Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Opinion

Opinion

netflix global expansion header

Bored with Netflix? As it goes global, the selection is about to explode

Netflix is going global. And even if you never leave step foot outside America, you should be excited. The numbers show that as Netflix growth is slowing in the U.S., it’s on fire in other countries like Japan, with hiring to match. More subscribers abroad means more original, diverse content, and plenty to watch when House of Cards gets stale.
ifa 2018 8k samsung

8K is the next big thing in TVs. Get over it

The arrival of 8K TVs is being met with frustration, disbelief, and even anger. Why? We explore the complaints expressed by media and consumers alike and discuss why our 8K future is not only inevitable, but an evolution we should be excited about.
diesel on full guard 2 5 news face

New Wear OS smartwatches have arrived! Here’s why you shouldn’t buy them

The likes of Skagen and Diesel have unveiled new Wear OS smartwatches at IFA 2018. You shouldn't buy them, because they're utilizing a two-year-old Qualcomm processor. Google may have just introduced a new way to interact with Wear OS, but a fresh processor is more important -- and on the way.
gamers shouldnt buy nvidia geforce rtx 2080 yet gtx ti feature

Nvidia’s new GPUs look amazing, but that doesn’t mean you should buy one

Nvidia's latest consumer GeForce RTX 2080 represents a powerful graphics upgrade for gamers, but gamers looking to buy the GPU should wait. Even with support for real-time ray tracing for cinematic lighting, shadows, and reflections, only a limited number of games will support this feature initially.
Does blue light really affect your sleep? We ask an expert

No, blue light from your cell phone won’t make you blind

A new study from the University of Toledo reveals the process by which blue light impacts the photoreceptors in our eyes and leads to macular degeneration, an incurable eye disease that causes blindness later in life. Cell phones emit blue light ... so should we be worried? Hardly. And here's why.
galaxy note s pen is pointless samsung 8 schedule

What’s the point of the Note’s S Pen? Samsung needs to find one or kill it

The Galaxy Note 9’s announcement will bring with it another S Pen stylus, a feature only the artistic will get excited about, and the majority of Note owners likely don’t use. Samsung should be embarrassed about its lack of use, and we’re hoping the Note 9’s stylus includes new features for everyone. If not, why bother including it?
HBO

AT&T wants to make HBO more like Netflix, and it could be a disaster

After acquiring HBO parent company Time Warner, AT&T is pushing HBO to become more like Netflix. For those who remember HBO from its initial glory days, this could mean the end of an era, and for all of Netflix’s success, this plan might not be great for everyone else either.
Live TV Streaming Services

We all cut cable, and now we’re just as screwed on streaming

As live TV streaming services like Sling TV and PlayStation Vue raise prices in tandem, it raises questions about whether these services were ever a viable alternative to cable in the first place. After all, if it costs nearly the same as cable, and offers lower quality, what’s the point?
Beats Powerbeats3 Wireless

Why I still won’t wear wireless headphones

Wireless headphones promise liberation from cords, tangles, and snags, but there’s just one issue holding them back: battery life. And until manufacturers figure it out, sales numbers prove consumers aren’t yet biting.
Google fix cheeseburger emoji

Google might be planning a game console. That doesn’t mean it will happen

A new report suggests Google is working on a game console, code-named Yeti, and took a variety of meetings at E3 to interest from game developers. It seems likely the reports about Google's game console are true, but that doesn't mean we'll ever see it.
fitbit blaze smart fitness watch amazon deal header

Ugh. I’m done with fitness trackers, and so is the world

Remember when tracking your steps, your calories, even your heartbeat throughout the day was the thing? People even wore multiple devices while doing workouts, from cadence monitors to heart-rate tracking chest straps. Turns out people are growing tired of the quantified self. In fact, tech columnist Joshua Fruhlinger has discovered that going for a ride without any tech is a much more enjoyable experience.
tim-cook-apple-wwdc-2018-getty

iOS 12 is more evidence you should buy an iPhone, not an Android phone

The next version of Apple’s mobile operating system, iOS 12, will be compatible with devices all the way back to 2013’s iPhone 5S. Android phones from the same era didn’t even see 2016’s software update. It’s further evidence you should buy an iPhone, if you care about software updates, which you really should.
WWDC-2018-Wrap-Up_Craig_Federighi_introduces_iOS_12

5 obviously stupid iPhone problems that iOS 12 doesn’t even try to fix

At WWDC 2018, Apple took the wraps off the latest version of the iOS operating system. iOS 12 introduces changes both visual and under the hood, but still fails to address some of the basics. Here are 5 obvious issues Apple should address in iOS 12 before it’s officially released (or maybe in iOS 13?).
tim-cook-apple-wwdc-2018-home-op-ed

Is Apple showing up late to the smart home party, or just not coming?

Apple’s WWDC 2018 featured more than two hours of OS announcements. But what was largely missing was news on smart home platforms and devices. While competitors are making the smart home a central focus of their platforms, Apple is mum. Is it because they’re late to the party, or they’re not planning on attending the party?
macbook pro 13 inch non touch bar vs 15 2016 keyboard 1200x9999

Can we get an apology? Two big MacBook fails that Apple should fix at WWDC

WWDC is just around the corner, but if you're hoping for a new MacBook Pro, don't hold your breath. Even though it'll probably only be a CPU bump, there are two significant problems with the current MacBook Pro that have been ignored for too long now. Unfortunately, Apple isn't exactly the kind of company that likes to apologize.
amazon problems screenshot on mac feat

4 reasons my love affair with Amazon is fizzling

Whether it be running shoes or garbage bags, if I needed something, I always turned to Amazon. But some things have happened recently that have made me question my love affair with the retail giant. Will I be able to trust the website again?
swapping iphone for blackberry keyboard appreciation keyone feat

Swapping an iPhone for a BlackBerry made me appreciate the physical keyboard

BlackBerry is preparing to release the BlackBerry KeyTwo, a new phone with a physical keyboard; but if you've never used one, and are a proficient touchscreen typist, what would it be like to swap? We changed our iPhone to a BlackBerry KeyOne to find out, and discovered that speed is only half the story.
google killing wear os lg watch urbane

As Wear OS ticks to a stop, Google needs to wind it back up

Volkswagen virtual reality

How gaming company Unity is driving automakers toward virtual reality

Unity Technologies, best known for the software tools it builds for game developers, has quietly turned its attention toward the auto industry. Unity's tech now enables virtual walkarounds of cars that haven't even been built yet, and may soon aid the development of self-driving cars.
spotify hate policy r kelly

Who’s next? As it snubs R. Kelly, Spotify opens a moral can of worms

Spotify recently introduced a new Hate Content & Hateful Conduct Policy, removing R. Kelly and XXXTentacion from its curated and algorithmic playlists. Apple Music and Pandora are also pulling material promoting Kelly. Is it justified? And how does this decision impact the streaming industry at large?
microsoft build 2018 what to expect header getty

From evil empire to role model, Microsoft builds its claim to the high ground

Microsoft came to its Build 2018 conference with a slim selection of consumer-facing information, but that didn't dampen its positive attitude. While other tech companies wallow in scandals, Microsoft is building a vision for how a high-tech organization can innovate without destroying your privacy.
Cortana and Alexa demo at Build 2018

Microsoft wants Cortana and Alexa to be friends. Is that cool or just awkward?

Microsoft shows how easy it is to summon Alexa from your Cortana-enabled Windows PC. Even though Cortana may benefit from Alexa's skills, Microsoft still needs to figure out how to make its assistant easier to access on a phone, a challenge given that Microsoft doesn't have a smartphone platform anymore.
Samsung Galaxy S7 and iPhone 6

Debating between Apple and Samsung phones? Open your eyes a little wider

We know it’s tempting to only consider Samsung and Apple phones, they’re the most prevalent and most hyped; but you’re doing yourself a disservice by ignoring the massive array of choice in the smartphone world. Stop listening to the hate, and embrace choice.
han solo movie chewbacca origin

Six unplanned Star Wars movies we’d love to see

The Star Wars universe is filled with potential stories, so in honor of Star Wars Day, May the Fourth, we've come up with a few narrative ideas we'd like to see explored in movies set within the sci-fi saga's continuity -- from bounty hunter ensembles to kung fu Jedi tales.
facebooks f8 keynote proves the company sees no reason to change us internet lifestyle computers media

Facebook’s very, very sorry, and it has absolutely no intention to change

Facebook’s F8 developer conference saw the company and its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, discuss new features like Dating and Clear History. While lip service was given to issues like data security and privacy, few good solutions were offered. That should be no surprise given Facebook’s history with Cambridge Analytica, and many others.
tomb raider movie reboot evan daugherty 2013 1920x1080

Lara, B.J., Kratos: Who’s next? 5 games ready for a ‘God of War’-style reboot

Video games are among the most nostalgia-driven art forms. Classic heroes like Kratos, Lara Croft, and B.J. Blazkowicz have all had critically adored returns to form in recent years, so we dug deep to find another wave of characters we think might be suitable for a modern reboot.
huawei p20 pro security scaremongering richard yu logo

Why can’t Americans buy the best Android phone of 2018? Scaremongers

The scaremongering about trusting Huawei smartphones and network products has led to one casualty: the sale of one of 2018’s best phones. No, we shouldn’t just accept any risk, but there is no evidence of malice. Instead of scare tactics, officials should build trust — just like elsewhere in the world.
call of duty infinite warfare multiplayer guide frost 3

Activision has no idea what to do with Call of Duty

If new reports are correct, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 will not feature a single-player campaign. It’s the latest in a long list of decisions proving Activision has absolutely no idea what to do with the Call of Duty franchise, and instead looks to its competitors for inspiration.
new york 2018 what to expect from vw subaru cadillac and more 2019 porsche 911 gt3 rs weissach ny auto show unveil

2018 N.Y. Auto Show: The hits and misses

Following Digital Trends' coverage of the 2018 New York International Auto Show, our cars team rounds up what they liked and didn't like from this year’s heavy list of reveals.
Spotify Youtube Red

I ditched Spotify for YouTube Red with Google Play Music and never looked back

Everyone loves Spotify, but sometimes, the most popular streaming platforms just aren't enough. Here's why I switched over to Youtube Red.
mom and son using with amazon echo

‘Alexa, give me a cookie!’ Are digital assistants ruining my son?

My four-year-old son likes to play songs from his favorite movies and asks for the time via our Amazon Alexa device. Are these cute interactions with the voice assistant harming him somehow, or am I just overreacting?
Amazon Echo Show Youtube App

As Amazon and Google keep bickering, consumers are the ones who lose

Google and Amazon are in a smart home war over YouTube and Nest. Would you two stop it already! It’s making me crazy.
Close-up of Amazon.com founder and CEO Jeff Bezos on stage

Why Ring’s porch-protecting cameras made it a no-brainer acquisition for Amazon

Amazon’s buying Ring makes a whole lot of sense. After all, Amazon delivers packages, and Ring protects them.
Dell XPS 13 2018 Model

You should buy the Dell XPS 13 — just not with the 4K display

Dell's new XPS 13 is a smart, sleek, quick laptop, and the top choice for anyone seeking a 13-inch machine. Yet it does have one hidden, optional, problem -- the expensive 4K display.