MERGE VR is a toy-focused company that is producing products to help kids get excited about virtual reality and augmented reality toys. Their Merge Cube is a new toy on the market that enables kids to turn a black cube into multiple objects.
Andrew Trickett is the co-founder of Merge VR. Trickett joins Cheddar to explain why it was essential to make Merge Cube compatible with all phones. Merge VR wants any kid to be able to use the technology.
Merge VR will be releasing more tech and products at the upcoming CES. In 2017, the Merge Cube was named "Most Unique Product" at CES.
David Ewalt, Editor-in-Chief at Gizmodo joins Cheddar News to discuss a TikTok moderator suing the platform over mental trauma caused by graphic videos
Daniel Newman, Founding Partner and Principal Analyst at Futurum Research, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell, where he says the markets are going to feel very uncomfortable receiving news of more potential setbacks for chip manufacturers after already enduring a lengthy chip shortage.
The federal government and numerous industries have been preparing for a greener future, setting goals to reduce greenhouse emissions by switching to electric vehicles. But the next hurdle to clear is convincing the wider public to get on board. Arun Kumar, managing director in automotive practice at AlixPartners, spoke to Cheddar's Ken Buffa about consumer trends related to EV transition and said he believes a widespread switch is imminent in 2022. Despite this, he acknowledged there are still significant obstacles to overcome, including high prices and more charging stations. "Without charging infrastructure, people are going to struggle with increasing adoption of electric vehicles in the future," Kumar told Cheddar. "I think by 2030 our estimate is that about a million chargers need to be put in place nationally in the U.S."
The pandemic has supercharged the creator economy, and there are no signs of it slowing down no matter when the pandemic officially ends. Creators prove to be a key factor in driving purchasing decisions and retail sales, and an increasing amount of platforms are taking advantage of the social influence. Karissa Bell, senior editor at Engadget, joins cheddar news to discuss the creator economy boom.
