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.
Alexa finally gets her own iOS home screen widget
Just tap the Ask Alexa widget on your iPhone or iPad home screen to start chatting with Amazon’s voice assistant.
Cree Lighting Connected Max ST19 review: An affordable, tunable, filament smart bulb
Cree’s new vintage filament bulb is both inexpensive and attractive, but it comes with a quirky app and a too-bright minimum brightness.
Alexa now has a male option for its voice; here’s how to enable it
Just days after announcing new celebrity voices for Alexa, Amazon has begun rolling out a default male voice to go along with Alexa’s famous female voice.
Current Echo smart speakers and displays will support Matter, Amazon says
Only a handful of legacy Echo devices won’t be getting a Matter update.
Netflix makes its gaming ambitions clear: The ‘time is right’ to expand into games
Netflix says it will start with mobile games at 'no additional cost,' but didn't tip its hand in terms of timing.
CNN unveils CNN+ streaming service, slated for 2022
CNN+ will offer live and on-demand programming that’s distinct from CNN’s linear TV networks. How much will it cost? Good question.
Wyze unveils single- and multi-color smart LED light strips
Wyze’s new light strips work with Alexa and Google Assistant, with the Pro version capable of displaying up to 16 colors at once.
Ring rolls out end-to-end encryption worldwide, adds authenticator app and CAPTCHA support
Ring’s support for end-to-end video encryption is no longer limited to the U.S., and it now extends to more devices.
Amazon might be prepping a sleep-sensing radar for Alexa
The FCC just granted a waiver to Amazon for a radar with sleep-tracking abilities. Could it be for Alexa?
Roku Streambar Pro review: A solid, Roku-enabled upgrade for your TV’s built-in speakers
Roku’s step-up soundbar arrives with a new virtual surround mode and surprisingly decent audio performance, plus an integrated Roku player and AirPlay 2.
Nanoleaf Elements review: These handsome light panels look great powered on or off
Nanoleaf’s gorgeous Elements smart light panels have a “wood-look” finish, along with a steep price tag.
Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd gen) review: The smallest Echo display gets a modest upgrade
Now equipped with a sharper camera and a proximity sensor, the new Echo Show 5 is better than ever, but the cheaper original remains an enticing alternative.
Lenovo unveils its Smart Clock 2 with a wireless charging dock
The redesigned smart clock still has Google Assistant on board, along with a new wireless charging dock that boasts an integrated night light.
Peacock app finally lands on Fire TV devices, following a 14-month wait
After a lengthy standoff, Amazon and NBCUniversal have hammered out a deal to bring the Peacock app to Fire TV streaming players and TV sets.
Is the Peacock app finally coming to Amazon Fire TV devices? Only this Jello mold knows
The Twitter feeds for Amazon Fire TV and Peacock are teasing an imminent announcement, complete with a familiar looking Jello mold.