Two left feet? No problem. This A.I. can turn anyone into a dancer

Are you a terrible dancer who dreams of one day starring in a toe-tapping music video that would have made Michael Jackson jealous? If so, you’ve got two options: go the Napoleon Dynamite route and put in some serious practice, or simplify the process by taking advantage of some cutting-edge artificial intelligence.

Since you’re still reading and not off YouTubing “How to dance” videos, we’re going to assume the second of these options is the one that more appeals to you. If so, you have researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, to thank. Using the kind of “deepfake” technology that makes it possible to carry out realistic face-swaps in videos, they have developed a tool which can make even the most bumbling and uncoordinated among us look like experts.

“We have developed a method to transfer dance motions from one individual — a professional dancer — to another, [who we’ll refer to as ‘Joe’ for this example,]” Shiry Ginosar, a Ph.D. student in Computer Vision at UC Berkeley, told Digital Trends. “In order to do this, we take a video of Joe performing all kinds of motions. We use this video to train a generative adversarial network to learn a model of how Joe looks and moves. When we have learned this model, we can take a stick figure of a body pose as input and generate a still photograph of Joe performing that body pose as output. If we have a whole video of a dancing stick figure, we can generate a whole video of Joe dancing in the same way. Now, given a video of the professional dancer, we extract the body pose of the dancer and go back to Joe and generate a video of him dancing in much the same way.”

Aside from the fun of being able to make anyone resemble an expert dancer, Ginosar said that dancing presents an interesting challenge for this kind of deepfake technology. That’s because it involves the entire human body moving in a fluid way, which is considerably different (and tougher) than the more static pose or face transfers which have been carried out so far.

A paper describing the work, titled “Everybody Dance Now,” is available to read on the arXiv preprint server. In addition to Ginosar, other researchers on the project included Caroline Chan, Tinghui Zhou, and Alexei Efros.

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A dual-screen MacBook concept shows how Apple could ditch the keyboard

Image credit: Furkan Kasap

One way for Apple to solve the MacBook Pro’s highly publicized keyboard problems and issues with sticky keys is to ditch the physical keyboard altogether. In a concept of what a future MacBook Pro could look like if Apple removed the keyboard, Turkish designer Furkan Kasap envisions that the space will be occupied by a large screen. Essentially, Kasap envisions that Apple would retain the Touch Bar and replace the keyboard and trackpad portion with a larger display just below the Touch Bar. Essentially, this concept would compete against the crop of emerging dual-screen notebooks that use Microsoft’s Windows 10 platform.

Rather than having a trackpad, Kasap moves the keyboard to the bottom edge of the laptop, freeing up space in the area between the keyboard and the Touch Bar. This area contains a dynamic area of tiled windows that could be used for switching between apps or other programmable keys, The Next Web noted. Without a physical keyboard, Apple could dynamically rearrange the keys on this on-screen keyboard. In a short video detailing the new keyboard-less design, Kasap initially shows a keyboard arrangement with a number pad on the right. However, when you need to use a mouse, the number pad disappears, making way for a virtual trackpad.

While this design is functional — the keyboard layout and design can automatically change depending on the application or what the user needs — there are still some downsides going with a keyboard-less design. Typing on a glass surface may not be as comfortable as using physical keys. Typing a long email could lead to faster finger fatigue on a touchscreen keyboard, but Apple could simulate physical key presses by applying its 3D Touch technology from today’s Apple Watch and iPhone models to its new keyboard.

Removing the physical keyboard could also lead to an even slimmer MacBook Pro. Apple could either remove the space required for the butterfly key switches on the keyboard and slim down the laptop, or it could potentially keep the laptop at the same thickness and add in a beefier battery for even longer battery life. Kasap’s concept is one of the best examples of how laptop manufacturers can adopt a large second display on a notebook and maintain an elegant user experience. Are you ready to give up your physical keyboard for this futuristic MacBook?

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The best cases for the Pixel 2 XL!

What are the best cases for the Google Pixel 2 XL?

The Google Pixel 2 XL is a beautifully designed phone — especially if you snagged the panda/Stormtrooper Black and White edition. But as much as you’ll want to show it off, you’re also going to want to protect a phone that cost you close to $1000.

We’ve rounded up the best case options specifically for the Pixel 2 XL.

• Google Live Cases
• Google Fabric Cases
• Bellroy leather case
• OtterBox Symmetry Series
• Spigen Tough Armor
• Spigen Thin Fit
• Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro
• Ringke Fusion
• Caseology Vault Series
• i-Blason Ares
• Vena vCommute wallet case
• Carved wooden cases
• Lifeprooof FRE case

Google Live Cases

Best for Added Features

Google has curated a great selection of cases that feature artwork, photos from space, and naturally beautiful images that are really quite stunning. Prices start around $50 depending on whether you choose a minimalist shell or a more rugged dual-layer case. Create and customize your own case via the Google Store.

See at Google Store

Google’s Live Cases for the Pixel 2 XL are entirely customizable with your own photos plus a wide range of styles curated by Google. Maybe you’ll decide on a gorgeous satellite photo from Google Earth which also pairs with a matching live wallpaper for a cohesive look around your device. Looking to add a bit more of an artistic flair to your case? Check out the Artworks Live Case and find something that matches your style.

Google Fabric Cases

Premium Pick

Designed in-house by Google, this case features great build quality and is a perfect fit for your Pixel 2 XL. The fabric finish is uniquely Google and on the inside, you get a premium microfiber liner to ensure your device stays scuff-free. Choose from four color combinations for $40.

See at Google Store

If you prefer your phone case to have some texture for grip, you’re probably going to love the Google Fabric Case. It’s got the same look as the Google Home Mini, so if you’re a big Google fan and love all your tech to have a uniform look.

Bellroy leather case

Upscale Option

This stylish leather case from Bellroy is available in four color choices and will keep your phone well-protected. Backed by a 3-year warranty from Bellroy, you can get this premium leather case for your Pixel 2 XL for $49.

See at Amazon

Another great option that used to be exclusively offered through the Google itself. Bellroy makes all sorts of great leather accessories such as wallets and bags, but they also make great leather accessories for phones, laptops, and tablets. The Pixel 2 XL case combines leather, flexible polymer, and a microfibre lining on the interior to create a great case that looks great with a streamlined design to keep things sleek in your hand.

OtterBox Symmetry Series

Iconic protection

OtterBox cases are known for being great cases that offer outstanding protection for your phone with great customer support. Starting at just $22, you can get this great case for your Pixel 2 XL in your chose of four colors.

See at Amazon

Unlike other bulkier OtterBox case styles, the Symmetry Series is designed to be rugged and sleek. This is a dual-layer case that will keep your phone well-protected without making it a pain to fit in your pocket.

Spigen Tough Armor case

Best Protection

Spigen has a solid lineup of cases for the Pixel 2 XL. The Tough Armor case offers a combination of flexible TPU interior and a rugged outer shell to provide great dual-layer protection for your phone, with Spigen’s air cushion technology offering support in the corners. Get the Tough Armor case for just $17 on Amazon.

See at Amazon

Despite its rugged design, the Tough Armor case is still mighty slim adding just 2.5 mm of thickness to your device. Another great feature is the pop-out kickstand built into the shell. There are so many handy reasons to have your phone propped up, and having this feature built right into the case means you don’t need to add a pop socket or style ring to the back of your phone.

Spigen Thin Fit

Thinnest Option

Keep your Pixel 2 XL safe from scuffs and scratches without sacrificing the slim design with the Thin Fit case for just $12. Available in black, this case will match the look of the Pixel 2 XL and features precise cutouts around the fingerprint scanner and camera on the back.

See at Amazon

It can be an issue finding a case for larger phones like the Google Pixel 2 XL that doesn’t add too much bulk to your phone. The Spigen Thin Fit case is about as minimalist as phone cases get, and it’s thin enough to keep the Active Edge compatibility fully intact — yet it still features Spigen’s Air Cushion technology in the corners for added drop protection.

Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro case

Most Resistant

Combining a polycarbonate outer shell with a flexible and shock-absorbing TPU sleeve around back, the Unicorn Beetle Pro goes an extra step further by including a built-in screen protector to provide maximum protection for your Pixel 2 XL. There’s also an optional belt clip holster if it’s convenient for you. Get yours from Amazon starting at $18.

See at Amazon

When you name your phone case after the Unicorn Beetle — one of the gnarliest looking armored bugs in the natural world — you better back it up with a rugged case. If you’ve used this style of case on another phone before, you’ll know it’s well-designed: beefy in the corners where it needs to be yet slim and sporty enough as to not turn your phone into a thick brick of plastic.

Ringke Fusion

Value Option

Available for just $11, the Ringke Fusion case offers two layers of protection for your phone — a rugged and shock-resistant TPU bumper combined with a ridged PC panel covering the back. There’s a protective lip around the front to save the display glass from harm, and there are precise cutouts around the fingerprint sensor, camera, and USB-C charging port.

See at Amazon

Looking for a reliable clear case for the Pixel 2 XL at a very reasonable price? Check out the Ringke Fusion case. Get the clear version if you want to preserve the original look of the Pixel 2 XL, or opt for the Rose Gold or Smoke Black versions.

Caseology Vault Series

Most Stylish

Caseology has a couple different cases available for the Pixel 2 XL. We recommend the Vault Series because it’s got a classic design for just $13. Made of flexible TPU, it features a sleek finish along the back and textured grip around the edges. It’s available in black and should look great whether you went with the Just Black or Black and White Pixel 2 XL.

See at Amazon

If you’re looking for something a bit more substantial, check out the Parallax Series ($16) which offers a slim, two-piece design to keep your Pixel well-protected. It’s also available in some really cool color combinations. Or consider the Legion Series ($14), which offers a more rugged matte shell around the back of the case.

i-Blason Ares

Best for Drops

This i-Blason case combines the protection of a rugged case with the views of a clear case. It has extra reinforcement in the corners to provide superior drop protection, has a built-in screen protector, and a transparent back so you can still enjoy the look of your phone. Get yours starting at just $18.

See at Amazon

If you’re looking for a solid case that provides optimum protection for your Pixel 2 XL, and you’re okay with adding a little bit of bulk to your already large phone, then i-Blason’s Ares case is the one you want. It’s available in five different styles and will absolutely keep your Pixel 2 XL safe and secure.

Vena vCommute wallet case

Best Wallet

This case features a magnetic flap on the back that covers a slot big enough for about three cards or a couple cards and some cash. There’s a raised lip in the card slot, so even if you only have one card, you can still slide it out easily. The folding magnetic flap doubles as a kickstand so you can watch video hands-free and can be yours for just $20.

See at Amazon

Vena’s sleek wallet case isn’t your typical folio-style wallet case, and it’s the perfect way to cut down on pocket carry with your Pixel 2 XL. If you don’t need the kickstand feature but still want a wallet case, they offer a sleeker credit card slot holder case%7B.cta.shop.nofollow&th=1) for just $12 on the same listing.

Carved wooden cases

Best Wood Case

Carved has a bunch of great case options available for phones like the Pixel 2 XL, including 52 stylish pre-made option featuring a mix of cool prints and fancy cut wood designs with prices ranging from $29 to $55, along with a selection of classic wood grain cases for just $24.

See at Carved

Carved also allows you to create your own custom case using an online case designer. They also offer the option to get a section of a map engraved or printed onto the case. With the right eye for design, you could design a case that uses the fingerprint scanner as part of your case’s decoration.

Lifeproof FRE case

Best Rugged Case

This Lifeproof case is designed to be form-fitting and lightweight while providing 360-degree protection that keeps all water and dust out while also providing great drop protection. This is marketed and sold as a premium case and that’s reflected in the price — at $89, it’s the most expensive case on our list but it’s arguably the most rugged, too. If you need a case that will live up to your rough and tumble lifestyle, this is the one.

See at Lifeproof

I suppose you could say we’ve saved the best for last. The Lifeproof FRE case is a go-to option for anyone who loves to stay connected while exploring the outdoors and never wants to worry about their phone getting wet or damaged while hiking, biking, or kayaking. It’s also designed to work with Lifeproof’s accessory mounts, which let you attach your phone to your car’s dashboard, an armband for running and hiking, and a bike mounts for riding the trails. If you intend to use your Pixel 2 XL for a couple more years yet and live an EXTREME lifestyle, this is well worth the investment.

How do you keep your phone protected?

What’s your favorite case for the Pixel 2 XL? Let us know if you’re getting one off our list or opting for a different option in the comments below!

Updated August 2018: Added the OtterBox Symmetry Series to our list and updated pricing information.

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Save 15% on your purchase of $25 or more at eBay today only

Load up your cart!

For a limited time today, eBay is running a sitewide sale that saves you 15% on your purchase of $25 or more when you use the coupon code PREGAME15 during checkout. The coupon can only be used once per account and has a maximum savings of $100. It’s not limited to specific sellers like other coupons are, but there are a few exceptions on product categories, including Coins & Paper Money, Gift Cards & Coupons, and Real Estate. If there are a few things that you’ve been eyeing at eBay, this is your chance to pick them up for less.

These sales are the perfect time to pull the trigger on that pricey gadget you’ve been second-guessing. Whether you’re looking for a Nintendo Switch console or an Xbox One X, a Philips Hue Starter Kit, Ring Video Doorbell 2, or some nice Bose headphones today is your big day. You’ll be able to find some great retailer-specific sales from big box stores like Best Buy and Newegg, along with others like Dyson and BuyDig.

• Bose Quiet Comfort 35 II – $254.15 (Was $299)
• Dyson Refurb V6 Motorhead – $169.99 (Was $200)
• Xbox Live 12-month Subscription – $42.49 (Was $50)
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• Samsung Evo 128GB microSD card – $42.49 (Was $50)
• Microsoft Surface Go – $466.65 (Was $549)

Remember this sale is site-wide, so be sure to browse to your heart’s content and then buy everything at once.

See at eBay

Why adding a screen makes the Lenovo Smart Display so much better

Voice is great, but sometimes you just can’t beat visuals.

Ask anyone who’s used Google Home for any length of time and they’ll tell you this — it’s great. But it could be so much better with a screen. And that’s where the new Lenovo Smart Display comes in. Think Google Home, with a screen. (And an even better audio experience, actually.)

Video, of course, is a big thing. And when you think video, you think YouTube. And the Lenovo Smart Display handles that better than any other product of this sort. But it goes even further, having great integration with YouTube TV for live shows, and Chromecast for anything and everything that uses that brilliant little protocol.

Or consider it in the kitchen. There’s a reason why cookbooks exist and we don’t usually reach for an audio recording of kitchen instructions, right? Having ingredients lists and instructions right in front of you, available to see, is how the cooking experience was meant to be done. Step by step, on the screen. (And, again, video!)

Then there’s the news. Audio is great, but a picture’s worth a word or two or a thousand or so. Some things just require video. And we’re now seeing major news platforms push dedicated video feeds to the Lenovo Smart Display, so you can always be up on what’s going on.

Amazon brings its $8 monthly Prime subscription to Canada

Spread the cost of your Prime membership over 12 months.

Amazon Canada has today introduced a monthly membership option for its Prime services. Beforehand, those wanting Amazon Prime above the border would have to pay the $79 annual fee upfront to gain access to its benefits, but can now opt to pay $7.99 per month instead. Prime members in the U.S. have had the option to pay monthly since late 2016, with UK members also being able to pay per month for some time.

Mike Strauch, country manager for Amazon Canada said:

Prime brings together the best of entertainment and shopping into a simple package at an unbelievable value for Canadians. With the launch of a monthly membership, we have added yet another easy way to enjoy Prime benefits.

Most will already be familiar with Amazon Prime and its shipping benefits that are available on millions of products. It’s what makes buying from Amazon super easy and convenient.

But Prime membership also gives you access to thousands of TV shows and movies with Prime Video — including original and exclusive content like The Grand Tour, Man in the High Castle and Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan — available to stream instantly on your tablet, phone or smart TV.

As well as Video, you’ll also be able to stream music to heart’s content as Prime Music is included in your Prime membership with over one million songs available at no additional cost. That’s not to mention game content via Twitch Prime, unlimited photo storage in Amazon Drive and exclusive early access to many Lightning Deals.

Those possessing a sharp mathematical mind will, of course, have noticed that the cost of Prime membership paid monthly for the year will amount to more than the annual $79 membership. But the option to pay per month gives shoppers the flexibility to cancel their membership at any time and renew it when they need it.

You can sign up for Amazon Prime and take advantage of the new monthly pricing, or opt to pay for the year in full, if you prefer, and new members can make the most of a 30-day free trial when doing so.

See at Amazon CA

The best microSD cards for your Galaxy Note 9

The Note 9 is one of the few phones with expandable storage — take advantage of it!

The Galaxy Note 9 comes with a hefty amount of storage with the base model at 128GB, but if you want to get more with the 512GB variant, you need to cough up another $250. Granted that version also comes with an extra 2GB of RAM, but that’s still a lot more money on top of an already expensive phone.

Thankfully, you don’t have to splurge for the 512GB Note 9 just to get more storage space. Instead, you can pick up a microSD card for a lot less money and still give yourself some more wiggle room.

Need some help deciding which one deserves your dollars? Here are our picks for the best microSD cards for the Galaxy Note 9!

• Silicon Power 32GB High Speed microSD Card
• SanDisk Ultra 64GB microSDXC Card
• Samsung 128GB EVO Select
• Samsung 256GB EVO Plus Class 10
• SanDisk Ultra 400GB microSDXC

Silicon Power 32GB High Speed microSD Card

Just need a little extra space? The Silicon Power 32GB microSD card allows you to add a bit more storage to your Note 9 for just a few bucks ($8.99, to be exact).

This card meets UHS-1 Class 10 standards to ensure fast performance, read speeds reach up to 85MB/s, and the included adapter allows you to also use this in a stnadard SD card slot.

See at Amazon

SanDisk Ultra 64GB microSDXC Card

For a few more dollars, you can step up to the SanDisk Ultra 64GB card. Along with the added space, read speeds are also a bit faster at 100MB/s.

SanDisk also includes a regular SD adapter, and just to be safe, you’ve got ratings for waterproofing, shockproofing, and temperature-proofing. For just under $18, you can’t go wrong with this one.

See at Amazon

Samsung 128GB EVO Select

Want to double your Note 9’s storage without breaking the bank? For about $35, you can get Samsung’s 128GB EVO Select microSD card and bring you total available storage up to an impressive 256GB.

Read and write speeds are rated at 100MB/s and 90MB/s, respectively, and the card’s rated to perform in temperatures ranging from -13°F to 185°F.

See at Amazon

Samsung 256GB EVO Plus Class 10

If you’ve got a bit more cash to burn through, you can step your game up to the $79 Samsung EVO Plus Class 10 microSD card with a whopping 256GB of space.

On top of all that storage, you also get an SD adapter, waterproofing, temperature protection, and ultra-fast read/write speeds.

See at Amazon

SanDisk Ultra 400GB microSDXC Card

Last but certainly not least, you can go all the way for $160 to pick up SanDisk’s 400GB microSD card — bringing your 128GB Note 9 up to a mostrous 528GB of available space!

There’s a 100MB/s max read speed, 10MB/s minimum write speed, waterproofing, protection against intense temperatures, and more.

See at Amazon

What do you think?

Which of the above cards are you getting for your Galaxy Note 9? Is there another great option that we missed? Let us know in the comments below!

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Google is growing Chrome OS the right way

Chrome OS started as a simple, nimble operating system — and it still is, even if you can do more with it.

When the first Chromebook — the CR 48 was shown off, Chrome OS was criticized for not being able to do much. By essentially being a web browser, popular Windows programs wouldn’t be available for users to download and run. Since then, that simplicity has become Chrome OS’s main appeal: schools, enterprises, and people that don’t need more than a web browser offers get an easy-to-use, secure operating system.

But Google has been growing Chrome OS to accommodate power users with the addition of Android and Linux apps and there are rumors of Windows making an appearance for Chromebooks with enough storage.

If you’re a consumer that likes Chromebooks because they’re just a browser — or a school or business who likes the security features that come with that — this can be a bit concerning. The reason Chrome OS is as secure as it is is because it doesn’t have the baggage of an operating system designed 30 years ago.

Fortunately, if you don’t need Android or Linux apps — or Windows if that becomes an option — you don’t have to have them turned on. And this isn’t just a case of ignoring the Google Play Store icon: you have to specifically enable support for Android applications in the settings. Even for Chromebooks like the HP Chromebook X2 that have the Google Play Store out of the box, you have to specifically enable Android application support in the settings or during the startup process.

If you don’t, the pieces that make Android apps work don’t exist on your system, period. If you’re a school or business deploying Chromebooks, you can easily disable Android (and presumably Linux and Windows when those reach the stable channel) support with the administrative tools.

Compared to Google, Microsoft is facing the opposite problem. Windows supports nearly every application under the sun, which also means it’s easy for novice users to end up with an infected system. Microsoft tried a stripped down, locked down version of Windows with Windows RT, and that didn’t work to say the least.

The latest version of this concept is Windows 10 in S mode. At first appearance, this is as simple as Chrome OS. But behind the scenes, it’s very much the same Windows 10 that you know and love. So while users have a more difficult time installing malware, there are still downsides compared to a “clean slate” like the way Chrome OS started. Windows 10 S requires the same amount of disk space as Windows 10 proper, and it’s still a bit more resource-hungry than lower-end computers can handle.

Microsoft knows this too, and they’re not standing still. But in the meantime, if you want an easy-to-use computer, something to issue to employees or students, or just a secure companion device, a Chromebook is your best bet. And even though Chromebooks can do more, they don’t have to.

What are your thoughts?

Do you use Android or Linux apps on your Chromebook, or leave them off? Let us know down below!

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Nest x Yale smart lock now supports Google Assistant voice commands

The new functionality is rolling out this Wednesday.

In March of this year, Nest officially launched its first smart lock in the form of the Nest x Yale. The lock features a keypad and can be controlled via the Nest app, and starting August 29, you’ll be able to manage it using the Google Assistant.

This is the first time any voice commands have been available for the Nest x Yale, and with Google Assistant support, you’ll be able to check the status of the lock, lock your door, and add it to any of your Assistant Routines. For example, if you add the Nest x Yale lock to a Routine titled “Goodnight”, you can turn off your lights, set an alarm, and lock all your doors with just one command.

All of these controls should prove to be mighty convenient, but take note that you won’t be able to unlock your door using Google Assistant. This was done as a sort of security precaution, and if you ask us, is a smart move on Nest’s part. Nest says you’ll be able to use Assistant commands for the Nest x Yale on both Google Home speakers and smartphones.

If you haven’t already picked up a Nest x Yale, the smart lock starts at $249 on its own or costs $279 if you buy it and a Nest Connect as part of a special bundle.

See at Nest

Bose has two new soundbars and a $400 Alexa speaker coming this October

Support for other assistants is coming at a later date.

Bose, one of the world’s most recognizable audio brands, is about to enter the smart speaker lineup in a big way. The company just announced three new products to lead these efforts, and they include the Bose Home Speaker 500, Bose Soundbar 700, and Bose Soundbar 500.

The Home Speaker 500 is Bose’s answer to products like the Google Home, Sonos One, and Apple Homepod. It’s equipped with eight microphones for Alexa voice commands (other assistants are coming later on), two custom drivers are said to provide “wall-to-wall stereo sound,” and there’s an array of buttons on the top for controlling your playback, opening your favorite music service, and more.

You see that screen? Yeah, it’s not a touchscreen. It just shows album artwork.

Along with the (likely) exceptional audio experience, the Home Speaker 500 also stands out thanks to the small display on its front. This is not a touchscreen and doesn’t have any UI to navigate. Instead, its sole purpose is to showcase the album artwork of whatever you’re listening to. While there’s not much utility there, it does give the Home Speaker 500 a visual difference over its competitors.

As for the Bose Soundbar 700 and Soundbar 500, these are also powered by Alexa and come with eight microphone arrays, too. The 700 is the more powerful of the duo and is 2-inches tall, 4-inches deep, and has a length of 38 inches. Bose is touting room-filling sound for both, in addition to ADAPTiQ technology that senses the layout of your room to provide the best possible audio.

All three gadgets are launching this October with the following prices:

• Bose Home Speaker 500 — $400
• Bose Soundbar 500 — $550
• Bose Soundbar 700 — $800

You can use these gadgets by themselves, but just like another speaker company that also has smart speakers and smart soundbars, Bose’s new gadgets can also be used simultaneously and controlled through the Bose Connect app.

The new speaker and soundbars definitely seem to be designed to attract people away from the Sonos ecosystem, but with considerably higher prices compared to what Sonos is offering, how will Bose’s efforts play out? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

See at Bose