The Role of Streaming Devices for Owners of Smart TVs

Roku’s collection of streaming devices and set-top units — as opposed to the applications and additional functionalities integrated into a web-connected television.

At first glance, this may appear unnecessary, yet many individuals opt for a streaming gadget even when they possess a smart television — and for valid reasons. “Smart” doesn’t inherently imply “quick,” “fluid,” or even “dependable.” Well-known platforms like Fire TV and Google TV are distributed to a variety of different manufacturers, leading to a significant performance disparity from one TV to another. Factors ranging from the processor selection by a company to the software version that ships with the television can greatly influence how effectively the interface operates in everyday use.

Lazy navigation, unhurried app loading, and random crashes are not rare occurrences on smart televisions, particularly in budget and mid-range models that may skimp on internal components. A dedicated streaming unit or stick circumvents this issue by providing a stable, well-supported platform that has been fine-tuned for a singular purpose: streaming your content efficiently and effortlessly.

When your smart television requires some assistance

4 Budget-Friendly Smart TVs Delivering Outstanding Value

smart TV producers are providing models that deliver significantly greater value than their price suggests. Additionally, you can achieve better value by selecting last-generation models.

To assist you in making a more informed smart TV purchase, we have curated four models that are widely regarded as exceptional within their price range. These specific models were selected after thorough evaluation of their features, price-to-performance ratio, and long-term usability. Our suggestions also cover various price segments, ensuring that a suitable option is available for most individuals’ next smart TV investment.

TCL QM6K

The TCL QM6K, which features in our recommendations for budget-friendly TVs that appear upscale, is a cost-effective smart TV that boasts an impressive array of features for its price. It incorporates all the latest TV technologies you desire in a top-notch LED TV, including Mini-LED backlighting and full-array local dimming for high brightness levels and a solid contrast ratio. The television also employs quantum dot technology, resulting in vibrant and realistic colors. Design is another notable aspect of the TCL model, which has a sleek profile and narrow bezels, as highlighted in our TCL QM6K review.

You’ll be pleased to discover it offers 4K resolution for sharp and clear images, and it supports all standard HDR formats, including Dolby Vision and HDR10+, enabling

How the Steam Deck is Improving Ukraine’s Drone Abilities

unexpectedly fascinating applications beyond gaming that often defy expectations for Valve’s proprietary handheld. A notable instance is the use of the Steam Deck as a portable remote controller for drones in Ukraine. While the Steam Deck does not directly power the drones, Ukrainian troops are utilizing it as an economical, battery-efficient handheld controller to manage ground turrets. 

This integrated system is termed Sablya (or Sable), as indicated by images released by the Ukrainian news outlet TPO Media in 2023. The account also disclosed how the operation functions, stating that the remote-operated turrets can be controlled from a distance of at least half a kilometer (500m) and can also be affixed to vehicles. It’s an unconventional application of the Steam Deck, but due to the open-source characteristics of the platform, there is little Valve can do to intervene. Nevertheless, it undeniably highlights the Steam Deck’s abilities as a remote Linux computer capable of running non-Steam games, even if the context of its application is somewhat more precarious than casual gaming.

Understanding Sablya and its significance for Ukrainian forces

Expert Perspectives on the Longevity of OLED Computer Displays

OLED burn-in manifests on displays, giving them an appearance of aging.

The development of OLED technology is progressing rapidly, yet it continues to be significantly constrained by the gradual decline of organic materials, particularly the blue light emitters. This indicates that even the screens rated for high usage hours will ultimately exhibit indicators of deterioration after a few years of consistent use. Nevertheless, the rapid advancement of OLED technology offers optimism. Manufacturers are tirelessly focused on creating strategies for managing burn-in and finding methods to alleviate this issue, potentially even preventing it altogether. Presently, with the emergence of QD-OLED displays, the advantages of this innovative technology surpass its longevity limitations.

The durability of OLED computer displays

“Five Best Productivity Applications for Android Users”

necessary Android applications you must begin utilizing today to enhance your efficiency.

For concentrating on assignments: Focus Friend

User Perspectives on the Durability of Roku Streaming Sticks

where manufacturers deliberately reduce a device’s lifespan to compel consumers to purchase a new one. This can be achieved by causing the device to malfunction or fail frequently, akin to lightbulbs from the 1920s, or through software updates and other gradual modifications. Is this relevant to Roku streaming devices, specifically the Roku Sticks, and what is their actual lifespan? The answer may catch you off guard.

Based on feedback from users and testers, Roku streaming devices do experience a decline in performance over time, but there is a legitimate explanation for this. The software is regularly updated to enhance performance and ensure consistency in media quality, providing upgrades for features like voice search, improvements in 4K performance, support for Bluetooth headphones, and more. As these updates necessitate more advanced hardware, the older hardware in previous models becomes less effective until it eventually requires an upgrade. This does result in a decrease in speed, but it isn’t meant to be intentional.

The typical lifespan for the Roku Express, Streaming Stick, Ultra, and Ultra LT is approximately four to five years, at a minimum. Nonetheless, some users have reported using devices like the Roku 3 for over 10 years without encountering significant performance problems. This does not apply to a Roku TV set, so consider that. This information pertains solely to the standalone Roku streaming devices, but the key point is that Roku streaming devices can feasibly last for over five years (and potentially reach a decade). If you notice any slowdowns, there’s an easy trick that can enhance performance, and it is effective for both Roku TVs and streaming players.

What is the expected lifespan of a Roku if I purchase new or upgrade?

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XGIMI’s MemoMind AI Eyewear Tackles Significant AR Challenges

Before CES 2026 starts, the well-known Chinese projector company XGIMI is ushering in the year with a new AI glasses venture named MemoMind, alongside its initial lineup of wearable devices. Following the trend of AI/AR glasses, which gained traction when Meta collaborated with Ray-Ban, and has expanded with smaller brands like Rokid and L’Attitude during IFA 2025, XGIMI aims to surpass competitors by merging an appealing design, groundbreaking dual-screen technology, and cutting-edge AI. But does it finally render AR glasses practical for everyday use?

BGR received an exclusive preview of the glasses, featuring a complete demonstration of their intended functionality, current performance, and future prospects for the MemoMind brand in the upcoming months. With a focus on design, XGIMI is unveiling these products while simultaneously soft-launching a new company at CES as part of its engineers’ “side project.”

In contrast to many projector manufacturers, XGIMI creates its hardware from scratch, so it’s applying the same philosophy to AI glasses, including the optics. During IFA 2025, I had the chance to test Rokid’s AI glasses, and I was captivated by the innovative display. However, having a single-screen design meant I often had to cross my eyes to decipher what was displayed. This “design flaw” has been rectified in XGIMI’s inaugural AI glasses offering.

Introducing Memo One, XGIMI’s AI glasses

XGIMI asserts that design is central to the Memo One glasses. With eight distinct frame styles and five interchangeable temple designs, the AI glasses will also accommodate prescription lenses and a sunglasses attachment. Consequently, the company aims to create attractive glasses that just happen to be powered by AI.

Featuring a multi-LLM hybrid operating system (initially supporting OpenAI, Azura, and Qwen), the Memo One glasses come equipped with a single button. This allows users to navigate various features typically expected in AI glasses: initiating live translation, recording and summarizing conversations, checking schedules, listening to music, and reading from a teleprompter.

I tested each of these functions, and live translation was the standout feature for me. It quickly translated Mandarin to English in nearly real-time, with the only challenge being striking the right balance between providing useful information and maintaining eye contact. While there are software adjustments that could enhance this, I doubt that XGIMI—or any company—could completely master this new level of interaction just yet.

Nonetheless, the company is outperforming the rest of the market. The innovative dual-eye screen distinguishes it from competitors that utilize a single-eye square display. With two broader screens for both eyes, the text appears crisper and brighter, ultimately simplifying the reading experience.

MemoMind’s upcoming plans

With a projected release in the second quarter of the year and a starting price around $599, the company also intends to launch the Memo Air Display later on, which will be a more affordable pair of AR glasses boasting a more conventional eyewear design. These glasses will not feature the integrated speaker found in the Memo One and will employ a single display instead of dual screens.

What’s notable about XGIMI’s new AI glasses is the absence of a camera in this first batch of wearables. For numerous consumers, the camera has been a significant attraction of smart glasses. Instead, the company is wholly committed to ensuring a reliable, swift, and comfortable AR experience.

For instance, MemoMind’s displays only activate while in use. After completing a task, the AI glasses revert to standard eyewear. As a result, the company can guarantee impressive battery life, lasting up to 16 hours. While the success of XGIMI in the AI glasses arena remains to be seen, the company is not embarking on this journey to establish a sustainable market for smart glasses alone.

The Advantages of Utilizing the HDMI Cable Supplied with Your PlayStation 5

there are “phony” HDMI 2.1 ports in devices because specific features of the latest standard are optional rather than mandatory. That said, HDMI performance is linked to the cable you utilize just as much as it is to the port. The logical question that arises is whether you can rely on the cables that are included with your media devices, such as the HDMI cable packaged with your PlayStation 5. Is it compatible with HDMI 2.1 for supporting high-resolution and high-refresh-rate, or should you replace it with a different one?

The brief response is yes, the PlayStation 5 is equipped with an HDMI 2.1 cable. This allows you to fully leverage your TV’s — and the HDMI standard’s — top features. This is especially crucial for the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro, as you can utilize features like variable refresh rate, high-frame rate modes with 120Hz, 4K and 8K output, optimized HDR and color configurations, and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). Additionally, it is significant which HDMI port you select on your TV — ensure it’s connected to the correct one, specifically a port that supports 4K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate.

Why is HDMI 2.1 essential for PS5 users?

5 Essential Windows Applications to Enhance Performance on Aged Computers

reconsider it just now for your upcoming crafting endeavor.

We’ve previously discussed crucial Windows 11 configurations you ought to modify to enhance the operating system’s performance, but there exists a variety of free third-party software that can assist in revitalizing that aging PC that’s starting to lag back into one with a bit more energy. We have thoroughly searched the web to identify several applications that both users and specialists have highly recommended. Additionally, we have explored tools that don’t require a computer science degree to comprehend, enabling you to fully leverage their capabilities.

The applications listed below may aid in boosting your computer’s speed, eliminating unnecessary programs, and addressing concerns that you might not even realize were causing your computer to slow down. Some of these tools can be obtained online, while others are actually included with Windows 11, making their usage quite simple and straightforward.

Startup Programs

Google TV Incorporates Google Photos Connection and Updated Gemini Functionalities

unveiled several new functionalities for Google TV, such as compatibility with the Google Photos app and extra Gemini features that could enhance your viewing experience. The introduction of these features isn’t unexpected, given recent events. Google integrated Gemini into Google TV last year, as it plans to substitute Google Assistant with Gemini across its platforms. The firm has also revamped the Google Photos experience in 2025, introducing new AI functionalities to the mobile application and a completely new video-editing feature. In a related announcement a few days ago, Samsung revealed that certain Samsung TV models will support the Google Photos app, with at least one feature enjoying a short exclusivity phase.

The latest Google TV features announced at CES 2026 will be initially accessible on select TCL TV models, followed by other Google TV devices, including projectors, in the upcoming months. Gemini will provide even more assistant-like functionalities on compatible devices, including the capacity to manage settings. For instance, you could inform the AI that “the screen is too dim,” or “the dialogue is lost,” and Gemini will adjust the brightness and sound levels accordingly. You won’t need to pause your movie or TV show to navigate to the Google TV settings yourself.

Gemini will also be capable of responding to other inquiries in the same conversational manner offered in the Gemini app on mobile or desktop. You may pose questions to the AI regarding specific topics related to Google TV content, such as similar shows to those you’ve recently completed watching. You can inquire about real-world events, like sports, and ask for images when suitable. One of the examples provided by Google is requesting Gemini to display some of Van Gogh’s most renowned paintings.