Pocket-lint

Sideloading Android Auto apps comes with some hidden drawbacks

Roger Fingas — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 23:00:12 GMT

One complaint about Android Auto (and Apple CarPlay) that sometimes gets lost in the shuffle is app access. There are a growing number of compatible apps on both platforms, but unless a developer specifically builds out car features, an app won't appear on your dash. That can be extremely disappointing if you were counting on support. In some cases, it may not even make sense, say if the app you want serves a similar purpose to one that made the cut.

I will never buy a Vizio TV and here's why maybe you shouldn't either

Roger Fingas — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 21:00:12 GMT

As a policy, I try to avoid any bias against budget TVs. They're the only option for a lot of people, and honestly, technology has advanced so much in the past decade that they can look fantastic under the right circumstances. Today's bargain-basement QLED offerings would annihilate most mid-range TVs from 2016, and probably high-end models too.

Why I'm finally retiring this discontinued streamer, even though it still works

Eli Becht — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 19:00:12 GMT

The Google Chromecast 4K, believe it or not, entered my household because I wanted to try out Google Stadia. While that service was short-lived, I continue to use my Chromecast to this day. It went from being used primarily to play Destiny 2 to something I use in my bedroom to stream something before I go to bed.

I found Samsung’s patented plan to make my TV spoiler‑free

Anthony Orlando — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 17:00:12 GMT

Nobody likes unwanted spoilers, and trying to avoid them can be like walking through a minefield. I usually dread scrolling through the Internet the day one of my favorite shows comes out with a new episode. There are always some people who spoil the big twist or character death for me. However, even after I finally sit down at home and relax, I can still risk spotting spoilers just by searching for a show, movie, actor, or sports score on my TV.

This old school Marvel movie is now free to stream ahead of Avengers Doomsday

Roger Fingas — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 16:00:12 GMT

It's all too easy to conflate theatrical success with cultural impact. If you look at 1980s movies, for example, you might assume that Ghostbusters would be in the top 10 highest grossing for the impact it's had in decades since. In truth, it's number 19, in some cases trounced by titles that eventually became background noise, such as Rain Man, Crocodile Dundee, and Look Who's Talking.

Blu-ray 4K UHD will be the end of physical media formats

Chris Hinton — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 15:00:12 GMT

In the past 4 decades, entertainment media has rapidly changed. Just look at the trajectory of music media. Vinyl records, surprisingly, entered the world at the start of the Great Depression. In the post-war era, vinyl began to flourish. Music was no longer a happenstance on the radio, but could be played at will on home-bound record players. Eventually, compact cassettes and 8-track tapes came along in the 60s. CDs (Compact Discs) would enter the zeitgeist in the early 80s. These sleek, futuristic-looking discs would be the new king of the hill, that is, until digital music saw a boon with the advent of MP3 players and iPods. From a physical perspective in the digital age, vinyl, cassettes, and CDs have all found a niche market for music collectors looking to stock a physical library of music. But the debut of the digital option sealed the deal on CDs being the final mainstream physical iteration of music media.

Pluto TV just added 5 more free live TV channels to its lineup this month

Anthony Orlando — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 14:00:12 GMT

Do you remember a time when it felt easy to stream your favorite movies and TV shows? I sure did, but that was before it all became so expensive. Nowadays, every major platform, from Netflix to HBO Max to Apple TV, is forcing people to spend a lot of money to access its services. If you subscribe to all of them at once, paying for streaming can cost you a fortune.

This is how I take better photos and videos on my iPad

Roger Fingas — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 11:00:12 GMT

A common axiom I've heard is that as a tourist, you never want to be That Guy shooting photos or videos on their iPad. It looks bizarre, and it's all too easy to block someone else's view at a museum or concert. Moreover, an iPad just isn't the best tool. Apple doesn't prioritize camera tech on its tablets the same way it does on iPhones. Even the top-of-the-line M5 iPad Pro has a single 12-megapixel rear shooter.

I don't know why this Live TV + streaming bundle is being kept a secret

Eli Becht — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 00:00:12 GMT

Ever since YouTube TV raised its price to close out 2024, I've been checking out other live TV apps. As it turns out, there's a lot more available than just YouTube, but they each have their pros and cons. I already gave Fubo a whirl, and while I liked it, I don't know if it'll be enough to fully convert somebody over from YouTube TV.

3 offline iPad apps that help me get more done

Roger Fingas — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 00:00:12 GMT

An irony of the iPad is that while it's built to be a mobile device, none of the users I know own a cellular model. There's not much point to it, typically -- if you're not within range of home or business Wi-Fi, you can probably tether to your smartphone. Another factor is that iPads are well-equipped to be usable offline, with more storage than most iPhones, and less need for Siri commands and dictation to get around interface barriers.