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.
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 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
It can be tough to decide between the new gadgets you should upgrade to and the ones you should leave on the shelf. Do you really need that expensive new smartwatch or can you get the same features from a more budget-friendly version?
🪦 RIP, Chromecast: After 11 years, Google is upgrading its streaming device to something that feels suspiciously like the Apple TV. Google TV Streamer plugs in via HDMI and is a lot more powerful than the old Chromecasts. Preorder is live now with September delivery.
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Ever wonder how your Roku, Fire Stick, or Apple TV seem to know who you are? I uncover the secrets of their prying eyes.
🔎 Where’s my remote? If it’s a Google TV remote, press the button on the back of your streaming device. Your remote will beep for 30 seconds, so you can find it. You could even say, “Hey, Google, find my remote.” Hit any button on your remote to stop the sound once you find it. I remember the first time I saw a universal remote. I thought, “This changes everything!”
Want to protect your digital privacy while you binge your favorite shows? Turn off these three settings.
