Amazon announces new $59 Echo Dot with a bright LED clock
Amazon announced a new Echo Dot at its Devices Event that looks just about the same as previous models -- except it's got a clock. The new $59.99 Echo Dot with Clock has the same look and function as previous models with one major exception: it now boasts a large, bright LED clock on the side.
Amazon announces celebrity voices for Alexa, starting with Samuel L. Jackson
Would you rather talk with Alexa or Samuel L. Jackson? At the Amazon Devices Event in Seattle on Wednesday, Amazon announced celebrity voices for Alexa. Jackson is the first. According to Dave Limp, senior VP of Devices, Amazon uses neural text-to-speech to make engagement more realistic.
Amazon makes Alexa more transparent with ‘Tell me what you heard’ feature
Amazon announced privacy improvements for its Alexa assistant during the Amazon Devices Event on Wednesday, September 25. Updates include the addition of “Alexa, tell me what you heard,” which rolls out today, and “Alexa, why did you do that?” which comes later this year.
A hacker terrorized this family through their smart camera and thermostat
A family in Wisconsin came home to a modern-age nightmare: their smart home under the control of a hacker who thought it would be some kind of twisted fun to terrorize them. And they aren't the first. Multiple smart homes have been hacked, and Google says it's because users do not use enough security.
Walmart prices plummet with fall savings on kitchen and home appliances
As summer fades to fall and gatherings of family and friends move indoors, meal preparation moves to the kitchen. Walmart cut the prices on a wide range of kitchen and small home appliances as the retailer kicked off its annual Fall Savings sale on Instant Pot, KitchenAid, Dyson, Ninja, Farberware, and more.
Best Buy marks down the Nest Cam IQ Outdoor 2-camera kit for $101 less
The right outdoor security camera can help protect your property from theft, intrusion, and vandalism. One of the most excellent surveillance cameras out there is the Google Nest Cam IQ Outdoor. It's also our pick as the best for night vision. Right now, Best Buy is discounting the two-camera bundle by $101.
Epson crams wide-format printing into a compact, voice-activated photo printer
Wide-format printers aren't all giants with big price tags. The Epson Expression Photo XP-970 Small-In-One spits out borderless 11 x 17 prints but is still small enough to sit on a desk. The printer also includes voice commands. Oh, and it's one of the more affordable wide-format photo printers.
The new Wyze Plug is a voice-activated smart plug, no hub required
Seattle-based Wyze Labs, creator of smart home products, launched a new voice-activated smart plug. The Wyze Smart Plugs work with both Alexa and Google Assistant and features a compact design that allows two smart plugs to fit into one wall outlet at the same time. It also doesn't need a hub.
Roborock S4 vacuum bot has the ability to free itself when it gets stuck
A robotic vacuum cleaner is a great tool, except when you have to stop what you're doing and rescue it from the drapes. The Roborock S4 is a new model equipped with features that allow it to free itself when it gets stuck and provide a better cleaning experience. The Roborock S4 is available on Amazon.
Forget the autonomous car, meet the trash can that takes itself out
We think we can wait a while for cars that drive themselves if we don't have to take the trash bins out by ourselves anymore. That's the vision of a new smart home company called Rezzi that just won the Cool Idea Award from digital parts manufacturer Protolabs for a new device called the SmartCan.
IKEA’s augmented reality app just got a whole lot more clever
IKEA Place, the furniture giant's augmented reality app, now lets you virtually place multiple pieces of furniture inside a room, instead of just the one. The update appeared for the iOS app this week, with the same functionality coming to the Android app sometime soon.
Walmart’s $100 discount on the Bissell ICONpet promises you hair-free floors
The Bissell ICONpet vacuum assures you of hair-free floors that come with no strings attached. Usually priced at $400, Walmart gets it down to $300 with a 25% discount. Pet parents will not only get the right cleaning tools for the job but also contribute to finding homes to rescued animals though Bissell's non-profit.
Digital Trends Live: Google Assistant’s enhanced security, Vimeo’s marketplace
On this episode of Digital Trends Live, we dive into the biggest trending tech topics of the day, including Google Assistant’s enhanced security, Vimeo’s new marketplace, Disney+ pre-orders, and a new baldness-banishing baseball cap zaps your head until your hair grows again.
The best water flossers and Waterpiks, according to dentists
Often referred to as Waterpics, oral irrigators are a great alternative for people who avoid flossing. They work to help your oral hygiene by directing a concentrated stream of water onto your teeth and gums and breaking up the biofilm that harbors bacteria. Here are the best water flossers out there.
Amazon is working on Alexa wireless earbuds with a built-in fitness tracker
Amazon is working on wireless earbuds that have built-in fitness tracking. The earbuds, code-named Puget, will have an accelerometer to measure running pace, run distance, and calories burned. They'll also have Alexa built-in, meaning you'll be able to access her anywhere.
Arlo’s new 2K HDR Pro 3 Security Camera System is coming this week
Today, Arlo Technologies, Inc. announced its latest security camera system, the Arlo Pro 3, that will be available later this week. The new system includes a 160-degree field of view, 2K HDR cameras, two-way audio, integrated spotlight with color night vision, an app and an advanced smart hub.
Amazon slashes price of the Fire HD 8 Tablet and Show Mode Dock bundle by half
If you've been on the hunt for the year's best deal on an Amazon Echo smart display, your target is in sight. Amazon slashed the price of the Fire HD 8 Tablet bundled with the Show Mode Charging Dock by 50%. The excellent Fire HD 8 Tablet converts to an Echo Smart Display automatically when placed in the dock.
Keep your dogs entertained and stimulated at home with this high-tech experience
Dogs get bored when their master is away. Combat this with the Go Dogo entertainment system, a smart pet entertainment system that provides fun challenges to pets and debuted on Kickstarter today. You can set schedules for training and check in on your pet through the dual-camera system.
Reverie Connect lets you change the position of your bed with just your voice
Reverie Connect is technology that allows users to adjust Bluetooth-compatible Reverie frames with nothing but their voice. Users can set their bed in one of nine positions and create bedtime routines. Reverie Connect is available now starting at $599 through Reverie's website.
How a robot vacuum changed my life for the better
What would we do without our robotic vacuum cleaners? Global sales are booming for the self-guided, automated floor-cleaning machines. In addition to the time-saving convenience of automated floor cleaning, you may also find that a robot vacuum adds drama, and possibly even a little suspense, to your life.
Are tiny homes a reasonable solution to homelessness?
There are more than half a million homeless persons in America on any given night, and that's just a guess by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Nonprofits and real estate developers are partnering up to build tiny homes that could take some pressure off the problem.
Here are the best tech gifts you can snag for $100 or less
Looking for a great gift for the techie in your life, but don't want to spend a fortune? A Benjamin goes further than you might think. We've scoured the world for the best tech gifts under $100, so whether you're looking for speakers or drones, you won't have to break the bank.
Amazon discounts the Yale Assure Smart Lock bundle by $60
Amazon has a sale that lets you have the Yale Assure Deadbolt with its very own Cloud Cam for $60 less. There is absolutely no reason to risk your security by just getting one or the other when you can have this bundle for just $310 on Amazon.
You’ll soon be able to have Alexa make a donation to your favorite candidate
Starting next month, users will be able to tell Alexa to make a donation to their favorite presidential candidate. This is just one of a host of planned features for the upcoming 2020 election. Alexa can already answer questions about which candidates are in the lead and who has endorsed them.
Sharp’s new Innit-enabled smart oven does all the cooking math for you
Smart kitchens are evolving at an astonishing speed but Sharp's latest addition may be the smart home's pièce de résistance with an oven that not only has the smart cooking platform Innit onboard but also responds to voice commands and includes some innovative cooking accessories.
The best Google Nest Hub Max tips and tricks to check out
The Google Nest Hub Max is finally here after its introduction at Google I/O earlier this year, which means it’s time to dissect everything you should know about it. These tips and tricks we're going to be diving into will help you become better acquainted with this powerful smart display.
Chamberlain debuts smart, space-saving RJO70 wall-mounted garage door opener
Chamberlain, manufacturer of do-it-yourself products for the garage and home, has announced the release of its latest smart home item, the RJO70 wall-mount garage opener, which can make any garage door smart. It uses Wi-Fi to open and close a connected garage door from anywhere using the myQ App.
Save a hefty $131 on the Shark Ion 750 robot vacuum at Amazon
Robot vacuums have improved dramatically over the years. Their suction power has exponentially increased despite their tiny bodies, and they’re now made even more advanced that you can control them through your phone or voice command. One such robot vacuum is the Shark Ion 750. You can get it for $249 on Amazon.
The 6-in-1 Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro deadbolt lock opens with a shake of your phone
Smart home devices are a dime a dozen these days but the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro offers some pretty cool advances. Not only will it unlock automatically if it recognizes your smartphone when you come home, but you can also unlock it with a fingerprint or a PIN number as needed.
Amazon slashes price of the Kasa Cam Outdoor by $55, bringing it down to $85
While wireless security cameras offer a more flexible installation setup, they are prone to interference, signal fade, and hacking. If you don’t want surveillance interruptions getting in the way of your home monitoring, you’re better off with wired options. Right now, Amazon is discounting the Kasa Cam Outdoor by $55.
The Portal TV can track every move, but Facebook swears stalking isn’t the goal
Against the backdrop of a newly renovated historic San Francisco Victorian home, Facebook is showing off its latest consumer technologies powered by A.I. The company unveiled its new Portal TV and refreshed Portal smart home devices, which promise to track but not stalk you, with privacy being a big theme.
BodyGuardz launches a suite of innovative smart home security products
Slated to arrive in early 2020, smartphone case manufacturer BodyGuardz is engineering and manufacturing a new line of smart home security devices, which will include a portable 360-degree security camera, a second dual-camera designed for doors, and a portable emergency hub.
How to order pizza with your smart speaker
Any day you're craving some pizza pie, getting it fast is a must. If you have Alexa or Google Assistant, ordering from favorites like Pizza Hut, Domino's or Papa John's is just a few voice commands away. Here's how to order pizza using just your voice and a smart speaker like Google Home or Amazon Echo.
Say bonjour to new Google Assistant voices in a wider variety of languages
Up until now, you could only change the voice of Google Assistant in English, and that option was only available in the United States. This week, Google is giving people internationally another voice option. You can now get a new voice in several languages, including Japanese and U.K. English.