Samsung targets 2020 for bringing its Bixby assistant to all its smart home products

Samsung’s Bixby might not be top of mind when it comes to digital assistants but that isn’t stopping the company from bringing it to more products. In fact, Samsung is hoping to bring the assistant t all its Internet of Things products by the year 2020. They aren’t going to stop with phones, TVs, refrigerators, and washers. They want even their ovens and robot cleaners to support the assistant to make sure you get a seamless experience with all its products. The year 2020 might be an ambitious deadline but Samsung says it’s partnering with AI research center competitors and looking for mergers to bring this initiative to life.

Source: Android Police

Is a cheaper Beats-branded Apple HomePod in our future?

It’s a rumour that needs to be taken with a big grain of salt, but word coming out from supply chain sources in Taiwan claim a new HomePod is on its way and it’ll try to go up against its competitors more, at least price-wise. Sales of the original HomePod have not been stellar. A recent report from Strategy Analytics shows that Apple’s smart speaker only accounted for 6% of the global smart speaker market in the recent March quarter. Amazon’s Echo devices account for 81.8% market share.

Price is considered one of the big things the HomePod has going against it. And if the rumours are true, then this might put Apple in better footing to get more people to use HomePods. According to Loveios, this cheaper version of the HomePod can be priced around US$199 and it could be released under the Beats brand. Again, these are all rumours at this point. But if this would happen, will you be willing to get one?

Source: BGR

Google’s Project Jacquard jacket adds more functionality

Google’s Project Jacquard is bringing some new features to the Levi’s Commuter Trucker Jacket that its users might appreciate. For those who don’t know, this Google’s smart jacket project that it’s collaborated with Levi’s to make it available to the public. Some of the new features coming to the US$350 (around CA$450) smart jacket include Bose Aware Mode, or letting you gesture on the jacket to toggle noise cancellation on select Bose headsets; being able to drop a pin while you’re on the go and save a location you want; and being able to link your Lyft and Uber apps to the jacket’s snap tag to alert you when your ride arrives. And if you’re on Android, the Call & Text ability will let you Brush In to answer a call right from the jacket. If you’re interested in getting one, Levi’s is offering 30% off of the $350 retail price. Just input the code JACQUARD30 to avail of the discount. This brings down the price to $245.

Source: Android Police

Upcoming Netflix comedy film will star Jennifer Aniston and Tig Notaro as POTUS and FLOTUS

It’s not particularly surprising that Jennifer Aniston’s first project with Netflix will be a comedy. The actress, who is also a producer alongside Will Ferrell, will star as the first female President of the United States. Called First Ladies, her wife in the movie is comedian Tig Notaro. Netflix’s description of their characters, Beverly and Kasey Nicholson, say they are out to “prove that behind every great woman… is another great woman.” Notaro and Stephanie Allynne (One Mississippi) will be writing the script. They will also be producers.

Source: CNN