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.
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.
Myfox Home Security review: Reality fails to live up to the promise of the demo
One great component does not a great system make.
Amazon Echo review: Betcha can’t buy just one of these voice-activated connected-home controllers
The Echo is so awesome you might want one in every room of your home.
More cracks appear in the pay-TV wall as HBO Now comes to Verizon broadband
HBO’s Internet-only subscription service is now available to Verizon’s FiOS and high-speed Internet customers.
Archt One all-in-one speaker review: Call it the anti-stereo
This versatile speaker can play music from just about any source, but it won’t produce stereo from any of them.