Smart Tech Today (Video)

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Smart Tech Today (Video) episodes

September 21, 2020STT 46: iOS 14 Home Screen Aesthetic - iOS 14 custom designs, Amazon Kids+, XPOWER Air Duster
Matthew and Mikah talk about the new trend in iOS 14 wherein folks are customizing their iPhone and iPad Home screens with their own app icons. Amazon has announced an update to its FreeTime service, including its rebranding as "Amazon Kids" and "Amazon Kids+." Mikah finds joy and stress relief by way of the XPOWER A-2 Airrow Pro Multi-Use Electric Computer Duster Dryer Air Pump Blower - Black.
APPLE
How to customize your iPhone's home screen with widgets and app icons | The Verge: https://bit.ly/3iTe6An
tvOS 14 now available for your Apple TV: deeper HomeKit integration, 4K YouTube, Picture-in-Picture | 9to5Mac: https://bit.ly/33MtUii
How to use Automatic Handwashing Detection on Apple Watch | iDownloadBlog: https://bit.ly/32Qlt67
watchOS 7: The MacStories Review | MacStories: https://bit.ly/3iS7kuL
GOOGLE
Google app for iOS can now read articles aloud with a tap | 9to5Google: https://bit.ly/3hRUDi8
You can stop Google Assistant alarms/timers from any room | 9to5Google: https://bit.ly/32QlM0L
AMAZON
Amazon rebrands FreeTime to Amazon Kids, expands paid catalog for Amazon Kids+ | TechCrunch: https://tcrn.ch/33QexVN
Amazon's new Alexa partnership lets you link your AT&T number to turn your Echo into a phone | The Verge: https://bit.ly/2RJhTEJ
Sam Jackson getting 30,000 new phrases | Variety: https://bit.ly/3j4G0tD
Amazon makes Alexa Routines shareable | TechCrunch: https://tcrn.ch/35UFCtR
Divoom Pixoo Pixel Art Digital Frame | Amazon: https://amzn.to/2HkGyxo
Mac Power Users 552: HomeKit in 2020, with Mikah Sargent | Relay.FM: https://www.relay.fm/mpu/552
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Matthew: MacStories Pixel | MacStories: https://www.macstories.net/pixel/
Mikah: XPOWER A-2 Airrow Pro Multi-Use Electric Computer Duster Dryer Air Pump Blower - Black | Amazon: https://amzn.to/3cgnVGi

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Matthew Cassinelli
Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/smart-tech-today
Show notes and links for this episode are available at: https://twit.tv/shows/smart-tech-today/episodes/46
Sponsors:
BUYRAYCON.com/stt
mintmobile.com/stt
casper.com/stt promo code STT
1 hr 28 min
September 14, 2020STT 45: Alexa, Print My Crossword - Amazon Alexa Print, Wink's latest problems, Apple's face mask
Matthew and Mikah talk about Amazon's new voice-based printer integration, Wink's recent outage (after the launch of its subscription service), and Apple's new designed-by-Apple face covering.
SMART TECH
US Customs seize 'counterfeit AirPods' that, er, weren't | 9to5Mac: https://bit.ly/3klzyOL
Welcome to Smart Home Week | Wirecutter: https://nyti.ms/35zoiu2
7 Easy Smart Home Essentials for Renters | Wirecutter: https://nyti.ms/35CqaSW
Wink's smart home platform faces a days-long outage | Engadget: https://engt.co/32ucLuc
IKEA Sonos Symfonisk speakers get colorful new covers | Engadget: https://engt.co/3mkRIlA
Do You Really Need an AI-Powered Smart Range? | Gizmodo: https://bit.ly/2GQvaZJ
AMAZON
Amazon Alexa can now pay for gas at Exxon and Mobil | Slashgear: https://bit.ly/2E0oYxn
Amazon Alexa Print lets you easily print out your shopping list | Slashgear: https://bit.ly/3hxqNQ1
GOOGLE
Google Assistant works with more than 50,000 smart home devices | 9to5Google: https://bit.ly/2FrLbF6
APPLE
This is Apple's COVID-19 face mask | Inputmag: https://bit.ly/3kdJ5Yn
Apple and Google's contact tracing system gets deeper integration into iOS, Android | CNN: https://cnn.it/2FtzOwv
How I Used Shortcuts to Make Siri Finally Understand Me | Wirecutter: https://nyti.ms/32tDPcS
Eufy Pan & Tilt HomeKit Camera Available For $40 Today | The Apple Byte: https://bit.ly/3kaNHOO
Philips Hue Announces New HomeKit-Compatible Gradient Lightstrip and Iris Lamp | iPhone in Canada: https://bit.ly/32sDXJK
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Mikah & Matthew: Poolside.FM

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Matthew Cassinelli
Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/smart-tech-today
Show notes and links for this episode are available at: https://twit.tv/shows/smart-tech-today/episodes/45
Sponsors:
MySudo.com/twit
expressvpn.com/stt
1 hr 18 min
August 31, 2020STT 44: Amazon Halo? Heck No - Amazon's fitness wearable, Level's stealthy smart lock, Fitbit's new smartwatches.
Matthew and Mikah share their complicated feelings regarding Amazon's new Halo fitness wearable, praise Level's new smart lock that blends in with a user's existing setup, and discuss Fitbit's new Google-Assistant-supporting smartwatches.
SMART TECH
Sunu Band – The Smart Wearable Helping Blind People Maintain Social Distance | Forbes: https://bit.ly/3hRXAjW
iRobot's Cheapest Roombas Might Finally Be Worth Buying | Gizmodo: https://bit.ly/3gGZXo1
The Level Touch is a stealthy smart lock with hidden capacitive touch | Inputmag: https://bit.ly/2EIw0XU
Smart blinds are an expensive upgrade to your smart home | The Verge: https://bit.ly/2Gjhq9T
AMAZON
Amazon's Alexa has learned hundreds of regional British words and phrases | The Sun: https://bit.ly/2ERQtt7
Amazon announces Halo, a fitness band and app that scans your body and voice | The Verge: https://bit.ly/2YRBFSk
GOOGLE
Google launches Nest Hub for hotels to close the gap with Amazon | Venturebeat: https://bit.ly/32OCyMO
Fitbit unveils Sense and Versa 3 smartwatches with Google Assistant | Venturebeat: https://bit.ly/32G6ASB
Lenovo unveils new Google Assistant-powered smart clock | The Verge: https://bit.ly/3bpYP7z
Google Assistant's daily snapshot feature gets birthday reminders and recipe recommendations | The Verge: https://bit.ly/3hLni9J
SIRI
Interact with Siri and apps at the same time in iPadOS 14 | 9to5Mac: https://bit.ly/2YQXD7Y
Broadlink RM4 Mini Universal IR Remote Control | Amazon: https://amzn.to/3hNh9cP
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Mikah: Deliveries: a package tracker | App Store: https://apple.co/3lua4jI
Matthew: Restore by Hatch | Hatch: https://www.hatch.co/restore

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Matthew Cassinelli
Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/smart-tech-today
Show notes and links for this episode are available at: https://twit.tv/shows/smart-tech-today/episodes/44
Sponsor:
eero.com/twit code TWIT
1 hr 29 min
August 24, 2020STT 43: Air Quality Smarts - AQI, Google Maps, air purifiers, and more.
AQI, Google Maps, air purifiers, and more.
Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Matthew Cassinelli
For full show notes on this episode, visit https://twit.tv/shows/smart-tech-today/episodes/43
Sponsor:
BUYRAYCON.com/stt
1 hr 19 min
August 17, 2020STT 42: Installing a Smart Thermostat - ecobee, Alexa voice bugs, and Android sleep tracking.
Mikah describes the installation of his smart thermostat (including the frustrations that abounded therein). Amazon's Alexa voice service included a bug that could cough up a user's voice history to hackers. Google rolls out its Bedtime Mode to all Android devices via the Google Clock app.
ALEXA
An Alexa bug could have exposed your voice history to hackers | Ars Technica: https://bit.ly/3h1fzUt
Exclusive: Amazon Accessibility Boss Peter Korn Talks Text Banner's Fire TV Debut And Assistive Technologies At Amazon | Forbes: https://bit.ly/320lOSj
Woman fools gift card scammer by pretending to be Alexa and a senior citizen ... at the same time | Newsweek: https://bit.ly/3ayMrBp
GOOGLE
5 Google Assistant features you should turn off today | CNET: https://cnet.co/2E1Fw8a
Solve Complex Equations By Scanning Them With These Google Apps | Lifehacker: https://bit.ly/3iO9b3q
Google to invest $450M in smart home security solutions provider ADT | TechCrunch: https://tcrn.ch/323zRq2
Compact Google Assistant on Android sees wider beta rollout - 9to5Google | 9to5Google: https://bit.ly/3kSADPp
SLEEP TRACKING
All Androids can now use Google Clock's Bedtime Mode - 9to5Google | 9to5Google: https://bit.ly/3aAiXDp
The Sleep app for watchOS 7 is a superb way to get into a bedtime routine | iMore: https://bit.ly/2YrwsR9
WEARABLES
Google's Planned Updates for Wear OS Are Underwhelming | Gizmodo: https://bit.ly/3kRD9oZ
Google remembers Wear OS exists, announces update with handwashing timer | InputMag: https://bit.ly/3139rFK
Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 review: time for a change | The Verge: https://bit.ly/2FzBVP6
ecobee Smart Thermostat | Amazon: https://amzn.to/3aApGgp
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Mikah: Wayre Black High Tech Washable Mask | Wayre: https://bit.ly/2Q2VfpW
Matthew: Planta | App Store: https://apple.co/3241Dmb

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Matthew Cassinelli
Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/smart-tech-today
Show notes and links for this episode are available at: https://twit.tv/shows/smart-tech-today/episodes/42
Sponsors:
mintmobile.com/stt
expressvpn.com/stt
1 hr 37 min
August 10, 2020STT 41: Pavlov's School Children - Google Assistant homeschooling features, UCLA & Apple study, listener questions
The Google Assistant has added some new homeschooling features to its smart displays and speakers, including a school bell and random facts delivered throughout the day. Apple and UCLA are working together on a depression study. Mikah and Matthew answer and share a whole host of listener questions and feedback, respectively.
GOOGLE
Google Maps comes to Apple's watchOS and CarPlay dashboard | TechCrunch: https://tcrn.ch/30Ldfve
Google is adding new homeschooling features to Assistant smart displays and speakers | The Verge: https://bit.ly/2FcnOz3
Google resumes human review of Assistant audio 'recordings' | 9to5Google: https://bit.ly/2DxpcvP
WEARABLES
UCLA Researchers Will Use Apple Gadgets in Study to Detect and Treat Depression | Gizmodo: https://bit.ly/3iqSoDl
How a Smartwatch Helped Me Take Care of Myself Again | GQ: https://bit.ly/2PIGOqI
SMART HOME
Amazon's Echo Flex is getting a new smart clock accessory | The Verge: https://bit.ly/2DWc9U8
Bosch Smart Home update adds support for Apple's HomeKit | iMore: https://bit.ly/33NBvhV
In a blow to Bixby, Siri co-founder Adam Cheyer departs Samsung | Venturebeat: https://bit.ly/3fMW5kS
RECOMMENDED CAMERAS FOR ZEKE
eufy Security 2K Indoor Cam Pan & Tilt | Amazon: https://amzn.to/3kxd8ex
Logitech Circle 2 | Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Dw9n8E
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Thwip for Apple Watch: https://apple.co/2DMAvjk

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Matthew Cassinelli
Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/smart-tech-today
Show notes and links for this episode are available at: https://twit.tv/shows/smart-tech-today/episodes/41
Sponsor:
casper.com/stt promo code STT
1 hr 37 min
August 03, 2020STT 40: Hey Cortana, Goodbye! - CES 2021 online, Cortana's future, Google's AR insects
It's official: CES 2021 will be an online-only event. Microsoft has decided to end Cortana support on iOS, Android, and more, as the company turns Cortana into a productivity-focused assistant. Google's AR Core insects offer an up-close look at 23 different beetles, cicadas, butterflies, and more.
INDUSTRY NEWS
CES 2021 in-person show canceled, will be held online | Android Police: https://bit.ly/3k99BTu
Belkin has a new WeMo plug | Macrumors: https://bit.ly/2Dgju13
Mellow made its 'smart' sous vide machine dumb unless you pay a monthly fee | The Verge: https://bit.ly/30nIU5u
MICROSOFT
Microsoft is shutting down Cortana on multiple devices, including iOS and Android | The Verge: https://bit.ly/2XoEsBI
Microsoft's new Family Safety app offers parental controls across phones, PCs and Xbox | TechCrunch: https://tcrn.ch/3gqFbtF
GOOGLE
Google Smart Display Games Go Live | Forbes: https://bit.ly/30nItIs
Google AR animals now include 23 beetles, butterflies, cicadas, and other insects | Android Police: https://bit.ly/3k8RFZ5
YouTube is doing away with community-driven captions and translations | Android Police: https://bit.ly/2Pm9QfM
AMAZON
Amazon doesn't sell Echo speakers at a loss, says Bezos — unless they're on sale | The Verge: https://bit.ly/3frg608
Amazon bought Ring for market position, not technology, emails suggest | The Verge: https://bit.ly/2DhORIr
AUTOMATED HEALTH TRACKING
DEPSTECH Otoscope | Amazon: https://amzn.to/31gxXlx
Zacurate Pulse Oximeter | Amazon: https://amzn.to/3i5anPz
Timeskey NFC tags | Amazon: https://amzn.to/3gqUaUd
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Mikah: iProven Digital Ear and Temporal Thermometer | Amazon: https://amzn.to/2BT5xFw
Matthew: GTA V | Microsoft Xbox: https://bit.ly/3k64gfD

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Matthew Cassinelli
Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/smart-tech-today
Show notes and links for this episode are available at: https://twit.tv/shows/smart-tech-today/episodes/40
1 hr 28 min
July 27, 2020STT 39: Alexa Live 2020 - Amazon Alexa updates, HomeKit additions, Netflix on Nest
New HomeKit-enabled panel lights from LifeSmart, Amazon's Alexa Live event brings with it a bunch of new Alexa improvements, and Netflix finally comes to the Google Nest Hub line.

Wink's subscription plan kicks off July 27 | CNET: https://cnet.co/2OXNSiW
Wyze has learned what Wink didn't | Stacey on IoT: https://bit.ly/2DeXEdL
Jibo, the social robot that was supposed to die, is getting a second life | The Verge: https://bit.ly/2WWFwN1

HOMEKIT, APPLE
The HomeKit-enabled LifeSmart Cololight Plus light panel system hits Amazon | iMore: https://bit.ly/307u7Mp
All the cameras that support the HomeKit Secure Video feature | iMore: https://bit.ly/3f4VkUe
HomeKit support arrives for the multi-functional Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera | 9to5Mac: https://bit.ly/3f3lian
Here's what I'm loving about automation in Shortcuts in iOS 14 | iMore: https://bit.ly/2P3Eavz

AMAZON
Amazon is launching a new Alexa app — here's what's changing | CNBC: https://cnb.cx/30UUMuS
Amazon's Alexa event makes Alexa smarter, chattier and puts it in more places | Stacey on IoT: https://bit.ly/39zQeOy

GOOGLE
Netflix is now available on Google's Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max | The Verge: https://bit.ly/32WL2TH
Ride easy with new biking features in Google Maps | Google: https://bit.ly/305YCSY

MATTHEW'S BACKYARD PROJECT
Sun Shade | Amazon: https://amzn.to/302ddyu
Meross Smart Outdoor Plug | Amazon: https://amzn.to/39CnvIP
AmazonBasics Outdoor String Lights | Amazon: https://amzn.to/2OYn6aj

PICKS OF THE WEEK
Wyze Cam Outdoor | Wyze: https://bit.ly/3eFQ7CK
Access Dots | Google Play: https://bit.ly/30S9zXh
Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Matthew Cassinelli

Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/smart-tech-today
Show notes and links for this episode are available at: https://twit.tv/shows/smart-tech-today/episodes/39
Sponsor:
BUYRAYCON.com/stt
1 hr 28 min
July 20, 2020STT 38: Update Your Echo Buds - Echo Buds firmware, COVID-19 walkie talkies, iPhone webcam app.
Your Echo Buds could overheat without a new firmware update, one company is using its LTE walkie talkies for COVID-19 patients, and Matthew Cassinelli shares an app that lets you use your iPhone as a webcam — in full HD quality.
Echo Buds need this update | The Verge: https://bit.ly/3hhGZoM
POSITIVE CHANGE
Apple leaving behind coding's racist terms | Input: https://bit.ly/2WEQDtM
Walkie talkies for COVID communication | Fast Company: https://bit.ly/3eKGCkX
Google voice to text app for masks | Mashable: https://bit.ly/2WW1sYL
CAMERAS
Reincubate Camo for iPhone webcam | 9to5Mac: https://bit.ly/2DX8Mwk
Don't close MacBook with cover | Michael Tsai: https://bit.ly/2OIYNNj

Building DIY LED strips | A Whole Lotta Nothing: https://bit.ly/2ZJRmvy

PICKS OF THE WEEK
Mikah: Eve Cam - HomeKit Secure Video | Amazon: https://amzn.to/3jkVH06
Matthew: Fabricius | Google: https://bit.ly/3fNtVqY
Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Matthew Cassinelli

Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/smart-tech-today
Show notes and links for this episode are available at: https://twit.tv/shows/smart-tech-today/episodes/38
Sponsor:
mintmobile.com/stt
1 hr 19 min
July 13, 2020STT 37: Seriously: Wink Officially Requires Subscription - "Hey Google" event, Siri app suggestions, Wink Hub subscription
Wink says it's really, truly, seriously going to start charging a subscription fee now; Siri Suggestions work wonders for app selection in iOS 14; Google's "Hey Google" Smart Home Virtual Summit provided a road map for the Google smart home.
SMART HOME
27 WFH Products People Are Swearing By In Quarantine | BuzzFeed: https://bzfd.it/3j0Q5Ig
The Smart-Home Devices Our Expert Actually Uses at Home | The Wirecutter: https://nyti.ms/2ZpUHjr
Home automation firm Wink to enforce subscription program on July 27 | Appleinsider: https://bit.ly/30bum7K
APPLE
Siri Suggestions might just be iOS 14's greatest widget | iMore: https://bit.ly/3fuokWc
Alexa iPhone app can operate hands-free – with help from Siri | 9to5Mac: https://bit.ly/2CA2mCx
GOOGLE
Google Plus is officially gone after its mobile apps are rebranded as Google Currents | The Verge: https://bit.ly/2Omm0EX
Google Store's 'something special' is 'Daily Special' deals | 9to5Google: https://bit.ly/2ZoS3Kz
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Scosche BaseLynx Modular Charging Station | Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ATyqAW
Mmhmm: https://www.mmhmm.app
Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Matthew Cassinelli

Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/smart-tech-today
Show notes and links for this episode are available at: https://twit.tv/shows/smart-tech-today/episodes/37
Sponsor:
casper.com/stt promo code STT
1 hr 15 min

About Smart Tech Today (Video)

From the publisher's feed

Smart Tech Today explains the exciting, dynamic, and sometimes-confusing subject that is the Internet of Things. Mikah Sargent and Matthew Cassinelli guide you through smart switches, lights, thermostats, speakers, and other connected tech. Every week, learn how to make the most of your smart tech.