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Why now is the time to revisit your cord cutting options
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I did the math. I’m paying $83 more a month now to watch TV than I did when I was paying for cable. Is it worth it? I do like the convenience of not being tied to a grid, and many of the original shows are terrific. Speaking of, I just finished watching “Masters of the Air.” You def need to watch that on Apple TV+.
A lot of people are asking the same question. No wonder the streaming services are all competing to add live programming. YouTube TV picked up the NFL, Amazon pays $1 billion a year for Thursday Night Football, and Netflix is spending more money than you can fit in a wrestling ring for WWE.
Things have changed a heck of a lot since we all ditched cable years ago. I dug through the latest Consumer Reports to figure out which streaming services are worth your money today — and what they’re still missing. Maybe you’ll find a new go-to.
For the Disney adults: Hulu + Live TV
Hulu’s live TV bundle is slightly pricier (especially if you want to go ad-free) but includes a ton of original content and a backlog of shows and movies that YouTube TV doesn’t have. It’ll run you $77 to $90 (ads or not).
What you get:
- 75 channels: Including major broadcast channels (ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC).
- Cable highlights: A&E, BET, CN, CNN, Disney, Fox News, FX, HGTV, TBS, and TNT.
- Sports: CBS Sports, ESPN, Fox Sports, and some regional sports networks.
- Cloud DVR: It has unlimited storage for up to nine months.
- Content library: Hulu original series and streaming library of movies and shows.
- Bonus: ESPN+ and Disney+ are included — sweet if you have kids at home or visiting.
What’s missing:
- Some sports: MLB Network, NBA TV and NFL Network.
- Some news: BBC America, PBS and some NBC programs.
- Feel-good favorites: Like AMC and Hallmark.
- Other streaming add-ons: No option to add Max.
If you just want the basics: Sling TV
Sling TV is the cheapest by far. The basic plan costs about half of Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV. Cost? $40 for each basic plan below, or $55 for both. But Sling nickels and dimes for additional channels and DVR storage. Not a fan of the sneaky pricing.
What you get:
Go smish! Texting scams impersonate these brands the most
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Here’s a fun fact you can use to win a bet: 19.2 billion spam texts were sent this January. That works out to every person in the U.S. receiving around 19 spammy texts in just one month. Crazy, right?
Crooks have taken full advantage of how much we text by relying on SMS phishing, or “smishing,” the term for scam texts. They often pose as big brands to get you to give up personal info like credit card numbers and passwords.
AI celebrity nudes for sale online
You could buy creepy pics of stars like Margot Robbie and Selena Gomez on eBay and Etsy. Also, Andrew and Allie cover a vitamin company’s big fine for fake reviews, new checkout fees at Walmart, and the iPhone apps Kim Kardashian uses.
The TikTok ban
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The iPhone Journal app isn't spying on you
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Former CIA Chief of Disguise divulges spy secrets
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Huge outage hits Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube
Kim is traveling in Japan but the A-Team is here! Why did the social networks go down? Andrew and Allie tell you what they know. Plus, American Express customers get hacked, and a Chinese app that can tell if you’ve photoshopped. That’s not all: Lil Jon releases a meditation app.
Bitcoin tops $66,000 — nears all-time high
Kim is traveling in Japan but the A-Team is here! Crypto’s booming. We tell you why and what it means. Also, the new Apple Sports app makes it easy to track online betting stats, a wacky Willy Wonka AI blunder, and other top tech headlines.
Harvard professor says he's found proof of alien life
Dr. Avi Loeb found tiny magnetic spheres in the Pacific Ocean, which he claims are extraterrestrial. Kim and Andrew have a fascinating convo with him! Plus, a dating app for people with good credit, the Loan Depot breach, and airplane mode myths.
Online dating terms to know
Swiping for love? Dive into how folks are finding dates on apps and the key things to keep an eye on.
Meet Tong Tong, the creepy AI toddler
Kim and Andrew talk about an AI website pumping out 20,000 fake IDs … a day. Plus, a bogus LastPass app makes its way into the App Store, an entire radio tower gets stolen, and Mr. Bean is blamed for the poor EV sales in the UK.
3 apps to make your run more fun
Feel like giving these a try? Lace up and let’s get moving.
Is your spouse spying on you?
Suddenly get some weird apps on your phone? That’s one clue you might have spyware.
Death of web traffic, make $ on Amazon & robot bartenders
Plus, AI chatbots will be a big deal in the upcoming elections — and it’s not good news. I also talk with Cathy from North Carolina about real and fake money-making apps. There’s more: I’ll clue you in on the four times you really should change your password.
5 dating app tricks
Looking for love? Here are some quick tips to boost your online dating game!
$661K bank scam, malware targets kids & FB Marketplace pro tips
Plus, I chat to Professor Scott Galloway about his views that Gen Z should be educated on mating dynamics — especially with sexbots on the rise. I’ll also show you how to spot phony retail sites, introduce a woman who turns her dating app matches into music, and highlight ChatGPT Plus’s new file analysis tool. Don’t miss out.
Apps to track your New Year's resolutions
Want to stay on top of your goals? Try these apps to keep yourself accountable.
Clear out those junky apps
Is your smartphone a mess? Here are some tricks to get it running in tip-top shape.
AI undresses women, Temu shopping soars & Amazon hack scare
Plus, Jen Gomez, a former burglar who served ten years in prison, is now helping others secure their homes. Time to ditch the dating apps? Swiping right can be costly. Also, get the history of Nokia’s ringtone and tips on how to prevent your Amazon Echo from ruining the holidays.