Ben PattersonSenior Writer, TechHive
Ben has been writing about technology and consumer electronics for more than 20 years. A PCWorld contributor since 2014, Ben joined TechHive in 2019, where he covers smart speakers, soundbars, and other smart and home-theater devices.
Apple TV app comes to Vizio SmartCast TVs
Vizio’s SmartCast TVs have long supported Apple’s AirPlay 2, but the actual Apple TV app has been a no-show on the SmartCast app store, until today.
Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 review: A $500 soundbar with multi-room audio, but no Dolby Atmos
While it packs DTS Virtual:X and high-resolution multi-room audio, Yamaha's BAR 400 lacks Dolby Atmos support and a center channel.
The Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box just got its own gradient LED lightstrip
The new lightstrip has separate LED segments that can glow in different colors at the same time. Signify is also re-introducing the Philips Hue Iris table lamp.
LIFX’s latest smart bulb boasts germ-fighting LEDs
The $70 LIFX Clean antibacterial smart bulb can emit the same spectrum of HEV light used by hospitals and other “clean” environments, LIFX says.
Panasonic’s gaming-centric SoundSlayer soundbar goes on sale this month
The 2.1-channel soundbar supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, along with a trio of gaming-oriented audio modes.
Lenovo’s pared-down Smart Clock Essential has an old-school LED display
The basic LED on the $50 Smart Clock Essential only tells you the time and temperature, but you can still ask Google Assistant to set an alarm.
Some of Netflix’s most popular movies and TV shows are streaming for free
"Bird Box", "Murder Mystery," "When They See Us" and more available for free now, along with the first episodes of hit TV shows such as "Stranger Things" and "Grace and Frankie."
Soundbar shoppers: Consider these 10 essential features
From Dolby Atmos to eARC, weigh these key features when choosing a soundbar.
Audio Advice’s free interactive 3D tool can help plan your dream home theater
With its drag-and-drop interface, the free Home Theater Designer can help you plan exactly where your screen, speakers, and seats should go.
A Google Nest Hub might join you for your next hotel stay
Google’s seven-inch Nest Hub smart display is about to double as a bellhop.
Netgear’s new Meural WiFi Photo Frame focuses on family snapshots
The Wi-Fi-enabled frame from Netgear-owned Meural syncs with photo albums on your iPhone or Android phone.
Audible unveils a $7.95 all-you-can-listen Audible Plus plan
Audible Plus will give subscribers the run of more than 68,000 hours of Audible content, including audiobooks, podcasts and Audible Originals.
Aura Carver review: This landscape-only photo frame automatically pairs portrait images
The Aura Carver picture frame uses AI to ensure you don’t see letterbox bars when the frame is displaying portrait images.
Zoom will arrive on Amazon, Facebook, and Google smart displays this year
Zoom for Home will debut on Facebook Portal displays in September, followed by Amazon Echo Show and Google Nest displays before the year is out.
Netflix is trying out a 'Shuffle Play' button yet again
Netflix keeps trying to make shuffle happen.