Skip to main content

Could this Android-powered 1080p webcam replace your Roku, Apple TV?

android powered 1080p webcam replace roku apple tv fhp
Image used with permission by copyright holder
All the Haginas brothers wanted to do was create a device that would let health and wellness professionals work remotely with their clients; in their own living rooms, through video conferencing. But as the two Miami Beach, Florida fitness buffs soon learned, their brainchild was going to need more high-power hardware than either of them had originally estimated. What was first born as the Reshape project, soon morphed into the TVPRO, a full-on, Android-powered smart TV system, built into a 1080p HD webcam, and armed with enough processing power to make your tablet jealous.

Imagine having the power to watch movies and TV shows from Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Instant, and VUDU,  stream music from your favorite Internet music services like Pandora and Spotify, and make video calls to friends and family, all through a high-definition webcam placed on or near your television – that’s the TVPRO in a nutshell.

The device is equipped with a quad-core processor for speedy navigation and app loading, dual noise-cancelling microphones, and a couple of speakers for autonomous video calls with displays that may not have their own built-in speakers. Control is leveraged through an “air mouse” with a full QWERTY keyboard for easier text entry and web browsing. Apps? Take your pick from the Google Play store.

Sounds pretty cool, right? Here’s the catch, though: The TVPRO is just a Kickstarter project at the moment and it needs quite a bit more funding before it will become a reality. At the time of this writing, the project still needs $121,000 with just 26 days left to go. If this looks like the kind of device you’d like to see in your bonus room or home gym, you’ll need to crack open your wallet. $140 will secure you one of the first TVPROs available, though smaller and larger donations are accepted.

The 12 best Connecticut cigars I’ve tried and tested in 2024
Best Connecticut cigars up close and personal

Connecticut cigars are the clear winner for smoking on a hot summer day, in the morning with some coffee, or when you just don't want a swift kick in the teeth (of pepper). There's no shortage of options, either. Connecticut shade wrappers are one of the most prevalent in the world of cigars, and it's certainly the most common natural shade. Maduro is also popular, but the two wrapper types couldn't be any more different. Connecticut wrappers, and by proxy Connecticut cigars, are typically mild to medium in strength and brimming with creamy, smooth flavors. They're composed of tobacco leaves grown in the Connecticut River Valley in the United States -- which is where the name Connecticut comes from. Consistent and flavorful, some of the best beginner-friendly cigars are Connecticut-wrapped, but you should never sell them short. A Connecticut shade cigar can be just as refined, elegant, and premium as any other. If you know where to look, you may even find some of your favorite blends in the category across a wide range of brands and cigar makers.

I'm about to take you on a magical, doughy, and delicious trek through the broad range of Connecticut cigars. In short, here are the best Connecticut cigars tried and tested by a genuine enthusiast of the craft: yours truly.
The best Connecticut cigars I've tried and tested
While the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper is considered a Connecticut shade, I did my best to steer clear of recommending them for this list. They're better classified as a Maduro shade or darker cigar. That doesn't mean you should avoid them, quite the contrary. But for this list, I wanted to stick to smooth, relaxing smokes that are strong on flavor but not quite so strong on pepper and spice. I also tried not to choose a lot of repeats. If you see your favorite cigar missing, that might be because it was recommended on another list or it just didn't make the cut. If you have any recommendations of your own, I'm always available through social media or email. Without further ado, let's get this thing started.
Aganorsa Leaf Connecticut

Read more
This is when the Hulu, ESPN+, Disney+ password sharing crackdown starts
The Disney Plus sign-up menu is displayed

The era of password sharing is slowly but surely coming to an end. Netflix has already begun cracking down on people sharing passwords across households, and now, other streaming services are following suit. Before 2024 is over, Disney Plus password sharing will be a thing of the past.

Disney's streaming services are now preparing to crack down on those who are sharing passwords, and the consequences for doing so could be severe. Users across Hulu, Disney Plus, and ESPN Plus will be warned about password sharing, and if they don't Disney CEO Bob Iger even laid out a timeline for when the crackdown will start, although he didn't get into too many specifics.
Bob Iger says Disney will start its password-sharing crackdown over the summer

Read more
Reacher season 3: Everything we know so far
Get up to date on Reacher season 3!
Alan Ritchson in Reacher.

The era of Jack Ryan may be over, but Reacher is carrying on as one of the best shows on Amazon Prime Video. This action thriller is based upon Lee Child's Jack Reacher novels, which previously featured Tom Cruise in the leading role of two different movies. But for Prime Video, Alan Ritchson has stepped into the role of Jack Reacher, a former member of the United States Army Military Police Corps who drifts from town to town and takes justice into his own hands when the local law enforcement isn't enough.

Prime Video didn't waste any time before renewing Reacher for a third season last year. And while new episodes are still several months away, we're sharing everything we know about Reacher season 3.
Which Reacher novel will season 3 be based on?

Read more