Thor Kitchen promises affordability with its new pro-style induction cooktops

Cooktops have all sorts of benefits over standard gas or electric stoves. They are energy-efficient, won't heat up your whole house, and warm up quickly so you can get right to cooking. Thor Kitchen is promising its new line of pro-style induction cooktops will be one-third the price of premium brands.

Smart Home News         April 7, 2019

Google Assistant may not be disclosing search results as paid ads

When you ask Google Assistant a question, it might be responding with an advertisement. A recent report found that Google's voice assistant was delivering results from paid partners without clearly disclosing any financial interests. The results appear to be a part of Google's Local Services program.

Mobile         April 5, 2019

Apple permanently drops the price of its HomePod to $299

After getting into the smart speaker market late and with a premium price tag, Apple is finally cutting the cost of its HomePod. The company is dropping $50 off the retail price for the smart speaker. It now retails for $299, which is still considerably more than most of its competition.

News         April 4, 2019

Hyundai’s virtual cockpit limits distractions on the road, study finds

The idea of having digital displays in front of you while you drive may sound distracting, but it might actually help you navigate the roads. A new study testing Hyundai's virtual cockpit concept found that drivers weren't overly distracted while using the dashboard and found it intuitive to use.

Car News         April 2, 2019

Burger King goes meatless with new Impossible Whopper option

Burger King is adding a meatless version of the Whopper to its menu. Starting with a test run in the St. Louis area, Burger King is introducing the new Impossible Whopper, a version of the classic Whopper that features the plant-based Impossible burger patty that has become a popular meat alternative.

News         April 2, 2019

More hidden cameras have reportedly been found in Airbnb rentals

There are few things more disturbing than discovering that you're being watched. Airbnb renters are running into issues with hidden cameras in units, including a recent case in Garden Grove, California, where a couple found a camera in a smoke detector placed directly above the bed.

Smart Home News         April 1, 2019

Future Jaguar Land Rover models could help stop the spread of superbugs

Cars could go from harming the environment to saving it. A concept put forward by Jaguar Land Rover proposes using the ventilation systems in its future vehicles to neutralize pathogens and stop the spread of bacteria and harmful viruses including the cold, flu, and potential superbugs.

Car News         March 31, 2019

Alexa’s chief scientist wants to give the voice assistant a robot body

Voice assistants live in our tabletop devices, but they might not for long. Rohit Prasad, the chief scientist behind Amazon's Alexa, recently said that he believes the voice assistant needs a robot body to explore and experience the world. That experience could help it better answer human questions.

Smart Home         March 31, 2019

Lyft trails Uber in popularity, but it just beat its rival to Wall Street

While Lyft is not as popular as Uber, it just beat its rival to Wall Street by becoming a publicly traded company. It started trading on March 29, and it's worth approximately $24 billion, which is more than investors expected. The same investors predict Uber will be worth about $120 billion when it holds its own IPO.

Car News         March 29, 2019

Intel claims Nvidia copied its self-driving car strategy

Intel recently railed against competitor Nvidia for allegedly copying its self-driving technology. In particular, Intel's senior vice president Amnon Shashua says Nvidia's recently revealed “Safety Force Field” is cribbed from Intel's "Responsibility Sensitive Safety" paper published in 2017.

Car News         March 28, 2019

Alexa is more popular, but Google Home users are more satisfied, survey finds

Amazon Alexa may be the most popular smart speaker on the market, but Google Home owners are more satisfied. That's according to a recent study that examined the use of the leading smart speakers. According to the study, Google Home was better at answering questions and controlling other devices.

Smart Home         March 28, 2019

Trump administration might undo Obama-era LED light rules

The Bush administration made incandescent light bulbs a thing of the past, and the Obama administration attempted to extend it. But the Trump administration wants to roll back a Department of Energy rule that would require specialty light fixtures to move away from wasteful incandescent lightbulbs.

Smart Home News         March 27, 2019

Alexa can now give you a heads-up on what song is next in the queue

Wondering what song is playing and who the artist is? Alexa has you covered. Amazon rolled out a new feature for Alexa called Song ID. When enabled, it will tell you the name of the artist and song on upcoming music while you're listening to playlists and streaming radio stations.

Smart Home         March 26, 2019

Think Alexa’s voice is too binary? Meet Q, a gender-neutral voice assistant

Voice assistants have alternative voices, but they are typically female by default. That can reinforce sexist stereotypes. Most voice assistants also don't have a gender-neutral option. Q aims to change that. The gender-neutral voice was developed to urge tech companies to rethink their A.I. voices.

Smart Home News         March 26, 2019

PicoBrew Pico C moves beyond beer to make cold-brew, kombucha, and more

The PicoBrew Pico C is already an ideal appliance for any aspiring homebrewer, but now it can do much more. With a software update and the new Pico C Craft Beverage Bundle, you can use the kitchen countertop device to make perfect cold-brew coffee, kombucha, and any number of craft spirits.

Smart Home         March 26, 2019

Your Instant Pot can do it all. Research says it has another important function

Your Instant Pot can already do just about everything you ask of it in the kitchen, but did you know that it's also great for sterilization, too? Researchers at Dakota State University tested pressure cookers and found that Instant Pot provides enough pressure and heat to kill off food-spoiling bacteria.

Smart Home News         March 22, 2019

LG’s SnowWhite is a Keurig for lovers of homemade ice cream

Imagine ice cream on demand. That's exactly what LG's SnowWhite concept brings to your kitchen. This countertop appliance, on display at this year's South by Southwest, is like a Keurig machine for ice cream lovers that produces your favorite frozen desserts from nothing but a little pod.

Smart Home         March 21, 2019

New feature in myChevrolet app assures friends and family you’re safe

Chevy has updated its myChevrolet app to add a new feature that makes it easier to check in with loved ones. The feature, called Vehicle Locate, will send an automated text alert to designated friends and family when you enter or leave a designated area. The feature provides peace of mind to all parties.

Car News         March 20, 2019

Subaru recalls millions of vehicles due to perfume-induced brake light failures

Car recalls are unfortunate but often necessary when something goes wrong, but no one could have predicted this: Subaru is recalling millions of its SUVs in North America and Japan because a chemical compound emitted by products like shampoos and cosmetics is causing brake light failures.

Car News         March 14, 2019

Thermomix introduces a small appliance that can do it all

Need an appliance that can do just about everything without requiring tons of counter space? The Thermomix TM6 just might be what you're looking for. This all-in-one appliance can perform 20 unique tasks that will cut down on the work of meal preparation and will help you cook just about anything.

Smart Home News         March 14, 2019

California legislator proposes unlimited speed lanes on two highways

California might have its own autobahn soon. A senator in the state has proposed legislation that would create new driving lanes on stretches of highway that would allow drivers to drive with no maximum speed limit. The goal of the new program would be to cut back on carbon emissions.

Car News         March 13, 2019

An underground loop looks to lessen the hordes of foot traffic in Las Vegas

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority wants to tap Elon Musk's The Boring Company to build a new transportation option for people. The proposed system would create a loop of underground tunnels that would use autonomous electric vehicles to move passengers at high speeds.

Car News         March 11, 2019

Fromaggio lets you become a cheese-making machine in your own kitchen

Imagine being able to whip up your own artisanal cheese in the comfort of your home without having to make a trip to the grocery store or a specialty cheese shop. That's what Fromaggio aims to give you. The countertop-sized cheese-making machine for cheese enthusiasts is funding now on Kickstarter.

Smart Home News         March 7, 2019

Your dishwasher is a Swiss army knife in disguise. Here are 14 clever uses

With a name like "dishwasher," you might think you know exactly what the appliance is capable of. Turns out it can do so much more. Dishwashers aren't just for cleaning your dishes, they can also handle a whole heap of over cleaning tasks, from sanitizing kids toys to giving light fixtures a shine.

Smart Home News         March 6, 2019

Quip’s electric toothbrush for kids makes oral hygiene less of a hassle

Quip is launching a new and dentist-approved electric toothbrush for kids. The toothbrush will feature the same guiding features found in Quip's original product for adults but reimagined for smaller mouths. The device, accepted by the American Dental Association, will start at $25.

Smart Home News         March 6, 2019

Smart home devices are causing more security risks for businesses

Smart home devices aren't just for the home. Businesses are adopting the products, too. Security firm Trend Micro warns each new internet-connected device added, from smart speakers to thermostats and security systems, adds a new potential target for attackers if the devices aren't secured properly.

Smart Home News         March 6, 2019

Instant Pot merges with Pyrex and others under Corelle Brands

Instant Pots are all the rage now, even in the business world. Instant Brands, the maker of Instant Pots, announced that it is merging with Corelle Brands. While the terms of the deal weren't disclosed, it will put Instant Pot under the same umbrella as Pyrex, CorningWare, and SnapWare.

Smart Home News         March 5, 2019

Arkup’s $6 million floating home can withstand a Category 4 hurricane

As ocean temperatures rise, we can expect stronger hurricanes. Arkup may have an answer. The startup has built a floating, livable yacht that is designed to weather a hurricane. The 4,350-square foot structure can survive the high winds and towering waves that accompany a Category 4 storm.

Smart Home News         February 27, 2019

Internet-connected Mr. Coffee machines have security vulnerability, McAfee says

That pot of coffee you're making may just leave you vulnerable to hackers. According to a new report from security firm McAfee, the internet-connected Mr. Coffee Coffee Maker with Wemo contains a vulnerability that could allow attackers to intercept traffic and schedule the device to brew coffee.

Smart Home         February 27, 2019

Hopsy’s smaller countertop kegerator makes homebrewing even easier

Hopsy, a direct-to-consumer draft beer service, introduced its Sub Compact home draft beer machine that can fit right on the kitchen countertop. Designed by Krups, the at home kegerator is a perfect accessory for any aspiring brewmaster. It's available to pre-order for $150 and will retail for $300.

Smart Home News         February 26, 2019

Emojis hitch a ride on personalized license plates in Australia’s Queensland

Queensland, Australia, is allowing drivers to personalize their license plates with emojis. Starting March 1, the state will offer new plates with a variety of options for personalization, including custom colors, emojis, logos of local sports teams, and more. They will cost about $340.

Car News         February 26, 2019

Senators question Google about the microphone in Nest security system

Following the revelation that some Nest security products contain an undisclosed microphone, member of the United States Senate wrote a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai demanding more information. They seek to find out when Google realized it didn't disclose the mic and if the mics have been used.

Smart Home News         February 26, 2019

1 in 4 people plan to buy a smart lock this year, study says

It's beginning to become more common for people to trust internet-connected devices to protect their home. According to new research published by Parks Associates, one in four households in the United States are planning to purchase as smart door lock within the next 12 months to protect their home.

Smart Home News         February 21, 2019

GE Appliances shows off wall oven with built-in air fryer, food dehydrator

Air fryers are getting increasingly popular and are a fixture in many homes. So GE Appliances is taking the trend to its logical conclusion and adding an air fryer to a wall oven. The company's new oven, on display at this year's Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, also includes a food dehydrator.

Smart Home News         February 20, 2019