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.
Hands on: BodyGuardz’s portable video peephole could be perfect for apartment dwellers
Set to arrive in January, the $280 battery-powered Portable Over-Door Camera works with Alexa and Google Assistant, and you can install it in seconds, without tools.
Looks like Facebook decided to come clean about how it’s been handling—or mishandling—audio recordings from its Portal devices on the same day that it’s announcing an updated set of Portal gadgets.
Amazon takes on Tidal, Deezer, and Qobuz with Amazon Music HD: a high-res music service
Available starting today, Amazon Music HD boasts more than 50 million songs with lossless CD-quality sound, plus “millions” more with better-than-CD “ultra HD” sonics.
The Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box lets you sync your Hue lights with your TV
Coming next month, the device will let you sync up to 10 Hue lights with your display, making it look like the TV’s colors are bleeding onto the wall.
While we like the standard surround-sound modes on this budget-priced soundbar, we aren’t fans of its harsh-sounding DTS Virtual:X implementation.
Broan’s upcoming SurfaceShield bathroom fan kills germs with bacteria-zapping LEDs
Broan-Nutone’s upcoming SurfaceShield ventilation fans boast LED illumination that's designed to destroy bacteria, fungi and mold.
Alexa Answers program goes public, allowing anyone to answer Alexa questions
Amazon just threw open the doors to a formerly invite-only program that allows users to answer Alexa queries that the digital assistant doesn’t yet know.
Bowers & Wilkins' Formation Flex speaker promises high-end wireless audio in a HomePod-style design
Due to arrive later this month, the latest mesh speaker in Bowers & Wilkins’s Formation line supports AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Roon, and Bluetooth.
Anker Soundcore Motion+ Bluetooth speaker review: Big sound in a rugged, compact package
This $100 Bluetooth speaker could do with a little more high-end detail, but its attention to mid-range audio pays dividends when it comes to delivering rich, robust sound.
Netgear sets a $700 price tag (ouch) for its upcoming Orbi Wi-Fi 6 mesh network system
The future is now as far as Netgear’s latest Wi-Fi mesh network system is concerned, with the Wi-Fi 6 Orbi RBK852 slated to land in stores next month.
The revamped photo frame from Netgear-owned Meural promises better Wi-Fi, greater energy efficiency, and even an optional subscription service of digital masterpieces.
Lenovo doubles down on its Google Assistant-powered Smart Display line with a new 7-inch version
Slated to ship in October, the Smart Display 7 comes with slimmed-down bezels, stereo speakers, and an ambient light sensor.
The audio gurus at Sonos have finally jumped into the portable Bluetooth speaker arena, and from what we’ve seen—and heard—the Move should be worth the wait.
Hands-on with the Philips Hue Smart button, Smart plug, vintage-style filament bulbs, and more
The $20 Smart button makes it easy to control your Philips Hue lights, and it arrives alongside the first Philips Hue Smart plug, vintage-style LED filament smart bulbs, and an updated Philips Hue Go portable light.
Amazon took the stage at IFA with an all-new version of its hands-free streaming media player, along with a Fire TV Edition soundbar from Anker.