LG to let you chat with your smart home appliances with Line

LG has announced a collaboration with messaging service Line to allow smart home appliance users to chat with the company’s upcoming models. The Korean tech company calls it a Natural Language Processing feature and it integrates LG’s HomeChat service with Line to let users send commands to compatible appliances.

It currently only works in Korean and English and will let you message the next-gen LG refrigerator, washing machine, HOM-BOT SQUARE vacuum cleaner, and smart oven. You can send messages like “I’m going on vacation” and your appliance will reply, “Should I convert to vacation mode?” And when you affirm this, it will turn your ref’s power saving mode on; have your vacuum cleaner sweep the floors at a specified time; and even set the washing machine’s spin cycle.

Facebook updates Windows Phone app to add start screen notifications

Facebook has updated its beta app for Windows Phone to add a few new features. The social network added a second Live Tile to let you pin events, groups, chats, and the like on your home screen. Meanwhile, the primary tile can display updates from your friends directly on the start screen. If you use messaging feature on the app, you also now get stickers and emoticons to bug or amuse your friends with.

Mike Lazaridis abandons Blackberry buyout bid, sells $26 million worth of shares

Blackberry founder and former co-CEO Mike Lazaridis has publicly abandoned his plan to buy the company formerly known as RIM. Lazaridis was the technology-focused CEO who wanted another chance to help out the iconic Canadian smartphone pioneer. When the company was put up for sale months ago, Lazaridis valiantly rallied investors to buy the company. Blackberry decided not to sell and is currently working to regain its foothold in the mobile industry.

Lazaridis also cashed in a portion of his Blackberry shares worth US $ 26 million.

Sony releases Android 4.3 Jelly Bean to more Xperia devices

Following the recent Android Jelly Bean update for the Xperia Z Ultra and Z1, Sony is rolling out the 4.3 version of its OS to the Xperia Tablet Z, Xperia Z, ZL, and ZR. These four devices will be gaining access to the OS updates features as well as the Smart Social Camera from Sony. There will also be a new suite of Sony-made apps for these Xperia users, including MyXperia, Messaging, Small apps, TrackID, Sony Select, and Smart Connect.