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.
Wemo shows off HomeKit-enabled Stage smart lighting remote at CES
The wireless, wall-mountable Stage lets you change smart lighting and device scenes at the touch of a button.
Next-generation Bluetooth LE Audio improves sound quality and battery life, and adds audio sharing
The Bluetooth SIG unveiled Bluetooth LE Audio, a new set of Bluetooth capabilities coming to devices and public venues within the next 12 to 18 months.
TCL’s impressive 3.1-channel Dolby Atmos soundbar is on track for 'early' 2020
The Alto 9+ uses acoustic reflectors to deliver immersive 3D sound without upfiring drivers, and it’s also the first “Roku TV Ready”-certified soundbar.
PassiveBolt’s keyless Shepherd Lock lets you unlock your door with a tap
The Shepherd Lock can also sound an alarm and freeze the deadbolt if someone tries to pick the lock.
JBL’s Bar 9.1 soundbar boasts Dolby Atmos, along with truly wireless surround speakers
JBL’s first Dolby Atmos soundbar comes with battery-powered surround speakers that can be placed anywhere in your living room.
Kwikset unveils a new Wi-Fi smart lock with a fingerprint reader
The Wi-Fi-enabled Halo Touch Smart Lock can store up to 100 fingerprints.
WiZ Connected unwraps a remote and a motion sensor for its smart lights
Showing off its latest wares at CES, the smart lighting brand is also bringing energy monitoring to its mobile app.
ADT takes on Nest and Ring with new home security cameras and a video doorbell
The new “Blue by ADT” brand unveiled at CES features ADT’s first standalone home security gadgets, with more on the way.
Samsung’s high-end 2020 soundbars will work together with Samsung TV speakers
Just unwrapped at CES, the latest soundbars from Samsung will also boast onboard Alexa, as well as shorter, narrower designs.
Sengled adds Edison-style filament and E12 candle bulbs to its smart lighting lineup
Also on display at CES: Sengled is showing a smart plug with energy monitoring features, and a next-gen smart hub with HomeKit support.
Vizio shows off a nifty soundbar at CES that has auto-rotating upfiring drivers
When they’re not in use for Dolby Atmos or DTS:X height channels, the upfiring drivers for the Vizio Elevate soundbar can swivel toward the listener in stereo mode.
Nanoleaf unveils an “intelligent” lighting system that learns your lighting habits
Along with its new suite of “Learning Series” lighting products, Nanoleaf has announced a name and a time frame for its upcoming hexagonal light panels.
LG’s premium soundbars add AI room correction and eARC support in 2020
The new top-of-the-line soundbars from LG will automatically optimize their sound according to the acoustics of the room, and they’ll also support lossless audio via their HDMI eARC ports.
C by GE unveils the first hubless smart switches that don’t require neutral wires
GE’s smart lighting brand also announced a wireless motion sensor, plus new wireless dimmers and remotes.
KinderLabs Robotics Kibo robot kit can help teach younger kids to code, no screens required
Kids can program the robot by arranging a series of wooden programming blocks, all without ever touching an iPad.