Topics

At least 20 popular Android apps are still sending user data to Facebook without consent, study finds

A recent study by Privacy International found that at least 20 Android apps with install bases in excess of 10 million users automatically send user data to Facebook within one second of opening. This data is sent without user kno...

Sam Medley, 31 Dec 2018 17:56

Novel accessories such as the 360-degree camera didn't help set alight sales for the PH-1. (Source: Essential)

Essential Phone now out of stock...permanently

Essential Products has revealed that there are no plans to add “new inventory” to its stock of Essential Phones, which basically means the device is being discontinued. The smartphone was released in August 2017 and was widely com...

Daniel R Deakin, 29 Dec 2018 01:23

The new version of the Echo Dot smart speaker was unveiled in September 2018. (Source: Express)

Alexa and Echo Dot help Amazon to record-breaking sales; tech giants enjoy stock price gains

Amazon has revealed in a press release that the company has had a record-breaking holiday season, with products such as the updated Echo Dot and the Fire TV Stick 4K helping drive sales. The press release also described how Alexa ...

Daniel R Deakin, 27 Dec 2018 00:58

Demo Google Stream for an hour, get Assassin's Creed Odyssey for free

Have an hour to kill and want a free copy of Assassin's Creed Odyssey? Google is giving a digital copy of the game to users who demo Project Stream, the search giant's venture into the world of online game streaming services. Proj...

Sam Medley, 19 Dec 2018 21:28

Jerry Shen will be taking over at tech start-up iFast. (Source: WNOT)

Asus CEO resigns; company to focus on mobile gamers

Asus has announced the resignation of the company’s long-term CEO, Jerry Shen. However, the executive plans to maintain a relationship with the Taiwanese manufacturer in his new position as chief of a start-up called iFast. In a c...

Daniel R Deakin, 14 Dec 2018 00:17

More and more electronics companies are getting in on the smart TV game. (Source: Multichannel)

Huawei rumored to enter smart TV market in 2019

New leaks suggest that Huawei is to release its own smart TV product, and that it may be here as early as the first half of 2019. This is based on claims that the company has filed a patent for a "Huawei AI Window". The rumor may ...

Deirdre O Donnell, 13 Dec 2018 18:19

The 5G in the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 can apparently enhance the IoT around it. (Source: Engadget)

Xiaomi uses the Mi Mix 3 5G edition to demonstrate next-gen IoT

Xiaomi has showcased the fact that 5G is for IoT devices too. This was done via a Tweet by a company spokesperson, containing a video showing how quickly the 5G-enabled variant of the Mi Mix 3 could relay commands to a connected l...

Deirdre O Donnell, 12 Dec 2018 19:55

The LG HomeBrew capsule-based connected home brew solution is coming to CES 2019. (Source: LG)

LG is launching a connected pod-based home beer machine

LG has launched a connected home brewing solution called the HomeBrew. It will adopt a Nespresso-style capsule solution that should make home brewing easier than ever, particularly for millennials keen on craft beers.

Sanjiv Sathiah, 11 Dec 2018 10:08

Google claims that its new collaboration with Levi will help you control your phone's audio while cycling. (Source: Levi)

Google's smart fabric project, Jacquard, results in a jacket that can control your phone

Smart fabric is a form of textile containing nano-tech threads that can form circuits and battery connections when woven together. Google has been developing its own take on this new type of electronics, in the form of 'Project Ja...

Deirdre O Donnell, 10 Dec 2018 14:10

Apple acquires artist oriented promo platform Platoon. (Source: Business Insider)

Apple acquires Platoon for Apple Music, updates Beddit sleep monitor to v3.5

Apple has acquired A & R startup Platoon to supplement its Apple Music services for artists. In other Apple news, it has also updated its Beddit Sleep Monitor system to version 3.5.

Sanjiv Sathiah, 08 Dec 2018 23:26

The Yandex.Phone will aid users with utilizing products from Yandex's ecosystem. (Source: Yandex)

Russian search engine company introduces Yandex.Phone

The Russian Internet-related tech company Yandex has announced its foray into the world of smartphones with the aptly named Yandex.Phone. The 5.65-inch device will sport a Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 SoC and features Yandex’s propriet...

Daniel R Deakin, 06 Dec 2018 02:50

Xiaomi and IKEA enter a strategic partnership (Source: Donovan Sung on Twitter)

Xiaomi teams up with IKEA to smarten up your home

The first noticeable result of the new strategic partnership that involves Xiaomi and IKEA will come forward next month when IKEA's line of smart lighting products will be connected to the IoT platform of the Chinese company. Obvi...

Codrut Nistor, 30 Nov 2018 22:48

Kodi 18 "Leia" release candidate now available for download

Kodi 18 has been in development for two years, and the first release candidate (RC 1) is finally available. Although it is still technically a beta version, RC 1 will be reflective of the final release. There are several new featu...

Sam Medley, 24 Nov 2018 05:57

The LG XBOOM AI ThinQ WK9 is launching at US$100 off for a limited time. (Source: Google)

LG gets in on the Google Assistant display hub action

LG has launched its answer to the Google Home Hub. Dubbed LG XBOOM AI ThinQ WK9 (yes, you read that right), it focuses on its audio prowess to differentiate itself from the competition, tapping Meridian Audio to deliver high-end s...

Sanjiv Sathiah, 22 Nov 2018 10:20

IBM's Watson explores its inner artist by writing a commercial for Lexus

Another industry may soon be replaced by robots - IBM's Watson AI scripted a 60-second commercial for luxury car brand Lexus. Watson was fed 15 years worth of award-winning commercials and was able to outline and script the basis ...

Sam Medley, 20 Nov 2018 06:22

The Raspberry Pi 3 Model A+ (right) is noticeably smaller than the already tiny Model B+. (Image source: Raspberry Pi Foundation)

Raspberry Pi 3 Model A+ retains the power of the Model B+ in a smaller, cheaper package

The $25 Raspberry Pi 3 Model A+ is the latest single-board computer from the venerable Raspberry Pi Foundation. The Model A+ boasts the same CPU and wireless connectivity as its bigger brother, the Model B+, but shaves off some I/...

Sam Medley, 17 Nov 2018 06:20

Microsoft acquires XOXCO (Source: The Official Microsoft Blog)

Microsoft continues its AI offensive by acquiring XOXCO

After this year's earlier AI-related acquisitions that involved Semantic Machines (May), Bonsai (July), and Lobe (September), Microsoft is up for another round. Its latest purchase is XOXCO, a software product design and developme...

Codrut Nistor, 15 Nov 2018 15:55

Microsoft has restarted the rollout of the Windows 10 October 2018 Update

The Windows 10 October 2018 update has started rolling out to consumer and commercial users again

Microsoft has announced that it has resumed rolling out the Windows 10 October 2018 update having fixed and tested last month's file deletion issue. The update is available now on Windows Update for certain devices that Microsoft ...

Alex Alderson, 13 Nov 2018 20:12

Lenovo Lecoo Unmanned Store opens early November 2018 (Source: Lenovo)

The Matrix is here: Lenovo opens unmanned convenience store

The first Lenovo Lecoo Unmanned Store is located in Beijing, at the company's tech campus. Its goal is to help Lenovo test its facial recognition, electronic payment, IoT, AI, and AR technologies. The catch is that Lenovo tablets ...

Codrut Nistor, 06 Nov 2018 14:48

Worldwide location intelligence is an increasingly lucrative market. (Source: openpr.com)

The global location intelligence market will be worth US$25 billion by 2025

Location intelligence is based on the locational data of consumers gathered through IoT and similar means. Its market is thought to be capable of strong growth for the next 7 years, at which point it may be worth just over US$25 b...

Deirdre O Donnell, 04 Nov 2018 19:59

The EDIFICE Connected range. (Source: Casio)

Casio's newest additions to the EDIFICE lineup can connect to your smartphone

Casio wants to solve its customer's daylight savings time problems with the latest versions of its EDIFICE line. These motorsport-inspired watches can sync via a smartphone in order to maintain its timekeeping accuracy. On the oth...

Deirdre O Donnell, 01 Nov 2018 18:28

Websites could battle more bots without interrupting users thanks to reCAPTCHA v3

Google's latest iteration of the reCAPTCHA system, reCAPTCHA v3, is now available to website administrators and webmasters. reCAPTCHA v3 runs in the background, tracking user behavior and assigning a risk score based on that behav...

Sam Medley, 31 Oct 2018 17:11

Google pledges US $25 million to developing "AI for social good"

Google launched a new grant initiative today, seeking to fund teams that want to develop "AI for social good." Dubbed the AI Impact Challenge, the initiative will award $25 million across multiple teams that qualify based on the s...

Sam Medley, 30 Oct 2018 05:40

IBM to acquire Red Hat for $34 billion

In a deal valued at US $34 billion, IBM will acquire Red Hat, the organization behind Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Fedora, and CentOS. IBM is buying Red Hat in order to compete in the cloud computing market against the likes of Amazo...

Sam Medley, 29 Oct 2018 13:17

Huawei launches the new Huawei AI Speaker powered by Dynaudio high-end audio. (Source: Engagdet)

Huawei launches HomePod clone

Huawei has used its home market launch event for the Mate 20 series of smartphones to debut its Huawei AI Speaker. More than a little reminiscent of Apple's HomePod, the new speaker has been co-developed with famed Dutch audio spe...

Sanjiv Sathiah, 28 Oct 2018 10:21

Western Digital unveils new 15 TB hard drive, the largest HDD yet

Western Digital just announced the largest mechanical hard drive in the industry, a 15TB helium-sealed monster. Designed for data centers and cloud storage services, the 15TB HDD is intended for enterprise customers in need of den...

Sam Medley, 26 Oct 2018 22:25

5G coming to India in 2019 as a large-scale trial thanks to Samsung

Samsung plans to bring 5G to India next year for a large-scale trial

Samsung and India's Department of Telecommunications teamed up to conduct the first large-scale 5G trial in the country, which is scheduled to take place in the first quarter of 2019 if everything works as planned. Samsung made th...

Codrut Nistor, 26 Oct 2018 14:12

A large part of the point of the IoT revolution was to automate the home. (Source: uxdesign.cc)

Less than 40% of IoT consumers consider themselves reliant on their connected devices

Most people who own connected devices appear not to need them in their everyday lives. This is one of the findings of a new study into IoT use in the home and similar settings. 29% of these users were unsure of how their data was ...

Deirdre O Donnell, 25 Oct 2018 18:18

43 percent of millennials check their phone once every 20 minutes (Source: KDM Engineering)

43 percent of Millennials check their smartphone once every 20 minutes

Most smartphone users know of his or her bad smartphone habits, but they just don't seem to care. More than half admit to texting while driving with many even pulling out the smartphone during job interviews.

Allen Ngo, 19 Oct 2018 23:39

Spotify has a refreshed Wear OS app. (Source: Spotify)

Spotify releases improved Wear OS app update

The music streaming service Spotify has finally pushed an update for the app used on Android smartwatches. This version takes on the functions users formerly had to turn to 3rd-party solutions for. For example, the new Spotify for...

Deirdre O Donnell, 19 Oct 2018 09:28

Essential wants to make a grand statement after the PH-1 smartphone failed to inspire. (Source: Essential)

Essential may go for broke with AI-driven device

It has been reported that Essential’s next smartphone-related product may be saturated with enough AI technology to enable users to have a full-fledged virtual assistant in their pockets. Apparently, there is a prototype in the wo...

Daniel R Deakin, 10 Oct 2018 20:55

New Google Home Hub: the smart-home ecosystem gets its own screen

The Home Hub is the newest form of domestic voice assistant from Google. It has been revealed as part of the Made by Google event, along with the new Pixel phones and Pixel Slate. The Hub is supposedly designed to subtly blend in ...

Deirdre O Donnell, 09 Oct 2018 19:47

The Facebook Portal is available in 10.1-inch and 15.6-inch sizes. (Source: Facebook)

Facebook intros new Portal smart hub line powered by Alexa

Facebook has introduced a smart home product it has dubbed Portal. Available in two sizes, the device offers similar functionality to the Amazon Echo Show, but focuses on providing seamless video chatting through its Messenger app...

Sanjiv Sathiah, 09 Oct 2018 03:19

The updated Amazon Alexa app is available on the Play Store and the App Store. (Source: PhoneArena)

Redesigned Amazon Alexa app features new Devices tab

The Amazon Alexa app has received a much-needed redesign and now features a clearer user interface and a new Devices tab. Users will be able to go directly to a list of devices in their home that utilize the popular virtual assist...

Daniel R Deakin, 06 Oct 2018 22:11

IoT market could be worth over US$1,000 billion in six years

The Internet of Things (IoT) market is now estimated it will attain a value of just under US$1,500 billion by 2024. This is particularly impressive as it was worth $334 billion in 2016. A new report attributes this potential growt...

Deirdre O Donnell, 05 Oct 2018 19:45

Wi-Fi Alliance thinks "802.11ac" is too confusing for the public, will now rebrand it as "Wi-Fi 5"

802.11n, 802.11ac, and 80211ax will now be known as Wi-Fi 4, Wi-Fi 5, and Wi-Fi 6, respectively. Wireless products launching in 2019 or later will use the new naming convention in their specifications list to better help customers...

Allen Ngo, 04 Oct 2018 08:58

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K may be intended to take the new Chromecast on. (Source: IoTGadgets)

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K: this affordable streaming device may challenge new Chromecast

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K has just been announced. It may be able to deliver HDR10+, as well as Dolby Vision, in order to stream content. Amazon has also included object-based Dolby Atmos surround sound, for material that suppor...

Deirdre O Donnell, 03 Oct 2018 14:49

Project Stream testing starts on the same date as Assassin's Creed Odyssey's official release: October 5. (Source: Ubisoft)

Google announces Project Stream with Assassin's Creed Odyssey capture

Google has partnered up with the French gaming behemoth Ubisoft to show off the American company’s new Project Stream service. The California-based technology giant is hoping its rather prosaically named offering can take media st...

Daniel R Deakin, 01 Oct 2018 23:31

A Best Buy customer accidently bought the unannounced third-gen Chromecast

A lucky Reddit user by the name of GroveStreeHomie was able to buy a (currently unannounced) third-generation Chromecast from his local Best Buy. The new device features a slightly tweaked design and might have some new features, ...

Sam Medley, 30 Sep 2018 23:59

Harman has launched the Spark, a "connected car" solution, in the US. (Source: Harman)

Harman launches Spark, a device to turn any car into a 'smart' car

Harman has released the Spark, a product that it claims can make any car "connected". It may be able to convey LTE connectivity, monitoring for auto security and automatic crash assistance on a vehicle. The Spark is currently avai...

Deirdre O Donnell, 24 Sep 2018 23:29

A new reports estimates the worth of the smart home market in 2025. (Source: medium.com)

Smart home market to exceed US$90 billion by 2025: new report

Smart home technology has definitely caught on by now, with many people automating or controlling their living spaces with new products designed to be integrated into them. A new market research report suggests that the market bui...

Deirdre O Donnell, 21 Sep 2018 19:14

Amazon Alexa Echo Show, more Alexa-branded devices coming in 2018

Amazon Alexa microwave, receiver, subwoofer, amplifier, and in-car solution coming by the end of 2018

Amazon Alexa fans should get ready to celebrate before the end of the month because the tech giant will soon unveil a few new devices. By the end of the year, the list of new Alexa-driven devices by Amazon should include an in-car...

Codrut Nistor, 18 Sep 2018 20:17

Samsung SmartThings Tracker and SmartThings app (Source: Samsung US Newsroom)

Samsung unveils the SmartThings Tracker GPS tracking device

The new Samsung SmartThings Tracker GPS tracking device connects through an LTE-M network to allows its users to track the objects, animals, or even kids that it gets attached to. The first carrier to bring it to the US is AT&T, w...

Codrut Nistor, 11 Sep 2018 18:45

NetSpeed Systems team is now a part of Intel's Silicon Engineering Group (Source: Intel Newsroom)

Intel acquires NetSpeed Systems to speed up SoC development

San Jose-based NetSpeed Systems, a company which provides SoC design tools and interconnect fabric IP, has just joined Intel. NetSpeed's team is now part of Intel’s Silicon Engineering Group, but those who would like to know all t...

Codrut Nistor, 11 Sep 2018 10:45

Amazon joins the US$ 1 trillion tech company club, breathes down on Apple's neck

It took Apple 43 years to become the first trillion-dollar US company, whereas Amazon managed the same feat in a little under 25 years, and it now threatens to take over the first position. Granted, Amazon started out as an online...

Bogdan Solca, 05 Sep 2018 20:52

devolo claim that their new line of Powerline-enabled Magic mesh adapters will speed up your home WiFi. (Source: devolo.co.uk)

IFA 2018 | devolo's new Magic line combines mesh WiFi and Powerline

devolo's new home networking solution, Magic, is a form of mesh WiFi that also uses Powerline technology. It does so using next-generation G.hn chips and new, AC-adapter mesh points. devolo claims that this combination can drastic...

Deirdre O Donnell, 01 Sep 2018 16:32

Samsung Exynos i S111 chip for IoT announced in late August 2018 (Source: Samsung Global Newsroom)

Samsung announces the Exynos i S111 narrowband IoT solution

The new Exynos i S111 is Samsung's latest narrowband solution for IoT applications that includes a modem, processor, memory, and Global Navigation Satellite System on the same chip. The Exynos i S111 comes as the successor of Sams...

Codrut Nistor, 23 Aug 2018 12:56

The 11.6-inch screen supports multi-touch gestures like pinch zoom. (Source: Shuttle)

Shuttle unveils fanless all-in-one PC with 11.6-inch touchscreen

The new XPC P20U from Shuttle is an all-in-one PC barebones unit with fanless design and water/dust-proofing. Equipped with an 11-6-inch multi-touch display, this model makes for an excellent IoT or PoS terminal. Specs include the...

Bogdan Solca, 21 Aug 2018 20:28

Google wants increased market coverage of enterprise data needs. (Source: Google)

Edge TPUs revealed as the future of AI for Google at Next 2018

Google is aiming to bring its Cloud platform and AI solutions to the forefront of enterprise-level computing. The company outlined its plans to do so at its relevant Next '18 event in San Francisco this year. The Edge TPU, which c...

Deirdre O Donnell, 16 Aug 2018 12:37

Zotac's BI329 makes for an excellent HTPC solution that can eventually be upgraded. (Source: Zotac)

Zotac presents BI329 mini PC featuring Gemini Lake CPUs

The new BI329 mini PC is Zotac's latest model dedicated to the HTPC and IoT markets. It comes in three variants: a barebones one without RAM and storage, one with 4 GB RAM and 120 GB SSD, and a Windows variant that has 4 GB of RAM...

Bogdan Solca, 14 Aug 2018 16:03