News
Alexa is losing Amazon US$ 10 billion
Massive layoffs are coming
Alexa is one of the more popular voice assistants in the world, alongside Siri and Google Assistant. However, despite the assistant’s popularity, it hasn’t been making as notable an impact as Amazon wants. According to a report, Alexa will cost a whopping US$ 10 billion with nary a profit to properly compensate the company this year.
According to Business Insider, Amazon is scheduled to lay off 10,000 employees, mostly focusing on the company’s Worldwide Digital division, covering the voice assistant and the corresponding Echo devices. Just from the first quarter of this year, the division was already operating on over US$ 3 billion in losses. The colossal figure is expected to balloon to US$ 10 billion when all is said and done this year.
While a lot of third-party devices already come with support for the assistant, Alexa primarily ships through Amazon’s palette of Echo devices. From a consumer’s point of view, Amazon’s Echo lineup focuses on being a smart speaker, a smart display, or a hub for a smart home.
However, Amazon has always had different expectations for the platform. Most importantly, the company expects users to go shopping through the assistant. It even features updates to remind users of when they should buy groceries. However, based on the losses, it’s highly likely that users aren’t using the assistant for that purpose. Instead, everyone is using the service similar to Siri and Google Assistant: a hands-free assistant.
Though the layoffs is concerning for Alexa users, there is no indication that Amazon is cutting the service entirely yet.
SEE ALSO: Amazon Prime Video expands content for Philippine viewers
The best part of the Steam Deck is its portability. However, an underrated aspect of the handheld console is its button layout. Unlike its contemporaries, the Steam Deck has two trackpads on either side of the device. Now, that same layout is coming to the Steam Controller.
The Steam Controller was part of the trio of innovative devices that Valve announced late last year. While the spotlight is on the Steam Machine, the Controller is also enough to whet any gamer’s appetite.
Besides the convenient layout, the Steam Controller offers easy integration with Steam. The peripheral can communicate with any device — PC or mobile — that has Steam or the Steam Link app installed. As such, it’s easy to take control of your gaming library straight from the controller.
The only catch, though, is that it works solely on Steam. Any other game that has its own separate launcher, such as Genshin Impact, cannot be used with the Steam Controller unless they’re added directly to Steam.
The Steam Controller is launching on May 4 globally. It will retail for US$ 99.
On the flip side, Valve has not announced when the rest of its hardware will launch. Both the Steam Machine and the Steam Frame have not made appearances yet, reportedly because of the ongoing issues with RAM production all over the world. However, the company is still optimistic about releasing these devices within the year.
SEE ALSO: Valve announces its own console called the Steam Machine
News
Samsung Galaxy Glasses revealed in leaked images
It’s out first glimpse since getting teased by Samsung.
Samsung’s next major project is now making its first peek from the shadows. The upcoming Galaxy Glasses recently surfaced in a major leak.
Being an unannounced device, Samsung has not revealed anything substantial about the new glasses yet. We know it exists, though. Months ago, the company made direct allusions to “next-generation AR glasses.” Now, for the first time, the so-called Galaxy Glasses are real, albeit via a leak.
Revealed by Android Headlines, the Galaxy Glasses look like a standard set of frames but with some tech built inside. It’s not a complete package yet, though. Codenamed “Jinju,” the first iteration of the wearable will not have a display. Instead, it will have a built-in camera, which users can interface with via Android XR.
It’s not the only thing, too. Though the leak depicts the Jinju, Samsung is reportedly working on a second iteration already. Codenamed “Haean,” the second generation will have a micro-LED display. That pair might debut in 2027.
In the meantime, the Jinju is expected to launch later this year at an undisclosed date. The likeliest candidate is the upcoming Galaxy Unpacked in a few months.
Though undisclosed, this might not be the only time we’ll hear about the Galaxy Glasses. Next month, Google is hosting its annual I/O event. Android XR will likely make an appearance, so expect Samsung’s wearable to be bandied around even if it’s just a mention.
Additionally, Samsung won’t be the only player. Google is also expected to launch its own pair of glasses soon.
SEE ALSO: Samsung is teasing smart glasses again
News
This rumored iPhone 18 color will make you switch phones
The rumored Dark Cherry color looks so premium.
(Cosmic) orange is the new black. With the iPhone 17 series, Apple introduced the color as the next fashion statement for the ubiquitous phone. If you see an orange phone today, chances are that it’s an all-new iPhone 17 Pro Max. This year, the series might get another new statement color: Dark Cherry.
Though the usual suspects of colors will always be there, Apple often leaves a bit of room for more experimental options for those who want to stand out with their new phone. As you can probably tell from the ongoing deluge of orange, the strategy is working well for Apple.
According to Macworld, Apple is working on a Dark Cherry option for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.
Red isn’t a color foreign to the iPhone. In the past, several generations included a limited red colorway option. If the reports are true, red might be a standard option, rather than a limited edition.
But, of course, Dark Cherry is different from the red that we’re used to. Instead of the bright red, the new option will be more similar to the color of wine.
Besides Dark Cherry, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will also have Light Blue, Dark Gray, and Silver as options. Though Light Blue also looks great, the wine-like color looks like a personal highlight for me. I didn’t know I wanted a wine-colored iPhone until I saw the renders for this.
SEE ALSO: iPhone 18 may have lower specs and a delayed launch, rumor says
-
Cameras2 weeks agoDJI Osmo Pocket 4 review: A solo creator’s production crew
-
Reviews2 weeks agoTECNO POVA Curve 2 review: Munch That Power Crunch!
-
Reviews2 weeks agoHONOR MagicPad4: A tablet that found its place
-
Automotive2 weeks agoLuxury you can ride: The Vespa 180cc Collection
-
Reviews6 days agoHONOR 600 review: A taste of more
-
Laptops6 days agoASUS Zenbook S14 (2026) review: The perfect portable buddy
-
News2 weeks agovivo X300 FE launches with ZEISS telephoto system
-
News1 week agoForget the Pro+ and Ultra! HUAWEI unveils the Pura 90 Pro Max

