APPLE'S AUTONOMOUS CAR - WAN Show Sept 6, 2019

The WAN Show episode from September 6, 2019 centers on Apple’s autonomous car efforts, with Linus and the crew unpacking what’s publicly known about a potential all-camera vehicle setup and the absence of lidar sensors. The hosts discuss Apple’s strategy of moving beyond a traditional computer company identity to a mobile device and connected-car ecosystem, including how iPhone integration could be central to a future vehicle. They explain lidar and its role in 3D mapping, and consider how a lidar-free approach would affect perception, object recognition, and safety. The segment also covers Apple’s hiring activity, project Titan dynamics, and the company’s handling of NDAs and press contacts, including the surprising difficulty in reaching official media channels. The conversation then pivots to the broader smartphone landscape, with folding phones from Samsung and Huawei in focus, highlighting hardware changes, hinge design improvements, dust protection, and the balance between launch timing and consumer anticipation. The VR portion of the show returns as Linus and the team share renewed excitement about virtual reality, comparing the Oculus Quest, Rift S, and HTC Vive ecosystems, and evaluating wireless versus tethered experiences and tracking accuracy. The hosts reminisce about earlier VR expectations, critique the Vive Pro’s upgrade path, and celebrate the Index as a high-end option that delivers compelling resolution and tracking, while acknowledging the price point. Sponsors and product news weave through the stream, with Backblaze, FreshBooks, and Pulseway featured, including practical demonstrations of cloud backup, invoicing for freelancers, and remote IT management. The crew also touches on broader tech policy moments, such as government data requests involving gun scope applications and the implications for user privacy and government access. Linus attempts to contact Apple live to verify press-invite processes, shares experiences with Apple Support, and reflects on the media invite ecosystem around major events. The Folding Phone conversation expands to Samsung’s quiet Korea launch with hinge reinforcement updates, reduced gaps, and stronger locks, while assessing how these changes affect real-world usability and consumer reception. The show closes with a candid appreciation for advances in VR hardware, a reminder about the pros and cons of inside-out tracking, and a teaser for upcoming coverage, including FloatsPlane exclusives and a deeper dive into VR hardware performance. Overall, the episode threads together Apple’s ambitions in automotive and consumer tech with real-world product evolutions, industry dynamics, and the ongoing tension between hype and tangible engineering progress.

Topics · technology · autonomous vehicles · virtual reality · consumer electronics · mobile devices · media & journalism