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Latest by P. Nickinson

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This $3 app made my Sonos system usable again

The official Sonos app is still a hot mess. SonoPhone isn't a perfect replacement, but it definitely gets the job done.
The defunct Florida Smart ID app from Thales.

Florida’s Smart ID app won’t be missed, but it will be replaced

The Florida Smart ID app was never very good, nor did it gain much traction. And now the state says it's going to try things again in 2025.
Paramount Plus as seen on a TV.

Now that the Skydance deal is (nearly) done, what happens to Paramount+?

As a company, Paramount is (probably) about to go through some major changes. But execs say that the Paramount+ streaming service isn't going anywhere.
Apple TV's Insight feature showing character and music information on screen.

Apple TV’s InSight feature is ready to take on Amazon Prime Video’s X-Ray

The TV app on Apple TV is getting a new feature that easily shows the character and actor on the screen at any given time, just like Prime Video's X-Ray.
Phil Nickinson wearing the Sonos Ace headphones.

Maybe I had the Sonos Ace headphones all wrong

You don't actually need to already own the wireless speakers to enjoy the Sonos Ace headphones — and maybe that's exactly how Sonos wants it.
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Beats Pill tips and tricks

The Beats Pill is a brilliantly simple Bluetooth speaker, but it does have a few tricks up its sleeve. If it had sleeves, that is. It's a speaker. Not a person.
MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

MLS Season Pass drops price again, to $49 for the rest of the season

Apple today announced that it's reduced the cost of a subscription to MLS Season Pass to $49 for the rest of the 2024 season.
Sports on Paramount Plus.

What is Paramount+? Price, plans, and what you can watch

Paramount Plus has risen to the heights of streamers like Netflix and Hulu. But how much does it cost, and what kinds of content is available? Let’s find out!
The three colors of Beats Pill: gold, red, and black.

What color Beats Pill should you get?

Ultimately what color Beats Pill you go for won't affect the sound. But it'll definitely affect the way you look at it. Choose wisely.
Amazon VP of Technology BA Winston.

The 10-second rule: How Amazon Prime Video tries to keep live sports as live as possible

Streaming live sports is complicated. But when you're streaming an exclusive NFL game, the stakes are even higher.
A promo image for the Paris Olympics on Peacock.

AI-powered Al Michaels will provide daily recaps from the Paris Olympics

The legendary broadcaster will be doing daily recaps of the Paris Olympics. Or, rather, an AI-generated version of his voice will be.
A Beats Pill speaker alongside a Bose SoundLink Max.

Beats Pill vs. Bose SoundLink Max: It’s a numbers game

Two Bluetooth speakers, both alike in stature. But one of these things is not like the other when it comes to the Bose SoundLink Max and new Beats Pill.
The 2024 Beats Pill and an aging Sonos Play:1.

The new Beats Pill might replace Sonos on my back porch

They're less expensive, portable — and are built to survive the elements. And that's why the new Beats Pill will be my pick for new outdoor stereo speakers.
A pair of Beats Pill speakers.

The Beats Pill is back, baby!

The Beats Pill Bluetooth speaker lives again, with all the internal tech you'd expect, and a price that might surprise you.
Mayor of Kingstown on Paramount Plus.

Another year, another price increase for Paramount+

Paramount+ is increasing its subscription rates by as much as $2 a month for one tier in its second rate hike in about a year.
A pair of Ray-Ban Meta smartglasses on a table.

The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses triple their recording time

If a mere 60 seconds of video recording just isn't enough, the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses now let you capture up to 3 minutes of content at a time.
MLS Season Pass.

Apple’s MLS Season Pass adds Catch Up feature for key plays

Apple now lets you catch up on major plays in MLS matches on MLS Season Pass with the aptly named Catch Up feature.
The new Beats Pill. Probably.

The new Beats Pill is (probably) coming June 25

LeBron James is back in another teaser for what almost certainly is a new Beats Pill speaker. And this time he's brought a date.
Single AirPods Pro in case.

How to use noise cancellation in just one AirPods Pro

AIrPods typically come in pairs since you have two ears. But it's also possible to use noise cancellation with the AirPods Pro in a single earbud.
The Siri icon on Apple TV 4K.

Why is Apple Intelligence not on Apple TV?

It's likely a matter of when Apple Intelligence comes to Apple TV — not whether it will come to the platform.
An Apple TV 4K sitting on a wood entertainment center with a HomePod Mini behind it.

Apple apes a major Amazon Prime Video feature in tvOS 18

You'll soon be able to get live info on actors, characters, and music in movies and series on Apple TV+ with the tvOS 18 update. Yep, it's just like Amazon's X-Ray feature.
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Everything dies eventually — even your favorite tech

No, Netflix shouldn't be expected to support an Apple TV that hasn't been current since the Obama presidency.
The Shokz OpenSwim Pro next to swimsuits.

I used headphones that work in the water — and now out of it, too

The Shokz OpenSwim Pro add Bluetooth for use on land and make these swimming headphones that much better.
The Shokz OpenFit Air in their charging case.

Shokz OpenFit Air review: more affordable, just as safe

The Shokz OpenFit Air are more affordable (but still excellent) options for earbuds if you need to hear the world around you.
The Shokz OpenSwim Pro (left) and OpenFit Air, on a small outdoor table.

Shokz updates earbud and bone-conducting offerings for land and sea

Shokz adds functionality to its swim-friendly bone-conducting headphones, and adds a cheaper option for its more traditional open-ear buds.
Sleep timer settings in the Sonos app.

Sleep timer returns to Sonos app as improvements trickle in

The Sonos app is getting steadily better after a major app overhaul seemed to break more than it fixed.
Sonos Ace in soft white.

The Sonos Ace have a stand worthy of their stature

Sonos is selling a $50 stand that's worthy of the Sonos Ace, the company's stylish first headphones.
The Max app on Apple TV.

The ad-free options for Max are getting more expensive

Two of the three plans on Max — the ones that get rid of advertising — will cost you more, effective immediately for new subscribers.
An Apple TV 4K sitting on a wood entertainment center with a HomePod Mini behind it.

The best streaming device you can buy is $40 off at Verizon

Apple TV 4K rarely goes on sale, so you're definitely going to want to check this offer out.
Spotify on an iPhone.

Spotify is getting more expensive, again

A little less than a year since its last price increase, Spotify is increasing its monthly cost again in the U.S.
Exploded view of the Sonos Ace.

ChatGPT says to pair your Sonos Ace headphones with the room decor

Maybe don't use a large-language model just yet to choose which color Sonos Ace you should buy. Stick to the human experts, for now.
A video preview (or screensaver, if you will) for abstract pouring techniques on YouTube, as seen on an Apple TV.

YouTube apparently rolls back feature that irked Apple TV users

You can let the YouTube app run idle on Apple TV without fear of YouTube showing you a screensaver before Apple's own screensaver can launch. Crisis averted.
The Apple TV app listing in Google Play.

Does a job listing mean Apple TV is getting an Android phone app?

A new job listing from Apple has folks convinced a proper Apple TV app for Android phones is on the way. Problem is, they really have no idea.
Search results for The Sandlot on Amazon Fire TV.

Amazon celebrates a decade of Fire TV with (what else?) an AI update

AI is everywhere, and starting this week it will be powering search results on Amazon Fire TV.