As per reports, Apple is finally planning to enter the smart display market to take on its rivals like Amazon and Google, who are well-established in this industry. The company has previously tried to crack the smart speaker market dominated by Amazon and Google with little success. The latest sources, however, show promise for the new upcoming Apple Smart Display.

The Smart Display would use the iPad as the primary screen, and the device would be used to regulate the thermostat, home lighting and security options, such as locks. Users will be able to make facetime calls using the Smart Display as well. Additionally, one could watch TV and multitask on the device – for instance, watching a cooking video on YouTube while checking the weather forecast. 

As per sources, Apple’s Smart Display will feature a larger screen for the sake of convenience. Compared to Google Nest Hub Max, which has a 10-inch display, customers can expect the Apple Smart Display to have a slightly larger screen. Furthermore, Apple might even let its users purchase docks for their iPads, similar to the dock for the upcoming Google Pixel tablet. That will enable customers to hang up their iPads around their home or just use it with a stand on a counter or a dresser.  

Apple’s voice assistant, Siri would be a major point of focus for the Smart Display. Since Apple’s AI capabilities don’t match the potential of Google Assistant and Amazon’s Alexa, Apple would have to improve Siri as a strong contender to its competition. The process might take a fair amount of time, which is why customers should not expect the Apple Smart Display to launch anytime soon. 

Apple’s new HomePod smart speaker is promising. However, it features more or less a similar design to its previous generation, which was launched in the year 2018. To make its Smart Display a success in such a competitive market, Apple would have to bridge a lot of gaps in their hardware and software. It will be quite interesting to see how the trillion-dollar electronics company conquers this hurdle.  

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(Source, Via)

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Earlier this year, tech giant Amazon announced a new “Show Mode” for the PC version of the Alexa app. The feature hopes to expand the user base of Amazon’s smart home app as it brings features that are found on the Echo Show including skills that can be activated only by a voice prompt.  The company has now announced that the feature will be making its debut on some Lenovo laptops.

Amazon describes the Show Mode for PCs as a “voice-first, interactive Alexa experience for PCs”. The mode can be activated via a voice command asking the virtual assistant to open the feature. It can also be activated using the Show Mode icon domiciled in the Alexa app.

When activated, the app displays in fullscreen mode on the PC’s screen, showing information that the user will find vital. The interface is exactly as it is on the Echo Show with features such as calendar appointments, weather information, and others. In addition, users can perform actions such as playing a song on Amazon Music, controlling connected smart home devices, checking for weather updates, and creating to-do lists.

The feature will also be enabled automatically when the laptop is idle and become sort of a screensaver. This feature, Lenovo says, is optimized to deliver optimal battery conservation. Lenovo’s Igor Bergman, Vice President of Cloud and Software, Intelligent Devices Group says; “By enabling Show Mode on Lenovo PCs, we are providing customers with a highly versatile user experience on a natural and convenient interface”.

The company listed the models in which the new feature will be available to include the Lenovo Yoga, IdeaPad, and ThinkPad PC models equipped with the Alexa app built into the Windows 10.

The feature will be available in the following countries; US, UK, Germany, Japan, India, Ireland, Austria, Canada, France, Italy, Spain, Australia, and New Zealand. Amazon plans to expand the compatible models with the addition of other Lenovo models in due course.

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(source)

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Amazon India has launched the second-generation Echo Show in India with a price tag of Rs. 22,999 (~$332). The smart device features a 10.1-inch display and Dolby powered speakers. It now joins another Alexa powered Echo produces in India such as Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Plus, Echo Sub and Echo Input.

Amazon Echo Show Specifications and Price

The Amazon Echo Show that features a fabric design houses a 10.1-inch HD touchscreen display. The large sized screen can be used for watching videos on Amazon Video Prime. There are no apps for YouTube or Netflix. However, these can be accessed through the Silk and Firefox browsers on the device. It can be also used for viewing news and sports updates.

The Echo Show can be also used a smart hub for controlling all the smart home products through an interactive interface. There is an inbuilt Zigbee smart home hub on the device. Since it is powered with Alexa, users can call out it to control smart home products as well as other functions of Echo Show. There are eight microphones installed on the device. Since they are powered with far-field technology, the Echo Show can listen to the voice of the user in the busiest of environments.

There is a 5-megapixel camera placed at the frontside of the Echo Show. It can be used to make handsfree calls over Skype. It features a pair of 2-inch neodymium speakers with passive bass radiator powered by Dolby audio technology. They are placed on the either sides of the device. It can be used as a standalone speaker to play songs through popular audio streaming platform such as Amazon Prime Music, Saavn, Hungama, Gaana and Tunein.

• Read More: Amazon launches Echo Input in India, perfect companion for the Mi Soundbar

The other features of the Amazon Echo Show are weather forecasts, shopping lists, calendars, alarms, reminders and photos. Powered by Intel Atom x5-Z8350 processor, the Echo Show comes equipped with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi 802.11ac connectivity features and its compatible with Android and iOS devices.

The Amazon Echo Show is available in India in colors like Black and Grey. The device is priced at Rs. 22,999 (~$332) and it comes with a free smart bulb for Philips. It can be purchased through no cost EMI plans for up to 12 months through leading bank cards. Citibank credit and debit card owners can take advantage of Rs. 2,200 cashback on purchase of Amazon Echo Show.

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U.S e-commerce giant Amazon has launched a good number of new Echo devices all integrating Alexa smart virtual assistant. The new devices include the Amazon Echo Dot, Echo Show, Echo Plus and Echo Auto. The four new gadgets all adopt affordable price tags and have as their main feature, the Alexa smart virtual assistant which is integrated with all four products. Among the lot, the Echo Auto is the entirely new product but the trio of Echo Plus, Echo Show and Echo Dot are upgraded versions of already existing Amazon smart home products.

The new Echo Dot is the third generation model of Amazon’s smart speaker integrated with Alexa. The design is similar to those of its predecessor. Just that this time around, Amazon utilises a new fabric design instead of plastic. The smart speaker is also available in three colours. The new speaker is also said to be louder and richer. Apart from these, the functionality remains similar to its predecessors. The smart speaker comes in at $49.99 and is presently on pre-order on Amazon.

The Echo Plus is also a next-gen model (2nd gen) and comes with similar upgrades with a new fabric design replacing the plastic one from last year. There is also an upgraded 3-inch speaker with more solid and deeper bass as well as clearer mids and highs. The device includes a built-in Zigbee hub for easily connecting to smart home devices that use the Zigbee protocol. The pricing is, however, the same $149.99 as the previous model. The Echo plus is also open for pre-orders on Amazon while shipping will commence on October 11.

The third product known as Echo Show comes with a significant upgrade over the previous model bearing the same moniker. There is a giant leap to a huge 10-inch HD display which is the largest you’ll get on any Echo device. The sound system is also upgraded as it now features two 2-inch drivers armed with a passive radiator and Dolby audio processing. The device equally features a built-in Zigbee hub for easily connecting to smart home devices that use the Zigbee protocol just like the Echo Plus.

In addition, the Echo Show packs a new 5MP front-facing camera for HD video calls. When Alexa gets support for Skype audio and video calls, users will be able to make Skype calls from the Echo Show. The device can also be used for browsing as it comes preinstalled with Amazon’s Silk browser. Despite the massive upgrade, the new Echo Show is priced at the same $229.99 as the previous model. Pre-orders are also being accepted on Amazon.

The new Echo Auto is an all-new smart Echo device for cars. The device comes with a $24.99 price tag which makes it the cheapest Echo device so far. The gadget lets users access Alexa inside their car. It taps power from a car’s 12V power outlet or using a USB port. The device also connects to the car using Bluetooth or an aux cable. There is also the option to connect using an FM transmitter adapter.

Echo Auto has a built-in 8-microphone stack designed for in-car acoustics, Echo Auto can hear you over music, A/C, and road noise. There is also a dashboard mount with which it is attached firmly to the car’s dashboard. With voice prompt, users can play music, check the news, open the garage door, find the nearest gas station, and more. It also enables you to make calls, set reminders, add items to your shopping and to-do lists, or manage your calendar. Unfortunately, Amazon indicates that Echo Auto will not be available now. Instead,  the product will be available by invitation only later this year.

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