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.
Do Philips Hue smart bulbs need a hub? No, but here's why they're better with one
You can control Philips Hue bulbs via Bluetooth rather than a hub, but here are the features you’ll be missing.
Is CD-quality music streaming about to go mainstream?
Rumor has it that Apple is about to announce a CD-quality music tier at the same price as its current lossy streaming offering. What if Spotify does the same?
YouTube TV yanked from Roku's channel store, but it's not completely gone
Existing YouTube TV users will still be able to stream shows on their Roku devices while Roku and Google work on striking a deal.
Can't decide what to watch? Netflix's ‘Play Something’ button rolls out today
The long-percolating feature will let Netflix users skip the scrolling and start watching a video based on their viewing histories.
Spotify kicks off a podcast subscription service to rival Apple’s
Spotify will let podcasters keep 100 percent of subscriber revenue for a year, but there’s a catch.
Spotify hikes its Premium plan prices in the U.S., U.K., and Europe
Subscribers to Spotify’s family plan in the U.S. will see their monthly rates go up by a dollar.
Roku users may soon lose access to YouTube TV due to Google standoff
Accusing Google of “unfair” and “anticompetitive” behavior, Roku says YouTube TV may soon disappear from its streaming players and devices.
Beginners and bargain hunters will warm to this reasonably priced smart filament bulb, but its lack of sleep/wake modes and IFTTT support will annoy savvier users.
Netflix won’t be ‘turning the screws’ on password sharers—at least not yet
Looks like Netflix will, for now anyway, take a gingerly approach to ensuring that its viewers are also paying subscribers.
The new Siri remote can be added to the first-gen Apple TV 4K as well as the Apple TV HD, but Apple's prices remain stubbornly high.
House of Marley Get Together Duo Bluetooth speakers review: Stereo or mono, your choice
You can use these handsome Bluetooth speakers as a stereo pair, or grab the rechargeable right-hand speaker for some on-the-go tunes.
Apple TV is broken. Here are 4 easy ways to fix it
Apple’s set-top box is treading water when it should be thriving. Here’s how we’d get it back on track.
Amazon's smaller new Echo Buds offer better noise cancellation, wireless charging
Set to arrive next month, the new Echo Buds add wireless charging, a smaller design, and twice the noise cancellation of the original Alexa-enabled earbuds.
Your Roomba is filthier than you think. Here's how to get it completely clean
Think you’ve been taking good care of your Roomba? Think again. Here’s how to do it right.
Wyze just unveiled its new $30 Bluetooth Floor Lamp, and we gave it a quick test drive
The Wyze Floor Lamp can automatically adjust its brightness according to your daily habits, but it can’t connect to Wi-Fi.