Michael BrownExecutive Editor, TechHive
Michael is TechHive's lead editor and covers the connected-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.
5 awesome gifts for smart-home enthusiasts
Armed with this gift guide, you can transform an ordinary house into a smart and secure home for the modern age.
Universal accessories are typically universally bad; this product is an exception to the rule.
The king of multi-room audio retains its crown with this exceptional new flagship speaker.
British startup has developed a music streamer that plugs into your TV (and only your TV).
Developing original TV programming like ‘House of Cards’ costs big bucks, and the streaming giant wants its customers to help with the financing.
Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Wireless review: The Brits have done it again
It’s one of the best single-cabinet stereo speakers in the world, and you no longer need to be an Apple user to enjoy it.
A new HDMI certification program will make it easier to avoid crappy cables
Certified cables will have gone through expanded cable speed tests at an HDMI-authorized testing center to certify that they are capable of delivering bandwidth of 18Gbps, and that they radiate very little EMI.
Amazon won’t sell Apple TV and Chromecast hardware, bans marketplace partners from selling them, too
Anti-competitive tactic or smart customer-service strategy? It’s probably a little of both.
With Nest Weave, Nest Labs seeks to establish a de facto connected-home standard
The protocol enables appliances, thermostats, door locks, and other home devices to communicate with each other and with Nest products.
Sonos redesigns its Play:5 speaker, announces Trueplay room-tuning software
Trueplay software can customize Sonos speakers to play the best they possibly can in the rooms they’re in.
Zuli Smartplugs review: Clever and inexpensive home lighting control
This is one of the best connected-home products to reach the market so far, but it’s not perfect.
Google OnHub Wi-Fi router review: It's designed to coddle novices and annoy power users
On the upside, it’s a very good performer. On the downside, it makes all networking decisions for you.
Philips Hue LED lighting gets a new dimmer control
Device can be mounted on the wall or detached and used as a handheld remote.
Google enters the Wi-Fi router market with the very different OnHub
What does the search-engine giant know about routers? We’re about to find out.
USB audio support would be the icing on this delicious cake, but it sounds terrific even without it.