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Updated September 2026: in 2022, having ruled out the Apple TV 4K on price, I set out why an Android streaming box suited our older TV: good OTT app support and the ability to install extra apps. I have rewritten it into a buyer's guide to Android TV boxes, including safe app installation.

After deciding the Apple TV 4K was too expensive for an older TV, I looked at Android streaming boxes. They were affordable, ran all the major OTT apps, and allowed installing additional apps, which meant the family could watch everything on one box without extra devices.

What are the advantages of an Android TV box?

• Price: good boxes and sticks cost a fraction of premium alternatives.
• App choice: the Google Play Store for TV includes the major Indian and international streaming apps.
• Casting: most support Chromecast from Android phones and many apps.
• Voice search: Google Assistant on the remote finds content across apps.

Should you install apps from outside the Play Store?

Be careful. Installing apps from unknown sources, often called sideloading, is possible on many Android boxes, but such apps may carry malware or offer pirated content. Stick to the Play Store, and to official apps from services you pay for.

How do you choose a good box?

• Pick a certified Google TV or Android TV device, so it gets official apps and updates.
• Check it supports your TV's resolution and HDR format.
• Look for enough storage for your apps; cheap boxes fill up quickly.
• Prefer brands with a record of software updates.

What are the drawbacks?

Cheaper boxes can be slow, show ads on the home screen and stop receiving updates after a year or two. Integration with iPhones is limited. Paying a little more for a reputable device avoids most of these problems.

How do you set it up for the family?

Sign in with a Google account, install the streaming apps you subscribe to, and arrange them on the home screen so the most used ones come first. Turn on parental controls if children use the TV, and use the remote's power and volume control setup so one remote runs everything.

Is it the right choice for an older TV?

For most households, yes. It brings current apps back to an old set at low cost, which is what we needed.

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Updated September 2026: in 2022 I shared my first reaction to Ponniyin Selvan: Part 1: I liked it, but felt characters passed too quickly for anyone who had not read the novel. I have rewritten it into a viewing guide for newcomers, without spoilers.

Mani Ratnam's Ponniyin Selvan: Part 1 was the talk of Tamil Nadu when it released in September 2022, and tickets were hard to get. I enjoyed it, but felt that many characters crossed the screen without introduction. Readers of the novel could follow; others, and even some readers, struggled to keep track.

What is Ponniyin Selvan based on?

Kalki Krishnamurthy's historical novel, first serialised in the 1950s, set in the Chola kingdom of the 10th century. It follows the intrigue around the Chola throne, with a large cast of royals, ministers, spies and conspirators. The film adapts it in two parts; Part 2 released in April 2023.

Which characters should you know before watching?

• Aditha Karikalan: the crown prince, a fierce warrior haunted by his past.
• Arunmozhi Varman: his younger brother, the "Ponniyin Selvan" of the title.
• Kundavai: their sister, sharp and politically astute.
• Vandhiyathevan: a witty messenger whose journey links the story.
• Nandini: a queen at the centre of a conspiracy.

Knowing these five and their relationships makes the first hour far easier to follow.

How can you prepare without reading the novel?

Read a short character guide or family tree, avoiding summaries of Part 2. Watching with subtitles helps even for Tamil speakers, because of the formal dialogue and many names. Some viewers find a second watch rewarding once they know who is who.

Where can you watch it?

Both parts have been available on streaming platforms after their theatrical runs, including in several languages. Check current availability on your streaming apps, as licences change.

Should you watch both parts together?

If you can. Part 1 ends in the middle of the story, and several threads only resolve in Part 2. Watching them within a few days of each other keeps the characters and alliances fresh.

What stands out about the film?

A. R. Rahman's music, the large-scale production and strong performances from a star cast. Its pace and many characters are its challenge, which is why preparation helps.

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Updated September 2026: in 2022 I listed features the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro still lacked compared with Samsung and Google phones, starting with reverse wireless charging for AirPods and Apple Watch. I have rewritten it to show which of those gaps Apple has closed since.

At launch, the iPhone 14 line lacked features some Android flagships already had. Reverse wireless charging, which lets a phone charge earbuds or a watch placed on its back, was the one I most wanted, having seen Samsung offer it for years.

Which gaps has Apple closed?

• USB-C: iPhone 15, in 2023, replaced Lightning with USB-C, and the Pro models gained faster data transfer.
• Charging accessories by cable: USB-C iPhones can charge AirPods or an Apple Watch through a cable from the phone.
• Always-on display: arrived on the 14 Pro and has since spread across more of the range.
• Higher refresh rate: long limited to Pro models, now also on the standard iPhone 17.

Which gaps remain?

Reverse wireless charging is still not offered on iPhone. Some Android phones also offer faster wired charging and more flexible customisation. Whether these matter depends on how you use your phone.

Why does Apple add features later?

Apple tends to wait until a feature fits its design and battery priorities, and often introduces it on Pro models first. Reverse wireless charging is inefficient and drains the phone's battery, which may explain its absence.

How did the iPhone 14 compare at launch?

The base iPhone 14 reused the chip from the iPhone 13 Pro, while the 14 Pro introduced the Dynamic Island and a 48 MP main camera. Rivals from Samsung and Google already offered high refresh rates across their ranges and reverse wireless charging on flagships, which is why the gaps felt sharper in 2022 than they do now.

Should missing features decide your purchase?

Only if you would use them daily. For most people, camera, battery life, software support and how well a phone works with their other devices matter more. A missing feature is a good reason to compare, not automatically a reason to switch.

What is the practical workaround?

For topping up AirPods or a watch on the go, a small power bank or the USB-C cable from the phone does the job. It is less elegant than reverse wireless charging, but it works reliably.

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• Paint Quality and Factory finish: Another disappointing factor while discussing with third-party car service center was that they were promising one year of paint warranty and there was not a single commitment on factory finish output. The warranty on Paint got me suspicious, as I was planning to hold on to my car for few more years and if the paint job was awkward, then the entire repaid job would be useless and had again had to figure out alternative options. 

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