Tipster Susan H shouldn’t have been doubted… as a small number of lucky folks did indeed receive Echo Auto invites. And orders have started arriving! Not much yet in the way of commentary, but Tod Kuntzelman has posted some nice pictures while we await more well-formed initial thoughts, including the requisite Roav Viva comparisons — given experiences … Read more
Variety reports that streaming service Hulu intends to implement pause screen advertising beginning next year. This isn’t an entirely new development, since TiVo pioneered that “feature” way back in 2009. Given Hulu’s least expensive tier already runs traditional commercials, this appears to be both an additive disruption for users and revenue stream for the company. As … Read more
With CES looming, it seems clear Arlo has been hiding a few secrets. The biggest of which may be turning Arlo into a complete smart home solution, not just a line of Internet-connected security cameras and lights. Let’s connect some dots. When Arlo announced their new 4k Ultra camera solution, CEO Matthew McRae tweeted the following, … Read more
What the what?! A new TiVo “Android” voice remote with Google Assistant button just passed through the FCC. Is the TiVo experience intended to run on top of the Android TV platform, similar to DirecTV NOW’s beta box? Might the company lean on Android’s native DVR functionality or would something like this function as a … Read more
As we anxiously await the Kadrilj and Fyrtur IKEA smart blinds, we learn the company will be expanding the NORDMÄRKE line of Qi chargers to include a double-wide wireless charging stand (of unknown power) to simultaneously juice up multiple smartphones. Ikea was something of an early leader in wireless charging, having introduced a variety of furniture back in 2015 … Read more
Roku has announced they’ll no longer charge for themes. Over the years, many have been free, including a small but random sampling to get started and some to commemorate the periodic holiday. While others have been sponsorships, such as my preferred Subaru National Parks presentation. But a few were Roku Store purchases. And I so wish … Read more
48 hours after going live, the $30 Amazon Echo Clock has begun arriving in homes… including redditor kaotsu, who has posted his first impressions of the Alexa accessory, and our very own Adam Miarka who shot a hands on video. I guess it shouldn’t come as a surprise, but the clock pairs to a single Echo device, over Bluetooth, … Read more
While it had appeared that Echo Auto might have been delayed until 2019, possibly in relation to upcoming location services and new auto skills, golden tickets may have started going out … as ZNF tipster Susan H has reported receiving one. And Amazon is certainly adding fuel to the fire that the flood gates are about to open, having … Read more