Article Image

Software update looks to make the Vizio experience even faster

Vizio smart TVs from 2021 and up (and some from 2020) are about to get a software update that should make the Vizio Home experience a good bit faster.

Vizio today announced an update to its smart TVs that will make an already speedy experience that much faster with a “reimagined” Vizio Home, which saw a rebrand from the old SmartCast in mid-2023 that was largely hailed as a good start toward Vizio reclaiming some of its stature.

Promising a power-up experience that’s twice as fast, as well as improvements when you’re switching between apps, Vizio says the speed increase is due in no small part to advances in its cloud-based architecture.

“Vizio is synonymous with innovation,” Steve Yum, vice president of product management at Vizio, said in a press release. “We are leveraging more than 20 years of TV experience to provide users with value, beyond the initial point of purchase, creating an ever-evolving home entertainment experience. Our commitment to delivering the latest and greatest technology remains unwavering as we introduce the new Vizio Home to users, and we look forward to them experiencing a faster and more responsive platform in the comforts of their homes.”

Here’s what users have to look forward to:

As you’ve probably deduced by now, the usual network caveats will apply. That includes your home network and bandwidth, as well as your overall available internet speed. (Vizio also adds that performance may vary depending on your TV model and which firmware you’re updating to.)

Updates are coming to TVs from Vizio’s 2021 lineup and newer, as well as select TVs from the 2020 line.

Instagram is making its way to yet another screen, and this time, Apple TV is getting a taste of the Reels rabbit hole. The company has launched a dedicated Instagram app for Apple TV, bringing Reels, longer videos, and live shows to the big screen. So, if watching one quick clip on a phone somehow turns into an hour of scrolling, there's now a much larger screen for that.

Instagram brings Reels and more to Apple TV

Audio-Technica, a brand well known for making some of the best studio and professional headphones on the market, has just come out with the ATH-AWX7000, which the company itself claims to be its "finest headphones ever." The new flagship closed-back headphone has debuted at an eye-watering price of $3,799. It combines hand-finished Japanese woodwork with a newly developed 58mm driver.

The earcups are made from Kiso cypress, a prized wood historically used for Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Each housing is finished by hand with traditional Echizen lacquer, which brings out the grain and is expected to darken over time. The frame and sliders are finished in a deep navy kachi-iro shade traditionally associated with samurai.

This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.

Technology evolves every day, transforming how we live and work. Our devices are becoming more than tools we use. They are increasingly capable companions that help streamline day-to-day routines and spark creative ideas. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your tech setup, the Discover Samsung Shopping Event offers an opportunity to explore what connected, AI-powered living can look like.