Category: Gadget Tips

  • Getting No Sound From Your Xbox One? No Problem!

    Getting No Sound From Your Xbox One? No Problem!

    An issue we come up against from time to time at the Gadget Helpline is no sound coming from an Xbox One after first setting it up. Everything is connected by the book with one end of the HDMI lead firmly fixed into the console, the other into the TV. You have the dashboard or […]

  • How to (Temporarily) Fix the Apple iPhone Message Bug

    How to (Temporarily) Fix the Apple iPhone Message Bug

    Earlier this week Apple’s messaging service was found to be vulnerable when a user’s iPhone received a specific string of unicode characters. Apple acknowledged the iMessage problem which was causing mobiles to completely shut down when opening the malicious mail and has now worked out a temporary fix which we will share with you now. […]

  • How To Use Your Smartphone as a PS4 Wireless Keyboard

    How To Use Your Smartphone as a PS4 Wireless Keyboard

    Did you know you can make messaging and typing on your PS4 much easier by putting down your controller and using your smartphone as a wireless keyboard? All you need is an iPhone or Android handset with the PlayStation App installed. You can grab the app now from the Play Store for Android or the […]

  • How Long Does It Take to Download an Xbox One Game?

    How Long Does It Take to Download an Xbox One Game?

    At the Gadget Helpline we receive quite a few calls from frustrated Xbox One gamers who are desperately waiting to play their latest digital purchase but are experiencing a seemingly endless wait for the game download to complete. There are various factors which can affect download times including your network connection speed and the status […]

  • Missing CBS Action on Freesat ? Here’s how to get it back!

    Missing CBS Action on Freesat ? Here’s how to get it back!

    We’ve been informed by a number of Freesat set top box users that some channels around 137, 138 and 139 – including cult favourite CBS Action – have gone A.W.O.L in the past few days. But fear not – these channels have not been beamed away for good and can be restored by simply resetting your box […]

  • 5 Ways to Improve Your Mobile Phone and Tablet’s Battery Life!

    5 Ways to Improve Your Mobile Phone and Tablet’s Battery Life!

    The one problem shared by all mobile phones is that at one time or another, we’re faced with the dreaded ‘low battery’ beep before our link to all our friends and family completely dies at an inappropriate time. No matter what handset you have, there are simple things you can do to extend the battery […]

  • How To Check for Android Updates

    How To Check for Android Updates

    Android Lollipop 5.1 is on its way out now and will be reaching eligible devices in due course. Update schedules can be dependent on the device manufacturer and the network provider and some may get the latest Android sooner than others. The best advice we can really give is be patient. You will be notified […]

  • How to Import Contacts from SIM Card to Android Smartphone

    How to Import Contacts from SIM Card to Android Smartphone

    So you’ve just upgraded your smartphone to the latest Android – maybe the HTC One M8 or Samsung Galaxy S5? And you’ve popped in your existing SIM card in hope of retaining your number and contacts. But you may have found that none of your mate’s names or numbers are appearing in your phone book when […]

  • How To Soft Reset Your Android Device Using the Buttons

    How To Soft Reset Your Android Device Using the Buttons

    You’re using your favourite Android app game, watching a YouTube video or having a browse of Facebook when suddenly everything grinds to a halt. The screen is completely unresponsive and you can’t close the app or go back to your home screen. Or maybe the phone won’t seem to come on at all. These issues […]

  • How To: Change Power Off Time on Inactive Xbox One

    How To: Change Power Off Time on Inactive Xbox One

    Did you know that the power off time on the Xbox One console can be adjusted, so the console will only fully turn off after a period of inactivity which you can choose for yourself?

  • How To: Repost Photos to Instagram

    How To: Repost Photos to Instagram

    Have you ever seen someone you follow on Instagram reposting a photo complete with credit to the source account but have no idea how to do this seemingly simple task yourself? We have and its rather frustrating that despite checking every option on the app there is no way of finding how it’s done. Well, […]

  • Online Scammers and their Tell Tale Signs

    Online Scammers and their Tell Tale Signs

    With scammers, viruses and malware seemingly around every corner of the internet, the online world can be a daunting place for the less tech-savvy. Also See: How to Check for Offers on Chromecast Here at the Gadget Helpline, we see these problems and their victims on a daily basis; and it isn’t pretty. They can […]