Modern Simple Living

Gear Review Troubleshooting PS4 Controller Connection Issues *Stop the frustration and get back to your game with these proven fixes* ~7 Days 3 Controllers 2 Minutes Table of Contents ① Troubleshooting Steps ② Connecting Without a USB Cable ③ Conclusion Section I Troubleshooting Steps I recently encountered some frustrating issues trying to connect my PS4 controllers, and it took me over a week and three new controllers to figure it out. The real culprit wasn’t the controllers themselves—especially since they were brand new—but rather the USB cable I was using. Here’s a rundown of various troubleshooting steps and a workaround for connecting your PS4 controller without a USB cable.   1. Basic Connection with USB Cable → Connect the Controller — Use a USB cable to connect the controller to the PS4. → Press the PS Home Button — With the PS4 turned off, click the PS Home button. If the PS4 turns on, you’re in business! 2. Reset the Controller → Locate the Reset Button — Find the...

Gear Review Upgrading to the iPhone 11: A Comprehensive Review *Moving from the 6s to the 11 was more than just a spec bump—it was a transformative shift.* ~4 Years Previous Ownership 64 GB Total Storage ~16 Hours Daily Battery Life Section I Device Comparison I recently made the jump from my iPhone 6s to the iPhone 11, and I couldn't be happier with the upgrade. I got a special deal and switched over to T-Mobile, which has significantly improved my signal in areas where Verizon struggled, such as Las Vegas and parts of my hometown.   Specification iPhone 11 iPhone 6s Screen 6.1” (828 × 1792) 4.7” (750 × 1334) Processor A13 Bionic (7 nm) A9 (14 nm) RAM 4 GB 2 GB Storage 64 GB 32 GB Battery 3110 mAh 1715 mAh Camera 12 MP / 12 MP 12 MP Weight 6.84 oz 5.04 oz Port Lightning Lightning Design and Display Transitioning from the 4.7-inch display of the 6s to the 6.1-inch screen of the 11 is like night and day. The heft of the iPhone 11 at 7 oz makes it feel quite substantial, almost lik...

Gear Review My Experience with Adidas Superstars: From Daily Wear to Retirement *An honest look at the longevity of a $20 sneaker after 3,000 miles.* ~3,096 Miles ~20 Months $20 Price Table of Contents ① The Journey of My Superstars ② Retirement Plan ③ Final Thoughts Section I The Journey of My Superstars I purchased a pair of Adidas Superstars in June 2019 for an incredible $20 and have been wearing them almost daily for nearly 18 months, especially since the onset of COVID. These shoes have truly been put through the wringer, and while they’ve shown signs of wear, they’ve also demonstrated impressive durability. Over this time, my Superstars have taken on approximately 3,096 miles (calculated from 18 months at 5 days a week with an average of 8 miles per day). Most of my walks occurred on flat and smooth surfaces—like concrete, tile, wood, and carpet—contributing to their longevity. The wear has mostly been gradual, with the majority of miles covered at a casual pace rather than r...

Gear Review My Journey with Sneakers: From Adidas Superstars to Air Force 1s *Lessons learned in maintenance, sizing, and finding the perfect fit* 3 Models 9-9.5 Size Range 2 Days/Week Usage Table of Contents ① Sneaker Care 101 ② Embracing Nice Sneakers ③ Sizing Insights ④ Conclusion Section I Sneaker Care 101 Since my experience with Adidas Superstars and Converse All Stars, I’ve developed a keen interest in keeping my sneakers clean and looking fresh. Transitioning to Air Force 1s has been a delightful upgrade, especially as I learned valuable lessons about sneaker care along the way. Using the cheaper shoes as practice has proven to be beneficial.   → Immediate Cleaning — The easiest method is to wipe them down right after each use. Since I typically wear my Air Force 1s on weekends, maintaining this habit has become manageable. → Side-by-Side Comparison — I was shocked by how dirty my Adidas Superstars had become when placed next to my fresh-looking Air Force 1s. It highli...

Food & Drink Coffee Choices: Dunkin' vs. McDonald's Comparing the value and taste of everyday iced caffeine $1.00 Price Floor 2 Chains 2 Drink Types Section I Section I — Coffee Price Analysis It's interesting to see how coffee pricing varies between chains, especially when it comes to something as simple as iced beverages. Here’s a breakdown of my recent experience with Dunkin' Donuts and McDonald's:   Price Discrepancies At Dunkin' Donuts , I noticed that a regular iced coffee costs more than an iced Americano. It’s surprising since both drinks offer caffeine but have different preparation methods. → Iced Coffee — A standard staple, though priced higher at this chain. → Iced Americano — Made with espresso and cold water; it seems like a more economical choice, yet it doesn’t always deliver the flavor I’m looking for. Taste and Value Comparison While the iced Americano tastes decent, the price feels a bit steep for what I got. I was in a rush and opted ...

Gear Review Investing in a USB Charging Station: My Experience with Hometall *Is a budget-friendly multi-port charger the right move for your tech setup?* $30 Price 5 Ports ~50 Watts 1 Year of Use Table of Contents ① Performance and Setup ② Technical Specifications & Comparison ③ User Experience and Durability ④ Long-Term Update: 9/5/21 Section I Performance and Setup I'm glad I decided to invest in a USB charging station, specifically the Hometall 5-port USB charging station from Amazon. It has proven to be incredibly convenient to have a single location for charging all my devices, especially since I have over half a dozen gadgets plus an Apple Watch.   Benefits of the Hometall Charging Station ### Organized Charging Having all my devices in one place, with the right-length cables, has made a noticeable difference. It’s much easier to keep everything organized, especially with the various devices I use daily. ### Power Output From what I gathered, the Hometall station doe...

Gear Review The Tribute to the Apple iPhone 6s: My Daily Driver Why this classic device remains a powerhouse in a modern world 2015 Release Year ~1,715 mAh Battery 2 GB RAM 32 GB Storage Table of Contents ① A Dependable Companion ② Technical Comparison ③ Conclusion: A Lasting Legacy Section I A Dependable Companion My Apple iPhone 6s has been a loyal companion, especially throughout the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Its Touch ID feature has become even more valuable during this time, allowing me to unlock my phone quickly and easily.   Design: Timeless Elegance While the design may feel dated compared to modern smartphones that prioritize full-screen displays with notches or punch-hole cameras, there’s something undeniably elegant about the simple aesthetics of both the iPhone 6s and the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 , which debuted around 2014-2015. Despite their age, both phones have held up well, but the iPhone 6s showcases impressive durability and continues to run the la...