Iterate Weekly - Issue 32
This week we're talking about mixed reality, the biology of learning, Oura Ring subscriptions, socks to last a lifetime, and Season 3 of Succession!
Welcome to issue 32 of Iterate Weekly!
Just a reminder that you can always reply to this email or leave a comment on the web version. I do read all of them and I appreciate the feedback, questions, and insights from all of you.
Let’s jump into this week’s stories.
🤖Tech
Oculus update on Passthrough API
As I’ve mentioned before, I do own an Oculus Quest 2 VR headset. I honestly don’t use it very much, but I’m always curious to see the latest updates and interesting use cases for VR in my life.
Recently, the Quest 2 received a software update that brought with it some useful features. Things like improved voice commands, in-VR phone notifications for Android, and some safer improvements to its Guardian feature that will let you know if a family member or pet are accidentally (or intentionally) wandering into your VR space.
These things are all great, but the big feature I wanted to call out is the Passthrough API that Oculus hopes will lead to some truly immersive mixed reality experiences. The API was launched last summer, but this latest update should make it even easier for developers to create with this technology.
Just think of it as an augmented reality or visual graphic being projected onto real-life objects in your home. The example above shows someone wearing the headset with passthrough mode on so they can see the real piano that they are playing. But the VR headset can then overlay colorful graphics to point out the real physical keys that should be played. It’s like a souped-up real-world version of Guitar Hero!
This is the sort of application that has me super excited to strap on my VR headset. Let’s hope we see some more specific apps take advantage of this technology in the near future!
🎓Education
Improve your focus with Dr. Andrew Huberman
I want to give a quick shoutout to the work being done by Dr. Andrew Huberman and his Huberman Lab.
Huberman is a tenured professor of neurobiology and ophthalmology at Stanford University School of Medicine. And he does a fantastic job of taking truly complex educational principles and explaining them in a way that anyone can understand.
If you’re interested in the topic of neurobiology, you should signup for his newsletter or check out his podcast.
His talk on the biology of learning is really eye-opening. Check it out.
🩺Health & Nutrition
Do you need an Oura Ring subscription?
I’ve been wearing an Oura ring to track my sleep, activity, and general well-being for over a year. I’ve found it to be the easiest to use quantified-self tool on the market today.
So naturally, I was curious when they recently announced that they were launching a new version of their flagship product. The new ring looks virtually identical to the previous model but is packed with even more tech to better track a host of vital signs throughout your day and night.
I’ve been long hoping for a vibration motor in the ring that can offer a silent alarm to wake you up at the most optimal point of your final sleep cycle. Alas, that feature isn’t coming to the new ring. I imagine it would greatly impact battery life and probably make the ring a little bulkier. But the ring will be able to take constant heart rate readings throughout the day while the previous version only did during sleep cycles.
I’m sure the new version will be a nice upgrade. The price is the same as the previous model, and they are offering some discounts for current customers. But what’s most interesting is that they are launching a subscription service along with the new ring. $5 per month for access to all of the new data and some additional educational materials. For those who already have rings, they’re offering a lifetime subscription to the service when you buy the new ring.
While I hate the idea of another subscription to something that worked perfectly fine without one, it’s hard to say no to a lifetime subscription. In the past, I’ve purchased lifetime subscriptions to the Calm Meditation app and brain.fm music to help me focus (sure there is some overlap between the products but I’ve been a very happy user of both of them for years).
So will I bite on this offer with the new ring? I’m not 100% sold yet, but I’ll give an update soon if I make the leap.
🛍Grab Bag
Lifetime guarantees for Socks
Speaking of lifetime subscriptions, let’s talk for a second about lifetime guarantees. Specifically for socks…
I’ve long been a proponent of wearing as much merino wool as humanly possible. It’s an amazing natural fabric that breathes well while magically keeping you warm even while wet. It magically resists odors for far longer than the same garments made of cotton or polyester. It’s a great material for anything coming in contact with your skin, but especially socks.
Merino wool is the only fabric I’ll use for socks. There are two brands in particular that I love. Darn Tough and Icebreaker. Icebreaker specializes in all types of merino wool apparel. Some of their workout clothes are fantastic. Darn Tough mainly sticks to socks. But the common thread here (beyond merino wool of course) is that they both offer lifetime guarantees for their socks.
Yes, if you get a hole in your sock, you can just send them back and get a new pair for free. For the rest of your life! Mind-blowing right? I’ve personally used both of their warranties and was pretty pleased with the experience. You can check out the details here for Darn Tough, and here for Icebreaker.
Yes, the initial cost of the socks may be higher than a pair from another brand, but they both make wonderful socks that would be solid even without the warranty. But you’re generating less waste, and you’re guaranteed to always have wonderful socks on hand. Note that Darn Tough does require you to pay your own shipping cost to send back the holy socks, they ship the new socks to you for free. Icebreaker will cover the cost of both sending back the socks and sending out the new socks, so I suppose that does give them a leg (foot?-up.
So as we head into the colder months in most of the northern hemisphere. Now is the perfect time to go invest in some merino wool on your feet. You’re welcome!
💬Quote of the Week
“Through judging, we separate. Through understanding, we grow.” - Doe Santamata
📺Content Recommendation
Succession
Are you watching Succession?
It’s really one of the best shows currently on television. My wife and I are working our way through the new episodes from Season 3 on HBO each Sunday.
The show has it all. Tons of drama, plenty of humor, and a somewhat relatable family dynamic even for billionaires.
Now is the perfect time to catch up on the previous seasons before you jump into Season 3.
Thanks for reading, I’ll see you next week!