• Save money with Netflix

    How To Save Money On Your Netflix Subscription

    3 Min Read

    Netflix, the popular TV and movie streaming service, just continues to raise its prices on us. Sooner or later, it’s going to be time to cancel. Wait, what? That time is now?

    This article will go over some great ways you can save money on a Netflix account — including canceling your service.

    How To Save Money With Netflix

    Saving money on anything requires you to have a purpose and a plan. Lowering your streaming bill is no different.

    You may think that you need to have several video streaming services, but I have been able to make out just fine with Netflix. The way I save money is that I incorporate a few different methods into my TV viewing habits.

    Let’s get started:

    Know What You’re Paying For

    Netflix doesn’t necessarily make it easy when it comes to choosing plans. You could be paying for options you don’t even use, particularly if you regularly watch Netflix on one device.

    Yes, Netflix charges more money to have access to stream on more than one device. And it doesn’t even matter if you have the app on that device or not.

    How Much Does Netflix Cost?

    As of this writing Netflix has a tiered pricing plan after going up in price in January 2022.

    nd TV shows.

    BasicStandardPremium
    Monthly cost* (United States Dollar)$6.99$15.49$22.99
    Number of screens you can watch on at the same time124
    Number of phones or tablets you can have downloads on124
    Unlimited movies and TV shows
    Watch on your laptop, TV, phone and tablet
    HD available
    Ultra HD available

    Share Your Account With Friends

    Another way you can save money is to share your account with friends (or family). If you do so, why not split the costs? When you sign up for Netflix, make sure you get others to chip in on the monthly price.

    Sign Up For T-Mobile Phone Service

    T-Mobile gives you a free Netflix account if you sign up for either of two data plans:

    • Magenta & Magenta Military
    • Magenta MAX plans

    T-Mobile’s partnership with Netflix gives Netflix Basic (1-screen SD, up to $8.99/mo) included at no additional cost on any Magenta plan with two or more lines, or on any Magenta MAX single line plan.  Any Magenta MAX plan with two or more lines will include Standard Netflix (2-screen HD) at no additional cost (up to $13.99/mo).

    Final Word

    Netflix is one of the most popular video streaming services in the industry, even though there are some great alternatives. What you get with a subscription depends on what plan you buy and how you use it.

    One thing about the Netflix deal, you could upgrade to another Netflix streaming plan, such as Netflix Premium (4-screen UHD, up to $17.99/mo), but the value of Basic (up to $8.99/mo) or Standard (up to $12.99/mo) may be applied.

    More From NolaFi.com:

    5 Comments
  • best smart TVs for sale in New Orlenas

    The Best Deals On Smart TVs Right Now: Vizio, Sony, Samsung & More

    5 Min Read

    Smart TV is a great centerpiece to your living room and a great way to watch sports and your favorite movies. The good news is that you can buy one for relatively cheap right now.

    In this article, we’re going to show you how to get a great smart TV for an affordable price. We’ve scoured the web for the best deals on TVs with all the big brands, like LG, Vizio and more.

    Who Has The Best Deals On Smart TVs Right Now?

    Your favorite retailer is usually the one closest to you (Walmart), but that doesn’t mean it has the best deal on smart TVs. We’ve listed some retailers with the best prices we’ve seen this season.

    Local Deals That Are Super Cheap Right Now

    You’ll notice some top brands for TVs like Toshiba, Vizio and LG. Speaking of them, here’s a question we get a lot:

    Are LG TVs Any Good?

    LG manufactures are known for producing some of the best TVs in the business. G Electronics is a part of the LG Corporation, which is a Korean company.

    LG televisions are known for their picture quality, color contrast and resolution, if you’re into that sort of thing.

    Cheap TVs Near Me

    The following retailers have some of the cheapest TVs in your local area. Click below to be taken to their TV pages:

    You can also find cheap TVs for sale near you on Craigslist as well as Facebook Marketplace.

    The Best Smart TVs With The Best Image Quality

    Hisense is a top brand of smart TV sold in the United States. The company has its headquarters in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China.

    Walmart currently has a sale on Hisense TVs. Here are the details.

    RetailerTV UnitPrice  
    WalmartHisense 50″ Quantum 4K ULED Android U6G Series Smart TV 65U6G$278.00  
    WalmartTCL 55″ Class 4-Series 4K UHD HDR Smart Roku TV$278.00   
    WalmartSony 75” Smart TV BRAVIA XR Full Array LED 4K Ultra HD Smart Google TV$1,598.00  
    WalmartPhilips – 65″ Class 4K Ultra HD Smart TV$398.99  
    WalmartVizio – 50″ Class V-Series Smart TV $399.99  
    Best BuySamsung – 75″ Class Q60B QLED 4K Smart Tizen TV$997.99  
    Best BuyLG – 65″ Class C2 Series OLED evo 4K UHD Smart webOS TV$1699.99  

    Instead of specific brands, you may be looking at the top televisions based on price and features. Here are the top smart TVs for sale right now.

    Best 50 Inch TVs

    Notice that some of these smart TVs may come in different sizes. So double check the links to make sure you’re getting the one you want. Let’s go!

    Amazon Fire TV 55-Inch 4-Series 4K

    Buy Now

    LG QNED80 Series 65-Inch Class 4K TV

    Buy Now

    SAMSUNG 55-Inch Class Crystal UHD TU-8000 Series – 4K UHD HDR Smart TV with Alexa Built-in (UN55TU8000FXZA, 2020 Model)

    Buy: $697.99

    All-New Toshiba 43LF421U21 43-inch Smart HD 1080p TV – Fire TV Edition

    Buy: $249.99

    Hisense 50-Inch Class H8 Quantum Series Android 4K ULED Smart TV with Voice Remote

    Buy: $496,22

    TCL 50S425 50 inch 4K Smart LED Roku TV

    Buy: $359.99

    Samsung UN50RU7100FXZA Flat 50-Inch 4K UHD 7 Series Ultra HD Smart TV with HDR and Alexa Compatibility

    Buy: $897.99

    Toshiba 50-inch 50C350KU C350 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV


     Buy: $369.99

    Samsung Electronics 4K Smart LED TV  50 inch

    Buy: From $549

    If you’re looking for the best 40-inch TVs, here they are:

    Best 40 inch TVs

    These 40-inch smart TVs are for more spacious rooms. Many of them come with Alexa built in.

    LG 43UM7300PUA Alexa Built-in 43″ 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV

    Buy: $326.99

    TCL 40S325 40 Inch 1080p Smart LED Roku TV (2020)

    Buy: $249.99

    Insignia NS-32DF310NA19 32-inch Smart HD TV – Fire TV Edition

    Cheap TVs from Amazon

    Buy: $149.99

    Toshiba 32-inch Smart HD TV – Fire TV Edition

    Buy: $699.99

    Where Can You Buy A Cheap Smart TV?

    If you’re looking to buy a cheap smart TV where you live, try your local electronics store. Here are three of the top retailers:

    Final Word

    If you’re looking for a smart TV this holiday season, the places where you usually go will have them on display, but you may pay more than you need to. But you don’t have to pay a lot for a smart TV these days.

    The holidays are a great time to snag a TV for a cheap price, but it’s not the only time to shop. Black Friday and Cyber Monday all offer opportune times to save on electronics.

    More From NolaFi.com:

    1 Comment
  • How to track the location of a cell phone

    How To Track A Cell Phone Location

    3 Min Read

    If you ever need to track a cell phone, you’ll appreciate the easy steps we’ve outline below. It could be that you’ve lost a mobile phone or your significant other is someone you need to track here or there.

    A mobile phone is an amazing device with a lot of capabilities, including the ability to be tracked. And the good news is that you can track your cell phone without the other person knowing about it.

    How To Track A cell Phone Location

    In this article, I’m going to show you some different ways to track a cell phone without the person’s knowledge.

    Here are some apps and websites you can use to track a cell phone:

    Minspy

    Minspy is an app that allows you to see the real-time location of a cell phone by looking at it on a digital map. Minspy is available for Android and iOS mobile apps as well as on a web-based platform.

    The pricing for Minspy is as follows:

    • Basic — $39.99 a month
    • Premium — $9.99 a month
    • Family — $69.99 a month

    Phone Tracker By Number

    When it comes to an app that can track your phone, you can download Phone Track by Number, which is in the Google Play Store and IOS App Store.

    Phone Tracker by Number is a GPS-based app that allows you to zero in on the location of your family and friends via their cell phones. It’s also very easy to use.

    Spyine

     Spyine, is a  hidden, secure app, which means it can’t be detected. The way Spyine works is that rather than tracking the actual device, it monitors the cloud data from the device.

    Spyine works for Android or iOS device as well as via web browser.

    Number Locator

    Number Locator is an easy-to-use platform that tracks phone numbers connected to cell phones. You can download Number Locator in the Apple’s App Store as well as Google Play Store.

    Number Locator tells you a lot of information about the phone number associated with the cell phone you’re trying to reach, including its owner information.

    Search And Track Number

    By typing in a suspicious phone number, Search & Track Number can help identify those callers that try to hide their identity.

    Although Search and Track Number is not a cell phone tracker per se, the app can still help you find out a lot of information about the phone number you seek to inquire about.

    Final Word

    Cell phone tracking used to be strictly reserved for law enforcement agencies. Now, anyone can do it!

    These days it’s increasingly possible to get multiple phone calls from phone numbers that you don’t recognize or that are unknown. Thankfully, you have a way that you can find out who’s calling you.

    Not only can you track phone calls very easily with apps and such, but reverse call lookup is a great option as well.

    More From NolaFi.com:

    Comments Off on How To Track A Cell Phone Location
  • How to do reverse phone number lookup

    Things To Consider Before Buying a New Phone

    3 Min Read

    Buying a new phone is one of the most important decisions you’ll make these days. Your contacts, videos and pictures and much of your life will likely be stored on that little device.

    Before you go shopping and buy the first phone you see, you need to know what to look for.

    What Should I Do Before Buying a New Phone?

    In this article, we’ll go over some things to know before you buy a new phone.

    Perhaps the first question you need to ask yourself is, “How do I know I should get a new phone?”

    If your battery life goes down quickly and performance is starting to lag, it may be time to consider a new phone.

    Budget

    Unlike in the past, new phones cost thousands of dollars now Determine how much you are willing to spend on a new phone. Prices can vary widely based on the brand, model, and features of the phone.

    Features

    Some phones are more like glorified cameras than anything. Determine which features are important to you and start there.

    Consider the features and specifications that are important to you, such as camera quality, battery life, display size and resolution, processor speed, storage capacity, and RAM.

    Make it a point to research different phone brands and models to find one that fits your needs. Consider factors like brand reputation, customer support, and software updates.

    Apple or Android?

    The operating systems of the two biggest players in the smartphone market – Apple and Android – are increasingly different.

    Decide whether you prefer a phone running on Android, iOS, or another operating system. Each has its own ecosystem of apps, interface design, and user experience.

    Carrier Compatibility

    If you are buying a phone from a carrier, make sure it is compatible with your current carrier or the carrier you plan to use.

    Read reviews and ratings from both experts and users to get an idea of the phone’s performance, reliability, and user satisfaction.

    If possible, try out the phone in person to see how it feels in your hand, how responsive it is, and how intuitive the user interface is.

    Final Thought

    As you can see, before buying a new phone, there are several factors you should consider to ensure that you choose a device that meets your needs and preferences. The process is the same when buying a used phone.

    Consider how long you plan to keep the phone and whether it will still meet your needs in the future. Look for features like 5G compatibility and software support to ensure that the phone will remain relevant for a reasonable period of time.

    Read how to track your location via phone.

    Comments Off on Things To Consider Before Buying a New Phone
  • How to turn on Beats earbuds.

    How To Turn On Beats Earbuds

    3 Min Read

    Congratulations. You’ve bought some Beats earbuds, the ones you really wanted. The funny thing is, you don’t know how to turn them on. No matter if you plan to travel with them or exercise, you need them working and functioning properly.

    It could be an easy thing that you’re overlooking, which is why your earbuds won’t turn on. Or it could be something a bit more complex.

    This article, we will show you how to turn on your Beats Earbuds.

    How To Turn On Your Beats Earbuds

    1. Check the Power Status: Ensure that your Beats earbuds have sufficient battery charge. If they are low on battery, you may need to charge them using the included charging cable and a power source.
    2. Turn On the Earbuds: Most Beats earbuds have a power button or a multifunction button that you need to press and hold to turn them on. Look for a button on the earbuds—this could be a physical button or a touch-sensitive area.
    3. Wait for the Indicator: After pressing the power button, wait for a few seconds and look for an indicator light or sound that confirms the earbuds are powered on. This light or sound varies depending on the specific model of Beats earbuds you have.
    4. Pairing Mode (if applicable): If your Beats earbuds have Bluetooth connectivity, turning them on may also put them into pairing mode automatically. In this case, you can proceed to pair them with your Bluetooth-enabled device (e.g., smartphone, tablet, computer) by following the device’s instructions for Bluetooth pairing.
    5. Adjust Settings (if needed): Once your Beats earbuds are turned on and paired with your device, you can adjust their settings using the controls on the earbuds or through the settings menu on your device.

    Final Word

    If you encounter any issues or if your Beats earbuds have specific features or instructions unique to their model, it’s best to refer to the user manual or support documentation provided by Beats or the manufacturer.

    Flying in and out of New Orleans is easier than ever after the Louis Armstrong Airport remodel.

    New Orleans is a top destination for air travelers the world over. The reason? The city’s vibrant culture, top-notch cuisine and its many things to do and see.Looking to visit the Crescent City? Here’s the cheapest time to travel to New Orleans.

    More Articles:

    Comments Off on How To Turn On Beats Earbuds
  • Watch the Houston Texans playoff game

    How To Watch the Houston Texans Vs. Cleveland Browns Game

    2 Min Read

    Get ready for the gridiron showdown! The NFL postseason explodes begins Saturday as the Cleveland Browns (11-6), hungry for glory, clash with the Houston Texans (10-7) in a Wild Card Weekend battle.

    How To Watch The Houston Texans vs. Cleveland Browns Game

    • Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
    • Game: Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans
    • TV Channel: NBC
    • Streaming: Peacock

    You can also steam the game for free on FuboTV, which offers a 7-day trial at no charge.

    Join Amazon Prime – Watch Thousands of Movies & TV Shows Anytime – Start Free Trial Now

    What Channel Is The Houston Texans vs. Cleveland Browns Game On?

    While Saturday’s Browns vs. Texans game kicks off on NBC, fret not if you lack traditional TV or the channel itself. Here are your alternative options to catch the gridiron showdown.

    Dive into a world of entertainment for just $5.99/month with Peacock’s ad-supported plan. Stream live sports like NFL postseason games on NBC, binge beloved sitcoms like Parks and Recreation and The Office, unlock every Bravo show and Hallmark movie, and catch recent theatrical releases like Five Nights at Freddy’s and the Super Mario movie. Crave more? Upgrade to the ad-free plan for $12/month and enjoy live access to your local NBC affiliate and offline viewing for select titles.

    Final Word

    Live music is a part of New Orleans’ culture for sure. from jazz clubs to the city’s diverse bar scene, from historic cocktail bars to trendy craft beer spots. listening to lie music is a popular nighttime activity, especially in areas like the French Quarter and the Warehouse District.

    Comments Off on How To Watch the Houston Texans Vs. Cleveland Browns Game
  • Instacart+ users get free Peacock Premium subscription

    Instacart+ Gifts Users Free Peacock Premium Subscription

    2 Min Read

    Talk about the gift that keeps on giving. Instacart, the food delivery service, recently announced that it is giving all of its users a free Peacock subscription.

    This is a great deal because Peacock is one of the best streaming services out there.

    To be exact, Instacart is making Peacock Premium available to all Instacart+ members in the United States at no additional cost.

    To celebrate the launch of this new benefit, Instacart and Peacock are premiering a custom spot, featuring iconic holiday scenes from Peacock properties across film and television including The OfficeParks & Recreation, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. 

    How Much Does Instacart+ Cost?

    Instacart+ costs $99/year or $9.99/month, and members enjoy unlimited free delivery on orders over $35 in as fast an hour, lower service fees, 5% credit back on eligible pickup orders, and the ability to create shared family accounts.

    Now, with just a few taps, Instacart+ members can access Peacock and order their TV time treats, movie night essentials, spirits and more from Instacart’s more than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners across the U.S. in as fast as an hour.

    Peacock, the only streaming service included with Instacart’s same-day delivery subscription, affords viewers the very best in entertainment, sports, film, and news programming with more than 80,000 hours of content, including more than 8,000 hours of live sports each year.

    Final Word

    Upcoming titles on Peacock include exclusive NFL games on December 23 and January 13, Seth McFarlane’s Ted and Apples Never Fall starring Annette Bening and Sam Neill. 

    Check out these Netflix alternatives.

    Comments Off on Instacart+ Gifts Users Free Peacock Premium Subscription
  • best laptop deals

    How To Get A Deal On A Laptop Or Tablet Right Now

    3 Min Read

    If you’re considering buying a new laptop or tablet — or even a refurbished one — Black Friday and Cyber Monday feature numerous bargains and deals right now.

    We’ve rounded up some of the best deals you’ll find online from Amazon and other retailers.

    When Is The Best Time To Buy A Laptop Or Tablet?

    The best time to buy a laptop is right now! One deal you don’t want to miss is the Amazon Fire 10 tablet, which is on sale!

    Here are three places to look to save money on laptops and tablets:

    1. Buy Refurbished Laptops Online

    Many of the top retailers sell refurbished laptops, including Walmart and Amazon. Here are some cheap laptops I found on Amazon:

    The good thing about Amazon is that they typically offer a 90-day warranty.

    2. Try The Pawn Shop

    If you haven’t been to the pawn shop in a while, you may be surprised to find that they may have quite a stockpile of electronics, including laptops.

    Contrary to popular belief, many pawn shops today provide you with a warranty on your purchase, usually for 30 days. That’s pretty decent protection for a used item.

    3. Buy From Deals Websites

    If you want to get some electronics for cheap, the #1 place is on deals websites. Here are some of my favorites:

    4. Buy A Display Model

    You can save more money on laptops and other electronics, if you opt for the floor model or display model inside the store.

    Many stores have laptops they’ve had on display for a while up for sale. Ask the store manager if it’s available for purchase.

    5. Opt For A Bare-Bones Model

    Another way to save on a laptop  is to choose one that doesn’t have a lot of upgraded features. If you buy electronics with all the bells and whistles, you’re going to spend double or triple the cost of a base model.

    Last Words

    The most important way to save money on laptops and electronics in general is to comparison shop. It’s the only way to know that you’ve gotten the best price!

    If you can’t find some cheap laptops on those websites or you know of other sites with electronics for less, please let us know in the comments.

    More From NolaFi.com:

    Comments Off on How To Get A Deal On A Laptop Or Tablet Right Now
  • Louisiana area code

    What Are Louisiana’s Area Codes?

    3 Min Read

    Everybody knows the handful of area codes available in Louisiana, but do you know all of them?

    This article is going to tell you everything about Louisiana’s area codes, including those in Baton Rouge and the New Orleans area.

    How Many Area Codes Does Louisiana Have?

    Louisiana has four area codes as of this writing. Here are all of the Louisiana area codes.

    Area codesLouisiana Cities
    225Baton Rouge Area
    318Lafayette, Lake Charles
    337New Orleans, Metairie
    504Shreveport-Bossier City

    If you need to call New Orleans, you need to know the different area codes in the city. While 504 is the official New Orleans area code, it’s possible that you run across some other numbers in the region.

    How Many Areas Codes Are In New Orleans?

    New Orleans has one official area code: 504.

    It used to be that you could dial a local New Orleans number without including the 504 prefix, but that is no longer the case.

    Since October 2021, you must dial 504 to reach New Orleans residents and businesses in the area. The same is the case for southwest Louisana’s 337 area code.

    What Are The Main Area Codes In South Louisiana?

    In South Louisiana, several area codes are prominent. As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, some of the most notable area codes in this region include:

    1. 504: This area code covers the New Orleans metropolitan area and its surrounding communities.
    2. 225: The 225 area code serves the Baton Rouge metropolitan area, the capital city of Louisiana.
    3. 337: This area code covers southwestern Louisiana, including cities like Lafayette, Lake Charles, and Alexandria.
    4. 985: The 985 area code includes the Northshore region of Lake Pontchartrain, with cities like Covington and Slidell.
    5. 318: This area code serves northern and central Louisiana, including cities like Shreveport and Alexandria.

    One thing to take note of is that area codes can change, and new ones may be introduced to accommodate population growth and increasing demand for phone numbers. It’s always a good idea to check with local telephone directories or service providers for the most up-to-date information on area codes in South Louisiana.

    Final Word

    Louisiana is a huge state geographically speaking. If you need to make a call to one of its numerous regions, do you know the area code?

    If you’re calling someone in Louisiana, you’ll use either the 504, 225, 337 or 985 area codes.

    Ever received an unlisted call and wanted to find out who dialed your phone? Now you can.

    Here’s how to use reverse call lookup for FREE.

    More From NolaFi.com:

    Comments Off on What Are Louisiana’s Area Codes?
  • Best Streaming Services for Your TV

    Here Are The Best Streaming Devices For Your TV

    7 Min Read

    For the new year, you need to have some new streaming devices that cater to your needs.

    This article will show you some of the best streaming devices you can buy online. No matter what TV you choose to go with, these devices should be compatible.

    What Are The Best TV Streaming Services?

    Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max

    Roku Express 4K Plus

    Chromecast with Google TV

    Here’s what one reviewer says about Chromecast: “Pairing the remote is simple enough, put the chromecast and remote into pairing mode, and if it sees it, it’ll simply pair with the device after 10 seconds That is, unless there is any other bluetooth device in the area. Even if you time it perfectly so the first thing it sees is the remote, it will begin the 10 second countdown, but permanently stop it if it sees ANYTHING else. Simple enough, reason would have it so you would either tap or hold the one button on the chromecast to get it to pair with the remote.”

    Nvidia Shield TV

    Here’s what one reviewer says about the Nvidia streamer: “Finally.  I’ve waited for this device for years.  Every time Apple or Amazon or Roku release a new device I cross my fingers it checks all the boxes, and they never have, not even past Nvidia devices – until now.  There is always one feature missing, at least.

    The new Nvidia Shield finally solves the problems that kept them, In my opinion, from making it the perfect streaming box until now.The primary issues I always had with the previous versions have finally been fixed. I’m not going to review the software… you either like Android TV or not.”

    Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max

    Here’s what one reviewer says of the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K: “First off, delivery was quick and the driver was friendly and that is about all I can say that I enjoyed of this so far. The Firestick doesn’t seem to want me to stream movies in full screen. I have a QLED TV and now I lost part of my screen with the firestick. Previews will be full screen but once you hit play, not full screen anymore. Don’t have this problem with a Roku which is what I was replacing to get an upgrade I thought. Can’t log into AMC+ with your existing account, it will make you setup a new account and pay double the money. I already paid for a year and will use my existing one. Amazon seems to be acting like Apple and want to control the apps and where you spend the money. My next move is to return this and get the latest Roku 4k stick. I have tried all the online fixes that were suggested and problems have persisted.”

    Roku Streaming Stick 4K Plus

    TiVo Stream 4K

    Here’s what one reviewer says of the TiVo streamer: “This product should be way more popular than it is. It’s a competitor with Amazon Fire and Roku. And honestly, it’s faster and better than both… and is more open. Which means the apps that Amazon and Roku are screwing around… like Peacock and HBO Max… well, they are on this device. You think “TiVo” and the reality is that the TiVo portion is simply an app. The device itself is actually a pretty slick, fast, easy to operate Android TV device. Freaking great. We are dumping Roku and switching to the TiVo devices. They really are that much better. Basically every app on Roku and Fire is available on TiVo Stream… and more. Meaning, for example, HBO Max and Peacock, who Amazon and Roku are screwing around with, well, available on the TiVo! And not just that, for apps like YouTube TV, they work BETTER on this device than Roku! So really, why wouldn’t you use this?”

    Apple TV 4K

    Here is what a reviewer says of the Apple TV 4K streaming device: “If you liked the previous generation of the AppleTV, the original 4K, then you will like this new iteration. Because, it is near as makes no difference, exactly the same. Oh, there are spec sheet differences like higher frame 4K video for uncommon content and extremely modern TVs. And the processor has been bumped a couple generations, but I can’t tell the difference; it was plenty fast before and it’s plenty fast now.”

    Roku Ultra

    Here’s what somebody who bought the Roku Ultra says: ” ordered my Ultra 2020 directly from Roku, as Amazon was back ordered. It arrived on Oct 16th, one day after the release date. I am using it to replace my Ultra 2018 model. I also have a second 4K TV with a Roku Streaming Stick+ as well as a Sharp Roku TV. I recently tried and returned the Fire TV Cube. So besides reviewing the 2020 Ultra, I will be making comparisons. The 2020 Ultra is advertised as being 30 percent faster than previous versions. If it is, I can barely notice. Not worth an upgrade if speed is your only motivation and you already have a 2018 or 2019 Ultra. What it does bring to the party is support for Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision. I have a 4K TV and audio system that support both so the upgrade was worth it for me. I have found that Dolby Vision (offered on many Netflix Originals) is superior to standard HDR. If you’re not as fussy as I am about getting maximum picture quality, getting Dolby Vision might not matter to you. The Fire TV Cube does support both Atmos and Dolby Vision, so that is an alternative, of course. Personally, I prefer the menu system on Roku.”

    Amazon Fire TV Cube

    Here’s what one reviewer says about the Amazon Fire TV Cube: ” ran out of memory for apps in my Fire 4k sticks so I got one of these to replace the stick in my main theater room and am very pleased with the results. The 16 GB of memory leaves me space to add more apps and the menu navigation is much snappier than the 4k stick’s, most likely due to the Cube’s hex-core processor. It came with an ethernet adapter so I set it up using wired ethernet out of curiosity. After using this configuration for two evenings I realized that the occasional buffering pauses that I had been seeing on my three Fire 4k sticks and Recast DVR, that are sometimes all in use at the same time, was due to a WiFi bottleneck even though I had good WiFi signal strength at all of the devices.”

    Xbox Series S

    Here’s what one reviewer says about the Xbox Series S streamer: “Absolutely love it! I was one of the few lucky ones to be able to order an S 2 days ago at 11:27 AM. Performance for my needs is out standing. I’m an avid PC gamer but like to play console from time to time when I come home from work, and don’t quite feel like going on PC. Console I can just boot up and be on my way. Plus I can take it places easier than my huge desktop. I plan on upgrading to the Series X when available at a more steady rate, but this is awesome for now. 2 pics, 2nd one has controller for size comparison. (I saw how small it was online, but MAN when I pulled this sucker out of the box my mind was blown at how small it REALLY IS!”

    Final Word

    The best streaming devices should be capable to work with the latest TVs as well as some of the older models. After all, your streaming pleasure depends on it.

    Some of the best reviews for streaming devices put the Roku as the best brand overall. Depending on the particular model though, products from Google or Amazon may have the edge.

    1 Comment