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.
Ashland, Oregon teen builds tiny home and brings it to college
Most people head off to college with filled suitcases, a favorite stuffed animal, big dreams, and maybe a mini fridge. But that wasn't enough for one 19-year-old from Ashland, Oregon. Brayden Preskenis built a tiny house and brought it with him when he started college at Whitman College.
Don’t put plastic containers in microwave or dishwasher, new research says
Do you regularly heat up leftovers in plastic food-storage containers? Do you put plastic reusable water bottles in the dishwasher when they need a deep clean? A new study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics highlights food safety mistakes that many people may be making.
Amazon still hasn’t figured out how to sell more stuff via Alexa
It's a $2 billion market that is expected to expand to $40 million by 2022, so why does a new report reveal that only 2 percent of Alexa-enabled Amazon device owners use them to shop? Out of a reported 50 million devices on the market, it's a widely untapped opportunity that Amazon has yet to figure out.
Walmart’s new grocery robots aim to speed up your shopping experience
In the near future, the person who picks out your online Walmart grocery pickup order may not be, well, a person at all. That’s due to the fact that the retail giant has teamed up with a robot shuttle system company to find a way to speed up its in-store grocery pickup service.
Swann adds voice for Google Assistant in multi-camera security systems
With a new feature, Swann has become the first security camera provider to launch Google Assistant voice control on its multi-camera wired surveillance systems, enabling users to see live video from home security cameras on their mobile devices or televisions on command.
Second-generation A.I.-powered June Oven cooks faster, smarter, and easier
The second-generation June Oven replaces a multitude of countertop cooking appliances. With its arsenal of cooking modes, HD camera, and over 100 chef-programmed recipes, the A.I.-powered oven can recognize food and cook it to your preference. Over-the-air updates and added recipes add value and keep it current.
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.
Meal service Chef’d puts a fork in itself, rattling investors
It was a competitive player in a nearly $2 billion market but ultimately a lack of capital and a high burn rate for its cash has forced meal kit delivery service Chef'd to close, laying off approximately 350 employees and rattling investors who are watching the market closely.
Guests are accusing Airbnb of deleting negative reviews
Airbnb is a $31-billion home-share company that allows travelers and adventurers to book a stranger's dwelling instead of a hotel room when they're in a new city. Now, the company is facing scrutiny as guests are accusing the company of removing negative reviews and boosting subpar hosts.
CoolingStyle air conditioner promises to keep you cool outdoors and indoors
Who wants to spend time outside when they're sweating profusely and constantly swatting bugs away? When it's too hot to spend a long time outdoors, the best you can hope for is a breeze to cool you down. CoolingStyle aims to change that with its new portable air conditioner for outdoor use.
This 3D-scanning smart mirror is the world’s biggest nude selfie camera
Silicon Valley startup Naked Labs is using it multi-million dollar venture capital to launch an eclectic new product called Naked, a 3D-scanning smart mirror that can deliver body data that is far more complex and detailed than anything a simple scale could deliver.
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.
Whirlpool may dip its toe in the sous vide space, new patent suggests
Whirlpool could soon be selling you a sous vide machine. Earlier this month, the home appliance maker was granted a patent for the cooking device. The proposed sous vide cooker will be comprised of an induction cooktop, a cooking vessel, a wireless temperature probe, and a magnetic stirring plate.
Kroger’s Ship leaves the dock with curated products and special deals
The Kroger retail food and grocery store chain launched Kroger Ship, a direct-to-customer delivery service in four U.S. cities this week. Customer orders placed on the internet will be delivered to customer homes from Kroger warehouses, bypassing its local grocery stores. Kroger Ship gives shoppers a fourth way to buy.
Oreck’s cordless POD vacuum gets the dirtbags out of your life
Oreck's Cordless Vacuum with POD Technology won't spew dust into the air when it's time for a new pod. Unlike bags that free dust into the air when you remove them, Oreck's pod self-seals when you remove its container from the vacuum handle. The expandable pod debris storage lasts about a month.
The JBL Link View could be another one of Google’s answers to the Echo Show
Meet the new JBL Link View, an eight-inch touchscreen that has Google Assistant built-in to answer all your pressing questions. As of this week, the JBL Link View has been made available for pre-order -- now, you'll have the opportunity to shell out $250 in order to receive a new Google Assistant-powered screen.
Neato D7 Connected robot vacuum just got better memory — and a whole lot smarter
Here to begin making amends for these less than clever machines is Neato Robotics, who has recently announced a free update to its D7 Connected robot vacuum. As of this week, owners of this smart vacuum will have access to two new features – Multiple Floor Plan Mapping and Quick Boost charging.
Halo Smart Labs shuts down, no longer makes or supports Halo smart alarms
Halo Smart Lab is now out of business, but the Halo alarm detected smoke, carbon monoxide, and even reported severe weather. The Halo would continue to do all that when grid power and Wi-Fi became distant memories.
Zillow’s new online tools are going to make apartment hunting much easier
Zillow, the world's leading database and service provider for the real estate market, is making an aggressive move into the property management services market by integrating a new function that allows users to submit rental applications and background checks for a single fee.
YaDoggie Fresh is human-grade dog food you cook in your Instant Pot
You've always known that your four-legged fur monster was more than just a pet, and now, you can prove it. After all, what says love quite like making your dog its food in the same appliance that you use to feed your family? Here to put a new spin on the concept of your pet being a family member is YaDoggie Fresh.
Forget stainless steel: GE’s Café appliances offer a brand-new vision for the kitchen
Featuring premium finishes and an array of replaceable metal knobs and handle color choices, GE Appliances introduced the new Café Brand of customizable appliances. The new brand's first line is The Matte Collection, with matte white and matte black finishes. Customers can choose from a range of hardware colors.
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.
Why learn to use gadgets when they can just learn to help us? Exactly, says LG
The problem with so-called smart products is that they really aren’t. But LG believes AI is the key, and is investing in new research labs. Digital Trends sat down with LG Electronics’ president and CTO, I.P. Park, to discuss the company’s plans.
Ezviz ez360 Pano review
Ezviz ez360’s wide field of vision and extensive monitoring features are a step up from most consumer smart cams, but this camera isn’t the simplest to work with. We’re also unsure how, exactly, the device works with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. Read our review to find out more.
Philips Hue Calla Outdoor Pathway Light & Extension Kit Review
Installing outdoor LED lighting has been too difficult for too long. Philips Hue has made it easy by making outdoor lighting that’s gorgeous and exciting to use. A combination of style, sophistication and, best of all, simplicity makes Philips Hue Calla an easy pick. Here’s how testing went.
Ecobee’s Peak Relief saves money, reduces energy use when demand is high
With Ecobee's smart thermostat Peak Relief feature, currently in pilot testing, utility customers with Time of Use rates will be able to stay comfortable and save money. Peak Relief will analyze customer preferences, home efficiency, and weather forecasts to anticipate and avoid peak utility prices.
NYC startup Roomrs rents smart apartments to young professionals at very low rates
Smart apartments are still evolving, but Roomrs has figured out a way to offer reasonable rents and smart technology to its community of students and young professionals navigating their way into a life in the Big Apple.
LG’s new A.I.-powered air conditioning makes your current AC look dumb
LG Electronics USA introduced the first variable output room air conditioners. Dual inverter compressors on the smart Wi-Fi window units increase energy efficiency by up to 40 percent over conventional technology. Reduced CO2 emissions plus lower energy use helped LG win the Energy Star 2018 Emerging Technology Award.
HelloFresh delivers on delicious for fans of American fare
What's for dinner? It's a daily question that doesn't always have an answer. Meal kits, while not necessarily saving time or money in the kitchen, provide ingredients and guided instruction on what to cook. Here are our thoughts on HelloFresh.
Honeywell Home products will be sold by a new company – Resideo
Honeywell Home will be renamed Resideo later this year when Honeywell spins off the division as a separate company along with Honeywell's ADI global distribution company. Resideo execs are already positioning the new firm for global sales and distribution of Honeywell-branded home comfort and security products.
20 Samsung SmartThings Hub vulnerabilities jeopardized smart homes
Cisco Talos cybersecurity experts uncovered 20 issues with the Samsung SmartThings Hub that could allow bad actors to control individual smart home devices or even the whole smart home network. Talos and Samsung worked together to plug the holes in the Hub's security via a SmartThings Hub firmware update available now.
This KitchenAid Tilt-Head Stand Mixer is insanely discounted for a short time
The Best Buy Black Friday in July sale is in full swing, and surprisingly, the best deal is on a mixer. From now until Saturday, July 28, you can pick up a KitchenAid Tilt-Head Stand Mixer for just $180 from Best Buy. That's a $220 discount that you won't want to pass up.
Chill your wine to the right temperature quickly with this smart wine cooler
Even if you're aware of the effects that a too warm or too cold environment can have, it may be difficult to adjust the temperature as needed. Enter the QelviQ, a smart wine cooler that claims to know the ideal serving temperature for a bottle of wine, and subsequently adjust temperatures as needed.