AI devices
Meta Rayban glasses (from 350€)— the AI hardware device I use most, they are discreet and useful. Not having access to llama in Europe is the main drawback
Brilliant labs Frame glasses (from 300€) — I’ve not tried them out yet but have heard positive feedback and they look better than the meta rayban ones
Unitree robot dog (from 1500€) — the only type of pet I’ld ever get, plus it does summersaults! Cheaper version of a Boston Dynamics Spot robot
USB club (from 40€) — a P2P file exchange network with good people. I’ve mostly used it to discover new works
Cowboy ebike (from 2000€) — I’ve been obsessed with Cowboy ever since I tested on in 2019. Since then I’ve invested in the company and use the bike everyday to move around Paris
DYI:
Arduino (from 30€) — I recommend starting with a kit. For inspiration, look at anything Tigris does. It's a good gift for teenagers too
Bambu Lab a1 mini 3D printer (from 200€) — 3D printers have improved a lot recently and there’s lot of open source designs to start off. Will purchase one of these to 3D print shoes as a side project when I have time
Zines from Praxis, Foundation & Frontiers, d/acc, 0xParc, Metalabel (from 20€) — I find short form essays with illustrations a better way to communicate ideas than long form books
Stripe Press (from 25€) — coffee table books on the history of technology, science and investing
Any book from these lists (1, 2) or premium Substack subscriptions
Audible subscription (from 8€/month) — I’m dyslexic, curious and spend too much time in front of a screen. I’ve been getting through dozens of books a year by listening to them whilst walking
Zero Club supplements and subscription (from 20€) — all in one longevity platform for Europe. I get a full day general checkup, blood and bioage tests done once a year. The more complex the routine, the less likely I am to I stick to it
Melatonin (from 10€) — I take a very small dose (0.3mg) to get over jetlag or to reset my sleep rhythm. It makes traveling a lot easier
Opensource smartring (from 20€) — I’ve used an applewatch, a CGM and a Whoop for a few years but have found them all disappointing. I’m receiving this ring next week and hope it will stick
A good pillow (from 20€) — I’ve been using this one from IKEA for a year and I’ve never slept this well
Work setup: Apple keyboard & mouse, 32 inch HD screen, standing desk, AirPods Max, Herman Miller chair and direct access to sunlight. I spend 50-80h a week working — having a nice setup is a worthwhile investment
Endel (from 0€) — I’ve been using Endel’s algorithmic soundscape for work instead of lo-fi for 4 years and I cannot imagine going a day without it
Malin+Goetz coffee scented candle (50€, currently out of stock) — my brain associates the smell of coffee with work, lighting this candle helps me burn the midnight oil
I’ve cycled on & off of meditation and breath work for over a decade now, nothing stuck. I tried Olo at Edge Esmeralda and have been using the app consistently since then. The team is extremely thoughtful about the experience: they’ve recorded >10,000 hours of sounds in nature, engineered a sound system for their in-person experiences and developed a sleepmask (it’s the best I’ve ever tried)
Opal for focus too - I work with my phone in a different room but have found that blocking my phone until 5pm is the most effective way for me to get through my to-do list
Limitless pendant (from 99€) — I’ve pre-ordered a limitless pendant to record and transcribe meetings and conversations. I assembled and soldered an Omi last summer but have found the transcription to not be good enough for me to use it often. I’m currently using granola.ai for meeting notes rather than limitless; let’s see whether the pendant makes me switch over. I’m going to also probably buy a friend necklace
World Orb (from 2500€) — the orb is an engineering work of art. I don't know if I’ll use it to onboard friends and family or as an art piece in my living room. I’ve preordered it a couple of months ago and should receive it in Q2 2025
Cursive ring (from ?) — I’ve been pestering Vivek for a silver cursive ring for months, I’ll get my hands on one in the new year. The female version of this is Chipped (NFC powered clip-on nails)
I’m also getting Burner cards to onboard family members to crypto over the holidays.
As you can tell for this essay, I'm an early adopter. Let me know if there are any products that have increased your quality of life or that I should test
