Iterate Weekly - Issue 195
This week we're talking about Samsung's new Frame TVs, the importance of media literacy BMW's new heads-up displays, RadioShack is back!, and "Carry-on"!
Welcome to issue 195 of Iterate Weekly.
Happy New Year and happy CES Week! No, I’m not in Las Vegas this week for the big tech conference but my wife actually is. I don’t think CES is as important as it used to be, but it’s still fun to see some new gear that may or may not actually make it into the hands of consumers.
Let’s jump into this week’s stories shall we?
Thank you as always for reading!
🖥️ Tech
Samsung puts TV installers out of business
It seems like traditional-looking televisions are a thing of the past.
Why would you buy a screen with antiquated black or grey plastic framing when you can purchase one that looks like a piece of art instead?
Samsung announced the latest version of their Frame TV this week, and it’s looking like a very compelling upgrade.
I have the current version of the Frame TV mounted above my fireplace and it’s been a wonderful addition to our home. Most of the time, it displays a piece of artwork and the wood colored frame color really makes it feel like a canvas rather than a TV. Picture quality may not be in the top echelon for hardcore AV heads, but it’s more than adequate for daily viewing.
What would make the Frame even better? If it could wirelessly connect to any peripherals. The only thing that can derail the simplicity of the Frame is a bunch of unsightly wires running all around. The new Frame Pro model will include a Wireless One Connect box. The previous version of the One Connect box needed to be physically tethered to the TV to connect your streaming devices or gaming systems.
Now, the Frame Pro only needs a power connection. You can keep all of your wires and peripherals stored somewhere else and they will (reportedly) connect easily to the TV via a wireless connection. This would essentially put TV installers out of work!
Gone would be the days of routing all the wires in the wall or in our case around the fireplace mantle. Yes, there would still need to be an elegant way to plug the power cord into a wall outlet, but that would be it.
I think the wireless connectivity would certainly be worth the upgrade from the previous generation but picture quality should also be much improved. The Frame Pro will start at the 55-inch size and go up from there. Pricing hasn’t been announced but we know it won’t be cheap. And if you need a smaller sized frame, you’ll be able to purchase it in the current configuration. It really does seem like the best TV option for most people who care about aesthetics over all else.
Any other Frame TV owners our there?
🎓 Education/Productivity/Work
The importance of media literacy
I remember taking a media literacy course in college and it was one of my favorites.
Back then it seemed like a pretty novel concept. The professor was barely older than us and most of the curriculum seemed to revolve around types of media that he personally enjoyed. Honestly, it was a good primer in nerd culture and the early days of memes and internet-centric content.
However you slice it, media literacy is as important now as it has ever been and government agencies are realizing it.
Young people (and plenty of old people) need to be better equipped to navigate the sea of information that we’re met with on a daily basis. Currently 18 US states have mandated some form of media literacy program in schools. These programs all may look a bit different, but they at least present the subject and show that it can be as important as any other subject in school.
♻️ Health/Environment/EVs
BMW wants to make your whole windshield a display
The technology in my new BMW iX is great.
The heads-up display is clear and easy to read. And while the center screen can be busy, it’s easy enough to find the crucial info with voice commands or steering wheel controls.
But BMW is not content with its current offerings. This week at CES, they showed off some new technology that looks to turn your whole windshield into another canvas for information.
And before you start criticizing the idea of turning real driving into playing a video game on your windshield, it’s worth noting that this is still a concept. When done well, a heads-up display embedded in the glass can be the safest way to see directions or commands. It seems way smarter than looking down at a center display.
Personally, I love the use of the black space between the windshield and the dashboard. That’s a clever place to put a screen. I’m not sure the content needs to fill the glass above it, but I can see that black strip being easier to read than the traditional dials found behind the steering wheel.
Speaking of steering wheels, this concept shows off a new one for BMW as well. It seems like they’re starting to move back to a more spherical version albeit with more buttons and angles than your typical wheel. This is a departure from the earlier hexagonal wheels found on many of the iXs (ours is outfitted with the more traditional M sport wheel but I do appreciate the funky vibes of a hexagonal wheel or yolk).
We’ll see if this version makes it into a production model in the coming years or if it’s just another one of those magical CES displays that never comes to fruition.
🛍 Grab Bag
Long live RadioShack!
RadioShack is a brand that should conjure up some memories for nerdy folks of a certain age.
For me, their was a RadioShack in our local shopping center growing up. It was a place that I would stop by regularly to peruse the latest and greatest electronic doodads and gizmos. The sweet spot for RadioShack was those tiny parts and accessories that you needed right away for a project you were working on that day. Even when online shopping was a thing, you could usually go to “The Shack” to get what you needed within an hour rather than waiting for shipping or traveling to larger stores that were further afield.
Most of these RadioShack memories are long gone as the company slowly went out of business years ago. There was that weird stretch when most of the stores were gone but people spoke of a few Shacks that endured. It was a slow and painful death but RadioShack is somewhat surprisingly making a comeback…sort of.
In one of the more unlikely announcements at CES, the RadioShack brand will be returning on some consumer electronics products this year. No, the stores themselves won’t be returning but you may be able to walk into another store and buy a pair of RadioShack branded headphones or battery packs.
Is that something we all want? Maybe for the novelty of it I suppose. If I was choosing between a generic battery pack and one with that iconic RS logo, you know which one I’d reach for.
Sadly, I can’t imagine the quality of these products will be very good. But if I come across one of them, there will surely be a review here.
💬 Quote of the Week
"Reality leaves a lot to the imagination."
-John Lennon
🎥 Content Review
Carry-on
Looking for a little post-holiday action?
In case you were too busy watching Frosty the Snowman or Rudolph on repeat during the month of December, a fun little movie premiered on Netflix.
Carry-on is an action packed thriller starring Taron Egerton and Jason Bateman. I was expecting to have the film on in the background one night and went in with very low expectations. But it ended up being a compelling thrill ride from start to finish. Egerton makes for a pretty solid leading man action star. And I thought Bateman would be unconvincing as a villain but he really rose to the occasion.
It’s worth checking out for yourself. And even if you hate it, be prepared to change your perspective on going through the TSA security line.
Thanks for reading, I’ll see you next week!
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