Phil Nickinson
Section Editor, Audio/Video
Phil spent the 2000s making newspapers with the Pensacola (Fla.) News Journal, the 2010s with Android Central and then the personality behind Modern Dad, and is currently an editor with Digital Trends. Phil’s online work has taken him all over the United States, as well as Europe and Asia.
When he’s not writing, editing, or shooting video, Phil serves as president of the Pensacola Youth Soccer 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has worked on multiple local political campaigns and is a part-time photographer and videographer. He's also a candidate for Pensacola City Council, District 1.
Phil is a native of Pensacola, where he resides with his wife, daughters and a dog named Max.
Find Phil on Mastodon, or on Threads.
Sonos, software, and Stockholm syndrome: what went wrong in 2024
A botched app and platform update in May 2024 led Sonos to delay two new products, and cost the company tens of millions of dollars. That's just for starters.
Sonos needs a new CEO
Let’s just come out and say what everyone is thinking, and more than a few are saying: Sonos needs a new chief executive officer.
Fubo wins injunction against Venu Sports streaming service
When — and if — Venu Sports will be able to go live is up in the air after Fubo won a preliminary injunction against the new sports-centric streaming service.
Your favorite sous vide cooker is going subscription
Anova — maker of highly popular sous vide cookers — is going to charge a small fee to the cooker via the app.
Best streaming devices for 2024: Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, and more
Your TV probably already has all the apps you need to stream all your shows and movies. But you need not settle. Here are the best streaming devices for 2024.
Sonos laying off 6% of employees ‘for long-term success’
Sonos announced layoffs of about 100 employees as the company weathers a continued software meltdown, and a major loss of revenue because of it.
A major Sonos exploit was explained at Black Hat — but you needn’t worry
Researchers from NCC Group showed how a Sonos One could fall victim to an attack that would let someone listen in on the microphones.
Max: Price, movies, shows, and more for the HBO/Discovery combo
How much does the Max streaming platform cost, and what devices can it be streamed on? Our helpful Max guide answers both of those questions and more!
What can Sonos possibly do to ‘delight’ customers again?
It's been a bad summer for Sonos. What can the company do to make things right with customers?
Don’t throw out that old Chromecast with Google TV just yet
The new Google TV Streamer is better than the old Chromecast with Google TV in nearly every way that counts — except for when it comes to size.
‘Push for speed backfired,’ Sonos CEO says as new products delayed
Sonos CEO Patrick Spence said he pushed the company to move too fast, and as a result two new products will have to be delayed until software is fixed.
Roku now has a dedicated free sports channel
Roku will consolidate the live and original sports programs it owns or licenses under a single channel.
Disney’s password-sharing crackdown goes big in September
Disney's CEO said the company would expand its crackdown on login sharing starting in September.
The Google TV Streamer added one feature that all such devices need
The Google TV Streamer includes a simple button to help you locate a missing remote control — and that's something every such device should have.
Get ready to pay for more Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+
Starting October 17, Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ are all going to cost a little more. Again. Because Disney is still trying to not lose money on streaming.
Chromecast now has a place in the Google Graveyard
With the announcement of Google TV Streamer, the Chromecast platform has been laid to rest after almost a dozen years.
Sonos Ace headphones now work with more Sonos soundbars
Sonos just dropped another bevy of improvements, including enabling the Sonos Ace headphones to work with all of the company's soundbars.
Google TV Streamer is bigger, faster, and more expensive than Chromecast
Google TV Streamer takes what made Chromecast great and adds more power, smart-home tech, a better remote, and Ethernet. And it costs twice as much.
Should you get Venu Sports if you have cable or streaming?
If you already have a cable or streaming subscription, it's very likely that you don't need Venu Sports. Even more so if you have a couple of other services.
Venu Sports may actually be better than its creators intended
Execs for Venu Sports say they're not trying to steal subscribers from cable and streaming, but there's almost no way that won't happen.
How I added a handful of hidden YouTube TV channels for the Olympics
If you use the custom channels sort option on YouTube TV, you might be missing out on a bunch of new channels.
Venu Sports finally announces price of $43 a month, for starters
Venu Sports — the new streaming service that combines sports from Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery — will cost $43 a month, but that may well increase.
SiriusXM launches Podcasts+ within Apple Podcasts
SiriusXM is giving early access and bonus material to a number of its podcasts via a new SiriusXM Podcasts+ subscription within Apple's Podcasts app.
Sonos says it’s fixed excessive battery drain on the iPhone
Sonos has released an app update that it says fixes excessive battery drain on iPhones. Other work remains, however.
Tubi is now available on Apple Vision Pro
The biggest free streaming service is now available on Apple's VR headset.
Sonos CEO offers software mea culpa: ‘We know we have work to do’
More than two months after a major app revamp that went horribly wrong, Sonos CEO Patrick Spence has issued an apology to the company's customers.
‘A much better version of Spotify’ is coming, CEO says
Spotify has been teasing a high-resolution audio offering since early 2021 — and CEO Daniel Ek just reconfirmed that it's still on the way. Eventually.
I’ve used the new Prime Video app — you’re gonna want this ASAP
Users have been clamoring for an updated Prime Video app, and Amazon has delivered with a rewrite and redesign from the ground up.
This slanted surfboard just may be Google’s next TV streamer
We're fully expecting a follow-up to the veteran Chromecast With Google TV at an event in August — and this weird-looking thing could be it.
The one (small) thing I’d change about the Sonos Ace headphones
The Sonos Ace headphones are really good, even though the case takes up a decent amount of space. Here's one way Sonos could make it better, though.
I’d pay even more for a streaming service without political ads
Streaming services keep getting more expensive. But imagine if you could pay more to get rid of all the political ads this time of year.
Minecraft-themed Beats Solo 4 is perfect for that Creeper in your life
Beats by Dre has teamed up with Minecraft for a Creeper-themed set of Beats Solo 4 headphones — and we already have a pair.