We’re increasingly putting WiFi above everyday essentials. That’s right – we said basic essentials. Ready to be shocked?

For a start, more than a third of us would rather go without hot water for a week than lose internet access, with 34% saying they’d sacrifice their fridge! What’s more, 47% would go without their cooking appliances. And, even in the depths of winter, 32% would choose to be without heating before going offline.

The study of 2,000 UK adults highlights how the internet has moved beyond entertainment, to become one of the most relied-upon household services in the UK. Even traditional TV ranks below internet access. Over half of Brits (54%) say they would rather lose terrestrial TV for a week than the internet.

“This isn’t just about streaming and scrolling,” says Zen Internet’s Stephen Warburton. “The internet now underpins how we work, access money, manage our homes and stay connected to the people who matter. When people say they’d rather lose heating or hot water than go offline, it shows just how critical reliable connectivity has become. When something becomes this embedded in daily life, reliability stops being a luxury and becomes an expectation.”

Does age matter?

In a word, yes. Almost half (45%) of 18 to 24-year-olds say they would struggle to go without internet access beyond 12 hours, while only 12% think they could cope for a full week. What’s more, almost two in five Gen Z (that’s those born between 1997-2012), and Millennials (born between 1981-1996) say they would rather lose their heating in colder months for a week. That’s compared to just 24% of Baby Boomers – those born between 1946 to 1964. Similarly, 42% of Millennials say they would rather lose hot water for a week, compared to 30% of Baby Boomers.

Does stress matter?

In another word, yes. Losing internet access is now considered more stressful than sitting in traffic. Around 46% of Brits ranking 24 hours offline above being stuck in a jam (38%). Thirty-five per cent say losing access to online banking is worse. Forty-four per cent believe forgetting your phone is more stressful than losing credit cards and cash. And not having access to WhatsApp or text messages is considered more stressful than having no access to emails.

We just hope you’re reading this and aren’t sitting in a cold bath with no fridge to keep your food fresh…

The post Here’s what us Brits would give up over Wi-Fi appeared first on Checklists.

Falling for phishing

‘Phishing’ is when cyber criminals send fraudulent emails – posing to be from reputable companies or friends and family – aim to take money or identity. As of August 2025, 45 million phishing scams were reported to the National Cyber Security Centre, so if you’ve fallen prey to such a con, you’re not alone. If you receive a suspicious email, keep an eye out for bad spelling and grammar or anything demanding an urgent response. Another big giveaway is mismatched email domains, For example, if an email from your ‘bank’ comes from another domain such as Gmail, it’s fake. And don’t panic if scammers do catch you off-guard, as the key is to act quickly. Gave them your bank details? Contact your bank immediately and change any passwords you may have shared. You can also forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.go.uk and have them checked out. 

Weak/identical passwords

Using identical or easy-to-crack passwords across your accounts is a sure fire way to let hackers grab your personal information. Particularly important for your email account, having an iron tight password means cyber criminals won’t be able to access your most private information, like your bank details. Doubly, if they manage to uncover your password, they could potentially reset passwords elsewhere and access your other online accounts. Set to power up your password? Start by turning on 2-step verification for all your important accounts (go to settings and select ‘2-Step Verification’ or ‘Two-factor Authentication’). You can also use Password Manager – where your device offers to save passwords for you – which means you will never forget Dixie123.?88 again. (PS: that’s not one of our, by the way!)

Ignoring software updates

Failing to update your software leaves you at greater risk of system problems and compatibility issues. Which, in non-tech speak, basically means older versions can be less efficient and make your computer run at a snail’s pace. Using older versions of software also leave you more vulnerable to hackers. But panic not, because when it’s time for an update, your computer or application will generally give you prompts. The secret is to not ignore them! If unsure, you can check for updates in your settings – or even better, ask the computer whizz in the family to do it for you.

Failing to back-up

‘Backup’ is a copy of all your important data stored in a separate, safe location – be it on the internet (cloud storage) or on a removable device such as a USB stick. Make sure you backup everything you value. For example, if your device is lost, broken or stolen it will give you peace of mind knowing all your precious family photos and videos have been stashed in another place. Apple, Google and Microsoft all offer some free storage space, which you can increase for a fee. Backing up today will certainly save on tears tomorrow. It doesn’t take long and can even be set up to happen automatically.

Installing bad software

Finally, you may be tempted to install free software in order to save a bit of cash, but this kind of thriftiness can often do more harm than good. In fact, downloading dodgy software is the most common way computers get a virus, so before you snap up a freebie, make sure you first read online reviews of what you are planning to download – and where you plan to download it from. ALWAYS read the terms and conditions, too. Do not simply click ‘skip’ – or the only place you will be skipping off to will be the computer shop.

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1. Razer Kraken headphones

The Razer Kraken X for Console is the perfect headset for console players, bringing the best audio  quality and voice comms to the living room, bedroom or wherever you want to game, whether it’s on Xbox, PlayStation or Switch.

Using custom-tuned 40mm drivers in the earcups, the Kraken X gives amazingly clear, rich sound, from the quiet footsteps of approaching enemies to the thundering explosions of an all-out battle. And for competitive games, there’s nothing quite like the Kraken X for positional audio.

Coming in at an ultra-light 250g, the Kraken X for Console is designed for long-term comfort during intense play sessions. The ear cups are fitted with plush memory foam cushions for excellent comfort and noise isolation, with a soft, cushioned, adjustable headband for a secure fit with minimal head clamping. Sit tight and play for hours – your console gaming marathons are about to be a breeze.

Find out more at razor.com

2. CeX products

If you’re in need of upgrading some parts or getting a pre-owned console for cheap, CeX is a great company to keep in mind.

They buy, sell and exchange a range of technology and entertainment products including mobile phones, video games, DVDs and Blu-ray movies, computers, digital electronics, TVs and monitors, and music CDs.

Buying new tech can be expensive, but it pays to be prudent.

If you’re considering an upgrade, remember that your old tech and games can save you cash. You’ll get more if they’re in good condition. Keep the box and accessories these could add value.

CeX has the widest choice of phones, tablets, electronics, and games, all with a free 24-month warranty. With over 380 stores, they are the UK’s leading second-hand tech and entertainment retailer.

Find out more at uk.webuy.com

3. Arcade Depot

Who remembers the 70s and 80s? Take back a bit of the past with a retro arcade machine, including all the classic games you remember. Pac-Man, Space Invaders and Donkey Kong just to name a few.

Arcade Depot’s UK-built machines are the perfect addition to an entertainment space, with a variety of styles, finishes, and themes to choose from. With at least 60 games there is something for the whole family to enjoy, just plug it in and start playing.

With more than 10 years of experience manufacturing arcade machines, the Arcade Depot bring you premium arcade machines at affordable prices.

Their designs have been refined to offer the best looking, best performing, and most practical machines available today. These machines would look great in your home bar, man cave, games room or living room.

Find out more at thedepot.uk

4. MSI Computers

Thinking of purchasing RGB peripherals for friends and family? Well, look no further. Whether you’re after a gift for a casual gamer or a professional, they’ve got you covered – offering premium mechanical keyboards, high-fidelity headsets, ultra-high DPI gaming mice, wireless gaming controller, and lightning-fast surfaces to go with them.

Looking for a hardware upgrade? MSI offers the latest in groundbreaking GeForce RTX 30 Series Graphics Card as well as powerful AMD 5000 series. The ultimate MSI gaming experience wrapped up just for you.

In the gaming gift guide, you could find reviews and recommendations from the best gaming and technology media, giving you a quick grasp of why it’s worth investing in high-quality gaming peripherals.

Find out more at uk.msi.com

5. Wifi UK

Have you ever experienced endless buffering when you stream music or videos? Or weak Wi-Fi signals in different rooms?

Wi-Fi UK understands how important connectivity, reliability and convenience may be to you. Which is why they have created a powerful Mesh Wi-Fi network to guarantee that once you are connected, you stay connected.

Wi-Fi UK allows your devices to connect to their full potential. No more Wi-Fi complaints from the kids. Just smooth 4K Netflix, Apple TV streaming and Sonos speakers play with ease.

Mesh Wi-Fi uses your internet, then spreads it across the property via intelligent access points. Each has three powerful antennae to guarantee uninterrupted communication between access points, creating blanket-like coverage.

The team design and install the system then set it up in 90 minutes. There’s no drilling or wires to run and it works with any internet providers.

Find out more at meshwifi.co.uk

6. Kano Computing

Learning how to code is a valuable skill in many professions today. This is why schools are encouraging children to master this from as early as the age of five. Teaching little ones how to code can be challenging though; which is where Kano comes in.

Build a tablet, learn to code games, apps, and music with a DIY computer kit that teaches kids how their PC works. Children can put together the hardware aspects of a computer themselves while discovering the bits and bytes that keep the technology running.

Kano’s coding kits make teaching how to build computers fun with themed hands-on play. Disney Frozen 2 and Star Wars, along with Harry Potter, are among the themed games that Kano offers. Anyone can give kids an incentive to learn basic coding.

The make-your-own computer firm has designed its kits so that children can be guided through loops, logic and variables using puzzle games and challenges.

Find out more at world.kano.me

7. Retrosix

Do you remember the sheer exhilaration you experienced while playing your first gaming console? Get ready to take yourself back to pixelated paradise this Christmas with RetroSix.

RetroSix was formed by a small group of gamers passionate about all things retro. Their focus is restoring original consoles to like-new, adding modern tech to vintage consoles.

You can experience the nostalgia of your favourite games without the limitations of old outdated hardware. RetroSix believe that products nowadays are mass-produced and not designed to last; and are here to change this.

RetroSix was formed to provide hand-built products with limited quantity and restored to absolute gaming perfection.

All work and improvements are carried out in the UK, in-house, by hand. Attention to detail is provided for every customer.

Find out more at retrosix.co.uk

8. Dan Clark Audio Aeon headphones

It’s time to listen up. Multi-award-winning brand Dan Clark Audio has unveiled the latest in high-performance headphones in three different series: Aeon, Ether and Voce.

Why the multiple awards? Dan Clark Audio’s headphones pull off a game-changing feat; their advanced planar magnetic and electrostatic drivers are engineered to deliver outstanding sound quality. Yet they are among the lightest, most comfortable headphones on the market, perfect for those long gaming marathons.

The company achieves this by building its models from the ground up, avoiding off-the-shelf components and insteadq creating its own proprietary technology, for exceptional results.

These headphones reach ‘out of your head’ and play your favourite sounds with their full emotional impact. Immerse yourself for hours on end, with absolutely no fear of headphone fatigue.

Find out more at electromod.co.uk

9. CCL Computers

Next-level gaming is here, with the multi-award-winning CCL Reaper GT gaming PC, featuring the 2nd generation AMD Ryzen 7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 graphics with Ray-Tracing technology.

Housed in a sleek Corsair Carbide chassis with a tempered glass side panel, the Reaper GT offers great value, performance and upgradability.

Enjoy blistering speeds with fast 3000MHz DDR4 memory and NVMe solid state drive with read speeds of up to 3500MB/s and write speeds of 1200MB/s. Keeping the system running cool and silent is the Corsair Hydro Series high performance liquid CPU cooler.

All CCL systems are expertly built and tested and come with a three-year collect and return warranty as standard.

Find out more at cclonline.com

10. Defy Gaming

Defy Gaming provides the opportunity to build your own personalised custom controller individual to you. For a completely bespoke gaming accessory, the online controller builder allows you to personalise and customise every aspect of your controller with thousands of possible design combinations on offer.

Personalise controls for PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Defy Gaming only use brand new controllers from Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo and include warranty as standard.

Defy Gaming also caters to the more serious gamer, providing a variety of controller upgrades such as interchangeable thumb sticks, trigger extenders and rear paddles for PlayStation and Xbox controllers.

With the largest selection of options to customise your controller worldwide, Defy Gaming are the biggest providers of custom controllers in the UK. The team offer fast dispatch, free tracked delivery in the UK, worldwide shipping and warranty is included as standard.

Find out more at defygaminguk.com

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email laura@hurstmediacompany.co.uk or editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post These are the 10 top gift ideas for your gaming friends appeared first on Checklists.

Here, Checklist has done the hard work for you and selected some top components to get your DIY gaming device performing at its best.

1. AMD Ryzen 9 5900X Processor

The AMD Ryzen 95900X is one of the best processors out there for gaming. The new Zen 3 architecture means that each core has 32MB of available CPU cache – double what previous processors had.

Benchmarked single-core speeds are incredibly fast, and with 12 multithreaded cores, it’s great for multicore tasks, like video editing, too. A brilliant choice for streamers and video editors as well as simply gaming.

It’s also compatible with X570 motherboards and needs no extra power compared to previous Ryzen CPUs, making it easy to upgrade.

Find out more here.

2. The Gigabyte Geforce GTX 1660 GPU

Get 4K gaming at an amazing price with this Gigabyte GPU. The Gigabyte Geforce GTX 1660 uses a combination of Turing graphic shaders and 6GB of video RAM to give you stunning performance at high resolutions.

Even better, the Nvidia NVENC encoder handles all the processing power for live streaming and recording video, making it an amazing GPU for streamers.

Find out more here.

3. Gigabyte GeForce RTX3060 Ti Vision

The Gigabyte GeForce RTX3060 Ti Vision is a brilliant graphics card for any gamer. It features the latest Nvidia Ampere architecture with ray-tracing and tensor cores, and over 4000 CUDA cores, giving an exceptional performance at 4K resolutions.

Gigabyte have also equipped their video card with ultra-tough semi-conductors that are made to be overclocked with built-in safety lights that glow when there’s a power problem.

Find out more here.

4. Samsung EVO Plus M2 SSD

This 500GB M2 SSD is the perfect core memory for a gaming PC. Affordable and reliable, this lightning-fast SSD will load your game and system files in seconds.

Pair it with an internal hard drive for all your storage needs – its tiny M2 form factor means there’s plenty of space for other components.

Find out more here.

5. Corsair iCUE H100 GB PRO XT Liquid Cooling System

You can chill out about overheating CPUs with this clever liquid cooling system from Corsair. A copper cold base is mounted directly onto your processor for maximum cooling potential.

Heat is then channeled via water through a 240mm aluminum radiator; a pair of ultra-quiet fans provide a blast of cold air when needed. Since new AMD and Intel processors adjust their maximum clock speed based on their temperature, this liquid cooling system doesn’t just reduce system wear, it increases performance.

Compatible with all modern AMD and Intel CPUs.

Find out more here.

6. Rog Strix Z390-H Gaming Desktop Motherboard

The ROG Strix Z390-H Gaming motherboard features firmware controls and software utilities designed for all skill levels, making setup, tuning, and system maintenance simple. With options from overclocking and cooling to managing network performance and audio characteristics, you can configure your ROG Strix gaming build to perform the way you want.

With comprehensive cooling options and upgraded power delivery to fuel CPUs with more cores, plus support for faster memory and storage, ROG Strix Z390-H Gaming provides all the essentials you need to harness the full potential of components in your build for top-tier gaming PC performance.

Find out more here.

7. OLOy DDR4 RAM 64GB

Need to give your system a much-needed boost? Then dropping these RAM sticks in the mix will up your capacity and power.

Featuring DDR4 2x32GB UDIMM, giving you a total of 64GB and running at a frequency of 3600MHz, these budget RAM upgrades will speed up your gaming like never before.

Complete with a lifetime warranty and compatible with Intel and AMD, these desktop gaming memory enhancers will give your PC a new lease of life.

Find out more here.

8. Golden Field Magician Case

The Magician mid tower ATX case from Golden Field is just the ticket for those looking to build their gaming PC with a touch of style.

It features a high airflow mesh front panel with three 120mm fans pre-installed to keep your components cool. T also features a tempered glass side panel so you can keep an eye on things inside.

The case supports ATX/ MATX/ Mini-ITX Motherboards with support for a vertical GPU mount.

Made from solid steel, the thicker steel plate means there will be no deformation over time and the case is AIO Liquid Cooler ready and can support water-cooled radiators up to 320mm in length.

Find out more here.

9. MSI MPG Coreliquid K24

This CPU AIO cooler from MSI features a 240mm radiator and an LCD water block with concealed 60mm TORX 3.0 fan and 2x 120mm TORX 4.0 ARGB PWM fans to ensure your PC never overheats in the thick of the action.

Its Astek 7th Gen pump features PWM speed control and the 2.4 inch LCD screen displays real-time system performance (temperature/frequency) or even your own customisable graphics.

The 400mm water cooling tubes comprise of triple-layered netted plastic concealed beneath reinforced mesh sheathing to ensure the water stays inside the closed-loop system at all times

MSI’s special gaming software automatically adjusts the fan speed based on system temperatures. This reduces noise during low-demand periods, but can also be tailored to specific preferences if you want the fan to focus on being ultra-quiet or for maximum cooling.

Find out more here.

10. Gigabyte Radeon Graphics Card

The Gigabyte Radeon RX 6600 XT gaming pro 8GB graphics card utilises the innovative windforce cooling system for ultimate heat dissipation performance, ensuring your PC stays operating at its optimum temperature.

Equipped with 3x 80mm alternate direction spinning fan blades, five composite copper heat pipes in direct contact with the GPU, screen cooling and a 3D active fan, there’s an impressive array of cooling components at work, allowing this card to elevate and unifie visual effects and gameplay across multi-gaming platforms like no other graphics architecture out there.

Find out more here.

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post Best components for building a gaming PC appeared first on Checklists.

Here’s Checklist’s selection of the top 10 best computing accessories.

1. Razer Viper Ultimate Wireless Gaming Mouse

For those who need ultimate responsiveness in their mouse, or for those who just want a ‘bulletproof’ and high-quality piece of kit for their home office set-up, then this accessory is one of the best.

With a super hi-spec optical sensor with 99.6% resolution accuracy, hyperspeed wireless technology and eight independently programmable buttons, it won’t let you down in the heat of the moment. The Razer’s switches are even rated for a ‘lifetime’ of 70 million clicks.

The Viper also has a true ambidextrous shape, so good for both left and right hands, a gaming-grade tactile scroll wheel with sensitivity adjustment, and the ability to store your own user profiles in its onboard memory, so it can adjust itself to your personalised user settings each time you’re ready to work.

It also comes with a manufacturer’s two-year guarantee, so you know you’re in safe hands.

Visit argos.co.uk

2. Sandstrom Cable Management Sleeve

Perhaps not the most exciting bit of kit on this list but certainly one of the most useful, the 183cm Sandstrom SCMS214 Cable Management Sleeve is specially designed to help to keep your cables organised in a neat and tidy fashion; perfect for sorting out those under-desk, foot-tangling environments.

The sleeve is reversible and features velcro fasteners that make it simple to separate and secure your cables in place, whilst the numerous entrance and exit points mean that you can have the cables branching off, right where you need them, and at the right length.

So, whether you’re tidying up those home-office wires, or organising round the back of the telly, the Sandstrom cable management sleeve helps you to keep things ship-shape.

Visit currys.co.uk

3. Targus Chill Mat

The Targus Chill Mat is a quiet and portable cooling pad for keeping your over-worked laptop at optimum performance, and also for protecting your lap.

It boasts a fan speed of 1900RPM and provides a comfortable and ergonomic work surface for laptops 15 to 17 inches in size.

The mat simply rests on your lap, plugs in via USB and disperses laptop heat via its dual fans.

Its ergonomic tilt makes typing easy while the soft neoprene surround provides cushioned comfort for your lap, as heat is dispersed through its special open-ventilation design.

Visit amazon.co.uk

4. Acer Nitro 49’’ Double Full HD Ultra-Wide Curved Gaming Monitor

Now that’s a mouthful. But just take one look at this beast of a monitor and you’ll see why. Get yourself totally immersed in the action with this huge 49 inch DFHD curved monitor from Acer.

Expand your field of view to encompass large action sequences and wide gaming vistas in glorious DFHD. Even with the increased screen size of this hulking monitor, the details stay sharp and colours remain accurate thanks to its 3840 x 1080 resolution, 1800R curved screen and 32:9 aspect ratio.

AMD Radeon FreeSync 2, which supports HDR content and dynamic refresh rates, means that the monitor’s refresh rate is synced to your computer’s framerate, allowing for the smoothest, most seamless experience possible.

Experience ultra-smooth, lag-free gameplay with faster frame rendering with a rapid refresh rate you can overclock to 144Hz. More frames per second mean better 2D action scenes and outstanding image fluidity.

For those in an office environment, you can multitask with PIP (picture-in-picture) and PBP (picture-by-picture) functions, whereby you can make use of the monitor’s massive real estate.

Visit amazon.co.uk

5. G-Technology 4TB External Hard Drive

G-Technology’s 4TB ArmorATD, a rugged, shock-proof and water-resistant external hard drive allows you to go through the extremes and be safe in the knowledge that anything you have saved on your drive is totally secure.

This drive has triple-layer shock resistance for added durability alongside a rain-and dust-resistant enclosure with a 1000lb ‘crush rating’. So you can be sure it’ll survive attacks from rogue monster trucks and/or escaped elephants. It’s USB-C ready and USB-3.0 and Thunderbolt 3 compatible, with no set-up required for operation with Mac and Windows.

Visit amazon.co.uk

6. Sabrent 16-port USB 3.0 data hub and charger

You’re busy, you’ve got more devices than you can carry, and everyone wants to borrow a charger. What do you need? You need the Sabrent 16-port USB 3.0 data hub and charger with individual switches of course.

This super-useful bit of kit allows you to attach your collection of USB devices to one super-speed hub, quickly expanding any available USB 3.0 port into 16 USB 3.0 ports by simply plugging into your computer, with no drivers or software required.

Individual power switches provide device independence and allow you to preserve power and prolong the lifespan of your various devices by not overusing them while they are plugged into the hub.

Each USB 3.0 port is capable of delivering up to 1.1mA of current with transfer speeds of up to 5Gbps and the block itself has short-circuit, over-current, over-voltage, and over-heating protection.

Visit amazon.co.uk

7. Logitech HD Pro Webcam

The latest webcam from Logitech is the HD Pro which allows for full-HD video calling, operating in full-HD 1080p video at 30-fps.

Connecting to your computer via USB, this device allows for the crispest video quality, giving you that professional touch to your Zoom calls or other content creation.

The full-HD glass lens captures a wide 78-degree field of view with the five-element glass lens allowing for premium auto-focus capability.

Its automatic HD autofocus and light correction fine-tunes to your lighting conditions to produce bright, well-contrasted images – even if you’re in a dim office setting or under strong artificial lights – and the dual microphones capture natural stereo audio while filtering out background noise.

Visit amazon.co.uk

8. Hcman RGB Gaming Mat

Probably the best computing accessory you didn’t realise you needed – this gaming pad from Hcman is designed to deliver high precision, optimal comfort and response when gaming.

Not only does it add an extra element of practical usage to your set-up, but the RGB soft mouse pad has a true RGB backlit effect with 10 lighting modes – lighting up your life like never before.

With a size of 80cm by 30cm it will fit your desktop keyboard and mouse perfectly, provide ample movement space.

The soft, cloth surface and non-slip rubber base ensure precise, accurate mouse control and consistent stability and comfort on your desk. It is powered by plug and play USB, with a one-touch control.

Visit amazon.co.uk

9. SteelSeries Apex Pro – Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Steelseries say the Apex Pro is ‘the biggest leap in mechanical keyboards since the invention of the mechanical Switch over 35 years ago’. And it’s easy to see why!

Each key can be adjusted to meet your preferred sensitivity level, whether it’s for gaming, work, or anything else you might be doing on your screen. Its integrated OLED smart display, with on-board storage, becomes your command centre for on-the-fly info and settings from the online world.

With a 100 million keypress guarantee and an aircraft-grade aluminum alloy frame, built for a lifetime of durability, means this is one bit of kit that doesn’t mind getting bashed about. The Omni point adjustable mechanical switches allow for customisation of ‘press’ distance from 0.4mm to 3.6mm and the premium magnetic wrist rest provides full palm support and long-term comfort.

Visit amazon.co.uk

10. Elgato Stream Deck XL – Live Content Creation Controller

The Elgato Stream Deck XL Live Content Creation Controller is perfect for live streaming, presentations, gaming or almost anything else you can think of. It allows for enhanced ‘live’ production and experiences, whereby you can easily control your favourite tools and platforms from the 32 customisable keys – instantly triggering unlimited actions with a tap.

Once set up you can use its one-touch operations to change scenes, launch media, switch cameras, tweak lighting, adjust audio, post tweets, or anything else you can think to assign to the keypad, on-the-fly.

It features powerful platform integrations: Elgato Game Capture, OBS, Streamlabs, Twitch, YouTube, Twitter, Mixer, Spotify, Philips Hue, Vmix, VoiceMod and more, and interfaces via USB 3.0 directly into your computer.

Visit amazon.co.uk

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post Top 10: Best computing accessories appeared first on Checklists.

In 2020, we all got a reminder of how fundamental a role technology plays in our lives. We also got a reminder that in some areas, it’s not as advanced as we’d like to think. On an individual level, think about how many times your connection dropped or your video calling service of choice failed to work properly as your friends screamed at you, “I can’t see you! Are you on mute?” But on a wider scale, we discovered greater shortcomings. Countless industries – from fruit picking to commercial logistics to packaging – were disrupted during the pandemic. If we had the right technology and data, we could come up with ways around the disruption: automate jobs more easily, predict where demand is going to come next, build redundancies into the system so if there’s an unexpected event, it can keep going.

Over the next few years, the big developments in tech are going to be about addressing that shortfall: creating a society that is connected, transparent and shock-resistant.

Searching for connectivity is a familiar experience for many of us, as we try to boost our Wi-Fi signal ahead of another succession of video chats. At industrial or societal level, it’s actually a similar concept, just on a larger scale. The roll-out of the 5G network gives connectivity to significantly more people and businesses, even in remote areas. In fact, it’s not just telecom providers getting involved: major companies are now investing in their own 5G networks, on which manufacturing or research campuses can run. They offer seamless connectivity across a larger area than Wi-Fi, which in turn offers more opportunities for automation, as businesses can unleash drones or self-driven vehicles across their factories or warehouses, without fear of losing them.

When we move further out into the supply chain, that’s where transparency comes in. Blockchain technology has come to be associated with online currencies such as Bitcoin, but the tech itself is more versatile – essentially, it’s an algorithm that distributes security data throughout a network, rather than keeping it at a centralised hub, meaning it’s easier to verify transactions. The next few years could see blockchains become mainstream – even Google is getting involved. For businesses, this could make for a more trackable supply chain. For individuals, it means the likelihood of your online delivery disappearing off the face of the earth is greatly reduced.

Computing power is always increasing, but what’s really notable is a shift in where that computing takes place. Cloud computing – where technological functions are supplied on demand by a third-party provider – and edge computing – an intermediary stage between users and the cloud – will be huge growth areas, as more and more people and business embrace them. It’s all in aid of flexibility and shock-resistance: it means everything is backed up and accessible from everywhere, minimising the risk of a data deletion disaster, or going into the office to discover you left all your important files at home.

The overall outcome of these changes? Building a society that’s healthy. And health tech itself will accelerate in the coming years. We saw it begin in 2020 with the rise of virtual appointments with doctors – that started a trend for healthcare functions moving away from traditional locations, like hospitals. Medical data centres are analysing health imaging in real time, and AI is helping accelerate vaccine creation. ‘Roaming doctors’ equipped with handheld scanning equipment will become more common. Finally, there’s a rise in technology enabling people to take care of themselves, from wearable tech to wellness apps.

The post Tomorrow’s tech is about changing the world appeared first on Checklists.

1. Smartphones are getting smarter

Mobile phones are taken for granted, but their rate of advancement is nothing short of astonishing – from monophonic ringtones to making the sum total of the world’s knowledge available at the touch of a button, all in around 10 years. These days it’s easy to think that we’ve seen all the major advancements in smartphone tech, and the latest releases are just small upgrades designed to make us part with cash. Think again – we’re about to see some serious disruptions to the market.

At CES 2021, LG gave us a glimpse of its rollable smartphone – a concept that might become a reality, rather than just a concept, this year. Oppo also unveiled a rollable phone, which uses two small motors to ‘unfurl’ its digital screen. More than just feeling futuristic, this could be of serious benefit for presentations or creative work, when you could do with a bigger canvas.

2. Tech to keep you fit and healthy

It’s fairly likely that you already own a Fitbit, Apple Watch or one of the many other fitness-tracking devices on the market – which are designed not only to track your activity, but to subtly (or not-so-subtly) encourage you to exercise more and build it into your daily routine. These days, health tech goes far deeper than that – from 3D-printed prosthetics to AI-powered imaging, new technologies are driving the future of health, fitness and self-care.

Wondering how this will affect you? The answer is that there’s a new wave of health care and monitoring services making their way into your home in a non-intrusive way, through gadgets and apps. Anura is an app available on iOS and Android that can assess your health based only on a photo – and it’s expanding to gauge blood pressure as well. Another app, GP At Hand, allows you to video call a GP. Home blood pressure and glucose monitoring kits are also coming to the market; these can incorporate automatic alerts and even a voice assistant.

3. Amplify your well-being with the right headphones

Given how much time we all spend wearing headphones these days, you may as well make sure you have the right set – or, more likely, sets. For work and video calls, a good set of noise-cancelling headphones is best. There are many brands out there, catering to different tastes and budgets – but if you’re looking for somewhere to start, the Sony WH-1000XM3s have won several awards and have come down in price over the last year.

Don’t wear them for everything, though – for exercise, you’ll need a dedicated set of in-ear running headphones, which are moisture-resistant and secure enough to stay in place. Of the big brands, the Sennheiser CX Sport and Powerbeats 3 are good starting points.

Of course, headphone tech is evolving all the time. We mentioned rollable phones – well, you can get rollable headphones too, though these are more conventional, inspired by a roll-up metal watch strap. They’ll cost a penny or two, but you can’t deny they are rather unique.

4. Surprising uses for VR

Virtual reality has been one of the most talked-about emerging technologies of the last few years, but there’s still a preconception that it’s just for video gaming. In fact, it’s in use across almost every industry – a study found that 75% of the Forbes Most Valuable Brands are using VR or augmented reality for one purpose or another.

Major automotive companies use VR to design and test new parts before they’ve even been made. Architects are using it as a souped-up version of 3D modelling. Travel companies are creating ‘virtual holidays’ to encourage prospective customers to buy the real thing. VR is even in use in the healthcare system, after its therapeutic benefits were highlighted.

Even at home, you can find uses of VR for exercise, health and education. So a headset might not be such a frivolous buy after all.

5. Not sure which voice assistant to get?

Alexa, set a timer. Siri, turn that light off. OK Google, tell me a joke. We’ve formed a whole cultural language around the weird and wonderful interactions we have with our voice assistants. But as their software grows and integration increases, it’s worth thinking more seriously about using one, getting the most out of it, and which one is right for you.

Comparisons between the major options are rife, but in brief: Amazon Alexa offers the most comprehensive integration with smart-home devices, and as an Amazon product, also offers seamless voice-activated shopping (which is handy – but dangerous). Google Assistant or Apple’s Siri, on the other hand, will offer better smartphone support, depending on whether you have an iOS or Android phone.

Can’t decide which one to go for? You could always hedge your bets with a smart speaker like the SONOS ONE, which support both Google and Amazon’s voice assistants. You’ll be having conversations for days.

6. Everything is smart – including your house

If you’re an existing user of a smart speaker, you’ll be no stranger to their ability to interface with other connected objects in your home, effectively allowing you to control them all through one device.

The best-known uses of this are also the most universally helpful: controlling your heating system through Tado or Google Nest, or changing the tone and brightness of your lighting with Philips Hue. Get into the routine of adjusting these, and you’ll save on bills as well as improving the ambience of your home.

But it doesn’t stop there. As the ‘Internet of Things’ grows, everything is connected, from fridges to doorbells. Smart table? You can fund one right now. Smart toothbrush? They’re quite common, actually. Smart egg tray? Yep.

7. Become a ‘smartographer’ with the right tech

For a while it’s been a common preconception that ‘true’ photographers use a DSLR camera while less-skilled wannabes use a smartphone. 2021 could be the year when we cast that notion aside, as the quality of top-of-the-range smartphone cameras today is astonishing.

The phone with the most high-spec camera is the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, with a 108MP f/1.8 rear camera paired with a 12MP f/2.2 ultrawide lens. It’s also got a telephoto lens, offering 5x optical zoom.

Another top-notch camera set-up is found on the Huawei Mate 40 Pro, which pairs a 50MP rear camera with 20MP f/1.8 ultrawide, 5x optical zoom, and a depth-sensing 13MP front camera – an enviable degree of versatility. 

Apple aficionados will gravitate to the iPhone 12 Pro Max, which boasts class-leading low-light and HDR photography on top of its triple 12MP cameras.

And it’s not just photography – photo editing on smartphones has also come on in leaps and bounds. Adobe Photoshop Express is available for free and gives you an impressive range of parameters and dynamic effects to adjust.

8. Lockdown tech: Gadgets that clean surfaces – and themselves

We’re all cleanliness freaks now. Cleaning and sanitising surfaces doesn’t specifically stop coronavirus, it can certainly help limit its spread as part of a wider routine of hand-washing, mask-wearing and space-making.

Before you reach for the spray bottle and cloth, you’ll be pleased to know there’s new cleaning tech making its way onto the market – specifically UV cleaning lights. UV-C light is effective against a range of bacteria, which has led to a proliferation of handheld UV sanitisers. They’re lightweight and versatile – just remember they aren’t a substitute for the regular COVID protocols you’re familiar with. Or if you can’t be bothered with any cleaning routine whatsoever, you can now buy everyday objects that clean themselves – such as this self-cleaning water bottle. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, it can also maintain the temperature of a hot drink for 12 hours.

9. Lockdown tech: Make video calls more bearable

It looks like video conferencing is here to stay – so you may as well get the best possible viewing experience, thanks to a high-quality monitor. These days, there are monitors specifically designed for videoconferencing – such as HP’s E27d G4, which comes with a pop-up webcam, a built-in speaker bar, and integrated microphones, all of which will cut out the faff plugging in USB devices and rearranging wires.

Going higher up the price ladder, a curved monitor will deliver a premium experience for any video work: calls, watching or editing. The BenQ EX3510R is designed for “video enjoyment” and is wider than most standard monitors, meaning you can fit a Zoom window and a presentation on screen at once.

Or look at the product from a new angle (literally): Samsung’s S22E45KMS offers full rotation so you can turn the screen vertical – almost like a giant smartphone. Ideal for video calls with people in portrait mode… or watching TikTok videos.

10. Lockdown tech: Yes, there are smart masks now

Every company has tried to contribute to anti-COVID efforts in some way, and gaming company Razer’s effort is its ‘smart mask’ prototype. It’s translucent so you can see the wearer’s mouth moving, and comes with an integrated amplified – no more struggling to make out what people are saying. The built-in ventilator also filters out 95% of bacteria, according to the manufacturer.

Sadly, the Razer mask isn’t actually out yet. In the meantime, check out some other options, including LG’s Puricare wearable air purifier, which uses two H13 HEPA filters to deliver clean air. Every part of it is replaceable and recyclable, which is a nice touch.

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