(#56) Apple is launching Vision Pro; Xiaomi is in the EV business; CES 2024 is so-so
An interview with Cristiano Amon, Qualcomm’s CEO: “AI is ‘evolving very, very fast’ into mobile devices”.
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Dear friends,
New Year, new strategies, new possibilities. Time Magazine named Taylor Swift “The person of the year”. I thought that OpenAI’s Sam Altman would take the ‘prize’, or, why not, even Chat GPT. 2024 is going to be full of AI, mainly rushing towards devices, which eventually will force companies to rethink their strategy.
Onto the update:
Strategy
Apple’s Vision Pro
Probably the most expected launch device of 2024 is Apple’s Vision Pro, which will happen on the 2nd of February, as Tim Cook tweeted below.
Some take on the product and Apple's strategy:
1/ Patience pays off: Did you know that, on average, it takes 5 years for any Apple product to truly take off? The meticulous attention to detail and relentless pursuit of perfection are about to pay off with the Apple Vision Pro.
2/ Iteration and Pivoting: The journey to mass adoption involves multiple iterations and strategic pivots. Apple's commitment to refinement ensures that each version brings us closer to a seamless and extraordinary user experience. The company doesn't ship MPVs.
3/ Price Evolution: I anticipate a significant price drop in subsequent models, possibly even an "Air" version. Apple's history shows that as technology matures, accessibility increases – making innovation available to a broader audience.
4/ Static positioning: While the current model may require static positioning, keep an eye out for future updates. Apple is known for pushing boundaries, and advancements in spatial computing could enhance the device's flexibility.
5/ Productivity & Spatial Computing: The Apple Vision Pro is clearly positioned for productivity, but the integration of spatial computing is a game-changer. Imagine the possibilities as the device seamlessly integrates into your daily tasks, creating a more immersive and efficient work environment.
6/ The future of wearable tech: My perspective is that, combined with Siri powered by AI (like ChatGPT), these glasses will become the perfect platform for a frictionless world. Imagine a world where technology understands and responds to your needs effortlessly. I wrote about it here.
Ben Evans has a good essay on this topic. LINK
Xiaomi is officially in the EV business
The first time I saw their EV sedan called “SU7” I thought “Hey, look, a Porsche Taycan!”. There is no secret that Chinese companies are stealing design besides Intellectual property. (see picture below)
Now, those who follow this newsletter know by now that the transition to EV means a once-in-a-decade shift:
ICE competitive advantage: proprietary engine, scale, design and distribution
EV competitive advantage: scale, design, distribution, 5-10x less spare parts, battery, and software capabilities (hint! New skillset: software)
You can read my essay below, but what I’d add are the following. Making the car means taking care of 5 things:
1/ E-motor
2/ Battery
3/ Hyper case
4/ Multimedia/entertainment
5/ Autonomous driving
Most of these are software problems, hence the easier transition from making phones to making (EV) cars. My essay, Su7
CES 2024 (Las Vegas)
These days we have the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. As always, you see products that can change an industry…or the world. What drew my attention:
1/ The world's first transparent MICROLED screen by Samsung
2/ New AI Smart Home Agents by LG
3/ AI-powered Hologram by Holoconnects
4/ AI Robot companion called 'Ballie' by Samsung
5/ An AI mirror for mental health by Baracoda
6/ An all-in-one gravity-defying robot winder cleaner by Ecovacs. The Verge, CES
A fragmented world
After the emergence of a new wave of social networks in 2023 (e.g. Blue Sky, Mastodon, Wavelength, Threads, etc) it seems that this trend is continuing in other industries too. Here is an article about Zoe - a health influencer app. Influencers go Direct-to-Consumer. LINK
Artificial Intelligence
rabbit.tech - your AI companion
There is a new wave of almost AI (LLM) products emerging and we are going t see loads of them this year: from Humane AI Pin to Rabbit
I doubt that somebody will wear two (or three) devices with them: a smartphone, glasses, and/or another AI device. LINK
Duolingo
The platform for learning new languages is cutting 10% of its contractors. Reason? Employees became more efficient using AI (LLM). This reminds me of: “AI will not replace you, but the person using AI will”. LINK
AI moving to devices
An interview with Cristiano Amon, Qualcomm’s CEO: “AI is ‘evolving very, very fast’ into mobile devices”. LINK
Things happen
Europe’s Detroit is under threat from Electric Vehicles. LINK
China’s economic engine is running out of fuel. LINK
Techno-optimism for 2024, by economist Noah Smith. LINK
Volkswagen it’s adding ChatGPT in its cars for ‘enriching conversations’. LINK
WSJ: “Big Fashion Still Hasn’t Figured Out How to Pay a Living Wage”. LINK
Bill Ackman on DEI (Diversity - Equity and Inclusion). LINK
Cash-on-delivery fraud is a nightmare for gig workers in Vietnam. LINK
Data
IBM 2024 Consumer Study: Revolutionize retail with AI everywhere. LINK
Ruchir Sharma: top 10 trends for 2024. LINK
Data & AI Trends & Predictions 2024, by Datacamp.com - LINK
This is one of my favorite charts. LINK
Outside Interest
A success story of Houston railway. Texas seems to be the only state that builds. LINK
The Impulse Cooktop: The highest-performing stove. LINK
RIP, Robert Solow. The Economist, Noah Smith
Zelensky's bunker routine during the first weeks of the invasion. LINK
The Russian bakery making killer drones to support Putin’s war. LINK
Messari’s Crypto Theses for 2024. LINK
The Panama Canal is very hard to be saved. LINK
Interesting newsletters 💡
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