Category: Business

• Trump was allowed to do his NYC pre-sentencing interview virtually and with his lawyer present.
• New York lawyers say this is preferential treatment for a billionaire ex-president.
• Low-income defendants are required to do their interviews in person and without a lawyer, they say.

Donald Trump was allowed to do his pre-sentencing interview on Monday via video and with his lawyer at his side — and New York City defense attorneys with clients who are neither billionaires nor former presidents are crying foul.

Defendants who are not in jail while awaiting sentencing are told to attend in person — and alone — when they sit for an interview with the city Department of Probation, multiple city-based defense attorneys told Business Insider.

Trump's 30-minute interview was conducted virtually, not in person, from Mar-a-Lago, with attorney Todd Blanche at his side, the Associated Press reported.

In New York, probation officers talk to the defendant and the prosecutor in separate pre-sentencing interviews in preparation for what's known as a pre-sentencing report.

These reports are important because they recommend to the judge what punishment would be appropriate.

Trump is due to be sentenced on July 11 for last month's conviction in Manhattan on 34 counts of falsifying business records in the so-called "hush-money" case.

"All people convicted of crimes should be allowed counsel in their probation interview, not just billionaires," four New York City-based public-defender organizations said in a joint statement Monday.

"This is just another example of our two-tiered system of justice," said the statement, issued by The Legal Aid Society, The Bronx Defenders, New York County Defender Services, and Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem.

Trump is not getting preferential treatment by being allowed to do his interview via video and with his lawyer, a city spokeswoman told Business Insider.

"It's common — it's not unusual, and it's been an option from even before COVID," Ivette Davila-Richards, a deputy press secretary for the mayor's office, said of Trump's virtual interview. "No exceptions are being made because it's President Trump," she added.

It is true that defendants who are locked up while awaiting sentencing typically do pre-sentencing interviews via video, defense lawyers told Business Insider.

But defendants like Trump, who are at liberty, are almost always required to appear alone and in person for their probation interviews, lawyers told BI.

Trump was able to have attorney Todd Blanche at his side only through the most uncommon of circumstances, attorneys also complained.

The trial judge, New York Supreme Court Justice Manhattan Juan Merchan, on Friday ordered probation to allow Blanche to attend Trump's interview after prosecutors did not fight the request, court filings show.

"I've never been present at a probation interview," said veteran Legal Aid attorney Sam Roberts. He estimated he's had well over 3,000 clients do these interviews.

"In fairness, at least when clients are detained pending sentence, it will be a procedural nightmare to permit attorneys to attend," said Thomas Eddy, an attorney from Rochester, New York, who is fighting the no-counsel rule on the appellate level.

He shared with Business Insider 2023 emails in which probation and court officials say it's policy for defendants to be interviewed without their lawyers unless there's an exceptional need for counsel to be present.

"Defendants are prejudiced daily by damaging statements they make without counsel present," Eddy said.

A negative probation report can hurt an inmate as they seek a lower security level, work release, and parole, he said.

"How much trouble do you think Trump would get into today if Blanche wasn't there to muzzle him?" Eddy asked.

• A cybersecurity expert warns against oversharing with AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Google's Gemini.
• Chat data can be used to train generative AI and can make personal data searchable.
• Many companies lack AI policies, leading employees to unknowingly risk confidential information.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Sebastian Gierlinger, vice president of engineering at Storyblok, a content management system company of 240 employees based in Austria. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I'm a security expert and a vice president of engineering at a content management system company, which has Netflix, Tesla, and Adidas among its clients.

I think that artificial intelligence and its most recent developments are a boon to work processes, but the newer capabilities of these generative AI chatbots also require more care and awareness.

Here are four things I would keep in mind when interacting with AI chatbots like OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google's Gemini, Anthropic's Claude, or Perplexity AI.

Liken it to using social media

An important thing to remember when using these chatbots is that the conversation is not only between you and the AI.

I use ChatGPT and similar large language models myself for holiday suggestions and type prompts like: "Hey, what are great sunny locations in May with decent beaches and at least 25 degrees."

But problems can come up if I am too specific. The company can use these details to train the next model and someone could ask the new system details about me, and parts of my life become searchable.

The same is true for sharing details about your finances or net worth with these LLMs. While we haven't seen a case where this has happened, personal details being fed into the system, and then revealed in searches would be the worst outcome.

There could already be models where they are able to calculate your net worth based on where you live, what industry you are in, and spare details about your parents and your lifestyle. That's probably enough to calculate your net worth and if you are a viable target or not for scams, for example.

If you are in doubt about what details to share, ask yourself if you would post it on Facebook. If your answer is no, then don't upload it to the LLM.

Follow company AI guidelines

As using AI in the workplace becomes common for tasks like coding or analysis, it is crucial to follow your company's AI policy.

For example, my company has a list of confidential items that we are not allowed to upload to any chatbot or LLM. This includes information like salaries, information on employees, and financial performance.

We do this because we don't want somebody to type in prompts like "What is Storyblok's business strategy" and ChatGPT proceeds to spit out "Story Block is currently working on 10 new opportunities, which is company 1, 2, 3, 4, and they are expecting a revenue of X, Y, Z dollars in the next quarter." That would be a huge problem for us.

For coding, we have a policy that AI like Microsoft's Copilot cannot be held responsible for any code. All code produced by AI must be checked by a human developer before it is stored in our repository.

Using LLMs with caution at work

In reality, about 75% of companies don't have an AI policy yet. Many employers have also not subscribed to corporate AI subscriptions and have just told their employees: "Hey, you're not allowed to use AI at work."

But people resort to using AI with their private accounts because people are people.

This is when being careful about what you input into an LLM becomes important.

In the past, there was no real reason to upload company data to a random website. But now, employees in finance or consulting who would like to analyze a budget, for example, could easily upload company or client numbers into ChatGPT or another platform and ask it questions. They would be giving up confidential data without even realizing it.

Differentiate between chatbots

It is also important to differentiate between AI chatbots since they are not all built the same.

When I use ChatGPT, I trust that OpenAI and everyone involved in its supply chain do their best to ensure cybersecurity and that my data won't leak to bad actors. I trust OpenAI at the moment.

The most dangerous AI chatbots, in my opinion, are the ones that are homegrown. They are found on airline or doctors' websites and they may not be investing in all the security updates.

For example, a doctor may include a chatbot on his website to do an initial triage, and the user may start inserting very personal health data that could let others know of their illnesses if the data is breached.

As AI chatbots become more humanlike, we are swayed to share more and open up to topics we would not have before. As a general rule of thumb, I would urge people not to blindly use every chatbot they come across, and stay away from being too specific regardless of which LLM they are talking to.

Do you work in tech or cybersecurity and have a story to share about your experience using AI? Get in touch with this reporter: shubhangigoel@insider.com.

• Evelyn Pech-Vazquez became worried about Michigan's lack of diversity and how it would impact her four children.
• She and her husband decided to sell their Michigan house — along with seven rental homes — for a profit of $177,000.
• In California, they can only afford a two-bedroom apartment but say the benefits outweigh the higher cost of living. 

We were on vacation in Florida, having breakfast in the hotel, when my 5-year-old son made an observation that left me speechless: "Mama, no somos los únicos hablando Español."

It was true. That morning we were surrounded by a lot of other people also speaking Spanish — a mix of Mexican, Cuban, and Puerto Rican accents could be heard in the background. Three other guests had even joined our large table, as no other seats were available. My son was surprised to see them bow their heads when we said grace, as salsa music played in the background.

My son's reaction reminded me of the importance of diversity and had me questioning the sense of community back home in Lansing, Michigan. After returning home, he continued to ask why no one spoke Spanish in our neighborhood, and I felt sad, explaining that Orlando had more people from different countries.

The lack of diversity prompted us to leave Michigan

We never intended to stay in Michigan as long as we did. We also didn't realize that the lack of diversity would have a noticeable impact on our children. It took my son's comment to realize we needed to leave.

My husband is from Yucatan, Mexico; my father is from Cameroon, and I grew up in Cleveland, where my mother was born.

I saw that my four children were the only bilingual kids in the neighborhood. As they got older, it got harder for them to appreciate speaking two languages and they constantly fought our efforts.

In addition to not having other bilingual friends, I began to see something else very disconcerting. My children, who had spent their entire lives in the same town, were becoming close-minded. There was a common belief in our area that one had all they'd need in their own community, and few had any interest in discovering the outside world.

It was scary to think that all my efforts to diversify them — traveling, living briefly in Mexico, and speaking multiple languages — would be wasted simply because of the surrounding culture. It took five more years for us to leave, but when the pandemic shook the world and presented an unexpected opportunity, my husband and I seized it.

After selling our house and rental properties, we made the move

We sold seven rental homes and our main residence with the goal of buying a house in California and broadening our children's horizons.

In April 2021, we moved 3,000 miles west to a small town in Southern California. The increase in diversity was apparent from the start. In my daughter's first year of kindergarten, she made several bilingual friends. I was surprised by how many kids spoke Spanish, not to mention the long list of other languages.

In our new home in Simi Valley, 40 miles from Downtown Los Angeles, the demographic for Hispanic or Latino residents is 26.2%, nearly double that of Michigan's state capital, per the United States Census Bureau.

I'll never forget the first day my oldest, now 20, came home excitedly from his job at McDonald's and said he was helping train a new employee who only spoke Spanish. This was coming from the boy who had complained about being forced to speak Spanish for years.

For the first time, he looked proud to be bilingual. All three of the younger kids have had similar experiences, whether it was helping translate for a new immigrant in class or speaking Spanish for fun with bilingual friends.

Housing prices made it hard, but we have no regrets

Three years in, we are still paying $2,600 for a two-bedroom, one-bath apartment, evidence of the biggest challenge we've faced: housing. With the profits of eight Midwestern houses, adding up to $177,000, we still don't have enough to buy a home. Zillow listed the average home value in Simi Valley as $846,159. Many of these houses are half the size of our place back in Michigan.

One pleasant surprise was that our high-school graduates might qualify for two years of free community college through the California Promise Program, which waives first-time students' enrollment fees and, in some cases, tuition, as well. This was great news for our big family.

Overall, the sacrifices we made to move to Southern California were worth the benefits of living in a melting pot. We would do it all over again.

Got a personal essay about culture shock or relocating a family that you want to share? Get in touch with the editor: akarplus@businessinsider.com.

• Apple gave a highly anticipated announcement on its AI work at WWDC on Monday.
• The company introduced Apple Intelligence
• From summarizing messages to generating images, here are some of the coolest things it can do.

Apple finally showed off its contribution to the AI wars, and there are some pretty cool use cases for it.

The company made a splash with its AI announcement for Apple Intelligence during a keynote Monday at its annual WWDC event. CEO Tim Cook called Apple Intelligence "the new personal intelligence system that makes your most personal products even more useful and delightful."

Apple Intelligence can be used across iPhones, iPads, and Macs. On your phone, for example, it can organize notifications by priority to make sure you don't miss something important. New writing tools available through Apple Intelligence can also help rewrite, proofread, and summarize text for you across apps like Mail, Notes, and Safari.

Apple Intelligence can also lend a hand when it comes to image generation, another hot frontier for the AI race. You can create personalized images to add to your conversations in one of three styles — sketch, illustration, or animation.

One example shown in the demo highlights that Photos learns to recognize people regularly in your pictures. For example, it can create an image of your friend blowing out candles that you can send when you wish them a happy birthday.

This works in apps like Messages, Notes, Freeform, Keynote, and Pages.

Apple Intelligence can also help with tasks that require knowledge of your "personal context," said Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of software engineering.

"Apple Intelligence is grounded in your personal information and context, with the ability to retrieve and analyze the most relevant data from across your apps as well as to reference the content on your screen like an email or calendar event you're looking at."

As an example, Federighi imagined a meeting was rescheduled and he was wondering if it'd prevent him from getting to his daughter's play on time.

Apple Intelligence can "understand who my daughter is, the play details she sent several days ago, the time and location for my meeting, and predicted traffic between my office and the theater," he said in the demo.

Apple Intelligence will also open up a new world of possibilities for Siri, said Kelsey Peterson, Apple's director of machine learning and AI.

It'll allow you to speak more conversationally with Siri; if you stumble on your words or accidentally misspeak before correcting yourself, Siri will still understand what you mean.

Siri will also maintain conversational context, so you can follow up in a conversation without having to spell everything out for Siri again in each question or command you give.

If you don't want to talk to Siri, you'll be able to double-tap at the bottom of your screen and type your questions or commands in there.

In addition, you can ask Siri questions about settings or features on your iPhone, even if you don't know their specific name, and she'll show you the answer or relevant result in the iPhone User Guide.

Apple Intelligence will also give Siri on-screen awareness to understand and act upon what's on your screen.

If a friend texts you his new address, for example, you can tell Siri from the Messages app, "Add this address to his contact card." Siri will take the address from the message on-screen, as well as the name of your friend, and carry out the task.

In the demo, Siri was also able to handle a request to "show me my photos of Stacey in New York wearing her pink coat" and surface the photos.

• Apple unveiled iOS 18 at its Worldwide Developers Conference, featuring major updates.
• iOS 18 includes a new home screen design, enhanced iMessage features, and a revamped Photos App.
• Other updates include hiker-friendly Apple Maps and a new tapping feature in Apple Wallet.

Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference took place on June 10, and it included some pretty big updates.

The tech giant unveiled updates to a wide range of apps and features, including Mail, Photos, iMessage, and Apple Wallet. As expected, Apple also revealed some new updates to its generative artificial intelligence efforts.

Apple's iPhone operating system, iOS 18, was a major topic of discussion at the event, and it's expected to be released later this year.

Here are some of the changes we're most excited about iOS 18.

A new home screen design

Apple iOS 18 will let you customize your home screen wallpaper, app icons, and widgets. Users will be able to move their widgets to better fit their backgrounds, rather than lining them up from the top and filling each space before creating a new row.

The update also offers a new customization sheet that lets you tint app icons with different colors. It also added Dark Mode, which tints apps.

iMessage is becoming more interactive

Director of internet technologies product marketing Ronak Shah said this is a "huge year for Tapbacks." iOS 18 will now allow users to tap back on a message with any emoji or sticker. The update brings it closer to other messaging platforms like Google Chat, Slack, or WhatsApp.

The new update also lets you schedule messages in advance, which is a popular feature on apps like Slack.

You'll also have more ways to express tone over text with the ability to bold, italicize, underline, or strikethrough any text. You can also visually amplify messages with text effects like making them jitter, bloom, or shake. Shah said some words and phrases will automatically suggest a text effect, so you can quickly select it.

You can cut down on time spent searching for photos

Apple is bringing its biggest redesign to Photos with iOS 18, according to senior vice president of software engineering Craig Federighi. The app will be unified into a single view with a photo grid at the top and your library organized by theme at the bottom.

With the new update, you can declutter your app from things like screenshots by filtering them out. You can also select months or years to quickly jump to specific dates.

Collections organizes your photos into specific topics, such as Recent Days, People and Pets, and Trips. You can also pin specific collections that are most important to you or that you plan to access frequently.

No one has to see that app you have

Apple is offering new ways to improve app privacy with iOS 18, and one of the new features lets you add apps to a locked folder to keep others from seeing them on your phone.

The update also allows you to require Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode to access certain apps. Information from inside the app will also be hidden from other places in the system, like search, notifications, or call history.

Tap to exchange Apple Cash

Apple Pay just gained a leg up on Venmo and Zelle. The new Tap to Cash update makes transactions more seamless than ever by allowing users to exchange Apple cash with each other without sharing a phone number or email address. All you have to do is hold your iPhone against another to send a payment to it.

Apple Maps is becoming more hiker-friendly

Apple Maps will have topographic maps with detailed trail networks and hiking routes with iOS 18. The new update includes all 63 US national parks. It can be saved to your phone and accessed offline while you're in a remote area. It offers turn-by-turn voice guidance to give you directions along the way.

Apple Intelligence

Apple will be integrating a much-anticipated generative AI system into iOS 18. The new technology "harnesses the power of Apple silicon" to "create language and images, take action across apps, and draw from personal context to simplify and accelerate everyday tasks," Apple said in a statement.

The update will give Siri a new look that has an "elegant glowing light" that wraps around the edge of your screen. The tool will have better language understanding capabilities. It will also add systemwide Writing Tools and Image Playground, which lets users create playful images and use them in messages.

Apple also announced its partnership with OpenAI, which will let users opt into integrating ChatGPT into Apple's software. This will allow users to use ChatGPT through Siri or when completing tasks within apps on their iPhone.

• 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.