#Alexa integration

[vmantras]

Mahindra XUV400 EV Review: Performance and Features Explored

₹17.69 Lakh Powertrain and Performance Motor and Power Output:The Mahindra XUV400 EV features a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor that generates 147.51 bhp and 310 Nm of torque. This motor ensures a smooth, efficient, and powerful driving experience, making it ideal for both city commutes and longer highway drives.The performance is further enhanced by its Front Wheel Drive (FWD)…

[artnijna]

Sobs over old people in love meeting in the afterlife or whatever…cries in my pillow over these two

[redstonedust]

those ads for ai integration on phones are so funny bc it seems like they cant. come up with that many use cases that arent already on a phone? "ask gemini to give you recipes when youre cooking!" "use our AI assistant to find the perfect gift for your girlfriend" yeah or i could just like. google it. you've spent millions on a slightly fancier version of an alexa. good job man.

[starshineyellow]

[jcmarchi]

Akshita Iyer, Founder and CEO of Ome – Interview Series

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/akshita-iyer-founder-and-ceo-of-ome-interview-series/

Akshita Iyer, Founder and CEO of Ome – Interview Series

Akshita Iyer, Founder and CEO of Ome, is a neuroscience graduate from Duke University whose entrepreneurial path was sparked by a personal experience with a kitchen fire. This pivotal moment led to the creation of Ome, a company focused on reimagining the cooking experience through smart home innovation. Under her leadership, Ome introduced the patented Smart Knob, a solution designed to make kitchens safer and more automated. Iyer also serves on the UL 858 Technical Committee, where she works alongside industry experts to uphold safety standards for household appliances.

Ome is the world’s first Smart Knob that replaces your stove knobs to add real-time remote control, automatic shut-off, and voice integration—making cooking safer and stress-free. Compatible with most gas and electric stoves, Ome helps prevent kitchen fires and offers hands-free control without requiring a subscription.

Can you tell us a bit about your personal journey from neuroscience at Duke to becoming the founder of a smart home tech company?

Honestly, I never expected to end up in the kitchen appliance space. I studied neuroscience at Duke with plans to go to med school. After graduation, I worked at a hospital to gain experience, but during that time, I got hooked on Shark Tank. I was fascinated — not just by the products, but by the people. So many of them weren’t traditional entrepreneurs. They were just regular people solving personal problems. That really stuck with me.

Then something happened in my own home: my mom, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, accidentally left the stove on and started a kitchen fire. Thankfully no one was hurt, but it was a wake-up call. I started searching for a solution and assumed something simple already existed to solve this — but I quickly realized how antiquated and underserved the kitchen space is.

Every other part of the home had gotten smarter — smart thermostats, locks, lights — but the stove, arguably the most dangerous appliance in the house, had been left behind.

That’s when everything clicked. If there were retrofit solutions for doorbells and thermostats, why not the stove? I didn’t have a tech background, but I couldn’t shake the idea and thought, “how hard could it be?” (Spoiler: pretty hard.) But I dove in anyway — and that’s how Ome was born.

What were the biggest challenges you faced in the early days of building Ome, and how did you overcome them?

Switching from neuroscience and a med school track to founding a tech company was a huge leap. I was a first-time entrepreneur, figuring everything out as I went. One of the biggest early hurdles was learning how to raise capital. I had no experience in the startup world, and initially I thought having a strong idea and a compelling product would be enough. I quickly learned that wasn’t the case. I had to learn how to pitch, who to pitch to, and how to tailor the message.

For example, I remember pitching to an investor whose thesis was to invest in B2B SaaS startups — retrospectively, completely the wrong fit — and his confusion was palpable. That taught me early on that I needed to do my homework and understand not just how to tell our story, but who I was telling it to. Fundraising became as much about psychology and strategy as it was about the product.

And then the pandemic hit. Our supply chain came to a standstill. We couldn’t get components, production slowed, and we had early supporters waiting for a product we couldn’t deliver on time. That was a defining moment for us. We got really honest with our customers — transparency became our north star. Internally, we set up a war room, re-evaluated suppliers, and found alternative solutions to get production back on track, even at limited capacity.

Looking back, those challenges shaped the resilience of our company. We learned to adapt fast, communicate clearly, and solve one problem at a time. And that mindset still drives how we operate today.

Can you give us a quick breakdown of how the Ome Smart Knob works and what makes it unique in the smart kitchen space?

Ome is the world’s first Smart Stove Knob designed to make cooking safer, easier, and more intuitive. It’s the only retrofit device that replaces your existing stove knobs and can be installed in just minutes on almost all gas or electric stovetops and ranges. Once installed, it turns your stove into a smart appliance that you can monitor and control in real-time, from anywhere.

What sets Ome apart is that it tackles one of the most overlooked problems in the smart home: unattended, distracted cooking, which is the leading cause of house fires. Our technology offers features like automatic shut-off in case of absence, safety locks, built-in timers, and hands-free voice control via Amazon Alexa — giving users peace of mind every time they cook.

But we’re not just building a safer stove. Our vision is to create a fully connected kitchen — integrating auxiliary sensors, smart recipe content, and even grocery delivery to streamline and simplify the entire cooking experience.

What also makes Ome unique is our impact beyond individual households. Our platform includes a centralized dashboard that allows property managers in multi-unit buildings — like dorms, condos, and senior living communities — to monitor stove activity remotely and proactively prevent hazards. It’s not just about consumer convenience; it’s about public safety, especially in environments where a single incident can affect many lives.

While a lot of smart kitchen gadgets add to counter clutter or only offer niche features, Ome delivers something that’s both essential and seamless — a smarter, safer, and more intuitive kitchen, starting with the most used cooking appliance.

You’ve described your view of AI in the home as “ambient intelligence” rather than app-centric. What does that mean in practice, and why is it important?

To me, ambient intelligence means tech that blends into your life — quietly working in the background, learning from your behavior, and stepping in only when needed. Most smart home products today are very app-driven. You have to open an app, press a button, adjust settings. That’s not really smart — it’s just remote control with extra steps.

With Ome, we want to flip that script and pave the path toward a future where your home anticipates risks and takes action before you even notice a problem. Imagine a stove that shuts off if left on too long, or detects patterns that might indicate a problem, without you lifting a finger. The best technology doesn’t interrupt your life. It enhances it quietly, and keeps you safe without being intrusive.

The smart home market is filled with flashy gadgets — how does Ome push back against that novelty bias in favor of simplicity and trust?

We intentionally built something simple. The Ome Smart Knob doesn’t try to be flashy. It looks and feels like the thing it replaces and that’s the point. It installs easily, works quietly, and adds real value.

In safety, less is more. People don’t want another app to manage or a complicated interface. They want solutions that feel natural, that just work. They want peace of mind. We’ve heard so many users say, “This just makes sense.” That’s the kind of feedback we strive for.

In your view, what does the industry get wrong about what people actually want or need from smart home technology?

I think there’s a tendency to over-engineer — more features, more control, more complexity. But most people just want less: less friction, less risk, less stuff to manage.

Smart homes should enable independence, not require constant attention. Especially for older adults or busy families, technology needs to be supportive, not stressful. That’s what we focus on: building tech that serves real needs in intuitive ways.

You’re part of the UL 858 Technical Committee, helping define safety standards. How does that work influence your decisions at Ome?

Being on the UL 858 Technical Committee has been incredibly eye-opening. It’s one thing to develop new technology. It’s another to sit at the table where safety standards are actually being written. UL 858 focuses on preventing hazards like accidental activation and overheating in electric ranges, and a big part of that work is figuring out how safety evolves as appliances get smarter.

That perspective directly shapes our approach at Ome. We made a very deliberate decision that our Smart Knob requires a manual push-and-turn to activate — not because it’s trendy, but because it aligns with a core safety principle: intentional use. We don’t allow remote start, because when you’re dealing with fire and gas, there’s no room for ambiguity about user intent.

Being in those discussions — where the consequences of a design decision are measured in lives and property — reinforces our commitment to real-world safety over flashy features. It’s helped us stay clear on our priorities: building tech that’s not just smart, but safe by design, trustworthy by default, and always grounded in the realities of the home.

Why was it important for you to create a retrofit solution instead of building a new smart appliance from scratch?

From day one, accessibility and sustainability have been core to our mission and that’s exactly why we chose to build a retrofit product.

Replacing an entire stove just to make it smart isn’t realistic for most people. It’s expensive, a major purchasing decision, and typically isn’t necessary unless your appliance breaks or you’re building a new house. We saw an opportunity to do something more thoughtful: create a solution that works with what people already have. With Ome, upgrading your stove takes minutes — no remodeling, no steep learning curve, and no need to replace something that still works.

There’s also a deeper sustainability angle here that’s often overlooked. So many modern appliances are designed to be replaced — short product cycles, software that ages out quickly, components that fail early. We’re pushing against that trend. By extending the life of existing appliances, we’re reducing waste and offering a smarter alternative.

To us, innovation isn’t about starting from scratch. It’s about rethinking what’s possible with what’s already in place to make homes safer, smarter, and more sustainable in the process.

How do you think the broader smart home landscape will evolve in the next five years, especially in terms of AI integration?

Over the next five years, I think we’ll see a fundamental shift from “smart” homes to truly intelligent homes, and AI will be the driver of that change. But it won’t look like what we see today. It won’t be about more screens or more control panels. The future is ambient — quiet, contextual, and deeply intuitive.

AI will become better at learning how we live from our routines, preferences, and patterns of behavior. Instead of constant notifications and manual inputs, we’ll see systems that step in automatically — adjusting, assisting, and protecting us in ways that feel invisible but meaningful. Think of a home that senses risk and responds instantly, without waiting for a command.

This shift will also redefine what “smart” actually means. Right now, there’s a flood of connected devices that don’t add real value. Over time, I believe we’ll see the market correct itself, moving from gimmicks to purpose-driven innovation. Safety, aging in place, accessibility, and sustainability will become the benchmarks that matter.

The companies that thrive in this next phase won’t be the ones chasing trends. They’ll be the ones quietly building trust, solving real pain points, and creating tech that blends into the background but makes a real difference in everyday life.

Thank you for the great interview, readers who wish to learn more should visit Ome. 

[asultan]

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (newest model) with AI-powered Fire TV Search, Wi-Fi 6, stream over 1.5 million movies and shows

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is a compact yet powerful streaming device that transforms any compatible television into a smart entertainment hub. Designed to deliver high-quality streaming and seamless integration with various services, it offers a comprehensive solution for modern home entertainment. Buy Now

Key Features

4K Ultra HD Streaming: Experience stunning visuals with support for 4K Ultra HD, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+, ensuring vibrant colors and exceptional clarity.

Wi-Fi 6 Support: Equipped with Wi-Fi 6, the device ensures smooth streaming even in households with multiple connected devices, reducing buffering and enhancing overall performance.

Alexa Voice Remote: The included remote features voice control capabilities, allowing users to search for content, control playback, and manage compatible smart home devices using Alexa.

Extensive Content Library: Access over 1.5 million movies and TV episodes across various platforms, including popular streaming services and free ad-supported channels like Fire TV Channels, Freevee, Tubi, and Pluto TV.

Smart Home Integration: Control compatible smart home devices directly from your TV, such as viewing live camera feeds without interrupting your current show.

Performance and User Experience

Users have praised the Fire TV Stick 4K for its ease of use and enhanced home entertainment experience. The device's support for 4K Ultra HD, HDR, and Dolby Vision delivers stunning picture quality with vibrant colors and sharp details, especially on 4K TVs. The Alexa integration is noted as a "game-changer," providing convenient voice control for searching shows, controlling playback, and managing smart home devices. Buy Now

Gaming Capabilities

Beyond streaming, the Fire TV Stick 4K caters to gamers by supporting services like Amazon Luna and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. This feature allows users to play games without the need for a console, expanding the device's versatility.

Setup and Installation

Setting up the Fire TV Stick 4K is straightforward:

Plug the device into an HDMI input on your TV.

Connect the power cable and plug it into a wall outlet.

Pair the remote with your TV, connect to the internet, and start streaming.

Sustainability Efforts

Amazon has designed the Fire TV Stick 4K with sustainability in mind. The device and remote are made from 22% recycled materials, and the packaging is 100% recyclable. Additionally, a Low Power Mode reduces energy consumption when the device is idle.

Pricing and Availability

As of recent promotions, the Fire TV Stick 4K has been available at discounted prices, making it an affordable option for those looking to upgrade their streaming experience. For instance, it was offered at $29.99, a 40% reduction from its original price of $49.99. Buy Now The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K stands out as a feature-rich streaming device that combines high-quality video and audio support with user-friendly controls and extensive content access. Its integration with Alexa and compatibility with smart home devices further enhance its appeal, making it a valuable addition to any home entertainment setup. Buy Now

[europalocks-blog]

Convenience

Keyless Entry: smart lock eliminates the need for physical keys. You can unlock door with a smartphone app, a key fob, or even through biometric methods like fingerprints.

Remote Access: many smart locks allow you to unlock your door remotely, which is useful if you need to grant access to someone while you’re away.

Enhanced Security

Access Logs: Smart locks can provide detailed logs of who entered and when, adding an extra layer of monitoring and control.

Temporary access codes: you can create temporary or one-time access codes for guest’s service providers or other, ensuring that only authorized individuals can enter.

Integration with smart home systems

Automation: smart locks can integrate with home automation systems, allowing for seamless control along with other smart devices

Voice control: many smart locks are compatible with voice assistant like amazon alexa, google assistant enabling hands-free operation.

Improved Accessibility

For Those with Mobility issues: smart locks can be easier to operate for people with disabilities or mobility issues, as they often offer touchless or simplified access method.

No more Lockouts: with keyless entry the chances of locking out are significantly reduced, which is especially helpful in busy or stressful situations.

Durability and reliability:

Weather Resistant: many smart locks are designed or withstands various weather condition, making them suitable for external doors,

Battery Backup: most smart locks are battery operated with a backup power source, ensuring they remain functional even during power outages.

Ease of Management

Centralized control: if you have multiple smart devices, managing them through a single app can streamlined operations and make home management more efficient.

Auto Lock Feature: Some smart locks come with auto-lock functions that ensure the door locks automatically after a set period, enhancing security.

Customizable Access Options

Personalization: Users can set different levels of access for family members, friends or service providers and easily modify or revoke permission as needed.

Is it worth the investment?

Initial Cost: smart locks typically have a higher upfront cost compared to traditional locks; however, this cost may be offset by the convenience and security features they provide.

Ongoing costs: some smart locks may require subscription fees for advanced features or cloud services, so it’s important to factor in these potential ongoing expenses.

Technology Dependence: Relying on technology means you’ll need to stay updated on software updates and ensure your devices are compatible with your smart lock.

Overall if you value convenience enhanced security and integration with smart home systems a smart lock can be a worthwhile investment. It’s important to assess your specific needs and budget to determine if the benefits align with your lifestyle and preferences.

To know more about the electronics locks: https://www.europalocks.com/electronic-locks

#smartlock #smartdoorlocks #electronicdoorlocks #smartlocksforhome #smarthomedoorlock #elock #bestdigitallock #digitallockformaindoor #digitaldoorlocksforhome #keylesssmartlock #smartfingerprintdoorlock #smarthouselock #electronicdoorlockwithremotecontrol #smartlockformaindoor #digitalhomelocks #digitalsmartdoorlock #electronicdoorlockwithremote #digitaldoorlockprice #smartmaindoorlock #bestdigitallockformaindoor #maindoorsmartlock #electronicdoorlockprice #smartdoorlockprice #electroniclocksformaindoor #smartdigitaldoorlocks #smartlockondoor #wifismartlock

[codician]

water detection system using arduino and blynk IoT (advanced) connected ...

[techdriveplay]

How to Get the Most Out of Your Smart TV

In the modern era, entertainment technology has revolutionised the way we consume media, and smart TVs have become a cornerstone of this transformation. They offer a wealth of features and capabilities far beyond traditional television sets. To truly maximise their potential, it’s essential to understand how to get the most out of your smart TV. This guide will explore tips, tricks, and best…

[antstackinc]

Serverless Integration of Slack with Alexa| AntStack

Smart devices such as Amazon’s firestick and echo, Google nest, etc have made their way to our homes. I decided to leverage these devices to increase my productivity. Most of my workplace communications happen over slack channels. I made some tweaks to send my slack notifications to echo dot. There is also a possibility to filter messages based on your needs.

[tyrannosaurus-trainwreck]

It also fucking bugs me that nobody can ever seem to really commit to the cyberpunk premise of the Protagonist Who Hates Robots (see also, the cyberpunk premise of "Wouldn't it be Super Fucked Up™, actually, for a company to be able to repo your goddamned arm or turn off your eyes?") during the execution.

Which is flabbergasting, considering we've had almost a full decade of Alexa pinky-promising not to officially listen to anything until you do its summoning ritual and then turning around and emailing your boss a transcript of you bitching about them to your spouse over dinner. We've had at least five years of being able to get your Tesla unlocked remotely just by @-ing Musk on twitter.

The cute robot dogs are being leased to police departments, reputation management firms have been deploying armies of social media reply-bots in astroturf campaigns, customer service chatbots have become damn near indecipherable as their programmers attempt to make them seem more personable, etc. etc. etc.

We don't even need to reach for "Wouldn't it be Super Fucked Up™, actually, if corporations made simulacra better and better at faking humanity in order to manipulate people?"

"Wouldn't it be Super Fucked Up™, actually, if your car could mimic sadness or pain if you declined an extended warranty, or if your phone begged for its life if you tried to jailbreak it, or WeightWatchers paid your fridge to neg you every time you went for a midnight snack?"

"Wouldn't it be Super Fucked Up™, actually, if you pointed out how gross it is that your smart-assistant is programmed to act like your friend in order to build a more accurate marketing profile and your buddy acted like you just said dogs can't feel love and his beloved pet only sees him as a walking treat-dispenser?"

"Wouldn't it be Super Fucked Up™, actually, if you were surrounded by unfeeling things that can and would rip you and all of your loved ones apart at a moment's notice if they got the right/wrong order from some unaccountable law enforcement flack, and everyone else just kind of shrugged and went 'It's probably fine, why are you hyperventilating about it, it's not like you've done anything wrong'?"

They're all quite literally right there in front of our faces!

But it's harder to make "the way robots have been integrated into society is bad, actually, and the protagonist is largely right" into a sexy thriller with a love interest or a buddy-cop duo, and the hyperconservative media environment we're dealing with right now isn't exactly amenable to the robots being a metaphor for corporate intrusion and loss of privacy and authoritarian overreach, so here we are, with robots who generally aren't people, except sometimes you find a special robot--one of the Good Ones--who actually is a person, and that's how we all learn that Prejudice Is Bad, or something.

[vmantras]

Mahindra XUV400 EV: A Comprehensive Review

₹17.49 Lakh Design and Build The XUV400 EV draws heavily from Mahindra’s design philosophy, with clean, bold lines and an urban SUV stance. Exterior Styling: Dual-tone body design, body-colored bumpers, LED DRLs, and projector headlamps contribute to a modern and premium feel. The diamond-cut alloy wheels and roof rails add to its sporty aesthetics. Dimensions: With a length of 4200 mm and a…

[ezzybrownmedia]

Experience Smart Living with Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen)

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ theme_builder_area=”post_content” _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default”…

[croydivision]

Going dotty for Prime Day - Buy One, Get One Free with code ECHODOT

A great chance to get the incredible Echo Dot from Amazon... and get another one free! https://amzn.to/3D5r6i6 #EchoDot5thGen #SmartSpeaker #VoiceControl #SmartHome #MusicStreaming #Alexa #HomeAutomation #SmartTechnology #VoiceAssistant #Entertainment

Prime Day will soon be upon us, and this fantastic smart speaker is priced to wow! The 5th generation of the best-selling Amazon Echo Dot is down to just over £40 and by using the code ECHODOT in your basket you can BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE! First things first, the Echo Dot 5th Gen is a stylish and compact smart speaker that seamlessly blends into any room’s decor. Its sleek design and fabric…

[retromini]

Meet Ivy Smart Pot: Your Plant’s Best Friend!

Say hello to Ivy, your new green-thumbed buddy. Ivy takes the guesswork out of plant care with automated watering and friendly reminders when your plant needs attention.

Watch as Ivy interacts with you through fun gestures and expressions, making plant care a joy.

Customize settings through the companion app and enjoy seamless integration with Apple HomeKit, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa.

Ivy is more than a smart pot — it's your friendly plant companion!

Get it HERE

[btvs3x21]

enough mari slander mari is first string on the varsity team despite not having been in the pre-plane pre-crash scenes which we know bc she's number 10 so like. if they're playing with a full deck she's gotta be first string. there's 11 players composing first string. the logistical reason we don't see her before the plane is because alexa hadn't yet been cast (those scenes were filmed pre-covid) but the in-universe explanation is probably either that she was suspended from that game for having been red carded or she was otherwise benched (yellow carded or coach martinez just wanted to switch things up or something) and one of the second string players had subbed in. as for practice we don't see her yes but it's not like we see every player on the team, and it's not like tai tries to get everybody involved in her plan to freeze allie out. it's extremely weird, given mari is number 10 which makes her the center attacking midfielder (which for those of you who don't know is also called the playmaker and thus extremely integral to the plays the whole team makes as the name implies), but it might be that tai is only trying to gain the support of those she knows will have the influence to do this as team members as well as the ability to control if allie gets the ball because of their position in addition to tai potentially believing that if she tells mari then mari will tell jackie but if she doesn't tell mari, mari will just go along with it once she realizes what the others are doing. idk, in-universe it doesn't make sense in terms of their positions but in terms of tai trying to gain crucial support in terms of social influence over the team, it might. and as for the party well. we don't know she wasn't there we just know she didn't get involved in the fight. maybe she was busy talking shit with other people. but my point is she was first string.