Skip to main content

Latest by P. Nickinson

The Disney Plus app on a TV.

Disney’s password-sharing crackdown goes big in September

Disney's CEO said the company would expand its crackdown on login sharing starting in September.
The rear of the Google TV Streamer device.

The Google TV Streamer added one feature that all such devices need

The Google TV Streamer includes a simple button to help you locate a missing remote control — and that's something every such device should have.
App icons for Disney+, Hulu and ESPN.

Get ready to pay for more Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+

Starting October 17, Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ are all going to cost a little more. Again. Because Disney is still trying to not lose money on streaming.
The Chromecast with Google TV (left) and the Chromecast Ultra.

Chromecast now has a place in the Google Graveyard

With the announcement of Google TV Streamer, the Chromecast platform has been laid to rest after almost a dozen years.
The Sonos Ace headphones in front of the Sonos Arc soundbar.

Sonos Ace headphones now work with more Sonos soundbars

Sonos just dropped another bevy of improvements, including enabling the Sonos Ace headphones to work with all of the company's soundbars.
The two colors of Google TV Streamer — hazel and porcelain — with their remote controls.

Google TV Streamer is bigger, faster, and more expensive than Chromecast

Google TV Streamer takes what made Chromecast great and adds more power, smart-home tech, a better remote, and Ethernet. And it costs twice as much.
The Venu Sports website on an iPad.

Should you get Venu Sports if you have cable or streaming?

If you already have a cable or streaming subscription, it's very likely that you don't need Venu Sports. Even more so if you have a couple of other services.
The Venu Sports website seen on an iPad.

Venu Sports may actually be better than its creators intended

Execs for Venu Sports say they're not trying to steal subscribers from cable and streaming, but there's almost no way that won't happen.
Olympics channels on YouTube TV.

How I added a handful of hidden YouTube TV channels for the Olympics

If you use the custom channels sort option on YouTube TV, you might be missing out on a bunch of new channels.
The Venu Sports website as seen on an iPhone.

Venu Sports finally announces price of $43 a month, for starters

Venu Sports — the new streaming service that combines sports from Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery — will cost $43 a month, but that may well increase.
The SiriusXM Podcasts Plus subscription in the Apple Podcasts app on an iPhone.

SiriusXM launches Podcasts+ within Apple Podcasts

SiriusXM is giving early access and bonus material to a number of its podcasts via a new SiriusXM Podcasts+ subscription within Apple's Podcasts app.
Sonos app on iPhone in front of a Sonos Move 2 speaker.

Sonos says it’s fixed excessive battery drain on the iPhone

Sonos has released an app update that it says fixes excessive battery drain on iPhones. Other work remains, however.
A press image of Tubi on Apple Vision Pro.

Tubi is now available on Apple Vision Pro

The biggest free streaming service is now available on Apple's VR headset.
The Sonos app in front of the Sonos Ace headphones box.

Sonos CEO offers software mea culpa: ‘We know we have work to do’

More than two months after a major app revamp that went horribly wrong, Sonos CEO Patrick Spence has issued an apology to the company's customers.
spotify ceo ek teases hifi again ghost 1

‘A much better version of Spotify’ is coming, CEO says

Spotify has been teasing a high-resolution audio offering since early 2021 — and CEO Daniel Ek just reconfirmed that it's still on the way. Eventually.
A demo space showing the major update to the Amazon Prime Video app.

I’ve used the new Prime Video app — you’re gonna want this ASAP

Users have been clamoring for an updated Prime Video app, and Amazon has delivered with a rewrite and redesign from the ground up.
The purported Google TV Streamer device.

This slanted surfboard just may be Google’s next TV streamer

We're fully expecting a follow-up to the veteran Chromecast With Google TV at an event in August — and this weird-looking thing could be it.
The Sonos Ace headphones case sitting atop an airplane tray table.

The one (small) thing I’d change about the Sonos Ace headphones

The Sonos Ace headphones are really good, even though the case takes up a decent amount of space. Here's one way Sonos could make it better, though.
An in-flight entertainment screen on a Delta 757-200, waiting to leave Atlanta.

In the middle of the meltdown: One thing CrowdStrike and Microsoft can’t fix

Here's what it was like in the midst of Delta's CrowdStrike/Windows meltdown at the country's busiest airport.
A politcal ad on YouTube TV.

I’d pay even more for a streaming service without political ads

Streaming services keep getting more expensive. But imagine if you could pay more to get rid of all the political ads this time of year.
The Anker MagGo Power Bank.

I have a new favorite portable battery bank for my kids to steal

You don't always need the biggest battery available — especially if it packs in a bunch of other really helpful features.
The special-edition Minecraft-themed Beats Solo 4 headphones.

Minecraft-themed Beats Solo 4 is perfect for that Creeper in your life

Beats by Dre has teamed up with Minecraft for a Creeper-themed set of Beats Solo 4 headphones — and we already have a pair.
The fourth-generation Tablo DVR device.

The only way I’d watch live TV with an antenna is on sale this week

The fourth-generation Tablo DVR makes watching over-the-air TV so much better on multiple devices.
Sling TV app icon on Apple TV.

Sling TV begins some limited streaming in 4K resolution

Sling TV will show a good bit of sports in 4K resolution — if you have the right plan, the right hardware, and live in the right city.
sonos app sonophone main

This $3 app made my Sonos system usable again

The official Sonos app is still a hot mess. SonoPhone isn't a perfect replacement, but it definitely gets the job done.
The defunct Florida Smart ID app from Thales.

Florida’s Smart ID app won’t be missed, but it will be replaced

The Florida Smart ID app was never very good, nor did it gain much traction. And now the state says it's going to try things again in 2025.
Paramount Plus as seen on a TV.

Now that the Skydance deal is (nearly) done, what happens to Paramount+?

As a company, Paramount is (probably) about to go through some major changes. But execs say that the Paramount+ streaming service isn't going anywhere.
Apple TV's Insight feature showing character and music information on screen.

Apple TV’s InSight feature is ready to take on Amazon Prime Video’s X-Ray

The TV app on Apple TV is getting a new feature that easily shows the character and actor on the screen at any given time, just like Prime Video's X-Ray.
Phil Nickinson wearing the Sonos Ace headphones.

Maybe I had the Sonos Ace headphones all wrong

You don't actually need to already own the wireless speakers to enjoy the Sonos Ace headphones — and maybe that's exactly how Sonos wants it.
beats pill 2024 tips tricks 1

Beats Pill tips and tricks

The Beats Pill is a brilliantly simple Bluetooth speaker, but it does have a few tricks up its sleeve. If it had sleeves, that is. It's a speaker. Not a person.
MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

MLS Season Pass drops price again, to $49 for the rest of the season

Apple today announced that it's reduced the cost of a subscription to MLS Season Pass to $49 for the rest of the 2024 season.
Sports on Paramount Plus.

What is Paramount+? Price, plans, and what you can watch

Paramount Plus has risen to the heights of streamers like Netflix and Hulu. But how much does it cost, and what kinds of content is available? Let’s find out!
The three colors of Beats Pill: gold, red, and black.

What color Beats Pill should you get?

Ultimately what color Beats Pill you go for won't affect the sound. But it'll definitely affect the way you look at it. Choose wisely.
Amazon VP of Technology BA Winston.

The 10-second rule: How Amazon Prime Video tries to keep live sports as live as possible

Streaming live sports is complicated. But when you're streaming an exclusive NFL game, the stakes are even higher.