close CyberGuy: That Apple ID disabled message? It's a dangerous scam Kurt Knutsson breaks down why the "Your Apple ID has been temporarily disabled" email is most likely a scam. Windows has always been a favorite target for hackers, but it seems they have now figured out how to actively target Macs as well. We've seen an alarming rise inmalware affecting Mac computers, stealing personal data and cryptocurrency.Threat actors are now using AI along with elaborate social engineering tricks to target Apple users, and the company doesnt seem to be doing much about it. Meanwhile, a cybersecurity report has identified a new Mac malware called FrigidStealer, which spreads through fake browser updates and compromised websites. Image of a Mac laptop (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)What you need to knowA new malware strain called FrigidStealer is targeting macOS users as part of a broader campaign involving fake update scams, cybersecurity firm Proofpointreported. FrigidStealer spreads through compromised websites that display deceptive browser update prompts. When users click on these prompts, they unknowingly download a malicious DMG file. Once executed, the malware requests the users system password to gain elevated privileges before stealing sensitive information, including browser cookies, password-related files, cryptocurrency data and Apple Notes.Proofpoint identified two new threat actors behind the operation: TA2726, which functions as a traffic distribution service provider, and TA2727, which delivers FrigidStealer to Mac users. The campaign also deploys malware on Windows and Android devices, signaling a multi-platform attack strategy. The cybersecurity firm assessed with high confidence that TA2726 distributes traffic for other malware campaigns as well. Some operations previously attributed to TA569 have now been reclassified under TA2726 and TA2727.TA569 also known as Mustard Tempest, Gold Prelude and Purple Vallhund is linked to the cybercrime syndicate EvilCorp and was first identified in 2022.Proofpoint also assessed with moderate confidence that TA2727 purchases traffic through online forums to spread malware, which could be its own or that of potential clients."These are traffic sellers and malware distributors and have been observed in multiple web-based attack chains like compromised website campaigns," the report stated,"including those using fake update-themed lures." Fake update lure delivering FrigidStealer via Safari, left, and Chrome, right (Proofpoint) (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Infostealers are on the riseThreat intelligence platformKELA reported that hackers using Lumma, along with StealC, Redline and other infostealers, infected 4.3 million machines in 2024, compromising an estimated 330 million credentials. Security researchers also observed 3.9 billion credentials circulating in lists that appear to originate from infostealer logs.Infostealer malware is expected to remain a persistent threat in 2025. With malware-as-a-service platforms on the rise and infostealers becoming more sophisticated, cybercriminals will likely continue relying on them as a primary tool for stealing credentials and infiltrating systems. A man working on his Mac laptop (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)4 ways to stay safe from infostealer malwareAs infostealer malware continues to grow in sophistication, taking proactive steps to protect your data is more important than ever. Here are four key ways to safeguard yourself from threats like FrigidStealer, Lumma and other credential-stealing malware.1) Beware of fake software updates: One of the most common infection methods is through deceptive browser update prompts. Never download updates from pop-ups or random websites. Instead, always update your software directly from official sources, such as the App Store or the applications official website. If in doubt, check out mydetailed guide on how to keep your device and software updated.2) Enable two-factor authentication (2FA):Even if your credentials are stolen,2FA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a secondary verification method, such as a one-time code sent to your phone. Use 2FA for all critical accounts, including email, banking and cloud services.3) Use a password manager: Many infostealers target saved passwords in web browsers. Instead of relying on your browser to store credentials, use a dedicatedpassword manager. Get more details about mybest expert-reviewed Password Managers of 2025 here.4)Be cautious with downloads and links. Use a strong antivirus: Infostealer malware often spreads through malicious downloads, phishing emails and fake websites. Avoid downloading software or files from untrusted sources and always double-check links before clicking them. Attackers disguise malware as legitimate software, game cheats or cracked applications, so it is best to stick to official websites and app stores for downloads.The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.Kurts key takeawayAs the digital landscape evolves, so do the nasty threats we face. FrigidStealer is just the latest reminder that no platform, not even macOS, is immune to the growing sophistication of cybercriminals. With infostealers like Lumma, StealC and Redline already compromising millions of devices and billions of credentials in 2024, the rise of AI-driven attacks and social engineering scams signals a challenging road ahead.Do you think companies like Apple should be doing more to combat these evolving threats? Let us know by writing us atCyberguy.com/Contact.For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading toCyberguy.com/Newsletter.Follow Kurt on his social channels:Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com.All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

The European fintech and banking industry must not follow Trumps US in cancelling workforce equality programmes and must instead continue to enforce diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), according to Wincie Wong, co-founder of Tech She Can.During a session on women in fintech at Finovate Europe last week, Wang reflected on the direction of travel in the US, where President Donald Trump is pushing for workforce diversity programmes to be terminated.On regaining the US presidency, Trump called for an end to DEI programmes, which he described as dangerous, demeaning and immoral. Businesses in the US, including internet giant Meta, are closing DEI programmes as a result.But fintech businesses in Europe and the UK will gain an advantage if they stick to the diversity programmes they have in place, according to Wong.This is a major issue, as many major banks, mainly in the US, are responding directly to the president. I am an American and this is an issue I am paying very close attention to.She said the companies cancelling programmes were probably not committed to them in the first place and just saw them as a box-ticking exercise rather than a way to increase productivity.Those companies that get it understand its about creating pathways for people who couldnt always demonstrate their intelligence and thoughts. We know that, in the UK, if we close the gender skills gap, we can add billions of pounds to the economy.She told Computer Weekly: Europe has already made a clear stance that it doesnt want to follow this line of thought. I think its very positive in Europe.The former head of workforce technical capability Digital X at NatWest said Europe can take a different approach and gain an advantage.D&I when done correctly, embraced intentionally, yields better innovation and better products. It has been proven over and over again. Continuing to take a stand on it, to enforce all the policies we have in the EU and UK, can only be positive for productivity.She said Europe has taken a different path to data protection and artificial intelligence regulation and has, as a result, been ahead of the game.Maria Scott, founder and CEO ofTaina Technology, which helps financial services companies meet their tax regulatory requirements through automation technology, said: It has been proven beyond any doubt that more diverse organisations and boards create more value and contribute to a safer, moreinclusive world for all. The data is clear on this.She added that she hopes modern society will not allow such a step backwards into the dark ages and risk losing all the progress made in making organisations more inclusive and fairer.Clearly, everything has to be done on the merits and not as a box-ticking exercise. Anything that is done purely for box-ticking or reporting is pointless to begin with and will fizzle out eventually, said Scott. This is about substantive inclusion and fairness. It is about recognising our biases, promoting role models, changing mindsets for the sake of a happier, more inclusive and fairer world for our children.There have also been worrying signs recently that women are discriminated against when it comes to seeking investment in their fintech startups. A survey by industry body Innovate Finance found that women behind fintechs still face discrimination when seeking investment, despite the issue having been an industry talking point for years.Innovate Finances numbers unearthed the worrying detail that investment in fintechs led by women dropped by twice as much as the UK average in 2024. It reported that women-led fintechs experienced a sharp decline in investment of 78%, more than double the 37% market-wide fall, which it said underscores the need for more inclusive funding practices.Total investment in fintechs founded by women, according to Innovate Finance, was just under 100m, about 3.3% of the total.Read more about women in fintech

Podcast: S4Capitals Martin Sorrell on AI and the enterprise

The Discover Samsung Spring Sale starts today, and you can save big on Samsung's popular The Frame TV. Plus, select models include a free bezel with purchase -- but only for today.

Smartphone manufacturers HMD and Xiaomi unveiled their latest earbud innovations alongside their smartphones, showcasing an almost 100-hour battery life and Wi-Fi enabled earbuds.

(Original Caption) Hearing Aids used by Beethoven are shown. They were designed between 1812 and ... [+] 1814 by Beethoven's friend, Johann Nepomuk Maelzel, (1772-1783), the inventor of the metronome. actually, the hearing aids were of little help to the composer. They are now displayed in the Beethoven House, Bonn.Bettmann ArchiveWorld Hearing Day was established by the World Health Organization in 2007 to raise awareness about hearing loss and deafness prevention and is celebrated today, March 3. Worldwide, approximately 1.5 billion people experience hearing loss.The Silent StruggleI call it the silent struggle, as it is not visible to the world, but patients experiencing it have significant effect to their quality of life, shared Ksenia Aron, M.D. who is Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at Cleveland Clinic in the division of Otology and Neurotology - Lateral Skull Base Surgery. The prevalence of hearing loss continues to increase with age, where nearly 1 in 3 adults over the age of 60 is affected, and 1 in every 2 adults that are older than 75 years old.Dr. Aron says that hearing loss is a common but often underrecognized health issue experienced by over 50 million Americans. There are two primary types of hearing loss: conductive and sensorineural. Conductive hearing loss typically occurs when sound waves are blocked or not transmitted effectively, often due to ear infections, earwax buildup, or ear drum perforation. The second type is sensorineural hearing loss, which occurs when there is damage to the inner ear (also known as the cochlea) or the auditory nerve. This is the type of hearing loss is often linked to aging or excessive noise exposure. Hearing loss is not just an inconvenience; its linked to increased risks of cognitive decline, including dementia. A study published in the Journal of of the American Medical Association showed that hearing loss is associated with dementia; severe hearing impairment was associated with nearly 5 times the risk of developing dementia. Furthermore, hearing loss is associated with social isolation, depression, and increased risk of falls, particularly among the elderly. These impacts on mental health, social engagement, and cognitive function are profound, with hearing loss contributing to a significant economic burden.Common Myths About Hearing Loss The most common misconception is that hearing loss only affects the elderly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that nearly 1 in 5 teens (ages 12-19) have some degree of hearing loss. Another common myth is that hearing loss can be helped by simply adjusting the volume or using hearing aids to increase the volume. Dr Aaron explained that, While hearing aids can benefit a significant number of people with hearing loss, they are only able to amplify volume. Once hearing loss becomes severe enough, the person starts to have deterioration to the clarity of speech that is being processed. Thus, no matter how long the sound that is being delivered to the ears is, if the clarity of speech is not there, the person will just receive loud, but unclear speech input. At this point the option to restore the ability to hear, where hearing aid is no longer able to amplify, are devices like a cochlear implant.Early Diagnosis is ImportantDr. Aron shared that the benefit of early diagnosis is to encourage taking preventive measures seriously, such as noise reduction strategies or adjusting medication to prevent further hearing damage.Early intervention can be more effective, especially in cases where hearing aids or other devices can be adapted to less severe losses, leading to better outcomes in communication and social interactions. Additionally, addressing hearing loss early might mitigate risks associated with cognitive decline, considering the link between untreated hearing loss and dementia.Resources on hearing loss:Hearing Loss Association of AmericaBetter HearingNational Institute on Deafness and Other Communication DisordersHearing Health Foundation

AI isnt just cookingits reprogramming cravings. The food industry uses AI to engineer ... [+] hyper-palatable foods that manipulate appetite and consumer behavior.gettyThe AI War for Your Appetite Has Begun.GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Trulicity have done something the food industry never intended: Giving consumers back control over their hunger. But AI is now being deployed to take that control away. Faced with declining sales, food companies arent adapting to this shift. Theyre fighting back. Their new strategy? Use AI to re-engineer addiction.AI and behavioral science are being used not to meet demand but to manufacture itdesigning ultra-processed foods that override satiety signals, ensuring consumers keep eating even when their bodies say they dont want to.Walmart recently admitted that GLP-1 drug users are buying less food. That should be a public health victoryless overeating, fewer impulse purchases, and a shift toward whole foods. But instead of embracing healthier consumer behaviors, food companies are doubling down on hyper-palatable formulationsengineering food not to nourish but to hijack cravings at the neurological level.This isnt just about food. This is about consent in the algorithmic age.Engineering Addiction: A Business Response to Lost SalesFood companies have used salt, sugar, and fat in precise ratios for decades to encourage overconsumption. However, as GLP-1 drugs disrupt that cycle, brands turn to AI-driven food science to keep consumers hooked.A recent EY-Parthenon survey highlights the challenge:GLP-1 users report a 40%-60% decrease in snack consumption.They also show a nearly 80% increase in fruit and vegetable intake.The total market impact? Up to $12 billion in lost sales.The response? Optimize for cravings.AI and behavioral science are now bypassing natural hunger cues and triggering repeat consumption. According to CAS, a division of the American Chemical Society: AI-driven systems analyze vast amounts of data to optimize flavors, textures, and ingredient combinations, creating foods that are more enticing to consumers.In other words, AI isnt just making food tastier and more challenging to resist.The Ethical and Business Risk of Algorithmic Appetite ControlThe question isnt whether AI can engineer stronger cravings. The question is: Are you designing AI in a way that preserves consumer choice? Are you offering transparency about how AI is shaping consumer behavior? Are you optimizing for long-term trust or just short-term consumption spikes? Would your consumers still engage if they knew how much control was being ceded to AI?AI can drive sales. But undisclosed manipulation erodes trust. The subsequent major consumer backlash wont be about whats in the food but whats behind the algorithm.The Ethics of Engagement: Are You Removing with AI Friction or Removing Consent?This is not just a food industry issue. It is about how AI is restructuring choice itself. When an algorithm determines what people crave, are they choosing? When AI personalizes content for engagement, are consumers in controlor just following a script? When ultra-processed foods are designed to be addictive, are they still just food or something closer to a drug?According to The National Institutes of Health: By designing foods that override natural satiety signals, companies may be influencing eating behaviors without consumers conscious awareness. This practice parallels concerns previously associated with addictive substances, where products are engineered to promote repeated use.The implications go beyond food. This is about how AI-driven businesses define choice itself.What Are You Automating with AIAnd Who Benefits?Automation removes friction. Thats its power. It streamlines processes, enhances efficiency, and makes engagement easier. But some friction is necessary. Friction is often the last safeguard for consumer autonomy.Checkout pages create friction to prevent regretful purchases.Social media Are you sure? prompts exist to prevent impulsive actions.Regulated industries like finance require disclosures to ensure informed decisions.But AI-driven engagement removes friction by design. If every decision is optimized for seamless, habitual interaction, when does it stop being a choice? Are your AI models nudging consumers toward actions they wouldnt consciously choose? Does your engagement strategy respect human agency or exploit cognitive blind spots? Are you automating recommendations in ways that increase genuine valueor encourage passive consumption?Because the most dangerous AI systems arent the ones consumers rejecttheyre the ones they dont even realize theyre interacting with.And thats not engagement. Its dependence.The Future of AI-Driven Engagement: A Defining Moment for LeadershipThis is not just about AI in food. Its about how every AI-driven business is redefining choice. Every engagement-driven AI system tilts reality just enough to influence decisions:Social media optimizes engagement at the cost of mental health.E-commerce optimizes impulse buying at the expense of financial well-being.Streaming platforms optimize autoplay at the cost of attention span.Food companies optimize hyper-palatable formulations at the expense of public health.Tastewise states, AI enables personalized marketing campaigns that target individual preferences and behaviors, potentially amplifying the impact of hyper-palatable foods.The ethical question isnt whether AI should drive engagement; its whether it should drive engagement without the consumer understanding whats happening.AI and Business at the Crossroads: Responsible Innovation or Regressive Manipulation?Executives are at a critical decision point. AI-driven optimization involves improving engagement and defining whether that engagement is ethical.Have you defined an ethical outcome if youre automating behaviors? If your AI system is nudging consumers, is it nudging them toward informed, beneficial decisions or deeper engagement? If your technology works best when consumers dont understand it, what does that say about its long-term sustainability?This isnt just about food. Its about how AI is deployed across industries to shape consumer behavior without explicit consent.AI is optimizing consumption at every levelfrom eating to shopping, engaging online, and even thinking.AI isnt just predicting behavior anymoreits training people to behave predictably.The question isnt just what AI can optimize but whether were comfortable with the choices its making for us.The backlash will be swift if companies fail to anticipate this reckoning. Regulators are watching, and consumers are waking up. Organizations that prioritize transparency, real choice, and ethical AI practices will now be the ones that survive and thrive in the AI-driven future.Because the next big AI reckoning isnt about bias or fairness; its about consent. The battle for your appetite was just the beginning. The battle for your autonomy is whats really at stake.Your hunger isnt yours anymoreAI is eating for you.

In a nutshell: Most commercial buildings with climate control needs utilize chillers during the warm months. These large systems cool down water and pump it throughout a building to regulate temperatures. This works well enough when electricity costs are low but when they spike during peak usage hours, operators end up paying a lot more out of pocket. Now, building managers across the country have turned to ice to help cut electricity cost. When electricity costs are low, vats of water are frozen to make ice. As energy costs rise during the day, chillers are powered down and the ice is used to cool the water circulating through the building. Simply rinse and repeat each night when electricity costs drop.These ice batteries effectively allow operators to shift when their buildings are using energy, drawing from the power grid only when electricity is cheapest. According to The Washington Post, large building operators can save hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.To date, ice batteries have largely been limited to commercial properties with enough space to accommodate huge blocks of ice. One system in the basement of a NYC banking tower, for example, features 100 tanks that are each the size of a conventional parking space. Future designs could shrink the concept, however, opening it up to smaller businesses and even residential homes.Why not just use conventional batteries to store electricity during non-peak hours, you ask? Cost is one factor. Traditional lithium-ion batteries utilize expensive chemicals that degrade over time and will eventually need to be replaced at an additional cost. Water, however, is plentiful and cheap.Allison Mahvi, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, said that in theory, you should be able to freeze and thaw something forever. The only ongoing costs in such a system are components that will wear out over time such as heat exchangers, valves, and water pumps. Even these can last for decades before needing to be replaced. // Related StoriesImage credit: Getty Images

A hot potato: Even before the invasion of Ukraine, the US had long considered Russia its main cybersecurity threat. But it appears that the designation no longer applies. The move comes as Trump attempts to normalize the relationship with Russia and President Putin, and follows a heated exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. According to a US official familiar with the matter (via The Record), new Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered US Cyber Command to "stand down from all planning against Russia, including offensive digital actions."The official said that Hegseth gave the order to the head of the command, Air Force Gen. Tim Haugh, in late February. The order does not apply to the National Security Agency, which Haugh also leads.This is the second incident suggesting the US no longer considers Russia a cybersecurity threat. Last week, Liesyl Franz, deputy assistant secretary for international cybersecurity at the state department, said in a speech that the US was concerned about cyberthreats from some states, naming only China and Iran, not Russia.The Guardian writes that a recent memo at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (Cisa) set out new priorities for the agency. While China was mentioned as a digital threat, there was no mention of Russia in the memo.A source familiar with the matter told the publication that analysts at the agency were verbally informed not to follow or report on Russian threats, despite previously being a focus for the agency."Russia and China are our biggest adversaries. With all the cuts being made to different agencies, a lot of cybersecurity personnel have been fired. Our systems are not going to be protected and our adversaries know this," the person said. // Related Stories"People are saying Russia is winning. Putin is on the inside now," they added.A person who previously worked on US joint task forces tracking and combating Russian cyberthreats said Russia poses as possibly the most significant nation state threat actor. "Not to diminish the significance of China, Iran or North Korea, but Russia is at least on par with China as the most significant cyber threat," they said.DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement that Cisa remains committed to addressing all cyber threats to US critical infrastructure, including from Russia. "There has been no change in our posture or priority on this front," McLaughlin said.There have been numerous instances of Russian-backed hackers attacking US infrastructure over the last few years. Last April, one such group targeted the water system of Muleshoe, north Texas. Experts believe this was a test to see just how vulnerable these types of targets are and how they respond following an attack.In 2021, Microsoft warned that more than half of all nation-state cyberattacks came from Russia, and that Russian hackers succeed in one out of every three attacks.Masthead: Trump White House Archived

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsTurn off these default settings nowGet better brightnessSmoother movement and connectionsMaking a few simple changes to your TV can unlock its best picture quality. If you want the mind-blowing viewing experience your Sony TV is really capable of, read on.Many TV brands say that most people dont touch even the most basic settings in their TV. It comes straight out of the box, gets set up, and thats it. However, what people dont realize is that it takes just a few minutes of clicking buttons to get the most out of a TV, from brightness to clarity to accuracy.Heres how you can transform how your Sony TVs picture looks.RelatedAll TVs now ship with an Eco setting turned on by default. If you bought your TV for an enhanced viewing experience and isnt that why we buy new TVs? you wont be getting the best brightness and performance with Eco Mode turned on.Digital TrendsTo turn off Eco Mode on a Sony TV: Press the Settings button on your remote, select All Settings, navigate down to System, then to Power and Energy, then to Energy Saver, and then go down to the Power Saving option. Here it reads, Adjust the brightness and panel control to reduce the TVs power consumption meaning, the TV will lower its brightness. You dont want this under your TVs control, so set this to Off.Digital TrendsDigital TrendsMany TVs now come with optical sensors that can detect the brightness of a room and the warmth or coolness of the light. The TV then adjusts the picture automatically, optimizing brightness and color temperature accordingly. However, its decisions on optimal light or warmth may not align with your preferences.On a Sony TV, this is an easy setting to adjust. Press the Settings button on your remote. Select Picture and Sound and then navigate down to Ambient Optimization Pro and turn it Off. If you have a different TV menu, look for this option under All Settings by navigating down to Display and Sound.Digital TrendsNow these key settings are under your control, not the TVs.Picture Modes in TVs are pre-set collections of settings like contrast, sharpness, brightness, and color temperature. Heres how to select a Picture Mode on a Sony TV: Starting from the Home Screen, press the Settings button, then go to Picture and Sound, down to Picture, and then select the Picture Mode you want. An even faster method: Press the Quick Settings button (the little wrench) on your remote and find Picture Mode.Digital TrendsWe recommend modes like Cinema or Professional. The IMAX Enhanced Mode also has a warm and more natural look. If you prefer a cooler, or more blue, color temperature try the Standard Mode. Vivid Mode tends to over-brighten the picture, making it look harsh and blown out.Digital TrendsYou can also fine tune your TVs brightness. Some folks like a brighter setting for watching during the day, while those who watch mostly at night dont need as much brightness. If you do a little of both, you can set different brightness levels for two different Picture Modes and switch between them.Remember that youll likely be watching both SDR (standard dynamic range) and HDR (high dynamic range) content so youll want to set the brightness for both. Sony makes this easy by identifying which range the brightness is being adjusted.Digital TrendsTo set the brightness for SDR content: From the Home Screen, press the Settings button on the remote, go to Picture and Sound, then Picture, then down to select Brightness. SDR shows in parentheses, making it clear that youre adjusting for all SDR content. This can also be accessed through the Quick Settings menu by pressing that button on your remote and going over to Brightness.Digital TrendsTo adjust the brightness for HDR content, start by playing some HDR content, like a show on Netflix or a YouTube video. Follow the same steps for SDR. Youll notice that HDR is now in parentheses, signally that youre adjusting the brightness for HDR content.Want to make your Sony TV even brighter? While in the Brightness section of the menu, navigate down to Peak Luminance, which optimizes contrast. Its what Sony calls its local dimming setting.Digital TrendsExperiment with the Low, Medium, and High settings for Peak Luminance. This setting allows the TV to make the most out of the range of the HDR picture by increasing how bright the brightest areas of the screen get essentially raising contrast, making highlights pop, and providing a gorgeous picture in HDR. When this setting is on Low, the brightness will be lower, but there will be less blooming and halo around bright objects on dark backgrounds. The High setting amps up the brightness from your TV, which can be great for watching during the day.Digital TrendsIf you want to see water really sparkle or bright objects radiate to see HDR content pop and look its absolute best we recommend setting Peak Luminance to High, paired with maxed-out brightness.When it comes to motion smoothing, some people like it and some think it makes everything look weird or fake. Its also known as the soap opera effect.You can make adjustments to the motion smoothing on your Sony TV in the Picture settings. Go to Settings and then to Picture and Sound, select Picture, navigate down to Motion and select Motionflow. Here you can set motion smoothing to Auto, make custom adjustments, or turn it off entirely. Its worth experimenting here you might be surprised by your preferences.Sony TVs also allow you to make specific adjustments for films and shows shot at 24 frames per second (fps) such as most cinematic content and for live content or sports with higher frame rates.There are also a couple of settings that can make using your TV and any external devices easier.Digital TrendsIf you have additional devices like a soundbar, Blu-ray player or gaming system, you might want to control everything with one remote. To set that up, head to the All Settings menu, select Channels & Inputs, then navigate down to External Inputs, then down to Bravia Sync Settings. Turn this On. Here youll also notice there are Device Auto Power Off and TV Auto Power On settings, which allow you to turn everything on and off all at once if you wish.Digital TrendsDigital TrendsDigital TrendsIn the External Inputs menu, be sure to check out HDMI signal format. If you have a 4K Blu-ray player set to these inputs, enable Enhanced Format to ensure youre getting the 4K image that your player is putting out. For a gaming console or device that supports those high 4K frame rates and VRR (variable refresh rate), youll want to use HDMI 3 or 4 set to Enhanced Format 4K 120.Digital TrendsDigital TrendsThe moral of the story: When you buy a new TV, it will look good and perform the basic factory-set functions, but its experience can often be dramatically improved. Its always worth taking the time to do a little tinkering to see what may enhance performance and image quality.Have a different brand of TV and want to make similar adjustments? Most modern TVs have similar features to Sony, however, they might be labelled differently, and it can get confusing. If youre looking for LG, Samsung, Hisense, TCL, or Panasonic, we have instructions for those, too.Editors Recommendations