Month: February 2018

Top 5 Premium Headphones for Audiophiles

After hearing the audio recently in a $4k pair of wired headphones I realized I am the know nothing John Snow of headphones. I have been quite content, even pious, thinking my Beats Solo and Bose Bluetooth Noise Reducing earphones where of high quality. I was wrong, so very, very wrong. It takes a lot to admit ones’ wrong, in this case these 5 blow your hair back, kiss your eardrums good bye headphones have indeed humbled me..

1. Audeze LCD 4-$3999.99

These High-performance planar magnetic headphones are truly the best of the best. The California-based sound experts have been on the cutting edge of planar magnetic headphone research, design, and development. Along the way, they’ve earned a stellar reputation among serious headphone enthusiasts for both their high-tech approach and high-fidelity results. The brilliant Audeze LCD-4 headphones are the result of all their hard work. Wait, what is planar mangetics? Just another fancy word for good? No, planar magnetic drivers offer low distortion, enhanced dynamics, and detailed sound.

2. Final Audio – Sonorous X Headphones- $4999.00

The Sonorous X is beautiful, and my favorite design among the top 5. Despite the more attractive appearance and truly amazing sound quality these head phones are taking home the silver. My first impressions was that Final has got things nailed with its range-topping headphones, the Sonorous X. These arrived in an immaculately made fur-lined wooden box, bonus. As I dug, in I found comparing it to the others on the list, mainly the LCD 4. To tell you the truth its sound lacks some drive and dynamic nuance. My final opinion was These headphones are excellent in many respects but don’t have the all-round ability required at this level to win the gold.. But Silver is yours Final Audio.

3. HiFiMAN – SUSVARA – Audiophile Headphones- $6000

With a Similar look to the Audeze, the SUSVARA looks like a hand crafted beauty with a through back to the origins of 1900s radio. The advanced magnet design used for the first time on the SUSVARA is acoustically transparent, dramatically reducing wave diffraction turbulence which degrades the integrity of the sound waves. The result is reduced distortion, yielding a purer, more harmonious sound that is audibly so. Detailed like an electron microscope, mostly flat frequency response, excellent sound stage height/depth/width, layering and instrument separation, incisive speed without excess, impeccable attack and decay, its like being there.The SUSVARA is perhaps the most revealing and neutral sounding headphones I have experienced, with a soundstage that is coherent yet open and spacious. The dynamics of the SUSVARA and its ability to respond to small signal changes depicting spontaneous fine gradation of sound differentiates itself from the competition. Its outstanding imaging and separation capabilities makes listening to well-mastered albums like St. Vincent a joy on the SUSVARA. However, there are areas for improvements to the accessories that came with the box as well as the overall finishing and workmanship of the headphones to make the asking price more, which is why it is taking the Bronze

4. Focal Utopia Reference High-Fidelity- $3999.00

These are the very Headset that set me on this quest for the ultimate sound, not thinking I would find any better. Yet here we are. The Focal Utopia Reference High-Fidelity contain full-range loudspeakers with unusual M-shaped domes made from pure beryllium. They’re designed in such a way that they can adjust to the size and contours of almost any head, offering supreme comfort.

5. Sennheiser HD800- $1099

Designed with a tight, closed-back ear covering intended to give you listening privacy when you take these cans out into the world. Their planar magnetic drivers produce a high-quality sound that should please the majority of listeners. Top-notch engineering and build quality; highly accurate sound; super comfy over-the-ear design; detachable headphone cable.The HD 800s sound a bit less like headphones and more like high-end speakers than any headphones I’ve heard. While they don’t have the same nostalgic, handcrafted feel of the others on the list at $1099 the best bang for the buck.

The Final Thought

For the purpose of this review, I have selected the 4 album by musicians Led Zeppelin to compare all headphones because, why not? These five headphones are the best of the best, they are the Olympiads of premium Headphones. Test with caution, nothing will ever sound as good after.

February 13, 2018
Do’s and Don’ts When Using Shopping Apps

By LAUREN SCHWAHN, NerdWallet

Retailers such as Target and Amazon are embracing shopping apps to help consumers save money and time with features like digital wallets and augmented reality. When used strategically, apps can streamline in-store trips and online purchases, but shoppers could also find that convenience comes with a risk: impulsive decisions and overspending.

“Now shopping can be anytime, anywhere, multiple times a day, which is great for customers who value convenience,” said Casey Taylor, a partner in the Atlanta office of Bain and Company, a management consulting firm. “But for customers on a budget, what I would share as the primary caution is that it makes it very easy — almost too easy.”

Here’s how to get the most out of retail apps, while avoiding the downsides.

DON’T ENABLE NOTIFICATIONS

Push notifications — alerts that pop up on your phone — and emails tend to “catch people at vulnerable moments,” enticing them to spend money on things they otherwise wouldn’t, said Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst at the NPD Group, a market research company.

Data show that 9.6 times more users make a purchase when an app sends a promotional push notification compared with those who didn’t receive one, according to Leanplum, a mobile marketing platform. Notifications also increase the amount an average shopper spends 16 percent.

A quick fix: Turn off notifications in the app or your device’s settings and opt out of retailers’ emails if they’re too tempting to resist overspending.

DO MAKE A SHOPPING LIST

Take inventory and make a list of what you need. Shopping lists can deter impulse purchases by keeping specific merchandise top-of-mind. Most retailer apps make it easy to view and edit lists on your device.

For example, the app for Kohl’s enables shoppers to set a budget , and then automatically deducts the price of each item on the list. Other merchants, like The Home Depot, include maps or aisle numbers to help customers track down products on their lists at local stores.

DON’T KEEP PAYMENT INFORMATION ON FILE

Although storing shipping and billing information speeds up the checkout process, it can also smooth the way for frivolous purchases. Researchers have found that compared with cash, behind-the-scenes payment methods make shoppers feel detached from their money — and more likely to spend.

“Now with technologies where you can just use your fingerprint, or you just take a photo of your credit card, it makes payment incredibly simple,” Taylor said.

Instead, enter payment information each time, rather than saving credit card numbers or linking to a PayPal account. The extra step makes the exchange of money feel more real.

At the very least, “take a breath before tapping ‘checkout’ to make sure that your purchase is as much about you really needing that item versus the fact that the shopping experience has become more entertaining and has become very easy,” Taylor said.

DO USE YOUR CAMERA

Use the camera feature within apps to read product details and customer reviews.

“It allows you to have a greater usage of knowledge of what those products you’re purchasing can do,” Cohen said.

Some apps surface product information when an item’s bar code is scanned with the camera. Beauty retailer Sephora’s app incorporates augmented reality, which allows shoppers to virtually try on makeup products and colors as they look into their device’s camera.

As well, cameras can summon savings: Snap a picture of your receipt in Walmart’s app, and its Savings Catcher tool will match a competitor’s lower advertised price — even after your purchase. Walmart refunds the difference on an electronic gift card. Target’s app checks for manufacturer coupons and in-store deals on scanned items.

DON’T FOCUS ON ONE RETAILER

Through exclusive offers and built-in loyalty programs, “individual retailers’ shopping apps intend to lock-in shoppers,” Jie Zhang, professor of marketing at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, said in an email. For example, the wallet feature on the J.C. Penney app lets shoppers see and redeem rewards, coupons and gift cards in one place.
But using only one retailer’s app could mean missing out on opportunities to save money.

“Yeah, there might be a 20 percent-off sale, but it could be really easy to go get 35 percent off somewhere else for the same exact product,” Cohen said.

Use a price comparison tool, like ShopSavvy or Google Shopping, to locate the best price across multiple merchants.

February 13, 2018
Sounds in the Key of Focal’s Utopia Headphones
The Focal Utopia open-back headphones employ the same spare-no-expense approach to design, engineering, and execution that made Utopia such a prestigious name in the worlds of home and car speakers. However are theseover-the-ear, open-back design for reduced resonance and spacious, natural sound worth the $4000 price tag?

The Great
- Open back circum-aural
- Low noise with the least distortion I’ve heard
- Full range “loudspeaker-like” sound
- Easily adjustable to any head size or shape
- Balanced cable (bi-amp)
The Not
- Heavy Heavy Price tag
The Conclusion

Your friends will be giving you eye rolls and unreasonably over dramatic shocked reactions about the price. Yes, they are expensive, but then all the great audiophile gear is insanely expensive. These are exceptional headphones, take the time to listen to old Ludwig Van’s Minuet in G with these headphones from a high capacity out put. What you will be experiencing is the absolute peak of the minds comprehension of music. As far as music can be heard, that is it and there aint no more… and that is worth the price tag.

Focal’s design innovations represent a revolution in headphone design. Focal Utopia’s driver diameter closely follows their voice coil’s diameter with an open back magnet assembly thus there is no trapped air behind the dome. Think of it as a miniature, ported speaker with the most amazing sound you can put on your head. In addition, the driver uses pure Beryllium formed in the new “M” shaped dome which is extremely rigid and super light which results in incredibly low distortion and quite possibly the best in the headphone marketplace.

Now This is way more money than I thought I’d ever have to pay for any type of audio gear – let alone headphones. Once I listened to these I was absolutely blown away. With one listen of Led Zep’s Kashmir i had essentially ruined any hope of listening to music on good even premium headphones. Goodbye Beats, goodbye Bose , all the ‘phones I had in my collection sounded dull by comparison. I immoderately went to eBay and sold them all for the trash they had become.

Focal’s Utopia headphones change key ideas about headphones and sound. Ideas such as sound-stage, clarity, and separation new standards are set. Every high-end headphones maker in the world must now rethink, redesign, and discover a new sound or risk losing share to a speaker company. Focal’s Utopia headphones change the very idea of sound. They are so clear, inclusive and their ergonomics so well crafted things once important such as “isolation” fade. Isolation isn’t the issue. Being swept away by the sound, hearing more music, and forgetting TIME is the real desire. “Isolation” is not really what is important – sound quality clarity, and warmth are the real issues. And I know that now after listening to “open back” headphones so epic what was once critical – isolation – isn’t relevant at all anymore.

The Final Thought

Never would I ever had thought to critique the sound on the Beats Solo, and never have I found a product that revolutionizes my understanding of sound. Here we are, staring at a $4000 pair of headphones that have become an utmost priority. These not only offer superb clarity and build quality and comfortable for long hours of sonic rapture but transform sound. This headphone is truly deserving of the music and they are, in the long term and grand scheme of man . to be considered an essential experience. What is money good for if not for a personal performance of Mozart’s greatest symphonies with sound quality Mozart couldn’t possible comprehend.
February 13, 2018
Amazon to Roll Out Delivery at Whole Foods

By JOSEPH PISANI and DAN SEWELL, Associated Press

Amazon is bringing its speedy delivery to Whole Foods — and Margot Good might never visit the organic grocery chain again.

“I can stay in my pajamas at home and have them deliver me my groceries,” she said Thursday after learning about the new service outside a Cincinnati location.

The online retail giant plans to roll out two-hour delivery at Whole Foods this year to those who pay for Amazon’s $99-a-year Prime membership. It is the company’s biggest move since it bought the organic grocer last year.

It’s also precisely the action rivals have been preparing for since the day Amazon — with the Prime program that’s been so successful in cementing customer loyalty — announced plans to buy Whole Foods.

Amazon shoppers can order meat, seafood and other Whole Foods grocery items through the Prime Now app and website. Deliveries started Thursday in Austin, Texas; Cincinnati; Dallas; and Virginia Beach, Virginia; and will expand nationwide this year.

While convenient, not everyone wants other people picking out their eggs or fruit. A major hurdle for companies that offer grocery delivery is getting those people to sign up, said Darren Seifer, a food and beverage industry analyst at NPD Group.

“There are always going to be people who want their bananas a little green,” he said.

Ade Ogbomo, a teacher in Dallas, said she orders everything from Amazon — except food.

“I like to get it myself,” she said outside a Whole Foods store. She worries about the possible mishaps: “Maybe the bananas are bruised or the cookies are all broken up, and you can’t really complain because you asked for it.”

Good, though, said she thinks Whole Foods has high-enough quality produce that she’s not worried about choosing items herself.

About 7 percent of U.S. households bought groceries online last year, according to NPD Group. Most of those — about three-quarters — get their orders delivered to their door; the rest pick it up at the store. NPD Group said it expects online grocery shopping to grow quickly, especially among young adults, who are more comfortable shopping online.

And grocery chains don’t want to miss out when that happens.

Walmart, the country’s largest grocer, is making it easier for customers to order groceries online and pick them up at the store. Target bought grocery-delivery company Shipt late last year. Kroger, the largest traditional supermarket chain, has been promoting store pickup for online orders and doing trials of home delivery.

Maggie Anderson, 38, a therapist in Cincinnati, said she has tried it at Remke, a regional chain.

“I just did my first order online at Remke this week because I was of out of town, and that was great,” she said. “It saved me a whole hour and a half of time.”

For Amazon, items will be pulled from Whole Foods stores, bagged and then delivered by Amazon drivers. Amazon, based in Seattle, said there’s no extra fee for two-hour deliveries above $35, but one-hour delivery will cost $8. The company isn’t saying where delivery will expand, but its Prime Now service is in more than 30 cities, including Chicago, Milwaukee and San Diego.

The announcement gives Amazon yet another way to get groceries to customer’s doorsteps.

It already does so through AmazonFresh, but that requires a $15-a-month fee. And Prime Now delivers groceries from its facilities, but it has also offered grocery delivery from other physical stores, including Whole Foods rival Sprouts Farmers Market.

Whole Foods also offers delivery in some cities through a partnership with delivery service Instacart, which will continue.

Buying Whole Foods was the biggest part of a push into physical retail for the chain known for online shopping. Right after taking over Whole Foods, Amazon made a splash by cutting prices on bananas, yogurt and other items. It also began selling Kindle e-readers in some of its 470 stores, and started selling Whole Foods-branded food on its site.

Good’s friend Debbie Alf, who picked up some fruit and lunch meat on Thursday, said she’s intrigued by the two-hour delivery pledge. Would she give it a try?
“Maybe sooner than you think,” she said. “If I forgot something, maybe later today.”
____
Pisani reported from New York and Sewell reported from Cincinnati. AP Business Writer David Koenig in Dallas also contributed to this report.

February 13, 2018
DOJ, SEC probe Apple for slowing older iPhones

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — U.S. authorities are investigating Apple’s slowing of older iPhones, according to published reports.

The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg reported Tuesday that the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission are probing whether Apple violated securities laws. In December, Apple apologized for the slowdown after a blogger’s tests revealed the secretive practice.

Apple has previously been rebuked by lawmakers, and faces a French probe and a slew of lawsuits that allege the company aimed to juice sales of newer models.

Apple shares fell 0.6 percent to close at $166.97 and are down 7 percent since Thursday. Wall Street is also worried about weak demand for its flagship iPhone X.

The Justice Department and SEC declined comment. Apple did not respond to a request for comment.

February 13, 2018
Verizon to Lock My iPhone?

The wireless carrier has been selling phones unlocked, allowing you to swap SIM cards and use other carriers. Soon, it’ll lock phones for a certain period to prevent theft and fraud.

Verizon Lock Down

Say this isnt so! Ive gone through a lot with Verizon in recent months. First they move me from my old 30gb plan to the new unlimited plan, all the while assuring me that they will only throttle speeds once I have hit 22gb and im on a congested tower. I was told that day to day internet functions wouldn’t be affected but streaming movies or music may. Not true, I haven’t been able to purchase tickets from fandango in the movie theater parking lot since. I don’t get any where close to 22gb, but if Im in any popular place my 4g LTE is gone, and my internet is completely useless. Rant aside, We are being told that the fantastic unspoken policy that Verizon does not add any sim locking carrier software is going away.

Not On Rex Manning Day

The nation’s largest wireless carrier said Monday that it would begin locking the phones it sells to consumers, which will prevent them from using a SIM card from another carrier. Initially, the phones will be unlocked as soon as a customer signs up and activates the service. But later in the spring, the company will begin the practice of keeping the phone locked for a period of time after the purchase – in line with the scams of rest of the industry. While it is a function I don’t get that much use from, really only during international travel, Its one Im particularly fond of. I like to upgrade to the newest model iPhone every year upon its release. I wait in line at the crack of dawn with all the other die hards, we joke, laugh and share apple news, drinking coffee and waiting for the store to open. iPhone day is my 3rd favorite holiday of the year next to Rex Manning day. I have raviolis and throw confetti on my bushes. Once I move all my info to my new phone, I wipe my old phone and list it on craigslist. Im able to re-coop a large amount of the new phone by selling the old phone, usually 60%. I get a good price for last years model because I can safely sell it to anyone on any carrier knowing its unlocked and they will have no issues activating it. Well not anymore.

Wait, is this Even Allowed?

Verizon says They’re taking steps to combat this theft and reduce fraud,” according to Tami Erwin, executive vice president of wireless operations for Verizon, said in a statement. “These steps will make our phones exponentially less desirable to criminals.” Now, also to me. The move marks a broad reversal of its policy to offer all of its phones unlocked — part of a deal with the Federal Communications Commission requiring it to unlock phones as part of its acquisition of the “C block” of 700 megahertz spectrum which powers its 4G LTE network. One section of the deal specifically prohibits Verizon from configuring handsets to prevent them from working on other networks. Verizon argues it is still following the intent of the rule.

The Final Thought

My guess is its a way for Verizon to protect itself from competition, with the locked phones making it tougher to switch. Thankfully Apple sell iPhones direct that are all unlocked, so it will be off to the Apple store with everyone else for iPhone Day from now on.

February 12, 2018
The 5 Best Cars Under $30K You Can Buy Right Now

The list of great new cars over $30,000 is a long one, but it’s the surprisingly fantastic quality of what’s below that benchmark that shows off the state of today’s new-car market. What follows is our ranking of the best new vehicles you can buy right now for under 30 grand. The average price of new cars is getting increasingly expensive, but there are plenty of great options under $30K. Here are our picks.

5. Mazda CX-5

Price: $21,795

Mazda’s CX-5 proves that you don’t have to sacrifice driving fun when owning a crossover thanks to its agile handling and responsive steering. Compared to others in its segment, the CX-5 is geared more toward sporty driving dynamics but remains practical thanks to its relatively spacious interior. If you must have a crossover but want one that’s great to drive, the CX-5 should be on your list. The Mazda CX-5 isn’t offered with a V-6 or a high-powered turbo-four engine-upgrade option. Some of the CX-5’s rivals also have infotainment systems that are more advanced and have features such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration.

4. Hyundai Sonata

Price: $21,950

The Hyundai Sonata is a bit of a sleeper in the midsize sedan market. The Sonata offers plenty of space in its well-appointed cabin, and comes wrapped in elegant sheet metal. It may not be a class-leader, but in a market segment as competitive as this, even this mid-pack player is a solid choice. Even the base Sonata SE model features a 7-inch touch-screen infotainment system that supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

3. Honda Accord

Price: $22,455

One of the longest-running vehicles in the midsize class, the Honda Accord is also one of the best selling cars in the U.S. The 2018 Honda Accord isn’t the least expensive model, but it’s one of the best. Prices start at $22,455, and unless you opt for the V6-equipped Touring model, all Accord models are priced under $30,000. If space, practicality, and excellent visibility matter to you, the Honda Accord will be a great choice. If you’re looking for a mainstream midsize car that still offers a slick manual transmission, the Accord is one of the few available that also happens to be affordable.

2. MINI Hardtop 4-Door

Price: $21,950

The Mini Hardtop brings plenty of character and a fun driving experience all wrapped in a city-friendly package. The base model edges the sportier S model because the large percentage bump in power was offset by the cost. With its nimble handling, funky looks and small dimensions, the Mini Hardtop comes with plenty of fun and charm all in one package. The car is also highly customizable, allowing owners to personalize their Hardtops to their liking.

1. Ford Fusion Hybrid

Price: $27,095

The best thing we can say about a hybrid is that it feels like a normal car. More energy efficient than a standard Ford Fusion while retaining its roomy midsize interior. With its lusty sheet metal, generous people space front and rear, high-tech powertrain, and engaging road manners, the Fusion hybrid doesn’t feel like a normal car. It feels like a great one.

Conclusion

Overall, is this list perfect? Not even close, but then again, no list can be. There are many factors that go into the car-buying process, and many of them are deeply personal, nuanced reasons, to which buyers adhere with an almost religious fervor. Cars are becoming increasingly expensive to buy and own, with the average price for a new car hovering around $34,000. The good news is that there are top-performing cars available for less than $30,000.

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February 12, 2018
Apple mulls refunds for battery replacement on old iPhones

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Apple is mulling refunds to customers who paid full price for battery replacements on older iPhones.

Apple now offers a $50 discount as part of its apology for secretly slowing down the devices. Apple isn’t providing details on a potential rebate yet. The possibility was mentioned in Apple’s five-page letter to Sen. John Thune, a South Dakota Republican who demanded more details about the iPhone slowdown.

Thune released Apple’s Feb. 2 response on Tuesday. Thune says Apple will follow up with additional information at a future date.

Apple has been replacing batteries on older iPhones for $29 since late December, down from the usual $79. The offer is good through this year. A new battery is supposed to prevent older iPhones from bogging down.

February 12, 2018
iOS 12, will it Roar? Mac users think so

OS 12 will bring over a highly anticipated feature that has been rumored for quite a while now, All Mac users with iOS devces will rejoice.

Rumors and Gossip

What we have heard so far, and keep in mind we are still 9 months away, iOS 12 will bring various novel features, including the ability to run iPhone apps on Macs; a new Digital Health tool that shows parents how much time children spend on iOS devices; Animoji support in FaceTime, plus a lion Animoji, Face ID for the iPad; multiplayer AR games; a new updated stocks app, revamped Do Not Disturb mode, they have added a new way to import photos into your iPad, and a new whole new configuration Siri into iPhone search.

Many other features that were originally integrated with iOS 12 got pushed to iOS 13 or later. The list includes a redesigned home screen for the iPhone, iPad, and CarPlay, and a revamped Photos app that can suggest what images to view. Some iPad-only features have also reportedly been delayed, including a multitasking mode that would let users run several tabs in the same app window, just like on Mac, as well as a feature that would allow users to run two screens of the same app side by side.

The Final Thought

Apple is currently working on the next 2 years of iOS upgrades, with the engineers deciding on what and when features and function upgrade make it in. I, personally. am very much looking forward to adding my iOS apps to my Mac, and the lion animoji..Roar

February 12, 2018
Cutting the Cord? 5 Best Streaming Services in 2018

The days of having to tune in live, buy discs or subscribe to expensive cable/satellite packages in order to watch your favorite shows and movies are gone. Streaming services started as an add-on to DVD and digital download offerings with a trickle of second-run movies and TV shows. But speedier internet connections, an abundance of dedicated streaming video devices, and an explosion of mobile video has allowed services like Netflix and Amazon to bulk up their streaming libraries, invest millions in original content, and give traditional pay TV providers a run for their money. These services have grown up from their days as cable TV adjuncts; they’re now full-fledged cable replacements for cord cutters. If you are looking to cut the cord, here are the 5 best streaming services in 2018.

1. Netflix

$11 per month

The great-granddaddy of streaming services remains the best. As you probably know, Netflix provides unlimited streaming of TV shows, movies, comedy specials and original programming (including Orange Is the New Black, Stranger Things, Master of None and the fourth season of Arrested Development) for one monthly subscription fee. No other service has yet given Netflix an honest-to-goodness run for its money in terms of selection, quality and performance consistency. You can even create up to five different profiles on a single account to make sure that your favorite content doesn’t mess up recommendations for your friends and loved ones.

2. Hulu

$8 per month

If you want to keep current with the latest network TV shows but don’t feel like investing in a cable subscription or an HD antenna, Hulu is the best solution. This service provides access to most major network shows (aside from CBS’ programs) and a handful of cable shows the day after they air. It also lets subscribers access a show’s current season — or often all of the program’s seasons. In addition, the service hosts a number of original shows (including joint ventures with the BBC, like The Wrong Mans and season 4 of The Thick of It), a selection of offbeat movies and a surprising amount of classic anime series. Even with a paid subscription, you have to sit through commercials, but far fewer than if you watched the same shows on cable.
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3. Amazon Video

$99 a year or $8.99 per month

For those who do most of their shopping online, Amazon Prime is a no-brainer. For $99 per year, you get free two-day shipping on your purchases, a free Kindle book each month, and unlimited access to both Amazon Music and Amazon Prime Instant Video. Like Netflix, Amazon Video is a veritable buffet of movies, television and original programming, like Alpha House, Transparent and Mozart in the Jungle. Thanks to a deal with Viacom — which controls Comedy Central, MTV and Nickelodeon — Amazon Prime arguably has a better selection of comedy and children’s programming than its competitors. The service also offers unlimited access to an extensive collection from HBO’s back catalog of classics such as The Sopranos and The Wire. The separate Amazon Video provides easy access to current movies, but it’s an à la carte service.

4. PlayStation Vue

$35 per month

PlayStation Vue is about as close as you can get to a cable subscription without actually getting a cable company involved. The service, which is available on a wide variety of systems, is Sony’s first foray into delivering live TV to its customers. Choose from four different packages: Access ($50 per month), which gives you basic channels, Core ($55 per month), which adds sports, Elite ($65 per month), which adds niche programming and Ultra ($75 per month), which adds certain premium channels. Although the service is expensive, it provides up to 90 live channels – including local sports and news – and lets you record your favorite shows.

5. Sling TV

$20 per month

If you like the idea of a cable subscription but feel it’s just too expensive and offers more content than you want, Sling TV might provide a happy medium for you. On paper, Sling sounds a lot like a traditional cable service: Pay a monthly subscription fee in exchange for about thirty real-time channels. But there’s no contract and no set-top box rental fee. Sling is especially handy for sports fans, as it offers a variety of ESPN channels. For cord-cutting sports fans, this alone is worth the price. Other popular networks, like NBC, BBC America, CNN, Cartoon Network, TBS and the Food Network, sweeten the deal. If you sign up for Sling Blue, which is the service’s multi-stream option, and bundle it with the more bare-bones Orange, the combo will cost you $40 per month.
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Conclusion

Let’s face it, cable tv is dead. It had a solid run and lived a long and fruitful existence but now – sorry to say – the time has come to cut the cord. If you are ready to cut the cord, this rundown has the most popular services. Which one is best for you?

February 12, 2018