Kris Wouk
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kris Wouk is a tech writer, gadget reviewer, blogger, and whatever it's called when someone makes videos for the web. In his free time he likes to make music, read, and write short fiction.
Should you mount your TV above a fireplace?
Designers and homeowners love mounting TVs above fireplaces. But for the sake of your health and the health of your TV, don't do it.
How to calibrate your TV
You’ve got your new TV out of the box, but now what? Our TV picture calibration guide takes you through how to get the best picture from your brand new TV.
The best Apple TV apps
If you're looking to turn your Apple TV into an all-in-one entertainment powerhouse, we can help you get started with this list of the best apps to download.
FLAC vs. MP3
There are a lot of different audio file formats out there to use for your digital music collection, with FLAC and MP3 being two of the most popular, but what is the difference? We’re here to explain the good and bad about each format as well as when you might want to use one over the other.
The biggest issues with Verizon FiOS, and how to fix them
Verizon FiOS offers not just fiber internet, but TV and home phone service as well and that is a whole lot to cram into one monthly billing statement. If you're considering the service, see what problems, issues, and trouble other Verizon FiOS users have reported before you decide to sign-up.
What is Terrarium TV? Here’s everything you need to know
Picking up where Popcorn Time left off, Terrarium TV offered users all the free movies and TV shows they could watch, albeit not in a way that was entirely above board. Now, after a troubled existence, the app's developer has shut it down, and offered an ominous message to users on his way out.
Movies Anywhere service adds Comcast films to its library and devices
Movies Anywhere, owned by Disney, lets you watch movies purchased from different services all in one place. And now, its first pay-TV provider, Comcast, has joined the service, meaning you can watch movies purchased from the service on Comcast Xfinity devices and vice versa.
Kef’s LSX wireless speakers are a more affordable follow-up to a modern classic
After wowing us with its LS50 wireless speakers in 2017, Kef is returning to the idea with a new product that promises much of what we loved about its predecessor, only with a new design, updated technologies like AirPlay 2 and a price tag that is half that of the LS50.
Jaybird doubles down on fitness with the Tarah Pro wireless earbuds
Following the release of its Tarah wireless headphones earlier this year, Jaybird is debuting a new model aimed at those who take their fitness seriously with the new Tarah Pro, which feature more than double the battery life of the original plus expanded fit options for maximum comfort.
Spotify makes its Family plan more enticing with a free Google Home Mini
If you’ve been thinking about signing up for a Spotify Premium Family plan, there has never been a better time. The company is making the plan even more enticing by offering subscribers a free Google Home Mini for a limited time, adding a whole new level of control to your listening experience.
Nvidia’s Shield TV gets Alexa support and Dolby Atmos for Amazon Prime Video
If you’re the owner of Nvidia’s Shield TV streaming media player and have been getting jealous as you see Alexa voice control coming to other devices, you’re in luck, as Nvidia announced that the device can now work with Amazon Echo devices to bring the power of Alexa to your entertainment experience.
How to watch the World Series, with or without a cable subscription
The 2018 World Series might already be underway, but there are plenty of games left before a winner is declared. Not sure how to watch? Check out our guide to how to watch the remaining games, no matter if you want to watch via cable, an over-the-air antenna, or via a live TV streaming service.
Amazon’s Fire TV Cube gets even more hands-off with enhanced voice control
Navigation menus with a remote is just plain old fashioned at this point, which is why you can now control almost anything with enhanced Alexa voice controls on the Amazon Fire TV Cube, including third-party apps like Netflix, Hulu, and ESPN, with support for even more apps coming in the future.
How to install Kodi on an Amazon Fire TV
Looking to watch your home media on your Fire TV with Kodi? It’s much quicker and easier than you might think, but there are some security risks involved that may have you second guessing the decision. In our guide we'll help you decide if you should install Kodi on your Fire TV and show you how.
What is HLG HDR, and do you need it in your new TV?
There are already so many types of HDR signals, so just what is Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG for short) and how is it different from other types of HDR? It may not be used much now, but that is starting to change, and could soon change in a big way. Here's everything you need to know about the technology.
Apple might launch a Netflix competitor around the world in 2019
Despite the eventually shelving of its plans for a live TV streaming service, Apple is reportedly planning to launch a service in the first half of 2019 that would compete with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video -- first in the U.S., then in more than 100 countries around the world.
Google Play Movies & TV users’ 4K libraries are about to grow on their own
If you’ve been using Google Play Movies & TV for a while, you’re about to get a major upgrade, as the service is now upgrading any movies you already own to 4K, regardless of whether you originally bought them in HD or SD resolution. The service is also adding even more ways to watch.
Budget TVs are finally worth buying, and you can thank Roku
Not all that long ago, budget TVs were only worth looking at if, well, you were on a budget. Thanks to Roku and its platform, not only are budget TVs now a viable option for anyone, they might even be a better buy than more expensive TVs, depending on what you're looking for.
Lynxsonic’s 4:33 headphones offer premium features at a not-so-premium price
If you're looking for a set of wireless headphones that has a similar feature set to Bose's QuietComfort 35 but with a lower price, the Lynxsonic 4:33 is an intriguing new contender on Kickstarter. The headphones offer Bluetooth 5.0, touch-based controls, and claimed 40-hour battery.
How to watch Blu-rays on the Xbox One S and Xbox One X
While the Xbox One S and Xbox One X boost the visual fidelity of your games, they also can pull double-duty as Blu-ray players -- and pretty good ones at that, but there’s a little set up needed before you can start watching. We’re here to show you how to watch Blu-rays on the Xbox One S and Xbox One X.
Spotify Premium cribs from Pandora with new Endless Artist Radio feature
As Pandora continues to catch up to Spotify in terms of the features it offers, Spotify is returning the favor, adding Endless Artist Radio for Premium subscribers as well as other features including newly streamlined navigation and a redesigned, easier-to-use search page.
Facebook might be planning a streaming box for your TV that watches you back
Facebook is reportedly working on a piece of hardware for your living room meant to compete with the likes of the Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Chromecast. This one has an extra feature in the form of a camera for video calls, something people may not want given the company's recent controversies.
Google Translate busts out of Pixel jail, now works on any Assistant headphones
Google’s Pixel Buds were an attempt from the company to replicate the success of Apple’s AirPods, and while they weren’t great, they had a handy feature in Google Translate integration. Now that incredibly useful feature is available on all Google Assistant-enabled headphones.
Apple Music recommendations could get superpowers thanks to latest acquisition
Apple Music is currently beating rival Spotify in the U.S., and Apple is set on making sure it stays ahead. Following the approval of its Shazam acquisition, a new report has surfaced saying that the company has acquired music analytics firm Asaii, with its founders now members of the Apple Music team.
Dish Network vs. DirecTV: Battle of the satellite TV titans
So, you’ve chosen to go with a satellite television provider, but it comes down to Dish Network vs. DirecTV. What do you pick? Check out our quick rundown of what both offer in terms of content, hardware, and pricing, and why you might choose them over the streaming services they offer.
Genius gives Apple Music a brainy boost with new lyrics integration
While Genius has already worked with Spotify for its Behind the Lyrics feature and YouTube for Song Stories, the service has announced its most in-depth partnership to date with Apple Music, bringing lyrics to the app and making it the default player for the Genius mobile app and website.
Free original content is coming to Apple devices, but only if it’s rated PG
Apple has been teasing its own video streaming service for a long time, and has been slowly moving with its own original shows. Now new reports say that the company will bring free original content to its devices next year, but don't expect any blood and gore, as the company will only show PG content.
Sennheiser’s Ambeo AR One in-ears blur the line between the real and the virtual
For a few years now, Sennheiser has been all-in on virtual reality and augmented reality when it comes to its Ambeo line of audio gear, and now it's taking things even further with the Ambeo AR One in-ears, the first product of its kind to be certified by AR pioneer Magic Leap.
AT&T takes aim at Netflix with HBO-led streaming service set for a 2019 launch
HBO fans have worried for some time that parent company AT&T was looking to turn it into Netflix. But after its acquisition of Time Warner, the company is looking to instead launch a new, separate streaming service with programming from HBO, as well as Warner properties like Cartoon Network.
Brainwavz Blu 300 wireless earbuds deliver major water resistance at a low price
Brainwavz is known for its midrange offering like the quad-driver B400 or the 3D-printed B200, but that's not all the company does, as proved by its latest product, the Blu 300 wireless earbuds, which offer IPX7 water resistance at a price low enough to make them an impulse buy.
House of Marley’s corked-back No Bounds XL speaker is waterproof and even floats
Sure, you'll find plenty of waterproof Bluetooth speakers out there, but House of Marley's No Bounds XL takes a unique approach, with a cork-backed design that aids the company's sustainability goals and also helps the speaker float if you happen to drop it in the pool while you're rocking out.
Devialet’s downsized Phantom Reactor speaker still promises huge sound
Devialet's original Phantom speaker was capable of producing an enormous amount of sound, but it wasn't exactly ultra-portable, with a fairly large footprint and the weight to match. Now the company has unveiled the Phantom Reactor, a new take on the speaker that shrinks the size but keeps the sound.
Marshall’s updated Bluetooth speakers merge improved tech with iconic looks
Marshall's Acton, Stanmore, and Woburn Bluetooth speakers offer up massive sound in a package that replicated the iconic look of amplifiers that helped define rock-and-roll, and now updated versions of these speakers offer improved sound, Bluetooth 5.0, and an updated feature set.