The New iPad mini Is Finally Here

I’ve been waiting for Apple to properly refresh the iPad mini, and this time they delivered.

On October 26, 2026, Apple unveiled the all-new iPad mini, calling it the biggest update the mini has ever received. In the press release, Apple described it as featuring “a stunning OLED display in an even thinner and lighter design, a huge leap in performance with A20 Pro, and water and dust resistance.” Dave Pakula, Apple’s vice president of Hardware Engineering, added that with the thinner design, OLED display, A20 Pro, and water and dust resistance, “the new iPad mini is a huge leap forward for users who love having the full iPad experience in the palm of their hand.”

Apple’s own short intro captures the feeling pretty well: [VIDEO]

The new one keeps the compact, grab-and-go character that makes the mini useful for capturing ideas the moment they appear, while fixing a lot of the limitations people had just accepted. It’s 14% thinner (down to 5.4 mm) and lighter—the lightest iPad Apple has made—so it actually disappears into a bag or jacket without feeling like you’re carrying a tablet. Pair that with Apple Pencil Pro support and an 8.5-inch OLED display, and it becomes a genuinely nice portable canvas for sketches, notes, or quick visual thinking.

Thoughts on "The Social Reckoning"

I barely remember The Social Network, the 2010 film that told the early story of Mark Zuckerberg and the founding of Facebook. Aaron Sorkin wrote that one—you may know him from A Few Good Men and The West Wing—and he returns as both writer and director for The Social Reckoning.

This time the focus shifts to the so-called Facebook Files. The movie looks at internal company research and the allegations that Facebook’s algorithms amplified negative, extreme, or misleading content in the pursuit of engagement. It moves from the company’s early days to a period when the platform’s influence on society had become much harder to ignore.

First Keynote for New Apple CEO Ternus: Premium Only

 Wednesday, Sept 9, 2026 noon Chicago-time. “Surprise and Shine.” First product keynote for John Ternus, Apple’s new CEO as of Sept 1. He ran hardware engineering; Tim Cook is now executive chairman. Ternus already called next week a “huge launch.”

Source: OSXDaily

New iPhones

September is the expensive aisle.

Expected

• iPhone 18 Pro — same shape as last year’s Pro, smaller Dynamic Island, A20 Pro chip, camera upgrades, new colors (Dark Cherry is the one)
• iPhone 18 Pro Max — same, plus a bigger battery
• Foldable iPhone (likely iPhone Ultra) — first Apple foldable, book-style, ~5.5" closed / ~7.8" open, rumored $2,000–$2,500

Dummy units say the Pros barely change on the outside. Color is the visible update.

Budget iPhone?

Not this month. No base iPhone 18. No 18e. No cheap model.

Apple is splitting the lineup. iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and iPhone Air 2 are expected in spring 2027. If you want a new phone that isn’t Pro or foldable, wait.

iPads

Don’t expect one on the 9th.

The one that could still land this fall: OLED iPad mini, first OLED on the mini, faster chip. Gurman says it should go on sale by late October, likely as a press release, not a keynote. Air, base iPad, and Pro updates are pointed at 2027.

The list: three expensive iPhones on Sept 9. Budget iPhone next spring. Mini in October.

Lonestar Trip Reports: Chicago to Portland by Train (46 Hours)

Just watched this engaging new trip report from Lonestar Trip Reports: “Chicago to Portland by Train: 46 HOURS on Amtrak’s Empire Builder!” A full 2,257-mile journey across eight states in about 46 hours. Great watch if you’re into rail adventures and seeing America the scenic way.

Watch the full report here: [VIDEO]

'The Social Reckoning' trailer

 

[VIDEO] I found out about this via Ben Shapiro who said had Donald Trump not gotten re-elected this movie wouldn't have been made. This film is a sequel to the 2010 The Social Network - a movie I missed out on, but plan to see in the near future.

Facebook seems to have fallen out of favor from it's 2000s peak. The saying goes Facebook is for old people and Instagram is for people who can't read. Let me find the actually quote, let me visit with A.I. for a moment.

Facebook is for old people. Twitter is stupid, and Instagram is for people who can't read.

Thanks A.I. I should find a kid who's more adept at social media. Right now the next hot social network is currently TikTok. What could it be in five years?

Anyway, The Social Network dealt with Facebook as an emerging company the spiritual sequel is more of the impact of Facebook after it's emergence. Sadly to see The Social Reckoning I have to wait until October. 

Columbo - Sharp as a glass

 

[VIDEO] I had binge watched a number of Columbo episodes last year and you can always find clips of that show on YouTube.

Columbo as a character started off in two TV movies with different versions of the character. One portrayal in the TV movie Prescription Murder, he doesn't seem like the one to mess with once he's on your trail. He starts harrassing the female accomplice telling her that he will break her.

Of course later portrayals are far more softer. Columbo is very adept at lulling his suspects into a very false sense of security. And he's "sharp as a glass" enough to get all the proof he needs to prove the committed the crime.

This video I found today via Count Akira is a love letter to this beloved TV character portayed by Peter Falk which was part of the line-up for the NBC Mystery Movie during the 1970s. I do wish they could find a way bring this character back even if they had to recast him.

Michael Franzese on the NBA betting scandal arrests

 

[VIDEO] Former Columbo crime family captain discusses how the mob operates when it comes to athletes (college or professional) involvement in sports gambling. He illustrates how the mafia (perhaps any organized criminal organizations) are able to sink their teeth into these athletes.

Chicago Tribune: NBA’s Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups charged in sprawling sports betting and Mafia-backed poker schemes