Smart may have abandoned the US market but it's just getting started with EVs, unveiling the new Smart Concept #1 at IAA 2021 this week. A four-door all-electric crossover, the compactly-handsome EV previews the automaker's first production model in its new zero-emissions range.
Last year, Google announced a then-new feature called Family Bell that enabled users to set up bell reminders. The idea was that parents could set up these reminders to announce when tasks needed to be done, such as reminding their child to get ready for an online class. The company is back with an update to the feature that ties in its Nest Hub smart display.
TCL revealed a line of Google TV devices this week to add to their already-significant collection of smart TV units with Roku or Android TV. They've revealed both pricing and availability for their first Google TV smart TV units across both "premium and award-winning 5- and 6-Series" lines. There are TCL 5-Series models with Google TV out on "presale" now, including 50, 55, 65, and 75-inch models. TCL 6-Series models with Google TV were put on presale today in 55 and 65-inch models, with a 75-inch model coming soon.
The retail powerhouse team-up between Best Buy and Amazon continues with a new line of Insignia-branded smart TV sets. These newest sets will launch later this year alongside Best Buy Toshiba-branded Fire TVs with features that are ever-so-slightly better than their predecessors. The Insignia F50 Series Fire TVs are the first of the line branded with "Fire TV" instead of "Fire TV Edition" - and that could be an important distinction in the coming years.
The latest update to Android TV basically turns this software into a near-clone of Google TV. The basic differences won't make a massive impact on your life if you're already using an Android TV device - but this latest update will make the transition from one to the other all the easier.
Smart has announced a new fully electric automobile that will be launched in Europe called the Smart EQ fortwo edition bluedawn. The vehicle is notable for being fully electric and for having a body and trldlon safety cell in matte velvet blue. The body color is enhanced further, featuring wheels and detachable body parts from BRABUS that are also colored in matte velvet blue or available in high-gloss black.
Smart is building an electric SUV, the automaker has confirmed, with the brand best known for its diminutive city car looking to a larger vehicle as it further embraces electrification. The new Smart SUV - as yet unnamed - is likely to be the automaker's biggest model so far, but company execs promise it'll continue with the ethos of packing more into a relatively small footprint.
Today the folks at Google revealed a set of new interactive games available for Google Assistant-enabled smart displays. This move should be well-appreciated by the smart display gift-receivers this holiday season, as well as those that've had smart display devices sitting on their countertop this year awaiting new projects and/or activities for the deep dark of winter.
It's been a little while since we last heard from the folks at Livescribe, but today they're back with a new smart pen. Dubbed Symphony, this new pen is unique not only because it can transcribe the notes you take digitally, but because those notes can be paired with audio that was captured at the time you wrote them down.
Just over two years ago, Alphabet's Sidewalk Labs announced they'd be attempting to develop a smart future neighborhood in the area known as Quayside, on Toronto's waterfront. Today it was announced that Sidewalk Labs will no longer be moving forward with the project. The Waterfront Toronto board chair Stephen Diamond released a statement on the subject this afternoon. "Waterfront Toronto has been informed that Sidewalk Labs is withdrawing from our planned redevelopment of Quayside on Toronto's waterfront."
Back in October, IKEA finally launched its Fyrtur smart blinds in the United States, though they weren't available to purchase online. That availability was very limited, however, with the blinds only being available to purchase in some IKEA stores, and only in certain sizes. That has slowly changed and now smart home enthusiasts have noticed that the blinds can be ordered online in the US.
The Flo by Moen Smart Water Detector is a standalone sensor that's able to sense the presence of moisture. Once this sensor detects moisture in a place that should be dry, an alert is transmitted. This system can work simply - with just a smartphone app and basic notification. It can also work a bit more smart - sending a notification to the Flo by Moen Smart Water Shutoff device, which would then shut down the source of the water that's likely created the unexpected moisture that was detected by the Smart Water Detector.