-
Mixing wired and wireless charging may help preserve battery health
Wireless charging is less efficient than wired charging and generates more heat, which can degrade smartphone battery capacity over time. However, the article recommends a balanced approach that combines both methods: using wireless charging for convenient top-ups throughout the day whilst reserving wired charging for overnight power sessions to optimise battery longevity. Qi2-certified wireless chargers…
-
How to record audio on your iPhone
Apple’s Voice Memos app, which comes pre-installed on all modern iPhones, makes recording audio straightforward without requiring additional software downloads. The app includes useful features such as real-time transcription of recordings, making it suitable for interviews, lectures, or meetings where capturing audio content is important. The app offers basic recording with a single tap, but…
-
Apple expands CarPlay across vehicle screens with CarPlay Ultra
Apple has released CarPlay Ultra, an advanced version of its standard CarPlay system that extends iPhone integration across all vehicle screens rather than just the infotainment display. Whilst standard CarPlay has limitations requiring drivers to exit the interface to adjust climate control or driving modes, CarPlay Ultra integrates these vehicle controls directly, making it safer…
-
Common problems with Google Wallet and how to fix them
Google Wallet is a convenient mobile payment app, but several common problems can prevent it working properly, ranging from phone settings to bank support issues. This guide explains how to resolve these issues to get contactless payments working. – Enable NFC (near-field communication) in your phone settings and verify your card has finished setting up…
-
The Slate Truck is cheap, but its battery range can’t compete
Slate Auto, a Michigan-based startup, is betting that low price rather than long range will win over EV buyers, launching its “Blank Slate” pickup and SUV from just $24,950 against an average new-car price of over $50,000. The trade-off is a modest driving range that lags well behind rival electric trucks, raising the question of…
-
Why is your iPad not charging (and how to fix it)
An iPad that will not charge is usually experiencing a problem with its cable, power adapter or charging port, rather than being permanently broken. Using a reliable, sufficiently powerful charger and cable, and testing different accessories and wall outlets, can help identify whether the fault lies with the equipment or the tablet. Apple recommends a…
-
How to switch between two phones on CarPlay
CarPlay can pair with multiple iPhones but supports only one active connection at a time. When the car selects the passenger’s phone instead of the driver’s, users may need to switch devices manually through the infotainment system, with the exact process varying by manufacturer. Some cars allow a preferred phone to be selected in Bluetooth…
-
Which tech upgrades are worth making to your car’s old sound system?
Older cars can gain modern connectivity without replacing the entire sound system. Bluetooth receivers are suitable for cars with AUX inputs, while FM transmitters work with radios lacking AUX; portable CarPlay or Android Auto displays offer navigation, calls and messages without altering the factory stereo. A replacement head unit is more appropriate when these features…
-
How to block and unblock a number on your Android phone
Android users can easily block unwanted calls and text messages from scammers and spammers using their device’s built-in Phone or Contacts app. Blocking is particularly important as smartphones, whilst highly useful, have enabled unwanted contact from various sources. The exact process varies slightly depending on the device manufacturer, but the feature is straightforward and reversible…
-
The pros and cons of using noise cancelling headphones
Active noise cancellation has become an increasingly popular feature in consumer headphones, offering significant advantages such as blocking out background noise, improving audio quality, and enabling safer listening at lower volumes. However, the technology also presents notable drawbacks that users should understand before relying on it extensively, making it important to know when to use…