Facebook updated its Messenger app for Android and iOS allowing users to send brief voice messages to their friends on the social networking site. It is a step toward competing with Skype and Google Voice.

Canadian iOS users can even make free calls using Wi-Fi or their cellular data connection with the freshened Messenger app. Usage does of course pull from consumers' monthly data allotment.

Currently U.S. users are limited to sending brief voice messages, but the calling feature offered to Canadian users could cross the border if all goes well according to The Verge.

Facebook's Messenger app is a separate app from the somewhat ubiquitous mobile Facebook app.

To send a voice message in Messenger, select a contact and touch the "+" button on the left of the text field. Select the record voice button. Hold your finger on the red record button and record your message. When you lift your finger from the record button the message is automatically sent. You can cancel though by sliding upward off the record button rather than lifting off of it.

Here is a decent video walk-through.

Packed with sophisticated cameras, voice-guided navigation, and wireless payment capability, smartphones have become the Swiss Army knife of today. Now car makers think it is time for smartphones to replace car keys.

Hyundai wants to have wireless NFC technology equipped cars in 2015 and is pushing even deeper smartphone integration.

Vehicle owners will be able to lock and unlock doors by holding a smartphone over an NFC tag. A user's music, contacts, radio station preferences and individual profile settings could be displayed on the vehicle's in-dash display . Wireless smartphone charging is also in the works.

Driver profile settings could be created for individual seating positions and exterior mirror settings.

When it comes to luxurious household fixtures Lixil of Japan has ascended to the throne - of the porcelain variety.
 
The Bluetooth capable Satis commode can be remotely controlled via an Android app. The My Satis app can raise the toilet seat, flush, and more. Music can be streamed through the commode's built-in speakers, and the app's usage history calculates electricity & water consumption.

Three models of the Lixil Satis ranging from about $2,400 to $4,700 are expected to go on sale in February.

One of the more popular reasons for buying tablet is how much more "useful" a larger screen would be over a smartphone. No doubt, the advantage of more display real estate holds potential for getting more "work" done, but  a study shows that tablet users actually have more fun.

According to a recent study released by analytics firm Flurry,  tablet users spend a whopping 67 percent of their time playing games. Social networking is a distant second with tablet users dedicating just 10 percent of their time to that category.

What about that "work" getting done?  Time spent on productivity was rock bottom at just 1 percent.

With CableJive's wireless receiver nearly any gadget can stream audio to a speaker dock designed for 30-pin Apple devices. Android? Windows? Tablets? The dockBoss air adapter works with all devices that support Bluetooth AD2P which is about any smartphone, tablet or computer these days. Thanks to a 30-feet wireless range, you can free your gadget from your dock and stream audio while relaxing on the sofa, toiling in the kitchen, or even in the car. CableJive dockBoss air: $34.95
 

The iPhone 5 is another hot seller and it is big news for accessory manufacturers.

This is especially good news for case makers since about 78 percent of iPhone owners buy cases.

Speck smartphone cases are among the most popular and with good reason.

Speck applies the same basic design to its line which includes not just stylish cases, but also one with a folding kickstand and a cardholder. All have a hard plastic structure that surrounds the screen with a minimal, but effective bezel to help prevent facedown scratches - or worse.

Sling Media recently unveiled two new version of its TV streaming devices that let you watch TV from pretty much anywhere on a computer, tablet or smartphone.

The Slingbox 500 and Slingbox 350 bridge your set-top box or DVR to the Internet so you can view your media. Both are capable of 1080p.

The lower cost Slingbox 350 connects via Ethernet and composite video cable. It is priced around $180. The $300 Slingbox 500 adds Wi-Fi and HDMI connectivity.

I'm testing these on the iPhone, iPad and my Android tablet. In addition to those, Slingbox supports Windows Phone and the Kindle Fire.  The requisite SlingPlayer app costs $14.99.

I'd love to hear your experiences with Slingbox.

Google is not where most music lovers go to discover new content, but the search giant's recent update to its Play Store could change that.

It doesn't appear to be available to every Android user yet. It is working on my Nexus 7 tablet running Android 4.1.2, but hopefully Google will provide this to smartphones. If Google want to get serious about selling music it needs to expand this to devices outside the the Android ecosystem.   

DroidLife.com posted a short video that shows it pretty well.

The Google Search App for iOS got a recent update adding impressive voice capability. As with Siri you can ask for the weather, scores, and directions. Though it lacks the integration of Siri, Google has outmaneuvered Apple in a couple of ways.

Naturally folks want to know how Google's new effort, free at the App Store, compares to Siri. What may be Google's biggest trump is that its voice app works with iPhones that Apple hasn't endowed with Siri - like the iPhone 4.

In use the app's voice recognition seems every bit as good as Siri. Voice requests appear on the screen as you speak. You can watch it instantly analyze your voice working through potential words in real time. Google's revamped app churns out search results at least as quickly as Siri and can read them back to you.

Like knowing what is with the weather? Google offers more informative weather results that include the chance of precipitation, humidity, and wind speed - all of which are MIA with Siri and Apple's iOS weather app.

Apple's weather information may be lacking, but Siri's sports reports tops its rival with by the quarter results and its slick looking box score graphics.

When I requested a restaurant, each produced a similar list of eateries. Siri's list was longer and it included the nearest Meals On Wheels location. I'm not sure if this good or bad.

Google's app is also a launcher of sort for its apps, but there is no voice integration with them. You can't open Gmail or Google calendar. You will not be able to say "email my wife" as in Siri. Hopefully that will come.

If you have an iPhone lacking Siri then Google's Search App is a must try. Even of you have Siri, the new Google Search App is worth a look.

Don't be so quick to dismiss a remote control for a smartphone or tablet as an absurdity. Sure not long ago it would have made as much sense as a bottomless bucket. But with HDMI support and more powerful processors, mobile devices are capable media streaming devices. When you're lounging on the sofa streaming video or music the Motorola Smart Controller makes more sense.

Motorola's Bluetooth controller offers a multitouch touchpad and a row of Android hardware buttons. It is also a Bluetooth handset that take calls remotely which is also handy for when your device is charging.

Slightly smaller than an iPhone, the remote's touchpad takes up roughly 40 percent of the surface area. The dedicated Android buttons are anchored below. A volume rocker and mute button are mounted on the left. The call button is nestled in the center of its underside.

The design may be understated, but attractive. The build quality appears to be quite high.

In use, the touchpad was accurate though I wish the tracking speed could be adjusted. Motorola says the range is up to 30 feet, but that will vary depending on the environment.

The Motorola Smart Controller is compatible with more than just Motorola devices. I was able connect easily to my Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 running Android 3.2. However, I could not connect to my Nexus 7 running Android 4.1.2. There is a list of compatible devices.

Verizon offers the Motorola Smart Controller for $99.99.