CES Highlights, Tesla UI Criticisms & Tech Predictions
CES 2022 Trends and Oddities
In this episode, the hosts dive into the latest announcements from CES 2022, contrasting the bleeding-edge innovation often seen at the show with the bizarre, niche gadgets that frequently pop up. They highlight notable consumer tech including:
• Smart Home Integration: Devices like a wireless-charging solar remote and a 98-inch QLED TV.
• Find My Tech: The Chipolo card, a thin tracking solution for your wallet that avoids the bulk of an AirTag.
• The Bizarre side of CES: A discussion of incredibly niche products, such as a temporary tattoo printer, an ear-dehumidifying earbud, and a finger-nibbling robot—all real products showcased at the event.
Tesla UI Controversy
Marques and Andrew break down the fallout of Tesla’s latest software update, which has sparked significant backlash from users.
"I hope everyone understands here that you probably shouldn't be looking at the screen when you're driving a car."
Key takeaways regarding the UI change:
• Loss of Muscle Memory: Vital controls like heated seats and HVAC have been moved behind multiple menu clicks, whereas they were previously single-tap operations.
• Design vs. Usability: While the new interface looks cleaner, the reliance on the touchscreen for driving-essential functions—like adjusting wipers or fan speed—highlights a major usability flaw in current infotainment-centric vehicle designs.
Smartphone Predictions and Retrospectives
The hosts look back at their 2021 predictions to see how accurate they were, acknowledging that tech forecasting remains notoriously difficult. They wrap up by making bold 2022 tech predictions:
• The Pixel 7 Pro is anticipated as a strong contender for MVP, provided Google fixes the current deficiencies found in the 6 Pro.
• The S22 Ultra (specifically the Note-edition rumors) continues to dominate hardware discussions.
• A shift is expected in the value category, with the Zenfone 9 being tipped as a top budget contender.