Page 24 - ARUBA TODAY

Thursday 7 december 2017 TECHNOLOGY
A24

Here are your options if YouTube vanishes from Amazon gizmos

By ANICK JESDANUN search — though we’re
AP Technology Writer talking basic queries
NEW YORK (AP) — Attention related to shows and apps,
Fire TV owners: YouTube not playback controls
might soon disappear from or information such as
your Amazon streaming weather. The $70 Streaming
device. But you’ll still have Stick Plus adds 4K and HDR.
options. Bells and whistles in the
Google is threatening to $100 Ultra include a remote
pull YouTube from Fire TV by that will emit a sound to
Jan. 1, the latest round in a help you find it under your
fierce battle between the couch cushions.
two tech heavyweights. The Ultra’s remote has a
If that happens, Fire TV headphone jack, so you
owners can still watch on a can watch TV without
phone, tablet or personal waking up roommates. For
computer. That includes cheaper models, you can
an Amazon Fire tablet, as get that through Roku’s
Google hasn’t threatened smartphone app. (With Fire
to block that yet. TV and Apple TV, you can
For those willing to pair wireless headphones.)
abandon Fire TV, just
about any other device FOR APPLE FANS
will play YouTube. Not all of This Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017, file photo shows an Amazon Fire TV streaming device with its Apple TV is the only device
them will play video from remote control. On Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017, Google announced plans to pull its popular YouTube to support iTunes. It also has
Amazon, although Apple video service from Amazon’s Fire TV and Echo Show devices in an escalating feud that has YouTube, but not Google
TV just got Amazon’s app caught consumers in the crossfire. Play. Amazon joined Apple
Wednesday. Associated Press TV on Wednesday.
Here are some reasons you Amazon’s $40 Fire TV Stick compete with Amazon — playback controls with Though an iPhone isn’t
might want to stick with Fire is good for regular, high- products. That includes some apps, weather info required, Apple TV will be
TV — and some you might definition TV sets. If you Google’s Chromecast, a and some data you might most useful with one. The
not. have a higher-resolution 4K streaming device that’s never think to ask a TV, basic device is $149; a
TV, you’ll want the regular cheap but slightly tricky to such as flight status. version with 4K and HDR
THE CASE FOR FIRE TV Fire TV for $70. There isn’t use, since you have to start Shield is powerful and costs $30 more. You’re
YouTube was never the a lot of 4K video yet, but video on your iPhone or designed with gamers paying for the experience
centerpiece of Fire TV to the price difference is small Android phone and then in mind; one feature — in particular, integration
begin with. It’s not even a compared with what 4K switch the stream to the TV. allows screen sharing of and syncing with other
full-fledged app on Fire TV TVs cost. Plenty of video services game play. A package Apple gadgets. For
— just a link to a YouTube The regular Fire TV also work with Chromecast — that includes a game instance, you can type
website designed for offers high-dynamic range, but Amazon doesn’t let its controller costs $20 more. passwords on an iPhone
mobile devices. which has better contrast video service work with the The controller gives you a instead of navigating a
Fire TV itself is best seen as and produces brighter Google device. headphone jack for private keyboard on the TV.
a companion to Amazon’s whites and darker blacks. Google offers other listening and hands-free
$99-a-year Prime loyalty Again, HDR video is slowly manufacturers its own queries with Google Siri offers similar playback
program. Although coming. software for streaming Assistant. controls and information
Amazon has gotten better On the downside, Fire TV devices called Android TV. queries as Alexa and
about promoting rival doesn’t offer iTunes or On those devices, Google’s PLAYING NICE WITH BOTH Google Assistant. The
services, video available Google Play video — and YouTube and Play services Roku has one of the most touchpad on the remote
through Prime remains YouTube may soon join often get prominent billing complete channel libraries offers faster forwarding and
prominent. the list. Fire TV’s remote in search results, but at — more than 5,000, many of rewinding than rivals.
The device has Amazon’s also lacks volume controls, least you can get Amazon which you’ve never heard And while all streaming
Alexa voice assistant built- something that’s becoming video. of. You can get YouTube, devices offer more than
in. In addition to weather, standard on streaming Again, no iTunes. Google Play and Amazon just video, Apple TV goes
sports scores and stock devices. One of those gadgets is video, but not iTunes. much further in offering
quotes, it offers playback the Shield from Nvidia. It’s Roku’s Express sells for just an iPhone-like experience
controls for some selected GOOGLE’S ALTERNATIVE pricey, starting at $179, but $30. on a big screen. You can
apps. That lets you ask The current feud centers comes with 4K and HDR. The $50 Streaming Stick browse Ikea’s catalog or
Alexa to forward 30 on Amazon’s refusal to sell You get voice searches gets you a remote with order food from Grubhub,
seconds, for instance. some Google devices that through Google’s Assistant volume buttons and voice for instance.q

Apple CEO hopeful banned apps will return to China store

By KELVIN CHAN lier this year. Speaking at a ance Sunday at the gov- freedoms but also thought can get around the coun-
AP Business Writer business forum in southern ernment-organized World that foreign companies try’s internet filters, he said,
HONG KONG (AP) — Ap- China, CEO Tim Cook also Internet Conference drew need to play by local rules “My hope over time is that
ple’s chief executive said dismissed criticism of his comments from activists where they operate. When some of these things, the
Wednesday he’s optimistic appearance days earlier and U.S. politicians who say asked about Chinese gov- couple things that have
some apps that fell afoul of at an internet conference Apple should do more to ernment policies requiring been pulled, come back.”
China’s tight internet laws promoting Beijing’s vison push back against Chinese removal of apps, including “I have great hope on that
will eventually be restored of a censored internet. internet restrictions. He said ones from operators of vir- and great optimism,” he
after being removed ear- Cook’s high-profile appear- he believed strongly in tual private networks that added.q