8 chapters across the catalog
The hosts discuss marketing "5G crystals" or armbands that light up in the presence of high-frequency signals. They reference 1990s Chinese street fashion involving LED clothing and suggest using magnetic loops to harvest ambient electricity to power wearable displays.
Slack Outage, Google Home Failure, Hearing Aid Integration
Widespread outages of Slack and Google Home services highlight the dangers of relying on cloud-connected "Internet of Things" devices. Users reported being unable to control lights or thermostats during the downtime. The host proposes a "genius idea" to integrate voice assistants directly into hearing aids, allowing for a seamless, albeit eccentric-looking, wearable technology experience.
Apple Watch Product Placement and Cultural Reception
Observations of media figures like Charlie Rose wearing the Apple Watch suggest a coordinated product placement effort. The cultural reception of the device is described as cult-like, with some tech commentators jokingly comparing the act of showing off the watch to a collective salute.
A guest at the dinner, involved in the "quantified self" movement, bet that Apple would release an iWatch by Christmas. The host expressed skepticism about the trend of tracking personal data and the influence of Ray Kurzweil's transhumanist philosophy.
A host recounts an encounter with a "glasshole"—a person wearing Google Glass—at a diner in Austin. The device is described as looking like a physical disability, and the wearer's presence sparked a discussion about the social awkwardness and "douchey" nature of the wearable technology.
CES 2014 Report, Smart Appliances, Dishwasher Technology
The 2014 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) featured "wearable tech" and curved televisions, which the hosts dismiss as "duds." A specific LG advertisement for "Home Chat" appliances is mocked for claiming people "rush home to turn on the washer and dryer." The segment concludes with practical advice on dishwashers, recommending simple manual controls and plastic interiors over expensive, failure-prone electronic models.
Google Glass, Wearables and Tech Industry Hype
The utility of Google Glass is questioned following a hands-on experience at a tech event. The device is described as an expensive "nerd toy" that offers little practical value beyond telling the time, despite the industry's heavy promotion of "wearables" as the future of computing.
The emergence of Fitbit and other wearable fitness trackers is viewed as a precursor to government-mandated health monitoring. The hosts argue that these devices, backed by major Silicon Valley venture capital, will eventually be used to enforce wellness standards and track citizen behavior under the guise of preventative healthcare.
