SEATTLE - Amazon has announced an upgraded model of its Echo Frames smart glasses, adding better sound quality, longer battery life, and new colors. Amazon also is offering Echo Frames to buy, as the company transitions the Alexa-equipped glasses from a “Day One Edition” invitation-only device to a full-fledged product. The second-generation Echo Frames will cost $249.99
DETROIT - Digital license plates have been allowed in California and Arizona since 2019; now they are allowed in Michigan, too, but not yet for sale. At a starting price of nearly $500 a plate with a $55 yearly connectivity fee, only 3,300 people have them in California and Arizona. The company that created them, Reviver, is in discussions
ANN ARBOR - Residents of Detroit, Inkster, Flint and Washtenaw County will soon benefit from expanded free Wi-Fi access at more than 50 community locations across S.E. Michigan. The effort, part of Merit Network’s Michigan Moonshot initiative, was supported by contributions from the Toyota USA Foundation and Cisco. Washtenaw Intermediate School District and Merit Network
FARMINGTON HILLS—The online information services provider Gale announced the rollout of enhancements to its interactive online learning system for children ages 3 to 6, called “Miss Humblebee’s Academy.” New features include the following interface enhancements: Guided Learning Path: An updated classroom setting gives children a visual queue of a starting point, interval achievements, and a
ANN ARBOR—The artificial intelligence developer Clinc announced the appointment of Mahesh Baxi as the organization’s chief customer officer, effective immediately. “Enterprises with complex infrastructures are continuing to adopt new, cutting-edge technology, including AI, for various business purposes—in particular, customer service,” Baxi said. “I am looking forward to enabling a successful journey for both customers who
ANN ARBOR–The Ann Arbor software developer Wisely announced that it plans ot offer restaurants free contact tracing as multiple states implement new related regulations. Michigan and New Hampshire have announced contact tracing requirements. The orders require restaurants and bars to collect names and phone numbers of all patrons, should they need to be informed by
SAGINAW - Discover Great Lakes Bay is hosting a virtual networking experience that will offer job opportunities for young professionals currently in the region or who have left and are interested in returning home. The event will feature regional employers and representatives who live in this community. Those employers have specific positions available; go to
LIVONIA—Schools, preschools and daycare centers in southeast Michigan are working with Livonia-based company Airotrust to improve the quality of its indoor air for students, children, and employees. Detroit-based charter school Covenant House Academy, Summer Early Learning Center in Detroit, and Livonia Little Tots location have all recently purchased and installed Airotrust “Building Masks,” which are
ANN ARBOR - Gary Roberts, a planner for the Michigan International Technology Center in Plymouth, MI., talks about the new Ridge 5 Corporate Park that hopes to attract international technology companies to an area that is very auto tech focused. Situated among a prestigious roster of international firms, the MITC development is proven grounds for
PLYMOUTH - Michigan International Technology Center, an 800-acre high-tech research and development collaboration at the site of the former Detroit House of Corrections prison farm, has completed the infrastructure at the Ridge 5 Corporate Park, inside the MITC property. MITC is a real estate development initiative located in an area highly concentrated with many of
