Amazon Alexa will begin suggesting skills for random requests

Amazon's Alexa voice assistant has so many skills, it can be hard to know exactly how to activate them sometimes. But the company is building a new way for people to discover skills without having to request them specifically by name.

Amazon announced today that it's launching a new beta feature called the CanFulfillIntentRequest interface that developers can use to make their Alexa skills more easily discoverable. 

The tool uses machine learning to find skills that can help fulfill a person's request when they don't know exactly what you're looking for. For example, if they ask, "Alexa, where are the best surfing spots today near Santa Barbara," the voice assistant will scour all the various surfing skills on the platform to determine whether they can understand and help process the request. Read more...

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Samsung, Vizio, Sony, and more of the best 4K smart TV sales this weekend

Happy June, folks. You made it through another month (and another week, which is honestly still a good feat) and we'd say that's reason enough to treat yourself. 

SEE ALSO: Best smart home hubs: The differences between the Echo and other Amazon devices, Google Home, and Apple HomePod

If you've been itching to splurge but want to make sure you don't drop your money on something irrational, a smart TV is always a good bet. And a ton on are on sale at Walmart, Amazon, and Dell this weekend — like this beautiful 55-inch 4K smart TV from Sony that's $700 off its regular price and under a grand (!!!) right now. This is what dreams are made of. Read more...

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Sorry, Apple and Samsung — the best smartphone innovation is happening in China right now

Three smartphone makers have just put up teasers for new, exciting smartphones. Another three recently launched flagships that are so good, it's hard to decide which one to recommend. 

None of these companies are called Samsung or Apple. 

SEE ALSO: Battle of the budget smartphones

All six companies — Oppo, Vivo, OnePlus, Huawei, Lenovo, and Xiaomi — are based in China, and if you're looking for a new phone, you should check them out before you dish premium money for a Samsung or Apple device. 

If you want a cheap phone with top-notch specs, Xiaomi, Oppo and OnePlus have got you covered. If you want a phone with an under-the-display fingerprint scanner, Vivo already has one on the market. If you want the phone with the best camera — and the only phone with a triple rear camera — get a Huawei P20 Pro. Read more...

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Best Amazon deals for Friday, June 1: Amazon Alexa devices, smart plugs, smart TVs, and more

Friday's Amazon sales seem to be all about Amazon devices and the stuff they're compatible with. So let's Alexa-fy TF out of your home, shall we?

SEE ALSO: Beyond Nest: The best smart home thermostats to keep you comfy all year

First, you'll need an Alexa device of some sort. Good thing numerous models are on sale today: Save on the adorable Echo Dot, the classic Echo, or a two-pack of the Echo Spot (good for homes with security cameras). You can also save on a refurbished Alexa-compatible Fire HD 8 or a two-pack of the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition. 

Now, onto everything Alexa can help with. Multiple smart TVs are on sale, including a gorgeous 55-inch LED one from Sony that's a whopping $702 off. Get the floors clean without lifting a finger with the well-reviewed, Alexa-compatible Eufy BoostIQ Self-Charging Robovac 11S. If there's anything else you'd like to make "smart," these Alexa-compatible smart Wi-Fi plugs from TP-Link are 50% off, allowing you to control any plugged-in item like lamps, toasters, or more just by saying "Alexa, turn off ______." Amazing. Read more...

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This robot-run newsroom 'weeds out 99 per cent of fake news'

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Spotify is celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month with a colorful volume control

Google blames Wikipedia for linking California Republicans to Nazism

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