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Opinion
Ads on Apple TV+: Would Apple pull an Amazon and raise prices?
Rather than roll out a cheaper ad-supported plan, Amazon made Prime Video customers pay more to avoid ads. Would Apple do the same?
News
Time's running out for Amazon's Echo Dot with Clock
Amazon just discontinued one of our favorite Amazon Echo speakers, but you can still snag the Echo Dot with Clock while supplies last.
Cord-Cutter Confidential
I upgraded to the new Apple TV 4K just to make dialogue clearer
tvOS 18, now in public beta, includes a new Enhance Dialogue feature. Here's how it works.
News
iRobot's new Roomba Combo 10 Max washes its own mop
iRobot’s latest 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop also offers enhanced dirt detection and smart home compatibility.
News
Eve Weather’s latest update will Matter to Android users
Thanks to Matter, Eve’s Thread-enabled Weather station will work with Android devices as well as on iPhones and iPads.
News
Sling TV serves up 4K streaming for no extra cost
Now you can stream live TV on Sling in 4K, starting with this year’s MLB All-Star Game.
News
Lutron's new Diva smart dimmer is ideal for low-voltage lighting
The lighting control manufacturer has also unveiled 6 news color choices for its Pico Paddle Remote Controls.
News
SmartThings and Airzone transform A/C units into smart appliances
Airzone Control’s Aidoo line of HVAC controllers bring the leading brands of inverter air conditioners—including mini splits—into the Samsung SmartThings ecosystem.
Cord-Cutter Confidential
No, streaming isn't cable TV all over again
Why the future of TV won't be like cable.
Feature
How to turn your apartment into a smart home
Being a renter doesn't mean you can't enjoy high-tech comfort and convenience of a smart home. Our guide shows you how without upsetting your landlord.
News
Here’s what’s the Matter with your glitchy Philips Hue bulbs
Do your Philips Hue bulbs keep jumping to 100-percent brightness for no apparent reason? Here's the reason—and yes, the new Matter standard is involved.
News
Blast from the past: Amazon revives Echo Spot alarm clock
Nearly five years after killing off its Alexa-powered smart alarm clock, Amazon has brought the Echo Spot back from the dead.
Cord-Cutter Confidential
Why a Spotify for TV probably won't happen
A closer look at the idea of one streaming TV package with everything, and why it won't work.
News
Amazon pulls the plug on Alexa-powered Astro for Business bot
Announced just seven months ago, Astro for Business was positioned as a watch dog for commercial venues, but it’s now been kicked to the curb.
News
Want ad-free Netflix? The starting price costs more now
Netflix's cheapest ad-free plan is about to go away after a lengthy phase-out. Here's how much Netflix without ads will cost now that Basic is going away.
Feature
How robot lawn mowers cut grass without whacking off your toes
Robot mowers don't have walls to define their boundaries. Here are the two most common ways they navigate and avoid obstacles, like your feet.
News
So long, Samsung: Tidal drops support for Samsung TVs
Tidal had already yanked its apps for Amazon Fire TV and Roku devices, and now Samsung TVs are next.
Updated
Roku’s trivia quiz puts your pop culture knowledge to the test
Got what it takes to shine in Roku’s new weekly trivia challenge?
News
Amazon Prime Day 2024: Everything to know and early deals
Amazon’s big two-day shopping event is due next month, and we're expecting discounts on Echo devices, robot vacuums, security cameras, and more.
News
Paramount+ price hike: Here’s when it hits, plus how to avoid it
Another big streamer is boosting its prices, and this time, it's Paramount+. But there's a way to sidestep the increase.
News
Spotify gets cheaper, but you’ll have to give something up
A new Spotify tier rolls back the music streamer's recent price hike, but it’s missing a key Premium feature.
News
AI-powered Alexa? Here's what Amazon might charge for it…
In a “must-win” year for Alexa, Amazon is still said to be mulling an extra fee for an Alexa supercharged by AI.
Feature
The hidden costs of robot vacuums revealed
From disposable dust bags to new side brushes, the cost of replacement parts for a robot can add up quickly. Here's how much more you can expect to spend.
News
Roku put video ads on its home screen. How irritating are they?
As promised, autoplay video ads have made their way to the Roku home screen. We’ve seen worse.
News
Philips Hue’s new smart light is the one we’ve been waiting for
Famous for its smart bulbs, floor lamps, light switches, and outdoor fixtures, Philips Hue has waited a surprisingly long time to jump into this smart light category.
News
Blink security cameras gain new playback feature: Blink Moments
Subscribers who own more than one Blink home security camera will soon get recordings with multiple perspectives of what's happening around their property.
News
End of an era: Tidal to drop last remaining MQA tracks
Nearly a year after naming FLAC as its “preferred” hi-res audio format, Tidal says it will soon pull the last few MQA files off its servers.
Cord-Cutter Confidential
The best way to set up an Apple TV
How to bypass the Apple TV app, but still use its excellent "Up Next" feature.
News
Tapo's solar-powered security cam offers sustainable surveillance
TP-Link's smart home brand says 45 minutes of sunshine on the solar panel accompanying its SolarCam C402 is enough to power the security cam 24/7.
Opinion
4 reasons HomePod wasn't invited to the Apple Intelligence party
A new AI-enhanced Siri is coming to iPhones, iPads, and Macs later this year—but not to HomePods. Here are a few possible reasons the HomePod got left out.
News
Apple’s HomePod is finally getting a long-delayed feature
Starting this fall, you'll be able to let someone else play DJ on your HomePod.
News
Apple barely mentioned smart home during its AI-infused WWDC keynote
If you blinked, you missed the handful of new features coming to the Apple Home app this fall.
News
Home Assistant gets AI-powered voice control; I can’t wait to try it
Now you can say “Hey, it’s too dark in here,” and Home Assistant’s LLM-powered conversation agents will know what to do.
News
Safemo's solar-powered security system promises privacy first
The kit includes pair of solar-powered 4K cameras and an AI-powered central hub for local processing, encryption, and storage of recordings.
News
Paying for ad-free Max? Get ready to pay more
If you’re paying extra to watch Max without ads, your subscription rate is about to go up. Here’s how much it’ll cost.
News
Netflix is yanking support for these older Apple TV models
You'll need to upgrade your older Apple TV box if you still want to Netflix and chill. Find out if your Apple TV model is affected.
Feature
Another Spotify price hike? Here are 5 cheaper options
Spotify just raised its prices for the second time in a year, so now might be the time to drop the needle on a new streaming service.
News
Kidde says its new smoke detectors respond 25% faster than competitors
The new Kidde Detect product line consists of battery-powered and hardwired smoke and smoke plus carbon monoxide detectors.
Feature
10 killer smart home products that are now stone dead
Angry that Spotify will soon kill your Car Thing? Welcome to the club. These doomed smart home products were also destined for the dumpster.
Feature
6 everyday air pollutants you need to worry about
Every breath you take includes a potpourri of particles that could be hazardous to your health. These are the six common airborne pollutants to watch out for.
Updated
Smart lighting specialist Lutron launches super-small downlights
Lutron’s pricey new Ketra and Rania recessed ceiling cans boast barely-there 2-inch apertures, replicate natural light, and—of course—offer wireless control.
Cord-Cutter Confidential
Free live TV streaming with cloud DVR: Now Philo has it too
Philo launches a free version with more than 70 streaming channels and a 30-day DVR.
News
Google speaker groups just got a major missing feature back
A years-old legal spat with Sonos forced Google to pull a key speaker group feature. But with victory in sight, Google is rolling back the change.
Cord-Cutter Confidential
Comcast's new Netflix bundle isn't the value you might think it is
If you're a Comcast customer, StreamSaver gets you Netflix, Peacock, and Apple TV+ for $15 per month. Is the bundle worth it?
Updated
Is iRobot Select worth it? Let's do the math
iRobot's subscription service gets you a self-emptying Roomba, free replacement parts, and a new Roomba every three years, all for $29 a month.
News
iRobot closes Select subscription service to new customers
Following Amazon’s decision to end its bid to acquire iRobot, the robot vacuum maker has stopped accepting new members to its Roomba subscription plan.
News
The Sonos Ace marks Sonos' expansion into ANC headphones
Does the multi-room audio trendsetter have an Ace up its sleeve, or are we about to see a rare royal flush?
Cord-Cutter Confidential
TV bundles are back, but savings could be illusory
Why a new wave of streaming bundles just might increase prices in the long run.
News
Jasco's Eternity Lights can be installed just once for all seasons
With these outdoor LED string lights in your home’s eaves, you’ll have smart decorative lighting for every holiday season—and for entertaining rear round.
Opinion