OnePus 11 cracks under pressure in durability test https://ift.tt/kaRp5Lv

Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority

• The OnePlus 11 was put through JerryRigEverything’s durability test.
• The phone’s fingerprint sensor become inoperable with deep scratches,
• The glass back of the phone also shattered entirely during the bend test.

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The last few OnePlus phones haven’t fared so well in Zack Nelson’s JerryRigEverything durability tests. The OnePlus 10 Pro infamously broke into half in the YouTuber’s hands during a bend test. The OnePlus 10T suffered the same fate. Now, Nelson’s back with a OnePlus 11 stress test, and let’s just say, a good case is definitely recommended for the new flagship.

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Watch out eSIM, iSIM is coming for your lunch https://ift.tt/RaT5GgL

Credit: Qualcomm

• Qualcomm has partnered with Thales to bake iSIM or Integrated SIM capabilities right inside the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC.
• The new form factor makes swapping carrier services much smoother and faster.
• iSIMs also occupy significantly less space inside phones than eSIMs and physical SIM slots.

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eSIMs are a great way to circumvent the need for a physical SIM card. Having eSIM capabilities on a phone can also be very helpful when you’re traveling and have to use switch carriers on the go. But Qualcomm now has tech that could make eSIMs obsolete.

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Say sayonara to blurry photos thanks to this sharp camera tech https://ift.tt/rRqIoKH

Credit: Prophesee

Motion blur is the curse of even the best smartphone cameras, but not for long. At MWC 2023, sensor designer Prophesee partnered with Qualcomm to bring its “event-based” Metavision technology to Snapdragon platforms and, therefore, future smartphones. Farewell, blurry pet photos, unusable sports action shots, and smudged low-light snaps.

Prophesee’s journey began with custom image sensor hardware designed specially to track motion within a scene, and that’s the key to what makes Metavision so promising. The technology doesn’t capture images like a traditional image sensor, instead calculating the direction and amount of motion to produce a map of moving pixels. This is accomplished by tracking when a pixel changes rather than capturing a full image frame-by-frame like a traditional camera.

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Google Assistant has forgotten how to control smart home devices https://ift.tt/3BMfW6P

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

• Google Assistant is currently having trouble with controlling smart home devices.
• The issue appears to be happening in the US and other locations.
• The problem seems to only affect Google Assistant.

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If you tried to use Google Assistant this morning to do something like activate your lights or turn on your TV, you may have noticed something weird. It appears Google Assistant has forgotten how to control smart home devices.

The virtual assistant that can use your voice to control everything from appliances to your robot vacuum is experiencing technical difficulties. Specifically, it appears users are currently unable to get Google Assistant to “understand” prompts related to activating or deactivating a device.

When given a prompt — like saying “Hey Google, turn on the lights” — the software will usually respond and comply with the order given. However, if you give the software an order right now, it will give you a response saying “Sorry, I don’t understand” or “Sorry, I didn’t understand.”

We have confirmed that this is currently an issue after attempting to use Google Assistant on our own smart home products. And it seems the problem isn’t restricted to the US, as some of our non-US-based writers are also experiencing the issue as well.

Thankfully, the malfunction seems to be limited to controlling smart home devices as Google Assistant is still able to do other tasks, like answering queries or having two-way conversations. It also appears that the issue is specifically unique to Google Assistant as Google Home is still working as it should.

This is the kind of problem that tends to get fixed quickly. So if you’re experiencing this issue, it’s likely safe to assume the app will go back to normal soon.

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You can now talk to ChatGPT on Snapchat, but don’t reveal any secrets https://ift.tt/g1QF8Ia

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

• Snapchat has introduced a ChatGPT-powered bot in its app.
• It’s called My AI and is equipped to have natural conversations with Snapchat users.
• The platform has restricted the bot’s responses to follow Snapchat’s trust and safety guidelines.

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Snapchat has released a ChatGPT-powered AI bot inside its app. Called “My AI,” this is the first implementation of OpenAI’s viral chatbot in a social media app.

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Mystery Google phone shows up on FCC: Pixel 7a or Pixel foldable? https://ift.tt/kx4hiVJ

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

• A new Google phone has come up in the FCC database.
• It could be the Pixel 7a.
• The documents confirm its connectivity options.

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An unnamed Google phone has stopped by FCC, as spotted by Droid Life. The device in question comes bearing model number GHL1X. It seems to have additional variants with model numbers G82U8, G0DZQ, and GWKK3.

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OnePlus Nord 3 will be a rebranded phone, claims new leak (Updated) https://ift.tt/IkVWtNs

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

• The OnePlus Nord 3 could feature a larger 6.72-inch AMOLED display with full HD+ resolution.
• The phone could launch in July.

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Update: February 27, 2023 (9:51 PM ET): We’ve got more details about the OnePlus Nord 3 thanks to reliable leaker Max Jambor who reports that the phone will be a rebranded device. According to Jambor, OnePlus will soon launch a device called the OnePlus Ace 2V in China. He says the Nord 3 will be a rebranded version of the same and will launch globally in July.

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Original article: February 23, 2023 (1:12 PM ET): There’s been a lot of rumors swirling around the OnePlus Nord 3, both right and wrong. The most recent leak, however, may give us the clearest details about the upcoming handset yet.

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There’s a Nothing Phone 1 clone at MWC and Carl Pei just posed with it https://ift.tt/2XLbd8s

Credit: Hadlee Simons / Android Authority

• Carl Pei has posted an image of a Nothing Phone 1 clone being displayed at MWC 2023.
• The Unihertz Luna features a Glyph-like interface at the back and a see-through design like the Phone 1.
• It’s set to launch sometime in March.

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They say imitation is the best form of flattery. Nothing’s Carl Pei is finding that out firsthand on the MWC 2023 show floor, where Unihertz has announced a device called the Luna. If you put it next to the Nothing Phone 1, which Pei did and posed for the camera, you’ll see that it boldly copies Nothing’s Glyph interface.

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Apple HomePod (2nd generation) review: The best speaker in Apple’s walled garden https://ift.tt/X6w4TYK

The original 2018 HomePod was a rare example of an Apple flop — price cuts weren’t enough to save it from being discontinued in March 2021. However, the HomePod Mini, launched in November 2020, was seemingly successful enough that it convinced Apple to give a full-sized smart speaker a second shot. But does the HomePod 2 justify its existence? Find out in this HomePod (2nd generation) review.

Apple HomePod (2nd generation)

See Review

$299 at Adorama

About this Apple HomePod (2nd generation) review: I tested the HomePod 2nd gen over a period of one week. It was running the 16.3.2 software update. The unit was purchased by Android Authority for this review.

What you need to know about the Apple HomePod (2nd generation)

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Record-low price on the SKAGEN Falster Gen 6, and more fitness tracker deals https://ift.tt/qmwpfIl

Credit: Jimmy Westenberg / Android Authority

A fitness tracker is one of the most helpful gadgets when it comes to getting in shape. It won’t magically make you fit, but it can keep you on top of your fitness goals and stay motivated. Some manufacturers even offer fitness trackers just for kids. We’ve gathered deals from all of the major players, and you can check out our favorites below.

There’s quite a lot of overlap between smartwatches and fitness trackers these days. If you’re looking first and foremost for smartwatch functionality, you might prefer to peruse our list of the best smartwatch deals available right now.

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OnePlus 11 Concept hands-on: Liquid cooling is neat, but does it work? https://ift.tt/kq9CF8N

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

Over the past few years, OnePlus has used tech trade shows to launch what it calls “Concept” phones — devices that show off some brand new feature, but that the company will likely never sell. At CES 2020, the OnePlus Concept One featured electrochromic glass that concealed the rear camera when not in use. Right before CES 2021, we had the OnePlus 8T Concept, which featured a color-changing back. Now, at MWC 2023, we have the OnePlus 11 Concept.

Like previous Concept phones, OnePlus has no plans to release this device commercially. However, it did actually create a working model, and we got some hands-on time with it. Here’s what we saw!

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Xiaomi reveals MIUI 14 global release schedule and eligible devices https://ift.tt/PKkGFjE

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

• Xiaomi has revealed a list of phones getting the MIUI 14 update globally in Q1, 2023.
• The company will update more phones with the latest software in due course of time.

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The Xiaomi 13 series launched globally yesterday at MWC 2023. While the flagship phones were the highlight of Xiaomi’s presentation, the company also revealed official details about MIUI 14, its latest Android skin refresh.

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Weird! A YouTube video is forcing the Pixel 7/7 Pro to reboot spontaneously https://ift.tt/CFPhiTr

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

• A YouTube video is forcing the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro to reboot almost spontaneously.
• The issue might have something to do with color processing on the phones.
• Some Pixel 6 and 6a users are also unable to run the video.

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Something strange is afoot with the Pixel 7 series. According to multiple reports on Reddit (h/t Mishaal Rahman), playing a specific YouTube video is causing people’s Pixel 7 and 7 Pro to reboot without warning.

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Lenovo launches a slew of laptops, including one made out of food https://ift.tt/adjKN48

https://youtube.com/watch?v=cZEY2skbY1s

• Lenovo launched over a dozen laptops at MWC 2023.
• Of them, the Z13 is the most unique, with a cover made of flaxseed scraps.
• There are also Chromebooks, a new tiny-in-one, and a new high-tier support service.

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Mobile World Congress 2023 is officially on, and Lenovo is pulling out all the stops. The company launched over a dozen laptops in its Z, X, T, E, and L lines. It also launched a new tiny-in-one and a new service that promises the highest level of support from the company.

There’s a lot to get through, so let’s dive in.

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TCL NXTPAPER 11 hands-on: Glare today, gone tomorrow https://ift.tt/adjKN48

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PU9P0uu8yeM&feature=youtu.be

TCL introduced its NXTPAPER technology a few years ago, essentially being a fancy term for a matte display. Now, the company has announced the NXTPAPER 11 Android tablet just prior to MWC 2023, using NXTPAPER 2.0 tech.

The new tablet is an 11-inch slate meant to be used in landscape orientation, although it works just as well in portrait orientation. TCL’s tablet weighs in at 460 grams, but this weight is well-balanced and it’s relatively thin, to boot. But the star of the show here is the aforementioned NXTPAPER 2.0 tech.

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Xiaomi 13 series launched globally: Proper Galaxy S23 rivals? https://ift.tt/LMOKBwh

Credit: Ryan Haines / Android Authority

Xiaomi first launched the Xiaomi 13 series of flagship phones in China back in December 2022, offering premium features like a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, fast wireless charging, an IP68 rating, and telephoto cameras.

It’s taken several months, but Xiaomi has finally launched the new phones in global markets as part of MWC 2023. Needless to say, the Xiaomi 13 Pro is the star of the show here.

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I tried Bing Chat on mobile, and I’m not going back to Google Assistant https://ift.tt/il3W9Tv

Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

Opinion post by

Calvin Wankhede

When Microsoft announced that it was rolling out a new Chat mode within Bing, I joined the waitlist almost immediately. But even though I was among the privileged few to gain early access, I found myself rapidly losing interest in the feature. From a practical perspective, ChatGPT delivered longer creative responses and I had no interest in “jailbreaking” Bing to elicit an emotional response. As for everyday searches, I still preferred a list of conventional web results over a 200-word reading exercise.

All of that changed a few days ago when Microsoft brought Bing’s Chat mode to mobile and gave it a voice. To my surprise, this small change was enough to reel me back in. While back-and-forth interaction with a chatbot can feel laborious over a keyboard, speaking out loud in plain English comes naturally. Moreover, it’s something many of us have already become accustomed to with Alexa and Google Assistant. But unlike those services, talking to the new Bing actually feels like I’m actually interacting with a knowledgeable virtual assistant.

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Motorola rizr rollable phone concept hands-on: They see me rollin’ https://ift.tt/JZOmnWE

Credit: Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

While foldable screens are slowly becoming more mainstream, rollable flexible displays are still in their emerging phase. The idea is simple: You take a flexible display panel and instead of just folding it on itself, you use its flexibility to roll it — often hiding it away from view. That’s the idea behind Motorola’s rizr rollable phone concept, which was briefly teased back in October.

At MWC 2023, we were able to get our hands on a working prototype of the Motorola rizr rollable phone and let’s just say that it’s too cool. Rollables are more practical than foldable phones in most situations. The phone keeps its original size and form factor, and is usable as is. But when you need more screen estate, you can get an on-demand larger display that momentarily rolls out, then neatly tucks away when you’re done.

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How to change your Minecraft name https://ift.tt/tG93Qrb

Your Minecraft name is usually your Gamertag for whatever platform you play on. It identifies you to other players in multiple games, including Minecraft. There are ways to change your Minecraft name on each platform and also on the Java and Bedrock editions. We’ll walk you through the steps of changing your Minecraft name on every available platform, although it may not be the best idea in some cases.

Please note that there are several old versions that aren’t in active development and also aren’t sold anymore. They include the PlayStation 4 Edition, Nintendo Switch Edition, Pocket Edition, and Xbox One Edition of Minecraft. We do still show you how to change your name in those old versions of the game in the FAQ section at the bottom of this article.

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Frankenstein’s earbuds would sound monstrously good https://ift.tt/xkBHsg1

Credit: Thomas Triggs / Android Authority

Despite frequently hopping between some of the best wireless earbuds, I still don’t feel like I’ve found my perfect pair. It’s not that any models I’ve used are bad in their own right. It’s more that I like each of them for different and specific reasons. Between the Samsung, Sony, and other buds at my disposal, I have an orchestra full of features that I enjoy. But it’s a pain having to switch between buds when I want to experience the best of a particular functionality.

But what if I could somehow take them apart and put all of their best qualities together? With their high-end features combined, they’d make for an impressive set of earbuds indeed. Maybe then I could have all of the features I’m looking for all in one place. Strange though it is, Frankenstein’s earbuds would sound monstrously good. Here’s what they should look like.

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The Weekly Authority: 🐣 Weighty Pixel Fold, eggsorbitant prices, and more https://ift.tt/yPemucw

Welcome to The Weekly Authority, the Android Authority newsletter that breaks down the top Android and tech news from the week. The 233rd edition is here, with a hefty Pixel Fold rumor, a creepy (or cool) new Bixby feature, the price of eggs, and more…

Happy weekend! It’s Andy here, unusually finding myself on Weekly Authority duty while Paula enjoys some time off. You can look forward to her stories from the Scottish countryside next week. As for me, I’m on my third cup of coffee today while tucking into a slice of homemade banana bread. Hungry for this week’s hottest stories? Let’s get stuck in.

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Can the Nokia G22 really be repaired in five minutes? We tested to find out https://ift.tt/tG93Qrb

HMD Global announced three new Nokia phones at MWC 2023, including two entry-level C-Series devices and, more interestingly, the Nokia G22. This budget phone promises to be easier to repair than almost anything else currently on the market.

According to HMD, changing the Nokia G22’s battery should take just five minutes, while the more complicated task of replacing the display may take as long as 20 minutes. We went hands-on and put its “QuickFix” repairability claims to the test — is it really as trivial as the company suggests?

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Nokia launches trio of phones focused on repairability, durability, and imaging https://ift.tt/cemSCJX

Credit: Nokia

• The G22 is Nokia’s first smartphone designed around repairability.
• Nokia claims its C32 phone has the highest image quality ever seen on its C-series devices.
• The Nokia C22 offers more durability than the previous generation.

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The maker of Nokia phones — HMD Global — had a few announcements to share at MWC 2023 today. It revealed three new budget phones: two in its C-series line and one in its G-series line.

The new handsets are the Nokia C22, C32, and G22. Each phone appears to have a defining characteristic; the G22 is centered around repairability, the C32 focuses on image quality, and the C22 is all about durability. Here’s a quick breakdown of each device.

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Hey Google, I should be able to pair a Pixel Watch and Fitbit to the same phone https://ift.tt/S49e0it

Credit: Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority

Opinion post by

Dhruv Bhutani

As someone who sports some of the best smartwatches primarily for health metrics, the lackluster improvement in battery life in the category has long been a pet peeve of mine. Those health metrics will only be as good as the amount of data I have. If the watch says 24 hours on the box, it should go 24 hours. But as we all know, that’s rarely the case for most users, let alone those like me who push their smartwatches with GPS-based workouts and a healthy amount of notifications.

It’s a problem that particularly plagues Wear OS wearables like the Pixel Watch, though the Apple Watch isn’t entirely immune to it either. In fact, I’d been eyeing the Pixel Watch ever since it was announced but opted for the Apple Watch Ultra primarily for the super-sized battery. Regardless, range anxiety on smartwatches is real, and it makes me long for my old Fitbit that could easily go a week or more on a charge.

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Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 review: Wireless charging pad for everything Apple https://ift.tt/JwWiA1l

The crux of the Apple Watch is that it’s only compatible with an iPhone. On the other hand, that means an amalgamated ecosystem of compatible products. So why not consolidate your charging as well? Belkin’s multi-device BoostCharge Pro wireless charger eliminates excess plugs and cables with a single solution for your phone, smartwatch, and earbuds. Find out more in this Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with Magsafe review.

Belkin BoostCharge 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with MagSafe

See Review

$149.99 at Amazon

About this Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with Magsafe review: I tested the Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with Magsafe over a period of one week. The unit was provided by Belkin for this review.

What you need to know about the Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad

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The DSLR-like Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra is the overkill king of 4K webcams https://ift.tt/3sQLHni

Have you ever wanted a webcam that could capture all the details of your setup in sharp 4K quality? For those of us working from home, rushing to a meeting while still wearing our pajamas, that may be the last thing we want. But for others, such as streamers and content creators, those specs are an advantage. Packing the largest sensor ever seen in a webcam, the Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra definitely raises the bar. While the Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra might be overkill for most people, it will be a dream come true for others.

Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra

See Review

$299.99 at Razer

About this Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra review: I tested the Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra over two weeks. It was running Razer Synapse version 3.8.116.10612. Razer provided the unit for this review.

Sensor size matters

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Should you wait for the Google Pixel 8 or buy the Samsung Galaxy S23? https://ift.tt/qrpNs3U

If you’re in the market for a compact Android phone, you’ve probably come to the realization that your options are fairly limited. You can opt for something like the Asus Zenfone 9, or go for the newly launched Samsung Galaxy S23. Google also has a “small” flagship in the form of the Pixel 7 — but it’s not exactly a compact phone. But what about the upcoming Pixel 8? Will the next Pixel phone be something you should hold out for or should you go ahead and buy the Galaxy S23 right away? We explore this question and more in this article.

Editor’s note: Google has yet to announce the Pixel 8 series, and any information about it is based on rumors or speculation. As renders and images are not available for the Pixel 8, the Pixel 7 is used as a reference. Keep that in mind as we move forward with this article.

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Motorola Razr 2023 launch date leaks, will beat Galaxy Z Flip 5 to the punch https://ift.tt/uYvM5QK

Credit: Evan Blass

• The launch date of the Motorola Razr 2023 has leaked.
• The phone is expected to be one of the two foldables Motorola is planning this year.
• It could launch well ahead of the competing Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5.

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Motorola is expected to launch two new foldable phones this year. One of them is allegedly codenamed Juno, while the other is called Venus. That’s according to tipster Evan Blass who also happened to share renders of the former, aka Juno, just a few days back. Now, Blass has leaked the possible launch date of the phone.

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The best iPhone deals: Get a free iPhone 14 Pro with trade-in https://ift.tt/sGb4Afr

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

We may be Android Authority, but we can’t ignore what Apple’s iPhones bring to the table, especially if you can get yourself a deep discount. The ecosystem is well-integrated, iOS is about as straightforward as it gets, and just about anyone can pick up an Apple product and learn to use it quickly. Often the iPhone price is the only issue, with deals not as plentiful as with other brands.

With the iPhone 15 firmly on our radar, here are some of the best iPhone deals right now to help you avoid the so-called Apple Tax.

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The best Roku deals: Save almost 50% on a Roku TV https://ift.tt/GQ5RtHz

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

If you’re in the market for a new streaming device, you probably already know most of the big names in the game. There’s Amazon Fire TV, NVIDIA Shield, and more, but there are also plenty of options from Roku. Fans of the brand will be happy to hear that there are plenty of Roku offers around. We’ve summed up the best cheap Roku deals in this post.

Roku is a great option for cord-cutters, with numerous devices at different price points and hundreds of apps to access your favorite content. Roku even works with Disney Plus now for all of your Star Wars and Marvel streaming needs. We’ve put together some of the best plug-in options and some smart TVs in case you want to upgrade even more.

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