Friday, December 23, 2022
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
Apple TV 4K vs Android TV Boxes: Worth the Price?
Updated September 2026: in 2022 I looked at the Apple TV 4K as a streaming box for an older TV and listed its advantages over Android boxes and Chromecast: picture quality and integration with Apple devices. I have rewritten it into a comparison for buyers today.
I was looking for a streaming box to make an older TV smart, and the Apple TV 4K was my first thought despite its price. What stood out was picture quality in streaming apps and how easily it worked with iPhones and iPads, compared with Android boxes and the Chromecast of the time.
What does the Apple TV 4K do better?
- Picture and sound formats: support for 4K, HDR including Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos, with a powerful chip that keeps apps smooth.
- Integration with Apple devices: AirPlay from iPhone and Mac, iPhone as a remote, and AirPods pairing.
- Clean interface: fewer ads and sponsored rows than many Android TV home screens.
- Long software support: Apple TV boxes have historically received tvOS updates for many years.
Where do Android and Google TV devices win?
Price and flexibility. Google's own Chromecast line was replaced in 2024 by the Google TV Streamer, and many Android TV boxes and sticks cost a fraction of an Apple TV. They also allow sideloading apps, casting from Android phones, and wider support for some regional apps. For Android households, they fit more naturally.
Does picture quality really differ?
On the same TV and service, the difference comes mostly from format support and processing. A box that supports Dolby Vision and frame-rate matching can look noticeably better on a capable TV. On an older TV that does not support HDR, the difference is smaller, and a cheaper box may be enough.
Which should you buy?
- iPhone and Mac users who want a clean, fast box for years: Apple TV 4K.
- Android users or tight budgets: a Google TV device or a good Android TV stick.
- Older non-HDR TVs: start with a cheaper device; you will not see the full benefit of premium formats.
Is the Apple TV 4K worth its price?
For people already on Apple devices and planning to keep the box for many years, yes: the long support and smooth experience spread the cost. For occasional viewing on an older TV, the extra money is better spent elsewhere.
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Friday, October 7, 2022
Getting best battery from Apple Watch Series 7 or 8
- Remove Applications and Turn-off unnecessary notifications (Noise, in-built Apps, etc.): The most basic thing that needs to be done after getting the Apple Watch Series is to get rid of unwanted in-built Apple applications and other iPhone applications that are mirrored to the watch automatically. Before removing the Applications from the Apple Watch, ensure that the notifications are turned off for each app and ensure that background app refresh is turned off for the application to be removed.
- Do not run ECG, Spo2 or other tests frequently: Post removing unwanted applications from the Apple Watch, another important thing to be noted for extending the battery life is that do not run the native ECG and Blood oxygen tracking application frequently. As by default, those applications run on its own based on your skin and body conditions, the numbers are automatically captured in the Health App and running the tests frequently or occasionally every other hour would drain the battery considerably.
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Thursday, September 8, 2022
iPhone 14 vs iPhone 13: Which to Buy Used Today
Updated September 2026: in September 2022 I called the base iPhone 14 a disappointment: essentially the iPhone 13's chip at the same launch price, while the 14 Pro got the new Dynamic Island. I have rewritten it into a guide to choosing between the two today, when both are sold refurbished or used.
My complaint in 2022 was that the iPhone 14 used the A15 Bionic chip already found in the iPhone 13 series, and launched at the same $799 US price as the iPhone 13 had, without a meaningful performance jump. The iPhone 14 Pro was the real update, with a redesigned display and the new Dynamic Island. For many buyers, the iPhone 13 at a reduced price looked like the smarter purchase.
What actually changed from iPhone 13 to iPhone 14?
- Chip: the same A15 Bionic family, with the iPhone 14 getting the extra graphics core from the 13 Pro.
- Camera: a larger main sensor and better low-light performance.
- Safety features: Crash Detection, which works in India. Emergency SOS via satellite launched only in selected countries.
- Design: nearly identical, with an internal redesign that made repairs easier.
Was the iPhone 14 a disappointment?
As an upgrade from the iPhone 13, yes. Owners of a 13 had little reason to change. For people coming from an older phone, the 14 was a solid phone; it just offered little over the 13 for the money at launch.
Which should you buy now, if either?
Both run current versions of iOS, but support will end sooner for these models than for newer ones. If buying used or refurbished, the difference between them is small, so buy on condition, battery health and price. Neither supports Apple Intelligence; if you want those features, you need a newer model.
What should you check on a used iPhone 13 or 14?
- Battery health in Settings, ideally above 85 percent.
- That Find My is switched off and the phone is not locked to someone else's Apple Account.
- Face ID, cameras, speakers and charging, all tested before paying.
- A receipt or warranty from the seller.
What was the wider lesson?
Base-model iPhone upgrades are sometimes minor, and last year's model at a lower price is often the better buy. Reading what actually changed, rather than the launch marketing, is the best protection against paying for very little.
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Friday, August 5, 2022
Car Accident Repair: Authorised Centre or Local Garage?
Updated September 2026: in 2022, after an accident damaged the right side of my Ford EcoSport, I weighed Ford's authorised repair against third-party garages, worried about cost and waiting time at the dealer and about fit, finish and paint quality elsewhere. I have rewritten it into a guide to choosing where to repair accident damage.
Right after the accident I photographed the damage along the side of the car. Then came the choice. Ford's authorised service centre was my preference for quality, but I expected high charges and a long wait. Third-party garages might be quicker and cheaper, but I worried about how well panels would fit and whether the paint would match.
What should you do immediately after the accident?
- Photograph the damage from several angles, as well as the scene if it is safe to do so.
- Inform your insurer promptly; most policies set a time limit for reporting.
- Do not start repairs before the insurer's surveyor has inspected, if you plan to claim.
- File a police report where the situation requires it, such as injury or third-party damage.
Authorised service centre or local garage?
Authorised centres use original parts and trained staff, usually have the manufacturer's paint systems, and are more likely to be on your insurer's cashless network. Their labour rates are higher and waits can be longer. A good independent body shop can do excellent work at a lower price, but quality varies widely, and a cashless claim may not be possible.
How does insurance change the choice?
With a cashless claim at a network garage, the insurer pays the garage directly, and you pay only the deductible and any depreciation on parts. A zero-depreciation add-on removes most of that depreciation cost. At a non-network garage, you pay first and claim reimbursement. Check your policy's network list before choosing, because it can make the authorised option cheaper than expected.
How do you judge the quality of the repair?
Inspect the car in daylight. Check panel gaps against the undamaged side, look at the paint from an angle for colour and texture differences, and make sure doors and windows open and close smoothly. Ask which parts were replaced and whether they were original, and get a written warranty on the paint work.
Is claiming always worth it?
Not for small damage. A claim can reduce your no-claim bonus at renewal, so for minor dents it can cost more over time than paying yourself. Compare the repair estimate with the value of the no-claim bonus before deciding.
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Wednesday, January 26, 2022
Shapewear wholesale manufacturer and tummy wrap insights
If you are looking to reduce your belly weight or looking to keep your tummy in proper structure, then segmented latex tummy wrap would be the smart option and waistdear.com online shopping site has similar product category collection to meet your requirements. The “Segmented Abdominal Binder Latex Tummy Wrap” product has its own uniqueness and exclusive features, they are as follows
- Product has a strap woven from high-quality polyester and latex, so they are resilient for your waist and are also environment friendly
- It is made to ensure firmness in your waist section that assists in increasing body temperature and burn few calories even while you are resting.
- Product has 3 pieces of segmented hook and loop fasteners, so you can adjust the tightness around your waist according to your needs.
- The 3 hook segments are made of ambitious standards, so they are strong and durable. This also assists in supporting the waist and prevents compressed feeling.
- And a lot more.






