For most people, the only time we think about the storage on our smartphones or tablets is when we’re running low on space. Some very clever engineers are quietly improving the performance of this vital component. The result of these toils is Universal Flash Storage (UFS), and you’re already using it if you have a recent high-end Android phone such as the Samsung Galaxy S8 , HTC U11+ , or OnePlus 5T ....

It might seem that Wi-Fi 6 has only just arrived, but now that there’s a new standard called Wi-Fi 6E, is it already obsolete? Should I get a Wi-Fi 6E router instead of Wi-Fi 6? We answer your questions and explain what you need to know. Wi-Fi 6E vs Wi-Fi 6: what’s the difference? Huge expansion of available Wi-Fi space in 6GHz band Less traffic means faster speeds Best for busy home networks Wi-Fi 6 (or 802....

Maybe it’ll launch an updated home-helper robot as it did with the Astro back in 2021 or maybe – and this is the one I’m hoping for – a proper launch of Ring’s Always Home cam: the mad-but-brilliant flying security camera that patrols your home. It also means it’s an hour earlier: 11am ET. What to expect Hardware As mentioned, the company makes more devices than you might realise. It’s not just Echo and Fire TV....

Language is fluid and ever-changing. While words always have a precise meaning when they are created, over time common usage will become the thing that defines their true associations. After all most of us don’t use an actual Hoover to do the hoovering, as the former is a brand name while the latter is the adopted common use verb for vacuuming. See our Tech jargon buster where we demystify a whole load of buzzwords....

If you’ve got an iPhone with iOS 16 or later, you probably already know the Photos app can automatically cut out the subject and turn it into a sticker. It’s a fun feature, but not one that was particularly convenient to use with WhatsApp. Since February 2022 it has been possible: you just have to drag and drop from the Photos app into a WhatsApp conversation. However, in a WhatsApp update which is rolling out from 11 January, you can create, edit and share your own stickers in WhatsApp without having to leave the app....

If your beard is getting away from you, you should consider getting hold of a beard straightener. You may not even have realised that such a specialised grooming tool exists, but of course it does. Its job is to tame, rather than flatten your facial hair, for a sleeker look. Why buy a beard straightener? If you want to style your beard, you have a number of options – but using straighteners meant for the hair on your head should not be among them....

Which? has raised concerns over commercially available UV sanitisation products. The UK consumer organisation has highlighted issues in two areas: safety and effectiveness. Harry Rose, Which? magazine editor, said: “Which? believes some of these devices are likely to be ineffective at disinfecting your home or could pose safety risks due to unclear instructions or emitting UVC light in an unsafe manner.” UVC light has long been used as a disinfectant in industrial settings but, post-pandemic, there’s been a proliferation of UV sanitising devices aimed at consumers....

Peacemaker season 2’s foray into multiversal storytelling just got a whole lot more interesting in the latest instalment. While we’ve already seen Christopher Smith interact with alternate versions of his family, and even his own doppelganger, episode three revealed someone that fans were not expecting – a blast from the past, if you will. Major spoilers for Peacemaker season 2 episode 3 follow Joel Kinnaman is officially back in the DCU as Rick Flag Jr....

At a Glance Expert’s Rating Our Verdict Overall the Wileyfox Storm is a decent phone for under £200 and has a upgraded compared to the cheaper Swift model. However, poor battery life and a disappointing camera mean we actually prefer the Swift. If you do want a bigger phone it’s hard to recommend buying this over the excellent and similarly spec Vodafone Smart Ultra 6. If you don’t specifically want a 5....

Like Activision’s Call of Duty series, it’s usually safe to assume that EA will release a Star Wars Battlefront or Battlefield title every year in the run-up to Christmas. With that logic in mind, will EA release Star Wars Battlefront 3 or Battlefield 6 in 2019? Or will it be something else entirely? Rumours suggest that EA could be about to shake up its release schedule – and multiplayer fans may not be happy about it....

Windows 11 is officially out now, but it hasn’t been a smooth experience for all early adopters. Devices powered by AMD have been hit particularly hard, with the new OS causing performance issues on some Ryzen CPUs. After consulting with Microsoft, AMD has recognised two issues . The first is where L3 cache can increase, potentially up to 3x its normal level. That might not mean anything to you, but it can lead to performance drop between 3-5%....

At a glance Expert’s Rating Pros Classic analogue aesthetic ECG, SpO2 & sleep tracking Excellent battery life Five-year warranty Cons Heavy and bulky Fiddly fit No GPS Our Verdict The ScanWatch Horizon is an excellent evolution of Withings’ hybrid watch approach, squeezing its unrivalled health tech and brilliant battery life into a classic dive watch design. Best Prices Today: Withings ScanWatch Horizon Withings has made its name with so-called hybrid smartwatches: digital devices that include a full suite of health tracking features, but embodied in the design of an analogue time piece....

It appears Xiaomi’s next uber-flagship smartphone , the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, is mere weeks away from becoming official and it’s been shown off in a hands-on video. After the Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Pro were unveiled in October, we’ve been (im)patiently waiting to hear more about Xiaomi’s range-topping Ultra model. Now it’s February and things are starting to hot up. What will the Xiaomi 15 Ultra look like? Alongside the aforementioned poster leak, a brief video has emerged that seems to show a user going hands-on with the Xiaomi 15 Ultra (via Gizmodo China )....

At a Glance Expert’s Rating Pros 90Hz display Great battery life 5G connectivity Cons Bloated MIUI software Average cameras Awkward for one-handed use Our Verdict The Poco M3 Pro 5G has an attractive shopping list of specifications for a budget phone but is held back somewhat by its software experience and so so cameras. Best Prices Today: Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G At the budget end of the smartphone spectrum, specifications matter a great deal....

At a glance Expert’s Rating Pros Case and straps don’t feel budget Plenty of fitness features on offer Bright AMOLED display Cons Promised improved heart rate improvements Still lacks built-in GPS Not a radical upgrade on the Smart Band 8 Our Verdict The Xiaomi Smart Band 9 remains one of the best budget fitness trackers you can buy. It brings some nice upgrades on the Band 8 and while not perfect in all departments, covers the fitness tracking basics matched with a likeable, customisable band design....

Xiaomi. A Chinese tech giant which makes almost every conceivable type of consumer electronics. One of the leading names in global smartphones , with a market share beaten only by Apple and Samsung. A company that’s now onto its sixteenth generation of flagship handsets, and the maker of the best camera phone you can buy right now . If there’s one firm that can take risks and try to stand out from the crowd, it’s Xiaomi....

At some point in your computing life, you’ll end up replacing an old machine in favour of a shiny new computer. But what should you do with your old PC? If it’s still working well, then throwing it out won’t be the best move. It’s bad for the environment and it might contain sensitive information. There are various ways to delete that data permanently, before you bin it or take it to a reputable electronics recycler....

Family-tree DNA specialist 23andMe has launched what it calls “the first-ever” DNA based Family Tree feature. The 23andMe Family Tree will auto-populate based on the user’s connections and DNA Relatives, to save people from having to spend hours manually tracking down and entering the details. According to a recent survey, 52 percent of respondents cited difficulty to create their family tree, and not knowing where to start, as the main barriers to creating a tree....

Windows 10 will continue to be supported by Microsoft until October 2025, but you’ll need to update some older versions much sooner. In fact, the next deadline is fast approaching: devices running version 20H2 (late 2020) will need to upgrade before 10 May 2022. After that date, none of Microsoft’s security updates will be compatible. Continuing to use this version will leave your device vulnerable to any bugs, viruses and malware that emerge....

At a glance Expert’s Rating Pros Very Affordable Solid contrast and everyday colours Decent looks Cons Limited adjustment Tinny speakers Not accurate enough for creative work Our Verdict The Acer K3 K273 has enough contrast and colour coverage to handle everyday computing tasks, from browser-based work to office apps, and the decent aesthetics and low price make it an affordable everyday option for most people. It has its limits, though....