Android Wear 2.0, Google Smart Home, and Vizio gets caught

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode is a fast-moving VergeCast discussion of major gadget and platform news: LG/Google’s new Android Wear watches and Wear 2.0, Google Assistant/Alexa fragmentation, Apple’s accessory and ecosystem choices, Vizio’s TV tracking controversy, the Nintendo Switch’s missing apps, and a few oddball products like a status-light Kickstarter. The hosts repeatedly return to a central theme: tech companies are betting on ecosystems, but execution, usability, and privacy are often lagging behind the hype.

Main Topics: Android Wear 2.0 and LG’s new watches (Priority: 5/5): The hosts review LG’s Sport and Style watches, praising software improvements like third-party complications, Google Fit upgrades, LTE support, and standalone music/payments, while criticizing the awkward size tradeoffs and lack of a true middle-ground device. Google Assistant vs. Alexa ecosystem competition (Priority: 5/5): They contrast Google’s fragmented Assistant rollout with Amazon’s more aggressive Alexa expansion, noting how Alexa is showing up in more devices and products, including car accessories, while Google seems slower and more inconsistent across platforms. Apple accessory strategy and connector confusion (Priority: 4/5): Dieter explains Apple’s support for a new accessory connector in the Made for iPhone program and the possible implications for headphones, USB-C, Lightning, and Beats, using it as an example of the pain caused by abandoning universal standards. Vizio TV tracking and smart-TV privacy (Priority: 5/5): The conversation turns to Vizio’s automatic content recognition and consumer tracking, how it was disclosed and handled, and the broader reality that many smart TVs and streaming devices collect viewing data by default. Nintendo Switch launch strategy (Priority: 4/5): Dieter argues that the Switch should launch with Netflix and web browsing to broaden appeal beyond hardcore gamers, while Nilay worries Nintendo’s software execution could make that risky or poorly implemented. Kickstarter gadgets and productivity/status tools (Priority: 2/5): The hosts riff on a status-light Kickstarter meant to signal availability to coworkers and on the unreliability of crowdfunding fulfillment, using it to joke about work communication and gadget culture. Podcast network promos and media distribution (Priority: 2/5): The episode closes with promotions for Verge and related podcasts, and a brief reflection on how podcasts, transcripts, and on-demand media fit into how the hosts consume information.

Key Arguments: Android Wear 2.0 is a meaningful upgrade, but the hardware remains compromised: the feature-rich LG Watch Sport is huge, while the Style is too small, leaving no ideal middle option. LTE is important for watch independence, especially if Google wants iPhone users to have a more useful experience, but LTE radios and carrier fees make watches bulky and expensive. Google Assistant is technically promising, but Google is inconsistent in how and where it deploys it, whereas Amazon’s Alexa strategy is broader, more partner-friendly, and more aggressive. Apple’s insistence on non-USB-C accessory paths continues the industry’s move away from universal simplicity and forces consumers deeper into dongles and cable confusion. Vizio’s tracking scandal is not isolated; smart TVs broadly collect viewing data, and consumers should assume many TV platforms have some form of advertising telemetry enabled. The Nintendo Switch could expand its market if it acted more like a tablet/media device as well as a game console, but Nintendo’s software reputation makes people wary of relying on it for core non-gaming features. The best smart-device experiences are those that anticipate context and reduce friction, but current products often create new friction through fragmentation, bad UX, or hidden data collection.

Data Points: Android Wear watches: 2 new LG models - The LG Watch Sport and LG Watch Style were discussed as the first major Android Wear 2.0 devices. Watch size tradeoff: 1 huge, 1 too small - Dieter said the Sport is enormous and the Style is too small, leaving no Goldilocks option. Apple Watch sales estimate: 6 million - The hosts referenced analyst estimates around Apple Watch sales during discussion of the smartwatch market. Watch market ranking: 2nd biggest watchmaker in the world by revenue - Used to illustrate Apple Watch’s commercial success. Wireless plan add-on: $10 a month - Discussed as the recurring carrier cost for LTE-enabled wearables and secondary device numbers. Google Play popularity of Allo: Dropped out of the top 500 - Used as evidence that Google’s messaging efforts were underperforming. Kickstarter delivery window: Mid-January to mid-February - The fidget cube Kickstarter email gave this shipping estimate. Fidget cube fulfillment status: Arrived per tracking, but not received - Paul noted the tracking said it had been delivered even though he did not have it. HelloFresh offer: $35 off first week - Promotional offer mentioned in the ad read. HelloFresh meal plan: 3, 4, or 5 meals per week - The ad described available weekly meal options.

Pivotal Quotes: "The whole point of Android Wear 2.0 is they basically did the same thing that Apple did last year, which was look at their smartwatch platform and go, huh, this is too much." — Dieter Bohn: Explaining Google’s simplification of Android Wear and its focus on core smartwatch functions. "Amazon is out there saying, everybody make stuff. We don't care." — Nilay Patel: Comparing Amazon’s open Alexa strategy to Google’s more controlled approach. "This is what happens when you get rid of the universal standard." — Dieter Bohn: Commenting on Apple’s connector and dongle ecosystem during the headphone/accessory discussion.

Implications: The episode frames 2017 gadget competition as an ecosystem war shaped by usability, partnerships, and privacy. Devices succeed when they reduce friction and fit real-world use; they fail when they add complexity, lock users in, or quietly monetize attention and behavior.