TangiblesThe book on how software turns hardware into platforms.
A product becomes a tangible the moment software lets it keep learning after it ships — adapting to need, and earning from services that didn’t exist at the moment of sale.
This book is important at this time because the tech community has over-rotated so heavily toward software that it no longer appreciates the points being made here.
// WHAT'S INSIDE
Six arcs. One playbook.
From the hard truths of hardware to the business models that compound — each arc carries first-person cases and a framework you can run as a free tool.
I ARC I · HARDWARE CHALLENGESWhy hardware is still hard
Long lead times, capital intensity, and irreversible manufacturing — and why connected augmentation became a survival response, not a luxury.
II ARC II · INFRASTRUCTURE FOUNDATIONSWhat makes hardware evolve
Digital interfaces, connectivity and firmware-over-the-air, sensing and edge intelligence — and the power budget that decides where compute can live.
III ARC III · VALIDATION CYCLESLearn early, commit late
Cut the cost of being wrong before tooling and inventory harden the mistake: the Decoupled MVP and a seven-stage Lean Hardware Funnel with kill gates.
IV ARC IV · POSITIONINGWin the meaning first
Buyers must grasp what kind of thing a product is. The Positioning Audit and the Three Axes of Disruption decide adoption before launch.
V ARC V · PARADISE LOSTThe new obligations
The expanded attack surface, the global regulatory baseline, and the societal costs — repair hostility, remote lock-in, data as liability — that become law.
VI ARC VI · BUSINESS MODELS & MOATSAdvantage that compounds
The seven-layer Tangible Stack, recurring revenue and NPV, and the AI watershed that compresses the build loop and extends what shipped products can do.
// RUN THE BOOK
The frameworks, running as free tools.
Every framework in the book runs here as an interactive tool. All free — no registration, no email wall.
EU CRA · 11 SEPTEMBER 2026Incident reporting starts in September. What the 24- and 72-hour cascade actually asks of a manufacturer — then grade a device against the baseline.
What changes →IoT Security Scorecard
Grade a connected product against the baseline and see where the gaps are.
COMPLIANCERequirements Generator
Generate device requirements mapped to ETSI EN 303 645 in minutes.
REGULATIONRegulatory Landscapes
Navigate the EU CRA, UK PSTI and IEC 62443 by market and device class.
FINANCENPV & Recurring Revenue
Model service revenue and net present value across the product lifetime.
DATAAnalytics-Stack Planner
Design the telemetry and analytics stack a connected product needs.
ARCHITECTUREEdge-vs-Cloud Locator
Decide where compute should live against a real power and cost budget.
// ABOUT THE AUTHOR
// FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the Tangibles companion site?
It is the companion site for the book Tangibles by Yoel Frischoff. It offers free strategy tools and per-chapter references for product managers building connected hardware — covering validation, security, positioning, business models, and recurring revenue.
What free tools does the site offer?
Free tools: an IoT Security Scorecard (a 19-question audit aligned with ETSI EN 303 645), an IoT Security Requirements Generator, a Regulatory Landscape mapper for connected products, and an interactive Battery Discharge Curves comparison.
Are the tools free to use?
Yes. The tools are free to use in the browser; some let you export or email your results after entering an email address.
Which security and regulatory standards do the tools cover?
ETSI EN 303 645, the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), the UK PSTI Act, IEC 62443, and ISO 27001, among others.
Who is Tangibles for?
Product managers, heads of product, and product-strategy consultants working on connected hardware — IoT, smart devices, robotics, mobility, appliances, and medical devices.
Where can I buy the Tangibles book?
Tangibles is available on Amazon in eBook and print editions — links are on this page.
// GET THE BOOK
Get Tangibles today.
The eBook, paperback, and large-format 8×10″ hardcover are all available on Amazon now.
Checkout & delivery handled by Amazon