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The upside of a laptop having two charging ports (and why some don’t)
An Engadget writer makes the case that a second USB-C charging port on laptops is a genuinely useful feature rather than a minor spec detail, since it allows a device to be charged while a monitor or other peripheral occupies the other port. The piece argues that manufacturers often omit the second port to save…
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Turn an iPhone into a Wi-Fi PC game controller
An Engadget how-to guide explains that an iPhone can be turned into a makeshift Bluetooth-style gaming controller for a PC using the free Remote Gamepad app, which works with Mac, Windows 10/11 and Linux. This offers a handy workaround when spare controllers aren’t available or a user doesn’t want to buy a dedicated one, though…
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This feature keeps distracting spam calls away while using Android Auto
Google has extended its Call Screen feature to work through Android Auto, allowing phones to vet unknown or suspicious calls before drivers need to decide whether to answer while behind the wheel. Rather than being a new Android Auto function, Call Screen remains a phone-based feature that now surfaces its results in the car via…
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Does turning off Bluetooth actually make Wi-Fi better?
Bluetooth devices are often blamed for slowing down home Wi-Fi, but in most modern setups this is no longer a genuine problem. Interference can only occur on the 2.4 GHz frequency band, which Bluetooth shares with smart home protocols such as Zigbee and Thread, as well as microwaves, but most modern smartphones, laptops, TVs and…
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The 9 Best MagSafe Phone Grips for Your Butter Fingers (2026)
Wired’s updated buying guide rounds up its recommended MagSafe phone grips, accessories that clip magnetically onto iPhones (and compatible Android cases) to prevent drops, add a kickstand function and give handsets some visual personality. MagSafe grips have become a near-essential purchase as phones grow larger and more slippery, and the guide explains how the underlying…
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How to improve your audio quality on Apple CarPlay
Apple CarPlay lets drivers stream music from services like Apple Music and Spotify, but the audio quality it delivers isn’t always as good as it could be, and a handful of simple adjustments can noticeably improve the sound in-car. This matters because many drivers assume CarPlay automatically delivers the best possible audio, when in fact…
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How to soft and hard reset your iPhone
This guide explains how to troubleshoot a misbehaving iPhone or prepare one for transfer by escalating through three levels of reset: restarting, a soft reset and a hard reset. It notes that the tech community has long disagreed on precise definitions of “soft” and “hard” resets, so the article sets out its own working definitions…
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Getting an ‘iPhone Unavailable’ message? Here’s how to fix it
Apple’s “iPhone Unavailable” lockscreen message appears after too many incorrect passcode attempts, a security feature designed to block unauthorised access that can just as easily be triggered accidentally, such as by pocket presses or a forgotten passcode. Engadget has outlined several ways to regain access, with the best option depending on the iOS version installed,…
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How to improve your audio quality on Android Auto
Improving audio quality on Android Auto is less about buying premium hardware and more about checking software settings and troubleshooting systematically, according to guidance highlighting where drivers commonly go wrong. A faster or more expensive USB cable will not improve sound quality if the existing connection is already stable, since extra bandwidth does nothing for…
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How to adjust the audio settings for your AirPods (and why you should)
AirPods work fine out of the box, but Apple offers several customisation options that can improve the listening experience, and users may not realise how much control they have. On AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro models, pressing and holding the stem switches between listening modes, which can explain unexpected changes in sound if triggered accidentally,…