Chromecast vs. Apple TV vs. Roku 3: Which media streamer should you buy?

All three of the most popular streamers have their merits, so we'll help you decide which box is right for you.

CNET - If you're looking to buy a streaming box, it's likely you'll end up choosing between three products: Chromecast, Roku, and Apple TV.

Those aren't the only streaming boxes on the market, but they're by far the most popular and for good reason -- they all come in models under $100 and offer a lot of value for your money. While the Roku 3 remains my favorite streamer and a CNET Editors' Choice, it's not necessarily the best choice for every buyer and the Google Chromecast and Apple TV are compelling alternatives.

So which media streamer is right for you? Let's take a look at all three options.

Roku 3 ($99)

 

Why it's great: Roku 3 is still the best box

If I could recommend just one streaming box, it would be the Roku 3. Here's why:

Over 1,000 apps: Roku is the undisputed winner when it comes to content, with a massive channel library that includes Netflix, Amazon Instant, HBO Go, Hulu Plus, Pandora, Spotify, Rdio, MLB.TV, Amazon Cloud Player, Vudu, PBS, TWC TV, and (finally) YouTube. Roku is often the first to get new channels, plus the company has a good track record of bringing updates to its boxes years after they've been released.   Read More

How to Buy an iPhone 5 Without Losing Your Unlimited Data Plan

Gizmodo - So the iPhone 5 is coming out. Its LTE data speeds mean you'll stand a much better chance of blowing past your data caps, which in turn means those grandfathered Verizon and AT&T unlimited data plans are more precious than ever. Here's how to make sure you don't lose yours.

Don't Order Online

One note before you run off and pre-order tomorrow: Don't. AT&T and Verizon are both notorious for having opaque online tools for carrying over grandfathered plans. That's a bad thing, since if you accidentally ditch your plan, you probably won't get it back. Reps at both stores said that you've really got to be careful, since recovering your unlimited plan is pretty much a lost cause—not totally impossible, just effectively so.
The real benefit of in-store is being able to stop and ask, "Now, you're sure this isn't going to mess with my unlimited plan, right?" You're just sort of left to your own devices online.

Don't Add Anything to Your Plan

Adding anything to your plan, like sharing bandwidth between devices or hotspot capability, will void your unlimited and dump you into a shared, tired plan. So don't splurge on, say, sharing your new iPhone's plan with your tablet's, since that will stick you in a new, limited package. Sorry, you're stuck with the basic data plan if you want to keep unlimited.    More