Jan 31

Alexa Can Send SMS Messages Now

Posted in: Today's Chili


Amazon continues to expand the functionality of its Alexa digital personal assistant. The company has confirmed that its assistant is now capable of allowing users to send SMS messages to their contacts with just voice commands. They simply need to ask Alexa to send a message to a specific contact and the assistant will figure out on its own the best way to route the message, either through SMS or via the Alexa messaging system that was launched last year.

There is one big limitation, though, this feature only works for sending SMS messages via Android smartphones for now. Users can set this up by following the instructions in the Alexa app on their Android device. They will have to navigate to Contacts > My Profile > Send SMS in the Conversations tab of the app to enable this feature.

They can then specify if they want to send a text message or just ask Alexa to send a message which it will route to Alexa devices first and if they’re not available, it will send the message over SMS instead. The routing to Alexa devices is an extension of a feature the company launched last year which enabled free calls and messaging between Echo devices.

Once it’s all set up, users can say “Send an SMS to [contact name]” to kick things off. However, it doesn’t support group messaging right now, MMS, and text-to-911. Users can disable the feature by following the same steps mentioned above in the Alexa app.

Alexa Can Send SMS Messages Now , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

No Comments
Jan 31

BooBuddy Is a Paranormal Ghost-hunting Interactive Bear

Posted in: Today's Chili

Check out the aptly named BooBuddy. This talking teddy bear is supposed to alert you to paranormal activity. But here’s my question: How do I know if he is alerting me to paranormal activity or is a part of paranormal activity? There’s no way to know for sure.

And why they choose a teddy bear, I have no idea. I guess they think it’s creepier if a bear alerts you to the fact that you have ghosts all up in your house. I have to be honest, this thing sounds like it’s just an overpriced stuffed bear that they can sell to tubby ghost hunters:

BooBuddy is not just an EMF (electromagnetic field) bear but an interactive investigator that asks smart questions and reacts to changes in the environment just like a real investigator would.

BooBuddy’s investigates the paranormal with you promoting positive response as well as letting us know when the environment changes. BooBuddy loves asking EVP (electronic voice phenomenon) questions in order to promote a response. If the environment changes (EMF, temperature or motion) BooBuddy responds appropriately, to let you know that there may be a presence. Just sit BooBuddy down and turn it on to get to work. BooBuddy will do the rest starting with baseline readings. For best results and documentation set a recorder or cam by the bear to document any responses.

Kids will love it, but this is NOT a toy. Some theories suggest that using a trigger object familiar and attractive to an entity may entice them to interact. BooBuddy does that and so much MORE!

If you believe in this sort of thing, or just want a creepy talking bear taking over your house, BooBuddy retails for $200, and is available now.

[via Geekologie]

More Awesome Stuff for You to Click On:

Faux Paws: Bear Gloves for Your Bare Hands

No Comments
Jan 31

Head Of CDC Steps Down After Purchasing Tobacco Stocks

Posted in: Today's Chili

The federal agency leads the national fight against smoking.

No Comments
Jan 31

Virginia May Make You Pay The State To Watch Porn

Posted in: Today's Chili

The state says it’s for lovers — but maybe not for viewers of pornography.

No Comments
Jan 31

Paris Hilton Impersonates Kim Kardashian for Kanye West Fashion Line

Posted in: Today's Chili

Further evidence that old rivals are burying the hatchet.

No Comments
Jan 31

Man ‘Breaks Up’ With His Gym In The Most Heartfelt Way

Posted in: Today's Chili

“Certain events in my life have put me in a different place.”

No Comments
Jan 31

This Might Be The Duchess Of Cambridge’s Boldest Look Ever

Posted in: Today's Chili

It’s very fashion-forward.

No Comments
Jan 31

Simone Biles Blasts U.S. Olympic Committee’s Response To Larry Nassar

Posted in: Today's Chili

The gymnast said it was “crazy” that no one from the organization had reached out to her.

No Comments
Jan 31

Sony’s new DualShock 4 controllers come in awesome colors

Posted in: Today's Chili

If there’s one thing we know about Sony, it’s that the company is fond of releasing special edition controllers for the PlayStation 4. Today, Sony revealed the next two DualShock 4 controllers that are inbound for PS4 owners. While these aren’t adorned with any logos or designs, the color scheme of both seem to be on point, and we’re even … Continue reading

No Comments
Jan 31

Curiosity's sweeping Mars panorama shows how far it's come

Posted in: Today's Chili

After over five years on Mars, the Curiosity rover has done a lot of science and taken a few knocks. While trekking up Mount Sharp recently, however, it paused at Vera Rubin Ridge during a rare period of clear weather. There, it used its mast camera…

No Comments