Amazon offers $10 or 20 percent off already slashed best-seller smart home deals
On the last day of Prime free 2-day shipping Amazon unleashed a new promotion for already-discounted best-selling smart home devices. Smart10 and Smart 20 check out codes on select products get an extra $10 or 20 percent off. This is a limited time offer that could disappear at any time, so act fast.
Which A.I assistant is smarter than the others? One company found the answer
This year's results are in for Loup Ventures' annual Smart Speaker IQ test. The test, which consists of 800 annually updated questions, measures how well the digital voice assistant employed by each device understands each question and answers each question correctly. Who won? Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, or Cortana?
Under-the-wire gifts for Christmas delivery from Instant Pot, Vizio, and Samsung
It's getting down to the wire for gift delivery before Christmas. We combed through Amazon and Walmart and found good deals on quality gifts sure to please from Instant Pot, Samsung, Lenovo, Vizio, and more. Time's running out for home delivery and soon the only choice will be going to crowded stores.
Like a proud parent, Amazon recounts everything Alexa achieved in 2018
Four years after its initial launch, Amazon Echo's Alexa voice assistant continues to gain capabilities, add skills by the tens of thousands, and work with additional devices. The Alexa team highlighted 2018's developments including more languages, new partnerships, and the growing emphasis on visual features.
Home alone again, Macaulay Culkin gets some help from Google Assistant
Macaulay Culkin plays a grown-up Kevin McCallister in Home Alone-themed Google Home Hub commercial. Kevin recreates memorable bits from the movie but this time Google Home Hub helps him check his calendar, order pizza, add to his shopping list, and even scare off bandits casing the same house used in the original film.
Alexa’s top skills of 2018 are here to assist you in any way you can imagine
Amazon announced the Alexa Skills of the Year 2018, a collection of 24 skills Amazon's Alexa team considers the top skills for games, family fun, wellness, and daily habits. Amazon encourages customers to create their own skills. The Custom Q&A Skill Blueprint lets anyone create new Alexa skills by answering questions.
These are the best Amazon Echo and Google Home deals just in time for Christmas
Smart home and smart speaker inventories at major retailers are dwindling. If you're searching for smart home gifts for delivery before Christmas, don't delay or you may miss out. We found the best deals on Amazon and Walmart for Amazon Alexa and Google Home products still in stock for fast delivery.
Best Walmart deals on Keurig and Nespresso coffee makers, espresso machines
The days till Christmas are slipping by, but these Walmart deals on Keurig and Nespresso coffee makers are prime candidates for last-minute gifts. All four coffee makers ship for free in time to arrive before Christmas. These deals include choices for single-cup and crafted espresso-based drinks.
Amazon Fire Deals: Tablets, TVs, and TV controllers in stock and ready to ship
Last-minute shoppers, and anyone looking for good deals on Amazon Fire products, are in luck. There's still time to order Fire Tablets including Kids Editions, Fire TVs, and Fire streaming media players, Fire digital video recorders, and Alexa-voice-compatible Fire remote controls for Christmas delivery.
Find good gift ideas with these small kitchen appliance deals on Amazon
Small kitchen appliances are favorite holiday gifts to give and to receive and that doesn't only mean an Instant Pot. There are always new kitchen tools, gadgets, and appliances that avid cooks would like to try. We found excellent deals on Amazon for blenders and espresso makers plus a highly-rated sous vide machine.
Get electronics gifts for high-tech homes for under $100 with these deals
The holiday season is in full swing with Christmas just around the corner. New deals on interesting, fun, and practical electronic gifts under $100 from major online retailers can convert last-minute shoppers to savvy bargain hunters. There's still time to order gifts with free two or three-day shipping.
With a simple command, Alexa can arm all your security devices
Alexa customers can query status plus arm or disarm home security systems several companies. New Alexa Guard skills set your home to away mode, send alerts when alarms or sensors go off, and contact home security monitoring services. Use Alexa Routines to enlist all Alexa-connected devices to protect your home.
Best deals for smart home plugs that control your lights and appliances
Smart hubs and speakers play central communication and management roles in your home, but smart plugs let you add lights and appliances to your system. Any smart plug must support one feature or anything you plug in stays dumb. Other convenient smart plug features are nice, but system support is crucial.
People are stealing Ring doorbells (and it’s no knock-knock joke)
Ring Video Doorbell thefts in one neighborhood raise questions about how much security the smart home devices actually provide. One homeowner and the police have a video of the theft in progress. Ring has a replacement policy for stolen devices, but homeowners need to know one camera isn't enough.
Brew, drip, or press a fresh cup of joe with today’s best deals on coffee makers
If you want to kick off every day with a fresh cup of your fave hot brew or need to upgrade your coffee machine to accommodate the preferences of guests, check these hot deals for drip coffee makers, espresso machines, and single-serving devices at Walmart and Amazon.
NYC mandates minimum wage for Uber, Lyft, other app-based rideshare drivers
According to new rules voted by New York City's Taxi and Limousine Commission, drivers for companies such as Uber and Lyft must be paid at least minimum wage, even though they are independent contractors. The effective $17.22 hourly rate includes operating costs. Uber says the law will mean higher passenger fares.
Best deals on smart locks so you’ll never have to worry about unlocked doors
Is your front door locked? We found the best deals on smart home door locks that take the worry out of wondering if your home is secure. You can lock or unlock your doors remotely via smartphone or the Internet and some models let you control your locks with voice commands. Get an alert when someone enters your home.
Clean up with robot vac, upright vacuum, and spot and stain remover deals
Whether you're gift-shopping or need to get your house ready for the holidays, deals on household cleaning appliances are always welcome. Robot vacs are popular, upright vacuum cleaners are versatile, and spot and stain cleaners can save the day (and your carpet). We found Walmart's best deals on cleaning appliances.
Amazon scouted airport locations for its cashier-free Amazon Go stores
Representatives of Amazon Go checkout-free retail stores connected with officials at Los Angeles and San Jose airports in June to discuss the possibility of cashier-free grab-and-go locations in busy terminals. Since the initial meetings, Amazon has not continued discussions, but that doesn't mean the project is DOA.
Best deals on home security cameras to save you from package thieves
Indoor and outdoor home security camera systems can help keep your home and your family safe. Amazon's new deals on indoor and outdoor Blink security cameras and Ring Video Doorbells also help you save money on devices that show you what's happening in and around your home at all times, regardless of your location.
World’s fastest electric race car to display at Petersen Museum
The Volkswagen I.D. R Pikes Peak race car smashed the all-time record at the hill climb for which it was named. The all-electric VW record-holder will be on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles until February 1, 2019. Future Volkswagen electric vehicles will use the same platform as the race car.
Instant Pots! Get your Instant Pot! 5 models are on sale now at Amazon
Consumers win big when Amazon pops a range of deals on popular products like Instant Pots. Discounts on five Instant Pot models on sale right now range from $30 to $60. Amazon doesn't always announce when deals end, so if you've been waiting to buy an Instant Pot for a holiday gift, this could be the moment.
Amazon starts crowdsourcing Alexa’s answers. What could go wrong?
Amazon announced a new resource for its Alexa voice assistant. Alexa Answers is an invitation-only program to which select Amazon customers will be invited to supply brief answers to questions that Alexa was asked but couldn't answer. Answers will be screened before use and answers that are used will be customer-rated.
Simplify your life with one of these wireless smartphone charger deals
Banish nightly cable fumbling with a wireless smartphone charger. If your smartphone is wireless charging compatible, the simplicity of placing it on a pad when you sleep, while you're at your office, or when watching TV is a beautiful thing. Wireless chargers are also excellent gifts for coworkers.
A year after U.S. release, Apple HomePod aims for success in China
Approximately one year after the Apple HomePod launch in the U.S., consumers in China will be able to buy Apple's smart speaker in early 2019. Customers cannot preorder the HomePod, but the device's product page details the audio technology that enables it to adapt to rooms to deliver the best sound.
Get the Braun Series 7 Cordless shaver at a 59-percent discount
Braun's Series 7 7790cc cordless smart shaver has 4 shaving elements, an 8-direction flexible head, and 5 power modes selectable with the push of a button. Amazon and Braun just added a special coupon for the Series 7 that discounts the shaver by 59 percent. This is a great chance to save on an impressive gift.
Save money and control your home’s temperature with these smart thermostat deals
With the winter season in full blast, there's no better time to save money with a smart home thermostat. We found the best deals available on smart home thermostats and thermostat bundles. You can control your home's heating and cooling systems remotely via your smartphone or smart home voice assistant.
Did that car just wink at you? Daimler previews car-to-pedestrian signals
Eager to show off their progress with autonomous cars and perhaps do some early consumer softening as well, Daimler and Bosch previewed car-to-pedestrian communications. A Mercedes Benz S Class with a full load of sensors seems to wink at a pedestrian by blinking one headlamp on a closed test course.
Passengers can set their own fares with international rideshare company
Most rideshare companies start in the U.S. and add other countries later. inDriver, an international rideshare company that lets passengers determine fares in real time, just launched in New York City with 14 existing million members in 160 cities in 11 countries. New drivers pay no commission for six months.
Zumper apartment-rental app launches 24-hour acceptance feature
Apartment search app Zumper wants to give prospective tenants relief from long approval times with Book Now, a 24-hour decision turnaround feature. Book Now landlords agree to approve or decline applications in one day. Zumper launched a Book Now pilot in Chicago first, with Denver and New York City next.
One band explores the dystopian downside of smart devices in our homes
A video from Brooklyn-based band Big Data, L1zy portrays a dystopian view of life when smart home voice assistants take over. Produced by Ghost+Cow Films, the video starts with the happy arrival of a device on the doormat and quickly leads to disturbing interference with all aspects of family life.
Give your kids a direct line to St. Nick with Alexa’s Call Santa skill
Amazon released new holiday features for children including Alexa-interactive calls to Santa. Customers who own Echo Dot Kids Edition or subscribe to FreeTime with Alexa can check in daily for new stories or jokes. With the Santa Letter Blueprint skill, kids can send their wish lists and check in for daily updates.
Enthusiast alert: Get up to 67% off Polk Audio speakers at Adorama
Any time of year is a good time to upgrade your home theater sound system, which makes Adorama's Polk LSI Blowout Weekend Sale particularly tempting. Adorama has discounts up to 67 percent on Polk Audio's top-of-the-line LSiM Series which is designed and built for the most discerning home theater sound enthusiasts.
Instacart’s Whole Foods home deliveries now cost less than Amazon Prime’s
If your only reason to subscribe to Amazon Prime is grocery home delivery from Whole Foods, Instacart is now a better deal. Instacart's membership fee and delivery charges for orders less than $35 both undercut Prime prices. Instacart's delivery service membership includes 300 U.S. retail chains.