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  • Ready for New iPhone Emojis? Here Are the 118 Icons Coming in iOS 17.4

    Ready for New iPhone Emojis? Here Are the 118 Icons Coming in iOS 17.4

    If you’re looking for a new way to express yourself graphically on your iPhone, you’re in luck. The iOS 17.4 beta released on Thursday, Jan. 25 introduced 118 new emojis. The colorful new icons are only available to iPhone developers right now, but the rest of us will get them soon. The public release of iOS 17.4 is expected in March.

    Some of the emoji — like the phoenix, brown mushroom, lime and a broken chain — are new. Others are variations of emoji that already exist, with different skin tones or simply turned in a different direction. Those adjusted emoji include people walking, running, kneeling, using wheelchairs and using white canes. There are also four new gender-neutral family group emoji.

    You won’t be able to find these new emoji on your keyboard just yet, though. While version 15.1.0 of the Unicode was approved on Sept. 12 (you can read all of it here), there’s always a lag between the approval and its release. Emojipedia had estimated that the new emoji would be available in early 2024.

    It’s also likely that each emoji’s appearance will be slightly different depending on whether you use an Apple or Android smartphone.

    The emoji update before this one included a long-awaited pink heart, a shaking-head smiley and a donkey, moose and goose.

    Honestly, though, according to emoji reference site Emojipedia, it’s the simple emoji that really resonate with users. The top three most-used emoji in 2023 were the crying with laughter face, the rolling on the floor laughing face and the simple red heart, Emojipedia Editor in Chief Keith Broni said, according to the New York Post. Of the new emojis released in 2023, three hearts with different colors — pink, blue and gray — were among the most popular, along with the shaking face.

    Here are tips on how to decipher certain emoji, plus five emoji keyboards that make texting more fun. And those emoji won’t be worth much without a phone, so here’s CNET’s guide to the best Apple phone for 2024, plus the best Samsung Galaxy phone, and the best overall Android phone. If option paralysis has set in, here’s how to pick the best smartphone for your needs.

    Read also: Apple Will Allow Installation of Rival App Stores on iPhones… but Only in Europe

  • Verum Exchange: Revolutionizing Currency Conversion and Money Exchange

    Verum Exchange: Revolutionizing Currency Conversion and Money Exchange

    Verum Exchange is an innovative platform that offers new possibilities for currency conversion and money exchange. In today’s increasingly global economy, the convenience and efficiency of currency exchange play a key role in the lives of both business professionals and ordinary individuals.

    One of the main features of Verum Exchange is its intuitive currency converter. This tool allows users to instantly calculate real-time exchange rates and conduct currency conversion operations without unnecessary complexity. Thanks to advanced technologies used in the platform’s development, users can rely on the accuracy and reliability of the provided information.

    Security is another important aspect emphasized by Verum Exchange. Modern encryption technologies ensure the protection of financial transactions and the confidentiality of users’ personal information. This enables all users to feel confident and secure when using the platform for their financial operations.

    In addition to this, Verum Exchange provides a wide range of currency pairs for exchange, making the platform attractive to both investors and those engaged in international trade. The variety of available tools allows for effective portfolio management and trading on currency markets.

    Modern financial technologies are steadily propelling the world forward, and Verum Exchange stands as a vivid example of how innovations can simplify and enhance our financial lives. Whether you are an experienced trader or simply need a convenient way to exchange currency, Verum Exchange opens up new horizons in the world of financial possibilities.

  • Lions vs. 49ers Livestream: How to Watch the NFL Conference Championship Game Online Today

    Lions vs. 49ers Livestream: How to Watch the NFL Conference Championship Game Online Today

    The Detroit Lions ended the NFL’s longest playoff drought with their win over their Rams in the Wild Card round. This past weekend saw the good times continue rolling in Detroit as the Lions took down the Buccaneers to move one win away from a trip to the Super Bowl.

    Standing in Detroit’s way is the NFC’s top-seeded San Francisco 49ers. While the top team in the conference, San Francisco had its hands full this weekend against the Green Bay Packers who almost pulled off the upset until a late game-winning touchdown drive led by quarterback Brock Purdy and capped off by a run by star running back Christian McCaffrey gave the Niners the lead for good.

    Kickoff for Sunday’s NFC Championship in Santa Clara is called for 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT) on Fox. Here is how you can watch, stream and follow along.

    Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers running with the ball gripped in his right hand.

    Lions vs. 49ers game today: When and where?

    This NFC Championship matchup sees the 49ers host the Lions at 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT) on Sunday. The game will take place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California — home of the 49ers.

    How to watch Lions vs. 49ers in the US

    Sunday’s Lions vs. 49ers game is on Fox nationally. The good news for football fans is that Fox is available on most of the major live TV streaming services. The least expensive such service is Sling TV Blue.

    Numerous other live TV streaming services carry local Fox stations as well, namely YouTube TV, Hulu Plus Live TV, DirecTV Stream and Fubo. They all cost far more than Sling, but they also carry a full complement of live channels, including football broadcasting channels like CBS and ESPN. Check out our live TV streaming services guide for details.

    All the live TV streaming services above offer free trials, allow you to cancel anytime and require a solid internet connection. Looking for more information? Check out our live TV streaming services guide.

    An over-the-air antenna connected to your TV provides another option for Fox. The best part about antennas is that there are no streaming or monthly fees required, although you will need to make sure you have good reception.

  • Watch FA Cup Soccer: Livestream Newport County vs. Man United From Anywhere

    Watch FA Cup Soccer: Livestream Newport County vs. Man United From Anywhere

    Newport Town will be hoping the magic of the cup plays its part as the League Two side look to pull off a major shock against Premier League heavyweights Manchester United.

    Having beaten National League side Eastleigh in a replay to line up this clash, Newport will be hoping the compact surroundings of Rodney Parade will prove a hostile environment for their esteemed opponents.

    Man United have had a challenging season so far, and will be keen to successfully negotiate this potential banana skin, with Erik ten Hag set to name a strong side having had a fortnight’s break.

    Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch the game live, wherever you are in the world.

    Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund looking to his right.

    Newport County vs. Manchester United: When and where?

    Newport County host Manchester United in this FA Cup fourth-round tie at Rodney Parade on Sunday, Jan. 28. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. GMT local time in the UK (11:30 a.m. ET, 8:30 a.m. PT in the US and Canada, and 2:30 a.m. AEDT on Monday, Jan. 29 in Australia).

    How to watch the Newport County vs. Man United game online from anywhere using a VPN

    If you find yourself unable to view the game locally, you may need a different way to watch the game — that’s where using a VPN can come in handy. A VPN is also the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds on game day by encrypting your traffic, and it’s also a great idea if you’re traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network, and you want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins.

    With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the game. Most VPNs, like our Editors’ Choice, ExpressVPN, make it really easy to do this.

    Using a VPN to watch or stream sports is legal in any country where VPNs are legal, including the US, UK and Canada, as long as you have a legitimate subscription to the service you’re streaming. You should be sure your VPN is set up correctly to prevent leaks: Even where VPNs are legal, the streaming service may terminate the account of anyone it deems to be circumventing correctly applied blackout restrictions.

    Looking for other options? Be sure to check out some of the other great VPN deals taking place right now.

    Livestream the Newport County vs. Man United game in the US

    This cup match at Rodney Parade is streaming exclusively live in the US on ESPN Plus. Kickoff is at 11:30 a.m. ET, 8:30 a.m. PT on Sunday for viewers in the States.

    Can I livestream the Newport County vs. Man United game in the UK?

    The great news for footy fans in the UK is that free-to-air broadcasters the BBC and ITV are sharing live duties for this season’s FA Cup.

    This fixture is being shown exclusively on BBC1, with coverage starting at 4 p.m. GMT ahead of the 4:30 p.m. kickoff.

    Livestream Newport County vs. Man United in Canada

    Canadian soccer fans looking to watch this FA Cup fixture can watch all the action live via Sportsnet.

    Livestream the Newport County vs. Man United game in Australia

    ViacomCBS holds the broadcast rights for the FA Cup in Australia, which means you can watch matches from the tournament live Down Under via streaming service Paramount Plus. You’ll just have to set an alarm for the early hours of Monday morning: kickoff is at 2:30 a.m. AEDT.

    Quick tips for streaming the FA Cup using a VPN

    • With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — your experience and success when streaming FA Cup matches may vary.
    • If you don’t see your desired location as a default option for ExpressVPN, try using the “search for city or country” option.
    • If you’re having trouble getting the game after you’ve turned on your VPN and set it to the correct viewing area, there are two things you can try for a quick fix. First, log into your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is an address in the correct viewing area. If not, you may need to change the physical address on file with your account. Second, some smart TVs — like Roku — don’t have VPN apps you can install directly on the device itself. Instead, you’ll have to install the VPN on your router or the mobile hotspot you’re using (like your phone) so that any device on its Wi-Fi network now appears in the correct viewing location.
    • All of the VPN providers we recommend have helpful instructions on their main site for quickly installing the VPN on your router. In some cases with smart TV services, after you install a cable network’s sports app, you’ll be asked to verify a numeric code or click a link sent to your email address on file for your smart TV. This is where having a VPN on your router will also help, since both devices will appear to be in the correct location.
    • And remember, browsers can often give away a location despite using a VPN, so be sure you’re using a privacy-first browser to log into your services. We normally recommend Brave.
  • Save 68% on Microsoft Office Pro 2021 for Mac and Windows

    Save 68% on Microsoft Office Pro 2021 for Mac and Windows

    Microsoft Office is probably one of the most popular software suites in the world. But, unfortunately, it is very expensive, with a Microsoft Office Pro 2021 license running you a massive $440 if you buy it from Microsoft directly. Luckily, StackSocial is running a great offer on a lifetime license that knocks h off both the Mac and Windows versions, which brings the price down to just $70. Of course, if that’s still a bit too pricey for you, then you could go for Office Pro Plus 2019, which is significantly cheaper.

    Just note that Mac users will get only the basic Home and Business suite, while Windows users will get the Professional suite, which includes Office Publisher and Office Access as well.

    microsoft-office-home-and-bussiness-2021-bf

    StackSocial’s deal is a great bargain when compared with the online Microsoft 365 subscription suite, which starts at $7 a month or $70 a year for individuals. There’s a free online version of Microsoft Office that you can use as well, but it isn’t nearly as feature complete. (Separately — and notably — Apple users should be aware that Outlook is now a free app for the Mac.)

    Now, a deal this good comes with some caveats. First, the code provided can be used one time for a single computer, so you won’t be able to install it on multiple machines in your home, and if your current computer happens to die, you could run into a snag when trying to transfer it. Likewise, you’re passing up on other benefits you’d get as a 365 subscriber. You won’t get any OneDrive Cloud Storage, nor will you get the fancy new cloud-based AI features like Microsoft Copilot. And while the apps should continue to work as long as your computer does, Microsoft’s support for this version of Office ends on Oct. 13, 2026.

    To that last point: Though this is listed as a “lifetime license” — that is, the lifetime of the computer you installed it on — it’s worth noting there’s always a risk that Microsoft could terminate the license. But versions of StackSocial’s deal have been running for more than a year — the one we bought in early 2022, for instance, still works fine.

  • Chiefs vs. Ravens Livestream: How to Watch NFL Conference Championship Game Online Today

    Chiefs vs. Ravens Livestream: How to Watch NFL Conference Championship Game Online Today

    After winning a frigid game against the Dolphins at home to open the playoffs, the Kansas City Chiefs went up Buffalo this past weekend and took down the Bills yet again in the playoffs to advance to the AFC’s Conference Championship game. Awaiting Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and co. are the top-seeded Baltimore Ravens who, after an even first half, beat down the Houston Texans 34-10 at home behind four total touchdowns by star quarterback and MVP-favorite Lamar Jackson.

    As the AFC’s number one seed, the Ravens continue their home-field advantage for this AFC championship game. The victor heads to Las Vegas to take on the winner of Sunday’s NFC championship contest between the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11.

    Kick-off for today’s game is called for 3 p.m. ET (12 p.m. PT) on CBS and Paramount Plus. Here is how you can watch, stream and follow along.

    Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahome, clutching the ball with both hands.

    Chiefs vs. Ravensgame today: When and where?

    This Conference Championship matchup sees the Ravens host the Chiefs at 3 p.m. ET (12 p.m. PT) on Sunday. The game will take place at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, home of the Ravens.

    How to watch Chiefs vs. Ravens in the US

    Sunday’s Chiefs-Ravens game is on CBS nationally. The good news for football fans is that CBS is available on most of the major live TV streaming services. The least expensive option is Paramount Plus.

    Numerous other live TV streaming services carry local CBS stations as well, namely YouTube TV, Hulu Plus Live TV, DirecTV Stream and Fubo. They all cost far more than Paramount Plus, but they also carry many live channels, including football broadcasting channels like Fox and ESPN. Check out our live TV streaming services guide for details.

    All the live TV streaming services above offer free trials, allow you to cancel anytime and require a solid internet connection. Looking for more information? Check out our live TV streaming services guide.

    An over-the-air antenna connected to your TV provides another option for CBS. The best part about antennas is that there are no streaming or monthly fees required, although you will need to make sure you have good reception.

  • Watch FA Cup Soccer: Livestream Liverpool vs. Norwich From Anywhere

    Watch FA Cup Soccer: Livestream Liverpool vs. Norwich From Anywhere

    Championship side Norwich will be hoping to capitalise on the uncertainty on Merseyside as they travel to Anfield on Sunday to take on Liverpool in this FA Cup fourth-round clash.

    Reds fans are still reeling from Friday’s shock news that manager Jürgen Klopp is set to leave the club at the end of the season. The departing boss will be determined for his side to continue their run of nine games unbeaten as he looks to make it to a second Wembley final in his last term in charge, having already steered his side to the Carabao Cup final in midweek.

    It’s been more than three decades since the Canaries last beat Liverpool and David Wagner’s men come into this clash off the back of a damaging league defeat against Leeds United.

    Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch the game live, wherever you are in the world.

    Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp wearing a baseball cap, looking towards his right.

    Liverpool vs. Norwich City: When and where?

    Liverpool host Norwich City in this FA Cup fourth-round tie at Anfield on Sunday, Jan. 28. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. GMT local time in the UK (9:30 a.m. ET, 6:30 a.m. PT in the US and Canada, and 1:30 a.m. AEDT on Monday, Jan. 29 in Australia).

    How to watch the Liverpool vs. Norwich game online from anywhere using a VPN

    If you find yourself unable to view the game locally, you may need a different way to watch the game — that’s where using a VPN can come in handy. A VPN is also the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds on game day by encrypting your traffic, and it’s also a great idea if you’re traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network, and you want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins.

    With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the game. Most VPNs, like our Editors’ Choice, ExpressVPN, make it really easy to do this.

    Using a VPN to watch or stream sports is legal in any country where VPNs are legal, including the US, UK and Canada, as long as you have a legitimate subscription to the service you’re streaming. You should be sure your VPN is set up correctly to prevent leaks: Even where VPNs are legal, the streaming service may terminate the account of anyone it deems to be circumventing correctly applied blackout restrictions.

    Looking for other options? Be sure to check out some of the other great VPN deals taking place right now.

    Livestream the Liverpool vs. Norwich game in the US

    This cup match at Anfield is streaming exclusively live in the US on ESPN Plus. Kickoff is at 9:30 a.m. ET, 6:30 a.m. PT on Saturday for viewers in the States.

    Can I livestream the Liverpool vs. Norwich City game in the UK?

    The great news for footy fans in the UK is that free-to-air broadcasters the BBC and ITV are sharing live duties for this season’s FA Cup.

    Liverpool vs. Norwich will be shown on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 1:55 p.m. GMT ahead of the 2:30 p.m. kick-off.

    Livestream Liverpool vs. Norwich in Canada

    Canadian soccer fans looking to watch this FA Cup fixture can watch all the action live via Sportsnet.

    Livestream the Liverpool vs. Norwich game in Australia

    ViacomCBS holds the broadcast rights for the FA Cup in Australia, which means you can watch matches from the tournament live Down Under via streaming service Paramount Plus. You’ll just have to set an alarm for the early hours of Monday morning: kickoff is at 1:30 a.m. AEDT.

    Quick tips for streaming the FA Cup using a VPN

    • With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — your experience and success when streaming FA Cup matches may vary.
    • If you don’t see your desired location as a default option for ExpressVPN, try using the “search for city or country” option.
    • If you’re having trouble getting the game after you’ve turned on your VPN and set it to the correct viewing area, there are two things you can try for a quick fix. First, log into your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is an address in the correct viewing area. If not, you may need to change the physical address on file with your account. Second, some smart TVs — like Roku — don’t have VPN apps you can install directly on the device itself. Instead, you’ll have to install the VPN on your router or the mobile hotspot you’re using (like your phone) so that any device on its Wi-Fi network now appears in the correct viewing location.
    • All of the VPN providers we recommend have helpful instructions on their main site for quickly installing the VPN on your router. In some cases with smart TV services, after you install a cable network’s sports app, you’ll be asked to verify a numeric code or click a link sent to your email address on file for your smart TV. This is where having a VPN on your router will also help, since both devices will appear to be in the correct location.
    • And remember, browsers can often give away a location despite using a VPN, so be sure you’re using a privacy-first browser to log into your services. We normally recommend Brave.
  • Australian Open 2024 Men’s Final: How to Watch Jannik Sinner vs. Daniil Medvedev Free Tennis Livestream

    Australian Open 2024 Men’s Final: How to Watch Jannik Sinner vs. Daniil Medvedev Free Tennis Livestream

    Three-time finalist Daniil Medvedev will be hoping 2024 will finally be his year at Melbourne Park, as he takes on Jannik Sinner in the Men’s Australian Open final on Sunday.

    The Russian world No. 3 had to battle back from a set down to see off bitter rival Alexander Zverev in a grueling four-hour marathon at the Rod Laver Arena on Friday.

    He now faces Italian star Sinner, who pulled off arguably the result of the tournament in his semifinal, beating 10-time Aussie Open winner Novak Djokovic in four sets to reach his first grand slam final.

    Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch this match live wherever you are in the world.

    Tennis player Daniil Medvedev living his left hand to his ear.

    Jannik Sinner vs. Daniil Medvedev: When and where?

    The 2024 Australian Open men’s final match between Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev takes place on Sunday, Jan. 27 at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne Park no earlier than 7:30 p.m. AEDT local time. That makes it a 3:30 a.m. ET, 12:30 a.m. PT start in the US and Canada, and an 8:30 a.m. start in the UK.

    How to watch the Australian Open 2024 online from anywhere using a VPN

    If you find yourself unable to view the tournament locally, you may need a different way to watch games — that’s where using a VPN can come in handy. A VPN is also the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds on game day by encrypting your traffic, and it’s also a great idea if you’re traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network, and you want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins.

    With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the game. If your internet provider or mobile carrier has stuck you with an IP address that incorrectly shows your location in a blackout zone, a VPN can correct that problem by giving you an IP address in your correct, non-blackout area. Most VPNs, like our Editors’ Choice, ExpressVPN, make it really easy to do this.

    Using a VPN to watch or stream sports is legal in any country where VPNs are legal, including the US, UK and Canada, as long as you have a legitimate subscription to the service you’re streaming. You should be sure your VPN is set up correctly to prevent leaks: Even where VPNs are legal, the streaming service may terminate the account of anyone it deems to be circumventing correctly applied blackout restrictions.

    Looking for other options? Be sure to check out some of the other great VPN deals taking place right now.

    Livestream Jannik Sinner vs. Daniil Medvedevin the US

    Tennis fans in the US can watch the Australian Open men’s final on ESPN. If you don’t have a cable or satellite TV subscription, you can watch the match with a live TV streaming service. All five of the major services offer ESPN.

    All of the live TV streaming services above offer free trials, allow you to cancel anytime and require a solid internet connection. Looking for more information? Check out our live TV streaming services guide.

    Coverage is also available via the network’s streaming service ESPN Plus.

    Livestream Jannik Sinner vs. Daniil Medvedevin the UK

    Tennis fans in the UK will need to subscribe to Eurosport or the streaming service Discovery Plus to watch the Australian Open live.

    Livestream Jannik Sinner vs. Daniil Medvedevin Australia for free

    Tennis fans Down Under can watch live coverage of this match on free-to-air Channel 9. That also means you’ll be able to watch the action online via the network’s streaming service 9Now.

    Stream Jannik Sinner vs. Daniil Medvedevin Canada

    Live coverage of the Australian Open will be available in Canada via TSN. Cord cutters can watch via the network’s streaming service TSN Plus.

  • Get 10% Off One of Our Favorite 3D Printers With This Coupon

    Get 10% Off One of Our Favorite 3D Printers With This Coupon

    3D printers can be a lot of fun, whether you’re using them to make figurines or to whip up cosplay outfits with custom parts. Of course, if you’re familiar with 3D printing in general, you know that good printers can get expensive. Luckily, one of our favorite 3D printers, the Bambu Lab A1 Mini is on sale at a 10% discount when you use the code A1M-NY-10 at checkout. In fact, the deal applies to the combo that includes the filament holder, which we very much encourage you to grab as a bundle.

    The code knocks the original $459 price tag down to $413, which is a nice little discount to get you started. Just be aware that the offer ends Feb. 19, so be sure to grab it before then.

    For the most part, the A1 Mini is made for folks who are just getting into the 3D-printing world and don’t want to sit around and deal with finicky printers. So it’s designed to be easy to assemble and get going, and it even has auto-calibration so you don’t have to mess around with leveling the bed. It also prints at an impressive maximum speed of 500mm/s, though more realistically you’re going to be printing at around 180mm/s. That’s still a lot faster than other printers of this size, so it’s still excellent, even at the lower speed.

    Where the A1 Mini really stands out is when you combine it with the AMS Lite system, which lets you print with four different filaments at the same time. That’s pretty rare at this price point, so it’s well worth considering. That said, the AMS Lite doesn’t work with other Bambu printers, so it’s not versatile, and the whole thing does take up a lot of space, even though the print bed is only 180mm across, so you have to account for that, too.

    Though it does have some negatives, the price, ease of use, and ability to print four filaments at a time easily overcome those issues, so be sure to grab this before Feb. 19 if you like it. Otherwise, be sure to check out some of these other great 3D printer deals.

  • Nuvyyo Tablo 4th Gen Review: Cheapest and Best TV Antenna DVR

    Nuvyyo Tablo 4th Gen Review: Cheapest and Best TV Antenna DVR

    Updated Jan. 27, 20245:00 a.m. PT

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    Written by Ty Pendlebury
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    Ty Pendlebury Editor
    Ty Pendlebury is a journalism graduate of RMIT Melbourne, and has worked at CNET since 2006. He lives in New York City where he writes about streaming and home audio.
    Expertise Ty has worked for radio, print, and online publications, and has been writing about home entertainment since 2004. He majored in Cinema Studies when studying at RMIT. He is an avid record collector and streaming music enthusiast. Credentials

    • Ty was nominated for Best New Journalist at the Australian IT Journalism awards, but he has only ever won one thing. As a youth, he was awarded a free session for the photography studio at a local supermarket.
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    Nuvvyo Tablo 4th Gen
    8.3/10 CNET Score

    $140 at Best Buy

    8.3/ 10
    SCORE

    Nuvvyo Tablo 4th Gen

    $140 at Best Buy

    Pros

    • Affordable with no ongoing fees
    • User-friendly
    • 50 hours of recording straight out of the box including streaming channels
    • Two weeks of guide data

    Cons

    • No offline downloads or external streaming
    • No info button for currently playing show on Roku

    In 2024, with live TV streaming now what it is, the idea of recording from an over-the-air antenna seems almost quaint. Yet, the new Tablo 4th Gen DVR is the current standard bearer for what is still a popular and free alternative to paid TV, and this device has its own secret weapon.

    At $100, no other device does what the Tablo 4th Gen does; record and stream TV around your home without a subscription fee. The Tablo lets you deploy your money and watch and record both OTA TV and from dozens of FAST streaming services. If you didn’t think you could record those, you can with Tablo.

    The main downside to the Tablo is it’s currently light on features. This includes the inability to watch or schedule recordings while you’re outside the home (though this functionality is promised).

    Yet, with its untouchable pricing and user-focused experience, the Tablo Gen 4 is now the go-to device if you want to watch and record OTA TV.

    tablo-4th-gen-3

    What is it?

    For too long, network DVRs were the domain of people like me — tech enthusiasts and home-theater geeks. The Tablo 4th Gen is the first model I can think of that actively targets the mainstream. It does pretty well, from its easy-to-follow guide to its user-friendly packaging. The price is great, and if you trade up to the antenna-included model for an extra $20, everything you need is in the box. Not even the otherwise excellent Amazon Fire TV Recast offered that.

    Opening the box, the first impressions were good. For your hundred bucks, you get a well-made, friendly TV recording puck with a dual tuner, which means you can watch one channel and record another at the same time. The Tablo comes with 128GB of storage onboard — enough for 50 hours of HD content, Nuvyyo says — and you can add a USB hard drive (up to 8TB). The device is designed to be connected via Ethernet for the best experience, though it also includes Wi-Fi. The device comes with all the cables you’ll need in the box, and the included wall-mounting hardware is also a pleasant surprise.

    Unlike almost every other OTA DVR, including previous, now-discontinued Tablo devices, there is no ongoing fee. If you want to save money on live TV this is now the way to do it. Especially as it includes over 40 FAST streaming channels to watch and record from including HSN, Fubo Sports, Stories by AMC, AMC Thrillers and Ion Television. As the Tablo is designed to be connected to your network, and not a TV, there is no remote control, it’s all controlled via an app. At present, there are apps for Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Android TV, plus iOS and Android. Meanwhile, apps for Apple TV, Samsung and Vizio are expected to be added sometime this year. The apps feature a two-week guide that also integrates the FAST channels.

    tablo-4th-gen-5

    Given the low price, you are missing out on some of the advanced features of the other Tablos. Namely, this device offers in-home streaming only, and you can’t copy recordings to a mobile device for offline viewing (though Nuvyyo says out-of-home options are coming). As I noted in my last Tablo device review, setting up external streaming on it wasn’t as straightforward as the Sling boxes of old, for example, so it’s not really missed.

    Be aware that this is an ATSC 1.0 tuner and won’t handle the forever-promised ATSC 3.0 standard. The NextGen TV device which Nuvyyo announced two years ago is still MIA. If you have a surround sound system, although this Tablo does passthrough 5.1-channel surround where available.

    Performance

    Setup of the Tablo was straightforward: I connected the power cable, an Ethernet cable to my router and an Antennas Direct Eclipse 2 antenna to the coaxial port. Firing up the new Tablo TV app on Android, it discovered the Tablo straight away and I was able to install it in a few minutes (after downloading updates). I used both the Roku and Android TV apps in my testing of the device and found there were distinct differences, although they were largely the same.

    tablo-4th-gen-4

    The Tablo app (on mobile and TV) features a top-down menu system that includes a number of sub-categories including the Live two-week guide. In addition, the Home screen organizes content by themes in an endlessly scrolling list of thumbnails. Other sections include the Library (your recordings), plus the Shows, Movies and Sports discovery sections. As soon as you start scrolling on any page, though, the top menu disappears and you have to press the back button to go back to it.

    The inclusion of the FAST channels is seamless and instantly boosts the available programs to you. While you can make your own favorites including FAST and sort by them, the default view plonks them all at the end. Otherwise, the guide isn’t able to make a distinction between streaming and OTA.

    tablo-4th-gen-6

    If you’re someone who likes to record from the show you’re watching, then the Tablo may not be for you. While the main navigation buttons include the OK, direction and Back buttons, some of the expected functions aren’t available. For example, you can’t simply press record while watching something. If you own a Roku, there’s no info button, so you can’t see a synopsis on the currently playing show or access recording options. For all of these functions, you need to go to the live guide. The Android TV does offer a Now Playing section, with a large description and a “more like this” section on the timeline. Again, recording is not possible on a live program, but you can go deep into the options to “record series” while watching a show.

    The live TV recording options are quite comprehensive, and you can set up a series record, filter out for only new shows if you want, or you can toggle the “make space for new shows” button on or off. The recordings I made were dependent on the reception of each channel, but they looked clear when streamed to the 4K TVs in my home. Also, there’s no 30-second skip for ads, but you can fast forward and rewind through paused TV and recordings.

    Another thing that the Tablo can do — and this should be standard for a DVR, but for some reason is not — is the ability to pause live TV. I was able to press the “OK” button to pause a show for five minutes; pressing it again continued the show.

    Should you buy it?

    For a long time, “TiVo” and “DVR” have been synonymous devices, but the Tablo makes a good case to be its successor. It may not have as many cool features as the TiVo but the Tablo 4th Gen is very cheap and endlessly cheerful (and again, no subscription fee). It would not only make a great “stocking stuffer,” but would also be handy as a content source for anyone looking to save money on TV watching. With the promised upgrades coming soon, the Tablo looks to only get better with time.