All Blog Gallery Bookmarks

App defaults 2025

I added a handful of new categories to the list after checking out Luke's 2025 defaults post, links to some of the apps I use, and a bit more detail as to why I'm using more Google stuff lately. I know, I know.

It seems like forever since I did this, especially since I don't bother keeping a running list throughout the year anymore. None of the changes felt overly earth-shattering when I made them, but looking at them now, I guess they're sort of a big deal?

  • Mail client: Apple Mail
  • Mail provider: iCloud Gmail ✨
  • Notes: Apple Notes
  • To-Do, shopping lists: Apple Reminders
  • Photo management: Apple Photos
  • Calendar: Apple Calendar Google Calendar ✨
  • Contacts: Apple Contacts Google Contacts ✨
  • Weather: Apple Weather
  • Cloud storage, file sharing: iCloud Drive
  • RSS: Reeder Classic (with FreshRSS) Reeder ✨
  • Browsers:
    • Firefox (desktop) Google Chrome (desktop) ✨
    • Safari (mobile)
  • Chat: iMessage
  • Bookmarks, read later: Raindrop
  • Music: Spotify Apple Music ✨
  • Podcasts: Apple Podcasts
  • Password management: Apple Passwords
  • Maps: Apple Maps
  • Writing: Obsidian iA Writer ✨
  • Reading: Panels
  • Design: Figma
  • Text editor, git client: Nova

Changes

After putting up with iCloud Mail for years, I finally set up a brand new Gmail and switched over to that for contacts and calendars as well. In general, it just works better with some of the other things I use, despite it being a Google product. This is also a result of my swapping between Android (Nothing Phone 3 and then Pixel 9 Pro XL) earlier this year before rebounding back to an iPhone.

I bounced around between Reeder and Reeder Classic with FreshRSS but kept coming back to the unified feed of Reeder (the new one). It's taken a bit of work, but I think I have it set up the way I need it to for the long haul, including having it add bookmarks and saved items directly to my blog with a swipe.

Lastly, I once again made my semi-annual switch from Spotify to Apple Music, but I'm confident it'll stick this time. Spotify is just such a shithole company, I'd have a hard time going back now.