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Effective and cheap, Amazon Fire TV devices (FireStick, Fire TV Cube, etc.) are the solutions that transform your TV into an entertainment hub at an affordable price. Amazon Firestick and Fire TV Cube are the most popular media streaming devices that allows users to stream a wide range of content on their television.

The Amazon platform, which allows access to the Prime Video catalog, as well as many other video streaming platforms, such as Netflix, Apple TV +, YouTube, or even Disney+, the Fire TV devices, offer you more than you can imagine.

Under their apparent simplicity, the Fire TV devices refer to many features that are very often under-exploited, if not completely ignored by users. Discover all that you need to know to have a perfect master of your Fire TV.

If you are tired of using the remote control of your Fire TV, you can always control it from your smartphone. Thanks to the official Fire TV application that Amazon proposes to download on Android and iOS devices.

However, to use your smartphone as a remote, make sure the phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Fire TV. Download and install the Amazon FireTV application on your smartphone.

Open the app and tap on the name of your Fire TV from the application, you will have a virtual remote control on the screen of your smartphone. You can then navigate through the Fire TV menus, with quick access to installed applications. You can also use the virtual keyboard of your smartphone to capture text.

If you are an Apple TV user, you might want to use Apple TV on Firestick. Apple TV has a large library of video content including movies and TV shows. To use Apple TV on Firestick, you need to install the app from the Amazon store.

If you are a previous Apple TV user, you can sign in to the Apple TV app using your Apple ID. If you are a new user, you need to sign up for Apple ID and use it to log in to the Apple TV app. Once you install and login into the Apple TV app, you can start watching your favourite Apple TV content on Firestick.

Yes, you can control most of the features on your Fire TV by voice. The process is as simple as using an Alexa device with voice commands. All you need is to touch the microphone button on your Firestick remote and say aloud what you want to do.

Your Fire TV will execute without even having to pronounce Alexa. Another possibility is if you have Amazon Echo-connected speakers, or you use the Alexa application on your smartphone, you can also invoke Alexa to control your TV.

If you have a Fire TV, there are chances that youll be subscribed to Prime. In addition to free shipping for Amazon, Prime membership offers several other privileges: Prime Video, Amazon Music Prime, Prime Reading, or even Amazon Photos, offering unlimited online storage for all your photos.

You can, for example, use it to synchronise all the photos from your Android smartphone or your iPhone. But you can especially configure your Fire TV to display a screen economizer showing images taken directly from Amazon Photos.

To do this, enter the Settings of the Fire TV then enter the menu to find Display and sounds. Enter the screen economizer, then select Current screen to set the images you want to use as a screensaver.

You may not know this, but your Fire TV lets you stream media from your smartphone to your TV.

Provided of course that your devices are all connected to the same Wi-Fi network, you will find in Android and iOS mobile applications such as YouTube, Netflix, etc. a button to cast the content and watch it on your TV.

Find and tap the Cast or Screen Mirroring icon on your mobile app. You should then be able to choose to Cast to Fire TV.

If you want to use Amazon Echo speakers with your TV you can use them to stream audio from your Fire TV. First of all, connect all your devices to the same Wi-Fi network.

Then open the Alexa app on your Android smartphone or iPhone, and go to the Devices tab. Then press the + button at the top right and choose to Combine speakers. Once you do this, you can use the Amazon Echo speakers with your Fire TV.

By default, your Fire TV, like other Amazon devices, is set to collect your usage data, including serving you targeted ads. If you prefer, you can always turn off the process of data collection.

To turn off data collection, go to the Fire TV Settings > Preferences menu. Then Access the Privacy Settings, and use all the options given for disabling device usage data, usage data collection, and targeted ads.

If you disable these options, Amazon will not be able to collect your data and you will see fewer ads on your FireTV, enriching your streaming experience.

These were some hidden functions to control your Amazon Fire TV that most users dont know about. Now as you know about these tricks, you can use them to make your Fire TV experience simpler, more convenient, and more enjoyable. Using these functions enables Firestick users to have more control of their Fire TV and enjoy a thrilling streaming experience.

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7 Hidden Tricks and Functions to Control Amazon Fire TV - We Heart

Service NSW news articles and media releases are point-in-time statements. Please note the date of issue.

As Privacy Week kicks off (1-7 May), the importance of protecting ourselves online and handing control of information sharing back to the people is the driving force behind building world-class privacy and security measures into all NSW Government digital services.

Over the last 12 months, there has been a spate of cyber-attacks on personal information affecting people across the State. These breaches are a result of businesses storing physical documents in a way that has left them vulnerable to identity theft.

These attacks have impacted millions of people across the State, with the annual cost of cyber-attacks estimated at $42 billion.

In 2022 alone, more than 50,000 physical documents were replaced with assistance from ID Support NSW, due to cyber incidents and natural disasters.

This has expedited the need for a digitally secure version of our personal information, which is a key priority of the NSW Government.

NSW Digital ID (Beta) has begun trials, with all pilot tests receiving more than 90 per cent customer satisfaction. The NSW Digital ID will help stop the oversharing of personal data by putting people in control of how and when their information is shared.

People will only need to verify their identity once to set up their NSW Digital ID, which gives them control over what information is passed on to other Government agencies and private businesses, such as being able to prove youre over 18, without sharing a date of birth, street address or other personal information which would be on a physical driver licence.

Through the NSW Digital ID and Digital Wallet, people will be able to safely and securely store their personal information, and control who has access to their verifiable credentials in real time.

NSW Digital ID will be optional for people of NSW and will be made available once rigorous testing, audit and reviews are completed to ensure information is safe and secure.

For more information on how you can protect yourself, visit the NSW Digital ID website.

To learn more about digital licences, visitService NSW app and digital licences.

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NSW Digital ID set to provide people greater control over their online ... - Service NSW

FALFURRIAS, Texas Falfurrias Border Patrol agents interdicted the driver of a commercial vehicle attempting to smuggle 45 people on Monday morning.

On May 1, 2023, Falfurrias agents encountered a commercial vehicle at the USBP Checkpoint near Falfurrias, Texas. While searching the vehicle following a canine alert, agents discovered 45 non-citizen migrants in the vehicle including two juveniles. The migrants encountered were from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. All subjects were placed under arrest, including the driver of the commercial vehicle. Homeland Security Investigations took lead of the investigation.

This year, RGV Sector agents have disrupted over a hundred smuggling attempts in commercial vehicles.

This smuggling attempt is a grim reminder of the treatment and endangerment of migrants by human smuggling organizations. There is no compassion or care for those smuggled, sick or injured. Also, these smuggling events often include children, said Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez.

Please visit http://www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to Customs and Border Protection. Follow us on Twitter @CBPRGV and @USBPChiefRGV.

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Falfurrias agents stop major human smuggling attempt - Customs and Border Protection

Cilla Benk

In an article first published in Expressen, Swedish Radio CEO and EBU Executive Board member Cilla Benk writes about how we must protect freedom of the press on World Press Freedom Day.

Having free access to information and allowing all voices to be heard or not. Thats what freedom of speech and freedom of the press are ultimately about. And that is why we must all cherish and defend free journalism, particularly in uncertain times when it increasingly comes under fire.

On 3 May we observe World Press Freedom Day, this year with an emphasis on freedom of the press as a basic necessity for other human rights. The situation is urgent, particularly when democracy as a form of government is being challenged in more and more places around the world. The Varieties of Democracy Institute at the University of Gothenburgsays the number of democracies in the world has shrunk to 1986 levels, and freedom of the press is often the first victim when a democracy crumbles.

We see this clearly in the wake of Putins invasion of Ukraine. Independent media in Russia have been censored, blocked and dismantled. Individual journalists have been censured and in March the US journalist Evan Gershkovich from the Wall Street Journal was arrested and imprisoned in Yekaterinburg on charges of espionage. Russian forces have taken control of the flow of information and the Russian population is paying the price.

But there are trends that worry me even in Sweden. The University of Gothenburgs SOM surveyindicates that a majority of the Swedish population is prepared to make temporary restrictions to democracy to resolve urgent issues such as environmental and climate crises, pandemics, financial crises and crime. The war in Ukraine has shaken people and, alongside the coronavirus pandemic, impacted how we see the world.

But in times of crisis and unrest, it is particularly important to remember how crucial it is to have access to free, credible information. In Sweden we have a long, strong tradition of freedom of the press, but this is not the case in many countries. So we must never take freedom of the press for granted. The demand for free reporting is strong. At Swedish Radio we saw that clearly when Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year as many as a half-million brand-new listeners sought out our live reporting. Thats in a country of just 10 million.

In connection with this years World Press Freedom Day, I am travelling to Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia to meet with the Swedish Embassies in a joint initiative to shine a spotlight on the immense importance of the freedom of independent media and the safety of journalists.

More than five years have passed since the murder of Slovakian journalist Jn Kuciak, who was investigating corruption and tax evasion, and his fiance Martina Kunrov. The trail led to a well-known businessman with ties to the ruling elite in the country, and the murder led to major protests in which fed-up Slovaks filled the streets and squares. Judges, top politicians and police chiefs had to leave their posts as a result.

The Slovakian peoples protests confirmed something meaningful: We must all be the guardians of freedom of the press. Because a journalist does not just represent themselves, they represent all of us. The journalist asks the uncomfortable questions, takes the powerful to task and highlights the voices that otherwise might not be heard.In closing, I would like to quote the American historian Timothy Snyder, when he attended the Swedish Academy conference on freedom of speech and democracy earlier this spring and was asked why freedom of speech must not be restricted, for example by making lies punishable.

The lies of the very powerful is not what is in danger. It is the truth of those who dont have power that is in danger.

Thats something to think about on World Press Freedom Day.

Cilla Benk, CEO of Swedish Radio

The rest is here:
We must all be the guardians of freedom of the press - European Broadcasting Union

Gordon Jackson remembers the hype around Sun Cable.

"The world's biggest solar farm," is the pitchherecalls.

It was just a few years ago that Gordon, who owns a sub-contracting business in the outback town of Elliott,washelping the ventureinstall a few dozen test PV panels at itsproposed site, about100 kilometresfrom his remote Northern Territory community.

"It was pretty hot that day. About 47 degrees," Gordon recalls.

"It's sunny there, from sun-up to sundown."

But it turned out this sensational project was about more than sun.

It also needed a cable.And it is thisfeature that has nowdivided its two biggest backers, Mike Cannon-Brookes and Andrew Forrest.

Two of Australia'srichest men,who used to be partners on Sun Cable.

Nowthey arebidding against each other to control the collapsed entity,in a closed-door process that's just weeks away from culminating.

Sun Cable was formed in 2018 by several people, including its current chief executive David Griffin,based acrossSingapore and Australia.

It publicly unveiled its vision in 2019.

At the heart of the plan was an ambition to transform Australia, one of the world's biggest miners,into an exporter of renewable energy.

Sun Cable didn't just wantto build asolar farm that was visible from space.

Italso wanted to send much of the renewable power generatedto the gas-dependent island nation of Singapore.

To do this, Sun Cable needed to install a big battery network and run a 4,700kmtransmission line from the Northern Territory's coastline all the way under the sea to its final destination.

"When it was announced, Sun Cable was a daring idea,"Victoria University energy economist Bruce Mountain told ABC News.

And it needed a lot of money, starting at$30 billion.

With an estimated wealth almost matching this,MikeCannon-Brookes was the first major backerto publicly sign upthrough his private entity, Grok Ventures.

At the time, the co-founder of software company Atlassianhad just gained household fame for goading Tesla's Elon Musk into building Australia's biggest battery.

"I'm backing [Sun Cable]," Cannon-Brooks told the AFR back in 2019.

"We're going to make it work. I'm going to build a wire."

The even more wealthy Andrew Forrest came on a few months later, also through his private entity, Squadron.

In the media, the largestshareholder of iron ore exporter FMG described his investment in Sun Cable as motivated by "not just reducing emissions" but "nation-building".

Both the Northern Territory and then the federal government soon gave Sun Cable major project status.

In 2020, it revealed that itsproposed solar farm site was at Newcastle Waters, one of eight cattle stations owned by Consolidated Pastoral Company.

There were headlines about jobs, including 1,750 during construction and 350 ongoing roles across the project's 70-year life span.

Elliott was the closest townto the proposed outback solar farm location.

With an official population of 287 people, most of them First Nations, the highway community has just one petrol station and a barricaded pub.

"We are struggling with work," traditional owner Bonita Farrall says.

"[Sun Cable]saidthey'd give courses for locals. Also jobs and accommodation."

The lure of jobsled to excitement from some locals.

"We hope Sun Cable goes ahead," the Barkly Regional Council's local Elliott authority chair, Bob Bagnall, says.

"It's good for the town."

By 2021, afirm based in the Northern Territory's capital was helping Sun Cable assess Newcastle Station for theland-clearing exercise required to lay down the 12,000 hectares of PV panels.

"It's dry, spinifex country," EcOz's owner Ray Hall says.

"There are threatened species in that part of the world, particularly bilbies. But bilby habitats are fairly easy to recognise."

Ray Hall describes Sun Cable's original proposal as "pretty adventurous and speculative".

There area few white elephants in the great north, but Ray says helooked into Sun Cableand found its management"very professional".

He was also comforted by itstwo biggest backers.

"I think risk-takers are important in projects like this. [And]both of them are very wealthy and successful risk-takers."

Yet, even as EcOz was filing Sun Cable's environmental impact assessment in early 2022, cold water was being thrown on the project from some sectors of the energy community.

"I think there's a hard rump that are very sceptical about itall," says the director of the Victoria Energy Policy Centre,Bruce Mountain.

The issues raised includedthe 4,700km sub-sea cable to Singapore.

Itneeded to wind its way through Indonesian waters, sometimes through magnetic sand and deep trenches. There was even concern raised about earthquakes.

"This is considerably beyond the current best practice in undersea cables," emeritus professor Andrew Blakers from ANU's Centre for Sustainable Energy Systems says.

He also notes that since Sun Cable was first proposed, other nations closer to Singapore have come on as viable energy suppliers, including Indonesia.

In Singapore, another energy expertstill believes the wealthy island nation needs solar from a range of sources.

"Singapore has very close ties with Australia,"the National University of Singapore's David Broadstock adds.

In late 2022, the financial backing for Sun Cable was still there.

Cannon-Brookes and Forrest's entities helped raise $210 million capital to keep it going, which came with strings attached that the company met certain milestones.

Just a few months later, it collapsed.

At the time, Sun Cable's vague statement about itsadministrationsaid it "followed the absence of alignment with the objectives of all shareholders".

It soon emerged there had been adisagreement between Forrest and Cannon-Brookes over the need to tip more money into the ventureand the future of the project overall.

Cannon-Brooke's Grok Ventures maintainedthe project was still economically viable in its current form, and they had letters of intent from Singapore.

Squadron disagreed. Its chairmansaid the project was "not commercially viable in its current form", instead suggesting the solar would be better used to produce green hydrogen or ammonia.

As Sun Cable had been tracking along, Forrest had been getting more vocal about this alternative to battery-led renewable energy.

In a public lecture in 2021, heoutlined his proposal to use solar, hydroand wind to make hydrogen, and then ultimately"green steel".

"I choose hydrogen. What do you choose?" he asked.

The ASX-listed FMG, whichForresthas a large stake in, is also now pursuing this strategy under its subsidiary, FFI.

Energy economist Bruce Mountain says the Sun Cable debacle highlights a clash of ideas about what to do with renewable energy.

"Clearly, there was a falling out, with Cannon-Brookes intending to see it to the end. And Forrest had the idea that he had an alternative use for the solar."

Sun Cable's administrator is now conducting a sale process.

So far, ABC News has confirmed at least four active bidders, including both Squadron and Grok.Neither would confirm any details of their plans for the project if they won control.

The buy-up process is confidential and final offers close on May 23.

In the interim, Grok Ventures has extended a loan of up to $65 millionto Sun Cable to keep it afloat.

ABC News has also confirmed thatnumerous creditors have been approached by Squadron to buy up their debt, with a view that this might give helpat some point in the sale process.

Between them, creditors are only owed about $13 million.

Guardian Geomatics, an Australiancompany that did the sub-sea cable surveyfor Sun Cable, is owed the vast majority, at$10 million.

EcOz is also owed$247,000.

Its director Ray Hall is hopeful the administration will be worked through.

"I see that as just an unfortunate sort of glitch along the way, with big personalities that had different ideas," he says.

There is a chance neither Squadron nor Grok will win, and a curve ball entitywill emerge as its owner. It's understood that other parties bidding include offshore institutions. They may have entirely different ideas for the project's solar.

"The sun bit may well go ahead," energy economist Bruce Mountain says.

"The cable bit may not."

Both Australian energy experts that ABC News interviewed saiditwould be best going into our grid.

"We will need vast amounts of electricity to make hydrogen for chemicals," Andrew Blakers says.

"But that's not for the next seven or eight years.

"The number one priority is simply getting carbon out of our electricity grid, and then doubling the size of that electricity grid in order to service electric vehicles, electric heat pumps, and electric furnaces in the 2020s."

The town of Elliott and the nearby homeland community Marlinja are bothpowered off gas with backup diesel. Power bills are a concernas the cost of living rises.

"It feels unfair," says traditional ownerBonita Farrall, of the Sun Cable proposal.

"None of us have solar on our houses."

Final environmental approvals for the solar farmhaven't been signed off,and traditional owners need to be consulted.

Sun Cable's administrator told ABC News the project has been"exploring" whether it can "help address electricity availability around the project area". The original proposal also gave some electricity to Darwin for major industry there.

Some in Elliott are not pinning their hopes on the project, including sub-contractor Gordon Jackson.

"It came to a halt, just like everything does in the middle of nowhere," he says.

Others, like the Barkly Regional Council'slocal authority chair for Elliott, Bob Bagnall, think it will happen. He doesn't mind in which capacity, but he does have a message for both Cannon-Brookes and Forrest.

"Get your act together. We justwant to see it happen," he says.

"You know, a couple of multi-millionaires sitting back and arguing over which is the best way to go doesn't seem fit."

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Sun Cable: Why Australia's two richest men are battling to control an unbuilt solar farm - ABC News