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.
Best Black Friday TV deals: 4K TVs from LG, Samsung, Sony, Vizio, and more
These eye-popping and deeply discounted 4K HDR TVs are calling your name.
We also found some sweet Black Friday soundbar deals from Samsung, Vizio, Yamaha, and more.
Amazon Echo Show vs. Google Nest Hub Max: Which 10-inch smart display should you buy?
The two top smart displays from Amazon and Google go head-to-head.
Wyze unwraps a $1.49-per-month cloud storage plan for its budget home security cameras
Wyze’s new plan undercuts the $3-per-month, per-camera cloud storage plans from rivals Ring and Arlo.
Sling TV is now available on the Google Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max smart displays
Users of Google’s Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max just got another way to watch live TV.
Spotify opens up free music streaming to Amazon Echo, Sonos, and Bose speakers
The move comes just a day after Amazon announced that it would allow iOS and Android users to listen to free Amazon Music tunes.
If you’re stuck in a podcast rut, Spotify’s auto-generated playlist can help steer you toward some new shows.
The $1,500 CineHome Pro system marks the first WiSA-enabled 5.1 speaker set to be THX-certified.
PowerShades’s new smart shades can be controlled and powered using a single cable
The motor in these shades draws electricity from a low-voltage ethernet cable, eliminating the need for disposable batteries or an ugly wall wart.
Logitech’s Circle 2 camera gets support for Apple HomeKit Secure Video
A just-released beta firmware update for the camera, which is among the first to support HomeKit Secure Video, allows users to securely store recorded video clips in iCloud.
Read on for reviews of some of the best bias lighting kits we’ve tested, along with what to look for in bias lighting for a TV.
Ikea unwraps a $10 decorative smart filament bulb
The price is nice, but the new E26 filament bulb requires a wireless “steering” device to work.
Amazon Echo vs. Google Nest: Which of the two big smart platforms is right for you?
The choice between Amazon Alexa-powered Echo devices or Nest gadgets with Google Assistant can be a tough one. We'll help you pick.
Innr Smart Plug review: A cheaper way for Philips Hue users to take control of their “dumb” lights
Small, sturdy, and reliable, the Innr Smart Plug makes for an inexpensive alternative to the new Philips Hue Smart plug.
This compact device does an impressive job of syncing your Hue lights with your TV without any detectable latency, but it’s pricey, and there’s no remote.