Iterate Weekly - Issue 158
This week Android phones get new "Find My Device" features, California introduces a "right to disconnect" bill, Tesla ditches the Model 2, Coachella livestream updates, and the "Curb" finale!
Welcome to issue 158 of Iterate Weekly.
Hope you’re all doing well. This is just a friendly reminder that you can always reply directly to these messages or leave a comment on the Substack post. Feedback is highly encouraged and I’m happy to answer any and all questions that come up.
Thank you as always for reading!
🤖 Tech
Google finally updates new “Find My Device” features
Apple’s “Find My” technology has become pretty prevalent in today’s society. Apple Air Tags are tucked into backpacks, taped under bike seats, and generally found attached to all sorts of import goods.
But us Android users have been forced to use inferior products without a decent native find my device feature for far too long. Well that’s now changing as Google has released some major updates to their find my device network to make it similar to (if not better) than Apple’s offering.
No, this isn’t going to be rant about Android vs. iPhone. All devices deserve to be found don’t they? This new experience for Android devices looks to be pretty slick. Modern Pixel phones will be able to send and receive signals on the network even when their battery has been depleted.
We know it’s only a matter of time until we see Google release new tracking tags that rival the Apple Tag. But in the meantime, the technology is coming to a few third party vendors. Chipolo and Pebblebee have trackers in the works that will use the new tech. I’ve personally been using Chipolo trackers for a few years now and they’ve been mostly fine but could certainly use an upgrade. Sadly, it looks like the new Chipolo tags are already backordered until June, I’d love to get my hands on some to try out. Maybe it should also entail a longer writeup on my current Chipolo experience.
They even plan to add this technology to some new headphones being made by Sony and JBL which is a nice touch. And if you have some Google Home/Nest Hubs in your house they will make it even easier to pinpoint the exact spot in your couch cushion where you left your keys. It’s hard to comment too much here until I test things out myself, but it’s a great day for Android users who often lose things.
🎓 Education/Productivity/Work
California introduces “Right to Disconnect” bill
California employees may soon have legal grounds to refuse to answer that late e-mail or respond to that Slack message at the crack of dawn.
The state is introducing a “right to disconnect” bill that would allow employees to set clear guidelines around their working hours.
This makes total sense right? When work was confined to a physical space, employees would clock-in and clock-out with a clear distinction between work and non-work time. Digital work is fantastic for many reasons, but the inability to set boundaries is a serious problem. This bill would allow employees and employers to agree on set times when work is expected to be completed and times when they can just relax and not feel compelled to respond.
Similar legislation has passed in France and Spain, but this would be particularly unique in the world of American work. To be clear, this is still in the early stages, but I could see it gaining traction. In many ways, California created this problem. Much of the technology used to remain connected at all times was made in our state. It seems fitting that this is also the place where the solution to “always-on” employment comes from.
♻️ Health/Environment/EVs
Tesla ditches their plans for a low(er) cost EV
Tesla may still be the biggest electric car maker in the country, but they’re abandoning plans to release a much-hyped affordable car.
The so-called Tesla Model 2 was rumored to be a more compact, more affordable version of the Model 3. The hope was that it would retail for around $25,000 making it one of the lowest priced new EVs on the market. Alas, Elon Musk appears to have had a change of heart.
Rather than bring the car to market, the company looks to be diverting resources to its automated robotaxi efforts. A self-driving taxi does sound way sexier than a mid-size electric sedan that would have likely had to cut many corners to hit that price point.
But with EV sales growing stagnant over the past few months, the Model 2 represented an important offering that could have turned the tide. Price is still largely the reason why buyers opt for similarly-spec’d internal combustion cars instead of their electric counterparts. More of these lower-cost options need to come to market to offer more options for a variety of budgets.
Musk has said himself that if Chinese EV manufacturers were able to sell in America, they would “demolish most other car companies in the world”. In fact, Chinese brand BYD recently passed Tesla for the title of top producer of electric vehicles. So it’s a shame that it doesn’t look like Tesla will be able to deliver on this promise of the $25K EV.
🛍 Grab Bag
Watch Coachella like NFL Sunday Ticket
This year YouTube TV took over the NFL Sunday Ticket broadcasts in the US, and by most accounts, they did a fantastic job. One of the best features was the ability to watch up to four games at the same time.
Now, YouTube is hoping that music fans will have the same positive reaction when they allow multiple stage viewing during this year’s Coachella live stream.
No, you won’t be able to listen to four artists play at the same time (like the NFL broadcast, audio will only come from one feed at a time) although those mashups may be fun. It now makes the online viewing experience arguably better than being there in person. Watching live music from the comfort of my home has been one of the most enjoyable post-pandemic activities for me. It’s just a different vibe when you know its a live feed, way better than watching recorded performances later.
The people who are there in-person can’t be at four stages at the same time, but now you can lounge on your couch and experience the ultimate Coachella streaming experience. What a time to be alive!
💬 Quote of the Week
"We are going to have peace even if we have to fight for it."
-Dwight D. Eisenhower
🎧Content Recommendation
Curb Your Enthusiasm Finale
Well, I alluded to it last week but I was pretty excited/sad to watch the finale episode of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” this week.
I won’t spoil anything here for those who haven’t watched it yet, but you can check out Vulture’s fine recap if you’d like.
I never had the same love for Curb like I did for Seinfeld. It scratched many of the same comedic itches but didn’t hit exactly the same way. More profanity and more socially uncomfortable acts by Larry probably had something to do with it. And has there ever been a show that has taken as many breaks between seasons as this one?
We thought the series was done several times during its run and it always came back. That seems much less likely this time around, but it should really be celebrated for a hell of a run.
Thanks for reading, I’ll see you next week!
Hey! Could you use some help establishing healthy habits? Do you have a big project or new business that you want to get off the ground but could use some advice? Maybe you could benefit from hiring me as your coach. If you’re interested, read more about my coaching services here, or go ahead and book some time on my calendar to discuss further.
Iterate is free today. But if you enjoyed this post, you should let me know that this writing is valuable by pledging a future subscription. You won't be charged unless I enable payments at some point in the future. Think of it like an IOU in a tip jar.
"Right to disconnect" sounds like the future!