A security research organization in Germany placed eight 'smart spies' in both the Amazon Alexa and Google Home app stores to demonstrate how easily eavesdropping and phishing can be done over smart speakers.
To compete with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, critics have insisted that Apple would need its own drastically cheaper HomePod. But instead of Apple moving down into the loss leader territory of $30 Echo Dots and Google Home minis, Amazon has unveiled its much more expensive Echo Studio, with a $200 price tag equivalent to a half dozen Echo Dots.
Amazon has used its special event to launch new Alexa-powered devices in the Echo range, including the Echo Studio speaker, a refreshed Echo, and the Echo Dot with Clock.
For years, this new Apple product was derided as too expensive to compete against cheaper alternatives. Yet by targeting the premium high end first, it was able to establish itself and then attract an even broader audience of users at broader price points in the future. No this isn't about iPod, or iPhone, or iPad or Apple Watch. It's a look at HomePod, Apple's home audio device featuring HomeKit and Siri functionality, often confused with merely being a Wi-Fi microphone.
Here are our top picks for new gear from the last seven days you should check out including an Alexa-powered switch, new USB-C to Lightning cables, and a smart water leak detection system.
Amazon is continuing its international rollout of the Apple Music on Alexa skill, with it now available in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
Following Apple's decision to temporarily halt Siri grading as it evaluates the program's privacy safeguards, Amazon and Google this week followed suit and updated their respective policies on human reviews of recorded voice assistant audio.
This week on the AppleInsider Podcast, Brian Roemmele joins us to talk about Apple listening to some Siri recordings and why they don't need to. William is back to talk Apple Earnings reports and why selling fewer iPhones doesn't spell doom.
Announced on Wednesday, the Awair Glow C is an air sensor, smartplug, and nightlight all in one, and works well at diagnosing air quality issues — but there's no HomeKit support, and you'll want an attached fan, dehumidifier, or other accessory to make the most of it.
Despite some interface issues, Amazon's Echo Show 5 is one of the best smart displays under $100, whether or not you're hooked into the Alexa ecosystem.
Not to be outdone, Amazon recently launched its answer to the Lenovo Smart Clock, the Echo Show 5 — coming in much cheaper than other Alexa-equipped smart displays.
Two class action suits were filed against Amazon on Tuesday, alleging that Alexa-enabled devices illegally record the conversations of children without parental consent, which would constitute a violation of the assorted state laws prohibiting recordings made of a minor without consent.
Belkin on Monday shipped the new Wemo Smart Light Switch, compatible with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant.
ecobee's fifth-generation thermostat, compatible with Apple HomeKit, should be mostly an evolutionary device but include important upgrades in wireless, Spotify, and Amazon Alexa connectivity, according to a product leak.
Every time you call out 'Alexa' — or your Echo thinks you have — you get recorded and those audio snippets are kept. Here's how to delete them and why Amazon says you shouldn't.
A Microsoft study suggests that Apple's Siri is on par with Google Assistant for worldwide usage, despite the latter being available on a wider range of devices.
Apple's HomeKit is growing, and there is now a range of smart devices for every function. Yet there are both potential savings and hidden costs that will make or break your decision on whether to invest. Plus, HomeKit is still more complicated than it should be.
More allegations about how owners of the Amazon Echo smart speaker range are having their privacy infringed by the retailer have surfaced, with the latest claim involving an internal team of Alexa auditors having access to customer data that can reveal their home address.
Amazon is attempting to attract customers in the United States yet to sign up for Amazon Prime or Amazon Music Unlimited to use its music streaming service instead of using Apple Music or Spotify, by providing access to a selection of tracks on its Echo range or other Alexa-enabled devices.
Owners of Sonos speakers in the U.S. and U.K. can now use Alexa voice controls for Apple Music, continuing the rollout of Apple's service across Alexa-capable devices.
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William Gallagher
Daniel Eran Dilger
Malcolm Owen
Andrew O'Hara
Mike Wuerthele
Mikey Campbell
Victor Marks
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Amber Neely
