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Rise of the Whoop dupes

Aug 3, 2026 · 28m

Summary

David Pierce and V Song discuss the rise of screenless wearables like the Garmin Circa and Fitbit Air, analyzing their appeal as a reaction to tech and data fatigue. They contrast these affordable, optional-subscription devices with premium options like Whoop and Oura, noting the shift toward background tracking over constant screen engagement. The episode also covers record-breaking box office numbers for Spider-Man and The Odyssey, Truth Social’s new API, and upcoming Pixel 11 leaks.

Topics discussed

Intro: The rise of screenless wearables 90 Seconds on The Verge: Box office, Truth Social, Pixel leaks Garmin Circa and the new wave of fitness trackers Why Whoop succeeded: Tech fatigue and intentionality Athlete focus: Screens as distractions during performance Trade-offs: Phone dependency vs. battery life Subscription models: Premium status vs. affordable options Broader trend: Data fatigue and the future of wearables
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