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Latest by Simon Hill

Apple iPhone 8 settings

Key settings you need to change on your brand-new iPhone X, 8, or 8 Plus

Just bought a new iPhone X, iPhone 8, or 8 Plus? Check out our guide to the settings you need to change straight away to get the best from your new Apple phone. We'll take a look at some defaults that need tweaking and reveal some handy settings worth tweaking to get your iPhone working the way you want.
sony xperia xz2 premium xz familiy comparison

Smartphone makers are vomiting a torrent of new phones, and we’re sick of it

We’ve never seen such an enormous number of smartphones released in a single year as we’ve seen in 2018. Manufacturers like LG and Sony are updating more and more frequently, while Huawei and Motorola have adopted a scattergun approach with countless similar models.
iPhone XS Max

Apple iPhone XS Max vs. Samsung Galaxy Note 9: Powerhouse face-off

The biggest and best smartphones Apple and Samsung have to offer are powerful and feature-packed, so it can be tough to choose between them. We pit Apple iPhone XS Max against the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 across various categories here to find out which one might suit your needs best.
blackberry key2 full

BlackBerry Key2 vs. Apple iPhone X: Which fruit-themed flagship is best?

We decided to find out how the BlackBerry Key2 stands up against the best Apple has to offer -- the iPhone X. Find out how the two flagship smartphones measure up on paper as we compare them across a variety of categories to help you pick the right device for you. It's a fruit-themed flagship fight.
skyroam solis global hotspot impressions feat

This orange puck keeps you online in any country, with one hidden catch

Staying connected to the internet on your travels can be a challenge and sometimes results in hefty cell phone bills you could do without. We tried out the Skyroam Solis, a global Wi-Fi hotspot and power bank billed as the perfect solution. Tested in Berlin, we found that it worked well up to a point.
phone trends vivo fingerprint sensor

These are the phone trends that will dominate 2018

Facial unlocking, AR, AI, and even foldable displays will all play a role in the phones that shape 2018.
History of Apple's iOS - iOS 11

How to get Apple’s iOS 11 on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch

Apple has released iOS 11. Here's how to download and install it on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch right now.
Huawei P20 Pro

Huawei P20 Pro vs. Apple iPhone X: A battle of flagship smartphones

Can Huawei's P20 Pro defeat Apple's iPhone X? We compare the two expensive flagships in various categories to find out which smartphone is better. The headline feature for the P20 Pro is the triple lens camera, but can it beat Apple's shooter. We also take a look at performance, display, and more.
iOS 12

5 things Apple fixed with iOS 12

As much as we like Apple's mobile operating system, it's not perfect, so we were glad to find a few improvements in iOS 12. Here, we've picked out a few things that Apple has fixed with the latest iteration of iOS. Most of them are minor improvements, but others were long overdue.
iphone storage

There’s no silver lining for iCloud users, and Apple needs to fix it

It’s important to be able to backup your photos, messages, and files, and to have them sync across devices, but Apple’s iCloud service is lagging behind the competition. With few changes since it was introduced and just 5GB of free storage, it’s about time Apple made some improvements.
iOS 12

Opinion: Apple needs to modernize its antiquated annual app update routine

Much is made of Apple’s swift software update schedule, but the annual iOS update encompasses core app updates as well as system tweaks, whereas Google pushes out core app updates year-round. We delve into the differences, ask why Apple does things this way, and discuss whether Google’s approach is better.
Sony Xperia XZ3 review

Best smartphones of IFA 2018

With new devices from Sony, HTC, LG, Huawei, Honor, BlackBerry, ZTE and more, we actually saw more smartphones than expected at IFA in Berlin this year. Many of them were midrangers or budget bargains, but there were a couple of flagships too. These are our picks of the best smartphones of IFA 2018.
tempow tap bluetooth protocol multi audio

Tempow’s new Bluetooth software ties your smart home together

The latest Bluetooth protocol from French startup, Tempow, allows you to sync your smart TV, smart speakers, and Bluetooth speakers. TAP Smart is a clever piece of software with countless applications and we checked it out at IFA in Berlin.
Asus Zenfone 5Z

Asus Zenfone 5Z tips and tricks

If you’ve snagged yourself one of the best bargains of the year, then you might be interested in some Asus Zenfone 5Z tips and tricks to help you get the most out of it. We delve into some of the hidden features of the Asus Zen UI and highlight the options that we've found the most useful.
Galaxy Note 9 front

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 vs. Galaxy S9 Plus vs. Galaxy S9: Which is right for you?

We take a look at Samsung's latest trio of flagship smartphones to find out where the differences lie and help you to choose the right one. It's time for a Galaxy Note 9 vs. Galaxy S9 Plus vs. Galaxy S9 showdown as we compare their specs in different sections and strive to pick a winner overall.
Oppo F9

Oppo F9 smartphone is a budget beauty with a teeny-tiny notch

The spec list for the new Oppo F9, which is about to land in India and some Southeast Asian markets, is nothing to write home about, but the tiny display notch and the stunning gradient finish on the back are unusual in a budget device like this. It also features fast charging, Gorilla Glass 6, and more.
are smartphones really killing the art of conversation starting at phone

Are smartphones killing the art of face-to-face conversation? We ask the experts

There’s a lot of hyperbole about the negative impact of smartphones on conversations. Are we really losing our conversational skills and choosing text over face-to-face chats?
learn how dxomark scores smartphone cameras fugem 7

How do you crown the best smartphone camera? The experts share their secrets

In search of the best smartphone camera? We found out how respected photography lab, DxOMark, tests devices and scores them.
apple iphone 4

iPhone 4: Everything You Need to Know

The iPhone 4 is here and we have all the answers to your questions about Apple's new iPhone including pictures and detailed specifications.
florida court phone passwords android lock screen password

How to improve your Android privacy

If you have an Android phone or tablet and you’re concerned about your privacy, then we have a few tips for you. Learn about the settings you can change to improve your Android privacy and safeguard your personal data. Prevent the tracking of your activity, stop sharing files, and hide sensitive content.
lg v35 thinq vs g7 in hand home full

LG V35 ThinQ vs. LG V30: Is the newer model worth the extra cash?

With an impressive dual camera setup, plenty of video-recording options, and A.I. smarts built into its core, the LG V35 ThinQ is an impressive new smartphone from LG. But it's been less than a year since the LG V30 rolled out. We decided to put the two phones head-to-head to find out which is best.
apple airpower charger

From Apple’s charging mat to Google’s modular phone, these gadgets went MIA

Not every new tech product that’s announced makes it to market. A lot can go wrong between an unveiling and a release, so many hotly anticipated gadgets never make it. We take a look at some of the biggest and most exciting tech products that never found their way into the hands of customers.

Pumpkin Pie perhaps? Just what should Android P be called?

We run through a list of the most likely -- and unlikely -- names for Google's next version of Android. There are many possibilities for Android P, as plenty of desserts start with the 16th letter of the alphabet. Will it be another brand-name tie-in or a generic dessert name this time around?

Best Samsung Galaxy S4 accessories

In this guide to the best Samsung Galaxy S4 accessories we highlight a wireless speaker, a dock, a stand, some excellent headphones, a stylus, a charger, and a few other extras.
Swiftpoint

Is Swiftpoint the ultimate portable mouse?

We had a look at the Swiftpoint mouse for Windows and Mac, an impressively small, feature-packed bundle that has a clever solution for all your computer control needs.
BlackBerry World app store

Got a Z10? Here are some great BlackBerry 10 apps to get you started

What are the best BlackBerry 10 apps in BlackBerry World? The new platform launched with over 70,000 and we'll keep you up to date with the pick of the BB10 apps right here.
Juice Mobile Power from Bretford and FLI Charge

FLI Charge’s conductive wireless charging could revolutionize classroom tech

Juice Mobile Power has won FCC approval and ETL certification to roll into classrooms and offices across the country. In partnership with Bretford, FLI Charge has built its conductive wireless charging technology into a mobile solution that turns a single outlet into a power source for up to 20 devices.
Apple iPhone Xdisplay

Notch it off! Why are Android phones copying the worst part of the iPhone X?

There’s little doubt that smartphone bezels are an endangered species, but there’s more than one way to realize an all-screen design, so why is everyone adopting the notch?
Modius Headset

Can a $500 nerve zapper help you lose weight? We tried the Modius headset

It can be difficult to shift those extra pounds. Even with dieting and exercise, your body sometimes sticks stubbornly to a specific weight. The Modius headset uses electrical signals to trick your brain into burning fat faster and speeding your metabolic rate. We tried it out to see whether it works.
moto g6 review hands on 16

Moto G6 vs. Honor 7X: Which is the better budget phone?

The latest G-Series phone from Lenovo-owned Motorola looks to be a compelling budget prospect, but just how does the Moto G6 measure up against one of our favorite budget phones from last year -- the Honor 7X? We decided the compare the two in various categories to find out which is best.
how do people really use apps man with iphone at bar feature

How do people really use apps? We asked an expert

The app explosion drove the humble smartphone to giddy heights, but just how often do people use apps, what do they use, and how much time do they spend on them? We asked App Annie CEO, Bertrand Schmitt, all that and more.
wear os by google

The only guide you need to get started with Google’s Wear OS

Got a new Wear OS smartwatch? Here's how to add music, block unwanted notifications, and carry out a host of other useful actions.
used phone scam header

Buying a used phone? Beware of this common scam no one wants to talk about

If you bought a used phone only to find that it couldn’t be activated, or that it had been blocked after being reported stolen or lost, then you may have fallen victim to a used phone scam.
MWC 2018 emerging tech

More than just smartphones: 5 emerging technologies from MWC 2018

Mobile World Congress isn’t all smartphones. We explored every hall and booth and found five emerging technologies that we feel have real potential.