Nicole Lee
Articles by Nicole Lee
What's it like cooking your own Impossible Burger?
Since its debut three years ago, the only way to consume the Impossible Burger has been to find a restaurant that serves it. Over the years, Impossible has expanded its footprint from high-end joints in New York and San Francisco to nationwide fast-food establishments like White Castle and Burger King. Beginning today, however, it's available in grocery stores too, starting with Gelson's Markets in Southern California. I decided to try it out for myself, and compare it to a rival vegan meat product as well.
Facebook's $149 Portal TV turns your television into a giant smart display
Last year, Facebook made its first foray into hardware with the Portal and Portal+ smart displays, which featured an AI-powered camera that could track your movements. Facebook's sketchy reputation on privacy dampened their reception, however, as did the company's confusing messaging on whether the devices collect data (surprise: they do). Yet, those issues have not deterred the company, as Facebook is announcing not one, not two, but three new Portal models today. The Portal and Portal Mini are standalone smart displays that retail for $179 and $129 respectively. The other, however, is called the Portal TV. Priced at $149, it's essentially a camera attachment that turns your TV into a giant smart display.
HTC Vive Cosmos hands-on: VR never looked so good
In 2016, HTC revealed the Vive VR headset to the world. In the years since, HTC has released several versions, like the Vive Pro, Vive Pro Eye and the standalone Vive Focus and Vive Focus Plus (for developers and businesses). Now it's ready to launch a brand-new headset aimed at consumers: the Vive Cosmos. It costs $699, which includes a trial subscription to Viveport Infinity; you'll get a 12-month trial if you pre-order before October 3rd, and a six-month one thereafter (The VR game service is usually $99 a year).
Google Nest Hub Max review: Sometimes bigger is better
Last year, Google took on Amazon's Echo Show with a whole line of third-party Google Smart Displays. Then it revealed a rival of its very own, the Google Home Hub (since been renamed to "Nest Hub"). Its 7-inch screen and adorable form factor, plus its lack of camera, added up to a more personal take on the smart display, ideal for private spaces like the bedroom. Now, Google is ready to go big. At the I/O developer conference this year, the company unveiled the Nest Hub Max ($229), which has a larger 10-inch display and a camera, which works much better in communal spaces. There are similar smart displays, of course, but Google has wisely snuck a few AI tricks in the Hub Max that sets it apart from the competition. Whether these tricks are necessary, however, is another question.
Playdate's tiny hand-held with a crank is big on charm
Three months ago, Panic Inc. revealed that it's been working on a curious product: a hand-held game system called the Playdate, priced at $149. You may recognize Panic as the company behind popular Mac software like Transmit and Coda, or perhaps as the publisher of indie games such as Firewatch and Untitled Goose Game. At first, the Playdate might seem unremarkable; it's a tiny console with a black-and-white screen, a pair of buttons and a D-pad. But, it also has ... a crank. No, the crank isn't meant to power it up; it's actually meant as a game controller. Yes, really.
Google Assistant takes on the sticky note with assignable reminders
Setting reminders for yourself is easy, but not so much when you want to remind someone else of their responsibilities. You often have to resort to old-fashioned techniques like text messages and Post-it notes, which are easily lost and forgotten. Google, however, has come up with an alternative solution. Now, you can ask Google Assistant to assign reminders to other people, specifically family and household members.
What to do when the robocalls won't stop
You recognize it the moment you pick up the phone. The quiet beat before a clearly prerecorded message speaks ominously about your Social Security number getting canceled. Or perhaps it's a call trying to sell you health insurance or a vacation. Either way, you've been hit by a robocall, and you're not alone. YouMail, which makes robocall-blocking software, estimates that Americans received 47.8 billion robocalls in 2018. The FCC says that US consumers receive 350,000 unwanted calls every three minutes, and of those calls, a whopping 47 percent are illegal scams. Unwanted robocalls aren't just an annoyance; they can also take advantage of the vulnerable, leading to serious loss of funds.
Can an open-source AI take on Amazon and Google?
It's only been a few years since Amazon unveiled the Alexa-powered Echo, but since then, smart speakers have become a major consumer-electronics category. Key to its success is the notion of the always-on virtual assistant, which other companies like Apple and Google have adopted as well. In fact, not only has Google made Assistant the driving force behind its Android smartphones, it has launched its own line of Echo rivals.
Samsung's Galaxy Book S is a Windows 10 laptop that lasts all day
It wasn't just about the Note 10 and Note 10+ at today's Samsung Galaxy event in New York City. The company also took the opportunity to unveil a laptop, called the Samsung Galaxy Book S. As rumored, the Galaxy Book S ships with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx chip (7nm 64-bit Octa-core processor) and runs Windows 10. Interestingly, it features a traditional clamshell design, which is different from the 2-in-1 stylings of the Galaxy Book and Galaxy Book 2. It looks to have a thin, minimal design, with two USB-C ports and a headphone jack.
IKEA SYMFONISK review: Sonos speakers at IKEA prices
Although IKEA is mostly known as a purveyor of flatpack furniture and Swedish meatballs, it has dabbled in electronics as well. In years past, it's launched its own line of smart bulbs, Bluetooth speakers and a lamp with a built-in wireless charger. This year, it's upping the pedigree of its electronics offerings thanks to a partnership with Sonos. The new line of Sonos-powered speakers is called SYMFONISK -- apparently Swedish for "symphonics" -- and will feature two debut models: a bookshelf speaker and a 2-in-1 lamp-speaker combo. At just $99 and $179 respectively, the idea here is that they're able to offer Sonos-level quality without the Sonos-level price.
Are period and fertility tracking apps effective?
Period- and fertility-tracking apps are nothing new, but they've seen a resurgence over the past few months. Traditional device makers like Fitbit, Garmin and Apple are beginning to incorporate the functionality into their wearables and smartwatches and some, like Garmin, are extending that functionality into standalone apps. While Apple had period-tracking in its Health app for awhile, the next iteration will soon let women know when their fertile period is, with or without the watch.
The Amazon Prime Day strike could be a turning point for workers' rights
Today, Amazon will start its fifth annual Prime Day, which has been expanded to 48 hours this year. Designed to enlist (and keep) Prime members, it is the company's biggest shopping event of the year -- on the same level as Black Friday -- with extensive discounts and deals across the entire site. At a time when Amazon would likely prefer that all its employees hunker down to meet increased demand, a group of warehouse workers in Shakopee, Minnesota are going on strike. It isn't the first time the workers in Shakopee have raised their concerns. But it will be the first major work stoppage event for Amazon in the US and could be a harbinger of things to come.
Are headphones 'made for women' really necessary?
Five years ago, Nicole Rose Stillings wanted a better pair of headphones. As a full-time professional DJ, she thought that most of the ones she wore were much too big and bulky for her head. So she created a few prototypes that were smaller in size, and for a bit of flair, adhered decorations on them (like rhinestones and Swarovski crystals). She began wearing them at her shows and they started getting a lot of attention -- primarily from women.
Jony Ive helped make Apple what it is today
On Thursday, Apple confirmed that Jony Ive is leaving after nearly 30 years at the company. He's starting his own creative business called LoveFrom, with Apple being his first client. The news reverberated through the tech and business world like a shockwave, sending journalists and Apple pundits into a titter while the company's stock price slumped. And it's no wonder; Jony Ive was no ordinary employee. Ive has been behind some of the most iconic designs in Apple's history, helping transform a Silicon Valley has-been into one of the most successful companies in the world.
Google’s new curriculum teaches kids how to detect disinformation
When Google launched its "Be Internet Awesome" curriculum for educators a couple of years ago, it focused its efforts on teaching children about online safety. This year, however, the company is adding a new component to its campaign: media literacy. Developed in partnership with the Net Safety Collaborative, the new program includes play-to-learn activities that help educate kids about how to spot disinformation, such as fake URLs or misleading headlines. The curriculum includes "Don't Fall for Fake" activities that are centered around teaching children critical thinking skills. This is so they'll know the difference between credible and non-credible news sources, for example, and how to spot a bad URL. There are also other media literacy activities such as "Share with Care," which have to do with teaching kids how to maintain a good online reputation, and "It's Cool to be Kind," which is about online harassment. Along with the new curriculum, Google is also announcing a nationwide partnership with the YMCA, where it'll help families talk to their children about topics like social media, cyberbullying and disinformation. Google has been under quite a bit of heat recently on this exact topic, as YouTube has often been accused of spreading disinformation and propaganda, especially to impressionable youth. It's interesting to see Google collaborate on a project that teaches children to identify disinformation, while at the same time not doing a stellar job at taking those sources down. The new "Be Internet Awesome" curriculum is aimed mostly at seven to twelve year olds, and will be available to interested family members and educators starting today.
Amazon Echo Show 5 review: An Alexa display with alarm clock smarts
When Amazon introduced the second-gen Echo Show display last year, it was a huge upgrade over the original, with a built-in browser, better sound and more video options than before. Just months later, however, and Amazon has released a new model called the Echo Show 5 (In case that's confusing, the "5" refers to the screen size, much like how Amazon names its Fire tablets). That might seem odd, but the Echo Show 5 isn't meant to replace the larger Show; it's a smaller version designed for desks and nightstands. Think of it as a squarer, reimagined Echo Spot that doubles as competition for Google's Nest Hub (and, in a way, the Lenovo Smart Clock). It's not perfect by any means, but for those who want a smaller, sleeker Amazon smart display that's also a decent alarm clock, the Echo Show 5 might be it.
Google adds 'Welcome Offers' to its store and restaurant listings
Last year, Google allowed you to "follow" your favorite stores and restaurants so you would always get updates on the latest events, products or offers from that business (you'll see these updates in the For You tab in Maps). Now, in an effort to encourage you to do this more, Google is allowing businesses to reward their customers who follow them with "Welcome Offers." So that means if you're hitting that business's follow button for the first time, you might see a welcome discount or deal pop up. Show that to the merchant in question and voila, you'll get your reward.
Amazon Fire 7 (2019): You get what you pay for
Despite having Android under the hood, Amazon's Fire tablets have traditionally had a very different purpose than the usual Android slate. Instead of trying to be an all-in-one workhorse, like some of Samsung's Galaxy offerings, Amazon's Fire tablets are aimed at media consumption. And, thanks to Amazon's clout, they tend to be dirt cheap, making them ideal for penny pinchers who want a simple tablet for watching videos and playing games. The cheapest of the bunch is the Amazon Fire 7, but it hasn't been updated since 2017. That is, until recently. Amazon has finally seen fit to bring it up to 2019 standards... but just barely. Yes, it is ever so slightly faster, has twice the storage capacity and now has hands-free Alexa -- meaning you no longer have to unlock the tablet in order to use it. But those are pretty minor upgrades. Aside from that, the Fire 7 remains basic. Sure, the Fire 7 is incredibly cheap at just $50, but at the same time, you do get what you pay for.
Amazon's updated Echo Dot for kids is louder and more colorful
Last year, Amazon unveiled a child-friendly version of its affordable Echo Dot, which came in bright primary colors, offered age-appropriate content and parental controls. Today, the company is announcing a brand new version of the Echo Dot Kids Edition for $70, plus a couple of new features to its kid-friendly FreeTime app as well.
Dropbox's big redesign makes it a lot more useful at work
Dropbox is getting an overhaul. At an event in San Francisco, CEO Drew Houston announced that starting today, Dropbox will be a lot more integrated into other aspects of your work life. The new interface aims to centralize your contacts, calendar, communication, tools and more in a single space. The company gave us a sneak peek at the potential of this a few months ago when it allowed its enterprise users to edit Google Docs within Dropbox. Today, however, that ability is now available to all Dropbox users.