hendike.co.uk

It used to be that if you asked Google Assistant to set two timers in one request (e.g. ”set a timer for 10 minutes and a timer for 15 minutes”), depending on your wording you would either get:

* A timer for 15 minutes (no 10 minute timer)
* A timer for 10 minutes and 15 seconds
Or, my favourite:
* A timer for 25 minutes

But it would at least tell you which stupid thing it had done.

Now that Gemini has completely replaced Google Assistant it correctly understands your request, and confidently tells you that it has set both the timers you requested... Except it only actually sets a 10 minute timer.

It does show a message on the screen informing you that it failed to set a timer and that you should use the clock app yourself, but it doesn't say any of this. So if you're wanting to set some timers whilst cooking and not looking at your phone screen you now get given only false information about what timers are running.

Wait, post hog is a company, not an instruction?

"Not touching!"

#Caturday #CatsOfMastodon

I have loads of left over DMC embroidery thread from past cross stitch projects, so I made a tiny little tool that lets you list all your threads and it will provide you with a palette file for loading into your favourite pixel art editor. This way you can make designs that use up threads you already have: https://brambleshine.com/dmcpalette/

#CrossStitch

So dainty, so refined

#CatsOfMastodon

Disappointed to see that half of this year's Low Carbon Computing Conference appears to be dedicated to two AI companies pushing their products, in the form of a full day of "tutorials": https://lancaster-university.github.io/loco2026/programme/ (see day 2)

#loco2026

Does anyone know of an openly licensed true type font (OFL or similar) that does a good job replicating the system font on the ZX Spectrum?

Update: Thanks everyone! I have a font that will work perfectly for my purposes now :)

#ZXSpectum #RetroComputing

Goose was not valued :(

Babies on board

I'm away at the Machynlleth Comedy Festival, and besides having a lovely time watching shows, I always find it creatively reinvigorating. I've spent the morning writing out a fairly comprehensive* design for a game idea I've had in the back of my mind for a while. All while sitting in the sun surrounded by beautiful Welsh hills.

* By my low pre-planning standards

Blue is jealous that her sister gets her own cross-stitch pattern

#CatsOfMastodon #Caturday #CrossStitch

Had a go at making a pixel art image of one of our cats, Nelly, rubbing her face happily on some sheet music. My eventual aim is to try and cross stitch it, so I kept the number of colours to a minimum

#PixelArt #CatsOfMastodon

Last week I released my first paid app (https://matchymaps.com) on the App Store and Google Play. Today it is the UK's number one paid app in the Maps & Navigation category (and 38th in all categories)

I think that might speak more to how few people pay for apps, but still, a win is a win :)

I played the piano on stage for the first time tonight, it went alright

Up at first light and ready for breakfast

#Caturday #CatsOfMastodon

Matchy Maps makes it easy to import walking maps into your phone

Simply take a photograph of your paper map and align it with a digital map. Then you'll be able to see your location on the paper map as you walk around.

If you'd like to help beta test it, just send me a direct message with either your Apple ID or Google Play account email. Thanks!

#walking #hiking #app

If LLMs are so good, why is every single vibe coded website just black and blue with electric/neon effects?

Spent the evening making an icon for a new app project*, pretty pleased with how it turned out

* Another one? Oh no

It's astounding how little care Google take in their work. This is from the official Android Phone app

Nelly is pleased by the return of the sun

#CatsOfMastodon