Philips’ kitchen-friendly, 24-inch Android TV finally available for $299
After a long delay, Philips has finally launched its 24-inch Android TV aimed at those who like to watch YouTube videos while cooking in the kitchen. Thanks to the Google Assistant onboard, the $299 TV and smart speaker combo can play all kinds of media without needing to touch the included remote control.
An Apple media super-bundle could launch as soon as 2020
More rumors have emerged that Apple will launch a media-streaming super-bundle that will offer music, news, and video -- and possibly more -- for one low monthly price. It could reshape the streaming world in Apple's favor. But what would such a bundle cost, what would it include, and will the music labels play ball?
Hulu + Live TV is jacking the rates starting December 18
Hulu + Live TV is about to become a lot more expensive. The live TV streaming service majority-owned by Disney costs $45 per month, but will rise to $55 per month starting on December 18. The move comes shortly after Sony announced the January 2020 shuttering of PlayStation Vue, its live TV competitor.
Microsoft Surface Earbuds vs. Amazon Echo Buds: Two takes on true wireless
The true wireless earbud market is getting incredibly competitive, and yet there's always room for more. Here, we take a look at two of the newest entries: Microsoft's Surface Earbuds and Amazon's Echo Buds. They couldn't be more different, so which one should you consider when buying? We have some answers.
Roku OS 9.2: All the new features
Roku OS version 9.2, rolling out to users in October, powers the company’s streaming devices such as the Roku Streaming Stick and Roku Ultra. It has fun new features including brand-new ways to search for your favorite films.
Muse Blocks gives you a physical way to play your digital music
Ever since the disappearance of vinyl and CDs, music lovers have been nostalgic over the loss of physical media. German company Senic thinks it has the solution: Muse Blocks are custom-printed 7x7cm squares that use NFC chips to connect you instantly to your favorite streaming media, whether it's music or movies.
V-Moda’s M-200 studio headphones promise reference-quality audio for $350
Japanese headphone brand V-Moda has released its latest set of over-the-ear cans: The M-200 are a wired set of reference-quality headphones designed to please those with very discerning ears. Aimed at musician and producers, they're Hi-Res Audio certified and come with a new balanced analog audio cord.
The $600 Neeo is a slick touchscreen remote for Control4 systems
Control4 makes some of the best home automation and control systems for high-end households, but its remote controls haven't exactly been works of art and design. That changes with the Neeo, a hybrid remote with a big 3-inch touchscreen. At $600, it's a big add-on, but it brings a wealth of customization.
Roku Express (2019) review: This $30 streamer is all you need
TVs keep getting better and so do the streaming media players that connect to them. But for those on a budget, the new Roku Express represents the perfect formula: A $30 investment that gives you every streaming service imaginable plus a way to search through all that content quickly and easily.
Roku Ultra (2019) review: Fast, flexible, fun
Roku's update to its top-of-the-line Ultra streaming media player brings with it a host of small but helpful features like customizable remote buttons, faster performance, and new search tools. It's still missing Dolby Vision support, but the $100 Roku Ultra is one of the best media streamers you can buy.
New Roku Streaming Stick+ adds a mute button, cuts price to just $50
Roku has quietly dropped the price on its popular Streaming Stick+ 4K HDR streaming device to just $50 -- the same price as its biggest competitor, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K. The move comes as Roku revamps its lineup of devices and becomes the first non-Apple streaming platform to get the Apple TV app.
New Roku Ultra, Express streamers are faster and more customizable
Roku's new streaming devices include a faster and more customizable Roku Ultra, plus a slimmed-down Roku Express. And Roku OS 9.2 has some cool upgrades, like the ability to find movies with just a quoted line of dialogue and an improved user interface.
You can now print your own photos on JBL’s Bluetooth speakers and headphones
Looking for that extra-special gift this holiday season? How about a Bluetooth speaker or a set of headphones custom-printed with your own photo? JBL is offering that ability through its website on six of its wireless products. There's a premium for the service and a few restrictions too.
LG OLED TVs just became the best TVs for gaming with Nvidia G-Sync support
LG's OLED TVs have always been a step above for gamers, but their advantages grow this week with the release of a firmware update that will give all 2019 OLED TVs compatibility with Nvidia's G-Sync technology for variable refresh rates. It's the first time a TV maker has added G-Sync, which is designed for PC gaming.
Sonos trade-up offer gives you a 30% discount when you recycle older products
Sonos has created a trade-up program for owners of some of its older products. Those who agree to put their old devices into a recycle mode that effectively disables them from being used can get a 30% discount on the purchase of a new Sonos product. Some covered products were sold less than a year ago.
Deezer launches Sony 360 Reality Audio with a new stand-alone app
To highlight the addition of Sony's 360 Reality Audio format to its catalog of music, streaming music service Deezer has created a new stand-alone streaming app for iOS and Android that creates a single experience for its Hi-Fi tier subscribers who want to focus on the new surround-sound music option.
Nvidia has brought out two new media streamers, the Shield TV and Shield TV Pro
Nvidia hasn't updated its Shield TV for a few years, and now the wait is over. Nvidia has officially launched the new $150 Nvidia Shield TV, which features an unusual cylindrical form-factor, and the $200 Shield TV Pro, both with Dolby Vision, 4K, and a redesigned remote. We've got all the details on the new models.
Apple TV app hits Amazon Fire TV devices in preparation for Apple TV+ launch
With only a week left before the planned launch of Apple TV+, Apple formally added its TV app to Amazon's Fire TV platform, beginning with the Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick 4K. Eventually, all current Fire TV devices will get the app, too. The move marks a major increase to the number of viewers Apple can access.
Comcast clarifies its free Xfinity Flex offer for internet-only customers
After reports emerged that not every Comcast internet-only customer was able to take advantage of the free Xfinity Flex deal, the company has clarified the timelines for those who do not rent their equipment from Comcast. Though these customers will still get the Flex box for free, they'll have to wait a little longer.
How to score a free Google Home Mini if you’re a Spotify Premium subscriber
Following up on its super-popular Google Home Mini giveaway from 2018, Spotify is back with another freebie, this time giving away free Google Home Minis to all of its U.S.-based Spotify Premium members, while quantities last. Want to know how to get your free smart speaker? We have all the details.
Google Pixel Buds 2 vs. Google Pixel Buds: Are the new wireless buds better?
Google's new Pixel Buds 2 are here, and they mark a significant redesign from Google's first wireless earbuds, the Pixel Buds. What are the differences? How much do the new Pixel Buds 2 cost? And should you be looking to upgrade? We've got all the answers in our head-to-head feature comparison.
Amazon Music now has an app for Apple TV. Here’s how to use it
Amazon Music is now available on the Apple TV platform thanks to a new version of the app designed specifically for the media streaming box. It gives users access to all of the same content as on their phones, including the scrolling lyrics function. Could this be a sign that Amazon Music is heading to Apple's HomePod?
You’ll soon be able to stream songs in Sony’s 360 Reality Audio format
The next big thing in music is coming sooner than we thought. Sony has announced that its 360 Reality Audio immersive music format is coming to Tidal, Amazon Music HD, and other services this fall. All you'll need to experience it is a set of headphones and a compatible streaming app for your phone.
Apple TV app now available on select Roku devices, Apple TV+ coming November 1
The Apple TV app is now available for Roku users to download and add to their media streamers. Though not supported by all of Roku's devices -- some as recent as 2016 will not access Apple TV -- the announcement is nonetheless an important step as it also includes access to Apple TV+, Apple's subscription service.
Skullcandy Vert are wireless earbuds designed for a skier’s gloved hands
True wireless earbuds like the Apple AirPods might be the most popular audio accessory right now, but when tucked under a helmet -- with gloved hands -- they are not very convenient. Skullcandy's $80 Vert wireless earbuds solve that problem by putting a large, glove-friendly control where you can reach it.
Sonos experiments with monthly rental option in the Netherlands
For those who prefer to rent instead of buying their home theater gear, Sonos now has a rental option for those who live in the Netherlands. Called Flex, the program gives customers the choice of three Sonos configurations starting at 15 euros per month, which can be canceled or modified at any time.
The Spotify-Siri integration that Apple users have been asking for is here
After years of waiting, a new Spotify update adds the ability to use Siri to summon up your favorite artists, album, and tracks. The feature works on mobile devices with iOS 13, including vehicles equipped with CarPlay, and there's also a new Spotify app for Apple TV and Apple TV 4K.
Walmart-exclusive Roku soundbar and sub put price before performance
The new Roku Smart Soundbar and Wireless Subwoofer are great ways to add streaming smarts and better audio quality to any TV setup, but at $180 each, they're still not affordable for everyone. Walmart's exclusive versions of these products fix that, but the performance and features have taken a hit.
The next-gen TiVo Edge DVR will provide 4K, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos … eventually
Images have leaked of what purportedly is TiVo's next DVR, called TiVo Edge. With a design guaranteed to be less controversial than the current Bolt series, the new model will also support Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. However, streaming app providers will have to update their apps to make them work.
Fox Sports’ Thursday Night Football goes 4K HDR for the first time
For the first time, NFL fans will be able to watch the Thursday Night Football matchups in 4K and HDR. Fox Sports, which won the rights to the live broadcasts in 2018, will be making the ultra-high-definition video available via traditional satellite and cable companies, and via several streaming services.
TiVo debuts the Edge DVR and TiVo+, its own livestreaming service
TiVo is back with the TiVo Edge, a new 4K DVR that also packs Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos technologies. Available in cable and antenna versions, the two models are joined by TiVo+, the company's answer to free streaming content like the Roku Channel and Amazon Channels. The new DVRs start at $350.
Marshall updates its Major III wireless headphones with Google Assistant
Improving on a popular product is always risky, but Marshall seems to have gambled and won with its new $169 Major III Voice, an update to its wireless Major II headphones that adds both Google Assistant access and an enormous boost in battery life. Here's what we know about the new cans.
Pandora revamps its mobile apps with more personalization and unique content
Pandora has a new mobile app experience for iOS and Android that puts a heavier emphasis on personalization, discovery, and the company's unique content and features. It leans heavily on its podcasts and SiriusXM shows while giving users new ways to tweak what they hear on the app's Stations.
You can now buy Klipsch’s new WiSA-certified wireless home theater speakers
First shown off at CES 2019, the new wireless home theater speakers from Klipsch let you create anywhere from a 2.0 to a 7.1 surround sound system without the use of wires, or even an A/V receiver. The WiSA-certified models include bookshelf monitors, a center channel, and a subwoofer.
You can finally watch YouTube TV on Amazon Fire TV devices
Due to a very public spat between Amazon and Google, it was impossible to watch YouTube TV on an Amazon Fire TV device. But after a reconciliation earlier this year, that has now changed, with Amazon announcing full support for Google's live-TV streaming service on all but two of its Fire TV streamers.
Dolby Atmos Music will make its streaming debut on Amazon Music HD
Dolby Labs has been telling us that its Atmos Music is going to revolutionize music for years. But with precious few ways to experience it, it was hard to get excited. A new partnership with Amazon Music changes everything as Atmos Music will finally be able to be streamed.
Spotify’s new personalized playlists deliver your favorite tunes with one tap
In the streaming music wars, Spotify is still the king, and its music discovery playlists are a big reason why. Its latest playlists go in the other direction, mining users' play history on the service to dig up the most-listened-to tracks from both the last 30 days as well as the less recent past.
Here’s how to get tvOS 13 with Apple Arcade for your Apple TV
After a long wait, tvOS 13, with its many new features, is finally here for Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD users. With a new home screen, multiple user accounts, Apple Arcade, and a revamped Apple Music experience, it's a big upgrade. What does tvOS 13 include and how can you get it right now? We have the answers.