Podcast #1258: Netflix: The Best Single Streaming Service to Keep in 2026

On today's show we take a look at the new Apple CarPlay Ultra. And with the high cost of streaming these days, we give you our pick for the one streaming service that you should keep. We also read your emails and look at the week's news.

News:

• Fox Is Buying Roku in $22 Billion Deal
• Gemini can now adjust your picture settings on Google TV
• Blink Just Launched Its First Doorbell With 2K Video — And It's Only $50
• AWOL Vision Expands Home Entertainment Portfolio

Apple's New CarPlay Ultra

A listener sent us a link to: I tried Apple CarPlay Ultra and now everything else feels outdated. The author felt that CarPlay Ultra just made every other in-car system feel clunky – and after testing it in an Aston Martin DBX, I don't want to drive without it. So why is he so excited about this update?

Main Takeaways from the Article:

• CarPlay Ultra is a full dashboard takeover: Unlike standard CarPlay (which only handles the central screen), this next-gen version extends seamlessly across all screens — including the instrument cluster, driver display, and center infotainment. It creates one unified, cohesive Apple-style interface for the entire driving experience.
• New design and customization with brand personality preserved: Tested in an Aston Martin DBX, it delivers crisp fonts, smooth performance, glanceable widgets (music, navigation, tire pressure, etc.), and deep customization. Aston Martin added brand-specific touches (e.g., custom dials with the wings logo, green colorway, and vehicle bird's-eye view) while keeping Apple's polish.
• Complete vehicle controls inside one UI: You can adjust climate, suspension, driver assists, drive modes, fuel/range info, radio, and more without switching to the car's native system. A clever "punch through" feature seamlessly jumps to the manufacturer's menus for unsupported controls (like ambient lighting) and returns instantly.
• Highly intuitive and responsive: Steering wheel controls let you swipe between views hands-free. Everything feels fast with zero lag, making it feel like a natural extension of the car rather than a bolted-on phone interface.
• Safety net if phone disconnects: Core driving info (speedo, critical gauges) runs locally and stays active. Navigation/media/apps resume seamlessly upon reconnection.
• Availability and future rollout: Currently live on high-end Aston Martins (with over-the-air or dealer updates for compatible models like DBX/DB12). More brands (Porsche, Mercedes, Polestar, and eventually affordable ones) are coming soon.
• Overall verdict: The reviewer says it makes every other in-car system (including their own Android Auto) feel clunky and outdated. It's not just visual — it fundamentally improves the driving experience, and they "never want to drive without it again."

Netflix: The Best Single Streaming Service to Keep in 2026

With so many streamers out there costing us hundreds a year it has become expensive to watch TV. We asked ourselves, "If we had to pick only one streamer which one would it be?" And that streamer is - Netflix

Why Netflix Wins for Most People

• Biggest variety and library — Massive catalog of originals (hit shows like Stranger Things, Bridgerton, Wednesday, etc.), licensed movies/TV, international content, documentaries, and new releases. It has something for almost every taste and mood.
• Excellent discovery tools — Strong recommendation algorithm that gets better the more you watch, making it easy to find what you'll like without wasting time.
• Reliable and polished — Simple, fast interface that works great on any device (smart TVs, phones, tablets, streaming sticks, etc.). Consistent quality and frequent new content.

Other strong contenders fall short in our "one service only" scenario:

• Disney+ — Fantastic for families, Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar — but narrower overall appeal.
• Prime Video — Great value if you already shop on Amazon (and it comes with Prime perks), but the core streaming library feels less essential alone.
• HBO Max — Strong prestige dramas and movies, but smaller overall selection.
• Apple TV+ — Highest production quality per show, but much smaller library.

Bottom line: Netflix gives you the broadest entertainment bang for your buck and the least chance of getting bored quickly. It's the safest "one and done" choice for a general audience in 2026.