Smart home
Apple AirTags Can Also Be Found Using Android Devices: Here’s How
According to a support page on the Apple website, the Cupertino-based tech giant says that NFC enabled devices — including iOS and even Android — can read AirTags. A person who finds a lost AirTag can bring their NFC-enabled device next to the tracker to find out information about its owner. Apple says that AirTags will provide finders with a URL that can have a personalised message from its owner if it has been marked as lost.
“Tap and hold the top of your iPhone or NFC-capable smartphone to the white side of the AirTag. Tap the notification that appears. This opens a website that provides information about the AirTag, including its serial number,” the Apple support page reads. “If the owner marked it as lost, you might see a message with information about how to contact the owner. You can view a Lost Mode message on any NFC-capable smartphone, such as an iPhone or Android phone.”
AirTags use audible beeps using its built-in speaker when a user device is in its Bluetooth range to help locate the items it is attached to. They also feature Siri support and have a claimed battery life of 12 months. Apple AirTags are also IP67 certified for dust and water resistance.
To connect Apple AirTags, users just need to bring them in close proximity to their iOS devices. The trackers can be located using the Find My app. The app shows the current as well as the last location of the AirTags. Apple says that the communication with the Find My app is end-to-end encrypted. Apple also discourages the use of AirTags to track people using safeguards such as notifying users if an unknown AirTag is seen moving with them over time.
Is MacBook Air M1 the portable beast of a laptop that you always wanted? We discussed this on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.
Google TV Streamer Design Leak
In a report, 9to5Google shared images of the purported Google TV Streamer, hinting at its design. The device is said to have been redesigned, with Google ditching the dongle-like form factor. Until now, all Google Chromecast devices have featured the same design, with the ability to be hung on the back of the TV while attached to the HDMI port.
However, the new device may reportedly have a pill-shaped slanting structure, perhaps resembling a Wi-Fi router.
Leaked Image of the Purported Google TV Streamer
Photo Credit: 9to5Google
Google TV Streamer appears to have two cables running out from the back. The device is speculated to be minimal in height, potentially making its placement easier beneath TVs. As per the report, the TV Streamer’s remote seems similar to the existing model with the D-Pad, back and home buttons in the top half. However, the voice input button no longer appears to have the Google Assistant branding, with the company potentially opting for a generic button. The volume buttons may be brought to the remote’s front facia, instead of being placed on the sides.
Furthermore, the report suggests Google may ditch the “Chromecast” moniker, with the device being called “Google TV Streamer” instead.
This development corroborates a previous report which claimed that Google was in the process of developing a successor to 2020’s Chromecast with Google TV (4K) device. It was reportedly codenamed “YTC”, and was discovered following a preview update of the Google Home app. It was said to be mentioned along with earlier versions “YTV” (Chromecast with Google TV) and “YTB” (Chromecast HD).
Amazon Prime Day 2024 sale deals on Amazon products
Amazon announced in a press note that a number of its self-branded smart home appliances will be available at significantly discounted rates during the upcoming Amazon Prime Day 2024 sale. People can get Fire TV Stick, Echo smart speakers with Alexa support, and other Alexa smart home combinations with up to 55 percent discount.
Customers can buy the Amazon Echo Pop at the lowest effective price of Rs. 2,449, while the Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) can be bought at the lowest effective price of Rs. 3,999. These are currently retailing in the country at Rs. 3,999 and Rs. 8,999, respectively. Offers and deals on the Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Generation) can bring down the effective price to Rs. 8,999 during the sale. This is currently priced in the country at Rs. 13,999.
The e-commerce site is also extending offers on combo deals on Amazon smart home products. An Echo Dot (5th Generation) and a Wipro Simple Setup 9W LED Smart Bulb can together be bought at a price of Rs. 4,749, while the combination of an Echo Dot (4th Generation) with clock and a Wipro 9W LED smart colour bulb can be purchased at Rs. 3,749 during the upcoming sale.
People can also get the Echo Pop alongside a Wipro Simple Setup 9W LED Smart Bulb for Rs. 2,749 and the Echo Pop together with an Amazon Smart Plug at Rs. 2,948.
During the sale, customers can also get the Fire TV Stick at the lowest possible price of Rs. 2,199, down 56 percent from its usual price of Rs. 4,499. The Fire TV Stick Lite with Alexa Voice Remote Lite can be purchased at the lowest effective price of Rs. 1,999, while the Fire TV Stick 4K can be bought with a 43 percent discount at Rs. 3,999, down from its retail price of Rs. 5,999. Interested buyers can also get smart television with inbuilt Fire TV with discounts of up to 50 percent.
Apple HomePod Mini colour options, price in India, availability
The Apple HomePod Mini, priced at Rs. 10,900, has been introduced in a new colour option named Midnight. Apple says that this variant is made with 100 percent recycled mesh fabric. It will be available for sale in India, the US and 30 other countries worldwide starting July 17.
The new colourway is similar to the Space Grey option that the HomePod Mini initially launched with. After the new Midnight shade was unveiled, the online listing of the speaker did not display the grey option. Therefore, the new colour option seems to have replaced the grey one.
Alongside the new Midnight shade, the Apple HomePod Mini is also currently available in the India in blue, orange, white and yellow colourways.
Apple HomePod Mini specifications, features
The Apple HomePod Mini is powered by the Apple S5 chipset and an additional U1 chip to enable UWB support which allows it to track other Apple devices for media controls as well as interacting with other smart home devices. It also sports a touch-sensitive light-emitting panel on top which allows users to control the volume of the device.
The HomePod Mini allows people to use the Intercom feature to send messages from one unit to another. It is compatible with an iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, as well as car speakers with the CarPlay function. The smart speaker is equipped with Siri but the requests to the voice assistant are not associated with an Apple ID.
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