Mobile menu toggle

Amazon - page 17

Apple TV is finally back on Amazon

By

Apple TV Siri Remote
You can buy the new Apple TV 4K from Amazon.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Amazon’s boycott on Apple TV sales appears to finally be over.

After removing Apple’s set-top box from its website in 2015, the online retail behemoth has given in and created a listing for the new Apple TV 4K this morning.

Amazon could launch Alexa smart glasses this year

By

Google Glass 2.0
Creator of the Google Glass is behind Amazon's new initiative.
Photo: Google

Amazon is working on developing a pair of smart glasses that will come with its virtual assistant Alexa built in, a new report claims.

It’s not clear the exact functionality that the smart glasses will offer, but among them will be to the ability to let users converse with Alexa at any time. This will work via a bone-conduction audio system so that the user does not have to wear headphones to hear Alexa’s responses.

From Cupertino with love: Apple could acquire James Bond franchise rights

By

James Bond
Both Apple and Amazon are reportedly among the bidders.
Photo: Eon Pictures

Apple is in the running to secure movie (and possibly TV) distribution rights for the James Bond franchise, a new report claims.

While Warner Bros., Sony, Universal and Fox are the more likely candidates, Apple and fellow tech giant Amazon have also reportedly thrown their names into the hat. Jony Ive as 007, anyone?

Sonos plans to take on Apple’s HomePod

By

The ultimate Sonos companion.
Should Apple be worried about Sonos?
Photo: Sonos

The smart speaker market is suddenly starting to look a lot more crowded.

Sonos has been making some of our favorite wireless speakers for years but it appears that the company is planning to challenge Apple, Amazon, Google and Samsung with its own smart speaker that will also be powered via voice.

Samsung confirms it will compete with Apple’s hottest new gadget

By

WWDC2017
Samsung has a smart speaker up its sleeve.
Photo: Apple

Surprise, surprise; the rumors were true. Samsung will compete with Apple’s hottest new gadget.

In a new interview following the launch of the Galaxy Note 8 on Tuesday, Samsung mobile president DJ Koh confirmed the company is developing a smart speaker that will take on HomePod and Amazon Alexa. He also hinted that it will be announced “soon.”

Roku continues to trounce Apple TV

By

apple tv and siri remote
Apple TV can't compete with Roku.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The gap between Apple TV and Roku continues to widen — only not in Apple’s favor.

According to the latest research data, Apple TV is getting absolutely dominated in the streaming set-top box race. As top rival Roku inches closer toward taking over half the market, Apple TV still struggles to crack into the top three streamers. And the future isn’t looking too bright.

Amazon Instant Pickup offers essential items in 2 minutes or less

By

Amazon Instant Pickup
Instant Pickup offers "need-it-now" items in record time.
Photo: Amazon

Amazon is making last-minute shopping even more convenient with its new Instant Pickup service.

Available for free for Prime and Prime Student subscribers, the service lets you order “need-it-now” items that are available to collect in two minutes or less, including food, cold drinks, and of course, Amazon gadgets like Echo and Fire TV.

Should Apple abandon original video? [Friday Night Fight]

By

Will Carpool Karaoke: The Series be Apple's first hit?
Will Carpool Karaoke: The Series be Apple's first hit?
Photo: Apple

This coming Tuesday Apple is set to debut its newest original TV show Carpool Karaoke: The Series, but with Planet of the Apps being such a dud, some of us at Cult of Mac are questioning whether Apple has anything to gain by making mediocre TV shows.

During Apple’s Q3 earnings call this week, Tim Cook said Apple will continue to explore original content for Apple Music. Can Apple actually make great TV shows, or is it losing focus on what’s more important?

Join us in this week’s Friday Night Fight as we discuss Apple’s media ambitions:

Facebook’s rumored video chat device might make FaceTime look lame

By

Facebook messaging apps
Zuckerberg is coming after Apple.
Photo: Facebook

Facebook is planning to make its first foray into hardware next year and according to a new report it may start competing directly against Apple.

The social network is reportedly building a stand-alone video chat device with a built in touch screen that is focused on helping bring Facebook users closer together.

Apple promises it won’t store or sell your HomePod data

By

Phil Schiller gives the world a sneak peek at the HomePod during WWDC 2017.
We'd love to see Apple lavish some more attention on the HomePod.
Photo: Apple

Apple has confirmed that it won’t store or sell any data collected by its HomePod smart speaker.

HomePod won’t send anything to Apple’s servers until a user activates it with the “Hey Siri” command. Apple encrypts any information received after that point. The data gets encrypted and sent using an anonymous ID.

Secret Amazon team wants to fight Apple’s health efforts

By

Apple Health
Amazon wants to follow Apple's health push.
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

Amazon has a secret team working on new health technology that could go head to head with Apple’s.

The retail giant is said to be working on electronic medical records, telemedicine, and new health apps for devices like the Amazon Echo.

Amazon’s ‘Anytime’ app may muscle in on messaging

By

Amazon
Amazon plans to launch a 'me too' mobile massaging app, apparently.
Photo: AFTV News

Amazon is reportedly launching its own messaging app to rival Apple’s Messages, among others.

Called “Anytime,” the service will reportedly boast voice and video calls, and possible photo-sharing, with the obligatory filters for photos and video with “special effects and masks.” More interestingly, it will also focus on group activities, such as playing games, listening to music, and — here’s the big one — ordering food.

Samsung’s Siri rival finally gets its voice in the U.S. next month

By

Bixby
Bixby Voice is on its way.
Photo: Samsung

Bixby, Samsung’s latest competitor to Siri, will finally find its voice in the U.S. next month.

A leaked internal email reveals Bixby Voice will make its official debut before the end of August. Until now, the feature has only been available in Samsung’s home country of South Korea.

Samsung will fight HomePod with Bixby smart speaker

By

Phil Schiller gives the world a sneak peek at the HomePod during WWDC 2017.
We'd love to see Apple lavish some more attention on the HomePod.
Photo: Apple

There isn’t an Apple product Samsung doesn’t have an answer to, so it’s not surprising to hear the South Korean company is developing its own HomePod rival.

It will be powered by Bixby, the Galaxy S8’s new virtual assistant, but it’s likely to be a while before it’s ready to hit the market.

Whole Foods acquisition gives Amazon almost as many stores as Apple

By

Whole Foods
Whole Foods will soon become an Amazon subsidiary.
Photo: Whole Foods

Amazon is coughing up a whopping $13.7 billion in cash to acquire Whole Foods Market.

The two companies will merge but Whole Foods stores will continue to operate independently, with co-founder John Mackey retaining his role as CEO. The move instantly gives Amazon almost as many stores as Apple.

Google, Microsoft and others will join Apple in Toshiba bid

By

Apple could be a $2 trillion company by end of 2021
Apple is part of an $18 billion consortium trying to buy Toshiba's chip business.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

More tech giants are joining Apple in the consortium bidding to acquire Toshiba’s semiconductor business.

Led by Foxconn, other companies involved in the potential bid include Dell, Google, Microsoft and Cisco. Amazon is also reportedly considering joining.

iPhone retailers in India can slash prices to boost sales

By

iPhone in India
iPhone's high price tag puts it out of reach.
Photo: CC: Aasif Iqbal J/Flickr

Apple is giving iPhone retailers in India permission to slash prices in a bid to boost sales.

Even the company’s older handsets are still too expensive for the vast majority of local consumers, and sales are suffering as a result. Apple has no choice but to cut prices if it wants to be successful in one of the world’s fastest-growing smartphone markets.

Microsoft brings its new game streaming platform to iOS

By

Mixer offers live-streaming that's actually live.
Mixer offers live-streaming that's actually live.
Photo: Microsoft

Mixer, Microsoft’s new game streaming platform, has landed on iOS.

Formerly known as Beam, Mixer is taking on the likes of Twitch with live-streaming “that’s actually live” — not delayed. The iOS app lets you enjoy broadcasts in real-time, connect with your favorite streamers, and more.