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AirPods aren't the best Bluetooth earbuds anymore

Apple’s AirPods are so ubiquitous, they’ve become the Kleenex of Bluetooth earbuds. But whether you own an iPhone or an Android, AirPods are hardly the only compelling option. As long as you stay clear of the cheapest budget options you see in checkout lines, Bluetooth earbuds, in general, are all pretty awesome.

I thought my Google TV stick/dongle was dead, then I disabled one setting

I still value my Google Chromecast with Google TV dongle because I don’t mind when it slows down a little, since I only use it on an older TV to stream movies and shows. So when I ran into a visual problem and thought my dongle was dead, I found it just needed a quick settings adjustment to come back to life. Some have claimed their dongle received an update that broke their Google TV stick, but mine still worked until one day it showed that lovely black screen of death on an old TV that replaced my dead one. Sometimes it’s just one setting that causes the black screen; other times, it's more complex.

4 reasons my cheap Android TV box will outlast your Fire TV Stick

Years ago, I bought an Android TV box so I wouldn't have to replace the TV in my bedroom with a smart TV. At the time, it seemed like a cheap and simple solution. All I had to do was plug the box into the TV, connect it to Wi-Fi, and I had access to all the streaming apps I needed. What I didn't expect was that I'd still be using the same box years later, even while newer streaming devices have come and gone.

You already own a Blu-ray player, so start building a physical media collection today

Streaming may have made physical media feel obsolete, but that doesn't mean there's no reason to start collecting Blu-rays. In fact, owning your favorite movies and shows on disc can still offer some major advantages, from better picture quality and reliable playback to the simple peace of mind that comes with actually owning what you want to watch. You also don't necessarily need to spend hundreds of dollars on a dedicated Blu-ray player to get started.

I spent hours troubleshooting my TV until I found an outdated cable hiding behind it

I recently hooked up an old PC to my TV, expecting it to be the perfect way to turn my living room into a makeshift gaming setup. The hardware was more than capable, and both the PC and TV supported the refresh rates I wanted, so I assumed everything would work without a hitch. Instead, I was greeted by constant stuttering, flickering, and occasional black screens that made the whole setup feel broken.

Roku is destroying the clean home screen that convinced me to buy it in the first place

For a while, Roku felt like the one streaming platform that hadn't sold out. Ads were not invasive a few years ago, and the OS mostly stayed out of your way. If you've been a Roku user long enough to remember what that felt like, then you're probably disappointed with where the company is going. Roku is more than a way to start streaming, so it makes sense that the company wants more money. Unfortunately, it feels like we're just at the beginning.

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