Author: Rodeo Realty Media Team

Stay connected with the latest tech news from across the World Wide Web. From a Nintendo Alarm to Zoom AI and more, we have you covered! Check out the top tech and media headlines of the week below.

Nintendo Unveils Motion-Controlled Alarm Clock, “Alarmo”

Nintendo has announced a new gadget, Alarmo, a motion-controlled alarm clock set to release in early 2025 for $99.99. This unique Nintendo device allows users to snooze with a gesture or stop the alarm by getting out of bed. In addition, the Nintendo gadget features sounds from popular Switch games like Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey. It also includes sleep tracking, customizable alarm modes, and soothing bedtime sounds. While not a new console, the Nintendo Alarmo adds an interactive twist to waking up, with Switch Online subscribers getting early access to the device.

X Shifts Creator Payout Model to Focus on Premium User Engagement

X is changing how creators earn money by shifting from ad revenue based on verified users to payouts tied to engagement with content from Premium subscribers. This new system means the more Premium users interact with each other’s content, the more creators can earn. However, with Premium subscribers already prioritized in replies, it’s unclear if this will lead to higher payouts. Starting November 8th, revenue from verified ad impressions will no longer count, and up to 25% of Premium subscriptions will go directly to creators.

Amazon Introduces AI-Powered Shopping Guides for Tailored Product Recommendations

Amazon has launched AI-powered “Shopping Guides” on its mobile website and apps, designed to help users quickly find products based on specific features. Available for over 100 product types, including TVs, headphones, and skincare, these guides offer educational content and customer insights to assist in making informed purchases. By selecting a guide, shoppers receive personalized product recommendations based on factors like brand, use case, and connectivity, offering a more visual and intuitive way to filter options compared to traditional menus.

Zoom to Launch AI Avatars for Sending Messages in 2024

Zoom is set to introduce AI avatars that can attend meetings for you by delivering brief messages on your behalf. To create an avatar, users record a video of themselves, which Zoom’s AI uses to generate a digital likeness that looks and sounds like them. This feature, available through Zoom’s Clips, will be part of a custom AI Companion add-on launching next year for $12 per month. Zoom is addressing concerns about deepfakes with advanced authentication and watermarking technology, ensuring secure use of the avatars.

NYT Beta Testing New Word Puzzle Game “Zorse”

The New York Times is beta testing a new puzzle game called “Zorse”. The phrase-guessing game blends two phrases into one, focusing on wordplay. Currently available only in Canada, Zorse offers clues and a series of blank tiles. Players use the tiles to reveal and solve the puzzle. Likewise, the format resembles a mix of Wheel of Fortune and word games like Wordle. The game is part of the NYT’s ongoing expansion into puzzle games, with hopes of a wider release soon.

Rare Twiggy Macintosh Prototype Heads to Auction

A rare prototype of the original Apple Macintosh is set to be auctioned. The prototype features a 5.25-inch disk drive instead of the later 3.5-inch model. The auction will occur through Bonhams’ History of Science and Technology collection. This prototype is one of less than five known to exist and carries the model number #M0001. It is known as the “Twiggy Macintosh” because it uses the unreliable 5.25-inch drives from the Apple Lisa. Previously sold for $150,075, the prototype is expected to fetch between $80,000 and $120,000 this time.

As fall rolls into Southern California, luxury homeowners have a unique opportunity through landscaping to enhance their outdoor spaces with seasonal beauty. While the region may not experience the vivid autumn transformations seen in other parts of the country, Southern California offers its own distinctive fall foliage options that can bring warmth, texture, and elegance to luxury landscapes. With the right plant selections and design strategies, your garden can embody the spirit of the season while thriving in the local climate.

Here are some key insights and recommendations for creating a stunning fall garden with luxury foliage that suits Southern California’s Mediterranean-like conditions.

1. Embrace Drought-Tolerant, Fall-Friendly Plants

Southern California’s dry fall season makes it essential to choose plants that can handle limited water while still offering rich colors and textures. Many drought-tolerant species, such as California fuchsia (Epilobium canum), come into bloom during fall, providing a pop of vibrant orange-red flowers that contrast beautifully with neutral landscaping elements.

Other great options include succulents, particularly those that shift color during the fall months. For instance, sedum varieties, such as Autumn Joy, develop warm copper hues as the weather cools, adding a touch of seasonal charm to garden beds or container arrangements.

2. Opt for Native Grasses for Texture and Movement

Native grasses are a luxurious yet low-maintenance way to introduce texture and a sense of movement to your fall landscaping. Deer grass (Muhlenbergia rigens), for example, offers elegant, feathery plumes that turn a soft golden shade in fall, blending effortlessly into high-end landscape designs.

Ornamental grasses like purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’) also work well, adding a bold, modern aesthetic with their dark reddish-purple foliage that lasts through the season. These grasses are ideal for creating a dynamic landscape that sways gracefully in the autumn breeze, enhancing the tranquil atmosphere of your outdoor space.

3. Incorporate Fall-Blooming Perennials

For luxury homeowners who want a garden that comes alive in the fall, selecting perennials that bloom during this season is key. Mexican sage (Salvia leucantha) is a fantastic choice, with its vibrant purple flowers blooming profusely through late fall. Not only does this plant attract beneficial pollinators like hummingbirds, but it also creates a stunning visual contrast when paired with more neutral or earth-toned elements in your landscaping.

Japanese anemone is another elegant addition, offering soft white or pale pink flowers that bring a refined, romantic feel to any luxury garden.

4. Choose Trees and Shrubs for Seasonal Color

While Southern California doesn’t experience dramatic tree color changes, certain trees and shrubs offer beautiful fall foliage. The Chinese pistache (Pistacia chinensis) is one of the few trees that provide a true autumnal palette of red, orange, and yellow leaves, making it a perfect centerpiece for a fall-themed garden.

Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia), known for its long-lasting summer blooms, also displays striking foliage in shades of red and orange as fall progresses. This tree’s smooth, sculptural bark adds year-round visual interest, enhancing the overall luxury feel of your landscape.

5. Maximize the Use of Planters and Containers

For homeowners seeking flexibility in their fall garden, luxury planters and containers offer an elegant solution. Consider filling them with a mix of ornamental kale, pansies, and chrysanthemums, which thrive in the cooler temperatures of Southern California’s fall.

By strategically placing these containers around patios, entryways, and outdoor living areas, you can easily refresh your garden’s look and feel while incorporating a rich, seasonal color palette.

Conclusion

Creating a luxury garden that reflects the beauty of fall in Southern California is all about selecting the right plants and design elements. By focusing on drought-tolerant species, native grasses, fall-blooming perennials, and trees that offer seasonal color, homeowners can enjoy a sophisticated and elegant outdoor space that thrives in the local climate. With careful planning, your garden can be a true celebration of the season, adding beauty and value to your home.

As the week comes to a close, we are rounding out the latest headlines in the world of tech. From New Fire HD Tablets to Spotify updates and more, we have you covered. Check out what’s happening in this week’s blog!

Amazon Unveils New Fire HD 8 with AI Tools and Improved Specs

Amazon has unveiled its new Fire HD 8 tablet, featuring generative AI-powered tools like Writing Assist, webpage summaries, and wallpaper creation from prompts. These tools will also be available on other Fire tablets, including the Fire HD 10 and Fire Max 11. The new Fire HD 8 offers improved specs, such as 3GB of RAM, a 5MP rear camera, and up to 13 hours of battery life, with storage options of 32GB or 64GB, expandable via microSD. Priced at $99.99, the new Fire HD is already on sale for $54.99 ahead of Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days. Rumors suggest upgraded Kindle e-readers may be coming soon.

Sony Updates WF-1000XM5 and WH-1000XM5 with New Features and Find My Device Support

Sony has released firmware updates for its WF-1000XM5 earbuds and WH-1000XM5 headphones, adding compatibility with Google’s Find My Device network, making them easier to locate if lost. The updates also introduce Auto Switch, a feature from Sony’s new LinkBuds Speaker, allowing seamless playback transition between wireless devices. Users must install Sony’s new Sound Connect app for the updates, which also improve security and streamline Google Fast Pair through LE Audio priority connection for faster pairing with Android devices.

Aqara Launches U300 Smart Lever Lock with Matter and Apple Home Key Support

Aqara has introduced its first smart lever lock, the U300, available on Amazon for $229.99. The U300 supports Matter-over-Thread and Apple Home Key, allowing users to unlock doors via apps like Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home, as well as using a fingerprint reader, keypad, or physical keys. With weatherproofing, an IPX4 rating, and up to 10 months of battery life, it’s ideal for both interior and exterior doors. The U300 also features a USB-C emergency port and is available in North America, with wider availability expected soon.

Samsung to Introduce Tap-to-Unlock Feature for Smart Locks in 2025

Samsung has announced that, starting in 2025, Galaxy device users will be able to tap their phone or smartwatch to unlock smart door locks, similar to Apple’s Home Key feature. By adopting the new Aliro smart lock standard for its Samsung Wallet’s Digital Home Key, Samsung will enable tap-to-unlock and hands-free unlocking for Aliro-compatible locks, utilizing NFC and UWB technology. This feature will allow users to unlock doors without needing to open an app or unlock their phone. The first Aliro-compatible smart locks are expected to hit the market next year.

Spotify Introduces Offline Backup Playlist for Premium Users

Spotify has launched a new feature called Offline Backup. The feature automatically generates a playlist of recently streamed songs to keep your music playing when offline. The playlist evolves based on your listening habits. It appears in the app’s home feed whenever an internet connection is lost, provided offline listening is enabled in settings. Available only to premium subscribers, the playlist can be filtered by artist, mood, and genre, and can be permanently added to your library if desired. This feature builds on similar offerings from other streaming services like YouTube Music and Netflix.