BigVault

Currently using a Roku Streambar for all of our streaming needs but if they pull this crap, everything we consume will be downloaded, served on my Plex server and streamed using the gaming PC I have under our TV.

Getting beyond sick of these companies using every measure and device they can to shit ads into our eyes.

Aah, the good old Motorola Atrix.

One of the earliest Laptop/phone combo devices I remember releasing.

No problems! 😀

When I was on Android I used to love the F-Droid open source repository. Both Newpipe (3rd party YouTube app) and DNS66 (local VPN on device that blocked ads throughout the phone).

I switched to iOS and really missed those applications and needed a solution for my new phone. Those 5 things above (Vinegar, Banish, AdGuard, WireGuard and PiHole) have worked wonders helping me when I switched.

Wouldn’t be without them now.

Edit:
If anyone happens be be on android or still uses Android devices with their Apple things, here are the apps I used to use:

https://f-droid.org/en/
https://f-droid.org/packages/org.jak_linux.dns66/
https://f-droid.org/packages/org.schabi.newpipe/

Both platforms with compelling solutions to block ads and nagging popups.🤝

To get that ad-free YouTube experience, I use Vinegar safari extension and have pinned the YouTube site to my home screen rather than using any apps.

I also use Banish to remove all those annoying “Open in our app” pop-ups in Safari.

Lastly, I use AdGuard to block ads on the phone locally and have also set up my own Wireguard VPN server at home with PiHole so that I’m always protected ad-wise when I’m out and about over 5G and on any public Wifi (I used to use my own Wireguard VPN with my old Pixels too).

Absolute bliss.

On my way home from Spain as I type this, AirTags in luggage as always.

Haven’t had to rely on them at all due to loss luckily but I do like having them in our luggage.

I like being able to use my the same charger universally with my and my families:

• Steam Deck
• iPads
• PlayStation 5 controllers
• XBOX Series X Controllers
• Laptops
• Phone power banks
• Magsafe Charger
• Nintendo Switches
• Beats Fit Pro
• Samsung Galaxy Tabs

I detest the:

• Shitty USB 2.0 Lightning cable

This is great stuff.

I’ve got a Libreddit docker instance running on my home server and together with the libredirect browser extension, if I click on a Reddit link through a search or news article with a link to Reddit, my browser automatically goes to my Libreddit instance with the content on full display.

Now, whilst on my Libreddit instance the other day after being redirected from a news article I took a peek at r/all and the whole feed was pure shit, nothing like I’d seen before on Reddit.

For some reason, it was full of doordash posts, rateme style posts taking advantage of thirsty usersand shitty TikTok reposts.

They may well have won, but at the moment there is a glut of absolute shit on the front page of the platform. I’d guess quality content has taken a hit.

Pihole on my Debian system with PiVPN WireGuard server.

Safari extensions:
Vinegar to block YouTube ads in Safari. I don’t use the app at all.
Banish to stop websites showing those annoying “open in the app” pop ups.

Ad and nag free bliss.

Really pleased with the size of my 12 mini and gutted that the Mini line is over after the 13 mini.

A 15 mini with superior battery life would be great, even if it did thicken up to house a larger battery.