❌

Normal view

There are new articles available, click to refresh the page.
Before yesterdayTrusted Reviews

Sound & Vision: Vinyl has a waste problem and Evolution Music wants to fix it

OPINION: Billie Eilish caused a bit of a stir (seemingly with Taylor Swift fans) when she commented on the state of vinyl releases for Record Store Day when she talked about the wastefulness of multiple releases. And she made a pertinent point about it.

And it’s not just multiple vinyl releases that should be viewed as wasteful, but the vinyl record industry as a whole is rather wasteful in its approach to sustainability, an aspect that should – and likely will – be coming under the microscope as vinyl continues its resurgence among music fans.

The company looking to take on this issue is Evolution Music, headed by its CEO Marc Carey, who came to a Clarity Alliance event in May to set his stall out.

He started as a DJ back in the 80s but as a keen environmentalist, he worked in the clean tech sector conducting research about materials and general sustainability, work that involved working for local authorities too.

Marc Carey CEO Evolution Music
Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)

At the same time he was still DJ-ing, turning it into the UIC radio show. Having grown tired of working in the corporate/local government area, concerned by greenwashing issues and not having enough impact on sustainability, he focused on the radio show, working with established artists but mainly also focusing on springboarding new talent. And with this environmental bent, the ethos and ethics behind UIC was based on the permaculture movement – “People Care, Earth Care, Fair Share”.

The Earth Care aspect of that proved difficult working in the music industry in terms of finding sustainable options, and like a lightning bolt, an idea flashed into being with regards to vinyl production.

And here we get to the crux of the matter, with estimates putting vinyl manufacturing as creating over 300,000 tonnes of PVC every year – how to reduce that? By creating a new type of record that will work with any record player.

Evolution Music calls it EvoVinyl, which is produced in the same way as traditional PVC LPs (to avoid having to install a new, more expensive set-up), but the raw materials have changed in using bioplastics (renewable biomass sources), the sustainability remit extending further ensure the packaging (reused cardboard) for records is more planet-friendly than before.

EvoVinyl different colours
Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)

Plenty of testing and proving the concept from the Diamond Black pressing plant in Luton to a test listen with Mark’s friend Rob Cass at Abbey Road, and also taking their EvoVinyl to the National Physical Laboratory to test against traditional vinyl – and they found there was “no real difference”.

There is surface noise, which is being addressed, and the one difference they did find was that the biomaterial used dissipated static better. With traditional vinyl, static can affect the sound and usually involves more care and upkeep.

Having proved it can be a) be produced and b) competes well against vinyl performance, the next hurdle was to see what the music industry makes of it.

So far it’s been positive.

Brian Eno’s EarthPercent charity has done proof of concepts, including Michael Stipe’s album from 2022, with EvoVinyl used for records as part of the EarthDay 2023 concert, with Coldplay, Chvrches, Nile Rodgers, and Emeli Sande just some of a few who had records pressed to EvoVinyl as part of the concert.

EvoVinyl records pressed
Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)

Need more convincing?

As Evolution Music has worked with more pressing plants, they’ve found that because EvoVinyl presses at a lower temperature saving about 30% in terms of energy costs, and its cycle time is 50% faster (the time it takes to press a record).

But don’t think of that to mean that EvoVinyl will be glaringly less expensive than the alternative. Vinyl is expensive, which makes it prohibitive for some to get into, and EvoVinyl is likely to be the same, and with Gen Z discovering vinyl, lower costs are important to keep vinyl’s momentum going.

But the hope is that pressing plants will give over more lines for its production (and why wouldn’t they with the savings involved), and over time this will reduce the price because of the scale it’s being manufactured at.

EvoVinyl journey
Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)

British hi-fi brand PMC has invested in EvoVinyl as part of its commitment to sustainability, and it’s likely that you’ll be hearing more as Evolution Music and EvoVinyl gain traction.

It’s true what Billie Eilish said about the amount of waste vinyl production can produce, but the answer isn’t years away but is available right now. You might not have realised or even thought about it, vinyl is on the cusp of changing for the better.

The post Sound & Vision: Vinyl has a waste problem and Evolution Music wants to fix it appeared first on Trusted Reviews.

Winners and Losers: Sony brings PlayStation invites to mobile as Spotify adds lyric limit

It’s the first of two May bank holiday weekends, but that doesn’t mean we’re taking a break from calling out our winner and loser of the week. 

This week saw some big (albeit not great) news surrounding Apple, as the iPhone saw a sales drop in the second quarter of 2024. That said, Apple can’t be suffering too much as newly emerged court documents revealed that Google had paid the company $20 billion in 2022 alone simply to remain the default search engine in Safari. 

We also shared our in depth looks at two exciting new phones, including the luxury Honor Magic 6 RSR Porsche Design and the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra and its unique telescoping lens. 

PS5 multiplayer invites

Winner: Sony 

Our winner this week is Sony as the company announced a new way to send multiplayer invites via the PlayStation app. 

Soon, gamers will be able to generate shareable links on the PS5 and in the PlayStation app and send them to other PlayStation users via any messaging app or social media platform. Then, all that person needs to do is click the link or scan the QR code to join the game from the chat. 

This means you don’t need to nudge your friends to come online to start a multiplayer session. For those you’ve just met, you don’t even need to add each other as friends before jumping into a game. 

Another update that should encourage people to transition from their chat to a game is the PS5 session invites for Discord. Links shared in Discord will display a live multiplayer status, allowing you to check if a session is still active and how many players are present before hitting join. 

Lastly, Sony is launching a feature that’ll let you share your or a friend’s PlayStation Network profile on any messaging app by generating a link. This should streamline the process of adding friends on your PS5. 

spotify monthly lyrics limit
Image credit: Reddit user superbuza

Loser: Spotify 

Our loser this week is Spotify as some users reportedly hit a roadblock when trying to view lyrics using their Spotify Free accounts. 

Users took to X/Twitter and Reddit to share their frustration after discovering they could no longer view lyrics using Spotify Free. Instead, they found themselves faced with a preview of the lyrics and a pop-up that reads “Enjoy lyrics on Spotify Premium”, suggesting that users now need to subscribe to the music streaming service to access a feature that was previously free. 

It doesn’t appear as though Spotify has removed the lyric feature from Free accounts altogether. Instead, Free users will be subject to a monthly limit on lyrics, with every tap on the “Show lyrics” button counting toward this limit (via Dexerto). 

Spotify users have been split on their response to this update. On the one hand, you have the Free users who are upset that Spotify would lock a previously free feature behind a paywall. 

On the other hand, there are those arguing that you should pay for Spotify Premium if you can to ensure that artists get their fair share of the revenue from these streaming apps – though why Spotify can’t offer new perks (such as lossless audio from the long-awaited Spotify Hi-Fi) to encourage people to subscribe rather than revoking free features might be the real question here.

The post Winners and Losers: Sony brings PlayStation invites to mobile as Spotify adds lyric limit appeared first on Trusted Reviews.

Ctrl+Alt+Del: Slow down Apple, it's too early for an M4 chip

OPINION: This coming Tuesday, Apple is holding yet another showcase event where it’s expected to unveil a new range of iPads. And if rumours are to be believed, the next iPad Pro will be powered by the Apple M4 chip. 

Apple analyst, Mark Gurman, reports (via Bloomberg) that Apple could launch an M4-powered iPad Pro at the Let Loose event. What’s more, he suggests that Apple will also upgrade the iMac, MacBook Pro and Mac Mini with the M4 chip later in the year.

This has all come as a big surprise, with Apple only introducing the M3 chip back in October 2023. If Gurman’s report is accurate that would mean there will only be a 7-month gap between the M3 and M4 generations. Some may applaud Apple for the speed it’s producing new chips, but I think this is more of a negative than a positive.

More of a negative than a positive

Most chip makers, such as AMD and Intel typically leave at least a 12-month gap between processor generations. This is frequent enough to ensure the brands are continuously pushing the envelope but also leaves customers enough time to purchase a new device without worrying that it will become outdated within a matter of months. 

Apple M1November, 2020
Apple M2June, 2022
Apple M3October, 2023
Apple M4May, 2024?

This is the same tactic that Apple uses for its iPhone launches, with new phones hitting stores every September like clockwork. When spending big bucks on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple fans want to feel assured that this will be the ultimate flagship iPhone for at least the next 12 months. If there was any threat of a successor launching a few months later instead, then the appeal of buying the new phone would diminish. 

Unfortunately, Apple hasn’t been quite as structured with its Mac releases. In March this year, Apple launched a new MacBook Air powered by the cutting-edge M3 chip. It wasn’t a huge upgrade overall, but the new processor at least provided a welcome performance boost. However, just two months later, reports now indicate that the iPad Pro could benefit from an M4 upgrade. This would put the tablet in a strange position of being a more powerful option than Apple’s entry-level laptop.

If I had bought a MacBook Air in the last couple of months, I’d be pretty annoyed by the potentially imminent release of the M4 chip. Suddenly, the new laptop feels outdated, and I’d be wondering why Apple didn’t instead wait a couple of months to upgrade it with the more advanced chip. 

MacBook Air M3 angled on table
MacBook Air – Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)

Gurman suggests that Apple has decided to accelerate its computer processor upgrades in order to show off the M4 chip’s new AI capabilities. This makes a lot of sense, with Intel recently making huge strides in AI innovation, and Qualcomm making big AI performance claims about its upcoming Snapdragon X Elite chips. The likes of Microsoft, Nvidia and Adobe have also spent the last couple of years doubling down on AI advancements, while Apple has been surprisingly quiet on the AI front in comparison and has arguably been left behind by its rivals.

The Apple M4 chip will seemingly rectify that, with the iPad Pro acting as Apple’s very first AI-powered device. I’m excited to see what kind of AI features Apple will introduce, with the company in a perfect position to innovate due to its seamless integration of both software and hardware. 

However, Apple has long known about the rapid advancements and popularity of AI, so that doesn’t excuse its poor planning. The M3 has felt like a rather pointless generation to me, especially since it’s failed to materialise in several devices (including the Mac Mini and iPad Pro).

iPad Pro M2 no keyboard or pencil
M2-powered iPad Pro – Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)

Sure, it’s helped to boost sales of Apple’s Macs, but it’s probably left many new Mac owners feeling buyer’s remorse with the M4 seemingly arriving just a matter of months after. Maybe it’s the case of the M3 chip arriving too late as opposed to the M4 arriving too early, but it’s still an issue that needs addressing.

The move over to Apple Silicon has undoubtedly been a huge success for Apple, but if it wants to continue competing with the likes of AMD and Intel, it really needs to stick more faithfully to a structured roadmap. This way, customers can feel confident that their new Mac purchase will offer cutting-edge performance for at least the next 12 months, rather than feeling outdated in a matter of weeks.

Ctrl+Alt+Del is our weekly computing-focused opinion column where we delve deeper into the world of PCs, laptops, handhelds, peripherals and more. Get it straight into your email inbox every Saturday by signing up for the newsletter.

The post Ctrl+Alt+Del: Slow down Apple, it's too early for an M4 chip appeared first on Trusted Reviews.

Fast Charge: The OnePlus Pad Go comes a little too late – and that’s a bit of a shame

While working on my OnePlus Pad Go review – which should be live in the next couple of days here at Trusted Reviews – I had a realisation. 

The OnePlus Pad Go’s £299 price tag is indeed tempting, not only because of the boosted spec but inclusion of LTE connectivity by default, but there’s a problem: the more powerful OnePlus Pad isn’t as expensive as it was at release in early 2023 and, just like with the release of the Galaxy S23 FE and S23, is now only slightly more expensive than the Pad Go. 

It’s not even third-party retailers that are undercutting the new budget tablet; OnePlus itself is offering the OnePlus Pad at quite a significant discount, with 20% off the RRP at the time of writing, bringing the full-fat tablet down to just £359 – £60 more than the OnePlus Pad Go.

That’s a problem because the OnePlus Pad boasts quite a bit more tech than the Pad Go. That includes a larger, faster 11.6-inch 144Hz display, a much more powerful processor in the form of the Dimensity 9000, along with 12GB of RAM, and rapid 67W fast charging tech that we found delivered a full charge in 64 minutes.

The OnePlus Pad also has another key strength compared to its entry-level sibling; accessory support. The OnePlus Pad offers support for both a OnePlus-designed keyboard cover and stylus, with both attaching to the tablet via magnets in the same way a high-end iPad does. 

Granted, these accessories come at an additional cost, but simply the option of using them makes the OnePlus Pad a more appealing tablet than its cheaper sibling, especially for school or work purposes. 

Left ImageRight Image

But why is this even happening in the first place? It’s mainly down to OnePlus’ decision to delay the launch of the OnePlus Pad Go in Europe. 

You see, despite its 2024 release, the OnePlus Pad Go initially made its debut in October 2023 in India. That made a lot of sense for OnePlus – the regular Pad was around six months old at the time and was still selling for quite the premium compared to the Go, making the Go’s budget nature a tempting option for budget-conscious buyers. 

The problem with the European launch is that OnePlus has waited too long. Tech depreciates pretty quickly, and that’s especially true in the mobile and tablet worlds where tech is advancing at an increasingly rapid pace, making what look like flagship-level products look comparatively outdated within a year of release. 

That means that the discounted OnePlus Pad has a very real chance to undercut the “more recent” OnePlus Pad Go, simply because of the poor timing and significantly delayed release compared to its Indian launch.

OnePlus can’t go much cheaper than the £300 mark with the Pad Go without incurring some kind of loss – especially with elements like LTE connectivity rarely seen at the price point – so there isn’t a clear fix here. Sure, OnePlus could bump the regular Pad’s price back up to £449, but it’s still available at a discounted price from third-party retailers.

Instead, it seems OnePlus will have to commit to a European launch for its key products with a much shorter turnaround than what we’ve seen with the OnePlus Pad Go. Let’s hope the company learns from its mistakes and strengthens its Western release plans going forward.

The post Fast Charge: The OnePlus Pad Go comes a little too late – and that’s a bit of a shame appeared first on Trusted Reviews.

Can you hear the difference between Apple Music, Tidal and Spotify?

Focal Bowers and DALI headphones

It’s an age-old debate about music whenever new technologies come to the fore or whenever someone introduces a different way of listening to audio. Can you hear the difference?

When it comes to music streaming services that’s a question that’s frequently asked. You might expect all streaming services to sound the same, but we’d say that they are all different from one another.

We’d also assert that it’ll differ depending on your device, and what equipment you’re using too. Each chain in the link will have an effect.

Drivers have a bigger effect than the overall bit-rate

You’ll likely have heard a lot in the past few years about music providers trying to drive up the quality of audio, especially streamed audio.

Spotify still lags behind the rest with its 320kbps OGG Vorbis streams, which aren’t much higher in bit-rate than what iTunes was pumping out with its M4A streams at the turn of the century. Spotify Supremium should hopefully be coming soon to resolve this issue, but at the moment, Apple Music, Deezer, Qobuz, and Tidal all offer higher quality streams.

The marketing hook that’s been used to sell headphones is the uptake of higher quality Bluetooth codecs such as LDAC, aptX Apadative, and aptX Lossless (also known as Snapdragon Sound). This is all well and good, as Bluetooth does have a bandwidth problem and if you want to hear at the highest quality possible (say lossless audio), then that bandwidth pipe needs to be stretched open to allow more data through over a Bluetooth connection.

Dyson Zone angled drivers
Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)

However, this doesn’t matter as much as you think it does without high quality headphone or speaker drivers. Poor quality will ensure that detail, clarity, and overall resolution won’t make their way to your ears. Tracks may sound muddy or indistinct, even if they support tech like Snapdragon Sound because the drivers can’t pass through what’s in the signal.

The tuning of drivers will also have an effect on what you hear. Is it more of a neutral sound, a crisp, analytical performance or something that sounds warm and rich. These tuning decisions will have an effect too.

Really, it’s a combination of the driver, tuning, and technology used that will ensure a higher quality performance.

Each streaming service takes a different approach

Some may refute this point, but in our experience, each streaming service is tuned slightly differently in terms of how it sounds.

Qobuz is the clearest, most detailed sounding streaming service we’ve come across. Tidal sounds warmer than others, while Apple Music has a more neutral, if slightly dour tone that lacks the richness Tidal can offer. Spotify is similar, but its low bit-rate and compression also starves it of detail, definition, and dynamism.

Bowers Wilkins Panorama 3 Music app streaming
Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)

With Amazon Music, we’ve noticed that even when using the same equipment and listening to the same track, the bass can sound bigger. And there’s more to it than that, sometimes the soundstage is smaller (or bigger); other times a streaming service offers better top-end clarity. And listening on different platforms can also yield an effect. Qobuz and Tidal on an iPad sounded much more even, although Qobuz still bested its rivals in the detail and clarity stakes.

All of this is to say the quality of the streaming files, the signature of the streaming service, and how it’s delivered to your device of choice will have an impact.

It depends on the equipment you use

Do you use a portable DAC or a headphone amplifier? You’ll yield much better results with a device that can clean up and remove the noise from the signal before it passes through to your headphones.

Do you stream over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, as that too can have an effect. The former often leads to higher levels of resolution, even with Spotify Connect, than you’d often find when streaming through Bluetooth.

And obviously if you’re using a music streamer, a higher quality one with premium parts will be able to do a better job than a cheaper one, but at some point you’ll hit a limit and it’ll become “much of muchness” in terms of how much you spend and how much performance you get back.

Cambridge CXN100 on mount
Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)

To hear the differences, every part of the chain needs to be strong without a weak link. Your source needs to be high quality, the connection between the source and the end device needs to keep the quality up and then whatever you’re listening through needs to make sure that what’s in the source at one end makes it all the way to your ears.

There are differences to be heard, some more nuanced than others. At the end of the day, it all depends on what you’re looking for. Is it an audiophile performance? Then that will guide you in one direction. Are you more a casual listener who’s not as interested in quality? Then that’s a different route too. In either case, if you like what you hear, that’s the most important thing.

Although it would be better if everyone listened in audiophile quality.

The post Can you hear the difference between Apple Music, Tidal and Spotify? appeared first on Trusted Reviews.

Best Nintendo Switch Console 2024: Which one should you buy?

Best Switch List 2022

Looking to pick up your very first Nintendo Switch or trade in your current model for a different one? Here’s all your need to know.

Even though its days of being the new console on the block have long since passed, the Nintendo Switch has amassed a seriously impressive array of games in the time since it first debuted, way back in 2017.

Recent hits like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, as well as bonafide classics like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, are still well worth diving into, and if you’re simply interesting in knowing which titles should be added to your library then check out our rundown of the best Nintendo Switch games.

Until the long-awaited Switch 2 becomes a reality, there are currently three Nintendo Switch consoles to choose from: the original Nintendo Switch, the Nintendo Switch Lite and the most recent (and most expensive) option, the Nintendo Switch OLED.

All of these models have unique features that make them better suited to different budgets and use cases, so if you’re not sure over which one is best for you then fear not – we’ve tested them all.

If you’re looking for something non-Nintendo in the gaming space then make sure to check out our guide for the best games consoles and best gaming laptops.

Best Nintendo Switch Console At A Glance:

How we test

Learn more about how we test game consoles

Every game console we review goes through a series of uniform checks designed to gauge key things including build quality and performance.

We’ll play multiple games on the hardware while comparing the performance to rival consoles (and predecessors) to see whether it’s worth the investment.

We’ll also evaluate the software, as well as the line-up of games when deciding on a final score.

  • Gaming whenever, wherever you want
  • Bright and colourful screen
  • Versatile Joy-Con controllers
  • Some truly incredible games
  • Overpriced accessories
  • Expensive games
  • OLED screen offers a huge upgrade
  • Bigger screen, but still very portable
  • Stand is a lot sturdier now
  • Increased storage capacity
  • No performance upgrade
  • No substantial upgrades for docked mode
  • Design is robust, attractive and easy to use
  • Already boasts a fantastic library of games
  • Increased battery life compared to the base model
  • Nature of console means certain games are no longer supported
  • Local multiplayer is far harder to achieve without docking
Nintendo Switch OLED

Nintendo Switch OLED

The best screen on a Switch
rating-star rating-star rating-star rating-star rating-star rating-star rating-star rating-star rating-star rating-star

Pros

  • OLED screen offers a huge upgrade
  • Bigger screen, but still very portable
  • Stand is a lot sturdier now
  • Increased storage capacity

Cons

  • No performance upgrade
  • No substantial upgrades for docked mode

The Nintendo Switch OLED is the latest iteration of the console, with the main attraction being the new OLED panel. The screen’s colours on the latest Switch look more vivid and natural, enhancing the visual quality of every single game without any compromises to the performance. Our review of Metroid Dread notes how amazing this game looks with the OLED panel, with colours looking brighter and bolder and Samus’ suit seemingly popping out of the display.

The new Switch OLED also has a sturdier stand for propping up on a table, improved speakers and a slightly larger screen, ensuring it offers the absolute best experience for portable gaming.

It is the most expensive console of the bunch however, and unfortunately there aren’t any performance upgrades over the original Nintendo Switch, with the exception of built-in Ethernet port on the dock to give you a more stable connection when playing online.

Even with those minor gripes, the Switch OLED is still the go-to pick for many of the Trusted Reviews team as it shows off Switch games in their best possible light. Once you’ve seen Hyrule or the Mushroom Kingdom on an OLED screen, there’s just no going back.

Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full Review: Nintendo Switch OLED Review

Nintendo Switch

Nintendo Switch

The best value Switch console
rating-star rating-star rating-star rating-star rating-star rating-star rating-star rating-star rating-star rating-star

Pros

  • Gaming whenever, wherever you want
  • Bright and colourful screen
  • Versatile Joy-Con controllers
  • Some truly incredible games

Cons

  • Overpriced accessories
  • Expensive games

The console that started it all, the first Nintendo Switch launched back in 2017, but it’s still one of the best gaming consoles out there. Its versatile design allows owners to use it as both a portable and a home console when connected to a TV via the bundled dock.

The original Switch doesn’t have any standout features over the new Switch OLED, with an identical game catalogue and a similar design, albeit slightly smaller and lighter. But the original Switch is generally £50/$50 cheaper than its OLED counterpart, arguably making it the best value option – especially if you end up using it as a home console more than a portable device since the OLED screen won’t make a difference in this use case.

It’s unfortunate that the GPU hasn’t been updated since launch, which means the console relies heavily on the cloud to play modern third-party games and shows the console is starting to show its age. But no other Switch offers a better performance right now, so you’d have to opt for something like the Steam Deck instead if that’s a major issue.

But thanks to the massive gaming library and some highly anticipated upcoming titles, like Tears of the Kingdom, the Switch will remain a good option for years to come. With a middle-of-the-road price compared to its other variations and such intuitive controls thanks to the Joy-Con controllers, this is the best Switch for the majority of gamers.

Reviewer: Gemma Ryles
Full Review: Nintendo Switch review

Nintendo Switch Lite

Nintendo Switch Lite

The best Switch for kids
rating-star rating-star rating-star rating-star rating-star rating-star rating-star rating-star rating-star rating-star

Pros

  • Design is robust, attractive and easy to use
  • Already boasts a fantastic library of games
  • Increased battery life compared to the base model

Cons

  • Nature of console means certain games are no longer supported
  • Local multiplayer is far harder to achieve without docking

Finally, we come to the cheapest option for anyone wanting to game on the go. The Nintendo Switch Lite‘s best qualities are its portability and low price when compared to its Switch siblings.

The library of Switch games available for the Lite is virtually the same as the Switch and Switch OLED, meaning that you can still experience the latest Zelda adventure and race your troubles away in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. The only exceptions are games that require motion control, such as Nintendo Switch Sports, as the controllers are fused to the side of the screen and so can’t be used like Wii remotes.

You also can’t dock the Switch Lite and output its display to your TV, meaning you can only experience your adventures on the small screen, and it will be harder to play multiplayer games like Super Smash Bros Ultimate with friends in the same room.

But if you’re mostly looking to use your console as a portable device, and don’t mind the adorably dinky size, the Switch Lite is a fantastic option since it boasts an affordable price and supports most of the same games.

Reviewer: Gemma Ryles
Full Review: Nintendo Switch Lite Review

We also considered…

Sony PS5
Sony PS5

Original and Slim models tested.

Xbox Series X
Xbox Series X

Our review of the Xbox Series X two years after release

Xbox Series S
Xbox Series S

Still a great budget gaming console, now with a 1TB option.

Steam Deck
Steam Deck

Our thoughts on the Steam Deck a year after launch

PS4 Review
PS4 Review

We take another look at the PS4 to see whether it’s worth a buy seven years after launch

We’ve reviewed

See all reviews

FAQs

Which Nintendo Switch is the most expensive?

The Nintendo Switch OLED is the most expensive Switch on offer, due to its OLED panel and improved design.

Which Nintendo Switch is best for multiplayer games?

Both the original Switch and the Switch OLED are great for multiplayer games. However, the Switch Lite cannot be docked, meaning that multiplayer games can’t be played on a big screen, like a TV.

Which Nintendo Switch has the best graphics?

All of the Nintendo Switch consoles share the same chip, and so all produce the same graphics quality. However, the Switch OLED comes with the most impressive panel, with our review noting that games look crisper and colours look brighter than the other two Switch models when used as a portable.

‹
CPU
GPU
Storage Capacity
Screen Size
Battery
Battery Hours
Size (Dimensions)
Weight
Resolution
Ports
Connectivity
Touch Screen
Nintendo Switch
NVIDIA Custom Tegra processor
NVIDIA Custom Tegra processor
32GB
6.2 inches
4310 mAh
9
9.4 x 0.55 x 4 INCHES
399 G
1280 x 720
3.5mm and USB-C
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.1
Yes
Nintendo Switch OLED
NVIDIA Custom Tegra processor
NVIDIA Custom Tegra processor
64GB
7 inches
4310 mAh
9
9.5 x 0.55 x 4 INCHES
422 G
1280 x 720
3.5mm and USB-C
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.1
Yes
Nintendo Switch Lite
NVIDIA Custom Tegra processor
NVIDIA Custom Tegra processor
32GB
5.5 inches
3570 mAh
7
8.2 x 0.55 x 3.6 INCHES
278 G
1280 x 720
3.5mm and USB-C
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.1
Yes
›

The post Best Nintendo Switch Console 2024: Which one should you buy? appeared first on Trusted Reviews.

How to optimise your gaming PC for better FPS performance

A high frame rate is highly important for PC gaming to ensure a smooth performance, especially for competitive games where extra frames can provide a significant advantage. 

One of the simplest ways to increase the frame rate performance is to purchase a more powerful graphics card, although this can be an expensive endeavour, and so isn’t a realistic option for many people. 

We’ve created this guide to help you improve your FPS performance for free, with some simple optimisations helping to maximise the power of your PC. Check out all of the steps below to find out how to boost your performance. 

And if you’ve tried all of the above and still can’t push up the frame rate to your desired level, then check out our Best Graphics Card, Best CPU and Best Gaming Laptop guides to consider a hardware upgrade. 

What you’ll need

  • A gaming PC

The short version

  1. Upgrade your graphics drivers
  2. Reduce the resolution 
  3. Activate DLSS or FSR
  4. Deactivate features such as ray tracing, Vsync and Anti-aliasing
  5. Ensure Game Mode is activated on Windows
  6. Configure your laptop’s power settings

  1. Step
    1

    Upgrade your graphics drivers

    The most important thing to do in order to optimise gaming performance is to update your graphics drivers. The likes of AMD and Nvidia are constantly releasing new firmware to keep its graphics cards optimised, so it’s important to keep your system updated. 

    If you own an Nvidia card, then make sure to download GeForce Experience, which will automatically download new updates for you. If you own an AMD graphics card, then download AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition instead. 
    Nvidia GeForce Experience

  2. Step
    2

    Reduce the resolution

    If your main priority is boosting frame rates, and you don’t mind if that means sacrificing visual quality, then reducing the resolution is a great way to boost performance. 

    Reducing the resolution will reduce the workload on your graphics card, allowing you to achieve a higher performance. This is why most eSport professionals will typically opt for a 1080p or 1440p resolution instead of 4K. 
    Lower resolution

  3. Step
    3

    Activate DLSS or FSR

    If you’re lucky enough to own an Nvidia RTX graphics card, then you’ll have access to its DLSS technology. This uses AI to boost the FPS performance of a game, and has been highly effective in the most recent range of GeForce graphics cards. The big caveat here is that not every game supports DLSS, and so is mostly reserved to newer titles. 

    If you don’t own an RTX card, then you should have access to AMD’s FSR technology instead. This isn’t quite as advanced as DLSS, but is still effective at boosting frame rate thanks to upscaling solutions, although can cause unwelcome artefacts to the game’s visuals. But if boosting frame rate is your priority, FSR is still a useful tool. 

    You can activate DLSS or FSR through a game’s settings menu. It’s worth using an FPS counter (available through Steam) to see what kind of effect they have on performance. 
    DLSS setting

  4. Step
    4

    Deactivate features such as ray tracing, Vsync and Anti-aliasing

    Graphics cards now make use of dozens of features to help video games look as realistic as possible. They’re excellent options for improving visuals, but they can often be a detriment to the FPS performance. Fortunately, you’ll be able to deactivate each feature through a game’s graphics settings menu. 

    Ray tracing is the big one to look for. This is a cutting-edge technology that improves the lighting, shadow and reflection effects in modern games, but it’s extremely taxing on the GPU, so deactivating it should see your performance improve. Some games will have it turned on by default, so it’s worth having a look. 
    Vsync is also a great feature for preventing screen tearing, but will restrict your FPS performance somewhat. Anti-aliasing will often by on by default too, as it helps to smooth out ugly jagged edges for in-game objects. Turning off both of these features should help to improve your PC’s performance. 

    It’s also worth checking whether you can reduce the draw distance in a game. This determines how much of a 3D environment will be rendered at one given time, with a high draw distance allowing you to view in-game environments and objects from a greater distance. Reducing this will of course ease the pressure on your GPU and increase performance. 
    Ray tracing deactivate

  5. Step
    5

    Ensure Game Mode is activated on Windows

    Game Mode is a highly useful tool built into Windows which will automatically disable background tasks on your PC while you’re playing a game. This will dedicate all of your PC’s resources to your game to ensure the fastest performance possible. 

    Game Mode is generally enabled by default, but it’s still worth double checking as it’s an easy fix. Simply search Game Mode in the Windows search bar, and slide the toggle to On. 
    Windows Game Mode

  6. Step
    6

    Configure your laptop’s power settings

    This step is specifically for gamers using a laptop or a handheld device, as it involves boosting performance to the detriment of your device’s battery life. On a Windows device, you can do this by going to Settings > System > Power & Battery > Power Mode, and then selecting Best Performance. 

    Certified gaming laptops will sometimes even have a Turbo mode which not only maximises performance, but also increases power to the fans to keep your system as cool as possible during such workloads. You will of course get an even better performance by making sure your portable is plugged into a power source.
    Power modes laptop

Troubleshooting

Which PC parts increase FPS?

The graphics card (or GPU) is the biggest influencer on FPS performance, so it should be at the top of your list of parts to upgrade. That said, upgrading your CPU and RAM can also have a positive effect on performance.

Is 60 FPS good for gaming?

A 60fps performance is perfectly fast enough for the vast majority of gamers. This is the performance you can expect from a PS5 or Xbox Series X. That said, those who want a competitive edge in the likes of first-person shooters will see the benefit of increasing the performance beyond 100fps.

The post How to optimise your gaming PC for better FPS performance appeared first on Trusted Reviews.

How to optimise your gaming phone's settings for peak performance

RedMagic 9 Pro smartphone displaying a racing game.

Smartphones are pretty powerful in 2024, and that’s particularly true of gaming phones like the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro Edition and RedMagic 9 Pro, delivering the very best possible performance from any smartphone right now to provide the best gaming experience around.

However, even with top-end gaming-focused hardware, there are ways that you can optimise your phone’s settings to squeeze out even better performance – ideal for particularly taxing games like Call of Duty Mobile and Genshin Impact.

With that said, here are four ways you can optimise your gaming phone for peak game performance. If you’re yet to pick up a gaming phone, take a look at our selection of the best gaming phones to make sure you’re getting one of the best. 

Enable performance mode

Most gaming phones come with a top-end smartphone chipset and plenty of RAM to boot, all in the name of delivering the best gaming performance possible from a phone. That’s usually enough to provide a great gaming experience with top-end graphics enabled and smooth frame rates, but you can eke out even better performance in particularly demanding titles by enabling Performance Mode.

Though the exact location of the mode switch depends on the smartphone you’re using, you can usually locate it by going into the Settings app, tapping the search icon and searching for performance. 

ROG Phone 8 Pro Edition X-Mode
Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)

Once enabled, the phone will deliver the best performance possible, though that does come at a cost to both battery life and internal temperatures, as your phone will get noticeably warmer when gaming. 

That shouldn’t matter too much if your gaming phone has a solid cooling system, but if you’re using a regular smartphone, the heat could actually cause the phone to overheat and bottleneck performance as a result – the exact opposite of the desired effect.

This overheating can be negated with the use of mobile gaming accessories, with some mobile controllers sporting built-in cooling, but it’s worth bearing in mind – especially if you’re not using a gaming-specific smartphone. 

Adjust resolution and refresh rate settings

This tip is more for top-end flagship phones instead of gaming phones, but it could be relevant for both depending on the spec of your gaming phone. 

You see, while you’d assume that a higher screen resolution would equate to a better gaming experience, that’s not always the case. Flagship phones like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra are indeed capable gaming phones, but performance takes a hit when there are simply too many pixels to power. 

It’s why most gaming phone screens sit at the FHD+ mark, offering a sweet spot both in terms of overall screen quality and game performance.

RedMagic 9 Pro smartphone displaying gaming features and functions.
Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)

If you find that your smartphone, gaming or otherwise, has a particularly high resolution, head into the display section of the Settings app and adjust the screen resolution. Most high-res smartphones offer an FHD+ mode, primarily for better battery performance, but it also serves our purposes here.

On a similar note, be sure that your screen’s refresh rate is set as high as possible. While detrimental to battery life in everyday use, selecting the highest refresh rate in your display settings will allow your phone to display the maximum frame rate possible in supported high-framerate games, further improving performance – particularly in online shooters. 

Use Game Mode

Practically every gaming phone on the market has its spin on Game Mode, a mode that can further optimise your mobile gaming experience. 

The exact specifics of said Game Mode depend on the manufacturer of your smartphone, but most offer the same broad set of features; the ability to mute incoming calls and notifications to avoid distraction, close all background apps to improve performance and some even include on-screen overlays to give you a breakdown of current performance as well as access to macros. 

RedMagic 9 Pro gaming smartphone displaying a map-based game.
Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)

Most dedicated gaming phones will have a dedicated Game Mode app where all your games are easily accessible in a console-esque UI. To make sure that you’ve got Game Mode active on your favourite game, add it to your Game Mode list. Most games are added automatically but the automatic selection isn’t always perfect. 

Then, with your game active, simply activate the Game Mode overlay (again, the exact method depends on your phone) and enable the features you’d like to use. 

Tweak in-game graphics settings

Finally, it’s time to adjust your in-game graphics settings to get the best performance possible. Most games are designed with the limitations of smartphone performance in mind, and that means that if you’re rocking a top-end gaming phone, you’ll be able to enable the best graphics possible (in games that support graphical settings anyway!). 

However, there are some games that, even with top-end gaming hardware, can be taxing on the phone’s SoC – Genshin Impact is one of the most popular of its kind. Even on top-end phones, the game struggles to maintain a solid 60fps with all graphics settings cranked up to the max.

Hands holding Oppo phone displaying a game screen.
Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)

With that in mind, it’s a good idea to tweak the graphics settings of any particularly demanding title, bringing down elements like textures and disabling high-end features like ray tracing to increase frame rate. It might not look quite as good, but if top-end performance is what you’re after, it’s a worthy trade-off. 

The post How to optimise your gaming phone's settings for peak performance appeared first on Trusted Reviews.

Samsung Galaxy AI starts rolling out to Galaxy S22 and more older phones

Samsung Galaxy S21 series
Samsung Galaxy S21 series

Samsung has commenced rolling out its One UI 6.1 update to the likes of the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S21, bringing some of its Galaxy AI magic to older phones – or at least, some AI features to certain older phones.

After debuting One UI 6.1 on the Galaxy S24 range in February, Samsung stayed true to its word and brought some of its Galaxy AI features to the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy Z Fold 5 in March and April.

Now it’s the turn of older Galaxy phones. SamMobile has reported that the One UI 6.1 update has started rolling out to older Samsung phones in its native South Korea, indicating that a wider release is likely imminent.

While the new update is arriving pretty much intact on the Galaxy S22, Galaxy Z Fold 4, and Galaxy Z Flip 4, there are apparently a number of major omissions on the Galaxy Z Fold 3, Galaxy Z Flip 3, and Galaxy S21.

Indeed, the latter three phones are only getting Google Circle to Search. It seems the likes of Live Translation, Chat Assist, Generative Edit, and Browsing Assist will remain exclusive to flagship Samsung phones and tablets that hit the market in 2022 and later.

Samsung’s Galaxy AI feature suite is one of our favourite things about the Galaxy S24 range, arguably going even further than Google did with its own Pixel 8 range.

The post Samsung Galaxy AI starts rolling out to Galaxy S22 and more older phones appeared first on Trusted Reviews.

Dyson's Corrale hair straightener just plummeted to an affordable price

Dyson Corrale hair straighteners

Praised for its ability to create sleek, shiny hairstyles with minimal heat damage and effort, the Dyson Corrale hair straightener now has a huge price drop on eBay.

You can get a refurbished Dyson Corrale hair straightener for just £209.99 straight from the official Dyson outlet on eBay. Simply enter the code DYSONFLASH30 at the checkout and take a massive £190 off the RRP. 

Save £209 on the top-rated Dyson Corrale hair straighteners

Save £209 on the top-rated Dyson Corrale hair straighteners

Treat yourself or a loved one to the refurbished Dyson Corrale hair straighteners for just £209.99 from Dyson’s official outlet on eBay. Simply enter the code DYSONFLASH30 at the checkout.

  • eBay
  • Was £399.99
  • Now £209.99
View Deal

As this is from the official Dyson Outlet on eBay, you can guarantee it has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned, plus there’s a one-year guarantee included too for extra peace of mind.

Part of Dyson’s hair tool range, the Corrale hair straightener has dominated beauty headlines since its launch back in 2020 as the only straightener with flexing copper plates that shape around your hair as opposed to more traditional rigid straightening plates.

The flexing copper plates not only provide users with extra control for more precise styling, but as the plates gather your hair rather than press your locks down they require less heat than a traditional straightener resulting in 50% less breakage, reduced frizz and fewer flyaways.

The Dyson Corrale can work for most hair types, thanks to its three precise heat settings to suit an individual’s hair type, length and desired style, and with Dyson’s intelligent heat control you can guarantee the straighteners will never exceed your desired temperature. 

The Corrale is flexible to use and offers up to 30-minutes of cordless styling, making it perfect for bringing out with you on long days when you need a quick touch up. Alternatively, you can connect the straighteners to the included magnetic 360° charging cable for uninterrupted straightening.

Whether you’ve been considering investing in the Dyson Corrale for a while or think this would make the perfect present for a loved one, with this astonishing £190 saving there isn’t a better time to make the purchase. We’d seriously recommend acting fast on this one.

The post Dyson's Corrale hair straightener just plummeted to an affordable price appeared first on Trusted Reviews.

Now's your chance to get a Dyson fan on the cheap

If you’re looking for a cheap Dyson fan ahead of the summer season, check out this deal.

The official Dyson Outlet over on eBay is selling the Dyson Cool AM07 tower fan for just £209.99 when you apply the DYSONFLASH30 coupon code at checkout.

This refurbished model has already been discounted 14% from £349.99 to £299.99, but this discount code knocks a further £90 off the price.

Save £140 on the Dyson Cool AM07 tower fan

Save £140 on the Dyson Cool AM07 tower fan

This deal on the Dyson eBay outlet gets you a refurbished Dyson Cool AM07 tower fan at a steep discount.

  • Dyson on eBay
  • Save £140
  • Now £209.99 with DYSONFLASH30
View Deal

Just to reiterate, these Dyson Cool AM07 tower fans are refurbished models. They’re in ‘Very Good’ condition, which means that it “may show slight wear such as light scratches”, but is “fully functional” and “works like new”.

You also get a one year guarantee for extra peace of mind. Again, this is an official Dyson outlet, so you’re getting all the assurances you would if you were to buy a new Dyson direct from the manufacturer’s website.

The Dyson Cool AM07 features Air Multiplier technology, which is a bladeless system that provides a smooth and uninterrupted distribution of air. No blades means better safety (great for homes with kids and pets), and also a quieter output.

It’s also really easy to clean. Meanwhile, a bundled remote control provides ten precise airflow settings. It’s magnetised, so you can store it neatly on the machine.

We’ve reviewed a lot of Dyson cooling products over the years, and have always rated them highly. We awarded the Dyson Pure Cool Tower 4.5 out of 5, for example.

This Dyson Cool AM07 fan deal gets you a slice of that quality cooling for a very cheap price.

The post Now's your chance to get a Dyson fan on the cheap appeared first on Trusted Reviews.

Dragon's Dogma 2 just got its first big price cut

One of the hottest games of the year so far, Dragon’s Dogma 2, just got its first big price cut.

Amazon is selling Dragon’s Dogma 2 on PS5 for a knock-down price of £48.45. That’s a 25% saving on the £64.99 RRP.

Given that the game only launched towards the end of March, and has been attracting stacks of praise and attention, that’s a great deal.

Save 25% on Dragon's Dogma 2 for PS5

Save 25% on Dragon’s Dogma 2 for PS5

Amazon is offering the first big price drop on Dragon’s Dogma 2, shaving 25% off the RRP.

  • Amazon
  • Save 25%
  • Now £48.45
View Deal

This is an epic action RPG set in a vast hostile world. Key to Dragon’s Dogma 2’s appeal is its unique pawn system, which makes a return from the beloved original game. This lets you conscript up to three AI-controlled companions to fight alongside you.

Essentially, it turns Dragon’s Dogma 2 into a co-operative adventure, even though you’re playing solo.

The game’s chaotic, unpredictable, punishing skirmishes are pretty much legendary at this point. You never know what’s around the next corner of this medieval fantasy world, but it probably involves a horrible monster and almost certain death.

There’s ample scope for playing the game your way, whether that be a ranged spell caster or an up close and personal warrior, and plenty in between.

Throw in an epic plot filled with twists and political intrigue, and you have one of the most enjoyable games of 2024 to date. You can expect Dragon’s Dogma 2 to make plenty of best-of lists come the end of the year, so this initial price drop is the perfect opportunity to jump aboard if you missed it at release.

The post Dragon's Dogma 2 just got its first big price cut appeared first on Trusted Reviews.

This robovac deal will retire your old vacuum cleaner for good

Eufy X8 Pro hero

Amazon is offering a great deal on the eufy X8 Pro robovac, which could very well retire your old vacuum cleaner to the cupboard.

This particular robovac deal gets you the eufy X8 Pro for £399. That’s a huge saving of £200, or 33% on an RRP of £599.

Save 33% on the Eufy X8 Pro robovac

Save 33% on the Eufy X8 Pro robovac

Amazon is offering a huge 33% saving on the Eufy X8 Pro robovac, which comes with a handy base station.

  • Amazon
  • Save 33%
  • Now £399
View Deal

It’s a great price for one of the most fully featured robovacs on the market. The Eufy X8 Pro comes with a 2.5L self-empty station, meaning it’ll empty its own bin when it’s finished cleaning, meaning you won’t have to empty it for up to 45 days.

The robovac itself is a powerful cleaner, with a twin turbine system providing two lots of 4000Pa suction. It also features an active detangling roller brush system, as well as a sophisticated LiDAR navigation system.

Naturally, there’s a Eufy app that lets you control everything, with an initial mapping run forming the basis of your room-by-room control.

We reviewed the Eufy X8 Pro earlier this year, and liked it a lot. In our 4-star review, we called it “a powerful robot vacuum cleaner that cleans brilliantly, right to the edges of the room”.

Our reviewer particularly appreciated the anti-tangle design of the Eufy X8 Pro robovac, which effectively prevents hairs from clogging up the brush roller.

Needless to say, if you’re a pet owner, the Eufy X8 Pro is a very strong choice.

The post This robovac deal will retire your old vacuum cleaner for good appeared first on Trusted Reviews.

Apple reports iPhone sales slump and revenue drop

Apple logo
Photo by Hussam Abd on Unsplash

Apple has reported slumping iPhone sales in its second quarter 2024 earnings results, as well as a drop in overall revenue.

The American tech giant reported that demand for its iPhones has dropped 10% during the first three months of the year, with only Europe experiencing an increase. China in particular experienced a considerable 8% drop, which isn’t ideal from the world’s second largest smartphone market.

Given this disappointing smartphone performance, and Apple’s continuing reliance on iPhone sales, it’s perhaps unsurprising to learn that the company’s revenue is down 4%. They had to get by with a measly $90.8 billion (about £72.4 billion).

There are mitigating factors for this poor performance. As Apple points out, pent-up Covid demand caused a spike in last year’s figures that was never going to be replicated a year down the line.

Apple sounded a hopeful note that results would likely pick up over the coming quarter, and indeed these results are actually better than expected. Services, meanwhile, are buoyant for the company, with revenue for that sector up 14% from last year – an all-time record.

Next week Apple will launch new iPad products, with an expected major overhaul for the iPad Pro line. It’s sorely needed, because this somewhat stagnant range has seen Apple’s tablet revenue dropping 17% since last year.

Apple’s other big play for 2024 is likely to be generative AI. It’s somewhat late to the game on this one, but expect WWDC in June to focus heavily on artificial intelligence across Apple’s software platforms.

“We believe in the transformative power and promise of AI,” Apple told investors in the accompanying earnings call, “and we believe we have advantages that will differentiate us in this new era”.

The post Apple reports iPhone sales slump and revenue drop appeared first on Trusted Reviews.

Your face can unlock your Microsoft account from today

Passkeys on Microsoft account

Microsoft has announced support for passkeys for its consumer accounts, finally introducing a means for users to ditch password-based sign-ins.

In a post announcing the change, the company says it’s now possible to log-in to products like Microsoft 365 and Outlook with your face, fingerprint or device pin. USB security keys are also now compatible. The functionality is available on Windows devices, as well as Microsoft products on Apple and Google platforms.

Ninja's outdoor pizza oven is over £50 off

Ninja’s outdoor pizza oven is over £50 off

Ninja’s versatile outdoor electric pizza oven is just £299 right now, which is 15% off.

  • Amazon
  • Was £349.99
  • Now £299
View Deal

Microsoft says it is using World Password Day to consign those hard-to-remember, easy-to-crack passwords to history, in favour of biometrics and device pins.

“With passkeys, instead of creating, managing, remembering, and entering passwords, you access your digital accounts the same way you unlock your device—usually with your face, fingerprint, or device PIN,” Microsoft said in the blog post.

“More and more apps and services are adding support for passkeys; you can already use them to sign in to the most popular ones. Passkeys are so much easier and more secure than passwords that we predict passkeys will replace passwords almost entirely (and we hope this happens soon).”

Windows passkeys

Microsoft is guiding users towards creating a passkey and then signing in on their device. The company says, after setting up the passkeys, users will be able to find the option under “sign-in options” on the main login page. Then users will be able to select their chosen passkey – face, fingerprint, pin or security key – from a security window.

The link to get started is here.

Microsoft is a little bit later to the party than many of its rivals like Apple, Google, WhatsApp, Amazon, and Nintendo who have all introduced passkeys.

The post Your face can unlock your Microsoft account from today appeared first on Trusted Reviews.

Latest Windows update has borked VPN use on all versions

Windows 11 interface
Windows 11 interface

The latest Windows update has broken the ability to connect PCs to VPN networks, and there’s currently no fix… just a pain in the neck workaround

The April 2024 Windows security patch appears to be the culprit for broken Virtual Private Network functionality. The bug prevents users from connecting to a VPN to conceal their home Wi-Fi network’s IP address when browsing the web or accessing content from abroad.

Ninja's outdoor pizza oven is over £50 off

Ninja’s outdoor pizza oven is over £50 off

Ninja’s versatile outdoor electric pizza oven is just £299 right now, which is 15% off.

  • Amazon
  • Was £349.99
  • Now £299
View Deal

Microsoft has acknowledged the issue, with the KB5036893 that dropped almost a month ago, which it says affects all current versions of Windows 11, Windows 10 and Windows Server. It promises a fix is incoming.

On a support page (via The Verge), the company says: “VPN connections might fail after installing the April 2024 security update.

“Windows devices might face VPN connection failures after installing the April 2024 security update (KB5036893) or the April 2024 non-security preview update. We are working on a resolution and will provide an update in an upcoming release.”

While Windows users wait for the resolution, the only known workaround is to roll back the operating system update, and uninstall the update.

That might not be ideal, but for those requiring VPNs to log into business networks in other countries or on other servers in the UK, it might be the only option.

It’s not clear what percentage of the userbase is affected by the issue. However, it proving troublesome for at least some users rocking Windows 10 21H2 and 22H2; Windows 11 versions 21H2, 22H2, and 23H2; and Windows Server 2008, 2008 R2, 2012, 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, and 2022.

This isn’t the first (or even the second) time Windows updates have broken VPN functionality in recent years, so hopefully Microsoft is clued-in about how to resolve the issue rapidly. Once you get back up and running, be sure to read our guide to the best VPNs on the market today.

The post Latest Windows update has borked VPN use on all versions appeared first on Trusted Reviews.

Sky TV has brought back its one-month free trial for a limited time

Sky Stream Top Rail

A free month of Sky TV streamed to your TV plus Netflix isn’t a bad way to avoid the spring showers.

Right now Sky is offering the Sky Stream device, a month of Sky Entertainment and Netflix for free. After your free month, you’ll pay £31 a month on a 31-day rolling contract, meaning you can cancel at any time. You can get the same deal for £28 a month if you sign up for an 18-month contract. You’ll see both options by following the ‘View Deal’ button below.

One month of Sky Stream with Netflix for free

One month of Sky Stream with Netflix for free

Sky is offering one month of its Sky Entertainment package with Netflix for free, along with the Sky Stream streaming device. No commitment.

  • Sky
  • One free month
  • Free (then £31)
View Deal

That means all the benefits of Sky TV without a dish, streamed over your home Wi-Fi network, and access to Netflix via the Standard with Ads option. The Sky Entertainment OS also includes the ability to easily search for content across your apps.

There’s no Sky Sports or Sky Cinema within the Sky TV bundle, but you can add those channels as optional extras. Sky Sports is £25 a month on the rolling contract and Sky Cinema is currently £12 a month on the same no-commitment deal.

What you will get is access to top entertainment channels like Sky Max, Sky Atlantic, Sky Comedy, Sky Nature, Sky Documentaries, Comedy Central, Eurosport 1, MTV and National Geographic. It also includes access to Discovery+

Sky Stream received a 4.5 star review from our A/V editor, who praised the new democratisation of Sky telly, accessible interface, support for high end features like Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and the stable streaming performance.

He concluded: “An excellent premium streamer from Sky that puts content at the core of its offering. That content is pricey, but no other broadcaster offers a broad a church as Sky does with its entertainment options.”

He said you should buy if you want TV and films served up to you on a platter. And, let’s face it… who doesn’t?

The post Sky TV has brought back its one-month free trial for a limited time appeared first on Trusted Reviews.

Karaoke mode on Spotify is about to be a Premium feature

Spotify AI Playlist

If you love following along with the lyrics on Spotify, belting out the classics karaoke-style, then it’s going to start costing some of you.

Spotify is preparing to put its live lyrics feature behind the Premium subscription paywall, judging by screenshots posted by Spotify users on Reddit.

Get the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 for close to half price

Get the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 for close to half price

Amazon has dramatically dropped the price of the Galaxy Z Flip 5, undercutting Samsung by several hundred pounds.

  • Amazon
  • Save £270
  • Now £680
View Deal

Those using the free version of the audio streaming app are being told they can “enjoy lyrics on Premium” when attempting to access the tuneful prose from the playback interface. Spotify began testing this feature last autumn, but it now appears to be rolling out to a broader user base.

The change would enhance the value for Premium subscribers over their free-streaming counterparts and Spotify will hope to encourage some free users to upgrade to the paid tier as a result.

However, it may not be a complete ban on reading the lyrics for free users. It appears Spotify will allow a limited number of song sheets for each user per month.

A screenshot posted to Reddit (via PhoneArena) reads: “Even time you tap “Show lyrics”, it will count towards your limit. To get full access to lyrics, switch to Spotify Premium.” The screenshot doesn’t say how many times you can see lyrics per month.

spotify monthly lyrics limit
Image credit: Reddit user superbuza

Naturally, it’s being complained about heartily from the Spotify Free community which probably doesn’t realise artists are human beings who need to eat, and they can make money from allowing their music to be streamed on Spotify.

Spotify Premium offers unlimited access to the entire music library, ad-free with unlimited skips and linear playback. There’s also access to the highest quality bitrate and the opportunity to download music for offline listening.

It also gives users up to 15-hours a month of access to the Audiobooks library as part of their monthly dues. It seems like unmetered access to lyrics is about to become the latest.

The post Karaoke mode on Spotify is about to be a Premium feature appeared first on Trusted Reviews.

Ninja's pizza oven is going cheap in time for the summer

Ninja Woodfire Electric Oven

Spring has sprung, summer is just around the corner and that can only mean one thing – rainy pizza parties in the garden.

With your best intentions the Ninja Woodfire Electric Outdoor Pizza Oven is available for £299 right now, instead of the usual £349.99 asking price. That’s a stellar £50.99 (15%) off.

Ninja's outdoor pizza oven is over £50 off

Ninja’s outdoor pizza oven is over £50 off

Ninja’s versatile outdoor electric pizza oven is just £299 right now, which is 15% off.

  • Amazon
  • Was £349.99
  • Now £299
View Deal

This new model includes 8-in-1 functionality and offers some of the best of Ninja’s various cooking gadgets. There’s the pizza oven, of course, along with Max Roast, Gourmet Roast, Smoker, Bake, Top Heat, Dehydrate, and Keep Warm modes.

For cooking pizzas there are six customisable pizza settings that can get you a steaming hot artisan, thin, new York, deep pan, calzone or custom pizza in under three minutes, once you’ve preheated the oven up to 370 degrees. Ninja reckons it’ll give you brick-oven inspired textures from the electric oven too.

There’s also support for Ninja’s Woodfire pellets to infuse that smoky flavour. I’ve used this feature with the Woodfire Grill and Smoker, and it works superbly on that model.

This model weighs 22kgs, but the compact design (38cm x 45cm x 54cm) means it won’t take up too much room on the patio. You’ll also get a host of accessories including a pizza stone, accessory frame, pro-heat tray, roast rack, smoker box, pellet scoop and a couple of bags of pellet starter packs to get you going.

This model has a 4.6 rating from shoppers and is available from the official Ninja store from Amazon with free returns if you’re not satisfied. Get your outdoor cook season off to a flier with this deal, which includes free Prime delivery in the UK. Order now and you could even get it by the weekend!

The post Ninja's pizza oven is going cheap in time for the summer appeared first on Trusted Reviews.

❌
❌