VPN services have become even more popular in recent months with the coronavirus pandemic forcing some people to work from home and prevented others from working at all. Whether for work use or for unblocking content, some providers have seen a noticeable spike in subscriptions in recent months. There’s another reason for increased interest in VPN services: Hong Kong’s new security law was passed in late May and came into effect on 1 July 2020....

Like the stereotypical Brit I am, I love moaning about the weather, standing in queues and, of course, having a good cup of tea. I used to get tea in a bottle as a baby, I drank it growing up and, shocker, I still drink multiple cups per day now – some might say a little too much, but hey, who’s counting? Now, if there’s one thing worse than someone putting the milk in first (yes, I’m looking at you ) it’s the realisation that you’ve forgotten about that lovely cuppa you’ve made that has now gone cold....

Last month, the Government published guidelines for cleaning to reduce the spread of infection. Its advice mentioned the use of steam cleaners: “When items cannot be cleaned using detergents or laundered, for example, upholstered furniture and mattresses, steam cleaning should be used.” These guidelines are intended to help slow the spread of the virus in public spaces but the science is the same at home. If you get a steam cleaner with a handheld attachment (ie not just a steam mop that’s intended for floors), you can use it as an added layer of protection around your home, to:...

You may not have heard of consumer IoT brand Imou, but its home security cameras are well worth discovering. One of its most versatile security cameras is the Cell Go . You can use it indoors, outdoors and, thanks to its vlogging feature, on the move, to record trips and days out. It’s compact and easy to hold, and it can connect to your mobile phone to transmit footage when you don’t have a Wi-Fi signal....

In October 2024, while preparing for a trip to Hawaii, a big problem suddenly occurred to me: the UK SIM card in my phone wouldn’t work. For previous trips, I’d either made use of the included roaming or bought a local SIM card once I’d arrived. The latter was still an option here, but I didn’t want the hassle of finding a seller at the airport or risk having to commit to an expensive contract....

Since Microsoft switched to biannual updates for Windows 10, excitement has always built as we approach May and November each year. The widespread popularity of the operating system means hundreds of millions of people are eligible for a new release. The May 2020 update might not be the most interesting in terms of new features, but there are still plenty of worthwhile additions. Here are four reasons why it’s worth updating your device....

Telephone fraud is widespread, and even prudent users can fall for the tricks of experienced scammers. Whether it’s shock calls, the well-known but still successful grandchildren scam, or supposed calls from banks and authorities, the scams used by criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated. They aim to exploit our fear, willingness to help or curiosity, combined with a lack of appropriate risk awareness. The consequences are often serious, ranging from financial loss to considerable emotional stress....

The Xiaomi Mi Note 2 (not to be confused with the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 unveiled last August) is successor to the excellent Mi Note. It’s a flagship phablet with a screen that is curved on both edges, much like the now-discontinued Galaxy Note 7 , and the Global model supports all UK 4G networks. Last week we heard full details about the new Mi Note. Here’s everything you need to know about the Mi Note 2, including how to buy it in the UK, the price, features and specifications....

At a Glance Expert’s Rating Our Verdict Xiaomi has made some significant improvements to its budget Mi Pad, reducing the overall dimensions of this 8in tablet so it’s easier to user in one hand, upgrading the core hardware for decent performance, adding microSD support up to 256GB, and moving the speakers to a more Considered position on the bottom edge. This Mi Pad 4 is right up there with the best budget tablets, especially when it comes with change from £200....

Xiaomi has unveiled its Mi5C, a cheaper version of the Xiaomi Mi5. It’s the first phone to include the company’s own chipset, and it goes on sale in China on 3 March. Here’s everything you need to know about the Xiaomi Mi5C, including how to buy the Mi5C in the UK. You will also like: Xiaomi Mi 6 rumours | Xiaomi Mi 5 review | Xiaomi Mi 5s review When is the Xiaomi Mi5C release date?...

At a glance Expert’s Rating Pros Decent battery life for a flip phone Good photos with the right lighting Swift performance Cons Pricier than rivals No water resistance Cluttered software Our Verdict The Xiaomi Mix Flip is the first attempt at a foldable of this style from the company, and it shows. It’s simply not as good as key rivals like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 and the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra....

Xiaomi has officially unveiled the Xiaomi Watch S4 and the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro at its October launch event in China, upgrading two of its best smartwatches with some handy new features. The Watch S4 sticks to the interchangeable bezel design introduced on the Xiaomi Watch S3 , and is now adding more bezels and case colour options to choose from. You now get your pick of black, silver or black rainbow designs and it’s also offering an eSIM model to give the Watch S4 added standalone connectivity....

At a Glance Expert’s Rating Our Verdict The 1More Triple-Driver BT headphones combine great build quality and impressive audio without the premium price tag. They aren’t quite as smart as others on the market, admittedly, but the audio really does make all the difference. Best Prices Today: 1More Triple-Driver BT headphones 1More produces a range of high-quality audio products, from gaming headsets to headphones and even wireless earbuds, and the firm’s Triple-Driver BT headphones look to continue that trend....

At a Glance Expert’s Rating Our Verdict The 1MORE True Wireless ANC earbuds are a bit of a mixed bag; they offer a comfortable fit and a perfect seal with several sets of eartips and O-hooks included in the box, and they’re smarter than the original TWS earbuds the company released in 2019, but middling ANC means they aren’t quite the competitor to the AirPods Pro that they’re framed to be....

At a Glance Expert’s Rating Our Verdict The Solo is a fantastic tool for capturing stunning aerial shots that would otherwise be impossible even for experienced quadcopter pilots. The price, though, will be a barrier for a lot of people. A Phantom 3 Advanced, for example, costs Considerably less than the basic Solo yet comes with a great camera and gimbal. DJI has already announced it will add orbit and follow modes in an update coming soon, meaning it will deliver similar shots on a much smaller budget....

Nobody loves vacuuming. That’s why robot vacuums have become the darlings of smart home technology, promising to tackle one of our most tedious household chores. But with hundreds of models flooding the market, ranging from basic bumper-car cleaners to AI-powered navigators, finding the right one can feel overwhelming. Here’s how to pick a robot vacuum that actually delivers on its promise of making your life easier. And once you’re ready to decide, see our top recommendations in our round-ups of the best robot vacuums and, for more budget-friendly options, the best cheap robot vacuums ....

Samsung’s first Unpacked press event of 2021 introduced the Galaxy S21 series to the world, along with the wealth of new technology and functionality that they bring to the table. However, for all the facts, figures and features shown off during the presentation – Samsung failed to touch on a few key aspects of its new flagships (and new accessories), which have since come to light by digging through product pages and asking the company directly....

At a Glance Our Verdict The Acer Aspire Switch 10 E for 2015 looks like a possibly good choice for those after a Windows 2-in-1 laptop and tablet without breaking the bank. However, it’s a shame that not much has been changed from the original. Best Prices Today: Acer Aspire Switch 10 E (SW3-013) At its global launch event in New York Acer announced a new version of its Aspire Switch 10 2-in-1 laptop and tablet running Windows 8....

At a Glance Expert’s Rating Our Verdict The Alfawise M1 is a cheaper Xiaomi M365 copycat with an integrated speedo, a dual-braking system and more durable tyres. It’s buckets of fun, with a top speed of 25km/hour and able to go up to 30km. Build quality lets it down a touch, and it’s difficult to view the speedo in direct sunlight. Also be wary of the dramatic braking and automatic acceleration, though once you get the hang of the throttle the cruise control feature is useful....

At a glance Expert’s Rating Pros Smart look and good screen for the price Good overall sports and fitness tracking Works with Strava and Google Fit Cons Not the most original look Heart rate inaccuracies Overly simple features Our Verdict The Amazfit Bip 3 Pro might be cheap and not perfect in all places, it offers a good smartwatch experience overall and is good for anyone who doesn’t want to spend big but wants a nice mix of features, design and battery life....