Pixel Buds are a valiant effort to stand out while embracing a trend adopted by just about every name in the field, resulting in a product that’s sometimes inspiring, sometimes baffling and mostly just okay. They’re the kind of product you really want to like — but they’re just not there yet. Read More
Category: Hardware
The Moto Z’s latest Mod turns the phone into a Polaroid instant camera
The Moto Z’s selection of modular backings have been pretty hit or miss (largely miss, if I’m being honest), but this one’s pretty clever. Sure, the addition of a Polaroid Insta-Share Printer Moto Mod probably isn’t going to make anyone run out and buy the company’s latest flagship, but this is a case where it actually makes sense to have the accessory as a… Read More
Amazon brings Echo and Alexa to Canada
Amazon has finally brought its line of Alexa-powered Echo speakers to Canada. The release of Echo hardware has been long awaited by America’s northern neighbor, which could only watch and wait as Echo went through two generations in the U.S. Echo Dot, the second generation Echo and the Echo Plus with integrated smart home hub are all on sale in Canada as of today, compete with full… Read More
Essential offers up an Android Oreo beta for the Essential Phone
Android smartphone maker Essential promised that it would be releasing an update to Android 8.0 Oreo for its devices soon, and now there’s a beta version of the update available through its developer portal. This is just a beta, as mentioned, but it’s broadly available for anyone interested enough in the Oreo update to try out pre-release software. Read More
A mesh network spontaneously erupts in the US and helps connect Puerto Rico
When goTenna put out their Mesh device earlier this year, I thought the off-grid gadgets would be great for an emergency kit or back country hike. But it turns out that I underestimated the demand for a resilient, user-powered mesh network: dedic…
View More A mesh network spontaneously erupts in the US and helps connect Puerto RicoMuse is a simple dedicated Amazon Alexa add-on for the car
Want to bring Alexa into your vehicle? You now have a few options, including a new $49.99 accessory from voice tech company Speak Music, which is launching Muse, essentially a Bluetooth-enabled Amazon Echo for the car. The small device allows you to access Alexa skills while on the go, using voice commands and the “Alexa” wake word, while connecting to your in-car stereo system… Read More
Bossa Nova raises $17.5 million for retail robots
Why count inventory when the robots can do it? Retailers are using machines from a startup called Bossa Nova Robotics to analyze what’s selling on the shelves. The robots drive autonomously through store aisles figuring out what has sold and then sends back data. The company is now raising $17.5 million Series B led by Paxion to scale its business. Intel Capital, Cota Capital and others… Read More
Qualcomm rejects Broadcom’s $70 per share takeover offer
Qualcomm’s board of directors has unanimously voted to reject an acquisition offer from rival chipmaker Broadcom. Read More
Amazon’s Echo Spot might not arrive by Christmas
A number of customers who pre-ordered Amazon’s new Echo Spot smart alarm clock are now being told the product’s ship date has been pushed back. Emails sent to customers inform them that “unfortunately, the release date for the item listed below has changed,” and then provides a new delivery estimate based on that revised date. However, the official website for the Echo… Read More
Mysterious ‘green line of death’ appears on some iPhone X displays
It wouldn’t be the launch of a first-generation Apple product without a few hiccups — who can forget Antennagate and Bendgate? — and the iPhone X is no different. A handful of users report that a mysterious and inextinguishable green line has appeared on their device’s display. Read More
Essential Phone can now stream live to Facebook from the 360 camera add-on
The Essential Phone just got a camera software update that will allow owners of the device to broadcast live, 360-degree video right from the native camera app, provided they have the Essential 360 Camera, too. The update requires no extra softwa…
View More Essential Phone can now stream live to Facebook from the 360 camera add-onApple has acquired imaging sensor startup InVisage Technologies
As Apple continues to work on ever-smaller but more powerful computing devices, it has acquired a startup focusing on nanotechnology, and specifically as it relates to image sensors. TechCrunch has learned and confirmed that Apple has picked up InVisage Technologies, a startup that develops solutions to improve imaging capabilities on space-constrained devices, like smartphones.
An Apple… Read More