Amazon goes spherical with new Echo speakers

The new Amazon Echo (Source: Amazon)

The new Amazon Echo speakers don't look anything like they've looked before. Amazon revamps the Echo speaker line and introduces a look that makes it feel like they've been taken out of a sci-fi film. The new spherical Echo speaker gets all of the Echo Plus' smart hub features at $129.99. The Echo Dot receives a new spherical look, too, and comes in at $69.99 for the standard version or $79.99 for the Clock model. 

It's not showing up on Amazon Canada's site, but the company also introduced a new Echo Dot Kids model that looks like the Echo Dot, but with cute animals faces on them. These will come with a year's worth of Amazon Kids+, which gives users access to child-friendly audiobooks, games, and more.

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Fitbit OS on the Sense and Versa 3 won't be available on earlier wearables

Fitbit Sense (Source: Fitbit)

Even if the Fitbit Versa 2 is just a year old, unfortunately, it won't be getting the latest version of Fitbit's smartwatch software. The Fitbit OS 5.0 platform was developed "exclusively" for the newer wearables and "optimized" for the Sense and Versa 3's latest displays and speaker technology. OS 5.0 introduces a new interface navigation method and interface that takes advantage of the higher resolution screens. And while it can run older apps, these need to run in a compatibility mode.

Developers can't distribute a single version of an app optimized for both old and new smartwatches. What they can do is release different versions that will reach the right users. Those who own older Fitbit Versa smartwatches can still use theirs just fine (our first-generation Versa still works well); it's just they won't get the steady stream of new features.

Source: Engadget

Lyft adds Toronto public transit info

Source: Lyft

Lyft riders in Toronto will see other transit options in the app with a new update. The app will show information from TTC, Go Transit, UP Express, and York Region Transit. Lyft will show nearby routes, upcoming departures, trip options, transit, and walking directions for nearby destinations.

This new feature helps Lyft riders decide the best transportation option for them, without having to leave the app. Lyft hopes this is "another step toward providing effective, equitable, and sustainable transportation to our communities, and towards creating a more seamless and connected transportation network."

Source: Lyft

Microsoft Xbox remote play is coming to iOS

Source: Microsoft

After bringing the feature to Android, we get confirmation that Microsoft is testing Xbox remote play on iOS, too. As you expect, the app connects to your Xbox One (or one of the upcoming consoles) and lets you play the games already available on your system. It isn't like Microsoft's xCloud service, which will run games from the cloud. Sony has something similar with its Remote Play app.

According to The Verge's Tom Warren, the beta app looks stable, and it should arrive on the App Store soon. But Microsoft isn't saying when it'll be available.