve been experimenting with various personal knowledge management (PKM) and note-taking solutions for a while. I’ve used [Obsidian](https://obsidian.md/?ref=hiro.report) pretty heavily for two years, dabbled with [Craft](https://craft.do/?ref=hiro.report) off and on, and use [Bear](https://bear.app/?ref=hiro.report) daily for long-form writing. They’re all great! However, I’ve finally found something close to exactly what I need in Reflect. Standout features include end-to-end encryption (so even Reflect staff can’t access your notes), Kindle integration to download book highlights as searchable notes, a daily note-focused setup, excellent AI-powered voice transcription, and AI-powered search for connections and insights. I’ll still use Bear for writing projects, but everything else is going in Reflect… this week. - 🖱️ [Stimulation Clicker](https://neal.fun/stimulation-clicker/?ref=hiro.report) \- [Jason Kottke](https://kottke.org/?ref=hiro.report) linked to this extremely silly web project earlier this week, and I had fun playing around with it. Without spoiling too much, this little website demonstrates a crazy number of dark patterns that apps use to steal your time and attention. Mess around with it for just a minute or two, and you’ll recognize tons of UI/UX tricks designed to keep you hooked. It’s tongue-in-cheek but serves as a great reminder to be mindful of what you give your energy to on your devices. That’s it for this week! Many thanks for all your great feedback and support—it makes writing this report so much fun. I love getting your emails and toots each week. *\*Asterisks indicate an affiliate link. Purchases through these links may generate a small commission to support my insatiable tech habit.* [Want to Buy Me a Coffee?](http://buymeacoffee.com/idtydtgma3?ref=hiro.report) 📷 P.S. Are you interested at all in photography? I’m launching an informal photo challenge later this month and will be inviting internet pals to join me in working on a different composition technique each week for a few weeks. Drop me a note if you'd like to be added to the distro list!