Amazon announces reference device for an Alexa-powered smart lamp

There’s no shortage of Alexa gadgets to choose from, but Amazon wants to make sure you’ve got access to as many options as possible. On March 28, the online shopping giant announced three new white-box reference devices that’ll make it as easy as possible for more companies to kick out their own Alexa speakers and lamps.

Amazon partnered with original design manufacturers (ODMs) JUNLAM, Narui, and Adition to create the reference devices, and they include two speaker designs and one smart lamp.

Smart speakers that use Alexa are a dime-a-dozen, but smart lamps are still a rarity. Adition created the Amazon’s reference lamp, and it’s described as —

A smart home solution that gives soft, warm light with dimming support. It doubles as an Alexa-enabled smart speaker with a 2-mic solution, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, and support for multiple music services.

It looks a lot like an Echo Plus that had its plastic body swapped out for a lamp, and I personally think the design is solid. The Alexa lamps that actually come to market won’t look identical to what Adition’s designed, but they’ll likely have the same general shape and features.

The two smart speakers from JUNLAM and Narui are fairly generic-looking, and both offer a 2-microphone system, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and stereo speakers.

Amazon makes it easier to find previously heard songs with Alexa

Free games for PlayStation 4 you probably haven’t heard of

Free is always the better deal!

Sometimes we get bored of the games in our current library and need to spice things up a bit. So what happens if you’re on a tight budget or waiting for payday? You check out the free section of the PlayStation Store of course!

For the sake of giving you something new and interesting, I won’t be adding games like Warframe or War Thunder to the line-up. Those games are wildly popular and chances are you’ve already been playing them. This one is all about the diamonds in the rust!

Spelunker World

It’s time to experience the joy of discovery with Spelunker World. There are plenty of things to find from treasures to collect to devices that will make your adventure easier. Play solo or grab your friends to figure out all the puzzles and get deeper into the Earth’s crusts! Spooky monsters and deadly traps are waiting for your in these ruins, so get the team and see what lies at the end of the tunnel!

See on PlayStation the Store

Skyforge

If there is anything most gamers are a sucker for, it’s a good massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). While other MMOs for the PlayStation exist, including DC Online, I feel that Skyforge has hit the nail on the head. While DC Online was fun to play I found as the quests continued on it required a lot more reading than my “I’m trying to relax” brain appreciated. Sometimes you just want to power through and grind levels doing all the quests you can, and Skyforge does just this. The scenery was beautiful, there was nothing complicated about the gameplay, leveling up was fun and the community was wonderful!

See on PlayStation the Store

Happy Dungeons

This adorable title will allow you to become the hero you want to be in the way you’ve always wanted to. Wield your magic, grab your sword and shield or even dual wield your daggers! Happy Dungeons is a role-playing game with multiplayer options for you to bring your friends in on the fun! Bonus feature? You don’t need PlayStation Plus to play online with your friends!

See on PlayStation the Store

Pox Nora

Fantasy games are getting wildly popular, and Pox Nora is here to bring you a new turn-based adventure. Here you will take on quests to raise your stature in this world of immortals and fight your way to the top. They have a grid-like fighting system, complete with deciding your attacks and defenses. Collect your heroes, runes, and cards to strengthen your army! Are you ready for the battle?

See on PlayStation the Store

Dungeon Defenders II

Here you have a fun adventure where you’ll battle small orcs to protect what is yours and find more loot. The graphics for Dungeon Defenders II is colorful, vibrant and fun to watch. Even the gameplay was simple and easy to get the hang of! So, grab your choice weapon and make your way through the obstacles!

See on PlayStation the Store

Thoughts?

What do you think of the free-to-play games listed above? Which one is your favorite? If I didn’t list one that you know you love to tell me about it in the comments below!

Updated March 2018: We’ve added new free titles for you to check out!

PlayStation 4

• PS4 vs. PS4 Slim vs. PS4 Pro: Which should you buy?
• PlayStation VR Review
• Playing PS4 games through your phone is awesome

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Google releases Android P developer preview for Wear OS

There’s a darker UI, restrictions on apps running in the background, and more.

About two weeks after Google rebranded Android Wear as Wear OS, the company is now releasing the first Android P developer preview for its smartwatch platform. This first preview is intended to be used exclusively by developers and not for regular daily use, but it does give us a glimpse of what Google’s cooking up.

First off, one of the biggest user-facing changes is a slightly tweaked user interface. Menus and gestures will remain the same, but Google’s adopting a darker background for menus and the notification panel. Some watches were updated with this new look with Wear OS 2.8 back in January, and going forward with Android P, this will be the default look for all devices.

To improve battery life, Android P is introducing a couple big changes to Wear OS. Wi-Fi will automatically turn off when your watch is connected to your phone via Bluetooth and apps will no longer be able to run in the background unless your watch is charging. Watch faces and complications will be the only exception to this rule, and Google notes that both of these features will be rolled out to Wear OS “gradually.”

This is the very first developer preview, and as such, not ready for daily use.

In another attempt to extend the time between charges, Android P will also automatically disable Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and any cellular radios when your watch has been off your wrist for “an extended period of time.”

Last but not least, Google also notes that “To improve app compatibility, Android P has started the process of restricting access to non-SDK methods and fields.”

There’s currently no timeline for Android P’s public launch for Wear OS, but if it lines up with Android P for phones and tablets, we should see it launch at some point in August. If you’re a developer or someone that doesn’t mind running buggy software, the Android P preview is available now for the Bluetooth versions of the Huawei Watch 2 and Huawei Watch 2 Classic.

Wear OS by Google officially replaces Android Wear

How to use Google Pay on your Wear OS smartwatch

Google Pay is here and easier to use than ever.

The biggest perk about having access to parts of your smartphone from your watch is convenience. Whether that means checking the weather while you are getting dressed, or being able to easily glance down for a moment to check your notifications. Google Pay is now available for use right from your wrist, provided that your watch is running Wear OS and has NFC.

How to set up Google Pay on your watch

Using Google Pay is thankfully an uncomplicated affair once you’ve got everything set up. It will take a few minutes to get yourself situated, so it’s something you’re going to want to do before you roll out of the house to run your errands.

First you’ll want to install Google Pay on your phone, and add the card that you want to use. Next make sure that your watch is connected to your phone via Bluetooth. From here you can open up Google Pay on your watch, and tap add card to choose from your previously-added cards. If you want to add a different card all you need to do is tap add card once again and switch back to your phone to verify details. Once it has been verified it will be added to the cards available with the Google Pay app on your watch.

Download: Google Pay (free)

Step by step instructions to set up Google Pay

Install Google Pay on your phone.
Add the card you want to use, verifying with your bank.
Make sure your watch is connected to your phone via Bluetooth.
Open Google Pay on your watch, tap add card to choose from cards on your phone.

And that’s it!

How to use Google Pay on your watch

In a fast-paced world, there are times when convenience is definitely key. Sometimes you only have a few minutes to dart into the corner store for that caffeine rush first thing in the morning, or you’re already distracted. That’s where having access to Google Pay right from your wrist comes in. With just a tap, you’ll be able to pay for your purchases and continue about your day. For anyone who has accidentally left their wallet (or even their phone) at home, this is a serious boon.

More watches with Google Pay are coming.

First thing’s first, you’ll want to launch the Google Pay app on your watch. You can program one of your hardware buttons to launch Google Pay, and even better, it doesn’t need to be connected to your phone in order to make a payment. If you’re ready to pay with your default card, just place the top edge of your watch to the payment terminal. When the payment is accepted you’ll feel a long vibration on your watch, and the payment terminal will likely also beep.

Now, if you want to switch to one of your alternate cards, that’s also easy to do. If you swipe up on your watch screen, it will reveal additional cards that you can choose from. These are the cards that have been entered and verified in the Google Pay app on your phone. If you want to switch to a new default card, tap on the card it view it, swipe up on the card, and then tap the blue bar with a check mark at the bottom. When it’s time to delete a card follow the same steps, but instead of tapping the blue bar, swipe up one more time and then tap the trash can to delete that card.

Step by step instructions to use Google Pay

To get ready to pay, launch the Google Pay app on your watch.
Place the top edge of your watch to the payment terminal until you get a long vibration on the watch.

• The payment terminal will also likely beep to confirm.

If you want to switch cards before paying, swipe up on the screen to reveal additional cards.

• To change a new card to default, tap on the card to view its details, swipe up on the card and then tap the blue bar with a check mark at the bottom
• To delete a card, follow the same steps but give the bar an extra swipe up and tap the trash can to remove

You’re now ready to pay like a pro with just your smartwatch!

Android Wear

• Everything you need to know about Android Wear 2.0
• LG Watch Sport review
• LG Watch Style review
• These watches will get Android Wear 2.0
• Discuss Android Wear in the forums!

Today’s best deals you won’t want to miss

Whether you’re looking for new tech gear or household items, we’ve got you covered.

Today you can get great deals on a variety of devices including Apple’s newest iPad, the UE Wonderboom speaker, the G610 mechanical keyboard, and more! Don’t pass these up.

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If you want to know about the deals as soon as they are happening, you’ll want to follow Thrifter on Twitter, and sign up for the newsletter, because missing out on a great deal stinks!

Three people are suing Facebook for collecting call/text logs on Android

Like it or not, what Facebook did here was perfectly legal.

Shortly after the Facebook + Cambridge Analytica scandal broke, it was discovered that Facebook was also collecting call and text logs on people’s Android phones and storing all of them. The social network did this legally using Android’s permissions system, but even so, not everyone was pleased to learn about this.

Three users, in particular, were especially disgruntled, and as such, have decided to sue Facebook.

The lawsuit was filed at a federal court in California’s Northern District, and at this time, Facebook has yet to comment on it.

I understand being upset about what Facebook did here, but I personally don’t think these three users have any real chance at winning the suit. Is what Facebook did upsetting? Sure. However, just about all of us gave the company access to that data. Like Andrew said is his article explaining the issue —

But that’s what this all comes back to in the end: you gave Facebook access to that information. Android’s shaky and overly broad permissions settings gave Facebook a massive helping hand to accomplish this, but you installed the app and you pushed the button to allow the permissions as part of the installation.

Good luck, folks.

Facebook kept logs of calls and messages on Android phones, and followed the rules to do it

You can now pair your Google Home to other Bluetooth speakers

Your $49 Home Mini just got a lot more powerful.

When Google released the Home Mini, it received a lot of criticism for not including a 3.5mm headphone jack so you could connect it to another, more powerful speaker. This is one big advantage the Echo Dot has over the Home Mini, but that conversation is now changing with the ability to stream audio from Google Homes to Bluetooth speakers.

Prior to this update, users have only been able to send audio to Home speakers using Bluetooth on phones. However, with today’s update, you can now send audio from Home devices to other Bluetooth-enabled speakers.

To get started, simply go the device settings in the Home app and follow the instructions for pairing your Bluetooth speakers to your Google Home. Once this is done, you can either have your Bluetooth speaker replace audio output from your Google Home or add it to an audio group and quickly get multi-room audio.

You’ll still need to talk to your Home speaker to perform voice commands, but even so, this is a great feature to have. I imagine most people will use this with the Home Mini, but it also works on the regular Home and Home Max.

Google Home

• Google Home review
• Google Home Mini: Everything you need to know!
• Google Home Max review
• These services work with Google Home
• Google Home vs. Amazon Echo
• Join our Google Home forums!

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Volkswagen goes full America with its truck concept

Volkswagen automaker really wants you to know that it’s building cars for America. In fact, at the New York Auto Show it delivered a concept vehicle that might as well have had the Stars and Stripes painted on the side of it. Get your tailgate parties ready for the Atlas Tanoak truck.

Volkswagen’s head of design Klaus Bischoff said that the truck is, “built for America by Americans” in reference to its plant in Tennessee where the Tanoak would be built if the automaker decides to put it into production. Based on the Atlas MQB platform, the pickup looks more like it’s ready for adventure than hauling hay and tools. To that end, the automaker called it a lifestyle utility vehicle.

The exterior does look rugged though (it’s even got a hitch) and the bed is ready for you to throw either your quad, mountain bike, or kayaks in it. Meanwhile, the interior caters to the fans of technology and luxury that enjoy the feeling of being pampered after a long day of experiencing the many splendors of the American outdoors.

Besides hoping to eventually have one of its vehicles seen at tailgate parties, Volkswagen also showed off its smaller crossover, the Atlas Cross Sport concept. It’s 7.5 inches shorter than the production Atlas with room for five passengers and looks ready to take on the small-SUV market.

While the truck is still an idea, the Atlas Cross Sport should go into production at the end of 2019. Meanwhile, pickup fans should hassle the automaker to make sure that Tanoak makes it into showrooms in the future. Because America.

Click here to catch up on the latest news from the 2018 New York Auto Show.

Apple trains Chicago teachers to put coding in more classrooms

Apple isn’t quite done announcing educational plans in Chicago. It just unveiled a partnership with Northwestern University and public schools to help teachers bring programming and other forms of computer science into Chicago-area classrooms. The trio will set up a learning hub at Lane Tech College Prep High School (conveniently, the venue for Apple’s iPad event) that will introduce high school teachers to Apple’s Everyone Can Code curriculum. They’ll also have the option to train in an App Development with Swift course to boost the number of high school-oriented computer science teachers.

Teachers will also have options for in-school coaching and mentorship to make sure they’re comfortable with the curriculum when they’re in front of actual students.

This isn’t coming out of nowhere. Apple had already been working with Chicago to expand its Everyone Can Code program across the city. However, it does address a common problem with initiatives to bring coding to schools: educating the teachers themselves. It’s relatively easy for tech giants to supply devices and course material, but that doesn’t matter much if the teachers don’t have a good grip on the information they’re passing along. Apple clearly stands to gain from this (more kids will grow up using its products), but it could benefit the larger educational community if teachers feel more at ease with technology on a broader level.

Source: Apple

Uber reportedly reduced the number of sensors on its autonomous cars

Uber is facing some intense scrutiny after one of its self-driving cars struck and killed a pedestrian in Arizona ten days ago. The company (along with it’s partner, NVIDIA) has stopped testing its autonomous vehicle in cities across the US, and the Arizona governor suspended the tests specifically in that state. According to a report by Reuters, Uber allegedly scaled back on the number of safety sensors used to detect objects in the road, resulting in a blind zone on the Volvo SUV model involved in the accident.

Autonomous cars use radar, cameras and LiDAR to detect obstacles and pedestrians in their path. Reuters reports that Uber scaled back to a single LiDAR sensor on the Volvo test cars the company currently uses in its fleets. The resulting vehicles have more blind spots, says Reuter‘s sources, than Uber’s previous generation of self-driving cars as well as that of rivals, which can use five or six sensors. It’s unclear whether the lack of LiDAR played a role in the accident, but it’s a fact likely to come under some sort of scrutiny during any investigation. We’ve reached out to Uber for comment and will update this post when we hear back.

Source: Reuters