#SoITriedIt: How I Cut the Cord with the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K

As a 30-something millennial, cable television was my gateway to entertainment growing up. My childhood revolved around waiting for shows to start, flipping through channels, and sometimes just settling for whatever was on because I didn’t have much of a choice. Then came the streaming revolution, and suddenly, content wasn’t just abundant—it was on-demand. No more waiting, no more channel-surfing. And my transition to the streaming era was made possible by one simple high-tech stick: The Xiaomi TV Stick 4K.

Courtesy Next Upgrade Shop

Our family first got one around five or six years ago. Back then, we were already binging our favorite Netflix shows, but were still somewhat attached to our cable connection because it allowed us to watch HBO’s Game of Thrones at the same time as the US. But once the pandemic hit, and Netflix got even more competitors (including Max, previously HBO Go), our family easily decided it was time to cut the cord.

From Parks and Recreation’s Official GIPHY

With how well the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K worked for our living room TV, I decided to get one of my own for my bedroom TV around three years ago.  My trusty “not-so-smart” TV transformed overnight into a “somewhat-smart” TV thanks to the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K. Netflix? Check. YouTube? Always. Disney+? I got it. The Xiaomi TV Stick 4K turned my old screen into a true entertainment hub.

What I love most about it is the freedom it offers. I no longer have to wade through channels I’d never watch, waiting for shows to play on a designated time slot and watching stuff midway without the option to rewind. With the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K, I can dive into my favorite shows and videos whenever I want. From my favorite animated series to mindless YouTube rabbit holes I’ll play in the background, everything is one remote click away. And that’s not just convenient; it’s liberating. It’s made me realize there’s no going back to cable TV’s rigid schedules.

That said, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing. Over the years, I’ve had some difficulties with the TV Stick. For instance, there’s this odd issue where it randomly resets itself and suddenly can’t connect to streaming services. After much trial and error and Googling, I discovered the culprit: a factory-reset system date. Pro tip: if this happens, just manually set the date and time under system settings, and you’re good to go. Annoying? A little. Manageable? Absolutely. 

That being said, would I ever return to cable TV? Not a chance. The minor hiccups made it more apparent how much I enjoyed and relied on the TV Stick for entertainment. The Xiaomi TV Stick 4K has made cutting the cord effortless and entirely worth it. If you’re still clinging to your cable box or feeling left out of the streaming revolution, trust me—this is your sign to make the switch.

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Snag more smart devices at their best prices at the Next Upgrade Shop. Add to cart the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K and cut the cord today!