The WebMD skill for Amazon’s Alexa can answer all your medical questions

Why it matters to you

WebMD is bringing its wealth of medical knowledge to a new form factor: Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant.

Alexa, Amazon’s brilliant voice-activated smart assistant, is a capable little companion. It can order a pizza, summon a car, dictate a text message, and flick on your downstairs living room’s smart bulb. But what it couldn’t do until today was tell you whether that throbbing lump on your forearm was something that required medical attention. Fortunately, that changed on Tuesday with the introduction of a WebMD skill that puts the service’s medical knowledge at your fingertips.

For WebMD, the self-coined “leading source of health information” in the U.S., the move from web interface to voice-driven app is a natural progression. “We want to be in the place where we believe computing is going,” WebMD’s vice president of mobile products, Ben Greenberg, told The Verge. “[This] is going to be really helpful in situations where you want to access something hands-free. For example, a mom with her baby. The baby’s got a rash and is on amoxicillin, and there’s poop all over the place and it’s scary. The mom can find out that diarrhea is a side effect of amoxicillin, without having to navigate through a visual interface.”

More: Thanks to Alexa, you can control your home by talking to your smartwatch

The edifying new WebMD app — or “skill,” in Amazon’s lingo — works with Alexa-enabled devices including Amazon’s own Echo, Echo Dot, and Fire TV, and isn’t too different in form and function than the thousands of other Alexa skills in Amazon’s market. It’s enabled by saying, “Alexa, enable WebMD skill,” and you activate it with the phrase, “Alexa, ask WebMD.” It will inform you of a drug’s side effects (“Alexa, ask WebMD to tell me about amoxicillin”), provide a list of treatments for common ailments (“Alexa, ask WebMD how to treat a sore back”), and tell you the basics about diseases (“Alexa, ask WebMD what Lou Gehrig’s disease is”).

If you’ve used WebMD on the web, it’s a trip down memory lane. The Alexa app spouts verbal answers to simple questions about conditions, medical tests, and symptoms. For more complex queries, it tosses the answer in an Alexa app card containing the answer to the question and a URL with additional information. Just like WebMD proper, the Alexa app isn’t perfect — in The Verge’s experience, it had trouble offering treatment advice on headache. And it doesn’t always understand questions the first time — you’ll find yourself repeating, “Alexa, ask WebMD,” more often than you’d like.

More: Could Amazon’s Alexa devices be getting an add-on security camera next?

This Alexa skill is just the start of something bigger. In the future, WebMD hopes to improve the interface and add the ability to ask follow-up questions. “The voice part of it is a crucial investment to where we will be one day,” Greenberg told The Verge. “Our grandkids will make fun of us for ever having used a keyboard.”

Fitness app Sworkit now lets you customize your very own workouts

Why it matters to you

Working out is a highly personal thing, so shouldn’t your workout be, well, personal? It can be with Sworkit’s new Workout Builder.

Getting in shape ought to be your prerogative — so shouldn’t the nature of your workout be fully in your control as well? Now it can be thanks to Sworkit, the fitness app boasting millions of users around the world. Thanks to the new Sworkit Workout Builder, users can now build, import, and customize a workout to be fully their own.

As it stands, Sworkit already gives you access to personalized video workouts that you can follow along with at any time or place without equipment. But now, those workouts can get even more unique, and Sworkit promises the closest thing you can get to a personal trainer on your phone. “Other apps let you favorite your workouts into a list, but we’ve taken it a step further,” said Sworkit CEO Ben Young. “With our Workout Builder and Custom List, you can build new workouts, customize existing workouts, or even import workouts made on other programs.”

More: You are what you tweet: Twitter reveals how America eats and exercises

Sworkit’s latest feature allows you to filter a workout by difficulty, category, stance, impact level, and focus area, and also allows you to share your favorite routines with your friends and family. “We had users coming to our trainers asking for easier exercises, harder exercises, exercises to reduce the impact on their knees, and much more,” said Young. “Launching this feature was the next logical step to addressing their needs.”

Since 2014, Sworkit has been delivering on-demand video exercise programs to its global user base, with exercises developed by an ACSM-certified personal trainer and a U.S. Army Reserves captain. The free version of Sworkit allows users to design and save one custom workout with the new feature, while Premium subscribers will have unlimited access to this customization.

So if you’re looking to get fit your way, Sworkit may be the tool you’ve been looking for.

Where did my laptop go?! MSI introduces new hard-to-spot Camo Squad line

Why it matters to you

If you’re a big fan of everything camouflage, or want your PC hidden from jealous Jawas, then MSI’s new Camo Squad line could be right up your alley.

If you have trouble keeping track of your laptop, we’d steer clear of MSI’s new Camo Squad line, which brings digital camouflage to a number of its products. There are newly invisible laptops, obfuscated graphics cards, and hard-to-find gaming PCs, all coated with desert camouflage. Better yet, buying any of them nets you Ghost Recon: Wildlands, or the season pass for free!

Covering the gamut of MSI hardware, the Camo Squad includes the GE62VR 7RF and 7RE gaming laptops, the Trident 3 desktop PC, a Z270 motherboard and a GTX 1060 6G. All of them come coated in desert-themed digital camouflage to various extents and in different configurations, and will be available until June 30 as part of a limited promotion.

More: Bolivia unhappy with how country is depicted in ‘Ghost Recon: Wildlands’

The GE62VR 7RF and 7RE laptops are part of the Apache Pro line and come with a GTX 1060 or GTX 1050Ti graphics chip, respectively. Both come with Intel Core i7-7700HQ processors, though unfortunately we don’t have the full specifications as of yet (thanks, TomsHardware).

In fact right now MSI is keeping much of the specifications for its Camo Squad hardware hidden, which seems oddly appropriate. We can make an educated guess at the Trident 3 Camo Squad edition, though. The standard Trident 3 packs a Core i5 or i7 processor for the seventh generation of Intel CPUs, alongside up to 32GB of DDR4 memory and a GTX 1060 with either 3GB or 6GB of video memory.

Chances are its specs will fall somewhere around there. We also know that the GTX 1060 6G Camo Squad edition will come with 6GB of memory, as that’s what the 6G denotes.

Regardless of which piece of hardware you buy as part of the promotion, you will get a free copy of Ghost Recon: Wildlands. If you already own the game, you can opt for a free season pass instead, which seems like a nice touch.

The official page for the Camo Squad promotion is down at the time of writing, but for more information on the promotion you can check out a cached page here.

Razer’s zVault virtual currency promises a unified solution for gaming purchases

Why it matters to you

Razer is unleashing a reward-based method for making online payments, in-game or for-game, that won’t trigger a concerned phone call from your credit card company.

It’s not all fun and games when it comes to gaming. Sometimes we have to get our hands dirty with raw, unadulterated economics if we want to ensure that our gaming buys are being justified. And, out of all the ways you could choose to pay for video games, peripherals, and in-game content, Razer hopes that you’ll want to use its freshly revealed method.

Dubbed zVault, the green snake-embroidered hardware and software company has launched a “virtual currency platform” based on what it calls zGold units. Razer describes the service as a digital wallet that specifically caters to gamers, with points earned by using zGold being redeemable toward actual Razer products.

“The introduction of zVault is all about giving value to gamers with secure payment convenience and a great rewards program,” said Min-Liang Tan, CEO and co-founder of Razer. “This is much more than a club or credit card perks program or micro-transaction solution.”

More: Razer wants to support Linux on the Razer Blade laptop and is asking for help

zGold’s value is reminiscent of Microsoft’s points system from the Xbox 360, that is, 100 zGold is worth $1 in cash. Razer zVault customers can use zGold to make purchases in-game while earning what is known as zSilver as a reward. Put simply, zGold is purchased with PayPal, Openbucks, Paysafecard, or any major credit card. zGold can be purchased in 3,000 ($30), 5,000 ($50), and 10,000 ($100) portions.

The currency is then used to safely purchase digital content initially within games developed by Hi-Rez Studios such as Smite and Paladins, as well as those from Smilegate West, creators of CrossFire and LostSaga. We’ll also see zVault supported in online game shops IndieGala and GamersGate. At a later date, Trion Worlds also plans to implement zGold compatibility into its six-title catalog.

“Our ultimate vision is a complete gamer economy expanding from the zVault ecosystem,” Min-Lian Tang continued. “It’s social, interactive and truly useful, opening the doors to a safer way of doing business and an expansive rewards market for our fans.”

zVault was originally seeded exclusively to a limited selection of Razer’s community fanbase. Within the first six weeks of its initial run, zVault amassed well over 1.4 million unique page views. Over 770,000 wallets have been registered to date by users donning Razer IDs. The average amount of zGold spent on each transaction? 5,198 zGold (or $51.98).

Samsung Browser beta brings ad blocking to Pixel and Nexus devices

Why it matters to you

If you’re a Chrome devotee running a Google-branded device, Samsung’s browser may be worth a look, as it could save you some time and data in tandem with an ad blocker.

Samsung has made a surprising move with the latest beta of its browser, appropriately called Internet. The application has just been made available to download for Pixel and Nexus devices, according to the Google Play listing.

While at first glance this may seem counter-intuitive for owners of Google-branded devices, many of whom chose their Android phone out of a desire to avoid manufacturer-fronted duplicate apps and bloatware, Samsung’s browser is actually a full-featured replacement to Chrome with one significant advantage — support for ad blockers.

More: Samsung follows Apple’s lead, updates its Android browser with ad blocking

Run Samsung Internet with a third-party plugin like AdBlock Fast or Crystal, and in addition to avoiding intrusive banner and pop-up ads, web pages should also load more quickly, and you may even consume less data. Samsung introduced the functionality early last year, several months after Apple rolled out ad blocking for its Safari browser with iOS 9.

Since then, Chrome has been the odd one out of the three major mobile browsers when it comes to embracing the feature. This was not terribly surprising, given Google’s dependence on ad revenue. In the past, however, Pixel and Nexus devices didn’t have the ability to run Samsung’s browser, so this expansion to non-Samsung hardware may put a little more pressure on Google.

A study released exactly one year ago reported 25 percent of mobile users had some form of ad blocking installed on their device, and projected a rise to 80 percent by the end of 2017. Shortly after iOS 9 released, The New York Times conducted its own tests and corroborated the proposed benefits of ad blocking — namely, faster load times, significantly decreased data usage, and even a modest gain in battery life.

In addition to ad blocking, Samsung’s browser boasts support for DuckDuckGo search, 360-degree videos, Progressive Web Apps, QR reading, an Amazon shopping assistant that pits prices against the online retailer’s own, and the ability to make purchases with Samsung Pay. There’s also CloseBy, a feature that recommends websites and information based on the user’s location.

Samsung originally spun off its browser to the Google Play store to deliver faster updates, a trend many phone makers have followed with their own app suites over the last several years. Unlike Internet, the majority of Samsung’s apps have not been made compatible with non-Samsung Android devices.

Unlock your kids’ inner game builders with LittleBits’ Code Kit

Why it matters to you

Tech companies and educators are placing a heavy emphasis on learning to code in the classroom, and LittleBits is another solution that’s interactive and educational.

LittleBits, the Lego of the tech world, is out with a new kit to help teach children how to code. The aptly named Code Kit focuses on having kids build hands-on games with blocks, and then programming them to fruition via the LittleBits app.

LittleBits offers various kits for children that aims to bring out the inner inventor. The Rule Your Room Kit, for example, allows kids to build items like a buzzer for their door — the whole process is completed by following guides via the app. Children can also make their own designs and objects, and upload their creations to the app with plans for anyone else to follow.

More: LittleBits’ Rule Your Room is a Lego-like construction kit for young inventors

The new Code Kit features four games: Tug-of-war, Ultimate Shootout, Hot Potato, and Rockstar Guitar. Inside you’ll find 16 modular circuits including two new bits — the codeBit and the LED Matrix. Bits are usable with other kits offered by LittleBits. There’s also a rechargeable battery and 30 other accessories to help build these games.

The company said the block-programming interface in the app is based on Google’s Blockly, a drag-and-drop interface to make programming more visual and less intimidating. Setting up and using the Code Kit in curriculum is also easy, even for teachers not in the computer science field. There are more than a hundred activities and lessons that conform to computer science standards for children in grades three to eight.

These can be uploaded as lessons via Google Docs, in case teachers want to utilize the Code Kit in the classroom.

The Code Kit is available for purchase for $300 via various retailers (there’s a discount for educators), but it won’t ship until June 2017.

Unlock your kids’ inner game builders with LittleBits’ Code Kit

Why it matters to you

Tech companies and educators are placing a heavy emphasis on learning to code in the classroom, and LittleBits is another solution that’s interactive and educational.

LittleBits, the Lego of the tech world, is out with a new kit to help teach children how to code. The aptly named Code Kit focuses on having kids build hands-on games with blocks, and then programming them to fruition via the LittleBits app.

LittleBits offers various kits for children that aims to bring out the inner inventor. The Rule Your Room Kit, for example, allows kids to build items like a buzzer for their door — the whole process is completed by following guides via the app. Children can also make their own designs and objects, and upload their creations to the app with plans for anyone else to follow.

More: LittleBits’ Rule Your Room is a Lego-like construction kit for young inventors

The new Code Kit features four games: Tug-of-war, Ultimate Shootout, Hot Potato, and Rockstar Guitar. Inside you’ll find 16 modular circuits including two new bits — the codeBit and the LED Matrix. Bits are usable with other kits offered by LittleBits. There’s also a rechargeable battery and 30 other accessories to help build these games.

The company said the block-programming interface in the app is based on Google’s Blockly, a drag-and-drop interface to make programming more visual and less intimidating. Setting up and using the Code Kit in curriculum is also easy, even for teachers not in the computer science field. There are more than a hundred activities and lessons that conform to computer science standards for children in grades three to eight.

These can be uploaded as lessons via Google Docs, in case teachers want to utilize the Code Kit in the classroom.

The Code Kit is available for purchase for $300 via various retailers (there’s a discount for educators), but it won’t ship until June 2017.

Tinder celebrates International Women’s Day by donating up to $250,000

Why it matters to you

Its reputation among women isn’t always the best, but Tinder is hoping to turn things around with an International Women’s Day initiative.

It hasn’t always had the best reputation with women, but Tinder certainly is making an effort. In anticipation of International Women’s Day on March 8, Tinder announced it is pledging $250,000 to help empower women by donating to a dozen women-centric nonprofits across the world.

In a partnership with Pledgling.com, Tinder plans to launch its #FundHerCause social media campaign on Wednesday to support women (who make up 50 percent of the app’s user base). Starting Wednesday, if you tweet @Tinder with a cause you care about with the hashtag #FundHerCause, Tinder will send you a code for a $100 donation to one of the 12 organizations the app has selected.

More: Tinder makes a move: Dating app may add a Snapchat-like video feature

“All around the world, women are bucking societal norms — they’re breaking down barriers, they’re breaking with tradition, and by doing so, they may even be breaking the law — all for something the rest of us consider a basic human right,” Tinder wrote in a blog post. “We are grateful to them. We are inspired by them. And we are here to support them.”

Unfortunately, you’ll have to be a U.S.-based Tinder user in order to participate in the donation process, though women in London are invited to participate in Tinder’s #BeBoldForChange event at Observation Point in the city’s South Bank. It’s described as “an artistic space designed for women to send messages of love, solidarity, and empowerment to each other,” and will be open for 12 hours on Wednesday.

“To our sisters around the world, we say this: Live as you choose and make no apologies,” the blog post concluded. “Always look out for one another. Stay strong, be bold and keep on fighting the good fight. Because now, more than ever, it’s time to rock the boat.”

The full list of non-profits to which you can donate through the campaign can be found below.

• Planned Parenthood
• Women for Women
• Girls Who Code
• UN Women
• She Lift
• She’s the First
• Partners in Health
• Tostan
• Baby2Baby
• Becky’s Fund
• Grameen America
• Girls Not Brides

Another embedded SIM provider signs up to support Windows 10

Why it matters to you

Embedded SIM cards look set to play a big role in offering Windows 10 users another way to connect to the internet while they’re on the move.

Oberthur Technologies has announced the availability of an embedded SIM card validated for use with Windows 10. This marks the next step forward in Microsoft’s efforts to implement the technology, which has been of major interest to some of the biggest names in the device industry since at least 2015.

Unlike traditional SIM cards, eSIM cards cannot be removed from a device. Instead, they’re programmable, meaning that users can change their provider or contract instantly without having to replace the card itself.

Oberthur Technologies isn’t the only company eager to provide eSIM cards for use with Windows 10. Gemalto, the world’s largest SIM manufacturer, stated its intention to partner with Microsoft in February 2017, according to a report from MS Power User.

More: Windows 10 Insider Program: Latest Windows Builds, Updates, and News

With these two companies on board, it’s thought that Windows 10 devices with built-in eSIM cards could be available by the end of the year. These systems will allow users to purchase cellular connectivity and data packages directly from the Windows Store.

Over the past few months, Microsoft has seemingly been preparing to rethink its approach to data services in Windows 10. Later this month, Skype Wi-Fi will be retired — which makes sense, given that the hot spot service would likely have interfered with plans to offer data plans via an eSIM card.

These attempts to set up a straightforward means of purchasing cellular connectivity are likely tied to Windows 10 Cloud. It seems clear that Windows 10 Cloud will rely on an internet connection, so giving users an easy method of buying data straight from the device would be a smart move.

However, Microsoft has yet to lift the lid on Windows 10 Cloud officially, and for the moment the spotlight is on next month’s Creators Update. Once that has been released, expect to hear plenty more about the company’s plans for its flagship operating system going forward.

Close to the Metal ep. 33: Ryzen is here, but is AMD really back?

AMD’s Ryzen is here, and ready to destroy any hopes Intel had for world domination — or at least, that’s what they tell us. In fact, we heard this same rhetoric come out for the last big architecture change, Bulldozer, only to be sorely disappointed when it landed. Even in the Radeon RX Series cards couldn’t keep up with Intel’s latest and great. Is this the chip that finally puts AMD back in mainstream systems?

Probably not. While the highest-end Ryzen chips compete very well with Intel’s CPUs when the core count surpasses four, the instructions per clock still can’t keep up with the most popular chips from Intel, such as the Core i7-6600K, which remains our top pick for gaming machines.

It’s not all bad news for the red team. The Ryzen chips fight up a weight class when it comes to prosumer and home workstation systems, particularly with the R7 1800 X, which boasts performance not seen with even upgraded X99 Intel processors, depending on the workload. We ran the processors through the ringer of not just performance tests and stress tests, but overclock testing too, for those who like to erk out extra performance.

So is it worth making the jump to AMD’s brand new platform? We’ll dig into the performance results and pricing structure to decide who exactly needs Ryzen, and who should stick with the status quo and choose an Intel chip. All that and more on this week’s Close to the Metal.

Close to the Metal is a podcast from Digital Trends that focuses on the geekier side of life. It tackles the topics PC enthusiasts argue over in language everyone can understand. Please subscribe, share, and send your questions to podcast@digitaltrends.com. We broadcast the show live on YouTube every Tuesday at 1pm EST/10am PST.