Apple's Journal app needs to read the room | Hacker News Reader

Apple's Journal app needs to read the room

theverge.com

4 pointscglong6 comments

I’m getting a bit tired of this style of hyperbolic journalism:

> My hands were sweaty, my heart was racing, and I ended up walking away from my desk to take five deep breaths.

Seriously? Over a product announcement for something you don’t have to use if you don’t want to? Grow up - if that’s really how someone reacts to a journaling app that nobody needs to use nor will be forced to use, maybe they have a deeper problem.

I just don’t get the overly dramatic style that seems popular amongst some writers on the internet these days.

The rest of the article puts it in context. They have had bad experiences with the photos app prompting them with inappropriate ‘memories’, and this is reminding them of that.

I know. Many of us have the photos app show us things we didn’t really want: dead pets, dead relatives, exes, etc. I think most rational adults can handle that and turn it off instead of getting super dramatic about it. Are these people similarly traumatized when they open a desk drawer or photo album and happen to see an old photo that evokes sad memories? Or so they only seek the dramatic trauma points when writing about tech on the internet?

> Are these people similarly traumatized when they open a desk drawer or photo album and happen to see an old photo that evokes sad memories?

This sounds like a plot point from a 1970s detective movie. People use their phones to take photos these days, but before that they used digital cameras.

I launched uLog.ai a week before this event only to see Apple reveal this on stage. I think the idea of AI journaling is spot on, but Journal sorting through photos automatically does seem like a huge invasion of privacy.

It should more-so be about Conversational Journaling rather than Prompt Journaling. We overcome writer's block through questions, so having a companion always around to ask questions is great. Having a prompt generated when I press a button? Not as great imo.

"Conversational Journaling"

refers to the practice of maintaining a journal through an interactive dialogue, typically facilitated by artificial intelligence. Unlike traditional journaling, which often involves one-way communication from the individual to the page, conversational journaling stimulates a back-and-forth exchange, akin to a conversation. The AI prompts thoughtful questions, helping users articulate their thoughts, emotions, and experiences more effectively. This interactive process not only enhances the depth and quality of self-reflection but also makes the journaling experience more engaging and accessible, overcoming barriers such as writer's block or lack of inspiration.

Love the idea!

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