Hey,
It’s Pete Matheson with a new issue of Experiments in Progress.
Most tech advice is built for enthusiasts, but if I’m recommending something to my dad, none of that matters.
It comes down to:
→ is it easy to use?
→ does it actually improve day-to-day life?
→ will it still be used in 6 months?
What I’d Actually Recommend to My Dad
Here’s what I’d actually recommend 👇
🪑 Start with a really good chair
If you sit all day → fix that first.
Think:
Herman Miller
Secretlab
Anything you personally find comfortable
This is one of those upgrades where spending more actually makes sense.
Source: Secretlab
⌚ Health tech such as Apple Watch
I’d pick Apple Watch because of safety features:
fall detection
emergency SOS
automatic alerts to family
real-time health signals
Set up:
emergency contacts (trusted contacts)
SOS features
notifications
If something happens — a fall, a heart issue, anything serious:
→ it can call emergency services
→ it can send texts to family
→ it can notify people instantly
💻 iPad vs laptops
Most parents don’t need a laptop, they need an iPad.
For most people, that covers:
email
browsing
messages
basic apps
And it’s easier to use, harder to break, and way less frustrating.
If you do need one, just get a basic MacBook and move on.
🎧 One good pair of headphones
Pick one:
Sony XM series (best value)
AirPods Max (if you want premium)
The goal is to get something that just works every time.
🏠 Smart home… but simplified
If you like tinkering:
Home Assistant
custom setups
If you want it to just work:
Homey (Mini / Pro)
plug-and-play systems
simple integrations
Lights, cameras, notifications, energy tracking — all in one place.
🔊 Audio that doesn’t need setup
Best options:
Sonos (easiest)
Bose soundbars
LG systems
Plug it in → it works.
🧩 The small stuff that actually improves life
This could be underrated, but it actually matters:
good phone case (so you don’t drop it)
screen protector
comfortable mouse + keyboard
Source: Windows Central
🎯 The Buying Guide
Category | What to Get | Why |
|---|---|---|
Health | Apple Watch | Safety + simplicity |
Computing | iPad (not a laptop) | Easier, enough for most |
Audio (personal) | Sony XM / AirPods Max | Reliable, no friction |
Audio (home) | Sonos / Bose / LG | Plug & play |
Workspace | Good chair | Daily impact |
Smart Home | Homey (simple) | Works without complexity |
Accessories | Logitech MX + basics | Small upgrades, big feel |
📱 Enjoying this newsletter? Share it with a friend who’s as obsessed with tech as you are:
📰 News worth knowing
🤖 Nothing is building AI devices (beyond phones)
Nothing is reportedly expanding beyond smartphones into a broader AI hardware lineup.
The company is working on:
smart glasses
AI-powered earbuds
a more connected device ecosystem
The goal is to build devices that integrate AI more directly into everyday use.
📱 Huawei launches a new wide-format foldable (Pura X Max)
Huawei has introduced a new foldable phone with a different approach to the category.
The Pura X Max focuses on a wider form factor, instead of the tall, narrow designs most foldables use today.
A wider outer screen makes:
typing easier
apps feel more natural
the phone usable without constantly unfolding it
When opened, the device still expands into a larger display, but with a different aspect ratio than typical foldables.
Source: Huawei Central
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