POWERLINE NETWORKING EXPLAINED

BETTER HOME WORKING

Carrying on the M1 theme this issue (sorry

Next iPhone shaping up

What can we expect to see in the next–gen iPhone?

New deal for news

Australian precedent could change the way news works worldwide

Streaming services growing

ACCORDING TO THE latest J.D. Power TMT Insight

> THE SHIFT

MATT BOLTON needs to see one major area of improvement from Apple in 2021, and that’s the accessories

LATTER OF THE MONTH

I am the proud owner of a handful

CRAVE

THE GEAR WE’RE LUSTING AFTER

BOOST YOUR Wi-Fi

Slow Netflix, or stuttering Apple Music? Here’s how to get the best performance from your home network

Work out what’s wrong

Are your neighbors causing your Wi–Fi problems?

Identify network interference

When you look at the Wi–Fi Settings on

How to Quick and easy fixes

1 Reposition the router Ideally, your router should

Manage your network

Take back control — by monitoring and managing your home network

How to Manage network devices

1 Network know–how Most routers provide an app

Upgrade your network

If a cheap router is the weak link, buy a better one

Mesh networking explained

Most conventional routers are designed for use in

BEST ROUTERS

TP-Link Archer C80 $97 tp-link.com TP–Link’s Archer

Fast streaming fixes

Ditch those buffering blues with these top tips

Secure your network

Follow these simple steps to keep your Wi–Fi network safe

How to Beef up your network security

1 Unwelcome guests Your router’s app will show

WHY USE A VPN?

A good VPN will offer private servers all

FAQ Networking troubleshooter

We take a look at some of the most common network problems, some quick fixes, and debunk some Wi–Fi theories

THREE OF THE BEST WI–FI EXTENDERS

TP–Link RE450/AC1750 $99.99 tp-link.com You can get cheap

Networking myths debunked

>> PUBLIC WI–FI HOTSPOTS ARE SAFE IF PASSWORD–PROTECTED

WORLD of WIDGETS

iOS 14’s widgets can revolutionize your device, but how do you find the right ones? Fear not, we’ve done the hard work and picked out the best

Visual overhauls

These widgets give you a ton of creative freedom to style up your device’s Home screen however you want

How to install your first widget

Getting things ready As you would expect with

Work and productivity

Put your most important tasks at your fingertips for super–easy access

4 apps with widgets to get you organized

Fantastical Free (IAPs) From flexibits.com Needs iOS 13.2

HOW TO MANAGE APPLE’S REMINDERS WIDGET

1 CHOOSE WIDGET SIZE In jiggle mode, tap

Utilities

All the handy tools you need to get things done

Location location location: Widgets for where you are

what3words Free From what3words.com Needs iOS 11 or

Health and fitness

Get active and build better habits with these widgets

Quantify your health

Lifesum Free (IAPs) From lifesum.com Needs iOS 11.2

HOW TO TRACK OUTDOOR EXERCISE WITH NIKE RUN CLUB

1 Start a new run Install Nike Run

Leisure and downtime

Take a break and relax with these great apps and widgets

Read all about it: the best reader widgets

News Free (IAPs) From apple.com Needs iOS 10

REVIEWS

TOUGH TESTING, TRUSTED RATINGS

Vivid–Pix Restore (3.1.16)

Bring faded memories back to life

Vissles–M Portable Monitor

An affordable second screen for your laptop

Plugable USB–C 7–in–1 Hub with Ethernet

Diminutive hub, plus Ethernet

Mophie 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand

Premium wireless charging

Marshall Uxbridge Voice

A stylish and powerful compact speaker

HoudahSpot 6

The search tool gets new features, and an old one returns

Folders Synchronizer 5

The venerable sync utility falls behind the times

The best keyboards for working from home

Fully featured wireless keyboards for Mac and iOS

Hades

Escaping the Underworld has never been so much fun

Epson RapidReceipt RR–70W

Digitize your receipts with this pint–size scanner

True wireless chargers

Missing AirPower? These are the top alternatives

Charging methods and times

Times taken to go from powered down to a full charge

Grado GT220 Wireless Earbuds

Big sounds from the Big Apple

NextBase 622GW Dash  Cam

A camera to give you peace of mind behind the wheel

USB TYPE–C MONITORS

GROUP  TEST

THE WINNER

BENQ EW3280U

APP LIFE

THIS MONTH’S MOST INTERESTING iPHONE & iPAD APPS

SwiftScan

Odd pricing, but effective scanning and OCR

Denim — Playlist Cover Maker

Choose your own playlist images

GAVI — Night Vision Video Chat

Make video calls in the dark

An Otter RSS Reader

The world’s okayest RSS reader

Erica

Choose your own adventure

The Procession To Calvary

A funny thing happened on the way to kill a king

6 apps to make you happier

Top apps for a new you

Best of the best

Can’t find the hardware or app you’re looking for in our reviews section? Then check in here — we’ve highlighted the best in every major category, as voted for by us

2021 GETS SMART

Join us as we analyze the best home tech on its way this year

ASK

TECH SUPPORT & TECHSPLANATIONS

Create a custom playlist

Easy ways to listen to favorites, long lost tracks, and hidden gems

Get started with Luminar AI

How to create eye–catching images by applying template effects

Get started with PCalc

Put away that scientific calculator — PCalc is your Mac math master

Cut your carbon footprint

Make the world better and your bills smaller

Learn to draw with SketchAR

Draw on paper using the guidelines on the display with AR

Balance budgets with Buddy

Stay out of the red and in the black with this handy iOS budgeting app

Fine–tune your photos

How to capture better quality pictures with help from Halide Mark II

Master the Home app in iOS 14

Control all your smart devices with the updated Home app

Unified memory

Discover the secret to the incredible performance behind the M1 Macs

Bringing Logic to the Mac

Charlotte Henry looks at how Logic became crucial to both Apple and the music industry