Cut The Cord

I did a program a while back on how to get rid of cable and switch to streaming alternatives.

Listed below are some hardware, streaming services, and other resources to help give those looking for alternatives several options.


Over the Air Resources:

Antennae Selection: https://www.channelmaster.com/Antenna-Selection- a/134.htm

Channel Position: http://www.overtheairdigitaltv.com/tv-station- locator-tool/


Devices:

Apple TV - https://www.apple.com/tv/

Fire TV - https://goo.gl/NMHliy

Google Chromecast - https://goo.gl/uxfPNk

Roku - https://www.roku.com/products/compare#

Kodi Box - https://goo.gl/yg7hFs (prosecution of a seller in UK https://goo.gl/DTuPo7 )

Blu Ray players, Gaming Devices, Tablets, Smart Phones

Air TV - https://goo.gl/NTiZxQ

Sling Box - http://www.slingbox.com


Services:

Amazon –https://goo.gl/uy5OHT

Direct TV Now* - https://directvnow.com

Hulu – https://www.hulu.com

Netflix – https://www.netflix.com

Sling TV* – https://www.sling.com

Playstation Vue* - https://vue.playstation.com

*Each Sport Has Special Streaming as well.


Free Services:

Crackle - http://www.crackle.com/

Hoopla – http://www.hoopladigital.com


In the News:

The NVDIA Shield https://goo.gl/5Z31cZ

Caavo System allows you to watch via multiple devices https://goo.gl/HtqjBP

Great place to learn more: http://www.cordkillers.com/ 

Apps in the News

Mental Health: In a recent study the use of specially created apps helped reduce anxiety and depression in a significant number of study participants. More studies are necessary to verify the results but it was so promising that some participants claimed to have little to no more symptoms of anxiety or depression. To learn more read: http://www.livescience.com/57394-mental-health-treatment-smartphone-apps.html

Google Voice has received its first major updates in five years. The app (available on iOS and Android) allows users to use a single phone number across multiple devices and with the current update users can send group texts, photos, and receive voicemail transcriptions. To learn more read: https://www.cnet.com/news/google-voice-update-adds-new-design-group-messaging-support-and-more/

Google Plus is not dead. The social media platform that receives little attention received three recent updates that upgrade  handling comments, seeing more in your feed that you might be interested in, and bringing back events to the community. Learn more here: http://www.androidcentral.com/google-update-adds-new-comment-moderation-brings-back-events

Evernote released an interface update to their app for iOS. The update is intended to allow users to access options much quicker and easily and integrate photos, audio, and text in a single note with less steps. To watch a video which illustrates the changes and read more check out: http://www.ubergizmo.com/2017/01/evernote-8-ios-major-overhaul/

Blynk is a new app that makes it easy for makers using Arduino or Raspberry Pi computers to control a process through their smartphone. Before this app users would have to create an app from scratch but now it is possible to create something in 50 seconds. The article has a step-by-step video showing how it works: https://lifehacker.com/blynk-makes-creating-mobile-apps-to-power-arduino-or-ra-1791446978

Meitu is a new viral app that allows users to use filters to create cute anime looking images. It reminds me of some Snap Chat filters, BUT it asks for a lot of permission on your device like your unique identifier, contacts, location, carrier information, SIM card information. Wi-Fi network information, and more. You might say, "I'll use it once and then delete it.". The problem is once a user says yes to the permissions they have handed over a lot of information about them selves that they don't take back after they delete. To hear what experts have to say, read: https://lifehacker.com/blynk-makes-creating-mobile-apps-to-power-arduino-or-ra-1791446978

Merlin Bird Photo ID, is a free app available for both iOS and Android created by researchers from Caltech and Cornell University. It needs a clear, quality photo, to match the picture against a database of 650 North American bird species. The app takes advantage of a database of over one million photos then leverages machine learning and visual classification data. Read all about it: http://www.seeker.com/snap-a-bird-photo-and-this-app-tells-you-the-species-2178518321.html

In iOS 10.3 (the next version of Apple's operating system) , apps will be limited to asking users to rate the app three times in a year. If you use apps as often as I do this is a relief because certain apps ask almost every time you use them. Another improvement is that users will not have to leave the app and go to the iTunes / App Store to review an app. http://www.recode.net/2017/1/24/14375558/apple-limit-app-rating-reminders

Netflix users on Android can now download certain titles to their SD card instead of internal storage. This can be helpful for users that want to download with a phone and watch on a tablet or if they have a small amount of internal storage with a large SD card attached. Get the details: http://www.pcmag.com/news/351283/netflix-adds-sd-card-download-support-to-android-app

Cord Cutting

I have gotten asked several times about cord cutting and streaming.

The usual streaming services: Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon are highly recommended.  Each has their strengths and you can choose based on what you like to watch. I would also like to suggest three other alternatives that you may or may not want to consider.

Kodi (otherwise known as XMBC)  – This open source software allows you to create a home theater using a computer of your choice. If you have ever seen advertisements trying to sell you a “stream everything” type box, this is what they are selling. It is a lot like a Roku style box but you can create one of these yourself and because it is open source. The companies that sell Kodi boxes as “stream everything” consoles are using add-ons that allow for illegal streaming. If you make one yourself you can limit it to legal services and you can create one inexpensively. A Raspberry Pi , old Desktop, or old laptop could be used for as your device. This webpage has a step by step guide to creating a Kodi box otherwise known as an XBMC (Xbox Media Center) http://www.cnet.com/news/how-to-set-up-a-home-media-center-with-kodi-xbmc/ Here is the Kodi website to learn more about the software or download it: https://kodi.tv/

Playstation Vue – this service allows for local and cable channels to be streamed on any device. You can use your computer, mobile device, or a Kodi enabled box. The plans range from $29.99 a month for 55 channels to $44.99 for 100 channels. It is month to month so you can cancel at any time. To learn more, visit:  https://www.playstation.com/en-us/network/vue/

Sling TV – similar to Playstation Vue Sling TV has been in the streaming business longer and you can use it on pretty much every device. They have offered some great deals and promotions in the past. Their service allows users the ability to record programs like a DVR (digital video recorder) to save programs so that they can easily watch on multiple devices. Their pricing right now starts at $20 for 25 channels all the way to $40 for 100+ channels.  Learn more here: https://www.sling.com/

If you want to use a computer that wirelessly streams your Kodi system you can use a Chromecast https://goo.gl/tKCRFg

If you want to see a video review of Kodi and Playstation Vue, you can watch here: https://goo.gl/HDsPGx

Let me know any ideas for reviews / articles.