Google Home Mini is the Amazon Echo Dot competitor we need — now it just has to sell

Google’s problem hasn’t been that it can’t make good hardware. It’s just that it’s never been able to market it properly.

Fun fact: Google Home is my favorite of the connected-speaker-assist-things so far. I like it more than Amazon Echo. Way more than the Echo Dot. Maybe not quite as much as Echo Show, but that’s a whole ‘nother product just waiting for a purpose.

No, these are not to scale.

The just-leaked Google Home Mini, as leaked by Droid-Life, has me downright excited.

Start with the way it looks. It’s got that same sort of fabric thing going on that the original Google Home has. And so long as you get away from the drab gray (please, Google, make sure that’s not the only color available at launch), it’s going to be a looker. After the Echo Show, Google Home is the best-designed of the bunch. This should follow in its footsteps.

Then there’s the diminutive size. Like the Echo Dot, it’s going to be small. While the OG Google Home isn’t exactly massive, something even smaller will be able to tucked into corners that much more, and that’s a good thing. How good will it sound? I have no idea. But size generally does matter when it comes to that sort of thing. I’d be surprised if it’s as good as the original Echo Home. But so long as it’s at least as good as the Echo Dot (and that’s a low bar, I know), then we’re good. But figure it’ll also be able to shoot out to other speakers, so…

Also, this:

Also I am totally down for smart speakers that look like whoopee cushions https://t.co/PO0j6P6Ugp

— Chris Davies (@c_davies) September 19, 2017

Next is the price. The unofficial listing (until Oct. 4, anyway) is $49, right in line with the Echo Dot. That’s important because price is the Dot’s one true weapon. It doesn’t look great. It doesn’t sound great. And I’d argue that Google’s “Actions” are generally better and easier to use than Alexa’s “Skills.” (Plus remember that Google Home can now make phone calls.)

Amazon still has a huge advantage in that it promotes the Echo Dot on its home page — and doesn’t sell Google Home.

But you haven’t been able to beat the price of the Echo Dot, which we’ve seen dip to just under $40 when on sale. (And I’m not counting the Eufy Genie, which is basically an inferior Echo Dot.)

At $49 — and figure we’ll probably see discounts, and even more likely a “Buy a phone, get a Home Mini for free” deal — this is going to be priced to move.

The final piece of the puzzle is marketing. Google’s gotten a lot better at that over the past few years, with specifically with its Android Wear “Be together, not the same” commercials, and later with spots for the Pixel phones. It’ll need to spend a bunch of bucks promoting the Home Mini to keep up with Amazon. (To say nothing of the front-page advertising advantage Amazon has, as well as the fact that you can’t actually buy a Google Home on Amazon, because competition sucks and all that.)

But it looks like Google’s finally got something on its hands that can compete with the Echo Dot. Now it just has to sell it. Erm, after it’s actually announced.

Google Hardware

• Google Wifi review
• Google Home review
• Everything you need to know about the Chromecast Ultra
• Chromecast vs Chromecast Ultra: Which should you buy?

Google Wifi:

Google
Amazon

Google Home:

Google
Best Buy

Chromecast Ultra:

Google
Best Buy

Google Pixelbook convertible breaks cover with high-end hardware, pen and big price tag

It’s Google hardware leak day!

Right alongside fresh leaks of the Pixel 2 XL and new Google Home Mini, we also have information on a brand new Pixel-branded Chromebook from Google called the Pixelbook. Droid-Life has a couple of images and some information, pointing to a true successor to the first two Chromebook Pixels with high-end hardware and a relatively traditional laptop-like form factor.

The core differentiation from previous Chromebook Pixels is that the Google Pixelbook folds over into a tablet and has an optional $99 “Pixelbook Pen” stylus for input, not unlike the Samsung Chromebook Pro that was made in tight coordination with Google. The Pixelbook, however, is a top-end laptop with a purported starting price of $1149 for 128GB of internal storage. Additional storage bumps to 256GB at $1,399 and 512GB at $1,749 will also be available.

The available Pixelbook render shows a svelte laptop with relatively typical proportions and what could be a large speaker above the keyboard before the screen hinge. At this price a metal unibody is a good bet, there’s a big trackpad, and the display looks to have the same sort of taller-than-most 3:2 aspect ratio. The now-conventional rotating screen points to the Pixelbook being a different hardware project from the previously rumored crazy 2-in-1 device Google is also apparently working on.

The early Chromebook Pixels were very clearly beloved by those who were willing to shell out the big dollars for an ultimate Chromebook experience, but with their high price they were hardly big sellers. It’s interesting to see Google going back to the well again with super-high-end hardware and pricing for a Chromebook — a product category so many people currently associate with a $200-400 budget laptop.

We should expect to hear all of the details and explanation from Google at its October 4 event, where we’ll also see the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL phones, Google Home Mini and maybe a few more treats as well.

Senate passes bill requiring easy access to public government data

Dreams of making government data easily accessible just came a little closer to reality. The US Senate has passed a defense authorization bill that includes the OPEN Government Data Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at making public data useful. The measure insists that any government agency info published on Data.gov must be made available in a “machine-readable” format (that is, your PC or phone knows what to do with it) and should be easily searched. To put it another way, the government can’t just dump raw files and expect you to make sense of them.

The act also includes clauses designed to protect “privacy and national security,” so it shouldn’t include extremely sensitive data about you or any military secrets. And federal officials have to use this info (when relevant) for decision-making, giving them a vested interest in making the data useful.

A version of the defense bill has already cleared the House of Representatives without mention of the data act, so the next step is to send it to a Conference Committee to sort out differences. If the data portion sticks, it’s likely to become law. The biggest challenge isn’t so much opening government data to the public as it is getting the full story — as we’ve already seen, the current administration isn’t fond of data that contradicts its agenda.

Source: Senator Ben Sasse, Congress.gov

Hilton Honors members can spend their points on Amazon

Folks in the Hilton Honors reward program have a new reason to hoard points: They can now pay with them when shopping on Amazon. Not for everything, mind you, as most digital content (Kindle downloads, music, Amazon Video, and so on) are off-limits. But you can spend your Hilton Honors points on the rest of your oddball needs and late-night purchases.

Now with Hilton Honors you can use your Points to buy tons of stuff at @amazon! https://t.co/zhxUMU7jib pic.twitter.com/QkkGkHsKme

— Hilton Honors (@HiltonHonors) September 19, 2017

Users need only sign in to their Amazon Account, click ‘Shop With Points’ and choose Hilton Honors. The full list of un-buyable items is up on the FAQ page, as well as the conversion rate (500 Honors points equals one dollar). Finally, Hilton rewards customers must subject themselves to one more hurdle: You can’t use ‘one click’ buying when shopping with points.

Source: Business Wire

Apple’s fitness-focused watchOS 4 is available for download

As you might have guessed, iOS 11 isn’t the only treat Apple has in store for its mobile device owners. The tech giant has also released watchOS 4, a major update to the Apple Watch that focuses on the health-conscious crowd. It includes many more workout types, lets you switch activities in mid-workout and will even sync with gym machines to provide consistent data. Also, heart rate monitoring is taking giant strides forward — watchOS now provides a more detailed history of your heart rate, offers a view of your heart rate from your watch face and will warn you if there’s a spike in heart rate when you’re inactive.

There are plenty of improvements even when you aren’t headed for your morning run. There’s a slew of new watch faces, including a Siri face that provides context-sensitive info, a trippy Kaleidoscope face and Toy Story characters. You can browse apps in a easier-to-tap list instead of the usual grid, and the music app has been reworked with both a fresher interface and automatic syncing for Apple Music playlists. You’ll also find hooks for Apple Pay Cash, although the money transfer feature won’t be available until later in the fall.

A heads-up: watchOS 4 won’t be available for your Watch until you install iOS 11, so be sure to do that first.

Source: Apple

Your local library’s e-books will now show up in Google searches

Google has made life a little easier for those who like to check out e-books from their local library. Now, when you search for a book through Google, results for libraries near you that carry that e-book will show up along with outlets where you can buy it.

Calling all U.S. bookworms! Now you can take a look at what e-books are available to borrow at your local library, right in Search. 📚 pic.twitter.com/jxiripTUMh

— Google (@Google) September 18, 2017

Here’s how it works. On mobile, search for the book you’re interested in and click the “Get Book” tab that appears right up top, just under the book’s info. You’ll then see where you can buy the e-book and below that, which libraries have it available. On desktop, the purchasing and library information appears on the right-hand side of the screen, just scroll down to get to the library bit. Once you click your library, you’ll need your membership information to log in and get the book.

Google is packing more and more into its search features these days, but this option is pretty convenient and could save you a trip to the library, or at least a search step. The feature is currently US-only and is rolling out now.

Via: SlashGear

Source: Google

Google’s mini Home speaker and Pixel 2 XL leak ahead of October event (updated)

If Google was trying to keep all its October 4th announcements under wraps, it just failed in spectacular fashion. Droid Life has obtained images and details for three of the headliners, and it’s clear that there are a few surprises even if you’ve been following the leaks pretty closely. To start, that rumored tiny Home speaker has a name and a face. It’s the Google Home Mini (at left), and it’s basically what you’d expect: an Echo Dot-like $49 puck that ditches the higher-quality speakers in favor of a laser-like focus on Google Assistant. You won’t get to swap coverings like you can with the full-size Home, but you will have the option of an eye-catching coral color in addition to more pedestrian charcoal (black) and chalk (white/silver).

As for the Pixel 2 XL? The phone itself is a poorly kept secret, but we now know what it’ll look like in finished form (it’s pretty close to the renders) and how much it’ll cost you. You’ll get both “black and white” (above at center) and “just black” hues, with pricing starting at $849 for a 64GB model and $949 for 128GB. That’s expensive as far as Google-branded phones go, but consider this: when the Galaxy Note 8 starts around $930 and the iPhone X will cost $999, this top-of-the-range Pixel might seem like a bargain.

The Daydream View headset isn’t quite so earth-shattering as the other two leaks, but it does look like it has a different finish (including a coral option) and will cost $99 instead of the $79 you paid for the original. It’s not certain what that extra $20 gets you, if anything — there could be functional upgrades to the headset and controller, a more sweat-resistant covering or just an arbitrary price hike. Either way, you don’t have too much longer to wait for the full scoop.

Update: A leak has also emerged for the standard-sized Pixel 2. It’ll sell at typical 2017 flagship prices ($649 for 64GB, $749 for 128GB) and will come in a melancholic “Kinda Blue” (below) in addition to black and white colors.

Source: Droid Life (Home Mini), (Pixel 2 XL), (Daydream View), (Pixel 2)

Apple Music’s Android app adds voice search and social features

Apple announced that it would bring your friends’ listening habits to Apple Music at WWDC this past summer. iOS users who use the streaming music service will be able to start using the feature after updating to iOS 11. Now, Android-using Apple Music fans will be able to see their friends’ listening habits, too, with a new update to the app in the Google Play store.

The updated Android Apple Music app also has a new voice search, a recently played widget and shortcuts to Beats 1 and Search functions. You can touch and hold the home button or say “Ok Google” to play songs, albums, artists and Beats 1 with Apple’s music service. You can also show and play music you’ve recently listened to on your home screen in the new widget. If you tap and hold the Apple Music app icon, you’ll have the option to play Beats 1 or start a new search without having to launch the app first.

Source: Google Play

Hulu’s Live TV service is now available on Roku devices

Hulu’s been expanding its Live TV beta rollout alongside that of its newly-redesigned UI, and both are now available on Roku. Users who sign up get the full livestreaming service with over 50 channels plus the option to add-on HBO, Cinemax and Showtime for nominal fees.

The set-top box isn’t the first to get Hulu Live TV: Mac and PC users got access a month ago and Amazon’s Fire TV devices were introduced a month before. Android, Chromecast, Apple TV and iOS users can watch it. Heck, even Xbox 360 and Xbox One owners can use the service. But hey, being a little late has its perks, like getting in as Hulu TV adds more channels and its original content wins Emmys.

The compatible Roku products are listed below:

• Roku Streaming Stick (3600)
• Roku Express
• Roku Express+
• Roku Premiere+
• Roku Premiere
• Roku Ultra
• Roku 3
• Roku 4
• All Roku TV models

Source: Hulu

New ‘Wolfenstein’ trailer is a reminder to always fight fascism

Nazis are the perfect video game enemy because they have zero redeeming qualities. It’s something the Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus development team at Machine Games knows and the marketing department at publisher Bethesda Softworks is keen to capitalize on, especially given the current political climate. Watching the latest trailer, it’s hard to not feel like it’s a direct response to Donald Trump’s “violence on both sides” statements regarding Klansmen, neo-Nazis, white supremacists and their counter-protesters from Charlottesville last month.

NO. MORE. NAZIS. Watch the brand new #Wolf2 gameplay trailer now. pic.twitter.com/KBFKxShzpf

— Wolfenstein (@wolfenstein) September 19, 2017

Faceless jack-booted soldiers goose-step in a celebratory ticker tape parade and brand new Nazi flags line the streets while our own hangs tattered and solitary, covered in ash. It’s chilling image that thankfully doesn’t last for too long. “We gotta set this right, Grace,” protagonist BJ Blaskowicz says at one point. “Put the fightin’ spirit back in the American people; ignite a revolution.” That’s when all hell breaks loose and fascists start dying in a rain of blood, bullets and fire.

The trailer isn’t for the faint of heart (there’s plenty of swearing and at least one axe hitting a Nazi forehead), but after 35 years of Wolfenstein anyone surprised probably hasn’t been paying attention. When I got to play the game at E3, the section was all about making players feel vulnerable. It’s pretty clear that won’t be the case for the full game when it’s released this October 27th.

Source: Wolfenstein (Twitter)