The hosts dive into the latest at CES 2025, featuring the quirkiest gadgets like strange vacuum robots and innovative Nvidia graphics cards. They share laughs over tech troubles and nostalgic tales, while dissecting the complexities of wireless charging and smartphone case compatibility. The conversation expands to futuristic cars and imaginative tech concepts, like stretchable displays and playful bots. With trivia sprinkled throughout, the mood remains light as they explore the intersection of nostalgia, innovation, and the ever-evolving world of technology.
CES 2025 showcased significant advancements in electric vehicles like the Afila from Sony and Honda, blending entertainment and technology.
Faraday Future revealed new prototypes while continuing to face challenges, highlighting their commitment to penetrate the competitive EV market.
Innovations in home electronics included a groundbreaking inductive switch for mechanical keyboards, enhancing wireless efficiency and user customization.
Deep dives
CES 2025 Overview
The 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) introduces a plethora of innovative technologies, particularly focusing on advancements in electric vehicles (EVs) and home electronics. Significant highlights include the launch of the Sony and Honda joint venture, which features the Afila car starting at $89,900, showcasing a blend of entertainment and autonomous driving features. Additionally, an array of smart home devices was unveiled, emphasizing the integration of artificial intelligence across various platforms. With a focus on practical applications, the expo showcases how emerging technologies can improve daily life.
The Afila Electric Vehicle
The Afila, a collaborative effort between Sony and Honda, represents a new entry into the EV market with a starting price of $89,900. This vehicle features immersive entertainment systems and customizable themes supported by a subscription model for the first three years. The design mirrors traditional Honda vehicles, aiming to attract a wide consumer base while leveraging Sony's entertainment prowess. However, the price point raises questions about market positioning, particularly when compared to established competitors in the EV segment.
Faraday Future's Ambitious Plans
Faraday Future, a company known for its long-delayed electric vehicle promises, showcased new prototypes at CES 2025 following years of speculation. They reported a disappointing total of just 10 customer deliveries since their inception, yet continue to push ambitions for vehicles priced between $20,000 to $50,000. This renewed effort includes revamped models aimed at attracting more mainstream consumers, despite the company's turbulent history and challenges in securing funding. Their ongoing presence at CES signals an enduring commitment to realize their vision in the highly competitive EV landscape.
Honda's Concept Cars
Honda unveiled two striking concept vehicles, known as the Zero series, that generated significant buzz for their futuristic and bold designs. The first model features an elongated body with pronounced angles reminiscent of a luxury sports car, while the second model adopts a more family-friendly SUV appearance, emphasizing sleek lines and advanced technology. Both designs have polarized opinions due to their unconventional aesthetics, showcasing Honda's willingness to step outside traditional design boundaries. These concepts are part of Honda's broader vision to innovate in the EV space, aligning with emerging trends in automotive design.
Ducky's Inductive Switches
Ducky announced a groundbreaking inductive switch for mechanical keyboards at CES 2025, developed in collaboration with Cherry. These multi-point switches promise enhanced energy efficiency, enabling wireless connectivity without the drawbacks of traditional Hall Effect switches. The switches allow for customizable actuation points, enabling enthusiasts to fine-tune their keyboard responsiveness for improved gaming experiences. This innovation positions Ducky as a key player in the growing demand for advanced mechanical keyboards that cater to the needs of gamers and users alike.
Auto-Retracting Keyboard Technology
At CES 2025, an innovative auto-retracting keyboard was introduced, featuring a design that allows the number pad and trackpad to emerge based on hand detection. This keyboard concept aims to enhance user experience by providing easy access to necessary input methods while minimizing clutter. The system's reliance on a camera to detect hand movements heralds a new approach to keyboard design, albeit with potential challenges regarding practicality and desk space. This playful yet functional design represents a step towards creating adaptive technology that responds to user needs in real-time.
We're back! After a nice break for the holiday Marques, Andrew, and David waste no time getting right back into the newest gadgets and announcements. With Ellis and Adam both out sick, Mariah is in control of the producer table so you know it's going to be a good one. First, everyone gives a quick update on what they did over the break before venting about Qi2 wireless charging in upcoming Android phones. Then it's all about CES where they talk about everything from weird vacuum robots to the new Nvidia announcements and even some new wonky screens from LG! After that, it's all about the cars of CES including Afeela, Faraday Future, and even Honda. Of course, we wrap everything up with some trivia. Enjoy!
