Modern electronics can be fickle. With so many things to break, it's no surprise that one in four bits of consumer electronics gets returned to the manufacturer at some point in its life. But dealing with customer service is a nightmare of head-banging Greensleeves-playing call-centre torture, and if you're going to survive in that world, you'll need all the help you can get. Read More >>
Google has a new streaming music product, and that's all good and well, but it's only available in the US. We can't let the Yanks have all the fun, though, so here's how to suckle on the sweet, musical breast of Google from a UK IP address. Read More >>
Unless you happen to work for the search giant that created it, Google+ is probably not your social network of choice. Nevertheless, there's a ton of functionality hidden behind its walls, covering everything from photos to local searches as the influence of Google+ stretches across the company's multitude of other products. Here's how to get the most out of it. Read More >>
So, you've been all pioneering-Lone Ranger and dived headfirst into buying a Galaxy S4 -- good on ya. But before you get too settled, you should think about rooting and pimping that beast, to get the very best out of it. To help you along the way, we've got a dead-simple guide to hold your hand and show you exactly how to root -- it's probably easier than you think. Read More >>
Featured comment by kirsty.mann.5:
"Hey im pretty new at rooting and was jst wondering, I have the samsung S4 I9505XXUAMDD on vodafone, will I be able to root using this method? I know y..." More »
Occasionally, Google (and some of its users) don't quite see eye-to-eye. Extensions to Google Chrome which provide functions that are both legally and morally dubious fall into that category, which is why they generally get removed. But if your morals are loose and your scruples few and far between, you can still get at the forbidden fruit -- including Spotify downloads -- it just takes a bit of work. Read More >>
Light meters might sound like one of those photography accessories that should remain the persevere of professionals—but actually they can make a dramatic difference to your pictures. In this video renowned cinematographer Mark Vargo explains how to use one properly. Read More >>
With most people content to just pop in a cartridge, push a button, and accept the caffeinated lighter fluid that comes forth with open mouths, it's easy to forget that coffee-making can be an art. Which is partially why Tonx's fun and monstrously informative infographic on cofeee-makerless coffee-making is such a delight. Read More >>
Featured comment by ProcT0r:
"Surely not eating bread would put Pret higher up your list of good coffee shops as their salads are (subjectively) great?
Costa really is vile ;)" More »
It's officially spring, so why is your computer still moving like it's half frozen? After all those long winter nights surfing shady sites, it's no wonder. Here's how to give your most important devices a spring cleaning fit for the Queen. Read More >>
Featured comment by craigeve:
"What do people use to manage passwords? I'd like a password manager but i'd need to be able have access to them at other locations such as parents and..." More »
The digital music revolution continues at a frenetic pace — we'd only just turned in our CDs for MP3s when streaming services came along to upturn the apple cart again. There are now a whole host of streaming apps to choose from, but the original pioneer Spotify remains the biggest and the most well-known. Read More >>
Featured comment by Toothball:
"If you want to add a friend without using Facebook searching, you can find their user page by searching for spotify:user:their_name." More »
Shell prompts are, by definition, pretty dull. So, if you spend a lot of time looking at one, why not make it more fun by... replacing it with a hamburger! Read More >>
Featured comment by scarrobin:
"The sort of person that would do something like this is the sort of person who would use bash every day, so they'd notice before something like that h..." More »
Ugh, it never fails. No matter the size of the group, you always seem to get stuck sitting next to someone you'd rather not be — an overtly intoxicated uncle at your brother's wedding, a co-worker that believes closed-mouth chewing is more suggestion than rule, or the girl you wish you hadn't started a conversation with at a party. Read More >>
Facebook has announced that it's teaming up with four of the world's largest corporate data brokers to "enhance" the ad experience for users. Datalogix, Epsilon, Acxiom, and BlueKai obtain information gathered about users through online means (such as through cookies when users surf the web) as well as through offline means (such as through loyalty cards at supermarkets and product warranty cards). Read More >>
Featured comment by theclash123:
"Try this: https://www.dmachoice.org/
Acxiom is a member of the Direct Marketing Association, which lets you unsubscribe from e-mail and mail services..." More »
You've probably spent these last dreary months in Blighty gazing out the window and longing for the feel of real sunlight on your mottled, clammy, Vitamin-D-deprived skin. Well, despite flights being ruinously expensive at list price, there are ways to use airlines' own loyalty schemes to make a relatively modest break for the skies. Read More >>
So you've finally managed to weasel a Nexus 4 out of Google's grubby paws; now what? Rather than living with stock Android (wonderful though it is), let's harness the full power of the device sitting on your desk. Here's the complete, step-by-step guide to the best Nexus 4 tweaks, hacks and tune-ups around. Read More >>
Featured comment by Major9119:
"I got a Nexus 4 so I could be saved from the tedious process of constantly flashing ROMs to get fresh Android.
I don't understand why one would ge..." More »
So, young Padawan, you think you know your operating system? Think again. You might be au fait with basics like Ctrl + C or Cmd + C, but there's more to life than a bit of copying and pasting. Here's a little list of our favourite lesser-known shortcuts to revolutionise your workflow. Read More >>