Podcast Summary
Google Assistant and CES tech news: Google made headlines at CES with Assistant updates and new devices, while Apple's TV service may face limitations due to limited AirPlay support. 5G's potential was also discussed.
During this episode of The Vergecast at CES, the team discussed various tech news, focusing on Google Assistant and the latest gadgets and laptops. Notably, Google made significant news with its announcements. Apple was also mentioned, with Tim Cook confirming the upcoming launch of new services, including a TV service. However, it was pointed out that the current list of TVs supporting Apple's AirPlay is limited to high-end models, which may not cater to the majority of consumers. Additionally, 5G was touched upon, with Verizon's keynote highlighting its potential. Overall, the episode provided insights into the latest tech trends and upcoming services from major tech companies.
Apple's collaboration with Roku to expand TV reach: Apple aims to broaden its TV services, while Roku prioritizes affordability and accessibility, illustrating the need to cater to diverse user preferences
Apple's goal to expand its services to as many TVs as possible, including those without Apple services, has led them to collaborate with companies like Roku. Despite their focus on design and user experience, Apple is exploring various methods to reach a wider audience, such as casting and mirroring apps. Meanwhile, Roku, known for its affordable and functional hardware, prioritizes the simplicity and accessibility of its platform. The contrasting approaches of these tech giants highlight the importance of catering to diverse user preferences and needs in the ever-evolving market.
Google expands Google Assistant's reach at CES 2023: Google announced new integrations with Dish Hopper and Sonos, unveiled new hardware, and committed to improving microphone design and functionality for Google Assistant.
Google made significant strides in expanding the reach of Google Assistant at CES 2023. They announced new integrations with various devices and platforms, including Dish Hopper and Sonos. Google also unveiled new hardware like a Google Assistant-enabled alarm clock. However, the partnership with Sonos, which currently uses its own voice detection technology, is causing some complications. Google and Sonos are working to resolve these issues, but for now, they are hesitant to allow both Google Assistant and Alexa to be active on the same speaker. This could lead to confusion and unnecessary noise in a household setting. Despite these challenges, Google's commitment to expanding Google Assistant's presence is clear. They are also working on improving the design and functionality of the microphones and audio processing for their devices. Overall, Google's presence at CES 2023 demonstrated their dedication to making Google Assistant a versatile and convenient tool for users.
Google Assistant integrates with more home appliances and services: Google Assistant now works with Samsung TVs, KitchenAid displays, and Google Maps, allowing users to control multiple devices and services with a single assistant, and offering functionalities like stopping timers, translating languages, and texting inside Google Maps.
Google is expanding the capabilities of its Google Assistant and smart devices to better integrate with various home appliances and services. This includes Samsung TVs, KitchenAid displays, and Google Maps. With these integrations, users can control multiple devices and services using a single assistant, making daily tasks more convenient. For instance, users can now use Google Assistant to stop timers, translate languages, and even text inside Google Maps. Google's goal is to make its assistant an essential part of users' daily lives by making it accessible in more places and offering more functionalities. Additionally, Google is targeting iPhone users by integrating Google Assistant into Google Maps, which is widely used by iPhone owners. This move could potentially increase the adoption rate of Google Assistant among iPhone users.
Google Maps adds podcast playback via Google Assistant: Google Maps users can now listen to podcasts through Google Assistant within the app, enhancing convenience for navigation. However, privacy concerns and complexity of setting up smart assistants remain challenges.
Google Maps now allows users to play podcasts through Google Assistant within the app. This new feature can make it more convenient for people to listen to podcasts while navigating their routes. However, the discussion also touched upon the topic of voice assistants and privacy concerns. Some individuals prefer not to use voice assistants in their homes due to privacy concerns or simply because they prefer using their hands to control devices. The ease of use and convenience of voice control were compared to the complexity of setting up and using other smart home devices. The discussion also highlighted the challenges of finding the right settings for various smart assistants and the potential need for assistance from others to set up these devices. Ultimately, the convenience and ease of use offered by voice control and smart assistants come with trade-offs, including privacy concerns and the potential for added complexity.
Google vs Alexa: User Experience Battle: Google's cloud-oriented approach results in noticeable lag and frequent invocations, while Alexa's local processing offers quicker responses and fewer interruptions, enhancing user experience
While Google may have more pieces to make a home assistant system that can understand and respond to complex commands, Amazon's Alexa currently offers a more pleasant user experience due to its local processing capabilities and simpler setup. Google's approach is more cloud-oriented, leading to a noticeable lag and the need to frequently invoke the assistant by name, making it seem "thirsty" for attention. In contrast, Alexa's local processing allows for quicker responses and fewer interruptions to the user's daily routine. This difference in user experience, despite Google's greater depth of knowledge, may give Amazon an edge in the race to become the go-to assistant for managing everyday tasks in the home.
Comparison of Alexa, Google, and Apple's smart home automation approaches: Alexa's local automation lacks automatic integration for most skills, while Google's cloud-based automation offers 200 automatic integrations. Apple's HomeKit provides faster response times and seamless iPhone integration.
While both Alexa and Google offer smart home automation, they approach it differently. Alexa's automation is local, meaning it doesn't require a cloud connection, whereas Google's automation relies on cloud services. Alexa's lack of automatic integration for most skills requires manual installation, unlike Google's top 200 automatic integrations. In contrast, Apple's Siri was barely mentioned in the discussion, but HomeKit, Apple's smart home platform, was highlighted for its faster response times and seamless integration with iPhone users' devices. A notable gadget from last year, a $16,000 laundry folding machine, did not return this year, but a new contender, Full Domain, showcased a working prototype for the first time. Overall, the conversation underscored the ongoing competition between these tech giants in the smart home market and the varying strengths of their offerings.
New high-tech laundry folding machine showcased at CES: A new folding machine can quickly fold clothes but is expensive and requires manual clipping, while a more affordable Cintiq 16 tablet bridges the gap between hobbyists and professionals in digital art.
A new high-tech laundry folding machine was showcased at CES, which can fold clothes in just a few seconds, but it comes with a hefty price tag of $1,000 and requires manual clipping of each item. The machine, which is about the size of a washer, uses some sort of robotic mechanism, but not AI, to fold clothes. While it may be useful for retailers or businesses, it may not be practical or cost-effective for individual home use. Another notable tech from CES was Wacom's new Cintiq 16 tablet, which is more affordable than previous models and bridges the gap between hobbyists and professionals in the digital art community. The speaker, who is a tech journalist, expressed his excitement about this new tablet and its potential impact on the market. Overall, while some innovative tech was showcased at CES, it remains to be seen which products will truly revolutionize industries and become must-haves for consumers.
Upgrade to a more natural drawing experience with the Cintiq 16: The Cintiq 16 offers a more natural drawing experience than traditional pen tablets or smaller drawing devices, making it a worthwhile investment for artists looking to upgrade.
The new Cintiq 16 pen display by Wacom is an affordable option for artists looking to upgrade from traditional pen tablets or smaller drawing devices like the iPad. The Cintiq 16 allows artists to draw directly on the screen, providing a more natural drawing experience compared to separate pen tablets. Although it's more expensive than some Chinese alternatives, Wacom's brand reputation and industry use make it a worthwhile investment for many professionals. The iPad, while affordable and portable, lacks the drawing experience and software capabilities of the Cintiq 16. Another alternative, the Islate Slate Repaper by Icekin, offers a unique drawing experience by allowing artists to draw on physical paper that is then digitized and saved on the tablet itself. This portable and pressure-sensitive tablet can be a great option for artists who prefer a traditional drawing surface but want the convenience of digital storage and transfer.
New tech gadgets for different needs: The tech industry is creating devices to address various needs, such as learning sketching with the Sketchbook tablet and checking up on elderly folks with the Bakko Emo
There are new tech gadgets being released that cater to different needs, such as the Sketchbook tablet, which is a drawing tool that works best with its companion app and is suitable for parents who want their children to learn sketching without using an iPad. Another gadget is the Bakko Emo, a robot designed to check up on elderly folks, featuring sensors that detect light and movement, and a companion app that sends notifications. The Sketchbook tablet costs around $200 and the fourth generation is coming out in September. The Bakko Emo has been available in Japan for some time and works with a security company called Secom. Additionally, there's a service called Papa, which operates in Florida and connects elderly people with their grandkids via Uber. The tech industry is recognizing the inevitability of mortality and creating devices to address various needs, such as loneliness and fall detection. The Sketchbook tablet and Bakko Emo are examples of this trend.
Dell's Area 51M: A Game-Changer for Gamers with Modular Design: Dell's Area 51M laptop offers gamers the ability to upgrade their GPU in the future, extending the life of their investment, while the cat robot pillow provides companionship and therapy in the office.
Dell's new Area 51M laptop is making waves in the tech world with its modular design, allowing users to upgrade their GPU in the future. This is a game-changer for gamers who want to extend the life of their expensive investments. The cat robot pillow, also a hit in the office, showcases the same innovative spirit, providing companionship and therapy for users. However, the success of these upgrades depends on whether NVIDIA's next-generation GPUs will fit on Dell's modular boards. Dell is confident but uncertain, as they don't have access to NVIDIA's roadmap. The Area 51M is a powerful machine with a desktop Core i9 processor and RTX 2080 GPU, but its true value lies in its upgradeability. The cat robot pillow, on the other hand, brings joy and companionship through its purring and wagging tail, making it a beloved office companion. Overall, these innovations represent a step forward in technology, offering users the ability to keep their devices current and enjoyable for longer periods.
Dell's XPS 13 and Lenovo's S940 steal the show: Dell improved webcam placement in XPS 13 and Lenovo introduced sleek design with smaller bezels and 2.5D curved glass screen in S940.
At the recent tech event, several new laptops were showcased, and among them, Dell's new XPS 13 and Lenovo's S940 stood out. The XPS 13 finally fixed the long-standing issue of the webcam placement, while Lenovo's S940 boasted of sleek design with smaller bezels and a 2.5D curved glass screen. Dell's attempt to address the issue of outdated gaming laptops and Lenovo's innovative design choices were the key intriguing factors. The XPS 13's webcam relocation and Lenovo's S940's 2.5D screen were the highlights of their respective offerings. The event also featured Lenovo's unusual leather laptop, which, despite not being announced at CES, drew attention for its unique design. Overall, the event showcased several interesting laptops, but Dell's XPS 13 and Lenovo's S940 stood out for their notable improvements and innovative design choices.
Verizon Introduces New CEO and Demonstrates 5G Capabilities: Verizon showcased its 5G's low latency and fast speeds through a live demo involving a Lakers player in a VR headset, while poking fun at AT&T for misrepresenting 5G capabilities.
During a recent tech event, Verizon introduced its new CEO, Hans Vessberg, who previously had a career in handball and was the chairman of the Swedish Handball Federation. Verizon took a dig at its rival AT&T for misrepresenting 5G capabilities. Hans Vessberg showcased Verizon's 5G capabilities with a live demonstration, highlighting its low latency and fast speeds. The event included a Lakers player wearing a VR headset streaming video over 5G to prove the technology's capabilities. The conversation also touched upon the controversy surrounding AT&T's misrepresentation of 5G on some of its phones. The event marked a significant moment for Verizon as it aimed to differentiate itself from its competitors. Despite some light-hearted banter, the event showcased the potential of 5G and Verizon's commitment to delivering a superior user experience.
5G demo at CES 2023 faces initial challenges: Despite early hiccups, Verizon's 5G demo marked a significant milestone in the rollout of 5G technology, with ongoing debates about its definition and role in the marketplace, and the involvement of cable companies in the 5G landscape.
The first 5G demo during the Verizon keynote at CES 2023 did not go as smoothly as expected, with noticeable lag and slow speeds experienced by the first real 5G customer. The CEO of Verizon, Hans Vestberg, had to address the issue publicly and assure the audience that they are committed to delivering a reliable 5G network. Despite the hiccups, the demo marked an important milestone in the rollout of 5G technology. However, it was noted that the definition and significance of 5G are still debated, with some seeing it as a technological innovation and others as a marketing strategy. The conversation also touched upon the role of cable companies in the 5G landscape. Overall, the event highlighted the ongoing efforts and challenges in bringing 5G to consumers.
CES 2023: A Feast for Audio Lovers: CES 2023 offers an array of audio experiences, including presentations by Ashley Carman and Caitlin McGarry, various other events, and interviews from The Vergecast. Microsoft Surface Pro 6 sponsors the episode and aids individuals in managing their passions with its capabilities.
CES 2023 is bringing an abundance of audio experiences for listeners. Ashley Carman and Caitlin McGarry will be presenting at the Google stage, and their feed will be available for listening at a later time. Additionally, there are various other audio events happening, such as those with Neil Dash, K-Swish, Scott Gals, and Pivot. There's even a child in a box that can fold socks for you. The Vergecast also mentioned that they have more interviews from CES to share soon. Furthermore, the episode was sponsored by the Microsoft Surface Pro 6, which can help individuals tackle their passions with its power, speed, and long battery life. The example given was of two former NFL teammates, Brian Arrokpo and Michael Griffin, who run a cupcake shop in Texas and use the Surface Pro 6 for various tasks, including scheduling, social media promotion, and flavor design.
