Consumer Reports pulls its Dyson stick vacuum recommendation
Consumer Reports has removed all Dyson stick vacuum cleaners from its Recommended products list due to reliability problems. In a recent consumer survey, the consumer product testing group found nearly half of Dyson stick vacs break within five years. Consumer Reports changed the ratings from Recommended to Very Good.
Apple HomePod falls far short of Amazon Echo and Google Home smart speakers
Apple's HomePod has superior audio and protects conversations, but it's barely in the game, trailing Amazon Echo and Google Home, says a new report. Computer Intelligence Research Partners measured Amazon Echo with 70 percent of the market, Google Home with 24 percent, and the HomePod with just 6 percent.
Ford’s Transit Custom Nugget lines up against the Volkswagen California
Ford announced a camper van outfitted by Westfalia for the European market. Buyers can order the Transit Custom Nugget directly through Ford dealers with one of two wheelbases and a fixed or folding roof. Already sold in Germany, the Custom Nugget is now available in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland.
Now you can talk to Google Assistant with Nest Secure to keep your home safe
Google recently announced a feature that is new for the Nest Secure home security system. Nest Secure customers will soon be able to talk to Google Assistant on the Nest Guard central control unit. Google Assistant won't be turned on by default, but users can opt-in to enable voice command capability.
Amazon Alexa and Audible are ready to take you on an interactive adventure
If your kids are ready for an interactive adventure, Amazon's Audible partnered with Chooseco, the owners of the Choose Your Own Adventure (CYOA) series for a new Alexa Skill. The initial adventures search for the Abominable Snowman or the lost city of Atlantis, with listener decisions leading to one of many endings.
Harrison Ford, other stars show the limits of Alexa in hilarious Super Bowl ads
Amazon is using four 11-second celebrity video teasers to entice viewers to watch its Super Bowl television commercials on February 3. Harrison Ford, Abbi Jacobsen, Ilana Glazer, Forest Whitaker, and Mark and Scott Kelly each react to something offscreen, which may be an Amazon Beta Testing Program.
Orro’s smart switch lighting adjusts to your rhythms to help you sleep better
Lighting control startup Orro today introduced the Orro Switch, which the company promises is "the world’s most advanced responsive and adaptive home lighting system." The end result, according to the company, is home lighting that supports the way you live and also helps you sleep better at night.
Walgreens’ smart fridges scan your face and remember your behavior
Walgreens smart fridges will scan your face and remember your behavior in select stores piloting a retail technology called Cooler Screens. The first smart coolers were installed in a Walgreens in Chicago on January 14. The next two cities in the pilot program are New York and San Francisco.
Tesla’s profitable fourth quarter sets the pace for the EV sector
Palo Alto, Califrnia-based Tesla released its fourth-quarter 2018 earnings statement, reporting that the EV company turned a profit for the second consecutive quarter. Tesla's long-sought profitability is a bellwether for the electric vehicle industry as it maintains pressure on other brands.
Today’s hottest Amazon Echo and Google Home smart plug deals on Amazon
We found the best discounts today for smart plugs from Amazon and put them in one place. To be included smart plugs had to be compatible with Amazon Echo or Google Home, or both. We only included smart plugs with four-star or higher average customer reviews that are on sale and available for shipping.
Casper’s Glow smart light is designed to help you sleep more soundly
Casper, the Wave mattress innovator, introduced the Casper Glow, a smart light designed to help you establish healthy sleep patterns. According to Casper, the Glow's warm lighting impacts mood and our ability to relax. The Glow uses a rechargeable battery and can be used on the charger base or carried around the house.
Shadecraft unfurls Bloom, an Amazon Echo-compatible smart outdoor umbrella
Following up on its earlier robotic umbrellas, ShadeCraft introduced the Amazon Echo-compatible Bloom smart outdoor Parasol Automation Device with a built-in speaker. The Bloom mechanism works with mass-market patio umbrellas, transforming them into smart home outdoor living hubs.
Find big price cuts on Dyson upright, stick, and handheld vacuums on Amazon
Six of Dyson's most popular vacuum cleaners, including upright, stick, and handheld models have deep price cuts on Amazon. The across-the-board discounts on Dyson's vacuum cleaners are easily the best deals of the year for anyone wanting to buy one of the innovative company's consumer cleaning machines.
Despite $125 million in funding, Munchery ceases operations in San Francisco
After eight years of shape-shifting in the home meal delivery business, Munchery ceased operations in San Francisco, its final market. Founded in 2010, Munchery tried to establish and hold a viable business model. In May 2018, Munchery retreated from all markets except San Francisco, but now that's also closed.
AAA pushes for standardized names and definitions for driver assistance tech
Consumers are confused by the variety of marketing names for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, says a recent AAA report. When automobile manufacturers use different names for assistance features, consumers also tend to be over-reliant on the technology -- a dangerous trend that could result in accidents and deaths.
Walmart slashes smart lighting prices for Google Home and Amazon Echo
Walmart cut smart lighting prices. Smart lighting is one of the first considerations when you set up a digital home controlled by Google Home or Amazon Echo. It's convenient and even fun to ask Alexa or Google Assistant to turn on one light or all the lights in your apartment or home with a simple voice command.
Amazon confirms it has 10,000 employees working on Amazon Alexa
With more than 100 million Alexa devices sold so far, 10,000 Amazon employees work on the smart assistant's development. Thousands of people focus on building Alexa's knowledge base while others work on Alexa's personality, machine learning, interaction, conversational skills, and other technical features.
Amazon pulls Echo Wall Clock off the market due to connectivity issues
After customer complaints about connectivity issues, Amazon has pulled the Echo Wall Clock from the market. The clock was introduced in September and launched in December, only to be taken off the market about one month later. Amazon plans to start selling the clock again when the problem is resolved.
Sing with Freddie Mercury with the ‘Ay-Oh with Bohemian Rhapsody’ Alexa skill
20th Century Fox announced a new Alexa Skill for Freddie Mercury fans. To celebrate the digital release of Bohemian Rhapsody and a National Day of "Ay-Oh," fans can download the "Ay-Oh with Bohemian Rhapsody" Skill. Once enabled the skill prompts fans for an immersive sing-along with callback.
Legrand’s Smart Lighting touts security, interoperability, and simple setup
Near universal connectivity including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and the Internet of Things is the theme of Legrand's Smart Lighting Radiant collection of switches, dimmers, outlets, and plugs. Legrand's Smart Lighting Radiant products can connect and manage a wide range of lights and small household appliances.
Michigan OKs digital license plates with Rplate’s connected car platform
The state of Michigan approved the use of digital license plates on motor vehicles registered in the state. Reviver Auto, the manufacturer of the Rplate connected car platform, worked with Michigan's Department of State to pass the bill. Vehicle owners aren't required to adopt the new plate technology at this time.
In a first, California will finally let you get picked up by this autonomous car
Autonomous mobility developer Zoox scored California's first-ever permit to carry passengers in a self-driving service vehicle. The permit, which is good for three years, requires a human driver in the car ready to take over if necessary. Zoox cannot charge passengers for rides during the test period.
Amazon launches IMDb Freedive, an ad-supported streaming service
IMDb, the information-rich film and TV website, launched a free, ad-supported, streaming video channel in the U.S. this week. IMDb Freedive offers a wide selection of television series and Hollywood feature films, all without a paid subscription. Freedive is available on the IMDb website and on Fire TV devices.
Here’s everything Amazon and its partners announced for Alexa at CES
Amazon Alexa is rocking CES 2019. After selling millions of Echo and Dot smart speakers during the 2018 holiday season, extending its reach in the U.S. and the world, Amazon announced a ton of new partnerships with device manufacturers. Here's a list of all the announcements for Amazon Alexa and Key by Amazon.
KitchenAid’s multifunction answer to the Instant Pot debuts at CES 2019
At CES 2019, KitchenAid announced the U.S. debut of a multifunction countertop appliance giant steps removed from the brand's category-defining, heavy-duty tilt-stand mixer. The KitchenAid Cook Processor Connect is an all-in-one appliance for people who take cooking seriously and don't mind investing in quality tools.
Nanit Breathing Wear works with crib cam to track your baby’s breathing motion
Nanit introduced Breathing Wear at CES 2019 to work with the Nanit Plus HD camera to track baby breathing and sleep. The 100 percent cotton Nanit Swaddle and Breathing Band have printed shapes so the Nanit camera's pixel-level tracking captures baby motions from any angle. Breathing Wear will be available in March.