C_NCENTRATE 913: Real-world CES wrap up, Mastodon woe, 'Do Not Pay', piñatas(?!) +++
A BUSY START TO 2023
From the, frankly, weird GOP floor vote to a ‘what covid?’ CES, the first week back for many was a busy one. The GOP seems to suggest a back-to-pre-Trump stance GOP which will have implications for big tech this year. Equally, the still muted but in-person CES has tongues wagging and the usual slew of batshit useless tech. Holographic fish, anyone? Perhaps you want to livestream your dinner?
3D laptops were a trend; in fact, weird laptops showed up everywhere. Translator earbuds are back, new chips got announced, TVs got thinner and bigger, and full windscreen heads-up displays were shown on multiple stands along with spades of metaverse-related tech. Disney launched its Amazon companion, and VW teased more about ID.7, the fully skinned or ‘camouflaged’ vehicle, and new EVs. Smart sleep was a big focus this year, AI was everywhere, and a company has used it to help people get their voices back. On the flip side, LiDR wants cutting-edge robotics to draw in your drink.
The feel from the floor, journalists and analysts I spoke with described the show as ‘underwhelming’ and that it felt like an ‘overly cautious return’ by companies. Probably not unfair, CES 2023 seemed to want people to fall back in love with the future - and potential - versus the ‘how we get there’ message of previous years.
SO WHAT?
__ DO __ As supply chain issues continue and consumer demand is still up and down, a cautious return with focus on the future vs fast tech now isn’t a dumb move. // __ DON’T __ Think you’re covered for all things new by reading the CES roundups. More than ever kept away from the floor by big names like Google, Amazon, Apple and others. CES continues to be an interesting part of the calendar, but not as integral as it once was. The jury is out on whether it ever will be again. Still, plenty of fun - and future indicators - to be had.
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5G took a back seat at CES this year. /6 mins
Can robot swarms print buildings in the future? /6 mins
The ‘Do Not Pay’ chatbot is gearing up for its first court case. /5 mins
Mastodon traffic is starting to nosedive. /4 mins
This laptop may look weird, but it’s the future. /12 mins
How social media took over the piñata industry. /4 min
The alternative milk markets now account for 16% of the US market. /3 mins
There is finally an approved Honeybee vaccine. /4 mins
Experts are worried Musk and Bezos will live forever (compounding wealth). /5 mins
Scientists have found the first lifeform known to eat viruses. /5 mins
All those cute end-of-year wrap-ups tell us how much surveillance is happening. /6 mins