Google Assistant can now do things automatically at a scheduled time

Back at Google I/O, Google announced two new features for Google Assistant: custom routines and schedules — both focusing on automating things you do regularly, but in different ways. The first lets you trigger multiple commands with a single custom phrase — like saying “Hey Google, I’m awake” to unsilence your phone, turn on the […]
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2018/07/27/google-home-routines-vs-schedule/

NASA’s 3D-printed Mars Habitat competition doles out prizes to concept habs

A multi-year NASA contest to design a 3D-printable Mars habitat using on-planet materials has just hit another milestone — and a handful of teams have taken home some cold hard cash. This more laid-back phase had contestants designing their proposed habitat using architectural tools, with the five winners set to build scale models next year.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2018/07/27/nasas-3d-printed-mars-habitat-competition-doles-out-prizes-to-concept-habs/

Meet Salto-1P, the jumping robot

Salto is a jumping robot that is all heart (and legs). A project originally launched in 2017 this tiny robot thrusts itself up and down and back and forth like a crazed grasshopper, jumping with absolute precision and loads of speed. Created by the UC Berkeley’s Biomimetic Millisystems Lab, this little robot uses rotor-based thrusters […]
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2018/07/26/meet-salto-1p-the-jumping-robot/

Nintendo’s new Labo Vehicle Kit looks like a buggy full of fun

Nintendo has just announced the latest in its Labo series of whimsical cardboard accessories for the Switch gaming console, and this one looks like a must-have. Called the Vehicle Kit for obvious reasons, the flat-pack, assemble-it-yourself add-ons include a steering wheel, gas pedal, "keys" that activate different vehicles, all of which work inside a cool-looking game that comes with.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2018/07/26/nintendos-new-labo-vehicle-kit-looks-like-a-buggy-full-of-fun/

Virgin Galactic’s third supersonic test flight hits Mach 2.4 and 170,000 feet

Virgin Galactic is celebrating the third successful supersonic test flight of VSS Unity, the passenger spacecraft it intends to make available for space tourism in the near future. This flight took the craft higher and faster than ever, stressing the system and providing useful data for this rocket plane's engineers.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2018/07/26/virgin-galactics-third-supersonic-test-flight-hits-mach-2-and-170000-feet/

Extras for bringing the fun at summer festivals

Summer festivals of all sorts come around every year, and they’re even better with a few friends — plus some extras to make the experience more memorable.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2018/07/26/summer-festivals-101-extras-for-bringing-the-fun/

Alexa Cast will let users cast Amazon Music to Alexa devices

Amazon today announced Alexa Cast to allow for better music control on Alexa devices. Users will be able to more easily transition from listening to through the Amazon Music app to listening to Amazon Music on an Alexa device. This is a much-needed function for Amazon’s core services. Before Alexa Cast, it can be messy […]
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2018/07/26/alexa-cast-will-let-users-cast-amazon-music-to-alexa-devices/

SmartArm’s AI-powered prosthesis takes the prize at Microsoft’s Imagine Cup

A pair of Canadian students making a simple, inexpensive prosthetic arm have taken home the grand prize at Microsoft's Imagine Cup, a global startup competition the company holds yearly. SmartArm will receive $85,000, a mentoring session with CEO Satya Nadella, and some other Microsoft goodies. But they were far from the only worthy team from the dozens that came to Redmond to compete.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2018/07/25/smartarms-ai-powered-prosthesis-takes-the-prize-at-microsofts-imagine-cup/

Apple touts iPhone gaming performance in new ad

Many people have talked about the performances of the new MacBook Pro over the past few days. But Apple focuses on the A11 Bionic chip in its new TV ad. Named ‘Unleash’, this ad shows a young man walking down the streets of a Chinese city filled with Mobike and Ofo bikes. He’s playing a […]
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2018/07/25/apple-touts-iphone-gaming-performance-in-new-ad/

The Traeger Timberline 850 turns BBQ from art to science

This review took a lot of pork. Over the last few months, I’ve used the Traeger Timberline 850 several times a week. Cooking on this grill is easier than using an oven. With a little bit of planning, a person can simultaneously grill a flock of chickens, a couple of pork butts and a load […]
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2018/07/25/the-treager-timberline-850-turns-bbq-from-art-to-science/

Source: https://techcrunch.com/

Gadgets – TechCrunch