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.
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.
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.
New feature in myChevrolet app assures friends and family you’re safe
Chevy has updated its myChevrolet app to add a new feature that makes it easier to check in with loved ones. The feature, called Vehicle Locate, will send an automated text alert to designated friends and family when you enter or leave a designated area. The feature provides peace of mind to all parties.
Subaru recalls millions of vehicles due to perfume-induced brake light failures
Car recalls are unfortunate but often necessary when something goes wrong, but no one could have predicted this: Subaru is recalling millions of its SUVs in North America and Japan because a chemical compound emitted by products like shampoos and cosmetics is causing brake light failures.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hopsy’s smaller countertop kegerator makes homebrewing even easier
Hopsy, a direct-to-consumer draft beer service, introduced its Sub Compact home draft beer machine that can fit right on the kitchen countertop. Designed by Krups, the at home kegerator is a perfect accessory for any aspiring brewmaster. It's available to pre-order for $150 and will retail for $300.
Emojis hitch a ride on personalized license plates in Australia’s Queensland
Queensland, Australia, is allowing drivers to personalize their license plates with emojis. Starting March 1, the state will offer new plates with a variety of options for personalization, including custom colors, emojis, logos of local sports teams, and more. They will cost about $340.
Senators question Google about the microphone in Nest security system
Following the revelation that some Nest security products contain an undisclosed microphone, member of the United States Senate wrote a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai demanding more information. They seek to find out when Google realized it didn't disclose the mic and if the mics have been used.
1 in 4 people plan to buy a smart lock this year, study says
It's beginning to become more common for people to trust internet-connected devices to protect their home. According to new research published by Parks Associates, one in four households in the United States are planning to purchase as smart door lock within the next 12 months to protect their home.
GE Appliances shows off wall oven with built-in air fryer, food dehydrator
Air fryers are getting increasingly popular and are a fixture in many homes. So GE Appliances is taking the trend to its logical conclusion and adding an air fryer to a wall oven. The company's new oven, on display at this year's Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, also includes a food dehydrator.
Infuse oil or butter with any herb, including CBD, with the Levo II
There are a lot of different herbs that you can work with in the kitchen, including cannabis. Luckily, the all-new Levo II can handle them all. This infuser is the perfect accessory for infusing oil and butter with any herb. If you're working with weed, it comes with a new mode made just for you.
UPS expands in-home delivery service to take on Amazon Key
Amazon isn't the only company that wants to leave packages inside your home for you. UPS announced it is expanding its partnership with smart lock company Latch to enable in-home deliveries. The feature will be available in 10 new cities including Atlanta, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
Houzz suffers a data breach, asks users to reset password
Home improvement startup Houzz informed its users Thursday that it suffered a data breach in December 2018. The company warned that some user information including encrypted passwords may have been compromised and encouraged users to change their passwords as a safety precaution.
Food-delivery service Doordash is now serving customers in all 50 states
Don't feel like making the trek to your favorite restaurant? Lucky for you, you can pay someone else to do it for you. On-demand delivery service Doordash announced that it has expanded its services and is now making deliveries in all 50 states, reaching about 80 percent of the population.
Walabot Home, a device aimed at keeping seniors safe, expands its capabilities
You can't be there for your loved ones all the time, no matter how badly you'd like to. When you have to be away from your older family members, Walabot Home can serve as your surrogate. This device can detect when your loved one falls and will call for help -- no wearables or user input required.
You can play NPR’s ‘Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me’ on your smart speaker
NPR's popular comedy news game show is making its way to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. You can play "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me" on Amazon Echo speakers or Google Home devices with the new Wait Wait Quiz. It's hosted by Peter Sagal and Bill Kurtis and will be updated every week with new questions.
Idaho mother says her child’s light-up sippy cup exploded
It's expected that kids will make a mess, but one Boise, Idaho mom ran into a problem that she never could have imagined. After filling a Nuby insulated light-up cup with milk, the cup allegedly exploded. The incident caused burns to the mother's hand and face and a stinging sensation in her lungs.
Ring security camera catches man licking the doorbell for hours
Security cameras can capture all kinds of things that happen while you're gone. A family in Salinas, California had their Ring camera capture something pretty unexpected: a man licking the doorbell outside of their home for more than three hours. The incident took place around 5:00 a.m.
CES 2019 is flush with smart toilets. Here are the best bowls of the bunch
Whether you want them or not, smart devices have finally moved into the bathroom. The Consumer Electronics Show is almost always a good showcase for out-there ideas, and CES 2019 was no exception, with a strange but also somehow totally predictable trend emerging: Smart toilets.
Announce your arrival with a song using the Netatmo Welcome cam and a new IFTTT recipe
The Netatmo Welcome is a smart connected security camera that will recognize everyone who enters your house, using some very clever face recognition technology
