Smart Assistants
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Reviews
Lenovo Smart Clock 2 review: An attractive, but pricey, Google Assistant-powered alarm clock
The redesigned Smart Clock 2 arrives with an optional wireless charging dock that doubles as a night light, raising its price even higher.
Updated
Nest Cam (indoor, wired) review: This pricey indoor-only camera offers on-device people detection
The indoor wired Nest Cam boasts a feature that most smart security cameras don’t: free people, pet, and vehicle detection—no cloud required.
News
Google Home is back, but now it’s bigger than just a smart speaker
The new Google Home now represents Google’s entire smart home platform.
Reviews
iLive Indoor/Outdoor Bluetooth speakers review: Genuine stereo—on stakes
The stakes are more than a gimmick, and the speakers sound pretty good for the money.
News
Apple’s HomePod mini gets new colors, but that’s it
Hoping for a HomePod with a display, or perhaps a HomePod mini price cut? Sorry, folks.
Reviews
Nest Cam with Floodlight review: Google slaps high beams on its winning outdoor camera
Floodlights make Google’s winning Nest Cam even better at keeping an eye on your property.
News
The iconic Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin wireless speaker is back—and entirely new
The new speaker boasts Alexa onboard, and it will support multi-room configurations with a firmware update promised for 2022.
Reviews
Tronsmart Splash 1 Bluetooth Speaker review: Good on-the-go audio, on the cheap
The small personal speaker is IPX7 water resistant, sounds good, and is about half the price of the brand-name competition.
News
Q Acoustics extends its exciting Concept speaker line to lure a wider audience
The Concept 30 bookshelf, Concept 50 floor-stander, and Concept 90 center channel deliver the company’s high-end technologies in more affordable variations.
Reviews
Turtlebox Speaker review: An audio experience designed to literally go anywhere
This just might be the most rugged Bluetooth speaker known to man.
News
Nest Renew promises to help Nest Thermostat users reduce their carbon footprint
With Nest Renew, your Nest thermostat will run your HVAC system when cleaner and cheaper energy is available.
News
The NBCUniversal/YouTube TV deal: Winners and losers
NBCU and YouTube TV brokered a last-minute deal over the weekend that averted an NBC blackout on Google’s live-TV service. Here’s who came out on top.
Reviews
Tronsmart Studio review: A small, handsome Bluetooth speaker with surprisingly good sonics
This small but powerful wireless speaker defied exceeded our fidelity expectations—especially its 3D faux surround.
Deal
The original Echo Show 5 is still a great smart display, and it’s just $45 right now
Shopping for your first smart display? For a mere $45, the first-gen Echo Show 5 is an amazing deal.
News
Sonos Beam (2nd gen): Unboxing and ears-on first impressions
The new, Dolby Atmos-enabled Sonos Beam is finally on our test bench, and we have some initial thoughts, plus plenty of photos.
News
Amazon’s Astro puts Alexa on wheels
The company’s first household robot features a smart display and a periscope camera, but no tail.
News
Amazon’s new Echo Show 15 can be mounted on a wall
The newest, largest Echo Show can hang on a wall or sit on a counter, and it can recognize users as well as display customizable Alexa widgets.
News
Amazon enters the smart thermostat market
Priced at just $59, Amazon’s latest smart device will integrate tightly with Alexa.
Deal
Harman Kardon’s Onyx 4 high-end portable speaker is $100 after a $350 discount
Harman Kardon is selling its Onyx 4 Bluetooth speaker for $350 off the MSRP.
Reviews
Tribit Home Speaker review: This Bluetooth music maker is built for eyes as much as ears
Who’s ready for a rainbow light show at bedtime?
Reviews
Samsung HW-S60A review: This $280 all-in-one soundbar packs Alexa and AirPlay 2
The rare budget soundbar that boasts both built-in Alexa and AirPlay 2 support.
How-To
How to add a delay to a Google Assistant routine
Don’t want Google to immediately perform certain actions in a routine? Just add some delays. Here’s how.
News
Revamped Sonos Beam soundbar adds Dolby Atmos and eARC support
The second-gen Beam squeezes a beefier CPU into the same compact shell, allowing for virtualized Dolby Atmos height effects.
How-To
There’s a new way to trigger Google Assistant routines
Google Assistant recently learned one of Alexa’s tricks: the ability to start a routine when you dismiss an alarm. Here’s how to set it up.
News
Sonos hikes prices of its most popular speakers, including the Sonos Arc and Sonos One
The price increases range from $10 to $100 and take effect September 12.
News
Sony Electronics’ new HT-A5000 soundbar supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
The 5.1.2-channel soundbar can also tap the speakers in select Sony Bravia TVs to produce a genuine center channel.
How-To
Trouble hearing Alexa? The new Adaptive Volume setting can help
Alexa’s voice can have a tough time cutting through the noise of a dishwasher or loud conversation, and that’s where the Adaptive Volume setting comes in.
News
Focal adds bookshelf, center units to its Aria K2 speaker line
The French manufacturer also launched the On Wall 300-series of loudspeakers this week.
News
Focal’s new On Wall 300 series could be the next best thing to in-wall speakers
Measuring just over 3.5 inches deep, Focal’s latest loudspeakers can be mounted to the wall next to your TV, or mounted on optional stands slightly in front of it.
How-To
Here’s the nicest way to wake up, courtesy of your Google smart display
The sunrise alarm on a Google Nest Hub can gently wake you with a warm glow and a refreshing alarm tone, while also raising the lights in your bedroom.
Reviews
Edifier D12 review: A classy, affordable, tabletop Bluetooth speaker
Edifier's single-body stereo D12 Bluetooth speaker is handsome, sounds good, and is far more affordable than it looks.
Reviews
Bang & Olufsen Beosound Level review: A top-tier portable music streamer
Oozing charm and smarts, the Beosound Level reaches a new plateau in home audio sophistication. Battery power, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth ensure you can take it with you.
News
Bowers & Wilkins bows its next generation of 800 Series Diamond loudpeakers
Dubbed D4, these speakers promise to continue the company's tradition of evolving excellence.
Deal
Snag Tribit’s 16-watt waterproof Bluetooth speaker for just $22.19
If you need some extra sound for your upcoming Labor Day plans, the Tribit XSound Go is a mere $22.19 at Amazon right now.
Updated
Nanoleaf set to roll out Thread update for its light panels
The delayed Thread border router update for Nanoleaf’s Shapes and Elements lights will arrive Thursday.
How-To
Here’s a better way to trigger your morning Alexa routine
Dismissing an alarm is one of Alexa’s most powerful routine triggers, but it’s an easy one to forget.
Deal
The original Google Home Mini is a measly $13 right now
Pick up the original Google Home Mini smart speaker for just $13 at Lowe's.
Reviews
LG SP9YA soundbar review: This 5.1.2 speaker gets its surround effects from the sides
LG’s 5.1.2-channel soundbar uses side-firing drivers rather than separate speakers for surround effects. Is that effective?
Updated
Is Sonos cooking up its own voice assistant? Survey says: maybe
A customer survey from Sonos asks users if they’d be interested in a “Hey Sonos” voice assistant that sits directly on Sonos speakers, no cloud required.
Reviews
Vizio M51ax-J6 review: This 5.1-channel soundbar boasts virtualized Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio
The M51ax-J6 serves up Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio using virtualization rather than upfiring drivers.
Deal
Anker’s sweet Soundcore Bluetooth speaker is just $22
Crank some tunes on the upgraded Anker Soundcore Bluetooth speaker, now 27 percent off over at Amazon.
Deal
Amazon’s Echo Show 5 drops to $45, its lowest price yet
Amazon is selling the first-generation Echo Show 5 for well below its $80 MSRP.
News
Amazon’s new smart soap dispenser pairs with Echo speakers
Once you pair it with an Echo device, the Amazon Smart Soap Dispenser can trigger Alexa routines whenever you lather up.
News
Amazon’s second-gen Fire TV Cube now lets you make Zoom calls
Just add a compatible webcam, and the latest Fire TV Cube will let you make two-way video calls using the Zoom app for Fire TV.
Deal
Get two Echo Dot smart speakers for the price of one: Just $50
Target is offering two fourth-generation Echo Dot smart speakers for $50.
How-To
How to assign more than one voice command to a single Alexa routine
Having trouble remembering the exact voice commands for your Alexa routines? Now you can add multiple phrases to a single routine.
News
Alexa finally gets her own iOS home screen widget
Just tap the Ask Alexa widget on your iPhone or iPad home screen to start chatting with Amazon’s voice assistant.
Reviews
Anker Soundcore Motion Boom speaker review: Bluetooth for the beach
This Bluetooth boomer easily passed muster in terms of volume and bass response to sonically compete with pricier competitors. It's small, easy to carry, and waterproof for the pool and beach.
News
Alexa now has a male option for its voice; here’s how to enable it
Just days after announcing new celebrity voices for Alexa, Amazon has begun rolling out a default male voice to go along with Alexa’s famous female voice.
News