Apple has Siri, Microsoft has Cortana and now Amazon has Alexa. The latest leading lady in voice assistive technology comes courtesy of Amazon’s release of the Echo, a hands-free device that serves as DJ, personal assistant and housekeeper, all wrapped up in one neat cylindrical package.
With dual downward-firing speakers and a 2.5 inch woofer that really gets the bass pumping, the device can source tunes from Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio and TuneIn, whatever your personal preference. Thanks to its seven microphones, far-field voice recognition and noise-cancelling technology, it can also hear commands shouted from across the room, even while it’s playing the latest from Metallica. Want an Uber, a pizza or an update on the weather? Alexa can handle it. She can even read an audiobook, relay the latest news and tell you the score at the big game. Indeed, the device is said to get smarter and smarter every time you use it.
Around the house, it can control lights, thermostats and any other appliances that are operated via compatible smart home devices, including WeMo, Philips Hue, SmartThings and Insteon. The tech nerds over at CNET call the Echo “the closest thing we are likely to get to a Star Trek style computer at home.” Perhaps the goal is to boldly go where no one has gone before without actually having to boldly get out of bed at all.
Serious tennis players – those who want to come out swinging with more precision and speed – need look no further than this smart tennis wristband. With an excellent pedigree, it was created by robotic sports start-up PIQ and Babolat, the sports equipment producer whose racquets are used by the likes of Rafael Nadal and Caroline Wozniacki.
Given the ubiquity of smartphone cameras in these Instagram and Snapchat dominated times, it takes something truly outstanding to turn heads when it comes to compact photography. While it’s such names as Leica, Nikon and Canon that are most traditionally associated with high-end photography, it’s Sony that has been winning plaudits from the more serious snappers of late. Touted as the “king of compact cameras”, the Sony Rx1R II is said to stand head and shoulders above the competition when it comes to mirrorless compact cameras.
A hybrid portable and home gaming console, the Switch can be played on-the-go via its built-in tablet style screen and detachable controllers. Alternatively, it can be hooked up to your TV and played like a traditional home console. More powerful than any previous portable gaming device. it also features rather cleverly detachable joysticks. each of which can be further broken down again for multiple player games.
Despite taking its inspiration from the clean lines of classic fighter jets, the Valkyrie has ample space for golf clubs, skis and suitcases. Reassuringly, it comes in a canard configuration, complete with a forewing, a design said to reduce any incidence of stalling. Wholly manufactured in California, the jet also features hand-stitched leather seats and matching rose gold controls. The retractable landing gear, though, is machined in sturdy, high-performance alloys. The dashboard design is equally impressive, with one easy-to-use on/off switch and even a place holder for an iPad – how very thoughtful.