News
Amazon’s Echo Loop is a smart ring with Alexa assistant
Alexa is literally everywhere
Years back Amazon tried its luck with a smartphone — the Firephone. It received a lukewarm response and the e-commerce company ended up with a huge unsold inventory. Fast forward to 2019, Amazon has established itself in the hardware space, but in a different niche.
The Echo line of speakers have been a hit and the main unique selling point has to be Alexa assistant. The voice-enabled assistant is competing against Google Assistant and Siri, both of which are available in a range of devices.
Taking a step further, Amazon has unveiled the Echo Loop, a smart ring that’s powered by Alexa. It’s a titanium ring that has two built-in mics to take voice commands and help you out on the go.
The ring connects to your phone through Bluetooth and uses your phone’s mobile network to fetch answers to your questions from the cloud. It can also vibrate to discreetly alert you about notifications and incoming calls.
Using a small button you can accept or reject calls and even speed dial your favorite number. To give voice commands, you’ll have to bring the ring close to your mouth and whisper.
The company says it’ll sell this device in small, medium, large, and extra-large sizes. It will also send you a demo kit to try out the various sizes before purchasing. The Echo Loop will cost US$ 129, however, that’s a special price for the invitation period.
Amazon also unveiled a slew of other products including smart glasses called Echo Frames and Echo Buds. Both come with Alexa as the backbone and it makes sense for them to test out new devices since wearables are going to be the future.
It’s been a while since the last time we got a FromSoftware game. Elden Ring Nightreign felt like an age ago, even if it was launched just last year. Plus, the title isn’t even a new one, technically, since it’s just building off of Elden Ring. Unfortunately, our wait for a new FromSoftware game has to go on for a little bit longer. FromSoftware has delayed the launch of The Duskbloods to 2027.
The Duskbloods is an interesting addition to the FromSoftware oeuvre. Compared to the usual fare, the Switch-exclusive title is a multiplayer extraction game with a distinctly Bloodborne-like feel. If you’re used to FromSoftware’s usual formula, The Duskbloods represents a huge change.
But it’s a welcome one, nonetheless. If the recently released Elden Ring port of the Switch 2 is any indication, FromSoftware does have a handle of what performance looks like on the console.
Sadly, the new title needs a bit more time in the oven. Citing “final adjustments to game rules and balancing,” FromSoftware is delaying the launch of the game to 2027. According to the studio, this is in response to the successful network test a while back.
The delay shouldn’t come off as a surprise. Though the studio promised a 2026 launch for the title, most of the year has passed without a definite launch date. That was already a telltale sign that a delay was coming.
At the very least, the delay comes with the benefit of launching the game farther away from Grand Theft Auto VI and the Ocarina of Time remake, which will surely dominate holiday gaming this year.
The launch of the new MacBook Pro is a polarizing one, to say the least. The notebook introduces a new touchscreen feature that isn’t really an automatic hit for fans. Some have even pointed out how Steve Jobs once said that touchscreen MacBooks were a bad idea. If you’re a part of this group, a new discovery might alleviate your worries a little bit. Apparently, you can turn off the new MacBook Pro’s touchscreen functionalities.
According to MacStories’s Federico Viticci, the new MacBook Pro with Touch includes accessibility features that can turn off the touchscreen entirely. Other early testers have also corroborated this option.
A touchscreen notebook isn’t the most popular type of laptop. Though this particular display has been available for quite a while, it hasn’t really taken off. Case in point, Apple’s announcement hasn’t been met with the warmest of fanfare.
It’s also telling that Apple baked in a way to turn this setting off. At the very least, we didn’t have to wait a while. The hullabaloo is reminiscent of the reception to Liquid Glass, another polarizing feature that Apple eventually made configurable for detractors.
Also, this isn’t the first time that Apple tried experimenting with the MacBook. Do you remember the short-lived Touch Bar?
Strangely, it’s such a strong contrast to the MacBook Neo launched earlier this year. Whereas that particular model debuted to applause, the new MacBook Pro attracted more raised eyebrows.
SEE ALSO: What the MacBook should touch on instead
News
TechLife Pad Neo SE: Price, availability in the Philippines
Now available at PhP 8,999 SRP, with deals on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.
TechLife has officially launched the Pad Neo SE. It’s a 10.1-inch tablet aimed at families, positioned as a study device first, with room for creativity and after-school entertainment. It comes in Space Grey, Bubble Blue, and Aurora Green.
The Eye Comfort Display is the main draw. The larger screen gives kids more space for research and online classes. It’s designed to keep longer study sessions easier on the eyes.
Dual stereo speakers handle lessons and shared family viewing, while split-screen support lets kids and parents run two tasks at once.
The tablet supports Smart Parental Control and Google Kids Space. Parents can pick the apps, books, videos, and learning content their kids can access.
For the hardware, the Pad Neo SE runs Android 16 on an octa-core processor. It offers up to 8GB of RAM, including memory expansion, and 64GB of storage that can be expanded up to 1TB.
Also, its 6000mAh battery last through a full school day of classes and lessons. Rounding out the spec sheet are 5MP front and rear cameras and the Google Gemini AI assistant.
Price, availability in the Philippines
The Pad Neo SE retails at PhP 8,999. With vouchers, it can go for as low as PhP 7,099 on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.
As part of TechLife’s Peak Season offers, which run from October 29, 2026 to January 3, 2027, buyers get a free Folio Case or a free Power Bank R211 5,000mAh, depending on availability. An online giveaway for the Pad Neo SE also starts October 29 on TechLife’s official social media pages.
Vouchers apply to participating online platforms only. Stocks and vouchers are limited. Freebies are available while supplies last.
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