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This article from PCWorld provides five ways to reduce the amount of unnecessary chatter from Amazon's voice assistant, Alexa. The first method is to turn off weather notifications, as they may duplicate alerts from other sources. The second method is to disable Amazon shopping notifications, which can provide excessive updates on orders. The third method is to turn off the "Always follow up" mode for reminders, which can prevent Alexa from repeatedly reminding users about incomplete tasks. The fourth method is to enable Brief Mode, which reduces Alexa's responses to a simple beep. Lastly, the article suggests a hack to temporarily stop Alexa's "by the way" digressions, or creating a routine to issue the command daily. [Extracted from the article]

The Apple Vision Pro, a new AR headset, offers a range of streaming options, but Netflix is notably absent from the list of native apps available at launch. However, users can still access Netflix through the headset's web browser. This absence is not surprising given Netflix's past relationship with Apple. Other major streaming services like Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and Paramount+ are included in the lineup. The Vision Pro offers immersive entertainment experiences, including the ability to stream 3D movies and access exclusive content. [Extracted from the article]

Netflix is discontinuing support for older Apple TV models, prompting users to upgrade their devices if they want to continue streaming Netflix content. The affected models are the second generation (2010) and third generation (2012) Apple TVs, which are over a decade old and do not have access to the Apple App Store. Users have until July 31, 2024, to upgrade their devices before losing access to Netflix. Alternatively, they can consider streaming Netflix on other devices such as Amazon Fire TV or Roku. [Extracted from the article]

Apple's HomePod speakers and Apple TV streaming players will soon have the ability to allow others to control music playback. This feature will be enabled through SharePlay, a two-and-a-half-year-old Apple feature that allows users to share their currently playing media. SharePlay music control will be available on the HomePod, HomePod mini, and Apple TV through a software update. Users can share a QR code with friends or family to give them control over music playback, and users will have the option to approve or deny control requests. Apple Music subscribers will be able to initiate SharePlay music control sessions, but non-subscribers can still control playback. [Extracted from the article]

From sparkling-clean floors to smelly water tanks, robot mops have their fair share of plusses and minuses. I learned the hard way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Is Alexa driving you nuts with unnecessary weather alerts, ultra-detailed delivery updates, and random "by the way" digressions? Help is here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MAC USERHot StuffWhat we're raving about this monthphilips-hue.comPhillips' smart light supports sunrise and sunset modes, perfect for waking up in the morning and winding down at night. The Twilight has two separate light elements: an illuminated head that swivels from left to right (ideal for when you want to read a book in bed), and a rear array of gradient and overlapping LEDs that employ Hue's new ColorCast technology to "mimic" a "wide palette" of sunrise and sunset colors.PHOTO (COLOR) [Extracted from the article]

MAC USERHot StuffCHAMBERLAIN MYQ SMART INDOOR CAMERAmyq.comWith 1080p video resolution, a 130-degree field of view, custom motion zones, and "smart" people and pet detection, this indoor camera has two-way audio is supported, allowing you to chat with anyone within the camera's view. It works with the myQ iPhone app so you can view the camera feed.—BEN PATTERSONPHOTO (COLOR) [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the recent addition of Zoom functionality to Apple TV. Users can now join Zoom meetings on their Apple TV 4K by using their iPhone's rear camera for video. The setup process is simple and requires enabling Continuity Camera functionality between the Apple TV and iPhone. While the Zoom app for tvOS offers a polished and easy-to-use experience, it does not support custom backgrounds or touch-up appearance settings. Other features include in-call chat, breakout rooms, and automatic echo cancellation. The Zoom app for tvOS is available for download from the Apple App Store. [Extracted from the article]

Apple Music will reportedly prioritize Dolby Atmos music tracks starting in 2024, encouraging more musicians to mix their songs in this format. This move aims to enhance the spatial audio experience on Apple Music and differentiate it from competitors like Spotify, which has yet to introduce spatial audio support. Dolby Atmos allows for a 360-degree sound experience, but the quality of Atmos tracks can vary depending on the mastering process. Users can choose to disable Dolby Atmos support on Apple devices if they prefer stereo tracks. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the recent deprecation of the iTunes Movies and TV Shows apps on Apple TV with the release of tvOS 17.2. Users will now need to use Apple's TV app to rent or purchase movies and TV shows on their Apple TV. The update also brings interface changes, including a sidebar for easy navigation to various features. The move away from the iTunes apps aligns with Apple's previous efforts to move away from the iTunes brand. [Extracted from the article]

MACUSERsamsung.comThe Music Frame is a bit of a throwback—it’s designed to showcase actual prints (up to 8×8 inches) rather than display digital photos. Behind the picture are four front-firing drivers (two tweeters and two midrange drivers) plus a pair of back-firing woofers. With support for Dolby Atmos, the Music Frame can operate on its own as a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi speaker, and it even offers a built-in IoT hub that works with Samsung SmartThings.—BEN PATTERSONPHOTO (COLOR) [Extracted from the article]

MACUSERamazon.comAmazon’s third-generation Echo Frames smart glasses arrive with several welcome improvements, including new styles, thinner temples, better audio, and improved battery life. If you find Alexa indispensable and you want the voice assistant hovering around your temples all day, the Frames are an easy recommendation. But you’ll still want your AirPods when it comes to music.PHOTO (COLOR) [Extracted from the article]