Author: openjargon

• Elon Musk slammed Apple's new OpenAI partnership, threatening to ban Apple devices at his companies.
• He said visitors will have to check their Apple devices and they will be stored in a Faraday cage.
• Apple assures privacy protections, while Musk claims Apple can't ensure user security if integrating OpenAI's technology.

Elon Musk is beefing with Apple — again.

Apple announced at its Worldwide Developer's Conference on Monday that it will be integrating its new AI software, called Apple Intelligence, across the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

It also separately announced a partnership with OpenAI, which includes the option to integrate ChatGPT powered by GPT-4o across some of its software, including its new and improved Siri. Apple said the ChatGPT integration will be available for free without an account in iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia later this year.

"When a user grants permission, Siri can tap into ChatGPT's broad world knowledge and present an answer directly," Apple said in the announcement.

Following the event, Elon Musk published a series of posts on X, formerly Twitter, denouncing the partnership.

"If Apple integrates OpenAI at the OS level, then Apple devices will be banned at my companies," Musk wrote. "That is an unacceptable security violation."

If Apple moves forward with the OpenAI integration, anyone who visits one of Musk's companies will have to store their Apple devices in a Faraday cage, a type of container that blocks electromagnetic transmissions, he said.

Musk said in his posts that he's concerned about Apple partnering with a third-party AI that it "doesn't understand" and "can't themselves create."

The billionaire also said it's "patently absurd that Apple isn't smart enough to make their own AI," but is capable of ensuring OpenAI will protect users' security and privacy.

"Apple has no clue what's actually going on once they hand your data over to OpenAI," Musk said, without adding any evidence to back up his claim. "They're selling you down the river."

Apple said in its announcement of the partnership that "protections are built in for users who access ChatGPT." It said that device IP addresses are kept private, and OpenAI won't store requests. Users who choose to connect their accounts will be under ChatGPT's data-use policies, the announcement said.

Siri can tap into ChatGPT's expertise when helpful. Users are asked before any questions are sent to ChatGPT, along with any documents or photos, and Siri then presents the answer directly.
Additionally, ChatGPT will be available in Apple's systemwide Writing Tools, which help users generate content for anything they are writing about. With Compose, users can also access ChatGPT image tools to generate images in a wide variety of styles to complement what they are writing.
Privacy protections are built in for users who access ChatGPT — their IP addresses are obscured, and OpenAI won't store requests. ChatGPT's data-use policies apply for users who choose to connect their account.

Musk's distaste of OpenAI, which helped confound and finance, is nothing new. The billionaire has a public feud with its CEO Sam Altman and sued OpenAI after accusing it of betraying its original mission of being open-sourced and "developing AGI for the benefit of humanity."

Since parting ways with OpenAI, Musk has launched his own rival AI company, xAI, and a ChatGPT rival called Grok.

Musk has also clashed with Apple and CEO Tim Cook in the past, though the two seemed to patch things up when Cook invited Musk for a tour of Apple HQ back in November 2022.

But on Monday, Musk responded to a post from Cook that promoted Apple Intelligence, voicing his displeasure.

"Don't want it," the Tesla CEO said. "Either stop this creepy spyware or all Apple devices will be banned from the premises of my companies."

OpenAI and Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Far-right and center-right parties dominated the European Union parliamentary vote. The rightward shift could have wide-ranging impacts, including blocking new legislation toward climate goals.

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The best streaming devices offer convenient access to popular video services, allowing you to watch your favorite movies and shows. Though most modern displays have built-in smart TV interfaces, dedicated streaming players often offer snappier performance and extra perks. Separate streaming devices are also a perfect solution for anyone with an old "dumb" TV that needs an upgrade.

These compact devices connect to your display using an HDMI cable and are typically designed as set-top boxes that rest on your TV stand or streaming sticks that hang right out of your TV's HDMI port. The Roku Ultra is my pick for the best streaming device overall, thanks to its 4K playback support, handy rechargeable remote, and easy-to-use operating system (OS). But if you're on a budget and only need high-definition (HD) streaming, the Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite is a reliable and compact option.

I've also selected recommendations geared toward high-end performance and speed, with options from every major brand, from Apple to Google. No matter which model you go with, these picks provide a huge library of TV apps to stream.

Our top picks for the best streaming devices

Best overall: Roku Ultra – See at Amazon

Best budget: Fire TV Stick Lite – See at Amazon

Best high-end: Apple TV 4K – See at Walmart

Best for speedy navigation: Fire TV Stick 4K Max – See at Amazon

Best for Google users: Google Chromecast – See at Amazon

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Best overall

I've tested many streaming devices, but the Roku Ultra is the model I always return to for daily use. It checks every box I look for, with reliable navigation, 4K video playback, and support for all the major high-dynamic-range (HDR) formats. This enables top video quality when paired with the best 4K TVs.

The Roku OS features a huge library of video apps with access to all the best streaming services, with no major omissions. To get started, just connect the box to your TV via HDMI and install all your favorite streaming channels. Roku's streamlined interface is my favorite, thanks to its simplicity. However, its app-centric design might come across as a bit outdated to buyers who prefer a more content-focused approach. 

Like all of the best streaming devices I recommend, the Roku Ultra has HDR capabilities to enable a wide range of colors and enhanced contrast when playing HDR-enabled videos on a compatible TV. In addition to standard HDR10, it supports the more advanced Dolby Vision and HDR10+ formats, which can more precisely tell a TV how to render HDR images on a scene-by-scene basis. Check out our HDR TV guide for more details about different formats. 

The latest edition of the Roku Ultra was released in 2022, and it comes with Roku's Voice Remote Pro so you can easily adjust volume and search for content with spoken commands. It even has a hands-free feature for voice control with a wake word rather than holding a button. The remote also has a handful of extra perks that make it a bit more convenient than most competitors, including a rechargeable battery (via Micro USB), a private listening port for headphones (earbuds included), and a "lost remote" chime. 

Compared to less expensive Roku models, the Ultra adds an Ethernet port for a wired internet connection, a USB port for local media playback, built-in Dolby Atmos decoding, and Bluetooth support for pairing wireless headphones. 

This all helps cement the Ultra as the most versatile and reliable media player in its price range, and I like that it's more universal than Amazon, Apple, and Google devices. There are cheaper alternatives, but the Roku Ultra is the best streaming device for anyone who wants a feature-packed media player with a simple and intuitive interface.

Read our Roku Ultra review (2020 model).

Best budget

Amazon's Fire TV Stick Lite is one of the most affordable streaming devices on the market. And unlike the similarly priced Roku Express, it comes with a voice remote. To keep the cost down, the Fire TV Stick Lite is limited to 1080p playback, but you're still getting a capable streaming stick that pairs well with aging HDTVs that need extra smarts.

Like all of Amazon's streaming devices, the Fire TV Stick Lite uses the Fire TV OS, which offers access to every major TV app there is. Though it's not my favorite interface, Amazon has improved the design in recent years with better organization, and it should please fans of content-focused navigation. 

Compared to more expensive Fire TV Sticks, this model is missing 4K support, Dolby Vision capabilities, and TV controls on its remote. It also lacks integrated decoding for Dolby Atmos audio, but since most modern TVs can handle Atmos decoding, this isn't a big deal. However, the Stick Lite is a tad slower than the flagship Fire TV Stick 4K Max, so navigation isn't as snappy. 

But on the plus side, you still get Alexa voice control via the included remote. It also supports HDR10 and HDR10+. However, most TVs that support HDR are 4K displays, and if you have a 4K TV, you're better off paying more for an entry-level 4K model like the Fire TV Stick 4K or Roku Express 4K+.

Frequently on sale for only $20, the Fire TV Stick Lite is the best streaming device for buyers who just need a basic but capable HD media player and want to spend as little as possible. 

Best high-end

If you're looking for a high-end streaming device that seamlessly integrates with your Apple account, the third-generation Apple TV 4K is for you.

The device's tvOS interface should appeal to people who already use other Apple products like an iPhone. It's also the only major operating system that isn't available as an integrated interface on any smart TV. Though Roku, Google, and Amazon all license their streaming systems to various display brands, Apple doesn't, so the only way to get the tvOS experience is with an Apple TV device. 

The Apple TV 4K can access tons of streaming apps, as well as music, podcasts, and even games via Apple Arcade. You can also mirror content from an iOS or macOS device using AirPlay. In addition, the Apple TV 4K can serve as a HomeKit hub for Apple's smart home ecosystem.

As its name implies, the Apple TV 4K streams in up to 4K resolution. Like the Roku Ultra, it supports every major HDR format, including Dolby Vision and, new for the third-gen model, HDR10+. These formats provide the best image quality on compatible TVs, giving your display scene-by-scene instructions for optimizing color and contrast. 

The included voice remote supports Siri, and the newest edition has built-in USB-C charging, so you don't need batteries. The back of the device also has an Ethernet port if you need a wired internet connection, but this feature is only offered on the more expensive 128GB model. The 128GB Apple TV 4K also adds Thread networking support, which enables it to connect other supported devices to the internet so they can communicate with each other. 

On the downside, the Apple TV 4K is pricier than a lot of competing options from Roku and Amazon. Most people who aren't invested in Apple's ecosystem will be satisfied with the less expensive Roku Ultra. The deciding factor comes down to budget and the OS you prefer.

Read our Apple TV 4K review (2017 model).

Best for speedy navigation

Amazon's best streaming stick is also one of the snappiest streaming devices I've tested. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max plugs right into the HDMI port on your TV, adding access to a ton of video apps with support for up to 4K playback. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is also compatible with every major HDR format, so people with Dolby Vision or HDR10+ TVs can watch videos in the best quality available. 

An Alexa voice remote is included so you can control playback and search for content with spoken commands. Though the remote requires you to press a button to activate Alexa, you can also pair the device with an Echo speaker for hands-free control. 

The Fire TV Stick 4K Max works with all of the most popular streaming apps. Though some notable services used to be missing, Amazon's selection is now on par with other major players like Roku. The interface is also solid, but I find Roku OS and Google TV to be a bit more appealing since they let you arrange more apps up top on the home screen. 

The latest version of the Fire TV Stick 4K Max launched in 2023, and this second-gen model has a revised design with rounded edges and an upgraded processor. The previous Fire TV 4K Max was already snappy, but the 2023 model dethrones it as the fastest media stick I've ever tested. It also has double the amount of storage and adds support for WiFi 6E routers. Unlike other Fire TV Sticks, the 4K Max also supports Amazon's Fire TV Ambient Experience, which lets you display art, photos, and widgets for things like the weather and your calendar. 

People willing to pay more should also consider the latest Fire TV Cube, which has a set-top box design with an integrated speaker and built-in support for hands-free Alexa. This means it can double as an Echo smart speaker. But since the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is often on sale for as little as $40, I don't think the Cube is worth the extra money for most buyers.

Best for Google users

The Chromecast with Google TV offers a sizable step forward in performance and usability over older versions. Though previous models, like the Chromecast Ultra, needed a separate phone, tablet, or computer to stream apps from, the Chromecast with Google TV features its own built-in interface with an extensive library of services.

You can still cast apps from a mobile device if you'd like, but the on-screen selection makes it more convenient to find your favorite shows and movies on your TV screen. This makes the Chromecast a more worthy competitor to similar compact players, like the Fire TV Stick 4K.

The homepage's interface is nicely organized, with a row of your favorite services up top and various content recommendations below. I still prefer Roku's navigation style the most, but I give Google TV an edge over the Fire TV OS. Similar to how Apple TVs seamlessly integrate with Apple accounts, the Chromecast links with your Google account to easily communicate with other Google services. 

From a design perspective, the Chromecast features a similar puck-shaped form factor as older models, complete with a dongle connection that hangs from your TV's HDMI port. Unlike older models, the latest version includes a handy voice remote with integrated Google Assistant support.

While initially testing the Chromecast with Google TV, I encountered a few glitches and some lag, but a lot of these issues have been ironed out by firmware since the device's launch. Like the Fire TV Stick Lite, the Chromecast can't decode Dolby Atmos audio on its own, but since most modern TVs can, this shouldn't impact most people trying to listen to Atmos audio. As it stands, the Chromecast offers solid value, especially for buyers already invested in Google's ecosystem.

Read our Chromecast with Google TV review.

What you should look for in a streaming device

Before buying a streaming device, there are a few key factors you should consider. 

First, you'll want to confirm that your chosen device has access to all the services you want. All of the best streaming devices support popular apps like Netflix and Disney Plus, but certain brands may not include some smaller services.

You'll also want to consider your TV's specs. Not all streaming sticks and boxes can handle 4K or HDR, so if you have a 4K TV, you'll want to get a device that can fully take advantage of your display's capabilities, and all of the HDR formats it supports. Likewise, if you don't have a 4K TV, you'll be better off going with a cheaper device that doesn't have those extra features. 

You should also consider the ecosystem you're most plugged into. For example, Android users will get more use from an Android or Google TV device, while those using an iPhone or Mac might prefer the Apple TV, and Alexa fans might want to opt for a Fire TV model. 

Roku devices, on the other hand, are the most versatile since they're compatible with a variety of ecosystems. On the downside, Roku devices lack integrated support for Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant, but you can pair them with separate smart speakers that use those platforms.

Streaming device FAQs

Do I need a streaming device if I have a smart TV?

If you have a modern smart TV, chances are your display already offers access to most, if not all, of the streaming services you want. However, even operating systems on the best TVs tend to be a bit slower than many standalone streaming devices. Likewise, some people may prefer to use a different interface or digital assistant than the ones that come built into their display.

If you find your smart TV's OS to be lacking, a separate streaming stick or box is a good investment. 

What streaming device interfaces are there?

Each streaming device brand uses a different operating system, with many opting for their own proprietary interface. Though they all offer the same core features, some people may prefer one platform's visual design and organization style over another. 

Here's a rundown of different streaming device brands and the current interfaces they use:

• Roku: Roku OS
• Amazon: Fire TV OS
• Google: Google TV
• Apple: tvOS
• Nvidia: Android TV (similar to Google TV but an older system)

Generally, I prefer Roku's interface because it is the simplest and most reliable, but some may find its visual style to be outdated compared to other systems that use a more modern, content-focused approach to organization. 

Every OS has its own advantages and drawbacks, with a lot of their appeal coming down to personal preference. But no matter which one you go with, they all deliver the same basic streaming capabilities. 

Should I get a streaming stick or box?

When shopping for the best streaming device, buyers have two primary types to choose from: a set-top box or a stick/dongle. The main differences between them are size and external design.

Set-top boxes typically have a rectangular build and can be placed on an entertainment console and connected to your TV via an HDMI cable. Streaming sticks or dongles are more compact devices designed to hang directly out of your TV's HDMI port.

In general, streaming sticks can be a bit more convenient since they're smaller and don't take up space on your TV stand. But entry-level sticks tend to be slower than more expensive streaming boxes and omit extra features like Ethernet and USB ports. And though many TVs house their HDMI connections in an area that makes it easy to hide a stick from view, some displays leave sticks easily visible while hanging out from their sides.

Set-top boxes are a better choice if you want a high-end streaming device, like an Apple TV 4K or Roku Ultra, with all the bells and whistles. But streaming sticks are usually better options on a budget, and some flagship models, like the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, are now capable of navigation speeds that match or even exceed set-top boxes.

Do streaming devices offer live TV?

All of the best streaming devices include access to live TV apps. Some free apps, like the Roku Channel, offer tons of internet stations without a subscription. However, apps that include popular cable and network channels require a paid subscription. Check out our guide to the best live TV streaming services to see our top recommendations.  

Viewers looking for free access to network channels should consider purchasing a digital TV antenna. As long as you have good reception in your area, an antenna can pick up local channels like ABC and NBC free of charge. Check out our guide to the best indoor antennas for our top picks.

• Apple unveiled some snazzy new features for its Mail app at WWDC 2024.
• Updates include advanced categorization, a digest view for emails, and AI-powered writing tools.
• The new Siri integration now helps locate emails and provides real-time information from messages.

Managing your email app — and even just searching for an email you know is in there somewhere — can be unbearable.

But Apple is trying to change that.

At Apple's WWDC event on Monday, company executives announced a number of new features that will likely make the Mail app much easier to use across Apple devices, and even make it function more like an executive assistant.

Here's what you need to know about the latest email updates Apple is rolling out.

Mail app categorization

Apple is introducing new categories into its Mail app that will help you better manage and organize incoming emails.

Some of this may sound familiar to Gmail users, but there are also some differences.

A "primary" category will gather together your most important messages at the top, like emails from people you know and time-sensitive emails, Ronak Shah, Apple's director of internet technologies product marketing, said at the event.

Everything else will be divided into new categories like "'transactions' for receipts and order confirmations, 'updates' for newsletters and social media notices, and 'promotions' for marketing and sales messages," Shah explained.

In addition to these categories, the Mail app will also soon have a "digest" view that will assemble all emails from a business in one place. For example, all your emails from United Airlines will appear in one grouping so you can see all your flight information without having to search or scour your inbox.

You'll also still be able to see all your emails in one place, and you can recategorize your messages as much as you want, Ronak said, adding that the categorization feature will become available later this year.

Writing tools integrated into Mail

Thanks to Apple's new generative AI system, Apple Intelligence, some smart AI-powered writing tools will be integrated across Apple apps, including the Mail app.

With Apple Intelligence, you'll be able to pull up a sidebar from the Mail app that will help you rewrite an email draft. For example, you can choose options to make the tone of your email more "friendly," more "professional," or more "concise."

You can also choose the "summary" or "key points" options to add TL;DRs to your emails.

Smart Reply can also help you identify and answer questions you were asked in a previous email.

And, in the Mail app, you'll also be able to see summaries of emails instead of just short previews.

New Siri capabilities with the Mail app

Apple's new and improved Siri can also help you track down that hard-to-remember item.

When you're trying to remember something, like a book recommendation a friend sent you — but can't remember if it was from an email or a text message or a shared note — Siri will be able to surface it down for you, Kelsey Peterson, Apple's director of machine learning and AI, said at the conference.

You'll also be able to ask Siri things like, "When is my mom's flight landing?" And in response, Siri will find the email with your mom's flight information, and cross-reference it with real-time flight-tracking info to give you her most accurate arrival time, Kelsey explained.

Calligraphy inkstones, especially elaborately designed ones, can cost over $5,000. While the traditional practice of using an ink stick and inkstone is less common now that liquid ink exists, the artistry and labor involved in making inkstones — for use or as collectibles — keep demand alive.

• Apple's iPhones are so good it's a problem for Apple because people don't need to buy replacements.
• But the new AI features Apple showed off at WWDC will only work on Apple's newest phones and devices.
• So here's the key question: Are the new AI features enough to get you to buy a new iPhone?

What if your iPhone could scan, and understand, your emails and your texts and your calendar? So you could ask it when you're supposed to pick up your mom from the airport and where you're supposed to go to lunch afterward without looking through all of that stuff yourself?

That's the scenario Apple sketched out Monday, when it tried to explain how it was integrating AI into its ecosystem.

And that sounds … pretty good to me?

But let's reframe the question: Would you pay $800 — or a lot more — for an Apple device that does that stuff?

Because that's the key question for Apple, which says that all of the new AI features it announced at its developers conference will only be available on its top-of-the-line devices. That means the series 15 iPhones it debuted last fall, as well as its newest/most powerful iPads and Macs, and whatever new devices it rolls out later this year.

If the answer is "yes," then AI will be a very big deal for Apple because it will solve a very big problem: People aren't buying iPhones like they used to.

That problem is not a secret and is on full display when Apple announces iPhone sales numbers that show slowing growth — or, like it revealed last quarter — an actual decline.

And you can also see it in third-party reports about iPhone owners hanging on to their existing phones much longer than they used to.

In one way, this is a very high-quality problem for Apple — it makes phones so good that there's no reason to buy next year's model, or the one after that, or the one after that. (I can attest to this personally: I use an iPhone 13 that I got in 2021 and have yet to find any reason to swap it out for something new.)

But it's also a very real problem for Apple since Apple is in the business of selling expensive, high-margin hardware.

As we've discussed here before, Apple has tried to cope with this problem by emphasizing the growth of its "services" businesses, which can grow independently of its device sales. But it still really, really needs you — and me — to buy a new iPhone periodically to keep the whole thing humming.

If you were a deeply cynical person, or a journalist, you might wonder if Apple really needs its latest and greatest chips and other hardware to make the AI it is showing off work. You might suggest that this is just a convenient sales pitch for a company that can no longer say "Thinner!" or "Better camera!" and get people to pony up for a new phone.

But for argument's sake, let's assume that this is at least a bit true. (We do know, for starters, that the tech that powers stuff like ChatGPT requires an enormous amount of electricity. So maybe running it on your pocket computer requires a state-of-the-art pocket computer, too.)

So now, back to the main question: Is the stuff that Apple CEO Tim Cook showed off Monday amazing enough to make you buy a new phone, or iPad, or Mac?

Because I saw some hints of some pretty cool stuff, like the mom/airport scenario Apple says it can solve. But a lot of stuff didn't seem as impressive, like the ability to custom-create emojis in your text messages. (What's up with Apple's belief in emojis as a difference-maker?)

One reason this stuff may not have blown me away is that it may literally not be that big of a deal — just like talking poop emojis weren't a big deal in 2017. Or maybe it's that the most impressive uses of AI on iPhones won't show up until developers figure out cool new ways to use AI on iPhones — which is the whole rationale for showing this stuff off at a developers' conference.

But I do have a third, vibes-based theory about why the AI that Apple showed off didn't blow me away. It's that Apple is walking a fine line here: It wants you to think that AI is amazing — but not scary.

Because the amazing/scary dichotomy has been something we've become quite used to with other AI launches in the last few years: Chatbots like ChatGPT can convincingly "talk" to you — but can you trust anything they say? Image- and video-making tech like Midjourney and Sora can conjure amazing-looking scenes from scratch — but maybe they'll replace an entire industry? Etc.

And during Apple's Monday demo, the company played on both sides of that line: It would tell you that Apple's AI could instantly make your writing better. But it also made dark, fleeting references to other people's not-so-good AI. Like AI companies that store your data on "someone's AI cloud."

And that tension is most obvious in the name of the product itself: Apple doesn't call its AI "artificial intelligence" but "Apple Intelligence" — implicitly arguing that the other AIs aren't something you need to spend time worrying about.

Actually, it was pretty explicit. "This is AI for the rest of us," Apple executive Craig Federighi spelled out at the end of his presentation.

In Apple's framing, that's AI that's helpful, but not creepy; immediately useful, but not too disruptive. And, crucially: Cool enough to justify a new, very expensive purchase.

Are you buying it?

• Elon Musk seemed less than impressed with Apple's WWDC presentation Monday.
• He responded to posts on X about the new iPhone home screen and iPad Calculator app.
• Musk has been taking jabs at Apple for the better part of a decade.

Elon Musk seemed slightly underwhelmed by a handful of updates Apple announced Monday during its WWDC presentation.

Early on in the event, YouTube tech reviewer Marques Brownlee posted on X that the crowd cheered when Apple introduced an iPhone home screen revamp, allowing users to place app icons wherever they want.

The changes help make your iPhone wallpapers more visible, Apple said.

"Um ok," Musk retorted on X.

In addition to the ability to move app icons around, other changes coming to iOS 18 include a new look for icons in "dark mode" and the ability to adjust their tints.

Elsewhere during the presentation, Musk shared a laughing emoji in response to a meme joking that anticipation around the event wasn't squaring up with some of the more minor changes unveiled — namely, the new iPad Calculator app.

Viewers were clamoring for ambitious AI updates, according to the meme — which, to be fair, Apple did go on to deliver.

The native iPad Calculator, which Musk appeared to laugh at, goes beyond a scaled-up version of the existing one for iPhones.

A new Math Notes feature enables users to write down math problems with the Apple Pencil that the Calculator can solve — with the answer appearing in the same handwriting.

Neither Musk nor Apple immediately responded to requests for comment from Business Insider.

But perhaps the criticism shouldn't come as a surprise.

Musk has been taking jabs at Apple and its CEO, Tim Cook, for the better part of a decade — and in 2022, accused the hardware giant of market monopolization and opposing free speech.