Category: Smart Speaker

Alexa Amazon Smart Speaker Tech

Alexa can notify you if it’s figured out an answer it didn’t know before

sudshr47 August 7, 2018

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When Alexa doesn’t know the answer to a question, many of us just give up, or just end up looking for the answer on our phone.

Not one to leave loose ends untied is Amazon, which is rolling out a feature called Answer Update on Alexa devices this week, spotted by Voicebox.

The feature will alert users when Alexa has found the answer to a question it previously did not know when initially asked. 

Usually when the voice assistant is stumped, it’ll return an answer like “I don’t know that, but I’m always learning,” “I can’t find the answer to the question I heard,” or “Sorry, I didn’t understand the question.” Read more…

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Digging deeper into smart speakers reveals two clear paths

sudshr47 July 9, 2018

In a truly fascinating exploration into two smart speakers – the Sonos One and the Amazon Echo – BoltVC’s Ben Einstein has found some interesting differences in the way a traditional speaker company and an infrastructure juggernaut look at their flagship devices. The post is well worth a full read but the gist is this: […]

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Boost VC backs Storyline’s Alexa skill builder

sudshr47 July 6, 2018

Have you felt a disconnect with your Alexa and wished she could share more of your sense of humor or tell you an actually scary ghost story? Startup Storyline makes designing your own Alexa skills as easy and dragging and dropping speech blocks, and has just raised $770,000 in a funding round led by Boost VC to […]

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Durable speakers you can buy without overspending

sudshr47 May 30, 2018

Editor’s note: This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter’s independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and TechCrunch earn affiliate commissions. There are few scenarios where enjoyable music pumping out of a good speaker is an annoyance. Outdoor gatherings, casual cleaning sessions at home, and parties (big and small) call for entertainment […]

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TicHome Mini review: Smart speakers go portable… at a cost

sudshr47 May 4, 2018

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TicHome Mini
$99.99
The Good

Easy setup • Decent sound • Splashproof • Easy Bluetooth connectivity • Light and easy to carry

The Bad

No battery or on/off indicator • Hard-to-press buttons • Lacks some Google Assistant features • Sometimes unresponsive

The Bottom Line

The TicHome beats the Google Home Mini in some ways, but not enough to warrant paying double.

Mashable Score2.5
Cool Factor2.0
Learning Curve3.0
Performance3.0
Bang for the Buck2.0

Not every smart speaker can be Google Home, but that doesn’t mean they’re not trying. 

From the Panasonic GA-10 to the Sonos One and even (recently) the Nest Cam IQ, third-party Google Assistant speakers are a diverse and fast-growing growing crowd. Read more…

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Amazon Bose Smart Speaker Sony Tech

The best smart speakers according to Amazon reviewers

sudshr47 February 13, 2018

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Heads up: All products featured here are selected by Mashable’s commerce team and meet our rigorous standards for awesomeness. If you buy something, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.

If you’re searching for a new smart speaker, the market is flooded with options. Whether you’re looking to spend your time listening to music outside, or you’re in search for the perfect indoor music solution, or both, there are hundreds of smart speakers for you to choose from.

For something entry-level with enough sound to fill a small room, perhaps DOSS, an Amazon bestseller priced at $29, is a good choice. If you prefer something more high-end that fills your entire home with premium sound, consider the Multiroom Audio System bundle at $349. Read more…

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Apple HomePod Repairs Smart Speaker Tech

Repairing HomePod costs nearly as much as the damn thing itself

sudshr47 February 10, 2018

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Did you just pick up Apple’s new HomePod smart speaker? Better pray it doesn’t break, because it’s expensive AF to repair it.

Apple’s published service and repair details for HomePod on its website and — holy sh*t — it’ll cost HomePod owners a whopping $280 to repair or replace the dang thing if they don’t have AppleCare+.

For those who are paying attention, that’s nearly as much as the HomePod speaker itself, which costs $350.

Like all Apple products, whatever damage your HomePod sustains might be covered under the included warranty. But if it’s not, you gotta fork over the money to get it fixed. And if you’re going to do that, you might as well just buy a new one.  Read more…

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