Paranoid prevents smart speakers from eavesdropping on you
A new device, called Paranoid, is here to prevent your smart speaker from listening when it shouldn't, making Alexa and Google Assistant devices a little safer.
Google’s Smart Light Starter Kit is on sale for only $45 (while stock lasts)
Stuck at home? Here's an easy project to complete while you have the time. Dell dropped the price on the Google Smart Light Starter Kit.
Avoid saying these words near your smart speaker, if you don’t want it to listen
If you are worried about privacy, beware of using these words around your voice assistants. The device might mistake them for a wake word.
Get two Google Nest Minis for the price of one with our exclusive code
Buy one, great one free deals are rare for smart devices, but you score two second-generation Google Nest Minis with our exclusive coupon code.
New Google Assistant feature turns the internet into one giant audiobook
The new Read It feature allows Google Assistant to read web pages aloud, like audiobooks, in 42 languages. It is available on browsers and Android smartphones.
How to stereo pair your Google Home speakers
Have two Google speakers? This guide explains how to stereo pair your Google Home speakers and enjoy more room-filling sound, plus additional tips for use.
Alexa is listening to your chat more than you think, study suggests
A new study has shown that unintended activations of smart speakers could occur as many as 19 times a day, with the longest activations lasting up to 43 seconds.
Amazon Echo still king among smart speakers despite declining U.S. market share
The Amazon Echo is still king (or perhaps queen) among smart speakers and will continue to be for several years, according to a report from eMarketer. Google Assistant and Siri, however, are predicted to take a bigger slice of the market for themselves.
Nest makes two-factor authentication mandatory for its smart home devices
Google Nest is the latest smart home device to make it mandatory for people to set up two-factor authentication on their devices by using verification code.
Use your smart speaker to make Valentine’s Day a little sweeter
This year, there's no better wingman for your Valentine's Day than Alexa or Google Assistant. Here's how to use your smart speakers to light a spark this February 14.
Now Google Assistant can help you remember where you left your keys and wallet
Google and Tile teamed up to create a new Google Assistant function: the ability to tell you where you left your purse, wallet, laptop, and more.
Your Nest thermostat can now help to identify potential HVAC problems
Google Nest Thermostat has some new tricks in the works. Google Nest announced that it is testing a new feature that can help identify problems with your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. When it finds a problem, it will send you an email alert so you can find a fix.
Google’s next virtual assistant could chat your ear off on just about any topic
In a new paper, Google detailed a "human-like" chatbot called Meena that can "engage in conversation on any topic." Meena, unlike its peers such as Google’s own Assistant, is an open-domain chatbot and is designed to contextually and constantly converse with you -- no matter the topic.
Google Home devices in Preview Program are in danger of being bricked by update
A new update from the Google Preview Program is at risk of bricking some first-generation Google Home devices. Google has made no official statement yet, but many users have begun to disconnect their at-risk devices in an attempt to mitigate the threat to their smart assistants.
Snag two Google Nest Hubs from Best Buy today for just $100
The Google Nest Hub is one of the most popular smart displays on the market and normally retails for $130 for a single unit. For today only, you can nab two devices for just $100 total from Best Buy. If you're interested, both the charcoal and the chalk color options are available.
Guest mode abruptly vanishes from Google Home smart speakers
At some point in the last week, Google decided to remove the Guest Mode function from its wireless smart speakers. The move, which Google has not commented on, means that Google Home owners can no longer provide an easy way for their friends to play music on their speakers without sharing their Wi-Fi password.
Harman Kardon Citation series speakers have every feature you can think of
Harmon Kardon has added several new entries to its lineup of powerful speakers, including the Harmon Kardon 200, the Oasis, the Citation Multibeam 700, and the Citation Sub S, all available in spring 2020. The Citation series has Google Assistant built-in for smart home control and music streaming.
Google Assistant is now used by half a billion people around the world
At CES 2020, Google Assistant celebrated a huge milestone: The smart assistant is used by more than 500 million people around the world. Google also announced several new features to make the system even better, including better security features and more natural speech patterns.
Facebook Portal vs Google Nest Hub Max
When it comes to the best smart displays, the new Facebook Portal and the Google Nest Hub Max are two great choices. This can make choosing the right one for you difficult. To help, we've pitted the two against each other in a head-to-head battle to find out which one is the better pick.
Is 2020 going to be a make-or-break year for Google hardware?
Google's hardware wing didn't have a particularly pleasant 2019. Its phones weren't selling all that well, Google Home shipments dipped, it pulled the plug on tablets, and more. As rical companies extend their lead, 2020 could be Google's one last shot at being a successful hardware maker.
Walmart slashes Google Nest Hub cost with a free 2nd-Gen Google Nest Mini
Walmart slashed the cost of the Google Nest Hub smart display bundled with a second-generation Google Nest Mini smart speaker. This Google Nest combination is an equally good deal for setting up a new smart home and for existing Google Assistant smart homes.
Echo vs. Google Home: Which one you should gift for the holidays
Amazon Echo and Google Home devices are once again hot gifts this holiday season. So which one should you pick? We have recommendations for all types of people on your list. But which one is the best one overall might surprise you.
Google Assistant’s interpreter mode is coming to mobile devices
Google Assistant's interpreter mode, which enables the live translation of words as you speak them, is coming to iOS and Android smart devices across the world. With support for 44 languages, Google Assistant's interpreter mode is likely to become a staple addition to many traveler toolkits.
Qualifying Google Fi customers can receive a Google Nest Mini for free
If you were a Google Fi customer as of December 9 of this year, you qualify to receive a Nest Home Mini for free. The smart speaker is one of the easiest ways to experience the benefits of a smart assistant and all the control it brings to a smart home.
Ringtones become smarter with the new alarm feature for the Lenovo Alarm Clock
Google has today announced a new update for the Assistant-powered Lenovo Smart Clock that brings smart and contextual alarm ringtones. Called Impromptu, the new feature takes into account factors such as the time and weather and automatically switches to an alarm tune that best fits the scenario.
The Pixel 4’s A.I. will soon screen robocallers without disturbing you
The first Pixel feature drop will arrive this month, and it's going to improve some of the Pixel 4's best features, including the A.I.-powered Call Screen, background blur in photos, and video calls on Google Duo. Older Pixels will be getting some of the Pixel 4's best new tools as well.
Lenovo Smart Display 7 Review: Video calls for less
New to the smart display fold is the Lenovo Smart Display 7, which is now the smallest and most compact smart display in Lenovo’s portfolio. What’s sweet about it is the $100 price tag, though, there's more to Lenovo's budget-based offering than you might expect, despite the price.
Sling TV will give you a free Google Nest Hub if you prepay for 3 months
Here's a pretty sweet deal if you're not already a Sling TV subscriber: Sling will give you a free Google Nest Hub when you sign up and agree to pay for three months of service upfront -- even at the lowest cost of $25 per month for the Sling Orange channel lineup. The Nest Hub retails for $120 when it's not on sale.
You can now set your notes app of choice as the default on Google Assistant
At long last and after several weeks in beta, Google is rolling out Google Assistant’s third-party notes and lists app integration. Originally announced last year at the Google I/O event, the new feature lets you directly plug in your notes and lists app of choice to the Google Assistant.
We tested over 1,000 products in 2019. These are the best.
2019 was an awesome year for consumer tech. We tested over 1,000 of the best products, devices, and gear put out in 2019, including smartphones, laptops, and TVs. Our top tech is not just the best of the year, but the culmination of an innovative decade.
Google Nest Mini vs. Amazon Echo Dot: Which Cyber Monday deal is better?
Choosing between a Google Nest Mini and the Amazon Echo Dot can be difficult, especially when there's such great deals on both this Cyber Monday 2019. While they're both small, puck-like smart speakers with built-in assistants, there are some differences that can help you choose the best deal.
Cyber Monday deal: Save up to 23% on Google Nest cameras and locks
This year's Cyber Monday smart home deals are offering huge savings this week. There have been great deals from Google, including savings on cams and smart locks. From today until December 4, you can get Nest Indoor and Outdoor Cams and Nest x Yale Locks at steep discounts. Here's what's up.
Get a smart light starter kit with a Google Home Mini for $26 at Best Buy
The Google Smart Light Starter Kit comes with a Google Home Mini and a GE C-Life smart bulb for the low price of $26. It's the perfect way to break into smart home technology for the first-time user. Grab it now from Best Buy while supplies last.
Quit losing things: Score a free Google Nest Mini on these Tile Tracker combos
Best Buy is throwing in a free Google Nest Mini -- which normally sells for $50 and is currently retailing for $19 -- with a handful of combo packs of Tile’s latest trackers. The deal is available on Tile Sticker and Mate 4-packs and a bunch of mixed combos.