What I'd like to see in the upcoming Sling app
I’ve mentioned before that I replaced my satellite service with Sling about six years ago. Since then it’s added a cloud DVR and recently upped the capacity of that to what I consider to finally be a reasonable amount of storage space. It’s also added quite a few more channels in that time. There have been app updates as well, some welcome and some not so much.
Now the service teases another update coming soon. A box popped up on my screen the other day announcing the change and promising an improved TV experience "soon".
Tubi now boasts 55+ live news channels
There are far too many TV services online these days for me to even begin to name them. What started with novelties like Netflix and Hulu soon became no novelty at all, but a billion-dollar industry and live TV soon followed with things like Sling and YouTube TV.
But don’t discount the lesser-known ones. Just because they’re free doesn’t mean they have less to offer. Sure, you may not get a first-run movie or original content, but what you do get is very much still worth it.
Apple TV 4K gets faster A12 Bionic processor and improved Siri Remote
Apple TV 4K is the best media streaming box on the market, thanks to its powerful processor, large selection of apps, and tight integration with Apple's ecosystem. It hasn't been updated in years, however, so people have long been expecting a refresh.
Well, today is the day, folks -- sort of. The "refresh" of the device itself is a bit ho-hum, simply getting a faster A12 Bionic processor. While Apple TV 4K will now support higher framerates, the body and overall design remain the same. What does get a big change, however, is the much-despised Siri Remote.
My first month with discovery+
The Discovery Network started as the Discovery Channel, but it’s grown at lot since the early days and now encompasses the Food Network, History Channel, DIY Network, HGTV, Lifetime, and more. There's a lot of content.
If you're a fan of the network's programming, as I am, then the new discovery+ streaming service (which launched in the United States at the start of January) will no doubt appeal as it's home to all of your favorite Discovery shows (past and present), plus a wealth of original content.
Philo gets Google Chromecast support
Around the world, many consumers are cutting cable, opting instead for online TV streaming services such as YouTube TV, Sling TV, and Hulu+Live TV to name a few. Another streaming TV service, Philo, isn't the most comprehensive option, but it is one of the cheapest at just $20 monthly for more than 50 channels.
Today, Philo gets a new feature that subscribers should absolutely love -- Chromecast support. Called "Philo Connect," subscribers can now choose to "cast" what they are watching on an Android device to their TV via a Chromecast dongle (or television with integrated Chromecast).
Apple Music time-synced lyrics now available on Samsung smart televisions
There are many music streaming services these days, such as Spotify, Tidal, and YouTube Music. My favorite, however, is Apple Music. Why? Well, besides the excellent mobile interface, it has a very large library of music. Not to mention, the human-curated playlists are second to none. Plus, Apple Music finally has a web player now -- a much desired feature.
Another cool aspect of Apple Music is time-synced lyrics. When you are listening to some songs (not all), you can have the lyrics display on your device's screen -- timed to the music. It works great, and it is even an option on Apple TV, enabling you to have a karaoke-like sing-along with friends and family. Apple Music is no longer just an Apple-only affair though, as it is available on Android devices and some smart televisions too. Today, Samsung announces that the aforementioned Apple Music time-synced lyrics feature is finally available on its smart TVs.
BenQ TK850 4K UHD HDR-PRO DLP projector is ready for Super Bowl LIV
Super Bowl LIV is a little more than a week away, airing on February 2 -- a Sunday, of course. If you are planning on watching the game at home, I hope your television is up to the task. True, no one needs a fancy TV to watch football, but having a quality picture definitely makes the big game more enjoyable.
But what if you didn't watch the Super Bowl on a TV? No, I don't mean actually going to the stadium and being a spectator -- tickets are insanely expensive. Actually, I am proposing a different alternative -- watching Super Bowl LIV with a projector. You see, BenQ has a new model that is hitting stores just in time for the "big game." Called "TK850," the DLP projector offers some impressive features, such as 4K resolution and HDR-PRO. It will put some televisions to shame. BenQ says the video the TK850 outputs will look great even in a very bright room -- a bold claim.
PlayStation Vue gets more expensive
When I cut the cord and switched from cable TV to streaming with YouTube TV, I was beyond happy. The interface was modern, there were many quality channels, I could watch live TV on the go, and best of all, it was less expensive than cable. Fast forward to today, and after some price increases, the cost savings have all but disappeared. And yet, I remain a loyal YouTube TV subscriber, as the service is only getting better, making the increased monthly charge worthwhile.
While I have no experience with PlayStation Vue -- another streaming TV service -- I am sure it has its own loyal fans. Whether or not they tolerate price increases is another story, and sadly, as of today, they are facing a higher cost for all tiers of service. Thankfully, it isn't too large of a price jump.
TV and gaming services you've probably never heard of are shutting down
There’s a chance you might remember a gaming console startup named Ouya. Many of us bought in to it hoping for something that, while less than Xbox One and PS4, might at least be fun. We got the former, but not the latter. It lasted a few weeks in my home before being disconnected forever.
Apparently at some point, after it was mostly just gathering dust, it gained a TV service named Razer Forge. There was probably an announcement, but I missed it.
UK streaming site TVCatchup is down... and this could be the end
If you are having trouble accessing TVCatchup via its mobile app or through its website, you are not alone. The UK TV streaming service has gone dark, and it could be a permanent closure.
The service has been no stranger to controversy and managed to attract the attention -- and the wrath -- of numerous broadcasters, and became embroiled in a legal battle. Having managed to stay online for longer than many would have imagined, it seems you’ll now have to seek out an alternative to TVCatchup.
Watch Apple unveil its new TV and news subscription services
Apple had a pretty busy week last week, unveiling new iPads, new iMacs, and updated AirPods.
Today things get even busier for the tech giant as it’s holding a special keynote at its Cupertino campus where it is expected to unveil several new services, including one that aims to compete with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
Cyber Monday deal: Get Hulu for less than a dollar per month!
Tomorrow is Cyber Monday, a modern addition to the holiday shopping season that originated from people returning to work after the long holiday weekend and, with access to a PC and fast internet, doing some shopping on the company’s time
The day has grown into a phenomenon and is expected to outperform Black Friday in 2018, with predictions ranging in the neighborhood of $7 billion in sales.
Change.org may alter next year's Super Bowl halftime show
If you haven’t been marooned on a desert island for the past couple of years, you’ll be aware of the Colin Kaepernick saga. As a refresher, the quarterback was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers. He started for them as a rookie and had a good season, though he dropped off slightly in the following seasons. When his contract expired it was not renewed.
You can have your own views of why he is no longer in the NFL. It could be his play, though he’s more than qualified to, at least, get a second string job on many teams. However, most think it was his protests that did him in. When he chose to stay on the bench during the National Anthem it caused an outcry. People claimed he hated the country, hated the military and all sorts of more bizarre things. The fact was, he was protesting violence and, after talking to a military officer, he learned to get up from the bench and take a knee.
New add-on board lets you watch TV on your Raspberry Pi
The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ is a great, low-cost single board computer that you can put to all sorts of uses, but there are some hardware add-ons available for it which make it more useful.
Two months ago, the Raspberry Pi Foundation launched a HAT (Hardware Attached on Top) that makes it possible to power the Pi over Ethernet (PoE), and today there’s another even more exciting announcement -- the arrival of a TV HAT.
Save $150 on the Enclave Cinehome HD 5.1 Wire Free Home Theater System
We live in an age where TVs offer amazing picture quality -- 4K HDR really makes the picture pop. But it’s no good having a fantastic image on screen, if the accompanying sound quality is rather lacking.
Enclave Audio's Cinehome HD 5.1 Wire Free Home Theater System is an easy-to-setup HD 5.1 digital surround system that delivers 24-bit HD quality audio without the need of speaker wires.
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