Shannon Morse, a tech journalist reporting live from CES 2025, shares her excitement about the latest innovations in technology. She dives into TCL's advanced display tech and groundbreaking vehicle connectivity solutions, emphasizing improved internet access in remote areas. The discussion also highlights futuristic autonomous lawnmowers that utilize satellite navigation for yard maintenance. Additionally, Morse brings insights on emerging trends in AI and the rise of silver linings in tech diversity—making for an engaging and informative tech-filled conversation.
Verizon's new smartphone offer, paying off up to $800 on trade-ins, aims to entice users into upgrading their devices and staying connected.
OpenAI's transition towards superintelligence reflects their ambition to create tools exceeding human intelligence, despite current operational losses on ChatGPT Pro subscriptions.
TCL's NextPaper 11 Plus tablet and Play Cube projector demonstrate innovative advancements in e-paper technology and portable devices, enhancing the mobile tech experience.
Deep dives
Verizon's Phone Trade-In Deal
Verizon is offering an enticing deal where they will pay off up to $800 on customers' old phones through a prepaid MasterCard when they switch to a new smartphone and select an unlimited plan. This offer requires a new smartphone line with a minimum monthly payment and involves trading in phones from top brands. The plan incentivizes users to upgrade their devices while ensuring they stay connected. This promotion stands out amid ongoing competition in the mobile carrier industry.
OpenAI's Shift Toward Superintelligence
OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, has expressed confidence in achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI) and noted that the company is transitioning its focus toward superintelligence. This shift is aimed at creating tools that surpass human intelligence to aid scientific discovery and economic growth. Despite high hopes, Altman also revealed that OpenAI is currently operating at a loss on its ChatGPT Pro subscriptions due to unexpectedly high usage. Moving forward, OpenAI plans to adopt a capped for-profit model to sustain its mission while enhancing its capabilities.
New Disney-Fubo Joint Venture
Disney and Fubo have collaborated to establish a joint venture that combines Hulu Plus Live TV with Fubo's services, resulting in a new pay-TV offering for North American subscribers. This venture will allow Disney to maintain a 70% ownership while granting Fubo a 30% stake, yet both brands will continue to operate independently. The deal also introduces a new sports service that integrates Disney's networks, such as ESPN and ABC, enhancing the viewer's experience. This strategic partnership offers a significant update to the competitive landscape of streaming services.
Intel's New AI Chips for Laptops
Intel has showcased its latest AI chips, the Core Ultra 200H and 200HX, aimed at enhancing performance in thin and light notebooks as well as gaming laptops. These advanced processors are designed with multiple cores, providing high-speed processing capabilities for demanding workloads, and are optimized to work alongside specialized GPUs. The introduction of these chips addresses the growing demand for high-performance computing solutions in modern devices. Upcoming systems featuring these chips are anticipated to hit the market shortly, reflecting Intel's commitment to leading innovation in the tech landscape.
TCL’s Innovative NextPaper and Projector
TCL has unveiled its NextPaper 11 Plus tablet, leveraging upgraded e-paper technology that enhances sharpness and color accuracy for a better reading experience. This device transitions easily between color and black-and-white displays to suit different user preferences. Additionally, TCL introduced the Play Cube, a portable projector designed for outdoor use, which integrates a speaker and boasts a battery life of around four hours. These innovations position TCL as a key player in enhancing mobile tech experiences for consumers.
We are down in Las Vegas reporting from the Consumer Electronics Camera 2025. We had a great discussion at AMD’s event, TCL’s announcements, new pinball machines from Stern, wearables, robot lawnmowers and Robb had a chance to talk to the CEO of Stellar about their product to provide mobile internet access to vehicles.
Starring Sarah Lane, Tom Merritt, Robb Dunewood, Shannon Morse, Roger Chang, Amos, Joe.
