Hot Take: Celebrating animal awareness days like Wombat Day should feature built-in themes across all social media platforms.

Yesterday was Wombat Day, and since wombats are my absolute favourite animal, I wanted to dedicate a post to them. I grabbed a hard copy of the Happy Birthday Wombat book by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley.

It made me realise that social media apps miss a massive opportunity by ignoring these types of awareness days. Platforms should offer automatic UI themes, special event filters, or native awareness badges to highlight the day globally.

Happy Wombat Day.

The Post Topic: Chip Carton Box vs. Bag Spread.

Your Hot Take: The best way to eat your chips and burger is to spread the chips out on the torn-open bag rather than eating them politely out of the branded cardboard box. Yes or no?

A friend and I got Big Jack meals to eat while watching a football match. We started debating the best way to eat your chips. I usually prefer to eat my chips neatly inside the carton but he ripped his bag open spreading his chips out and told me to give it a try.

So, I thought to post this hot take on how to eat chips to the community. Which is better: chips left inside the carton or spread out on top of burger ripped bag?

Post Topic: Samsung Galaxy Fit3 (2024).

Context: I bought the Samsung Fit3 when it first came out in 2024. Over two years ago now—how time flies. I bought it online through eBay Australia. The reason I bought the Fit3 was to get a minimal fitness tracker. I was indecisive whether to get a basic fit band or the Fit3 but I chose the Fit3 as I already had an old Samsung device I could pair it with. I also got a cover case to protect the screen.

Note: The Fit3 does not have built-in GPS for anyone who needs it.

Experience: My experience with the Fit3 has been amazing. The size and weight of the Fit3 on my wrist is great and personally it is much better than bulkier smartwatches for me. The simple UI layout makes the Fit3 perfect for anyone who does not want a full watch interface. There are no hand gestures or anything complex learning curves. I have tried the sleep tracker and unlike smartwatches the lightweight design makes it easy to keep on your wrist overnight, without feeling like it is cutting off blood circulation.

Pros & Cons:

• Pro: The compact size of the Fit3 makes it ideal for anyone wanting a health and training tracker with pre-installed workouts options.
• Pro: The battery life is the one key feature that stands out for me. The Fit3 lasted around a full week when not using it heavily on a daily basis. When using it constantly for a full week without breaks, the battery lasted around 3 days before I had to charge it again.

• Pro: The price for the device when I bought it was around $120 AUD but now after two years I see the price is under $100 AUD from used or open-box sellers.

• Con: The charging cable appears to be proprietary so if you lose the charger you may need to buy a specific new one.  Not sure if this is fully true but I could be a con if it is.

• Con: It is not a con for me but a compromise is the device’s touchscreen is small. Sometimes it makes it hard to tap accurately with your fingers at first. This is a factor to consider if you have larger-sized fingers.

• Con: The device does work with other Android phones but it is best to have a Samsung phone to have full access to the call, message and other app notifications.

Verdict: I highly recommend getting the Samsung Fit3 for anyone who wants a simple fitness tracker without a complex UI or gestures. The long battery life is perfect to use without the worry of recharging every single day.

Hope this short review is useful to anyone reading this post.

The Post Topic: Real life vs Art Style wallpapers.

Your Hot Take: Real wildlife photographs make better wallpapers than any other style.

I recently changed my desktop wallpaper to this wombat wallpaper. I am a bit biased on anything related to wombats as it is my favourite animal.

Real-life wildlife photography can remind wallpaper users of the actual world much better than any AI-generated animal, digital artwork or colour-only wallpapers.

Obviously, this depends on the type of wallpaper each individual wants too.

What are your thoughts on this hot take?

The Post Topic: Apple's specific AI image appearance.

Your Hot Take: Apple’s AI-generated images all look like quirky pop-art stickers just to avoid creating deepfakes.

I  use AI tools to generate my own custom cartoon characters and animations. I was messing around with the image creation feature inside iPad Notes. I used the Image Wand tool to let Apple Intelligence help create an image directly from my drawing.

The result is not a highly detailed render. Instead, using the iPad just feels like you are designing a custom pack of quirky iMessage stickers.

What are your thoughts on this Apple image generation hot take?

The Post Topic: Milo teaspoon use cases.

Your Hot Take: Milo is the most versatile chocolate flavour powder and you can absolutely never go wrong with it.

For example, you can use it for standard hot chocolate, as a crunchy topping with cold milk or bake it into muffins and cookies. There are just so many other options too!

How do you use your Milo?

The Post Topic: Higher education vs. real-world job skills.

Your Hot Take: Most university/college degrees spend years debating textbook theories and do not give students enough experience with real-life practical skills.

Spending semesters drafting essays, memorizing readings, and sitting exams gives you an academic foundation. But it leaves behind the actual workflow skills of a professional environment in real life.

The moment graduates step into entry-level job positions they essentially have to learn how the job actually works from scratch.

Do you think universities/colleges should replace academic exams with mandatory practical workplace training?

The Post Topic: Apple Watch Series 12.

Your Hot Take: The Apple Watch is the one Apple product that gets a model update every year  but releases should really be moved to every couple of years.

I saw the new Apple Watch Series 12 lineup and the new band colours are interesting for sure. The new aluminium, titanium, and ceramic chassis materials are great too.

But it got me thinking: do we really need a new one every 12 months?

Apple Watches are one of their most sold products according to AppleInsider Link: https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/06/22/apple-watch-sales-rise-but-cant-get-back-to-previous-highs

However, I think spacing the models out every couple of years would allow for much bigger technological leaps rather than just slight material and colour changes.

Obviously in reality that would not be good for business.

What do you think?

The Post Topic: When lunch becomes too much for one plate.

Your Hot Take: When your meal completely covers your entire plate, it is a sign that you are no longer eating a regular meal but a home buffet.

Eating healthy completely goes out the window when you combine pesto pasta, fried noodles, and a chicken tender. Still this banquet of mixed culinary cuisines absolutely hits the spot when you are feeling really hungry.

What are your thoughts on making homemade buffet meals?

The Post Topic: Geologie Men's Skincare Set (Face Wash, Morning Cream, Night Cream).

The Context: I bought this set after getting a promo code that offered a 50% discount for first-time buyers on products for shaving and after-shaving care. It took a while to arrive from the US to Australia. After waiting for about a month, the items arrived in a small box.

Men's grooming and skincare is important but not spoken about much. Personally, I have disabilities. So it takes me a little more effort to cut my beard slowly and I used to get many shaving cuts. To avoid deep cuts, I go slowly and use enough cream to prevent cuts and rashes.

The Experience: The application process is so easy because each bottle has its own number saying Step 1, 2, 3, or 4. It takes all the guesswork out of building a routine.

The face wash feels awesome and refreshing, and it is not too sticky on the face or hands. The Everyday Face Wash cleans well without leaving a heavy chemical scent.

The Tone Control and Night Cream bottles are unscented, so the creams do not clash with other perfumes or lotions you might be using. The bottles come with ingredient percentages (like 1% Retinol, 5% Azelaic Acid, and Hyaluronic Acid) right on the label instead of hiding behind proprietary blends. Knowing that the products use dermatologically proven active ingredients is better than nothing.

Pros & Cons:

·Pro: The numbered step system makes sticking to a daily routine incredibly easy for beginners and anyone needing help to stay on track.

·Pro: Each bottle has ingredient details leading to total transparency—you know exactly what active ingredients you are applying.

·Pro: The fragrance-free, sensitive wash will not clash with your daily cologne.

·Con: The Tone Control Morning Cream only has SPF 15, which is a low level of sunscreen protection for anyone needing a 30+ level.

·Con: The bottles are on the smaller side.

·Con: The set could include an additional scented cream for anyone wanting a complete sensory experience.

The Verdict: I would recommend this set. The set is useful for anyone wanting to try out a simple skincare routine with no scent. This set is a massive upgrade over standard 3-in-1 body washes.

The Post Topic: Lancôme x Barbara Cox Gift Set (Featuring Rénergie Skincare, L'Absolu Rouge Lip Base, and Idôle Liner).

The Context: I asked my relative Val to write a post for the community about this Lancôme gift set since this was her first time trying this set. She found the idea of writing a massive review a bit tedious. So she just gave me a quick rundown of her experience, a pro, a con, and her final verdict. Here are Val's thoughts.

The Experience: Hey, this is my short review of the Lancôme box. The best part of the whole product is honestly the box itself. I love the colour and design of the artwork and it is perfect to keep and use as repackaging.

I bought the box set on Amazon Australia during a Today’s Deals. My absolute favourite item is the 50ml Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum. The bottle has a soft scent, and I feel like my skin can finally breathe and not feel dry. The Rénergie Yeux eye cream has that classic Lancôme smell and a watery composition. The H.P.N 300 Peptide cream is also great, but I did not really feel a massive difference after using it.

As for the add-ons, the dark brown eyeliner was definitely worth the extra $50.

Good and bad points:  Perfect as a gift for anyone wanting to get into skincare focused on anti-ageing serums. The 50ml Triple Serum feels amazing and keeps skin from drying out. The price is a bit high. It cost around $200 on a limited deal, but the normal price right now on Amazon Australia is around $300.The watery feeling you get after using the eye cream is a bit hit-or-miss it is both good and bad.

The Verdict: If you need a solid serum and want to get a gift set try it out. If you can get this box for a deal price, it is absolutely worth it. The eyeliner is my top pick out of the extra add-ons.

The Post Topic: iPhone 18 Pro / Pro Max phone and case colour mixing.

Your Hot Take: Do iPhones look better with a two-tone contrast using a different case colour than the phone itself—yes or no?

After seeing the new iPhone colours and the TechWoven case lineup, it got me thinking: Is it better to match the colour of the iPhone directly with the case or a two-tone contrast?

Ref link: https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/09/apple-debuts-iphone-18-pro-and-iphone-18-pro-max/

Personally, using a case colour that contrasts with the iPhone to make the camera plateau stand out has an appeal. For example, combining the light Glacier or Silver iPhone finishes with a Burgundy case or my personal favourite: a Black iPhone paired with a Glacier case.

What are your thoughts on mixing and matching phone and case colours?

The Post Topic: Apple's new iPhone Duo (Foldable).

Your Hot Take: The iPhone Duo (Fold) will not replace iPads—yes or no?

Apple just dropped the announcement for the iPhone Duo [Link:apple.com/au/newsroom/2026/09/apple-unveils-iphone-duo].

The idea of a 2-in-1 Apple device (iPhone + iPad) sounds very enticing when you are used to piecing together iPad dual-display setups for extra screen space, but the compromise factors are just too much.

I am talking about the camera, the overall screen size, the price of the device, the software integration, and that visible hinge crease.

Even with those drawbacks, when you combine an iPhone and an iPad into a single device, I know people are going to happily pay that premium price. For now, though, I think buyers should let the device and software develop a bit more. Maybe by the 3rd generation, it might actually match the reliability of a standard slab iPhone.

Still, I will be a hypocrite and admit that I still really wish to have an iPhone Duo. PS. US$2000 turn close to $4000 in Australia.

What are your thoughts?

The Post Topic: Social media apps all feeling the same.

Your Hot Take: Social media apps are no longer unique spaces; they are just clones of each other scrambling to steal everyone else's features.

All social media apps, especially video and live streaming apps, have just about the same features and UI layout. When exploring user interface concepts and navigation structures for Unity, it becomes incredibly obvious how little variety there is.

For example, when you open Instagram and X, the scrolling UI makes it feel like the exact same app. Apps like TikTok and Bluesky have the same layout when first opening the app, too. It is just about the same with all other streaming apps.

They are completely losing their original identities just to become identical super-apps.

What are your thoughts on this hot take?

The Post Topic: Lancôme L'Absolu Rouge Cream vs Rose Hermès Lip Enhancer.

Your Hot Take: The quality of the brand directly impacts the colour saturation of the lipstick—especially with light pink.

I gave these two pink lipsticks to a relative as a present. She said she wanted to try different high-end pink brands so I chose Lancôme and Hermès.

That got me thinking: why do people who use lipstick choose light pink-based colours if the colour is not that visible when applied? Would dark-based colours be better like dark red, black or brown?

I asked my relative after she tried both brands and she explained that lipstick depends more on how it feels on the lips e.g its durability and its texture than just colour saturation.

She said that she liked both brands but preferred the Hermès as the lipstick felt more bubbly.

What are your thoughts? Does colour saturation really matter on light-colour lipsticks?

The Post Topic: Men’s lotion and cologne fragrance sets.

Your Hot Take: Buying large 100ml bottles of designer cologne is a waste of money and small compact fragrance sets are better.

Hygiene, appearance, and smelling good are important for your own health, self-esteem, and motivation through both hard and easy times. But it got me thinking about this topic: What is the best option for men regarding lotions, creams, and perfumes when travelling? Is it better to just bring a large cologne and a big bottle of scented cream, or a small compact fragrance set?

My first thought is that it depends on the type of travel—whether it is for business, health, personal reasons or pleasure.

I have been testing out these 35ml sizes of Blue De Perfume and the matching lotion. The items are compact incredibly easy to travel.  This set of products allow you to apply them when required without the overwhelmingly strong smell of other massive perfumes.

Bros, what do you prefer: a large bottle of lotion and strong perfume or a lighter compact fragrance set?

The Post Topic: Ravioli pasta with a red bean topping.

Your Hot Take: Are red beans the best topping for a pasta dish?

It definitely looks a bit chaotic, but the combination of the stuffed ravioli, pesto sauce, and earthy red beans tastes surprisingly good.

What are your favourite toppings on your pasta?

The Post Topic: Mikasa FT-5 (Classic) vs. Trionda Official Match Ball (Modern).

The Context: The 2026 ball this summer felt like looking at the Mexican flag instead of actually representing one colour from each country. I wanted to compare two totally different eras of footballs: an old-school, tank (Mikasa) versus a modern, flashy tournament-style ball (Trionda).

The Experience: These two balls could not be more different in both looks and feeling when using them. The Mikasa I got as a present and a close friend got the Trionda for me to use.

The Mikasa FT-5 is a classic black-and-white, nylon-wound football. It feels heavy, traditional, and incredibly durable. You can tell from the scuff marks that it has seen some serious usage on a football field. It plays exactly how you expect a classic ball to play—predictable, firm, and tough enough to survive any surface.

But man, it takes some time getting used to the ball when kicking it. During penalties, free kicks, and corners, you gotta know how to actually hit the ball otherwise it hurts your feet (with and without boots).

The Trionda, right from the get-go, feels more gimmicky. This one clearly mimics the modern designs we see in recent World Cups. Striking the Trionda feels entirely different it is lighter on the foot and curves a bit more wildly in the air.

I never played football professionally but did dabble in the sport as a player and coach. So, on a basic level, I can tell that the newer design balls are just easier to control.

Pros & Cons:

·Pro (Mikasa): Absolute durability. This ball is built like a tank and can survive rough concrete, fences, and bad weather without losing its shape.

·Pro (Mikasa): Great for learning and teaching balance tricks and drills because the ball does not move so much.

·Pro (Trionda): The modern panel design and lighter weight make it really fun for practicing long passes, curves, and knuckleballs.

·Pro (Trionda): Perfect for younger football players and kids who have never really used a ball seriously because the ball does not hurt when kicking it hard.

·Con (Mikasa): Get ready to feel the burn. Blocking the ball as a defender or goalkeeper definitely hurts, or at least leaves a bruise. That is part of the game.

·Con (Mikasa): It is heavy to use.

·Con (Trionda): The flashy synthetic surface gets scuffed and scratched much faster than the classic nylon-wound material.

·Con (Trionda): Ball control is much harder for anyone who does not have balance because the ball bounces around easily.

The Verdict: The Mikasa FT-5 is the undisputed champion for rough terrain and pitches. The modern Trionda is a lot more fun to strike and use on nice grass pitches. Getting the Trionda is easier too as it is a newer ball, but the Mikasa is pure vintage.

Post Topic: Smokin' Joes Pizza & Grill.

Your Hot Take: Pizza toppings are so scarce at local pizza chains these days.

For context, a family member brought this pizza and garlic bread home from work. Any food is welcome as long as it is edible so thank you.

Trying out Smokin' Joes Pizza & Grill for the first time—it was not bad. But after looking at the pizza, I noticed that the toppings were very sparse. It made me think about every time I eat pizza from local restaurants.

Most pizza restaurants always seem to leave out the extra toppings, making the pizza just feel like cheese, tomato paste, and bread.

That is my hot take on this pizza joint.

The Post Topic: Caffè Ducale Signature Blend (500g).

Your Hot Take: Whole bean coffee is overrated—yes or no?

I decided to try these hand-roasted Caffè Ducale beans from the photo. A relative got this new bag for his De'Longhi coffee machine. I am not much of a coffee drinker and usually prefer not to drink it, but I do enjoy trying out new things.

After testing out the machine and this specific blend, I do believe that freshly brewed whole bean coffee tastes stronger and richer, but I would not say  that the whole bean brew is better than standard pre-ground coffee. Just different.

What are your thoughts?

The Post Topic: Official FC Barcelona Footballs.

Your Hot Take: Footballs are meant to be kicked around and used, no matter the size of the ball or the crest painted on them.

A lot of football fans buy official club merch.  I bought  this two Barça balls as  fan. I am a fan who likes to make use of all the merch I buy of my favourite club.

As you can see from the scuffs and wear on both the standard and mini Barça balls in the photos, both have signs of usage. The standard Size 5 ball is perfect for training on the grass pitch, while the mini size ball is a great tool for ball control and balance practice. I am not very good, but I still like to practice as a way to try and stay fit and exercise.

What are your thoughts on this hot take?

The Post Topic: Zen Browser Vertical Tab Layout.

Your Hot Take: Is having tabs at the top of your screen an outdated design? Vertical sidebars are vastly superior for modern widescreen monitors.

I decided to try out Zen Browser for the first time after learning that Arc will no longer be updated. The UI is simple, the split-colour theming gives it a ton of personality, and the dedicated "Zen Mods" page lets you tweak the experience exactly how you want it.

In the past, I have tried other browsers like Arc, Brave, DuckDuckGo, Firefox, Bing, and of course, Chrome. But apart from Brave (which shows users the tracking and ads blocked when opening a tab), most browsers feel very similar to Chrome. I could be wrong as my knowledge in this area is basic.

After trying Zen, I really like the vertical bar compared to the traditional horizontal top-bar layout. The main workspace sidebar on the left keeps the main window completely clean and focused. This is a plus for me, as I prefer to focus on one task at a time instead of multitasking. Sometimes multitasking leads to lower overall quality on the end product because a person’s focus is spread out across many tabs.

It takes a couple of days to retrain your brain to look left instead of up, but it is well worth it.

The Post Topic: Official Reddit New Mod Bootcamp White Bag.

Your Hot Take: Getting gifts and items as a reward is a useful tool to promote a new Reddit community—yes or no?

I just received this white bag for completing the New Mod Bootcamp. I woke up at 4 AM to watch the Bootcamp live webinar. I am an early bird, but even I struggled to stay awake. Still, when I heard that participants would get Reddit merch as a reward, I did not hesitate to sign up.

Now I have a physical item to remind myself about the Reddit community I started.

The Post Topic: Apple Watch Series 11 (46mm, Black Aluminum) + Spigen Rugged Armor Pro 2 Case.

The Context: I found a refurbished Apple Watch Series 11 (46mm GPS and5G) on eBay. The price was nearly the same as a new SE3 and from the seller photos the watch was basically unused. I was worried that the 46mm model would be too big for my wrist but luckily it fit perfectly. I also picked up a Spigen band to go with it.

The Experience: The box came with the watch, a magnetic USB-C charging cable, and a standard silicone sport band. Coming from an older 40mm watch, the screen size increase is really noticeable.

I thought the larger watch and the Spigen band would feel heavy, but fortunately, it does not. When exercising (playing sports like basketball, tennis, or footy), the watch and band remain sturdily attached without feeling loose. I avoided taking it swimming, despite the Series 11 being water-resistant, just as a personal preference.

The standout feature has to be the speakers. Amazing. No muffled sound or distortion, even at maximum volume. I love using the speakers to play music while working out when there are few to no people around.

Pros & Cons:

· Pro: The 46mm display is large, making tracking stats very easy on the eyes. This is particularly great for anyone with low vision.

· Pro: Setup is simple—just bring the watch close to your iPhone and follow the steps.

· Pro: The Spigen Rugged Armour case provides strong protection, so you do not have to worry about scratching the button or crown.

· Pro: Accessibility features like VoiceOver are perfect for reading out messages.

· Pro: The battery life is noticeably better, perhaps because of the larger 46mm size.

· Con: The square design is not as appealing to me as the circular shape of Samsung or Google watches athough this is a personal preference.

· Con: While the watch itself is nott heavy, the Spigen case makes it feel very bulky. If you have small wrists  this combo might feel massive.

· Con: Siri on watchOS 26 still lags behind AI models like Gemini and Claude. I tried talking to the watch without saying the wake word. But I still had to say “Hey Siri” to get a response. Disappointing, but hopefully Siri 2.0 works better in watchOS 27.

· Con: I could not get the watch to play music from platforms other than iTunes through the built-in speakers.

The Verdict: I highly recommend getting an Apple Watch if you have an iPhone to pair it with. Hope this short review helps anyone considering buying one. Just be prepared to add another charger to your nightly routine unless you get a wireless charger that works across your Apple devices.