or desktop to your screen via an inexpensive HDMI cable. |
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I t ' s easy to think of your TV as simply an appliance for watching movies, shows and news bulletins. But today’ s TVs are smart – and versatile. Thanks to internet connectivity, you can install apps or stream video content to use them in ways not usually associated with TVs. Here’ s how.
Cast content
If your mobile device is on the same Wi-Fi network as your TV, you can wirelessly’ cast’ content from your smartphone, tablet or laptop to the big screen.
When you’ re playing a video on a gadget in your lap from a source like YouTube or Netflix, look for a’ cast’ icon( it looks like a small TV screen with a Wi-Fi signal) on the video.
Press the icon, select your TV from the list, and within a second or two the content will appear on the big screen. AirPlay support is also available on many smart TVs, which lets you mirror your iPhone, iPad or Mac on the TV screen.
Use it as a monitor
Would you like to use your TV as a giant computer monitor? Connect your laptop
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It’ s a giant smart speaker
Many smart TVs have a builtin personal assistant, such as Google Assistant, that allows you to use the TV as a voiceenabled smart speaker. By pressing a dedicated button on the remote, you can verbally ask for something to watch, request news headlines or weather info, and control your smart home devices.
Make video calls
While your smart TV likely doesn’ t have a built-in camera, most have a USB port. That means you can plug in a webcam and set it on top of your set. If you install an app like Google Meet or Zoom, many TVs will allow you to video chat with friends and family. It’ s ideal for group calls, since a few people sitting on a couch fit in the frame.
Get gaming
You don’ t need a video game console to play games on your smart TV. Most platforms let you download games( often for free) from the television’ s integrated app store. Then you can play the game using a wireless controller or, for simpler games, the TV remote. Depending on the model of your TV, you may also be able to log in and play popular Xbox games in the cloud( over the internet).
Marc Saltzman is a US-based tech journalist and host of the Tech It Out podcast.
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