Dwight Silverman
@dwightsilverman.com
Retired but not good at it. Still tech columnizing at @houstonchronicle.com. Passable iPhone photographer, pizza lover, aspiring cat lady. Other base camps at https://mastodon.social/@dsilverman, https://www.threads.net/@dsilverman #housky
I updated a post on my blog that I use to track what I usually install on a review Mac. It includes links to utilities you may want to know about, if you do not already. It does NOT include many of the apps on my personal Mac (some of which are just there while being reviewed).
How I set up a new Mac [Updated x2]
Because I regularly review Apple’s Mac laptops and desktops, I’ve developed a setup routine for to make them my own for the brief period I have them.
dwightsilverman.com
December 28, 2025 at 4:20 PM
I updated a post on my blog that I use to track what I usually install on a review Mac. It includes links to utilities you may want to know about, if you do not already. It does NOT include many of the apps on my personal Mac (some of which are just there while being reviewed).
“Bringing back LimeWire to illegally rip copies of reporting suppressed by the government is definitely some cyberpunk shit,” a Bluesky user wrote.
“Yo what?” LimeWire re-emerges in online rush to share pulled “60 Minutes” segment
Redditor jokes LimeWire is now a "champion against the darkness."
arstechnica.com
December 27, 2025 at 8:10 PM
“Bringing back LimeWire to illegally rip copies of reporting suppressed by the government is definitely some cyberpunk shit,” a Bluesky user wrote.
I’m not big on New Year's resolutions, but I've got one for 2026: Update my smart home gear so most of its components use the Matter protocol. Although it had a rocky start, Matter has matured enough to finally make your smart home, well, smarter.
Gift link:
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My 2026 tech resolution: Time to update that aging smart home network
After more than a decade of accumulating smart plugs, speakers and sensors, I realized parts of my setup were quietly becoming obsolete.
www.houstonchronicle.com
December 27, 2025 at 2:52 PM
I’m not big on New Year's resolutions, but I've got one for 2026: Update my smart home gear so most of its components use the Matter protocol. Although it had a rocky start, Matter has matured enough to finally make your smart home, well, smarter.
Gift link:
Gift link:
Reposted by Dwight Silverman
Merry Christmas, and we hope the holiday was wonderful for you! We've got three more days before a strong front arrives, and then we're watching for the possibility of a light freeze in parts of Houston. Also, some readers explain why they like fog!
#houwx
#houwx
Three more days of unseasonable warmth. Also, readers share reasons why they’re thankful for fog.
In brief: Merry Christmas, everyone. We hope the holiday was wonderful for you. We’ve got three more days before a strong front arrives, and then we’re watching for the possibility of a…
spacecityweather.com
December 26, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Merry Christmas, and we hope the holiday was wonderful for you! We've got three more days before a strong front arrives, and then we're watching for the possibility of a light freeze in parts of Houston. Also, some readers explain why they like fog!
#houwx
#houwx
Reposted by Dwight Silverman
Reposted by Dwight Silverman
We have a shorter post today, because there are only so many ways to slice and dice our repetitive weather this week. A strong front arrives Sunday or Sunday night to return us to winterlike conditions.
#houwx
#houwx
Houston’s forecast will be unchanged through Saturday before a front sweeps through later on Sunday
In brief: We have a shorter post today, because there are only so many ways one can slice and dice our repetitive weather this week. A strong front arrives Sunday or Sunday night to return us to wi…
spacecityweather.com
December 23, 2025 at 1:56 PM
We have a shorter post today, because there are only so many ways to slice and dice our repetitive weather this week. A strong front arrives Sunday or Sunday night to return us to winterlike conditions.
#houwx
#houwx
I had not been paying much attention to the skyrocketing cost of RAM, but when I finally dived into the topic I was astounded. The increase, driven largely by the AI boom, will eventually affect almost all consumer electronic gear - from PCs to phones to cars.
Why RAM prices are soaring — and what it means for your next computer
The cost of memory chips is surging as artificial intelligence devours global supply, pushing prices higher for everything from laptops to smartphones.
www.houstonchronicle.com
December 20, 2025 at 2:30 PM
I had not been paying much attention to the skyrocketing cost of RAM, but when I finally dived into the topic I was astounded. The increase, driven largely by the AI boom, will eventually affect almost all consumer electronic gear - from PCs to phones to cars.
Reposted by Dwight Silverman
Houston sees its first freeze in 10 months, as our region narrowly missed out on an Arctic blast. Our attention now turns to the potential for light showers on Wednesday, and another brief burst of cooler air before a warm run-up to Christmas Day.
Houston records its first freeze since February as region receives glancing blow from an Arctic blast
In brief: In today’s post we discuss the city’s first freeze in 10 months, and how our region narrowly missed out on an Arctic blast. Our attention then turns to the potential for some …
spacecityweather.com
December 15, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Houston sees its first freeze in 10 months, as our region narrowly missed out on an Arctic blast. Our attention now turns to the potential for light showers on Wednesday, and another brief burst of cooler air before a warm run-up to Christmas Day.
Reposted by Dwight Silverman
While we watch the Texans, we also wanted to check in and let you know that the forecast has not really changed tonight. Clearing skies should allow for a light freeze in much of the northern half of the area with cold 30s elsewhere. Matt has a quick forecast refresh this afternoon.
#houwx #housky
#houwx #housky
Clearing skies by evening should allow for a light freeze in parts of the Houston area tonight
In brief: For the most part, Houston’s forecast hasn’t changed, and that’s what we’ve checked in on this Sunday to tell you. Lows in the 30s tonight across most of the Houst…
spacecityweather.com
December 14, 2025 at 8:23 PM
This sounds like a very useful feature, but Amazon isn't saying why it has the rights to do it. A case of don't ask permission first, ask forgiveness later.
Kindle’s New AI Feature Can Answer Questions About Your Books (Whether Authors Want It or Not)
The Kindle app's new feature will provide AI-generated tips to explain your book's plot or how the characters relate to one another, though it's currently only available on the iOS version.
www.pcmag.com
December 14, 2025 at 2:09 PM
This sounds like a very useful feature, but Amazon isn't saying why it has the rights to do it. A case of don't ask permission first, ask forgiveness later.
Reposted by Dwight Silverman
Nooooooooooooooope
December 13, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Nooooooooooooooope
Reviewers usually get only a week or two at most before they give their opinions about a product - the really good ones stand up over time, and the great ones get better! Here are four bits of kit I wrote about this year and last that are standouts.
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Looking back at four tech gems that have withstood the test of time
This year I revisited several gadgets I’d reviewed to see whether they still earned a place in my daily life. A few impressed me even more with long-term use, while others only revealed their...
www.houstonchronicle.com
December 13, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Reviewers usually get only a week or two at most before they give their opinions about a product - the really good ones stand up over time, and the great ones get better! Here are four bits of kit I wrote about this year and last that are standouts.
Gift link:
Gift link:
More like Matter is finally coming into its own: More reliable in working across different devices and more devices are finally supporting it. Apple is a member of the Matter working group, and the standard is approaching ubiquity. Almost all my smart home devices are now Matter-capable.
How Matter has finally given Apple a path out of the HomeKit mess
With Matter and Thread, the smart home is experiencing a new start, and an upswing. We take a look back at Apple's history in the smart home and where things stand now.
www.macworld.com
December 12, 2025 at 3:15 PM
More like Matter is finally coming into its own: More reliable in working across different devices and more devices are finally supporting it. Apple is a member of the Matter working group, and the standard is approaching ubiquity. Almost all my smart home devices are now Matter-capable.
Reposted by Dwight Silverman
Despite all the worries about the economy, laptop prices have never been lower. But in 2026, all of that could change. www.wired.com/story/laptop...
With a Spike in RAM Prices, Now Might Be the Best Time to Buy a Laptop
Despite all the worries about the economy, laptop prices have never been lower. But in 2026, all of that could change.
www.wired.com
December 11, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Despite all the worries about the economy, laptop prices have never been lower. But in 2026, all of that could change. www.wired.com/story/laptop...
“…hackers are apparently using AI prompts to seed Google search results with dangerous commands. When executed by unknowing users, these commands prompt computers to give the hackers the access they need to install malware.”
Attackers using ChatGPT to trick Mac users into installing MacStealer
Security researchers have found that attackers are using ChatGPT to trick Mac users into pasting a command line into Terminal...
9to5mac.com
December 11, 2025 at 12:11 PM
“…hackers are apparently using AI prompts to seed Google search results with dangerous commands. When executed by unknowing users, these commands prompt computers to give the hackers the access they need to install malware.”
Reposted by Dwight Silverman
This morning got off to a chilly start, but Houston will have a warming trend through Saturday. We also provide clarity on the weekend forecast. And finally, @dwightsilverman.com explores the strange mystery of the missing cities in our Space City Weather app.
#houwx
#houwx
After today’s cold start, Houston will warm up. Also, we solve the mystery of the missing cities in our app
In brief: In today’s post we discuss this morning’s chilly start, and our warming trend through Saturday. We also provide some clarity on the weekend forecast. And finally, our Dwight S…
spacecityweather.com
December 9, 2025 at 2:03 PM
This morning got off to a chilly start, but Houston will have a warming trend through Saturday. We also provide clarity on the weekend forecast. And finally, @dwightsilverman.com explores the strange mystery of the missing cities in our Space City Weather app.
#houwx
#houwx
This is a wild, wild story.
How mysterious Texas surveillance network is reshaping traffic stops in Texas
The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office case provides a rare inside look that illustrates nearly everything critics say is wrong with the practice of stopping and searching motorists.
www.houstonchronicle.com
December 8, 2025 at 6:40 PM
This is a wild, wild story.
It’s safe to say that no version of the operating system that powers Apple’s iPhones has been as divisive as iOS 26. The software brings new meaning to the phrase “love-hate relationship.” I’ve come down on the “love” side but if you can't stand it, here’s how to dial it way back.
iPhone users: Don’t fear Liquid Glass. Here’s what to love, and how to fix it.
Apple's iOS 26 marks a turning point for the iPhone’s look and feel. After months of tinkering and user feedback, Apple’s Liquid Glass has evolved into something more flexible and surprisingly...
www.houstonchronicle.com
December 6, 2025 at 9:02 PM
It’s safe to say that no version of the operating system that powers Apple’s iPhones has been as divisive as iOS 26. The software brings new meaning to the phrase “love-hate relationship.” I’ve come down on the “love” side but if you can't stand it, here’s how to dial it way back.
Reposted by Dwight Silverman
you know how i know im a 44yo dad? how much i laughed at this shit
December 6, 2025 at 3:31 AM
you know how i know im a 44yo dad? how much i laughed at this shit
Well, this seems premature.
December 6, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Well, this seems premature.
Did you know #Apple has what amounts to an online manual for iOS 26 and the #iPhone? Once you get into a specific topic from the table of contents, you can select older versions of iOS, too. Or, just change the version number in the URL.
support.apple.com/guide/iphone...
support.apple.com/guide/iphone...
iPhone User Guide
Here’s everything you need to know about iPhone, straight from Apple. This definitive guide helps you get started using iPhone and discover all the amazing things it can do.
support.apple.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Did you know #Apple has what amounts to an online manual for iOS 26 and the #iPhone? Once you get into a specific topic from the table of contents, you can select older versions of iOS, too. Or, just change the version number in the URL.
support.apple.com/guide/iphone...
support.apple.com/guide/iphone...
Reposted by Dwight Silverman
Houston will be cold, gray, and intermittently rainy until Saturday, when we should see sunnier skies for a while. We may hit 70 degrees by Sunday, but after that we’ll have a few more cold days. It really is going to feel like winter in Houston. 🥶🥶🥶
#houwx
#houwx
Cold, and somewhat wet weather will prevail until the weekend as winter descends into Houston
In brief: Houston will be cold, gray, and intermittently rainy until Saturday, when we should see some sunnier skies for awhile. We may hit 70 degrees by Sunday, but after that we’ll have a f…
spacecityweather.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Houston will be cold, gray, and intermittently rainy until Saturday, when we should see sunnier skies for a while. We may hit 70 degrees by Sunday, but after that we’ll have a few more cold days. It really is going to feel like winter in Houston. 🥶🥶🥶
#houwx
#houwx
This is an ad found in the December eEdition (print replica) of Rolling Stone. If there was ever a cat face that screamed "What fresh hell is this?", this is it.
Or maybe "YOU eat it, human."
Or maybe "YOU eat it, human."
December 3, 2025 at 2:59 PM
This is an ad found in the December eEdition (print replica) of Rolling Stone. If there was ever a cat face that screamed "What fresh hell is this?", this is it.
Or maybe "YOU eat it, human."
Or maybe "YOU eat it, human."
Reposted by Dwight Silverman
Pete Hegseth is a DUI hire & it shows
December 3, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Pete Hegseth is a DUI hire & it shows