Roku’s Wireless speakers will link up with its smart soundbar for true surround
Getting a surround sound system for your home theater is both affordable and easy now that Roku's Smart Soundbar and Wireless Subwoofer work with the company's Wireless Speakers to create a $500 wireless surround system. Though it may not pack the punch of other surround systems, for this price it's hard to knock it.
Sonos CEO tries to calm customers, says products will work ‘as long as possible’
Sonos CEO Patrick Spence has written an open letter to his customers clarifying the company's previous announcement that it will end software updates for older products in May 2020. Though it's not a reversal by any means, it may be enough to calm some of the angry voices on social media outlets.
MicroLED vs. Mini-LED: Which display technology will power your next TV?
Two recent display technologies have been grabbing headlines lately: MicroLED and mini-LED. They both refer to LED, but the way they use light-emitting diodes couldn't be more different. We explain how each one works, who makes TVs that use them, and why there's a massive gap in cost and capabilities.
Sonos users are furious over plans to drop support for legacy products
Having loyal customers is a badge of honor for companies. However, that same loyalty can turn into anger when these customers feel abandoned. Such is the case with Sonos: After announcing that some older products would cease to get software updates in May 2020, users took to social media to share their annoyance.
YouTube TV launches on PlayStation 4 consoles in the U.S.
PS4 users have known for a while that the PS Vue live TV streaming service would be leaving the platform at the end of January. Now we know what will take its place, at least initially: YouTube TV. The flat-rate TV streaming service owned by Google is the first third-party service on Sony's popular game consoles.
Older Sonos devices could lose access to features as soon as May 2020
All good things must come to an end: Sonos has said that some of its oldest products will no longer receive software updates after May 2020, and that features like streaming music will eventually stop working for those who decide to keep them. A trade-in program that lets owners recycle the products is still an option.
AirPods Pros giving you noise-cancellation issues? A fix could come soon
One of the best features of the new Apple AirPods Pro is reportedly giving some owners problems. The active noise cancellation has been negatively affected by a recent firmware update, leaving folks searching for answers. Here's what you need to know about the problem with noise cancellation.
Guest mode abruptly vanishes from Google Home smart speakers
At some point in the last week, Google decided to remove the Guest Mode function from its wireless smart speakers. The move, which Google has not commented on, means that Google Home owners can no longer provide an easy way for their friends to play music on their speakers without sharing their Wi-Fi password.
The best TVs of CES 2020: Samsung, Philips, LG, and more
CES is about all kinds of tech, but the TV is the king of the show, and CES 2020 was no exception. Though it was a year of evolution rather than revolution, the top brands still had plenty on tap, including hands-free voice, stunning image quality and sizes, and new tech that promises to lower prices on great TVs.
With OLED-like quality for less money, TCL’s 6-Series could change TV landscape
Finding ways to match OLED's insanely good picture quality has been a hard task for competing technologies like QLED. This is why the news that TCL's next 6-Series will come with mini-LED backlighting is so exciting: It could mean OLED-like quality at prices that are way lower than we've ever seen.
Sonos is suing Google for allegedly copying its tech — and Amazon could be next
In a classic case of David versus Goliath, Sonos is suing Google over what it claims is theft of its intellectual property. The legal action creates a lot of bad blood between the two companies that have worked together for years on streaming service and voice assistant integrations.
Cable is dying. Can the $50 TiVo Stream 4K save it from extinction?
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. That old adage might be appropriate for cable companies and TiVo, the masterminds behind the most popular DVR in the U.S. As cord-cutting erodes revenues for boh, the new $50 TiVo Stream 4K might be a way to stem the tide by offering cord-cutters a familiar experience.
1More promises personalized audio via the first SoundID-enabled headphones
Can any set of headphones be made to sound better if the audio is adjusted for your age, sex, and personal tastes? That's the belief at 1More which has partnered with audio tech company Sonarworks to deliver the first headphones that can be tuned using Sonarworks' SoundID software, later in 2020.
Hisense’s 2020 TV lineup features hands-free voice and a $6,000 laser TV
Hisense has something for everyone this year at CES 2020, including a more affordable 4K HDR laser TV that shines a 100-inch image, and improvements on its already impressive ULED TVs. Hands-free voice is a new addition on some models, while others get quantum dots and Dolby Vision and Atmos.
TCL’s Vidrian mini-LED display packs thousands of LEDs into a sheet of glass
TCL might not have any new TVs to announce at CES 2020, but that didn't stop the company from talking about the new tech it's working on, like its Vidrian Mini-LED display tech which packs tens of thousands of mini LED backlights into a single sheet of glass. No dates or prices for the new displays have been released.
Sennheiser and Continental turn a car’s interior surfaces into a giant speaker
You can take your preconceived notions of in-car audio and throw them out of a moving vehicle thanks to Sennheiser and Continental. The two companies are showing off a new speakerless audio system at CES 2020 that converts a car's interior materials into an immersive sound system, saving weight and space.
All Sony TVs at CES 2020: 8K LED, OLED, and more
For Sony, 2020 will be the year it doubles down on its collection of excellent TV technologies, bringing many of its top-tier features to more models in its lineup of 4K and 8K TVs. It's also got an intriguing 48-inch OLED TV which is the first time we've seen a 4K OLED TV under 55-inches.
Vizio reinvents its soundbar line, including an Atmos bar with rotating speakers
Think soundbars are pretty much all alike? Take a look at Vizio's new lineup, which includes its new flagship Elevate that rotates its speakers upward automatically for Dolby Atmos sound. With three fully redesigned soundbar series, Vizio's CES 2020 audio showcase is a whole new bag.
Dolby Vision IQ uses a TV’s light sensors for more accurate picture quality
Dolby Labs has a new twist on its Dolby Vision HDR format: Dolby Vision IQ uses information from a TV's built-in light sensors to automatically calibrate picture settings based on lighting conditions in the room. Launched at CES 2020, the new feature will initially be supported by two major manufacturers.
LG’s new Dolby Atmos soundbars use A.I. for automatic room calibration
LG's 2020 collection of soundbars made its official debut at CES 2020 in Las Vegas. The new models feature Dolby Atmos and DTS:X as well as a new feature, supported by A.I., that lets them automatically adjust their settings based on the acoustics of the room.
Samsung Galaxy Buds+: Everything we know following Unpacked 2020
Samsung's Galaxy Buds+ are widely expected to debut in February 2020 as the follow-up to the company's successful Galaxy Buds true wireless earbuds. Here's a round-up of all the latest rumors, including a leaked image which suggests that the new buds will be free with the pre-order of the Galaxy S20+ and S20 Ultra.
Apple AirPods Pro vs. Sony WF-1000XM3: Battle of the best ANC buds
For a while, Sony's WF-1000XM3 stood alone as the only true wireless earbuds to offer active noise cancellation. But Apple's AirPods Pro are now here and they match the Sonys almost perfectly on a price and features basis. But which ones have the features you need, and the sound quality you crave?
Spotify’s free tier now works on Sonos, just in time for Black Friday
With a new software update, Sonos is making it possible to stream Spotify's free, ad-supported tier on Sonos devices using the Sonos app. Previously, the only way to do that was to use Spotify Connect from the Spotify app. The free tier will also work with Google Assistant, but for now, Alexa isn't compatible.
Roku bundles Starz and Showtime for $17 per month just ahead of Disney+ launch
With Disney+ about to make our choice for streaming subscription services both better and worse, Roku has put together a discounted deal on Starz and Showtime. If you subscribe via the Roku Channel, you can get both for $17 per month -- a $3 savings. That price is guaranteed for the life of the subscription.
Jabra Elite 75t vs. Amazon Echo Buds: Whose buds are the best?
Jabra's new $180 Elite 75t is the latest in a long line of excellent true wireless earbuds. But the competition is fierce, and newcomer Amazon has impressed with its $130 Echo Buds. Should you spend the extra $50, or save it? Let's find out as we match up Jabra Elite 75T vs. Echo Buds to see which ones come out on top.
Jabra Elite 75t vs. Apple AirPods Pro: Who makes the better buds?
Can Jabra's latest true wireless earbuds, the Elite 75t, give Apple's AirPods Pro some serious competition, or do they fall short? We put them head-to-head across a range of categories to see if the Jabras' lower price makes them the obvious choice, or if Apple's ANC buds manage to dominate.
Amazon’s Echo Buds might be getting a fitness-tracking feature
Only days after the official retail availability of the Amazon Echo Buds, a newly spotted section of the Alexa app suggests that the $130 true wireless earbuds could receive a fitness tracking feature in the near future. With Google's recent acquisition of Fitbit, it could signal the start of a fitness showdown.
Apple AirPods Pro finally debut at $249 with active noise cancellation
After months of speculation, Apple has released its latest AirPods, the $249 AirPods Pro, which feature active noise cancellation and an IPX4 sweat and water-resistant rating. The new true wireless earbuds have a 5-hour battery life and go on sale today, and are expected in retail stores by October 30.
Amazon Echo Buds review: The best earbuds for Alexa fans
With a huge number of features for the money, Amazon's $130 Echo Buds are one of the best values in a set of true wireless earbuds. Here's our full review.
Anker Nebula Soundbar Fire TV Edition packs 4K, HDR, and Alexa in a $230 speaker
The first soundbar to include the Amazon Fire TV platform is the $230 Anker Nebula Soundbar -- Fire TV Edition, and it's now available for pre-order with deliveries starting on November 19. The 2.1 channel 100-watt speaker features 4K and Dolby Vision HDR and has Alexa built in for smart home control.
TCL starts taking pre-orders for its 4K HDR QLED 8-Series Roku TVs
TCL's top-of-the-line 8-Series 4K HDR QLED Roku TVs are finally available for pre-order, as a BestBuy exclusive. The new TVs come in 65- and 75-inch sizes starting at $1,999. In addition to Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, the 8-Series uses a 25,000 mini-LED backlight for much-improved video performance.
Microsoft Surface Earbuds vs. Apple AirPods: Which true wireless buds are best?
Microsoft's just-announced Surface Earbuds have a unique design and several features that make them a handy tool for Office 365 users, but can they challenge Apple's AirPods for true wireless earbuds supremacy? We put them head-to-head in some key categories like battery life to see which one comes out on top.
Jabra’s new Elite 75t true wireless buds offer 7.5 hours of battery life
In what appears to be a case evolution, not a revolution, Jabra has released the Elite 75t -- the successor to the company's excellent Elite 65t true wireless earbuds. The $200 earbuds improve on the 65t's battery life and comfort, with a few tweaks to the charging case thrown in for good measure.
Sennheiser makes its Momentum Wireless headphones smarter and more affordable
How do you improve on a set of wireless headphones that are already among the best-sounding cans you can buy? Make 'em smarter. That's what Sennheiser has done with the latest generation of its Momentum Wireless noise-canceling headphones. Hands-free operation and voice assistant access are just the start.
Buy the LG Z9 — an 88-inch 8K OLED TV — right now for just $30,000
The biggest, highest-res OLED TV you can buy is now available in the U.S. for just $30,000. That's the price for an LG Signature Z9 88-inch Class 8K Smart OLED TV, which takes its rightful place as the company's new flagship, beside its slightly smaller (and cheaper) 75-inch NanoCell 8K TV sibling.
Sharp claims it will be bringing the world’s largest 8K LCD TV to IFA 2019
Think your TV is big? Sharp wants you to think bigger -- way bigger. Its latest TV is an 8K, 120-inch monster, the biggest of its kind, the company claims. With built-in 5G connectivity, Sharp says it will be suitable for any number of applications, including education and displays of museum-quality art.
TCL’s 6-series Roku TVs are now on sale, with more new sets to follow in 2020
Here are the details on TCL's 2019 lineup of new TVs -- the 8-, 6-, and 5-Series -- and what they'll cost. The new 6-Series is already on sale, and the 8-series with its QLED display and a huge number of mini-LEDs, looks especially promising, but TCL is withholding the 8K versions until 2020.
Vizio updates even 3-year-old SmartCast TVs with AirPlay 2 and HomeKit
Vizio joins LG in updating its smart TVs with Apple's AirPlay 2 and HomeKit technologies. Unlike LG, Vizio is adding these features to a huge range of models, some of which date back as far as 2016. The features are contained with SmartCast 3.0 which starts rolling out to eligible TVs today.