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Feature
How we test robot vacuums and mops at TechHive
We evaluate every vacuum and mop in real-world settings to determine if they're worth your time and investment.
News
Matter adds support for microwave ovens, smart lighting scenes
Version 1.3 of the Matter specification adds ovens, laundry dryers, leak detectors, and other device types, while also supporting smart light scenes and energy monitoring.
Feature
Wi-Fi jamming attacks are on the rise. How they affect your smart home security
More and more burglars are using Wi-Fi jammers to defeat smart home security systems. The threat is real, but there's no cause for panic if you understand all the implications.
Updated
The original smart thermostat is about to get dumb
Nearly 16 years after its unveiling, the groundbreaking Ecobee Smart thermostat will soon lose internet connectivity, although its basic HVAC features will still work.
Cord-Cutter Confidential
The dumbest new smart TV trend: Exclusive content
What's behind the exclusive content push on smart TVs from Vizio, Samsung, and LG
News
Chamberlain leaves the garage with myQ indoor camera
Best known for its smart garage door controller and accessories, Chamberlain's myQ brand is moving further into the home with its new indoor cam.
News
The new Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam can surveil an entire room
Ring’s latest indoor security cam features a better pan/tilt motor than the base it sells as an add-on for its Ring Stick Up Cam, but you can't use it outdoors.
News
Peacock hikes its prices again in runup to Olympics
You’ll have to pay more to stream the 2024 Summer Olympics following an upcoming Peacock price hike.
News
Weak default IoT passwords targeted by new UK law
The United Kingdom just became the first country to bar IoT manufacturers from setting weak default passwords for smart devices.
Cord-Cutter Confidential
Spectrum TV Stream and the bundle's continued breakdown
Spectrum's new streaming bundle combines cable news and entertainment channels for $40 per month.
News
How to livestream the 2024 NBA Playoffs and Finals
You will likely need a streaming subscription to watch the NBA postseason online. We've listed all your options and include links to get you started.
News
The ROXi Interactive Music Channel is coming to NextGen TV
Pearl TV, a consortium of U.S. broadcasters, is also looking to use ROXi’s FastStream interactive television tech for other interactive channels, including sports.
News
Roku says 576,000 more of its users were hacked in second attack
Using the same old-school method as an earlier attack, hackers gained access to more than a half million more Roku accounts.
News
Yale Approach with Wi-Fi is an affordable retrofit smart lock
Smart home dwellers looking for an easy way to upgrade their existing deadbolts have a new retrofit option from one of the world’s oldest lock manufacturers.
Cord-Cutter Confidential
ISPs are violating the spirit of the FCC Broadband Facts mandate
"Broadband Facts" labels for internet: How to find them for your ISP.
Updated
Amazon won’t pay developers to build Alexa skills anymore
Amazon is winding down its payments to Alexa skill developers as its pivots toward a new, generative AI-powered Alexa.
News
Roku Pro Series TVs arrive, with mini-LEDs, muscular processing
The smart TV builder is moving up with quantum dots, mini-LED backlighting, more powerful processors, and a very cool backlit remote.
News
Dyson’s new AR CleanTrace aims to gamify vacuuming
Want to use augmented reality to make vacuuming easier? Dyson's AR will soon be IRL, but you'll need the right tech to make it happen.
News
iRobot's new robot vacuum and mop combo goes back to basics
With the budget-priced Roomba Combo Essential and Vac Essential, iRobot has upgraded the 600 Series with improved performance and advanced features.
News
Samsung's new robot vacuum and mop can steam clean floors
Besides vacuuming and mopping your floors, the Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI can detect and steam clean stubborn floor stains.
News
Philips Hue sync app for Samsung TVs adds subscription option
Did you pass on the $130 app that syncs Philips Hue lights with a Samsung TV? If so, Hue and Samsung have an alternative: a monthly subscription plan.
News
Ecovacs's robot vacuum and hand vac combo ships in April
First revealed at CES back in January, the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo Series packs a more powerful Deebot X2 Omni robot vacuum plus a handheld vacuum accessory.
News
Google Home for web adds camera history, clip downloads
The web-based version of Google Home now boasts a “full camera experience,” complete with an event timeline and the ability to download recorded clips.
News
Roku hackers hijack 15,000 accounts using an old trick
Hackers took control of thousands of Roku accounts and ran up credit card bills with fraudulent purchases, using a tried-and-true method.
News
Airbnb to hosts: No more indoor security cams, period
In a global policy change, Airbnb has banned the use of all indoor security cameras, including in common spaces.
Cord-Cutter Confidential
Roku's forced arbitration update leaves users fuming
Friendly reminder from Roku: You don't exactly own your smart TV.
News
Nest Aware now part of Google One plans in U.K., not U.S. yet
Google One users in the U.K. just learned that their plans now offer Nest Aware benefits, but there’s no word when U.S. users will be included in the offering.
News
Max will start cracking down on password sharing, too
Following Netflix and Disney, Max will kick off own password-sharing crackdown later this year.
News
Tidal cuts high-res music streaming prices to $10.99 a month
Tidal now offers just a single music-streaming tier that offers lossless, high-resolution, and spatial audio tracks while matching Apple Music prices.
News
Ikea’s long-awaited Matter update just went into beta
After a lengthy delay, Ikea's promised Matter update for its Dirigera smart hub is finally poised to arrive.
News
Own this video doorbell? Take it down now
In a blockbuster report, Consumer Reports pinpoints a series of cheap video doorbells that are wide open to attack.
News
DRM remains a stumbling block for DVRs embracing ATSC 3.0
Broadcasters tout a new spec for ATSC 3.0 DVR, but DRM concerns linger.
News
LIFX is back with new outdoor smart lights
The once-troubled, now Feit Electric-owned LIFX brand returns with a quartet of outdoor lights, including string lights, a spotlight, and a flexible "rope" light.
News
HomePod with screen is still a year away (at least)
A screen-equipped HomePod won't see the light of day this year, according to the latest chatter.
News
Juggling multiple Philips Hue hubs is about to get easier
Soon you'll be able to sign into multiple Hue Bridges using a single Hue account, perfect for Hue users with more than 50 lights.
Cord-Cutter Confidential
No, streaming TV doesn't cost $1,000 per year
A study on subscription spending leads to wildly inflated claims about the cost of cord cutting.
Updated
Amazon: "There are no changes coming to Freevee"
Rumors are swirling that the ad-supported Freevee will go away now that Prime Video with ads is here, but Amazon is flatly denying the chatter.
Opinion
Wyze plays blame game as camera breach fallout continues
Even as it apologies for yet another privacy breach, Wyze is blaming third parties for Friday's calamitous events.
Updated
Wyze cams suffer major service outage, security breach
Following an hours-long service outage, Wyze admitted that some Wyze users could see thumbnail images of video events from strangers.
News
Now it’s Peacock that might merge with Paramount+
Wait, wasn’t Paramount+ going to merge with Max? Please—that was so yesterday.
News
There is no Vudu, only Fandango (at Home, that is)
Fandango is poised to delete one of the oldest brand names in streaming, with Vudu getting a name change to Fandango at Home.
News
YouTube TV now lets hoops fans build their own multiviews
Just in time for March Madness, YouTube TV will allow NCAA college basketball and NBA League Pass viewers pick and choose their own multiview games.
News
Nest Aware may soon be part of your Google One subscription
Code buried in the Google Home app hints that Nest Aware might be making its way to Google’s all-in-one Google One bundles.
Cord-Cutter Confidential
Amazon & other streamers turn audiovisual quality into an upsell
Streaming in 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos might soon cost extra. Here's what you need to know.
News
Latest Kasa Smart device controls a ceiling fan and the fan’s light
TP-Link’s new Kasa Smart KS240 in-wall controller can adjust both a ceiling fan’s speed and dim its integrated lights.
News
Max’s live sports tier will offer Dolby Vision (take that, Amazon)
Miss Dolby Vision on Prime Video with ads? Worry not, as you can now get a dose of Dolby Vision HDR on Max's sports add-on tier.
News
Prime Video subscribers to Amazon: Ads? See you in court
A proposed class-action lawsuit accuses Amazon of the old bait-and-switch for injecting ads into Prime Video.
News
Dolby Atmos, Vision missing from Amazon Prime Video with ads
You'll need to pay more to restore Dolby Vision HDR and object-based Dolby Atmos sound to your Prime Video account.
News
Amazon's Echo Connect will stop making calls this month
An Amazon accessory that allows Alexa to place phone calls on your landline, the Echo Connect will be useless in a matter of weeks.
News