Articles by Ben Patterson
Philips Hue Secure contact sensor review: Hue goes there?
With its contact sensor for doors and windows, Philips Hue looks to shore up its budding line of home security products. Does it succeed?
Google Home for web adds camera history, clip downloads
The web-based version of Google Home now boasts a “full camera experience,” complete with an event timeline and the ability to download recorded clips.
Roku hackers hijack 15,000 accounts using an old trick
Hackers took control of thousands of Roku accounts and ran up credit card bills with fraudulent purchases, using a tried-and-true method.
Airbnb to hosts: No more indoor security cams, period
In a global policy change, Airbnb has banned the use of all indoor security cameras, including in common spaces.
Govee Neon Rope Light 2 review: Around the bend
A revamped version of Govee’s “rope” light is more flexible and works with more smart home ecosystems thanks to Matter. It’s also a lot of fun.
Nest Aware now part of Google One plans in U.K., not U.S. yet
Google One users in the U.K. just learned that their plans now offer Nest Aware benefits, but there’s no word when U.S. users will be included in the offering.
Max will start cracking down on password sharing, too
Following Netflix and Disney, Max will kick off own password-sharing crackdown later this year.
Tidal cuts high-res music streaming prices to $10.99 a month
Tidal now offers just a single music-streaming tier that offers lossless, high-resolution, and spatial audio tracks while matching Apple Music prices.
Ikea’s long-awaited Matter update just went into beta
After a lengthy delay, Ikea's promised Matter update for its Dirigera smart hub is finally poised to arrive.
Own this video doorbell? Take it down now
In a blockbuster report, Consumer Reports pinpoints a series of cheap video doorbells that are wide open to attack.
LIFX is back with new outdoor smart lights
The once-troubled, now Feit Electric-owned LIFX brand returns with a quartet of outdoor lights, including string lights, a spotlight, and a flexible "rope" light.
HomePod with screen is still a year away (at least)
A screen-equipped HomePod won't see the light of day this year, according to the latest chatter.
Juggling multiple Philips Hue hubs is about to get easier
Soon you'll be able to sign into multiple Hue Bridges using a single Hue account, perfect for Hue users with more than 50 lights.
Amazon: "There are no changes coming to Freevee"
Rumors are swirling that the ad-supported Freevee will go away now that Prime Video with ads is here, but Amazon is flatly denying the chatter.
Wyze plays blame game as camera breach fallout continues
Even as it apologies for yet another privacy breach, Wyze is blaming third parties for Friday's calamitous events.
Wyze cams suffer major service outage, security breach
Following an hours-long service outage, Wyze admitted that some Wyze users could see thumbnail images of video events from strangers.
Now it’s Peacock that might merge with Paramount+
Wait, wasn’t Paramount+ going to merge with Max? Please—that was so yesterday.
There is no Vudu, only Fandango (at Home, that is)
Fandango is poised to delete one of the oldest brand names in streaming, with Vudu getting a name change to Fandango at Home.