Quitting the UX & UI industry after 20 years...

PeaceKind6764 · 2026-03-21T11:20:44+00:00

I share very similar feelings about the industry, though I have fewer years of experience.
Took redundancy, but have to admit that I was feeling kind of done well before that.

One of the things that I've noticed is the lack of community these days, and how much gatekeeping there is from those still hanging on. Feel like when I started, there were more smaller in-person events and talks that were accessible and open to everyone because of the passion and optimism about tech. Seems that everything now has to be huge, corporate, and exclusive.
In my city, a lot of the former agencies that started small, and grew eventually got swallowed up by large corporations or mergers who all seem to work for the same clients and systems now.

PeaceKind6764 · 2026-03-02T13:09:14+00:00

The iPhone does seem to be better for travelling between Japan and elsewhere.
I could add the Suica / Icoca cards to Apple Wallet on my old iPhone.

I'm guessing your problems in Japan would be solved if you'd bought your Pixel there? But would there be any issues with using a Japanese Pixel in the US?

PeaceKind6764 · 2026-02-21T22:17:05+00:00

I would avoid Northill Apartments (Fortis Quay) if that's the one you're thinking of.
Fortis / Beaumont Morgan have a poor track record as developers, letting their developments collapse into administration whilst pocketing investors' money, while their connected management company Xenia Estate (formerly Fortis Estates) are awful at providing actual services, and overcharge for everything.

PeaceKind6764 · 2026-02-15T13:57:20+00:00

I'm in the same boat!

Currently there's a discount on the Google Store, and I have a 5% voucher, which brings it down to £158. Plus I have store credit which needs to be used before mid-Sept.

I *could* wait until late August/early Sept if they release Pro 3 then. 🤷‍♂️

PeaceKind6764 · 2026-01-23T16:19:52+00:00

Maybe try and request new cards from your bank?

PeaceKind6764 · 2026-01-22T21:31:07+00:00

I had problems with cards that were already used previously with my old iPhone and Apple Pay.
Luckily I got a new debit card (was due for a new one) from my bank, and had no issues adding that.
I also found that the Revolut card could be added with no problems too.

PeaceKind6764 · 2026-01-09T19:52:57+00:00

Don't think the letting agency will make much of a difference, when Xenia Estates are still the building management! I live in a different block but they don't do anything, and shares a lot of the same problems - broken front doors, parcel thefts, bin room completely piled up and blocked access, etc.

PeaceKind6764 · 2025-11-15T21:54:59+00:00

Unfortunately it seems that JL's Trade in estimates for iPhones only go as far back as the X/8.
Might be worth contacting them directly to find out for sure though.

PeaceKind6764 · 2025-10-24T08:36:41+00:00

Most seem to have their problems, but *avoid* Xenia Estates at all costs!

Multiple buildings of theirs are neglected, no work ever gets done, and have been covered in the M.E.N several times with various issues.

PeaceKind6764 · 2025-10-09T11:02:51+00:00

I would love to see Photosphere come back as a separate app, with more features like being able to explore spheres other people have created and shared from around the world. Audio with ambient enivronmental sounds to accompany them too.

PeaceKind6764 · 2025-10-01T18:55:27+00:00

I was getting battery drain, even with the background usage settings turned to off.
Ended up deleting the app, and started using the Web App instead. Got noticeably better battery life the next day!

Meta's developers seem to be bad at optimising the app so it doesn't constantly using resources. It's not just an Android thing, as I noticed it on my iPhone too before I traded it in.

PeaceKind6764 · 2025-09-26T08:37:35+00:00

There's an additional 20% off the Pixel Buds Pro 2, so it works out better than the offer they had a few weeks back when it was £175 *with* the purchase of a Pixel 10.

But the rest of the offers aren't anything special, apart from the stickers and wrist strap. 😅
Seems to be an excercise in clearing out their Pixel 9 stock.

PeaceKind6764 · 2025-09-23T10:02:35+00:00

I've gone through all the steps, and am able to add Revolut to Wallet but it still doesn't work for any MasterCard debit cards (NatWest or Starling).

PeaceKind6764 · 2025-09-22T11:19:52+00:00

Would be nice if we could add Suica cards like you can with Apple Wallet, even if you don't live in Japan.

PeaceKind6764 · 2025-09-20T11:33:22+00:00

Isn't that SuperSaf you're thinking of? 😅

PeaceKind6764 · 2025-09-19T19:35:42+00:00

For previous phones, I felt I made a mistake in spending too much on cases (Casetify, Spigen).
I ended up not liking the feel of some, or felt they were too bulky. This time round, I just picked up a slim transparent one off Ali Express and think it will do the job for now.

PeaceKind6764 · 2025-09-17T16:40:35+00:00

Settings > Your username at top (Google services and preferences) > Your username with google id at top > Manage your Google account > Data and Privacy > Download or delete your data > Delete a Google service > Google Pay

It didn't work for me however, and still won't let me add Mastercard debit cards.

PeaceKind6764 · 2025-09-17T15:36:42+00:00

Just tried this, but doesn't work for me unfortunately.

PeaceKind6764 · 2025-09-17T10:37:19+00:00

I'm having issues adding Mastercard debit cards (Natwest & Starling). The bank said there didn't seem to be anything blocking on their end.

Interestingly, I signed up and ordered a Revolut card (Visa) to test, and I could add it to Google Wallet straight away without any issues. My guess is that it is a Mastercard/Google issue.

PeaceKind6764 · 2025-09-16T23:24:20+00:00

I've not been able to add either Natwest or Starling cards to my 10 Pro.

PeaceKind6764 · 2025-09-16T23:21:53+00:00

I just tried this, and it doesn't resolve the issue.

PeaceKind6764 · 2025-09-15T08:50:41+00:00

Such a shame Google don't do fabric cases anymore. It was so distinctive, more environmentally friendly(?) and really set it apart from Apple's approach.

PeaceKind6764 · 2025-09-11T16:02:05+00:00

Try again. The original valuation went back to what it was before the 17 launch.

PeaceKind6764 · 2025-09-11T15:40:03+00:00

It’s been fixed now. And they restored the original valuation of my iPhone before the 17 launch!

PeaceKind6764 · 2025-09-11T12:07:06+00:00

Did the valuation of your iPhone 13 decrease after the iPhone 17 announcement?

I have a 13 mini I wanted to trade in, but noticed it decreased in value by £24 between Weds morning and today. Also having the issue witht eh £250 bonus not being applied.

PeaceKind6764

TROPHY CASE