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Finally, as has become the norm over the last year, there’s the AI pillar. On this topic, Previn differentiated between AI to make employees productive, AI as a business enabler between Cisco and its customers and partners, and Cisco’s own centralized AI infrastructure. “We’re building a lot of infrastructure for AI, we’re pushing out new capabilities for use cases in the AI cluster like noise cancellation for Webex,” Previn said. “Engineers and technologists are really…

Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET Amazon has been focused on bringing generative AI to Alexa for the past few years, hitting multiple delays in launching new features that the company first announced in September 2023. The delayed Alexa 2.0 was poised for a 2025 release, and Amazon just wrapped up an event where it made big announcements for the artificial intelligence-powered virtual assistant. Amid rumors of Alexa 2.0 shortcomings, Amazon skipped its 2024 Devices and Services event, where…

This Dreo wall-mounted heater is far more powerful than its size would indicate. Jack Wallen/ZDNET ZDNET’s key takeaways The Dreo Smart Wall Heater normally retails for $130 on Amazon.  This little 1500W heater pumps out warmth and has just the right amount of features to set it above the competition. The vertical oscillation fin can be paused, but only in three positions – pointing upward, straight out, or downward (there’s no way to stop it between…

Nina Raemont/ZDNET Alexa Plus is Amazon’s revamped version of its virtual assistant, now powered by generative AI. Though Amazon is rolling out Alexa Plus to many existing Echo devices, it’s not available for free. Using Alexa Plus will cost $20 monthly, which is the same cost as ChatGPT Plus. Thankfully, there are ways you can use it for free — at least for a limited time. Also: 7 useful AI features coming with Alexa Plus…

Maria Diaz/ZDNET Amazon’s early-year Devices and Services event took place today, and the company made it clear that AI will continue to be at the center of its hardware universe. Driving the buzzword of the century is Alexa, arguably the most popular virtual assistant in the world. SVP of Devices and Services Panos Panay suggested that millions of new customers use it every day during the event. Also: Everything Amazon announced at its Devices and…

Nina Raemont/ZDNET Alexa Plus is Amazon’s revamped version of its virtual assistant, now powered by generative AI. Though Amazon is rolling out Alexa Plus to many existing Echo devices, it’s not available for free. Using Alexa Plus will cost $20 monthly, which is the same cost as ChatGPT Plus. Thankfully, there are ways you can use it for free — at least for a limited time. Also: 7 useful AI features coming with Alexa Plus…

Apple Watch Ultra 2 (left) with the Oura Ring 4 (center) and OnePlus Watch 3 (right) Matthew Miller/ZDNET I’m fortunate to have a strong immune system — and I often frustrate my wife by refusing to acknowledge any signs of illness. But the Oura Ring 4 no longer lets me deny reality. Named ZDNET’s 2024 Product of the Year, this wearable continues to prove its value every day. With so many smartwatches to test, I…

Slack If you use Slack for work, you’re (probably) not fired. But it might be a good time to take a long lunch break. The widely used workplace platform is facing serious issues today, with many users unable to log in at all. Affected users trying to access Slack (myself included) are greeted with a message saying, “We’re having trouble loading your workspace.” The message continues: “This is one of those times when we’re not…

Maria Diaz/ZDNET Amazon has announced a gen AI-powered Alexa Plus, a revamped version of its popular virtual assistant that leverages the power of generative artificial intelligence to enhance the user experience. Alexa Plus is exactly what you may have envisioned when you first heard of voice assistants like Alexa, Siri, and Google, but without the accompanying disappointment at their shortcomings.  The improved voice assistant will be able to generate responses instead of repeating what it’s been programmed…

Google/ZDNET If you find your personal information online, like your phone number, address, or email, Google is making it easier to make sure it doesn’t show up again. Also: Google Lens adds a cool search trick to iPhones – how to try it Several years ago, Google introduced a “Results about you” tool that lets you track your personal information online and remove it from search results. It wasn’t exactly easy to find this tool, though,…