WEEKLY WHEATIES #2503
Cord Cutting, TikTok, Headlines, TV Time
In this newsletter:
📝 Post: An Update and Tips for Cord Cutting in 2025
🗞️ In Case You Missed It: TikTok Updates
🗞️ In Case You Missed It: Headlines
😎 Pick of the Week: TV Time
📦 Featured Product: Schlage Keyless Lock
📝 An Update and Tips for Cord Cutting in 2025
This past fall, I wrote a post on How to Cut Cable and Join the Cord Cutters Revolution. To add to that, I believe your typical cable providers will be going away in the next 5-10 years as everything switches to streaming services (if not sooner). That post also shares a number of streaming services and cable replacements should you be looking to make the jump. For the hardware side of things, check out another post I made on Why Using a Smart TV Might Be a Dumb Idea.
Since then, I’ve heard more and more people are making the jump to streaming services as we realize how much more mobile our subscriptions can be - both in what we can watch and where we can watch. However, as a whole, it appears Americans Spent 23% Less on Streaming Services in 2024. That tells me one of three things is happening on a larger scale. Either: people are consolidating their streaming platforms; people are sharing streaming services with friends and family members; or people are subscribing and un-subscribing as needed. And possibly a mixture of all three.
Ok, so with that said, it’s important to note that some think I’ve become this Apple plant over the last few years. I promise I’m not. I still stand by the statement that if Microsoft still made a phone, I would be the first in line to get one. As I was with the last few phones they did make. The Lumia 950 is still one of my all-time favorite phones.
That said, I have inadvertently sold a few of my friends and family members on an Apple TV, and to some who don’t even have an iPhone. Although the iPhone is one of the better parts of having an Apple TV, too. So much so that if you do have an iPhone and a non-Apple smart media device, there’s no question you should get rid of them for an Apple TV. If you do have one, check out this post on 9 Apple TV tips and tricks I wish I knew sooner. Also, don’t forget to Use Apple TV's iPhone-Based Color Balance Feature.
Alternatively, if you don’t have an Apple TV, consider going through the settings of your TV and trying to adjust accordingly. Here’s a video on YouTube to help calibrate your TV in 5 Minutes. It gives instructions on how to adjust your Brightness, Contrast, Sharpness, Color, and Tint. Worst case, consider changing your TV’s profile. These may include: Sports, Movie, Gaming, etc. Just changing the color profile on your TV will improve your experience in watching.
Now, let's get into some streaming service updates. After announcing the combination of their live streaming services, Disney and Fubu, the planned option named Venu Sports has since been canceled. To compete with other various sports offerings, DirecTV is beta testing a MySports streaming package. However, there are talks about laws taking effect that may help with local blackouts, so now may be a good time to get an antenna for your local channels.
I haven’t used any of the options available, but there are Over-the-Air (OTA) DVRs you can purchase that allow you to watch, pause, and record live movies, shows, and events. Simply connect an antenna, connect storage if required, and download an app for playback. Options include Tablo, HomeRun, and many third-party offerings that are less expensive.
If you have cut the cord and want to try some newer free streaming services, consider:
This year, you can also stream Super Bowl LIX for free on Tubi.
Lastly, here are a few extra tips on cord cutting.
You can cancel cable service and keep internet service with your provider.
Don’t forget to subscribe and un-subscribe month to month or once your ‘show’ is finished. You can also subscribe for one month and binge your show(s).
Monitor your subscriptions. Check if you subscribed through Apple or Google subscriptions. Some may have been done through Amazon, too. For a bonus, check out the Pick of the Week below.
Use Privacy.com to sign up for your subscriptions to make it easier to cancel. Read more about this in Weekly Wheaties #2422.
Use an email rather than “login with Apple or Gmail.” It is more flexible in the long run and easier to log in on other devices.
🗞️ ICYMI: TikTok Updates
In arguably one of the biggest political news events of the last few months, TikTok is facing a ban in the US. On Saturday, January 18th, the service was shut down by ByteDance. However, it looked to be back up the next day. While it appears President Trump will 'most likely' give TikTok a 90-day extension, that still doesn’t seem to solve a long-term ban. The law, as passed, requires TikTok to Be Sold or Banned. While These Billionaires, Companies And Investors Could Buy TikTok, ByteDance still must be willing to sell it. For more of a background, read about the TikTok ban timeline. While the future ban is still in limbo, many users are flooding to other apps. But be careful, as one of them, Rednote, may wall off “TikTok refugees” to prevent US influence on Chinese users.
I’ve said it before when I wrote about the privacy concerns of TikTok, and I’ll say it again. One potential security issue with TikTok: It’s not just YOUR data. It’s the culmination of EVERYONE’s data. And yes, I realize there are many other apps taking your info, too, but technically, they wouldn’t be used against national security if owned by a US company (meaning that the US government can control them much easier). I don’t think there’s a hard and fast answer on either side and unfortunately, the decision is being made for us. For a bit more on this, check out my post on Are Facebook and Other Social Media Apps Listening to You?
🗞️ ICYMI: Headlines
Nintendo announced the Switch 2. It will be released on April 2nd and comes with a larger footprint all around. It will play current Switch games, too.
As they work towards creating an all-in-one AI Assistant of sorts, ChatGPT now lets you schedule reminders and recurring tasks.
Copilot is now included in Microsoft 365 Personal and Family but comes with a limited number of monthly credits.
Not to be left behind, X launched Grok’s iPhone app to follow their web app which opened up earlier this month.
😎 POTW: TV Time
Whether you decided to cut the cord or not, you probably still want to keep up with your shows! TV Time allows you to add movies or shows to your account, track when they are showing, mark an episode or season as ‘played,’ get notified when it’s coming on, and even see where to watch. Although I still use JustWatch.com for verification on services streaming the show in question, it’s nice to have it all in the same app.
See the Web App on their site or download the app on iOS App Store or Google Play Store.
📦 Featured Product
For every home I’ve lived in for the last 20 or so years, we’ve always had an electronic keyless lock. These things work so great that I sometimes even forget how big of an impact it can make for such a simple device. There are many brands and models, but my favorite is the Schlage Century Lock. It has one job and it does that one job great!
