I gave a talk to the Innovation Stories conference in London with my round-up of CES 2019. This is a summary of what I talked about. Please get in touch if you would like a version of this talk or the detailed write-up. Getting good If you’re unfamiliar with CES, it’s an annual trade showContinue reading “CES 2019 round-up”
Category Archives: Consumer electronics
Voice: the rising value of delegation
Voice is the natural medium for delegation, but today’s voice assistants do not substantially offer it. Google’s announcement of Duplex is a step towards assistants that are good at delegation. The prospect of large audiences who are in the habit of delegating to machines creates a new surface for influence and trust. It is bothContinue reading “Voice: the rising value of delegation”
Changing our relationship with shopping
A version of this article appeared in a BIMA publication. With the opening of the first Amazon Go store in Seattle, unattended retail is suddenly headline news. For some retailers of course this technology may still seem like something out of The Jetsons, but it highlights an important truth about the modern retail experience thatContinue reading “Changing our relationship with shopping”
Sleep at CES 2017
Technology for sleep, in evidence last year, grew enough to get its own zone for the first time in 2017. Monitoring has matured past wearable devices, and has kept up with the shift from reporting to coaching. Many more products can now intervene during the night, claiming to improve the quality of your sleep. ThisContinue reading “Sleep at CES 2017”
Digital assistants: how not to fall off the edge
A version of this article appeared in Campaign. As assistants integrate with messaging channels and our interaction moves from focused to ambient, brands need a clear strategy. Digital assistants — a staple of science fiction, from Hal to Jarvis — now promise to be genuinely helpful to millions of people. After a shaky, over-promised start,Continue reading “Digital assistants: how not to fall off the edge”
CES 2017: voice, automation and emotion
A version of this article appeared in Campaign. This year’s 50th-anniversary Consumer Electronics Show was the biggest yet, and reprised some familiar themes. TVs were thinner and bigger. Cars were digital platforms and autonomous driving was almost here. Virtual reality was more realistic, with flying rigs and haptic shoes. Sustainability had some prominent examples, fromContinue reading “CES 2017: voice, automation and emotion”
Explosion of robots
I spoke on a BIMA panel about AI and robotics chaired by Peter Trainor, with Jonathan Seal, Devika Thapar and Chris Brauer. Peter asked me to do my set-up presentation about robots; this is a summary of what I said. My talk (slides with my voice-over) is below. All the presenters’ slides from the event are here. Update: I no longer work atContinue reading “Explosion of robots”