Artificial intelligence is the most demanding topic that is spoken about everywhere. AI is the ability of a system to think and learn from its experiences. The applications of artificial intelligence have significantly evolved over the past years and have been lending its support across industries now. AI when combined with machine learning and deep learning can do wonders in training large amounts of data to make the right decisions. And on the other side app development is also a progressive industry.

Samsung's Neo QLED QN90A takes the company's already outstanding QLED color and brightness and, thanks to far more granular mini-LED backlighting, enhances it with far better blacks. The overall result is truly impressive, although Samsung still has some work to do on its zone dimming techniques. The 54.6-inch (55-inch class) version of the QN90A I tested currently retails for around $1,700 and features a 4K UHD (3840 x 2160), 120Hz, 10-bit display. Said display implements quantum dots for accurate, saturated color, and mini-LEDs for refined backlighting. Mini-LEDs, as you might guess, are far smaller than traditional backlight LEDs.

Samsung's Q90R was arguably the best 4K UHD LED-backlit LCD TV of 2019. This year's Q90T is in line for equal status, with picture tweaks that eliminate--or ameliorate--some of my complaints from last year. My gripes about the Q90R were few and far between, so consider the Q90T the best getting better. There is, however, one major change: this will please some and disappoint others, but the One Connect breakout box is now history--all the Q90T's ports reside on the TV itself. If you want One Connect, your only option is the reportedly wonderful, but expensive ($13,000) 8K UHD Q950TS.

The rumors of a big Amazon hardware event were true, and we're getting a look at all the Alexa-focused devices the company is showing off for the upcoming holiday season. Even though it's only been a year since Amazon released the Echo Plus -- a more expensive version of its standard speaker with a smart hub built in -- the company is announcing a new version today. It still has the smart hub, but Amazon says it'll be a lot better for music playback, something that's been a theme throughout many of the announcements the company has made so far. Another major new feature in the Echo Plus is something Amazon is calling "local voice control," a way to control your smart home even if the internet is down. The device also has a temperature sensor built-in, which means you can ask Alexa the inside temperature or use the device in conjunction with compatible thermostats.

When life gets chaotic, it can be convenient to have all your smart home devices operating on the same wavelength. Achieving this sort of harmony sometimes requires a hub to consolidate the myriad gadgets in your house. But not everyone needs a dedicated smart hub to make their setup run smoothly. A smart speaker like the Amazon Echo or the Google Home can serve a similar purpose, with each device's respective apps acting as central command. Manufacturers have even begun bundling hubs into other devices like security systems and mesh WiFi routers, making home automation simpler for beginners.

Your message has been sent. There was an error emailing this page. From smart light bulbs and thermostats that think for themselves to Bluetooth door locks, wireless security cameras, and all manner of sensors, today's home technology can sound awfully sophisticated while actually being a messy hodgepodge of gizmos and apps. Whether you call it home automation or the connected home, installing all this stuff in your house is one thing. Getting it to work together smoothly and with a single user interface can be something entirely different.

Some of you may recall that back in October 2014, Hong Kong startup Ambi Labs unveiled its Ambi Climate as a gateway between your smartphone and your dumb air conditioner at home. But it isn't just about replacing your infrared remote control; what makes Ambi Climate unique is its machine learning capability, so that over time it learns your comfort preferences by way of various sensors, while also saving up to 20-percent energy according to user feedback. Now, almost 2.5 years later, the company is back with the Ambi Climate 2, which is essentially a prettier version of its $179 predecessor and with a lower retail price of $129; and you can grab one for as low as around $80 on Kickstarter, with shipments expected to begin in June this year. Compared to the original Ambi Climate, this new version sports a similar yet more minimalistic black-and-white design, which is topped off with a shinier finish plus a touch of wood at the bottom. The three old LED indicators are now combined into one in the form of Ambi Labs' logo: it blinks yellow rapidly when booting up, pulses yellow when ready for setup, glows teal when connected and blinks when responding to a command.

By now, we've grown accustomed to our devices listening to us. Siri, Google Assistant, Alexa, Bixby, Cortana, and every other disembodied virtual taskrabbit has been hearing our commands--and who knows what else--for years. But, with its last two smart hub devices, Amazon has pushed one step beyond the microphone, asking users to install cameras in their homes. Yesterday, with the announcement of the Echo Show, Amazon reaffirmed its plan to have Alexa see you in addition to hear you. It's a small step forward in terms of usability, but a major can of worms when it comes to our security and privacy.

While this is Amazon's most expensive smart hub, it also seems like the most accessible for users who may not be as tech savvy. The device can be set up without having to download an extra app, and having information displayed on a screen may be simpler than arguing with a virtual assistant to try and achieve some specific tasks. This product announcement comes at a time where Amazon is already showing its strength in the smart hub market. Research firm eMarketer has just published a study claiming a 70.6 percent U.S. market share for Alexa-powered smart hubs, compared to just 23.8 percent for Google Home. Microsoft's Cortana is just now finally making it into a speaker device made by Harman Kardon, so it has some serious catching up to do in both hardware and market share.