The 2019 technology of the year award goes to Bose for the Alto and Rondo Audio Sunglasses
Why not the iPhone 11? Well, let's compare it to the iPhone 3G S, which was the standard ten years before. Even only looking at the camera, the pace of innovation has been astonishing. Not to mention all the other things a new iPhone is capable of doing.
But no. While it may be someone else's top pick, the novelty and execution of the Bose Frames are more reminiscent of the original iPod. It has that same "you just wait" potential the tiny 5GB music player had when it first arrived on the scene.
These glasses, although limited in scope, are truly useful. Since acquiring my first pair [Original Review], they have gone hardly a day without being worn.
They have their drawbacks. Currently, they are available in only one color and just two sizes. They have limited battery life. More lens options should also come standard. And in loud environments, the sound gets drowned out.
But despite those shortcomings, for a first go, these glasses are terrific. In low to medium sound environments - like hiking, walking, driving, and in the office - the sound they produce is loud enough without being obtrusive. and the fidelity is good enough for people who enjoy quality sound.
And, they show the potential of augmented reality. There's no in your face Tony Stark level HUD, but they also aren't flashy "look at me" spectacles or Google Glass oddities. The Frames are just a "classic silhouette" meant to augment your reality, not that of those around you.
The thing Bose Frames do well is what Bose always does well, transmitting sound. The arms have "built-in Bose speakers for an immersive audio experience unlike any other." And they're right, wether hiking in Hawaii or just inside a local mall, wearing these glasses improved the experience.
Bose has stuffed miniaturized electronics and wires hidden in the temples, frame, and arms. "It's a state-of-the-art personal listening experience embedded in a classic design. You hear a rich, immersive sound, while others hear practically nothing. Exclusive technologies and custom speakers direct sound at you and away from others."
Everything quoted is taken straight from the Bose Frames webpage because it's true. These glasses do everything Bose says. They also say that the Bose AR platform "makes astonishing new audio experiences possible," and that might be a little bit off, but it does hint, if ever so slightly, at the potential of AR.
It is possible to augment reality with these glasses - even with just some curated playlists. Say you're out holiday shopping and it's packed with people. Folks are getting jostled around, and a good many are slightly grumpy. It's not an ideal situation - but put on some calming music, like something by Hiroshi Yoshimura, and that all dies down. You can still hear the undertone of the world around you, but it becomes just that, background because these Bose Frames are directing calm and peaceful vibes directly at your ears.
They don't disconnect you from the world -- like earbuds or headphones -- so you can experience music as more of an augmentation. In certain situations, like the crowded shopping mall example, the value of the Bose Frames becomes apparent.
Bose should do a series of reaction videos of people first experiencing the Frames. Put them on and activate the sound, and you'll see people act pleasantly surprised and invariably smiling.
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Of all the gadgets and gizmos I've played with and tested this year, these AR glasses from Bose are my 2019 pick. I use them every day. I used them when they were just sunglasses, and now that they have prescription transition lenses, I've been using them as glasses.
Pittsburgh has a lot of local businesses you could shop at this holiday season. I can’t possibly name them all. Leave a comment (bottom of the page) and let me know who would be on your list of top 10 places in Pittsburgh to check out this Christmas.
1. Creation Labs: This maker space opened in the South Hills Village mall at the end of Summer. They have several 3D-printers, a laser cutter, and plenty of space to grow. Don’t know how to design objects to print? They teach introductory and advanced 3D modeling classes as well as basic coding. You can take advantage of the services they offer a la carte or purchase a monthly membership - like a gym for your mind. They also sell all sorts of 3D-printed things. It’s a new business and that’s why I put it on my list.
2. Jean Louis - A Parisian Bistro in the Dormont area just south of Pittsburgh. It’s excellent. It offers good, simple and well-thought-out dishes at affordable prices. It’s picturesque inside with an enchanting color scheme and, most importantly, delicious food. It’s worth driving in from other parts of the city for a nice dinner here. Parking looks like a problem but it isn’t. There’s a public parking lot directly across the street from the South Hills Nissan dealership that's a 2-minute walk away. Gift cards are probably available and they also offer cooking classes. It might be a great present for the chef in your life.
3. Adam Solar Rides - If you like electric cars and bikes this is the place for you. The owner Adam Rossi is just as energetic as all the stuff he sells - and he sells a lot of cool stuff. From electric mono-wheel skateboards to Tesla Car rentals. If it’s a form of electrified transport, you can probably check it out at ASR. Stop by the store or visit one of the booths they have at various community days (they usually announce them on their Facebook Page).
Maple iPhone 11 Pro Max case by Kerfcase
4. Kerfcase - This Pittsburgh startup (with an awesome office in Homewood I might add) sells thoughtfully designed and sustainably sourced accessories for electronics and your home. They use a mixture of bits & bytes to create amazing products out of gorgeous wood. It’s highly engineered but there’s also a lot of handwork involved. A lot of steps go into making say, a cover for your new iPhone 11, but the result is worth it.
5. Scribe PGH - If you need any paper or interesting desk accessories head over to Walnut Street and check out this small establishment. They have a nicely curated collection of writing supplies and knowledgable staff. They stock high-quality items from around the world that would spruce up any desk or office.
6. Kawaii Gifts - Just a couple of streets over from Scribe you’ll find the cutest store in Pittsburgh. Kawaii means cute in Japanese and all the items in this gem of a store are without a doubt just that. You can’t help but go into cuteness overload when you walk in. They have so many cool little things that you’ll be sure to find something for at least a few people on your holiday shopping list - especially the littler folks.
7. Row House Cinema - There’s a good chance you have a television or home theater system bigger and better than the one at this small Lawrenceville movie theater. You miss out on the movie experience when you just watch something at home though. This isn’t a multi-plex with THX but the audience will be like-minded fans of film. Buy a pass or a gift card for someone who you think could use a good time at the movies.
Some of the Quality Chocolates Available at Mon Aimee
8. Mon Aimee Chocolate - THE place to go for quality chocolates from around the world right in Pittsburgh. There are chocolate bars from Hawaii to Iceland, sweets from Germany, and treats from Italy. If you are looking for something locally produced but also exotic, Mon Aimee just became the first retailer in Western, PA to sell OODALLOLLY chocolate - founded in San Francisco, using cacao from The Philippines, employing a Swiss technique and produced right here in Pennsylvania (outside Philly).
9. Love, Pittsburgh - If you want something made by a Pittsburgh based designer or just want something with that Yinzer aesthetic - head on up Mt. Washington. They’ve got exclusive items that you can’t get anywhere else - from Pittsburgh Pierogi ornaments to hand-thrown mugs that read JAGOFF as well as a number of Pittsburgh themed tee’s.
10. Cotton Bureau - Speaking of tee’s. If you are looking to get a bunch of different designs head on over to this website. Some are by local artists but many are by designer from all over the world. All the shirts are printed right here in Pittsburgh, PA.
These are just some of the local businesses in the Pittsburgh area. Which ones did I miss that you think should get some recognition? Let me know in the comments below.
It's Yom Kippur so if you don’t feel like reading my message I completely understand. For everyone else, if you don’t read further you’ll miss out on some pretty cool news but no hard feelings if you also file this message in the trash.
Now that’s out of the way, there’s quite a bit to be excited about in the world of Hringpoki.
Artist Collaboration
For one thing, a collaboration in art between myself and Australian abstract photographer Matthew Schiavello looks like it’s finally coming together. This idea has been floating around since April but there have been some recent developments in the project that are very exciting.
First, I finally decided on a sculptural medium to display mine and Mathew’s work that is compelling and does service to both our work. After much experimentation and even some scientific testing - we are getting close. I expect to have two examples of this collaboration complete by December. I just uploaded a preview of some early test work to our subreddit. Longer exploratory pieces will appear on the Hringpoki blog.
Speaking of Reddit
If any of you happen to be on that particular social media platform and have an interest in seeing rougher behind the scenes and random posts about hringpoki work and whatever errata comes to mind, head on over to our fairly new subreddit: r/JOYCOMPLEX. Not quite a blog and not nearly as polished on an Instagram, this will be the place where I post quick news and updates and photos won’t be so perfect (good photography is hard work).
Please feel free to post pictures of your hringpoki items, discussions on how things have held up, ideas for new products, or complaints about old ones. I take pride in my work and want it to be the best that it can be. If you have suggestions for improvement then I want to hear about it.
Hringpoki Stones
Word is getting out and my hringpoki stones are making their way onto hands and into pockets all over the world. I don’t know how the word is spreading but for a not inexpensive rubbing stone, they are being purchased semi-regularly. If it’s word of mouth, I just want to say thanks for sharing!
It’s also very exciting to hear back from people about how much they like their stone. I am especially proud of reviews and notes I have received from customers who use the stone for anxiety or to help curb the need to self-harm - such as from skin-picking or trichotillomania. These anecdotal reports, while far removed from FDA approval, mean the world to me because for those people, something I made improved their lives.
Hringpoki Buyback Program?
I’ve been tossing the idea around in my head of a hringpoki buyback program. Kind of like how Apple does with phones. You send your old hringpoki stone back, you get a discount on a new one, and I refurbish the old one and sell it at a slight discount.
Any interest program?
Hringpoki Coins
The newest pocket-sized hringpoki objects are coins - 10 Krónur sized coins to be exact. They are available in various materials - I think the black steel+ is my favorite to look at, but copper still has the best feel. The photo at the top of this post shows what they look like. Prices are up on my Etsy store.
I did make a 1 Króna coin in titanium that came out well. But, wouldn’t you know, I lost it at the supermarket! I didn’t even have the chance to take any pictures of it. It was an expensive mistake so you’ll just have to take my word on it that the smaller coins are cool looking, but maybe too small?
A few 10 Krónur coins have already be shipped over to customers though. I’ll wait for feedback on the overall design before I offer a small coin. I’d like to make sure I have the overall feel of the coin just right before I start playing with sizes.
Icelandic Lesson
At the beginning of this message you make have asked yourself: what is a Hringpokimaður?
It’s a combination of the already compounded hringpoki (hringur+poki) and maður (man). If English worked like Icelandic it could be translated at circlepackperson. It encompasses both male and female hringpoki aficionados. For example, the Icelandic word Þingmaður literally means assembly+man, but all members of the Icelandic parliament (The Alþingi) whether male or female are call þingmaður.
PS - þingmaður is pronounced thing-mather (like father, with an m instead of an f).
Last weekend, I lived inside of an Apple product launch : from conception, to launch, sales, and end-of-life.
The product? Apple Card Covers. 500 "premium cellulose fiber" Apple Card Covers sold in a weekend. My thoughts on the media hype beast that made this project possible and what it might mean.
Why I Made My Apple Product: Background
Back in March 2019, Apple announced that it would launch a new type of credit card - one tightly integrated with its wallet app and Apple Pay which also offered new levels of simplicity and privacy.
Apple also announced a companion card that you could use if a vendor didn’t accept ApplePay. It looked really cool, as far as physical credit cards go. White and gray with a laser-etched Apple logo on the front and no number or signature on the back. Oh, and the card itself? Milled from titanium.
Want to jump down the rabbit hole into the design aspects of the Apple Card? Arun Venkatesan goes into intricate detail on his blog post, The Design of Apple’s Credit Card. Here’s an excerpt.
As is expected from Apple, the card is unlike any other. At a close glance, the minutest details set it apart from the rest . . . This level of obsession with the details is nearly expected from Apple.
Arun Venkatesan
Let’s just say people lauded Apple’s phenomenal attention to detail for the design of this card.
Until they didn’t.
Apple Card Launch
On Tuesday, August 20th, Apple Card launched for all US consumers. I applied for a card and got one in short order.
The whole experience was smooth. The application process was simple, opting out of the arbitration clause - that “the internet” said you should do - was super easy (via text message no less), and receiving Apple Card via FedEx and then activating it via the proximity sensor embedded in the packaging was really slick.
And the titanium card did look cool. I never intended to really use it. It would mostly just sit on my desk. Some people did use it, and posted photos of it dirty.
A couple days later, people also noticed a particular line of text on the Apple Card support page warning that, “some fabrics, like leather and denim, might cause permanent discoloration that will not wash off.”
The damage wouldn’t stop the card from working; just some cosmetic disfigurement. Like many Apple snafu’s, perceived or warranted, this one blew up on the internet quickly.
About the only thing that was new was the fact that Apple pointed out that credit cards suffer wear (and provided instructions on how to avoid or mitigate Apple Card from suffering the same fate).
If Apple hadn’t said anything, nobody would have reported anything. Yes, it is sort of amusing that a card held up to such “exacting design standards” was just as likely to get damaged by the things that damage your run of the mill payment card. But it's sort of akin to poking fun at the child who points out that “The Emperor has no clothes on.”
I wasn’t really paying attention to the stories and then on Friday the 23rd, even my Dad emailed me about it.
Subject: should have used plastic, with a link to a CNN article on the “fiasco.”
I emailed him back, “Everyone loves to poke fun at Apple. They should just get those paper gift card sleeves and emboss them with their logo - and sell them for $10.99. They can run a print advert with this text underneath: April Fools seven months early."
Then I decided why not do it myself?
I launch MY Apple Card Cover
Step 01: The Cover
I picked up a gift card cover and did a quick photoshoot at home with my Apple Card.
Step 02: The Description
This step is the most fun for me. How would I describe my Apple Card cover? How would Apple describe a cover they designed? They’d use Apple-speak. And so would I.
I took the first statement Apple made about the card on their website and added some tongue in cheek, self-aware, yet earnest additions.
APPLE
ME
Apple card is here.
And you wouldn’t want to get it dirty like a regular card would you?
It’s a new kind of credit card.
And it should be treated as such.
Created by Apple, not a bank.
So of course, it needs a cover.
Apple Card completely rethinks everything about the credit card.
Except how you keep the thing looking shiny and new.
It represents all the things Apple stands for. Like simplicity, transparency, and privacy.
You wouldn’t step out of your home without clothing? Why expect that of your Apple Card?
And then I channeled my inner Jonny Ive and came up with some ad copy.
That’s why we sourced these premium cellulose fiber sleeves. They come only in black thus ensuring the best Apple Card spending experience during each and every use.
Don't be surprised if you find yourself suppressing a slight gasp as you marvel at the striking contrast of the pristine arctic white laser-etched Apple Card juxtaposed with the matte black sleeve.
I posted a few links to my Apple Card cover on Reddit. I was not expecting to sell any of these covers, just have some fun.
I chose r/Apple (for obvious reasons), r/humor (again, for obvious reasons), and r/CreditCards (where at least one person appreciated my satirical product and gilded the post silver).
I watched my Google Analytics light up as people visited my Etsy Listing.
No sales. And then after about twenty minutes . . . I sold one. Then an hour passed. A sale. Then another and another. What was going on?
None of my Reddit posts were upvoted - 3 of the 4 posted were at zero, the lowest a Reddit past can be. I eventually saw that a site I hadn’t posted on had referred several visitors to my listing.
My cover had caught the eye of someone at a tech blog. They posted a story about the cover and the sales started coming. My iPhone notifications were going crazy and they didn’t stop throughout the night and the next day.
Step 4: Figure Out What To Do
I was going to have to deliver card covers to people. I had a source. But how much money was I going to be making? After Etsy fees (¢20 per renewed listing + a sales fee), shipping (¢50 via USPS), envelopes/labels, and time spent folding and mailing . . . I’d be lucky to make $80.
This wasn’t a viable business. The time spent folding plus fees killed any profits. I take pride in the kind of service I typically give my customers. For example, I usually write a personal note thanking them for their purchase. But that was out of the question with the volume of sales I experienced. I couldn’t keep up.
Furthermore, this was a classic arbitrage situation, I was sourcing these covers for a low price and selling them at a higher price, but it wouldn’t last long. Copycats who were better positioned to actually make a profit were sure to pop up eventually.
So, I decided to cap the total I would sell at 500 covers - with a caveat, or ten.
Step 5: Have Fun - Special Editions
I held back 10 covers so that when I sold out, which I did Saturday afternoon, I could re-list nine of those covers as belonging to a group of the “Last 10.” I added special edition text to the listing:
LAST 10 APPLE CARD COVERS WE WILL EVER SELL
Once they are gone they are gone forever. Will they become sought after pieces of Apple memorabilia? We don’t know.
All we do know is that these are the LAST TEN IN THE WORLD
Protect YOUR Apple Card with this rare and highly sought after cover (over 490 sold to date).
Purchase Includes:
Apple Card Sleeve (matte black)
Authentic Apple Sticker (One Per Cover)
Certificate of Authenticity (Signed)
Upgraded Shipping (1st Class w/Tracking)
Accept no substitutes.
I priced them at $10.
And you know what? They sold. All nine were gone by that evening.
That left the final one. Cover Nº500. The last of the covers. The most special one.
THIS IS THE LAST REMAINING APPLE CARD COVER AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
There are NO OTHERS like it.
WE ARE OUT OF STOCK AND ARE UNABLE TO OBTAIN MORE
You Will NEVER Find Another One Because We Are Not Selling Any More
This is the LAST of its KIND
Purchase Includes:
Apple Card Sleeve (matte black)
Authentic Apple Sticker (TWO)
Certificate of Authenticity (Signed)
Exclusive “Collector” Packaging (Special Edition)
Upgraded Shipping (Priority Mail w/tracking and Insurance)
Accept no substitutes.
I priced it at $100.
I went to bed and woke up to a notification on my phone saying it sold as well.
I had one cover left. The prototype cover. The original that inspired this journey.
Before the SOLD OUT AND NEVER TO BE STOCKED AGAIN 500 Apple Card Covers there was Ur-Cover
Following in a line of prototype products, for sale is the prototype Apple Card Cover that birthed the 500 that SOLD OUT right here not long ago.
This ULTRA MEGA RARE find may not have been designed in the Cupertino design lab alongside the likes of the prototype Mac SE or the Indigo iBook G3 prototype (both pictured). But it was the FIRST COVER CONCEIVED as a cover FOR a product that was designed by someone in Cupertino.
This Alpha prototype of the popular Apple Card cover is the ULTIMATE COLLECTOR’S DREAM if your dream as a collector is to own the prototype cover that spawned over 500 successful Apple Card Covers which you can no longer purchase from here.
ONE and ONLY one - Like Neo from The Matrix
Purchase Includes
The One and Only PROTOTYPE Apple Card Cover (matte black)
Authentic Apple Sticker (TWO)
Certificate of Authenticity and Provenance (Signed)
Exclusive Prototype “Collector” Packaging (MEGA Special Edition)
POLISHING CLOTH (Black, of course)
Upgraded Shipping (Priority Mail w/tracking and Insurance)
Accept no substitutes.
I priced it at $1,000.
It hasn’t sold. But you never know.
I see it as a monument to my weekend glimpse into Apple product silliness.
Conclusion
I never intended to have this window into the Apple product lifecycle. But it happened. Immediate takeaways?
I should have priced the covers higher, but then I couldn’t have marketed them for the “price of a song.”
Being at the right place, at the right time, with the right skills, and most importantly getting lucky that a tech site picked up on this was key.
Maybe Apple should have shipped the darn thing with a cover - or solved the credit card wear issue and used gorilla glass or something.
Mailing out 500 Apple Card covers is exhausting. It's not hard work but it's not something you'd want to do for an extended period.
The fact that I sold 500 card covers in a weekend shows that there's a need, a perceived one at least, for a product to protect your Apple Card. This need was driven by media coverage that blew all notion of proportionality out out of the water.
A scuff on a charge card is not a grave consequence. But coverage of scuffs on an Apple Card became a "thing" on the internet. I don't fault the people who spent $1.29 on a paper cover because of all this reporting. (I think the folks who spent more were having a good time and have more disposable income than I do. )
The media over-reported this but in the quest for relevant content and clicks, they sort of have to report on these sort of things. What's the solution? Take a step back? Adopt a "slow news" mentality? I don't know, but I'lll certainly be pondering this conundrum more thanks to this little art project.
