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.
LG’s stylish CineBeam Q projector changes name, hits the U.S. in April
The LG CineBeam Q has dropped the Qube from its name and goes up for pre-order this month before its U.S. release in April. There's still no price, though.
Former Apple exec joins upcoming sports streaming service as CEO
Pete Distad, who most recently ran video and sports for Apple, will be at the helm of the new joint venture sports streaming service when it launches in 2024.
Apple’s MLS Season Pass is streaming all games free this weekend
Every MLS match March 16-17 will be streamed for free on Apple's MLS Season Pass service — even if you're not a subscriber.
Spotify adds music videos for Premium users in a handful of countries
Spotify is slowing testing with waters with music videos, available in a handful of countries at first, for a handful of artists.
I don’t know what to do about Roku
Between all the advertising and data harvesting — and now a pretty major account breach that potentially could have been avoided — it's hard to recommend Roku.
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 also probably can do better than that. Here's what we like.
The upcoming sports streaming service is a textbook case of a ‘trollout’
Information about a major new sports streaming service continues to be released in dribs and drabs, which doesn't really help anyone.
Your next earbuds maybe shouldn’t be earbuds at all
Since the release of the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, I've found I'm not carrying around separate earbuds as often.
What is Paramount Plus? Price, plans, and what you can watch
Paramount Plus is the streaming service from ViacomCBS that's home to the Star Trek universe, Yellowstone, live sports, and more — including new originals.
Sling TV adds arcade games on Fire TV and Android TV
You can now play arcade games on Sling TV in full-screen — or side by side with whatever you happen to be watching.
Hands-on with the Belkin iPhone Mount with MagSafe for Apple TV 4K
Belkin's MagSafe Mount for the iPhone makes video calls on Apple TV 4K that much easier. Call your mother. She misses you.
Sonos CEO says new product still on track for release by end of June
A new Sonos product — possibly headphones — is still on track for release between April and June in the company's fiscal third quarter.
Belkin drops a $50 mount for iPhone video calls on Apple TV 4K
Using your iPhone for video calls with Apple TV 4K will be a good bit easier thanks to a new $50 MagSafe mount from Belkin.
Suction-cup TVs, Rick Rubin is afraid of Bluetooth, and more AV news you missed
Would you put an expensive TV on ... anything ... using suction cups? And is legendary producer Rick Rubin really using $50 air tube earbuds?
How to get a D-pad on your Apple TV Remote app
The Apple TV Remote app works really well on an iPhone and iPad, but it's not perfect. Here's how to switch from a trackpad to directional buttons.
Spotify adds a paid audiobook option to its free tier
Those who stick with the free tier of Spotify can now buy access to audiobooks, with 15 hours available for $10 a month.
Paramount serves ‘true sports fans,’ CEO says
Paramount CEO Bob Bakish doesn't appear to be threatened by the upcoming sports streaming service led by three competitors.
The 10 most popular streaming services, ranked by subscriber count
It's not quite fair to compare the various streaming services merely on how many subscribers they have — but it's as good a place to start as any.
Tubi’s rebrand looks to pull you further down the content rabbit hole
Tubi has a new look and feel as it continues to take over the free advertising-based streaming world.
What does the Star button do on a Roku remote control?
The Star button on a Roku remote is a magical little creature. Here's a look at everything the Star button can do on your Roku TV or Roku player.
New streaming service looks to end endless Googling for sports
The upcoming sports streaming service from Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery hopes to keep you from having to Google where a game is ever again.
YouTube TV just added a huge new add-on for $15 a month
With more than a dozen channels available for $15 a month, Zee Family looks to expand the reach of YouTube TV even more.
The [redacted] bits are the best part of Fubo’s sports streamer lawsuit
Fubo alleges illegal business practices kept it from being able to compete with the likes of YouTube TV and others. But the lawsuit keeps the details a secret.
YouTube TV tips and tricks: how to get the most out Google’s live TV service
YouTube TV is the most popular option for cord-cutters, and that means you need to know these YouTube TV tips and tricks.
How to reset an Amazon Fire TV remote in less than 2 minutes
If you need to reset your Amazon Fire TV remote, it should take just a button press and a couple minutes of your time.
Samsung adding Auracast and 360 Audio to more TVs, phones, and earbuds
Samsung is expanding the capability of its phones, tablets, TVs, and earbuds, adding Auracast, 360 Audio, and fast switching.
Walmart buys Vizio — and its ad and data business — for $2.3 billion
The rumors were true. Walmart is scooping up TV maker Vizio for $2.3 billion in stock — and with it, Vizio's strong advertising and data business.
The streaming services will continue to nickel-and-dime us all — because they can
As online services fight for every single dollar — sometimes by less-than-scrupulous means — the only way we can fight back is by canceling.
I paid Meta to ‘verify’ me — here’s what actually happened
Meta — the parent company of Facebook and Instagram — charges $15 to verify your account. I wanted to see if it was worth it.
Apple reportedly had 2 million subscribers to MLS Season Pass in 2023
Apple doesn't release numbers itself, but the Sports Business Journal reports that MLS Season Pass finished 2023 with a total of 2 million subscribers.
This long-awaited YouTube TV feature is a channel-flipper’s dream
In testing for some time, YouTube TV appears to have flipped the switch on a feature that makes it easy to flip back and forth between two channels.
Spotify just made live music a little bit better
Bandsintown is one of the best ways to see who's playing where, and when, and it's now tied directly into Spotify.