Noticed how Apple launch new versions of the iPhone and make the features available on the older nodels with a software update? Well Apple have announced a new software update for the iPhone and iPod Touch this summer, which tips the…
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Clearing the Windows Media Player transcoded files cache
Running out of hard disk space? Found a folder stuffed full of large-ish files (maybe using that excellent utility TreeSize from Jam Software)? If you have ever used Windows Media Player (WMP) with a smartphone or portable media player you…
Is the time right to move to 64-bits?
PC processors have been 64-bit capable for quite a few years but for one reason or another we have virtually all stuck with 32-bit operating systems. With users’ needs growing , the need to address larger amounts of RAM is…
Memory card speed ratings – what do they mean?
SD and CompactFlash memory cards often carry speed ratings but it isn’t clear what the numbers mean exactly. To make matters worse the two card formats use different methods of designating the speeds. Although many devices only take one card type what…
Solving the ‘cannot find flash.ocx’ problem
Some people are being plagued by PC error messages saying “cannot find flash.ocx”. Often there is no indication of the program that has been looking for the missing file, so diagnosis is difficult. Flash is an application that is great…
SSL Encryption hacked
No, don’t worry, it doesn’t quite mean the end of the world as we know it. SSL encryption itself is still reliable and safe. That isn’t entirely true of websites using it though. In a little reported paper at the…
Will VPNs challenge state surveillance?
Some customers are bypassing action by their ISP to block troublesome protocols, such as P2P, by subscribing to foreign VPN (Virtual Private Network) services. Others are routing their internet traffic via a free VPN, using the advertising-supported Hotspot Shield – software…
Autopsy of a hairdryer
Here’s a hairdryer that got to the end of it’s useful life. As you can see they are really pretty simple. Basically all you’ve got is a heating element (behind the front grille) and a fan to blow air around…
Autopsy of a hard drive
Oops, I dropped my hard drive! Well to be truthful it had packed up so it wasn’t much of a loss. And it was only a 1Gb drive in the first place. As you can see below once the lid…
Autopsy of a cellphone
Here’s another in our line of technology autopsies – a GSM cellphone. This one came from a car boot sale but had no subscriber identity module (SIM) card so it wouldn’t work. The SIM card slotted into the back of…