Barb Gonzalez

SmartStream
Plexamp’s Sonic Sage Uses ChatGPT to Help You Discover New Music
Barb Gonzalez  |  May 24, 2023
Plex continues to innovate and make an already good media aggregating app even better. This time it has turned to using Sonic Sage to improve music exploration and discovery.
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SmartStream
Disney to Move Hulu Content to Disney+
Barb Gonzalez  |  May 17, 2023
By the end of the year, Hulu will be rolled into the Disney+ app and viewers will be able to find and stream both services' content without switching between apps. The strategy was announced in a call with Disney investors last week.
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SmartStream
Apple TV+ Adds Apple Music Live Concerts as it Continues to Grow.
Barb Gonzalez  |  May 10, 2023
A friend recently told me she had just subscribed to Apple TV+ and asked if I had any recommendations for what to watch. When I started naming shows, it occurred to me that Apple TV+ has a plethora of high-quality programming. And now it's adding live concerts.
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SmartStream
Amazon to Add 400 Free Fire TV Channels
Barb Gonzalez  |  May 04, 2023
The FAST (free ad-supported TV) trend in streaming shows no signs of letting up. On the heels of Google TV’s recent addition of 800 free channels, Amazon has announced plans to add 400 free Fire TV Channels.
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SmartStream
Google TV Adds 800 Free Channels & Category Guides
Barb Gonzalez  |  Apr 26, 2023
To spur interest in its platform, Google TV has added 800 free TV channels to its Live TV tab. New channels and apps have been added, and the guide has been arranged to help you find whatever you are in the mood to watch easily.
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SmartStream
Amazon Uses AI to Boost Dialogue On Some Prime Video Originals
Barb Gonzalez  |  Apr 19, 2023
If you've found yourself cranking up the volume while streaming movies and TV series or turning on the closed captions to understand everything that's being said, you're not alone. Amazon is addressing the issue by using artificial intelligence to boost the dialogue on some of its Amazon Originals.
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Accessory Reviews
Sofabaton X1 Programmable Universal Remote Review
Barb Gonzalez  |  Apr 19, 2023
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $190

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Bluetooth, Infrared (IR), and WiFi control
Easy to find devices with model number
Control up to 50 devices
Works with Sonos
Attractive remote
Minus
Confusing setup
Must create workarounds for input switching
Newest game consoles not in database
Inconsistent and occasionally doesn’t work

Verdict
There was hope that the Sofabaton X1 Hub and Remote could replace the now-discontinued Logitech Harmony Hub. Unfortunately, it doesn't hold a candle to Harmony's ease of use, compatibility, and design.

When Logitech stopped making the Harmony remote controls in 2021, there were few options to take their place. The Sofabaton sounded promising with its vast database of codes for TVs and other devices.

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SmartStream
Sling Freestream: It's Free & Beats Most FAST Services
Barb Gonzalez  |  Apr 12, 2023
Sling TV is offering free content through Freestream, the latest in free-ad-supported TV (FAST) channels. Not your typical FAST service, free streaming extends to video-on-demand (VOD) episodes, and the live channels offer playback control.
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SmartStream
Hands On: Frndly TV, a Family-Friendly TV Option
Barb Gonzalez  |  Mar 22, 2023
Frndly TV has increasingly been appearing in search results over the past few months so I decided to check it out. The service offers live TV for as little as $7 per month.
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SmartStream
Roku OS 12 Update - Live News, Sports and a Revamped Mobile App
Barb Gonzalez  |  Mar 15, 2023
Roku promises an enhanced user experience when it rolls out a new OS 12 update in the coming weeks. In addition to delivering a revamped mobile app, the update will expand access to sports and live TV and use advanced artificial intelligence (AI) to improve personalized viewing recommendations.
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