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Baidu, one of Chinas biggest tech companies, introduced a 2TB free cloud storage plan for domestic users nearly a decade ago, and is now looking to do the same for the rest of the world with its Terabox brand.

The company recently announced it is rolling out a referral program which extends its already humongous 1TB (1024GB) free cloud storage offer to a maximum of 3TB.

How useful this freebie might be is debatable given that the extra 2TB free cloud storage is only valid for 180 days. Although theres no fixed expiration date, wed expect the data to be purged once the 181st day is reached. Every activated referral brings in 200GB data and each existing Terabox user can add up to 10 users.

Such schemes have been around for cloud storage for years especially at the very beginning when cloud storage was nascent. Box, Dropbox and Onedrive have recruited millions of active users using this tried and tested method.

Also available is a check-in program which gives 293GB of data after a week; Terabox didnt say whether both programs can run concurrently to boost cloud storage capacity.

We reviewed Terabox recently and found that while there are tradeoffs to be had in terms of bandwidth throttling and file size limits, these are all reasonable compromises to make, so we gave it an honorable 3.5/5 stars. Theres no native MacOS client and the fact that the servers are located in mainland China may make some potential users uneasy.

Terabox has been a roaring success outside of China though with more than 35 million downloads on PC, iOS and Android. The firm has confirmed that it reserves the right to deny the referral program reward(s) in the event of fraud or other excluded circumstances.

As a comparison, our current best cloud storage provider, iDrive (opens in new tab), charges only $3.98 for the first year and delivers 10TB online cloud storage with support for unlimited devices and extensive file versioning. After the first year though, you will be charged nearly $80.

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China's answer to Google is offering 2TB cloud storage for free, but there's a catch - TechRadar

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Samsung will ship a new version of its smart SSD for data centers thats more than just a storage device it can be a CPU and accelerator when needed.

The second-generation SmartSSD computational storage device (CSD) will ship to customers for evaluation later this year, said Yang Seok Ki, vice president for the memory solutions lab at Samsung Electronics, during a presentation last month at SNIAs Persistent Memory and Computational Sstorage Summit.

The SmartSSD can store multiple terabytes of data and has on-device processing capabilities with an embedded CPU and an accelerator.

Servers can offload processing and acceleration to the storage devices processors to reduce the strain on CPUs and save network bandwidth. The applications could be storage-specific tasks such as compression and data warehousing.

CSD can provide scalable low-power processing with a low-bandwidth footprint at the rack level, Yang said, adding our next-generation device is focusing on developing a platform that enables various collaborations and technologies.

CSDs could use FPGAs, RISC-V chips, AI accelerators, or custom chips called ASICs. The CSD could be used to filter or compress data, meaning it could free up I/O, bandwidth, and cache and improve network utilization. The on-device processing capabilities ensure only relevant data leave storage.

Samsungs 2nd-generation CSD combines storage and processing, and will ship later this year (Image courtesy Samsung)

The processors can run background applications that are low priority and not required to run in real time. Accelerators can focus on foreground applications with strong real-time requirements, but within a specific power budget.

Samsung released its first SmartSSD CSD product in 2020, with a 4TB SSD based on the companys fifth generation V-NAND technology, and a Xilinx FPGA on which customers can install their own applications. The FPGA accelerator talks directly with the SSD without going through the host CPU.

The first-generation SmartSSD, which is based on PCI-Gen3 protocol, has a sequential read rate of 3,300 MB/sec, write rate of 2,000 MB/sec, and random read 100,000 IOPS and random write speed of 800,000 IOPS.

In a video transcoding application, Samsung measured an 80% boost in performance by breaking up processing between the CPU and FPGA on the SmartSSD, and that reduced server CPU utilization from 93% to 70%. It also sped up cyber forensics, data warehousing, and compression applications.

The next-generation SmartSSD compute module will include an embedded CPU, and a separate computing core where customers can put it in their own software stack depending on the operation. Those processing modules will connect to an SSD controller, which will be linked to NAND storage modules.

Tech specs for Samsungs second-gen CSD (Source: Samsung)

The upcoming device is more software-defined, and customers will be able to add their own intellectual property to the custom processors, Yang said.

Software developers can expand device functions by adding custom functions to the processors. Samsung later this year will release a software development toolkit that includes a library that is compatible with the SNIAs computational storage APIs and specifications.

The next-gen SmartSSD device will also have system-level security features that include advanced encryption standards.

Yang wrapped up the need for computational device storages like SmartSSD as a way to improve the energy efficiency of data centers.

We need a new computing paradigm to reduce emissions in data centers. In the current situation where large amounts of data are generated and lots of computing power is required, data-centric computing with computational storage devices can be a promising alternative, Yang said.

A few trends have helped make servers more efficient, including new manufacturing technologies, which has increased the power efficiency of chips. About 92% of servers are virtualized, and 80% of the data centers are cloud based or cloud-like, which has helped reduce the idle time of servers, Yang said.

Servers use about 50% of the data center power consumption and reducing that is important to meet the targets, Yang said, citing numbers from a paper published in Science Magazine in 2020.

The growth in storage-drive efficiencies and densities has enabled a 25-fold increase in storage capacity with only a threefold increase in global storage energy use, the paper stated.

Yang stated that offloading processing to storage devices could improve overall energy efficiency of data centers and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

We must do better for the next-generation, he said.

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Samsung to Ship Next-Generation Smart SSD This Year - Datanami

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Most of us have a smartphone in our pocket these days. It's a device that not just allows communications, but even tasks normally performed on a computer (like gaming). Some would say that smartphones would stay for another decade or so. But is that the case?

Well, Pekka Lundmark seems to think otherwise. At the recent World Economic Forum 2022 (WEF 2022), Nokia's CEO claimed that 6G could be available as early as 2030 and that it could make smartphones obsolete. That got many people thinking, "What device could take the place of this incredibly useful gadget?" Lundmark says smart glasses could replace them, and I'm inclined to agree.

Before giving our predictions, here's some context on the topic. So, what aspect of 6G makes smartphones obsolete? One word: speed. While 5G aims to deliver peak data rates of up to 1.1Gbps, 6G has a theoretical top limit of 1000Gbps!

Yup, 6G is about 1000 times faster than 5G. This means that 6G networks and devices can transmit A LOT of data quickly, which gives it many advantages. Devices could store all their content on an external storage drive/server and stream remotely.

Image from HighSpeedInternet

In other words, manufacturers could exclude internal storage flash drives from devices. These storage chips aren't that big, but they should still result in more compact devices. A focus on remote streaming could lead to more platforms relying on cloud servers. Services like cloud gaming could overtake mainstream gaming, as faster data rates also mean much lower latencies.

Now that you have some context on 6G, let's talk about what kind of devices could replace a smartphone. According to Lundmark, smart glasses are a category that would start popping up before 6G becomes mainstream. The Nokia CEO also believes that it could flourish with the help of 6G's ultra-fast data rates.

The OPPO AirGlass that was introduced last year

Mind you, that's not an unreasonable assumption, as some companies are already looking into smart glasses. In fact, the OPPO Air Glass unveiled last year is one of the first models in that category. There are also Meta's AR/VR smart glasses introduced a few months ago and one from Apple that's expected to launch in 2024.

Wilder creations would include the 'smart contact lenses. Back on April Fool's Day, ASUS ROG uploaded a YouTube video about a "ROG Smart Lens". If you think about it, is it really impossible for this to exist? Not with current technologies, but it could happen in the future, right?

It's just a joke, but what if...

Why are smart glasses strong candidates to replace smartphones? If you ask me, the reason would be the display interface. Any device that wants to replace a smartphone needs to have this, and with smart glasses, you have it right on your face. Personally, I'm all for this since I don't have to hold up a phone to my face anymore when I'm reading e-books. The only issue is how you'd interact with this interface.

The next one is less likely to happen (and kinda scary to think of) - embedded chips. At the WEF 2022, Lundmark also commented on the possibility of devices being built directly into our bodies. That's some high-end sci-fi imagination there, but he's not the only one to have claimed this.

One of Elon Musk's companies, Neuralink, is working on electronic devices that can be implanted into the brain. These devices allow users to communicate with each other and with machines, basically what a smartphone does. Less invasive procedures would include embedding these chips into a person's wrists or arms, allowing them to interact with selected electronics with them. For example, they could unlock a door with it or use them as ID chips.

Would you embed a microchip in your head?

There are already people who are implanting chips into their bodies

The way I see it, smart glasses could indeed replace smartphones someday. Companies are already developing these and could have suitable models before 6G becomes mainstream. However, that doesn't mean they'll replace smartphones anytime soon. In fact, early prototypes will probably be so expensive that only the rich will buy them.

Of course, I'm no expert and the way the future unfolds remains uncertain. But it's an interesting topic, don't you think? Share your thoughts with us in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news and articles like this!

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Opinion: Experts say 6G would make smartphones obsolete, but would Smart glasses replace them? - TechNave

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Entrust announced the acquisition of Netherlands-based Evidos, an innovative leader in cloud-based electronic signatures and identity verification solutions.

The acquisition advances Entrust as a global player in the fast-growing $2.3 billion market1 for trusted electronic signatures, a key element of digital transformation. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Based in the Netherlands and founded in 2008, Evidos has approximately 35 employees who will join the Entrust team with the acquisition, including co-founders Kick Willemse and Zivko Lazarov. Evidos has innovative technology and extensive business in Europe, with more than 2,000 customers and millions of users of its solutions.

As a global digital security leader, Entrust offers a unique portfolio that includes all the key elements necessary for e-signature solutions, including e-signature workflow, PKI, hardware security modules (HSMs), digital certificates, signing servers and timestamp authority (TSA).

Security empowers enterprises to transform with confidence. Digital life demands that organizations provide trusted digital-first transactions, from opening bank accounts to applying for government services. Our intention at Entrust is to be a global player in digital signature solutions, built on a platform of security and trust, said Todd Wilkinson, CEO of Entrust. Evidos has a talented team that has built successful solutions for small businesses to large enterprise and government customers, and we are excited to work with them to accelerate the growth of Entrust in the e-signature market.

The Evidos solution makes it easy to adopt all-digital workflows for verifying identities, and executing compliant, trusted documents. This is ideal for finance, banking, real estate, workplace, and other transactions that require trust and benefit from streamlined digital workflows.

Our mission at Evidos has always been to make identified signing available anytime, everywhere, for anyone, to contribute to a trusted digital world. Joining Entrust will accelerate this mission on a global scale and empowers our electronic signing platform with trusted digital security solutions from Entrust, said Kick Willemse, CEO of Evidos.

The acquisition combines Evidos cloud-based electronic signature workflow solutions with secure certificate-based digital signature solutions from Entrust. Customers now can obtain end-to-end, cloud-based electronic signature solutions from Entrust, including basic electronic signatures, advanced electronic signatures, and qualified electronic signatures. With a complete, eIDAS-aligned workflow that takes the user from start to finish in their e-signature journey, these solutions will ensure that documents signed using this offering would ensure the identities of the signers and be evident if altered in transit.

We are excited about our acquisition of Evidos. Looking at the opportunities ahead, Entrust will continue to enhance its electronic signature and digital signing capabilities to provide the most seamless customer experience and the highest levels of security and compliance as businesses migrate to digital workflows, said Sam Morcos, Senior Vice President, Certificate Solutions at Entrust.

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Entrust acquires Evidos to enhance its electronic signature and digital signing capabilities - Help Net Security

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Remember the days when TVs were, well, just TVs? Now ultra-smart TVs have made their way into our homes, but they still need online protection. The best VPN for smart TV devices can provide some anonymity and security, plus help you get around georestictions with streaming sites.

Smart TVs let you connect to the internet, but when you go online, all sorts of information about you can be shared with your ISP. However, a smart TV VPN will protect your online privacy.

You also have to consider online security with your smart TV after all, its another device that is connected to the internet. Without the right protections in place, your smart television is vulnerable to attacks where cybercriminals can gain access to your sensitive information.

Plus, if you want to access geo-restricted content, the best smart TV VPN can help you access streaming sites content in other countries.

For these reasons, its a good idea to take back some control and protect your privacy by installing a virtual private network. This wont give you full anonymity, as you will still need to log in to sites such as Netflix, but its a step in the right direction.

Yes, you can install a VPN on a smart TV. Some VPN apps can be directly installed on Android TVs and Fire TVs. You can also connect your TV by setting the VPN up on a router or using SmartDNS, which lets you spoof your location to bypass geoblocks without other benefits of the VPN, such as security.

You can use Windscribes free plan with a smart TV. However, its app is only compatible with Fire TVs and its SmartDNS is a paid feature. The free plan also has a 10GB per month data cap and a limited number of servers for free.

To be one of the best smart TV VPN options, the virtual private network needs to have apps for smart TVs ideally including Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung TV. Otherwise, the VPN should at least have router support or smart DNS settings.

There are other features to consider too. They will not apply if you use a VPN SmartDNS setup, but theyre relevant for other types of VPN setups.

Fast speeds are beneficial, especially with streaming, so you can watch content in the highest resolution available and not suffer from buffering. Plus, choosing a VPN provider that has strong security and a no-logs policy will ensure that you stay protected online. You might also want a VPN that allows a decent number of simultaneous connections.

For the most part, a decent smart TV VPN needs to have servers in the countries you wish to access content in and be smart enough to circumvent the blocks that streaming platforms put in place.

Now that you know what you need in a smart TV VPN, well point you to the best smart TV VPN providers available. All of the VPN services listed below can be used with a smart television by using one or more of the methods stated above.

The ExpressVPN app can be directly installed on Android TVs and Fire TVs. It also has a dedicated router app.

More details about ExpressVPN:

Pros:

ExpressVPN is our top smart TV VPN for a few reasons. If you have an Android TV or Fire TV, you can install the ExpressVPN app directly on your TV, allowing you to tailor the VPN for your streaming needs. The VPN also has a dedicated router app, which will cover all the devices connected to your home router.

For other smart TVs, you can set up the VPN using ExpressVPNs SmartDNS feature, Media Streamer. This feature wont provide any VPN security this way, but with ExpressVPNs track record for bypassing streaming service blocks easily its our best VPN for streaming you should have no problem watching whatever you want on your smart TV.

It has servers in 160 locations across 94 countries, allowing you to watch content from a ton of different streaming libraries. On top of that, ExpressVPN provides some of the fastest VPN speeds for a top streaming experience, and it has some of the best security you can get, as well as a strict no-logs policy.

ExpressVPNs official router app means you dont need to go through the process of setting it up manually on your smart TV. All you need to do is install the VPN app on your router and any device you connect to it will benefit from the VPN features. The router app interface is almost identical to the desktop and mobile app versions, meaning you can easily configure the settings.

ExpressVPN is the best at bypassing streaming geoblocks and has some of the fastest speeds available.

ExpressVPN is the most expensive VPN on this list, but youre paying for a quality VPN with the added benefit of a dedicated router app. Plus, theres a 30-day money-back guarantee to fall back on. Read our ExpressVPN review for more details on the service.

NordVPN works with Android and Fire TVs, and also has a SmartDNS feature.

More details about NordVPN:

Pros:

Cons:

NordVPN is another great smart TV VPN and it can be installed directly on an Android TV or Fire TV, though youll need to use it in conjunction with the smart DNS feature or using a router. If you have any other smart TV, youll need to connect via a different method, such as Smart DNS.

You can also set NordVPN up on your router, but unlike ExpressVPN, it doesnt have a router app. Youll need to set it up manually, but NordVPN has helpful guides to make the process as smooth as possible.

Along with its standard security, NordVPN provides extra encryption with its double-hop servers and also has threat protection to block ads, trackers and malware. With a router setup, your privacy will also be honored because NordVPN doesnt keep logs.

One of NordVPNs strong points is its ability to bypass geoblocks and other restrictions. It can easily get into streaming sites like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and many more. Plus, its server network is large enough to provide multiple servers in case one doesnt work. All you need to do is switch to another VPN server and try again.

There are more than 5,400 servers, and theyre spread across 60 countries, meaning you can access a lot of different countries libraries. Plus, NordVPN lets you connect up to six devices at a time, so you can access content on various device types, not just your smart TV.

NordVPN is an affordable VPN that can bypass streaming sites geoblocks easily.

NordVPN shines in the pricing department. Although its monthly cost is expensive, its two-year plan is more affordable than ExpressVPN. Plus, theres a 30-day refund period in case you dont like it. Check out our NordVPN review for more details.

Surfshark is a cheap VPN that can easily be set up for use with smart TVs.

More details about Surfshark:

Pros:

Cons:

Surfshark can be installed directly on an Android TV or Fire TV, making the setup super easy. Alternatively, you can set Surfshark up via its Smart DNS feature. Its a fairly simple process and Surfshark provides guides on its website.

It also provides guides for setting up Surfshark on a router. Once you have a VPN router set up, you can connect all your devices to it, allowing them to stay protected.

With that setup, youll benefit from Surfsharks fast speeds, which are a must for quality streaming. It also comes with great security and a no-logs policy. On top of that, there are more than 3,200 servers in 65 countries, so youll have plenty to choose from to bypass geoblocks.

Surfshark is cheap, but you dont just get a bog-standard VPN. You can block ads, malware and other harmful attacks with CleanWeb, or go completely incognito with its camouflage mode.

Theres also MultiHop, Surfsharks double VPN feature. This routes your connection through more than one server, basically implementing double the encryption. Plus, its NoBorders feature allows you to get online in restrictive countries such as China.

While a router setup might remove the ability to use such tools, another standout feature is that Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections. That means no matter how you set up your smart television with the VPN, you can install Surfshark on all your other devices individually, which is especially handy if you have a large family or youre gadget-happy.

Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Surfsharks two-year plan is a very affordable VPN. Theres a 30-day money-back guarantee too, in case you decide its not for you. Our Surfshark review goes into more detail.

Surfshark Plans

CyberGhost has a massive server network, but can struggle with some streaming platforms.

More details about CyberGhost:

Pros:

Cons:

Like the other picks on our list, CyberGhost can be installed directly on an Android TV or Fire TV. For another smart TV operating system, you can use CyberGhosts SmartDNS feature, which is a little different from the others, but well get to that in a minute. You can also set CyberGhost up on a router by following one of CyberGhosts many online guides.

CyberGhost has one of the largest server networks available, with more than 8,000 servers in 91 countries. With that range of servers, youll be able to access a ton of different content libraries. However, while CyberGhost can easily access Netflix U.S., you might have trouble with other services like BBC iPlayer. With CyberGhost, you also might come across some servers that are slow.

CyberGhost has strong security and doesnt keep logs, meaning youre protected while using it. Plus, it lets you connect up to seven devices at a time, so you can connect six devices in addition to your smart TV.

CyberGhosts Smart DNS is a little more, well, smart when compared to other VPNs. Instead of simply having DNS addresses for particular countries, it categorizes them for particular streaming services. So, if you want to access the American Netflix library, CyberGhost has a Netflix U.S. address DNS address.

You can search through the list for different streaming platforms in different countries. Its pretty handy considering you wont know if a server can get into a streaming service until you try it. With CyberGhosts list, you can easily see which ones are capable of getting into particular services.

CyberGhost comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Like with all the other VPNs on the list, CyberGhosts monthly plan isnt great, but its three-year plan is inexpensive. You can also take it for a spin with its seven-day free trial on mobile (24 hours on desktop). If youre still not sure, theres a 45-day money-back guarantee (14 days on the monthly plan). Read our CyberGhost review for more details.

Private Internet Access is a cheap VPN, but its app is not compatible with smart TVs.

More details about Private Internet Access:

Pros:

Cons:

Private Internet Access is a budget VPN that offers a decent service. The main reason its last, though, is because its app is not compatible with any smart TV, meaning you cant simply download it straight to an Android TV or Fire TV. It also struggles with certain streaming services namely, Hulu and BBC iPlayer.

However, you can set the VPN up on your router. It isnt hard and there are online guides available on the VPNs website. If you prefer, you can buy a plug-and-play router from FlashRouters, which is preconfigured with PIA. Theres also a Smart DNS feature if youd prefer to go that route.

PIA has top security and doesnt keep activity logs. Private Internet Access doesnt disclose the exact number of VPN servers it has, but they cover 80 countries, meaning you can access other content around the world.

Like most VPNs, you can set up PIA on multiple devices, but PIA lets you connect up to 10 at a time. Thats pretty impressive and double the number you can connect with ExpressVPN. That means if you use Smart DNS to connect your smart TV, another nine devices can be used with the VPN.

PIA also has some special features to provide extra security on your devices. For example, theres MACE, which is PIAs ad, tracker and malware blocker. Its a little different from other VPN ad blockers because it works at the DNS level instead of checking a blocklist. This way is faster and doesnt even allow the unwanted attempts to load.

Theres also Shadowsocks, which is similar to double VPN in that it routes your traffic through two locations, but it doesnt include the second layer of encryption. That extra hop to another server can help bypass geoblocks.

PIA allows up to 10 simultaneous connections and you can use its SmartDNS feature with your smart TV.

Like others on the list, Private Internet Access has a pricey monthly cost, but its three-year plan makes it super cheap. If youre not sure about it, though, theres a 30-day refund period for peace of mind and you can read our full PIA review for more details.

The free VPN market is a mixed bag. Some are complete security risks, threatening your privacy by stealing data and compromising your online safety by not implementing the security advertised. Thats why you should always choose a reputable VPN, and some of those offer a free plan.

Windscribe is the best free VPN for smart TVs, but it didnt make our list due to its Smart DNS feature requiring a fee. You can install its app on a Fire TV, but thats it. All other smart TVs will require you to use Smart DNS or set the VPN up on your router. Setting it up on a router isnt hard and Windscribe provides helpful online guides, but if you want to use Smart DNS, it costs $2 per month.

Windscribes free plan has other restrictions too, such as a limited number of free server locations and a 10GB per month data cap. Youll easily blow through that data allowance if you stream a lot, so youd need to opt for the paid plan. You may be better off going for another VPN on our list, but read our Windscribe review for more information.

Pro Plan

The method of setting up a VPN with your smart TV will vary depending on the smart TV you have. Many VPNs are compatible with select smart TVs such as Google TV, Amazon Fire TV and Android TV meaning you can simply install the VPN app on your smart TV just like any other device.

However, if you have a different TV OS, youll likely need to find a different way of connecting to the VPN on your smart TV. There are a few other options, and any of them will allow you to watch geoblocked content, but there are some differences with both the setup and how the VPN works.

The first option is to set the VPN up on your router. A VPN router setup is a great option, especially since any device connected to it will benefit from the VPNs protection. The initial setup can be a bit tedious, but there are plenty of guides available on each VPNs website to help you. Alternatively, you can use your computer or laptop as a virtual router through the VPN.

Probably the easiest way is to connect via Smart DNS, but there are a couple of caveats. For instance, if you use the complete VPN app, youll benefit from extra features the VPN may have, have easy access to all the servers and be protected by the VPNs security. A Smart DNS setup will only help you change your IP location to bypass geoblocks theres no protection.

Smart DNS allows you to trick services into thinking youre located somewhere else, but thats it. Its a great way to access more content on your smart TV, but you wont benefit from the VPNs security. While wed usually say thats a big no-no, its perfectly fine for some simple streaming.

Connecting your smart TV to a VPN will allow you to access and stream geoblocked content. However, its not always as simple as downloading the VPN app.

Many VPN apps are compatible with Android TVs and Fire TVs. Other smart television operating systems like those on Sony, LG and Samsung smart TVs dont support VPN apps, so you have to use another way to connect, such as via a router or Smart DNS.

ExpressVPN is the best smart TV VPN by far. It can be directly installed on Android TV and Fire TV, and you can also use its Smart DNS feature, called MediaStreamer. One of its most valued features, though, is its dedicated router app, which allows you to easily set your router up with the VPN.

How did you connect your smart TV with a VPN? Which VPN did you use? Did it work to unblock streaming services in different locations? Let us know in the comments section and, as always, thanks for reading.

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Best VPN for Smart TVs in 2022 [Mask Your Internet Connection] - Cloudwards

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