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Kathryn Rath

Albany

Updates Writer, Audio/Video & Smart Home at Wirecutter

Articles

  • 2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Kathryn Rath

    When Amazon announced in February a generative-AI-infused update to Alexa, dubbed Alexa+, it seemed as if the company had metaphorically jammed its flag into the moon’s surface, proclaiming itself the winner of the gen-AI voice-assistant race. After all, Apple had promised a gen-AI-powered Siri ages ago, only to backtrack and put off a release indefinitely — and then it barely mentioned Siri at the WWDC 2025 gathering in June.

  • Nov 4, 2024 | nytimes.com | Grant Clauser |Kathryn Rath

    Whether you’re planning to build a dedicated theater room or just thinking of upgrading your living-room system to create a more immersive, theater-like experience, we have video and audio recommendations covering every space and budget. Our AV team spends thousands of hours each year seeking the best-looking and best-sounding home theater equipment.

  • Nov 3, 2024 | nytimes.com | Kathryn Rath

    One fundamental question has been the driving force behind innovation and technological advancement since time immemorial: “How can I do this without standing up?” That’s the beauty of smart plugs. Smart plugs offer the easiest way to turn your “dumb” devices into automated sci-fi gadgets, allowing you to power any on/off device by using an app, by scheduling it, or by using voice commands.

  • Oct 10, 2024 | flipboard.com | Kathryn Rath

    Haliey Welch1 hour agoJoJo Siwa Talked Spicy Bedroom Behavior With The "Hawk Tuah Girl," And I'm Completely ShockedBuzzFeed - Mychal Thompson • 1hI can't believe they're swapping salacious spit stories. If you don't even know what a "Hawk Tuah Girl" is, her real name is Hailey Welch, and she went viral after she hilariously answered a question on Tim & Dee TV.

  • Oct 10, 2024 | nytimes.com | Kathryn Rath

    Before getting a music streamer, I was something of a music separatist. My expensive stereo system was reserved for first-press vinyl records, whereas my daily streaming of Apple Music playlists with titles like “Y2K Trashy” or “Divorced Dad Rock” happened mostly through my garbage computer speakers.