Category Archives: Streaming Devices

Streaming Devices

Dealing with App Crashes on Your Amazon Fire TV

If you are experiencing app crashes on your Amazon Fire TV, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue.

Clear App Data and Cache

  1. Open the settings menu on your Fire TV by selecting the gear icon.
  2. Select Applications.
  3. Scroll to Manage Installed Applications and choose the problematic app.
  4. Select Clear Cache, and then Clear Data.

If the issue persists:

Restart Your Fire TV Device

To restart the device, you can hold the select and play/pause buttons simultaneously for ten seconds. Alternatively, you can also restart the device through the settings menu based on the type of Fire TV device you have.

Fire TV Stick or Set-Top-Box:

  1. Open the settings menu on your Fire TV by selecting the gear icon.
  2. Choose My Fire TV.
  3. Choose Restart.

Fire TV-Branded Smart TV:

  1. Open the settings menu on your Fire TV by selecting the gear icon.
  2. Choose Device & Software.
  3. Choose Restart.

If the problem persists:

Uninstall and Reinstall the App

  1. Open the settings menu on your Fire TV by selecting the gear icon.
  2. Choose Applications.
  3. Choose Manage Installed Applications.
  4. Scroll to the problematic app and select Uninstall. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation.
Streaming Devices

Amazon Fire TV Devices Could Ditch Android As Amazon Reportedly Plots In-House OS

Vega represents a major change in Amazon’s consumer hardware plans, following the significant setback of its Fire Phone. Currently, Amazon uses the free Android Open Source Project model as the basis for its Fire OS. However, Amazon does not include core Google/Android services like the Play Store and Gmail in its Fire series of devices to avoid licensing fees.

If Vega completely removes Android from the equation, Amazon will have greater control over the software and apps it wants to include in its future devices. However, persuading developers to support its vision will be a challenge for Amazon.

The recent failures of Windows Phone and the declining Tizen OS at Samsung serve as examples. Amazon has reportedly encouraged developers to use React Native as an application framework to build apps for Vega and Android-based Fire hardware more easily.

For customers, especially those with Android-derived Fire hardware, Amazon’s Vega approach may not be well-received. Amazon could choose to support them for a few more years before fully transitioning to Vega-based devices. Alternatively, it could quietly migrate a selected group of them to Vega, similar to Google’s Fuchsia push, although this would not be a simple task.

Streaming Devices

Apple AirPlay Issues? Here’s How To Get It Working Again

Apple TV with snacks Daria Bogomolova/Shutterstock

Apple’s AirPlay feature is a convenient option for streaming audio and visual media formats from an iOS device (iPhone, iPad) to another device with a larger screen, such as a Mac computer, Apple TV, or other Smart TV models.

Although AirPlay should generally work without any issues, there are times when problems can arise. This can be due to connection interruptions or accidental changes in settings. If you encounter issues with AirPlay, there’s no need to panic. Most of the time, the problem can be resolved with a few simple steps.

Troubleshooting AirPlay

iPad streaming to TV with AirPlay Mphillips007/Getty Images

If you’re experiencing trouble with AirPlay between your iPhone or iPad and another device, there are a few common causes to consider:

  1. If this is your first time using AirPlay, make sure the device you’re attempting to stream to is actually compatible.
  2. Check that both your iOS device and the target device are turned on and within close proximity of each other (around 20 to 30 feet). Obstacles like walls or furniture may affect the signal strength.
  3. Ensure that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
  4. Check for any software or firmware updates on both devices and install the latest version if available.
  5. Restart your devices if you’re unsure about the issue.
  6. If you can stream content but have no audio or low volume, check the volume levels on both devices. Also, make sure the Ring/Silent switch on your iPhone or iPad is not activated, as it can mute AirPlay audio.
  7. If your media stream stops unexpectedly, someone else in your home may have inadvertently used one of the connected AirPlay devices. In such cases, manually restart the AirPlay stream between your devices.

If these troubleshooting steps don’t resolve your AirPlay issues, it’s advisable to reach out to Apple Support for further assistance.

Streaming Devices

The Benefits of Traveling with Your Amazon Fire TV Stick

Traveling with your Amazon Fire TV Stick brings numerous advantages. As a self-contained device, it does not require your home TV to function properly. This means that all the data, including downloaded streaming apps and saved account credentials, are stored directly on the Stick itself. You only need a TV with an available HDMI port as a medium for the Fire Stick to work.

Most hotels nowadays provide digital, flat-screen TVs, which typically come equipped with an HDMI port. By simply plugging your Fire Stick into this port and connecting it to a power outlet, you can immediately start enjoying your favorite content, just like you would at home.

One significant advantage of using your own Fire Stick instead of logging into a hotel’s smart TV is that it keeps all your login credentials isolated. This means that there will be no trace of your accounts or streaming usage on the hotel room TV. Moreover, since it is your personal Fire Stick, it already has all your preferences loaded up, eliminating the need for any additional setup or adjustments to enjoy the same viewing experience you have at home.

Gaming, Streaming Devices

Sony Pictures Core Movie Streaming Service Is The Latest Perk For Some PS Plus Members

Sony Pictures Core is a new movie streaming service that offers early access windows for some Sony Pictures movies. Currently, one of the movies available to stream is “Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story.” This service is currently available in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, with plans to expand to the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Japan in the near future. As an added bonus, anyone who purchases the movie through Sony Pictures Core will receive a voucher code for extra in-game points to use in the game “Gran Turismo 7” for both the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.

For subscribers of PlayStation Plus Premium, the rotating bundle library of movies is one of the perks included in the plan. In the United States, the subscription costs $17.99 per month for month-to-month billing, $15.66 per month if billed quarterly, $49.99 every three months, or $13.33 per month if billed annually at $159.99.

In addition to the basic perks of PlayStation Plus Essential, such as monthly downloadable games, discounts, cloud storage for saved games, and online multiplayer access, Premium offers a subscription library of games. This includes a downloadable catalog of hundreds of PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 games, a streaming library of PlayStation 3 games, and a collection of PlayStation 1, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation Portable games available for both download and streaming. Additionally, there are time-limited trials of various games available.

Streaming Devices

Simple Steps to Disable Auto-Play on Your Amazon Fire TV

Disabling the auto-play “feature” on your Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick is an easy process. Just follow these steps:

  1. Go to the Home screen and select the Settings option.
  2. In the Settings menu, choose Preferences and then select Featured Content.
  3. Turn off the Allow Video Autoplay option.
  4. Also, turn off the Allow Audio Autoplay option.
  5. Return to the Home screen and check if auto-play has been disabled by scrolling over a video ad.

Please note that both Video and Audio auto-play must be turned off for this to work correctly. Double-check to ensure that neither option is left enabled before exiting the menu. Once disabled, auto-play will remain off indefinitely, allowing you to browse through Prime Video’s menus without unwanted ads playing.

Streaming Devices

The Irritating Amazon Fire TV Stick Feature That You Might Want to Disable

While some Fire TV Stick users don’t mind the sound feedback, others find the constant clicking noise when scrolling through apps or menus bothersome. This annoyance is amplified when navigating the interface quickly or when using Bluetooth headphones. If you prefer to mute navigation sounds on your Fire TV Stick, follow these simple steps:

  1. Using your remote, open the Settings menu on your Fire TV Stick.
  2. Navigate to Display & Sounds.
  3. Select Audio.
  4. Find the Navigation Sounds option and press the Select (middle) button on your remote to disable it.

Once you disable this feature, you will no longer hear any audio feedback when navigating or selecting items on your Fire TV Stick. If you ever wish to enable the sounds again, return to the Navigation Sounds option and press the middle button on your remote to reactivate it.

Streaming Devices

How To Turn Off Notifications On Your Amazon Fire TV Stick

On your Fire TV Stick, you have the option to disable notifications for specific apps or activate a Do Not Interrupt mode, which will turn off all notifications. To disable notifications for specific apps on your Fire TV Stick, follow these steps:

  1. Using your remote, open Fire TV Stick settings.

  2. Navigate to Preferences.

  3. Scroll down and select Notification Settings.

  4. Select App Notifications.

  5. Choose an app and press the Select button on your remote to block notifications from that app.

  6. Repeat the process for other apps you want to stop receiving notifications from.

You can review the complete list and disable notifications for all installed apps on your Fire TV Stick. If you want to enable notifications for a specific app later, go back to the same menu and select the app to unblock it. The Notifications Settings menu also allows you to activate the Do Not Interrupt mode. Enabling this mode will prevent any pop-up notifications from apps. Press the Select button on your remote to activate the mode.

One common issue that Fire TV Stick users face is receiving repeated notifications from Amazon Music, even after disabling notifications and removing the app from their device. Unfortunately, in this particular case, turning off notifications does not seem to resolve the problem. The only solution is to directly contact Amazon customer support for assistance.

Streaming Devices

How To Set Up Personalized Screensavers On Your Amazon Fire TV

The default screensaver on Amazon Fire TV consists of a slideshow of random pictures and ads. However, if you prefer, you can customize it with your own collection of photos. When we say “photos,” we mean any still image, including actual photos, digital art, memes, or anything else you like.

To set up your own personalized photo collection, you’ll first need to download the Amazon Photos app on your smartphone. You’ll need an Amazon account to use this app, but if you already have a Fire TV, chances are you already have an account.

Once you open the Amazon Photos app and log in to your account for the first time, you’ll be prompted to select the photos stored on your device. After uploading some photos, you’ll need to organize them into an album.

  1. Tap and hold on a photo to select it.

  2. Select any other photos you want to include.

  3. Tap the + button at the bottom of the screen.

  4. In the Add to Album screen, tap the + button in the bottom right corner to create a new album and give it a name.

By the way, Amazon Photos offers 5 GB of free storage for photos and videos for regular Amazon users, and for Prime members, there is unlimited photo storage. So feel free to upload as many photos as you want.

Streaming Devices

How To Connect An Amazon Fire Stick To Wired Ethernet

If you want to connect your Amazon Fire Stick to a wired ethernet connection, you will need to get a wired ethernet adapter for your Fire Stick. Unfortunately, none of the Amazon Fire Stick models have an ethernet port built into the device, so you will always need an adapter.

Once you have the adapter, you will need to do the following to connect your Fire Stick to the wired ethernet:

  1. Plug the ethernet cable into the adapter.
  2. Connect the adapter to your Amazon Fire Stick.
  3. Connect your Fire Stick to your display.

To set up your new wired connection, follow these steps:

  1. Turn on your TV and start the Fire Stick.
  2. Go to Settings and select Network.
  3. Choose the new wired connection.

If your home network has advanced security settings, you might need to manually configure the internet settings. To do this, press the Select button on the Fire Stick remote and enter your home network details manually.