Huawei’s new A.I. speaker looks an awful lot like the Apple HomePod
Huawei’s new A.I. speaker looks an awful lot like the Apple HomePod
When Huawei introduced its first smart speaker, the company clearly took a lot of inspiration from the Google Home. In China this week, the company revealed its newest smart speaker, the Huawei A.I. Speaker. This one also bears a striking resemblance to another smart speaker, this time the Apple HomePod.
Honeywell Smart Home Security Starter Kit Review
Honeywell Smart Home Security Starter Kit Review
Despite its high price, the Honeywell Smart Home Security Starter Kit offers great value, bringing together home security, a network camera, and Alexa-enabled control in a comprehensive, easy-to-use package. We got a chance to test drive the system and came away mostly impressed.
JBL Link View review
JBL Link View review
If you want to use more of your senses with your smart speaker – say, sight and touch – the JBL Link View with Google Assistant is pretty handy. The screen gives you access to some information more quickly, while still relying on convenient voice commands for most of its interactions.
Amazon Echo Dot (2nd generation) review
Amazon Echo Dot (2nd generation) review
The Amazon Echo Dot still holds up as a great introduction to smartifying your home. And at $30, it's more affordable than ever. Read more in our review.
Anker Soundcore Infini soundbar review
Anker Soundcore Infini soundbar review
Best known for its battery chargers, Anker has expanded into audio in a big way in recent years with its Soundcore lineup, including Bluetooth speakers, headphones, and soundbars. The latest example is the Soundcore Infini soundbar. At just $99, it makes for a very affordable add-on to your entertainment setup, but is it worth the cash?
Vizio is bringing Dolby Atmos to your living room without any setup headaches
Vizio is bringing Dolby Atmos to your living room without any setup headaches
Dolby Atmos object-based surround sound is great, adding a new dimension — height — to your home theater experience, but it can be tricky to set up. Vizio’s new home theater sound systems offer all of the good parts of Atmos without the troublesome setup challenges of some other systems.
Score a refurbished Sonos Playbar for $150 off while supplies last
Score a refurbished Sonos Playbar for $150 off while supplies last
One way to get better sound out of your TV (without going through the trouble of setting up a surround sound speakers) is to buy a soundbar. The Sonos Playbar is one of our favorites, and you can now score a professionally refurbished model for $150 off while stock lasts.
Hands-on with Sennheiser’s seriously impressive Ambeo virtual surround soundbar
Hands-on with Sennheiser’s seriously impressive Ambeo virtual surround soundbar
Sennheiser first showed off its Ambeo 3D virtual surround soundbar at CES at the beginning of the year, but now that we’ve had more hands-on time with it at IFA, we’re more impressed than ever, and convinced that it might be the best virtual surround soundbar we’ve encountered to date.
Sony’s latest portable speaker brings Google Assistant to the party
Sony’s latest portable speaker brings Google Assistant to the party
If you’re looking for a smart speaker but can’t get enough bass, Sony’s new SRS-XB501G might be for you, with impressive battery life, Google Assistant built-in, and the ability to take the speaker just about anywhere thanks to weatherproofing and Bluetooth connectivity.
Marshall Kilburn II hands-on review
Marshall Kilburn II hands-on review
You’ll have to speak up, because we’ve been testing the Marshall Kilburn II Bluetooth speaker -- and it’s shockingly loud. Designed not just for indoors use, this speaker has a battery inside that makes it ideal for outdoor use too. Aside from the volume, how does the Kilburn II sound and perform?
The Boom 3 and Megaboom 3 aim to make great speakers even better
The Boom 3 and Megaboom 3 aim to make great speakers even better
If you're looking for the power to pump up the party in a portable package, Ultimate Ears' Boom and Megaboom 3 speakers have been among the best options for years now, and with the new Boom 3 and Megaboom 3, which boost the bass and bring a visual overhaul, they're better than they've ever been.
TV speaker buying guide: Everything you need to know
TV speaker buying guide: Everything you need to know
This TV speaker buying guide clearly sets out your speaker options to boost your TV audio for more explosive sound and clearer dialog. Learn about soundbars, soundbases, powered speakers, and home-theater-in-a-box systems, and pick what you think will be best for your space and listening style.
Riva Audio’s Concert and Stadium are smart speakers with an emphasis on sound
Riva Audio’s Concert and Stadium are smart speakers with an emphasis on sound
When we've gotten our hands on speakers from Riva Audio in the past, we've been impressed, so we expect that to remain the case with the company's new smart speakers, the Concert and Stadium, both of which are the first third-party speakers to feature the complete Alexa communications suite.
LG ThinQ WK7 review
LG ThinQ WK7 review
There’s a lot to like about the LG WK7 smart speaker with ThinQ technology. It offers solid sounding bass and vocals, and gets the job done as a Google Assistant smart speaker. We tested the speaker out to learn more about LG’s latest effort, which also happens to be a pretty affordable option for those seeking more thump.
Google may release a digital display smart speaker in time for the holidays
Google may release a digital display smart speaker in time for the holidays
When it comes time to do your holiday shopping later this year, you might end up throwing a brand new Google speaker into your shopping cart. According to the Nikkei Asian Review, Google is planning to release a new smart speaker that comes equipped with a digital display, just in time for the holidays.
Samsung’s Harman buyout could prove its worth in new Dolby Atmos soundbars
Samsung’s Harman buyout could prove its worth in new Dolby Atmos soundbars
In 2017, Samsung bought out audio powerhouse brand Harman, which itself owns a ton of major audio brands. Now it seems that purchase may be paying off, as Samsung is launching two new Dolby Atmos-enabled soundbars that can make for maximum immersion without taking over your room with speakers.
Upgrade your home theater with a deeply discounted Vizio soundbar system
Upgrade your home theater with a deeply discounted Vizio soundbar system
Sure, you can't have a home theater without a TV or some sort of visual aspect, but if you really want to feel like you're part of the action, you have to feel the action. This Vizio Smartcast soundbar system has the power, the bass, and a serious discount you won't want to miss out on.
Yamaha’s new MusicCast soundbar lets you add speakers for more immersive sound
Yamaha’s new MusicCast soundbar lets you add speakers for more immersive sound
Yamaha’s new MusicCast BAR 400 soundbar doesn’t just let you easily trade up from your TV’s built-in speakers, it also lets you add optional MusicCast 20 or MusicCast 50 rear surround speakers to make for a more immersive experience, whether you're watching a movie or listening to music.
Polk Command Bar Review
Polk Command Bar Review
Amazon’s incredibly popular voice assistant, Alexa, is everywhere these days, but how well does it work when controlling your TV? We put Polk’s new Alexa-enabled Command Bar to the test to find out if it can stand up to the Sonos Beam.
Apple’s HomePod only makes up 4 percent of the smart speaker market
Apple’s HomePod only makes up 4 percent of the smart speaker market
Canalys recently published new data about the burgeoning smart speaker market, and revealed that Apple's HomePod, once a highly anticipated competitor to the Google Home and Amazon Echo lines, isn't catching on quite the way the Apple hoped. The HomePod only makes up about 4% of market share.
Alexa makes for a good shopping buddy but Google Assistant may ‘get you’ better
Alexa makes for a good shopping buddy but Google Assistant may ‘get you’ better
The struggle over the smart speaker rages on, as CNBC surveyed five digital advertising agencies who say that Amazon's Alexa is the better shopping assistant, but Google's deep roots in machine learning and voice recognition makes Google Assistant more understanding.
Sony HT-Z9F 3.1 soundbar review
Sony HT-Z9F 3.1 soundbar review
Sony once again flexes its processing might with its latest soundbar, the HT-Z9F. Loaded with features and packing powerful virtual surround in a tiny package, the Z9F stretches far beyond its boundaries for impressive performance. But, is this the nimble sound system you’ve been looking for?
Warning: The way your neighbors use Alexa will bore the snot out of you
Warning: The way your neighbors use Alexa will bore the snot out of you
The technology that powers smart speakers like Amazon's Alexa and Google Home may be wildly sophisticated and continually evolving but users in the U.K. report using the smart speakers for remarkably basic functions, according to a new survey.
Samsung HW-NW700 soundbar review
Samsung HW-NW700 soundbar review
Samsung changed the script for the latest addition to its Sound+ soundbar line, the NW700. With an eye trained directly on newer Samsung TV owners, this specialized soundbar has a tough case to make for its $700 price tag. Still, if you’re a certain kind of buyer, this could be the right fit for you.
Google Home will stamp its passport in at least seven new countries this year
Google Home will stamp its passport in at least seven new countries this year
Google is slated to double the number of national markets in which the Google Home and Google Home Mini can be found this year. With the addition of Spain, Austria, and Ireland, the Google Assistant-enabled smart speakers are now available in 11 countries around the world.
LG’s new soundbars and speakers fit into nearly every budget
LG’s new soundbars and speakers fit into nearly every budget
Earlier this year, LG announced new models of its soundbars as well as new portable speakers alongside its Google Assistant-powered ThinQ smart speaker. Now the company has announced pricing and availability for the new soundbars and speakers, with models that fit into any budget.
Yamaha’s new YAS-108 soundbar has a slim footprint, beefy 3D sound
Yamaha’s new YAS-108 soundbar has a slim footprint, beefy 3D sound
Yamaha's new YAS-108 soundbar improves on the YAS-107 model with slimmed-down looks and even better Bluetooth. Those looking for an affordable home theater option get even more bang for their buck, as the company maintains its position as one of the best value audio brands.
Apple HomePod to arrive in Canada, France, and Germany in June
Apple HomePod to arrive in Canada, France, and Germany in June
Apple has announced that its HomePod will be launching in Germany, France, and Canada on June 18. The smart speaker marks a major market expansion for the tech giant, and the announcement could be an effort to boost dwindling sales of the HomePod, which will now be available in six countries.
The Sonos Beam is the HomePod killer only Sonos could make
The Sonos Beam is the HomePod killer only Sonos could make
Those waiting for the ultimate smart sound solution for their TV and living room may find it in the Sonos Beam. The latest product from the lauded powered speaker company combines the power of Amazon's Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple AirPlay 2 into just a single speaker.
The Amazon Echo Dot is the single best-selling smart speaker of them all
The Amazon Echo Dot is the single best-selling smart speaker of them all
A new report now suggests that the best-selling smart speaker remains within the Amazon Echo ecosystem. The less-than-$50 Echo Dot is definitively the most popular smart home speaker around. The report comes from Thinknum, who tracked "sales raking data since 2016 at Best Buy for the category."
Apple HomePod tips and tricks to get you started
Apple HomePod tips and tricks to get you started
Did you know your Apple HomePod can do way more than play music? If you don't already know these HomePod tips and tricks, you'll be glad you read them. Learn about how to unlock the full set of features available on your HomePod.
Pop some brews and blast some tunes with Scosche’s new BoomBottle MM speaker
Pop some brews and blast some tunes with Scosche’s new BoomBottle MM speaker
Bluetooth speakers are a dime a dozen these days, but that doesn’t mean they’re all the same. Scosche’s new BoomBottle MM is a twist on the standard Bluetooth speaker format that combines a rugged, waterproof build with handy features you never knew you needed in a speaker.
How do you re-create the air-ripping launch of 11,000-hp dragsters? Dolby Atmos
How do you re-create the air-ripping launch of 11,000-hp dragsters? Dolby Atmos
Dolby and the NHRA have been working together on something special. The two entities have been producing live drag races in spine-chilling Dolby Atmos. Digital Trends recently went behind the scenes at a race in Las Vegas to check out this newly forged partnership in action.
Microsoft may be working on a Cortana smart speaker to rival Echo, Google Home
Microsoft may be working on a Cortana smart speaker to rival Echo, Google Home
As assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri continue to gain ground in functionality and user numbers, Cortana has faded to the background a bit. But this may change now that Microsoft is rumored to be working on its own smart speaker. There's still no confirmation from Microsoft, though.