From the Editor

Companies like Amazon and Google are so powerful

Don’t download Spotify files warn experts after huge hack

The top stories in the world of technology

File Explorer ditches duplicate checks for faster searches

M icrosoft has updated File Explorer so it

Illegal TV streamers get email warnings of prosecution

T he UK’s anti-piracy body FACT has emailed

Google to let you change your Gmail address

G oogle may soon let you change your

USE 5G NETWORK ON EE PAYG DEALS

New and existing EE customers on pay-as-you-go (PAYG)

TOMORROW’S WORLD

This is the eye-watering moment a G1 robot

WAZE ADDS TRAFFIC LIGHTS TO MAPS

Waze is testing icons for traffic lights in

THE WORLD’S GONE MAD!

It’s going to get much harder to tell

Amazon lets authors remove DRM for ebooks

A mazon will let users download certain Kindle

YouTube removes channels showing fake AI film trailers

Y ouTube has removed two channels that were

DELL PC BREAKS PI WORLD RECORD

A Dell computer has calculated a new world

Soaring memory costs restrict mid-range laptops to 8GB RAM

M anufacturers are planning to cut the amount

Ofcom to investigate BT and Three over nationwide outages

O fcom has launched investigations into BT and

VODAFONE ‘BRINGS 400 JOBS BACK TO UK’

VodafoneThree has “brought back” 400 call-centre roles from

PANASONIC ADDS AURACAST TO NEW TVS

Panasonic has added Bluetooth Auracast support to many

HACKERS STEAL 200M PORNHUB DETAILS

Hackers have stolen the data of more than

Is your smart TV spying on you?

They take screenshots of what you watch twice every second

Fake ‘automatic payment’ PayPal emails

Scams and threats to avoid, plus new security tools

New tools

NordVPN detects dodgy links in emails

ScamWatch

Readers warn readers

Letters

Tell us what’s on your mind

Can Argos refuse to take back tablet because I opened it?

We stand up for your legal rights

My subscription went up almost £100 – is that fair?

Q During 2024’s Black Friday offers I got

Sky finally upgrades reader stuck on 20Mbps

Sky has finally upgraded Mark Hazell’s broadband after

Can a retailer’s policy override consumer law?

Q I bought five new doors online f

Can I get a refund for faulty customised product?

Q I paid £113.96 online for a teeth

Cartridge King replaced my cartridges within 48 hours

There are plenty of websites selling printer cartridges,

Post messages in the RootsChat forum

If you’ve hit a brick wall, seek the assistance of 300,000 fellow genealogists. Richard Holt explains how to…

Windhawk 1.7.3

www.snipca.com/57554 What you need: Windows 10 or

SHOULD I PAY FOR…?

Choose the right version of software

What should I download?

We advise you which software and apps to use

SOFTWARE WARNING!

HD Camera’s dubious ‘Enhance’ tool

WHAT ARE THEY TALKING ABOUT?

WHAT THEY SAY Sam Altman, head of OpenAI

KEUMARS’ VILLAINS OF THE FORTNIGHT

SocialPharma

Lenovo IdeaCentre Mini x Gen 10

Flat out

TP-Link Archer GE400

Dual disappointment

OnePlus Pad Go 2

Good 2 Go

TerraMaster F2-425

NAS DRIVE ❘ £249 from Amazon www.snipca.com/57435

DIMMs

CHOOSE THE RIGHT SPECS

What’s the best refurbished phone for under £100?

We solve your buying dilemmas

Acer Predator XB273K V5

Screen play

Google Nest Cam Indoor (Wired)

AI eye

Tribit PocketGo

Hear we go

TCL 50C6KS-UK

Watch it!

A Commodore 64 in 2026?

What is it? A hyper-authentic recreation of the

On Sale Weds 28 Jan

CyberPowerPC Ultra R5RX Stunning desktop PC, but can

Buy It

Our pick of products that have won the Buy It award

Buy It

Our pick of products that have won the Buy It award

HOW TO...Stop squinting at your phone

What you need: Smartphone, tablet or ebook reader

Navigate your PC faster than Windows Start menu

What you need: Flow Launcher Time required: 20

Readers’ Tips

Handy hints and tips from your fellow readers

Browser Tips

Secret settings and the best extensions

AI Tips

Clever new tools and tweaks

Phone and Tablet Tips

Brilliant things to do on your device

Make Windows Better

Expert tips for every version

Make Office Better

Top tips for the best office programs

Turn slides into videos with Google Vids

Run a club or society? Here's how your tech can make it easier

5D memory crystal

New storage outlives SSDs, USBs, M-DISCs and probably humans too

AMAZING FREE APPS...

You MUST SIDELOAD on your phone & TV stick (don’t tell Amazon & Google)

Ditch Excel for Proton Sheets

Fed up with AI junk and Office subscriptions? Jonathan Parkyn explains why you should try Proton’s brand new privacy-first alternative to Excel and Google Sheets

Best new ways to rip CDs in 2026

Ready to welcome the compact disc back into your life? Jonathan Parkyn explains new ways to rip, rescue and enjoy your CDs in 2026

Problems Solved

Our experts solve all your tech problems

Reader Support

Having a problem with our recommended software or expert tips? Email editor@computeractive.co.uk and we’ll do our best to help

Jargon Buster

1080p High-definition video: 1920x1080 pixels. 2K A screen

Know How

Tired of wading through fake content in search results, Robert Irvine tries to…