Review Geek - Can You Still Buy a "Dumb" TV?

July 21, 2022

Every few months, Review Geek finds a new way to complain about smart TVs. And while I’m biased, I think that these complaints are justified. Smart TVs violate your privacy with aggressive tracking software, they shove advertisements down your throat, and their smart features crap out after just a few months.

But can you still buy a “dumb” TV that doesn’t connect to the internet or run awful software? Check our top story to learn more—you’ll be pleasantly surprised; I promise that much.

Other Highlights:

• Killer smart lighting brand Nanoleaf is running its best sale yet.
• Google employees are about to wander around in public with AR glasses.
• This fan-favorite Samsung smartphone could get canceled in 2022.
• … and more!

-Andrew

Buying a new TV is a trap. You’re forced to pick between thousands of different smart TVs, and they all have the same problems—they spy on you, shove ads down your throat, and run slower than a snail in a pile of boogers. But there’s one way to escape this trap; buy a “dumb” TV. Read More »

The best-known HomeKit brand just debuted a fancy new motion sensor. For just $40, the second-gen Eve Motion adds an integrated light sensor, Thread support, and a more compact design. And better yet, it’s cheaper than the previous model. Read More »

Earlier this year at Google’s annual developer conference, the company gave viewers a short teaser of its upcoming augmented reality glasses. The company hopes its AR tech can open up the world to new experiences, and now, it’ll start publicly field-testing its next-gen wearables later this summer. Read More »

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Nanoleaf is running a massive sale on its starter packs and expansion kits. You can even get some items for more than half off! So, now’s the time to stock up on Nanoleaf’s amazing smart lighting products, including the popular Hexagons and gamer-focused Lines. Read More »

If you want the Galaxy S22 experience, you’ll have to pay full price. Rumors indicate that the upcoming Galaxy S22 FE, a mid-range phone with flagship specs, is canceled. Samsung has reportedly reallocated its supply of Galaxy S22 FE chips for the popular Galaxy S22 Ultra. Read More »

There’s nothing worse than getting a flat tire while you’re out enjoying a nice bike ride. Thankfully, easy repair kits can seal a puncture, rip, or tear in minutes. If you ride on tubeless tires with your downhill, enduro, MTB, or even an e-bike, you’ll want one of these in your repair kit.

The Muc Off no puncture tubeless tire sealant is easy to use, has a UV dye to help you spot the hole and fix it later, and will completely seal a hole up to 6mm in size. That way, you can quickly seal a hole, air up, and get back on the road or trail. Similar to products like Stans, it works for beads and rim gaps. You’ll get a valve core removal tool and a flat sealant bottle that’ll fit in your backpack, all for a low price.

Robotics engineering student Ken Pillonel made headlines last year when he modified an iPhone to charge over USB-C. Now, he’s back to his usual shenanigans by not only repairing a broken AirPods charging case and switching it to USB-C, but he also shared how others can do the same. Read More »

Buying a TV used to be simple. You would decide on a budget, look at how much space you had, and pick a TV based on screen size, definition, and reputation of the manufacturer. Then smart TVs arrived and made everything complicated. Read More »

We’re getting an early look at the future this year. Qualcomm usually shows off its next-gen smartphone SoC in December, but it now confirms that the 2022 Snapdragon Summit launch event begins on November 15th. Read More »

Earlier this year, Netflix confirmed that a cheaper ad-supported plan is coming in 2023. And while at first it didn’t sound too bad and could be great for those on a budget, we’re slowly getting more details, and it’s not looking good. Read More »

While I’ll always be a fan of budget audio devices, I’m usually frustrated by cheap soundbars. They tend to skimp on essential features like HDMI passthrough, often with the assumption that buyers on a budget don’t know any better. But VIZIO’s M215a-J6 soundbar and subwoofer combo is a wonderful exception. Read More »

Portable air conditioners are a lifesaver in certain situations, but they aren’t without shortcomings. Here’s how to buy the right one and get the most comfort for your money. Read More »

Chromebooks may not be as feature-packed as a Windows laptop or MacBook, but they’re still incredibly useful devices. There are probably some features you don’t know about that can extend the functionality of your Chrome OS device. Let’s dive in! Read More »

Though electric vehicle (EV) battery tech is improving, the time it takes to charge an electric car is still viewed as an obstacle to mainstream adoption. To address that concern, some companies built a system that swaps out the battery pack in your EV for a charged one. Read More »