$500 MIRROR GIVES ADVICE
“Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the craziest of them all?” You are, that’s who, if you’re willing to spend $500 to $1000 on an artificially intelligent mirror.
Or maybe not. A glance at the new Baracoda Bmind Smart Mirror could talk you out of yelling at your boss, saving your bacon. First it will size you up. Then it will offer encouraging words, guide you in meditation and bring you light therapy. It also gives you your weight, the weather, some food recommendations and Nature scenes. According to ZDnet, the smart mirror is one of the best AI gadgets from the recent Computer Electronics Show.
But number one on the ZDnet list is the “Motion Pillow.” When the Motion Pillow realizes you’re snoring, it self-inflates to lift your head, opening your airways. It also monitors your sleep, telling you how much you snore and recording it. Instead of your own wheezes, however, you might want to play back your spouse’s snort after they accuse you of being the biggest noisemaker in the family. Hopefully, it’s still on sale at MotionPillow.com for $420, down from $699.
Another item on the ZDnet list is the Minitailz Smart Dog Collar. It tells you where Fido is at all times. It also lets you know his resting heart rate and breathing patterns. The company says it can detect heart failure before symptoms show up. Price: $99 for the collar and $25 a month for the subscription.
iPhone Keyboard
If you miss typing on an actual keyboard, instead of a phone screen, check out the Clicks Creator Keyboard case for iPhone. It has a keyboard on one end and connects directly to your phone with the built-in Lightning or USB-C connector. If you turn the backlight off, it won’t drain your phone’s battery more than two percent, even after a heavy day of use. With the backlight on all day, it would use about four percent. Unfortunately, it’s limited to the iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.
Get it at the website Clicks.tech for $139, or $159 for the largest Pro Max case. While you’re there, check out the frequently asked questions (FAQ). Among other things, it will tell you how to turn one of the keys into a dedicated emoji button.
Say What?
I learned a new trick for Samsung phones, “Adapt Sound.” It helps you hear better. To set it up, go to Settings, then choose Sounds and Vibrations. Now choose Sound quality and effects, then Adapt sound. From there, choose your age category. They are three presets: “under 30,” “30 to 60” and “over 60.” But, instead of choosing your age category, you might want to select “test my hearing.” My Samsung-owning friend says the presets work well, but you might want to personalize your settings after a hearing test.
For the Google Pixel phone, look up “Adaptive Sound” in Settings. For iPhones, there’s adaptive sound for AirPods, which are Apple’s earbuds. Go to Settings on your iPhone or iPad and tap AirPods. Then turn on Personalized Volume under Audio.
What’s New on the Telly
The Telly TV is getting a new AI assistant, according to the latest news from the Consumer Electronics Show. A Telly is a top-of-the-line television you get for free in return for being tracked.
In the new version, the assistant will get to know you better. Ask it for an action film, for example, and it will know if you prefer classic James Bond films or something new. Like the current assistant, it can also set timers, answer easy questions and change the TV settings. Unlike today’s smart TVs, however, it doesn’t come with streaming apps, but you can get a streaming stick like the Google Chromecast for around $29 or a Roku Express for $24. A blogger at the SFStandard said he quickly selects a streaming app to avoid being bombarded by commercials.
Around 500,000 Tellys have been shipped, but not mine. The company says they don’t discriminate, but their survey asks a lot of questions. Since they rely on advertising, they probably prioritize big spenders.
The Oven Bag
Better than toting an oven around with you is the stylish, battery-operated Willtex WillCook shoulder bag. Use it to warm up or cook your food at any temperature from 104 to 482 degrees Fahrenheit. It reaches 176 degrees in 30 minutes. It will also keep cold beverages cool at 40 degrees. Get it from Willtex.co for $200 in September.
What’s New in Car Tech
You’ll never have trouble parallel parking again with this new Hyundai. The Ioniq 5 slides sideways to move you closer to the curb.
It has several other tricks up its sleeve. As you come into a parking space, for example, you can choose a 360-degree spin to instantly park facing out. To get out of a snow drift, select the pivot turn. It also has diagonal driving. Everything is controlled by a computer, so you don’t have to know how to work the sideways-moving wheels. Just select something from the menu.
Here’s the catch: For now, it can only go 50 miles per hour. When it can get up to 110 mph, it should be ready for the South Korean market and then ours. That might take a decade, however.