Google has just announced it’s holding a hardware launch event on October 15th, where the company will officially unveil the umm… pricing of its Pixel 4 smartphone, I guess. There’s not much else we don’t know. But that’s just one of many recently announced tech product launch dates coming in the next 30 days or […]
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Bloomberg: Amazon’s next Echo could sound a lot better
Amazon dominates the smart speaker market that it pretty much created when it launched the first Amazon Echo a few years ago. But the company is facing increased competition from Google, Apple, and others. So it’s no wonder the company has expanded its Echo lineup in recent years (there are now 4 Echo speaker models […]
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Lilbits 346: You can’t always judge a laptop by its specs
When I picked up my latest laptop I opted for a model with an Intel Core i5-8250U processor after realizing that I’d have to spend several hundred dollars more to get a version with a Core i7-8550U chip… and most benchmarks I’ve seen suggest that the Core i7 chip is only a little faster. But depending […]
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Project Alias hacks your smart speaker so it’s only listening when you want
There’s something kind of magical about saying “Alexa” or “OK Google” to get a weather forecast, recipe, navigation directions, or to play music or control your smart home appliances. There’s also something a little creepy about it since you need to have an always-listening, internet-connected speaker in your house to do those things. Sure, Google […]
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6 Comments on Amazon launches Echo Wall Clock, Echo Auto, Alexa-enabled microwave, and other voice-enabled gadgets
Amazon launches Echo Wall Clock, Echo Auto, Alexa-enabled microwave, and other voice-enabled gadgets
6 Comments on Amazon launches Echo Wall Clock, Echo Auto, Alexa-enabled microwave, and other voice-enabled gadgetsIn case you missed the memo, Amazon launched a lot of new Alexa-enabled devices today. In addition to new Echo Dot, Echo Plus, Echo Show, Echo Input, and Echo Sub, and Echo Link devices, the company also introduced a bunch of accessories that let you interact with Alexa in new ways and new places. For example, […]
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Amazon teaches Alexa a bunch of new tricks, turns it into a security system (and more)
Amazon’s Alexa voice service already lets you get answers to questions, listen to music, news updates, or weather forecasts, play games, or control smart home gadgets with your voice. But in addition to launching a bunch of new hardware today, Amazon unveiled some upcoming Alexa features that could make the company’s voice assistant technology even […]
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Amazon’s new Echo Show has a 10 inch screen, better audio, and a web browser
Amazon is taking pre-orders for a 2nd gen Echo Show smart display. The new model has a bigger touchscreen display and new features, but still has the same $230 list price as its predecessors. Of course, these days you can often find the original Echo Show on sale for $100 off, so that still might […]
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Amazon Echo Input is basically Chromecast Audio meets Alexa
Want to use Amazon’s Alexa voice service around the home, but don’t want to make do with Amazon’s speakers? The company has a few high-end solutions on the way… but there’s also a cheap option that launches today. The Amazon Echo Input is a $35 device that you can plug into any existing speakers to […]
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Amazon’s Alexa Skill Blueprints lets you teach Alexa new tricks without learning to code
1 Comment on Amazon’s Alexa Skill Blueprints lets you teach Alexa new tricks without learning to codeAmazon’s Alexa voice service can do a lot of things. You can ask an Alexa-enabled device like an Echo speaker or a Fire tablet for traffic, news, or weather updates. You can add things to your grocery list. And, of course, you can use it to order items from Amazon just by talking to Alexa. […]
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Deals of the Day (3-19-2018)
Amazon’s Audible subscription service for audiobooks normally runs $150 per year and the company typically charges $50 and up for its Alexa-enabled Echo line of smart speakers. But right now if you sign up for an annual subscription to Audible and buy an Echo speaker you can save $50 on each, for a combined savings […]
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Amazon Brings Alexa Calling To Android and iOS Devices
Drop In effectively turned Amazon’s Echo Show into a slick (if not somewhat creepy) video intercom. Echo and Echo Dot owners could get in on the action, too… at least the voice and instant message part of the equation. Now, Amazon has expanded its calling and messaging reach to Android and iOS device owners. The […]
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Report: Amazon working on AI chip for on-device Alexa voice processing
Amazon’s Alexa voice service lets you ask questions or issue voice commands to a wide range of devices including smart speakers, tablets, and TV boxes. But one thing they all have in common? They need an internet connection to process inquiries, because Alexa works a lot of its magic in the cloud. It sounds like […]