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.
More bad news for Microsoft’s Cortana as Johnson Controls’ GLAS Smart Thermostat nixes support
One of the few smart home devices to offer full-on Cortana integration is dropping it in favor of Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Waking your TV with a smart speaker? It could be inflating your energy bill
If you’re using a smart speaker to turn on your TV via voice commands, you might unwittingly be doubling the overall power usage of your TV set.
Samsung says its Galaxy Home smart speaker is very much alive, despite its absence at Unpacked
After the long-awaited, Bixby-powered speaker failed to show at Unpacked 2019, Samsung promises that the Galaxy Home is still in the works.
PicoBrew’s MultiBrew beer-brewing appliance will make coffee, tea, and more at the push of a button
For years, PicoBrew has made it easy to brew your own craft beer with its push-button Pico devices, and now it’s looking to pour you the perfect cup of coffee.
Is anyone home? Samsung's Galaxy Home smart speaker is a no-show at Unpacked 2019
It’s been about six months since we’ve laid eyes on the Samsung Galaxy Home, and now it appears we’ll have to wait even longer for another sighting.
Altice USA and Devialet team up for a pricey Alexa-powered smart speaker
The makers of one of our favorite speakers has joined forces with a big U.S. cable carrier for a luxurious Alexa-enabled speaker, but it’ll cost you a pretty penny.
How to keep Amazon, Apple, and Google from listening to your Alexa, Siri, and Assistant recordings
Amazon Echo and Google Home users can shut the door on “human review” of their voice recordings. Also: how to wipe your Siri history off of Apple's servers.
Amazon Dash buttons are going away for good, but there are alternatives
Physical Dash buttons are on the way out, but there are alternatives for quickly reordering items from Amazon, from “virtual” Dash buttons to the Dash Wand.
Nanoleaf’s Canvas smart light squares are poised to take charge of all your HomeKit devices
An update to the Nanoleaf app for iOS will add Touch Actions, a feature that lets you tap specific Canvas light squares on your wall to control your various HomeKit devices.
You just bought a new Amazon Echo device? Do these 6 things first
Get the scoop on how to train Alexa to recognize your voice, prevent unauthorized purchases from Amazon, tell it where you live and work, and more.
Samsung’s post-Prime Day TV and soundbar deals include its gorgeous 8K QLED TV
Think 4K video looks amazing? Wait until you feast your eyes on Samsung’s 8K QLED TV, which is getting an impressive discount in the wake of Amazon Prime Day.
Amazon’s Echo Connect lets you make landline calls with your Echo devices, and it’s just $20 today
Making iPhone and Android phone calls with Alexa is a snap once you fiddle with the right settings, but did you know the Alexa/Echo combo works with landlines, too? All you need is an Echo Connect.
Scout’s $99 video doorbell promises to detect people rather than cars
The makers of a new, bargain-priced smart doorbell claims it's found a better way of detecting people on your doorstep, as opposed to cars or critters.
This cutting-edge 65-inch OLED 4K TV from LG just got a $1,300 discount
Not to be outdone during Amazon’s Prime Day event, Newegg just teed up a steep discount on one of LG’s newest OLED 4K TVs.
Keep an eye on your valuables with all-time-low prices on Tile Bluetooth trackers
If your keys, wallet, or laptop (ugh!) have an evil tendency to disappear just when you need them, these diminutive Bluetooth trackers can help you pin down their hiding place.