Iterate Weekly - Issue 42
This week we're looking at smart doors, paying our respects to the dying CW, renewing our energy with Nest, recharging our batteries with Coinbase, and looking up at Adam Mckay's latest movie!
Welcome to issue 42 of Iterate Weekly!
Just a reminder that you can always reply to this email or leave a comment on the web version. I read all of them, and I appreciate the feedback, questions, and insights from you.
Let’s jump into this week’s stories.
🤖Tech
A Smart Door for Your Smart Home
Recently I moved into a new home, so this topic is fresh in my mind. One of the first things you do in a new home is secure it right? That used to just mean changing the locks, but these days it’s a whole lot more complicated. Why not just buy a full smart door that already has all the things you need?
Masonite is selling a product aimed to solve this issue. It’s a standard front door that is jam-packed with technology. First, the door itself is hard-wired to your electrical system so you don’t have to worry about finding a power source for all the (door)bells and whistles that you’re connecting to your entryway.
Then there are pre-installed components including a Ring Video Doorbell, a smart lock from Yale, some LED lighting, and a boatload of sensors to make sure everything plays nicely together. These are all the items that I’ve been tracking down separately to create the perfect high-tech entryway. It would be fantastic if they all came together pre-installed in a slick-looking fiberglass door.
There is only one downside I see here, but Masonite should be addressing it soon. It would be great if they offered more customization. If you could choose your components (maybe a Nest doorbell instead of Ring, or an August smart lock instead of Yale) and have them pre-installed into the door, that would be super convenient. Masonite says this is in the works in future versions of the door.
I know there are people out there yelling “just buy a regular door and install things yourself!”. It’s a fair point, but an easy-to-install smart door would really help ease naysayers into the smart home community. I applaud Masonite for their efforts.
🎓Education/Media
The Death of The CW?
We all know that it’s only a matter of time until all the broadcast TV networks blend into a few streaming platforms right? Hell, I’ve had conversations with 20-somethings who don’t even know what a “broadcast network” is anymore. Yes, the lines between broadcast, cable, and streaming have gotten blurry. And it’s looking like the CW network may be the latest casualty.
The network is for sale and there is a strong chance that it will be sold off for parts. Nexstar is the likely purchaser of the fledgling network. Don’t know what Nexstar is? I’m sure you’ve seen some of their content if you’ve visited a grandparent recently or you accidentally sat on the remote. They’ve gobbled up other networks in the past (remember WGN? - it was great for nationally televised Chicago sports!) and could do the same with CW.
A few of the shows with cache (Riverdale, etc.) could move to streaming platforms for a new life. But the daily programming would likely revert to a ton of re-runs, infomercials, and general low-cost (and low quality) filler content.
Maybe I’m showing my age by having a rooting interest in The CW. Remember that it is the child of defunct networks UPN and The WB. There is a soft spot in my heart for any network that formerly aired shows like “Dawson’s Creek” and “Buffy The Vampire Slayer”. Let’s hope that The CW can survive this and still create some unique content that people actually want to watch.
♻️Health & Environment
Nest Renew
This week I registered my Nest Thermostat for Google’s new “Nest Renew” program.
I’ve long been a fan of the smart thermostat. For many, it’s the gateway device to the smart connected home. Yes, I do live in the Bay Area where we don’t see a huge variance of temperatures throughout the year. So I’m not getting the same smart thermostat experience as other folks who are cranking up the heat and AC. But I do try to monitor my stats and limit energy usage whenever possible.
Nest Renew offers a glimpse into your energy usage. Their portal allows you to see when your energy is coming from sources that are more “clean” or “dirty” throughout the day. I know this isn’t an exact science and no one should feel an immense sense of guilt for doing laundry at night when their energy source is less clean. But Google has done a great job of making it fun and easy to take an interest in where your energy comes from.
They’re even partnering with a company called OhmConnect to reward people who use less energy at key times of the day. I’ve followed the trajectory of OhmConnect closely and one of their co-founders is a former colleague of mine. It’s amazing to see their growth and the partnership with Google is a great sign of success. They’re even giving out free smart home tech for those who signup! It’s a win-win for everyone.
🛍Grab Bag
Do We All Need Recharge Weeks?
The image above may be a Coinbase logo, but this story isn’t actually about the world of crypto.
The company has recently announced a policy where employees are given four weeks off each year to “recharge”.
Four weeks’ vacation may not sound like much. Plenty of companies offer unlimited vacation these days (personally, I find that to be a requirement for any company I work for). But this is a little different. Each quarter, there will be a recharge week implemented by the company. This will be a week where nearly the entire company shuts down. So think of it less as a week of personal vacation, and more of a company-led initiative to force people to work less.
An interesting concept right? We all love the feeling of taking a week or two off of work. But we hate the feeling of trying to get caught up or re-initiated into the work that took place while we were out. Of course, if the whole company shuts down for a week, we all restart at the same place we were when we took our break, but hopefully more recharged.
I’ve always seen the benefit of personal recharge weeks. The last week of December and/or the first week of January is typically a good option. The first week of July (corresponding with my birthday and Independence Day) has worked well for me too. I give Coinbase a lot of credit for acknowledging the need for this and making it acceptable (and mandatory) for employees to take part.
Of course, there is the assumption that the workforce may be pushed to work harder before and after these recharge weeks to compensate for the time off. I still feel it’s a step in the right direction, but employees should never feel shame in dictating their own personal need for time to recharge.
💬Quote of the Week
“An athlete cannot run with money in his pockets. He must run with hope in his heart and dreams in his head.” - Emil Zatopek
🎥 Content Recommendation
Don’t Look Up
What would you do if you knew the earth was going to be destroyed in a matter of weeks?
It’s a tough question to wrap our heads around, but it’s the premise of the movie “Don’t Look Up”.
The cast is so star-studded that I hesitate to list them all here. Basically, everyone on-screen has won awards and will be very recognizable. If you’ve enjoyed Adam McKay’s other films (Vice, The Big Short) you’ll love this one. It’s funny, thought-provoking, and immensely entertaining.
Thanks for reading, I’ll see you next week!