Echo is a speaker that doesn’t just play your music. Photo: Amazon

Amazon’s built a crazy Bluetooth speaker that wants to be a part of your family. It’s called Echo, and not only will it play your tunes, it has a built-in virtual assistant that will provide all kinds of information when you need it. It’ll even work for you by creating reminders, setting alarms, and more.

Sony knows you’re itching to get your Android 5.0 Lollipop upgrade, so it’s making matter worse by publishing a new video that demonstrates Google’s latest software running on its flagship Xperia Z3. This won’t be the software you get from Sony, however, because it’s pure Lollipop without any third-party tweaks.

Microsoft Office is coming to Android tablets, and it’ll be free to use. Screenshot: Microsoft

Microsoft Office is coming to Android tablets, and you can be part of a select group of users who will get the opportunity to test it ahead of its Play Store debut. Microsoft is now accepting registrations from those who would like access to its beta, which brings the mobile versions of Word, Excel, and Powerpoint to bigger screens.

In addition, the software giant has announced that all Office mobile apps are now free to use.

WhatsApp finally provides read receipts. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Android

WhatsApp, one of the most popular messaging platforms on the planet, finally offers one of the most basic messaging features — the ability to tell you when your messages have been read. The app will now display blue checks instead of green ones next to messages that recipients have seen.

Amazon won’t give up on Fire Phone just yet.

The Fire Phone hasn’t been anywhere near as successful as Amazon hoped it would be. Sales have been so bad, in fact, that the device has ended up costing the retail giant around $170 million. But Amazon knows where it has gone wrong, and it has every intention of making more smartphones.