Which streaming player is best? Kim breaks down the options and tells you why you may want to choose one device over the others. Whether you’re looking to cut the cord and ditch cable, or just get access to even more content, this complete guide to the top streaming devices can help.
5 sites for streaming TV for free
Streaming video is still a relatively young technology, but most of us can no longer imagine sticking a disc into a DVD player. Yes, some of us still enjoy our Redbox rentals, and Blu-ray still offers some of the best imaging available.
Gone are the days of driving to Blockbuster, paying late fees, or digging out our membership cards. Streaming video has largely erased that way of life, although there is one last Blockbuster store standing.
Even the big streaming services no longer hold a monopoly. Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime still dominate as top sources of streaming content, but more and more major companies are getting into the streaming business.
This year alone, those options will expand to AT&T, Warner Media, and IMDB streaming services.
Disney+ will soon transmit the entire Mickey Mouse, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars universe to your screen. AppleTV+ will release never-before-seen original TV series.
But that’s not why you’re here, reading my column.
You’re looking for free content that you can stream on demand. Here are five streaming services that we’ve been, well, watching.
1. Sony Crackle
Sony Crackle is owned by Sony, of course, so it hosts a lot of Sony original content, plus programs and movies from other companies.
- It’s a free service to watch some of your favorite TV shows, original programming, and movies.
- It breaks down the content into multiple categories such as spotlights, originals, action, drama, comedy, fandom, thriller, icons, anime, trending and a plethora of other categories.
- Crackle can be connected to a large variety of platforms such as TVs, mobile device, set-top boxes, gaming consoles and online.
- The service is ad-supported to allow it to continue to be free and offers no offline viewing options.
2. Tubi
Tubi streams more than 12,000 titles, including movies and TV shows. Affiliated studios include Paramount, Lionsgate, MGM and more.
Former FBI, CIA director takes on a phone scammer
Robocalls and phone scammers are getting worse. Most are merely annoying, but some can be terrifying, like the scammer who threatened to kill Lynda and William Webster. Webster’s name may sound familiar: He’s the former head of the FBI and CIA. Everyone is a target for scammers, from the average person to the powerful.
Smart home tips from a guy who did it and lived to tell
You’ve decided to upgrade your home to a smart home but, where do you start? Maybe some smart lightbulbs or a smart thermostat? Should you use an Amazon Alexa, Google Home or Apple Home Pod to connect your devices?
Amazon is delivering in new ways
If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you probably love the free 2-day shipping. But there are many more benefits that you might not know about.
Check out these nine great Amazon Prime perks that you’ll wish you knew about sooner. Even though deliveries are already Amazon’s specialty, it’s always looking to make it better.
Teen sexting
Making sure you teach your kids about online safety is important but you can never be too careful. This can come down to even the way they talk to their friend through text. Here is what to watch out for.
How to remove your personal data from broker sites and protect your privacy online
You might be shocked to see how much of your personal info is floating around online. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. We’ll show you how to keep your private information locked down and how to remove it from data broker sites that store and sell your details.
How to spot spy cameras in your vacation rental: Common hiding places | DIY Security
We’ve all heard stories of people finding hidden cameras in vacation rentals. If you’ve ditched hotels and prefer to book accommodations through sites like Airbnb and VRBO, how do you ensure your privacy isn’t being violated? In this DIY Security tip, Kim reveals common hiding places for surveillance cameras, plus shows you how sneaky hosts could conceal monitoring devices.
Why you never see brilliant blue fireworks
What’s in a firework? I’m sure you know some of it at least — a bit of gunpowder, a dash of color-changing chemicals, and a propellant to launch them into the air, right? Well, the chemistry behind fireworks is a lot more complex. Even tiny details like color are fragile enough to restrict firework makers. Now, see why blue varieties of fireworks are a rare breed to see.
Notre Dame: an exclusive first look at restoration work
Notre Dame’s tragic fire was a shock to the entire world. The centuries-old cathedral lost its magnificent gothic spire and roof in the aftermath of the blaze, but thanks to the efforts of the Paris FD, the structure of the building was saved. Now, restoration has finally begun — and everyone is excited to see Notre Dame restored to its former glory. Get a sneak peek at what’s coming in this insider video.
30 amazing colorized photographs from the 1800s
The 19th century may seem like a distant era of the past, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s not that long ago. After all, we had working cameras back then — even if they weren’t able to shoot in color. Now, thanks to the miracle of computers, we can see the subjects of these photos as they were in life. Will you take a step into the past?
Forget cats vs. dogs! Who would win, cougar vs. wolf?
Cats and dogs are traditional rivals for household dominance. Though some get along just fine, “fighting like cats and dogs” is so common that the image has become ingrained in popular culture. Now imagine that fight but taken to the extreme — with larger, meaner wild forms of our furry companions. Don’t worry, no animals were harmed in the making of this video, but this hypothetical match up puts two apex predators to the test.
Create easy-to-remember yet super-tough passwords
In the wake of password exposures and account hacks, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of basic safety measures. Having a secure program to guard your personal information doesn’t do you much good when your password is “12345.”
Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas (1999)
Finally, one for the kids. Mickey and his friends tell three Christmas stories: “Donald Duck: Stuck on Christmas,” a reminder that Christmas is so special because it only comes once a year; “A Very Goofy Christmas”, which finds Goofy trying to teach his son the joys of Santa Claus; and “Mickey & Minnie’s Gift Of The Magi”, which recreates the classic tale with the Disney icons.
There’s a deadly oasis in the Sahara Desert
In the desert, any patch of green may seem like a lifesaver, with water and shade. But for some places in the Sahara Desert, an oasis may not be so for all who travel there. For underneath the lush exterior, something more sinister waits.
‘The Tudors’ (Netflix)
This series is set in England during the Reign of King Henry VIII in the 16th century. “The Tudors” follows the young king as he has to deal with conflicts inside and outside of his kingdom. If you decide to check out this series, you might recognize familiar faces such as Henry Cavill from “Man of Steel” and Natalie Dormer from “Game of Thrones.” This title is available to stream on Netflix.
Easy way to manage your finances in one place
One of the most difficult parts of life is managing our finances. Most of us do a pretty good job of not spending more than we earn, though there are times when that is not particularly easy to do.
No matter what the income level is, it’s never a bad idea to gain a better grasp of our money situation. Financial advisers can be very helpful, but their expertise comes at a cost. Do we really want to spend money in order to better see how we can save some?
Your TV is watching you
I don’t know about you, but when I sit down in my favorite chair to watch TV, the last thing I want to think about is the TV spying on me. While it might not actually be taking pictures of me in my sweats without my hair and makeup done, there are actually TVs out there that spy on you. How? It’s actually quite clever.
Komando Dash Cam Pro now with Night Vision!
The new Komando Dash Cam Pro now has night vision! Record video from your card in HD 1080p, even at night. Have the evidence you need in the event of an accident or capture still images from a beautiful scenic drive. Get your Komando Dash Cam Pro in my shop today!
Get Firefox’s new browser that’s super fast
Our gadgets are constantly being upgraded to be faster and more powerful. Think about how much more advanced today’s smartphones, tablets and desktop computers are compared to just a few years ago. It’s been an amazing leap forward.