Why More Companies are Entering Smart Assistant Space
The International Consumer Electronics Show kicks off this week in Las Vegas, NV. CNET's Senior Editor Dan Ackerman explains the trends he's watching for this year.
When looking specifically at smart home devices, Ackerman says companies are taking the technology behind smart assistants and building them into anything you can possibly think of. Notably, LG is building Alexa and Google Assistant into its OLED TV's. Ackerman says consumers can also expect smart assistants integrated into your laptops.
"It's a race to see who can get their smart assistant into as many products as possible," said Ackerman. While the hardware business is becoming increasingly competitive, Ackerman says there's real opportunity in building software.
Connected cars software development platform Smartcar announced this week it has raised $24 million in a Series B round led by Energize Ventures. Smartcar's software can be integrated into mobile and web apps from mobility businesses. It allows users to do things like locate and unlock a vehicle, as well as check its mileage, fuel level, and battery if the vehicle is electric. Smartcar's technology is compatible with 22 different vehicle brands in 31 different countries. Smartcar co-founder and CEO Sahas Katta joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Google currently does not accept cryptocurrency as a form of payment in contrast with other big businesses that have taken advantage of the new crypto wealth that's accrued. The tech giant recently hired former PayPal executive Arnold Goldberg to lead its payment division, likely more firmly entering digital currency usage. "I think the real question is, why given the size of the industry, has Google not done this before or been actively accepting and using cryptocurrency, and it's really a lack of regulatory clarity," Halsey Minor, executive chairman of Public Mint, told Cheddar.
The drama surrounding tennis star Novak Djokovic continues after he was deported from Australia over the weekend due to the nation's COVID-19 vaccine requirements. Djokovic was forced to leave the country on the eve of what was to be his first match in defense of his Australian Open title after three judges ruled in favor of his removal and revealed their reasoning for doing so. Adding to his woes, a law recently passed in France is putting his chances of defending his French Open title in jeopardy. The director of Marist's Center for Sports Communication, Jane McManus, joined Cheddar to discuss the ongoing fallout.
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit is marking the 58th anniversary of its first print issue with the announcement of a new advertising mandate called Pay With Change. The magazine's annual print will now only feature brands who are helping drive gender equality forward, creating a sweeping call to action for the publishing industry. MJ Day, editor-in-chief of SI Swimsuit, joined Cheddar to discuss the goals of the new initiative.
Sonia Thompson, inclusive marketing strategist and consultant, breaks down the need to retool the hiring process and how organizations can make for a better workplace environment.
Netflix is set to report its Q4 earnings after the bell on Thursday. Wall Street is bullish on the streaming giant, estimating it will report its highest total of new subscribers for any quarter in 2021. But the company also faced major hurdles last year, from slowing revenue growth to rising streaming competition to increasing production costs. Chris Legg, senior managing director at Progress Partners, gives a preview.
PepsiCo and Beyond Meat are partnering together to launch a plant-based jerky. This is the first in a series of plant-based foods the pair will roll out together.
