Uses

Software, hardware, and gear I like and use. (Inspired by uses.tech.)

Last updated: July 2026

Hardware

Phone: I switched to Android last year after being on iOS since the iPhone 3G, and it’s been really fun exploring the plethora of options available. Currently using a Google Pixel 9a with Niagara Launcher, cut down to only essential apps. But I also occasionally switch to a Nothing Phone (3a) or a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7. They’re all great in different ways.
Headphones: Nothing Headphone (1) for over-ears, and Nothing Ear (a) for buds. I love Nothing’s design language.

Web browser and search engine: DuckDuckGo, of course — it’s what I work on for my day job, and it’s private!
Email: Fastmail. I moved from Gmail several years ago and have been really pleased with Fastmail – fast, no-nonsense, and private.
Password management: 1Password
Notes: Obsidian
Tasks: TickTick
Android launcher: Niagara Launcher. Super customizable and minimal, but still really fast to launch any app.

Podcasts: Pocket Casts
Music: Currently Spotify and Apple Music, though lately I’ve been feeling the pull to own my own music again so I’ve been testing regular music player apps. Haven’t settled on one yet though!
Music for focus: Endel
Books: I’m mostly buying from the Kobo Store after recently moving away from Amazon (which feels GREAT). I’d use Bookshop.org too, but their DRM is currently more restrictive, so I can’t read those books on my readers.
Audiobooks: I used Audible for many years, but again: owned by Amazon. I haven’t needed to buy more audiobooks recently, but I’m keen to try xigxag and Libro.fm as Audible alternatives.

Photos: I’ve historically used Apple Photos, but I’m currently trialling self-hosting Immich – partly to own my own data, and partly to make it easier keeping things in sync between Android and iOS. I’ve been really impressed with it so far.
Peer-to-peer local file transfers (like AirDrop): LocalSend
Identifying birdsong: Merlin Bird ID
iMessage on Android: OpenBubbles
Git client: I had been using GitUp, but it kept crashing and having issues with slowdown. I’m currently using Sublime Merge, but I don’t love it.
Terminal: Ghostty

E-readers: Kobo Clara BW, and I just picked up the XTeink X3 and XTeink X4 to try out.
Camera: Ricoh GR III and an older OM-D E-M10 Mark IV. I also just picked up a Flashback One35 V2, but it hasn’t arrived yet.
Wallet: Trove
Everyday sling bag: tomtoc Aviator-T33 Chest Bag 3.5L
Micro-tool: Gerber Dime. I preferred my old Leatherman Squirt PS4, but they don’t make them any more.
3D printer: Bambu Lab P1S. It’s been brilliant – effortlessly good prints with minimal maintenance.