AI Ramblings: Episode 37

Keywords

CES 2023, AI technology, gadgets, smart home, robotics, innovation, trends, technology review, consumer electronics

Summary

In this episode of AI Ramblings, Michael Parekh and Neil McQuanna discuss the highlights and key takeaways from CES 2023. They explore the impact of AI on consumer electronics, the emergence of innovative gadgets, and the trends shaping the future of technology. The conversation covers various themes, including AI fatigue, the evolution of smart home devices, and the significance of hardware innovation in driving software development. The hosts also share their favorite products from the event and provide insights into the current state of the tech industry.

Takeaways

CES 2023 showcased significant AI trends and innovations.

AI fatigue is becoming evident among consumers and reviewers.

Availability and pricing uncertainties were prevalent at CES.

Robotics technology is still in its infancy and not ready for prime time.

Interoperability standards for smart home devices are improving.

Smart glasses are set to flood the market this year.

Frame TVs are gaining popularity as a design solution.

Nvidia’s self-driving car platform is empowering automakers.

Hardware innovation continues to lead software development.

The trend towards retro technology is gaining traction.

Chapters

00:00 CES 2023 Overview and Expectations

12:30 Key Takeaways from CES 2023

20:15 Innovative Gadgets and Products from CES 2023

High-level Takeaways from CES 2026

1. Availability and Pricing Uncertainties Everywhere; Affordability Concerns ABOUND over memory chip prices and trade/tariffs

2. AI Fatigue: Everything is AI, Nothing is really useful AI

3. AI Robot Overload: Offerings of every size and shape; Still mere Novelties

4. Matter Matters: Home Device Interoperability standards like Matter starting to offer mainstream value

5. Huge amounts of AI Devices against the wall; Wearables and all still EARLY

6. Frame TVs truly go mainstream; Amazon enters vs Samsung et al

7. Nvidia empowering Self Driving Car platforms see critical mass

8. Hardware way ahead of Software across the board

9. AI features everywhere BRITTLE, NOVELTIES, and in SILOS

10. AI Browsers still more interesting in 2026 vs Physical AI Devices

Media Favorites of CES 2026:

The Verge Team summary of Best by Category:

1. Lego Smart Bricks rule with NO AI: https://www.theverge.com/tech/859525/lego-smart-brick-play-system-now-available-preorder-star-wars-sets

2. Clicks Communicator’s ‘Retro Blackberry’ nostalgia: https://www.theverge.com/tech/851298/clicks-communicator-phone-blackberry-keyboard

3. Linux Operating Systems over Windows in Gaming Handhelds: https://www.pcgamer.com/software/linux/im-brave-enough-to-say-it-linux-is-good-now-and-if-you-want-to-feel-like-you-actually-own-your-pc-make-2026-the-year-of-linux-on-your-desktop/

Our Most Notable Items at CES 2026

Neal

1. Aqara Smart Lock U400: https://us.aqara.com/products/smart-lock-u400?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23421272118&gbraid=0AAAAA_fIdnZyT6nAycLIpcbJv5GSLGP2-&gclid=CjwKCAiAjojLBhAlEiwAcjhrDodcDNOpZkC29eMPC8ZW2gfxQcPSV3JJ7cfWgoiLxn98dIjHlmqPdxoCIZ4QAvD_BwE

   1. Macrumors: https://www.macrumors.com/2026/01/06/aqara-u400-smart-lock/

Michael:

1. Mercedes CLA with Nvidia’s Self Driving Orin hardware/software: https://www.theverge.com/news/852880/nvidia-autonomous-driving-demo-tesla-fsd

   1. Nvidia/Mercedes Self Driving Demo:

1. Clicks MagSafe Smartphone Keyboard Bank: https://www.theverge.com/tech/851368/clicks-power-keyboard-phone-battery

2. Lenovo Go Steam Gaming Handheld: https://www.theverge.com/tech/853587/lenovo-legion-go-2-steam-os-annoucement-price-release-date

3. Samsung Galaxy Trifold: https://www.theverge.com/news/855140/hands-on-with-samsungs-galaxy-z-trifold

Additional Watches and Reads:

Best Watches:

The Vergecast Editors Discussion:

And the Verge Team:

Best of CES 2026 Reviews:

1. The Verge: https://www.theverge.com/tech/858494/ces-2026-best-new-tech-tv-car-wearable

2. New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-ces-2026-products/

3. PC Mag: https://www.pcmag.com/news/best-in-show-the-top-products-and-technologies-of-ces-2026

4. CNET: https://www.cnet.com/pictures/ces-2026-overall-products/

5. Tom’s Hardware: https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/best-of-ces-2026-innovating-amidst-the-ram-and-storage-apocalypse

Post-Show Possible Shopping List by the Verge: https://www.theverge.com/tech/859808/ces-2026-best-gadgets-installer

AI-RTZ # 961: Memory Chip AI Prices hit CES 2026:

AI: Reset to Zero

AI: Memory chip AI prices hit CES 2026. RTZ #961

I went out of my way to highlight across several 2025 year-end pieces, that memory chip shortages, and resulting price increases, would be one of the biggest headwinds in 2026 for the AI Tech Wave…

Read more

2 days ago · 5 likes · 1 comment · Michael Parekh

AI-RTZ # 959: Nvidia’s Alpamayo Self Driving platform:

AI: Reset to Zero

AI: Nvidia’s growing chops in self driving cars & Vera Rubin AI GPU chip metrics. RTZ #959

Well, as expected in Las Vegas, Nvidia founder/CEO Jensen Huang’s keynote at CES 2026 was worth the watch. Just like last year. One gets the sense that Nvidia, for all its accomplishments of late, is kinda just ‘getting warmed up…

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4 days ago · 4 likes · Michael Parekh

AI-RTZ #956: An AI Powered CES 2026:

AI: Reset to Zero

AI: Getting ready for another AI Powered CES 2026. RTZ #956

The Bigger Picture, Sunday, January 4, 2026…

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7 days ago · 3 likes · Michael Parekh

AI-RTZ # 942, 2025 Year in Review:

AI: Reset to Zero

AI: Looking Forward to more AI Scaling in 2026. RTZ #949

The Bigger Picture, Sunday December 28, 2025…

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14 days ago · 4 likes · Michael Parekh

AI-RTZ # 949, 2026 Year Ahead:

AI: Reset to Zero

AI: Looking Forward to more AI Scaling in 2026. RTZ #949

The Bigger Picture, Sunday December 28, 2025…

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14 days ago · 4 likes · Michael Parekh

AI-RTZ: AI Devices in 2026 and beyond #944:

https://michaelparekh.substack.com/p/ai-pondering-ai-devices-for-christm