Sign in

Wesley Hilliard

@hilli.tech
2.4K followers 923 following 2.7K posts

Writer and podcaster at @appleinsider.com. HilliTech blog. 10 year US Navy veteran. He/Him

PostsRepliesMedia
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 56m
"If you ignore all of Apple's accomplishments, popularity, and performance it's a pretty boring company" is not the argument you think it is lmao
000
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 3h
Ms. Rachel and Mr. Aron in an interview on Apple Music promoting their new album. Really love hearing their story and how Apple Music isn't afraid to share "controversial" opinions like "all kids are important" and "America has been responsible for genocide."
music.apple.com
Ms. Rachel & Mr. Aron on 'I’m So Happy' by Ms. Rachel, Mr. Aron, Ebro Darden & Nadeska on Apple Music
Music Video · 2026 · Duration 57:17
000
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 3h
media4.giphy.com
Mandark from Dexter's Lab laughing, he's got a balloon-shaped head and wears large round glasses
Mandark from Dexter's Lab laughing, he's got a balloon-shaped head and wears large round glasses
000
Reposted by Wesley Hilliard
Sarah Andersen @sarahseeandersen.bsky.social · 6h
The image is of a four panel comic.
The first panel shows Sarah, the protagonist, holding a red ball labeled "A SILLY MEME".
The second panel shows Sarah taking the ball and going through a door labeled "GROUP CHAT".
The third panel shows a group of women sitting together and consoling one woman in the center. The woman in the center is saying "...And that's how it happened. It's been the worst day of my life."
The fourth panel shows Sarah standing in the doorway behind them awkwardly holding the red ball.
79117612523
Reposted by Wesley Hilliard
Comfort Zone Podcast @comfortzonepodcast.bsky.social · 7h
we are SOOOOO BACK Comfort Zone, Episode 116 is out now everywhere you get your podcasts + on YouTube! ▶️ youtu.be/JQ3Ct0N8nq8
Thumbnail for Comfort Zone, Episode 116 entitled "We Just Rebooted the Show and I Already Quit"
131
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 8h
Apple Music's algorithmic radio stations and playlists are "fine" but they have some excellent human-curated playlists. That's where I discover a lot of music. The radio shows on Apple Music are also amazing for just finding unique mixes. Soulection radio is a fun one.
000
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 8h
The expectation that everyone be trust a handful of algorithms is how we end up with a society that has zero taste and a mediocre country song breaking all the records. It's so bad that Rolling Stone assumes everyone must have heard of the song, and those that claim otherwise are just performing.
021
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 8h
I'm excited for all 3 updates. Apple TV is much needed, and adding two more HomePods to a home theater system will be really interesting.
010
Reposted by Wesley Hilliard
Alaska Public Media @alaskapublic.org · 22h
Meet Backpack, your 2026 Fat Bear Week champion. Backpack is 20 years old, weighs about 1,000 pounds and got his nickname because, as a cub, he loved riding on his mom's back across the Brooks River.
akpub.io
Meet Backpack, Fat Bear Week’s chunky champ
Backpack went from hitching a ride on his mom’s back to cross the Brooks River to winning the hearts of fat bear fans around the world.
151461512
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 8h
Enjoyed the iPhone 18 Pro Max, but I can say with confidence there is very little you'll miss when switching to iPhone Duo.
010
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 8h
Siri Intelligence was something from around 2018. Also, thankfully, that's one dinner Tim Cook didn't attend, nor did Apple sign the document. Unless something weird happens, it's still Apple Intelligence and Siri AI. Apple isn't about to change its branding.
000
Reposted by Wesley Hilliard
Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 23h
“Well, you see, I have to stay on the White Supremacist Child Porn Rape Victim Doxxing site because that’s where my community is”
303136665
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 20h
Sorry, I didn't get to travel the world or anything, so the photos I took in testing are nothing to write home about. Though, I'm quite happy with the product photography I took throughout! Next stop, iPhone Duo.
010
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 20h
4,000 words and plenty of photos coming tomorrow for my iPhone 18 Pro Max camera testing. Can't wait for everyone to read it!
110
Reposted by Wesley Hilliard
Matt Birchler @birchtree.me · 23h
App review needs a reboot
birchtree.me
App review needs a reboot
Lex Friedman: The App Store review process needs fixing Every single app and app update released in the App Store goes through this review process, and the review process is largely a black box. Developers submit, and then wait. They are given no specific timeline or indication of how long
031
Reposted by Wesley Hilliard
ceej @ceej.online · 29/09/2026
Mr. President.... China, they.... it's bad. They just announced Ultra Intelligence
271091112
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 30/09/2026
Apple is now the leader in artificial intelligence because all of the other sycophantic dipshits rebranded to "super intelligence" after orange-flavored dementia told them to.
030
Reposted by Wesley Hilliard
evacide @evacide.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Meta Muse appears to read your Apple messages and upload them to the cloud even if you explicitly tell it not to: appleinsider.com/articles/26/...
appleinsider.com
1001913983
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 29/09/2026
The difference between Apple and Meta's government relations: Apple: changes nothing, repeats years-old promises, gives token trophies Meta: allows hate speech, ditches human moderation, calls it "super intelligence" the second they are told to They are not the same.
030
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 29/09/2026
If you want an artist that exists in the 2020s and sounds like something from classic country, go check out Margo Price: music.apple.com/us/album/hard...
000
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 29/09/2026
Not really feeling that "American spirit" that drives the entire concept of Country music.
000
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 29/09/2026
Modern country sucks (with rare exception). It sounds like pop filters and acoustic guitars. I like some Country pre-2000s and a couple of more recent songs, but the whole genre basically doesn't exist for me. I tiptoe close to country when alternative has some bluegrass twang, but that's about it.
100
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 29/09/2026
Apparently, if you go look at the Apple Music Charts, some lady named Taylor Swift has some songs on a new album release holding the top spots, followed by Choosin Texas. This is such a music hole for me I didn't know there was anything new from Swift. lmao. Though, I do know who Miranda Lambert is
100
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 29/09/2026
wtf is "Choosin Texas" These kinds of folk are always wild to me. I don't let algorithms rule how I listen to music, so no, the trends and media coverage never really affected whether or not I heard a song. Filing this under "Spotify ruined music" because it feels related.
120
Reposted by Wesley Hilliard
AppleInsider @appleinsider.com · 27/09/2026
Pundits continue to hold up clear signs of restraint as failures while asking Apple to behave like Meta, OpenAI, Google, or anyone else but themselves, especially when discussing Apple Vision Pro.
appleinsider.com
Apple Vision Pro's development graveyard exemplifies Apple's '1,000 no's to every yes'
Pundits continue to hold up clear signs of restraint as failures while asking Apple to behave like Meta, OpenAI, Google, or anyone else but themselves, especially when discussing Apple Vision Pro.
181
Reposted by Wesley Hilliard
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 27/09/2026
Expanding thoughts on weird Apple reporting in my newsletter. Shorter one today, I'm due at a pumpkin patch. www.hilli.tech/hillitechs-new...
032
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 27/09/2026
Expanding thoughts on weird Apple reporting in my newsletter. Shorter one today, I'm due at a pumpkin patch. www.hilli.tech/hillitechs-new...
032
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 25/09/2026
Thanks, I was grabbing for dynamic and it escaped me.
010
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 25/09/2026
This feature was announced by Google before, and was done by humans then in testing too. You don't want it, I don't want it, but Meta is pushing it again. Why do they think we need these kinds of features?
100
Reposted by Wesley Hilliard
AppleInsider @appleinsider.com · 25/09/2026
Apple's former head of Apple retail, Ron Johnson, has a book "Shop Different" and joins William on the latest AppleInsider Podcast for a guest interview. #Apple
appleinsider.com
Ron Johnson & buying iPhones in Apple Stores on the AppleInsider Podcast
Apple's former head of Apple retail, Ron Johnson, has a book "Shop Different" and joins William on the latest AppleInsider Podcast for a guest interview. Also, your hosts discuss new Macs, perceived Apple failures, and more.
071
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 25/09/2026
Hey, look, my Apple Watch Ultra 4 review. If you'd like to see more about how I'm using the new Apple Health, check out my previous newsletter. I'll have more to say about it soon on AppleInsider. www.hilli.tech/hillitechs-new...
0162
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 25/09/2026
It's complicated. If Apple was as desperate and insane as these other companies, wouldn't they have blown billions on unnecessarily developing their own frontier model? Wouldn't they be claiming stupid "hacks" and rogue AI? Apple feels like the only company behaving sanely these days tbh.
000
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 25/09/2026
Idk, I see the industry struggling to come up with ideas, many tech CEOs saying "we'll let the user decide what the feature is for" while Apple ships products people like and features people use. The Apple Watch stuff is weird on its face, but if there's demand, at least Apple's is private.
110
Reposted by Wesley Hilliard
Rollin Bishop @rollinbishop.com · 24/09/2026
i am going to regret what this is going to do to my inbox but it's The Busy Time so: if you're a freelancer that covers games and don't ALREADY hear from GR+ editors on the regular, hit me up: rollin dot bishop at futurenet dot com
32324
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 24/09/2026
Everything you need to know about Meta Connect: don't use Meta products
010
Reposted by Wesley Hilliard
Tran Girlismo: The Real Podcast Simulator @trangirlismo.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
TRAN GIRLISMO EPISODE 30: THE OIL CRISIS SPECIAL is now Live on Your Podcasting Platforms www.patreon.com/vantimevicto...
patreon.com
Episode 30: The Oil Crisis Special | Tran Girlismo (& Victoria Scott)
In this episode of Tran Girlismo, the girls correct the trajectory of the past "we're so back" episodes with one that affirms, no, really, "
1110130
Reposted by Wesley Hilliard
AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 23/09/2026
Artificial intelligence systems do not think, feel, want or understand. Avoid language that gives them human characteristics.
apnews.com
https://apnews.com/article/openai-safety-ai-framework-089e75b95bc935af092da7b79d92706d
5542231619
Reposted by Wesley Hilliard
Aftermath @aftermath.site · 22/09/2026
Goodbye, Lara isn't "losing chess to a dog" levels of queerbaiting, but it is just as disappointing: aftermath.site/goodbye-lara-y...
1414316
Reposted by Wesley Hilliard
AppleInsider @appleinsider.com · 24/09/2026
Meta VR Glasses are a new spatial computing device that weighs a sixth of the Apple Vision Pro with a third of the cost, half of the specs, and none of the immersion.
appleinsider.com
Apple's spatial computing strategy was on full display at Meta Connect
Meta VR Glasses are a new spatial computing device that weighs a sixth of the Apple Vision Pro with a third of the cost, half of the specs, and none of the immersion.
161
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 24/09/2026
It varies person to person, some think it's less isolating and even helps with motion sickness. Either way, you're going to be very aware of the edges of the headset in your view, so I think it's rather distracting. Blocking out the light at your nose in Vision Pro could make you get sick too. YMMV
010
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 24/09/2026
I have a feeling the discourse around these silly Meta "VR" "Glasses" will be especially unhinged.
120
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 24/09/2026
Apple came in with Apple Vision Pro, defined where the market was going, then took a step back. As all of the competitors scramble to chase the future Apple laid out, Apple is waiting for the technology to get good enough to truly iterate. Let Meta and others make the mistakes for them.
060
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 24/09/2026
The tech coverage is even more embarrassing, with journalists carrying water for Meta. Calling these "glasses" is disingenuous at best, and they're even repeating the silly claim that "holograms" are coming. wtf All the while, Apple Vision Pro in the headline gets the clicks I guess. 🤷‍♂️
010
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 24/09/2026
Apple Vision Pro is the easy headline, but Meta's VR "glasses" are more akin to XReal's offering than anything. They're a display connected to an external compute. It'll be interesting to see Apple tackle this form factor in 2028 or so.
010
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 24/09/2026
Those aren't glasses. It's not holograms. It's not "immersive" without a light seal. Stop carrying water and using nonsense terms thrown around by PR as if they are real. Even funnier, Meta really went hard on using Apple design language here, huh? Hardware and software. Yeesh.
011
Reposted by Wesley Hilliard
Merlin Mann @hotdogsladies.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Do By Friday #467: "Super Measles" Alex is back! Fun episode. dobyfriday.com/episodes/467
dobyfriday.com
Super Measles | Do By Friday
This week's challenge: watch the first episode of Taskmaster, Series 22. (Recorded Wednesday, September 23rd, 2026)
981
Reposted by Wesley Hilliard
Stephen Robles @stephenrobles.com · 23/09/2026
🚨 Surprise bonus Primary Tech Show! After trying Siri AI with third-party apps, I wanted to learn what's really happening. Ryan, creator of Foodnoms, explains the limitations and what the ideal integration could look like Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/w... Overcast: overcast.fm/+BTMNJ5JsyI
podcasts.apple.com
What’s Really Happening with Siri AI and Apps
Podcast Episode · Primary Technology · September 23 · Bonus · 20m · Video
083
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 23/09/2026
I'm sure it is happening everywhere, but I wonder at the scale. I suspect Spotify is the vast majority of cases, while Apple Music might have a few identifiable instances, none high-profile. Feels like something I'd have at least encountered or written about if it were a problem on Apple Music.
000
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 23/09/2026
Claiming an artist page on Apple Music isn't easy either. You've got to provide a lot of verifiable information. They even won't let you claim it even if you're a label representative. Does Spotify not have these protections?
110
Wesley Hilliard @hilli.tech · 23/09/2026
Makes me wonder how one would do this on Apple Music versus Spotify. As far as I can tell, Apple has some pretty robust systems, including requiring artists to log into Apple Music's artist portal. The only way I can think this might occur in Apple Music is if someone claims an artist page somehow.
100