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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Amazon Prime members number more than 100 million in the U.S., survey says
Consumer Intelligence Research Partners estimates there were 101 million U.S. Amazon Prime members as of December 31, 2018. Amazon hasn't disclosed U.S. numbers, but last April CEO Jeff Bezos told investors there were more than 100 million Prime members globally. Nearly two-thirds of U.S. customers are Prime members.
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.
Robotics company Trifo activates A.I.-based Ironpie robo-vacuum at CES 2019
Trifo may have given the Ironpie robot vacuum a whimsical name, but the home robotics company cast whimsy aside when it described the A.I.-based vac's features and benefits at the Ironpie launch at CES 2019. According to Trifo, the Ironpie performs better than comparable premium robot vacuums.
Bose introduces QuietComfort Road Noise Control tech for cars at CES 2019
If you find road noise annoying and tiresome at highway speeds, Bose introduced new technology at CES 2019 to help quiet your world when you travel in cars, trucks, and SUVs. Bose QuietComfort Road Noise Control (RNC) is the latest addition to the company's menu of Active Sound Management solution.
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.
Suvie smart cooler and cooker is on display at CES 2019, ready for pre-orders
It was almost one year ago when we had our first look at Suvie, the cooling and cooking countertop robot. This week, Suvie's creators had the clever cooker on display at CES 2019. Ready for pre-orders, with shipping expected in June, the Suvie appliance cooks meals that are home-delivered pre-chopped and seasoned.
With new integrations, Google Assistant makes big push for dominance at CES 2019
This was a huge year for Google Assistant at CES 2019. Google and partners announced scads of Google Assistant-compatible products and services for the home, the car, and travel. Google is going all out to support device makers and software developers to create new products that work with Google Assistant.
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.
Key by Amazon adds keyless entry to garages, Ring devices, business properties
Amazon announced increased device compatibility for its Key by Amazon Prime delivery option at CES 2019. Newly supported Key by Amazon devices include a Wi-Fi deadbolt lock, garage door openers, Ring app compatibility, and a smart fob for commercial and multifamily residential delivery drivers.
Ezviz rolls into CES with new video doorbell and wireless security camera kit
Adding to its smart home security portfolio, Ezviz introduced two new products at CES 2019, a video doorbell and a new wireless security camera. The DB1 Wi-Fi Video Doorbell has a 3MP lens and a 180-degree vertical field of vision. The wire-free C3A Wi-Fi Camera is suitable for indoor and outdoor applications.
Schlage’s new Wi-Fi lock works with Ring security and Amazon Key
Schlage introduced the Encode Wi-Fi Enabled Deadbolt at CES 2019. It's the first Wi-Fi connected lock that doesn't need a hub. You can store up to 100 temporary, recurring, and permanent codes, as well as use Amazon Alexa for voice control. It's scheduled to ship March 5.
Honeywell Home/Resideo smart thermostats now come with remote room sensors
Days after changing the company name to Resideo, the former Honeywell Home introduced two new T-Series smart thermostats at CES 2019. The greatest differentiating factor of the new T9 and T10 Pro Smart Thermostats is support for wireless Smart Room sensors to balance and prioritize temperature in the home.
Simplehuman’s new smart mirror offers improved audio, help from Google Assistant
Simplehuman expanded its Sensor Mirror line with two models at CES 2019. The Sensor Mirror Hi-Fi and Sensor Mirror Hi-Fi Assist now have enhanced, color-corrected visibility and Bluetooth-connected audio with tuned speakers. The Assist model also integrates Google Assistant for user control with voice commands.
BlackBerry survey: Consumers don’t trust connected devices to keep data secure
BlackBerrry communication security specialists surveyed more than 4,000 adults in the U.S., U.K., and Canada about their opinions of connected device security and data privacy. Most consumers do not trust Internet-connected cars, smart speakers, or other devices, and more than half would pay extra for secure products.
SimCam security camera’s DIY A.I. recognizes faces, monitors pets and objects
SimCam introduced the SimCam home security and home automation camera with artificial intelligence at CES 2019. The SimCam can use A.I. for facial recognition and pet monitoring. The SimCam integrates with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant for voice command control and to connect with other smart home ecosystem devices.
HERE Navigation On-Demand integrates Amazon Alexa for voice-first navigation
HERE Technologies and Amazon Alexa announced a collaboration with HERE's Navigation On-Demand platform at CES 2019. Drivers can keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel as they use Alexa voice interaction to manage the vehicle navigation system. The integration works inside and outside the vehicle.
The best Instant Pot cookbooks
The Instant Pot electric multicooker gains fans as it changes countertop cooking, replacing a half dozen other small appliances with a faster, easier, more energy efficient alternative. Putting such a versatile instrument in the hands of home cooks demands recipes. We found the nine best Instant Pot cookbooks.
Kasa Smart debuts A.I.-based smart home platform with security and lighting
TP-Link's Kasa Smart takes a big step up in the smart home space with a new artificial intelligence-based smart home platform and a suite of security, lighting, and control devices at CES 2019. The Smart Actions platform uses A.I. to connect smart devices and adds unique features such as people and packages detection.
Elecpro Group introduces US:E smart lock with 3D facial recognition at CES 2019
Elecpro Group's US:E smart lock uses multiple unlock modes. Introduced at CES 2019 following a Kickstarter launch in December, the US:E smart lock will be available in two versions, each with six ways to lock and unlock. One version features 3D face recognition, the other version recognizes fingerprints.
Eve takes wraps off Apple Homekit-enabled light strip, energy strip at CES 2019
Eve Systems introduced two new Apple Homekit-enabled devices at CES 2019. The Eve Energy Strip features three outlets with autonomous schedules and energy consumption monitoring. The Eve Light Strip, useful for accent or general lighting in full white or millions of colors, connects via Wi-Fi with no need for a bridge.
First down. Field goal. What? New Alexa skill decodes football jargon for newbies
Just in time for the playoffs, The Rookie's Guide to the NFL Alexa skill promises to translate television commentators. The NFL considers the Rookie's Guide a decoder for anyone who wants to learn more about the game. Supplemental videos for some topics in the Skill play on Echo Spot and Echo Show displays.
Breadbot is an autonomous bakery in a box, coming to a grocery near you
Wilkinson Baking Company is set to unveil the Breadbot at CES 2019. The robotic bread-maker creates up to 10 loaves of bread per hour from scratch and is destined for groceries and specialty shops. The Breadbot isn't just about artisanal bread, however, the transparent machine promises theater.
Google aims to dominate CES this year, triples its floor space from 2018
CES 2019 kicks off on January 8 in Las Vegas. Google Assistant and the Google Home smart home ecosystem promise to outdo last year's massive presence, when "Hey Google" ads were everywhere you looked. Google's Pixel smartphones, Chromecast streaming devices, and Nest smart devices will also claim CES exhibition space.
Fake Alexa setup app for iOS taken down but could still be dangerous
A fake iOS setup app for Amazon Alexa was taken down from the iTunes store, but not until many users downloaded it. If you downloaded One World Software's "Setup for Amazon Alexa," the best course of action is to delete it. The app didn't work but it collected IP addresses and device IDs.