Echo users can communicate with each other using calls and messages, but the online retailer claims people have been requesting a feature that takes communication to another level. Amazon introduced “drop-in” via the Echo Show, which pretty much turns the unit into an intercom system for your home. Said device will be launching in just a couple days, but Amazon is not waiting to bring this feature to its other main digital assistant speakers.
ifixit The Moto X autopsy revealed some interesting build choices New phone, fresh iFixit teardown: This time, it’s the Moto X’s turn on the slab.
Many applaud the fresh take on the Moto X design cues, and those that have used it start to appreciate the software polishes. This isn’t about any of those, though. This is about the most derided part of the X: the hardware.
For a new device, the Moto X is easily labelled with the “less than” tag in regard to hardware.
After several months of pop-up Snapbots appearing around the US to dispense Spectacles, Snap Inc’s recording sunglasses are now available for purchase online.
The glasses, which integrate a camera to allow users to record and share 10-second videos, are available for $129.99 via Spectacles.com in three colors: black, coral and teal. They ship with a charging case capable of recharging the glasses on-the-go up to four times and are shipping within two to four weeks.
Google hopes to bring some holiday cheer by making it easier to directly donate to various organizations through the Play Store.
All you have to do is either open the Play Store or go to this website on an Android device. From there, you can donate money to any of the following non-profits:
American Red Cross charity: water Doctors Without Borders USA Girls Who Code International Rescue Committee Room to Read Save the Children UNICEF World Wildlife Fund US 100 percent of contributions go to the organizations you choose to donate to.
Back during MWCSandisk unveiled a 200GB microSD card with an estimated price tag of $400. While 200GB is a ton of storage space, it seems that Microdia has one-upped Sandisk with an even larger solution.
The new Microdia Xtra Elite 512GB microSD card will play nicely in any device that supports the SDXC format, meaning most newer smartphones that offer microSD expansion. Of course, such a huge amount of space doesn’t come cheaply, packing a whopping $1000 price tag that makes the Sandisk 200GB card seem affordable.
Remember that Android 4.0.4 firmware soak test for the Droid 4 we told you Motorola was preparing for last week? Apparently Verizon has now given its blessing for the update, which means that those who have registered for the soak test should be getting the notification update today.
Upon installing version 6.16.217 of the new firmware on your Motorola Droid 4, you’ll be bringing your phone that much closer to the latest Android OS.
Xiaomi Each earbud features a touch-sensitive panel for playback and call control.TL;DR
Xiaomi AirDots true wireless earbuds operate on Bluetooth 5.0. Individually, the earbuds weigh 4.2 grams. Availability is limited to the Chinese market for 199 yuan, or ~$30. The specs indicate that standalone battery life is four hours and that the charging case brings total playback time to 12 hours. What’s more, each earbud house a 7.2mm dynamic driver and weighs 4.
The ability to pay for things via NFC is nothing new, especially in the fitness tracker world. Most notably Jawbone’s latest flagship activity tracker, the UP4, allows for the use of NFC payments if you happen to have an American Express card. Now it looks like yet another major player is taking a big step towards bringing mobile payments to their wearables.
Fitbit has just announced that it’s acquiring wearable payment assets from Coin, the financial tech company famously known for the NFC-enabled all-in-one credit card.
Heads up my gaming amigos, the Khronos Group has announced version 1.0 of its cross-platform Vulkan graphics API, opening up new possibilities for game developers. Not only is Vulkan supported across a wide range of operating systems, the API will also empower developers with notable performance improvements and cutting edge graphical effects for some extravagant visuals.
This isn’t an extemporaneous announcement, the Khronos Group has been working with leading hardware vendors, 3D engine and platform developers for the past 18 months to develop the Vulkan 1.
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A new report from The Washington Post suggests some newer smartphones get worse battery life than their older counterparts. Specifically, the Google Pixel 3 and Apple iPhone XS tested worse than their previous models. The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 tested the best of all the Android phones on the list. Over at The Washington Post, journalist Geoffrey A. Fowler conducted a series of battery life tests on popular smartphones, including both Android and iOS devices.