All posts tagged: Google Assistant

The best dumbphones for a complete digital detox

The best dumbphones for a complete digital detox

My priority when testing dumbphones was ease of use, as well as considering how good these phones were at doing what they are designed for whilst remaining unobtrusive. I’ve noted how many ‘clicks’ it takes to access core features like phone calls and texts, as well how difficult any menus and settings are to navigate. I assessed call quality and volume, including ring tones and message notifications. I also checked how legible each screen was in a variety of lighting conditions. Each phone is a different shape, so I tested how bulky each was to carry in the pocket of jeans and blazers. They pretty much do the same thing, but I also took into account other apps available on even the most basic phones, such as a calculator, calendar function, or primitive games. Any phones that don’t make the grade have been excluded from this guide. There are countless cheap dumbphones out there, many of which seem to be advertised to pensioners at inflated prices. We’ve also rejected any phone without at least 4G …

From Apple HomePod to Amazon Echo, we’ve tested the best smart speakers for sound and voice control

From Apple HomePod to Amazon Echo, we’ve tested the best smart speakers for sound and voice control

You can play music, radio or podcasts through a wide range of audio devices nowadays, from phones and noise cancelling headphones to Bluetooth speakers and audio systems. But in the last decade, a more convenient and cutting-edge lifestyle speaker has emerged: the smart speaker. Smart speakers are defined by their built-in voice control, giving you access to a cloud-based virtual assistant such as Alexa or Siri for hands-free music playback, calls and control of connected smart home appliances. These voice assistants are also at your beck and call for reading the news aloud, setting alarms and timers, creating to-do lists, answering general questions, and much more. It’s little wonder smart speakers account for 26 per cent of all listening at home in the UK, according to a 2025 Ofcom report. I’ve tried all the latest smart speakers, including Amazon’s new Echos, and you can read my reviews in full below, followed by answers to some frequently asked questions. Here’s a quick look at my top five. Which are the best smart speakers? At a glance …