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TechHive’s next chapter: Smart home & cord-cutting coverage moves to PCWorld
Since 2017, TechHive has covered smart home tech with passion, authority, and the penetrating detail that DIYers demand. Today, we're announcing a new location for all that great content! Please check out the new home for TechHive on PCWorld.com.
How-To
Home theater hack: Connect a new soundbar to an old TV
Just because you have an aging TV that lacks HDMI ports doesn’t mean you can’t upgrade its audio with a higher-performing soundbar.
Updated
How to get rid of hum and other noise from audio, video systems
Don't let buzz, hum, or hiss ruin your AV experience. We'll show you how to solve common electrical faults and ditch the noise.
Deal
Snag a new Peacock subscription for just $20 for an entire year
This Black Friday deal, carried over to Cyber Monday, earns you a 75% discount on a one-year subscription (or get six months for just $1.99 a month).
Deal
The best Cyber Monday video doorbell deals
Tell porch pirates to ply their trade elsewhere with these Cyber Monday deals on video doorbells.
Updated
Best Cyber Monday deals on Philips Hue smart lights and bundles
Ready to jump into the Philips Hue smart light ecosystem? Check out some steep discounts on Hue bulbs, outdoor lights, table lamps, and more.
Updated
Cyber Monday home security camera deals
There's no better time than Cyber Monday to enhance your home's security profile.
Updated
Best Cyber Monday deals on streaming media players
Get your stream on with streaming video players from Amazon, Roku, and more.
Deal
Black Friday deal: Protect your porch with a Nest Doorbell for 46% off
Google’s wired Nest Doorbell lets you greet visitors and keep an eye on packages, and it’s just $98 for Black Friday.
Deal
Black Friday deal: Amazon’s Echo Dot can be yours for 54% off
At just $22.99, the Echo Dot is selling for its lowest price ever, but you’ll need to act fast.
Deal
Black Friday deal: Scoop up an indoor Ring camera for just $29.99
Whether you’re getting your first Ring cam or adding another camera to your Ring system, this half-off Black Friday deal is too sweet to resist.
Deal
Hulu’s Black Friday deal is back: $0.99 a month for a whole year
Stream "The Bear," "Abbott Elementary," and more for up to 90% off for 12 months. What are you waiting for?
Deal
Black Friday: Snag these glorious Govee string lights for 41% off
Guaranteed to jazz up your dreary back yard, Govee’s Smart Outdoor String Lights 2 are $70 off for Black Friday.
News
FTC eyes smart home makers over software updates
Smart home manufacturers might be breaking the law by not saying how long they’ll support their products, an FTC working group says.
Reviews
iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max+ review: Convenience with compromises
A self-cleaning dock is a welcome upgrade, but the core cleaning leaves room for improvement.
Deal
Max slashed to $2.99 per month in unmissable Black Friday offer
Max's ad-supported plan has been discounted by 70%, giving you streaming access to shows such as Dune: Prophecy and The Penguin for less.
News
Plex’s overhauled app promotes libraries, ditches the hamburgers
The public preview for Plex’s new mobile app puts personal Plex libraries back in the spotlight while losing the cluttered hamburger menus.
News
Amazon just revealed its biggest Echo Show smart display yet
Not only did Amazon revamp its wall-mountable Echo Show 15 with better audio and an improved camera, it also unveiled an even larger version of the display.
Updated
The best robot vacuums of 2024
Vacuuming is one of the most hated household chores. Here are your best choices for outsourcing it to some automated help.
Updated
Best home weather stations: Reviews and shopping advice
Home weather stations are getting more accurate and sophisticated all the time. Follow our buyer's guide to find your own personal meteorologist.
Reviews
Ambient Weather WS-4000 review: Familiar looks, same problem
This is a great weather station, but its less-than-accurate rain gauge leads us to conclude that haptic sensors are not the right technology for measuring rainfall.
News
Disney finally gets this Netflix feature, which makes it even better
Netflix has had top ten lists for a long time, and now Disney is following suit. But Disney does one thing better than Netflix.
Cord-Cutter Confidential
7 things I got wrong about cord-cutting
A cord cutting columnist commemorates 10 years of coverage—and the blown calls along the way.
Reviews
Ecovacs Deebot N30 Omni review: Powerful cleaning, reasonable price
Boasting impressive suction power plus laser navigation, the Deebot N30 Omni cleans, empties its bin, and washes its own mops, all without breaking the bank.
Updated
Irrigreen Precision Sprinkler System review: Waste not, want not
There are a handful of upgrades to this radical new concept in lawn care that puts water precisely where you want it, but it still requires new pipes in the ground.
Best Picks
These are the best smart sprinkler controllers
Whether you’re motivated by water conservation, saving money, a drive to render every aspect of your home smart, or all the above, a smart irrigation controller will scratch that itch.
News
Amazon Prime Video is serving up AI-generated TV recaps
Thanks to AI, you can get recaps of entire seasons, single episodes, or even portions of an episode that you haven’t finished yet.
News
Netflix releases a new, surprising tool. What is the Moments feature?
Moments is a new tool launched by Netflix that allows users to share scenes from series and films. Here's how it works and the devices you can use it on.
News
Alexa, what happened to your big AI upgrade?
We were supposed to be previewing Alexa’s revamped AI smarts by now, but the promised update has yet to materialize.
News
Ready to rock? Vizio’s new soundbar is also a karaoke machine
When it’s not cranking out Dolby Atmos for your latest binge-watch session, the Vizio MicMe will let you sing along to your favorite tunes.
Reviews
Annke Whiffle video doorbell review: A budget-friendly door guard
This straightforward video doorbell focuses on the features that matter most.
Reviews
SwitchBot Meter Pro review: Indoor/outdoor climate reporting
This innocuous gadget gives you a live look at temperature and humidity, indoors and out; but there’s not much more to it.
Reviews
Eureka E20 Plus review: Great at vacuuming, so-so at mopping
The Eureka E20 Plus vacuums like a pro and avoids objects with ease, but puts minimal effort into mopping.
Cord-Cutter Confidential
5 questions to ask yourself before buying a streaming bundle
More streaming services are bundling their offerings together, but be careful what you sign up for.
Reviews
Philips Hue Twilight wake-up lamp review: Rise and shine
This Philips Hue smart lamp will wake you gently on dark mornings, help you relax for sleep, and function as a mood light and reading lamp in between.
News
Ecobee integrates Yale, August smart locks in its security system
Using Ecobee Smart Security? You'll soon be able to incorporate August and Yale smart locks with Ecobee’s thermostat, camera, video doorbell, and sensors.
News
iRobot adds a coveted high-end feature to its budget vacuum line
The latest robot vacuums in iRobot’s affordable Essential series boast a more hands-free experience than previous models.
News
Here’s how Philips Hue could work AI into its lighting scenes
What if AI could create scenes for your Hue lights with some natural language prompts?
Updated
Kwikset Halo Select: One of our fave smart locks gets a refresh
The all-new Kwikset Halo Select offers both Wi-Fi and Matter over Thread connectivity.
Reviews
Imilab EC6 Dual review: Two eyes are better than one
One camera plus two lenses equals comprehensive security coverage.
News
Amazon nixed its cheapest Fire TV player. What's replacing it?
Amazon is culling the Fire TV Stick Lite, its least expensive Fire TV player, and the step-up Fire TV Stick is going away too. Here's what's waiting in the wings.
Updated
Sonos’ new flagship soundbar can’t use these older speakers as surrounds
The Arc Ultra narrows the list of Sonos speakers that will act as surround speakers for the soundbar.
Updated
New Sunseeker robot mowers cover yards (very) large and small
The company is showing its new X3, X5, and X7 Pro mowers at the Equip Exposition in Louisville, KY.
News
Cancelling streaming TV subscriptions is about to get easier
The FTC’s just-ratified “click-to-cancel" rule mandates that it should be just as easy to cancel a subscription as it is to sign up for it.
Best Picks
These are the best robot lawn mowers of 2024
Robots aren't just for cleaning your home's floors anymore, this variety of autonomous machine will keep your lawns manicured—and you out of the brutal sun.
News
Sonos’ new Arc Ultra soundbar packs a secret ingredient
Looking to move on following its botched app relaunch, Sonos is serving up a souped-up successor to the Arc that boasts a promising sound-boosting feature.
News
Roku security camera alerts are coming to TVs, at last
You'll soon be able to get real-time alerts from your Roku streaming player or TV when your Roku smart camera detects activity. A carousal of live camera feeds is also on tap.
Updated
SimpliSafe to use AI to ID prowlers, call police before a break-in
The security service is now using AI to spot prowlers outside subscribers' homes. Using 2-way audio, human agents will warn suspects, dispatch police if needed.
Reviews