Recap of Day 2 at CES 2024: Google presents its own take on Apple software tricks, while a bizarre Rabbit device makes an appearance

Now that the CES 2024 show floor is open, attendees have begun walking briskly around the expansive conference centres and hotel ballrooms in Las Vegas in search of the newest and most bizarre electronic items. While firms continue to host press conferences and unveil new products, the Engadget team has been working out hard, navigating both foot and vehicle traffic to get face and hand time (and other body parts?) with the most fascinating demos here. The most important news from the second day of CES 2024 is summarised here if you’re short on time or simply don’t know where to go while in Vegas.

As usual, Google has one of the largest booths at the event, and the corporation had some news to give as well. Following the theme of “Better Together,” which it has been implementing for the past few years, Google revealed updates to its inter-device software, such as Fast Pair, and said it is collaborating with Samsung to integrate and rename its Nearby Share feature to Quick Share—the name that Samsung currently uses for its equivalent. Hopefully, this will make things easier for Android users and provide them with a more unified option than Apple’s AirDrop. Although there was little information available on potential changes for Samsung customers, those who have Nearby Share should soon notice a new symbol.

Later this year, Google will be introducing its apps to select Ford, Nissan, and Lincoln vehicles in addition to adding functionality for users to Chromecast TikTok videos to TVs and screens that are compatible with them. Google Maps will be able to incorporate stops, charge times, and recharge stations into your routes thanks to Android Auto’s ability to communicate your electric vehicle’s battery levels to it. Once more, this is comparable to a function in Apple’s upcoming CarPlay system.

In relation to EVs, Honda also unveiled the Space Hub and the Saloon, two new EV concepts. In contrast to the Space Hub, which is a slightly boxier minivan with seats that face each other, the Saloon is an aerodynamic sedan that rides low to the ground.  With little information yet available about the Space Hub, Honda announced that it will create a model for North American markets in 2026 based on the Saloon concept car.

In other topics pertaining to transportation, Hyundai debuted an upgraded S-A2 Air Taxi at the event. When it reaches 1,500 feet in the air, the electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle, known as the S-A2, can cruise at 120 mph. The business plans to use it as a regular urban transit option, and it is intended for short flights of 25 to 40 miles.

Other than Google, we also received more news about smart homes. For example, Amazon announced that it will use the Matter standard for Casting, although it will not work with Apple’s AirPlay or Chromecast. How charming. Additionally, we witnessed the introduction of smart outdoor lighting by Nanoleaf, face-scanning and palm-reading door locks, and a more affordable and feature-rich Weber Searwood smart grill.

A few pieces of mobile news have surfaced, such as the Clicks iPhone keyboard case and the unexpectedly cute Rabbit R1. It is marketed as an AI-powered aide in a walkie-talkie that is essentially adorable and square, co-designed by Teenage Engineering.

It features two microphones, a speaker, an analogue scroll wheel, a tiny 2.88-inch touchscreen, and a 360-degree rotating camera that you can face your way or view through the phone’s back. By pressing a button on the Rabbit AI, akin to a walkie talkie, you may ask it to perform various tasks, such as reserving an Uber or locating a meal that suits your ingredient list.

There are many more products at the expo, but I wanted to take a moment to highlight a few really interesting accessibility offerings. We observed the OrCam Hear device, which is intended to assist those with hearing loss in isolating particular speakers’ voices in noisy settings.

Other options include the Mouthpad, which uses your tongue to control your phone, tablet, or laptop, and the GyroGlove, a glove that helps people with hand tremors stabilise their hands.

Additionally, the Audio Radar technology received an update that allows deaf gamers to see where sounds are coming from and what kind of sounds they might be. Seeing all much progress in assistive technology at CES is incredibly encouraging, particularly in light of the fact that the industry frequently expends significant time and resources on less deserving projects.

As the exhibition draws to a close, the Engadget crew is preparing for our last rounds of the exhibit floor while also reflecting on the highlights of CES 2024. Make sure to check back soon to see the winners of the show, as we will shortly be assembling our Best of CES awards list.

From January 6–12, we will be providing live coverage from CES 2024 in Las Vegas. Here you may stay up to date on all the most recent show news.