Guest mode abruptly vanishes from Google Home smart speakers
At some point in the last week, Google decided to remove the Guest Mode function from its wireless smart speakers. The move, which Google has not commented on, means that Google Home owners can no longer provide an easy way for their friends to play music on their speakers without sharing their Wi-Fi password.
HBO lands limited Parasite-inspired series to be produced by Bong Joon Ho
After winning a bidding war with Netflix, HBO will get the first opportunity to produce a limited series based on the Golden Globe-winning Parasite. The limited series is being helmed by Parasite writer-director Bong Joon Ho and HBO stalwart Adam McKay, who has a first-look deal with the network.
LG’s new Dolby Atmos soundbars use A.I. for automatic room calibration
LG's 2020 collection of soundbars made its official debut at CES 2020 in Las Vegas. The new models feature Dolby Atmos and DTS:X as well as a new feature, supported by A.I., that lets them automatically adjust their settings based on the acoustics of the room.
The Last of the Mohicans series heads to HBO Max with Watchmen director attached
Another reboot of James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans is coming to television. A series project led by Cary Fukunaga and Watchmen director Nicole Kassell has landed at HBO Max, due to launch in May. No word yet on casting commitments for the Paramount Television project.
Philips’ new OLED TV is coming to U.S. — and it’s amazing
When it comes to TVs, more choice is always a good thing. That's why we're excited that Funai is bringing the Philips 804 Series Ambilight OLED TV to U.S. shores in 2020. With features that give both LG and Sony a run for their money, the 804 Series is an excellent addition to our OLED options.
Netflix releases first trailer (and scene) for new adaptation of Locke & Key
After eight years in the development ringer, a Locke & Key series is finally here. Netflix released the first trailer for the small-screen adaptation of the popular IDW Publishing graphic novel series that's set to debut in February. They also included a sneak peek at the series' first official scene.
Sonos is suing Google for allegedly copying its tech — and Amazon could be next
In a classic case of David versus Goliath, Sonos is suing Google over what it claims is theft of its intellectual property. The legal action creates a lot of bad blood between the two companies that have worked together for years on streaming service and voice assistant integrations.
CES 2020: Samsung’s auto-dialogue boost is the coolest feature from its new TVs
Samsung had a lot of cool new innovations to crow about at CES 2020, from its 292-inch TV monster to its new Sero TV that rotates into portrait mode. But one of its best features is also its simplest. The new Q950TS TV offers auto-dialogue boost, so you never miss a moment no matter how noisy your home.
Tired of tapping? Mobvoi TicPods 2 Pro let you use your head to control tunes
Remember Mobvoi's TicPods Free? You know, the AirPods doppelgänger that hit shelves in 2018? Well, Mobvoi has refreshed them for 2020. Showcased at CES 2020, the TicPods 2 and the TicPods 2 Pro are the latest true wireless earbuds to leave the manufacturer's Beijing headquarters.
With OLED-like quality for less money, TCL’s 6-Series could change TV landscape
Finding ways to match OLED's insanely good picture quality has been a hard task for competing technologies like QLED. This is why the news that TCL's next 6-Series will come with mini-LED backlighting is so exciting: It could mean OLED-like quality at prices that are way lower than we've ever seen.
1More promises personalized audio via the first SoundID-enabled headphones
Can any set of headphones be made to sound better if the audio is adjusted for your age, sex, and personal tastes? That's the belief at 1More which has partnered with audio tech company Sonarworks to deliver the first headphones that can be tuned using Sonarworks' SoundID software, later in 2020.
Klipsch’s new speakers are the no-soundbar soundbar we need
Klipsch's new powered bookshelves have a slick trick up their sleeves: HDMI ARC connection. That means, as long as your TV has HDMI ARC, you can now use a single remote for your powered speakers, letting music lovers rock out in full force while enjoying all the convenience of soundbar control.
Dabby is a $400 streamer that makes switching apps a thing of the past
If you've ever wished for a simpler way to stream your favorite shows and movies without switching between apps, Dabby is a $400 media streamer that might just make you smile. With an A.I. recommendation engine, video chat service, and voice interface, it's impressive. But it could also be too good to be true.
Plex will add subscription channels to its platform this year
Plex reportedly plans to add subscription channels to its platform. Plex told reporters at CES that 15 to 20 subscription video-on-demand channels would be added to the platform. Aside from subscription channels, Plex is also reportedly looking to add a marketplace where users can buy or rent content.
All Sony TVs at CES 2020: 8K LED, OLED, and more
For Sony, 2020 will be the year it doubles down on its collection of excellent TV technologies, bringing many of its top-tier features to more models in its lineup of 4K and 8K TVs. It's also got an intriguing 48-inch OLED TV which is the first time we've seen a 4K OLED TV under 55-inches.
All Samsung TVs at CES 2020: Bezel-free 8K TV and auto-rotating 4K
Samsung has shown off what it has in store for 2020 at CES 2020. We're looking at four shiny new TVs: The much-anticipated, bezel-free Q950TS 8K TV, a motorized, rotating 4K TV called The Sero, an updated version of its minimalistic Frame TV, and new advancements with its modular 8K TV.
Google Play sides with team Samsung in the HDR format war
Designed to rival Dolby Vision, HDR10+ is the brainchild of Samsung, which teamed up with Panasonic and 20th Century Fox to bring it to life. Together, these brands make up an initiative known as HDR10+ Technologies, and it's this initiative that has announced that HDR10+ will soon expand to Google Play Movies and TV.
Lucasfilm begins work on sequel series to 1988 fantasy film Willow for Disney+
Jake Kasdan tweeted that the writers' room for the Willow sequel series is officially open. This is great news for fans of the fantasy classic who have waited more than 30 years for a sequel. The new series is expected to air on Disney+, although there is no release date set.
Samsung has developed a wireless TV, but don’t expect to see it at CES 2020
It has been revealed that Samsung has developed a television that's devoid of wires. That's right -- there isn't even a power cord. But the announcement wasn't made at CES 2020, which is now in full swing, nor is the wireless TV on display there. Why? The answer is twofold.
Cable is dying. Can the $50 TiVo Stream 4K save it from extinction?
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. That old adage might be appropriate for cable companies and TiVo, the masterminds behind the most popular DVR in the U.S. As cord-cutting erodes revenues for boh, the new $50 TiVo Stream 4K might be a way to stem the tide by offering cord-cutters a familiar experience.
Audio-Technica’s first true wireless earbuds with ANC debut at CES 2020
Joining the ranks of companies that make true wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation, Audio-Technica has launched its $249 ATH-ANC300TW earbuds at CES 2020. Though their hybrid ANC system sounds promising, their paltry battery life and lack of water-resistance are disappointing.
Fox’s New Mutants escapes purgatory with trailer teasing a dark take on X-Men
After five years, Fox/Disney's The New Mutants appears to be finally poised for release. The new trailer, released January 6, teases a darker, scarier project than any prior X-Men film. It stars Maisie Williams, among others, and is currently slated for release on April 2, 2020.
Black Friday is back with this fantastic deal on a 65-inch LG 4K TV
If you missed your chance to take home a 4K TV on the cheap on Black Friday 2019, you're in luck: Walmart has revived one of the best deals we saw during the shopping bonanza, knocking $170 off the massive 65-inch LG UM6950. This sees it in the discount bin for just $480.
JBL went big at CES with a Dolby Atmos soundbar and affordable earbuds
JBL is showing off some impressive new audio gear for CES 2020, including two new pairs of true wireless earbuds at affordable price points, a feature-packed new pair of over-ears with graphene drivers and noise cancellation, and JBL's first Dolby Atmos soundbar with detachable speakers.
Dolby Vision IQ uses a TV’s light sensors for more accurate picture quality
Dolby Labs has a new twist on its Dolby Vision HDR format: Dolby Vision IQ uses information from a TV's built-in light sensors to automatically calibrate picture settings based on lighting conditions in the room. Launched at CES 2020, the new feature will initially be supported by two major manufacturers.
Hisense’s 2020 TV lineup features hands-free voice and a $6,000 laser TV
Hisense has something for everyone this year at CES 2020, including a more affordable 4K HDR laser TV that shines a 100-inch image, and improvements on its already impressive ULED TVs. Hands-free voice is a new addition on some models, while others get quantum dots and Dolby Vision and Atmos.
TCL’s Vidrian mini-LED display packs thousands of LEDs into a sheet of glass
TCL might not have any new TVs to announce at CES 2020, but that didn't stop the company from talking about the new tech it's working on, like its Vidrian Mini-LED display tech which packs tens of thousands of mini LED backlights into a single sheet of glass. No dates or prices for the new displays have been released.
CES 2020: TCL Alto 9+ is one of the first Roku TV Ready soundbars in existence
The TCL Alto 9+ isn't new -- TCL showed it off at IFA 2019 in September -- but that didn't stop it from making an appearance at CES 2020. Its reason for being there? To showcase Roku TV Ready in action, a new initiative that allows people to control their soundbar using their Roku TV Remote
Sennheiser and Continental turn a car’s interior surfaces into a giant speaker
You can take your preconceived notions of in-car audio and throw them out of a moving vehicle thanks to Sennheiser and Continental. The two companies are showing off a new speakerless audio system at CES 2020 that converts a car's interior materials into an immersive sound system, saving weight and space.
Vizio reinvents its soundbar line, including an Atmos bar with rotating speakers
Think soundbars are pretty much all alike? Take a look at Vizio's new lineup, which includes its new flagship Elevate that rotates its speakers upward automatically for Dolby Atmos sound. With three fully redesigned soundbar series, Vizio's CES 2020 audio showcase is a whole new bag.
LG brings new 4K TVs, 8K TVs, and a Samsung Frame TV look-alike to CES 2020
LG did most of its announcing before CES 2020 even kicked off, revealing eight new 8K TVs and a roll-down OLED 4K TV. But that's not to mean it didn't save something for the trade show: It introduced the art-inspired GX Gallery Series 4K TV and a never-seen-before 48-inch OLED 4K TV.
LG brings Nvidia’s G-Sync to its entire lineup OLED TVs at CES 2020
Nvidia and LG announced a range of brand new OLED TVs at CES 2020. Available in sizes ranging from 48 to 88-inches, these new screens are rated as G-Sync compatible. While that means they don't have all the features of G-Sync Ultimate screens, screen tearing should be a thing of the past.
CES 2020: What to expect from the annual tech show this week
It's finally here: the world's leading tech companies will showcase their latest hardware at CES 2020 in Las Vegas. Here's what to expect, the conference dates, important events, and the latest CES 2020 news.
Roku TV Ready lets you control your entire soundbar from a Roku TV remote
Tired of a pile of remotes taking up space on your coffee table? Roku is making it easier than ever to use a soundbar with your TV remote with its new Roku Ready program. If soundbar manufacturers opt in, they can allow you to control every parameter right on your Roku TV.