Huawei’s FreeBuds are an unapologetic ripoff of Apple’s AirPods
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Apple should be pretty darned flattered by Huawei's highly AirPod-esque FreeBuds. The new fully wireless earbuds look almost identical to Apple's version, but apart from water resistance, they are no match for the AirPods.
Amazon ups the ante with Netflix, aims to release up to 30 movies a year
Netflix has a seemingly endless appetite for spending money on both licensed and original content alike. But Amazon Studios isn't far behind. A recent interview with studio chief Jennifer Salke revealed an annual budget in excess of $50 million and up to 30 theatrical and direct-to-Amazon Prime titles.
Spotify adds mystery and crime to its podcast arsenal with Parcast acquisition
Spotify continues to add to its growing collection of podcasting assets, this time with the acquisition of Parcast, an L.A.-based podcast studio known for its lurid, true-crime and mystery titles, that have garnered a significant audience since the company began in 2017.
Samsung’s new soundbars adjust settings to onscreen content in real time
Home theater soundbars may be a dime a dozen these days, but that doesn't mean they can't add something new to the experience. Samsung's HW-Q70R and Q60R can automatically change their EQ and other settings to better match what's happening onscreen, and are more affordable than the company's top-end line of soundbars.
IKEA reveals new photos of its Symfonisk Sonos speakers
Ahead of the official launch scheduled for April 9, IKEA has released two new photos of its upcoming Symfonisk line of wireless home speakers built in cooperation with Sonos. The new photos don't reveal any new details, but they confirm that early photos were accurate representations of what we'll see later this year.
Here’s how to watch Apple’s March 25 product reveal event live
It's almost here: Apple's much anticipated March 25 event, where it is widely expected to announce several streaming services, including on-demand and live TV with original programming. Wondering how to watch the action from your desk, or couch? We've got all the details on how to do it.
TCL drops the price of its 75-inch 6-Series 4K Roku TV to $1,500
March is a great time for TV deals and we've got a whopper: TCL has taken $300 off the price of its superb 75-inch 6-Series 4K HDR Roku TV, making it $1,500. It's a limited-time deal on the lowest price for this model, and only available while supplies last, so don't delay.
March Madness deal alert: Get a 43-inch LG 4K HDR TV for just $270
March is a great time to find a deal on a new TV, and this one is worth every penny: Walmart is selling LG's 43-inch 43UK6300PUE, a very capable 4K HDR Smart TV, for almost 50 percent off the regular price at $270. This would be a great price for any 43-inch 4K TV, but for an LG model this well-equipped, it's a steal.
Kanopy privacy breach reveals which movies members have been streaming
Free video streaming site, Kanopy, has been inadvertently publishing millions of lines of web log data for days, according to a new security report. The data is sufficient for someone to guess at a person's identity, and see what they've been watching, even though names and passwords weren't among the data.
Tipping point? Streaming subscribers outnumbered cable in 2018 for first time
2018 was a very good year for the entertainment business as a whole, but it was especially good for streaming companies like Netflix and Amazon. Their total subscriptions eclipsed those of cable companies for the first time, on a global basis, according to a new MPAA report.
Dish TV customers can access up to 13 NCAA March Madness games in 4K
If you're a basketball fan looking to get your fix of NCAA Championship action in 4K, you have a few options available. One of those is courtesy of Dish TV, which will be airing up to 13 of the tournament games in the ultra high-def format, starting on Tuesday.
Apple’s new AirPods bring only minor updates to the much-loved originals
Apple has announced its new AirPods, the company's much anticipated follow-up to the wildly popular AirPods. The new fully wireless earbuds preserve all of the features of the originals, and adds hands-free Siri, a new H1 chip, and wireless charging. Here's what you need to know about these new earbuds.
Cheer for your favorite NCAA team and Xfinity will respond with matching lights
Screaming at your favorite team just became a lot more rewarding thanks to Comcast's Xfinity voice remote and some special NCAA commands that set your smart lightbulbs to your favorite team's colors. The players may not hear you, but that doesn't mean you'll be ignored.
FuboTV set to stream some NCAA tournament games live in 4K
For basketball fans looking to get a massive dose of NCAA action this month, the hunt is on for live streaming TV services that can deliver. FuboTV makes a compelling argument that it should be fans' choice, with wall-to-wall coverage of the tournament, and even a select number of the games available in 4K.
Mysterious Android TV bug shows account details of scores of total strangers
In a bizarre discovery by a user in India, the names of total strangers have appeared inside the Android TV settings pages of the Google Home app. It's not clear whether or not any personally identifiable information is being shared (other than names) but Google is already taking steps to investigate.
Bark commands at Alexa and your Roku will respond, unless you want Netflix
Current-generation Roku streaming devices and Roku TVs can now be controlled by Amazon's Alexa, if you have a compatible Alexa device, like the Echo or Dot. Google Assistant was added to the platform in 2018. Unfortunately for Netflix fans, neither A.I. can directly access Netflix content on a Roku.
Sonos’ first wired speakers are all designed to be paired with the Amp
Although whole-home wireless audio company Sonos has let you power your own wired speakers through its products in the past, it has never sold its own wired products. With the launch of its Architectural by Sonance line, the company now has three wired models to choose from.
Sonos revamps its Sonos One smart speaker with Bluetooth LE
Sonos is releasing a second generation of its Sonos One smart speaker, which will feature embedded Bluetooth Low Energy. The company says it's to make setup procedures easier, but it could be used for several other purposes. We take a look at what the new wireless option could mean for future updates.
SoundCloud hopes to add listeners with 50 percent discount for students
Somewhat late to the party, SoundCloud launched a student discount for it's top-tier SoundCloud Go+ membership, dropping the price to just $5 a month. It's a good deal for those attending college or university, but will it be enough to keep the struggling music platform from going under?
Cambridge Audio’s Alva TT makes zero compromises as a wireless turntable
Wireless turntables so far, have offered convenience at the cost of sound quality, something no audiophile should put up with. Cambridge Audio's Alva TT is the first Bluetooth model that doesn't force such a compromise, thanks to its hi-res aptX HD BT codec. It's a match made in hipster heaven.
Forget the fold — the next iPhone could use its entire screen as a speaker
When Apple ditched the headphone jack from the iPhone, it didn't exactly go over well with consumers. Now it seems the company wants to do away with the iPhone's speakers, too. This time, however, it's going to incorporate them into the phone's screen -- that is, if a recent patent is any indication.
Pandora Stories let artists take fans on a guided audio tour
As great as subscription music streaming services are, they can be impersonal from an artist's perspective. Pandora's new format, Pandora Stories, lets artists mix their music with narrated voice tracks, creating a personalized tour of their music, or any other topic they want to discuss.
Apple Music pops up in the Google Home app, hinting at launch
Despite not being active yet, there's now an entry for Apple Music inside the music services tab of the Google Home app, which surely means it won't be long before Apple's music service is on every major smart speaker platform. The question now is whether Apple reciprocates by adding other services to its HomePod.
Lenovo’s new Yoga and ThinkPad ANC headphones are built for business
Watch out Bose, Lenovo is the latest company to take aim at your noise-canceling supremacy. The company just launched a pair of hybrid ANC Bluetooth headphones under the ThinkPad and Yoga brands, that are competitively priced, and feature sound that's been tuned by Dolby Labs.
Apple may be making noise-canceling headphones safer to use on the streets
Big, over-the-ear headphones have been massively popular ever since the Beats brand launched in 2007. Since then, the number of headphone-related accidents has also gone up. A new Apple patent looks to partially address this problem by making headphones acoustically invisible to the wearer by letting more sounds in.
Charter’s Spectrum TV Essentials offers 60 live TV channels for $15 a month
With cable customers cutting the cord at an accelerating rate, companies are looking at all of the options to keep them on the monthly invoice. Charter Communication's answer is Spectrum TV Essentials, a package of 60 live TV channels for $15 per month. But with no sports or major broadcasters, is it enough?
Apple Music encourages subscribers to give friends a free 1-month pass
It's no secret that Apple has its sights set squarely on Spotify's enviable subscriber count, but how will Apple Music grow its base? Apparently by using existing customers as a recruitment service. Subscribers are encouraged to send friends a one-month free pass to the streaming service.
Samsung will stop releasing new Blu-ray players in the U.S.
Samsung has confirmed reports that it is now exiting the Blu-ray market entirely in the U.S. The move comes after Oppo Digital exited the market last year. The news may be a sign of things to come in when it comes to the future of 4K Blu-ray and the physical disc movie format.
Hi-res streaming audio service Qobuz arrives in U.S., threatens Tidal’s monopoly
For several years, Tidal has enjoyed a monopoly on hi-res music streaming in the U.S. with its available Masters MQA tracks. Now, French company Qobuz has debuted in the U.S. to offer some competition with a variety of monthly plans starting at $10 a month and a very big catalog of content.
Apple will reportedly launch its new video-streaming service at March 25 event
The rumors about what Apple will or won't announce at an upcoming March 25 event continue to swirl, and now a new report from Bloomberg suggests that the company will debut its much anticipated video-streaming service, which will compete with Netflix and Amazon's Prime Video.
Bose’s technology patents could save an earbud’s battery life
Possibly taking a cue from Apple's popular AirPods, Bose has filed a patent application for infrared technology which it would build into various models of earbuds, including fully wireless models. The tech could save battery life, improve sound quality, and possibly help people locate lost earbuds.
Can a slew of high-tech new features save the HomePod from extinction?
Though well-received by Apple fans, the HomePod hasn't exactly met expectations as far as sales go. But a newly discovered patent suggests that Apple might be about to dramatically overhaul the smart speaker with everything from facial recognition to a high-res touchscreen. Will it be enough?
Netflix brings its data-saving smart downloads feature to iOS
Having a binge-watching addiction to Netflix can create a host of challenges on mobile devices, like remembering to delete old episodes, and remembering to download new ones. So it's going to be welcome news to iOS users that the service has made its smart downloads feature available to them, at last.
Apple’s new patent describes the grand TV experience Steve Jobs wanted
Ever since Steve Jobs gave a tantalizing hint of a perfect TV experience, designed by Apple, we've been waiting to see what that might look like. If a recent patent is any indication, that day may be here soon, and the consequences for traditional cable and satellite companies could be significant.
Apple gives sports fans a live TV option with the addition of FuboTV
Until late last year, Apple's TV app for iOS and tvOS had no live TV streaming partners. Then PlayStation Vue joined in. Now, users of the app have a second choice: The sports-centric FuboTV service. FuboTV was the first live TV streaming service to support 4K HDR, making it a good fit for Apple's 4K box.
Streaming numbers were the only super thing about Super Bowl 2019
By now, it's a well-known fact: This year's Super Bowl was hardly must-see TV. But the numbers show just how poorly received the game was -- there hasn't been a smaller audience since 2008. Streaming numbers, on the other hand, were huge. We've got a breakdown of all the stats.
Reelgood’s universal streaming guide is coming to millions of smart TVs
By this time next year, it's expected that almost half of the smart TVs in the U.S. will have the Reelgood app installed on their home screens. With a truly universal content discovery engine that includes major services like Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and HBO, it could become the de-facto content guide for these viewers.
Fluance’s Fi20 is a furniture-grade Bluetooth speaker you can take anywhere
Bluetooth speakers are not only a dime a dozen these days, they also look like they cost about that much. So it's refreshing to see that Fluance's Fi20 is offering all the conveniences of a portable Bluetooth speaker in a design that looks like it belongs in a boutique hotel. Not bad for $150.