DVDs might not be at the cutting edge of home entertainment, and the whole idea of physical media might steadily be dying out, but that still leaves many of us with a library of movies and TV boxsets, looking for a way to digitise your DVD library for enjoying them on our media streamers and mobile devices or archive them for viewing in the years to come. After all, you can’t always find your favourites on the usual streaming services, while buying the same stuff again on another new HD format isn’t always the best use of your money....

It’s no secret that the consumer electronics market has had a significant impact on our environment. From the mining of materials, to manufacturing, packaging and shipping, along with devices (and accessories) being discarded due to damage that’s too difficult or costly to repair, or obsolescence brought on by a lack of software support. Phones are an undeniably significant contributor in this area and only with the support of manufacturers can changes be made to reduce the negative impact they’re having on our planet....

There are free VPN services out there, but we wouldn’t recommend a lot of them. Either they’re far too limited and won’t do what you need them to, or they’ll take your data and sell it to pay for your use of the service. Remember that when you use a VPN, you’re routing all your internet traffic through its servers, so it’s crucial you trust that provider. The good news is that there are a handful of free VPN services you can trust… and they might just do what you want despite their limitations....

Apple didn’t make one of its rare appearances at CES in 2023, but that didn’t stop the company launching lots of new hardware in January. The headline announcement was updated versions of the 14in and 16in MacBook Pro , which arrived alongside the new M2 Pro and M2 Max chips that power them. As our full review shows, these are a big step forward in terms of performance and power efficiency – even if you opt for the cheapest 14in model....

USB microphones are all the rage at the moment, offering a step up in quality from gaming headsets not only for livestreaming but video calls and podcasts too. Essentially, if you’re looking to upgrade your current recording setup, a microphone is a relatively easy area to improve – the only problem is choosing which is best for your needs in a market filled with microphones of all shapes and sizes for all skill levels....

If you’re stuck at home, whether working or not, you might find yourself needing a new monitor. Whether it’s for a second screen to attach to your laptop or because you’re after a display for playing games, there are always good deals about, but they never last long. A new monitor will probably have better colour accuracy, better contrast and viewing angles and typically a higher resolution than your old one, so it’s a great upgrade for your PC or laptop....

The Holiday season can be hectic when trying to find the time – and money – to buy your loved ones a tech gift they’ll actually enjoy using. Perhaps you’re running on a low budget while simultaneously looking to impress your tech-savvy friend, family member or coworker with a new gadget. We’ve loosened the budget a little bit this year, as there are some great value items available for just over £10 that we didn’t want to miss out on including....

Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 hubs and docks are the latest technologies in computer connectivity and expansion. They take over from Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C hubs and docks, with significant future-proof benefits while staying backwards compatible with the older connectivity standards. Hubs and docks allow you to add more types of connections to your main computer if it lacks them itself—particularly with laptops that might have just a few ports on the side....

Considering that ten years ago we said hello to the very first iPhone, the world of mobile gaming has come a long way. While mobile gaming started off as an escape from boredom while on a train (or on the toilet, let’s be honest), mobile games now pull in large audiences and generate a huge amount of interest. Here, we showcase some of the most exciting upcoming mobile game releases for both iOS and Android coming in 2017....

YouTube is the biggest video streaming platform around with everything from user-created content to films and TV shows you can buy or rent. But why would you need to use a VPN to watch YouTube? It’s a good question, but anyone who’s ever seen the frustrating ‘This video is not available in your country. Sorry about that’ error message will know that some YouTube videos are restricted to being viewed in certain regions....

WhatsApp is working on adding threads to messages, which will potentially add both nuance and complexity to conversations. As spotted on WABetaInfo , the latest beta version of the WhatsApp Android app contains a feature that will enable you to organise message replies into threaded conversations. How will WhatsApp threads work? WhatsApp’s implementation builds on top of the existing Reply system. As regular WhatsApp users will know, it’s possible to reply to individual messages, which quotes the original message at the top of the reply....

At a Glance Expert’s Rating Pros Excellent malware protection Masses of features Decent, unlimited VPN service Cons Fragmented experience with multiple apps Can’t set individual app time limits using parental controls Identity protection included only in most expensive package Our Verdict Bitdefender Premium Security offers impressive protection from malware, phishing and scams. Some of the additional features, such as the VPN and password manager are good, but others such as parental controls are far from best-in-class....

At a glance Expert’s Rating Pros Strong gaming performance Fast, responsive 144Hz display Built-in magnetic triggers Vastly improved main camera Cons Fixed focus on ultrawide camera Can get hot over prolonged sessions JoyUI takes some getting used to Our Verdict The Black Shark 5 Pro is a great gaming-focused smartphone that offers the gamer ‘look’ without being too in your face. Expect flagship-level performance, ultra-fast 120W charging and an improved camera setup, though JoyUI isn’t the most intuitive software around....

At a Glance Expert’s Rating Our Verdict It’s not the very best quality of delivery, but in terms of ease of use and content choice Blinkbox is hard to fault. It offers value for money too. We’d like to see a mobile option, however. The lack of a tie-in subscription means there is no reason not to give Blinkbox a try. Best Prices Today: Blinkbox Blinkbox is one of the best on-demand video services out there....

At a Glance Expert’s Rating Our Verdict You can buy cheaper wireless earbuds in the same neckbud design, but you get what you pay for here – apart from waterproofing. These are stylish, great sounding and well-made headphones. Best Prices Today: Bowers & Wilkins PI3 Bowers & Wilkins has once again updated its line of headphones, this time including wireless in-ears which feature dual drivers and quick charging. We’ve put the sports PI3 neckbuds to the test in our full review....

At a Glance Expert’s Rating Pros Heat tech Storage case Flat base design Cons Buttons take a while to get used to Our Verdict This is a nicely-designed hand mixer with some useful features but it’s the heat technology that really makes it. It would be a great purchase for people who bake often and want to be able to do so spontaneously. Best Prices Today: Breville HeatSoft The Great British Bake Off is back and if you’re in the mood to recreate some of its ‘in-tents’ magic at home, you may be looking for a new hand mixer....

Casetify ‘s wildly popular limited-edition Pokemon iPhone cases and accessories are returning and wait-lists are now open . The brand, which started producing reusable cloth masks earlier this year along with UV phone sanitizers as a response to Covid-19, brings back classic Pokemon characters from the ’90s and will call the new range its Past, Present and Future collection. Like last year, Casetify will offer the collection in three rounds or “drops”....

At a Glance Expert’s Rating Our Verdict If you need a lot of power, the Magnum Opus is an excellent power bank: fast, high in capacity, affordable and with an LCD screen. Even despite its bulk and lack of passthrough charging, the CHJGD is easy to recommend. Best Prices Today: CHJGD Magnum Opus CHJGD makes some of the coolest power banks we’ve seen, but they’re more than just good-looking. In common with the other banks in its store the Magnum Opus is a fast-charging power bank with Quick Charge 3....

At a Glance Expert’s Rating Pros Enhanced performance Highly affordable Easily transportable Cons Product update confusion Lacks hardware encryption No activity light Our Verdict With under the skin changes, Crucial has made the X6 even better value than it already was. The X6 isn’t still isn’t as spritely as its X8 brother but is now much closer in performance, less than half the weight and marginally cheaper. Best Prices Today: Crucial X6 In early 2020, Crucial launched the X8 Portable SSD, an affordable, elegant and high-performance solution that became hugely popular with laptop owners....

Apple’s AirPods Max are a striking pair of over-ear headphones, sporting Apple’s signature design in a mostly metal body – a unique feature among wireless headphones – and high-quality audio to match. But, Apple being Apple, the AirPods Max are pricy with a £549 RRP, almost double that of most competitors. Other colour variants are also discounted, ranging from £409 – £421 depending on the finish you opt for, but the Sky Blue finish is the most affordable available at the time of writing....