Amazon Fire TV Cube has arrived … and the reviews are in! The streamer essentially mates an Amazon Fire TV with an Echo Dot and some Logitech Harmony-esque IR blasting capabilities. When first announced, I was enticed (especially given the introductory pricing) – but Amazon’s increasingly cluttered presentation and conspicuously missing volume buttons gave me … Read more
Some of the best deals I’ve come across on products I own or otherwise endorse, but certainly not all-encompassing – so share your good finds in the comments! Cord Cutting & Streaming 4K Roku Streaming Stick @ $48 Amazon Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote @ $25 Refurb Tablo 2-Tuner OTA DRV @ $99 … Read more
As Apple continues to rest on its laurels, despite trailing the pack, Amazon is prepping an all-new Fire TV that mates their well-regarded video streamer to full-featured Alexa voice control. Like the Amazon Echo Dot, the incoming flagship Fire TV will incorporate a far-field microphone array, for always-listening capabilities, along with speaker output and the possibly iconic lightbar. … Read more
From CES, TiVo has reaffirmed their intentions to bring voice control to the platform… this year. While cagey on details, and perhaps still contemplating their approach(es), some interesting nuggets have come to light: In a briefing here at the show, Tivo SVP and GM Michael Hawkey hinted at the likelihood of a natural language interface … Read more
Amazon has unveiled two new Alexa-powered devices in the Amazon Tap speaker ($130) and the multifunction Echo Dot puck ($90). As with the original Amazon Echo, which I found compelling but unnecessary (at the time), both these units respond to voice comments – controlling an ever-growing list of products and services, such as Philips Hue lighting and … Read more
I tend to avoid most gadgety Kickstarters, given their poor track record in delivering high quality products on time, if at all. But Sideclick deserves some special attention — as this accessory meets a real need and they’re far enough along in development that they’ve been able to send some review samples out. As those of us with Apple … Read more
Roku Feed and voice search now available through the Roku mobile app for Android and iOS The CW Network has picked up “The Flash” and “Arrow” spinoff, “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow.” Sonos spends millions fighting ‘patent troll’… and wins We should rent our Nest thermostats, Sonos speakers and smartlocks, according to the CEO of internet-of-doorlocks … Read more
By way of the New York Times, we learn GE and Quirky have expanded their collaboration on “Wink” – the brand under which they’ll tie together their existing (and downright bizarre) product line and tap into other home automation solutions via the FCC-revealed Wink Hub. The $79 Hub bridges networks, like Z-Wave, and will be displayed at nearly 2,000 Home … Read more