Through Apple Observer’s Eyes — Issue #1
For the first issue of “Through Apple Observer’s Eyes.”, another useless newsletter that nobody reads, I’ll be using Twitter’s Revue to build it. It’s the right occasion to experience Revue, a new offering in the newsletters space by Twitter. Let’s try this.
This is an exercise
This is another experiment of mine. I’m testing Revue by Twitter, a new newsletter building tool. Think of this newsletter as a review of Revue. Sort of.
I like what I’m seeing. Compared to Substack (you know that I’m on Substack, right?), Revue’s editor is impressive and allows for much more content types to be included within a newsletter. Content is added from a toolbar on the right of the editor. The more sources we configure in Revue, the more content can be brought in to build newsletters. Creating a newsletter is like putting items on a canvas.
The following few items come from different sources: my many blogs (via RSS), my Pocket account (Natively) and Substack (via RSS). I wish I could add from Readwise, though.
Revue is using the block metaphor for editing content. Substack is more like a text editor.
A Twitter user who has a newsletter on Revue gets a special tile on his or her Twitter profile. As of this writing, I didn’t have mine, I guess this is because I didn’t have any publications yet.
Revue vs Substack
Who is the best between Revue and Substack? Well, let’s try to find out.
- Editor: Revue wins here because of richer content support and the use of the block metaphor.
- General Design: Revue wins here.
- Photos support: Revue supports caption, just like Substack. Tie.
- Content Sources: Revue wins because the importation process is easy and integrates well into the editor.
- Analytics: Revue provides a richer set of metrics and a much nicer dashboard design. Revue wins.
- Discoverability: The tight integration between Revue and Twitter could make discoverability easier.
- API support: Revue offers API, not Substack. Revue wins here too.
- Subscribers handling: similar experience on both services.
- Previewing newsletters: similar experience on both services.
- Customizability: Substack has a small edge here with sections support. For now.
- Monetizing: Revue supports Stripe. Wins.
- Content edition: Revue allows for duplicating an issue which makes it faster to create a recurring newsletter with the same basic elements. Revue wins here too.
- Goodies: Safari extension is a useful complement to Revue. Revue wins again.
- Sign form integration: Tie. Revue has a plugin for WordPress.
- RSS feed support: Did not test it on Revue. Substack supports this.
- Sending experience: I didn’t try it as I’m still writing this review. Maybe I’ll be able to edit the issue after being sent to add my experience with Revue.
For me, Revue wins over Substack. This is troubling. What am I supposed to do now? Find a niche for Revue while keeping Substack?
Revue > Substack
Some content from my blogs
What Widgets on macOS Big Sur Should Have Been — numericcitizen.me
Widgets in MacOS Tiger and macOS Big are two worlds apart. Which version provides the best experience?
Continue reading What Widgets on macOS Big Sur Should Have Been at Numeric Citizen Blog.
Daring Fireball: Our Long National iOS 15 Safari Beta Nightmare Is Over — daringfireball.net
Safari in iOS 15 Beta 6 is finally getting in the right direction.
Twitter Announces Tweaks to Direct Message Sharing and Navigation — MacRumors — www.macrumors.com
Twitter says it is rolling out a number of changes to the way direct messages work, including the ability to send a direct message to several people…
Twitter is on a roll lately. Spaces, Reactions, Revue, tweaks, Super Follow. — Numeric Citizen
Photography stuff
Consider the following embedded tweet.
Obviously, embedding tweets is easy. We can’t embed YouTube or Vimeo videos for now. Sorry, my bad. There is an easy way to embed YouTube and Vimeo content, just like photos. I wish there was a way to insert photos from Unsplash. Speaking of photos, I wrote a few thoughts about Glass.
Thoughts and observations from my experience with Glass — numericcitizen.me
If you are tired of Instagram’s bloated features or are looking for a photography-focused service for sharing your photos, with no ads, you might want to consider Glass. Here are a few thoughts and observations on the recently launched service.
Continue reading Thoughts and observations from my experience with Glass at Numeric Citizen Blog.
Glimpse into Glass — glass.photo
At least once a quarter, we’ll be sharing a look into what we’re working on and where Glass is heading.
A few months ago, I decided that Smugmug was THE place to be for sharing my photos online. As much as Glass looks interesting and refreshing, I have to figure out where Glass fits in my workflow. I’m not sure I have much space left for this.
Numeric Citizen Visual Space — numericcitizen.smugmug.com
Numeric Citizen Visual Space — The place to show Numeric Citizen’s photography work.
Climate change crisis
Something about the climate change crisis: The planet is burning. A powerful image proves it.
Revue Safari Extension
There is a browser extension available. The idea is that you can save an URL into Revue’s inbox while surfing the web. The added item can then be inserted later in the newsletter editor. The following item was inserted from my inbox. There is one item left, but I’ll keep it for a future newsletter.
When designers can’t decide…
iOS 15 beta 6 is out and Apple is making great progress with Safari on iPhone. For me, they finally hit the right notes. I think that’s the design they should have included since day one of iOS 15. Yet, I find it funny to see Apple put a new option in settings for those who prefer the pre-iOS 15 release. I guess it’s another case of “If you can’t decide which design is the best, just add another option in Settings so the user decide.”
1Password 8 Mac Early Access Triggers an Early Exit? — numericcitizen.me
1Password 8 could be a turning point for my passwords management needs. What’s coming next is on AgileBits’ fault.
Continue reading 1Password 8 Mac Early Access Triggers an Early Exit? at Numeric Citizen Blog.
Raging controversy over AgileBits switching to Electron to build the next major release of 1Password. I’m one of those who is sad about this move and considering my options: stay with 1Password or move to an Apple-only solution as I’m not using non-Apple device.
Thoughts From Last Weekend Visit to The Apple Store — numericcitizen.me
Some thoughts following my recent visit to an Apple Store. An update to my future Apple purchase plans.
Continue reading Thoughts From Last Weekend Visit to The Apple Store at Numeric Citizen Blog.
Numeric Citizen Introspection Newsletter #12 — numericcitizen.substack.com
This is my introspection summary on my numeric life for 2021–07.
A short clip of mine from my Vimeo account. Craft’s micro-interaction demonstration.
I’m also publishing on Medium. Sometimes.
A Message to Apple Developers: We Don’t Need Another Android Platform — medium.com
The Apple developer community is asking for major changes to the App Store that could bring it closer to the Android world. Not good.
Continue reading on Mac O’Clock »
Things to read from my Pocket account
Interview: Apple’s head of Privacy details child abuse detection and Messages safety features — techcrunch.com
Last week, Apple announced a series of new features targeted at child safety on its devices. Though not live yet, the features will arrive later this year for users.
Here comes the law — world.hey.com
It always seems impossible until it’s done. And few fights have demonstrated this more than that against the monopoly abuses of big tech. For over a decade, the likes of Google, Apple, Amazon, and Facebook have been able to get away with murder in digital markets without fear of consequences.
The following tweet didn’t age well, sadly.
Still with me? Congrats! I’m impressed.
Revue’s newsletters can be quite long. It seems.
So, there you have it. This concludes my review of Revue. We have a winner: Revue. Now, I’m trying to figure out if and how I can add Revue to my blogger landscape. Stay tuned.
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