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Engadget Podcast: iPhone 16e review and Amazon's AI-powered Alexa+

Engadget Podcast: iPhone 16e review and Amazon's AI-powered Alexa+

Yahoo28-02-2025

The keyword for the iPhone 16e seems to be "compromise." In this episode, Devindra chats with Cherlynn about her iPhone 16e review and try to figure out who this phone is actually for. Also, they dive into Amazon's Alexa+ event, where we finally learned more about the company's AI-powered voice assistant. Alexa+ seems useful, but can we trust it?
Listen below or subscribe on your podcast app of choice. If you've got suggestions or topics you'd like covered on the show, be sure to email us or drop a note in the comments! And be sure to check out our other podcast, Engadget News!
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iPhone 16e review: too expensive with too many compromises – 1:28
Amazon Alexa+ is a conversational assistant powered by AI – 18:39
Framework unveils a cheap 2-in-1 laptop and a…modular desktop? – 40:53
Clone Robotics released a video of a robot with fake skin that will haunt your nightmares – 43:26
NYT: American Psychologists are getting ready to fight AI clone therapists – 44:05
Working on – 47:59
Pop culture picks – 49:02
Interview with Daniel Rausch, VP of Amazon's Alexa division – 55:34
Hosts: Devindra Hardawar and Cherlynn LowProducer: Ben EllmanMusic: Dale North and Terrence O'Brien

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I thought $149 was too cheap for a good espresso machine, but De'Longhi proved me wrong
I thought $149 was too cheap for a good espresso machine, but De'Longhi proved me wrong

Tom's Guide

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I thought $149 was too cheap for a good espresso machine, but De'Longhi proved me wrong

Getting into coffee feels like learning a new language — and that's coming from someone who literally has a professional background in it. Don't even get me started on the specialist equipment that looks like medieval torture devices. While it's definitely worth getting one of the best coffee grinders and best coffee scales, all this equipment can be really daunting at the start. So I'll help you out by recommending the De'Longhi Stilosa. The best espresso machines are often around the $1,000 mark, especially big names like Breville. The De'Longhi Stilosa is one of the best beginner-friendly budget-friendly espresso machines. Although it needs some practice and finesse to get café-quality shots, I'll teach you exactly how to achieve that right now. I discuss everything in 2,000-word detail in my 4-star De'Longhi Stilosa review, but here's the TLDR: the Stilosa is a remarkable machine considering its price. It makes technically wonderful espresso, heats up quickly, and has a very powerful steam wand capable of aerating velvety milk. More often than not, when you try and snag a cheap espresso machine, you're left with watery, weak espresso that takes nothing like the cafe down the road, or even the Starbucks across town. Not the De'Longhi Stilosa, though. As promised, I'll teach you exactly how to turn this $149 gadget into an almost-Breville coffeemaking machine. Don't get me wrong, right out of the box, the Stilosa is great. It's capable of reaching 15-bar pressure and comes with single-walled portafilter baskets for 'proper' espresso. But for just $149, some sacrifices will have been made, and that comes in the form of accessories. First, I'd recommend repurposing the tamper that comes with the Stilosa and getting a cheap metal tamper. As the Stilosa has a 51mm portafilter basket (where the coffee goes, as you can see in the picture below), you'll need one of the same size. You can get a budget one for $6-9 on Amazon or a spring-loaded one for $42 on Amazon. Next, you'll need either an accurate kitchen scale, or one of the best coffee scales. This is to ensure you've got your ratios right. You should be aiming for around a 1:2 coffee to espresso ratio. For a double shot, I always dose 18g of finely-ground coffee for 36g of espresso. With my Wacaco Exagram Pro scale, this is very easy to achieve. Last, but very much not least, you'll need to check out the best coffee grinders. For my testing, I used the Eureka Mignon Specialita and the Comandante C40 MK4, but the Baratza Encore ESP is much more affordable and will be more than enough. With just the $199 Baratza grinder and the $49 Wacaco scale, you're well on your way to cafe-quality coffee with this $149 De'Longhi machine. You should also know that if you don't have a proper grinder, you will never achieve perfect espresso. Even if you have a $2,000 Breville Dual Boiler machine, your espresso will not be right. A good grinder is more important than the espresso machine itself — and the De'Longhi Stilosa is case in point. With a good grinder and professional technique, you can achieve technically perfect espresso with just a $149 machine. For more thorough info, I've already written about tips for making perfect coffee at home. Although I have a background in professional coffeemaking (barista-ing doesn't really have the same ring to it), it's very possible to get these results without fancy, professional equipment. The Baratza grinder and Wacaco scale I recommended above are both very reasonably priced for what they are, and can help you achieve results like this. The steam wand on the De'Longhi Stilosa is very powerful — at first, I thought perhaps even too powerful. However, with a little practice, I was able to get deliciously velvety microfoam. To do this, I just had to control my steaming angle. I held the milk jug at about a 45° angle and put the tip of the steam wand halfway in the milk. After tweaking a little to create a vortex, I aerated the milk and was able to pour the gorgeous latte art you can see above. The Stilosa's steam wand performs like a $500 espresso machine's, and I was incredibly impressed by it. This is truly a latte-art lover's dream. Don't get me wrong — I know the Stilosa doesn't look great. With a plasticky finish and an almost flimsy weight of just 2 pounds, it looks like it costs $149. Even so, I didn't find that this design impacted performance. Actually, the compact size of just 8 x 11 x 12 inches could actually be a plus for people with small kitchens. Although the Stilosa is very plasticky, you can't really ask for everything for something so affordable. It's just $149 (the U.K. version is £104), and some sacrifices will have been made to get achieve this super-low price. Function is, of course, more important than appearance, so I think it's reasonable to look past this plasticky aesthetic. However, it could raise some questions about longevity. As I'm often reviewing espresso machines simultaneously and in quick succession, I haven't had a chance to put the Stilosa to the long-term test yet. Sometimes plastic drip trays can erode and get a little flaky after long-term use, and sometimes plastic attachments can break off. However, De'Longhi offers a minimum warranty of one year, and my parents' De'Longhi Icona Vintage (£126, not available in the U.S. anymore) is still clinging onto life at nine years old. So, I'd have some faith in the cheap and cheerful Stilosa. In terms of cheap espresso machines, there's really no competition. No other budget machines I've used can rival the Stilosa. Let me know what you think in the comments. Do you think that the Stilosa worth $149/£104? Do you think it could go head-to-head with a pricier espresso machine?

Top White House Aide Rails Against the Man Who Took His Wife
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A livid Stephen Miller fired back against Elon Musk's criticisms of Donald Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' without mentioning the billionaire by name. The top White House aide's voice gradually rose as he touted the sprawling piece of legislation, which Musk has repudiated, in a Fox Business interview Friday. The interview comes as rumors of a personal spat between Miller and Musk continue to swirl. On his way out the door of the White House, Musk took Miller's wife with him. Katie Miller, who had been a top aide at Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, left her post—and her husband's side—to continue working for the tech billionaire. 'Tax cuts and reforms. American energy independence. Full, complete, permanent border security and the largest welfare reform in American history,' Miller wailed. 'That's not pork. That's not waste. That's not new spending. That is the most conservative piece of legislation in my lifetime.' Miller's comments were a direct rebuke of Musk—who has described the bill as 'pork-filled' and a 'disgusting abomination.' The SpaceX founder's criticisms have erupted into a messy break-up with Trump, with the two heavyweights exchanging a series of blows on social media. 'There's this myth out there that we could do the DOGE cuts in this bill,' Miller said, addressing a criticism posed by supporters of the formerly Musk-led group where his wife worked. 'But that's a separate process.' Miller never mentioned Musk by name, but host Larry Kudlow—a Trump ally—made the connection for him. 'I don't think Elon understood that,' Kudlow said, referring to the nuances of legislation. 'I don't want to get into all that stuff... He's got $180 billion up on his website, okay. And God bless him for that. He's been helpful on that, that's terrific thing.' Miller smirked but said nothing. Musk became close with the Millers during his stint in government. The Wall Street Journal reported that Katie Miller was with Musk 'all the time' before following him out the door. Musk reportedly spent time with the couple even outside of work. The relationship between Musk and his underling's husband has deteriorated. 'The only 'new' spending in the bill is to defend the homeland and deport the illegals—paid for by raising visa fees,' Miller wrote on X this week in another dig at Musk. 'All the other provisions? Massive spending cuts. There is no 'pork' in the bill. Just campaign promises.' Musk unfollowed Miller on X shortly after.

Amazon.com (NasdaqGS:AMZN) Announces US$5 Billion AWS Expansion in Taiwan
Amazon.com (NasdaqGS:AMZN) Announces US$5 Billion AWS Expansion in Taiwan

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Amazon.com (NasdaqGS:AMZN) Announces US$5 Billion AWS Expansion in Taiwan

recently announced the launch of its AWS Asia Pacific Region in Taipei, marking a significant $5 billion investment targeting technological expansion. This, along with ongoing investments in data centers in North Carolina and Chile, highlights Amazon's commitment to enhancing its cloud service capabilities. The stock's 12% rise over the past month aligns closely with the broader tech market's positive sentiments, reinforced by the general economic confidence shown by a strong May jobs report. The company's expansion efforts in AI and cloud infrastructure undoubtedly contributed positively to market performance, mirroring broader sector gains. Buy, Hold or Sell View our complete analysis and fair value estimate and you decide. Uncover the next big thing with financially sound penny stocks that balance risk and reward. The recent announcement of Amazon's AWS expansion in Taipei, alongside its significant investments in North Carolina and Chile, enhances the company's cloud infrastructure. Over the past three years, (NasdaqGS:AMZN) has achieved a robust total return of 79.00%, reflecting strong investor confidence. This is in contrast to the tech industry, where Amazon's one-year performance matched the broader US Multiline Retail industry at a 13.3% return, showcasing its resilience in a competitive market. The AWS and AI expansion initiatives are likely to fuel future revenue and earnings growth, with analysts projecting revenue growth at 8.9% per year. The focus on operational efficiency in fulfillment services is expected to bolster margins, positively impacting profitability. However, significant investments may present cost challenges, affecting earnings forecasts if these ventures do not yield projected outcomes. Amazon's current share price of US$185.01, compared to the analyst price target of US$239.33, indicates potential upside, with a 22.7% gap to the target. Analysts voice varied expectations, highlighting the necessity for investors to align these insights with their own assumptions. Maintaining confidence in Amazon's capacity to innovate and expand effectively will be crucial in realizing projected financial outcomes. Gain insights into historical outcomes by reviewing our past performance report. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include NasdaqGS:AMZN. This article was originally published by Simply Wall St. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

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