Issue #22: How Screens are Killing Your Productivity and a Checklist for Selling Sites.

Housekeeping: We'd like to welcome all the new subscribers. We answer every email, so reach out and let us know what you're building, need help with or just want to brainstorm. Stay tuned for our research reports, courses and other content that will make your journey a bit easier.

In 2019, there were 5.11 billion unique mobile users worldwide, 2.71 billion of the users have smartphones. According to the Pew Research Center, 285 people in the U.S. are expected to have a smartphone by 2023. 35% of U.S. smartphone users check their phone more than 50 times a day. The average user will tap, swipe and click their phone 2,617 times a day, and 47% of U.S. smartphone users say they couldn't live without their devices. Keep in mind that staring out your phone sets off a cascade of reactions—it's a distraction like a negative thought.

It takes about 23 minutes and 15 seconds to regain your focus. One study, on multitasking, showed that brief mental distractions can cost as much as 40 percent of your productive time. And there are other issues like the brain's sleep cycle, which is affected by blue light emitted from your phone. One of the best ways to regain focus is to go for a walk. It may seem ironic but, a 30-minute walk with lift spirits, improve sleep, and it will allow you to creatively solve problems.

Broad Opportunities

I remember building smartwatches, as a kid. PineTime is a free and open source smartwatch capable of running custom-built open operating systems. Features include a heart rate monitor, step counter, week-long battery, and a capacitive touch IPS display that can be read in direct sunlight. It's a companion to a smartphone, tablets and PCs.

You can leverage PINE64 to develop other end user devices. Here are some additional resources on devices.

Open source is a great way to build an application. It reduces development time and costs. Screens have a future and they will evolve. Here are some ideas for inspiration. The future of screens will be in the display, not screen size.

Selling Sites:

There are few things to prepare when selling a site. A checklist should include:

Due Diligence: People will verify your financial statements. Have bank statements, merchant account statements and taxes available.

Financial Records: Collect 3 years of profit and loss statements

KPIs: Identify north star metrics and create a report. This could include revenue, new signups, churn, LTV, cost of acquisition etc.

Traffic: Pull your traffic stats, as well as conversions.

Operations: Assemble SOPs and documentation so that the hand off is smooth.

SWOT: Show that your business isn't a high risk investment for the buyers.

We always want transactions to be a win-win.