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If you’re into K-pop, you’ll love Apple TV+’s next song battle competition

Apple TV+ is taking some of the biggest global artists to Seoul, where they will be joined by talented musicians for a very different music competition. Here are the details. KPOPPED premieres August 29 Recently, Apple TV+ released the trailer for KPOPPED, an eight-part music competition featuring Megan Three Stallion and PSY, and a lineup of popular guest artists ready for a bit of a K-pop twist. From Patti Labelle to the Spice Girls’ Mel B and Emma Bunton, from Vanilla Ice to Kesha and Boyz

Google TV’s uncertain future

Last year, Google surprised online video publishers with some stunning news: the company, which now generates over a quarter trillion dollars with advertising every year, effectively admitted that it isn’t very good at selling ads for its own smart TV platform, Google TV. The issue at heart: Google has long required publishers to share a percentage of their ad inventory to be on Google TV. It’s a common industry practice. Companies like Roku or Vizio routinely sell a subset of the ad spots you

How to disable ACR on your TV - and why it makes such a big difference doing so

Kerry Wan/ZDNET Did you know that whenever you turn on your smart TV, you invite an unseen guest to watch it with you? These days, most popular TV models utilize automatic content recognition (ACR), a form of ad surveillance technology that gathers information about everything you watch and transmits it to a centralized database. Manufacturers then use your data to identify your viewing preferences, enabling them to deliver highly targeted ads. Also: Your TV's USB port is seriously underutili

Best 6 TVs I've Tested for August 2025

The Sony Bravia 8 II is a new flagship OLED David Katzmaier/CNET With all of the TVs available today, and all of the technical terms and jargon associated with television technology, it can be tough to figure out what's important. Here's a quick guide to help cut through the confusion. Picture quality: Broadly speaking, the type of display technology helps dictate how good a TV's picture quality is, but OLED is typically the best display technology, and this is followed by LCD (including QLED,

Best Sports Streaming Service for 2025

Access to regional sports networks may make or break your decision for sports streaming, so check with each provider to see if they offer the selection for the teams you want to watch. On-demand streaming services cost less than live options, but they may be limited when it comes to live sports. However, a cheaper platform may meet your needs, depending on what you want to watch. Choose a subscription that aligns with your budget, and when considering costs, review the channel selection, RSN av

Apple TV+ is getting its best fall lineup ever, here’s everything new

Apple TV+ is having a very strong year, and this fall’s lineup will continue that trend. From major returning series like Slow Horses and The Morning Show to compelling new shows like Pluribus, and several high-profile movies, there’s a lot coming. Plus, Apple likely has releases planned it hasn’t yet announced. But as of now, here’s everything new coming to Apple TV+ this fall. September Highest 2 Lowest When: September 5 What: Movie Genre: Crime Thriller When a titan music mogul (Denzel

Your Samsung TV is getting a huge feature upgrade - 3 AI tools launching right now

Kerry Wan/ZDNET ZDNET's key takeaways Samsung is rolling out a redesigned version of Bixby on smart TVs. The new Bixby will have upgraded conversational abilities. You'll also be able to control smart home devices. If you have a Samsung television, you're about to get a big upgrade to your TV's built-in Bixby assistant. In a recent announcement, Samsung detailed a redesigned Bixby that brings a host of new features, including the ability to look up information, utilize Click to Search, and

5 Chromecast TV features you're not taking advantage of (including this smart home trick)

Elyse Betters Picaro/ZDNET Since 2014, Google's Chromecast has been an affordable means for helping viewers turn their older model TVs into smart TVs, allowing them to stream content from their phones, tablets, and computers to a bigger screen. Also: Don't cancel Netflix yet: I used these secret codes to unlock the full catalog of shows Alas, the era of the Chromecast has come to an end. Google is replacing it with the Google TV Streamer, promising a faster processor, Thread and Matter integr

Free Movies You Can Stream This August on Tubi, Fawesome and More

If you've grown tired of relentless price hikes from your favorite streaming platforms, it's nice to know that free TV services like Tubi, Fawesome and Pluto TV can be counted on for all kinds of great shows and movies. New films (and TV shows) arrive on these platforms every month, making them great options if you're looking for something cheap but with great options. On Tubi, you can check out new originals that arrive throughout the month, including the thrillers The Ultimate Vendetta, now a

Topics: great month new tubi tv

5 settings I changed on my TV to greatly reduced my electricity bill - and why they work

Adam Breeden/ZDNET A modern TV uses significantly less energy than one from a decade ago — which makes sense, given how much more power-efficient today's display panels have become. According to Perch Energy, the average power consumption of an old TV runs around $54 per year in energy costs. Because LED-backlit TVs and OLEDs consume less power than traditional LCD screens, newer models cost about $32 annually. Also: How to clear your TV cache (and why you shouldn't wait to do it) In large p

Call to vet YouTube ads like regular TV to stop scams

Call to vet YouTube ads like regular TV to stop scams Google, which owns YouTube, has said it strives to support an "advertising ecosystem that's trustworthy and transparent for users". Last week, Ofcom's annual report found that YouTube had overtaken ITV to become the UK's second most-watched media service behind the BBC. The party wants more YouTube ads to be screened for potentially harmful content before they appear on the platform and for media regulator Ofcom to issue fines. Ads on You

The 48 Best Shows on HBO Max Right Now (August 2025)

HBO Max may not have the shine it once did, but the streaming service (previously just Max) is still home to some of the best TV shows of the past 25 years, from The Sopranos and The Wire to Game of Thrones and The Leftovers. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the “it’s not TV” cable network or a HBO Max newbie trying to figure out where to start, the shows below should give you plenty upon which to feast your eyes. Looking for more recommendations? Head to WIRED’s guide to the best TV shows on

Topics: hbo new season series tv

5 settings you should change on your TV to significantly improve the picture quality

Adam Breeden/ZDNET Whether you're considering buying a new TV or your old flat panel seems to be doing fine, there are still ways to optimize your viewing experience, and it all begins with your television's settings. Let's explore some of the key factors determining how your TV performs and what you can do to make it look even better. 1. Turn down the sharpness The sharper the picture, the better. Right? Not necessarily. Contrary to popular belief, the "sharpness" setting on your TV doesn't

Changing these 5 TV settings greatly reduced my electricity bill - here's why

Adam Breeden/ZDNET A modern TV uses significantly less energy than one from a decade ago — which makes sense, given how much more power-efficient today's display panels have become. According to Perch Energy, the average power consumption of an old TV runs around $54 per year in energy costs. Because LED-backlit TVs and OLEDs consume less power than traditional LCD screens, newer models cost about $32 annually. Also: How to clear your TV cache (and why you shouldn't wait to do it) In large p

tvOS 26 beta 5 now available for Apple TV 4K

Apple TV users, there’s a new tvOS 26 beta rolling out today. tvOS 26 beta 5 is now available for download. Next month, tvOS 26 is expected to ship publicly to all users. But for now, Apple continues refining the brand new update with another beta release. tvOS 26 beta 5 is available now for developers, with an accompanying public beta expected in the next day or so. This is about the time in Apple’s normal summer beta cycle when designs and features start getting locked in. As a result, it’s

Topics: 26 apple beta new tvos

Apple TV+ is about to have two huge, unique sci-fi shows airing

Apple TV+ has become a go-to streamer for sci-fi fans, and very soon, there will be two huge—but very different—sci-fi epics airing at the same time: Foundation and Invasion. Invasion season 3 will join Foundation in current Apple TV+ sci-fi offerings Apple recently started airing Foundation season 3, which has been called “one of the best shows of the year and a must-watch show for all sci-fi fans.” Foundation seems to be gaining strong viewership too, regularly sitting at or near the top of

Your Roku TV is getting a big upgrade for free - including these AI features

Maria Diaz/ZDNET If you're dealing with streaming overload and can't decide what to watch, Roku is rolling out new free features to help make your decision a little easier. Designed to help you discover new shows, these features showcase trending content, new content, and what's in theaters now. There's also a new "Surf Mode" that brings Reels and TikTok-style viewing to your TV. What's new on Roku Top trending: Roku will let you see what everyone is watching with new "Top 10 Movies" and "Top

Roku Just Launched Howdy, a $3 Ad-Free Streaming Platform

Roku introduced a new streaming service on Tuesday, priced at $3 per month, and it's completely ad-free. It's called Howdy and the platform will offer thousands of movie and TV titles from familiar entertainment brands such as Lionsgate, Warner Bros. Discovery, FilmRise, along with Roku Originals. Rolling out across the US today, the service is aimed at viewers looking for a budget-friendly option during a year when customers are seeing price hikes among the major streamers. Howdy's library wil

Roku is launching a cheap, ad-free subscription service of its own

is a reporter focusing on film, TV, and pop culture. Before The Verge, he wrote about comic books, labor, race, and more at io9 and Gizmodo for almost five years. Today, Roku announced the forthcoming arrival of Howdy, a new monthly subscription service that will give its users access to a massive catalog of on-demand films and series. Like other streamers, Howdy will feature a selection of programming licensed from other studios including Lionsgate and Warner Bros., as well its own original pr

The next Apple TV+ winning comedy has arrived, with a familiar star

Apple TV+ is having its best year ever, and that’s arguably true for comedies too. The streamer has been on a hot streak with acclaimed comedies like The Studio, Stick, and Mythic Quest. And now one returning Apple TV+ series—Platonic—sounds like it’s delivered the goods with season 2’s new batch of episodes. Platonic season 2 is ‘one of the year’s best’ comedies Earlier this year, The Studio arrived starring Seth Rogen, and instantly won over both critics and viewers. Now, Rogen is back in an

New Apple TV 4K launch timing corroborated by second source

We’ve long been expecting new Apple TV 4K hardware to launch soon, but now that seems more likely than ever thanks to a new corroborating report. Apple could launch new Apple TV 4K as early as September Hartley Charlton writes at MacRumors: Apple is still on track to release a new Apple TV model later this year, according to a reliable source speaking to MacRumors. According to a source familiar with the company’s plans, Apple is highly likely to replace the current ‌Apple TV‌ 4K with a new m

Topics: 4k apple launch new tv

Your Samsung TV is getting a huge Bixby upgrade - 3 AI features rolling out today

Samsung ZDNET's key takeaways Samsung is rolling out a redesigned version of Bixby on smart TVs. The new Bixby will have upgraded conversational abilities. You'll also be able to control smart home devices. If you have a Samsung television, you're about to get a big upgrade to your TV's built-in Bixby assistant. In an announcement today, Samsung detailed a redesigned Bixby that brings a host of new features, including the ability to look up information, utilize Circle to Search, and even c

This $249 portable projector packs Google TV and can be powered with a USB-C power bank

Aurzen TL;DR The Aurzen BOOM Air projector launched today with built-in Google TV and a compact, gimbal-style design. It features native 1080p resolution, Dolby Audio, auto-focus, and USB-C power support for use with standard power banks. Priced at $249, it offers a full smart TV experience without the need for extra streaming hardware. For shoppers after a portable projector that doesn’t need extra accessories to start streaming, there’s a new option worth checking out. Today, Aurzen releas

These were the most popular Apple TV+ shows and movies in July

Every month, JustWatch reveals the most-watched shows and movies among its users worldwide, which can offer a glimpse into what the wider audience is into. Here’s what topped the charts on Apple TV+ in July. What Apple TV+ viewers watched the most in July Although season 3 of Foundation only premiered on July 11, it still managed to top the list, overtaking newcomers Murderbot, Smoke, and Stick, all of which Apple heavily promoted on social media during the month. Here’s the top 10 global l

Topics: apple july list movies tv

New Apple TV+ movie is NYC crime thriller with Denzel Washington, here’s the trailer

Apple TV+ has a packed fall on the way, including several highly anticipated movie debuts. Now, one of those films—Highest 2 Lowest—has premiered a trailer showing what to expect from the Denzel Washington crime thriller. Highest 2 Lowest is the next film hitting Apple TV+ Denzel Washington and Spike Lee have a long, storied history of collaboration, and their latest team-up is Highest 2 Lowest, the very next film hitting Apple TV+. Highest 2 Lowest will start streaming for Apple TV+ subscrib

Building a DIY TV box made me realize how awful Google TV really is

Robert Triggs / Android Authority Like many affordable smart TVs, mine runs on a frankly garbage processor that makes trawling through my TV’s updated Google TV interface a real chore. Quad‑core Cortex‑A55 CPUs are pretty standard but also as cheap as they come, and paired with a tight-fisted 1.5GB RAM, it’s easy to see why the UI experience is just so bad on my TV and many others. Thankfully, there are plenty of options to escape the confines of cheap TV processors, including various Android

Is your Roku TV spying on you? It's possible, but here's how to put a stop to it

Maria Diaz/ZDNET Whenever I hear about consumer data tracking, my half-century-old brain dredges up that Hall and Oates hit called "Private Eyes" with the refrain "they're watching you." I don't mean to incite Big Brother paranoia; I know I'm not being spied on everywhere I go, especially not in the seclusion of my home. But while using streaming devices, you can almost guarantee that your entertainment and advertisement preferences are being tracked. Also: Your Apple TV is getting 5 useful f

New Apple TV+ epic series with Jason Momoa now streaming

If you’re looking for something new to watch this weekend, here’s a great candidate: the first two episodes of one of Apple TV+’s most ambitious projects to date are now available, and they look awesome. ’Chief of War’ features Jason Momoa and a nearly all-Polynesian cast Last night, a few hours ahead of the official August 1 premiere date, Apple released the two first episodes of Chief of War, its new action epic series starring Hawaiian actor Jason Momoa (Aquaman, See). Here’s Apple’s spoil

Topics: apple chief momoa tv war

Samsung TV glitch locks users out of apps worldwide (Update: Resolved)

C. Scott Brown / Android Authority TL;DR Samsung TV users around the world are reporting that they are unable to load any apps. The company has reportedly acknowledged a potential service disruption. Some users report that holding down the power button to fully restart the TV might help resolve the issue. Update, August 1, 2025 (10:07 AM ET): Samsung has reached out to us regarding this incident, and the company confirms that everything should be back to normal: Our TV service was affected f

Samsung TV glitch locks users out of apps worldwide

Samsung TVs seem to be facing a widespread issue where apps won’t load properly. The problem appears to be affecting users globally. A Reddit thread with over 700 comments shows that many Samsung TV owners are unable to use any apps on their TVs. According to users, most apps, including popular ones like Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video, are visible in the menu but won’t open. Instead, they show a “202 error” message, which usually points to an internet issue. However, affected users sa