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.
Roku’s voice-enabled features are poised for a boost in an upcoming OS update
Voice search results will become more “visual” following the release of Roku OS 9.3 in April, and video playback will start automatically “when possible.”
Sling TV serves up 14 days of free Sling Blue service for new subscribers who are stuck at home
Watch CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, AMC, FX, and more for free, no credit card or subscription required.
How to turn off (or simply pause) news headlines on your Amazon Echo Show or Google Nest Hub display
If all the grim coronavirus bulletins are taking a toll on your sanity, consider taking a break from news headlines on your Echo Show and Google Nest smart displays.
Now you can ask Alexa if you’re at risk for COVID-19
Just ask, and Alexa will quiz you to determine whether it’s likely you’ve been exposed to the novel coronavirus.
WiZ’s smart BR30 floodlight is easy to set up, boasts more than a dozen dynamic color lighting modes, and it can even turn “dumb” light switches into smart ones.
YouTube Music now displays song lyrics for selected tracks
Both the iOS and Android versions of the YouTube Music app now display song lyrics, although real-time lyrics aren't supported yet.
5 of the most relaxing Spotify white noise playlists for working from home
If you’re stuck at home and stressing out about the coronavirus crisis, these soothing Spotify playlists can help lower your blood pressure.
Amazon Prime Video is finally getting hip to viewer profiles
The new Profile Picker for Amazon Prime Video supports up to six profiles, although it's not available in all territories yet.
Need help washing your hands for long enough? Google Assistant can help
Just ask, and Google Assistant will sing a song while you lather up to make sure you go the full 20 seconds.
Anker’s EufyCam 2 is slated to get HomeKit Secure Video support in April
The HomeKit Secure Video update will allow EufyCam 2 and 2C users to store encrypted security videos on iCloud.
The Kangaroo Privacy Camera has a lens that turns opaque when you’re home
When its lens turns solid gray, you’ll know that Kangaroo’s Privacy Camera isn’t watching you and that its microphone is switched off.
While the growing coronavirus crisis forces the cancellation of one concert after another, musicians have taken to Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to bring their fans together.
How to delete your Alexa and Google Assistant voice recordings automatically
Sure, you can manually delete events from your Alexa and Google Assistant voice histories, but it’s easier to let Alexa and Assistant do it for you.
While Denon’s first DTS Virtual:X soundbar lacks Wi-Fi or voice assistant support, it doesn’t disappoint when it comes to the feature that matters most: Sound quality.
Ring’s new Video Doorbell 3 Plus reveals what happened before motion events
The Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus can show you a four-second snippet of what happened just before a motion event was triggered, a first for a battery-powered video doorbell.