Editor's Pick: Google Assistant Gets More Features, Greater Reach

Google Assistant Gets More Features, Greater Reach

Richard Adhikari Jan 10, 2019 5:00 AM PT
	Google this week debuted a slew of new capabilities for Google Assistant at CES in Las Vegas. The new Connect platform lets device manufacturers incorporate Assistant into their products easily and cost-effectively. Connect uses Google's existing smart home platform to expand to new device types, while making device setup and discovery easy for consumers. [More...]

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Where Linux Went in 2018 - and Where It's Going
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Disruptive innovations are only disruptive for as long as it takes competition to develop and thus create a market. Worse, for the disruptor, the niche it created can spawn other niches. Social networking provides a vivid example. First, there were networking sites that could help you find a job or a sales lead. Then there were social sites whose purpose was simply, well, networking. [More...]

Microsoft, Kroger Ring Up Retail as a Service
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Creating New Customer Experiences: 6 Retail Technology Predictions for 2019
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Tech News Flash

Tech News Flash: Thursday -- January 10, 2019

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Headline Scan
Google Assistant Gets More Features, Greater Reach
IBM Chief Sounds Cautionary Note on Deep Data, AI, Quantum Computing
Where Linux Went in 2018 - and Where It's Going
Apple, Samsung Buddy Up in Smart TV Deal
2019: The Year Everything Changes

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Today's Story Highlights

Google Assistant Gets More Features, Greater Reach

Google this week debuted a slew of new capabilities for Google Assistant
at CES in Las Vegas. The new Connect platform lets device manufacturers
incorporate Assistant into their products easily and cost-effectively.
Connect uses Google's existing smart home platform to expand to new
device types, while making device setup and discovery easy for
consumers.
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/85778.html

IBM Chief Sounds Cautionary Note on Deep Data, AI, Quantum Computing

Powerful technologies like deep data, AI and quantum computing should be
introduced into society carefully, IBM CEO Ginni Rometty declared in
opening remarks at CES. "These tools are so powerful they will solve
some of the most enduring problems -- like food safety, waste," she
said, "but like all powerful tools, we've got to usher them in safely
into society."
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/85774.html

Where Linux Went in 2018 - and Where It's Going

For those who try to keep their finger on the Linux community's pulse,
2018 was a surprisingly eventful year. Spread over the last 12 months,
we've seen various projects in the Linux ecosystem make great strides,
as well as suffer their share of stumbles. All told, the year wrapped up
leaving plenty to be optimistic about in the year to come, but there is
much more on which we can only speculate.
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/85777.html

Apple, Samsung Buddy Up in Smart TV Deal

Apple movies and music are coming to Samsung Smart TVs this spring.
Samsung's 2019 Smart TVs will support iTunes Movies and TV Shows, and
Apple AirPlay 2, Samsung said Sunday at CES in Las Vegas. Smart TVs made
in 2018 also will be able to play Apple content via a firmware update.
Apple content can be accessed from the smart TVs via an exclusive app.
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/85772.html

2019: The Year Everything Changes

We are approaching critical mass on a number of technologies that we
will see increasingly this year. This wave will start at CES, where we
will see an impressive number of attempts at personal robots and AI-
powered digital assistants. Most will fail, but both the failures and
the few successes will set the stage for the first true mobile personal
robots that will arrive in the following years.
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/85768.html

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The Morning After: AT&T tries to explain its 5G fib

Engadget Email Newsletter

It's Thursday, January 10, 2019.

Hey, good morning! You look fabulous.

Another day of CES kicks off as our team has been uncovering the more curious exhibitors taking up residence in Las Vegas. Before you check those out, though, get your People’s Choice votes in ahead of tonight’s Best of CES Awards and let your voice be heard.

(View in browser.)

Say hello to the Cybic E-Legend.

Even bicycles have Alexa now

A bicycle with Alexa? What's the point? According to Nick Summers, there definitely is one. It can offer directions in a pinch, turn the heating on before you get home and send a message to your family when you get stuck in traffic. Heck, you could even use it to order UberEats. According to Amazon, Cybic is the first company to offer an Alexa-enabled bike. The complete range will be sold in the UK through Halfords this summer. A Cybic spokesperson hinted that the bicycles will come to other markets later.

Here's our list of nominees for all 15 categories.

Presenting the Best of CES 2019 finalists!

The Engadget CES team has been hard at work finding the latest and greatest gadgets here at CES 2019. After a long and arduous debate, we're ready to announce our finalists for the official Best of CES awards. We’ve made our selections for all 15 categories, ranging from best wearables to the most impactful products we've seen at the show. Keep an eye out at 8 PM ET tonight when we announce all the winners.

That digital helper just keeps getting smarter and more deeply embedded.

Breaking down the Google Assistant news and strategy for 2019

It's clear that Assistant is not just getting more useful, but it's also going to permeate even more of our lives. Director of product management for the Google Assistant Chris Turkstra joined us on stage at CES to go over the latest news and give us a hint of what's coming this year.

With tons of shows & movies + Live TV for sports, Hulu is about to ruin TV for you forever.

Added weight on the way down gives your biceps an extra boost.

The Hiiga-One is a mechanical bench press that doesn't need weights

The Hiiga-One is a mechanical bench press that avoids the lumps of iron entirely. Crazier still, you can change weight on the fly or add extra pounds to the barbell as you lower it, increasing your workout's effectiveness. The machine takes a strength reading before your workout routine and responds to your decreasing energy by reducing the weight slightly. It's like a robo-spotter.

It didn't do the greatest job.

AT&T doubles down on its 5G fib

AT&T is sticking by its faux 5G label. In an interview, the company's Igal Elbaz defended the decision… not very well. The main issue is that even if your phone is displaying AT&T’s 5G E, you’ll definitely need a new one to actually use next-gen mobile networks.

It's targeted at solid 4K gaming.

AMD's Radeon VII is the first 7nm GPU for gamers

AMD is making a big stab at 4K gaming with its new high-end video card, the Radeon VII. Announced during the company's CES keynote, it's the world's first consumer 7nm GPU. That architecture allows it to be around 25 percent faster than the company's last model, while using the same amount of power.

Dan Cooper explains how a robot put him on the CES injured list.

I just had my ass handed to me by a boxing robot

Essentially a punchbag on a stick, BotBoxer is loaded up with a number of sensors that can detect pressure and movement. Its stick is connected to a base and held in place with a series of cables that can angle it to dodge blows during sparring.

But wait, there's more...

1. IKEA's smart window blinds hit the US April 1st

2. LG's Laser 4K doesn't need a lot of space for a big picture

3. The Osé blended-orgasm machine sounds like a micro-robotic marvel

4. The story behind Impossible Burger 2.0

5. LG's 49-inch ultrawide monitor is a multi-tasker's dream

The Morning After is a new daily newsletter from Engadget designed to help you fight off FOMO. Who knows what you'll miss if you don't subscribe.

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