Back in 2019, Amazon first announced its Sidewalk network, a new low-bandwidth, long-distance wireless protocol and network for connecting smart devices — and keeping them online when your own WiFi network, for example, goes down, by piggybacking on your neighbor’s network. Since last year, Amazon has been turning its Echo devices into Sidewalk bridges and […]
Oura Ring 3 review
I admit I was thinking about the Oura Ring incorrectly. I was thinking of the device as an alternative to my Apple Watch. I suppose this is true, in the vaguest sense — likely for most people, it’s one or the other. After all, two activity trackers is overkill for most. It’s also cost-prohibitive. At […]
Nintendo Delays Advance Wars Switch Remakes Until 2022
The hottest Nintendo Switch game of the season is the latest to get hit with a delay. Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp won’t be out until spring 2022, Nintendo revealed this morning, completely upending my holiday plans in the process.Read more…
Spot AI emerges from stealth with $22M for a platform to draw out more intelligence from organizations’ basic security videos
Security cameras, for better or for worse, are part and parcel of how many businesses monitor spaces in the workplace for security or operational reasons. Now, a startup is coming out of stealth with funding for tech designed to make the video produced by those cameras more useful. Spot AI has built a software platform […]
Here’s everything Amazon announced this morning, from smart thermostats to security robots
Amazon held an event this morning, and wow-oh-wow did they announce a lot. Smart thermostats! Flying security cameras! Robot companions! Didn’t tune in or have time to catch it all? Here’s a recap of the biggest news: Smart Thermostat Amazon is building a thermostat, partnering with Honeywell spinoff co. Residio to get it done. It’ll […]
Amazon launches an elder care subscription service, ‘Alexa Together’
Amazon today announced a new subscription service called “Alexa Together,” designed for families with aging family members who are still living independently, but who may need extra support. The $19.99 per month subscription expands on Amazon’s existing product, Alexa Care Hub, an earlier investment in elder care, by taking many of Care Hub’s features and […]
Ring debuts ‘Virtual Security Guard,’ new Pro alarm system and smarter motion alerts including package delivery
Ring is just one part of Amazon’s annual devices and services event this year, but they’re bringing a lot of updates, including a new Pro Alarm suite that includes refreshed hardware and integrated Eero Wi-Fi 6 router capabilities. They also have a new service offering called ‘Virtual Security Guard’ that basically keeps an eye on […]
Ring’s home security drone is now available in the U.S. via invite only
Last year, Ring announced at futuristic (slightly dystopian?) take on in-home security with its Always Home Cam, a drone equipped with sensors and a camera that can navigate the interior of your home along custom paths laid out by a user, in response to triggers including Ring Alarm sensors, or a manual command from the […]
Alexa’s new features will let users personalize the A.I. to their own needs
Amazon is preparing to roll out a trio of new features that will allow consumers to further personalize their Alexa experience by helping train the Alexa A.I. using simple tools. In a few months’ time, consumers will be able to teach Alexa to do things like identifying specific sounds in their household, such as a […]