Given the proliferation of streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, owning a TV that offers this connectivity seems like a, well, smart thing to do. Before you shell out for a new set and hire a professional Phoenix TV mounting company to install it, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons and understand exactly what a smart TV can and cannot do.
The biggest advantage to smart TVs is their simplicity and convenience. In most cases, you simply need to turn it on, connect to your home network (most people use WiFi, but if you stream 4K content or play a lot of games, directly connecting via the ethernet port tends to give better results) and start streaming. You’ll still need to subscribe to the services you want to use, but generally speaking, smart TVs already have the most popular apps already installed on their operating system.
Streaming content isn’t the only capability of most smart TVs, though. Some models will also coordinate with your smart home devices, including Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home. This allows you to control other devices or complete other tasks right from your TV. Some TVs even come with a voice remote, so you don’t have to spend time scrolling through listings or hunting and pecking to search for your favorite shows – or find the news you’re looking for, weather reports, or sports scores. If you have your TV connected to a home assistant, you can even order a pizza or see who is at the door without getting up, for the ultimate couch potato experience.
Generally speaking, smart TVs only cost about $100 more than “regular” sets, and for the average family, offers all of the bells and whistles that they want. That doesn’t mean they are ideal for everyone, though.
The biggest drawback to smart TVs is one word: security. As with any device that is connected to the internet, smart TVs are vulnerable to security risks, and have been hacked and taken over by criminals, who have stolen information, spied, and used the devices for nefarious purposes. Some of the security issues are easily avoided by using passwords and installing updates as they are released, but it’s important to understand that a smart TV can put your personal information and privacy at risk. At the moment, TVs that are powered by specific streaming platforms like Roku or Android tend to have the most regular security updates.
Another drawback is the availability of content. While all smart TVs offer the major streaming apps, the availability of other content varies by TV. Some TVs don’t offer apps for free content, or connect to other smart home devices, limiting their functionality. In general, more expensive TVs have more content options (as well as better picture and sound) so you need to carefully review the smart features before you by to ensure that you are getting everything you want.
Ultimately, it’s reaching the point where all TVs sold are going to be smart TVs in some form or another. It’s quickly becoming the standard for manufacturers. That being said, if your current set works well, there’s really no need to invest in an upgrade yet. You can “upgrade” your existing set by using a set-top box or streaming stick, like Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, or Chromecast. These devices generally run anywhere from $35 to $150 and allow you to stream the major services to your TV, and in some cases, offer additional functions. Carefully compare each of your options to ensure you get the apps and functions you want and expand your TV viewing options.
This is a collaborative guest post. The ideas expressed do not necessarily represent those of Mommy Ramblings.
This is a sponsored post as a blogger working with the Best Buy Blogger Network. As always, all my words and views are 100% my own.
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Summer is coming, kids will be out of school and summer activities will be underway. Camp, day camp, swim lessons, pool parties, sports, beach vacations and more may be on your child’s agenda. Make sure their stuff is safe and labeled with Label Daddy labels. These durable labels are perfect to label clothing, sports equipment, electronics, towels, water bottles, shoes and more! Right now you can save 20% on Label Daddy labels! Label Daddy is the number one solution for labeling your belongings! Label Daddy labels keep your child’s things safe and protects them from being mixed up with other children’s stuff.
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Customers have told Walmart what they want this holiday season, which includes:
View the Walmart Black Friday Ad Circular!
“Black Friday is our day – our Super Bowl – and we’re ready to prove once again that no one does it better than Walmart,” said Bill Simon, president and CEO, Walmart U.S. “We’re excited to give our customers an incredible Black Friday with shopping hours that will allow them to take advantage of great prices on Thanksgiving night and all weekend long.”
Compared to last year, Walmart will offer 65 percent more inventory on televisions and double the number of tablets—some of the most popular Black Friday items. The retailer not only has more products, but lower prices too. For example, this year a 32” LED TV will be available at Walmart for $98. Last Black Friday, a 32” LED TV sold for $148 at Walmart.
“Delivering for our customers wouldn’t be possible without our associates. They are a critical component of our success throughout the year, and especially during the holiday season,” added Simon. “We appreciate each associate and the time they are dedicating to serve the families who shop our stores. As we have in the past, we’ll be recognizing their hard work with additional pay and free meals during their shifts. This year, as a special thanks, associates who work on Thanksgiving Day will receive a 25 percent discount on an entire purchase this holiday season.”
One-Hour Guarantee – It’s Back and Better!
In 2012, Walmart introduced the industry’s first One-Hour Guarantee, a Black Friday event that guaranteed customers select items during a one-hour period. Due to an overwhelmingly positive response from customers, the retailer is bringing it back and expanding from the three items offered last year to 21 One-Hour Guarantee items this year.
Customers who are in the designated lines at Walmart between 6 and 7 p.m. or 8 and 9 p.m. local time on Thursday, Nov. 28 can purchase top gifts at special low prices with confidence that they’ll receive the item either that night or before Christmas.
6 p.m. One-Hour Guarantee:
8 p.m. One-Hour Guarantee:
New Process to Make Shopping Easier on Black Friday
To help improve the shopping experience Walmart, for the first time in all stores, will hand out wristbands so customers can shop while they wait for some of the hottest items – like the new Sony PS4 and Microsoft Xbox One. Here’s how it works:
More Deals Across the Store
Walmart’s chief merchandising and marketing officer, Duncan Mac Naughton has described this year’s Black Friday deals as “smoking hot.” Following are examples of the deals at each event:
Starting at 6 p.m., Nov. 28
Starting at 8 p.m., Nov. 28
Starting at 8 a.m., Nov. 29
Extending Black Friday Deals with Manager’s Specials
For the first time ever on Black Friday, Walmart will be activating “Manager’s Specials.” Throughout the store from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29, Walmart will drop prices on entire categories and brands that are most in demand for holiday, as well as empower its local store managers to lower prices on other great items. For details, customers must like their local Walmart Facebook page.
“Couch Shop” While the Turkey Cooks
Starting early on Thanksgiving morning, customers can shop on Walmart.com for some of the Black Friday deals that will also be available in stores. Customers can also take advantage of hundreds of online specials on Thanksgiving and Black Friday while supplies last. Some of the deals include:
Recently I received Scott’s Liquid Gold Clean Screen wipes to review. My laptop screen is a magnet for dust, dirt and fingerprints in this house with little ones running around. I used this wipe on my screen and it cleaned it up perfectly and left no streaking. I was quite impressed and will be keeping Clean Screen in arms reach from now on.
Regular Clean Screen is formulated with a Reverse Osmosis (RO) solution, state-of-the-art water treatment technology that removes molecules of mineral deposits and impurities smaller than the water molecules themselves. Scott’s Liquid Gold Clean Screen leaves nothing behind but a crystal clear clean. The unique, synthetic suede microfiber cloth, used to apply Clean Screen, is soft, lint-free, highly absorbent and quick drying. It cleans without scratching delicate surfaces. Great for the environment, the cloth is washable and reusable.
Scott’s Liquid Gold Little Clean Screen wipes are for use on personal electronics, eyeglasses, cameras and more. They safely and effectively clean delicate surfaces, remove fingerprints, make-up, dirt, dust, oily residues and ink. Little Clean Screen wipes will not scratch, streak or leave a residue and are convenient, portable and biodegradable.
Scott’s Liquid Gold is sponsoring a give-away on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will receive a 6.5 ounce bottler of Clean Screen and a pack of 48 Clean Screen wipes. Would you like to win? If so then follow the give-away rules below.
Mandatory Entry-Tell me in a comment here the first thing you would use Scott’s Liquid Gold Screen Clean on if you won. (If this entry is not done, all others will be deleted)
Extra Entries: (make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry of they will not count)
1. Like Mommy Ramblings on Facebook and leave me a comment here that you did.
2. Like Scott’s Liquid Gold on Facebook, and leave a comment on their wall that Mommy Ramblings sent you. Then leave me a comment here that you liked them on Facebook.
3. Follow Mommy Ramblings on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.
4. Follow Scott’s Liquid Gold on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.
5. Subscribe to Mommy Ramblings by email and leave me a comment here that you did.
6. Vote for Mommy Ramblings on Picket Fence Blogs (Button is on the side of our blog, “We’re on the Fence) and leave me a comment here you did.
7. Vote for Mommy Ramblings on Top Mommy Blogs (button is on the side of our blog) and leave me a comment here that you did.
8. Post this give away on your Facebook status and leave me a comment here that you did.
9. Tweet this give-away on Twitter and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.
10. Like Blueberry Hill Photography on Facebook and leave me a comment here that you did.
Good Luck Everyone!!! Give Away Ends July 7th at 12am EST. Winner will be selected by Random.org.