WEEKLY WHEATIES #2528
Alternate Software, Samsung Unpacked, AI, Travel for St. Jude
In this newsletter:
📝 Post: How to Find Alternative Software for Personal or Business Use
🗞️ In Case You Missed It: Samsung Unpacked
🗞️ In Case You Missed It: AI Updates
😎 Pick of the Week: 50 States in 50 Days for St. Jude
📦 Featured Product: Smart Garage Door Opener
📝 How to Find Alternative Software for Personal or Business Use
Most personal hobbies and businesses alike survive on one or more pieces of software. Nowadays, there are softwares for just about everything you can imagine. The problem is finding one that does exactly what you want or need it to. Or more importantly, talk to the other pieces of software you have to engage with. I talked about APIs in Weekly Wheaties #2522, but essentially, they are a programming interface that allows one piece of software to either send or receive information or commands through another piece of software.
While an API isn’t a software in and of itself (at least to purchase), they allow developers to quickly interact with multiple softwares easily — at least in comparison. Basically, developers don’t have to program softwares and apps that can perform 1,000s of different tasks anymore. They can create a very basic program, excel in one or two main functions, then integrate APIs from other apps that excel at other needed and necessary functions.
Coding an app can be exponentially more difficult based on the level of interactivity and utility of the app in question. And while there are a ton of reasons Why We Don’t Ship Software as Fast as We Used To, it’s not because they are bloated and over-engineered. There are a lot of reasons that go into the depth of development. However, on the other hand, non-typical programmers are able to vibecode an app in tandem with AI over a weekend. While it sounds crazy, it’s very possible.
With the amount of softwares being created daily, how does one know where to find what you need? That’s a question I’m always answering for friends and small businesses who reach out. So much so, I created a website that acts as a bookmarks manager of sorts: keepitonthe.download
There’s bound to be something of interest for you there. Many of them offer free trials or limited free tiers. I highly encourage you to take advantage of those and see if a piece of software can help you out in any way. A downside to some of these softwares, though, is the cost. It seems like everything has a subscription now, and they aren’t cheap.
Enter the world of LTDs (Life Time Deals). AppSumo is the big player in this space (and the one I would mostly suggest), but two others I've used in the past are Stack Social and SaasZilla. I highly, highly, can’t stress this enough — highly, recommend only buying software from here to utilize as a supplementary use for your business. Do not rely on anything from here as your daily or main function. In rare cases, you can, but I wouldn’t necessarily suggest buying something with that intent.
LTD softwares typically sells very inexpensively because they want users to use and test out their software. The downside to this, in some cases, is that if the funding runs dry, they may shut down without warning. The ones I’ve purchased that did shut down, I typically had a few months of heads-up notice, but I’ve heard stories from other customers of software that were functioning fine one day and closed down the next with no warning.
If you want to hear a bit more in-depth on this topic, consider watching a video I made on YouTube Being Frugal When Purchasing Software.
But back to AppSumo for a second… They offer new deals weekly, and have grown a team so large, they also offer their own custom softwares. I would feel more confident in suggesting these softwares because they have a better backing (for updates and funding) and most of them have been around for years now. If you want an alternative software to some of the big players, check out some of their ‘AppSumo Originals’ below:
BreezeDoc (electronic signature and invoicing similar to Docusign or PandaDoc)
KingSumo (run giveaways similar to Rafflecopter or Gleam)
SendFox (email marketing newsletters similar to Mailchimp or Constant Contact)
TidyCal (scheduling software similar to Calendly or Doodle)
Lastly, when trying to decide to purchase an LTD or pay the premium price for the ‘gold standard,’ remember, you are balancing convenience, features, and usability for a price. You may be okay paying for something that ‘just works’ and offers the features you are looking for, but even in the software world, The Pareto Principle is alive and well.
🗞️ ICYMI: Samsung Unpacked
Samsung held their Galaxy Unpacked July 2025 event last week. You can watch the full keynote on YouTube or check out The Verge’s 11-minute recap. Three main products were announced. A Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 phone. Both seem to work much better when used open or closed, and both are now thinner, faster, with better quality cameras, and much more. Both come with the updated One UI 8 operating system - an AI-centric version of Android with Google’s Gemini embedded across the phone.
A new Galaxy Watch8 Classic was also announced and includes AI, too - a first for any smart watch. While not specific to Galaxy devices, unless users take action, Android will now let Gemini access third-party apps - so check your settings!
🗞️ ICYMI: AI Updates
Elon Musk’s x.com AI, Grok, received an update last week. And while the new model has achieved new industry benchmarks, there were far too many controversial remarks reported. Many of them noted the model would check Elon Musk's views before offering its opinion. While it’s not clear if related, their CEO quit the next day. Let this stand as a reminder that no AI model is immune. Just last month, OpenAI rolled back an update that made ChatGPT a sycophantic. In the past, all models have shown (at least at one point) to be racist, sexist and creepy. Always check your results, and start a new chat if you receive odd responses.
In other AI news, Apple loses its top AI models executive to Meta’s hiring spree. Along with the $200+ million pay package offered there, they also invested $3.5 billion in the world’s largest eye-wear maker. They may be updating their current AI glasses or will be releasing a new model soon. While using AI may be easy for some, be careful how you use the results. YouTube is preparing a crackdown on ‘mass-produced’ and ‘repetitive’ videos online, and potentially disallowing them for monetization.
😎 POTW: 50 States in 50 Days for St. Jude
One of the most wholesome, fun, and creative YouTubers, Ryan Trahan, is in the middle of a 50-day journey across the US. He is staying in a different Airbnb in a different state each day. As he records, he uploads his footage to his two editors every night to be compiled and uploaded a few days later. So, while we’re a couple of days behind in real time, the goal is still the same - raising as much money for St. Jude as 1 man can. Currently, his “million dollar road trip” has raised over $4.5 million and has garnered the attention of a bunch of major brands, including: Lectric eBikes, Airbnb, Dollar Shave Club, Kia, and Paramount, as well as other popular YouTubers like Mr. Beast, Mark Rober, and Doctor Mike. Through his trip, he’s searching for the coolest Airbnb in America and has visited some pretty interesting places. Check out his stops at a Frank Lloyd Wright House in Arizona, a Star Wars Outpost in Utah, an abandoned missile complex in Arkansas, and a lighthouse in Massachusetts.
If you’d like to support his journey and give to St. Jude, visit: stjude.org/50states
📦 Featured Product
I’ve shared the popular wireless myQ Garage Door Opener before, which is now $23. However, they now offer a Smart Garage Door Opener with Video and a Keypad. This is a huge upgrade and can replace or work in tandem with a Ring Doorbell. It's currently listed at $35, down from $100, so if you are the least bit interested, jump now! At that price, it’s even cheaper than a normal Ring Camera.
