Technology
Roku is getting serious about making TVs that look great
Roku announced its first self-branded TVs at CES last year, and as expected, the main emphasis was on budget pricing and providing a solid, dependable product. Above all else, the Roku Select and Plus Series TVs were a vehicle for getting Roku’s software into even more homes. But the first-party Roku TVs fell a bit flat in terms of picture quality compared to sets from TCL, Hisense, and other TV makers that play in the same pricing territory. They were fine but unexceptional.
For 2024, Roku hopes to step up its video chops with a new Pro lineup of TVs due to ship later this year. The Roku Pro TVs will come in 55-inch, 65-inch, and 75-inch sizes for “retail prices under $1,500.” They’ll feature Mini LED local dimming for improved contrast and deeper blacks. The company also says it’ll offer a unique mount for these models “that marries both design and functionality” and allows the Roku Pro sets to rest flat against the wall.
As is becoming a theme this year, Roku says these TVs will also leverage AI to automatically adjust picture and audio settings based on the specific content you’re viewing. Roku’s research shows that over 90 percent of customers never change their picture modes at all, so now the company is going to handle that duty itself. A new Smart Picture feature will detect the content on-screen and automatically optimize the image settings to make it look its best. (Roku Smart Picture will also be coming to third-party Roku TVs this year; it’s not just limited to Roku’s own hardware.)
Roku’s customers have streamed billions of hours’ worth of content on the platform, and the company says this has given it a wealth of data and expertise when it comes to video processing, bit rate optimization, and so on. If you’re wondering about motion smoothing, it’s on by default, but whenever Roku Smart Picture detects cinematic content it’ll turn off the smoothing automatically.
Like its first wave of TVs, the Roku Pro sets are designed in-house but manufactured by an OEM partner. There are only so many companies churning out panels and TV hardware nowadays, so I’m sure Roku’s partner will quickly be identified once the TVs start shipping in the spring. Unfortunately, Roku is staying pretty tight-lipped about other hardware features and the tech specs until closer to launch. Can they do 120Hz and VRR? One would hope so with the “Pro” label, but we’ll have to wait a couple more months to find out the whole story.
My biggest question is how the Roku Pro TVs will stack up against the first OLED Roku TV, made by Sharp, that was announced in November. But the OLED comes at a premium, with the 55-inch model starting at $1,500. And once you’re spending more than that, are you still shopping Roku TVs in the first place?
Technology
YouTube made its video player easier to navigate on TVs
The YouTube watch screen has been given a new look on TVs. The redesign aims to provide a “more intuitive experience with easier navigation,” according to YouTube’s announcement, relocating the video title and several controls, and adding a new “Description” button to access creator information and other video features.
I’m already seeing the update on my own Nvidia Shield Pro streaming box and native Phillips TV OS, and I do think it makes it easier to find specific video features and controls. My colleague Thomas Ricker says he isn’t seeing the redesign in Apple TV’s YouTube player, however, so they may still be rolling out. These changes are pretty delayed, considering YouTube announced in April that they would arrive “this summer.”
Videos on the YouTube app for TV will now show the title in the top left corner of the screen instead of just above the video scrubber at the bottom of the page, and the title can no longer be clicked to open comments, metadata, and information about the creator. Instead, those controls are now available by clicking the new “Description” button. The channel thumbnail and subscribe function have also been separated into two buttons, with the creator’s thumbnail now taking users directly to their channel.
Controls have been reorganized into distinct groups under the video scrubber: Channel, Description, and Subscribe on the left, Previous, Pause/Play, and Next in the center, and Like, Dislike, Comment, Save, Closed Captions, and Settings placed into two groups on the right. YouTube says the Subscribe button will remain visible to subscribers, adapting to flag pay-gated content or alert users to new live streams. A “Multiview” control has also been added for live sports content, while Music and Premium subscribers will see a new “Display Mode” control.
Technology
Android Emergency Live Video gives 911 eyes on the scene
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Holiday travel and winter storms create risky moments for drivers and families. Stress rises fast during emergencies, and describing the scene to 911 can feel overwhelming.
Now, a new Android feature closes that gap by providing live visual information that helps responders act with speed and accuracy.
If you use an iPhone, Apple offers a similar tool through its Emergency SOS Live Video feature. You can learn how it works right here.
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Android Emergency Live Video gives 911 a secure live view of the scene, so responders understand what is happening right away. (Cyberguy.com)
What Android Emergency Live Video does
Google is rolling out Android Emergency Live Video to give dispatchers a secure view of the scene during an active call or text. A dispatcher can request a live video stream through your phone when it is safe for you to share it. With a single tap, you can stream real-time video that helps responders understand what is happening.
This can help during car accidents, medical emergencies or fast-moving hazards such as wildfire conditions. Live video can also help dispatchers guide you through steps that save lives, such as CPR, until responders arrive.
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How the Android Emergency Live Video feature works
Android designed this tool to work with no setup. When you call or text 911, the dispatcher reviews the situation. If they decide video would help, they will send a request to your phone. You see a clear prompt that lets you choose whether to start the secure stream. The feature uses encryption and gives you full control. You can stop sharing at any moment.
The feature works on Android phones running Android 8 or newer with Google Play services. It is rolling out across the U.S. and select regions in Germany and Mexico. Google plans to expand coverage with more public safety partners.
How to use Emergency Live Video on Android
You cannot turn this feature on in advance. It appears only during an active 911 call or text.
1) Call or text 911 on your Android phone. The dispatcher reviews your situation.
2) Watch for a request on your screen. If the dispatcher decides live video will help, they send a prompt to your device.
3) Tap the notification that appears. You will see a clear message asking if you want to share live video.
4) Choose Share video to start streaming. This opens your camera and begins a secure live feed.
5) Tap Stop sharing at any time. You stay in control the entire time and can end the video at any time.
With one tap, you can choose to share real-time video during a 911 call or text which gives dispatchers the clarity they need to guide you. (CyberGuy.com)
Why Emergency Live Video on Android matters now
Emergencies create confusion. Sharing details verbally takes time and can lead to miscommunication. Video removes guesswork. Responders gain clarity in seconds, which can speed up help and improve outcomes. This tool builds on Android’s safety features, including Satellite SOS, Fall Detection and Car Crash Detection.
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Alastair Breeze, a Software Engineer for Android, tells CyberGuy that the team built this feature with one goal in mind. “Providing people peace of mind is at the core of Android’s safety mission. Android Emergency Live Video gives you the ability to securely share real-time video to provide dispatchers the critical eyes-on-scene context they need to assist in emergencies.”
What this means to you
If you carry an Android phone, this feature adds another layer of protection during moments that demand quick action. You stay in control of when the video is shared. You also get a simple way to show the situation when describing it feels impossible. Faster clarity can lead to faster help, which can shape how an emergency ends.
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The feature works on Android phones running Android 8 or newer and helps responders act faster during emergencies when seconds matter. (Tony Giberson/tgiberson@pnj.com / USA TODAY)
Kurt’s key takeaways
Android Emergency Live Video brings real-time awareness to moments when every second matters. It gives responders a clear view, so they can guide you through urgent steps if necessary. Most of all, it adds peace of mind during situations no one plans for.
Would you feel comfortable sharing live video during an emergency if it helped responders reach you faster? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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Technology
The Game Awards 2025: all the news and announcements
The Game Awards are back once again to showcase a metric ton of commercials, provide the gaming public with their monthly dose of Muppets, and validate gamers’ opinions on which title should be named the Game of the Year. I don’t wanna say it’s a foregone conclusion what this year’s GOTY will be — Silksong may surprise us — but it’s pretty obvious that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the frontrunner and for good reason. It’s netted 12 nominations, the most out of this year’s contenders, including all five craft awards (Direction, Art, Music and Score, Narrative, and Audio Design).
On the announcements side, Crystal Dynamics and Amazon Games are planning something related to the Tomb Raider series. Keighley also probably had plans to reveal big news about Resident Evil: Requiem, but unfortunately it got spoiled early thanks to some leaked key art on the PlayStation Store. Here’s all the news, announcements, and trailers from The Game Awards 2025.
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