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.
You can now share your favorite Alexa routines
Trading clever Alexa routines with friends and loved ones just became a lot easier.
Amazon Music rolls out free podcasts, taking on Spotify
DJ Khaled, Becky G, Will Smith and more are slated to produce exclusive Amazon Music podcasts.
Nanoleaf Shapes – Hexagons review: These touch-sensitive light panels set the mood in any room
The first of its new Shapes series, Nanoleaf’s Hexagon light panels improve on a winning formula.
Bowers & Wilkins unveils its PX7 Carbon Edition wireless noise-cancelling headphones
The headband and earcup arms in the latest edition of B&W’s high-end Bluetooth headphones are fabricated from a carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer.
Spotify now lists virtual concerts by your favorite artists
Want to know when your favorite band is hitting the virtual road? Spotify can help.
Google will reveal new Chromecast and smart speaker in late September
Will the new Chromecast incorporate Android TV and come with a remote? What will the new smart speaker be called, and how much will it cost? We’re about to find out.
How to set up Alexa with an emergency contact
If you need help, you or anyone in your home can ask Alexa to call an emergency contact, but you'll need to pick one first.
IFTTT unveils paid Pro plan, puts limits on free users
The $10-a-month IFTTT Pro plan lets you create unlimited applets with new and advanced features, while capping the number of applets that free users can create at three.
You can now ask Alexa to make calls using your AT&T number
Thanks to Amazon’s new partnership with AT&T, you can basically turn Alexa into a phone.
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.