Table of contents for Vol 7 2023 in Coding User

Hardware Reviews Pivo Pod Lite Devolo WiFi 6 Repeaters Twelve South Curve Flex Twelve South HiRise 3 Logitech Signature MK650 for Business FRITZ!Box 7590 AX Tempest 512 Mic Edifier WH950 Headphones Groov-e Karaoke Boombox Groov-e Soundbar 20 JOBY Godzilla Medium Kit Cambridge Audio Melomania Touch Rocketbook Pro STM ChargeTree Go Orico USB 4.0 Portable SSD, 1TB Swann AllSecure650 2K Wireless Security Kit Marshall Emberton II Bluetooth Speaker Software Reviews Affinity Designer 2 Affinity Photo 2 Affinity Publisher 2 DxO PhotoLab 6 DxO ViewPoint 4…

If you’re addicted to all things Apple and use an Apple Watch and AirPods alongside your iPhone, this is a comprehensive charging solution. It can charge all three of your devices at once, from a single power outlet. It comes supplied with a USB-C cable, but not the 20W USB-C power adapter you need for fast charging. Your MagSafe iPhone fits magnetically to the front of the HiRise, while your Apple Watch sits atop the device facing the ceiling. This means you can’t see the charging watch’s face if you’re lying in bed and have the HiRise your the bedside table; forget Nightstand Mode. The AirPods (wireless charging cases only) rest on the base. If your iPhone supports wireless-charging but not MagSafe you can charge it on the base instead,…

AVM’s updated flagship router has all the features you’d expect from a top-of-the-range FRITZ!Box, and it’s now WiFi 6 compatible too. The FRITZ!Box 7590 AX is a powerful ADSL modem router that can be used with any DSL- and IP-based Internet connection. It’s extremely fast. Even on conventional phone lines, it can achieve speeds of up to 300 Mbit/s. Obviously, what speed you actually get is dependant on your phone line, its distance from the exchange and the service you pay for with your Internet Service Provider (ISP), but whatever your situation and contract, you can bet the 7590 AX can get the most from it. The FRITZ!Box 7590 AX’s main advantage over its predecessor is that it’s Wi-Fi 6 compatible. As regular readers know, Wi-Fi 6 is the latest…

This home karaoke machine is surprisingly comprehensive for such an affordable device. It’s bundled with two mics so it’s ideal for duets, there’s flashing coloured LED lights for that on-stage feel and it connects to your phone or tablet through Bluetooth so you can sing along to your favourite songs. Top tip; there are plenty of songs on YouTube with vocals removed and lyrics on display. It supports the CD+G format, so a karaoke CD can output lyrics to your television for you to follow as you sing, and you can play CD-R/RW disks on it too. Talking of CDs, there’s a ten-track karaoke disc bundled, offering tracks such as Dancing Queen, Living on a Prayer and Valerie. You wouldn’t expect audiophile quality playback and studio-quality mics from a karaoke…

The Melomania Touch is Cambridge Audio’s second true wireless earbuds release, following the respected, well received Melomania 1. The new buds have been redesigned from the ground up, and have little in common with their predecessor. Featuring 7mm Graphene drivers for enhanced bass, the Melomania Touch offers a nine-hour continual play, with a 50-hour battery life when you throw in the case. It has a Unique High Performance Audio Mode for hi-fi quality sound and a Transparency Mode to let in ambient sounds, but no noise-cancelling feature to keep them out. It comes with six sets of silicon earbud in small, medium and large sizes, and three pairs of fins to keep them in your ear, again in small, medium and large. A USB-A to C cable is included for…

This very focussed photo editing application does one job, and does it well. Available as a stand-alone app or as a plug-in for Photoshop, PS Elements or Lightroom Classic, DxO Labs’ ViewPoint 4 is designed to correct issues with a photograph’s perspective. However good your lens, imperfections due to distortion might creep into your pictures. With ViewPoint 4, you can fix barrel, pincushion and fish-eye distortion with a single click. For stronger changes, the app’s powerful perspective tools can give you exactly the effect you want. A matter of perspective… It’s an in-depth, capable app, but also fairly easy to use. A toolbar across the top is mainly for guides, resizing, flipping and rotating. The clever stuff is in a right-hand sidebar. It’s there you use the dedicated tools for…

These Affinity Version 2 apps are really knocking it out of the park. Publisher 2 is no exception. For the first time, it’s available on the iPad as well as the Mac, bringing it into line with Affinity’s Photo and Designer apps. The original Affinity Publisher was highly respected, and the new release makes significant advances on it with some great new features. Like all the Affinity apps, Publisher 2 is very affordable. On both the iPad and Mac you pay a single fee and buy the apps outright – there’s no monthly subscription. Best of all, there’s a universal licence that gets you all three Affinity apps on the Mac, Windows and iPad. It’s amazing value for money. Interesting interactive interface The interface is as instinctive and intuitive as…

If you’re still on Windows 10, and waiting patiently for your update screen to display the exciting ‘Ready to update Windows 11’ notification, then this is the guide for you. Rather than tweaking with the update settings, or delving into the murky depths of the command prompt, there’s an easier way to get the ball rolling and get you on and working with Windows 11. Before You Leap Before we go about running the update process, it’s worth checking that your system can actually run Windows 11. Many of us have already been down this route, and have discovered that we need to apply a few elements prior to installing the newest OS from Microsoft. TPM 2.0 TPM stands for Trusted Platform Module, and its task is to protect data…

Exploring the Notification Center The Notification Center is an important and useful element in Windows 11, providing you with access to the calendar as well as notifications and alerts. Step 1 New notifications and alerts will pop up at the bottom-right corner of the screen (by default, but you can change the notification settings), disappearing after a few seconds. After the initial pop-up has disappeared, you can view all current notifications by clicking on the time/date in the taskbar. Step 2 You can see if there are new notifications waiting to be viewed by the badge that will appear on the corner of the time/date in the taskbar. You can turn off these badges in the settings, but they are a useful and unobtrusive way to see, at a glance,…

Using Task View Task View is a quick way to view and manage all of the windows and apps open on your PC at any given moment, even those that are minimised. Step 1 Task View is accessed by clicking the third icon in the taskbar; the white square on the black square. The Task View screen is split into two sections: Open tasks and desktops. Any apps or windows you have open, even if they are currently minimised, will be displayed in the open tasks panel. Step 2 The size and shape of the windows shown in Task View depend on the size and shape of the actual window. For example, if you have Microsoft Edge open at full screen, it will be displayed as a wide rectangle in…

What’s New in File Explorer? File Explorer is a much undervalued part of Windows. And while it hasn’t fundamentally changed for several versions of the operating system, Windows 11 has made some changes, which we’ll take you through here. Step 1 The way you browse files in Windows 11 is similar to previous versions of Windows, but File Explorer has been slightly simplified. The main Quick Access window shows you your most frequently used folders (after all, how many of us dip into more than five or ten folders in a day?) and also recent files. Step 2 The sidebar also works on the same principle, and via a new Quick Access feature you can pin folders or files that you want to stick around. It will also show you…

VPN Settings If you need to log in to a home VPN or corporate network, this is where you will need to enter the appropriate VPN settings. It’s fairly easy to do but you’ll need the configuration details from your IT help desk (they will have to enable your VPN access), plus your username and password. Proxy Settings If you use a proxy server, this is where you enter any specific settings to do with that. However, Windows 11 should automatically detect proxy settings. Note that the settings you configure here won’t apply if you connect via a VPN, because a VPN essentially skips the need for a proxy. Mobile Hotspot You can turn your Windows 11 PC into a mobile hotspot, sharing your Internet connection with other devices over…

1 Browser & Tab Controls In the top left corner, where you would probably expect to find them, are the browser controls. These include the Home button, the Page refresh button and the Page forward/Page back buttons. Also in the top corner is the Tab control, allowing you to set the tabs vertically, or restore closed tabs. Right-click on the active tab to see additional options. 2 Search Fields There are two search fields in Edge, one at the top (which is also the address field when viewing a website), and one which floats at the top or middle of the start page; depending on the layout you choose. Use either of these and search suggestions appear as you begin typing. 3 Recently Viewed/Favourites A group of icons are displayed for the most…

Step 1 Open the websites that you want to save in a Collection, in separate tabs. Click the Tab Actions button (top-left) and from the menu, select “Add all tabs to Collections”. A notification will appear below the Collections button in the browser tools bar. This confirms that the Collection was saved. Step 2 To open a Collection, you’ll need to click the Collections button, and right-click on the collection you want to open. Select “Open all [number]”. You can edit the collections by clicking on them here, and adding or removing pages. You can also rename the collections by clicking on the date title at the top.…

1 New Mail Button If you are not replying to an email, but rather starting a new email, you can do so in a couple of different ways. You can either click the New Mail button at the top of the Mail Menu or you can use the Ctrl-N. Both methods open a new email in the main window, with a blank recipient field. 2 Mail Menu The left-hand menu, which can be minimised and expanded using the button at the top of the panel, contains all of your email accounts (those you have added to Windows Mail). Click on any of your email account headers and the individual folders, such as Inbox and Sent Items, are displayed here also. 3 Calendar View You can open the Windows Calendar app directly from within…

Background Image The background of the Mail app is set to an image by default. This is purely decorative, and can be changed. Open Settings > Personalisation in the Mail app, then scroll to the bottom to see the different backgrounds available. You can also add your own image by clicking the Browse button. Mail App Colour The colour tint on the Mail app menu (on the left) and the colour of the accents such as buttons and highlights, can also be changed in the Personalisation settings. Just click a colour block to change it. You can also change the theme of the app from light to dark here, or use the Windows theme setting. Email Font The default font for your emails (Calibri Body, unless you have changed the…

Setting Up the Teams App Getting started with Microsoft Teams on Windows 11 is relatively easy if you have a Teams account already set up, which we assume you do if you are trying to use this app. Step 1 Click the Teams Chat icon in the taskbar, or open the Teams app in the main apps list. If your Microsoft account email matches the one you use when setting up your Teams account, the app should automatically detect it, and log you in to the app after a few moments. Step 2 If the app doesn’t recognise your email address, it will open the Teams login screen. Here you can choose an account to sign in to (if any are displayed), or you can pick another account. If you…

Safe Search Sometimes web search results may show content that is not suitable for the younger audience, which is the reason Cortana also offers search filters. Go to Settings > Cortana > Permissions and History, and under SafeSearch, select the search filter that is most appropriate for you. Cloud Search Cloud search is an option introduced in Windows 10, which allows you to suppress cloud content on search results. Under Cloud Search, you will see a toggle that says Windows Cloud Search. This option manages whether Cortana shows cloud content in Windows Search. Device History This setting allows for the improvement of on-device search results, whether you are using an app, settings or another search from any signed on device. If you prefer that Windows does not record the on-device…

Step 1 The default view when opening the Calendar is the month view. You can switch to the different views (Day, Week, Month and Year) using the buttons along the top of the calendar. There is also a button here to take the view back to the current day, if you have been browsing future or past months. Step 2 Click the New Event button in the top left. Add the name of the event, a location should you wish to, plus start and end dates and times. You’re also able to invite people by email using the field on the right-hand side. This will then insert the event into their calendar as well. Step 3 You can also add events by clicking on the relevant date block (or time…

Step 1 Aside from the desktop background, you can also change the colour of the taskbar and the Start menu and other system components. Click on the Colours option in the main Settings sidebar. Here you will see several colour control options, including the option to choose light or dark mode. Step 2 Light mode is the default that Windows 11 is set to when installed. Select Dark mode to see an immediate and obvious change. Dark mode affects most menus like the taskbar, Start menu and folders etc. The third option is Custom, which lets you choose light/dark modes separately for system and apps. Step 3 To apply a colour other than light or dark to the taskbar, Start menu and other accents, you need to first select Dark…

Step 1 You can find new themes in a couple of ways: Open the Microsoft Store app and search for themes, or open the main settings app, go to Personalisation and then click on the themes option. Here you will see a link to “Get more themes…”. Step 2 Both of these actions should bring you to the same themes page. All themes have now been moved into the Windows Store app, rather than on a webpage. Themes are all listed under Personalisation in the Store, so you can also search for that if your themes search doesn’t bring up the expected results. Step 3 Each theme is displayed with a thumbnail and the number of images supplied shown. The Microsoft Store page also includes information about any other changes…

Awesome Effects Here’s some of the effects you can achieve using Pivo Pod Lite. This inexpensive gadget designed for phone and tablet selfies is clearly aimed at teenaged social media content creators. a range of colours, Pivo Pod is a palm-sized, drum-shaped device with a vice-style clamp on the top to hold your smartphone in portrait and landscape orientation. When in place, the Pivo Pod can rotate the phone through 360 degrees, but there’s no native way of tilting it backward or forward. Pivo Pod connects to your Apple device using Bluetooth, and is controlled with free apps. There’s a standard tripod screw hole on the base, so you can fit it to a regular photography tripod if you wish. As well as making it easy to raise or lower…

This is awesome. While a fixed-position notebook raiser holds your MacBook at a set height, the Curve Flex goes a step further and lets you adjust it. It can lift the top of your screen up to 22 inches, and set your keyboard angle to between zero and 45 degrees. Available in matte black or white, it also folds flat so you can take it with you when on the move. It even comes with a neoprene sleeve for transportation, which has a little pocket to hold the supplied Allen key used to tighten it up if things get loose over time. It’s easy to set up. Put it on your desk, place your hand on the base and pull it up to the height you want. It’s a little…

512 Audio’s latest microphone is a decent price. It’s certainly not cheap and nasty, but nor is it a pro-level beast with a price tag to match. Instead, it’s a decent mid-range device that’s perfect for broadcasters, vidcasters and podcasters who want a quality mic but don’t need something the BBC might use while interviewing a politician near a busy motorway. Tempest is a true large-diaphragm studio microphone with the convenience of modern USB-C connectivity. It has a 34mm gold-plated condenser capsule and 24-bit/48kHz resolution. It has a single cardioid recording pattern, and doesn’t process the signal itself. This, of course, gives you the flexibility of doing your own processing at a software level. Not as straightforward as a mic with Digital Signal Processing (DSP), but you can get some…

How cheap can a Bluetooth speaker set be, without sounding horrible? This one is less than 30 quid, and it certainly doesn’t sound horrible. Not stellar either, but definitely not horrible. groov-e’s Soundbar 20 has two 5W drivers. It plays your tunes through Bluetooth 5.0 or a 3.5mm AUX cable, and it’s powered through USB or a ten-hour battery that takes a couple of hours to recharge. For that disco feeling, there are coloured LEDs around the speakers that flash when music is playing. You can turn them off if you’re using the soundbar under your TV or computer. Inevitably for the price, Soundbar 20 lacks the high-end audio you’d prefer for music. Its bass is solid, but the high ends sound a little tinny and the sound stage is…

Would you use something like this? Or would it end up in a drawer after a month or so, untouched and unloved? It’s a decent enough product. In the box, you get a vegan leather scratch-resistant hardcover, a pack of 20 reusable pages, a Pilot FriXion pen and a microfibre cloth. Use the pen to write on the waterproof, tear-resistant paper and you can wipe it clean with the cloth afterwards. The paper can be used again and again, and you can buy extra packs offering templates for to-dos, planners, meetings and more from the Rocketbook website too. Cloud connection When you’ve made your notes, you can scan them with an iPhone app, and store them on the cloud. There are seven icons at the foot of the page; you…

It’s interesting what you find bundled with tech products these days. This two-camera wireless security system comes with a USB mouse and a HDMI cable. Why? Because you must connect the supplied NVR (Network Video Recorder) unit to a TV or monitor to set it up. This isn’t as scary as it sounds. It’s a simple job, and after a few easy steps, your security hub is soon up and running. This particular pack offers two wireless cameras, replete with brackets that let you screw them to a wall or a flat surface. Naturally, there’s a useful iOS app you can use to monitor your cameras in real-time, and receive alerts when they detects heat or motion if you wish. Candid cameras The cameras, being wireless, are powered by removable…

Serif’s Affinity series of apps has really shaken up the design world, and their second versions look set to continue the trend. And it’s no wonder. They’re approaching their industry-leading Adobe rivals in power and versatility, and are available for a much lower price. They’re a once-only purchase with no subscription fees, and if you buy a Universal Licence, you can get all three Affinity v2 apps for Macs, Windows and iPads for a bargain once-only payment. Unfortunately, there’s no upgrade discount for existing users. Affinity Designer 2 is Serif’s answer to the much more expensive Adobe Illustrator, with a little Photoshop thrown in. It’s raster and vector drawing we’re dealing with here. This second release, a very considerable update, offers significant upgrades to the well received original. A feature…

As regular readers know, French company DxO’s PhotoLab is a powerful alternative to Adobe’s Photoshop, with the emphasis firmly and unapologetically on photo editing. This new edition is the sixth major release in five years, and offers discounts for those upgrading from a previous version. We’re covering the ELITE app here, but there’s also a cheaper ESSENTIAL version for those who don’t need the high-end options offered by this premium suite. A new feature in the ELITE edition lets you simulate papers and inks when soft proofing, further expanding the performance of DxO Wide Gamut. The app’s noise reduction and detail recovery capabilities take a step forward with DeepPrime XD, which is now available for Fujifilm X-Trans cameras along with the rest of the roster. Other ELITE-only features include the…

1 Widgets The Widgets snap in from the left of the desktop when you move your mouse over to the edge of the screen. You’ll notice that the Widget window is slightly raised, this is to avoid it clashing with the taskbar; to help keep the desktop clutter-free. You can also open them by pressing the Windows Key + W on your keyboard. 2 Search You can use the Search field to look for more specific Widgets, and add them to your desktop for a more personalised desktop environment. Note that new Widgets are being added to Windows 11 almost on a daily basis. Keep an eye out, to see if the one you’ve always wanted makes an appearance. 3 Taskbar The new Windows 11 taskbar expands out from the centre of the…

Step 1 To access the quick settings panel in Windows 11, press Windows Key + a. The panel will appear in the same position on screen as the Notification Center. By default the panel contains buttons to quickly enable/disable Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Flight Mode, Battery Saver (if using a laptop) and Focus Assist. Step 2 There are also sliders to control screen brightness and system volume. The exact settings that appear in the quick settings panel will vary, depending on if you are using a desktop or a laptop computer. At the bottom of the panel is a button to open the main Windows 11 settings app. Step 3 Right-click anywhere on the Quick Settings panel to see a link to “Edit quick settings”. Click this and the buttons will be…

Using Snap Layouts Snap Layouts are a quick and easy way to organise a busy or cluttered desktop. They are similar to Snap Assist, but are created in a new and different way. Step 1 Snap Layouts can be created with just one open app or window, but really come into their own when several are open. Move your mouse over the Maximise button (top-right corner) of any open app or window, without clicking. After a second, a brand new menu will pop up, showing the available layouts you can use. Step 2 There are 4 preset layouts available (at present, although more may be added): 2 equal windows side-by-side, 2 unequal windows side-by-side, 3 windows and 4 equal windows. Click on whichever you want to use, and the window/app…

Creating New Folders It may seem too simple if you are a long time Windows user, but here’s a look at how to create new folders on the desktop and within other folders. Step 1 On the desktop, right-click and select New folder from the action menu that appears. The familiar yellow folder icon will then appear at that position on the desktop (wherever you clicked), with the name automatically set as ‘New folder’ but highlighted ready to change. Step 2 You can leave the name as ‘New folder’ if you wish. If you then create a second folder next to the first, it will automatically be named ‘New folder (2)’. You can rename a folder at any time by left-clicking on the title once, or right-clicking and selecting Rename…

1 Account & Search At the top-left of the settings window, you will see your Microsoft account name and email address, along with an avatar image (if you have chosen one). Clicking this will take you to the settings Accounts page. Below that is a search field, allowing you to look for specific settings within the app. 2 Settings Categories In the left sidebar are all of the main settings categories, from System settings to Windows Update settings. This sidebar remains visible no matter where you are within the settings app. Clicking each category heading will open a list of sub categories. 3 Quick Info Panel Along the top of several settings categories you will see relevant information about the current settings. For example, at the top of the System settings, you will…

Get Started with Edge Edge in Windows 11 feels much less clunky than the previous version and already feels more like the most popular browsers available, such as Chrome or Firefox. Installing Edge Edge comes pre-installed with Windows 11, and if you have upgraded from Windows 10 (and were using Edge previously) it should already be set up and working as normal. If you bought a PC with Windows 11 installed, or have never used Edge before, it will require a bit of setup to begin. Edge Setup During setup, you have the option to import browser data such as bookmarks and favourites from Google Chrome, choose the initial start page layout and set up syncing across devices (other computers, your phone, etc.) Once installed, Edge opens at the start…

Light or Dark Theme If you have changed the system theme to light or dark, Edge should automatically be set to the same. You can, however, choose the theme for Edge separately to the system theme. Open the Edge menu > Settings, and click Appearance. Choose the light, dark or system default theme. Edge Themes As well as light or dark, Edge lets you choose from about 15 other theme colours, from Morning Fog to Mystical Forest. Go to Edge menu > Settings > Appearance and click on the theme colour you want to apply. This will only apply colour to the top bar and tabs. It will not override the light/dark setting. Add Browser Controls The default browser controls are Back, Forward and Refresh page. Open the menu >…

Setting Up Email Accounts The Windows 11 email client can be used to view emails from multiple accounts, from your POP3 Internet provider account, to Microsoft Exchange, Gmail and even Apple’s iCloud. Step 1 If opening Mail for the first time, you will be greeted by a welcome screen, containing a link to “+Add account”. Click this to open the list of available account types. You will need the server, password and other information required for each email account you want to add to Mail. Step 2 You can add accounts from many popular providers including Google, Yahoo! and Apple’s iCloud. You can also set up other more specialist accounts if you have the details. Finally, there’s also an option to add a Microsoft Exchange account, if your workplace uses…

1 New Look The Microsoft Store has a new look to it, in-line with the rest of the Windows 11 theme and desktop. You’ll find the Store located by default in the taskbar. 2 Categories Quick access to the main categories: Apps, Gaming and Films & TV are available to the left-side of the Store window. Click each one to be taken to specific pages where you can find the latest content. 3 Library The Library contains all the apps you currently have installed on your system. From here you can further break them down into sub-categories such as Games, Movies & TV, etc. You can also check their update status, pin them to the Start or taskbar, and even open them. 4 Top Apps Scrolling down through the Store will reveal the most…

With Teams set up, you can now easily start or join meetings, or chat with others who are also using Microsoft Teams. Either from the main app or by using the taskbar tool. Step 1 To begin a chat, click the Teams Chat icon in the taskbar. From the pop-up window, click on the Chat button. In the new window that opens, enter a contact name, email address or phone number. Type your message and that person will receive a notification telling them you want to start a chat. Step 2 Your messages, and the replies, are shown in the conversation window. You can attach and send files via the chat by clicking the paper clip icon. If you want to switch from a text chat to an audio or…

1 Add New Event There are two main ways to add a new event to your calendar. You can either click on the date in the main window or, if the date you want is not in view, you can click the New Event button here. You can then add an event name, location, and a start and end date. Give the event a short description, especially if you plan to share it with a contact. You can do that by adding people using the pane on the right of the Add Event screen. 2 Monthly View No matter which view you choose for the main Calendar pane-day, week, etc. - the month preview always shows a full month. You can use the arrows above the mini calendar to skip to different…

Step 1 The lock screen is enabled by default (as it was in Windows 10) and displays an image and can also display information from one of the built-in Windows apps. To start customising the lock screen, open the main settings, click Personalisation and then Lock Screen. Step 2 The first thing to choose is whether to display one of your own images, a slideshow of images or something from Windows Spotlight. If you choose either of the first two of these, more options will appear to select the images you want to use (single or multiple). Step 3 If you choose to apply one of your images, some recently used pictures will appear, along with a link to browse your PC for more. When you select an image, it…

In a nutshell, the difference between a Wi-Fi extender and a Wi-Fi repeater is that an extender connects directly to your router, maybe through homeplugs, and offers a separate wireless access point. A repeater, on the other hand, latches on to the outer reaches of your existing Wi-Fi network, and rebroadcasts it, giving you extra range. These two devolo products are repeaters. The devices offer two form factors. The 5400 looks like a router, with a separate mains outlet plug and two Ethernet ports for cabled connections. The 3000 model plugs directly into the mains socket and a single Ethernet port. Unfortunately, it doesn’t offer a through-port for you to plug in another electrical device. They’re extremely easy to set up; using WPS, just press a button on your router…

Keyboards and controllers can be a significant investment, especially if you’re a small business owner who needs to buy in bulk. Logitech’s Signature MK650 Combo for Business offers a (relatively) low cost option instead. Available in black or white, the combination pack contains an K650 keyboard and an M650 mouse. Designed for maximum compatibility, the keyboard is printed with both Mac and Windows key layouts. It has a full set of function keys along the top, and a built-in keypad too. It feels comfortable to type on, and as it has a palm rest, it’s easy on the wrists. The mouse is equally comfortable to use. It has a tracking DPI of 400-4000, which is ideal for general use. There’s a scroll wheel with a middle button, and two side…

Philips’ 27B1U7903 4K satisfies on pretty-much every level. It’s wonderful for design. Colours are clear and bright. There’s 1.07 billion of them on offer, and they’re brilliantly reproduced. Viewing angles are excellent, with almost no colour shifting at narrow angles. The screen is backlit by MiniLEDs. There’s 2,304 individual local dimming zones, compared to 576 on most 27-inch monitors. This really helps with the contrast, making blacks darker, whites brighter and the entire spectrum more vivid. For professional and prosumer users, it’s perfect. It does a decent job with movies and games too. These should be regarded as secondary uses, of course. If you’re looking for a monitor specifically for movies and games, there are more appropriate options. But its 4K, 3840x2160 resolution, 163 pixel-per-inch density and 60Hz refresh rate…

The GorillaPod range of tripods has an enviable reputation for versatility and strength, and this new model, the PodZilla, is no exception. As well as using it as a tripod, you can hold its legs together to turn it into a selfie stick, wrap them around a branch or railing to hold your iPhone steady in unusual places, bend one leg a little more than the others to accommodate uneven surfaces and more. There’s a standard head mount screw, so you can use it with a regular camera, and a housing to hold a mobile phone. This housing can also support LEDs, microphones and other JOBY products alongside your phone, but these are not supplied. The PodZilla comes in four exciting colours. Or maybe three exciting colours and grey. The…

The ChargeTree, STM’s multi-device charger for Apple fans, reaches perfection with the ChargeTree Go. Like previous versions, it can charge an Apple Watch, an iPhone with Qi charging (iPhone 8 or later) and earbuds that offer wireless charging such as Apple’s own second-generation or later AirPods, all at once. But unlike previous versions, this ChargeTree folds down flat for travel use. You get a drawstring bag to carry it in too, which is large enough to also hold the 20W plug (not supplied) and the USB-C to USB-C cable (supplied). It has charge status lights to show you that your devices have been positioned correctly and are charging, but these go out after a brief while, so you can use it on your bedside table without having LEDs keeping you…

The Marshall Emberton II Bluetooth portable speaker makes several improvements over the previous model. It can now run for 30 hours on a single charge, is dust and water resistant and it’s now made of 50% recycled plastic from used electronics, water bottles and automotive light covers. It’s 100% PVC-free too. The speaker charges from flat to full in three hours, and it uses Bluetooth 5.1 technology for easy set-up and great connectivity. One thing that hasn’t changed is its awesome rock-star aesthetics. It looks every inch a Marshall, and will be instantly familiar to anyone who’s been to a gig and seen the band’s amps stacked high on the stage. You can now stack your the portable speakers too for an even bigger sound. Get those fists in the…

Of the three feature-rich and competitively-priced design packages in the Affinity range, it’s Affinity Photo that impressed us most. A powerful image editor, it rivals Adobe Photoshop for versatility but costs a single, affordable fee with no monthly subscriptions. Affinity Photo 2 is a major overhaul, with a new user interface, non-destructive RAW editing, live masks and more. There’s no upgrade discount for existing users, but a free 30-day trial is available so you can try before you buy. Custom settings can be imported from the original Affinity Photo, so if you’ve set up custom brushes, adjustments and more, you won’t have to do it all again when you upgrade. Like the other Affinity apps released as Version 2, Photos 2 benefits from a greatly revised user interface. The workspaces,…

If you want to learn about Windows 11, you’ve come to the right place. Every issue our team of experts brings you the best tips, tricks and tutorials for Microsoft’s operating system. In this first issue we show you how to upgrade Windows to the current version, Windows 11. We take you through its basic functions for beginners, and also take a look at some more advanced features like Team Chat and the App Store. If it’s apps and gear you’re looking for, our in-depth reviews help you find the very best your money can buy. We cover all the very best of tech across all major of platforms, so you’re bound to find something for you. It’s all in this very first issue of Windows 11 User.…

Hello Windows 11 One of the first tasks to complete when you boot into Windows 11, is to run through the Getting Started guide. Here’s how it works. Step 1 You’ll find the Getting Started guide in the Start menu, when you click the Windows logo button on the taskbar. It’s a welcome to Windows setup wizard, and makes sure you’re ready to use your files, and get access to your work quickly and effectively. Once it has opened, click the Get Started button to continue to the next step. Step 2 Microsoft’s use of OneDrive for both business and personal data has become one of the cornerstones of the company’s services. OneDrive offers a secure space to store your data, which will always be available no matter what happens…

Get to Grips with Start If you have used Windows 10, the Start menu shouldn’t hold too many surprises for you, but it is still a good idea to familiarise yourself with its features. Step 1 The completely redesigned Start menu is opened by clicking on the Windows icon in the taskbar, or by pressing the Windows Key on your keyboard. It opens above the taskbar icons, floating in the middle of the screen. It will appear over the top of any open windows. Step 2 The Start menu is arranged in four main sections: Search, Pinned Apps, Recent or Recommended Files and Account/Power. Clicking in the Search field will switch to the dedicated Search panel, rather than letting you type your search term directly into the Start menu. Step…

Mastering the Windows 11 Taskbar The taskbar has always been more useful than many users realise. In Windows 11 the emphasis has shifted much more towards a simplified, but still powerful, selection of pinned tools/apps. Taskbar Layout The taskbar runs the full length of the bottom of the screen, and is now divided into two main sections: Start Menu/Pinned App and System Tools. In Windows 11 the taskbar app icons are arranged in the centre of the taskbar (although this can be changed), with system tools on the right. Start Menu The first icon in the row of taskbar icons is the Start menu button. Clicking this opens the Start menu directly above the icons. You can right-click the Start menu button to see a jump menu of additional links…

1 File Explorer Toolbar The simplified Explorer toolbar still contains all of the tools you need to manage the different files and folders you can view. Once you have selected a file or folder in the main pane, more tools become active. You can also click the “More menu” button to see additional options such as Burn to disc and Compress to Zip file. 2 Navigation Pane - Folders The left-hand sidebar contains a list of different file folders on your computer. Clicking on any of the folders shown here will display the various files and folders inside; in the main pane. The list is split into sections, including Quick Access/Recent, OneDrive and This PC. If you right-click on a blank area, you can choose to show All Folders here. 3 Info Bar…

Connecting to Wi-Fi A Wi-Fi network connection is now by far the most common way people connect to the Internet. The process should be fairly familiar to you by now, but if not, here are the exact steps to connect. Step 1 If your computer is not connected to the Internet, Windows will display a small globe icon on the right side of the taskbar. You can either click this and select Wi-Fi from the quick settings, or you can open the main Settings app > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi (the best route with a brand new connection). Step 2 Use the slider switch to enable Wi-Fi on your computer. Now click “Show available networks” to see a list of the networks within range of your computer. This may…

Wonderful Widgets If you are not used to using widgets, you could be excused for hardly noticing they are a part of Windows 11. But once you do start using them, their usefulness becomes obvious. Step 1 To open the widget panel, click or tap the button in the Taskbar (the blue and white square icon) or press Windows key + W on the keyboard. The panel slides out from the left side of the screen, and will sit over the top of any other apps or windows you currently have open. Step 2 The widget panel is initially split up into three main sections: Search, Widgets and News stories. Scroll down the panel to see more content. At the top-right is an account icon, which opens a new panel…

Personalising the Feed Click the Content visibility button to choose how news stories are displayed (visible, partially visible or headings only). The Personalise button lets you choose which categories are displayed, if information cards are included (weather, etc.), and which news types alert you with a notification. Curating News Stories The more you use Edge, the more the stories adapt to suit your interests. You can help this process by interacting with stories. Click the X to close stories that don’t interest you, click the More menu button on a story to save it, vote for more/fewer stories like this and hide stories from that source.…

Microsoft seems to be taking users’ privacy choices seriously with Edge Chromium, and you now have a much easier way to control your browsing data and history. The biggest improvement is Tracking Prevention. You can access these settings in Browser Menu > Settings > Privacy & Services. You can choose three different levels of tracking prevention: Basic, Balanced and Strict. These options all block known harmful trackers, but how personalised content (such as adverts) is displayed and how well all website features work, depends on the level you choose. Our advice is to switch to Strict and then see how it affects your favourite websites. If you find things are not displayed as they should be, you can always switch back to Balanced. You can view sites that you have…

Reading Emails Emails will appear automatically in your inbox as and when they arrive. New emails will be displayed with a highlight in the list. Click any email in the inbox list to open it in the main panel on the right. You can search for emails using the Mail Search field at the top of the inbox panel. Writing Emails Click the New mail button in the Mail app menu (the + button if the menu is collapsed). The blank email will appear in the main panel. Enter the recipient’s address, subject and then write your email text. Basic text formatting options are available at the top of the email. Click “Send” when finished. Responding to Emails When viewing any email in the Mail app, you will see a…

Go Shopping With more content, and more to explore, there’s a lot to cover in the Windows 11 App Store. Here’s how it works, and some of the highlights. Step 1 The Windows App Store is located, by default, within the new taskbar. It’s easy to identify, it’s the carrier bag icon with the Microsoft logo. Click it, and as long as you’re signed into a valid Microsoft account, it will launch with the latest trending and highlighted apps displayed Step 2 Let’s run through locating and installing an app from the App Store. In the Search box, located at the top of the Store window, enter: VLC. In case, you’re wondering, VLC is a free, cross-platform media player. In the Search bar, there will be a number of returned…

Step 1 If you need to search for anything on your Windows 11 PC, the taskbar search tool is now the place to do it. The search field in the taskbar from Windows 10 is no longer there. You can also access search through the Start menu, or by pressing Windows key + S on your keyboard. Step 2 In addition to files and folders, you can search for web results and apps. When you first click in the search box you will see three tabs along the bottom that let you choose what to search for; but even if you don’t click one of these, the search function is smart enough to return results from all. Step 3 Search results are displayed in sections (best match, apps, folders, etc.)…

Setting Up Calendars The calendar can be a great productivity tool. We’ll show you how to set up your calendar, arrange events and change settings, so your calendar is exactly the way you want it. Adding Calendars Like Windows 11’s email app, Calendar also enables you to add multiple accounts; and from different providers too. So whether you use an Outlook calendar at work or have shared Google calendars, you can join them all together in the Calendar app. To Start click on Add Accounts. Sign In to Calendars Now add the accounts you want to use in Calendar. You can do this at any point you choose via Settings > Accounts. From there you can easily add an Outlook.com, Exchange, Google or iCloud calendar; or enter advanced settings for…

Change the Desktop Background The desktop personalisation procedure hasn’t changed much since Windows 10, so if you’ve used that OS before this will feel very familiar. Step 1 You can get started with personalising the Windows 11 desktop in exactly the same way you did with Windows 10. For anyone completely new to Windows, that means right-clicking anywhere on the desktop screen and selecting Personalise from the action menu that appears. Step 2 The Background settings will be displayed first by default. Click the first drop-down menu to select whether to use the default backgrounds, solid colours or choose to display folders of your own images. Your choices here changes what is displayed in the background settings. Step 3 To select your own pictures for the background, click on Browse…

Step 1 To access the Registry, press the Windows key + R, enter regedit, and then click OK. With the Registry open, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ Policies\Microsoft\Windows\. Right-click the final Windows folder and click New > Key to proceed. Step 2 Name this new key “Personalisation” and then navigate inside it. Right-click inside the right-hand pane and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it “NoLockScreen”. Then double click this new value and change the Value data to 1. Then click OK and exit the Registry Editor.…