Waveform Live at SXSW: Gadgets, AI, and Future Tech
The Rise of the Rivian R2
Marques, Andrew, and David discuss the highly anticipated Rivian R2, positioning it as the primary competitor to the Tesla Model Y. Key takeaways include:
• The pricing strategy follows the classic tech launch pattern: the most premium, high-margin trims are released first, with the $45,000 base model expected closer to 2027.
• Despite the excitement, the team expressed disappointment in the muted color palette, contrasting it with the bolder choices found on the R1 platform.
• The panel emphasizes that the R2 represents a critical milestone for Rivian’s market accessibility.
Tech Retrospectives: What We Got Wrong
Reflecting on last year's predictions, the hosts admit how quickly the industry landscape shifts. Key updates include:
• Apple Intelligence & Siri: What was promised as a breakthrough for 2025 remains in flux. The host highlights that agentic AI—the ability for an assistant to operate within apps—has proven significantly harder to deliver than initially expected.
• The Foldable iPhone: Rumors are shifting from a flip-style device to a passport-style folding phone. The hosts discuss whether this will be a luxury, high-end product or a true mass-market shift.
• Touchscreen Macs: While once dismissed, the team now anticipates a touchscreen OLED MacBook by the end of the year, despite skepticism regarding its utility compared to traditional trackpad interactions.
Audience Q&A: The Human Element
In an interactive session with the SXSW audience, the hosts discussed the future of transportation and hardware:
"I think people will ultimately want to watch human-made stuff. They value the human connection."
• Autonomous Vehicles: The consensus is that while self-driving taxis (like Waymo) are smooth for utilitarian travel, the promise of $30,000 autonomous vehicles remains a "hair-on-the-line" bet for 2026.
• AI Content: The team concludes that while AI-generated media is currently experiencing a novelty spike, genuine human-produced content will remain the standard for long-term viewer engagement.