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Stadia support is finally coming to Chromecast with Google TV and Android TV devices

Jason England
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One of Stadia’s biggest benefits, when it was first shown off, was the ability to play on any screen. Unfortunately, Stadia has yet to live up to that promise. When it first launched we were limited to a handful of devices, but over time that list of devices has grown.

Today, Google announced one more place you’ll be able to play Stadia, and this could be the biggest one yet. Literally, this could be the biggest one, because it’s finally coming to Chromecast with Google TV and other Android TV devices on June 23, 2021. Check the list below to see if your TV or set-top box is on the list of officially supported Android TV devices.

  • Chromecast with Google TV
  • Hisense® Android Smart TVs (U7G, U8G, U9G)
  • Nvidia® Shield TV
  • Nvidia® Shield TV Pro
  • Onn™ FHD Streaming Stick and UHD Streaming Device
  • Philips® 8215, 8505, and OLED 935/805 Series Android TVs
  • Xiaomi® MIBOX3 and MIBOX4

The most notable devices on the list, besides the $50 Chromecast with Google TV, are the Nvidia Shield TV boxes and the popular Xiaomi Mi Box 3 and Mi Box 4. Honestly, this should have been a no-brainer from the beginning, and how Stadia launched without support for Google’s TV platform is beyond me. Even worse, is the replacement for the Chromecast Ultra, the Chromecast with Google TV, didn’t even ship with Stadia support. It’s taken nearly eight months to add the feature.

If you don’t see your Android TV device listed above, there is still a chance you might be able to play Stadia on it. Much like the Stadia app on phones, there will be a way to enable experimental support on devices that are not officially certified.

To get started, just download and install the Stadia app from the Google Play Store on your Android TV or Chromecast with Google TV. Afterward, you’ll be able to launch and play games with either the Stadia controller or a supported third-party Bluetooth controller.

Finally, you’ll be able to play Stadia on your Android TV and it won’t even require Stadia’s proprietary controller to do so.

Republic Wireless Buyer’s Guide

AndroidGuys
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Many Americans are familiar with the big names in wireless: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint. Far fewer know about the smaller brands like Mint, Ting, Tello, or H20 Wireless.

Let’s take a closer look at one that you might not be all that familiar with: Republic Wireless.

How is Republic Wireless coverage?

Republic Wireless launched in 2010 as a service provider that defaults to Wi-Fi for connectivity instead of 3G or 4G LTE. Nevertheless, it does have partnerships with T-Mobile and Sprint, giving subscribers networks for supplemental coverage.

The Republic model utilizes a proprietary VoIP app so that Android phones can switch quickly between T-Mobile’s GSM and Sprint’s CDMA mobile networks. It provides free roaming and hops to and from WiFi, depending on which is available.

What are Republic Wireless rate plans like?

Republic rate plans are no-contract, meaning there’s no long-term commitment and subscribers can go month-to-month. There is a 14-day cancellation policy.

Things are really quite simple at Republic Wireless and there are only a few options to worry about. In essence you start with a $15 plan with unlimited talk and text and then decide on how much data you’ll need. Data is priced $5 per gigabyte with up to 15GB offered in a month.

  • $15/month: Unlimited Talk and Text with no data
  • $20/month: Unlimited Talk and Text with 1GB of high-speed data
  • $40/month: Unlimited Talk and Text with 5GB of high-speed data

There are no overage fees for hitting the data allotment and Republic does not throttle speeds for the rest of the month. Instead, data simply stops until you purchase more. Subscribers can purchase up to 15GB of data per month.

Customers can also opt for a yearly plan and save a couple of dollars each month. In fact, going that route can be like getting a month or two of service for free.

What’s Republic Wireless phone selection like?

Looking through the current lineup of phones offered through Republic we find familiar names like Samsung, Google, Motorola, and LG with prices that start at about $150.

As is the case with many prepaid providers and MVNOs, selection is a mixed bag. There are only nine phones to choose from, but it’s evenly mixed across the low, mid, and high end. At the top are the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy S20.

If you’d like to spread payments out, you can set up monthly payments through Affirm. Options include 6, 12, and 18 months. The terms are set based on the cost of the phone.

There are plenty of wireless service providers to choose from, at least here in the United States. In fact, it may seem as if there are too many options to consider. But when it comes down to it, many of them rely on the networks offered by Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.

Republic Wireless, a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), is one such carrier. Indeed, it has its own rate plans and features, but it licenses coverage from T-Mobile.

When it comes to buying a phone for use on Republic Wireless there are a few options to consider. For starters, you can bring your current T-Mobile device to the carrier. Additionally, you can buy an unlocked phone for use on Republic Wireless.

Customers can also purchase a phone directly from Republic Wireless. While there’s a fairly robust handset selection to peruse, a few key models rise to the top.

What follows are some of the best Android phones available at Republic Wireless today. These aren’t the most powerful, but rather the best for particular needs.

Samsung Galaxy S21

“The flagship Samsung experience for 2021 is not only powerful, but it’s gorgeous, too. It looks unlike any of its predecessors on the surface and we couldn’t be happier.

Internally, the phone is as about as powerful as they come, and should be more than sufficient for the needs of pretty much anyone. Whether you’re gaming, snapping ultra-wide photos, recording 4K video, or just hitting up your social media platforms, the Galaxy S21 is here for it.

Key features for the phone include a 6.2-inch AMOLED display, at least 128GB storage, and an all-day 4,000mAh battery. You’ve also got an amazing camera setup, 8GB RAM, a monster of a processor, and an improved in-display fingerprint reader.”

Shop Samsung Galaxy S21 at Republic Wireless

Google Pixel 4a

All-around Champ

One of the newest phones at the carrier, this is an excellent option for pretty much any user. It’s powerful enough for a large majority of the population but priced about half of what other brands charge.

Powered by the latest in Android, you’ll have a tough time finding a better camera experience. Small in stature, there’s a decent screen, generous battery, and solid array of hardware hiding inside.

Shop Google Pixel 4a at Republic Wireless

Samsung Galaxy Note 20

Big and Beautiful

This powerhouse sits near the top of the food chain and packs all of the cutting-edge features one could want. If you’re on the hunt for latest and greatest at this carrier, you’ve found it.

Here, you get a large 6.7-inch display, a ton of storage, and hardware that will last you multiple years. Come for the multi-function capabilities of the S Pen, stay for the incredible camera that captures 8K video.

Shop Samsung Galaxy Note 20 at Republic Wireless

Motorola Moto G Stylus

Affordable Taskmaster

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly approach to a phone with a digital stylus, this Motorola is your ticket. Priced a fraction of the Samsung counterpart, it’s an incredible mid-range phone with a quad-camera experience.

Powered by a largely untouched Android 10, it offers up a 6.4-inch screen, a bunch of storage (128GB), and a strong battery. Throw in a headphone jack, USB Type-C charging port, and dual speakers and we’ve got an affordable winner that suits many users.

Shop Motorola Moto G Stylus at Republic Wireless

Motorola Moto E

First-time Users

If you’re starting out with a smartphone for the first time, you have no idea as to what you truly need. Why drop hundreds of dollars on something only to find out it’s more than you want or use?

For your money you get a generous 6.2-inch screen, a 13-megapixel dual-camera setup, headphone jack, and decent battery. It runs a very current and largely stock Android software experience and looks really cool in Dark Sea blue.

Shop Motorola Moto E at Republic Wireless

Can I use my own phone with Republic Wireless?

You can often use your current GSM phone, especially if it was purchased unlocked and directly from the manufacturer. Head to Republic’s website to check whether your specific model is supported.

YouTube is testing timed comments on videos

Jason England
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Back in April, Google announced it was testing a new feature called “timed comments” on some videos with a small group of people. What exactly are “timed comments?” Essentially, it’s a way to leave a comment at a certain point and time on a video to share your reaction to only that part.

Testing new timed comments: We’re currently testing a new feature that allows you to view comments timed to the exact moment you’re watching in a video. This experiment is available on some videos to a small group of people and we’ll consider rolling this out more broadly based on feedback. To see if you’re part of the experiment, go to the comments section on iOS or Android, and tap the Sort button to select “Timed Beta”.

If you’re familiar with Soundcloud then you’ve probably already seen this in action before. The way it works on the Android app is different though. While watching the video you can enable the timed comment view, and during playback you’ll see the stream of comments load up each time you near a new timed comment.

Whether or not this enhances the YouTube experience is left to be determined. If you’ve ever browsed the comments section, then you know it’s not always filled with useful or entertaining content. At the same time, being able to share your reaction to your favorite part of a video is a promising prospect.

Since the test is only rolling out to some videos and to select users, it can be difficult to tell if you even have access to “timed comments.” However, Android Police spotted a Transformers figure review video with “timed comments” enabled to test out if you’re one of the lucky few.

I gave it a shot myself and found that it was active on one of my Google accounts but not the other. If you want to find out for yourself, then click on the link to the video above in the Android app, open the comments section, and tap on the sort button to see if you have the “Timed” option.

Fossil’s current crop of smartwatches won’t receive Wear OS’s game changing update

Jason England
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Recently, CNET had a discussion with Fossil’s Chief Commercial Officer Greg McKelvey and Steve Prokup, senior vice president of connected devices. The conversation mostly focused on Fossil’s upcoming Gen 6 Wear OS smartwatch set to launch later this year.
However, the execs inadvertently dropped the bombshell that the Gen 5 and previous generation of Fossil smartwatches would not receive Wear OS’s next-gen upgrade that we learned about at Google I/O 2021.

Existing Fossil Google Wear watches won’t be upgradable to the new Wear OS software platform.

That’s a major blow to all current Fossil Wear OS smartwatch owners, and that’s probably a lot of you. Fossil is by far the largest manufacturer of Google’s smartwatch platform, and one of the most popular choices when buying a Wear OS watch. Additionally, it also owns several other sub-brands such as Diesel, Skagen, and more.

The main question is, will the smartwatches not receive the update because of Fossil or is there a technical reason? Back at I/O, Google stated the Wear OS Tizen hybrid would see huge performance gains with apps launching up to 30% faster on the latest chipsets. It failed to mention whether the latest chipsets are ones already in use, or next-gen chips we’ll see in future smartwatches though.

If the update turns out to be limited to newer hardware, then we could see all Wear OS smartwatches left in the dust, including the fantastic TicWatch Pro 3 GPS. It would be a shame to see several generations of Wear OS smartwatches left in the past running outdated software. In general, smartwatches have a longer lifespan receiving updates years later, unlike smartphones.

As someone who owns several Wear OS smartwatches, I would be quite perturbed to learn that I had to buy a new one just to experience the latest and greatest wearable experience. That might just be what Google has planned though. The merger of Wear OS and Tizen will be the biggest shake-up the platform has experienced, and let’s not forget that Samsung and Fossil have new smartwatches coming. Even Google is rumored to finally have a Pixel watch ready for this year.

Limiting the next great Wear OS experience to the new watches might be the way to drive sales to the latest hardware.

BLUETTI Summer Super Sale Starts Now! Save up to $947!

AndroidGuys
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There are so many things to love about summer – Visits to the beach. Having a BBQ in the backyard with the family. Camping in the woods to enjoy the birds singing while taking in the fresh air. People usually have positive associations with summer. But then you have to deal with the heat!

During your off-grid excursions and rolling power outages during those long, hot summer days, you will need endless power to keep your food fresh, your drinks cold, and most importantly, keeping yourself comfortable with tower fans or air conditioners.

For these situations, Portable Solar Generators are the perfect choice! They are quiet, green solutions with ZERO emissions to power your needs both indoors and outdoors during electrical outages or off-grid excursions. And they can be easily charged up by solar whenever there is sunlight. With the rapid development of solar energy storage and Li-ion battery power in the past decade, there are now a dizzying array of portable power station brands on the market, whose products vary in size, power, and battery storage capacity. For this upcoming summer, the pioneer of the off-grid power industry, BLUETTI, now takes the lead in offering their largest discounts ever for their product portfolio.  Let us take a closer look!

BLUETTI EB70 Portable Power Station

Consumer Score: 97% of purchasers gave it 4 stars or higher. 700 watts of power in the palm of your hand.

The EB70 was first brought out by BLUETTI in early May and was very well received out of the gate as it sold-out in less than two weeks after its introduction. A month later, BLUETTI has now brought it back with a larger inventory in their local warehouses in California. Featuring 700W of continuous power and a respectable 716Wh of capacity, the BLUETTI EB70 can still be easily lifted by just one hand. It can easily provide days of power for your portable fridge on the road or keep your tower fan running for several hours. It also features two 100W USB-C outlets that complies with PD3.0 protocol, which can recharge a plethora of phones/laptops/gaming gadgets that are powered by USB-C PD at full speed without any bulky adapters needed (Android phones, tablets, MacBook’s, Ultrabook’s, Nintendo Switch, etc.).

For this Summer Sale Promotion, BLUETTI continues with the $100 OFF offer with the new EB70, and a $210 discount for the EB70/SP200 solar panel combo: 

Main Features: 700W Continuous Output / 716Wh LiFePO4 Battery Capacity / Dual 100W USB-C/200W MPPT Solar Input

Starts at $499 $599($100 OFF)

BLUETTI AC200P Portable Power Station

Consumer Score: 98% of purchasers gave it 4 stars or more. The world’s most versatile portable power station stays strong all the way.

After pulling in a staggering $6.7M USD from crowdfunding in July 2020 and with tens of thousands of AC200P units sold within the past year, the BLUETTI team is now offering the lowest price ever for their sub-flagship portable solar generator: $1,599. Packed with 2000 watts of continuous AC pure-sine wave power, an enormous 2000Wh of capacity, and utilizing the most durable, safest LiFePO4 chemistry, the BLUETTI AC200P is undoubtedly the most competitive solar generator for its price. It can power all your needs from a household fridge to an 8,000 BTU portable air conditioner without breaking a sweat. It can be charged at blistering speeds by solar at up to a stunning 700W. You can charge your unit from zero to full in less than 4 hours with free solar power alone!

At $1,599 USD, this is not only the lowest price for the AC200P, but BLUETTI is now offering during the Summer Super Sale an unprecedented $947 USD OFF for the AC200P and THREE SP200 (200W) solar panel bundle giving you up to 600W of clean solar power to keep your AC200P topped off! (Previously, you could only get the bundle of three 120W panels for the same price in the past!)

Main Features: 2,000 watts (Surge 4,800 Watts) — 6*20A AC Outlets — 700W MPPT Solar Input/LiFePO4 Chemistry

$2699 $3646 ($947 OFF) – AC200P + 3*SP200 Portable Solar Panels.

BLUETTI EB150 & EB240 Portable Power Stations

Consumer Score: 94% of purchasers gave it 4 stars or more. Easy, portable power which prepares you for anything.

The BLUETTI EB150 and EB240 are all-in-one solar generators which originally launched in 2019. The only difference between each model is the battery capacity. They are well-loved by customers worldwide for over two years. Covered by a solid aluminum case and featured with a 1000Watt pure sine wave inverter, they are capable of powering most of your appliances outdoors and indoors. The 1,500Wh battery capacity for the EB150 and a whopping 2,400Wh battery capacity for the EB240 makes certain you do not need to worry about lack of power for long camping or hiking trips. The BLUETTI EB150 and EB240’s built-in MPPT controller also supports up to 500 watts of solar input. With prime sunshine, the EB150 can be charged from zero to full in as little as 4.5 hours or 7.2 hours for the EB240. 

This time around, BLUETTI is offering a record $400 USD discount on the EB150 and a whopping $500 USD discount for the EB240. At $899 and $1,399 respectively, these units are at RECORD LOW prices. At these prices, the competition will find it hard to beat! And with the combo of two SP200 (200W) solar panels, you will be able to save even more!

Main Features: 1000W Continuous Output — 1,500Wh or 2,400Wh Capacity — Solid Aluminum Shell — 500W MPPT Solar Input

BLUETTI Summer Sale Promotion will launch on June 5th. Please click the link to subscribe to be one of the first persons notified of the event. You will also have a chance to win one of several FREE portable power stations from BLUETTI by joining their giveaway contest:

Summer Sale Landing Page

About BLUETTI:

With over 10 years of experience in researching and developing green energy, BLUETTI is committed to delivering premium off-grid power solutions for campers, outdoor explorers, and power outages.

Best Android phones at Republic Wireless

AndroidGuys
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There are plenty of wireless service providers to choose from, at least here in the United States. In fact, it may seem as if there are too many options to consider. But when it comes down to it, many of them rely on the networks offered by Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.

Republic Wireless, a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), is one such carrier. Indeed, it has its own rate plans and features, but it licenses coverage from T-Mobile.

When it comes to buying a phone for use on Republic Wireless there are a few options to consider. For starters, you can bring your current T-Mobile device to the carrier. Additionally, you can buy an unlocked phone for use on Republic Wireless.

Customers can also purchase a phone directly from Republic Wireless. While there’s a fairly robust handset selection to peruse, a few key models rise to the top.

What follows are some of the best Android phones available at Republic Wireless today. These aren’t the most powerful, but rather the best for particular needs.

Samsung Galaxy S21

“The flagship Samsung experience for 2021 is not only powerful, but it’s gorgeous, too. It looks unlike any of its predecessors on the surface and we couldn’t be happier.

Internally, the phone is as about as powerful as they come, and should be more than sufficient for the needs of pretty much anyone. Whether you’re gaming, snapping ultra-wide photos, recording 4K video, or just hitting up your social media platforms, the Galaxy S21 is here for it.

Key features for the phone include a 6.2-inch AMOLED display, at least 128GB storage, and an all-day 4,000mAh battery. You’ve also got an amazing camera setup, 8GB RAM, a monster of a processor, and an improved in-display fingerprint reader.”

Shop Samsung Galaxy S21 at Republic Wireless

Google Pixel 4a

All-around Champ

One of the newest phones at the carrier, this is an excellent option for pretty much any user. It’s powerful enough for a large majority of the population but priced about half of what other brands charge.

Powered by the latest in Android, you’ll have a tough time finding a better camera experience. Small in stature, there’s a decent screen, generous battery, and solid array of hardware hiding inside.

Shop Google Pixel 4a at Republic Wireless

Samsung Galaxy Note 20

Big and Beautiful

This powerhouse sits near the top of the food chain and packs all of the cutting-edge features one could want. If you’re on the hunt for latest and greatest at this carrier, you’ve found it.

Here, you get a large 6.7-inch display, a ton of storage, and hardware that will last you multiple years. Come for the multi-function capabilities of the S Pen, stay for the incredible camera that captures 8K video.

Shop Samsung Galaxy Note 20 at Republic Wireless

Motorola Moto G Stylus

Affordable Taskmaster

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly approach to a phone with a digital stylus, this Motorola is your ticket. Priced a fraction of the Samsung counterpart, it’s an incredible mid-range phone with a quad-camera experience.

Powered by a largely untouched Android 10, it offers up a 6.4-inch screen, a bunch of storage (128GB), and a strong battery. Throw in a headphone jack, USB Type-C charging port, and dual speakers and we’ve got an affordable winner that suits many users.

Shop Motorola Moto G Stylus at Republic Wireless

Motorola Moto E

First-time Users

If you’re starting out with a smartphone for the first time, you have no idea as to what you truly need. Why drop hundreds of dollars on something only to find out it’s more than you want or use?

For your money you get a generous 6.2-inch screen, a 13-megapixel dual-camera setup, headphone jack, and decent battery. It runs a very current and largely stock Android software experience and looks really cool in Dark Sea blue.

Shop Motorola Moto E at Republic Wireless

Red Pocket Buyer’s Guide

Jason England
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When it comes to your mobile service, I’m sure you’ve heard all of the big names out there like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. However, I’m sure you’ve also noticed the premium prices each one of these mobile providers charges. Cell service can oftentimes run you upwards of $80 or more a month.

What if I told you there was a cheaper way to get service using the same towers the mobile giants use? Welcome to the world of Mobile Virtual Network Operators, companies that lease the same towers as the big boys but charge a fraction of the cost.

One of those companies happens to be Red Pocket. Read on to find out more about this MVNO and the plans it offers.

About

Red Pocket is an American-owned company that was founded in 2006 offering no-contract mobile phone and internet service. Currently, Red Pocket offers service on four different networks using towers compatible with AT&T (GSMA), Sprint (CDMAS), T-Mobile (GSMT), and Verizon (CDMA) devices.

If you’re wondering what service to choose then check the coverage map for a better idea of which is best for you.

Rate Plans

Red Pocket offers a variety of plans to choose from with options to pay monthly or annually. Plans start as low as $10 per month for customers who sign up using the GSMT network from T-Mobile.

Also, plans starting at $19 and above offer unlimited slower 2G data speeds after reaching your limit of high-speed data. Here’s a breakdown of all the plans offered through Red Pocket. All plans are available on all supported networks unless otherwise stated.

Monthly Plans

  • $10 – Unlimited minutes and texts with 1GB of high-speed data per month. GSMT only.
  • $19 – Unlimited minutes and texts with 3GB of high-speed data per month.
  • $30 – Unlimited minutes and texts with 10GB of high-speed data per month.
  • $40 – Unlimited minutes and texts with 12GB of high-speed data per month. GSMA and GSMT customers get an upgrade to 22GB of high-speed data per month.
  • $50 – Unlimited minutes and texts with 30GB of high-speed data per month.

Next up are the annual plans, all of which offer unlimited 2G data after you hit your high-speed data cap.

Annual Plans

  • $30 – 200 minutes, 1000 texts, and 200MB of high-speed data per month. CDMA and GSMT networks only.
  • $60 – 100 minutes, 100 texts, and 500MB of high-speed data per month. GSMT network only.
  • $99 – 1000 minutes, unlimited texts, and 1GB of high-speed data per month.

Annual Plans – eBay Exclusives

  • $180 – Unlimited minutes and texts with 3GB of high-speed data per month.
  • $240 – Unlimited minutes and texts with 8GB of high-speed data per month.
  • $360 – Unlimited minutes and texts with 20GB of high-speed data per month.

Family Plans

Red Pocket also offers family plans with the first line costing $30 per month and each additional line can be added for $20 per month with a one-time $10 activation fee. For that, you get unlimited minutes and texts with 10GB of high-speed data and unlimited 2G data after that.

The best part of the Red Pocket family plan is that you can mix and match networks allowing each person to use the network that works best for them.

What devices are supported on Red Pocket?

With Red Pocket supporting every major carrier, there aren’t many phones that aren’t supported. However, certain phones such as locked Tracfone devices, Boost/Virgin Mobile branded devices, or phones that have been reported lost or stolen are not compatible.

Otherwise, you can bring your own device and pick a SIM card based on the network that provides you the best coverage and is supported by your device. Red Pocket even offers a small range of iPhones and Samsung phones to choose from in its store if you prefer to buy a phone directly from them.

More Information

If you’d like to learn more about Red Pocket then check out its website or the Red Pocket Mobile Help Center.

Apple TV Plus now available on most Android TV boxes, including the Nvidia Shield TV

Jason England
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Apple’s foray into services is only going to work if it can reach as many subscribers as possible. That’s why we see Apple Music on devices outside of the Apple ecosystem, and why Apple TV Plus has been present on select devices outside of Apple’s own hardware.

So far, we’ve seen Apple TV Plus on Roku, gaming consoles, Fire TV, and select TVs and devices running Android TV. The Chromecast with Google TV is a prime example of one of those Android TV boxes which gained Apple TV Plus support back in February.

However, that left out a lot of other TVs running Android TV, including the very popular Nvidia Shield TV lineup of streaming boxes. That all changed earlier this week when Nvidia announced on its blog that Apple TV was coming to the Shield TV.

Apple TV Plus will support 4K HDR with Dolby Vision on the Nvidia Shield TV, as well as Dolby Atmos for an enhanced watching experience.

Now, you’ll be able to watch Apple TV originals like the wonderfully hilarious Ted Lasso, which returns for a second season on July 23, 2021. There’s also For All Mankind from Ronald D. Moore of Battlestar Galactica fame, and Mythic Quest, a workplace sitcom about a gaming company from the creators of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Plus, other originals such as Greyhound starring Tom Hanks, See with Jason Mamoa, The Morning Show starring Jennifer Aniston, and more.

Users will also be able to subscribe to Apple TV channels with the app, such as AMC+, Paramount+, and Starz through the app.

Besides the Nvidia Shield, Google has confirmed with 9to5Google that the Apple TV app will be available for all Android TV devices. However, while I see it on my JBL Bar Link, the app does not show up when searching on my aging LeEco TV that runs Android TV.

So, perhaps it won’t be available on all Android TV boxes, but only on some of the more modern ones. Yet again, another reason why I’m looking into buying a Chromecast with Google TV.

Improve your posture and WFH situation with this height-adjustable standing desk, just $255

AG Deals Team
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As things start to get back to normal, some of us are returning to offices and working in groups again. For a lot of others, though, the new normal includes working from home, even if just part of the week.

Regardless of where you work, you already know that sitting down in front of a computer for eight hours at a time can really take a toll on your body. And when you do this for years on end, well… you probably know the long-term damage that can be done.

While ergonomic chairs, balance balls, and other equipment can be helpful, nothing is quite as good for you back and body as standing and stretching. Perhaps this is why standing desks have become increasingly popular over the last few years.

The problem standing desks is that they are often quite expensive. If you’re on the hunt for a standing or height-adjustable desk and don’t have an unlimited budget, the EC1 Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk could be the solution. Normally $299, it’s currently on sale for $255.

The EC1 desk employs a quiet single motor mechanism which allows it to move up and down; it can go from a fully seated position to comfortably standing in under 10 seconds. Looking to avoid that post-lunch fatigue or drowsiness? Hoping to burn a few extra calories whenever possible? The EC1 aims to please.

The EC1 goes gets as low as 28 inches, and reaches 48.6 inches at its highest. To adjust height simply use the keypad on the lip of the desk.

The EC1 standing desk is a generally great workplace companion as it features a one-inch-thick desktop and a generous 48″ x 30″ working surface. Whether standing or sitting at the desk you’ll have sufficient room to get the job done.

Check out the EC1 Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk in the AG Deals Store. Get it while it’s on sale for $255, a 15 percent discount from its regular price of $299.

HBO Max ad-supported tier now available in the U.S. (Updated)

Jason England
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Updated 06/04/2021:

The new ad-supported tier for HBO Max has now launched with the $9.99 per month price tag. It’s available for new and existing subscribers, check this link to switch your account, and you can save $20 by paying for an annual plan instead of going month to month.

Some additional info on the plan has also been released, such as more restrictions for the ad-supported tier. We already knew subscribers on the cheaper plan would miss out on those hot new theater releases. Although, HBO says those new titles will become available months after they first debut on the streaming platform and in theaters.

Furthermore, HBO Max has revealed streaming quality will be limited to 1080p instead of 4K like on the full-priced plan, and you won’t be able to download videos with the Android or iOS app.

Original Article

HBO Max is one of the pricier streaming services out there at $14.99 a month. Now, it looks like the WarnerMedia owned streamer is doing something about it. In an announcement yesterday, it revealed in the first week of June 2021, HBO Max will begin offering an ad-supported tier costing $9.99 a month in the U.S. Just in time for the Friends Reunion special which premieres on May 27, 2021.

The discount puts it more in line with some of its competitors by offering a price under $10 per month. However, many of them, such as Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video all offer ad-free experiences in that price range.

Regardless, HBO Max says it is dedicated to offering the “lightest ad load in the streaming industry, coupled with the most premium content.” At launch, advertisers will be able to offer a “brand block” where viewers experience a limited commercial experience featuring its brand.

In the future HBO Max will introduce “pause ads” similar to what you experience on Hulu’s ad-supported tier, and “branded discovery” which “surround the content discovery process as consumers explore HBO Max recommended programming.”

While $10 a month for access to all that HBO Max has to offer with a light ad load sounds like a decent enough deal, there is one major caveat here. Do you remember when HBO Max announced it would be releasing its 2021 movie lineup on the streaming service the same day as the theater release?

Well, those won’t be available on the HBO Max ad-supported tier. That’s right, if you want to see the latest Warner movies, you must be subscribed to the more expensive $14.99 a month plan. Although, that still beats what Disney+ charges for Premier Access to watch its latest movies while they’re still in the theater.

While the HBO Max ad-supported tier is coming to the U.S. in June, the ad-free version of the service will also roll out to 39 additional countries later that month. WarnerMedia will also transition HBO services in Europe to HBO Max by the end of 2021.

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