STT 107: DARPA Drone Charging - Alexa ruins the surprise, Meta opens Horizon Worlds, DARPA funds drone charging

12/09/21 • 77 min

Amazon's Alexa voice assistant is happy to announce package updates, but that's a bit of an issue around the holidays. Meta (Facebook) has opened up Horizon Worlds to adults in the U.S. and Canada. DARPA is funding research from a company that makes a device to charge a swarm of drones.

Sonos plans to improve its mixed environmental track record
How to keep Alexa from ruining your Christmas surprises
Kobo's Elipsa and Sage e-readers are better for reading than writing
Meta opens up access to its VR social platform Horizon Worlds
DARPA Is Exploring Ways to Wirelessly Charge Drone Swarms
Drop a Magnet on This Map and a Fake Window Provides Live Views From Around the World
Razer's New MagSafe Cooling Fan Brings RGB to Your iPhone, Because Why Not
A New Tesla Safety Concern: Drivers Can Play Video Games in Moving Cars
The Popular Family Safety App Life360 Is Selling Precise Location Data on Its Tens of Millions of Users
Apple and Hyatt begin rolling out hotel keys in Apple Wallet
Kuo: Apple AR Headset to Feature Advanced Hand Gesture Controls and Object Detection

Picks of the week

Dan: Lutron Aurora Smart Bulb Dimmer Switch
Mikah: Anker 637 Magnetic Charging Station

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Dan Moren

Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/smart-tech-today

Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Show notes and links for this episode are available at: https://twit.tv/shows/smart-tech-today/episodes/107

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Sonos plans to improve its mixed environmental track record
How to keep Alexa from ruining your Christmas surprises
Kobo's Elipsa and Sage e-readers are better for reading than writing
Meta opens up access to its VR social platform Horizon Worlds
DARPA Is Exploring Ways to Wirelessly Charge Drone Swarms
Drop a Magnet on This Map and a Fake Window Provides Live Views From Around the World
Razer's New MagSafe Cooling Fan Brings RGB to Your iPhone, Because Why Not
A New Tesla Safety Concern: Drivers Can Play Video Games in Moving Cars
The Popular Family Safety App Life360 Is Selling Precise Location Data on Its Tens of Millions of Users
Apple and Hyatt begin rolling out hotel keys in Apple Wallet
Kuo: Apple AR Headset to Feature Advanced Hand Gesture Controls and Object Detection

Picks of the week

Dan: Lutron Aurora Smart Bulb Dimmer Switch
Mikah: Anker 637 Magnetic Charging Station

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Dan Moren

Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/smart-tech-today

Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Show notes and links for this episode are available at: https://twit.tv/shows/smart-tech-today/episodes/107

Sponsors:

Previous Episode

STT 106: Google Pixel Watch? - Google's rumored smartwatch, Alexa warns of running water, autonomous 7-Eleven

Google is rumored to be working on its first smartwatch that will reportedly debut in 2022. Some of Amazon's Alexa-enabled devices will be able to listen for the sound of running water or appliances beeping in order to alert you or trigger a routine. 7-Eleven partners with Nuro for autonomous vehicle deliveries.

New Google Maps Features Will Help You Navigate the Holiday Shopping Shitshow
Healthcare providers in Google Search, Maps can now list which insurance they accept
Google announces grab bag of new Android features for the end of 2021
Google is making its first in-house smartwatch that could launch in 2022
Google's 'Look to Speak' accessibility app now works in 17 more languages
Spotify Pulls Plug on Car View Feature, Offers Users No Alternative
Amazon Alexa can now respond to running water and bleeping appliances
Twinkly smart holiday lights gain HomeKit support via new firmware update
Honeywell Home's T9 smart thermostat gets HomeKit support, finally
7-Eleven and Nuro begin autonomous vehicle deliveries in California
Uber's audio recording safety feature is coming to the US
Microsoft Makes Breakthrough in the Quest to Use DNA as Data Storage
Twenty percent of Xbox Cloud Gaming players only use touch controls
Holiday IoT Ugly Sweater Workshop

Picks of the week

Matthew: Mozy Stadium Blanket
Mikah: Google Nest Hub (2nd gen)

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Matthew Cassinelli

Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/smart-tech-today

Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Show notes and links for this episode are available at: https://twit.tv/shows/smart-tech-today/episodes/106

Sponsors:

Next Episode

STT 108: Matter Sets Sights on Universal Casting - Opal C1 webcam, Intel is bearish about the Metaverse, Matter

The upcoming universal language for smart home devices, Matter, has revealed a TV spec that will theoretically allow for universal media casting. The Opal C1 webcam aims to be a DSLR camera packed into a webcam frame. Intel thinks it's going to be awhile before the Metaverse really kicks off due to technological constraints it feels its chips can help surpass.

Matter could bring universal casting that actually works
Smart home company Eve plans to use Matter to move beyond Apple's HomeKit
Opal's C1 offers DSLR-rivaling video quality in a small form factor
Dell's wireless webcam prototype uses magnets to stick to a screen
Google Home update makes it easier to review Nest camera footage
MGM Resorts is letting job seekers try out roles using virtual reality as it looks to reduce employee churn
Intel Throws Cold Water on the Metaverse Happening Any Time Soon
Meta adds sign language interpreters for Portal video calls
LG's StanbyME is a wireless TV on wheels
Alexa's latest celebrity voice is Santa Claus himself
Enhanced Sleep Sensing in Nest Hub

Picks of the week