The new budget-friendly Chromecast HD from Google has been released and now that I’ve run it through a few benchmarks I’ve started digging deeper into what it has to offer. One surprising aspect of the 1080p Chromecast is that, much like Google’s Pixel phones, the Chromecast HD’s bootloader can be unlocked with the simple flip of an option in its settings. Read more ›
Google released its 2022 Chromecast with Google TV HD this morning and I picked one up to see how it stacks up against all the popular Google TV, Android TV, and Fire TV streaming sticks and boxes from Amazon, Walmart, Nvidia, Tivo, MECOOL, and more. First and foremost, here are Geekbench CPU and GFXBench GPU benchmark scores to see how much raw performance power the new Chromecast HD has compared to its big brother, the Chromecast 4K, and all the other streaming devices I could get my hands on. Read more ›
As expected from numerous leaks, Google has released a non-4K version of its Chromecast streaming device. The Chromecast with Google TV HD, as it is officially called, provides what you’d expect from a budget streaming device with few surprises. At $29.99, the cheaper Chromecast competes directly with the Fire TV Stick Lite and Roku Express which cost the same. However, the Chromecast HD comes with the same remote as the 2020 Chromecast 4K, so you get TV power and volume controls on the remote, which the Fire TV and Roku do not offer at this price point. Read more ›
While looking up information for my Fire HD 8 tablet comparison table I realized that Amazon has prematurely updated its device warranty information page with at least a couple of products that have not been released. The first is an all-new fitness device in Amazon’s Halo lineup called the Halo Rise. The next unreleased addition is an update to Amazon’s car-centric Echo Auto device. There are also a couple of changes to how Fire TV models are listed which could be hinting at new devices in that lineup as well. Read more ›
Amazon just annouced the new Fire HD 8 and Fire HD 8 Plus tablets this morning. You can read all about what’s new and what’s the same over here. However, if you prefer just seeing a table comparing all the specs of all Fire HD 8 models for the last 4 years, here you go. Read more ›
Amazon has announced all-new 12th-gen Fire HD 8 and Fire HD 8 Plus tablets for 2022 which are faster and have longer battery life. These tablets are likely the ones we saw leak earlier this month and replace the existing Fire HD 8 tablets, which were released in 2020. Improved this year with the new tablets is performance, battery life, charging, cameras, and more. Read more ›
Amazon holds a big announcement event every year where it reveals a slew of new devices. This year, the event will be held on September 28th at 9AM PT, according to The Verge and the invitation I received. It will be a virtual event, by invite only, where it’s expected that a lot of smart home devices will be announced, such as new Echos and more. This is likely the event where the 3rd-gen Fire TV I uncovered will also be announced. I’ll be covering all the announcements, so be sure to check back next week.
Amazon has a promotion for eligible Prime members to get a 3rd-gen Echo Dot w/ 1-month of Amazon Music Unlimited for just $9.98. Just visit the linked product page while you are logged into your Amazon account to see if you’re eligible. Those who purchase this promotion will have the Amazon Music Unlimited subscription auto-renew at $8.99/month, so be sure to cancel the subscription if you’re not interested in continuing after the included single month. The lowest price that Amazon has ever sold the 3rd-gen Echo Dot is $17.99 during this past Prime Day, so this deal is quite a bit better than that.
Amazon has greenlit the production of a new TV show to serve as a sequel to the movie Blade Runner 2049, according to Variety. The title has said to be Blade Runner 2099, which indicates the story will take place 50 years after the movie. Ridley Scott, who directed the original Blade Runner movie, is on board as an executive producer for the new project, as is Michael Green, the co-writer of Blade Runner 2049. The premise, cast, or release date have not been announced.
Amazon has announced an upcoming Alexa capability called “Customers Ask Alexa” which will allow brands to submit their own answers to questions asked by Alexa users. Instead of providing an answer sourced from the web or crowdsourced from other Alexa users, as is done today, Alexa may soon choose to use a branded answer instead. Read more ›
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