Table of Contents
1 The Changing World of Digital Entertainment 3
Defining Digital Entertainment ....................................4
Understanding the New Terminology ..................7
Types of Digital Entertainment ...........................9
Audiobooks ..........................................9
Computer and Video Games ..............10
eBooks ............................11
Movies ...........................12
Music ...............................14
Newspapers and Magazines ..........................15
Radio Programming ...............................15
Television Shows .................................16
World Wide Web ..................................17
Considering Compatibility Issues ..........................17
Don’t Be Afraid! ..........................................22
What You’ll Need To Get Started ................22
2 Getting Started with Digital Entertainment 27
Saving Money When Shopping for Consumer Electronics................29
Shop at Retail Stores ..................................30
Shop Online .................................................................33
Overview of Required Equipment ...........................38
HD Television Set ................................................................38
Desktop and/or Notebook Computer ........................40
Smartphones and Tablets ................................................44
Overview of Optional Equipment ...............................51
Internet Access Is Required .....................................................59
Overview of Content Service Providers and Suppliers .......................60
3 Television in the 21st Century 63
Recording Your Favorite Shows...............................................64
Streaming Your Favorite Shows On-Demand ..................66
Connecting a Streaming Device to Your TV ..................67
Apple TV .............................................................68
Google Chromecast .............................80
Amazon FireTV Stick .........................................82
Roku Streaming Stick ............................84
Binge Watching TV Shows ...............................87
4 Watching TV on Your Devices 91
Streaming TV Shows on Your Computer’s Screen ............94
Visiting a Network’s Website .........................94
Purchasing TV Shows to Watch on Your Computer ...........97
Purchase Content from iTunes ..................................97
Streaming TV Shows on Your Smartphone or Tablet ...........102
Using Network-Specific Mobile Apps ............................103
Using a Mobile App from Your Cable or Satellite Service Provider ..............109
Using a Streaming Service’s Mobile App...................................111
Mobile Apps That Make Watching TV More Interactive ................114
5 On-Demand Movies at Your Fingertips 117
Owning, Renting, and Streaming Movies: A Comparison ...............118
On-Demand Services from Your Cable or Satellite TV Service Provider ........120
Use the On-Demand Service from Your Cable or Satellite Service Provider .................121
Accessing Movies from the iTunes Store .....................122
Purchase Movies from the iTunes Store Using a Mac or PC ..................123
Purchase Movies from the iTunes Store Using an iPhone or iPad ..................129
Other Digital Movie Stores ............................134
Amazon.com .................................135
Google Play Also Sells and Rents Digital Movies ....................136
Vudu .........................................................138
Streaming Movie Services .................................138
Use Netflix from Your Computer ......................................142
Use Netflix from Your Tablet or Smartphone ...........................145
Use Netflix from Your Streaming Device ..................................149
6 Streaming Video with YouTube and Other Services 153
Creating a Free Google Account.............................156
Accessing YouTube ...................................156
Access YouTube from Your PC or Mac Computer ...................157
Access YouTube from Your Smartphone or Tablet ........................159
Access YouTube from a Streaming Device, Smart TV, or Video Game System ....................164
Finding Videos to Watch ............................................165
Subscribe to YouTube Channels ........................................166
Provide Feedback to YouTube Videos .......................166
Playing Videos and Creating Playlists .....................................168
Watch Videos ................................................168
Create a Playlist .................................................................171
7 The Evolution of Radio: Beyond AM and FM 175
Understanding Streaming Radio Options ..................................176
Introduction to Sirius/XM Satellite Radio .....................178
Stream Sirius/XM Programming ................................180
Accessing Streaming Radio Stations ........................187
iHeart Radio..................................................188
Radio.com .............................................................................193
NPR News and NPR One .......................................196
Find Your Favorite Local Radio Stations Online ..........................201
Discovering Streaming Music Services ......................................202
Amazon Prime Music .............................................202
Apple Music ........................................................................210
Pandora .....................................................................................217
Discovering Podcasts .........................................................................221
Use the Podcasts App on an iOS Device ........................................222
8 Digital Music: No More Records, Tapes, or CDs 229
Acquiring Digital Music .........................................................230
Using iTunes on the Mac or PC ......................................232
Purchase Music from the iTunes Store with a Mac or PC ..................233
Select and Play Music ...........................................................237
Create and Manage Playlists .............................................238
Purchase Music from the iTunes Store with a Mobile Device ...............241
Use the Music App ...................................................244
Using the Groove Music Player on a PC ...............................250
Play Your Music with the Groove Music Player ..............250
Using the Music App on an Android Device ..................253
9 Having Fun with Games and Interactive Entertainment 261
Understanding Gaming Options .............262
Understanding Game Ratings ...................263
Benefits of Interactive Games Versus Traditional Types of Games .........265
Ways to Experience Interactive Gaming Experiences ......................267
Finding Games for Your Smartphone or Tablet ..................270
Games for iPhone and iPad ...........................................272
Games for Android-Based Smartphones and Tablets....................277
15 Popular Games for Mobile Devices...........283
Playing Online Games.......292
10 Reading Digital Newspapers and Magazines 297
Using the iPhone and iPad with Digital Editions .........................298
Downloading a Publication’s App ..............................299
Read a Digital Publication ............................................301
Manage or Cancel a Digital Subscription .....................305
Discover Apple’s News App .................................................306
Reading Digital Editions with Your Android Device .............311
Use Google’s Play Newsstand App ...........................312
Reading with eBook Readers or Apps ..................317
Subscribing to a Magazine Service ..............................319
11 Reading eBooks 323
Using eBook Reader Devices .................................324
Selecting an eBook Reader ........................325
Shopping for eBooks............................................................327
Customize Your eBook Reading Experience...................328
Reading eBooks Using iBooks .......................................329
Acquire eBooks from iBook Store .................................330
Read and Manage eBooks ...................................................334
Customize Your Reading Experience ................................337
Reading eBooks Using Android Mobile Devices.....................342
Reading eBooks Using the Kindle App or Device .....................349
Find and Acquire eBooks .....................................351
Read eBooks ...............................................................354
Reading eBooks with the Nook App .............................359
Find and Acquire eBooks .....................................360
Read eBooks ......................................362
12 Listening to Audiobooks 369
Using Audible.com.................................371
Shop for Audiobooks via Audible.com ..........................372
Listen to Audiobooks Using the Audible App ...............375
Using iBooks with Audiobooks ..................................381
Shop for Audiobooks Using the iBooks App .......................381
Listen to Audiobooks Using the iBooks App ...................384
Playing Audiobooks Using the iBooks App .....................385
Using Your Android Device ...............................................387
Using a Kindle or Nook eBook Reader or Mobile App ...........388
13 Taking Digital Entertainment on the Road 391
Accessing TV Shows and Movies ..................392
Use the Xfinity TV Go App ....................................394
Remotely Accessing Your TiVo DVR ........................398
Use the TiVo Mobile App ............................................400
Experiencing Digital Entertainment in Your Vehicle ...............405
14 Using Parental Controls to Protect Your Kids and Grandkids 409
Setting Firm Limits and Expectations .....................410
Setting Parental Controls ..............................411
Set Mac Controls ........................................412
Set Controls for Windows 10 ...................................414
Set iTunes Store Parental Controls .............................418
Set Controls on an Android Device ...................429
Set Controls on Other Devices .......................436
A 10 Web Surfing Tips That’ll Keep You Safe 439
Use Secure Passwords .......................................440
Change Your Passwords Regularly ..........................442
Don’t Follow Links to “Secure” Websites ........................442
Always Use a Credit Card When Shopping Online ..................444
Manually Enter the Website URL That You Want to Visit ....................444
Don’t Respond to Unusual Friend Requests on Social Media .................445
Avoid Sharing Your Social Security Number or Driver’s License Number Online..........446
Avoid Doing Online Banking from Public Networks ..................448
Don’t Respond to Emails from the Court or From an Airline You Did Not Book Travel With ...........448
Always Sign Off from Websites on Someone Else’s Computer ................450
Glossary 451
Index 455
