All Episodes - Niklas Rosenberg's Podcast
Articles by Niklas Rosenberg now also via Podcast. I write and talk about how to live a good and balanced life, how to become a better entrepreneur, and how to get an edge through tech and science.
View Podcast Details19 Episodes
Will subscriptions take over the podcasting scene?
There’s a lot going on in the podcasting ecosystem and it seems clear that more and more podcasts will become subscription based. It also means that there will probably be less ads in podcasts going forward and that’s also going to have an impact on AdTech development in the podcasting space. However, subscription based podcasts aren’t for every creator, and I don’t expect that the majority of podcasts will end up behind a paywall. Many podcasters will probably do what’s commonplace in the newsletter space, i.e. offer selected bits of your work for free to everyone, and then place the premium content behind a paywall. Link to original article
Did Apple just close the universal podcast directory?
I sincerely hope that Apple never intended to close their directory from third parties and what we’re seeing now is simply a misunderstanding or a bug that will be fixed quickly. This change would absolutely not be Apple’s interests, because someone else (e.g. Google or Spotify) would step up and claim ownership of the universal podcast directory. That would clearly not be good for Apple, because being in control of such a directory has inherently a lot of value. Link to original article
A deeper look at the new iMac
I’m still impressed by the new iMac and it’s a big improvement to the previous generation. The new form factor is fabulous, despite the slightly oversized chin, and after a long break we got some color alternatives again! Much of the improvement is thanks to the small but powerful M1 chip and this new iMac proves that Apple is making good progress on their 2-year transition to Apple Silicon. The main drawback is the size of the display and I would have loved to hear that they’re planning to release a larger model later this year. Link to original article
We got AirTags but the completely revamped iMac stole the show
The “Spring Loaded” Apple event delivered a solid package of relevant updates and we even got a completely new product – the Airtag – which of course is a rare treat. I’m also very excited to see how the new updates to Apple Podcasts will impact the entire podcasting ecosystem. The new iMac with its stunning new sleek design stole the show and the iPad Pro, especially the larger 12.9” version with the Liquid Retina XDR display, continues to be an impressive device. Link to original article
If it takes less than two minutes, just do it
The power of the 2-minute rule is evident, because it really drives you to get things done. The rule also appears simple and straightforward, but turns out to be surprisingly hard to follow rigorously. Link to original article and the diagram mentioned.
The Power of an Inbox
Based on Allen’s GTD methodology, I’ve developed my own productivity system, which has served me well for the past 5 years. It contains elements from all five steps mentioned above, but I’ve found that getting the first step right, i.e. capturing everything that pops up in your mind systematically and placing them into a centralized “inbox”, is key to everything. Link to original article.
The risks are high when you strike nuclear facilities
Whatever the motivation for the Natanz attack was, and however compelling the risk/reward calculation looked, it’s undeniably true that there’s a high risk of disastrous consequences when nuclear facilities are involved. Link to original article.
If showing charts is your #1 AR use-case, think again!
Don’t get me wrong, charts are great, but if you want to get the early adopters excited, you might instead want to emphasize with examples what AR can do for your workouts, your in-store shopping experiences, or your business conferences. And don’t forget about gaming and entertainment! I, for one, am hoping that using the AR glasses will be as much fun as useful. Link to original article.
China's new digital currency – four key takeaways
The fact that The People's Bank of China (PBOC) was the first major central bank to launch its own central bank digital currency (CBDC) shows that China is not afraid of taking bold actions and can implement complex new systems much quicker than their American or European counterparts. Sometimes being first really does matter and I’m absolutely certain that there are lots of people within the Fed and the ECB who are justifiably very worried about the situation. Link to original article.
Waking up early is smart but darn hard
Personally, I fully agree with Schopenhauer, Willink, and all the other early birds, who preach the gospel of early mornings. I can clearly see why it’s a good thing and why I should get up every morning at 5am. The problem is that it’s never been natural for me to wake up at 5am. Not even at 7am for that matter. Link to original article
Should I upgrade my Apple Watch to Series 6?
I’m intrigued by blood oxygen measurements and I applaud Apple for adding yet another health sensor to the watch, but the main reason I’m considering upgrading to Series 6 from Series 4 is the always-on display and the improved battery. Link to original article
Revisiting Chris Anderson's Long Tail
Despite the fact that the WIRED article "The Long Tail" came out ages ago, it’s still an educational and entertaining read. Not only did Chris Anderson coin a phrase that became widely used, but he also did some good predictions, especially regarding online streaming services and that the most successful online businesses will be about aggregating the Long Tail in one way or another. Link to original article
The Law of Focus
On its surface, the Law of Focus seems simple and straightforward, but actually it’s got quite a few layers to peel. It’s perhaps more about narrowing things down than finding and owning a word, and being able to own a word comes as an end result of the process. Then again, perhaps first trying to find and own a word can be a means to an end, a way to ensure that your business is focused enough. In any case, there’s no doubt that a company can become incredibly successful if it can find a way to own a word in the mind of the prospect. Link to original article
Hard systems, soft systems, and information systems
Looking at the various elements of a business through the lens of systems makes a lot of sense. When the systems are in check and work together, they enable you to create a strong brand that can be replicated, enable growth without chaos, and eventually turn your business into a systems-dependent, not people-dependent, operation. Link to original article
The Entrepreneur, the Manager, and the Technician
In The E-Myth Revisited, Michael Gerber explains why the majority of small businesses fail and what to do in order to make them work. He describes three different business founder personalities, relevant for understanding the entrepreneurial myth. These are the Entrepreneur, the Manager, and the Technician, and typically one of these personalities is dominant in a founder. Link to original article
The Law of the Category
The Law of the Category makes a lot of sense and there are many similarities to The Blue Ocean Strategy. Creating an uncontested market space is of course easier said than done, but still worth thinking about carefully before setting up a new venture. There’s nothing wrong per se in the alternative, i.e. starting to compete in an existing category, but it seems obvious that it’s much harder and might ultimately become a race to the bottom. Link to original article
Apple should re-enter the wireless router market
As I’m currently looking for a new mesh WiFi networking system for my apartment, I’ve been wondering about Apple’s decision to abandon the wireless router market back in November 2016. I’m hoping Apple would reconsider their decision regarding wireless routers and re-enter the market. It would be a powerful space for Apple to command. After all, Apple wants to be present all around your smart home and they’re working hard on technologies like HomeKit, Siri, and AppleTV. They’re also always touting the importance of security and privacy. Link to original article
The EU urgently needs its own chip manufacturing
If the US is feeling stressed about the global chip situation, the EU should be outright panicking. It’s high time that the EU has woken up and attempts to do something for the sake of “digital sovereignty”. Let’s hope the intervention doesn’t come too late, because in matters that are complex and capital intensive, change doesn’t happen overnight. Link to original article
Why not focus on Climate Tech then?
So if you’re like me, a tech enthusiast and wondering what to do with your life, why not focus on Climate Tech then? I for one am going to start paying much more attention to Climate Tech going forward, and I definitely want to learn as much as possible about the various technologies and opportunities emerging out there. Seems like a perfect object to focus on in order to find something meaningful to do with the time and resources I have at my disposal. Link to original article