Do EVs need special tires?, true wireless earbuds review, Disney+ ad-tier, new ecobee, and more

May 18, 2022

We’ve seen quite a few companies announce “EV tires in the past year.” Yes, tires explicitly made for Electric vehicles. But the main difference between an electric car and an internal combustion engine car is… well, the engine. Why would an EV need special tires?

The answer to that is a bit complicated, naturally. But we have the details in the top story.

On a side note, I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you that our favorite hot-swappable mechanical keyboard is on sale. We’ve called the Drop CTRL Mechanical Keyboard the best overall mechanical keyboard in the past, and that’s due to fantastic materials, features, and frankly a gorgeous look. Now is the time to buy if you’ve been on the fence.

Other Highlights:

• Chazz spent some time went “ears on” with Audio-Technica’s latest true wireless earbuds, and they are surprisingly solid.
• Withing’s new smartwatch is just gorgeous.
• We have some good news about the upcoming ad tier for Disney+.
• …and more!

-Josh

Buying an electric vehicle is different from buying a regular gas car. You don’t have to worry about maintenance or stopping for gas, but you will have to keep an eye on the battery. And like any vehicle, you’ll eventually need new tires for your EV. Read More »

Audio-Technica, a company with a familiar name to even the most casual listeners, created a great sounding set of buds that, unfortunately, chooses function over form. The ATH-CK550TW have top-of-the-line specs and versatility that should put these earbuds near the top of any buyer’s list. Read More »

Dialpad is a cohesive business communication platform that offers calling (like a regular phone), messaging (like Slack), video conferencing (like Zoom), and customer support, all in the same app. It even comes with a powerful AI assistant that transcribes meetings and automates workflows so that you can get more done every day. Sign up for Dialpad now and save 25% when you sign up through this link. Not ready to commit just yet? You can sign up for our free trial here.

We could hardly believe our ears when HyperX announced the Cloud Alpha Wireless headset. Not only does it come at the low price of just $200, but it lasts 300 hours on a charge—something we verified in our detailed review. Still, HyperX hasn’t explained this battery wizardry. But iFixit may have an answer. Read More »

Disney+ charges just $8 a month for its service, making it one of the cheapest streaming platforms available today. Still, the company plans to launch an even cheaper ad-supported plan later this year. The company promises that this plan will go light on the ads, and in an odd twist, some viewers won’t see any ads! Read More »

First available in Europe, the popular and outrageously affordable TP-Link Tapo lineup is now available in the United States. TP-Link is kicking things off with four security cameras and a smart LED strip, all of which $60 or less. Read More »

Driving can sometimes be a tense experience, but that doesn’t mean you always have to be uncomfortable while you drive. With this cushy and ergonomic neck support pillow, you can drive in comfort! The memory foam pillow wraps around your seat’s headrest, and makes it easy to adjust its height as needed, whether you’re driving or a passenger. It measures 11 x 9.8 x 4.3 inches, and doesn’t stick out too far on the edges (potentially blocking your vision). The pillow comes in four nice colors—black with white trim, red with black trim, beige, and all-black leather—that can easily match your car’s interior color.

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New rumors suggest Samsung could finally be ready to ditch the Qualcomm Snapdragon processor that’s powered many of its mobile devices over the years. Instead, it’ll design a custom in-house chipset built specifically for the Galaxy S line. Read More »

Outdoor security cameras are among our favorite bits of smart home tech, so we’re excited to learn about the latest devices, like Eve’s new Outdoor Cam. This is the first floodlight camera designed exclusively for Apple HomeKit Secure Video, and it’s full of smart and convenient features. Read More »

When I reviewed the original Withings ScanWatch, I called it a “smartwatch for people who don’t like smartwatches.” That’s because it looks like an analog watch but still offers powerful health and fitness features. Now, Withings is taking things even further with the ScanWatch Horizon, the most stylish smartwatch I’ve ever seen. Read More »

Poor indoor air quality isn’t just gross; it can also make you ill or fatigued. That’s why the all-new ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium packs a built-in air quality and moisture monitor, along with several other improvements. Read More »

Purchasing a mesh router system is only half of the upgrade process. If your mesh node placement is poor, you’ll never realize the full benefits of a mesh system. Here are common mistakes you want to avoid. Read More »

There’s a lot of information out there about how to treat smartphone batteries. We can argue about the best practices, but there are some clearly bad things that can ruin batteries quickly. Let’s make sure you’re avoiding them. Read More »

Thanks to their no-heat-required, easy prep, charcuterie boards are an easy dinner solution as temperatures rise. While they’ve been popular for quite a while, a new addition is putting charcuterie back in the spotlight. Read More »

When it comes to cooking, the tools you use are just as important as your technique. Naturally, you want to take good care of all of them, but especially your knives. From chopping veggies to slicing meat, a set of good knives are a necessity, and there’s a handy trick that will tell you if one needs to be sharpened. Read More »