Wolf, Sub-Zero, and Cove have new luxury appliances for your home
If you're in the market for some new kitchen appliances, you're in luck. Sub-Zero and Wolf have a whole new line of kitchen appliances planned for this year. Sub-Zero has a new refrigerator, Wolf has two different ovens for kitchens of any size, and new brand Cove has a premium dishwasher available.
Thor Kitchen promises affordability with its new pro-style induction cooktops
Cooktops have all sorts of benefits over standard gas or electric stoves. They are energy-efficient, won't heat up your whole house, and warm up quickly so you can get right to cooking. Thor Kitchen is promising its new line of pro-style induction cooktops will be one-third the price of premium brands.
Class-action lawsuit claims LG refrigerators fail after just a few years
Do you ever get the feeling that your refrigerator isn't lasting as long as it should? You aren't alone. A class-action lawsuit filed against LG claims that many of the company's refrigerators only last a few years. The issue appears to stem from an issue with compressors, which can be costly to replace.
Google Assistant may not be disclosing search results as paid ads
When you ask Google Assistant a question, it might be responding with an advertisement. A recent report found that Google's voice assistant was delivering results from paid partners without clearly disclosing any financial interests. The results appear to be a part of Google's Local Services program.
Apple permanently drops the price of its HomePod to $299
After getting into the smart speaker market late and with a premium price tag, Apple is finally cutting the cost of its HomePod. The company is dropping $50 off the retail price for the smart speaker. It now retails for $299, which is still considerably more than most of its competition.
Hyundai’s virtual cockpit limits distractions on the road, study finds
The idea of having digital displays in front of you while you drive may sound distracting, but it might actually help you navigate the roads. A new study testing Hyundai's virtual cockpit concept found that drivers weren't overly distracted while using the dashboard and found it intuitive to use.
Zillow won’t just help you find a house, it will be your mortgage lender, too
Zillow doesn't just want to help you find your dream home. It also wants to be your mortgage lender. The company announced today that it is getting into the lending game with its new service Zillow Home Loans. The service will be available in nine markets to start, with plans to expand.
Tiny red stickers managed to trick Tesla’s Autopilot software
Tesla's Autopilot is a long way off from taking over driving duties entirely. New research published by Tencent Keen Security Lab found that it was possible to trick the autonomous vehicle software by placing small stickers on the ground that fooled the car into changing lanes when it didn't need to.
Burger King goes meatless with new Impossible Whopper option
Burger King is adding a meatless version of the Whopper to its menu. Starting with a test run in the St. Louis area, Burger King is introducing the new Impossible Whopper, a version of the classic Whopper that features the plant-based Impossible burger patty that has become a popular meat alternative.
More hidden cameras have reportedly been found in Airbnb rentals
There are few things more disturbing than discovering that you're being watched. Airbnb renters are running into issues with hidden cameras in units, including a recent case in Garden Grove, California, where a couple found a camera in a smoke detector placed directly above the bed.
Alexa’s chief scientist wants to give the voice assistant a robot body
Voice assistants live in our tabletop devices, but they might not for long. Rohit Prasad, the chief scientist behind Amazon's Alexa, recently said that he believes the voice assistant needs a robot body to explore and experience the world. That experience could help it better answer human questions.
Lyft trails Uber in popularity, but it just beat its rival to Wall Street
While Lyft is not as popular as Uber, it just beat its rival to Wall Street by becoming a publicly traded company. It started trading on March 29, and it's worth approximately $24 billion, which is more than investors expected. The same investors predict Uber will be worth about $120 billion when it holds its own IPO.
Intel claims Nvidia copied its self-driving car strategy
Intel recently railed against competitor Nvidia for allegedly copying its self-driving technology. In particular, Intel's senior vice president Amnon Shashua says Nvidia's recently revealed “Safety Force Field” is cribbed from Intel's "Responsibility Sensitive Safety" paper published in 2017.
Alexa is more popular, but Google Home users are more satisfied, survey finds
Amazon Alexa may be the most popular smart speaker on the market, but Google Home owners are more satisfied. That's according to a recent study that examined the use of the leading smart speakers. According to the study, Google Home was better at answering questions and controlling other devices.
Trump administration might undo Obama-era LED light rules
The Bush administration made incandescent light bulbs a thing of the past, and the Obama administration attempted to extend it. But the Trump administration wants to roll back a Department of Energy rule that would require specialty light fixtures to move away from wasteful incandescent lightbulbs.
PicoBrew Pico C moves beyond beer to make cold-brew, kombucha, and more
The PicoBrew Pico C is already an ideal appliance for any aspiring homebrewer, but now it can do much more. With a software update and the new Pico C Craft Beverage Bundle, you can use the kitchen countertop device to make perfect cold-brew coffee, kombucha, and any number of craft spirits.
Your Instant Pot can do it all. Research says it has another important function
Your Instant Pot can already do just about everything you ask of it in the kitchen, but did you know that it's also great for sterilization, too? Researchers at Dakota State University tested pressure cookers and found that Instant Pot provides enough pressure and heat to kill off food-spoiling bacteria.
LG’s SnowWhite is a Keurig for lovers of homemade ice cream
Imagine ice cream on demand. That's exactly what LG's SnowWhite concept brings to your kitchen. This countertop appliance, on display at this year's South by Southwest, is like a Keurig machine for ice cream lovers that produces your favorite frozen desserts from nothing but a little pod.
Vivint’s Car Guard keeps tabs on your vehicle when you’re not in it
Home security isn't limited to just what it is in your home. Vivint is reflecting that notion with the addition of the Vivint Car Guard. A simple plug-in that you can place in just about any vehicle, this service will automatically detect if your car is bumped, towed, or stolen and will alert you to it.
Thermomix introduces a small appliance that can do it all
Need an appliance that can do just about everything without requiring tons of counter space? The Thermomix TM6 just might be what you're looking for. This all-in-one appliance can perform 20 unique tasks that will cut down on the work of meal preparation and will help you cook just about anything.
Think Alexa’s voice is too binary? Meet Q, a gender-neutral voice assistant
Voice assistants have alternative voices, but they are typically female by default. That can reinforce sexist stereotypes. Most voice assistants also don't have a gender-neutral option. Q aims to change that. The gender-neutral voice was developed to urge tech companies to rethink their A.I. voices.
Alexa can now give you a heads-up on what song is next in the queue
Wondering what song is playing and who the artist is? Alexa has you covered. Amazon rolled out a new feature for Alexa called Song ID. When enabled, it will tell you the name of the artist and song on upcoming music while you're listening to playlists and streaming radio stations.
Fromaggio lets you become a cheese-making machine in your own kitchen
Imagine being able to whip up your own artisanal cheese in the comfort of your home without having to make a trip to the grocery store or a specialty cheese shop. That's what Fromaggio aims to give you. The countertop-sized cheese-making machine for cheese enthusiasts is funding now on Kickstarter.
Smart home devices are causing more security risks for businesses
Smart home devices aren't just for the home. Businesses are adopting the products, too. Security firm Trend Micro warns each new internet-connected device added, from smart speakers to thermostats and security systems, adds a new potential target for attackers if the devices aren't secured properly.
Your dishwasher is a Swiss army knife in disguise. Here are 14 clever uses
With a name like "dishwasher," you might think you know exactly what the appliance is capable of. Turns out it can do so much more. Dishwashers aren't just for cleaning your dishes, they can also handle a whole heap of over cleaning tasks, from sanitizing kids toys to giving light fixtures a shine.
Instant Pot merges with Pyrex and others under Corelle Brands
Instant Pots are all the rage now, even in the business world. Instant Brands, the maker of Instant Pots, announced that it is merging with Corelle Brands. While the terms of the deal weren't disclosed, it will put Instant Pot under the same umbrella as Pyrex, CorningWare, and SnapWare.
Quip’s electric toothbrush for kids makes oral hygiene less of a hassle
Quip is launching a new and dentist-approved electric toothbrush for kids. The toothbrush will feature the same guiding features found in Quip's original product for adults but reimagined for smaller mouths. The device, accepted by the American Dental Association, will start at $25.
A security flaw leaves Ring doorbells and cameras vulnerable to spying
You might think that your security devices are keeping you safe, but they may expose you in another way. Security researchers at Dojo by BullGuard showed a security vulnerability in Amazon's Ring Video Doorbell that allows a hacker to access video and audio and even inject counterfeit video.
A popular podcast app finally makes its way to Alexa devices
Pocket Casts is a favorite app for podcast listeners on the go. Now it can be your go-to at home, too. A new Alexa skill for Pocket Casts is now available from the Alexa Skills Store so you can listen to all of your favorite podcasts right from any of your Alexa-powered Echo speakers.
Arkup’s $6 million floating home can withstand a Category 4 hurricane
As ocean temperatures rise, we can expect stronger hurricanes. Arkup may have an answer. The startup has built a floating, livable yacht that is designed to weather a hurricane. The 4,350-square foot structure can survive the high winds and towering waves that accompany a Category 4 storm.
Internet-connected Mr. Coffee machines have security vulnerability, McAfee says
That pot of coffee you're making may just leave you vulnerable to hackers. According to a new report from security firm McAfee, the internet-connected Mr. Coffee Coffee Maker with Wemo contains a vulnerability that could allow attackers to intercept traffic and schedule the device to brew coffee.