Regardless of what it tells you, it is possible to send a text message via Google Assistant on Google Home/Nest smart speakers using the free app IFTTT, as we’ll explain below. There are a couple of catches to this method: • All text messages are sent from the phone number of the primary Google account holder associated with your Google Home, regardless of whether you have set up multiple user accounts ....

Somrata Sarkar / Foundry The first month is free, as a part of the 30-day free trial Somrata Sarkar / Foundry Once on the homepage, hover the ‘Prime’ button just under your basket Anyron Copeman / Foundry Click the gold ‘Get started’ button Somrata Sarkar / Foundry Click on ‘Start your 30-day free trial’ Somrata Sarkar / Foundry If everything looks okay, click on ‘Try Prime FREE – pay later’...

As Christmas draws closer and lights, trees, displays and all sorts of festive activities (including snow in the UK!) begin to appear, you might be tempted to capture the moment on your phone. But while iPhones (and most Android phones) are decent point-and-shoot cameras, there’s more to capturing the perfect winter shots than simply pointing and shooting. From framing to camera modes, there are many ways to turn a very average snap into something that looks like it was shot by a pro....

It’s become clear that Cortana is no match for Alexa or Google Assistant. The company admitted as much in 2019 , and subsequent updates have reduced its influence across Windows. The May 2020 update removed it from the Start Menu, while it will no longer be compatible with iOS, Android and the Surface Headphones from 2021. Cortana is still available via a standalone app, but there are plenty of reasons why you might want to use a different virtual assistant....

These days, many of the most popular apps and operating systems have the option for a dark mode. They typically shift background colours from white to black, making it easier on your eyes. Microsoft finally added dark mode to Windows 10 in 2019, and the feature has, of course, made it into Windows 11 . Functionality is relatively limited, but third-party software makes it much more powerful. Here’s everything you need to know....

Some websites have different versions that appear depending on the type of device you’re using. On a phone, the interface is usually streamlined to fit the smaller screens. You tend to see the full-blown version on your PC, laptop or even tablet if the resolution is high enough. While this is fine if the mobile site is well designed but, it isn’t always ideal if it lacks features or some of them don’t work properly, which is just plain annoying when compared to the ‘proper’ version on the desktop....

The Criterion Channel is one of the best streaming platforms for an eclectic mix of Hollywood classics and films from across the world. It is the streaming home for The Criterion Collection and is perfect for cinephiles and those in the film academia world. However, never fear. There is actually a way around this roadblock that can be applied to any other US-based streaming service. From Hulu to Netflix US or MGM+ , you can bypass blockers and consume all of your favourite shows and movies from across the pond....

At a Glance Expert’s Rating Our Verdict If you’re looking for a high-quality photo printer then inkjet printers still have the edge there. However, the M277dw provides excellent text quality and business graphics, and will make a good workhorse printer for smaller offices that need to produce high quality business documents. Best Prices Today: HP Colour LaserJet Pro MFP M277dw It’s also relatively compact by the standards of traditional office laser printers, measuring just 420mm wide, 322mm high and 417mm deep....

At a glance Expert’s Rating Pros Big display Mostly premium design Simple to use Cons Squiffy sleep tracking No durability commitments Can’t interact with notifications Our Verdict The Huawei Band 7 is a smart band that gets a lot right. With a big display, a nice design, simple software and reliable exercise tracking, it nails the essentials for a relatively low price. Best Prices Today: Huawei Band 7 Huawei has regrouped....

Never one to be outdone by its rivals such as Apple and Samsung, Huawei just announced no less than six new smartwatches. We’re all for championing consumer choice and Huawei’s new wearable range, including the GT 5 series and the Watch D2, does exactly that. There are various different sizes, designs and feature sets to choose from. With prices starting at £229.99 let’s dive into these new wearables. Huawei Watch GT 5 The new GT 5 series are the smartwatches that mose closely rival the likes of the Google Pixel Watch 3 , Apple Watch Series 10 , Galaxy Watch 7....

At a glance Expert’s Rating Pros Amazing battery life Raft of new sports tracking features Excellent display Affordable vs similar Ultra watches Cons Only one case size It costs to add more watch faces No cellular option Our Verdict The Huawei Watch GT 6 Pro is another solid instalment in the GT line that will certainly have more appeal for sports lovers who care about value and not having to charge every night....

One of the most exciting things about the Pixel 10 launch wasn’t the plethora of new colourways but the fact that Google added MagSafe-style magnets to all four phones. This was a first for an Android flagship phone and it meant that Google could introduce its own line of Pixelsnap accessories – although you can already use the phones with “thousands” of MagSafe devices ( with some caveats ). Google didn’t send us any Pixelsnap accessories to review apart from the official case (which is fine, but too expensive at £49/$49), so we bought them to find out if they’re worth it....

Samsung’s S Pen is one of the few truly unique hardware features in the smartphone business, but something makes me think that the company might be slowly abandoning its stylus. It all started with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra , which landed in late January with a severe new look and a powerful new processor. Indeed, Samsung’s latest flagship phone is flat out better than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra before it (or at least as good) in all but one notable way: its integrated S Pen stylus....

At a glance Expert’s Rating Pros Impressively low price Distinctive design Decent battery life Cons Bloated software Mixed cameras No software update commitment Our Verdict The Nubia Flip 5G is much cheaper than the Motorola Razr 40 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and stands out from other foldables with its unique build. However, some sacrifices have been made to keep the price down. Best Prices Today: Nubia Flip 5G Modern flip phones have never appealed to me for one simple reason: the price....

Like many iFans, I’ve used Apple products for longer than I care to remember. So long, in fact that I had an iPhone before iOS was even called iOS. There’s a reason for my loyalty: I love everything about the iPhone. I love how it works with my iPad and Mac, how I can beam video to my TV using AirPlay, the unrivalled choice of apps and games in the App Store and the fact iOS runs so smoothly....

I reluctantly switched to the Pixel 9 Pro XL as the most sensible option for a recent trip, but it totally proved me wrong. The biggest regular phone in Google’s Pixel 9 range , the 9 Pro XL isn’t a subtle handset by any means. It’s an imposing slab of metal and glass, combining the large 6.8-inch display with a very distinctive rear camera module. As someone who typically prefers small phones, this didn’t particularly appeal to me....

Two Asian tech giants kicked off the current trend for book-style folding phones, but only one is a genuine force in the West. Samsung continues to dominate the market, with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 launch rapidly approaching, while rival Huawei’s software issues and subsequent limited global presence have hampered its impact. It’s allowed Samsung to take a more relaxed approach, offering nothing more than incremental improvements in recent years. However, competition is starting to heat up, with the likes of OnePlus, Oppo and Google all entering the market....

Not that long ago we explained how you can make AI selfies with the Lensa app on your phone. The results can be stunning, but AI can go beyond using an existing photo as a reference point and create artwork from scratch. There are now a lot of AI image generators which will produce images based on text descriptions. This means you can dream up anything at all, type it in and mere seconds later see a selection of images matching that description....

At a Glance Expert’s Rating Our Verdict The Instax Mini 11 is a noticeable improvement from its predecessor, offering good low-light exposure, a sleek design and easy-to-use controls – all for a reasonable price. Best Prices Today: Instax Mini 11 The Instax Mini 11 is a polaroid-style camera for the younger generation who are looking for an instant camera to use on the go, and has some major improvements on its predecessor, the Instax Mini 9....

At a Glance Expert’s Rating Our Verdict The iPhone X comes with a number of quirks, but there’s nothing you can’t simply get used to and we’re sure Apple will bring fixes and improvements to iron things out. When compared with the other new iPhones, the X wins hands-down despite only having a few exclusive features. And while you can get Android phones on the same premium level at a lower price, that doesn’t stop the iPhone X being an awesome device in all areas....