Iterate Weekly - Issue 52
This week we're celebrating one year with brain-controlled AR glasses, productivity addiction, electric mail trucks, digital drivers licenses, and HBO's Winning Time!
Welcome to issue 52 of Iterate Weekly!
Yep, your math is correct. 52 issues, 52 weeks in a year, 1 issue per week. Happy one-year anniversary!
There will be a formal anniversary post coming soon that will give a bit more insight on the future of Iterate. For now, let’s just appreciate all that went into a full year of writing, researching, sharing, and of course…iterating.
If you’ve read one or all 52 of my posts from this past year, I greatly appreciate you. And if you feel so inclined, I’d be honored if you shared this with someone who may be interested. Consider it a one-year anniversary gift to me!
Let’s jump into this week’s stories.
🤖 Tech
AR Glasses You Control With Your Brain
I’ll admit that I’ve never been a Snapchat user. I think it’s ok, I’m not embarrassed about it. I feel like I just missed the boat on the actual app itself. But I have been closely watching the progress of Snap’s hardware products. It’s really bleeding-edge stuff. In fact, they’re hoping that the new version of their Spectacles will let you control the device with only your brain.
The technology behind this mind control comes from the French company Next Mind whom Snap recently acquired.
Next Mind’s main product is a headband that detects electrical signals from the brain and converts them into input data for digital interfaces. It sounds complicated (and it really is) but the goal is to detect subtle changes in your mind so you can control your device without any other input. For example, if you’re thinking about lowering the volume on your music, the audio just quiets down. No need for a button, slider, or voice command.
Obviously, there is a lot of potential for a product like this. Yes, it’s a fun trick for most people, but it could also bring technology to folks who are unable to lift a hand to press a button, or lack the ability to speak a voice command. I think we’re a long way from thoughts being our main method of device input, but it’s a fascinating start.
Yes, I understand the concerns about Snapchat reading our minds and controlling our thoughts. They are warranted concerns! Beyond the potential privacy issues, there is also a lot of room for error with something like this. Sometimes our thoughts may not be exactly what we want. Ironing all the kinks out of something like this seems like a tall task.
Snap Spectacles are still a “developer-only” product right now which is disappointing for the average tech enthusiast. But I’m really excited to see if some basic thought control can find its way into the first version that makes its way directly to consumers.
🎓 Education
Productivity Addiction
Are you addicted to productivity? It may not sound like a bad thing right? We all want to maximize what we can accomplish in a day.
Anne-Laure Le Cunff from Ness Labs breaks down how we can take productivity a bit too far.
Here are a few takeaways from the article to keep in mind.
Productivity shouldn’t be a goal in and off itself
Sure, something like achieving Inbox Zero can be great, but what greater purpose is it providing? Are you freeing up time and head space for other things or just obsessing over email?
Work addiction can be seen as a “mixed blessing addiction”
It really shouldn’t be considered a good thing. That’s where the problem lies. Our society needs to stop glorifying the over-worked productivity addict.
Be aware of your productivity mindset and take a more mindful approach
I love the concept of “mindful productivity”. We can and should be busy! But we need to focus on the right things at the right times. Le Cunff gives some helpful tips in her article, and I find the journaling and reflection component to be vital.
How do you manage your productivity stress?
♻️ Health & Environment
Electric Mail Trucks Are Finally Here!
It seems like we’re long overdue, but the United States Postal Service is finally investing in a new fleet of electric mail trucks.
Yes, those cute little mail vans puttering around your neighborhood will soon become electrified. I understand it’s the U.S. government so everything takes longer than expected, but why wasn’t this done at least ten years ago?
These vehicles are relatively small. They aren’t covering huge distances (mostly just criss-crossing a particular neighborhood) so range shouldn’t be a major issue. I can see the possible need for some heavier-duty trucks powered by gasoline in areas with hilly terrain or excessive snow. But in my flat neighborhood that pretty much experiences no note-worthy weather? Electric mail trucks are a no-brainer.
I was amazed to learn that some of the current mail trucks have been in service for over 30 years, not too shabby! This order for 10,000 new vehicles is just the first step in a long process of updating the entire fleet. This order has increased from an initial plan of only 5,000 EVs. So it’s clear that the message is starting to get through to the slow-moving institution.
This all comes after the USPS was under fire for moving forward with plans to continue with gas-powered vehicles despite the clear benefits of the electrified alternative. While 10,000 EVs are great, It’s important to note that they’re also still ordering about 40,000 non-EVs too.
Let’s hope that this trend continues and gas guzzling government vehicles become a relic of the past.
🛍 Grab Bag
Are Digital Driver’s Licenses Finally Here?
We used to never leave home without our wallets right? And our driver’s license was always found in that wallet. Now, we’re never leaving home without our smart phones. You see where I’m going here? Let’s get those driver’s licenses on our phones!
That’s exactly what the state of Arizona is doing.
Arizona is the first state in the Union to offer digital drivers licenses. That is, if you have an Apple device and use Apple Wallet.
Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport will be the first spot to accept scanable digital licenses when going through security checkpoints. If your plane ticket is already saved on your phone, then doesn’t it make total sense to also have them scan your ID on your phone too?
It’s worth noting that you will still need to get a physical driver’s license in order to set this up. You’ll just add photos of the front and back of the license into Apple Wallet, take a selfie to confirm the identities match, and boom you’re good to go!
Apple has big plans to roll this out to several more states in the not too distant future including Colorado, Hawaii, Mississippi, Ohio, Puerto Rico, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma and Utah, in addition to Arizona.
Well, I’m an Android user who lives in California so I won’t be testing this out anytime soon. This is also a huge benefit of using Apple Wallet, something I admit to having no experience with. Even if you’re not an iPhone user, this could be a nice perk to getting an Apple Watch (yes, you can use an Apple Watch with Android, but that’s a story for another day).
Sure, some folks will be weary of potential security risks with a digital ID. But for the average person, you’re far less likely to be without your smart phone than your physical driver’s license.
💬 Quote of the Week
“The tragedy in life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach.”
— Benjamin E. Mays
🎥Content Recommendation
Winning Time
In case you didn’t know, I am a huge NBA Basketball fan. I’ve also become a pretty big fan of Adam McKay’s work too. So naturally, I was ecstatic to start watching HBO’s Winning Time.
The series follows the story of the 80s LA Lakers basketball dynasty. The real-life story is pretty wild, so there wasn’t a whole lot of embellished needed to bring it to TV. John C. Reilly really shines as Lakers Owner Dr. Jerry Buss. He’s able to flex his serious acting muscle while injecting plenty of comedy. Adrian Brody’s portrayal of Coach Pat Riley was surprisingly amazing for me too.
Even if you’re not a basketball fan, this is a fun period piece (excellent 80s fashion!) with a fantastic ensemble cast of legitimate drama and excitement. I highly recommend it.
Thanks for reading, I’ll see you next week!