The reactions to that little story ranged from from stick to writing to can you draw some other solutions? So, I decided to take both responses in stride and make an entire column out of it. Over at TechHive this week, I mapped out a variety of over-the-air DVR solutions, including TiVo, Tablo, AirTV, Fire TV Recast, Plex, and Channels DVR. These are not always simple solutions, they’re admittedly easier to explain with pictures than with words.

Oh, and instead of using Microsoft Paint, I hand-drew them on my iPad this time around, using a neat app called Notability. Clearly I will not be seeking a second career as an artist, but the results are hopefully a little less crude. Check them out at TechHive.

iOS 14 and Chromecast: Speaking of Apple software updates, iOS 14 includes a new pop-up that you’ll start seeing in video apps like YouTube, asking to “connect to your local network.” If you have a Chromecast, you’ll have to allow this permission in order for casting to work. Otherwise, your iPhone or iPad won’t be able to find the Chromecast and tell it to start streaming.

If you see one of these pop-ups and inadvertently select “Don’t Allow,” fret not; you can re-enable network access for any app by heading to Settings > Privacy > Local Network.

Ad-supported HBO Max rumors: HBO Max’s cheaper, ad-supported version could come with one big caveat when it launches next year. Matthew Keys reports that AT&T is considering a plan that would withhold new episodes of HBO shows from the cheaper tier, so that only older seasons would be available. AT&T CEO John Stankey also hinted at this approach earlier this week, telling Bloomberg that some shows would require HBO Max’s $15 per month ad-free plan.

Although AT&T wants to offer a cheaper version of its service, HBO’s existing contracts with cable companies are causing problems. Some of those contracts require HBO shows to be ad-free for a certain period of time.

Executives are also reportedly worried that ads might tarnish the HBO brand. Funny, because that didn’t seem to be a concern a couple years ago, when Stankey was encouraging HBO to pump out more content to fuel AT&T’s targeted advertising ambitions. Turns out this stuff is harder than it looks.

Apple One: Okay, one more Apple story. Apple has announced a new trio of subscription bundles—all called Apple One—that will launch later this fall. For $15 per month, subscribers will get Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and 50 GB of iCloud storage (a $21 per month value). A $20 per month “Family” plan will extend access to five other family members and increase the iCloud storage to 200 GB (a $28 per month value). A $30 per month “Premier” plan will add Apple News+ and a forthcoming Fitness+ workout program to the bundle, and will increase iCloud storage to 2 TB (a $50 per month value).

The bundles seem pretty compelling as a way to keep people on board with Apple TV+ and other less popular subscriptions like Apple Arcade and Apple News+. If you’re paying for Apple Music and iCloud already—and tens of millions of people are—the cost of bundling those other services becomes almost trivial.

Just keep in mind that if you cancel right away, you’ll immediately lose access to the free month. Instead, set a reminder on your phone and cancel the service the day after you sign up. You’ll still get the full month, but won’t get billed at the end.

Also worth noting: Amazon’s Fire TV Recast over-the-air DVR is down to $150 for the dual tuner model with 500 GB of storage and $200 for the quad tuner model with 1 TB of storage. Both deals are $80 off the regular price. Check out my review (or the aforementioned illustrated guide) for more details on how Recast works.