CES 2017 Day 2

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: Live from CES 2017, The Vergecast focused on the show’s biggest themes: self-driving and connected cars, the spread of Amazon Alexa across devices, the state of PCs and gaming laptops, drone hype and consolidation, and emerging “smart” gadgets like E-ink backpacks and tele-hug toys. The hosts argued that voice assistants and automotive tech are becoming major platform battlegrounds, while CES remains a showcase for both useful products and absurd concept demos.

Main Topics: Self-driving and connected cars (Priority: 5/5): Toyota, Honda, Ford, Intel, Lucid, and NVIDIA were discussed as CES’s automotive heavy hitters. The segment contrasted fully autonomous ambitions with more practical assisted-driving systems and raised concerns about privacy, regulations, and sensor-laden cars monitoring drivers. Amazon Alexa everywhere / platform wars (Priority: 5/5): The show emphasized Alexa’s rapid expansion into speakers, cars, phones, appliances, and accessories. Speakers argued that voice assistants are becoming the next major computing platform, with companies competing to own the single answer users receive. PCs and gaming laptops are back (Priority: 4/5): Lenovo, Samsung, Dell, HP, and Microsoft were highlighted for improved laptop designs, detachable/converged form factors, and better battery life. Gaming PCs were portrayed as loud, niche, and increasingly competitive, with odd concepts and premium builds. Drones: hype, safety, and market consolidation (Priority: 4/5): A racing drone demo and drone-rodeo coverage led to a broader critique that the consumer drone market is crowded, dangerous, and likely winner-take-all, with DJI pulling ahead while niche products like selfie drones and racing drones still have room. Smart gadgets and weird CES inventions (Priority: 3/5): The show featured novelty products such as an E-ink backpack, a thermal sticky-note printer, a gold-plated distraction-free keyboard, and tele-hug devices. These products were treated as emblematic of CES’s mix of practicality and absurdity. Mixed reality, VR, and AR (Priority: 3/5): The team discussed mixed-reality chambers, VR marketing challenges, AR’s familiarity via phones, and the idea that making VR less isolating is key. A Twitter poll concluded that ‘actual reality’ won over VR/AR/MR in popularity.

Key Arguments: Self-driving cars are important, but assisted driving is easier to regulate and more immediately practical than full autonomy. More cameras and sensors in cars may improve safety, but they also intensify privacy concerns by watching drivers closely. Alexa’s spread is not just a feature story; it is a platform war for control over user data, commerce, and the single answer returned to a question. Amazon’s strategy is to be everywhere first, even if its own hardware is not best-in-class; third-party manufacturers can help it scale faster. PC hardware is improving because Microsoft’s Surface strategy gave OEMs a clearer design direction; copying can be productive when it raises quality. Consumer drones may be reaching saturation, with DJI likely to dominate while smaller vendors struggle to differentiate. CES increasingly rewards products that combine sensors, connectivity, and apps, even when the use case is eccentric or gimmicky.

Data Points: Toyota AI mode names: Guardian mode and Chauffeur mode - Toyota Concept-i’s assisted-driving and autonomous-driving operating modes Honda concept seating: 2-seater - Honda’s electric urban concept vehicle discussed as a ride-sharing-oriented EV Honda charging: inductive / wireless charging - Honda concept vehicle returns to a fleet and recharges without cables Ford Alexa integration timing: later this month / this summer - Ford planned staged Alexa integration: remote commands first, in-car Alexa later Lenovo Smart Assistant base price: $130 - Entry price for Lenovo’s Alexa-powered speaker Lenovo Harman Kardon version price: $180 - Higher-end Lenovo Smart Assistant speaker with better audio T-Mobile pricing change: taxes and fees included in advertised price - T-Mobile’s move toward more transparent rate-plan advertising Draco drone speed: 100 miles an hour - Off-the-shelf racing drone flown at the CES drone rodeo Draco video latency: almost zero latency - 720p FPV system designed for racing performance Lucid Air horsepower claim: 1,000 horsepower - Lucid Motors’ electric sedan prototype and production ambition Lucid Air acceleration: 0 to 60 mph in less than 3 seconds - Performance claim for Lucid’s Air EV Dell XPS display border: 5.2 millimeter border - Highlighted as the smallest 13-inch laptop in the world Dell Latitude display size: 12.3-inch display - Dell’s Surface Pro-like Latitude 5285 convertible HP Spectre thickness change: 15.9 mm to 17.8 mm - Small thickness increase traded for better battery life HP Spectre battery gain: 23% more battery life - Result of slightly thicker chassis design E-ink backpack price: starts at $99 - Price varies by screen size and material Mnemonic sticky-note printer price: about $120 - Thermal printer that prints adhesive notes FreeWrite gold edition price: $500 - Gold-plated distraction-free typewriter-style device Perry Hug price: $75 pre-order - Teleintimacy plush hug device

Pivotal Quotes: "owning that one answer equals real power and real money for the company that provides it" — Narrator: From the “Let’s Be Clear” segment explaining why voice assistants matter strategically "the car is the ultimate mobile device" — Bridget Carlin: A recurring framing used in the Intel interview about connected and automated vehicles "Winner-take-all" — Ben Popper: On the consumer drone market, describing DJI’s lead and the lack of differentiation

Implications: CES 2017 showed tech shifting toward platforms, not just gadgets: voice assistants, connected cars, and smarter PCs will shape who owns user data and interfaces. Expect more integration, more competition, and more privacy tradeoffs as everything becomes voice- and sensor-driven.