WAN Show: Nissan Car Subscriptions, 5G News, and LTX Expo

The Future of Mobility

Nissan Vehicle Subscription Service

• Nissan introduced a monthly car subscription service (Nissan Switch), allowing users to drive various models without long-term contracts.
• Key concerns involve the viability of such subscription models, the impact on individual car ownership, and the potential for these services to be unreliable if providers pull out of a market entirely.
• The model mimics a tiered system (Select and Premium), targeting users who value flexibility and concierge services over traditional car financing.

Technology & Society

5G Health Concerns in Switzerland

• Switzerland has temporarily halted some 5G rollouts due to public health concerns surrounding radiation emissions.
• There is considerable debate regarding the scientific evidence for these health claims, with many experts noting a lack of proof for adverse effects while acknowledging the challenge of managing public perception and potential litigation risks for telecommunication companies.

Hardware Innovations

• The hosts discuss TCL’s expanding screen phone concepts and HTC’s next-gen AR headset designs (Project Photon).

"They're clearly going in that direction. These are still way too chonky... but you can tell the direction the industry is going in."
• While the designs show innovation in compute packs and flexible displays, they remain in pre-production stages with significant usability hurdles.

LTX Expo and Community Updates

• LTX Expo 2020 dates and locations are confirmed, with an expanded list of creators and a focus on collaboration time over rigid scheduling.
• The team discusses the logistical shifts in the LTT Store shipping rates and hints at potential future merchandise like a new WAN show hoodie.