Smart home
Lenovo Laptops Can Now Turn Into Smart Displays Using Alexa’s Show Mode
In a blog post, Amazon says the new Show Mode supports many Alexa features. You can ask for information on a wide range of topics like popular recipes, play games, set reminders, create to-do lists, ask Alexa to read your favourite audiobook from Audible, and more. Additionally, users can easily control compatible smart home devices through their laptops. To enable Show Mode on a compatible laptop, just say, “Alexa, open Show Mode,” or click on the Show Mode button in the Alexa app on your laptop to get started.
“With the ‘set it and forget it’ Alexa experience in Show Mode, users can talk to Alexa on a large screen display without having to either be in front of their laptop at all times or reach for their phone to get things done,” the company explained in the blog post.
As mentioned, Show Mode will currently be available exclusively on select Alexa-compatible Lenovo Yoga, IdeaPad, and ThinkPad PCs with Windows 10 in India, Austria, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, UK, and the US.
Lenovo first announced Show Mode at CES 2021 wherein it had said the Yoga Slim 9i, Yoga 9i, Yoga 7i, Yoga AIO 7 and the IdeaPad 5 Series will get it first. Lenovo advises users to ensure the devices are unlocked with an open lid and support far-field mics to make the experience of Show Mode seamless. Amazon says that it looks to expand compatibility and Show Mode will become available on additional PC models later this year.
Smart home
Samsung Working on New Stylus Technology to Improve S Pen Experience: Report
As per a report by the Korean publication The Elec, Samsung Display and HiDeep are collaborating to develop a technology to recognise a stylus without a digitiser and battery. They are reportedly planning to introduce this technology to Chinese smartphone manufacturers.
HiDeep to Create a Stylus Compatible With Different Devices
The report states that Samsung’s Galaxy S Ultra models, Galaxy Z Fold smartphones and Galaxy Tab series tablets feature digitiser to support the S Pen stylus, which does not require a battery or an electric field. Apple Pencil, in contrast, includes a battery and doesn’t rely on a digitiser. It uses a thin rectangular component added to the boards of devices to recognise the stylus’ contact on the screen.
Currently, stylus by Apple and Samsung are not compatible with each others’ devices, but HiDeep is reportedly working to bring a stylus that has compatibility across models from different vendors.
HiDeep, in August, reportedly said that it is working with global customers to develop a stylus model. The company is likely to offer an initial supply of the model to Chinese smartphone vendors as they are aggressive in adopting new technologies compared to Samsung or Apple. Removing digitiser is expected to make the foldables and standard smartphones slimmer.
Further, the report notes that Apple is working to replace the Plus variant from the iPhone 17 lineup by replacing it with an iPhone 17 Air model. Samsung reportedly removed the digitiser from the Galaxy Z Fold 6 Special Edition.
Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition in select regions a few months ago with a starting price tag of KRW 2,789,600 (roughly Rs. 1,70,000). It is thinner and lighter than the standard Galaxy Z Fold 6.
Smart home
Apple May Be Developing a Smart Home Doorbell With FaceID Support
Apple Smart Doorbell
In the latest edition of the Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman detailed Apple’s smart home efforts. The iPhone maker is reported to be working on a smart home doorbell system that will have advanced facial recognition, which wirelessly connects to a deadbolt lock.
Apple already offers several third-party smart home locks on its online store but this is said to be its first-ever proprietary offering. It is speculated to work on the same HomeKit protocol and may support other third-party locks. With this move, the company may surface as a competitor in a space dominated by the likes of Amazon’s Ring and Google Nest.
The product is expected to use Apple’s first-ever proprietary wireless networking chipset dubbed Proxima to protect consumer data. The smart home doorbell system is not expected to hit the market at least until the end of next year. However, there may be a possibility that Apple develops the technology but sells it through a third-party brand. If that is the case, Logitech or Belkin are to be the likely partners, as per Gurman.
Other Smart Home Products
The newsletter also details other endeavours by the iPhone maker in the smart home space. It is said to be developing a smart hub powered by artificial intelligence (AI) which would feature a 6-inch screen, FaceTime support, and a new operating system. Apple is also reported to be roll out upgrades for Apple TV and HomePod mini devices next year — both having the new wireless networking chip.
The company could also delve into the home security space with a purported in-home security camera that would work in tandem with its purported smart hub. Its development is already reported to be underway and may offer competition to the likes of Amazon, Blink, Google, and Logitech.
Smart home
JioTag Go With Find My Device Network Support Launched in India: See Price
JioTag Go Price in India, Availability
JioTag Go price is set in India at Rs. 1,499. It is available for purchase in the country via Amazon, JioMart e-store, as well as Reliance Digital and My Jio stores. The tracker is offered in black, orange, white, and yellow colour options.
JioTag Go Features
The JioTag Go is a Bluetooth tracker which is compatible with Google’s Find My Device feature. The tracker connects with the Find My Device application on Android smartphones, which users can access through the Play Store. People can use this to track their belongings worldwide, the company said.
It can be attached to keys, purses, luggage, gadgets, bikes, and more and then be used to locate the items if lost. When within Bluetooth range, users can tap the ‘Play Sound’ option on the Find My Device app, and the concerned JioTag Go will make a beeping noise, which should easily help locate the lost item.
Outside the Bluetooth range, the last location of the tracker can be detected by Google’s Find My Device network. On the app, users can follow the map that appears with the ‘Get Directions’ option, to this location. Once in range, the JioTag Go will automatically connect to the user’s phone and they can use the ‘Play Sound’ feature to find the tracker.
The latest tracker from Reliance Jio is compatible with smartphones running Android 9 and above. It does not connect to iPhones. Notably, the JioTag Air is compatible with iPhone models running iOS 14 or later, as well as Android smartphones on Android 9 and later.
JioTag Go does not require a SIM card to function. It supports Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity and is backed by a CR2032 battery, one of which is said to last up to a year. The Amazon listing reveals that the tracker measures 38.2 x 38.2 x 7.2mm in size and weighs 9g.
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