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الوسم: smart display

  • New Feature Added To Smart Display For Chore Tracking

    New Feature Added To Smart Display For Chore Tracking

    Skylight offers a range of smart display options aimed at enhancing organization and scheduling. Last summer, the company debuted the Cal Max, a high-end 27-inch smart calendar that we described as an “efficient smart display alternative.” Since its launch, Skylight has been actively updating the device, introducing a feature called Routines across its Calendar lineup. This innovative addition is designed to streamline daily tasks and foster productive habits for families, transforming the way users engage with the display.

    The Routines feature is straightforward and effective—providing visual cues and an intuitive interface that makes tracking and completing chores easier than ever. Users can set routines on a recurring schedule, allowing for everything from short reading sessions before bed to reminders for kids to brush their teeth each morning. Routines can be personalized with various emojis and colors, making it easier to manage them. Once a task is accomplished, users are greeted with a celebratory confetti animation.

    Routines menu on Skylight
    Skylight

    This functionality also includes a Parental Lock feature, ensuring that children cannot alter their Routines or delegate their tasks to other family members.

    Setting up Routines is a breeze. Users just need to tap the Plus button to access the Add Task menu, where they will find an option for Routines. Here, details such as frequency, profile assignment, and any rewards linked to the task can be easily inputted.

    In contrast to typical smart displays that cater to both entertainment and task management, Skylight’s Calendar is specifically tailored for organization. It excludes access to streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube, instead prioritizing various functionalities aimed at keeping track of events and daily responsibilities. Last year, Skylight also introduced an AI assistant to assist with meal planning. While it doesn’t serve as an entertainment hub like the Echo Show 15, it stands out as a strong option for families seeking a focused, distraction-free way to manage their busy lives.

  • AI Meal Planning Now Available on This Smart Display Alternative

    AI Meal Planning Now Available on This Smart Display Alternative

    The Skylight Cal Max installed on a wall.
    Skylight

    Skylight is a smart home company known for its diverse range of smart displays, including the Skylight Cal Max. These devices act as a central hub for managing your daily activities. While primarily designed as digital calendars, they also allow users to track chores, create lists, and plan meals. The excitement surrounding meal preparation just heightened with the introduction of Sidekick, an AI-driven assistant designed to generate meal plans in moments.

    Sidekick represents a fresh AI capability for Skylight devices, enabling it to create tailored recipes according to your budget, the number of family members, and any dietary needs. Additionally, it generates shopping lists and provides step-by-step cooking directions. Skylight aims for this feature to help families save around 10 hours monthly by eliminating the hassle of meal planning.

    The Sidekick menu on the Skylight app.
    Skylight

    Using the feature is straightforward: once you open the Skylight app on your smartphone, you’ll find a Sidekick button. In this menu, you can select the Plan Meals option, allowing you to choose specific days for meal planning, indicate how many people you’re cooking for, and decide whether to use existing recipes or let Sidekick suggest new ones. It can also add all the necessary ingredients to your Grocery List.

    One of the highlights is the Notes feature, where you can specify any constraints for the AI, such as budget limits or preparation time. For instance, when I asked Sidekick to create vegetarian meals that could be prepared in under 30 minutes, it suggested a Vegetable Stir-Fry with Tofu and a Caprese Pasta Salad, complete with a list of ingredients and cooking guidelines.

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    Sidekick does more than just meal planning; it can also import calendar events from PDFs or photos, extract recipes from various sources, and create lists based on images or screenshots. Currently in its beta phase, this feature is exclusive to Skylight Plus subscribers. As it continues to develop, Sidekick has the potential to significantly enhance the Skylight experience.







  • Echo Show 21 Vs Echo Show 10: Which Smart Display Is Better

    Echo Show 21 Vs Echo Show 10: Which Smart Display Is Better

    Amazon

    The Echo Show 21 is the latest addition to the Echo Show series, boasting an impressive 21-inch display and a robust audio system. But how does it compare to the Echo Show 10? Beyond its larger touchscreen, are there significant differences between these two smart displays? Most importantly, which device is a better fit for your smart home needs?

    From pricing, design, and display quality to features, let’s dive into a detailed comparison of the new Echo Show 21 and the Echo Show 10 to help you make an informed purchase.

    Pricing and design

    The Echo Show 21 smart display.
    Amazon

    As the largest model in the Echo Show lineup, it’s no surprise that the Echo Show 21 comes with the highest price tag at $400, compared to the $250 cost of the Echo Show 10. Both devices are elegantly designed and crafted to Amazon’s high standards, so aesthetically, you can’t go wrong with either option.

    The Echo Show 10 is a tabletop device supported by a built-in stand that holds its 10.1-inch display, while the Echo Show 21 can either be wall-mounted or placed on a tabletop (though you’ll need to purchase a separate stand for the latter).

    Winner: Tie

    Display and quality

    The Amazon Echo Show 10 on a kitchen counter.
    Amazon

    The Echo Show 21 features a generous 21-inch touchscreen with a 1080p resolution, while the Echo Show 10 has a 10.1-inch display with a resolution of 1280 x 800. Although the resolution on the smaller screen is impressive, viewing TV shows is more enjoyable on the larger Echo Show 21. The Echo Show 10 has been well-reviewed for its build quality, and it’s anticipated that the Echo Show 21 will meet similar reliability standards over time.

    Winner: Echo Show 21

    Features and smart home connectivity

    The Echo Show on a table.
    Amazon

    Beyond its larger display, the Echo Show 21 offers additional enhancements when compared to the Echo Show 10. Here’s a brief overview of their key differences regarding features:

    • The Echo Show 21 is equipped with a 13MP wide-angle webcam that includes auto-framing, while the Echo Show 10 also features a 13MP camera with auto-framing capability.
    • For sound, the Echo Show 21 has two 2-inch woofers and two 0.6-inch tweeters, whereas the Echo Show 10 is outfitted with two 1-inch tweeters and a 3-inch woofer.
    • Additionally, the Echo Show 21 comes with Fire TV integration.

    Many users report that the Echo Show 10 offers slightly better audio quality due to its enhanced low-frequency response. Both display models support auto-focusing to keep you framed during video calls, although the Echo Show 21 does provide a broader viewing angle.

    This means the notable advantages of the Echo Show 21 boil down to its larger screen, wide-angle camera, and Fire TV integration.

    Winner: Tie

    Is the Echo Show 21 better than the Echo Show 10?

    While the Echo Show 21 offers size advantages for those looking to enhance their viewing experience, it is not categorically superior to the Echo Show 10. The larger display is ideal for watching shows, but it might not suit every living space. The Echo Show 10 remains a strong contender for those seeking a compact solution that doesn’t take up much counter space. Its more affordable price coupled with excellent sound makes it a more practical choice for many families.

    Given that the distinctions between the two devices are limited, justifying the higher price of the Echo Show 21 could be challenging. However, if you envision using your smart display primarily for entertainment, the Echo Show 21 proves to be a compelling option. With its 21-inch screen, it can effectively double as a small television, perfect for watching your favorite shows while engaged in kitchen tasks like washing dishes or cooking.

  • Apple’s Smart Display Could Revive The Iconic iMac G4

    Apple’s Smart Display Could Revive The Iconic iMac G4

    The tech world is buzzing about Apple’s anticipated entry into the smart display market, with reports from Bloomberg suggesting that the launch could happen as early as 2025. Recently, Mark Gurman of Bloomberg shared insights in his PowerOn newsletter. According to Gurman, this new device may take design cues from the iconic iMac G4.

    Gurman observes, “The screen is angled on a compact base, reminiscent of the circular foundation that debuted a couple of decades ago.”

    The iMac G4 holds a significant place in Apple’s design legacy. Steve Jobs, the company’s co-founder and then-CEO, was influenced by designer Jony Ive as they conceptualized the new Mac desktop.

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    When the iMac G4 debuted over twenty years ago, Jobs praised it as “the biggest change in desktop computers” and highlighted its upgrades. “This is the best thing, I think, we’ve ever done,” he was quoted as saying at a bustling Macworld event.

    Apple iMac G4 with Mac OS X
    Could this be a glimpse into the future of Apple’s smart display efforts? Apple

    Today, the iMac G4’s unique swiveling arm design, which connects the LCD panel to a hemispherical base, is still celebrated as one of Apple’s most remarkable achievements in hardware design. It seems Apple is drawing from this rich design heritage for its latest venture into a new product category.

    According to Bloomberg, the screen on Apple’s forthcoming smart home device is expected to feature a square-like format, approximately the “size of two iPhones placed side by side.” Meanwhile, the base is likely to house the speaker system.

    This device is intended to be a central hub for managing other smart home gadgets and accessories. It will operate on a custom OS, informally referred to as homeOS, with a user experience somewhat similar to that of the iPad.

    The smart display is anticipated to include applications such as Notes, Calendar, and FaceTime. Additionally, Apple envisions it functioning as a dynamic photo frame, showcasing slideshow images from its Photos library and serving as an entertainment center for videos.

    Concept design of a reimagined iMac G4.
    Concept design for Apple’s upcoming smart display. Xhakomo Doda

    It’s noteworthy that this device is expected to leverage Apple’s intelligence capabilities, indicating significant processing power, especially for a device positioned as an entry-level smart display.

    In addition, Apple is reportedly developing a high-end variant featuring a robotic arm design, which could come with a price tag around $1,000.

    Although Apple has not officially acknowledged its work on this new category of smart devices, the company appears eager to expand its AI integration into various products and capture a share of the market currently dominated by Amazon’s Echo Show.

    For those interested in design concepts, London-based designer Xhakomo Doda has created renders imagining a modernized iMac G4. Additionally, a hardware enthusiast successfully integrated Apple’s M1 chip into an iMac G4 chassis for a contemporary twist. It will be intriguing to see if Apple sticks closely to its original design inspiration or opts for a completely new approach in the upcoming year.