Daiichi Kosho, operator of Japan's Big Echo karaoke chain, said malware found on a contractor's computer at Nippon Columbia Group may have exposed records of 93,000 employees and 8.63 million customers. Exposed data includes names, genders, birth dates, emails and phone numbers, but not passwords, and no theft or leak has been confirmed. Customers of BIG ECHO, MEGA BIG, Karaoke CLUB DAM, Banana Club, B-GARAGE and DK Dining may be affected.
bleepingcomputer.com
· 2026-10-11
A troubleshooting guide offers practical steps to improve smart speaker accuracy, including cleaning the device, repositioning it away from walls and noise sources like fans, and adjusting sensitivity or wake-word settings on multi-speaker setups. It also recommends giving connected smart home devices and rooms unique, distinct names to avoid confusion.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-10
Apple has officially scheduled a smart home event for next Tuesday, which CNET will attend in person. Reports and leaks point to a new Siri-focused smart display competing with Amazon's Echo Show and Google's Nest Hub, along with possible updates to the HomePod speaker line. Apple has not responded to requests for comment on the rumors.
cnet.com
· 2026-10-09
Amazon announced new high-end Alexa tablets ranging from $230 to $550, available for preorder and shipping from October 14. The company also revealed it will phase out its lower-cost Fire tablets, shifting focus toward more expensive devices. This move marks a strategic change aimed at increasing profit margins on its hardware offerings.
cnbc.com
· 2026-10-08
A senior reviewer reports that Alexa Plus has become the most reliable smart home assistant she has tested, effectively managing routines, device control, and kitchen tasks across multiple Echo devices. However, its attempts at personal memory features and targeted advertising are inconsistent and frustrating, with frequent intrusive ads on Echo Show displays. Despite improvements in smart home integration, the assistant's personal assistant capabilities remain underdeveloped after a year of use.
theverge.com
· 2026-10-08
Amazon has removed the ability to use Alexa voice commands to control AUX line-in input on several older Echo models, including the Echo Plus (2nd Gen), Echo (3rd and 4th Gen), and Echo Studio (1st Gen). The physical 3.5mm port still works, and users can switch AUX modes through the Alexa app or use Bluetooth instead, but voice commands like 'Alexa, play from line in' no longer function.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-10-07
Amazon introduced the Ring Smart Lock, which lets users generate emergency power by turning its thumb-turn dial if the battery dies, avoiding the need for a backup key. The $249 device offers fingerprint and keypad unlocking, app and Alexa voice control, and connects via Amazon's Sidewalk network rather than Wi-Fi. It's expected to launch in the US in early 2027 pending FCC approval, in black, silver, and brass finishes.
theverge.com
· 2026-10-07
Amazon's fall Prime Day sale includes discounts on Alexa speakers, Kindles, and Fire tablets, but WIRED notes Amazon raised prices across its device lines at the end of August before applying these markdowns. A WIRED reviewer who has tested Amazon's Alexa speakers since 2012 evaluated the sale items to identify which discounts are genuinely worthwhile versus which merely restore prices closer to pre-hike levels.
wired.com
· 2026-10-07
Amazon has quietly removed the ability to use Alexa voice commands to play or pause audio coming through the 3.5mm aux input on some older Echo speakers. A Reddit user reported receiving a message from Amazon about the change, and an unnamed spokesperson reportedly confirmed it to Ars Technica, but Amazon gave The Verge no on-record explanation. Control of the aux port through the Alexa app's settings menu reportedly still works.
entertainment.slashdot.org
· 2026-10-06
Retailers are discounting smart home products for Prime Day 2026, including Eufy outdoor security cameras with local hub storage, on-device AI detection, and solar charging, and Amazon's Echo Spot and Echo Show 11 smart speakers and displays. The Eufy cameras support up to 4K resolution and face recognition without requiring a subscription, though AI accuracy and frame rate remain limited.
wired.com
· 2026-10-06
Amazon has removed Alexa's voice control over the AUX input on several older Echo devices, including the Echo Plus 2nd Gen, Echo 3rd Gen, Echo Studio 1st Gen, and Echo 4th Gen. Commands like "Alexa, play from line in" no longer work, though the physical 3.5 mm AUX ports still function and users can still toggle AUX input manually through the Alexa app.
arstechnica.com
· 2026-10-06
Amazon has confirmed it has discontinued the ability to use Alexa voice commands to play or pause audio through the 3.5mm aux input on older Echo devices, including the Echo Plus (2nd gen), Echo (3rd gen), Echo (4th gen), and Echo Studio (1st gen). The physical aux connection itself still works, and users can still control playback manually through the Alexa app or use Bluetooth pairing instead.
theverge.com
· 2026-10-06
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