Mountain Labs Newsletter

Mountain Labs Newsletter focuses on developing hardware products that enhance life quality, with an emphasis on practical design, prototyping, and product strategy. Core topics include energy, communication, compact design, cost management, and market demands. The newsletter integrates the company's product experiences with life lessons and strategic business advice.

Product Development Industrial Design Market Strategy Cost Management Consumer Electronics Prototyping Personal Development

The hottest Substack posts of Mountain Labs Newsletter

And their main takeaways

#8 Compact Design

39 implied HN points • 13 Sep 24
🪑 Design Product Design User Experience Sustainability Materials Prototyping
  1. Compact design can be very complex, as it needs to use every bit of space wisely. Creating a small air quality monitor involved three design revisions and a lot of thought.
  2. The design process involves trial and error. Each version of the product had its own challenges, whether it was durability, assembly, or size balance.
  3. Choosing materials is important for the final product. Different types of wood can affect how the product looks and feels, and the design might need tweaks for the manufacturing process.

#7 The Shooter

19 implied HN points • 16 Aug 24
🎾 Sports Athletes Events Culture Entrepreneurship Health
  1. Yusuf Dikeç won a silver medal in shooting at the Olympics and became known for his attitude without needing fancy gear. People connect with him because of his resourcefulness.
  2. Many Turkish people complain a lot and focus on negative things, which can hurt their potential for happiness and success. This attitude might lead to feeling less likable.
  3. Ibn Sina believed that constant complaining can even affect your health and limit the good things you receive in life. Staying positive is important for social connections.

#4 Prototyping / Pre-Order Campaign

39 implied HN points • 27 May 24
🕹 Technology Prototyping Product Development Hardware Startups Innovation
  1. Mountain Labs successfully got 77 pre-orders for their Air Quality Monitor in just 6 weeks. This is a good sign of interest from customers.
  2. They have a clear prototyping process, starting from a breadboard to a punched-card prototype, before making the final PCB design. Each step helps them test and improve their product.
  3. Collecting pre-orders helps Mountain Labs plan their first batch of manufacturing. They aim to sell the product at $99, making it affordable for many people.

#3 Industrial Design

59 implied HN points • 17 Apr 24
🪑 Design Industrial Design Product Development User Experience Prototyping
  1. When developing a hardware product, focus on three key areas: energy, communication, and form factor. Energy determines if your device runs on batteries or needs to be plugged in.
  2. For B2B products, start with communication needs since they often integrate with other systems. But for B2C products, prioritize the look and feel of the device first.
  3. Always check the costs and manufacturability of your components. If it’s too expensive or hard to make, revisit your choices before moving forward with the design.
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#2 Bootstrapping a hardware product - Ideation

39 implied HN points • 02 Apr 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Product Development Market research Sales Strategy Manufacturing
  1. To come up with a hardware product idea, being obsessed with solving a problem can help generate creative thoughts. Jotting down these ideas is important to revisit them later.
  2. Understanding market trends and competitor products is key. Looking into the market size and checking sales numbers can help you decide if your product idea is worth pursuing.
  3. Finally, evaluate your ability to develop and manufacture the product. Creating a list of necessary components and their costs can give you a clearer picture of whether your idea is feasible.

Focus

39 implied HN points • 21 Mar 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Product Development Marketing Hardware Software
  1. The new product, ODAK, is a CO2 detector that helps keep track of air quality and cognitive performance during work sessions. It also features a built-in time-boxing tool and LED notifications.
  2. Building hardware products offers unique challenges and benefits compared to software. Physical products can create a stronger connection with users because they can be seen and used without relying on ads.
  3. Having a clear strategy is crucial for product development. It's important to learn from past experiences and focus on a vision that aligns personal values with business goals.

#5 Testing sensors, expanding network

0 implied HN points • 13 Jun 24
💼 Business Startups Investments Product Development Market Competition
  1. The team is focused on preparing their product for pre-orders and looking for investments for mass production. They are excited about the growth of their startup.
  2. They have launched a YouTube podcast channel to connect with more people and share updates about their work. The third episode is already out, and they encourage subscriptions.
  3. There is a lot of competition in the air quality monitor market, but they are testing various sensors to find the best combination to offer at a good price. They are also eager to hear from customers about what features they value in these devices.

#6 Cost

0 implied HN points • 17 Jul 24
💼 Business Startups Finance Marketing Operations Product Development
  1. It's important to understand costs in hardware projects because high expenses can limit your ability to compete and grow. Knowing what you're spending will help you make smart business choices.
  2. When buying components, consider quality. Check if the documentation is good, if it meets your needs, and if the support is reliable. Quality can save you money in the long run.
  3. Create a budget for all parts of your product, including manufacturing, marketing, and payroll. This helps you know how much you can spend and what price you need to sell at to make a profit.