(BPT) - Has it been a while since you purchased a new TV? You might be surprised by how far TV technology has come since you bought your last set! Today's smart televisions offer dramatic improvements in picture quality and home screens that are far easier to navigate. Plus, they come with a host of cool features like voice control that you may not even know about. It's time to discover what you've been missing — and if you're asking yourself where to start, the Fire TV Buyer Insights Report can help. This independent study surveyed over 2,000 recent purchasers of smart TVs to learn everything from where they did their product research to why they decided to buy. With the holidays almost upon us, the insights in this report can help guide you as you kick off your seasonal shopping. Whether you're buying a gift, hosting a holiday gathering or looking for the perfect game-day screen, read on to find the best TV for your needs. How do you find the right TV? Here's how recent purchasers did it. When it comes to buying a new TV, there are several factors you'll want to consider, starting with who's going to be using it. The study found that spouses (36%), kids (13%), and even grandparents (1%) were involved in the purchase process, so be sure to keep your home's audience in mind. Beyond that, you'll also want to think about: Room size Smart TVs range in size from a 32-inch screen all the way up to a whopping 100 inches or more. To determine the right screen size for your room, follow this guideline: Small rooms: 32"–43" screen Medium rooms: 43"–55" screen Large rooms: 55+" screen As for viewing distance, divide the screen's diameter by 8 to get the ideal viewing distance in feet. For example, a 32-inch screen should be watched from about 4 feet away, while you'll want to be about 8 feet away from a 65-inch screen. Usage How you plan to use your new TV should play a large part in your decision-making process. If you're always looking for the latest show or movie to watch, your smart TV should offer optimal access to the latest streaming services. Gamers will experience better play on a TV with a high refresh rate, while sports enthusiasts will want to watch the big game on a set with smooth motion handling. Connected TV experience One of the most important considerations is how you'll use TV. In the study, 83% of TV purchasers said that easy access to content was one of the things they liked best about their new TV. But beyond being an all-in-one source for entertainment, your smart TV should also play well with other smart home devices. For instance, Fire TV allows you to pair compatible devices seamlessly like video doorbells, smart home devices, and more. And with select models, Fire TV's Ambient Experience can turn the biggest screen in your home into a beautiful, always-on smart display rotating through beautiful art, personal photos, and glanceable information like calendars and reminders. Knowledge is power Before you land on the perfect TV, you'll need to do a little research first. The study found that only 12% of shoppers bought their TV on an impulse, while 65% engaged in some form of product research. Most (82%) respondents conducted some or all of their research online for instant access to smart TV reviews and feature comparisons. In fact, over half of respondents who searched online mentioned digital retailers like Amazon as a great source for honest ratings and buyer reviews. Timing is everything According to the study, the time from research to purchase takes about two weeks, so plan ahead — especially if you're thinking about giving a TV as a holiday gift. There are also some great deals available during this time of year, so keep an eye out for sales and promotional offers. The big picture A new TV is a big purchase, so don't make it an impulsive one. Take the time to do your research and remember that everyone takes a different path to finding the perfect TV. Whether your search begins online, offline, or with a mix of both, it will end with a next-level viewing experience that's just right for the way you watch.Suriname's government announced Saturday that the small South American nation will not hold a state funeral for its ex-president Desi Bouterse, who this week died a fugitive from justice aged 79. Current President Chan Santokhi "has decided, based on his powers and advice received, that there will be no state funeral... No period of national mourning," Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin told a press conference. Bouterse was a former military man who twice mounted coups, in 1980 and again in 1990, to take charge as a dictator. He eventually returned to power after being elected president in 2010 and governed for a decade. He died Tuesday in the unknown location where he had been holed up as a fugitive, with in-absentia convictions for cocaine trafficking and murder. Bouterse's body was dropped off at his residence in the capital Paramaribo. An autopsy was ordered, though police said there were "no signs of criminal activity." Bouterse had been sentenced to 20 years in prison in December 2023 for the 1982 execution of political opponents, including lawyers, journalists, businessmen and military prisoners. He remained a popular figure with the poor and working class in the former Dutch colony. The foreign minister said that, out of respect for Bouterse's status as an elected former president, flags would be flown at half-staff on government buildings on the day of his funeral, whose date has not yet been given. str-jt/rmb/acb
Telecommunications company Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) is the largest wireless carrier in the United States, with over 37% of the market. The company is also an outstanding dividend stock with a 6.2% dividend yield today and an ongoing streak of 18 consecutive annual dividend raises. So, if you're looking for passive income to cover your living expenses or to reinvest and supercharge your portfolio's compounding, Verizon is a great candidate for you right now. Are You Missing The Morning Scoop? Wake up with Breakfast news in your inbox every market day. Sign Up For Free » But what about moving forward? The telecom industry is notoriously competitive among the few companies that dominate the U.S. market, and there's a constant need to spend to maintain and upgrade the vast infrastructure that makes wireless communications work. Here is what investors can expect from the stock over the next five years. Subscriber momentum is trending upward Consumers make Verizon's business go: Consumer wireless and wireline (Fios fiber optic services and landline phone connections) account for about 75% of the company's total revenue. Subscriber growth is critical because the industry is ruthlessly price competitive; acquiring customers is the best route to growth. Verizon's subscriber activity is lumpy. For example, Q4 is generally a big quarter due to the purchases consumers tend to make during the holidays (and the new iPhone usually launches in the fall). As you can see, subscriber losses have trended lower since Q1, turning positive this past quarter: Verizon acquired TracFone, a leading prepaid phone carrier with 20 million users at the time, in late 2021. However, Verizon has bled prepaid customers since closing the acquisition. It's encouraging to see Verizon slowly stem those losses and return to prepaid customer growth in Q3. However, Verizon's growth outlook is still limited Verizon has growth opportunities in fiber optics (Fios) and edge computing . As more devices connect to networks, they must transmit more data faster. This spans across the economy, from factory equipment to autonomous vehicles. Verizon is gradually expanding its Fios services, including fiber optic internet, allowing far higher bandwidth. The company has agreed to acquire Frontier Communications , the country's largest pure-play fiber provider, for $20 billion to expand its fiber optics footprint. Post-acquisition close, Verizon will have approximately 25 million fiber customers, with a 2028 goal of 30 million and a long-term goal of between 35 million and 40 million. Despite this opportunity, Verizon's mature consumer business (75% of total revenue) will likely continue to limit the company's broader growth prospects. Analysts recently raised their long-term earnings growth estimates but still anticipate just 2.4% annualized growth over the long term. What will the next five years look like? Verizon's lacking growth will ultimately make the stock a poor fit for investors who want to maximize their total investment returns. The good news is that Verizon's dividend remains on solid footing. Verizon's dividend payout ratio is 59% of 2024 earnings estimates, so there's room for the company to continue increasing its dividend over the coming years. Verizon's dividend has only grown by an average of 2% annually over the past five years, and I'd expect that pace to continue, given Verizon's similar growth prospects. Meanwhile, the stock trades at 9 to 10 times 2024 earnings estimates, which seems cheap compared to the broader market -- the S&P 500 trades at 23 times earnings. Again, Verizon's slow growth is the culprit. The reality is that Verizon's probably fully valued at its current price, perhaps even a touch expensive at a PEG ratio of 3.1 today. In that case, investors can expect mid- to high-single-digit annualized investment returns over the next five years. You'll get about 6% from the dividend plus another 2% in earnings growth, though any fluctuations in valuation could impact those returns. That makes Verizon attractive for retirees and other conservative, income-focused investors, but it is probably a pass for others. Should you invest $1,000 in Verizon Communications right now? Before you buy stock in Verizon Communications, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now... and Verizon Communications wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $872,947 !* Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than quadrupled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of December 2, 2024 Justin Pope has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy . Where Will Verizon Communications Be in 5 Years? was originally published by The Motley FoolBOONE, N.C. — South Carolina offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains has been hired as head coach at Appalachian State and will receive a five-year contract, athletic director Doug Gillin announced Saturday. The 44-year-old Loggains replaces Shawn Clark, who was fired Monday after the Mountaineers finished 5-6 for their first losing season since 2013. Loggains was South Carolina's offensive coordinator for two seasons and an assistant at Arkansas, his alma mater, for two seasons before that. He spent 16 years in the NFL as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Tennessee, Cleveland, Chicago, Miami and the New York Jets. “He brings experience as a leader and play-caller at the highest levels of professional and college football," Gillin said. "He is a great recruiter and believes strongly in building relationships. He is aligned with our core values of academic integrity, competitive excellence, social responsibility and world-class experience. This is a great day for App State.” Loggains' offense at South Carolina featured LaNorris Sellers, one of the nation's top dual-threat quarterbacks, and running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders. Sellers and Sanders led the Southeastern Conference's third-ranked rushing offense. Loggains spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons as Arkansas' tight ends coach, and he worked with Sam Darnold, Jay Cutler, Mitchell Trubisky, Brian Hoyer and Vince Young during his time in the NFL. The Mountaineers, the preseason favorites in the Sun Belt Conference's East Division, tied for fifth with a 3-5 record in league play. App State was 40-24 under Clark, but the Mountaineers have failed to reach a bowl game two of the past three seasons.
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Thomas Sorber collected 22 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks to pace Georgetown to an 83-53 win against shorthanded Coppin State on Saturday afternoon in Washington, D.C. The Hoyas pulled away from the Eagles with a 21-2 run early in the second half. Georgetown held Coppin State to 22 percent shooting in the second half and 18 percent from behind the arc. Georgetown (11-2) is off to its best start since the 2011-12 season. Drew Fielder recorded 20 points and 13 rebounds while Malik Mack had 15 points and 11 assists for the Hoyas. Georgetown played without its leading scorer Jayden Epps, who missed the game with a lower-body injury. Toby Nnadozie scored 22 points and Julius Ellerbe III added 12 to go along with six steals for the Eagles (1-13). The Hoyas' decisive second-half run started with Caleb Williams' steal that led to a Fielder lay up as Georgetown took 49-37 lead. Moments later, Fielder's turnaround in the lane put the Hoyas up 56-37. Sorber's jam with 6:36 left gave Georgetown a 67-41 advantage. The pesky Eagles rattled off a 7-0 run but got no closer than 19 points the rest of the game. The Eagles played without three of their top four scorers but forced 14 Georgetown turnovers in the first half and hit 5-of-8 3-pointers. Ellerbe corralled a loose ball near half court and distributed it to Nnadozie who converted a contested layup to pull CSU within 12-11. But the Hoyas held a 24-10 rebounding edge in the first half as Sorber and Fielder were a force inside the paint. The Hoyas created separation as Sorber worked the high-low game with a catch in the lane and a left finger roll for a 25-15 Hoyas' lead with 8:40 left in the first half. Zahree Harrison's 3-pointer kept the dogged visitors close and capped a 5-0 run that cut the Georgetown lead to 25-20. Nnadozie closed the first half with a 3-pointer and the Hoyas held a 37-30 lead. --Field Level MediaShocked Congress cries ‘targeted manipulation’ after Maharashtra debacle, says BJP ‘misused machinery’
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