TV Archives

Your tech is gross! 5 things you forget to clean

Bad habits can catch up with you. Like any other chore, keeping your tech clean can almost feel like a full-time job. Tap or click for steps to clean tech the right way.

You probably give your smartphone screen a good wiping down now and then. You might even dust your PC keyboard from time to time. But we’re sure there are tech gadgets that you don’t think about cleaning. No worries. We can help.

Read on for five tech items you probably don’t remember to clean and efficient ways to do the job quickly.

1. The top and back of your TV

If you know, you know. Homeowners are constantly being bombarded with household dust on every possible surface. This includes your TV.

Every once in a while, pull the whole thing out and use a dry microfiber cloth to lift any collected dust. Be sure to get in all those nooks and crannies.

MR.SIGA Microfiber Cleaning Cloth, Pack of 12

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2. Computer fans

When it’s time for your computer to have a spa day, unplug it and open it up. You might notice a lot of dust has accrued inside.

Compressed air is your greatest weapon here. You can blow debris out of your computer by removing the case and holding the fans to keep them still. Use a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol to detail the inside.

Falcon Dust, Off Compressed Gas Disposable Cleaning Duster, 3.5 oz Can

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For a reusable option, we love this high-powered dust blower. Read the full review here.

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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 earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Your TV is full of dust: Grab a can of compressed air. Never shake the container and never stick the nozzle inside your TV ports. Hold the nozzle about an inch away and spray at an angle. If you don’t like the waste, try a rechargeable electronics duster.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Turn your TV into a digital photo frame

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Not sure what to do with all those cellphone pics? Check out this great tip!

Bravo! Samsung has a new TV that comes with a free 8K TV, valued at $8,000. The 114-inch “ultra-premium” set costs $132,630 and uses Micro-LED display tech for enhanced colors, brightness and response times. They’re also throwing in a discount on a new pair of speakers and a $2,200 hotel stay. Sorry, but this offer’s for Korea only for now.

Lots of us spend a ton of money on streaming (but not everyone). What percentage of American TV viewers watch ad-supported streaming TV every week? Is it … A.) 10%, B.) 25%, C.) 50% or D.) 75%?

Find the answer here →

You can’t delete Meta AI

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Meta wants to make your FB or IG search bar work more like ChatGPT. You can’t turn it off. Plus, high school coach uses AI to frame principal, the most dreaded word at work, and a new TV projection breakthrough. Got a car? Here’s how to make it into your next side hustle.

New TV screen breakthrough

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On any regular day in the U.S., about 100,000 people are shopping for a new big-screen TV. Here are the latest buying tips.

Emoji trivia is big on social media and YouTube. Let’s see how you do. Can you name the TV series depicted by the combination of these three emojis? 👇🔛⛪ (Hint: It takes place between 1912 and 1926 in the U.K.)

Find the answer here →

🎬 AI love story? TV manufacturer TCL is cooking up the “first-ever fully AI-generated rom-com” called “Next Stop Paris.” The trailer is, um, interesting. Despite the AI claim, they’re using human writers, actors and animators. Sounds like someone really wants investor money.

Eye like it like that: Next time you hang a TV, stop debating placement and use this rule of thumb: Hang it so the bottom of the screen is no higher than eye level when you’re seated. That means the top of the screen should be no higher than eye level when you’re standing.

📺 BOGO: Buy one of these 2024 Samsung TVs and get a 65-inch UHD TV for $0. You don’t have to splurge on the 8K model to get the deal — and I wouldn’t. FYI, the freebie is a 2022 entry-level model, so don’t expect it to blow you away.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Stick with 4K: Don’t spend extra on an 8K model if you need a new TV. Why? There just isn’t enough 8K content available. Here’s a nice 75-inch 4K option from Sony.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

🏉 Stream the big game: Super Bowl LVIII kicks off at 6:30 p.m. EST this Sunday on CBS. Stream it on Paramount+ if you don’t have live TV. Not a subscriber? Sign up now for a free one-week trial. (Don’t forget to cancel before the $5.99 fee kicks in.) Or grab a TV antenna. There’s still time!

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Best TV settings for the game

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Pumped up for the football game? Let’s make sure you’re all set to catch every thrilling moment.

Can baby boomers save the networks?

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The three big networks are up for sale. Here’s why boomers are still watching traditional TV, in one minute.

Share your phone's screen on your TV easily

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Want to show off those great photos and videos so everyone can see? Here’s how in this one-minute podcast.

The streaming secret

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Traditional TV or streaming — which do you think is winning? I have the surprising answer in this one-minute podcast.

Stop your Smart TV from tracking you

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Feeling like your Smart TV is tracking your every move? Here’s how to stop it, in one minute.

Directors approve of this TV setting

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Do you want to watch your movie the way it was meant to be seen? I have a fantastic setting for you, in 60 seconds.