Plex ends support for home theater PCs with new desktop app
Plex users who have traditionally relied on their PCs as an all-in-one solution for organizing and watching their media collection on the big screen may be in search of a new solution. Plex has announced it's killing off the Plex Media Player app, in favor of a version that no longer supports TV Mode.
Spotify may be considering higher prices for its music plans
Spotify is the world's most popular music streaming service. But would that still be the case if it raised its prices? That's something the company is reportedly thinking of testing on its home turf of Scandinavia, where it enjoys a healthy lead over its streaming music competitors.
The Roku Channel gets five new channels, including the free Fubo Sports Network
The Roku Channel is a great place to search for a variety of free, ad-supported movies and TV shows -- especially handy for cord-cutters who miss their cable subscriptions. But it also has a great collection of free livestreaming options. These now include more sports, news, and comedy, bringing the total to 30.
Spotify’s favorite speaker feature lets your tunes follow you with just a tap
Spotify appears to be testing a new feature that lets users select a favorite Spotify Connect speaker or TV and then have the app automatically prompt you to switch your listening session when it detects that device nearby. It's similar to a feature Apple has promised in iOS 13, with its HomePod.
Ditto lets you watch up to four sources of video at once on an Apple TV
Apple TV's screen mirroring feature is very handy, but also very limited. You can only mirror Apple devices and only one at a time. A new version of Squirrel's Ditto app for tvOS eliminates these restrictions. It's a fee-based service, but for some folks, it could make Apple TV far more useful.
CBS, NBC, ABC, and Fox sue Locast, a free, nonprofit TV streaming service
In a story that his highly reminiscent of the legal battle that ultimately took down Aereo, Fox, CBS, ABC, and NBC are jointly suing Locast, a nonprofit that streams these TV channels for free over the internet. Adding fuel to this fire is AT&T's apparent support of Locast, to the tune of $500,000.
The House of Marley Liberate Air are eco-friendly true wireless earbuds
Is it possible to buy a set of true wireless earbuds that are better for the planet? House of Marley thinks the answer is yes, and that its $150 Liberate Air are indeed that choice. With both sustainable and highly recycled/recyclable materials like bamboo, they certainly look the part.
LG’s short-throw projector TV is an expensive twin-laser beast packing 4K, HDR
We've been waiting since CES 2019 to get the retail details on LG's short-throw laser TV -- the HU85LA -- and now we know: It's bright, it has Google Assistant on board, and it is shockingly expensive at $6,000 -- double what its previous laser projector initially cost.
AT&T will launch yet another streaming service, and we’re utterly confused
If three's a crowd, four must be just right -- at least if you're AT&T. The communications giant will begin trialing a new streaming service dubbed AT&T TV this summer. It's aimed at cord cutters and may use an Android TV box for simpler installations, but beyond that, details are slim.
Awesome Prime Day deals on Apple AirPods, Jabra Elite 65t true wireless earbuds
Amazon Prime Day is almost over but great deals can still be had on wireless earbuds. Now on Amazon, you can score an exceptional deal on a pair of Jabra Elite 65t wireless earbuds for just $114, or a set of the second-generation Apple AirPods for just $145. Hurry! These deals won't last long.
Amazon is reportedly planning a bigger, better Echo smart speaker
There's a lot of competition in the smart speaker space, which may be why reports now say that Amazon is planning a new, better-sounding version of its Echo smart speaker for 2020. The new model would likely compete with the Sonos One, Google Home Max, and Apple's HomePod, for the higher-end of the market.
Google-Amazon truce brings YouTube to Fire TV, Prime Video to Chromecast
After a yearslong battle, Amazon and Google have finally made peace over their two main video products: Prime Video and YouTube. The YouTube app is coming to Fire TV devices, while the Prime Video app on mobile devices will get support for Chromecast devices, as well as compatibility with a range of Android TV products.
V-Moda drops Crossfade M-100 Master, co-engineered with Roland
Following up on the success of its Crossfade M-100 headphones, V-Moda has debuted the Crossfade M-100 Master, a new model that improves on the original with better sound, better comfort, and a new, lower price of $250. It co-created the new headphones with its parent company, Roland.
How to supercharge your Sonos system with the Plex Media Server
Sonos is a fantastic whole-home wireless music system, but there are some things it can't do. Using the powerful Plex Media Server as an alternative source for music playback lets you expand your library, play more formats, and more. Learn all about the benefits and how to integrate the two systems.
YouTube now gives you more control over the videos it picks for you
If you've ever wished for greater control over the videos that show up in YouTube's homepage or Up Next areas, it's your lucky day: The company is bringing new features to its iOS, Android and desktop apps that let you see more relevant content, and ban suggestions from channels you don't like.
Here are Netflix’s picks for the best 2019 TVs for streaming its shows
Each year, Netflix comes out with a list of the TVs it recommends for the best possible Netflix experience. This year, it has added a new criterion known as Always Ready: A TV must keep the Netflix app open, even while asleep, so it's ready to go the moment a user turns on their TV and fires up the app.
Netflix Recommended TVs explained: What to know
What exactly is a Netflix Recommended TV? We take a look at how Netflix tests TVs, what criteria it uses to judge them, and what a Netflix Recommended rating means to you. Is it worth buying a TV with this designation? Which TVs currently qualify? All of these answers and more in our full explainer.
Picture-in-picture reportedly headed to Apple TV in tvOS 13
When tvOS 13 is released to a general audience this fall, it could be sporting a previously undisclosed feature: Picture-in-picture mode. The minimized video windows were spotted in an early developer release of the software and it reportedly only works within Apple's TV App.
Comcast lets people with physical disabilities control a TV with just a glance
It's hard enough when you have a physical disability, but watching TV shouldn't be one of those difficult activities. Comcast is now making it a little easier, by giving people a way to connect their existing assistive devices like eye-glance systems with their Comcast cable boxes.
At 292 inches, Samsung’s The Wall Luxury TV turns any surface into an 8K cinema
What was only a demo at CES 2019 a few short months ago is now a consumer device, but on a much bigger scale: Samsung's The Wall Luxury is a MicroLED display that can scale from a relatively small 73 inches at 2K to a stunning 292 inches in 8K. It goes on sale in July.
Spotify’s Your Daily Drive playlist could crush terrestrial and satellite radio
It had to happen sooner or later: Spotify is debuting Your Daily Drive, a playlist that combines short-form news podcasts from major media outlets with a personalized selection of music to create a custom radio station that is different for each listener. The playlist is currently for U.S. listeners.
Move over, PowerBeats Pro. JLab’s $149 Epic Air Sport have 70 hours of playtime
In the world of truly wireless earbuds, battery life keeps improving. But we weren't prepared for JLab's Epic Air Sport's claimed 70 hours of playtime, especially given their relatively low price of $149. If they've got sound quality to match, they'll be a real contender against the Beats PowerBeats Pros.
Apple gives Beats Solo3 a fresh paint job, but no new features
If you were anticipating that Apple would refresh its aging Beats Solo3 wireless headphones with the same tech it installed in the new AirPods and PowerBeats Pro, prepare to be disappointed. Instead of new features, the on-ear headphones simply received four new color options.
Shazam on Android no longer needs to hear songs to identify them
Normally, Shazam users need to crank up the volume on their internal speaker in order to get the app to ID a song from another app, but a new feature lets Android users give Shazam the ability to listen in on other apps, no microphone required. Called Pop-up Shazam, it's an Android exclusive for now.
With U.S. launch of Stations app, Spotify aims to beat Apple to Pandora’s crown
Spotify might be the dominant music streaming service globally, but in the U.S., it still faces an uphill battle. To add another weapon to its American arsenal, it has launched its stand-alone Stations app. With a stripped-down interface and quick access to music, it's a way for Spotify to highlight one of its best features.
Klipsch Bar 40 and Bar 48 home theater soundbars bring the boom to any TV
In a world that's quickly filling up with budget soundbar options, it's great to see a premium brand like Klipsch throw its hat in the ring with two new products: The Bar 40 and Bar 48. Starting at $299, both are equipped with wireless subwoofers. The Bar 48 can even be expanded into a true 5.1 system.
Ikea creates a physical remote control for Symfonisk and Sonos speakers
With the official retail launch of Ikea's Sonos-powered Symfonisk wireless speakers only weeks away, we now know that Ikea will be selling a small, physical remote control for these speakers. Designed to work with the company's Tradfri smart home system, it will let users play/pause, skip tracks, and adjust volume.
Spotify’s latest experiment is designed to boost podcast discovery
Podcasting has become a rich medium, with hundreds of shows to choose from in dozens of languages. This means that finding new shows to listen to can be a challenge. Spotify is looking into how it can fix that, and a new set of human-curated podcast playlists might be the answer.
Ultimate Ears’ Wonderboom 2 Bluetooth speaker is a super summer sequel
Summer is historically the time for blockbuster movie sequels, so it's appropriate that Ultimate Ears has chosen June for the launch of its Wonderboom 2, the company's follow-up to its tiny but mighty Wonderboom -- a rugged and portable Bluetooth speaker. It's got better sound and battery life for the same price.
Spotify’s secret Social Listening feature could create global listening parties
In what appears to be a secret feature available only to internal employees, Spotify is experimenting with Social Listening, letting friends invite one another to collaborate on music queues in real time both in person or from anywhere in the world. Could this lead to synchronized music parties on a global scale?
Tell Amazon Fire TV Recast which show to record and it does the rest
Amazon's Fire TV Recast, its over-the-air HD receiver and DVR, has been given some new skills: Expanded recording capacity via external hard drives and the option to record your shows on multiple networks, instead of just one -- a handy feature when some channels have clearer reception than others.
Bose’s new noise-canceling headphones make it easier for Alexa to hear you
The long-awaited follow-up to Bose's QC35 II headphones is here: The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700. The new model puts an emphasis on being heard as much as on listening. With the ability for your voice to be heard even in loud environments, it should help assistants like Alexa understand what you're saying.
FuboTV set to stream every game of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in 4K
If you're eagerly anticipating this year's 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, with the return of the triumphant U.S women's team, you should check out FuboTV. The sports-centric live TV streaming service will be the only non-cable way to watch the games in 4K. Each match of the series from June 7 to July 7 will be available.
Boasting only a faster processor, Apple hopes new iPod Touch will lure AR gamers
It's been a very long time since Apple updated its iPod Touch, which means that expectations for a new version -- if it were to come at all -- were very high. Instead, Apple's seventh iteration of its popular portable media player gets a new brain, and more storage, but is otherwise completely unchanged.
LG’s 2019 TVs slide Alexa next to Google Assistant, with Siri on the way
LG has announced that Alexa will be the next voice assistant on its 2019 lineup of ThinQ A.I. TVs, joining Google Assistant. Users will be able to control their TVs and thousands of smart home devices with just their remote, no external speaker required. AirPlay 2 and Siri support is still expected later this year.
FCC filing leaks smaller Samsung Galaxy Home before the first one even launches
Samsung's promised entry into the A.I.-powered smart speaker race, the Galaxy Home, is still nowhere to be seen. But that isn't stopping the company from planning a follow-up device, which will be smaller, and likely cheaper. A new FCC filing gives us a glimpse at what it will look like.
Why you can’t buy Car Thing, Spotify’s first hardware device
After several months of rumors, it's true: Spotify has created a voice-activated, in-car device that lets you listen to music and podcasts. Unfortunately, the Car Thing, as it is known, is not for sale. Instead, the company plans to give it to a limited set of users and use the resulting data to improve its services.
Nura shrinks its personalized sound tech down to wireless earbud size for $199
Following up on the success of its full-size Nuraphone wireless headphones, Nura announced the NuraLoop, a set of wireless earbuds with the same technology, but a much lower price. Featuring tunable active noise cancellation and 16 hours of battery life, they're up for a limited pre-order for $159.