Geared Up

Amazon's Cloud Cam is the company's first smart home camera, but can it shape up to a tough field of competition? Plus, we debate the pros and cons of VR entertainment in light of HTC's new wireless headset, the focus. We also get Andru's take on the Xbox One X and iPhone X as he returns from a whirlwind few weeks away from the show. Follow all our tech coverage at GeekWire.com and subscribe to our live behind-the-scenes videos on GearLive, youtube.com/gearliveSupport the show: http://youtube.com/gearlive/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Microsoft launched the most powerful gaming console ever on Tuesday. But is it really worth $500? We’ve been testing the Xbox One X for over a week and we report our findings on this episode. We'll also share some takeaways from our first few days with the much anticipated iPhone X. Follow all our tech coverage at GeekWire.com and subscribe to our live behind-the-scenes videos on GearLive, youtube.com/gearliveSupport the show: http://youtube.com/gearlive/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We got our hands on the Xbox One X before the console’s release. We can’t say much yet, but there are definitely some noteworthy features. Plus, it’s just a few days from the iPhone X launch day. We tell you what to expect and where to go if you haven’t pre-ordered one yet. And finally, we take the brand new Kindle Oasis for a swim. Follow all our tech coverage at GeekWire.com and subscribe to our live behind-the-scenes videos on GearLive, youtube.com/gearliveSupport the show: http://youtube.com/gearlive/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most tech is designed to attract your attention, sit you down in front of a screen and keep you there. Not this gadget. The Play Impossible Gameball is packed with tech like Bluetooth, accelerometers and more, and the whole point is to make users more active. We have some fun testing the balls out on this week's episode, with special guest Taylor Soper, GeekWire's Sports Tech reporter. Follow all our tech coverage at GeekWire.com and subscribe to our live behind-the-scenes videos on GearLive, youtube.com/gearliveSupport the show: http://youtube.com/gearlive/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazon and Garmin have teamed up to bring Alexa into any car on the road with a tiny windshield device. Plus, Andru has a bone to pick with the new waterproof Kindle Oasis, Microsoft announces its new Surface Book 2 series and we check in with Andru's new iPhone 8. Follow all our coverage and read the stories we talked about this week at GeekWire.comSupport the show: http://youtube.com/gearlive/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Google announced a bunch of new hardware today, including the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, a Pixelbook laptop, two new smarthome devices and a tiny, AI-fueled camera. We break down all the news and see where the devices stack up in the pre-holiday device lineup of smartphones, smart speakers and more. Follow all our tech coverage at GeekWire.com and subscribe to our live behind-the-scenes videos on GearLive, youtube.com/gearliveSupport the show: http://youtube.com/gearlive/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yes -- several, in fact! In a classic surprise move, Amazon announced half-dozen new Echo devices on Wednesday. Some of them seem useful, inexpensive and impressively designed, but some just seem silly. We break it all down on this episode of Geared Up. Follow all our tech coverage at GeekWire.com and subscribe to our live behind-the-scenes videos on GearLive, youtube.com/gearliveSupport the show: http://youtube.com/gearlive/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nest, a Google-owned smart device company, announced tons of new products this week and when you put them all together, you can make a smart home security system. Plus, Google’s weird $1 billion deal with HTC, a new lamp that comes with Alexa inside and upset over the new Apple Watch 3. Follow all our tech coverage at GeekWire.com and subscribe to our live behind-the-scenes videos on GearLive, youtube.com/gearliveSupport the show: http://youtube.com/gearlive/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apple *finally* revealed its new iPhone lineup, after what feels like a year of hype, leaks and rumors. It's premium device: The iPhone X (as in the roman numeral ten, not the letter "x"). We geek out on all the new tech packed into the phone and break down what sets it apart from the iPhone 8 and 8 plus, also announced today. Plus, a new Apple Watch and upgrades to Apple TV. Follow all our tech coverage at GeekWire.com and subscribe to our live behind-the-scenes videos on GearLive, youtube.com/gearliveSupport the show: http://youtube.com/gearlive/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amazon and Microsoft announced a surprise partnership this week: their smart assistants Alexa and Cortana are now buddies and can call on each other to do tasks. Plus, we test out Alexa’s latest trick: multi-room audio. We also hear the sordid tale of Kanoa earbuds and the unwitting role Andru played in the fallout of the company closing. Follow all our tech coverage at GeekWire.com and subscribe to our live behind-the-scenes videos on GearLive, youtube.com/gearliveSupport the show: http://youtube.com/gearlive/joinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.