If you own a smart speaker like HomePod or a similar device that comes with an always-on assistant, should you make visitors aware they might be recorded at all times?
Ethical question: should you disclose smart speakers like HomePod to guests?
Speaker
A cheaper HomePod with just two tweeters could drop as early as next year
Apple is reportedly working on a new model of its Siri-powered HomePod wireless speaker that is thought to feature just two tweeters instead of seven along with a lower price point.
The new HomePod software makes the Siri-speaker play nice with enterprise networks
Aside from releasing the iOS 12.3 and tvOS 12.3 updates bringing the overhauled TV app with support for Apple TV Channels to your iPhone, iPad and Apple TV devices, there's also a new software update available for the HomePod smart speaker.
Apple is working on a multi-user mode for HomePod, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has it
Tucked away as a side-note in Bloomberg's massive report on the new iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch features coming at WWDC 2019 is a mention of a multi-user mode for HomePod.
Some Amazon employees who listen to Alexa requests have access to users’ home addresses
Bloomberg recently reported that Amazon has a project with some of its employees listening to some of the audio recordings made by Alexa speakers when users interact with them, but it now appears that those folks have access to customers' home addresses, too.
Apple cuts HomePod price globally by $50, now $299 in the US
In an effort to boost sales, Apple's decided to do something it rarely does by cutting the HomePod price by $50 to bring the Siri-powered speaker to $299, down from $349.
Sonus12 is a minimalist, yet customizable volume HUD for iOS
We feel like we’re beating a dead horse every time we say that the iPhone’s native volume HUD sucks, so we’ll just skim past that line and get right to the point of why you clicked on this post. Say hello to a new jailbreak tweak called Sonus12, a drop-dead gorgeous volume HUD replacement for iPhones and iPads by iOS developer ubik.
Sonus12 is minimalistic by design, which prevents it from obstructing your view when you adjust your handset’s volume level. By default, it appears at the top of the display, and it’s very compact.
What the status lights on an Amazon Echo speaker mean
If you use an Amazon smart speaker like the Echo or Echo Dot, you’ll notice a variety of different status lights. But these lights aren’t very helpful if you don’t know what they mean. Does the yellow light keep coming on? Is there a purple light continuously flashing?
To help you decipher what your smart speaker is trying to tell you, here’s a quick rundown of what the status lights on an Amazon Echo speaker mean.
Apple researching new HomePod features: 3D hand gestures, Face ID & much more
Apple's HomePod wireless speaker could gain a host of additional capabilities in the future, including 3D hand gestures, the Face ID facial recognition system and much more.
In China, you can ask HomePod to tell you a story
HomePod in China includes an interesting storytelling feature for children, unavailable elsewhere, that permits kids to ask the Siri assistant to tell them a story.
HomePod became available in China last Friday, January 18, but this feature was tucked away as a side-note in Apple's press release announcing HomePod's debut in China.
“In China, Siri on HomePod also offers storytelling for children, just say 'Hey Siri, tell me a story',” reads the announcement.
The feature is also being advertised on Apple's HomePod webpage in Chinese, but no further information is provided as to how this works and what the limitations are, if any.
At any rate, this isn't the only China-specific features for the Siri speaker—with the new Artist of the Week program, for instance, Apple Music on HomePod showcases newly discovered talent across greater China.
New artists from mainland China include Corsak, Chace, Lucie Cheung, Gong, Dean Ting and Lu Xianghui while the popular playlists include "The A-List International Pop," "Today’s Hits," 'Best of the Week," "The A-List Mandopop" and "Mandopop Replay", containing recent Mandopop hits from the past five years.
HomePod is available in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Mexico, Spain, China and Hong Kong in White and Space Gray.
HomePod will be available in mainland China and Hong Kong starting Friday
Following HomePod's launch in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Mexico and Spain, Apple announced yesterday that the Siri-powered wireless speaker will be available in mainland China and Hong Kong starting this coming Friday, January 18.
Amazon confirmed third-party Alexa speakers will gain Apple Music integration too
Amazon on Wednesday confirmed that Alexa-enabled speakers from third-party makers will soon be able to integrate with Apple Music though the online retailer didn't set a timeline.