Newest Amazon Echo Show is handy for real life

By Sonya Davidson

We are inundated with devices all year round. Devices that can entertain, keep us organize, keep our homes in check and keep us connected with our friends and family. We keep them in our pockets like umbilical cords. Can’t live without them. I know. I’m down deep in that rabbit hole too. But I am someone who embraces technology when it can make my life easier, better, and smarter. 

As the consumer and end user, I want to know what a device does and how it works. The latest addition to my home is the Amazon Echo Show (second generation). Think of it as your virtual assistant with Alexa at the helm ready and waiting to make your day. We have the device sitting prominently on the kitchen counter - yes, high traffic area. Why? Because when I first saw the device at a preview event I was already loving the design and quality of sound. I knew it would serve its best purpose in a high traffic area in my home. The kitchen, and main floor area, is where I spend 90% of my time when I’m home. It made sense. I usually have music playing in the background while I work, cook or entertain. Echo Show does more than that, so let’s break down what I love most about this device. 

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Apple's latest holiday ad brings all the feels

Apple has invoked the magic of animation for its latest holiday ad. With some subtle product placements, the clever and whimsical 'Share your Gift' holiday ad. The focus here, beyond buying expensive consumer electronics, is to share your gifts and talents. It's a great message for the season to remind us about what is really important.

Swiss hotel chain offers ‘Instagram sitters’ that can post on your behalf

Want to document your amazing vacation but want to go off the grid at the same time? Sounds impossible, right? Well, for Ibis hotel chain, they are offering a trial “Instagram sitter” service for all of its 17 properties in Zurich and Geneva. Hotel guests can have one of the 16 social influencers take care of their Instagram accounts while they enjoy their vacations. Called “Relax We Post,” the service employs the help of influencers like local radio DJ Sylwina, lifestyle blogger Cristina Gheiceanu, and Germany’s Next Topmodel’s Sara Leutenegger.

To avail of the service, you’ll need to give your login details so that the Instagram sitter can curate your feed while you’re staying at the hotel. The Instagram sitter can post photos, videos, and Instagram Stories for you. If you want, they can even respond to comments made on your account. The sitter can even help you find the most “Instagrammable” spots in the hotel and the city. You can also let them know about specific feed requirements or requests, like not posting photos of meat if you’re a vegetarian.

Source: Lonely Planet

Microsoft Launcher on Android will help track your phone use

While Android Pie has its own built-in digital health tracking feature, Microsoft’s update to its Launcher app on Android brings this feature to more users. The app, which supports Android 4.2 and above, can help you track how long you’ve used apps, screen time, and the amount of times you’ve unlocked your phone. Version 5.1 of the app also includes To-Do and Sticky Notes integration, letting you sync your tasks and notes from these apps to the launcher. It also gets Hey Cortana support. This version is already available as a beta version from the Play Store and should be rolling out to all users in the coming weeks.

Source: The Verge