I am sitting at Toronto Pearson International Airport waiting for my Porter Airlines flight to Los Angeles International Airport and IPW 2024. I’ve never attended this travel conference before and this year when I applied, I got approved and added to the Canadian media delegation. Feeling pretty excited for something I’ve never experienced before, I am looking back on the learnings from 2024 so far and the things I am proud of.
I recently came back to the #TeamGoogle & #TeamPixel family thanks to Google Canada and I think that the social media post that I created around it may be the biggest serve ever… and I’m kind of living for it.
There are many definitions to “serve” for those of you who aren’t aware what that means. A term in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community rooted in Black and ballroom culture, the queer community uses it when something is said or done in an iconic and sometimes audacious way.
“That girl was fierce.” “I know did you see her serve?”
To bring it. To work the runway/catwalk to your best ability. To have b*tches gagging in awe.
Why is what I posted considered a serve, or as my friend Hawley said “This is savageeee”, you ask? Well I was invited to work with the team at Apple Canada to try out the iPhone 15Pro and the Apple Watch. I googled it this morning, and Apple is literally the biggest brand in the world. Their products have an almost cult like following. If you’re an Apple person, you’re an APPLE PERSON. That’s not meant to be insulting, but you know it’s true. And not to be boastful, but getting on their radar as a content creator and member of the media is not easy.
And I chose to break up with them.
NO ONE breaks up with Apple.
Why? Because for the last few years I have loved my Google Pixel devices and the android experience. While (mostly Apple) people can make fun of the green text messages all they want, the fact remains the Google Pixel 8 Pro has the better camera and AI software.
By a long shot.
Now I don’t want this blog post to come across as disparaging to the Apple Canada team because I am genuinely so incredibly grateful to have been selected to try the switch to iOS after years with Google and android devices. It was an experiment to see if not having an iPhone since my iPhone 5, if they could help me do my job and share my life with you all in the same way, or better.
While I enjoyed the phone and watch, I just couldn’t shake the feeling of longing to have my Pixel back. So when the team at Google Canada was gracious enough to welcome me back with open arms, I knew that Justin Bieber’s song As Long As You Love Me ft. Big Sean (fast forward below to 4:05) was right when Big Sean sings
“But the grass ain’t always greener on the other side
It’s green where you water it
So I know, we got issues baby, true, true, true
But I’d rather work on this with you
Than to go ahead and start with someone new”
So asides the spectacular Google Pixel 8 Pro (which in my opinion is the best mobile device on the market right now), I am lucky enough to also have been gifted a Google Pixel Watch 2 to pair with my device, track my improving fitness goals, and keep me connected with my busy schedule and with you all.
I trust Google so much that I also have ensured the important people in my life have Google mobile devices and technology in their home.
Again, I say this with so much love to the Apple people out there reading this, I liked the experience for a few months, but I LOVE being back on the better team.
Explore the latest #Pixel8, Pixel 8 Pro, and #PixelWatch 2 devices, plus new colors for #PixelBuds Pro at the Google Store: https://goo.gle/3LO9e0d
*All products mentioned were gifted to me by the Google Canada team
I hope you enjoyed reading and that if you’re not already, follow me on all platforms at @dothedaniel as I share in real time these adventures and more!
Photos by: Google, Google Canada, Made by Google, Daniel Reyes Cocka, and participating partners
Don’t forget to be kind & a little more honest with yourself this year
*Please note that this may be a sponsored post and promotional consideration may have been offered by participating brands – our disclosure can be found at all times by clicking here.