Table of contents for 667 in Computeractive

I never thought Computeractive would be home to a feature that namechecked Kenny Everett, Muhammad Ali, Lieutenant Columbo and JFK, but it’s a sign of how varied online TV has become. Not too long ago you’d struggle to find anything decent beyond traditional broadcasters like BBC and ITV or streaming giants such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Yet now there are dozens of web channels packed with quality series and classic films, as well as news and sport. As Robert Irvine says in his Cover Feature, this is mostly down to the rise of FAST TV. I’ll leave Robert to explain this acronym, but suffice to say it doesn’t mean non-stop footage of Usain Bolt winning the 100 metres Olympic gold. My favourite channels in the feature are Freevee…

Apple has replaced the Lightning charging port with USB-C in its new iPhone to comply with EU rules. The company confirmed months of rumours by announcing the iPhone 15 (pictured far right) will have a USB-C cable as the “universally accepted standard”. It added that the USB-C cable – already compatible with many Apple MacBooks and iPads – will also work on new versions of its AirPods Pro earphones and wired EarPods headphones. The move comes after the EU ordered gadget manufacturers to use only USB-C for chargers in order to make life easier for consumers and reduce the amount of chargers being thrown away. Apple had argued against the law, saying it would deter companies from developing better charging technology. But the company was never likely to make one…

SYSTEM CLEANER System Ninja 4 www.snipca.com/47597 What you need: Windows 7, 8.1, 10 or 11 We’ve previously recommended System Ninja as an alternative to CCleaner, but haven’t heard much about it for a while (or perhaps the ninja was just being particularly stealthy). Now this excellent free clean-up tool has returned with a brand new version, which has a smarter interface, several new features and full support for Windows 11. Happily, System Ninja’s developer has resisted the urge to reinvent the program and has retained its simple design and powerful cleaning options. The Junk Scanner, which finds and deletes temporary files, cached data and other unnecessary clutter, now includes the option to empty your recycle bin, increasing the amount of drive space you can free up in one go. We…

Talk of the town Those who spend a lot of time making voice and video calls on their computer will appreciate these over-the-ear headphones, which are designed specifically for this purpose. Connection to a PC or other device can be made via Bluetooth or a USB dongle. The set comes with a built-in microphone, which you can pull out when you’re talking or push back into the headphones if you want to be muted or aren’t using the microphone. There’s also a handy mute button on the microphone, so you don’t have to fiddle too much if you need to briefly speak off-mic. The microphone automatically blocks background noise when you’re talking, but the headphone speakers don’t have noise cancelling, so aren’t ideal for listening to music in noisy environments.…

LAPTOP NEW ENTRY Acer Swift Edge 16 £1,299 from www.snipca.com/47480 Tested Issue 667 This is a much better all-rounder than Acer’s Swift 3, and so replaces it as our top choice. It’s faster, has a sharp 16in screen – two inches bigger than the Swift 3 – and comes with more ports, including two USB-C ports, two USB 3.0 ports and HDMI. It’s 13mm thick with the lid closed and weighs a mere 1.25k ALTERNATIVE Lenovo Yoga 6 Gen 7 Has a slower processor, but with a 15-hour battery and a great 13.3in screen it remains a good laptop for the price. £549 from www.snipca.com/44950. ANDROID TABLET NEW ENTRY Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 £690 from www.snipca.com/47493 Tested Issue 667 With a much brighter screen than our previous favourite – the Galaxy…

ANDROID & iOS Hide and back up private images in Google Photos The Locked Folder option in Google Photos lets you hide sensitive pictures and videos in a folder that can only be opened using a PIN, pattern, password or fingerprint, depending on how you unlock your screen. This handy privacy feature is finally available in Google Photos for iOS (www.snipca.com/47548), nearly two years after it was introduced on Android. You can also now back up the contents of your Locked Folder online, to access your private photos and videos on any phone or tablet. These items won’t appear in your photo grid, Memories or Albums, and Google says all the content you back up “is protected by one of the world’s most advanced security infrastructures” (www.snipca.com/47549). To set up…

Artificial intelligence (AI) is making life much easier for people managing clubs. We’ve already revealed how to use it to transcribe your meetings (Issue 655), edit your podcasts (Issue 659) and create free images (Issue 663). Here, we’ll explain how it can build a presentation from just a single prompt. Choose your subject and edit the outline The tool we recommend is Gamma, which creates a presentation with slides containing all the graphics and text you’ll need. We know this sounds too good to be true, but we’ve tried it with a range of subjects and it works exceptionally well. If you don’t like what it has written or designed then you can easily edit the slides yourself. You need to create an account before you can use Gamma. A…

How can you permanently disable BT’s hotspot Wi-Fi? Q In your answer to Mrs R Bayne’s question in Issue 665’s Problems Solved (‘Can I Switch off my Wi-Fi?’, page 64), you suggested disabling the Wi-Fi in the router administration page. Mrs Bayne says she has electrical sensitivities. The BT router not only transmits a Wi-Fi signal for use at home, but also for hotspots for anyone passing by her home. So while the Wi-Fi may be turned off, the router will still be transmitting a powerful signal. The only way to fully stop the signal is to buy an aftermarket router such as from TP-Link, which doesn’t have the BT hotspot feature. Also, you can opt out of BT hotspots to stop other people logging in. Stephen Wickes A We…

LEAD CASE Is Vodafone’s new lifetime warranty any good? Q I’m curious about Vodafone’s new ‘Battery Refresh and Lifetime Warranty’ (www.snipca.com/47380) with its EVO plans. Is this worth having and will it restrict my consumer rights? Mark Boyer A We’ll answer the most important question first: nothing in Vodafone’s offers or warranties can override your statutory rights. All the protection you get under consumer laws will still apply. As for whether they are worth signing up for, it’s important to note that you don’t have to pay anything extra to get these benefits. Vodafone isn’t selling them as a separate service, but as a ‘free’ incentive to sign up to an EVO plan (read more about these flexible packages at www.snipca.com/47381). So the real decision is whether you want an…

What’s a simple alternative to File Explorer? Q Is there an alternative to File Explorer that lets you and a complex structure is very difficult to cope with. Colin Gray A Files App, which you can download for free from the Microsoft Store (www.snipca.com/47540), is an attractive alternative to File Explorer. It does have the items you want to be rid of – like ‘Quick access’ locations, libraries for your Documents, Photos and Music, and direct links to drives – but you can turn off some of these. Click the cog beside the search box, then expand the Widgets section on the General tab (see screenshot). Here, you can turn off Quick access, drives, tags and recent files. You can also hide those sections by clicking the arrows beside Cloud Drives,…

Slap on the wrist The latest in Samsung’s range of impressive smartwatches comes in two face sizes – 40 or 44mm – with a choice of Bluetooth or 4G connectivity. It has two multifunction buttons on its edge and a touch-sensitive face for navigating through its menus. The Watch6 is priced to compete with similar watches from Apple and Google – but does it? “Easy to use and offers great health features, but battery life is too short” In use, the Watch6 is responsive and smooth. The AMOLED screen looks stunning and makes it easy to switch between apps. We’re not big fans of its default navigation, but it’s simple to stack your favourite functions as quick-access tiles around the circular digital bezel. As you’d expect, the full set of…

Kingston’s new XS1000 External SSD is a small and incredibly sleek option for backing up files. It’s incredibly compact, fitting easily into your palm, and weighs just under 29 grams - letting you easily take your files wherever you go. Small like a key fob, the XS1000 serves as a reliable companion for easy file backups, guaranteeing continuous access to your important documents, cherished memories and media files. It uses USB 3.2 Gen 2 connectivity to achieve read speeds up to 1,050MB/s, and 1,000MB/s write speeds. It’s backwards compatible with USB 3.2 Gen 1, and comes with a USB-C 3-to-USB-A cable so you can use it seamlessly with older devices. It works with Windows 10 and 11; macOS (10.15.x+) Linux (4.4.x+), Chrome OS, Android and iOS/iPadOS (v.13+). To enter this…

SEARCH Bring up the Google spinner Following your recommendation to use the dice and coin flip built into Google Search (Issue 665, page 49), there’s another way to generate random decisions: use a spinner. Just type Google spinner and you’ll see a spinning wheel divided into six numbered segments (see screenshot below left). Click ‘Spin’ to get it started. I showed this to my grandchildren, and they were delighted to see the option to turn it into a fidget spinner. Ken Pitman SOFTWARE Make Wintoys launch in your preferred section Thanks to recent tips from readers and Issue 663’s Workshop (page 38), I’m now using Wintoys (www.snipca.com/46778) to monitor my PC’s health. There’s a small setting that’s worth activating because it launches the program in the section you want. You’ll…

WINDOWS 11 Use secret hack to speed up File Explorer When you search or navigate File Explorer, Windows flashes a ‘working on it’ message (see screenshot below). Some users online have worked out a way to remove this, claiming that it speeds up File Explorer. All you have to do is open File Explorer, then tap the F11 button on your keyboard twice to enter and close full-screen mode. We tried it, and it seems to work – though it’s hard to know why because Microsoft hasn’t acknowledged the tip. One theory is that Windows disables some search indexing options when you go full screen, which means it has fewer tasks to perform. WINDOWS 10 Compare pictures side by side in Photos Microsoft has updated the Photos app in Windows…

In 2020, a UK Supreme Court ruling allowed individuals to represent large groups of customers without seeking their permission. This has led to a wave of ‘opt-out’ class actions where every affected customer is automatically included – and is only excluded if they request to be. There are no legal fees to pay. Many of the cases are against tech firms who have been accused of anti-competitive practices that forced consumers to pay higher prices. However, they can take years to resolve as they work through the legal system. Here, we’ll explain if you’re eligible and how much you could receive. For updates, sign up to the newsletter from Consumer Voices: www.snipca.com/47616. BT Around 2.3m BT landline customers have been overcharged, lawyers allege. The £600m case was prompted by an…

2G Second-generation cellular network. 3G/4G/5G Technologies that deliver faster mobile broadband, so called because they are the third, fourth and fifth generations of mobile-data networking standards. 4K Video with a resolution of at least 3840x2160 pixels. AI Artificial Intelligence. Intelligence demonstrated by a machine rather than a human being. Often used to describe technology that can perform human-like tasks. AMOLED Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode. An alternative technology to LCD for creating flat-panel displays. Most commonly used in smartphones, tablets and smartwatches. Aspect ratio A measurement of the shape of a screen. Traditional PC screens are 4:3. Widescreen displays are 16:9 or 16:10. Avatar A graphic or icon used to represent a computer user, either online or in a video game. Backhaul The process of sending data to a wired access…

The BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 are launching a free streaming app to let you watch their programmes in one place. The service, called Freely, will be built into smart TVs from next year. It will contain live broadcasts as well as on-demand shows. Freely will be run by Everyone TV, previously named Digital UK, which also manages Freeview and Freesat. You’ll be able to browse channels using a programme guide and find shows while you’re watching live TV. The launch is an attempt by traditional broadcasters to win back viewers who have switched to streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Research from telecoms regulator Ofcom shows that watching programmes broadcast at a scheduled time is down more than 25 per cent since 2011, and…

Search Genuki’s parish-level records One of the hidden gems of genealogy is the website Genuki (www.genuki.org.uk) – a virtual reference library that contains information online, as well as details of where it’s all stored in physical libraries around the UK and Ireland. Run by volunteers, it’s an excellent free resource for unearthing records covering specific areas, as we’ll explain. List county parishes by A-Z Genuki categorises its records based on the historic counties of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland – which will please fans of Cumberland, Montgomeryshire and Nairnshire. To start searching down to the parish level, click a nation under Regional Page Links on the left, then one of the counties on the coloured map that appears. I clicked ‘England’ then Kent (in blue – see screenshot below left),…

SOFTWARE WARNING! Microsoft’s full-screen Bing pop-ups Which search engine do you use? If the answer isn’t Bing, you might be as worn out as I am batting away Microsoft’s desperate attempts to get me to use it. The last thing I expected to encounter while watching a full-screen YouTube video was a pop-up in Windows asking me to switch my default search engine to Bing in exchange for some “Microsoft Rewards points” (see screenshot right). My first thought was that it’s a scam and my PC had been infected, but an antivirus scan found nothing amiss. I then searched for clues online, and found out that Microsoft was to blame. Turns out it had been testing this pop-up all summer. It appears in the notification centre, where you’d expect to…

Out of this world This is the smallest and most affordable of the three tablets in the new S9 series. The S9 Ultra has a 14.6in screen and costs £1,199, the S9+ has a 12.4in screen and costs £999, while the standard S9 we’re reviewing here has an 11in screen for £799 – though it was already discounted to £690 by Laptops Direct at the time of writing. That’s even less than the last generation Tab S8 is still selling for, and even at its regular price, we have no reservations in calling it our new favourite Android tablet (see page 30). As you’d expect from a device at this price, the S9 is a premium product both inside and out. Without a case, the S9 is a slip of…

What is it? Chinese TV manufacturer TCL makes affordable phones with unique features. The latest is the TCL 40 Nxtpaper (pictured) - a phone with a matt screen that feels more like paper than glass. What does it do? Matt screens are more common in PC screens than mobile devices. They tone down reflections, which makes them easier to use on sunny days. This screen also has a paper-like texture. What’s the catch? By its very nature, the results are duller than on the bright, glossy screens you find on regular smartphones. Also, TCL specialises in budget models, so it may not be as powerful as your current phone. So can I do without it? Yes. We don’t think TCL’s phone will inspire other manufacturers to switch to paper-like screens,…

CHROME Temporarily allow third-party cookies We often recommend blocking third-party cookies to stop sites tracking you around the web. Private browsers such as Brave and Firefox enable this option by default, but in Chrome you need to activate it manually by going to Settings, then ‘Privacy and security’ and selecting ‘Cookies and other site data’. Chrome 117, released 12 September, adds the ability to allow third-party cookies temporarily if you have trouble loading a specific website. It will then remember your preference for 90 days, without you needing to disable cookie-blocking for all sites. To use the new feature, click the padlock icon in the address bar – or a crossed-out eye icon if you see one – and choose ‘Cookies and site data’. Switch on the ‘Third-party cookies’ option…

MICROSOFT WORD Add captions to items Adding captions to items – like images, charts or tables – is a great way to offer more context for readers of your documents. To do this, right-click on the item, choose ‘Insert caption’, then type the main text into the ‘Caption:’ box (1 in our screenshot below). In our example, we typed ‘Three penguins playing on the beach’. Choose ‘Figure’ from the Label dropdown menu 2 if it’s an image, but you can also choose Table or Equation. Now set the position to below or above the selected item 3. Tick ‘Exclude label from caption’ 4 if you want to remove ‘Figure’ (or ‘Table’ or ‘Equation’) from your captions. This means ‘Figure 1’, for example, is captioned simply as ‘1’. Finally, click OK and…