Astro
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Amazon’s dinky Astro robot is now available as a security guard
But replacing your flesh-and-blood security guard won't be cheap.
Logitech retires the Blue microphone brand
Logitech has has killed off the Blue microphone brand, and will now sell the products under the Logitech G gaming brand.
Amazon is expanding the Astro's abilities for both home and business
Amazon's Astro robot is getting new skills for both home and business use. Our favorite: pet detection.
Ring brings radar detection to its Spotlight Cam Pro
'Birds Eye View' comes to the Spotlight Cam Pro, and Astro gets some business friendly security features.
Astro’s new budget A10 headset is made for players who want to look cute on stream
The A10 is a solid headset that has the good looks to match its performance.
Engadget Podcast: Do you trust an Amazon robot in your home?
This week, Cherlynn and Devindra go over the news from Amazon’s devices and services event, especially its Astro robot for the home.
Watch Amazon's entire new hardware event right here
Watch Amazon's complete fall hardware event here, including its first home robot.
Amazon is turning into a personal security company
And that doesn't make me feel safe.
Amazon Astro is an Alexa robot that roams your home
Amazon built an Alexa-enabled robot that moves around your home autonomously.
Astro teams up with Timbuk2 to build the ultimate gamer bags
Astro Gaming and messenger bag company Timbuk2 have built packs just for your gaming stuff.
Astro's first wired earbuds are aimed at mobile gamers
Astro's A03 IEM is a pair of earbuds built specifically for playing games on phones, tablets and the Nintendo Switch.
Astro explains how its headsets will work with the PS5 and Xbox Series X
You won't need to buy a new headset for your Xbox Series X or PS5 if you already have an existing model from Astro Gaming.
Slack buys and shuts down intelligent email app Astro
Slack has acquired email app company Astro and it will be using the company's expertise to better incorporate email into Slack channels. The company said that with over 50 million channels created to date, they're increasingly becoming the platform through which teams collaborate. "But we all know that email is still a very important tool in business communication," said Slack. "We've taken some steps to make it possible to integrate email into Slack, but now we're in a position to make that interoperability much simpler and much, much more powerful."
Astro's email app packs a virtual assistant you can talk to
Virtual assistants have been quick to invade our phones and our homes — is it any surprise that they're creeping into our email accounts, too? A startup called Astro built a chatbot (imaginatively named "Astrobot") into its email app earlier this year, and now it's taking things a step further: as part of a new update going live today, users can talk to Astrobot when they want to sift through their emails sans hands.
The best game consoles and accessories for your dorm room
Not all of your college fun will involve keggers or games of ultimate frisbee. As the weather gets colder, you might have difficulty tearing yourself out of your dorm, in which case your entertainment options are limited: Host an in-room dance party, Netflix and chill or settle in for a little gaming. In addition to our favorite consoles (no, we couldn't choose just one), we've selected a handful of accessories and must-have titles for our back-to-school guide. Enjoy, and may you do a better job making friends with rival fanboys in real life than you do online.
Gaming headset review roundup: Five options, one favorite
As much as we'd all love surround sound in every room where we have a TV, it isn't always feasible. Be it budgetary reasons or living in an apartment with roommates who don't share your enthusiasm for late-night explosions, sometimes 5.1- or 7.1-channel audio is out of reach. Luckily, there are plenty of headphones to pick from. But that too comes with its own set of conundrums: Where does one even begin in that sea of choices? We've rounded up five options at a variety of price points to help make your decision a little clearer. With this edition, we're looking at the PlayStation Gold wireless headset, the Xbox Wireless Stereo Headset, the Astro A30 and A40 and, finally, the Blue Lola as a wildcard.
Playdate: Giving away the farm with 'Halo 5: Guardians'
Halo 5: Guardians launches next week on Xbox One and we're celebrating the only way we know how on Playdate -- by giving stuff away and playing video games on Twitch. What's the giveaway? A special Xbox One console packing 1TB of storage, Halo 5 stylings and the game itself. And for runners up, a pair of Astro A40 headphones decked out in the sci-fi shooter's livery. Oh, right, we're playing a game too. You can probably guess by now what that'll be, but if not it's Halo 5. Join Sean Buckley, myself and our special guest Richard Lawler as we form a Blue Team of our own and fight through Covenant and Prometheans for two hours starting at 4 PM Eastern / 1PM Pacific. You'll be able to find us in the usual places, too: Here on this post, the Engadget Gaming homepage and Twitch.tv/joystiq if you'd like to join us in chat.
This is how Astro does Xbox One headphones
It wasn't long ago you needed to buy a set of purpose-made cans if you wanted a pair of gaming headphones. Thanks to how the PlayStation 4's and Xbox One's controllers are designed, though, that isn't the case anymore. For Xbox, all you need to use your favorite pair of headphones with Microsoft's latest console is a $35 adapter. So how does a company known for its high-end gaming headsets like Astro compete? With the A40 Xbox One Edition. This $200 headset bests its adversaries, but faces stiff competition from an unexpected place: other Astro headphones.
Twitch teams with Operation Supply Drop for military charity
Video game broadcasting platform Twitch is partnering with Operation Supply Drop for the 24-hour charitable game streaming marathon 8-Bit Salute. The marathon is entering its third year and will be held May 17 - 18, with donations raised during 8-Bit Salute used to fund video game care packages for both combat-zone deployed troops in the military as well as those recovering in military hospitals. Past funds from Operation Supply Drop include Operation: Dragon Punch in September 2011, which aided a squad Northern Afghanistan. Twitch will promote the event and encourage its "top broadcasters" to participate as well. The announcement mentions a few Twitch partners that have already pledged their support of 8-Bit Salute, such The Last of Us developer Naughty Dog and gaming headset manufacturer Astro Gaming. Viewers will have the opportunity to win prizes during the marathon via Operation Supply Drop's website. Those looking to participate in this year's 8-Bit Salute event can register here. [Image: Operation Supply Drop]
Astro Gaming officially unleashes A30 & A40 PC editions, drops prices to $100 & $150
Astro Gaming's A40 headset and Mixamp Pro have generally gotten yearly revisions, but the portability-inclined A30 hasn't received the same love since its inception. That's officially changed this week, as the company's announced its 2013 PC editions (standalone versions) of the A30 and A40 stereo headsets are now available. Although the new units began shipping with the company's Mixamp-packing Audio System bundles last November, this is the first time it's really blasting the airwaves about the A30's revision. Both editions feature re-tuned drivers touting better response for bass and cleaner output, along with a re-tooled approach to the quick disconnect cables and a new media cable with a revised inline remote and mic. The revised cabling setup allows 3.5mm cables to plug directly into the headsets, making for easier replacements and swapping (previous versions had you connect to a short cable hung from the earcup, with a dual-pole connector). Perhaps best of all, the A30 is now priced thirty bucks less at $100 (finally!), while the A40's been reduced to $149 (down from $199). If you recently purchased one, don't fret either -- Astro also let us know that orders placed the 11th of this month have shipped out with the 2013 editions. Hit up the press release after the break for more info while deciding if one of 'em might be your new ticket to supreme gaming sound.
