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Don’t be surprised if the next answer to your Alexa question starts with “according to an Amazon customer…." Amazon just threw open the doors to a formerly invite-only program that allows users to answer Alexa queries that the digital assistant doesn’t yet know. The Alexa Answers program, which launched as a beta last year, lets Amazon customers pick questions for which Alexa is coming up empty, such as “What is the state snack of Texas?” (What is it indeed?) Once you’ve picked a question, you can simply type up your answer and submit it. [ Further reading: The best smart speakers and...

The first major update to iOS 13 brings features that won't quite make it into the initial release. We’re still weeks away from the release of iOS 13, and Apple has started beta testing iOS 13.1. It’s a highly unusual move; we can’t recall Apple ever starting external beta tests of its iOS point releases well before the the prior version is finished. This first major update to iOS 13 will bring several features that appear not to be in the initial iOS 13 release. The early timing makes us think that iOS 13.1 will be release relatively quickly after...

Apple has become the latest in a flurry of mega companies exploring the use of cryptocurrency, the implications of which could drastically transform payment processing. An Apple executive last week confirmed the company is interested in cryptocurrency, a revelation that came months after the company launched its CryptoKit for iOS 13. While still speculative, Apple's CryptoKit is likely the first step in enabling the exchange of private and public keys that could allow users to make purchases with  bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies stored on an iPhone. Apple would be only the latest in a flurry of financial services, ecommerce and social media giants...

Amazon also has a great deal on a more robust Anker speaker for $45. Portable Bluetooth speakers are great for taking your tunes anywhere from the backyard to the beach, and today you can grab one at a discount with an Amazon sale on the OontZ Angle 3 (3rd gen) for $22. This is an all-time low, down from a list price of $35. This compact speaker weighs just 10 ounces, and packs a surprising amount of sound, with 10+ watts of power and precision stereo drivers for a clear range of sound. A downward-facing passive radiator helps boost the bass,...

We're shocked too. If it’s rare for new Apple products to go on sale, it’s basically nonexistent for them to go on sale before they’re actually on sale, unless you’re taking part in a trade-in or some convoluted carrier special. But Amazon is running a no-strings-attached genuine sale on the newest iPad. And it’s not an insignificant sale ether. If you preorder the new iPad on Amazon right now, you can get the 128GB model for $400, good for $29 off its $429 list price. It’s the only model that’s on sale (you’ll pay full price for the 32GB and the cellular...