Flo Ion
@ohthatflo.bsky.social
Freelance tech journalist based in the SF Bay Area. Sign up for my newsletter! Listen to my podcasts! www.florenceion.com Ask me about my Tamagotchi 💜
Guys, this makes me PROFOUNDLY SAD. I worked at Peet's in the city to pay my rent before I became a Real Boy™️. I still drink the coffee every morning.
I WILL NEVER LET GO OF MY APRON. That thing is STILL helping out my husband in the kitchen.
I WILL NEVER LET GO OF MY APRON. That thing is STILL helping out my husband in the kitchen.
Peet’s Coffee will be closing roughly 27 locations across California by the end of this month, a company representative at its Emeryville headquarters confirmed Tuesday.
sf.gazetteer.co/dozens-of-pe...
sf.gazetteer.co/dozens-of-pe...
Dozens of Peet’s stores will close by month’s end
Several downtown locations of the Berkeley-born coffee chain will be impacted
sf.gazetteer.co
January 20, 2026 at 8:17 PM
Guys, this makes me PROFOUNDLY SAD. I worked at Peet's in the city to pay my rent before I became a Real Boy™️. I still drink the coffee every morning.
I WILL NEVER LET GO OF MY APRON. That thing is STILL helping out my husband in the kitchen.
I WILL NEVER LET GO OF MY APRON. That thing is STILL helping out my husband in the kitchen.
Man, if there's one thing I learned about millennials throughout this whole "back in 2016" trend, it's that we LOVE living in and ruminating on the past. Anywhere but the present!
January 16, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Man, if there's one thing I learned about millennials throughout this whole "back in 2016" trend, it's that we LOVE living in and ruminating on the past. Anywhere but the present!
Also, I was on Clockwise this week talking about my new MP3 player.
Clockwise 639: I'm Saying Words I Don't Really Know What They Mean
Apple's new subscription bundle of creative apps, the single-use tech we're bringing into 2026, how often we erase and reformat our devices, and our hopes for Gemini-powered Siri.
http://relay.fm/clockwise/639
Apple's new subscription bundle of creative apps, the single-use tech we're bringing into 2026, how often we erase and reformat our devices, and our hopes for Gemini-powered Siri.
http://relay.fm/clockwise/639
Clockwise #639: I'm Saying Words I Don't Really Know What They Mean - Relay
Apple's new subscription bundle of creative apps, the single-use tech we're bringing into 2026, how often we erase and reformat our devices, and our hopes for Gemini-powered Siri.
relay.fm
January 15, 2026 at 6:41 PM
Also, I was on Clockwise this week talking about my new MP3 player.
@ihnatko.bsky.social and I are talking about the deal of the decade: Apple + Google. 🍎🤖
Gemini is coming to the iPhone to power Siri and Apple Foundation Models. We discuss the strategy, the money, and why Apple decided to partner rather than build it all themselves.
relay.fm/material/550
Gemini is coming to the iPhone to power Siri and Apple Foundation Models. We discuss the strategy, the money, and why Apple decided to partner rather than build it all themselves.
relay.fm/material/550
January 15, 2026 at 6:41 PM
@ihnatko.bsky.social and I are talking about the deal of the decade: Apple + Google. 🍎🤖
Gemini is coming to the iPhone to power Siri and Apple Foundation Models. We discuss the strategy, the money, and why Apple decided to partner rather than build it all themselves.
relay.fm/material/550
Gemini is coming to the iPhone to power Siri and Apple Foundation Models. We discuss the strategy, the money, and why Apple decided to partner rather than build it all themselves.
relay.fm/material/550
Every winter since COVID struck. "Gee, the cold and flu are really strong this time around!"
Wear a massssssssssssssssssk guyssssssssssssssssssss. It's not worth getting all those repeat infections. It will not make you "stronger."
Wear a massssssssssssssssssk guyssssssssssssssssssss. It's not worth getting all those repeat infections. It will not make you "stronger."
January 13, 2026 at 9:15 PM
Every winter since COVID struck. "Gee, the cold and flu are really strong this time around!"
Wear a massssssssssssssssssk guyssssssssssssssssssss. It's not worth getting all those repeat infections. It will not make you "stronger."
Wear a massssssssssssssssssk guyssssssssssssssssssss. It's not worth getting all those repeat infections. It will not make you "stronger."
Did Scott Weiner really pay to push up this post in my algorithm lmao
January 12, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Did Scott Weiner really pay to push up this post in my algorithm lmao
goodbye kyle
Sergey Brin is joining fellow Google founder Larry Page in cutting his ties to California ahead of a proposed state tax on billionaires. Our latest: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/09/t...
Google Guys Say Bye to California
www.nytimes.com
January 10, 2026 at 12:01 AM
goodbye kyle
Reposted by Flo Ion
We've removed the paywall from this guide so everyone can access it. 👇 Stay safe.
Just days into 2026, the killing of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has sparked protests around the US.
If you’re planning to protest, here’s how to safeguard your digital security.
If you’re planning to protest, here’s how to safeguard your digital security.
How to Protest Safely in the Age of Surveillance
Law enforcement has more tools than ever to track your movements and access your communications. Here’s how to protect your privacy if you plan to protest.
www.wired.com
January 8, 2026 at 6:35 PM
We've removed the paywall from this guide so everyone can access it. 👇 Stay safe.
I'm not physically at CES, so it's hard for me to find any excitement in the announcements. All I see on my end is surveillance tech, someday robots that will report your immigration status to ICE. That is all that is on my mind. I sit here and mumble to myself about how nothing really matters.
January 6, 2026 at 6:56 PM
I'm not physically at CES, so it's hard for me to find any excitement in the announcements. All I see on my end is surveillance tech, someday robots that will report your immigration status to ICE. That is all that is on my mind. I sit here and mumble to myself about how nothing really matters.
Reposted by Flo Ion
“Imagine calling yourselves the ‘master race’ but forgetting to secure your own website — maybe try mastering to host WordPress before world domination,” Root wrote.
A hacker known as Martha Root broke in and deleted three white supremacists websites at the end of a talk during the annual hacker conference Chaos Communication Congress in Germany.
Hacktivist deletes white supremacist websites live on stage during hacker conference | TechCrunch
A hacker known as Martha Root broke in and deleted three white supremacists websites at the end of a talk during the annual hacker conference Chaos Communication Congress in Germany.
techcrunch.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:34 PM
“Imagine calling yourselves the ‘master race’ but forgetting to secure your own website — maybe try mastering to host WordPress before world domination,” Root wrote.
Reposted by Flo Ion
important news that's going under the radar: the mayor of SF is putting together a group to rewrite the city's charter that's composed almost entirely of tech fascists, with very little representation from labor groups (or anyone left wing)
missionlocal.org/2026/01/sf-c...
missionlocal.org/2026/01/sf-c...
Meet the 28 people tasked to reshape San Francisco's constitution
To reform S.F.’s 548-page city charter, Mayor Daniel Lurie and Board President Rafael Mandelman formed a 28-member working group.
missionlocal.org
January 5, 2026 at 6:53 PM
important news that's going under the radar: the mayor of SF is putting together a group to rewrite the city's charter that's composed almost entirely of tech fascists, with very little representation from labor groups (or anyone left wing)
missionlocal.org/2026/01/sf-c...
missionlocal.org/2026/01/sf-c...
Reposted by Flo Ion
my fav tech reporters are the ones that burned out 8-10 years ago and give zero fucks and post about coffee and trees and shit.
January 4, 2026 at 11:13 PM
my fav tech reporters are the ones that burned out 8-10 years ago and give zero fucks and post about coffee and trees and shit.
ACAB but I love CHP footage of rich silicon valley people not being able to drive in the snow with their $80-$120K SUVs. May nature remind us all that we're mere mortals that money can't always save. Stop driving in bad weather just so you can brag you went to the snow!
January 4, 2026 at 9:10 PM
ACAB but I love CHP footage of rich silicon valley people not being able to drive in the snow with their $80-$120K SUVs. May nature remind us all that we're mere mortals that money can't always save. Stop driving in bad weather just so you can brag you went to the snow!
Reposted by Flo Ion
The two northern California tide stations with a long-term period of record (POR), Pt. Reyes (POR 1975-) and Crescent City (POR 1933-) just had their 2nd-highest water levels on record during this morning's king tide, behind the records set in 1998 and 1983, respectively.
January 3, 2026 at 7:50 PM
The two northern California tide stations with a long-term period of record (POR), Pt. Reyes (POR 1975-) and Crescent City (POR 1933-) just had their 2nd-highest water levels on record during this morning's king tide, behind the records set in 1998 and 1983, respectively.
I'm in major laydown mode today
December 26, 2025 at 7:08 PM
I'm in major laydown mode today
I actually don't mind motion smoothing
December 25, 2025 at 5:17 PM
I actually don't mind motion smoothing
Reposted by Flo Ion
The thesis of the book is that early COVID lockdowns weren't worth it and mid-COVID mitigation measures like masks, contact tracing and business closures don't work.
This is laughably false and the authors have endorsed the people now running Trump's HHS.
This is laughably false and the authors have endorsed the people now running Trump's HHS.
December 24, 2025 at 5:04 AM
The thesis of the book is that early COVID lockdowns weren't worth it and mid-COVID mitigation measures like masks, contact tracing and business closures don't work.
This is laughably false and the authors have endorsed the people now running Trump's HHS.
This is laughably false and the authors have endorsed the people now running Trump's HHS.
Reposted by Flo Ion
This is genuinely horrifying. Fact-free far-right agitprop given accolades by credible media across the political spectrum.
Congratulations to Stephen Macedo & Frances Lee, whose book In Covid's Wake has been recognized as:
⭐ A @newyorker.com Best Book of the Year
⭐ An @economist.com Book of the Year
⭐ A @wsj.com Best Book of the Year
Learn more about this eye-opening book: press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
⭐ A @newyorker.com Best Book of the Year
⭐ An @economist.com Book of the Year
⭐ A @wsj.com Best Book of the Year
Learn more about this eye-opening book: press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
December 24, 2025 at 5:00 AM
This is genuinely horrifying. Fact-free far-right agitprop given accolades by credible media across the political spectrum.
Brownie and kombucha is dinner.
December 24, 2025 at 4:56 AM
Brownie and kombucha is dinner.
Reposted by Flo Ion
I flippin' love @coyotemedia.org, damn. SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE 15% OFF RIGHT NOW, Y'ALL.
www.coyotemedia.org/coyotes-gift...
www.coyotemedia.org/coyotes-gift...
December 21, 2025 at 5:23 PM
I flippin' love @coyotemedia.org, damn. SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE 15% OFF RIGHT NOW, Y'ALL.
www.coyotemedia.org/coyotes-gift...
www.coyotemedia.org/coyotes-gift...
Eating Taco Bell with the SAD light on.
December 22, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Eating Taco Bell with the SAD light on.
Reposted by Flo Ion
I wrote about things going from bad to worse for the people who actually make movies. alt headline: The Dream Factory Turns Nightmare
The Warner Brothers-Netflix merger could doom Hollywood film workers
For media moguls, maximizing shareholder value is the only metric that counts
www.fastcompany.com
December 17, 2025 at 9:36 PM
I wrote about things going from bad to worse for the people who actually make movies. alt headline: The Dream Factory Turns Nightmare
I love it when a brand emails me at the end of the year, as required by EU compliance. Like, yes, there are checks and balances in this world, actually.
December 17, 2025 at 9:44 PM
I love it when a brand emails me at the end of the year, as required by EU compliance. Like, yes, there are checks and balances in this world, actually.
Reposted by Flo Ion
I wrote about a soccer team in Oakland that we should all be rooting for www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
This young soccer squad has never faced a rival like Donald Trump
Winning is substantially more challenging with ICE running interference.
www.motherjones.com
December 12, 2025 at 6:32 PM
I wrote about a soccer team in Oakland that we should all be rooting for www.motherjones.com/politics/202...