I miss the bouncing DVD logo: Remember when I told you how YouTube hijacks your TV screensaver with its own videos? Now Amazon’s doing it, too, but it’s way more annoying. When you let your Fire TV fall asleep, it’ll show you a 30-second ad before your screensaver pops up.
Your TV is spying on you, but you can stop it
Fun fact: The first Compaq Portable computer shipped in 1983 and cost more than $8,400 in today’s dollars. Wow, times have changed.
Still, your computer is a significant investment, and you want it to perform well for years. Tap or click for my five-minute fix to speed up your PC.
You don’t have to deal with the same kind of issues with your television, but one common question I get is the best method to wipe away fingerprints and dust. These are the wipes I buy again and again. And these smaller wipes are perfect for glasses, phone screens, and computer monitors. Love them.
Unfortunately, you have to think about tracking on your TV just like on a computer or phone. Keep reading to find out how you welcomed a spy into your living room — and what you can do about it.
Why are TVs so cheap?
Remember back in the day when a big flat-screen TV was a total luxury item?
Now, TVs come with a host of bells, whistles and smart features, and you can buy top-of-the-line models for a fraction of the price. What gives?
It’s all about the data. You already know your private information is worth big bucks. One way to stop greedy data brokers is by removing yourself from their people search sites. Tap or click for links and directions to get the job done.
Think about all your TV knows about you and your family. That data makes up for the low price of new televisions. Over time, this data farming recoups more money than they ever made on those sets.
Are you shopping for a TV? There are a lot of buzzwords and marketing terms to get you to spend more. Don’t fall for it. Here’s my shopping advice on what to skip and splurge. Spoiler: Go for 4K, not 8K.
Is it worth it? It depends
It’s hard to do much in the digital world without it being tracked, monitored, or monetized in some way. Some people work hard to find ways around that, opting to pay for extra privacy or use alternatives focused on users, not data mining.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Tech how-to: Use your voice to control your TV
I have a rule: If an email is going to take me longer than a minute to write, I pick up the phone instead.
For many things, using our voices is just faster and easier. That’s true for controlling your phone, too. Tap or click for genius commands to try with Siri or Google Assistant.
Time-saving secret every smart TV user should turn on now
Your smart devices are getting more intelligent all the time. New models and updates add features and capabilities you may not know you need until you try them out.
Your smartphone is likely the most used gadget in your arsenal. It’s more than just a phone, and there’s always something new to try. You may know about connecting your phone to your TV wirelessly, but did you know that you can get better results with a wired connection? Tap or click here for more information.
Why you might start seeing ads over what you're watching on Roku
At this point, seeing targeted ads on sites like Facebook is no surprise. The good news is you don’t have to live with them. Tap or click here for ways to stop ad tracking on Facebook.
But the last place you’d expect to see targeted ads is through your television. If you have a Roku TV, don’t be shocked when ads start popping up while you’re streaming your favorite show.
5 things you didn't know your smart TV could do
More and more people are cutting the cord in exchange for streaming services. You can watch Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Peacock, Amazon Prime Video and more via a smart TV or streaming box.
You are spoiled for choice when it comes to streaming devices and smart TVs. As displays get larger and streaming sticks get smaller, how do you know which is best for you? Luckily we put together a list to help you choose. Tap or click here for the best streaming device and smart TV options.
Roku is cracking down on private channels (and banning porn streams)
Roku has been in a bitter tussle with Google over rights regarding YouTube TV being available to its users. If negotiations fail by December, it could see the disappearance of 85 channels from Roku.
But the platform is now bringing down the hammer on private channels. As part of the Independent Developer Kit (IDK) launch, Roku adds a beta channel to the list of available options.
If you use a Roku, get ready for more ads
There is no doubt that streaming services have exploded over the last few years. More people have flocked to Netflix, Hulu or Disney+ than ever before to get their viewing fix. For the most part, basic access to these services is relatively affordable. Yes, your smart TV is spying on you – Here’s how to stop it.
Ditch the soundbar and use your Echo as a home theater speaker
There’s nothing like buying a new TV, setting it up and then realizing it doesn’t have the sound quality you were hoping for. It’s happened to many of us. Some gadgets will even advertise awesome features, but they’re pretty lackluster when we get them home.