In bizarre circumstances, Google has announced that the next version of Android will be called KitKat and not Key Lime Pie as was previously thought. Google said: “As everybody finds it difficult to stay away from chocolate, we decided to name the next version of Android after one of our favourite chocolate-covered treats, KitKat!” Android 4.4 KitKat: Google’s explanation If, like us, you’re wondering why the makers of a mobile operating system with more than 1 billion activations would need to pull a stunt like this, then you’re not alone....

Many people opt for phone contracts to avoid paying a large upfront cost for a new phone, but it often works out to be more expensive in the long run, when compared to buying a phone outright and pairing it with a SIM-only deal . However, not everyone can afford an upfront payment on a brand new flagship phone or other tech device. Buying used tech from platforms like eBay or Gumtree can save a significant amount compared to purchasing new....

Instagram is a brilliant service for seeing some of the best images available around the web. Whether it’s pro photographers sharing their latest creations or friends posting snaps of their holidays, you can lose yourself for hours in the app. Should you want to keep some of these images for yourself, there’s always the option to take a screenshot, but will Instagram alert the creator that you’ve made a copy of their post?...

Since launching in 2015, Windows 10 has maintained a relatively consistent look and feel. Microsoft releases new ‘feature’ updates twice a year, but most of these changes are hidden away in settings. You’ll probably need to look up what’s new every six months, and they’re unlikely to change the way you use your PC. However, that could all change in the next 12 months. As Windows Central reports, Microsoft is planning a major overhaul of the Windows 10 user interface for 2021....

On 24 June, Microsoft will present what it calls ‘the next generation of Windows’. The company has remained tight-lipped about what this might include, but Windows 11 is almost certain to be debuted at the event. That’s because an early build of Windows 11 leaked ahead of the official announcement, confirming its name and several key design features. If you needed any more evidence, the shadow cast by the Windows logo official teaser image above looks a lot like the number 11....

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 This one gives us quite mixed feelings. At the time of its release in 2016, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 was one of the best smartphones we had ever tried. Smooth lines, elegant styling, and just the right amount of weight to feel premium but comfortable to use. There was just one problem – they exploded. An issue surrounding the battery, venting, and power management meant that the devices would overheat and cause the battery to catch fire or simply blow up....

At a Glance Expert’s Rating Our Verdict It is possible to get the 240’s figures up to playable figures by really lowering the resolutions and quality settings. Nonetheless, you will get over twice the performance for half as much on the price tag when you buy the 7770. The latter may not be around for much longer. Until that time, it’s hard to recommend the 240 at all. It’s a respectable step up from onboard graphics....

At a Glance Expert’s Rating Our Verdict Whether Xiaomi intended to or not, the Mi Pad 2 is an Android tablet disguised as an iPad mini. This may disgust you or be exactly what you’re looking for. Either way, we can’t deny that this is a well-made, stylish tablet with decent specs for the price. You’re best off getting the 64GB model and if the iOS style user interface is a turn-off, remember that Android is highly customisable....

At a Glance Expert’s Rating Pros Sharp design Capable main camera Superfast 120W charging Headphone jack Cons Disappointing ultrawide and macro lenses Older Android 11 Our Verdict The Note 11 Pro+ 5G is an affordable phone that has more than its fair share of strengths. It may not excel in any particular area, but it does most things very well for the price. Best Prices Today: Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G Not content with offering no less than four other Redmi Note 11 models this year, Xiaomi has also treated us to the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G....

The Xiaomi Mix Flip 2 is generating considerable buzz as the successor to Xiaomi’s first flip-style foldable phone, the Xiaomi Mix Flip. Here’s everything we know so far about its release date, pricing, and specifications. When will the Xiaomi Mix Flip 2 be released? As per Gizmo China’s report , the Xiaomi Mix Flip 2 is rumoured to launch in the first half of 2025, possibly before the end of June....

Xiaomi has just unveiled two new phones as part of its mid-cycle upgrade: the Xiaomi 15T Pro and the slightly more affordable Xiaomi 15T. Even though we’re expecting an announcement of the flagship Xiaomi 17 in China later this month, the 15T range offers some crucial upgrades that are sure to please fans looking for a new mid-range phone . The highlight feature of the launch is the addition of a Leica 5x telephoto lens to the Xiaomi 15T Pro , which should put the phone right up there with flagships when it comes to capturing detailed photos from a distance....

Meta has long seen the Quest 2 as the perfect fitness companion, with plenty of fitness-focused apps ranging from workout apps like FitXR to outright exhausting beat-matching apps like Beat Saber available that’ll get the heart going. It first leant into the fitness side of VR back in late 2020, introducing the Move app to help set goals and track your exercise while in virtual worlds. For those using the headset to keep fit, it was a real boon – the issue was that your fitness data was only viewable in-headset, with no way to delve deeper into the data in the real world....

At a Glance Expert’s Rating Our Verdict The Blade L2 has a lot to offer at just £89, with a quad-core processor, a large screen and support for microSDXC. But while it may be faster than the Motorola Moto E, in many respects the ZTE is the inferior phone – and not just in terms of its build quality. This super-budget smartphone even gets shown up by the significantly cheaper ZTE Kis 3....

The Government has officially announced its plans to ban the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2040, part of a bigger plan to tackle rising levels of air pollution and the effect it’s having on the health of the public in the UK. According to a 2016 paper by the Royal College of Physicians, pollution causes at least 40,000 deaths per year in the UK alone, so something needs to be done....

Google is launching its next generation of flagship smartphones on 20 August, but not much is being left to the imagination for the Pixel 10 series. The Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL and Pixel 10 Pro Fold are some of the most leaked phones we’ve ever seen, with dozens of posts revealing their design, displays, colours, chipsets, battery capacities and much more. These aren’t just speculative reports, either....

At a Glance Expert’s Rating Our Verdict Although primarily a word processor, the fact that the free AbleWord can read and write PDF files means that its more than capable of acting as a PDF editor, thereby suggesting comparison with some seriously expensive competition. While the professional aspects of professional PDF editors are missing, for simply editing PDF documents, AbleWord is perfectly capable. Best Prices Today: AbleWord AbleWord is more than just a word processor with PDF reading- and writing capabilities built in....

At a Glance Expert’s Rating Our Verdict The Acer Predator Helios 300 is a good gaming laptop if you’re after a machine that’ll be plugged-in 95 percent of the time. It gets you good performance per pound with elements of gamer flashiness that appeals to some. The screen is what secures it a fairly good score, though, with solid colour and decent contrast a close enough match for just about any non-wide-gamut display....

At a Glance Expert’s Rating Our Verdict There’s a lot to like about AKG’s flagship headphones. A refinement of the original N700 NC, they provide everything most people are looking for in wireless cans. Particular highlights are its excellent handling of old-school classics, solid implementation of the virtual assistant and superb battery life. However, the main sticking point is the price. It’s hard to justify buying these when class-leading headphones from both Sony and Bose are currently cheaper, as they offer superior noise cancellation and sound isolation....

Google will officially announce the Pixel 10 range on 20 August, but we’re not exactly counting down the days. Don’t get me wrong – we’re all looking forward to taking the Google Pixel 10 , Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold for a spin. The Pixel 9 series is a favourite of many on the Tech Advisor team, and I personally use the Google Pixel 9 Pro on the rare occasion when I’m not reviewing a phone....

At a Glance Expert’s Rating Pros Extremely long battery life Decent exercise tracking Easy interface Cons SpO2 readings don’t work Consistently Strap material feels cheap App not as good as rivals Our Verdict The Amazfit GTR 2e has some of the greatest battery longevity we’ve seen on a smartwatch, but some of the sensors are hit-and-miss. Best Prices Today: Amazfit GTR 2e The Amazfit GTR 2 line continues to expand with the GTR 2e....