Making skills for voice agents isn't just a hobby now, with Amazon opening up its wallet for those who make popular skills for Alexa. Intended to encourage developers to adopt Alexa as their virtual assistant platform of choice, the reward will be offered to those making skills in the US, UK, and Germany initially. However, Amazon is playing coy with exactly how much developers might hope to make.
One of the features of the Nintendo Switch that makes it so interesting is its unique control scheme. Rather than a traditional controller like we'd see with the Xbox One or the PlayStation 4, the Nintendo Switch uses detachable Joy-Con controllers, which can be used in a number of different configurations. You can, for instance, attach them to both sides of the Switch, use them with the Joy-Con grip, or hold one in each hand. Now, a new 3D printed grip even allows you to use both Joy-Cons in one hand.
Today the FCC posted a smartphone from HTC with all the trappings of the second-generation Pixel smartphone. This is Google's second-wave "Pixel" brand device, one of two we're expecting to see released in coming weeks. This device's listing includes just a few key facts about the smartphone that point us in the direction of Google's new flagship.
Now's your chance, brands - a study released this morning on Brand Influence showed that leaving Trump's councils had a positive effect on their public image. This includes Intel and Under Armour this week - both having left a manufacturing council made for Trump. The companies that remain on Trump's various councils must be seriously considering their position and legacy right this minute. UPDATE: Trump ends councils with a Tweet.
T-Mobile has thrown the switch on 600 MHz LTE, promising a "record-shattering" roll-out of the new spectrum use as it fills in rural America's patchy connectivity. The carrier certainly can't be accused of wasting any time, having secured the 600 MHz spectrum licenses only two months ago. Usually, T-Mobile says, a customer roll-out like this would take more like two years.
We're getting closer and closer to the launch of Essential's first flagship phone. Emails are being sent out to some Essential Phone early adopters, saying that their phones will be shipped within the next week. We still don't have an official release date for the Essential Phone yet, but you have to imagine that it's coming up before long.
Controlling the smart home has more options than ever, but sometimes you just want a regular light switch to turn on your connected bulbs. iDevices' new Dimmer Switch offers just that, a new in-wall control that, though requiring a little DIY action on your part, promises not only more convenient operation but instant compatibility with some of the popular virtual agents, too. Once installed, it'll work with the Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple's Siri courtesy of HomeKit.
Watch out, Game of Thrones fans, because this week's upcoming episode has been leaked a few days early. Though Game of Thrones season 6, episode 7 - dubbed "Death is the Enemy" - is not set to air until Sunday night, it's hitting the internet today. While at first you might thing that the hackers behind HBO's recent security breach are responsible for this leak, you'd be wrong.
There was some small amount of rejoicing within the Android community when Lenovo revealed that it would be putting its custom “Pure Vibe” skin to rest, starting with the K8 Note that was launched last week. As if in juxtaposition, Xiaomi is about to start the rollout of the latest version of its own custom experience, the MIUI 9. As much as Google and some Android users want to be rid of them, custom OEM modifications to stock Android aren’t going anywhere soon. And that’s perfectly OK because, like any other dichotomy in Android, it helps the platform grow to some extent.
Jeep has some very popular models, like the iconic Wrangler and Grand Cherokee, and it has some models that fans traditionally eschew like the old Compass. One of the most anticipated Jeep models that is due for a refresh (the Compass and Cherokee have been refreshed) is the most important model for Jeep - the Wrangler. Jeep quite simply can't mess this model up and many rumors have suggested that the new 2018 Wrangler wouldn't stray too far from what made the past Wranglers so popular in style and capability.
For a while, it seemed that the poorly named hoverboards would be the skateboards of the future. That was until they started catching fire left and right and the rest, as they say, is history. Despite the poor execution, particularly by knockoffs, these motorized boards did have some bright ideas. Hoverboards, however, aren’t the boards of the future. This SERPENT-C and SERPENT-W might very well be, though, particularly in their use of electricity and motor to push the skateboarding experience forward. Pun totally intended.
Aston Martin first pulled the wraps off the Vanquish Zagatos coupe in May of last year. That car was undeniably sexy and later a Volante version of the car turned up. Aston is now announced two more Zagatos cars to round out the quartet of offerings in the family and Aston saved the best for last. The two new version are the Vanquish Zagatos Speedster and Shooting Brake.
