Robotics

Matthew Miller/ZDNETA day after announcing its Pixel 3 smartwatch, which offers a host of new fitness features and insights, Google has more good news for exercise enthusiasts.In a press release today, Peloton announced a multi-year agreement with Google to bring free classes to Fitbit users.More than ten workout styles will be available, including strength, Pilates, running, boxing, cycling, and Barre. Peloton says it will periodically add new content to the app.While the majority of content is only for Fitbit Premium subscribers, free users will get access to some of it.Also: Everything announced at Made by Google 2024Peloton is most well-known for its home workout equipment, but you don’t need that equipment to take advantage of Peloton classes. The regular app costs $12.99 monthly. It features live and recorded classes in various categories and classes from ten minutes to an hour. Apple users, you’re not left out. The deal is available to any Fitbit Premium subscriber, not just those with Pixel or Fitbit devices.  More

NurPhoto/Getty Images As the smart ring space becomes more competitive, Apple is giving wearable technology a chance. We’ve got insights into how the brand’s version of the wearable tech could look and work.  On Tuesday, the company secured a patent for a smart ring device of its own that includes further information on the product’s device […] More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETThe current generation of mobile voice assistants — with our simple requests often requiring multiple attempts to be understood — surely leaves room for improvement. If you’re ready for an upgraded experience, voice assistants supported by generative AI may be the solution, and there are some you can try today. On Tuesday at Made by Google, Google finally released Gemini Live, its advanced mobile conversational experience that enables users to have free-flowing conversations with an AI assistant, or — as Google describes it — “a sidekick in your pocket.” Also: Google’s new Pixel Screenshots may be the feature that finally converts me to use AIThe Live experience is supposed to mimic a conversation with a human. As a result, it can be interrupted, carry on multi-turn conversations, and even resume a prior conversation.  More

The 3rd generation Amazon Echo Show is a great smart display and speaker combination for most smart home users, whether experienced or just getting started. Amazon’s newest Echo Show 8 boasts a sleeker design with edge-to-edge glass, a centrally placed camera for video calls, and spatial audio from the smaller speaker enclosure.I’ve been using the Echo Show 8 daily for almost a year, and this generation’s improved processor delivers faster performance than older models. It’s become my kitchen companion for running smart home routines, interacting with Alexa, and streaming music and video content on the 8-inch HD screen while cooking.Review: Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen)This is the first Echo Show 8 to feature the camera in a central location rather than off to one side, which aids in better visual experiences during video calls. The camera also works for Visual ID personalization and Adaptive Content. Visual ID lets the Echo Show 8 recognize the household member approaching it to personalize content, while Adaptive Content adjusts the screen’s content based on a person’s proximity.It’s a highly rated smart speaker, with one buyer saying, “I purchased this a few months ago, and it has exceeded my expectations in every way. The Spatial Audio feature provides a rich and immersive sound experience, perfect for listening to music, podcasts, and even video calls. The smart home hub integration is seamless, allowing me to easily control all my smart devices. Alexa’s responsiveness and sharp display make this device a pleasure to use daily. “Amazon Echo Show 8 features: Price: $150 | Compatibility: Amazon Alexa | Connectivity: Wi-fi, Bluetooth, and is a hub for Matter, Thread, Zigbee | Specs: 8-inch HD touchscreen, 13MP video call camera, Alexa voice assistant  More

Living close to the ocean has its many perks, but when summer transitions to fall, hurricane season threatens most homes. Beachfront properties are not the only ones at risk, as communities hundreds of miles away can be affected by the same storm. As someone who has lived in three major hurricane-risk cities, I’ve undergone my fair share of tropical storms and cyclones, learning a thing or two about best preparation practices. The likelihood of a hurricane in the United States is very high, as, on average, the U.S. sees five hurricanes in a three-year period. Since 2020, 14% of major U.S. power outages have been caused by hurricanes or tropical storms. For those who live on the coast, it’s not a question of if but when. Also: 7 ways to prep your tech for the coming stormsThe best way to be prepared for a tropical storm is to have an action plan. This includes researching evacuation plans and shelters, and basic preparedness by writing down emergency phone numbers and putting an emergency kit together. Here are several items to help you feel more comfortable if you choose to wait out the storm.A portable power station If you are looking for something that is more portable than a generator and don’t want the hassle of dealing with gasoline, propane, or diesel fuel from a generator, a portable power station is your best option. Usually powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries or solar panels, a power station can be used indoors to recharge smaller devices and appliances such as phones, laptops, or medical equipment.  More

iOS 18 on iPhone 14 Pro Max. Maria Diaz/ZDNETApple is broadening the reach of NFC on the iPhone by opening the technology to third-party apps. Starting with iOS 18.1, developers will be able to offer contactless transactions from their own apps separate from Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, the company said today.Tapping into Apple’s new APIs for NFC and SE (Secure Element), developers will be able to create apps for a variety of tasks and transactions. Among those that Apple singled out are in-store payments, car keys, closed-loop transit fares, corporate badges, student IDs, home keys, hotel keys, merchant loyalty and rewards cards, and event tickets. Down the road, even government IDs will be supported.Also: How to use Apple Pay in stores and online (and why you should)With a nod toward privacy and security, the new NFC access will take advantage of the Secure Element, a certified on-device chip designed to store and protect sensitive data. The transactions themselves will use Face ID or Touch ID for authentication and communicate with Apple servers.On the user end, you’ll be able to initiate the process in a couple of different ways. You can open the NFC-supported app directly and follow the required steps. Or, you could set a specific app as your default contactless option and then simply double-click the side button to kick off the transaction as you do with Apple Pay. More

Supersmario/Getty Images Wireless internet connections are convenient, but they’re also notoriously unreliable. Nothing proves that point more emphatically than a glitchy video conference call, especially if it’s tied to a crucial business meeting. The solution, of course, is to run a wired network connection to your home office. Wi-Fi is great for mobility, but a […] More

Taylor Clemons/ZDNETI wasn’t expecting much when I set up the Hisense U8K More