Google Chromecast seems like an ideal present, but you'll just confuse the hell out of people

It's getting harder and harder to find people who don't at least occasionally use streaming services, but a good way to discourage people from streaming is to make the process more arcane than necessary. 

With streaming hardware rapidly getting to the point where even 4K-compatible sticks and boxes are cheap, these things can make for easy holiday gifts. You don't have to break the bank and it's almost guaranteed that the recipient will find something to do with it. Entertainment is universal, after all.

But it's not always universally accessible. Google's Chromecast devices are one of the more common streaming devices, and for good reason: At just $35, even the base model is a useful little gadget that can beat built-in smart TV apps. But if you're shopping for streaming hardware for a parent or anyone else who isn't totally tech-savvy, you may want to look elsewhere. Read more...