The Archives
Advisorator Archives
Cord Cutting
Every issue of the Advisorator newsletter, dating back to 2018. Want a super-dense list of just the headlines? You’ll find it here.
Stop your phone from waking you at night
September 8, 2026
If your phone has ever woken you up in the middle of the night for no good reason, this guide ... Read More →
Why I just completely wiped my computer
September 1, 2026
There is no computing endeavor quite so satisfying as a full factory reset ... Read More →
Huge cord cutting guide update
August 25, 2026
If you're still clinging to cable or want to save more money on streaming, I've ... Read More →
How to actually use a password manager
August 18, 2026
Password managers are supposed to make your online accounts more secure and easier to access, ... Read More →
My favorite tech tools, wireless plan picker updates
August 11, 2026
Updates to my personal tech setup, wireless plan picker, and ultimate app list ... Read More →
Beware of Apple Upgrade
August 4, 2026
While spreading out the cost of Apple hardware may look attractive, it'll likely cost you ... Read More →
Sell your old electronics already
July 28, 2026
Over the years I've amassed a bunch of ways to get rid of them, usually ... Read More →
Did you know Spotify can do all this?
July 21, 2026
While Spotify aggravates me in some ways, it's also full of features that make listening ... Read More →
Your library’s overlooked tech features
July 14, 2026
All the tech-related services you might be overlooking from your local library, many of which ... Read More →
Just buy the cheapest printer
July 7, 2026
You can spend a lot of money on a printer, but why should you? ... Read More →
How Jeremy Caplan plans his day
June 30, 2026
The apps and gadgets that carry a CUNY journalism professor through his day ... Read More →
Get some Google storage back
June 16, 2026
Easy ways to free up space in Gmail, Google Photos, and Google Drive ... Read More →
Free up your phone’s storage
June 9, 2026
Use these tips to clear out unwanted apps, files, and photos ... Read More →
My storage-saving rampage
June 2, 2026
Useful tools and clear steps to follow that can help reclaim storage space ... Read More →
Treat AI like an unreliable witness
May 27, 2026
AI tools are capable of provide useful information, but you might need to grill them ... Read More →
My fancy iPad is pointless now
May 19, 2026
After trying to replace my laptop with an iPad Pro, it turns out that what ... Read More →
AI is coming for your computer
May 12, 2026
While desktop AI apps can be helpful, they're also a way for AI companies to ... Read More →
Extra antivirus is still overkill
May 5, 2026
Microsoft says you don't need to pay for Windows antivirus. Not everyone agrees ... Read More →
Put your gadgets in their place
April 28, 2026
I was feeling overwhelmed by the assortment of laptops, tablets, and other gadgets accumulating around ... Read More →
My duplicate photo cleaner
April 21, 2026
After failing to find the duplicate photo cleaner of my dreams, I decided to just ... Read More →
Answering your tech questions again
April 14, 2026
What to do with an old Mac, whether the latest phones are worth buying, making ... Read More →
Fixing AirPods problems
April 7, 2026
Make your AirPods calls sound better with these tweaks ... Read More →
Should you be using built-in password managers?
March 31, 2026
The case against built-in password managers is weaker than it once was, even if I'm ... Read More →
Try this instead of Google Chrome (maybe)
March 24, 2026
A great Google Chrome alternative that I'm nonetheless conflicted about ... Read More →
Help with picking a phone plan
March 17, 2026
Find the ideal plan for your needs and figure out what your old phone is ... Read More →
Switching from Google Search
March 10, 2026
How to switch search engines (and why you should) ... Read More →
Stop getting unwanted email
March 3, 2026
Quick and easy ways to get yourself off of bulk mailing lists ... Read More →
Hard times for hardware
February 24, 2026
Companies start to admit that they set prices based on personal data ... Read More →
Don’t get screwed by “surveillance pricing”
February 17, 2026
Companies start to admit that they set prices based on personal data ... Read More →
My secret to remembering people
February 10, 2026
If your brain works like mine, considering having a "People" note ... Read More →
Easy privacy improvements
February 3, 2026
If everyone just took a few minutes to shore up their privacy settings, that feeling ... Read More →
The ultimate guide to ad blocking
January 27, 2026
Use this free software for cleaner and faster web browsing ... Read More →
ChatGPT is about to get worse
January 20, 2026
The pivot to advertising will degrade ChatGPT in both obvious and subtle ways ... Read More →
The future of gadgets
January 13, 2026
A photo tour of tech's biggest industry-only trade show ... Read More →
Rich DeMuro’s favorite apps
January 6, 2026
A guest post from fellow tech journalist Rich DeMuro ... Read More →
Jared’s favorite tech things (2025 edition)
December 22, 2025
A look back on the tech that made a difference for me this year ... Read More →
Tech tricks you might’ve missed
December 16, 2025
Detect scams, look better on Zoom, add alarms to your reminders, and more ... Read More →
Everything I know about stopping spam
December 9, 2025
From spam calls and scam texts to shady emails, here’s how to filter out the ... Read More →
Fly through your computer
December 2, 2025
Raycast can be a bit daunting at first, but it can feel like a superpower ... Read More →
Every cord cutting column I’ve ever written, dating back to 2014. Recent issues of my Cord Cutter Weekly newsletter are available here.
Stop smart TV snooping by LG and others
September 9, 2026
Worried that your smart TV is spying on you? Here's what will help, and what won't ... Read More →
How ad-free streaming became so much less affordable
September 2, 2026
Hopefully it'll save me some money, even if it doesn't last ... Read More →
I just cancelled Netflix and it feels great
August 26, 2026
Hopefully it'll save me some money, even if it doesn't last ... Read More →
Peacock raises prices, but you can still get a deal
August 19, 2026
Never pay full price for Peacock year-round ... Read More →
This digital Blockbuster clone is a beautiful nostalgia trip
August 12, 2026
BingeBuster is neat, though it also kind of misses the point ... Read More →
NFL 2026-2027 streaming guide: It may be cheaper than you think
August 5, 2026
How watch football without paying for more than you need ... Read More →
YouTube is eating TV, and Peacock is the next course
July 29, 2026
Bundling Peacock with YouTube Premium is another step toward subsuming traditional television ... Read More →
Can’t stand Google TV? Make it look like Roku instead
July 22, 2026
Kyu Launcher is one of several ways to simplify your home screen and remove the ... Read More →
Netflix’s plot to become cable hits a wall
July 15, 2026
Earnings are up, but engagement is slowing down. What comes next could get messy ... Read More →
I turned my Plex library into 24/7 streaming channels with this free app
July 8, 2026
With the arrival of NBC channels, the cost is increasing by $9 to $15 per ... Read More →
Fubo quietly raises its prices. Is it still worth considering over YouTube TV?
July 2, 2026
With the arrival of NBC channels, the cost is increasing by $9 to $15 per ... Read More →
Looking for Roku alternatives because of Fox? Here’s the reality.
June 17, 2026
What to expect when Fox buys Roku, and what you can do about it ... Read More →
How to save money on TV without cutting cable
June 11, 2026
Not ready to cut the cord? You can still lower your TV bill in the ... Read More →
Why I avoid subscriptions through Roku and Amazon
June 3, 2026
Just sign up for streaming services on the web instead ... Read More →
Roku’s new home screen is a big change, here’s how to use it
May 27, 2026
The new design emphasizes content over apps, but you can tweak it ... Read More →
Plex Pass’ $750 lifetime price is for suckers
May 20, 2026
If Plex is going to charge that much, it should prove that the investment will ... Read More →
Smart TV or streaming stick?
May 13, 2026
Virtually every new TV is a smart TV now. Here's why you might want a ... Read More →
Google’s video streaming box strategy has backfired
May 6, 2026
Relying on Walmart to sell cheap Google TV streaming dongles was a miscalculation ... Read More →
The new Fire TV OS is for Amazon, not you
April 29, 2026
Amazon's Vega operating system is the future of Fire TV, even though it's currently a ... Read More →
Replacing your expensive TV package with an antenna just got easier
April 22, 2026
Sling's Essentials and Select packages add sought-after sports channels with less bloat than other bundles ... Read More →
Fed up with “Streamflation?” Here’s what you can do.
April 15, 2026
Streaming services keep getting pricier, but there are ways to defray the costs ... Read More →
YouTube TV’s hidden genre plans and how find them
April 8, 2026
These smaller channel bundles can save money if you know where to look ... Read More →
Fire TV’s biggest update in years and how to deal with it
March 25, 2026
Watch the whole tournament for under $20, or spend a bit more for a better ... Read More →
How to stream March Madness the right way
March 18, 2026
Watch the whole tournament for under $20, or spend a bit more for a better ... Read More →
MLB made a mess of baseball streaming. Here’s help.
March 11, 2026
How to watch MLB games in 2026 without losing your sanity ... Read More →
Does Paramount even have a plan for HBO?
March 4, 2026
Paramount's deal to absorb Warner Bros. Discovery leaves a lot of questions unanswered ... Read More →
Are you sharing streaming passwords? Read this first.
February 25, 2026
The moocher's guide to password sharing in 2026 ... Read More →
YouTube TV’s Sports plan is a letdown
February 18, 2026
It could save you money, but don't overlook other options ... Read More →
Netflix gift cards have a catch: You can’t cancel them
February 11, 2026
Disney and Hulu have similar policies, which deplete your gift card balance every month even ... Read More →
FanDuel Sports Network’s collapse is a blessing for baseball fans
February 4, 2026
MLB will take over broadcasts for at least six more teams in 2026. Here's what ... Read More →
Make Google TV look like Apple TV with this free app
January 28, 2026
AT4K Launcher gives you a beautiful streaming home screen with no ads ... Read More →
Streaming prices are out of hand. This app could be the answer.
January 21, 2026
StreamWolf provides one place to manage all your subscriptions, and can cancel them with one ... Read More →
Dolby Vision 2: I finally get it now
January 14, 2026
Understand the new HDR format before it winds up on your next TV ... Read More →
How ATSC 3.0 wants to win over cord cutters this year
January 8, 2026
Cheaper NextGen TV converter boxes and more capable DVRs are coming ... Read More →
Cable TV wants cord cutters back. Should you listen?
December 17, 2025
Comparing Comcast's and Spectrum's TV options with streaming alternatives ... Read More →
What Netflix buying Warner is really about
December 11, 2025
With Warner and HBO, Netflix can fulfill its goal of being a singular source for ... Read More →
2025 Cord-Cutter Awards: Best streaming services, devices & more
December 3, 2025
Here are the streaming developments you can actually feel good about this year ... Read More →
Black Friday streaming deals to avoid
November 26, 2025
What to skip, and what to consider instead ... Read More →
YouTube TV might be different next year
November 19, 2025
The new Disney deal hints at changes to come ... Read More →
Still on YouTube TV? Start looking at cheaper options.
November 12, 2025
Weighing the alternatives as the YouTube-Disney carriage dispute drags on ... Read More →