Cool on demand
Summer heat is with us a little while longer. Homeowners who install a smart thermostat like Nest can control their electric fans and air conditioners at a set schedule. But the rest of us can use a cheaper solution – a Wi-Fi-connected power outlet, also known as a smart plug. It’s simple, according to The New York Times “Personal Tech.” Leave your fan’s power switch in the “on” position. Plug the smart plug into a power outlet, and then plug your electric fan into the smart plug. Install the plug’s companion app on your phone. Inside the app, connect the plug to your Wi-Fi network and name the plug “fan.” From here, you can schedule the plug to turn off at a specific time. If you leave the house and forget to turn off the fan, you can use the app to manually shut it off. Some examples of smart plugs: a $17 device from TP-Link, which works with an app called Kasa; and the Womo Mini, which costs around $25.
Here come the foldables
Microsoft is planning to release a small foldable Surface the first half of next year, according to Forbes. The foldable Surface is expected to have two 9-inch screens with a 4:3 aspect ratio, according to Jeff Lin, associate director, consumer electronics at IHS Markit. The device is also expected to 1) use Windows 10 OS new version – WCOS (Windows Core OS) – for dual display UI (User Interface); 2) run Android Apps and iCloud service in Windows 10; and 3) feature always-on connectivity function (LTE or 5G). Devices makers are expected to turn to foldable designs in the coming years as they strive to move mobile devices beyond long-established single-screen products.
Wireless earbuds with noise cancellation
Truly wireless earbuds have exploded in popularity over the past couple of years, but one feature they often lack is active noise cancellation. Sony was preparing to release its new wireless WF-1000XM3 earbuds with active noise cancellation, and Google Assistant built in, reports 9to5Google. Sony advertises strong battery life for the WF-1000XM3. The earbuds themselves offer six hours of playback while using noise cancellation, and another 24 hours of power within the charging case. That case can also deliver 90 minutes of playtime with just 10 minutes of charging, and it also uses magnets to guide and hold the earbuds in place, as well as using USB-C. Sony has delivered native Google Assistant with the new earbuds. A tap and hold of the right earbud’s touchpad triggers the Assistant. Other features include pausing music when one earbud is taken out, a “Quick Attention” feature that lets in ambient sound, and customizable touch controls, too. Price was expected to be $230 through outlets such as Amazon.
Bixby at your service
Bixby may be the forgotten child of virtual assistants, but Samsung is still hoping it can break through and compete with the likes of Siri, Alexa and Cortana, reports Engadget. Samsung has opened its Bixby Marketplace in the U.S. and South Korea, where users can download services to customize their assistant. The Marketplace offers Bixby apps, which Samsung calls “capsules,” including Google Maps, Spotify, iHeartRadio, NPR and Yelp. There are also the usual app store features like staff picks, user reviewers and categories to find the app you want. The development of the Bixby Marketplace could be the prelude to Samsung releasing its delayed Galaxy Home smart speaker to challenge the Amazon Echo and Google Home devices, though Bixby still has a way to go before it controls your home.
Protect your privacy from apps
Apps on your smartphone or other mobile devices can be convenient tools to access the news, get directions, pick up a ride share, or play games. But these tools can also put your privacy at risk, warns the Department of Homeland Security. When you download an app, it may ask for permission to access personal information – such as email contacts, calendar inputs, call logs, and location data – from your device. Apps may gather this information for legitimate purposes – for example, a ride-share app will need your location data in order to pick you up. However, app developers gain access to this information and may share it with third parties, such as companies who develop targeted ads based on your location and interests. Some steps to take: Review app permissions; be cautious with signing into apps on public Wi-Fi networks; avoid connecting your smartphone to any computer or charging station that you do not control. More tips may be found at https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/tips/st19-003