Michael BrownExecutive Editor, TechHive
Michael is TechHive's lead editor and covers the smart home and home entertainment markets. He built his own smart home in 2007, which he uses as a real-world test lab when reviewing new products. Michael also reviews routers and networking products for TechHive and PCWorld.
Wired or wireless, this audio system can accommodate nearly any source: high-res streaming services, a local server, a TV, Bluetooth, even an old-school turntable.
How to buy the right-sized TV (the only problem is that it might not exist)
Quality over size is our usual mantra, but vendors don't generally offer their best technology in TVs smaller than 55-inch class.
Best of CES 2021: The smart home and home entertainment products that captured our attention
Attending a virtual tradeshow is a suboptimal experience, but these new offerings still made an impression.
Hex Home Security monitors Wi-Fi radio waves to detect intruders
The system analyzes how Wi-Fi radio waves are disrupted as people move around your home and is supposed to be smart enough to ignore pets.
The first Linksys Wi-Fi 6e router is a mesh network model
The Linksys AXE8400 Wi-Fi 6E System is aimed at smart home enthusiasts and is backward compatible with earlier Linksys Intelligent Mesh products.
Netgear has one of the first Wi-Fi 6e routers: The Nighthawk RAXE500
The router taps the newly opened 6GHz frequency band and promises to deliver massive bandwidth with little latency. Netgear also unveiled a new cable modem.
Roku rescues Quibi’s entertainment content
Quibi’s business model turned into a joke, but there was nothing wrong with much of its content.
Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro review: Sophisticated front-door security—for a price
This is the best video doorbell we’ve tested, but not everyone will want the professionally installed and monitored smart home/home security system that it's part of.
The top music streaming services are offering generous free and discounted trials for the holidays
Get Amazon Music Unlimited, Apple Music, or Spotify Premium for three months for free; or four months of Tidal for $4.
Ring Alarm (2nd Gen) review: Still the best DIY home security system
Yes, still the best, but Ring hasn’t done much to extend its reach into the broader smart home universe.
Sonos users can now double the boom in any room by adding a second Sonos Sub subwoofer
If you just can’t get enough bass in your Sonos-based home theater experience, the company has a solution.
Anker PowerExtend USB-C 3 Capsule review: A fast-charging surge protector
This surge protector has just three outlets, two USB-A ports, and one USB-C port, but they come in an attractively compact package.
The best smart shades: These luxurious window treatments blend high tech with high fashion
Smart, motorized shades and blinds cost a pretty penny, but do they ever bring the wow.
Serena by Lutron Smart Wood Blinds review: Pretty enough, but also pretty expensive
Wood blinds look more elegant than fabric shades, but their greater mass limits the onboard motor in this smart model to tilting the slats—you’ll need to raise and lower the blinds by hand.
Sonos jumps into paid CD-quality music streaming with Sonos Radio HD
Streaming 16-bit FLAC files for just $8 per month could make this a phenomenal deal, even if it’s not direct competition for Qobuz and Tidal.
Articles by Michael Brown
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