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.
Ledworks’s animated Twinkly LED string lights are about to get hip to music
The makers of the popular string lights, which you can “paint” with color using a mobile app, are about to launch an accessory that lets the lights pulse to your music.
C by GE’s new hubless, no-neutral-wire-required smart switch: How did they do it?
We take a peek behind the technology of C by GE’s new, no-hub smart switches and dimmers, which don’t require neutral wiring to work.
Philips Hue unwraps three new outdoor lights designed to show off your home and garden
Signify’s smart lighting brand is also taking “zone” lighting out of beta and adding voice and IR control to the Hue Play HDMI Sync Box.
LIFX adds a new filament light, smart switch, and candle bulb to its smart lighting portfolio
The Wi-Fi smart bulb maker has also given its mobile app a top-to-bottom makeover.
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.
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.
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.
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.