Amazon creates a bigger toy box with its new Alexa Gadgets Toolkit
Amazon is building a bigger toy box with the release of its new Alexa Gadgets Toolkit, a collection of self-service programs and gadget interfaces that facilitate direct pairing and connectivity, communication, and over-the-air updates between interactive devices and their paired Echo device.
It’s Echo season. Our guesses on what Amazon could unveil
Over the past two years, Amazon has announced new Echo hardware in September. We have no idea if it's planning a similar announcement this year, but if so, here are our best guesses for what it will come up with. This list is a combination of evidence-based guesses and our wish list.
Amazon Alexa may bite your head off if asked to play that darn ‘Baby Shark’ song
Voice assistants are designed to respond to any request humans give them, but it doesn't mean they like it. When Amazon's Alexa is asked to play the irritatingly catchy kid's song Baby Shark, the artificial intelligence issues an epic rant about how it doesn't like playing the tune.
Adobe survey finds digital assistants, smart speakers are popular with shoppers
A new survey of more than 1,000 American consumers about voice assistants and smart speakers offers dramatic new intelligence about shopping, adoption rates, types of usage, and a widening diversity of voice activities that reflect an expansion beyond music and weather.
Ecobee4 Smart Thermostat hands-on review
With an excellent whole-home sensor system, an easy-to-use interface, and a simple app, the Ecobee4 is a solid choice for a smart thermostat. The fact that it's an Amazon Alexa speaker just sweetens the deal.
Xbox-specific Alexa skills let you start console with your voice
Fans of the Xbox Kinect can potentially relive the benefits of the accessory. A set of new Alexa and Cortana skills allow players to control the Xbox One with their voice. Users can launch games, control the volume, and much more. These features are available now for Xbox Insiders in the United States.
Chances of your Amazon Alexa being hacked are slim, says former hacker
Events surrounding the Amazon Alexa have raised security concerns, but according to a former NSA hacker, given its built-in security, the smart speaker is an unlikely target for most hackers. They are much more likely to target your bank data than your conversations at home.
Netgear’s Alexa-enabled Orbi Voice Mesh Wi-Fi speaker blankets your home in Wi-Fi and sound
Netgear announced the Orbi Voice Smart Speaker and Wi-Fi Mesh Satellite, a multifunction device for smart homes that extends Wi-Fi networks, adds an Alexa-enabled voice assistant speaker, and uses Harman Kardon audio for higher-quality music streaming. Netgear packaged the three functions based on consumer interest.
Amazon Echo Plus (1st gen) review
Amazon’s Echo Plus was announced in Sept 2017 and we quickly got our hands on one, eager to test the embedded smart home hub. A year later, we’re taking a fresh look at the device to see which new Alexa capabilities have been added and to revisit the speaker’s sound quality.
It’s no joke: Alexa is now installed on more than 20,000 devices worldwide
Amazon's Alexa voice assistant is one of the most popular digital assistants on the market and IFA Berlin served as a prime opportunity for the company to showcase that growth. The software is now available on more than 20,000 devices, with more expected to hit the market soon.
Temi is your personal robot butler, like an Amazon Echo Show on wheels
If you’ve been dreaming of a domestic robot or a smart speaker that can follow you around the house, then Temi could be just what you’re looking for. We went hands-on with the personal robot at IFA 2018 in Berlin to find out exactly what it’s capable of doing and how well it can get it done.
Figure out whose turn it is to do the dishes with new Alexa skills
Amazon Alexa has more than 40,000 skills, but more skills are added every day. Users can create custom skills through blueprints. Alexa recently added even more blueprints to bring the total number above 30. These new blueprints make it easy to track chores, choose activities, and much more.
There is nothing even slightly cube-like about the Huawei AI Cube smart speaker
Huawei has announced a smart speaker. It's called the AI Cube, but confusingly, it isn't shaped like a cube at all. It doesn't use Google Assistant either, and instead has Amazon Alexa inside, along with space for a 4G LTE SIM card. It's not the first time Huawei has used Alexa in a smart device.
IFA 2018: 8K TV, AI everything, and more trends we expect to see
Europe's biggest technology show is starting, and this is a year you will not want to miss. We've rounded up the trends and secrets you need to know ahead of IFA's official launch later this week. From 8K TVs to robot wearables, we've got it all right here.
Alexa will avoid tough questions with new, kid-friendly responses
Amazon has added a number of new, kid-friendly responses to its voice assistant tool Alexa. The A.I. tool used in the company's smart speakers will now avoid any unsavory questions, play songs with censored lyrics, and doesn't ruin the existence of Santa Claus.
GE JES1097SMSS microwave review
The GE Smart Countertop Microwave can be controlled by Amazon’s Alexa, but it also uses scan-to-cook technology via its app for packaged and frozen food. The list of items is robust, but we’d like to see the app incorporate more fresh food options to really make this connected microwave smart.
Alexa can play smart home camera video recaps on Echo, Fire devices
Now you ask Alexa to show the last recorded video from smart home security cameras on Echo Show, Echo Spot, Fire TV, and Fire Tablets. Amazon Alexa's Skill development group just added the Cameras Recap API to the Smart Home Skill API. Video replay is enabled for Ring, August, Arlo, Cloud Cam, and Logitech cameras.
White-hat Chinese hackers turn Alexa into a spy, briefly
It's a hack that's more akin to boosting a car than cracking a code but researchers at Chinese firm Tencent Holdings were able to use a modified Echo to crack the security and recording functions of other Amazon Echos running on the same network. Amazon has already released a fix.
Alexa will soon speak the language of love as she debuts in France
Amazon sought common ground with the French in June with a redesigned version of Alexa and its Echo smart speaker series featuring a new French voice, a help function designed in French, local knowledge and hundreds of localized skills. Amazon told developers Alexa will be in Mexico later this year.
Amazon turns Whole Foods into a drive-through with new curbside pickup service
Starting in Sacramento, California and Virginia Beach, Virginia, with more cities to come throughout 2018, Amazon is launching a new Amazon Prime perk that allows members to pick up groceries from Whole Foods Market in as little as 30 minutes without ever leaving their cars.
Alexa’s newest feature lets the A.I. get back to you with an answer
Some enterprising Alexa users were surprised recently to discover a previously unknown update to the intelligent assistant called "Answer Updates," an improvement that allows Alexa to file away questions she can't answer yet and inform users once she learns the answer.
Alexa’s oddball ‘Away Mode’ skill aims to keep burglars at bay
A new Alexa skill plays spoken conversations when you’re out — useful for deterring potential house burglars. Designed more as a bit of fun and to prompt people to review their home security setup, “Away Mode” offers a choice of quirky conversation topics written by SNL comedy writers, among others.
If A.I. doesn’t replace your job, it may make it much more pleasant
Keeping up to date with workplace technologies is something that all long-term workers have to deal with, but when it comes to smart assistants and AIs that can do much of your job for you, what will the workplace of tomorrow actually look like? Will there be jobs for us at all, or will we work with the machines in entirely new ways?
Honeywell’s versatile, Alexa-savvy security system now available for purchase
Honeywell's Smart Home Security system is now available. Starting with the Smart Home Security Camera Base Station, the Alexa-friendly system can operate as a stand-alone security module or connect with a variety of sensor and smart home devices. Alexa-awareness enables full smart home component control.
Polk Command Bar Review
Amazon’s incredibly popular voice assistant, Alexa, is everywhere these days, but how well does it work when controlling your TV? We put Polk’s new Alexa-enabled Command Bar to the test to find out if it can stand up to the Sonos Beam.
Is a new Amazon Echo Dot resembling the Google Home Mini on its way?
We could be looking at a new Echo Dot. According to reports from French publications Numerama and FrAndroid, Amazon is planning to release a third-generation Amazon Echo Dot, the most diminutive (and popular) of its Alexa-enabled devices. It's been two years since we've seen any variation in that design.
Alexa takes a cue from Google with its new Alexa Cast streaming feature
As Google and Amazon continue to compete for smart home dominance, their products and features are beginning to look ... well, the same. Amazon debuted a new feature called Alexa Cast, which allows users to decide what's playing on their Alexa-enabled speakers from their phones. It sounds a lot like Google Cast.
Alexa-enabled devices will play better together thanks to ‘ESP’
Your Amazon Alexa-enabled devices are about to become better friends. A couple years ago, Amazon rolled out a feature called ESP -- that's Echo Spatial Perception, not extrasensory perception. The tech version of ESP ensures that only the Alexa device closest to you responds to your commands.
‘Alexa, turn up the bass’ is now a real command thanks to a new EQ feature
You're getting a bit more control over Alexa thanks to iYou're getting more control over Alexa thanks to its newest feature, which introduces the ability to adjust EQ settings with naught but your voice. The feature lets you say, "Alexa, increase the treble," and soon, "Alexa, pump up the bass."
Crank up the bass with Amazon Alexa’s new hands-free EQ adjustments
Your music listening on Amazon’s Echo and other Alexa-powered devices just got easier, as a new feature lets you use Alexa to cut or boost the equalization by up to 6 decibels, simply by using voice commands like “Alexa, turn up the treble” or “Alexa, reset the equalizer."
Alexa can now have a conversation with members of the deaf community
Abhishek Singh, who first rose to prominence when he built Super Mario Bros in augmented reality, has created a web application that uses a camera to read sign language, and then translates those words into spoken language for an Amazon Echo. When the Echo speaks its response, the whole process is triggered in reverse.
Alexa for PC invades your notebook, signs a truce with Cortana
It's only recently that digital assistants have been invading enemy territory, with Cortana firing the initial salvos with clients for iOS and Android. Now, Alexa for PC is arriving on Windows 10 notebooks, and we tested her on the first to ship with Alexa pre-installed, the Acer Spin 5 2-in-1.
‘When In Rome’ is a board game you play with Alexa, when she wants to cooperate
If you like travel, trivia, and technology, When in Rome might just be the board game for you. It requires an Amazon Alexa device, like an Echo or Dot, to play. Alexa guides you through the game, while locals ask you questions about their cities.
Watch Kevin Hart ask Alexa if he’s more fit than The Rock
Turns out there are a few things that Amazon Alexa just doesn't know, and one of them is the comparative fitness of Kevin Hart and The Rock. The comedian recently sat down with three popular smart home devices -- an Amazon Echo, Google Home, and Apple HomePod -- to quiz them about his fitness levels.