Best apps and updates of the week: Google Maps iOS, Final Fantasy, Pokedex
Google+ and Facebook both get an overhaul on Android and iOS, Flickr tries to fill in for Instagram with its latest update, Google Maps is back for iOS, Foldify and Pokedex should keep kids happy, Final Fantasy gets its groove on, and more in this week's collection of the best apps worth downloading.
Family tormented with racial slurs and taunts through hacked Nest camera
An Illinois family had their Nest security camera turned against them after hackers hijacked the device. The attackers used the two-way microphones in the device to taunt the family and shout racial slurs and managed to hijack the Nest thermostat and turn the temperature up to 90 degrees.
Hackers hijack Nest camera, issue fake warning of North Korea missile attack
Security cameras are supposed to keep you safe, but a Nest device owned by a family in Orinda, California was hijacked by hackers. Once they managed to hack the device, the attackers issued a fake warning about an incoming North Korean nuclear missile attack heading toward Los Angeles, Chicago, and Ohio.
After camera hacks, Nest locks customers out until they change their password
In response to a wave of breaches that have hit security cameras, Nest has taken the step of locking people out of their accounts if they believe there may have been a breach. Users will have to set up a new, secure password before they are able to regain access to their account.
A security flaw leaves Ring doorbells and cameras vulnerable to spying
You might think that your security devices are keeping you safe, but they may expose you in another way. Security researchers at Dojo by BullGuard showed a security vulnerability in Amazon's Ring Video Doorbell that allows a hacker to access video and audio and even inject counterfeit video.
Abode System’s Iota DIY home security kit is now available
Abode Systems has an all-in-one security kit for your home. It's called Iota. It features a high-quality, 1080p camera, integrated motion sensor, and on-board Wi-Fi and ethernet so it can stay connected no matter where you put it. It is also compatible with Abode's short- and long-term monitoring plans.
This device detects when your pet is at the door and opens it for them
Tired of waiting for your dog to come inside, or running home in the middle of the day to let your four-legged friend out? Wayzn might be the solution. This automated door opener for sliding doors will let your dog in when they are ready, and gives you remote control when you aren't home.
You can now have your Amazon packages delivered in your garage
Starting today, you can get Amazon packages delivered directly insider your garage. Amazon is expanding its Amazon Key service with Key for Garage. Eligible Amazon Prime subscribers in 50 U.S. cities will be able to sign up, assuming they have a myQ-enabled smart garage door opener.
Don’t worry, Alexa won’t be triggered during Amazon’s Super Bowl ad
Don't worry about unplugging your Alexa during Amazon's Super Bowl commercial out of concern the voice assistant might get triggered. The company is using acoustic fingerprinting to identify trigger words coming from other devices rather than people and will prevent Alexa from responding.
Amazon’s Alexa reviewers reportedly have access to customer home addresses
We already learned earlier this year that when you talk to Alexa, Amazon employees may also be listening. As it turns out, they may have even more of your information. According to a new report, some Amazon employees who review Alexa recordings also have access to user addresses and locations.
Inubox is an automated dog toilet that aims to get some tails wagging
Here's a thing that you didn't know you needed: a fully automated dog toilet. Inubox is at CES 2019 and wants to change the way your dog goes to the bathroom. Instead of going outside to do the dirty work, Inubox is an in-home solution that cleans up the waste. It's now funding on Kickstarter.
Philips Hue wants to brighten up the night with expanded outdoor lighting range
Looking to add some light to your backyard? Philips Hue has a way for you to do it that is smart and connected. The company is at CES 2019 to show off two new floodlights that can light up any space and a motion sensor that can be used to turn on any of your Philips Hue lights -- inside or out.
Samsung is enhancing its Family Hub Fridge and washing machine
Samsung is looking to make your entire home smarter. At CES 2019, the company is showing off the latest version of its Family Hub Refrigerator with A.I. enhancements that make it even smarter and better at predicting your needs. It's also rolling out a new Wi-Fi connected washing machine.
LG wants to improve clothing care with its new, smart styler
You probably already know that LG has washers and dryers, but the company also wants to move into your closet. At CES 2019, LG is unveiling the LG Styler, a high-tech way to keep your clothes clean and looking fresh. It comes equipped with a black-tinted mirror glass door and smart features.
Temi the personal robot butler is now getting Alexa support
If you wish Alexa could follow you from room to room without requiring an Echo speaker to be hooked up wherever you are, well then your prayers have finally been answered. It was announced at CES 2019 that Temi, a personal robot butler that follows you around the house, now offers support for Alexa.
Forget about singing in the shower. U by Moen lets you converse with Alexa
You've probably done your fair share of singing in the shower, but imagine if you could talk to your shower and have it respond. At CES 2019, Moen brought out its U by Moen technology that allows you to control every part of your showering experience through Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri.
LG is rolling out the barrels at CES 2019 with a craft beer machine
Looking to get into the beer making game? You probably aren't ready to take on the Budweisers of the world, but with the help of LG you can start making your own beer at home. The electronics maker is rolling out the LG HomeBrew, an at-home beer making machine at CES 2019.
Gourmia heads to CES with a new smart air fryer, multicooker, and coffee maker
If you're looking to give your kitchen counter a makeover this year, look no further than Gourmia's lineup of new countertop appliances that it is showing off at CES 2019. The New York-based company has a new smart air fryer, multicooker, and coffee maker that it's debuting in Las Vegas this week.
The Auri smart home lamp wants to improve your mood, has Alexa built in
If it feels like basically everything has Alexa built into it these days, well, you're right. The latest example is Auri, a smart home lamp that aims to meld concepts of wellness with modern technology to create a mood-improving lamp that just happens to have Alexa built right into it.
A $24 Amazon Echo Dot headlines the Black Friday deals at Kohl’s
The calendar just turned over to November, but it's already time to start thinking about Black Friday. It's just a few weeks away, and the deals are starting to leak out. Kohl's has a number of smart home sales, including a doorbuster deal that offers up an Amazon Echo Dot for just $24.
Blue Apron is making its meal boxes available on-demand in NYC
Blue Apron subscribers already get their meals delivered to their door, but now the company is offering a new twist. It will send out a meal box that serves two to four people through GrubHub. The service, available just to residents of New York City for now, will cost between $19 and $38 plus delivery.
The Winners and losers of CES 2013: Mobile edition
It's impossible to leave a show like CES 2013 behind and not feel like you may have missed something. The same goes for reading through the news coming out of the event. We've compiled all the best stories from CES 2013 and give you a look at who left the show a winner and who's going to be preparing for next year already.
Zillow won’t just help you find a house, it will be your mortgage lender, too
Zillow doesn't just want to help you find your dream home. It also wants to be your mortgage lender. The company announced today that it is getting into the lending game with its new service Zillow Home Loans. The service will be available in nine markets to start, with plans to expand.
Advocacy group asks FTC to investigate if Amazon Echo Dot spies on kids
An advocacy group wants to know if the company is storing information about children. The Campaign for A Commercial-Free Childhood is asking the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the Echo Dot Kids Edition to find out if the device is effectively spying on its young users.
Alexa will avoid tough questions with new, kid-friendly responses
Amazon has added a number of new, kid-friendly responses to its voice assistant tool Alexa. The A.I. tool used in the company's smart speakers will now avoid any unsavory questions, play songs with censored lyrics, and doesn't ruin the existence of Santa Claus.
Amazon Echo Show 5 is a compact, affordable smart display (not an alarm clock)
Amazon is expanding its family of Echo devices with the new Echo Show 5. The smart speaker with a built-in 5.5-inch display features Amazon's popular voice assistant Alexa and is positioned to be the hub of your smart home. It retails for $89.99 and just started shipping.
Jasco is behind a new line of GE Z-Wave smart home products
Consumer electronics brand Jasco is teaming up with GE to launch a new line of smart controls that will give you the ability to manage your home however you see fit. The new line of Enbrighten Z-Wave light switches come with QuickFit and SimpleWire technology that makes it easy to fit in any home.
Astronomers are worried SpaceX satellites could soon put an end to stargazing
SpaceX is starting work on a plan to provide internet services from a collection of satellites. Other companies have a similar idea. Now astronomers are worried that the new constellations of satellites, equipped with bright lights and orbiting the earth will start to limit our ability to stargaze.
UN finds voice assistants aren’t helping combat sexist gender stereotypes
Most voice assistants have a female-sounding voice. While you may not think much of it, the United Nations believes it is reinforcing negative gender stereotypes that place women in antiquated roles. The study also argues that companies haven't done enough to have A.I. rebuff hostile language.
Lenovo’s pint-sized smart alarm clock is set to ship next month
Lenovo's Smart Clock, which it first showed off at CES 2019, is just about ready to be set up in your bedroom. The company opened up pre-orders for the smart home appliance today and announced that it will begin shipping to customers on June 2. The compact Lenovo Smart Clock is retailing for $79.
It’s time for you to stop using dryer sheets. Here’s why
Dryer sheets might make your clothes feel softer and smell nicer, but there's a downside to using them. They reduce the absorbency of your towels, disable the wicking capabilities of activewear, and cause lint buildup. It's time to abandon your dryer sheets before they do damage to your appliance.
Kwikset’s second-generation deadbolts get smarter and safer
Kwikset's line of popular internet-connected smart locks are getting even smarter. The company introduced the second generation of its Signature Series Deadbolt with Home Connect locks, which feature a more compact design and an improved chipset that offers over-the-air security updates.
Amazon’s third checkout-free Amazon Go store is now open in Seattle
Amazon has opened its third checkout-less Amazon Go convenience store, which spares shoppers from having to wait in line to pay for items, in Seattle. The expansion shows Amazon is pleased with the operation of its technology, which includes numerous cameras and sensors to track shoppers' purchases.
Amazon Alexa now works with more than 60,000 smart home devices
Does it feel like Alexa is everywhere? There's a good reason for that. Amazon recently announced that its wildly popular voice assistant is now compatible with more than 60,000 products from more than 7,400 brands. That level of compatibility dwarfs many of Alexa's biggest competitors.