G Ragu Review

Updated September 2026: in 2022 I explained why I chose an Android box from my DTH provider over a Chromecast or Apple TV 4K for an old TV, mainly for its price and because it combined satellite TV with streaming apps. I have rewritten it as a guide to choosing between an operator's box and a standalone streaming device.

For months I looked for an affordable, reliable streaming device for my old TV. After comparing options, including Apple's TV 4K, I chose the Android box offered by my DTH provider. It cost less than a Chromecast or an Apple TV and gave me more for the money. The main reason, though, was that it combined direct-to-home TV channels with OTT apps in one box, so I no longer had to switch between the TV input and a casting device.

What is a DTH Android box?

It is a set-top box from a satellite TV operator that runs Android TV or Google TV. It receives live channels by satellite and also runs streaming apps over your internet connection. Several Indian DTH operators offer one, often bundled with app subscriptions.

When does an operator's box make sense?

• You watch live TV channels and streaming apps on the same TV.
• You want one remote and one input for everything.
• The operator's bundle includes apps you would pay for anyway.

When is a standalone streaming device better?

If you have dropped live TV, a standalone device is usually simpler. Google replaced the Chromecast line with the Google TV Streamer in 2024, and Fire TV sticks and Apple TV 4K remain widely used. Standalone devices often get software updates for longer and are not tied to one operator.

What should you check before buying an operator's box?

• Lock-in: whether the box works only with that operator's service.
• Software updates: operator boxes can lag behind in Android updates.
• App availability: make sure the apps you use are supported.
• Total cost: include the monthly pack, not just the box price.

Does it work on an older TV?

Most connect by HDMI, so any TV with an HDMI port will do. Very old TVs without HDMI need a converter, and picture quality will be limited.

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Updated September 2026: in 2022 I was deciding between the new Apple Watch Series 8, a discounted Series 7, or waiting another year, since the Series 8 brought few changes. I have rewritten it as a general guide to choosing last year's model or waiting for the next one.

I had wanted an Apple Watch for a long time and had finally saved enough. The Series 8 did not excite me. It kept the same design and added a temperature sensor and features for cycle tracking, so paying full price seemed hard to justify. My two options were to buy a Series 7 at a lower price, with nearly the same performance, or to wait a year for the next model. Waiting did not appeal either, because Apple's recent updates had been small.

When is last year's model the better buy?

• When the design has not changed and the new features are ones you will not use.
• When the discount is meaningful, not just a small cut from full price.
• When it will still get software updates for several more years.

When is it worth paying for the new model?

When a new feature matters to you, such as a health sensor, safety feature or longer battery life, or when you plan to keep the watch for many years. A newer model usually receives software updates for longer.

How do you check software support?

Apple drops older watches from new watchOS releases after several years. Before buying an older model, check that it runs the current watchOS version and that the next release still supports it. A watch that is already near the end of support is poor value, however cheap.

Should you wait for the next model?

Only if a specific, likely improvement matters to you. Waiting for something vague usually means going without for a year and then facing the same choice again.

What about refurbished or second-hand watches?

Apple's own refurbished store and reputable sellers offer good savings with a warranty. For second-hand watches, check battery health, make sure the previous owner has removed it from their Apple ID, and inspect the screen and sensor for damage.

What did the Series 8 add over Series 7?

Mainly the temperature sensor, used for cycle tracking and sleep data, and crash detection. For most buyers these were not enough to justify the higher price at the time.

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Updated September 2026: in September 2022 I predicted what Apple would announce at an October event: the release of new macOS and iPadOS versions, a 10th-generation iPad with USB-C and second-generation Apple Pencil support, and M2 versions of the iPad Pro and Mac mini. I have rewritten it to show what actually launched.

After the September 2022 event introduced new Apple Watch models, the second-generation AirPods Pro and the iPhone 14, I expected a smaller October event. My list had three items: the public release of macOS and iPadOS versions shown at WWDC, a new 10th-generation iPad, and M2 chips for the iPad Pro and possibly the Mac mini.

Did Apple hold an October 2022 event?

No. Apple announced its October products through press releases and videos on 18 October 2022 instead of a live event.

What did Apple announce?

• iPad Pro with M2, as I expected.
• A redesigned 10th-generation iPad with USB-C and a flat-edged design. It supported the first-generation Apple Pencil through an adapter, not the second-generation Pencil I had predicted.
• A new Apple TV 4K, which I had not listed.

What about macOS, iPadOS and the Mac mini?

macOS Ventura and iPadOS 16.1 were released later in October 2022, so that prediction held. The M2 Mac mini did not arrive until January 2023, alongside new MacBook Pro models.

How did the predictions score overall?

Roughly two and a half out of four. The software timing and the M2 iPad Pro were right, the new iPad was right in outline but wrong on the Pencil, and the Mac mini came a few months later than I expected.

What does this show about Apple predictions?

Timing is the hardest part. Products often arrive later than rumoured, and details such as accessory support change until launch. When you plan a purchase around a rumour, set a date by which you will buy what is available if the product has not appeared.

Are these 2022 models still worth buying?

They can be good value second-hand or refurbished, but check how long each will receive software updates before buying an older model.

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• Accelerated Delivery and prompt response: I had communication with the Ford’s authorized service advisor over the phone and double checked on the final quote before handing it over the driver for taking it to repair. Post receiving the car, the work was started immediately and in the very next day, when I was checking about the status of the repair, I was shared with the initial repair work pictures and promised delivery for commitment date.
• Paint Quality and factory finish perfection: The car was delivered to me on the promised date, and I was very excited to check out the repair work. To my surprise, the repair work was too good with the factory fitted output quality and the paint work was also too good that there was no differentiation between the original and re-painted color in the car. You could also check out the car pictures in this article for reference.

 

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