Latest news with #FireTVStick
Buzz Feed
2 days ago
- General
- Buzz Feed
33 Home Upgrades That'll Improve Your Day-To-Day
An adjustable rod that hangs onto the one in your closet so you can double your storage space in a flash. There's no mounting hardware — just unbox and hang! A Simplehuman dual under-the-cabinet trash system so you can tuck your garbage and recycling bins into a cabinet until you need them. Out of sight, out of mind! That's what I'm gonna say when it's my turn to take out the trash. 🤫 A pack of solar-powered outdoor lights that simply clip right onto your fence — no tools, no struggling to hang string lights, nothing! Use them to illuminate your stairs, paths, gardens, and decks. Or waterproof, solar-powered stair lights to illuminate your walk to the house each night. The triangular gadgets can be placed on either side of the steps and only need around five hours of sunlight to charge. Avoiding a tripping hazard has never looked so chic! A power strip with an ultra-thin outlet cover so you can enjoy all your ports without dealing with bulky, unsightly cords getting in the way of keeping your furniture flush to the wall. An outdoor Wi-Fi extender you can place in a weatherproof enclosure (like a screened-in patio) to extend your network range to your porch or backyard. The applications are endless, from outdoor movie nights to actually getting your teenager outside for some fresh air. A rainbow glass wind chime bringing chill vibes and sounds to your outdoor space. Sometimes a little twinkling noise is all you need to have a perfect backyard experience. A set of waterproof globe lights to instantly improve the ambiance of your background. I don't know how string lights do it, but they have a 100% success rate of making me happy. A set of massively popular double-brushed microfiber sheets so soft and cuddly, you'll feel like you're staying at a 5-star hotel. You'll forget aaaalll about thread count when you slide into these sheets. A bamboo shelf with a tilt-out hamper because I know you're sick of having your dirty unmentionables just out in the open like that. This turns what would normally have been an eyesore into a nice storage solution. Display decorative candles, not dirty socks! A pack of solar-powered mushroom string lights to turn your backyard into a scene from a fairytale. Each weatherproof mushroom stakes into the ground so you can arrange them exactly how you'd like. An outdoor projector compatible with several multimedia devices like the Fire TV Stick. Despite its reasonable price, it offers an impressively clear image that rivals splurgier models. Movie nights in the backyard are a surefire way to make friends with your neighbors. An expandable, cabinet-lining, two-tier shelf that will make every spice/medicine bottle you own visible and easily accessible. You'll never have to settle for paprika when you wanted smoked paprika ever again. Solar-powered outdoor lantern lights offering a charming, low-maintenance lighting option for your yard. Just hang them, and they'll take it from there, glowing in rain or shine. Itty-bitty, collapsible storage crates in soothing pastel colors to give your knickknacks the vinyl record treatment. Listen, you don't have to throw away your mountain of pilfered condiment packets, but they'd look a lot nicer in one of these. A pair of fan light pull cords so you can finally know which turns on the fan and which turns on the light. What an ~illuminating~ product! A set of extra mini drawers that clip onto your shelves so you can easily grab what you need instead of having to remove half the contents of your fridge just to get to the mayo. A battery-operated patio umbrella light so your family can actually see each other while dining outside. The battery-powered device has 28 LEDs to properly illuminate a whole picnic table after the sun sets. A modern waterfall faucet to add a spa-like feel to your bathroom. Doesn't one of your most repeated daily habits (I hope you're washing your hands regularly) deserve an upgrade? Reviewers say they were surprised at how easy it was to install. A square iron firepit table perfect for relaxing evenings or chilly Sunday mornings when you'd like to warm up by a fire and admire your amazing backyard. The propane-fueled table is great for anyone who doesn't want to deal with chopping wood or overseeing a big bonfire. An acrylic dry-erase board that serves as unobtrusive decor until you're ready to break out the markers and start brainstorming what you want for dinner. No drill, wall-mounted amber bottles for anyone who wants the hotel treatment at home. At first glance, the waterproof labels conjure up an Aesop vibe, so guests are gonna be like, "OK, fancy." An insulated, self-adhesive weatherproofing strip you can easily apply to your doors and windows to ensure your precious cold air stays put. Once you see your electric bill, you'll know this thing pays for itself. It's also great for soundproofing, in case you saw the Rebecca Black Boiler Room set and are now wondering if you should become a DJ, too. A brass hook that's easy to install with just two screws and offers a handy place to hang necklaces, bags, or hats. Plus, it's just cute to think of your home gifting you a flower. Chalkboard spray paint to turn any wall or piece of furniture into a blank canvas just waiting for chalk masterpieces. Reviewers say it's super easy to spray an even layer — just remember to wear gloves! A set of 3D-printed KitchenAid Tool holders so you finally have a place to store those darn things. The mounts come with Command strips, but you can also screw them in place. A privacy window film that's easy to install (you just need a credit card and some patience) and fills your home with lots of rainbows when the sun hits it just right. Now your guests can sing "somewherrrrre over the rainbow" as they step over your dog. A microgreen sprouting kit you only need to fill with water once per growing cycle to get fresh, soil-free sprouts. Just add the growth discs to the terracotta dish, fill the glass bulb, and let the gadget do the rest! Salads are gonna feel soooo fancy from now on. A set of discreet dimmable strip lights that stick right under your cabinets to better spotlight your beautiful KitchenAid. Bonus — these come with a mini remote to control the intensity of the light if you want some mood lighting for your midnight snacking. A set of Command spray bottle hangers to stick to the inside of a cabinet door for easy storage, so you can grab the multi-cleaner *the second* you hear food hit the floor. Customers keep these in cabinets, bathrooms, and laundry rooms so they can be prepared for any mess. A canopy that provides shade without trapping in hot air and turning your otherwise pleasant patio into a sweatbox. It comes in a ton of different sizes, and reviewers say it's easy to install. A framed wall shelf to give your knickknacks a dignified place to hang out so they don't have to clutter your desk or languish away in a junk drawer. Have you seen Toy Story? Your Sonny Angels deserve better. Interlocking teak tiles that are super easy to install — no tools needed! — even on uneven surfaces. Who knew that beautiful, tropical-looking flooring was an Amazon purchase and a couple of hours of work away?
CNET
6 days ago
- CNET
I Set Up a VPN on My Roku to Stream Geo-Restricted Shows and Movies. Here's How You Can Too
Watching movies and shows from your favorite streaming services is easy with a streaming device or smart TV. These devices can give you access to thousands of live and on-demand streaming options with the push of a button or even a voice command. If you set up a VPN on your smart TV or streaming device, you can unlock a world of streaming options far beyond what would normally be available in your location. With a VPN, you can have streaming services register your internet connection as originating in another part of the world, which allows you to unblock geographically restricted content. On top of that, you'll keep your streaming activity private from your internet service provider and other online snoops because a VPN encrypts your online traffic. While some streaming devices like Fire TV Stick and Apple TV offer native support for VPN apps, allowing you to download the VPN app directly to the device, Roku devices do not. So, you'll need to take an alternate route to set up a VPN on your Roku device. Although not nearly as straightforward as downloading the VPN app directly to your device, getting a VPN set up on Roku is relatively easy -- and there's a good chance that you already have the necessary equipment to make it work. There are a few ways you can go about setting up a VPN on your Roku device, depending on what equipment you have on hand. For my setup, I have a VPN-enabled router that I use for whole-network coverage -- which is the most straightforward way to use a VPN on Roku. Alternatively, you can share a mobile hotspot from your Windows or Mac computer. Either way, you can use a VPN on your Roku and keep your activity private while vastly expanding your access to international streaming libraries, even if the device doesn't natively support VPN apps. Here's how. Use a VPN router You have several options if you want to use a VPN-compatible router with your Roku -- some potentially more complicated than others but all incurring extra costs. If you don't already have a VPN-compatible router, then you'll need to purchase one, which can cost anywhere from $50 to $250 for a decent model or even upwards of $1,000 for something extremely high-end. If you're budget-minded, then you can purchase a compatible router and install (or 'flash') special firmware onto it to make the VPN work. However, even though many VPNs have tutorials on how to do this on a variety of router models, it can still be a tricky process and probably risky to try if you're not particularly technically inclined. For one, if you botch the process, you run the risk or 'bricking' your router -- in other words, making it as useful for your VPN purposes as an actual brick. You also may end up voiding the warranty on your router. So if you do choose to flash your own VPN router, make sure you know what you're getting into before doing so. Another option is to go with a company like FlashRouters, who has partnerships with various VPN providers including NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark and Proton VPN. FlashRouters sells routers that are already flashed with the firmware you need and work right out of the box with your VPN provider. The catch is that you'll need to tack on about an extra $100 to the purchase price of the router you choose. If you already have a compatible router, FlashRouters can also flash your existing router remotely -- for about $75 to $100 depending on your router. But if that's in your budget, it's an easy way to go and eliminates the risk of turning your router into an expensive paperweight. If you're an ExpressVPN user, you can purchase its Aircove router, which comes in a portable version for $170 or a standard size for $190. The Aircove router is probably the easiest router solution to set up and use, but it's limited to ExpressVPN subscribers, whereas a router purchased from FlashRouters can be configured for a variety of VPN services. Besides giving you the ability to use a VPN on your Roku, a VPN router setup allows you to protect all of your devices at once. Simply connect your Roku or any other device (whether it supports VPN apps or not) to your VPN router network and you're good to go. This gives you whole-network coverage and can also help you get around simultaneous device limits imposed by VPN providers because the router connection counts as a single connection. Share your VPN connection with your Roku through your Mac computer If you're a Mac user and don't want to use a VPN router, you can create a Wi-Fi hotspot from your Mac computer and connect your Roku to it. When you connect to your VPN on your Mac, your Roku will use your Mac's Wi-Fi connection, and its traffic will go through the VPN server you're connected to. Here are the steps you'll need to take: Download your VPN app to your Mac. Connect your Mac to your Wi-Fi router using an Ethernet cable. Go to System Preferences → Sharing. Click on Internet Sharing. Select your VPN connection from the Share your connection dropdown menu. Tick Wi-Fi in the To computers using box. Click on Wi-Fi Options. Set a network name and password for your Wi-Fi hotspot. Select WPA2 Personal in the Security field and click OK. Click on the box next to Internet Sharing and then click Start. Open your VPN app on your Mac and connect to a server. On your Roku, navigate to Settings → Network → Set up connection → Wireless. Select your mobile hotspot from the list of available networks and enter the password you set for your mobile hotspot. Stream your favorite content like you normally would on Roku. Share your VPN connection with your Roku through your Windows computer Setting up a VPN on your Roku using a Wi-Fi hotspot on your Windows computer is essentially the same idea as with Mac, but the process is a bit different. Here's what you'll need to do: Download your VPN app to your Windows machine. Go to Settings → Network and Internet → Mobile Hotspot. Toggle Mobile hotspot to the On position. Click Edit under Network properties to edit the hotspot name and password if desired. Go to Control Panel. Click on View network status and tasks under Network and Internet. Click on Change adapter settings in the left panel. Right-click on the adapter that lists your VPN provider and click on Properties. Click on Sharing. Check the box next to Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection. In the drop-down menu under Home networking connection select the Local Area Connection* that corresponds to the Local Area Connection number with Microsoft Wi-Fi Direct Virtual Adapter listed underneath in the Network Connections window. Connect to a VPN server. On your Roku, navigate to Settings → Network → Set up connection → Wireless. Select your mobile hotspot from the list of available networks and enter the password you set for your mobile hotspot. Stream your favorite content like you normally would on Roku. What VPNs work with Roku? Using one of the methods outlined above, most any VPN would technically work with your Roku device. However, not all VPNs are created equal and some work better than others when it comes to things like streaming, privacy and fast speeds. Any one of CNET's top VPN picks is a solid choice and should work smoothly for streaming on your Roku, but the one you choose is up to you and can depend on factors like your budget, server locations, speeds, device compatibility and overall feature set. If you want the best VPN for streaming overall, ExpressVPN is a great option. If you're after the fastest download speeds, I recommend going with NordVPN because it was the fastest VPN in our most recent VPN speed tests. If you're on a budget, Surfshark and Private Internet Access are both excellent choices because they deliver premium VPN performance at wallet-friendly prices. Each of these VPNs is a well-rounded option for streaming, gaming, boosting your privacy and pretty much any other online activity. Each one also offers a money-back guarantee, so there's little risk in trying a few options to see which one works best for you.
The Independent
22-07-2025
- The Independent
How to get Proton VPN on your Amazon Fire TV Stick
The best thing about an Amazon Fire TV Stick dongle is that you can bring your entire home telly setup anywhere with you and plug it into almost any screen. Dumb hotel TV with no streaming services? No longer an issue. But even with a Fire Stick plugged in, some apps just won't work abroad. BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4 and Now TV can all tell you're not in the UK, so you won't be able to catch up on Love Island, Mix Tape or the Premier League action while you're away. That's where one of the best VPNs for Fire Stick come in. Proton VPN is one of the top VPNs around, and one of the few with a Fire TV Stick app you can actually download from the Appstore. It lets you spoof your location, so UK apps like iPlayer and ITVX don't twig that you're sunning it up in Spain. While Proton does have a free version, it's the paid tier (£3.59, that will let you stream UK content abroad. Here's how to get Proton VPN on your Fire TV Stick. How to get Proton VPN on your Fire TV Stick In our tests, Proton VPN let us access Now TV, BBC iPlayer, ITVX and Channel 4, as well as global streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+ when connected to a UK server, meaning we could catch up on content from home while travelling abroad. Before you get started, make sure you've already got a Proton VPN subscription. A 24-month subscription costs £86.16, which works out to about £3.59 per month. Once that's sorted, follow the below set-up instructions:
Hans India
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Elevate Your Television Viewing Experience Without Buying a New TV with Amazon Fire TV Stick
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, July: 2025: If you are struggling with slow navigation and a laggy experience on your television, you can elevate your viewing experience to make it smart, fast, lag-free, and smooth. Amazon's Fire TV Stick lineup, offers a range of choices including the Fire TV Stick Lite, Fire TV Stick HD, and Fire TV Stick 4K. You can transform your television to enjoy fast-streaming and sharp picture quality by simply plugging in a Fire TV Stick that's compatible with your TV. In just a few simple steps, you can convert your TV into a Fire TV and get instant access to 12,000+ apps. You can make voice commands to Alexa to search and stream content, control Alexa-compatible smart home appliances , and do much more. Here's what you get when you start using a Fire TV Stick on your television: Get access to a variety entertainment and content options on a single screen: Upgrading your television with Fire TV provides access to thousands of movies, TV shows and episodes, games, and much more across 12,000+ apps via the Amazon Appstore. Stream your favorite Telugu movies and other content from popular services like Prime Video, Netflix, JioHotstar, Zee5, aha, Sun NXT, and SonyLIV, or play tens of thousands of songs through Amazon Music, Spotify, JioSaavn and others (subscription fees may apply). The "Free Hub" feature lets you discover thousands of free movies and shows, with ad-supported content on Amazon MX Player, YouTube, and other services. Additionally, access popular live channels such as Aaj Tak, Zee News, India Today, and DD National via nexGTV and more. Enjoy fast speed when streaming content: The quad-core processor in Fire TV Sticks helps users switch between apps in seconds, delivering a quick, seamless, and intuitive experience. Turn your TV into a gaming, fitness, and kids-friendly entertainment hub: Transform your TV into an entertainment hub for gaming, fitness, and kid-friendly content. Fitness enthusiasts can access various exercise apps to maintain a healthy lifestyle from their living rooms. For family game nights, enjoy Hill Climb Racing, Beach Buggy Racing, Ludo King, and various other games and quizzes right on your TV screen (subscription and in-app purchase may apply). Kid-friendly options include YouTube Kids, Voot Kids, and Happy Kids (subscription and in-app purchase may apply). Search and control content with simple voice commands to Alexa: If you struggle with navigating through numerous content options, then you can take Alexa's help. Simply ask Alexa to search and play movies or shows with commands like "Alexa, search action movies" or 'Alexa, play Jathi Rathnalu'. Control smart home appliances from the comfort of your couch: With simple voice commands, control Alexa-compatible smart home devices including bulbs, ACs, fans, and smart cameras. Just say, "Alexa, show me my smart home dashboard" to make Fire TV the hub of your smart home. Press the Alexa button on the remote and ask Alexa to show security camera feeds without interrupting the show. About Amazon Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth's Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth's Best Employer, and Earth's Safest Place to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalised recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit and follow @AmazonNews_IN.
Daily Record
14-07-2025
- Daily Record
Sky households may see viewing disrupted amid crackdown on illegal streaming
Sky is working alongside authorities to disrupt cyber crooks and shut down unofficial streaming services. With many streaming services requiring a monthly fee to access their content, this can lead to a hefty sum come payday. When you add all the TV packages and apps together, it's a significant amount of money leaving your bank account each month. Therefore, it is perhaps not too surprising that millions of people have moved to using illegal streams instead. Many people viewing content like this have a 'dodgy' or 'broken' Fire TV Stick. These popular but illegal devices offer many households the chance to watch their favourite sports channels, tv series, and films for a single yearly payment, which is a fraction of the overall annual payment for all the streaming services. However, with so many people making the switch so they don't need to pay their regular content fees, it hasn't gone unnoticed by the affected content providers. Major TV services, as well as the authorities, are warning customers about the dangers of illegal streaming, reports the Mirror. And they aren't stopping there, by working together they are also cracking down on unofficial streaming services so they can protect households from being attacked by cyber crooks. In the latest crackdown, it has been confirmed that an illegal streaming platform has been completely disrupted, with two people in their 30s being arrested. Searches of two residential addresses in Oldbury and a data centre in Cheltenham were carried out by a team from the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU). From this, a man and woman were taken into custody - a 30-year-old man who was suspected of running the illegal streaming service and a 32-year-old woman suspected of distributing material infringing copyright and receiving criminal property. PIPCU's investigation suggests that both the man and woman received significant profits from this illegal service. As well as the arrests, any content servers were also seized, which means those who signed up for the service will no longer receive any of their 'free' content. Detective Constable Daryl Fryatt from the PIPCU at City of London Police spoke on the latest arrests, saying: "This activity should serve as a reminder that PIPCU will pursue criminals who seek to profit from illegal streaming and disrupt their operations. "This is a crime that diverts funds away from the creative and entertainment industries, money that supports thousands of technical and support staff. At the same time, it exposes end users to the risks of data theft, fraud and malware." Matt Hibbert, Sky's group director of anti-piracy, said: "We are extremely grateful to the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit for taking this action against a significant pirate operation. "We will continue to work alongside the police and industry partners to tackle piracy and disrupt the criminal networks behind it. This action helps to keep consumers safe from the serious risks that piracy can pose to devices and personal property." There are many dangers that come with choosing to stream content illegally, whether that be through a dodgy Fire TV Stick device or especially created websites. Using these services can potentially expose a household to vicious malware and inappropriate content. On top of this, many of these devices can often fund criminal gangs. While it is highly unlikely that anyone using the illegal stream will ever face jail time for their actions, it may be worth considering the added risks that come with it.
