Latest news with #FireTVOS
Tom's Guide
21-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
Some Fire TV devices are about to lose Netflix — see if you're affected
Fire TV streaming devices are great. They're consistently among the best streaming devices and come loaded with features and apps for all the best streaming services. They're so good that you might still use some old versions of Amazon's streaming devices. If you are, then Netflix might have bad news for you. In an email to select subscribers, Netflix announced that it was ending support for first-generation Fire TV streaming media players (h/t Heise). "According to our usage data," the email begins, "you have used Netflix on a first-generation Fire TV streaming media player in the past 12 months. Netflix will discontinue support for these streaming media players on June 2, 2025." First, let's get into the bad news. If you have a first-generation Fire TV streaming box or a first-generation Fire TV Stick, including models with voice remotes, you're going to lose the ability to watch Netflix starting June 2. The good news is that these devices are old. They launched in 2014 and lost software and security update support from Amazon years ago (Amazon only guarantees support for devices for four years from their date of sale). So chances are, you either aren't using these devices anymore, or you had some idea this day could come. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Unfortunately, if you are still using your first-gen Fire TV devices, there's nothing you can do to avoid Netflix ending support for your version of its Fire TV OS app. You'll need to buy a new streaming device if you want to keep watching Netflix. That might be a blessing in disguise, though. Right now, every new Fire TV streaming stick is on sale, so there's never been a better time to upgrade. To replace your old first-gen Fire TV, you could go with the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD. Right now, you can get it at Amazon for $19.99, which is 43% off the list price. At $19, the Fire TV Stick HD is a bargain. If you don't have a 4K television, it's an affordable way to access all your favorite streaming services and even comes with a voice-controlled remote. If you have a 4K TV, opt for the 4K Max model instead. The Fire TV Stick HD will give you everything you had with your first-generation Fire TV device and more, but if you're looking for an upgrade, you could go with the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K instead. Right now, you can get it at Amazon for $19.99, which is 40% off the list price. Or get a serious upgrade and get the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max for $39.99. It's pricier, but it's the Fire TV Stick I use and the one I recommend to anyone with a 4K TV. Malcolm has been with Tom's Guide since 2022, and has been covering the latest in streaming shows and movies since 2023. He's not one to shy away from a hot take, including that "John Wick" is one of the four greatest films ever made. Here's what he's been watching lately:
CNET
15-05-2025
- Business
- CNET
Last Hours: This 75-Inch Toshiba C350 4K Fire TV Is Just $400, Matching Its Lowest Price Yet
You can't beat a massive TV when it comes to enjoying all manner of content in the comfort of your own home. Games, movies and binge-worthy TV shows are all better when they're bigger. In fact, the only way it could get any better is if you're safe in the knowledge that you saved some money to boot. Today is your perfect chance to do that with Best Buy offering a huge 75-inch Class C350 Series TV for just $400. Toshiba is a name that's been around for what seems like forever, so we aren't dealing with a no-name brand here. This TV deal also gets you an enormous $250 off the original asking price and it matches the lowest price we've seen to date. The problem? Time is running out -- this deal comes to an end tonight, so you need to act fast. With a 75-inch display, this Toshiba might be a little big for your bedroom, but is great for bigger spaces like a home theater or the living room. Its 4K resolution, Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10 should deliver vivid colors and sharp contrast. It runs on Amazon's Fire TV OS, so you can access all your favorite streaming apps right out of the box, and the remote has a built-in microphone that allows you to browse hands-free using Alexa. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. It's also equipped with Apple AirPlay, so you can easily stream content wirelessly using your iPhone, iPad or other Apple devices. There's no set expiration for this deal, so we'd recommend getting your order in sooner rather than later if you don't want to miss out on these savings. Why this deal matters Last summer, during a big 4th of July sale, we spotted this exact TV on sale for a then-record low of $450. Now down to just $400, there's never been a better time to upgrade to a really big screen at a budget price. Just don't wait too long. Demands due to tariff concerns might cause a quick sell-out of this TV, so act now if this is what you want.
Engadget
09-05-2025
- Engadget
How to use a VPN on Chromecast or Google TV
The late, great $30 Chromecast is no more. After hanging on as an option at Google's online store for months after the introduction of the pricier Google TV streaming box, it's gone to the great Google graveyard. But that doesn't mean there aren't countless Chromecast dongles still serving up the best streaming services, even as the the new box and a growing number of good budget-priced smart TVs now have Google TV as their default operating system. But no matter which generation of Google streamer you're using, you'll need a VPN (virtual private network) to expand your video options beyond your home library. Fortunately, both support several native VPN apps. Here's how to set up a VPN on Google TV or a Chromecast and why you may want to use one. For streaming purposes, VPNs have one clear benefit: spoofing your IP address to that of a different country so that you can access geo-restricted content. If you use a VPN and connect to a different country's server, you can access its content library on any streaming platform. Let's say you live in the US but want to watch some award-winning BBC documentaries on the BBC iPlayer streaming service. All BBC iPlayer content is free if you live in the UK, but blocked everywhere else. Using a VPN, you can connect to a UK VPN server and stream to your heart's content. VPNs also have considerable security benefits if you use them on your smartphone or PC. Any worthwhile VPN encrypts your connection to the internet so you're totally anonymous online. Purchasing a single subscription means you can use your VPN on several devices concurrently, so we recommend you shop for a flexible one that supports multiple concurrent logins. Google TV doesn't have as many VPN apps to install compared to other smart TV systems like Amazon's Fire TV OS. Although this may seem like a disadvantage, it's actually a blessing in disguise. With VPNs, you want to ensure you invest in a quality and trustworthy product. There are many untested or free VPNs available that sell your data or falsify their encryption claims. Although this might not be a huge issue for streaming purposes alone, it generally poses massive security and privacy risks. We recommend the following VPN services for Google TV and Chromecast: ProtonVPN ExpressVPN Surfshark CyberGhost For more details on why these services top the list, check out our thorough roundup of the best VPNs. It's easy to use a VPN on your Google TV (and perhaps even easier on a Chromecast). Here's a step-by-step guide for each system. Navigate to the Google Play Store on your Google TV. Search for the VPN you want to install (alternatively, search for the keyword 'VPN' to view your options). Install the VPN. Sign up (or login if you already have an account). Navigate the country server list and connect. Note that you can use your VPN on as many devices as it supports. So, once you've purchased a subscription, it's wise to download it on as many platforms and devices you can to maximize your investment. If you have a Chromecast, you can still enjoy the benefits of a VPN — you just need to use your smartphone or laptop in tandem with the streaming device. Here's how to do it: Install a VPN on your smartphone or laptop. Make sure your Wi-Fi is enabled. Turn on the VPN on your smartphone or laptop. Connect your smartphone or laptop to your TV via Chromecast. Begin streaming your content. As long as your smart TV is under the same Wi-Fi as the device you're screencasting from, you can use the VPN securely. Don't have Google TV? Good news: Robust VPN options (or alternatives) exist for the other major streaming platforms, too.
