Photo: Consumer Technology Association
There is a ton of tech news coming out of Las Vegas this week, but Axios has you covered with all the big news in one place — here.
The big picture: The big story — so far — is just how much the big tech companies are partnering with one another. Apple's AirPlay is finding its way onto TVs from Samsung, LG and Vizio, while Google's Assistant and Amazon's Alexa are also landing on a wide range of new hardware.
Wednesday, Jan. 9
- Not surprisingly, AMD used its CES keynote to introduce a bunch of new chips. The big theme is 7-nanometer, a thinner generation of wiring that typically allows for faster chips and lower power consumption. The Intel rival is also moving into new markets, with computer makers having earlier introduced the first AMD-based Chromebooks.
- Airbnb says CES-goers have been making ample use of its service as an alternative to Vegas hotels and their jacked-up prices. The homestay company says that more than 15,000 people booked stays during CES at an average daily rate of $140 (well below the going rate for even the least luxurious Strip hotel). Among the top cities where people are coming from: Shenzhen (China), Los Angeles, Seoul, New York City, San Francisco, Beijing, San Jose, San Diego, Las Vegas and Paris.
Tuesday, Jan. 8
- Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg tells Axios that the company has shifted its media business strategy and that its media division — which includes the former AOL and Yahoo units it acquired — will have to stand on its own without depending on loads of data from Verizon’s paying customers.
- Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, who was set to deliver a CES keynote about drones and self-driving cars, canceled her appearance, Fox Business first reported and Axios confirms. Her decision to cancel amid the government shutdown follows that of FCC chairman Ajit Pai and other administration officials.
- As it battles Amazon's Alexa for a place in all manner of consumer electronics, Google announced new features for its Assistant, including flight check-in and automatic language translation. It is also bringing the Assistant to new places, including the Google Maps app.
Monday, Jan. 7
- LG is also adding support for Apple AirPlay to its new TV lineup, joining Samsung and Vizio. Plus, its futuristic roll-up TV is going on sale this year.
- Mastercard used CES to announce it is dropping its name altogether and will be known by its symbol.
- Google said its Assistant will be on a billion devices by the end of the month, up from 500 million as of last May. Also it said it sold millions of Google Home devices over the holidays, one in seven of which were its Google Home Hub smart display.
- After consumers expressed some reluctance to letting Amazon enter their house, the retailer is partnering with garage door makers and others to allow it to put packages into consumers' garages.
- Ford announced at Qualcomm's press conference that it will include the ability for cars to talk to one another over cellular technology in all models starting in 2022. Meanwhile, Alexa interrupted a Qualcomm executive at one point, blurting out "No, that's not true."
- HTC introduced a new version of its Vive Pro virtual reality headset that adds eye-tracking capabilities.
- Samsung is getting into robots. Meanwhile, it wasn't part of the company's CES press conference, but Samsung warned that its profits will fall well short of estimates amid weakness in its chip business.
- Intel showed off its first 10-nanometer processor and said PCs with the chip will ship by the end of the year.
Sunday, Jan. 6
- Samsung announced that its new lineup of smart TVs will add support for movies and TV shows from Apple's iTunes.
- Acer and HP announced the first Chromebooks using processors from Intel rival AMD, while HP also announced a laptop using the AMOLED screen technology more commonly found on smartphones.
- BlackBerry announced plans to license the technologies it uses to secure smartphones to those making Internet-connected devices.
Check back for updates throughout the week from the Axios tech team.