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From the Editor

Will ChatGPT’s search tool kill Google in 2025?

It’s the biggest challenger in years – and might just win

Protect your tech

Scams and threats to avoid, plus new security tools

Letters

Tell us what’s on your mind

Consumeractive

We stand up for your legal rights

Create a genealogy archive on WeAre.xyz

If you’re seeking a simple way of building and sharing a tree, follow Judith Batchelor’s advice to…

Win 1 of 5…

Cherry Stream Desktop Comfort keyboards and mice

Google GenCast

AI is about to make long-term weather forecasts much more accurate

Your Favourite SOFTWARE REVEALED!

We recommended hundreds of free programs in 2024, but which were the most popular with you? Robert Irvine reveals your top 20 tools and explains how to master them all

Share your location privately

Arranging to meet someone? Need to let a loved-one know where you are? Jonathan Parkyn reveals the best ways to share your location with someone privately and safely

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

480p/720p/1080p/1440p Common types of high-definition video of

Deep-clean his Facebook account

Keen to remove embarrassing old posts from social media, Robert Irvine tries to…

W11 ‘recommends’ sites you’re more likely to visit

The top stories in the world of technology

FILE EXPLORER KEEPS TABS AFTER REBOOT

File Explorer in Windows 11 now remembers the

You’ll like this…

BBC Sounds is becoming an in-car app

But not this…

Microsoft’s Recall still captures sensitive data like card

Euros and tragic deaths topped UK’s searches last year

Sporting events and untimely deaths dominated Google searches

Firefox to axe ‘Do Not Track’ because it’s widely ignored

Mozilla will soon remove its Do Not Track

ADOBE ERASES PHOTO REFLECTIONS WITH AI

A new tool in Adobe Photoshop uses

LG STOPS MAKING BLU-RAY PLAYERS

LG has stopped making Blu-ray players and has removed

TOMORROW’S WORLD

We’re not going to tell you what this

NEW RASPBERRY PI 500 IS A PC IN A KEYBOARD

Raspberry Pi has released the 500 (pictured), a

UPDATE MANHATTAN TV BOXES FOR BETTER SD

Manhattan has improved how standard definition (SD) channels

THE WORLD’S GONE MAD!

Is it a bird? Is it a plane?

Govt to make Amazon and eBay pay for electronic waste

Amazon and eBay will have to pay for

Ofcom cracking down on illegal content

Websites operating in the UK will soon have

Google adds option for search results that aren’t personalised

Google is adding the option to search the

Prices for ultrafast broadband see biggest drop in 2024

Monthly prices for ‘ultrafast’ broadband packages (over 300Mbps)

VOXI ADDS eSIMS FOR SIM-ONLY CUSTOMERS

Voxi, a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that

TESCO MOBILE PRICES RISE IN ‘POUNDS & PENCE’

Tesco Mobile has become the latest telecoms

EE CHATBOT ANSWERS 60,000 QUERIES A WEEK

BT says its AI chatbot Aimee, available

FotoSketcher 3.97

Robert Irvine recommends new programs that won’t cost you a thing

PhotoDemon 24.12

www.snipca.com/53208 What you need: Windows 7,

PDFgear 2.1.10

www.snipca.com/53209 What you need: Windows 10

FileSeek Pro

Choose the right version of software

What should I download?

We advise you which software and apps to use

Named & Shamed

Keumars Afifi-Sabet puts the boot into tech villains, jargon-spouting companies and software trying to trick you

PCSpecialist Zircon Supreme R

DESKTOP PC ❘ £999 from PCSpecialist www.snipca.com/53170

LG Gram SuperSlim 15.6in

LAPTOP | £1,099 from Currys www.snipca.com/53086

HP OfficeJet Pro 9135e

PRINTER | £193 from Amazon www.snipca.com/53101

Local dimming

What is it? Local dimming is a technology

Honor MagicPad2

TABLET | £500 from Honor www.snipca.com/53150

Amazon Kindle (2024)

EBOOK READER | £95 from Amazon www.snipca.com/53137

Swann SwannBuddy4K

VIDEO DOORBELL | £170 from Swann www.snipca.com/53116

Huawei Watch Fit 3

FITNESS WATCH | From £110 from Huawei www.snipca.com/53117

A tablet with two USB-C ports?

What is it? Chinese manufacturer Teclast has launched

Toshiba 32LF2F53DB

SMART TV | £139 from Currys www.snipca.com/53157

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

8 NEW PC tasks you must learn in...

Enhance your computing this year by expanding your digital skills. Robert Irvine suggests the best tricks to master – and the free tools to use

HOW TO... Declutter your Windows desktop for 2025

What you need: Windows 10 or 11; DesktopOK Time required: One hour

Download YouTube and BBC videos from the web

What you need: Stacher Time required: 30 minutes plus download time

Readers’ Tips

Handy hints and tips from your fellow readers

Browser Tips

Secret settings and the best extensions

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

Centre yourself in video meetings

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