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Meet the new member of the Amazon Echo family: Echo Spot

“‘Echo Spot combines the popular small design of Echo Dot [it measures 4.1” x 3.8” x 3.6” or 104 mm x 97 mm x 81 mm], the display of Echo Show, and the features you love about Alexa into an all-new, stylish and compact device,’ said Tom Taylor, Senior Vice President, Amazon Alexa” (according to Amazon’s Press Release). Using Spot you can use all the features of Alexa (like ordering a pizza or requesting an Uber, controlling your thermostat or lights, or asking questions) and ask her to show you news flashes, the lyrics to Amazon Music songs, your calendar, the weather, etc. Its small design makes it perfect for use as a smart clock on your nightstand or your desk or really for any room in the house.

The Echo Spot connects to your home network via WiFi just like the other Echo devices. It has a built-in speaker you can use or you can connect it to other speakers via Bluetooth or 3.5 mm audio cable. It also has a front-facing camera so that you can make hands-free video calls or if you have one of these in each room in your house and you enable the Drop-In feature which allows you to connect it to other Echo devices, you can check in on each other (e.g. check on your baby sleeping in her room or check in on mom in the kitchen to see when dinner might be ready). Oh my gosh, I love this design and I love my Echo Dot so this has a definite future in our home. The Echo Spot comes in black or white and is available for pre-order right now from Amazon for $129.99 and will start shipping on December 19, 2017.

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Meet the new member of the Amazon Echo family: Echo Spot originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 29, 2017 at 8:00 am.

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Is the LG V30 the best new bang for your buck smartphone this year?

I just heard that the LG V30 will be available here in the US starting on October 5 from Verizon and then later on October 13 from T-Mobile. This may sound surprising, but I’m more excited to try this Android smartphone than I am to get my hands on the iPhone X which isn’t due to ship until Nov-freaking-ember.

Maybe I’m feeling this way because I’m starting to get a little bored with my iPhone 7 Plus which I’ve been using for the past 3 months. My boredom levels didn’t improve even after last week’s OS update to iOS 11 which in my opinion, didn’t feel very magical.

Maybe it’s because I got the opportunity to review the Samsung Galaxy Note8 and it reminded me of why I love Android and started giving me thoughts of running back into the arms of that loveable green robot.

It could also be due to the fact that I like LG devices and used the LG G3 for a year before moving to the Nexus 6P.

Or maybe it’s because the LG V30 is priced up to $200 less than the iPhone X, and has a microSD card slot, wireless charging, 3.5mm headphone jack, 13MP/16MP dual rear lens camera, Quad DAC audio, and a 6″ 18:9 FullVision OLED display.

The only disappointment in the specs that I noticed so far is the OS version – the V30 ships with Android Nougat (v7) instead of the latest Oreo (v8).

I can’t wait to get my hands on this phone. Anyone else interested in the LG V30?

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Is the LG V30 the best new bang for your buck smartphone this year? originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 28, 2017 at 12:49 pm.

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New Ataribox coming Spring of 2108, pricing info, and more

Back in July Atari announced that they would be jumping back into the gaming console arena with a modernized take on its popular Atari 2600, the Ataribox. In an email to their fans Tuesday the company released a few more tidbits regarding the highly anticipated console. Having owned a 2600 back in my youth the news definitely sparked my interest and nostalgia.

What we already knew

There will be two editions of the Ataribox, black and red and wood. The front panel of the console will be either glass or (real) wood and it’ll have one HDMI port, four USB ports, and one SD port.

What’s new

Atari plans on releasing the console via an Indiegogo campaign in the next month or two and it will begin shipping sometime in the Spring of 2018. Fans who get involved with the campaign will have access to special editions and exclusive pricing. Prices will run $249-$299 depending on specific editions and memory configurations.

The console will be driven by custom AMD Radeon graphics technology and it will run Linux. With Linux, you will be able to customize and run the console like you would a Linux PC. According to Atari “Ataribox is also a full PC experience for the TV, bringing you streaming, applications, social, browsing, music, and more.”

You can also expect the unit to come preloaded with “tons of classic Atari retro games”, as well as “current titles from a range of studios.”

Details about the Ataribox have been slow in coming and we still don’t have any details regarding which classic games will be included with the console at launch although the company says it’ll “start talking titles soon.” Another big question is whether or not the console will come with Atari’s classic joystick controllers.

Atari says it will have “lots more in the weeks ahead.” In the meantime, you can head over to the official Ataribox website and sign up to be the first to know when more info is available.

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New Ataribox coming Spring of 2108, pricing info, and more originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 28, 2017 at 8:00 am.

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Universe lets you create a free landing page website right from your iPhone

Have you ever wanted to build your own website but weren’t sure how to go about getting a domain, a web host, and creating the main page? The free iOS app called Universe takes all the pain out of creating a super basic web page that you can use as a digital business card – and the best part is that it’s free!

Ok, it’s completely free as long as you’re ok with having an onuniverse.com domain name for your site. If you want a custom domain name like iamcool.com, it will cost you $2.99 per month (billed through Apple).

The Universe website builder app is very simple to use. Just install it, pick a domain name, choose from personal, business, or blank templates and then add a picture, title, a couple of social media links and you’re done. Seriously, it will take you less than 5 minutes and your landing page will be live on the internet just like mine at gadgeteer.onuniverse.com. Yes, the page is VERY basic, but you can move elements around, change background colors, fonts, etc. The interface is a little flaky, but it’s hard to complain about it because… it’s free.

Visit onuniverse.com for all the details.

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Universe lets you create a free landing page website right from your iPhone originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 27, 2017 at 10:32 am.

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Bit Bar is the “Pocket Friendly EDC Screwdriver”

I’m a big fan of space-saving EDC tools, and if you are too, have a look at the Bit Bar from BIGiDESIGN, maker of lots of cool and useful EDC items. The Bit Bar is essentially a slim, compact screwdriver that carries its own bits in a spring-loaded, magnetic rack inside it. Just push on the bottom of the rack with your thumb and you have access to all of the bits. Then, just insert one into the end of the Bit Bar and you are in business. It also includes a keyring slot, a pocket clip and the center can be used as a bottle-opener. Available in glass-reinforced nylon ($75) and two colors of Grade 5 titanium ($120 each), the Bit Bar is a bit pricey, but for anyone who uses a screwdriver frequently but wants a slim design, check out the Bit Bar. Visit BIGiDESIGN for more info or to order.

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Bit Bar is the “Pocket Friendly EDC Screwdriver” originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 26, 2017 at 6:56 pm.

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