True or false: You need a streaming gadget to cut the cord

Many are fed up with the rising costs of cable and satellite. And the more equipment you have, the more that can go wrong, adding to the inconvenience. It’s no surprise that cord-cutting is gaining momentum.

Your mind may stray to countless available streaming options, but an old method of watching TV is making a comeback. You can throw it way back by purchasing a TV antenna, but it won’t resemble anything like the rabbit ears you may remember. Tap or click here to learn about the differences between indoor and outdoor antennas and which is right for you.

When it comes to streaming, you have a myriad of options. But before you decide which services you want to subscribe to, how will you watch them? You may not need to purchase anything beyond a smart TV.

First things first

You’ll need an internet connection. You may have it bundled with your cable and phone service. Canceling cable will save you money, which you can pocket or use to bundle streaming services.

Choose an internet plan that works for you. Shop around for deals from different ISPs. Tap or click here for more tips like this for lowering your monthly bills. Once your home network is up and running, you can start streaming directly from your smart TV, depending on the model.

Smart TVs are a smart choice

Smart TVs make it easy to stream shows and movies without needing more equipment like a streaming stick. You can even browse the web with newer TVs and access your phone and other devices from the big screen.

Different brands come pre-loaded with various apps. If you’re in the market for a smart TV, you may want to see which ones carry your favorite streaming services from the factory. Some will let you add apps yourself once you have them up and running.

For the most part, big brands such as Samsung, Vizio, Sony and LG all support major streaming services such as Apple TV+, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Netflix, Paramount+, Prime Video, Peacock, Sling, YouTube and more. LG only recently added HBO Max to its smart TVs.

RELATED: It’s not a coincidence – Those are targeted ads on your TV

For older TVs, a streaming box is the way to go

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5 clever scams making the rounds you need to know about

Another day, another scam. Or should we say scams? There seems to be no end to discovering crooked schemes that use every means imaginable to trick people out of their information, data and finances.

Everyone’s received text messages from unknown numbers. Sometimes it’s a service or business you use that isn’t in your contacts. It could be your food delivery app letting you know that your grub is on the way. It could also be the first step in a scam. Tap or click here to learn how the scheme works and how to keep from falling victim to it.

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Why women can see more colors than men

Being able to see color is a significant evolutionary trait. We can see how blue the sky is or how beautiful fresh flowers are. But, it turns out not all of us see color the same way, and scientists now believe women can see more colors than men. So why is this?

Anyone can see the layout of your home and what you paid for it - Do this to stay safe

There’s more information about you online than you probably realize. Your hacked passwords, your address, even your credit card details.

Details about your home are everywhere, too. Government sites and resources like Zillow and Redfin list everything from what you paid to the very layout of your house.

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58% of workers fed up with their computers - Are you?

Work laptops come with all sorts of problems. At first, you might be excited at the prospect of using tech you didn’t have to pay for. After all, many people can’t afford a laptop, so it can seem like a blessing in disguise.

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10 most-stolen dog breeds and 3 smart ways to protect your furry friend

Few things terrify a pet owner more than finding out their furry friend disappeared. In the U.S., around four million dogs go missing each year. Pet owners have a lot to worry about: medication, closing gates, so the dogs don’t get out and even outright kidnappings.

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Streaming comparison: Roku vs. Apple TV vs. Fire TV vs. Chromecast

The pandemic boosted the popularity of streaming as social distancing and remote work caused people to stay home. Online media companies helped fill the void by expanding their libraries and adding new content to stream, including big-budget productions that never made it to theaters.

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How to try out a new TV from Hisense for 100 days, no strings attached

The tricky part about shopping for tech is you never know how it will work once it’s in your home. You can look at a TV and imagine it in your living room, but you can’t be sure about its performance until you’ve used it. There’s nothing worse than buying a costly gadget, only to find out it doesn’t work the way you wanted.

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A mysterious salmonella outbreak has spread across 25 states

The Centers for Disease Control is a major part of the Department of Health and Human Services. The CDC protects the U.S. from health, safety and security threats, both foreign and domestic.

The agency has been at the forefront of news since the pandemic swept across the country. It has been studying COVID-19 and advising on how to deal with the virus. Tap or click here to check out an interactive map that tracks the Delta variant’s movements.

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3 reasons the new Kindle Paperwhite is worth the upgrade

You probably know that reading is better for your brain than social media. Healthline reports that reading can even prevent age-related cognitive decline. But most of us spend more time scrolling on our phones than reading.

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Your iPad just got its biggest upgrade in years - 7 new features try now

Typically with the changing of seasons from summer to fall comes a slew of new Apple devices. This year is no different as the Cupertino company updates its line of iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches.

Along with four models of iPhone 13 and Apple Watch Series 7, a new entry-level iPad and a redesigned sixth-generation iPad Mini are being released. Tap or click here to check out some features on these updated Apple devices.

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Use this calculator to determine your risk of contracting COVID-19

As the Delta variant forces us to change strategies when dealing with COVID-19, more tools are available to give us a hand. Each state has its own policies and rate of infection, which also factor into the mix.

The Mayo Clinic has an interactive map that shows a rolling average of daily COVID cases for the past week across the U.S. It also has an option to look ahead for two weeks. Tap or click here for more information on this helpful tool.

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This new COVID scam tries to lure you in with a refund on your phone bill

By now, you should know that scammers and criminals will do almost anything to get their hands on your data and money. There is seemingly no length that they won’t go to, even if that means using the pandemic as a lure.

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If you get a document from a stranger, delete it! Here's why

Updated 09/13/2021 – Since this vulnerability was disclosed last week, security researchers have seen exploits in the wild and found the flaw is more dangerous than originally thought. Keep reading to find out how to stay protected.

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Have a SimpliSafe system? There's a brand new HD outdoor camera to add to your home's arsenal

When it comes to home security, you need a company you can trust. Traditional home security companies are all about the bottom line. You work with a salesperson to find a system, someone comes over to install it, then you’re locked into a long contract with high monthly fees.

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5 TikTok appliance cleaning hacks you have to see

Cleaning hacks have been all over the popular video-sharing app TikTok. Millions tune in to watch people clean their toilets, mop their floors, scrub their showers and even clean out their refrigerators. Tap or click here for our TikTok beginner’s guide.

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Smartphone security: Do you need a VPN on your phone?

Compared to computers, smartphones have weak defenses and easy-to-crack passwords. They’ve also got a ton of valuable data. Just think about everything on your phone.

Chances are your work email is connected, which means a savvy cybercriminal could steal your company’s secrets. There’s also your contacts list, which is stuffed with phone numbers and maybe even emails.

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Ding, dong: 6 funniest moments caught by video doorbells

Sure, you probably know all about the ways doorbell cameras like SimpliSafe can boost your home security system. Connect them to your phone, and you get a 24/7 live stream of everything going on in your home. With these nifty tools, you can catch burglars, find missing children and even tell your neighbors about a fire.

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3 ways to make sure Facebook really isn't listening

We all know that Google can listen to your conversations, but what about Facebook? The social media giant claims that it doesn’t eavesdrop, but how often have you seen ads for products relating to a recent conversation?

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Lock down your phone from snoops and hackers

Your phone is full of secrets, whether you think about it that way or not. Would you want just anyone to see your private conversations, swipe through your photos, or open up your emails? Of course not.

There are digital spies to worry about, too. Tap or click to see which apps are accessing your camera or microphone.

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