#63 / ChatGPT in Beast Mode, iOS 26 in Bubble Wrap
Six power prompts you’ll use today, plus a reality check on Apple’s Liquid Glass
Hello, my friend! Another newsletter, and lots of things happening this week!
Apple released Liquid Glass design language on WWDC, which sparked a wide range of feedback. I have some thoughts on that, and I’ll share them below.
Also, if you read the last newsletter, you might remember that I’m currently in China handling a family health issue. Things are going well, and I’m slowly getting back on track with technology and design. This experience has been a good reminder that people are the most important part of our lives.
I’m also starting to make videos again. That had been paused due to the family situation, which shifted my focus for a short while—but I’m getting back on track now.
This week, I’ve made a video sharing 6 tips for using ChatGPT. Try a few of them—you might notice some improvements or differences!
Cool, that’s it for today. Enjoy!
Apple's Liquid Glass - an accessibility disaster?
To be honest, the new “glass” style introduced in iOS 26 during WWDC doesn’t resemble real glass at all, and I really don’t like it. But more importantly, it breaks the standard accessibility rule.
I don’t understand how they made this decision. A company of this scale choosing to reduce the user experience — especially for seniors or people using their devices outdoors — is baffling. How and why did they think this was a good idea?
And judging by the stock performance, it feels like I’m not alone in feeling this way.
(A moment later) I watched the introduction of the “Liquid glass” design language on Apple's Keynote, and I must say, there are a few highlights. It seems Apple has identified this material not just as a design element, but as a strategic business differentiator. From a physical standpoint — think Apple’s flagship stores, the glass on all their products including Vision Pro — to the visual language of their software, there’s a strong sense of cohesion in how they’re presenting this concept.
However, I can’t help but sense that there might be some internal politics at play. Previously, under Jony Ive’s direction, aluminium was the hallmark material. Now with the shift towards liquid glass, it’s possible that a leadership shake-up or some behind-the-scenes disagreements have led to this change in direction — something not uncommon in large corporations.
And what's the value for users? I still not get the user value of updating the design language.
For designers, at least two key challenges are becoming apparent:
Compressed content space: The use of liquid glass often goes hand-in-hand with heavy use of rounded corners and circular motifs, which noticeably reduces usable content space — especially on mobile. This presents a real challenge for UI designers who need to convey more within tighter visual boundaries.
Need for motion design skills: One of the core strengths of this design language lies in its dynamic visual effects. For designers, just producing static screens is no longer enough. It’s essential to develop a grasp of motion design — at the very least, being able to implement basic animations using development tools. The era of simply completing static designs in Figma and handing them off is well and truly over.
6 secrets to Leveling Up Your Conversations with ChatGPT!
What if a single tool could brainstorm ideas, write like a pro, and even schedule your day? In this episode, I reveal six insider secrets that turn ChatGPT from “helpful” to game-changing. You’ll learn how to craft laser-sharp prompts, keep the conversation flowing, and tap 2025’s newest features—Deep Research, Voice Mode, and Tasks—for real-time facts and hands-free chats. I’ll also show you how to spin up custom GPTs that handle your repetitive design or content chores while you sleep.
Whether you’re a designer, developer, or solo-preneur, these tips will boost creativity, slice your workflow in half, and safeguard you from outdated info. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to turn ChatGPT into your smartest teammate.
Note: here's a text version if you prefer to read rather than watch video:
Are you still treating ChatGPT like a neat toy? A tiny tweak in the way you ask questions can save hours of work and replace what once took a whole research team. Let’s walk through six moves that turn this AI into a genuine power tool.
Ask clear, grounded questions
ChatGPT shines when you set the scene, give it a role and spell out the goal in one breath. Try something like, “You’re a SaaS marketing consultant—give me three ways to cut churn among small-business users.” The sharper the setup, the less the model wanders and the faster you get usable answers.
Treat it like a teammate, not a search box
Think of the chat as an ongoing conversation. Follow-up questions keep context alive and let you steer the response exactly where you need it. Role-playing helps too. Tell it, “Act as a news editor,” and the tone snaps into a tighter, newsroom style right away.
Play with the new toys: Deep Research, voice chat and tasks
OpenAI’s Deep Research mode now scours the web in several steps and hands you a mini-report in minutes instead of hours. Voice chat lets you interrupt and guide the AI like you’re on a call. Built-in tasks and automations can schedule reminders or kick off little workflows right inside the thread.
Use AI as a creativity booster
More than four out of five creative pros already lean on generative AI to speed up ideas and polish final output. A simple loop—draft with ChatGPT, validate with Google Trends, then ask ChatGPT to write titles and social posts—turns one person into a one-stop content shop.
Fact-check everything
The model can still hallucinate, especially on breaking news. Ask it for links and sources, then cross-check against trusted outlets or official reports. Deep Research automatically attaches citations, which cuts down on manual verification.
Build your own custom GPTs
Feed the system your brand voice, product docs or FAQ sheets and you’ll have a private helper that stays on message every single time. Teams are already using custom GPTs to answer support tickets and churn out marketing emails while designers sleep. The payoff is consistent tone, faster turnaround and fewer repetitive tasks.
Pick one of these moves—say, sharpening a single prompt—and try it today. Then explore Deep Research, voice chat or even spin up a custom GPT. Here’s a question to start you off: if ChatGPT could take over the dullest 20 percent of your workflow, which part would you hand over first?
Hello, I’m Bear—a product designer, UX mentor and an award‑winning bilingual podcast host, currently living in Auckland, New Zealand. I enjoy sharing insights from my work, life, and study, helping all of us grow together.
Bear Academy Newsletter is my weekly email packed with thoughts on technology, design, and productivity—featuring book breakdowns, learning tips, and career reflections.
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