Amazon Echo Show 5 review: the smart alarm clock to get - The Verge

It wasn’t that long ago that the idea of a voice-controlled smart alarm clock was little more than science fiction. Now, the smart alarm clock is not only a real thing, but there are multiple smart alarm clocks to choose from. Amazon’s Echo Show 5 is the company’s latest entry into this space, sitting alongside the still available (for now) Echo Spot from 2017.

Of course, the $89.99 Echo Show 5 isn’t just a smart alarm clock. It’s a fully functional smart display. It’s capable of nearly everything that Amazon’s larger Echo Show can do, just in a smaller package. It also has some updated features that address my complaints with the Echo Spot. The Echo Show 5 is the best smart alarm clock available now, even if all you ever use it for is yelling at Alexa to snooze your alarm or tell you the day’s weather.

The Echo Show 5 is quite literally a smaller version of the Echo Show that Amazon released last year. It has a rectangular wedge shape that houses a 5.5-inch screen and a single small speaker. The full-size Echo Show obviously has more speakers that are better and louder, but you would never want to put one on your nightstand. (I’m guessing Amazon will eventually rename the larger one “the Echo Show 10,” but for now, it’s still the Echo Show. Not confusing at all!)

Compared to the smaller Echo Spot, the Show 5’s design allows for a much more practical (and larger) screen. But its design is decidedly less fun and unique than the Spot’s cleaved softball-like shape. That fun will cost you $40 more, and the Spot is a worse device in every other metric, so I don’t think it’s worth it. You can get the Show 5 in any color you’d like, so long as it’s white or black.

The Show 5 does maintain the Spot’s small footprint, and it’s easy to find room for it on a nightstand, desk, shelf, or mantle. It doesn’t really take up much more space than a traditional alarm clock, and it’s far more practical to use in more places than the full-size Echo Show.

The 5.5-inch screen won’t win any awards for pixel density: it’s just 960 x 480 pixels, meaning your phone certainly has a much higher resolution. But it’s perfectly fine for the types of things it displays, and it’s easy to see from across a room. It also adjusts its brightness automatically for the amount of light in the room and gets appropriately dim at night so it’s not shining into your eyes when you’re trying to sleep. The screen is the main difference between the Echo Show 5 and an Echo Dot, but it makes the Show much more practical as a bedside clock.

Likewise, the 4-watt speaker won’t be good for bumping the tunes at a house party, but it’s surprisingly full and powerful for casual music listening or podcasts, and Alexa’s voice is clear and easy to hear through it. It sounds better than the Echo Spot and the Lenovo Smart Clock and even better than the larger Nest Home Hub. You can output the Show 5’s audio to another speaker via 3.5mm cable or a Bluetooth connection, but I doubt most people will need to.

Amazon is using just two microphones to pick up voice commands, as opposed to the four on the larger Show or seven on an audio-only Echo. I didn’t notice any issues with the Show 5 hearing my voice commands, even while it was playing music or video.

Like the other Echo devices with screens, the Echo Show 5 includes a built-in camera for video calls to other Echo devices, the Alexa app, or Skype. It’s not a great camera — it’s just 1 megapixel and doesn’t have advanced HDR features — but if you really want to use it for a quick video chat, it’s perfectly adequate. (I doubt the photo booth features Amazon also includes with the camera will get much use, however.)

The thing that Amazon did add is a hardware switch that physically blocks the camera. This is a little thing that makes a big difference: if you’re going to put an internet-connected device with a camera in your bedroom, you want the most assurance you can get that it’s not recording when you don’t want it to. A physical shutter that blocks the lens is the best way to do this. I’ve actually resorted to sticking a googly eye over the Echo Spot, which lacks a physical shutter, because I don’t always trust a software switch to turn it off. I hope that, going forward, Amazon includes the physical shutter on all of its Echo devices with cameras.

The Show 5 is capable of all of the same things as the larger Show, including many of the same video sources (Amazon Prime Video, NBC, and Vevo), Alexa skills, and voice controls. It even has the same Firefox and Silk web browsers available on it. That sets it apart from the similar-looking but frustratingly limited Lenovo Smart Clock, which barely makes use of its display for anything other than showing the time.

Of course, it doesn’t support YouTube because while Amazon and Google are no longer fighting in the schoolyard, they aren’t exactly sitting at the same lunch table either. You can access YouTube via one of the built-in web browsers, but it’s a miserable experience and you can’t play any clips via voice controls. But it’s less of a loss on this smaller device since I don’t think it’s very practical for watching video with any regularity. As mentioned earlier, your phone has a better — and probably larger — screen for watching video anyway.

The Show 5’s screen is good for a quick glance to see the time or weather info, and Amazon has designed a number of customizable clock faces for it. You can set also your own custom image for it with the Alexa app or play a slideshow of whatever photos you might have in a Prime photos account or on Facebook. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have access to Google Photos, which is where I have my phone automatically upload all of my photos. That means it will never compete with Google’s Nest Home Hub as a digital picture frame for me. The Show 5 can also pull up video feeds from Ring or Amazon cameras, with support for two-way audio.

The software is very similar to the larger Echo Show’s, but Amazon has added a new quick-access pane that’s populated by common stuff you would want to do. When you swipe left from the right edge of the device, you will find buttons for music, alarms, smart home controls, video, Alexa skills, and a new communications hub for all of the ways you can talk to people on the device. More often than not, it’s usually easier to use voice commands for most of these features, but it might be a good way to not annoy the person you share a bed with when you want to turn out the lights.

Given its compact size, you can put the Echo Show 5 almost anywhere you want. I could see a lot of people using it as a connected clock radio on their desk or in a study. The most obvious place to use it is on a nightstand as an alarm clock, and Amazon has added a few features to make it more useful there. Not only can you ask Alexa to set alarms with your voice, but you can choose from many different alarm sounds, including Disney and SpongeBob-themed ones for kids and Tara Reid’s character from Sharknado warning you to get up and stay away from the windows. (Yes, really.) Or you can ask for a specific song to play from Spotify or Amazon Music.

A new Alexa Sunrise feature will gradually brighten the screen when it’s time for the alarm to go off, and you can use your voice to snooze or stop the alarm. You can also tap the top of the Show 5 to snooze the alarm, much like you can do on the Lenovo Smart Clock or a traditional alarm clock.

Overall, I think the Echo Show 5 is Amazon’s best implementation of a smart display yet. It still has the same limitations as the larger Echo Show — no Google services, no real apps, no Netflix, no proper YouTube support, etc. — but its smaller size means you probably wouldn’t use most of those things on it anyway. Its much lower cost compared to the $230 Show makes it easier to accept that it’s good at a limited set of features and no more.

It’s also the best smart alarm clock available now, with a good range of functions, loud and clear audio, and easy-to-use voice commands. At $90 (and with Amazon’s penchant for putting Echo devices on sale, likely frequently less), the Echo Show 5 is less expensive than Amazon’s own Echo Spot and just $10 more than the far less impressive Lenovo Smart Clock. The combination of an accessible price and good execution earn it an easy spot on my nightstand.

Photography by Dan Seifert / The Verge

Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. For more information, see our ethics policy.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://www.theverge.com/2019/6/24/18714432/amazon-echo-show-5-alexa-smart-alarm-display-review-specs-price-features

2019-06-24 13:00:00Z
52780320256503

Raspberry Pi 4 unveiled with beefier CPU, dual 4K monitor support, and up to 4GB of RAM - Android Central

Raspberry today announced the release of its latest tiny single-board computer, dubbed Raspberry Pi 4 Model B. The new model is a significant upgrade compared to the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ that was launched in March last year, even though its design may suggest otherwise.

Raspberry Pi 4 runs on a new quad-core Broadcom BCM2711 processor with four ARM Cortex-A72 cores clocked at 1.5 GHz and support for H.265 decoding. Consumers will be able to configure the new model with up to 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM, although the base configuration only includes 1GB of RAM. Previous Raspberry Pi models were offered with either 512MB or 1GB of LPDDR2 RAM. Thanks to the newer processor as well as the memory upgrades, the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B is a major step up from the earlier models in the performance department.

You also get two micro-HDMI ports, which allow the Pi 4 to push 4K output at 60 frames per second to two monitors at once. These upgrades make the Pi 4 a great option for consumers looking for a tiny and silent media center Pi — or a retro game console. In the connectivity department, the Pi 4 comes with Bluetooth 5.0 support instead of the older 4.2 version on its predecessor. Another notable upgrade is the addition of two USB 3.0 ports, supporting up to ten times faster data transfer speeds. To connect the single-board to the internet, you get an Ethernet port as well as 802.11ac Wi-Fi. Along with the hardware improvements, Raspberry has introduced new Raspbian software based on the upcoming Debian 10 Buster release. The latest release brings a more modern user interface, new Chromium 74 web browser, and multiple technical improvements.

The Raspberry Pi 4 Model B will be going on sale via authorized resellers starting today. While the base model of the Pi 4 with 1GB RAM will retail for $35, you will need to shell out $45 if you want the 2GB RAM model. The 4GB model, on the other hand, will be available at $55. While the 2GB and 4GB RAM models are no doubt more expensive compared to previous Raspberry Pi models, the significant improvement in performance does help justify the premium.

Of course, being a Raspberry Pi, you'll want to buy a Starter Kit that comes with a new USB-C power supply, heatsinks, and everything else you'll need to run the low-powered computer.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://www.androidcentral.com/raspberry-pi-4-unveiled-beefier-cpu-and-4gb-lpddr4-ram

2019-06-24 11:46:47Z
52780320192290

Microsoft's Foldable Surface Device Will Reportedly Run Android Apps - Thurrott.com

Microsoft’s foldable Surface device has been talked about for a long while. The device, codenamed Centaurus, was reportedly shown off to employees inside the company earlier this month. We already know quite a lot about the device, including the new lightweight version of Windows called Windows Core OS that powers the device.

And now, Forbes is reporting some new details on the device. The publication received some interesting tidbits on the product from IHS Markit, based on supply chain info. We are not quite sure how credible the reports are, so take them with a grain of salt.

Forbes reports that Microsoft’s foldable Surface will be able to run Android apps. There isn’t a lot of information as to how Microsoft will achieve this, but the device will apparently be able to run Android apps. That would require Microsoft to build its own store for Android apps, which may require Android developers to manually put their apps from the Google Play Store on Microsoft’s own Android store.

Microsoft tried putting Android apps on Windows Phones in the past, and that didn’t work too well. And if history is anything to go by, I have a good feeling this won’t be executed well, either.

Forbes also reports that the new device will be based on a 10nm Lakefield chip from Intel, and have two separate 9-inch displays with an aspect ratio of 4:3 (so it won’t be a single, foldable display). It will also come with always-on-connectivity.

Tagged with Centaurus, Surface

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://www.thurrott.com/hardware/208998/microsofts-foldable-surface-device-will-reportedly-run-android-apps

2019-06-24 10:55:05Z
52780319437750

Xiaomi's new Mi CC phones are aimed at young people - Engadget

Sponsored Links

Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi has struggled to sell phones recently, so now it's spreading its offerings to cater to specific sets of customers. In this case, it's targeting the younger generation with the launch of Mi CC, a new series of smartphones aiming to be "a trendy mobile phone for global young people."

Mi CC stands for Camera+Camera, referring to the upcoming phones' dual camera setups. This would suggest Xiaomi hopes to attract teens by amplifying the photo-taking abilities of future devices. Specifications aren't available yet, but they will feature front and back cameras, plus an "industry-leading algorithm empowered by the newly founded Xiaomi x Meitu AI Beauty Lab."

To design a series of trendy phones, Xiaomi has employed a young product team, half of whom are art majors. This is unusual in an industry dominated by STEM graduates.

Other products in the Mi line include the Mi 9, an affordable flagship, and the sliding Mi Mix 3. The budget Redmi series has been spun off into its own brand.

There has been some criticism that Xiaomi product names are confusing, but CEO Lei Jun says that this new launch is part of an "already clear" differentiation of the brand's various product lines.

Via: Engadget Chinese

Source: Xiaomi

In this article: gear, Mi CC, mobile, Xiaomi

All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Shares

Share

Tweet

Share

Save

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://www.engadget.com/2019/06/24/xiaomi-new-mi-cc/

2019-06-24 10:17:13Z
52780318810462

Microsoft’s secret dual-screen Surface might run Android apps - The Verge

Microsoft has been working on a secret new dual-screen Surface device for months now. While the company has experimenting with smaller pocketable devices, it looks like Microsoft is settling on a slightly larger Surface device that could debut early next year. IHS Markit, a market research firm, now claims that Microsoft’s dual-screen Surface will have two 9-inch displays with a 4:3 aspect ratio. Citing supply chain info, IHS Markit told Forbes that the device could be due in the first quarter or first half of 2020.

The device, codenamed Centaurus, will also reportedly run Android apps as part of Microsoft’s new Windows Core OS (WCOS) operating system. Microsoft has been developing WCOS as the underpinnings for a more lightweight version of Windows. This new OS will power dual-screen devices and Chromebook competitors. “Windows Lite,” as it’s codenamed internally, is a more stripped-down version of Windows that is initially being prioritized for dual-screen devices like Centaurus.

An Android apps addition would be a surprise move from Microsoft, especially if it further undermines the company’s Universal Windows Platform. Microsoft will need to create its own Android app store, and convince developers to modify their apps to work without Google Play Services access. Huawei is in a similar position, and creating an alternative Android app store hasn’t been successful for phone makers let alone laptop makers.

IHS Markit also believes Microsoft’s dual-screen Surface device will use Intel’s latest 10nm processors, with LTE or 5G connectivity. We understand Microsoft has been working closely with Intel on its Surface Centaurus device. Intel has been pushing OEMs to create dual-screen hardware, and devices could appear much like Microsoft’s Courier concept, dual-screen laptops, or even foldable displays in the future.

Microsoft recently teased this dual-screen Surface device during an internal employee-only event, indicating that work has progressed to the stage it could be shown publicly soon. Microsoft likes to hold Surface events in New York City in October, and it’s feasible that if this dual-screen Surface device is going ahead then that will be the venue where we might get our first look at this new hardware.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://www.theverge.com/2019/6/24/18715222/microsoft-surface-dual-screens-foldable-android-apps-rumors

2019-06-24 09:33:58Z
52780319927415

$35 Raspberry Pi 4 announced with 4K support and up to 4GB of RAM - The Verge

The Raspberry Pi Foundation has announced the fourth version of its miniature budget computer. The Raspberry Pi 4 keeps the same form-factor and $35 starting price of its predecessor, but it has improved specs across the board. It now comes with up to 4GB of RAM (four times that of any previous Pi), a faster CPU and GPU, faster Ethernet, dual-band Wi-Fi, twice the amount of HDMI outputs, and two USB 3 ports.

These upgrades mean that the Raspberry Pi 4 is usable as a budget desktop PC replacement if you opt for its most expensive 4GB model. Tom’s Hardware’s review notes that the hardware is able to handle many everyday tasks such as web browsing with up to 15 Chromium tabs, light image editing using GIMP, and document and spreadsheet work using Libre Office. Unsurprisingly, the sub-$100 miniature PC has its limits. It reportedly struggles with full screen video playback from YouTube for example, even if you turn down the resolution to 480p.

Here’s a full list of the Raspberry Pi 4’s improvements over its predecessor, the Raspberry Pi 3 B+:

• Quad-core 1.5GHz Broadcom CPU, up from 1.4GHz in the previous model.
• 500MHz VideoCore VI GPU, up from 400MHz previously.
• A USB Type-C port for power, rather than Micro USB.
• Two Micro HDMI ports which can power two 4K monitors at 30fps, or a single 4K monitor at 60fps alongside a 1080p display.
• Two USB 3 ports and two USB 2 ports, up from four USB 2 ports.
• A Gigabit Ethernet port which is no longer throttled by a USB interface.
• Bluetooth 5.0 rather than 4.1.
• Dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi.
• A microSD storage card with a theoretical maximum transfer rate of 50 Mbps, up from 25 Mbps.
• A 40 pin GPIO connector with support for three more interfaces; I2C, SPI, and UART.

The Raspberry Pi 4 is available starting today with either 1GB, 2GB, or 4GB of RAM for $35, $45, and $55, respectively.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2019/6/24/18715211/raspberry-pi-4-release-date-news-features-4gb-ram-dual-dual-hdmi-gigabit-ethernet

2019-06-24 08:53:30Z
52780320002772

New 16-inch MacBook Pro rumored to launch in fall with 3072×1920 display, spec bump refresh for MacBook Air - 9to5Mac

According to a industry report from IHS Market, published by Forbes, Apple is set to launch a new 16-inch MacBook Pro later this year.

The report claims a 3072×1920 resolution, up from the 2880×1800 panel found in Apple’s 15-inch laptops since the first Retina MacBook Pro in 2012. As the 15-inch MacBook Pro was refreshed already this year, with newer processors and a revised keyboard design, people are expecting the 16-inch to forge a new, separate, tier in Apple’s product lineup. This suggests a price point around $3000.

Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial

IHS Markit says the new 16-inch laptop has a target manufacturing date of September 2019 with a production rate of about 250,000 units per month. The panel would still be LCD (no OLED yet as previously reported) and supposedly manufactured by LG.

The redesigned MacBook Pro form factor was first floated by TF Industries Ming-Chi Kuo in February. It was described as a 16-16.5-inch MacBook Pro featuring an all-new design.

At the time, Kuo also said that the 13-inch MacBook Pro would receive a spec bump, with the addition of a 32 GB RAM option.

This mirrors what IHS Markit is also reporting; they suggest the 13-inch MacBook Pro and the Retina MacBook Air would get minor spec bumps around the same time period as the wholly new 16-inch MacBook Pro debut.

This would be a same-year follow-up to the processor updates that the 13-inch (and 15-inch) MacBook Pros received just before WWDC. News on languishing Apple’s 12-inch MacBook remains scarce.

The fall hardware launch would coincide with Apple’s official release of the macOS Catalina operating system.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://9to5mac.com/2019/06/24/new-16-inch-macbook-pro-rumored-to-launch-in-fall/

2019-06-24 08:16:00Z
52780319025454