German automaker Audi has cast the ideal advocate for pilotless driving in its latest promotional film. The automotive industry is neck-in-neck is developing functional, real-world autonomous driving, whether consumers are ready for the advances in technology or not. In Audi’s “The Comeback,” the automaker shows how autonomous driving can be a revitalizing experience for those tired of their day-to-day reality.

Apple Inc. is pressing ahead with the development of an Echo-like smart-home device based on the Siri voice assistant, according to people familiar with the matter. Started more than two years ago, the project has exited the research and development lab and is now in prototype testing, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing unannounced Apple projects. Like Amazon Inc.’s Echo, the device is designed to control appliances, locks, lights and curtains via voice activation, the people said. Apple hasn’t finalized plans for the device and could still scrap the project.

Google Home will retail for $129, sources tell Android Police. “The $129 price point for Google Home matches that of the previously-unrumored Google Wifi, a router that will allegedly be able to create a single, large wireless network using multiple access points,” AP writes. “$129 also undercuts Amazon's Echo by a full $40.”

The US Department of Homeland Security has announced plans to make the internet-of-things just a bit more complicated – by trying to shove itself into the market with a new security framework. On Thursday, assistant secretary for cyber policy at the DHS Robert Silvers told the Security of Things Forum in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that his department had decided to develop "a set of strategic principles" for IoT manufacturers that would ensure that security is built into future products. While no one is going to disagree about the need for drastically improved security in this market, there are already a number of other …

Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz have entered into an agreement to supply Here, a connected car expert company that they jointly own, with real-time sensor data collected by their cars to enable systems to better understand their surroundings. The deal marks the first time a trio of leading brands have agreed to share data, and could spell the beginning of a proper connected car industry. The technology will likely act as a catalyst to the rolling out of more autonomous technology.

OnHub-schmonhub: two sources are now telling us that Google will introduce an own-brand WiFi router called Google Wifi, and that the device will cost $129. A source that has proved reliable in the past has told us that the device will be launched alongside Google's Pixel phones, Google Home, and the 4K 'Chromecast Ultra' on October 4. That source additionally claims that Google will advertise the router as having "smart" features -- probably similar to OnHub in some respects -- and that Google will claim it provides enhanced range over typical Wi-Fi routers (a claim we see basically every router …

Apple is reportedly readying a smart-home device similar to Amazon’s Echo, which will incorporate its Siri voice assistant. “Started more than two years ago, the project has exited the research and development lab and is now in prototype testing,” Bloomberg reports, citing sources. “The device is designed to control appliances, locks, lights and curtains via voice activation.”

Navigation app Waze is combating the frustrating issue of losing a GPS signal when driving through tunnels. GPS signals can cut out in tunnels due to concrete and environmental factors, often leaving drivers without access to navigation. As a solution, Waze has developed Waze Beacons, which are relatively low-cost, battery-operated controllers that can transmit messages to a person’s smartphone or tablet and maintain map connections via Bluetooth. Currently, Waze beacons are being set up in Pittsburgh’s Fort Pitt Tunnell and Liberty Tunnel, as well as in Israel. The company is also planning to install the beacons in tunnels across Rio de Janeiro …

Allo, Google AI-enhanced answer to ‘smart messaging’ on mobile, is here. Designed to keep users from straying outside the app to search for things on the internet, Allo is the first Google product to feature its AI “assistant.” Suggestions from the assistant are meant to be conversational, and can be plugged into existing conversations or had between you and Google alone. Google is expected the start rolling out the assistant to other products this fall, starting with Google Home, as part of the company’s ongoing push toward AI. Allo comes on the heels of Duo, Google’s video calling …

Criminals are hacking into Internet of Things devices, taking advantage of their inherently weak security protocols to hijack them into performing distributed denial of service (DDoS) attackss DDoS attacks represent a growing threat to businesses, with attacks getting bigger and more dangerous all the time -- and connected devices are now making it even easier for hackers to carry them out. Many IoT devices are installed in the home or workplace then simply forgotten about by their owners, making them the perfect target for hackers to infect with malware and recruit into a zombie network to attack other targets -- all while …