Best Smartphone Apps to Buy in December 2025
Roku Streaming Stick HD 2025 — HD Streaming Device for TV with Roku Voice Remote, Free & Live TV
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STREAM EFFORTLESSLY: ENJOY HD STREAMING WITH POPULAR APPS AND FREE CONTENT.
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COMPACT DESIGN: SLEEK ROKU STICK WON’T BLOCK HDMI PORTS; NO CLUTTER!
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ONE REMOTE CONTROL: EASILY MANAGE TV, VOLUME, AND ROKU WITH VOICE COMMANDS.
GE Backlit Universal Remote Control for Samsung, Vizio, LG, Sony, Sharp, Roku, Apple TV, RCA, Panasonic, Smart TV, Streaming Players, Blu-Ray, DVD, 4-Device, Black, 40081 Black, Backlit
- CONTROL UP TO 4 DEVICES EFFORTLESSLY WITH ONE UNIVERSAL REMOTE!
- EXTENSIVE CODE LIBRARY: WORKS WITH ALL MAJOR AUDIO/VIDEO BRANDS!
- EASY SETUP WITH BACKLIT DESIGN FOR USE IN ANY LIGHTING!
Roku Streaming Stick 4K - HDR & Dolby Vision Roku Streaming Device for TV with Voice Remote & Long-Range Wi-Fi - Free & Live TV
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STUNNING 4K & DOLBY VISION: EXPERIENCE LIFELIKE CLARITY NOW!
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SEAMLESS STREAMING: WATCH ANYWHERE WITH LONG-RANGE WI-FI!
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ALL-IN-ONE REMOTE: CONTROL TV & ROKU EFFORTLESSLY WITH YOUR VOICE!
Roku Streaming Stick Plus 2025 - 4K & HDR Roku Streaming Device for TV with Voice Remote - Free & Live TV
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STREAM 500+ LIVE TV CHANNELS FREE-NEWS, SPORTS, AND MORE!
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ENJOY STUNNING 4K PICTURE QUALITY AND VIVID HDR FOR FAVORITE SHOWS.
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CONTROL EVERYTHING EASILY WITH ONE REMOTE AND VOICE SEARCH!
Apexnark Universal Voice Remote Control for Streaming Devices (2nd, 3rd, 4K, Max, HD, 2020 Release) – Compatible with Pioneer Series Smart TVs, Media Players (Lite, Cube), and Universal Controllers
- UNIVERSAL COMPATIBILITY: WORKS SEAMLESSLY WITH MAJOR STREAMING DEVICES.
- VOICE CONTROL & SHORTCUTS: ENJOY HANDS-FREE NAVIGATION AND QUICK ACCESS.
- SIMPLE PAIRING PROCESS: EFFORTLESSLY SYNC WITH YOUR DEVICES IN MINUTES.
RCA Universal Rechargeable 4-Device Streaming Remote Control – for TV, Audio, Soundbar, Streaming Devices, Ultra-Slim, Rechargeable, Quick Access Keys
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SAVE MONEY: USB-C RECHARGEABLE EVERY 8-10 MONTHS; CABLE INCLUDED!
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OPTIMIZED FOR STREAMING: COMPATIBLE WITH ROKU, APPLE TV, FIRE TV.
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QUICK ACCESS KEYS: INSTANTLY LAUNCH NETFLIX, DISNEY+, HULU, YOUTUBE!
ONN Android TV 4K UHD Streaming Device with Voice Remote Control Google Assistant & High Speed HDMI Cable (100026240) Black
- EXPERIENCE STUNNING VISUALS WITH 4K ULTRA HD RESOLUTION!
- ACCESS LIMITLESS APPS AND CONTENT WITH ANDROID TV CAPABILITIES.
- SIMPLIFY ENTERTAINMENT WITH VOICE CONTROL AND BUILT-IN CHROMECAST.
GE Universal Remote Control, Samsung TV Remote,Universal TV Remote for Roku TV, Vizio, LG, Sony, Sharp, Roku, Apple TV, TCL, Panasonic, Smart TVs, Streaming Players, Blu-ray, DVD, 4-Device, Gold,48845
- CONTROL UP TO 4 DEVICES EFFORTLESSLY WITH ONE UNIVERSAL REMOTE.
- COMPATIBLE WITH MAJOR BRANDS; LATEST DEVICES SUPPORTED.
- STYLISH BACKLIT DESIGN FOR EASY USE IN ANY LIGHTING.
To control a streaming device with a smartphone or tablet, you first need to ensure that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Once that is confirmed, download the corresponding app for your streaming device on your smartphone or tablet. Open the app and follow the instructions to link it with your streaming device.
Using the app on your smartphone or tablet, you can navigate through menus, search for content, adjust settings, and control playback. Some apps also offer additional features like voice control and the ability to cast content from your mobile device to the streaming device.
In order for the control to work seamlessly, make sure both devices are within a reasonable range of each other and have a stable internet connection. With the app on your smartphone or tablet, you can enjoy the convenience of controlling your streaming device from the palm of your hand.
What is the benefit of controlling a streaming device with a smartphone?
Controlling a streaming device with a smartphone offers several benefits, including:
- Convenience: Using a smartphone to control a streaming device allows users to easily navigate through menus, search for content, and adjust settings without the need to use a separate remote control.
- Portability: With a smartphone, users can control their streaming device from anywhere within the range of their Wi-Fi network, making it easy to play, pause, or adjust content from different rooms in their home.
- Enhanced functionality: Many streaming device apps offer additional features and functionalities that are not available on a standard remote control, such as voice search, text input, and personalized recommendations.
- Integration with other smart devices: By using a smartphone to control a streaming device, users can easily integrate their streaming experience with other smart home devices and services, creating a more seamless and connected entertainment system.
How to customize the controls of a streaming device on a smartphone?
To customize the controls of a streaming device on a smartphone, follow these steps:
- Open the app for the streaming device on your smartphone.
- Look for the settings or preferences section within the app.
- Find the option for customizing controls or remote settings.
- Within this section, you may be able to rearrange the layout of the controls, change the size or color of the buttons, or assign different functions to specific buttons.
- Make the desired changes to the controls based on your preferences.
- Save your changes or settings before exiting the menu.
- Test out the new control layout to ensure it works as you intended.
- If you are not satisfied with the changes, you can always go back to the settings and make further adjustments.
Please note that the ability to customize controls may vary depending on the streaming device and app you are using. Make sure to explore the settings and preferences to see what options are available for customization.
How to optimize streaming quality on a smartphone?
- Use a strong and stable internet connection: To optimize streaming quality on your smartphone, make sure you have a strong and stable internet connection. Connect to Wi-Fi when possible, as it is typically faster and more reliable than a cellular data connection.
- Close background apps: Close any unnecessary apps running in the background on your smartphone to free up processing power and memory, which can help improve streaming quality.
- Adjust video quality settings: Most streaming apps and services allow you to adjust the video quality settings to a higher or lower resolution. Consider lowering the video quality if you are experiencing buffering or lag, or increase the quality for a better viewing experience.
- Update your smartphone and streaming apps: Make sure your smartphone's operating system and streaming apps are up to date. Updates often include performance improvements that can help optimize streaming quality.
- Clear cache and cookies: Clearing the cache and cookies on your smartphone can help improve streaming performance by removing unnecessary temporary files that may be slowing down the device.
- Use a VPN: If you are experiencing geo-restrictions or slow streaming speeds due to your location, consider using a virtual private network (VPN) to bypass these restrictions and improve streaming quality.
- Use a video optimization tool: Some smartphones have built-in video optimization tools that can help improve streaming quality by adjusting settings such as resolution, frame rate, and bitrate.
- Adjust screen brightness and display settings: Adjusting the screen brightness and display settings on your smartphone can help improve streaming quality by reducing glare and optimizing contrast for better viewing.
- Use an external streaming device: Consider using an external streaming device, such as a Chromecast or Apple TV, to stream content on your smartphone to a larger screen with better audio and video quality.