5 things you didn’t know your Google Assistant smart speaker could do
Google Assistant smart speakers have a lot of features you might not know about, like the ability to listen for breaking glass.
Apple to ditch its HomePod smart speaker but stick with mini version
Apple is done with its pricey HomePod smart speaker, choosing instead to focus on the smaller and cheaper HomePod Mini device.
Got a song you love on your Echo? Alexa users can now share it with friends
Amazon's new feature lets you share your favorite music with friends. When listening to a song, just say "Hey Alexa, share this song" to beam it to a contact.
The best Cyber Monday smart speaker deal you can shop today
The Google Nest Mini is frequently discounted throughout the year, but today's Cyber Monday deal brings it down tremendously to make it an irresistible buy.
I didn’t think the HomePod mini could replace my soundbar — but it did
Sometimes you need better audio than your TV can muster. The HomePod mini provides exactly that, while also serving as an able replacement for soundbars.
Ampere’s Shower Power Speaker is completely powered by the flow of water
The new Shower Power speaker by Ampere is made out of 100% recycled ocean plastic and is powered entirely by your shower itself.
Acer’s Halo Smart Speaker with Google Assistant dazzles with its light-up base
The Halo Smart Speaker from Acer is a Google Assistant-powered device that uses DTS Sound to fill space with music, while RGB lights on the base bring style.
Early Prime Day Deal: Save $100 on Bose Home Speaker 500 with Alexa
Amazon has cut the price on the Bose Home Speaker that has not only Amazon Alexa, but Google Home built right in. Save $100 off the standard price of $400.
HomePod Mini: Everything we know about the Apple’s next smart speaker
Apple has given no official statement on a HomePod Mini, but the rumor mills are churning with information on its design, pricing, and availability.
Google Nest Audio is a proper successor to the aging Google Home smart speaker
The Google Nest Audio is focused on making sure you're impressed by its audio quality thanks to upgrades under the hood that make it perfect for audiophiles.
Amazon goes spherical for its refreshed Echo smart speakers
At Amazon's September event, the company introduced a refresh to its Echo line of smart speakers, which surprisingly features a new spherical design.
Smart speaker or smart display: Which should you buy?
Smart displays are incredibly functional, but it may not be worth the cost if you don't frequently use the added features.
Having a backyard bash? Your smart speaker could pose a security risk
Smart speakers may be great choices for controlling your smart home, but they aren't the best picks for outdoor party speakers. Here's why Bluetooth is better.
The next Google Home needs more than just better audio quality to be successful
The original Google Home has been on the market for four years without any sign of an upgrade, but a new one may be imminent. We speculate on possible features.
The Samsung Galaxy Home is still MIA. Will it ever be released?
The Samsung Galaxy Home has missed numerous deadlines and has lost its "coming soon" page. Samsung has provided no official statement.
HomePod problems Apple should fix
Considering purchasing Apple's HomePod? Though it has several perks, there are still some major problems that make Apple's HomePod smart speaker undesirable.
Marshall adds the compact Uxbridge Voice to its smart speaker lineup
Marshall has announced the newest addition to its smart speaker family, and it happens to be the smallest. The Uxbridge Voice will be available in early April.
Huawei’s cylindrical Sound X smart speaker has a French connection
Huawei has partnered with French audio experts on the Sound X speaker. Its sound quality will surprise you.
Alexa is listening to your chat more than you think, study suggests
A new study has shown that unintended activations of smart speakers could occur as many as 19 times a day, with the longest activations lasting up to 43 seconds.
Use your smart speaker to make Valentine’s Day a little sweeter
This year, there's no better wingman for your Valentine's Day than Alexa or Google Assistant. Here's how to use your smart speakers to light a spark this February 14.
Royole’s smart speaker has a cool wraparound display, but is it worth the price?
We've seen a lot of cool stuff at CES 2020 so far, but the new smart speaker by Royole is pretty special. The Mirage Smart Speaker works with Alexa, just like an Amazon Echo, but instead of being wrapped in fabric, it has a touchscreen display. It also has a 5MP camera and a passive bass radiator.
Microsoft’s latest patent reveals a Skype-enabled smart speaker
A new Microsoft patent suggests the company might be preparing to release a new Skype-focused smart speaker. Last month Microsoft filed a patent for an iPhone-focused "Skype dock." The new device would have a built-in projector that allows for 3D reconstructions during Skype calls.
Samsung Galaxy Home is a no-show in 2019, but that may be a good thing
Initially pegged for a spring 2019 release, the Samsung Galaxy Home smart speaker ended up being a no-show in 2019. Samsung's experience signals what we already knew about the premium segment of the smart speaker market -- it’s tough to crack, even if you're an established company.
Metal-bodied Huawei Sound X Smart Speaker expected to launch soon
A spec sheet for a new Huawei smart speaker has leaked on Weibo and it shows the first images of the long-rumored Huawei Sound X. The speaker is expected to be announced in late November alongside the Huawei MatePad tablet, but specific details about the smart speaker are still scarce.
Amazon teases its Echo Studio ahead of release at a swanky space in NYC
The Amazon Echo Studio is being previewed ahead of its official release in the Big Apple. New Yorkers can experience the incredible audio fidelity of the speaker before everyone else at the Echo Studio installation at Dolby SoHo, located on 477 Broadway.
Google Home owners claim a recent update has left their devices unusable
A firmware update for Google Home smart speakers has caused real trouble for some owners as it appears to have rendered their devices useless. Some of those affected claim to have resolved the issue with a factory reset of the speaker, while Google says it’s investigating the issue.
Google Nest Mini hands-on review: New name, few changes
Google's new Nest Mini looks a lot like the older Google Home Mini speaker, and that's not the only similarity. Despite the new name, the Nest Mini is only a minor revision of its predecessor, and the focus is still on Google Assistant.
Google brings out the new Nest Mini, an upgrade of the Google Home Mini, for $49
Google unveiled its newest smart speaker, the Nest Mini, at its Made by Google 2019 event. The new version of the Google Home Mini looks very similar to its predecessor, but it's got some impressive new features to go along with its new name, as well as an attractive price.
You can finally make Duo calls with Google Home smart speakers
You can now make Google Duo calls with Google Home speakers. Duo works with display devices like Google Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max in all countries and languages where Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max are sold, and on smart speakers like Google Home, Home Max, Home Mini. You can call speakers in your home, too.
With Cortana in a coma, Microsoft’s smart home ambitions look bleak
Microsoft’s Surface event on Wednesday showed all of us yet again that there’s always one more thing to get excited about. But there was no mention of Cortana, Microsoft's oft-forgotten voice assistant.
5 ways that future A.I. assistants will take voice tech to the next level
Since Siri debuted on the iPhone 4s, voice assistants have gone from sci-fi gimmick to the basis for smart speaker technology found in one in six American homes. But what will it take to drive these A.I. assistants to the next level? Here are 5 challenges just waiting to be solved.
The HomePod launch was a letdown. Can Apple deliver a smaller, cheaper version?
The Apple HomePod smart speaker was not only late to come to market, but the device is expensive, complicated, and dying on the vine in the smart home market. A mini version, though -- one that's cheaper, easy to use, and versatile -- could be just what the company and its fans need.
LG might be going head-to-head against Amazon with its next smart speaker
Covering digital technology is sometimes a Sherlock Holmes game, since we just discovered that a Dutch venue managed to dig up some new patents filed by LG just ahead of the IFA 2019 technology show in Berlin that indicates the company might launch a bunch of new smart speakers this week.
Chinese search engine Baidu surpasses Google as 2nd-largest smart speaker vendor
Chinese company Baidu has jumped ahead of Google in terms of the number of smart speakers sold, according to a recent report from the research firm Canalys. Baidu has seen a year-on-year growth of 3,700% and continues to dominate the domestic smart speaker market in China.