3 cool things I thought you might like - #2
TL;DR - Reminders hack, cheaper alternative for Uber, the history of the country digit code and some cool marketing experiment. Let’s dig in 👇
Every time I need to get something done, I just ask Siri to add it as a reminder. But if you’re the type of person who forgets to check the Reminders app (like me), try adding it to your calendar as an event instead (setting it as “Daily” might help).
Setting up reminders hack
Too lazy for that? Ask ChatGPT to generate an.icsfile with your tasks and reminder dates. You can then import it straight into your calendar, and all your events will show up automatically.This trick also works great for planning meetings during work trips - just drop in the email with when and where you want to meet, and it can generate the calendar invite for you. Just make sure to set the right time zone and add their email. It will generate one file with all the details for multiple meetings.
Stop using Uber or Lyft - I found a cheaper way to ride - (US only, Europe option below)
It’s called Empower, and just like Uber or Lyft, it gets you from point A to point B. The big difference? Empower lets drivers keep 100% of their earnings and run their own business—no middleman taking a cut or controlling the ride. It’s usually 20% cheaper, and sometimes even up to 50%, depending on rush hour or weather.
Not totally sure where they operate across the U.S., but definitely worth checking out. The UI/UX & registration process isn’t amazing, but honestly, once you’re in the car, it doesn’t really matter. If you wish to use the referral code, feel free to do so (we both benefit from it). The credit for finding this app goes to Ori Berger!
Pro tip - It's much cheaper and faster to use Bolt rather than Uber in Europe.
Fun fact!
Have you ever wondered why some countries have one digit codes like the United States (+1) and Russia (+7) while others have three digit codes like Israel (+972)?
I just found out and it’s pretty cool:
A few cool things shared by friends this week:
Asaf Jokel, R&D Mechanical Engineer at Magenta Medical
One of the coolest ways to make your smartphone actually smart is by using the Shortcuts app on iPhone - and here’s how I’ve streamlined my daily work routine with just a few simple automations:
🚗 Morning Arrival
•As soon as I arrive within 200 meters of the office, my iPhone automatically calls a contact saved as “Gate”.
•This number opens the entrance gate to the office parking lot - hands free and hassle free.
🕔 End of Day Routine
•When I open the app used for logging my entrance and exit, Shortcuts kicks in.
•It waits 30 seconds (enough time for me to log the exit time and reach my car), and then:
•Calls the Gate number again to open the parking lot.
•Launches Waze, automatically setting the route to my home - so I can hit the road with zero taps.
💡 Bonus Ideas to Take It Further
If you’re into automation, here are a few other actions you could add to this flow:
•Mute notifications when arriving at work (or enable Focus Mode for “Work”).
•Send a quick text like “On my way home” to a spouse when leaving work.
•Start your favorite playlist or podcast when Waze opens for the drive home.
Meme of the week
Prompt of the week (veo 3)
{ "description": "Cinematic shot of a sunlit Scandinavian bedroom. A sealed IKEA box trembles, opens, and flat pack furniture assembles rapidly into a serene, styled room highlighted by a yellow IKEA throw on the bed. No text.", "style": cinematic", "camera": "fixed wide angle", "lighting": "natural warm with cool accents", "room": "Scandinavian bedroom", "elements": [ "IKEA box (logo visible)", "bed with yellow throw", "bedside tables", "lamps", "wardrobe", "shelves", "mirror", "art", "rug", "curtains", "reading chair", "plants" ], "motion": "box opens, furniture assembles precisely and rapidly", "ending": "calm, modern space with yellow IKEA accent", "text": "none", "keywords": [ "16:9", "IKEA", "Scandinavian", "fast assembly", "no text", "warm & cool tones" ] }
X post here.
Cool marketing experiment
About three weeks ago, I had an idea I wanted to test, so I decided to run a small marketing experiment. I invested $150 and, instead of running paid ads or complicated campaigns, I tried something different: I sent handwritten letters & envelopes to 40 people - potential customers - to see if they’d be interested in the service I was thinking of offering.
Each letter included a quick explanation of the service, the price, and a dedicated email address they could use to get in touch if they wanted to hear more. (To be fair, I wasn’t planning to actually sell anything yet - I just wanted to see if the method worked.)
The results were pretty awesome:
I targeted people estimated to be between 35–55 years old (based on Facebook info)
All lived on the East Coast (New York, Pennsylvania, Miami, and Connecticut),
All owned and lived in private houses
The service I offered? Garage door repairs and annual maintenance for a fixed price
Here’s what happened:
12 people emailed back saying they wanted more details
2 people asked not to be contacted again
1 person even looked me up on LinkedIn 😅
I used a third-party service to send the letters and combined Google Maps (Street View) with local permit data to identify the right homes and gather contact details. (Yeah… there’s a ton of public info online). I still have some credit left with this company for future “letter experiments” - I'll update when I do a larger experiment.
Each letter was personalized, and I set up a dedicated email address so I wouldn’t miss any replies.
(This is just an example of a letter I received from a company I researched before working with them).
(It's okay to share with one friend too, I get it)