Here are the things I enjoyed most in 2017, although some of them were released long before then. One even came out in 1982…

(Disclaimer: Most of the links are iTunes affiliate links and I earn a small commission if you buy anything through them.)

iOS Apps and Games

Ballz

Free ($2.99 IAP to remove ads)

This game is simple and maddening and I’m completely addicted. The basic idea is that you shoot balls at blocks to destroy them. Each block has a number which is how many times it needs to be hit to be destroyed. The blocks slide down with each turn and the numbers get higher as you proceed, but you can unlock more balls by hitting power-ups. Jordan Crook wrote a great review and summary at Techcrunch which explains it in more detail. My record is 486.

Really Bad Chess

Free (C$3.99 IAP to remove ads and unlock full game)

I have no idea how to play chess so I was reluctant to try this one which is why I didn’t try it until last year, despite it being released in 2016. Don’t make the same mistake as me. It’s not Really Bad, and it’s not Chess: it’s almost chess. The rules are the same, but the pieces on the board are random, which makes for very interesting match-ups. Fortunately it presupposes no prior chess knowledge and the interface helpfully highlights potential movement options whenever you select a piece to move, so you’re never completely lost. There’s an excellent write-up by Jason Snell at Six Colors from when the game was released in 2016.

Missile Cards

C$3.99

A turn-based card game where the objective is to defend your base from comets and nukes. You are dealt cards that you can then use to shoot down the threats which are descending down the screen towards your base. You can also earn power-ups to fortify your defences or increase your firepower. The mechanic is very finely balanced with just the right mix of skill and chance and the design is great as well: a very cool retro pixel art style.

Edison Mail

Free

I’ve been looking for a good alternative to the stock iOS Mail app for a long time and I really like Edison Mail. It’s simple and intuitive and matches my email workflow very well. There’s also an intelligent assistant feature which automatically detects things like flight and hotel reservations, bills, package deliveries etc. I was skeptical at first but have found it very handy for when I want to quickly look up a reservation or tracking number. The one concern I have is how the app is monetised. They don’t charge for the product, instead they anonymise data from your emails and bundle it into trend data that they then sell to third parties. However it is possible to opt-out of this data collection as described in their support pages.

Other Software

Destiny 2

I had the original Destiny game but just couldn’t get into it. For some reason I had no such problems with Destiny 2, possibly because I was consistently playing with two close friends who were at the same level so we were able to progress together. Some of the gameplay is a bit repetitive, and the story’s pretty weak, but the missions, public events, and ‘instances’ (basically closed-group quests) are lots of fun in a team.

Technology

Apple TV 4K

This was a huge upgrade from my 3rd generation Apple TV. Having native apps on the device itself makes a real difference, and 4K HDR movies really do look amazing if you have a TV with those capabilities. It’s a small thing but I also really love the aerial screensavers.

iPhone X

Simply phenomenal. Face ID works incredibly well and better than Touch ID in almost every way. The notch isn’t an issue, the cameras are amazing, raise-to-wake is a minor revelation, and oh boy that screen is stunning. I’ve also been pleasantly surprised by wireless charging. This phone really does feel like the future.

Clothes

DUER Pants and Jeans

These guys started on Kickstarter but they also have a flagship store and workshop here in Vancouver. I went there to try on some pants and left with a pair of jeans and a pair of pants. I’ve also since received a pair of their joggers as a gift. I love all three styles. They have a bit of stretch in the fabric and they look fantastic. These are pretty much the only pants I wear now. Use this referral link to sign-up and get C$25 off your order.

Nike LunarEpic Low Flyknit 2

These are ostensibly running shoes but I wear them all the time. I love the cushioning on the soles and the Flyknit upper is very comfortable. I also just really like the look of them.

Movies I Enjoyed in 2017

In no particular order:

Music

  • Melodrama — album by Lorde
  • I’m the One — single by DJ Khaled (feat. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper & Lil Wayne)
  • Havana — single by Camila Cabello (feat. Young Thug)

Books