Iterate Weekly - Issue 75
This week we're talking about Open App Marketplaces, AI presentation software, Cooling off with reflective paint, Learning from "The Orangutan", and "Waking Up" with Sam Harris!
Welcome to issue 75 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 all of you.
Let’s jump into this week’s stories.
🤖 Tech
Open app marketplaces could be on the way
For pretty much the entirety of the modern smart phone era, consumers have been getting their apps from two places. The Apple App Store and the Google Play Store have been the de facto locations to access the world of mobile development (at least in the United States).
And now the U.S. government may be stepping in to regulate things by means of the Open App Market Act.
The hope is that this piece of legislation will bring an end to Apple and Google’s “walled garden” ecosystem. Here are a few ways this could change the way we download our apps.
The Open App Markets Act would make Apple and Google stop requiring apps to “use or enable in-app purchases” as a means to be admitted to each respective app store
Apple and Google could no longer penalize apps that offer better prices on competing marketplaces
It would give app developers the freedom to directly connect with consumers and monetize in a way that doesn’t go through the app stores
iOS and Android devices would no longer have default routing of app purchases through Apple and Google’s respective app stores
And, the big one, Apple and Google would need to allow third-party marketplaces to run on their devices
I can still remember the early days of Android development where apps could be downloaded through alternative marketplaces (any old Cyanogen fans out there?). Sure, there is still some of this today, but the vast majority of apps are being funneled through Apple and Google’s infrastructure.
Yes, this has made downloading apps much easier and safer but it has also likely stymied some creativity. There are plenty of developers who are unable to play by the rules of these big companies. Hopefully, the Open App Markets Act will encourage more competition and make it easier for small developers to make a living without being feeling burdened by current app store requirements.
Have you ever downloaded an app that didn’t come from the main app stores?
🎓 Education/Productivity
Hour One’s Reals creates virtual human speakers
This story toes that fine line between an incredible productivity advancement and just plain creepy.
Hour One is an AI company who is banking on the success of a product called Reals. It allows you to easily create a product demo or how-to video that is voiced by a pseudo-real/uncanny valley/deepfakey kind of AI human. Hmmm, ok. I guess this could be useful for some companies?
The video above gives you a better idea of how it works. I can’t imagine too many scenarios where I’d prefer an AI creation to tell people about my product rather than just do it myself. But that’s just me.
As this technology improves, it will certainly be much harder to distinguish a real presenter from an AI version. That’s both incredibly exciting and frightening. The futurist in me loves the idea. And yet the actual human side of me doesn’t want to be duped into thinking a real person is talking to me if they aren’t.
Could you envision ever using a product like this for your own business?
♻️ Health & Environment
Cities cool off with solar reflective paint
It’s no secret that the earth seems to be getting warmer. It seems like each summer we hear of more heat waves happening in all corners of the globe.
What if one way we could cool things down was to just paint things with reflective paint?
Well, the city of Los Angeles is coving 1 million square feet of roads with paint designed to reflect sunlight and dissipate heat. It may not sound like it would make a huge difference, but certain surface temperatures may drop by 10-12 degrees. That could easily make things more comfortable for a kid playing on a playground on a hot day.
Urban Heat Islands have become a real problem in many cities. Densely populated cities tend to have more people, more pavement, and fewer trees. These are all things that contribute to the “real temperature” of a city feeling much warmer than what the thermometer may say. While planting shade trees is another fantastic way to combat this, creative solutions like reflective paint will make a huge difference as well.
While most of the reflective paint comes in drab gray colors to blend into existing landscapes, it’s also possible to use this technology in colored paints. It makes for a great medium for artists to create colorful murals on pavement. These can bring visual joy to a space while also allowing for a respite from extreme urban heat. A win-win for everyone!
🛍 Grab Bag
The Orangutan can help make you a better marketer
I always love to give shout outs to fellow Substack writers who are putting out some great content. The “Grab Bag” section is the perfect spot to do it!
Today I want to highlight the fantastic publication “The Orangutan” written by my pal Riccardo. If you work in the world of marketing or are looking to learn some new tactics on how to grow your business, The Orangutan has you covered.
It is a free weekly newsletter that selects and explores the best marketing strategies and ideas and how to reapply them to your business or content. Hundreds of founders and creators have already registered, you can do it for free here:
https://theorangutan.carrd.co/
If you like my writing, I think you’ll also enjoy what Riccardo is putting out into the world. Go check it out!
💬 Quote of the Week
“The thing about meditation is you become more and more you.”
-David Lynch
📕Content Recommendation
Waking Up
This week I’m recommending a book called “Waking Up” by Sam Harris.
Harris has become one of the more popular names in the world of meditation and mindfulness. This book does a great job of examining what it is to be “spiritual” in today’s world and how that may differ from being “religious”.
It’s not a very long read, but there are stretches that are quite dense and require a lot of concentration to follow. There are plenty of deep philosophical questions raised about our consciousness, our mortality, and why religious or spiritual leaders are so appealing to humans. I particularly loved this last part that dove into the appeal of gurus and cult leaders after having read “Cultish”.
The book may not be for everyone, but I really enjoyed the tough questions Harris asks and it had me thinking more deeply about spirituality in my life. Note that this is only a recommendation for the book. Harris also has a meditation program and app with the same name that I have not tried myself. I have heard positive things and may give it a go in the future. But if you’re looking for an entry point to Harris’ work, this book is a good place to start.
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Thanks for reading, I’ll see you next week!
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Excited about app marketplaces opening up. Wider distribution is key to unlocking the next level of growth for the app economy.