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.
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.
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.
Max will serve up live sports in Dolby Vision
Live sports on Max may look a bit better than on other services, thanks to the inclusion of Dolby Vision for HDR.
How to watch Usher’s Super Bowl halftime show replay
The Super Bowl 2024 Halftime Show was one for the ages. Here's how to watch it over and over again.
If you don’t see CBS in 4K on YouTube TV, try this
If you have your channel listings in a custom sort on YouTube TV, you might not see an option for 4K resolution. Here's how to fix it.
How to watch Super Bowl 2024
Super Bowl 2024 is here. And it's available on CBS, Paramount, and Nickelodeon. You basically can't not watch it.
A new streaming sports paradigm doesn’t change what’s most important
When it comes to any streaming service, the only things that matter are price and whether it has something you want to watch.
How to watch Puppy Bowl XX
The 20th iteration of the biggest sporting event of the year is here. Welcome to the Puppy Bowl. Here's how to watch.
Plex is now in the movie rental business, with a catch or two
Plex now offers movies for rent, starting at $4 each. But some of the most popular devices aren't able to make the purchases.
ESPN will be available as a standalone streaming service in fall 2025
Disney CEO Bob Iger announced that ESPN will be available as a standalone streaming service — but not until fall 2025.
New sports streaming service aimed at 60 million ‘cord-nevers’
Fox's CEO says the new streaming service that combines ESPN, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Fox is gunning for the 60 million people who pay nothing to watch TV.
Sonos says new product (probably headphones) coming by October
Sonos says we can expect a major new product from the company no later than the end of September, in plenty of time for the holiday shopping period.
Get ready for the one sports streaming service to rule them all
Fox, ESPN, and Warner Bros. Discovery are teaming up to pool their sports assets into a single streaming service.
NFL Sunday Ticket: Everything you need to know
NFL Sunday Ticket is now on YouTube and YouTube TV and is a must-have for any die-hard football fan.
YouTube TV laps the competition with 8 million subscribers
YouTube TV now has nearly twice as many subscribers as its closest competition, and four times as many as the third-place option.
Why Apple Vision Pro will never replace your TV
Apple Vision Pro will bring people together in many ways. But it'll never replace the shared experience of watching a movie together in the same room.
Did your AirPods Pro noise cancellation just get worse?
All of this has happened before, and it will happen again. A firmware update has made your AirPods better. Or worse.
MLS Season Pass in 2024: How to watch every game on Apple TV
MLS Season Pass brings every Major League Soccer game to Apple TV this season. Here's everything you need to know about the subscription service.
NFL Sunday Ticket presale starts today — save on the 2024 season
You can save $50 on a subscription to NFL Sunday Ticket — but only if you didn't have it in 2023.