Topic: Voice Assistants
-
This Robot Vacuum Cleans Up When You Just Point at a Mess
Matic Cues, launching August 13, adds voice and gesture controls to the Matic robot vacuum, allowing users to speak commands or point at specific messes for targeted cleaning,a gesture capability unique among robot vacuums. The update is free for all existing Matic owners and operates on-device u...
Read More » -
Amazon's Panos Panay on life after smartphones at Disrupt 2026
Panos Panay, Amazon's SVP of Devices and Services, will speak at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 (October 13-15, San Francisco) about the future of hardware as AI shifts from apps to operating systems. Panay's background includes leading Microsoft's Surface lineup and Windows 11 for over 19 years, and he...
Read More » -
Ford AI assistant monitors fuel and tire pressure
Ford is launching an AI assistant chatbot in its Ford and Lincoln mobile apps, providing vehicle-specific answers about capabilities, maintenance, fuel needs, and towing, with a voice-activated in-car version planned for 2027. The app-first rollout aims to reach 8 million existing owners without ...
Read More » -
Jony Ive’s OpenAI gadget is a hockey puck-sized speaker
OpenAI and Jony Ive are developing a battery-powered, doughnut-shaped speaker without a screen, roughly hockey-puck-sized, slated for a 2027 release at over $300. The device features moving parts that signal engagement, plus lights, a camera, and sensors, and is designed for one-handed portabilit...
Read More » -
Google to retire Assistant on phones September 4
Google will officially retire Assistant on Android devices starting September 4, transitioning all users to Gemini, with a gradual rollout that may take a few weeks. The shutdown was originally planned for late 2025 but was delayed while Google improved Gemini; users who already use Gemini will s...
Read More » -
Smart rings emerge as the ideal AI wearable
Dictation technology has dramatically improved due to large language models, allowing for accurate speech transcription, though it often produces an overly formal tone. Sandbar's smart ring, the Stream, uses a microphone, battery, and Bluetooth to capture only the user's voice, featuring a "whisp...
Read More » -
Samsung smart glasses: First official look revealed
Samsung revealed two new smart glass designs in partnership with Google, Gentle Monster, and Warby Parker, featuring a nine-hour battery life and a Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 chip, with a fall release planned. The glasses resemble ordinary eyewear with discreet speaker grilles, a camera with recording ...
Read More » -
Apple Watch finally becomes a wrist computer with Siri AI
The watchOS 27 developer beta introduces Siri AI, which transforms the Apple Watch from a basic hands-free timer into a contextual, intelligent co-pilot that understands complex multi-step requests and learns user routines. Siri AI can handle tasks like setting a "10-minute pasta timer and remind...
Read More » -
Google Nest Thermostat hits its best price of 2026
The Google Nest Thermostat (white model) is on sale for $79 on Amazon, a $50 discount marking the best price of 2026. It offers convenient control via the Google Home app and voice assistants, with energy-saving features like automatic temperature adjustment when no one is home and the Savings Fi...
Read More » -
5 Desk Gadgets to Boost Your Workday
Desk gadgets like the Odistar Desktop Vacuum ($13) and Ember Mug 2 ($150) help reduce clutter and improve the desk experience, with the vacuum keeping workspaces clean and the mug maintaining beverage temperature. Smart devices such as the Amazon Echo Dot ($50) and Govee Glide Hexa Light Panels (...
Read More » -
Google’s great smart speaker is held back by unfinished Gemini AI
Google's new Google Home Speaker, its first new smart speaker in six years, is designed for Gemini and signals a renewed commitment to the smart home after a long period of neglect. While the hardware is polished and attractive, the Gemini for Home software experience feels rough and its capabili...
Read More » -
Early Google Home Speaker review reveals major flaw: non-removable power cable
An early adopter received a Google Home Speaker before launch, finding its build and sound quality impressive but criticizing the non-removable power cable as a notable drawback. The permanently attached power cord limits storage, travel, and replacement options, unlike many competing smart speak...
Read More » -
Why a Dumb House Is Actually a Smart Idea
The author contrasts her husband's enthusiasm for AI-powered home automation from CES with her own preference for a "dumb house," as she finds smart technology glitchy and prefers tactile controls like light switches. Practical concerns about smart home devices include security risks (e.g., hacke...
Read More » -
Starbucks ChatGPT App: A Coffee Ordering Disaster
Starbucks recently launched a ChatGPT integration for ordering, but in practice, it makes the routine transaction slower and more frustrating than using the standard app. The feature is hampered by excessive conversational fluff, incorrect location data, and restrictive message limits that can ab...
Read More » -
Apple Urges Siri Developers to Use AI Coding Tools
Apple is sending a large part of its Siri development team to an intensive training program focused on AI-powered coding tools, signaling a strategic shift to integrate AI into its software engineering. The training aims to equip engineers with skills in generative AI for development to streamlin...
Read More » -
Sonos Play Review: A Versatile Bluetooth Speaker
Sonos has launched the $299 Play, a portable speaker that functions as both a Bluetooth speaker and a Wi-Fi-connected component of the Sonos ecosystem, featuring Auto Trueplay, AirPlay 2, and an IP67-rated design. The speaker offers a clear, detailed sound with a bright tonal balance, 24-hour bat...
Read More » -
Apple Tests Standalone Siri App After Overhaul
Apple is set to unveil a major evolution of its Apple Intelligence platform, introducing a fundamentally redesigned Siri as a comprehensive systemwide AI agent deeply integrated into the OS and third-party apps. The overhaul aims to transform Siri into a proactive assistant capable of managing co...
Read More » -
Why I Switched Back to iPhone
The author tested multiple Android phones, including foldables and a device with a physical keyboard, but found significant drawbacks in software optimization, hardware design, or U.S. network compatibility. Despite concluding that Android is a superior operating system with better features like ...
Read More » -
Android Automotive Evolves Into Car's Central Brain
Google is expanding its Android Automotive OS to become the central, open-source software platform for non-safety critical vehicle functions, aiming to unify the fragmented automotive software landscape. The system promises a more cohesive driver experience with faster updates, advanced voice ass...
Read More » -
This AI-Powered 'Robot Phone' Is Impossible to Ignore
Honor's "Robot Phone" concept features a motorized, AI-powered camera that can track users and move expressively, aiming to act as a robotic companion rather than just a photography tool. Despite its imaginative appeal, the concept faces practical hurdles like battery life and durability, as the ...
Read More »