The most innovative TV tech of 2023
2023 was more evolutionary than revolutionary for TVs, but MLA OLED tech and wireless TV set the stage for an exciting 2024.
The most innovative headphones and earbuds of 2023
2023 saw lots of great new wireless headphones and earbuds, but only three of these products were truly innovative.
The most innovative streaming device of 2023
Streaming devices don't get the same sort of major annual updates as other categories, but one still stood above the rest is 2023.
You Asked: Is Dolby Vision a must-have? And how to handle Atmos with irregular ceilings
In this installment of You Asked, we'll break down whether no Dolby Vision is a deal-breaker, how to get Atmos sound with funky ceilings, and plasma upgrades.
Don’t like giant ads on Amazon Fire TV? Then don’t buy one
Amazon Fire TV made a change that causes some users to be forced into full-screen ads and promos. We shouldn't be surprised.
You Asked 12: streaming audio, hotel TVs, and OLED burn-in
In this installment of You Asked, we tackle the wild volume disparity between streaming apps, how to change hotel TV settings, and more.
You Asked 11: throwing shade on OLED, TVs vs. PC monitors
Can sunlight damage your OLED? Why do monitors look better in the store? And is a TV or PC monitor better for gaming and streaming? Let's find out.
The tech behind U2’s mind-bending, spherical reality in Las Vegas
U2 is no ordinary rock band, and the Sphere in Las Vegas is no ordinary venue. We look at what went into making its immersive residency a reality.
Sony’s new PlayStation earbuds are a perfect match — for my Nintendo Switch
Sony's Pulse Explore wireless earbuds are built with PlayStation 5 and PS Portal in mind, but they're a better match for the Nintendo Switch OLED.
You Asked 10: picture calibration, best budget buys, and premium small screens
Why do sports look so terrible on TVs? Why don’t manufacturers calibrate their TVs at the factory? We dive in to this and more in this episode of You Asked.
You Asked: Dolby Atmos and EDID, minimalist soundbars, and HDMI 2.1
Just because content is available with Dolby Atmos doesn't mean you can stream it that way. Learn why, plus why you can stop worrying about HDMI 2.1 ports.
The hidden costs of buying a 4K TV are way higher than you think
It's a great time to buy a 4K TV. But if you want 4K quality, count on spending a lot more every month.
You Asked: plasma TV replacements, cheap OLEDs, and Sharp’s return
Our resident AV expert offers advice on replacing plasma TVs, if cheap OLEDs are worth it, and the surprising return of Sharp TVs
Everyone is missing the point on streaming video
Asking whether streaming video is still worth it is very much asking the wrong question. At least if you care about your own control and flexibility.
You Asked: streaming inequality, Dragon showdown, and holy grail TVs
In the seventh installment of our reader question series, we talk streaming service quality, TV FOMO, and an ultimate sound system showdown.
You Asked: Sonos setups, 5,000 nits, and dumb TVs
In this installment of You Asked, we tackle tricky Sonos setups, how many nits of brightness is too many, and some smart ideas about dumb TVs.
This is as close as we’ll get to a dumb TV anytime soon
It's not quite what folks want in a true dumb TV, but that TCL gives you any option not to use the full Google TV system is a good choice to have.
Which streaming platform has the best screensavers?
Amazon, Apple, Google, and Roku each has good options for screensavers on their various streaming devices. But one platform definitely stands out.
Are Apple TV screensavers real?
Yes, Apple TV screensavers are real. And they're spectacular. (And if you still don't believe us, read on for more.)
Sony just made all other wireless gaming earbuds obsolete
Sony's new InZone Buds are the first true wireless earbuds that meet the bar for a premium, low latency gaming experience.
Sony Bravia X95L mini-LED vs. TCL QM8 QLED: The best LCD TV and the one you should buy
I've already declared the Sony X95L the best LCD I've ever tested, so is comparing it to the TCL QM8 even fair? The answer may surprise you.
Should you buy an obsolete Apple TV?
This probably should go without saying, but we'll say it anyway: Do not buy obsolete hardware with unsupported software. Even if it's inexpensive.
You Asked: Soundbars vs. receivers, TVs with no speakers, and car stereos
We tackle reader questions in the You Asked series of columns. This week, it's soundbars versus AV receivers, speakerless TVs, HDMI bandwidth, and car stereos.
Is Dolby Atmos FlexConnect a potential soundbar killer?
I really want to be excited about Dolby Atmos FlexConnect, but I have some reservations. Here's why I'm skeptical about the new tech.
At Amazon’s annual device event, AI was everywhere — and nowhere
Artificial intelligence essentially is the fuel that powers Amazon Alexa — and any number of other features and services. The trick is making that a selling point.
Wearing Alexa is weird, but Amazon’s new Echo Frames are shockingly comfy
Smart glasses aren't quite a mainstream thing just yet, but Amazon's doing its best to break through with the new Echo Frames.
Everything announced at Amazon’s fall 2023 devices event
With a big focus on AI, Amazon's annual Devices and Services event brought a ton of new devices and features for its products. Here's everything it announced.
The Apple TV remote finder isn’t as good as a case and AirTag
Apple's new built-in ability to find a lost Apple TV remote is free, but it's also not as good as using a remote case and AirTag.
You Asked: Why we don’t buy the TVs we review
We answer the most frequently asked question we get about TV reviews: Why don't we just buy the TVs we review? There are more reasons than you might think.
Sonos Atmos vs. Nakamichi Dragon: beauty and the beast
It's the sleek and sexy Sonos beauty versus the beastly Nakamichi Dragon in a head-to-head comparison of the surround sound systems.
You Asked: How to add a subwooofer to Apple Homepods, Hisense UX review question
In this installment of You Asked, we tackle your questions about the Hisense UX, taking TV temperatures, and accessibility options with optical
Six things we’ve learned so far from MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
MLS Season Pass on Apple TV has been a godsend for die-hard soccer fans — especially now that Messi is here.
How to watch The Weather Channel without cable
The Weather Channel is available on a surprisingly few streaming services. Here's how to watch it if you don't have cable.
You Asked: Why TVs with same model numbers have different specs
You've got more questions about TVs — and other things. And our resident TV expert has answers. And other things.