Latest News Stories
SEE LATEST NEWS STORIES BY CATEGORY
News
The Tapo Wire-Free MagCam can stand up to a pressure washer
The latest outdoor camera in TP-Link’s Tapo line boasts IP66 weatherization, meaning it’s impervious to dust and that it can withstand powerful jets of water.
Cord-Cutter Confidential
Disney+ and Hulu price hikes: How to prepare yourself
Save money on Disney+ and Hulu, even after the October 12 price hikes.
News
Google's Pixel Buds Pro get conversation detection, clearer calls
Your Pixel Buds Pro will soon be able to pause the music when you start chatting, as well as serve up better call quality and warn you if your tunes are too loud.
News
Google’s Home app is joining the generative AI party
With the help of generative AI, the Google Home app will help you sift through your smart home events, as well as respond to natural-language queries.
News
Now Google Assistant is getting a generative AI boost, too
The long-anticipating pairing of Google's voice assistant with the search giant's generative AI-powered Bard will arrive in the coming months.
News
Roku players add Google Photos support, expert picture settings
Roku's Photo Stream feature will finally hook into Google Photos following a slated Roku OS update. On-screen picture settings are coming, too.
News
DisplaceTV retools its stick-to-the-wall smart TV's safety features
During a live demo in San Francisco, the Displace V team showed off the latest prototype of its fascinating and completely wire-free, battery-powered 4K TV.
News
Discovery+ is getting a price hike, just like every other streamer
You'll now have to pay $2 a month extra to stream the standalone ad-free version of Discovery+.
News
AMC+ is the latest streamer to go the ad-supported way
As promised earlier this year, AMC Networks is rolling out an ad-supported version of AMC+, joining the ranks of Netflix, Disney+, Max, and (soon) Amazon Prime Video.
News
Amazon might charge extra for a “remarkable” version of Alexa
Today's Alexa will remain free, but you might have to pay up for a new version of Alexa powered by generative AI, Amazon's outgoing hardware chief says.
News
Disney+ sets the table for its own password-sharing crackdown
A revised Disney+ user agreement that specifically forbids accounts sharing is making its way around Canada, and it's bound for the U.S. soon.
Feature
What is Bluetooth LE Audio? A minor wireless audio improvement
The latest update to the Bluetooth standard delivers better connectivity—and a small bump in audio quality compared to the aging SBC codec.
Updated
Can Microsoft's Panos Panay right the Alexa ship at Amazon?
A 19-year Microsoft veteran who ran the company's Windows and Surface divisions, Panay comes to Amazon at a challenging time for its Alexa group.
News
Eufy’s X8 Pro robot vacuum cleans the hair off its own brush
Got pets? If so, the detangling brush on Eufy’s new Clean X8 Pro can keep pet hair from robbing the vacuum of suction power.
News
New Yale Assure Lock 2 smart deadbolts hit stores today
They have keypads, wireless connectivity, and HomeKit compatibility, but support for fingerprint recognition and Apple “home key” tech are mutually exclusive.
News
Eufy's latest cams boast dual lenses, cross-camera tracking
Eufy's security cameras will soon be able to track you from one cam to another, and then splice the footage into a single video.
News
Leviton debuts a smart GFCI outlet
Smart outlets are as common as dirt these days, but this is the first one to include a GFCI feature.
News
Bose’s new Smart Ultra Soundbar delivers AI-boosted dialogue
Virtually identical to its predecessor, Bose’s revamped high-end soundbar uses machine learning to enhance hard-to-hear voices.
Cord-Cutter Confidential
Max's sports streaming plans change everything
The Max B/R Sports add-on has the same sports coverage as TNT and TBS, and that's a big deal.
News
Amazon’s Echo Hub is a wall-mountable smart home control panel
There have been Echo smart home hubs since the first Echo Plus. What makes this one different?
News
Amazon’s new Echo Frames offer better battery life, more styles
The third-generation Echo Frames come with battery battery life, improved audio, and seven new frame designs.
News
Amazon gives us a peek at a generative AI-fueled Alexa
Alexa sounds much more natural with the backing of Amazon’s new LLM, although it also gives off some serious HAL vibes.
News
Amazon announces 3 new accessories for its Blink Outdoor 4
The budget-priced Blink Outdoor 4 home security camera will soon get new add-ons that will extend its range, add battery life, and outfit it with floodlights.
News
Amazon updates its Fire TV sticks, dials up LLM-aided search
Alexa, what’s the name of the comedy show with that guy from “Breaking Bad”?
News
Amazon’s new Echo Show 8 gets spatial audio, smart home hub
The third-gen Echo Show 8 will sound better and control Matter devices, as well as adjust its interface depending on how far away you are.
News
Max is rolling out a live sports add-on tier for $10 a month
The new Max tier will offer a menu of MLB, NHL, NBA, NCAA March Madness, and U.S. Soccer action, provided you’re willing to pay extra.
News
Arlo’s latest security cams aim for lower price points
With its new generation of Essential security cameras and doorbells, Arlo looks to compete with the likes of affordable cam makers Wyze and Blink.
News
Google Nest Hub Max losing support for joining Meet and Zoom calls
If you've been using Google's largest Nest Hub display to join Zoom and Google Meet video calls, you'll need a new option by the end of the month.
News
October Prime Day 2023: What we know so far
Amazon has finally revealed the dates for Prime Big Deal Days, better known as October Prime Day 2023. Here's the latest.
Feature
iOS 17 StandBy mode adds smarts to an iPhone's locked display
The new StandBy mode in iOS 17 brings cool interactive widgets to your iPhone's locked screen, including smart home controls.
News
Focal Bathys users can customize their headphone experience
Mimi Hearing Test integration allows Bathys users to tailor the headphone's performance to their personal hearing. You can buy a new color, too.
News
Bose dials up spatial audio with new headphones and earbuds
The QuietComfort Ultra headphones and earbuds mark Bose's belated entry into the spatial audio arena. Snapdragon Sound with aptX Adaptive is another welcome highlight.
Cord-Cutter Confidential
Spectrum, Disney didn't fix the cable bundle, they just tweaked it
Details on Spectrum's new deal to include Disney+, and why it doesn't change much for TV bundling.
News
Ring’s new Pet Tag can help lost furry friends find home
A QR-stamped Pet Tag can make it easier for good samaritans to guide wayward dogs and cats back home.
News
Apple snuck some smart home news into its iPhone event
The Apple Home app is getting a handy clean-energy feature, while Thread on the iPhone could lead to some intriguing possibilities.
News
Apple's AirPods Pro 2 is getting a USB-C charging case
The new charging case will allow not only charging via a USB-C cable and a power adapter, but also from a USB-C-equipped iPhone.
News
Apple September event 2023: AirPods, HomePod, and more
Word is that Apple will be showing off a new AirPods Pro model alongside the iPhone 15 Pro at its September event. What about the HomePod and Apple TV?
News
iRobot says its new Roombas focus on your home's dirtiest floors
The Roomba Combo j9+ robot vac/mop combo and Roomba j9+ robot vac promise more intelligent automation via Dirt Detective and SmartScrub technologies.
News
NFL Sunday Ticket free trial now available, but there’s a catch
YouTube's 7-day free trial of NFL Sunday Ticket comes with some serious strings attached. Get the details before you sign up.
News
Lutron’s Pico Paddle remote matches its Diva dimmer's aesthetic
The company’s original Pico remotes aren’t going anywhere, but they now look nerdy and needlessly complicated in comparison.
News
Victrola's latest turntables promise hi-res audio over Bluetooth
The new Victrola Hi-Res Carbon and Hi-Res Onyx turntables support Bluetooth 5.4 and the aptX Adaptive codec to deliver 24-bit/48kHz audio streaming.
Cord-Cutter Confidential
The Disney-Spectrum blackout is actually a good thing–really
Why Disney and Spectrum are fighting, and what it means for the future of pay TV.
News
Sonos Move 2 with stereo sound, better battery life unveiled
The widely anticipated Sonos Move 2 will arrive later this month with stereo sound, simultaneous Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections, and improved battery life.
News
Google’s Nest Aware service for Nest cams gets a price hike
Get ready to pay more for Nest Aware and Nest Aware Plus coverage for your Google Nest security cameras.
Cord-Cutter Confidential
Tablo’s new over-the-air DVR is a total reboot
Details on Tablo's fourth-gen DVR, which records over-the-air and free streaming channels with no subscription fees.
News
Philips Hue debuts security cameras and a contact sensor
After weeks of rumors, Philips Hue officially made its move into home security, announcing a trio of security cameras plus a contact sensor.
News
Philips Hue unveils new lights, plus news about its Matter update
Besides its new security cameras, Philips Hue had some new smart bulbs on display at IFA, along with word about its delayed Matter update.
News
Sennheiser unveils a mini version of its Ambeo soundbar
Less than half the size of the Ambeo Plus, the new Ambeo Mini soundbar packs Dolby Atmos and room calibration.
News
Alexa and Google Assistant play nice on new JBL smart speakers
With the arrival of JBL's new Authentics speakers, you can finally use both Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously on a single device.
News