They play an ever important role in the digital era, connecting us to our online banking, shopping, social media and everything else we use on a daily basis. You can see why keeping them safe is so important. Unfortunately, we can’t keep them in our pocket – and sometimes they go missing. That’s why a growing number of users are turning to password managers, both to keep their account information in order and adopt account safety best practices....

“Every gamer will want 3D Xpoint. Every single gamer.” These were the bold word of Intel’s CEO at a recent investor conference. He may well be right, too. 3D Xpoint is the storage technology behind Intel Optane, a new super-fast storage device which works with Intel’s Kaby Lake processors . What is Intel Optane? Put simply, Optane is an even faster ‘ SSD ’ which plugs into your motherboard’s M.2 slot, much like existing NVMe SSDs such as Samsung’s 960 Evo, reviewed ....

If you’ve ever despaired at the number of smart home apps on your phone, or wished you could switch on all of your smart tech with one voice command, Matter is the solution you’ve been waiting for. Until now, the only way to control products from different manufacturers through a single app was to use an assistant such as Alexa, Siri or Google Home, or to use an ‘enthusiast’ app such as Home Assistant....

As the evenings turn darker and the cold wind bites at your nose, nature is hinting that Christmas is on its way (in case you couldn’t tell from the advent calendars and festive snacks that have taken over the shops for months). That means it’s about time to send Christmas cards round to everyone you know, love, or whoever sent you one last year so now you’re obligated to return the favour....

Following a reveal in September, Nvidia’s latest and greatest graphics card has now been released in the US, UK and other regions. While there’s usually a mad scramble to find GPUs at launch, Nvidia and online retailers are taking a very different approach this time around, putting RTX 4090 listings live well ahead of launch to give people time to shop around and decide which they want to go for at release....

Walk into a camera shop or browse a website and you’ll quickly discover that there are hundreds of models to choose between and different types of camera. Unless you understand the differences between them, the choice is overwhelming and confusing, but we’ll explain which type is likely to be the one that will suit you best. And in case you’re wondering, yes, there is a still a big difference in quality between most phone cameras and the types we’re talking about here....

Have you ever been casually browsing Instagram (or any other app) when suddenly your phone pulls a fast one on you with that “No SIM” notification? That can be pretty inconvenient. But imagine this happens when you need to make a call, especially in an emergency situation. What does this mean? And, more importantly, what can you do about it? Why is my phone saying no SIM? This unsettling alert often means your phone can’t detect the SIM card that’s supposed to link you to the outside world....

As someone who reviews phones for a living, I know first-hand how software can make or break the experience. I can’t tell you how many times incredible smartphone hardware has been let down by underwhelming software. And while almost all of the phones I’ve tested recently run Android 15 , how it looks and performs varies hugely between brands. When designed thoughtfully, the software can dramatically enhance my productivity and enjoyment while using a phone....

Blizzard took to the stage at Gamescom in Germany back in August to reveal its upcoming new expansion for World of Warcraft, called World of Warcraft: Legion. The expansion brings a variety of new features to the game for existing players to enjoy and to entice new players to join in the MMORPG fun. Here, we bring you everything you need to know about WoW: Legion, including its release date, new features and more....

At a Glance Expert’s Rating Our Verdict The Xbox One X is massively powerful and comes at a steep price, but when compared to the equivalent gaming PC, it’s a steal. Ultimately, the One X isn’t for everyone, but if you have a 4K TV that can take advantage of that extra graphical power, you’re in for a real treat. Best Prices Today: Microsoft Xbox One X Microsoft officially unveiled the Xbox One X back at E3 2017, calling it “the most powerful console ever”....

Xiaomi has made quite a name with its ultra-affordable yet feature-packed fitness bands. Now, the Chinese giant has introduced its latest iteration: the Mi Band 7. Highlights include a larger display than its predecessors, improved blood oxygen tracking and up to 15-day battery life, but there’s more to this lightweight tracker worth exploring. For the first time ever it’s also been joined by a bigger Band 7 Pro sibling, which has now been launched outside China....

At a glance Expert’s Rating Pros Strong two-day battery life Fresh design Decent performance for the money Cons No ultra-wide camera LCD display a step back No stereo speakers Slow charging Our Verdict The Poco M5 is a decent phone available for a low price, but it simply lacks the sense of sheer punching-above-its-weight good value that defined many previous Poco handsets. You seem to be getting a little less for your money overall compared to other Poco phones, meaning you’re probably better off finding a deal on a Poco M4 Pro or the Redmi Note 11....

We now have an idea of what Samsung’s hotly tipped tri-fold foldable phone is going to be called, and it’s a shocker. Only joking. It’s going to be called the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold. At least, it will if a recently surfaced trademark application pans out. As spotted by GalaxyClub , Samsung has applied for the use of the name ‘Galaxy Z TriFold’ over in its native South Korea. Of course, this doesn’t mean that the TriFold name is nailed on....

At a Glance Expert’s Rating Pros Stylish Slim form factor Great UI Cons Expensive compared to competition No GPS No third-party app support Our Verdict The Zepp E is a gorgeous smartwatch with a great user interface, but it’s on the expensive side Considering what’s on offer. Best Prices Today: Zepp E The Zepp E was the first wearable released by Zepp, offering a great looking smartwatch with a nice user interface, but it’s certainly more expensive than similarly-specced alternatives....

Zoom is one of the many video conferencing tools to be booming as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. While there are plenty of providers offering a similar service, Zoom’s free tier still provides everything most people are looking for to maintain lines of communication while working from home. Its feature set includes instant messaging, collaboration on virtual whiteboards and easy file sharing, making it more comprehensive than Skype and only truly rivalled by paid services (it’s important to note that some of these are free during the outbreak )....

At a Glance Expert’s Rating Pros Gorgeous design Five presets Blends hot and cold Cons Pricey Weighs 4 kilos Lid requires firm close Our Verdict It’s not a cheap appliance but if you want a stylish, easy-to-use blender that can handle hot and cold, give great results and isn’t a fuss to clean, this Zwilling blender is worth the outlay. Best Prices Today: Zwilling Enfinigy table blender Italian design tempered by German precision, or German engineering suffused with an Italian love of luxury?...

In 1996 Baz Luhrmann created his version of Romeo and Juliet. At the time, critics called it an adaptation for the MTV Generation, with its campy visuals, modern soundtrack and heart-throb lead Leonardo DiCaprio. The film turned Shakespearean drama into a pop culture feast for the eyes. Nearly 30 years on, something similar seems to be going on with the upcoming adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel, Wuthering Heights. It’s helmed by Emerald Fennell, the director of Promising Young Woman and the somewhat controversial Saltburn, which also starred Jacob Elordi....

In May, Google revealed all of the main new features you can look forward to in the next major version of Android. Android 15 brings features such as Private Space, partial screen recording, satellite connectivity and improved PDF editing, but you don’t need to wait until then for new functionality. In fact, there are seven new features that have recently been added to Android phones and could improve your everyday life:...

The Google Pixel 8a is another great phone from the Android maker, but after more than a week of using the handset, I’ve noticed plenty of the best features are hidden away, and many are even switched off by default. Phones don’t come with instruction manuals and the setup process would be too lengthy if Google asked you which ones you wanted to use and taught you how to use them, but I have your back....

At a Glance Expert’s Rating Our Verdict The Acer Aspire S3 has a lot going for it, including an attractive, slimline design and high-quality IPS display. It also provides good performance for an Ultrabook in this price range, thanks to its hybrid storage drive and nVidia graphics. Battery life was respectable rather than outstanding, and some people might prefer to trade features such as the touch-screen and nVidia GPU for a longer-lasting battery....