Physical retail demos fail with unexpected queries

Panelists recount LLM-powered vending demos that break when customers ask unanticipated, mundane questions.

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Episode notes

Welcome to Better Offline’s coverage of the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show - a standup radio station in the Palazzo Hotel with an attached open bar where reporters, experts and various other characters bring you the stories from the floor.

In Tuesday’s first episode, Ed is joined by Ed Niedermeyer of the Autonocast, Henry Casey of CNN Underscored, Gare Davis of It Could Happen Here and Ed Ongweso Jr. of The Tech Bubble newsletter to talk about smart glasses, wireless TVs, and the big lie of consumer robotics.

EXCLUSIVE CES SALE! Get a *permanent* $10 off an annual subscription to my newsletter through January 13 2025:
https://edzitronswheresyouredatghostio.outpost.pub/public/promo-subscription/cue848p5sc

Ed Ongweso Jr.: https://bsky.app/profile/bigblackjacobin.bsky.social

The Tech Bubble Newsletter: https://thetechbubble.substack.com/

Gare Davis: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:jm6ufvsw3hg5zgdpnd3zb4tv

Henry Casey - https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/about/henry-t-casey
https://bsky.app/profile/henrytcasey.net

Ed Niedermeyer of The Autonocast: https://www.autonocast.com/https://bsky.app/profile/niedermeyer.online

Donate in Sean-Paul’s honor: https://www.perc-epilepsy.org/

LG’s robot: https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/lg-brought-a-robot-that-cooks-folds-laundry-and-empties-the-dishwasher-to-ces/

The Aura TV with a soundbar built in: https://global.dreametech.com/products/dreametv-s100

Displace Wireless TV: https://displace.tv/

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