Sprint and HTC have teamed up to launch a 5G mobile smart hub, the companies have announced. The device won't be available until next year, but the companies have already teased some details, explaining that the device will be available to customers in the United States. The smart hub will be portable and will work with Sprint's upcoming 5G network.
Amazon Alexa is the latest on a list of smart home and smart assistant services that work with NVIDIA's Android TV device, NVIDIA SHIELD. Today we're going to take a peek at the steps required to connect an NVIDIA SHIELD to Amazon's Alexa system - starting with the Amazon Echo Dot. This system works with a variety of Amazon Echo devices (with Alexa inside), but NVIDIA's just released a bit of a combo on Amazon and Best Buy with the SHIELD TV and Echo Dot - for a limited bit of time.
When it comes to tiny cars meant for running around a city, the Smart car line is about as small as it gets. At the Paris Motor Show, Smart is showing off a new concept car called the smart forease that is a very small, cartoon-like, two-seat convertible. The concept car is an EV.
The Google Pixel 3 event on October 9th will likely bring a new Google Home Hub smart screen as well. Today a leak revealed the new device, "Google Home Hub," complete with a touchscreen and Google Assistant interface. This device will apparently allow the user to "see your life in one view, and get things done hands-free." The description of the device suggests that you'll be able to "make the most of moments at home."
Appliance brand Haier has taken the wraps off a new smart appliance called InstaSwitch, a freezer that can transform into a refrigerator when necessary. The company showcased its new offering at IFA 2018 this week, introducing a single-door freezer model with multiple divided storage compartments that can be individually controlled based on need.
The Philips Hue lighting product lineup has expanded with the launch of Adore Bathroom, a wall mirror with a diffused glowing ring around the edge. The model can be mounted on any wall, such as above a bathroom sink, providing a soft glow and warm color as a gentle alternative to flipping on the harsh overhead lights.
Schlage has announced Alexa support for two of its smart locks, the Sense Smart Deadbolt and the Connect Touchscreen Deadbolt. With this support, smart lock owners can use voice commands to unlock their door, a feature that uses a PIN for extra security. Access is also available through the maker's iOS and Android apps, though a WiFi Adapter is necessary.
Digital marketing agency Stone Temple has released a study detailing the accuracy of the four big personal assistants: Google Assistant (via Phone and Home), Amazon Alexa, Microsoft Cortana (via Invoke), and Apple's Siri. The team tested the services with 4,942 queries, monitoring the accuracy of the results to determine which assistant is the most accurate. Spoiler: Google won, but second place is surprising.
Charging up an electric car looks set to get a whole lot easier, with a new Plug&Charge system promising to do away with membership cards, apps, or swiping a credit card. The system turns the electric charging socket on the EV itself into an authentication system, enabling it to communicate with the charger it's plugged into.
Nest is helping address the energy burden in America with Power Project, an initiative that earmarks 1 million Nest Thermostat E units for low-income homes. The devices will be provided to needy homes in partnership with energy companies, non-profits, and housing agencies over the next five years, says Nest. Recipients are promised them "at little or no cost."
Amazon has announced Alexa Skill Blueprints, a new way for users to vastly personalize their Alexa experience. With Blueprints, users can create their on personalized skills and responses using templates, with a total of 20 Skill Blueprints being offered initially. The process is said to be simple enough for anyone to use, no coding skills necessary.
Facebook has decided to postpone the launch of its hardware products, including a home speaker, until later on this year, according to sources. The decision follows the Cambridge Analytica revelation and ongoing criticism over Facebook's handling of user data. The sources claim Facebook had planned to introduce the rumored smart speaker this May during its developers conference, but has since changed those plans.