Helloween: Giants & Monsters

Pumpkins United lineup of Helloween second album has dropped, Giants & Monsters.

Tracklist:

  1. Giants On The Run
  2. Savior Of The World
  3. A Little Is A Little Too Much
  4. We Can Be Gods
  5. Into The Sun
  6. This Is Tokyo
  7. Universe
  8. Hand Of God
  9. Under The Moonlight
  10. Majestic

    Bonus CD Tracklist:

    1. Out of Control
    2. Into the Sun – Andi solo version
    3. Into the Sun – Michi solo version
    4. Into the Sun – Acoustic version duet
    Helloween: Giants & Monsters – Earbook with Bonus CD

    One thing for sure that this record is not a rehash of 2021 Helloween album.

    Metallica: Load (Remastered) – Deluxe Box Set

    Metallica released its sixth full length album “Load” on June 4, 1996. That’s a little over 30 years ago. 😱

    Earlier today we received the Deluxe Box Set of “Load” (Remastered).

    There are some amazing songs off this record and some of them still take repeated listening to enjoy.

    Well, here’s to King Nothing!

    Thanks, iOS Photos App, it is a Dog?

    One amazing feature with iOS Photos App is the ability to recognize certain animals in photos. Apple claims that the image recognition was done in the device itself. Instead of in server clusters. Well, I tend to believe that was the case since sometimes I spotted hilarious result of the image recognition.

    Is it a cat or is it a dog?

    Beats USB-A to USB-C Woven Cables

    In 2023, iPhones 15 (iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max) were the first iPhones to ship with USB-C connectors in lieu of Apple’s proprietary Lighting port.

    I was one of early adopters of these USB-C equipped iPhones. At that time, I already have numbers of USB-C charging cables, because I use MacBook Pro and iPad Pro. Well, USB-C has been around since 2015, 8 years before Apple had to replace Lightning connector with USB-C to comply with regulations that mandate USB-C on all devices in the European Union.

    With the release of iPhones 15, Apple started selling USB-C to Lightning Adapter, designed specifically for users who want to use their existing Lightning cables with iPhone 15. This adapter is priced at 29.00 USD.

    Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter

    I primarily needed this adapter for CarPlay, as my car does not have Wireless CarPlay support and still equipped with USB-A ports. Anecdotally this adapter did not provide stable connection between the car, Lightning to USB-A Cable, and to the iPhone 15. I bought a second unit of this adapter and had the same result. Later on I tested numbers of third party USB-A to USB-C cables and settled with a few brands. While these cables generally provide stable connections, I sometimes have to flip the USB-C connector when it failed to make connection.

    Beats-branded USB-A to USB-C cables is an Apple product, and it carries premium pricing.

    • Beats USB-A to USB-C Woven Cable (1.5 m / 5 ft.) – Bolt Black $18.99
    • Two-Pack Beats USB-A to USB-C Woven Cables – Bolt Black $34.99
    • Beats USB-A to USB-C Woven Short Cable (20 cm / 8 in.) – Bolt Black $18.99
    Beats USB-A to USB-C Cables

    After a week using Beats USB-A to USB-C Woven Cable, I found that it provides stable connections. I expect that from Apple product. No issues so far.

    I know people who would pay a little bit more to get premium product. This Beats USB-A to USB-C Cable might be for them.

    C, A♭, F, G

    Assuming I tuned my guitar correctly, the opening theme of Daredevil: Born Again starts with C, A, F, G.

    Flashback: Brothers

    Sometimes I wonder if I’d ever figure out how my phone knows what photos to show.

    Featured photo of the day was taken in November 17, 2016 using iPhone 7 Plus.

    I’m a bit teary because one of the subject in the photo is no longer with us.

    They were brothers, even though they were not even the same species. Who says cats and dogs can’t get along?