A new TV?

I wrote a few months back that if you have a smart TV, but it's not a Roku TV, Fire TV, or Android/Google TV, then you should consider getting a streaming device and using that instead. I stand by that recommendation. Let me lay out the case again.

Most TVs today are smart TVs. Not all, but most. The obvious differences of resolution, color, all the things that matter to you, those are the most important things to consider. The smarts inside the TV are not quite as important.

There are four major streaming platforms: Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and Android/Google TV. Any other platform, at least now, are lesser platforms. Don't even consider using a device on another platform. Of those four major streaming platforms, all but Apple TV can be found built in to some smart TVs.

When it's time to get a TV, it doesn't matter if it's a smart TV or not. All that matters is that you are happy with the picture and the price.

If the new TV is one of the Big Three platforms, then you're okay. Well, if you like the platform. Let me explain.

Suppose you are a fan of Fire TV. You've used Fire TV and you like it. Now, suppose you need a new TV, and after doing all your research, you find a TV that you like, except it is an Android/Google TV platform. That's okay. You don't have to switch to Android/Google TV. You can add a Fire TV Stick to it and use that instead.

Likewise, suppose you are a fan of Roku, but the TV you really like is a Fire TV television. All you have to have to do is add a Roku device to it.

In both of those scenarios, you ended up with a TV giving you the picture you want, and the platform you want. That's because of this one basic truth:

You are not locked in to any platform.

Of course, if you really like Roku, and you find a TV that you really like, and it is a Roku TV, then you're fine. But if the TV platform and your favorite platform aren't the same, add a device and use the device instead.

One of the good things about streaming is getting to watch TV you want, when you want. And changing the platform on a TV by simply connecting a device to it lets you watch it how you want. Your Streaming Life can be exactly how you want it to be.