Brendan Hesse

Former Staff Writer, Home Theater

Brendan has written about a wide swath of topics, including music, fitness and nutrition, and pop culture, but tech was always his forte. Since his childhood, he's been obsessed with piecing together computers, figuring out how video games work, and anything NASA launches into space. Outside of writing, Brendan spends his time drawing, gorging on sci-fi, and adventuring outdoors.

Bang & Olufsen’s BeoLab 50 speakers are a dream for minimalist audiophiles

No matter where you place it in your room, Bang & Olufsen's new high-end speaker, the BeoLab 50, will sound amazing.

News         April 25, 2023

Zolo’s wireless Liberty+ headphones boast graphene on the cheap

Zolo Audio has launched its first product on Kickstarter -- the Liberty+ true wireless earphones, which feature drivers built with graphene.

Audio / Video         April 25, 2023

The most common HTC Vive problems, and how to fix them

VR headsets like the HTC Vive are complex devices and are thus susceptible to errors. This guide will help you troubleshoot common Vive problems and find fixes.

Guides         April 25, 2023

Upcoming PlayStation 4 Games for the 2016 Holiday Season

Looking for a list of the biggest games coming to PlayStation 4 for the 2016 holiday? From 'Mafia III' to the latest Dark Souls DLC, here's what to expect.

Guides         April 25, 2023

How to factory reset a Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge

Looking to rid your device of potential problems and return it to its default settings? Here's how to factory reset a Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge.

Android         April 25, 2023

Tactics and teamwork reign in Rainbow Six: Siege multiplayer, beta coming Sept. 24

Rainbow Six: Siege gets some start power from actress Angela Bassett, and will enter beta on September 24 this year.

News         April 25, 2023

The best games like Pokémon [Ultimate 2022 List]

What happens when you catch them all in Pokémon? Here are other games to check out if you're looking for something similar to the beloved Pokémon RPG series.

Guides         September 12, 2022

The best Linux distros for 2022

Wanting to ditch Windows or MacOS? Linux is a great option, but which version is the best for you? Here are some of our favorite Linux distros to choose from.

Best Ofs         July 24, 2022

Ultimate Ears’ waterproof Wonderboom speaker will buoy your spirits this spring

Get the info on Ultimate Ears' newest, waterproof Bluetooth speaker, the Wonderboom, as well our early impressions.

News         June 15, 2022

Chromecast Ultra vs. Mi Box vs. Roku Premiere

Getting started with 4K streaming has never been cheaper thanks to devices like Chromecast Ultra, Roku Premiere, and Xiaomi Mi Box, but which one is best?

Guides         June 15, 2022

How to clean headlights

Over time, your car's headlights will become cloudy. Thankfully, learning how to clean headlights will restore clarity and improve safety.

Car Guides         June 15, 2022

Amazon Alexa will now help Dish customers watch TV without using their hands

If you're going to live the couch potato life, you might as well embrace it. Here to help you do that is the latest Alexa skill from Dish.

Smart Home News         June 15, 2022

Who makes the best 4K streamer? Apple, Roku, Amazon, and more square off

We compare the Roku Streaming Stick +, Fire TV, Nvidia Shield, Apple TV, and Chromecast Ultra to find the best of the best 4K streamer.

Guides         June 15, 2022

Hulu gives you the binge-watch option you’ve been needing on the Switch

Hulu is now available on the Nintendo Switch, making it the first streaming service to be available on Nintendo's newest console.

News         June 15, 2022

Help a forest sprout when you buy House of Marley’s Uplift 2 Wireless headphones

Bob Marley's "One love, one world" philosophy lives on in the eco-friendly Uplift 2 Wireless earphones from House of Marley.

News         June 15, 2022

How to use Remote Play on PS4

PS4 Remote Play is one of the best PlayStation 4 features. You can play your favorites nearly anywhere. Here's how to stream to a Mac, Windows, iPad, and more.

Guides         May 13, 2022

How to set up a dedicated Terraria server

Terraria's fourth major content update is here, and despite the changes, multiplayer remains the core focus. Here's how to set up a dedicated Terraria server.

Guides         May 13, 2022

LG’s killer OLED TV deals let you skip the Black Friday nightmare

You'll be hard-pressed to find better TV discounts than this year's LG OLED Black Friday deals. So now's the best time to take the plunge.

News         April 26, 2022

Snap one of these Moto Mods on your Moto Z to give your new phone superpowers

The Moto Mods for the new Moto Z turn your phone into a projector, stereo, or even a stylish expression. Check out all of the Moto Mods announced thus far.

Android         April 26, 2022

Short of space? Make room for transformable furniture

Finding ways to maximize your living space can be tough, but these pieces of transformable, space-saving furniture will open up your home for the better.

Products         April 26, 2022

Looking to start a podcast: Here’s everything you need to know

Don't know how to start a podcast? It can be daunting, going it alone. Here's your guide to getting started, from outlining your niche and scripting your first episode to what kind of equipment you need and how to get your podcast online and shared for your new listeners to enjoy.

Guides         April 26, 2022

iPhone SE vs. iPhone 5S

Still carrying around an iPhone 5S? Apple is betting you'll ditch it once you see the iPhone SE. Check out our spec comparison, and decide for yourself.

Apple         April 21, 2022

‘Pokémon Go’ is making Craigslist even weirder than usual

From fishy deals, to casual solicitations to 'Pokémon Go and Chill,' Craigslist users are taking advantage of Pokémon Go's mainstream popularity.

News         April 21, 2022

SteelSeries Arctis Pro review: The best gaming headset

The Arctis Pro iterates smartly, solving the few compatibility shortcomings the previous Arctis headsets faced and boosting the quality to new heights.

Reviews         April 21, 2022

11 March Madness apps to bring the game with you everywhere

You've got your bracket all filled out, with your favorites and upsets picked. We pick the best apps to accompany your March Madness experience.

Android         April 21, 2022

The best Xbox One headsets

The Xbox One might not tout a headset selection quite as vast as the last-gen Xbox 360, but there are some excellent standouts. Check out our picks for the best Xbox One headsets, which includes wired and wireless picks whether you're looking for audiophile sound or affordability.

Trash         April 21, 2022

The best Xbox One headsets for 2022

Check out our picks for the best Xbox One headsets we've found, with both wired and wireless picks whether you're looking for audiophile sound or affordability.

Best-Ofs         April 13, 2022

Move over, Netflix. Google wants YouTube to take over your living room

From live 360 videos on your TV, to Google Home integration for Chromecast devices, Google wants YouTube to take over your living room.

News         March 25, 2022

Sonarworks storms CES with revolutionary headphone-enhancing app

Sonarworks gives us some info on its True-Fi digital sound-processing app, which completely upgrades the sound quality of your headphones.

Videos         November 11, 2021

The Ecoboulder+ Bluetooth speaker can do almost anything — even open your beer

Ecoxgear's new portable speaker, the Ecoboulder+, is armored like a tank and tricked out like a Swiss Army knife.

News         October 5, 2021

Phiaton’s new Bluetooth headphones are as flexible as they are portable

Phiaton's new BT 390 Bluetooth headphones feature a foldable design and impressive specs at a comfortable price point.

News         October 5, 2021

HBO renews ‘Westworld’ for a second season, but it likely won’t air till 2018

HBO's hit sci-fi drama Westworld has been given the green lightfor a second season, but don't get your hopes up of seeing it air before 2018.

News         October 5, 2021

5 reasons Star Trek continues to live long and prosper after 50 years

On its 50th anniversary, we examine the things that have kept Star Trek one of the most important sci-fi franchises throughout its life time.

Features         May 7, 2021

Did tsunamis reconfigure the Red Planet billions of years ago?

Planetary researchers have identified new findings that may help answer many questions regarding what Mars may have looked like billions of years ago.

News         April 2, 2021