The (sometimes) energetic craziness of the yearly Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is mostly overshadowed by the too-many-people-to-enjoy-myself syndrome. Having attended over the past 20 years now, it has gone from the friend that I might invite to my wedding to the friend that probably won’t show at my funeral.
But it is the world’s showcase for the soon to be released products. And, like every year, there is a buzz to the show that will define our 2018 technology lust (or spite). To that end, here are some of the things I’m not looking forward to:
- Intel is starting the party with drones. From the playful to the serious, their drones are playing piano https://techcrunch.com/2018/01/08/watch-intels-drones-play-the-piano-and-dance-in-the-air/ and about to fly you where you need to be. Just forget for a moment that all these connected flying weapons drones could be hacked with the Meltdown and Spectre attacks: https://www.wired.com/story/meltdown-spectre-bug-collision-intel-chip-flaw-discovery/
- Samsung is showing off it’s new TV, dubbed “The Wall” at 146 inches. Try bringing that home from Best Buy. http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-wall-146-inch-tv-photos-2018-1
- From the giant TVs to the small screen, Google and Amazon continue to battle for your living room, kitchen, bedroom and everywhere else you are supposed to have your non-digital life. https://www.cnet.com/news/google-home-assistant-smart-displays-echo-show-lenovo-lg-sony-jbl-ces-2018/ Forget your phone screen. It isn’t enough anymore. More screens, more listening, more home automation. Can you hear me now? Bezos can! Even in your shower! https://www.engadget.com/2018/01/07/moen-alexa-siri-shower-start/ Please stop.
- Pretty much everything is getting “smarter” and “connected”. But Google smart home and Alexa still don’t understand half of what I say, so I look at this year’s crop of technology jetsam and secretly hope that the companies would start working on the foundational elements of what we are really looking for in life. Some of the honestly best examples of technology in harmony are those from the car manufacturers. The best part of every CES show.
—James Rice, Digital Experience
