Bytes & Backpacks #101 👓

Glasses, that's what this is all about. Smart glasses. There have been several failed attempts over the years - remember Microsoft Hololens or Google Glasses? But today, thanks to developments in technology, we're slowly getting to the point where it's all starting to work. I myself got a pair of smart glasses from Meta this summer (made by Rayban) and I have to say that it's probably the most usable device yet in the augmented reality field. They can even make dioptric ones, as the glasses themselves don't have any technology in them. All you need is a camera, a microphone and a speaker in the glasses. So you can shoot surprisingly good videos with them, take photos, play music or podcast... And if I hadn't drowned in September on a boat, I'd still be wearing them today :-). But of course the future is in glasses that can project something into the image. Who's working on that, for example?* Meta Glasses* Snapchat Spectacles* Xreal Glasses* Viture* OPPO AirglassBig things will be expected from Google, Microsoft or Apple - I see their Vision Pro as a bit of an exploration of what could be in a "few" years in "normal" glasses. I'm quite curious if we'll all be wearing glasses in 10-20 years. After my experience with Meta glasses, I have to admit that, at least for me, this could be the "next device" that changes the world (like a smart phone). Talking on the phone, listening to music and podcasts, taking photos and videos and having your hands free - it's actually very comfortable and natural. I was surprised by it.You take a trip to the mountains in Canada like that. The locals warn you there are a lot of wolves roaming around. And the fact is. The experience of a lifetime. Except I wouldn't really go out...Here the bears are having fun in the playground again. In Argentina, trees have been cut down and hordes of parrots have moved into the cities. And now the locals don't like it. It's a strange time.In Texas, a new hotel is being built in the desert, completely printed on a 3D printer. In another desert, another "town" is being built. Remember the megalomaniacal Neom project in Saudi Arabia? A 170-kilometre-long noodle of a desert that will house up to 9 million people. Currently, the construction consumes over 20% of the world's steel production.It's a similar glimpse into the future as Tesla's new robot or robotaxi. Only no one really knows how much of it is AI-driven and how much it is controlled by a bunch of Indians in a slum somewhere.But either way, the future finally looks like the future!On the other end of the spectrum is Stage Stoneman, who built a $200 house in California.Maybe it's better to roam the countryside like Carey Kish, 65, who joined the Triple Crown Hiking Club after hiking 3 of the most famous long-distance trails in the U.S. - nearly 13,000 miles in all. Now that's active retirement!2 weeks of camping in the wilderness like in the old days when the USA was first settled.If you're heading to the US, I've got a list of the best hotels to stay in - they're haunted. Or tips on the best small chain restaurants in each state.OpenAI has introduced new Canvas features and ChatGPT is slowly becoming an office suite for document creation. Anthropic, on the other hand, has updated its Claude apps, which work nicely with projects. I use both tools, practically on a daily basis.Mushrooms are said to grow faster when you play noises. Scientists are on it. We have webs that work like Spider-Man's. Some people won't like this - beloved whales eat beloved dolphins.What I'm reading right now: John Muir - My first summer in SierraWhat I'm listening to: A biography of Elon MuskWhat I'm watching: ShrinkingApp that caught my attention: Inbox ZeroThank you for reading and hope you enjoy it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit newsfromthewoods.substack.com