Google Chromecast Archives - Komando.com

“Hey Kim, what streaming device should I get?”

“Hey Kim, what streaming device should I get?”

I get this question often enough that I thought I’d share it with you here. The answer, of course, is it depends. I’ll walk you through a few of the best options out there — and who they’re best for.

Wait, do I need one?

Your TV might be smart enough that all the apps you need are built-in. That’s not true for a lot of them, and honestly, streaming boxes and sticks are easier to use.

Solid choice for Android folks ($30): Google’s Chromecast is a breeze to set up and intuitive to use.
Best value for 4K ($50): Roku Streaming Stick 4K.
If you like using Alexa ($55): Prime members, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max works well and you can control it with your voice.
Just works with iPhones and Macs ($125): Is it pricey? Yeah, but AppleTV 4K is slick and it syncs up with the rest of your Apple gear.
Best bargain ($40): The Roku Express 4K is probably the best value and is more than enough for most folks.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

3 clever ways to use your hotel or rental's TV

3 clever ways to use your hotel or rental's TV

We can recommend many travel tips, including using the hotel’s safe, bringing an emergency door-stopper and blocking the peephole in your room. Tap or click here for five clever tech steps before you hit the road.

But how many travel tips do you know that focus on the hotel TV? These devices are notorious for being expensive ways to relax between outings. The good news is they can be so much more than that.

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Stream on

Turn that old TV into a streaming machine. Fear not — streaming boxes and sticks are easy to use. Just plug them into your TV’s HDMI port, which every TV after 2006 has.

Solid choice for Android folks ($30): Google’s Chromecast is a breeze to set up and intuitive to use.
Best value for 4K ($39): Roku Streaming Stick 4K.
If you like using Alexa ($40): Prime members, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max works well, and you can control it with your voice.
Just works with iPhones and Macs ($180): Is it pricey? Yeah, but Apple TV 4K is slick and syncs up with the rest of your Apple gear.
Best bargain ($30): The Roku Express 4K is probably the best value and more than enough for most folks.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

43% use Roku

Among 8,000 households surveyed. It’s the most popular streamer of the bunch, followed by Amazon Fire devices, with 35%. Apple TV and Chromecast finish out the top four.

Want to try Netflix with ads? It doesn't work on these streaming devices

Want to try Netflix with ads? It doesn't work on these streaming devices

When it comes to bills, one or two streaming services may be manageable but many people share their accounts to get access to even more content. But watch out: Netflix is cracking down on account sharing. Tap or click here to see what will happen if you’re caught.

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Tech how-to: Use your voice to control your TV

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.

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Time-saving secret every smart TV user should turn on now

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.

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Why you might start seeing ads over what you're watching on Roku

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.

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Roku is cracking down on private channels (and banning porn streams)

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.

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Use Roku? You may lose dozens of channels soon

Use Roku? You may lose dozens of channels soon

If we’re honest, most of us would admit we have a binge-watching problem. At least over the last year or so while we spent so much time at home. But with so much to watch, it could be a difficult choice to decide which streaming services get your cash.

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If you use a Roku, get ready for more ads

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.

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Tech how-to: Show photos saved on your phone on your TV

Tech how-to: Show photos saved on your phone on your TV

When our TVs were smaller, seeing that black screen wasn’t a big deal. In the age of cheap big screens, they’re an eyesore. And if you’re not watching anything, why not display your favorite photos? Here are a few easy ways to get the job done, straight from your phone.

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Easily display photos from your phone on your TV

Easily display photos from your phone on your TV

Televisions have come a long way, and the newest models have some impressive tricks. Tap or click here to check out a $100K rollable screen TV. If you add in some handy gadgets that can plug into them, like a Chromecast or Roku, your TV can do just about anything.

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Use Roku? You may lose access to a popular streaming service

Video and music streaming services have skyrocketed in popularity over the last few years. The onset of the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns further increased the user bases of many platforms.

Netflix, the most popular paid-for streaming service by a long shot, added 4 million new subscribers so far in 2021, bringing its total viewers to 208 million. For the same period last year, the platform added 16 million new subscribers. Tap or click here for YouTube tricks and tips you’ll wish you knew sooner.

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Google Chromecast: Set up, how to cast and hidden tricks

Google Chromecast: Set up, how to cast and hidden tricks

Most of the televisions on the market today are smart TVs with built-in apps for streaming and entertainment. But what do you do if you don’t have a smart TV and want to watch your favorite series on Netflix? That is where Google’s Chromecast comes in.

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Reader question: 'How do I display photos on my TV?'

Reader question: 'How do I display photos on my TV?'

A recent caller to The Komando Show had a great question. They were having issues with displaying photos on their TV and were looking for an app or device that would help.

Here’s what they wrote: “I have thousands (approx 8,000) photos scanned and saved and I plan to add more. Is there a device or app that can turn my TV screen into a digital photo album to scroll through all those photos like a digital frame would do? I have used a jump drive, but it doesn’t scroll through all the pictures on the jump drive and they are very small on the TV.”

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Put your video meetings on your TV with this $30 gadget

Put your video meetings on your TV with this $30 gadget

Coronavirus has changed almost every facet of the way we live and work. Not only have we pivoted to online shopping and delivery platforms for everything from groceries to clothing, but a large number of us are still working from home, too. Tap or click here to give your home office a high-tech makeover.

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Google Photos: 20 tips to help you take control of your pictures

Google Photos: 20 tips to help you take control of your pictures

Since most smartphones come with awesome cameras these days, we all take tons of pictures. But a great camera is only the beginning. You’re also going to need a way to edit those photos like a pro. Tap or click here to get the best free mobile photo editor.

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Cutting the cord: 5 steps to ditch cable and start streaming

Cutting the cord: 5 steps to ditch cable and start streaming

Cable subscriptions can be a drag. The rates are bad, the companies are hard to deal with, and rarely do you get every channel you want with your package (unless you bundle it together with a phone line you’ll never use, of course.)

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Use your Android phone to cast to your TV

Use your Android phone to cast to your TV

Watching TV, looking through photos or streaming videos on your phone is convenient, but why stick to that little screen?

This is where screen mirroring comes in. The screen mirroring or casting options on Android phones and tablets let you enjoy movies, TV shows, pictures or slideshows on the larger, more enhanced displays of our televisions.

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