When it comes to the top streaming platforms of 2024, one of the services that always makes it to the top of our “favorite service” lists is Disney+. In fact, you’ll find that Disney’s cinematic and episodic content is some of the most talked-about programming, especially with popular series like The Mandalorian rocking our screens. And while it’s not too often that we see great offers for streaming services (we do our best to highlight the best streaming devices when we find them), there was no way we weren’t going to shine a light on the following promo:
For a limited time, any Disney+ gift card that you purchase at Best Buy — be it online or in-store — is 10% off.
For those unaware, Disney+ is home to far more than just Disney-centric movies and shows. You’ll find content on the platform from studios including Pixar, Lucasfilm, Marvel, National Geographic, and 21st Century Fox. Disney owns these once-separate entities outright, so if you’re looking for an end-all-be-all streaming hub for everything from The Simpsons to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, you’ve come to the right place.
Disney+ is available on just about every smart TV and streaming device in 2024. While certain plan benefits are locked behind a paywall (Disney+ pricing currently starts at $2 per month for ad-supported memberships as part of a rare deal), Disney+ Premium memberships start at $14 per month (increasing to $16 per month on October 17) and include:
Even the $2 per month Disney+ Basic plan is a great deal, though the price is increasing to $10 per month on October 17. At this tier, you’ll get multi-device streaming, along with 5.1 audio support. Disney+ is also one of the top streaming platforms for 4K HDR content, allowing you and yours to enjoy some of your favorite movies on a bright screen with rich colors.
It’s hard to say how long this Disney+ offer is going to last, and we don’t see many Best Buy deals like this one. Take 10% off your purchase of a Disney+ gift card (online or in stores) when you order through Best Buy, and be sure to check out some of the best Disney+ deals we’ve been finding.
Some of the best shots in Grok Imagine’s AI-made Odyssey don’t contain actors. Ancient landscapes stretch into the distance. Close-ups of grimy hands suggest people who have touched something rougher than a keyboard. For a few seconds, the illusion holds.
https://twitter.com/imagine/status/2113712964419063911
YouTube videos could soon look better without eating quite so much data, right? Thankfully, the platform plans to introduce a new video format called AV2 on its web player in early 2027, promising more efficient streaming and potentially fewer playback hiccups on slower internet connections. The big headline is a roughly 30% improvement in compression efficiency over AV1, YouTube's existing video format. That doesn't guarantee every video will use 30% less data, but it could make streaming a little easier on both internet connections and data allowances.
What is AV2, and why should viewers care?
YouTube is changing how its Home page works, giving viewers more control over what shows up there and making some of the app’s most-used sections easier to reach. Custom Feeds are now replacing the existing topic chips for eligible users, while YouTube is also testing a redesigned top bar on mobile that moves Subscriptions closer to the Home feed.
YouTube first started experimenting with Custom Feeds earlier this year, letting you type out what you wanted to watch and turning that request into its own stream of recommendations. Now, the feature is starting to look less like a side experiment and more like something YouTube actually wants people to use as part of their everyday Home page.