Tesla’s big, epic, confusing future | The Vergecast

Intro and buying bathroom vanities (0s)

• David Pierce is shopping for bathroom vanities online and finds the process frustrating due to the lack of reliable information and the prevalence of paid reviews.
• He criticizes the homogeneity of products across different websites and the difficulty in finding trustworthy reviews.
• Pierce highlights the challenge of making informed decisions when shopping online for expensive items like bathroom vanities.
• Tesla held a shareholder meeting where a significant compensation package for Elon Musk was approved.
• Hints were given about Tesla's future plans, including new products and initiatives.
• Andy Hawkins will join the discussion to provide insights and analysis on Tesla's upcoming projects.
• Recent developments in the wearables and fitness industry, including new apps, Apple Watch features, and Samsung watches, will be discussed.
• Vjeran Pavic and David Pierce will explore relaxed and chill approaches to using wearables for fitness tracking, focusing on user-friendly experiences rather than intense fitness routines.
• An exciting hotline question related to weather will be addressed in the show.

Tesla chat w/Andy Hawkins (4m14s)

• Tesla has been in the news recently due to the shareholder vote on Elon Musk's pay package and his subsequent comments about the company's future.
• Topics discussed by Musk include the Optimus robot, becoming a data setter company, full self-driving, superchargers, and new vehicles.
• Tesla is at a crucial moment in its history, and it's important to assess where the company is headed.
• Musk envisions Tesla as a data setter company, collecting and analyzing vast amounts of data from its vehicles to improve its products and services.
• He also emphasizes the importance of full self-driving technology and the expansion of the Supercharger network.
• Musk believes Tesla can revolutionize the automotive industry by producing compelling electric vehicles and developing cutting-edge technologies.
• Despite Musk's ambitious plans, Tesla faces several challenges, including production issues, regulatory hurdles, and competition from other automakers.
• Musk's leadership style and public statements have also raised concerns among investors and industry experts.
• Tesla remains a significant player in the automotive and tech industries, and its future trajectory is uncertain.
• While Musk's vision is bold and transformative, the company must overcome numerous obstacles to achieve its goals.

Elon Musk's pay package (6m23s)

• Tesla shareholders approved a massive pay package for Elon Musk, making him the highest-compensated CEO in history, despite a lawsuit challenging the compensation.
• Elon Musk envisions Tesla's future centered around Optimus robots, shifting the focus from cars and energy.
• Despite years of development, Tesla's self-driving car technology, including Autopilot and Full Self-Driving, still requires human attention and cannot operate fully autonomously.
• Tesla is transitioning from being solely a car manufacturer to a company primarily focused on AI and robotics, aiming to solve broader problems by achieving autonomy in vehicles.
• Elon Musk, while bored with running a car company, needs to be kept engaged with Tesla to maintain the company's focus.
• Tesla's goal is to push boundaries, including the development of humanoid robots that can assist people in their homes.
• Tesla plans to have hundreds of humanoid robots working in its factory by the end of next year.
• Elon Musk predicts the robotics industry will be worth $25 trillion in the future.
• Despite its ambitions in other areas, Tesla remains primarily a car company.

Tesla's new vehicles (16m14s)

• Tesla showcased three mystery vehicles during its shareholder meeting, including the affordable Model 2 EV, the refreshed Roadster, and a potential van or high-capacity vehicle like the long-discussed Tesla robotaxi.
• The highly anticipated "robotaxi" is expected to be unveiled on August 8th, resembling the angular design of the Cybertruck.
• Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature has faced criticism for safety concerns and overreliance by drivers, leading to investigations by regulators.
• Tesla's unique selling point as a car company was its extensive Supercharger Network, which it later opened up as the North American Charging Standard (NACS), but competitors have caught up, and Tesla's market share in the EV industry has declined from 75% to around 50%.
• Tesla's sales, revenue, and profits have decreased, raising concerns about its future as a car company, especially with the rise of other electric vehicle companies like Hyundai, Ford, Rivian, and Polestar.
• Tesla's association with Elon Musk and his controversial statements may be affecting its appeal to certain customer demographics.
• Tesla shareholders recently voted in favor of Elon Musk's compensation package, but newer investors have concerns about the company's future without him.
• Tesla's revenue heavily relies on the automotive sector, with over 80% coming from that source, and its energy, battery storage, and solar businesses are not growing as expected.
• There is a growing pressure for AI companies, including Tesla, to demonstrate how they will generate revenue from their technologies.

Wearables w/Vee Song (36m28s)

• Apple announced rest days for watch OS, allowing users to pause their activity rings for a day or more without losing their award streak.
• Samsung is facing lawsuits over its Aura smart rings.
• Google's Pixel watch has been leaked.
• Samsung released a new Galaxy watch.
• The FDA has approved several new wearable devices.
• An app called Stompers is gaining popularity as a way to track physical activity.
• Tesla is planning to build a new factory in Austin, Texas, to produce its Cybertruck and Model Y vehicles.
• The company is also working on a new battery technology that will allow its cars to travel up to 1,000 miles on a single charge.
• Tesla is developing a humanoid robot called Optimus, which is expected to be unveiled in 2023.
• The company is also planning to launch a new ride-hailing service called Tesla Network.
• Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, has said that he wants to make Tesla the most valuable company in the world.

The importance of Rest Days (39m3s)

• The Apple Watch's daily streak feature can be counterproductive, especially for athletes and those engaged in intense training who prioritize rest days.
• The Apple Watch lags behind competitors like Whoop and Oura in prioritizing rest and recovery, which are essential for overall health and performance.
• Notifications that emphasize streaks and criticize users for not closing rings can be counterproductive and create an unhealthy relationship with fitness.
• The Apple Watch's fitness tracking features, such as streaks and rings, may not accurately reflect a person's overall fitness journey.
• Gamification techniques, such as streaks, may work for some individuals but can be a source of burnout and injuries for others.
• The Apple Watch's activity notifications can be annoying, and a "leave me alone" button would be useful.
• Competitors like the Pixel Watch are trying to create Android alternatives to the Apple Watch.

Pixel Watch updates and rumors (48m42s)

• The Pixel Watch 2 may introduce a larger size option called the "Pixel Watch XL" to address concerns about the original's smaller size.
• Car crash detection will be a new feature on the Pixel Watch 2, making it the first Android smartwatch to offer this capability.
• Google is implementing features similar to the Apple Watch, aiming to bridge the gap between Android and Apple's smartwatch offerings.
• Despite these improvements, the ongoing issue with Fitbit integration remains a source of frustration.

Samsung's new Galaxy Watch FE (53m2s)

• Samsung released the Galaxy Watch FE, a cheaper version of the Galaxy Watch 5.
• The FE is priced at $199 for the Bluetooth-only version, making it more affordable than the Apple Watch SE.
• The FE has the same design as the Galaxy Watch 4 but with last-gen chip.
• Samsung is aligning its smartwatch lineup to match Apple's, with an entry-level watch, a base model, and a high-end Ultra model.
• Tesla is planning to produce a new affordable electric car, the Model 2, which will be smaller than the Model 3 and cost around $25,000.
• Tesla is also working on a new Cybertruck, which will be an electric pickup truck with a futuristic design.
• The Cybertruck has been delayed several times and is now expected to be released in 2024.
• Tesla is also developing a humanoid robot called Optimus, which is designed to perform various tasks, including working in factories and delivering packages.
• Optimus is still in the early stages of development and is not expected to be released for several years.

The Galaxy Ring vs Oura (55m55s)

• Samsung is expected to release a Galaxy Ring, potentially competing with Google, Apple, and Oura.
• Samsung preemptively sued Aura for patent infringement, setting a precedent for smaller companies.
• Aura has been releasing new features and updates to stay competitive.
• The Galaxy Ring could be a mainstream success if it offers convenience and integrates well with Samsung products.
• The Vergecast hotline number is 866 Verge one1 and the email is vergecast@theverge.com.
• Vergecast tries to answer at least one question from the hotline on the show each week.

Weather app w/Liam James (59m5s)

• The Vergecast recommends using Forecast Advisor to find the most accurate weather forecast for your location.
• In Dallas, Texas, the National Weather Service Digital Forecast was the most accurate in May 2024, with a 71.86% accuracy rate, while Microsoft's weather source was the most accurate over the last year, with an 84% accuracy rate.
• Carrot Weather is a popular weather app known for its nerdy features and customization options, including choosing from various data sources and customizing the layout.
• Ambient Weather is a backup weather app that connects to a personal weather station, allowing access to detailed weather information from anywhere.
• The Weather Channel app has improved and offers weather news and broader weather updates.
• Hello Weather is an alternative weather app with a clean and glanceable hour-by-hour forecast, allowing users to pick from different data sources and customize the display.
• Acuweather is considered the most accurate data source, but its text descriptions can be long and unhelpful, while other weather apps offer better-written descriptions but may not be as accurate.
• Users should consider their travel patterns when choosing a weather app and may need multiple apps if they travel frequently.
• Apple's weather app is not recommended as there are many better alternatives available.