SmartStream

Have you noticed Netflix has a new look? The leading movie streaming service has been rolling out new menus for its app over the past couple of months. While the change is not earth-shattering in terms of innovation, it’s a much-needed improvement that makes it faster and easier to scroll through titles.

Netgear’s Orbi Voice is a melding of smart speaker technology and mesh networking that makes sense.

How choice, community support, and nostalgia are keeping the last Blockbuster alive in Bend, Oregon. After spending an afternoon at my local blockbuster, I learned a lot about who still rents videos and why.

TiVo recently added Amazon Alexa voice control to the TiVo Bolt Vox we recently reviewed. While the media streamer/DVR combo already has voice command capabilities through TiVo’s Vox remote, control via an Alexa-enabled speaker or device brings a truly hands-free experience.

The Dish-owned subsidiary AirTV has launched a new device that can stream free local television to smart TVs, media players, tablets, and phones in your home or on the road.

It is now possible to stream almost any TV show using dedicated apps. HBO Go, NBC, and other “TV Everywhere” apps provide unlimited access to stream new TV series’ episodes and movies if you already subscribe to the channel and sign in with the cable, satellite, or telecom provider. With more and more people switching to live TV streaming services, apps can now be authorized if you subscribe to the channel on Hulu Live TV, Playstation Vue, Sling TV, DirecTV Now, and others, though not all channels are offered by all live TV streaming services.