A big selling point for Android is that it isn't controlled by a single manufacturer (in contrast to Apple). Yet they all seemed to converge on the same design so the choices are quite limited.

I want my fucking buttons back. Not only easier to type on, but on-screen keyboards eat so much of the screen real estate. Give me a slide-out keyboard.

We even passed a bill where I live (Washington state), but Congress hasn't approved it so we're stuck. Wonder what would happen if we just did it anyway. What is the U.S. government going to do, send the cops after our state legislature?

The batteries in my Logitech wireless trackball and keyboard last several months to more than a year. The keyboard in particular lasts really long. I have these on my work computer, so they are getting heavy use.

Yeah, well, you know, that's just like, uh, your opinion, man.

I use Element. I've tested a few others but have stuck with Element.

I also use Beeper, which at its core is just a Matrix client with some pre-packaged bridges for common services (including SMS, MMS, RCS messages). You actually do create a Matrix account for it, and I have tested messages between Element and Beeper though it has limited features.

I use Beeper to aggregate messaging from various platforms and for easy availability of text messages on my PC. It has a specific "Note to self" section that I've found useful for messaging myself.

At its core, Beeper is just a Matrix client with some pre-packaged bridges for common services (including SMS, MMS, RCS messages). You could probably do the same thing with an Element client.

Create a problem, sell a solution

Under the guise of "innovation"

Reminds me of the Alpha Grip controller. Has a (really janky) trackball and an entire keyboard on it.

Monetization shifted the focus from niche hobbyist content to gimmicky shit that is tailored to get a bunch of views. When I see a thumbnail of someone with a weird facial expression, it's my cue to look elsewhere.

Cyberpunk 2077 - been on my backlog for a while, finally got to this and am having a blast

Last Epoch - big fan of ARPGs and was waiting for it to get out of early access,

V-Rising - played quite a bit over the last few months but am easing off since v1.0 is coming out and will mean wipe to everything

Steam controller is fantastic, and unfortunately there's really nothing else like it. I normally use a Logitech trackball, so the ability to use a touchpad like a trackball works well for me. I can't think of any other controllers that use this instead of analog sticks.

I've actually stockpiled a few spares because I'm not sure what I would use as a replacement.