Amazon Alexa can now send out text messages, rolling out in the US first

Amazon Alexa is playing a bit of catch up with other voice assistants like Apple’s Siri and Google Assistant with this latest update. Alexa can now send out SMS messages but with a few caveats. You’ll need to have an Android phone that’s linked to your Alexa device. But it send to any device that can receive text messages (including iPhones). Also, as mentioned in the title, it’s rolling out in the US first.

You just need to say, for example, “Alexa, text Jerry” and then dictate your message to your Amazon Alexa device. It’ll then “find the best way to send the message,” whether that be through SMS or the Alexa messaging service. If you want to send emojis, there’s no way to do that just yet. To turn on the feature, you’ll need to open the Alexa app and head to the Conversations tab, then Contacts, then My Profile to turn on the Send SMS setting. There’s no word yet when the feature is coming to Canada but what Amazon Alexa can do now is make phone calls to other Echo devices or most regular phone numbers in the country as well as in the US and Mexico.

Source: CNN

Intel tipped to be looking for a partner for its AR glasses unit

Google Glass

Intel, like a lot of the other big tech companies including Apple, Google, and Amazon, are working on their own versions of augmented reality glasses or those specs that project content straight to the user’s retina—which is similar to Google Glass. But it looks like Intel doesn’t want to work on this alone. The company is rumoured to be selling a majority stake of its AR glasses division, which is valued at US$350 million. The company is supposedly looking for multiple backers to invest in the project. They’re looking particularly for those “who can contribute to the business with strong sales channels, industry or design expertise, rather than financial backers.”

Intel is already working on these smart glasses that can be paired with smartphones via Bluetooth. They’re said to be working with Taiwan’s Quanta Computer Inc. to bring the product to life and “the technology is known internally as Superlite, but the business to be sold will likely be called Vaunt,” at least based on the report from Bloomberg. The product could be sold on the market as soon as this year but no word on the specific date or price. Intel is supposedly more concerned about showing off the technology to potential customers rather than selling actual units in big numbers. Some of the potential clients include the aforementioned companies already working on their own smart glasses.

Source: BGR

Razer introduces limited edition Razer Phone with gold colored logo at the back

Just in time for the Chinese Spring Festival, Razer is unveiling a limited edition version of its first smartphone. This Gold Edition of the Razer Phone features a gold colored logo at the back of the device. This seems to be the only change made to the device and it also retails with the similar US$699.99 price tag. It’s being sold in the U.S. and Hong Kong. Based on what’s on Razer’s site, it comes in classy looking red packaging, too. There is no word on how many units the company is selling but if you want to get your hands on one, you might want to get one as soon as possible.

Source: Android Authority

Review: ScoopFree Original Self Cleaning Litter Box

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

I was eager to try tou the PetSafe ScoopFree Self Cleaning Litter Box with my two cats. I mean, c'mon, a litter box that cleans itself? That sounds like magic!

PetSafe says their ScoopFree self-cleaning litter boxes can be left alone fore weeks at a time. The litter box isn't magic, but it is a mix of technology, chemistry and clever design.

I replaced my litter box and World's Best Cat Cat Litter for a ScooFree self-cleaning litter box and the included blue crystal litter at a time when we were expecting house guests and would be busier than usual.

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