Computeractive 623

Back when we were all fretting about the Millennium Bug (see page 9 for a modern equivalent), I remember being impressed that home Wi-Fi speeds could reach 11Mbps. That was the maximum of the Wi-Fi 1 standard (aka 802.11b) – not that my primitive equipment got anywhere near. Over 20 years later and the top speed of Wi-Fi 6 is around 900 times faster – at 9.6Gbps (9,600Mbps). That’s spectacular, but I’m more excited by how it can guarantee fast streaming when you have several devices connected to your network. In our Cover Feature Nik Rawlinson explains how this works using analogies that involve wide pipes, coloured envelopes and busy car production lines. He also reveals how he added Wi-Fi 6 to an old laptop, and recommends the best routers for bringing…

Microsoft looks set to replace the Mail and Calendar apps in Windows 11 with a new Outlook app as part of the operating system’s first major feature update. For years Microsoft has wanted to replace the different email options in Windows with a single service that works across all devices – computers, phones, tablets - as well as online. Sources at Microsoft said early last year that the new service would be called One Outlook, and that it was being tested by staff. Leaked images (pictured above) appeared to confirm the name. By August 2021 the name had been simplified to Outlook, and reports suggested it would be ready for Windows 11’s launch in October – but it was delayed and is now rumoured to be part of the 22H2 update, scheduled for…

Microsoft is finally learning how to keep things simple. This welcome news about a neater Outlook follows its decision last year to combine music and video in a single media player (see Issue 620, page 6). Microsoft is also responding faster than ever to users’ feedback, having already improved Windows 11 during the few months since release. We’re increasingly confident that upgrading (when or if you can) is the right move, and so our next issue – out Weds 2 February – will explain how you can master this excellent new operating system.…

A new tool within Microsoft’s PowerToys tool lets you pin a window so it’s always on top, even if you open another one. To use it, you’ll need to download the latest version of PowerToys (0.53.1 or later). You can do this by searching for it on the Microsoft Store, or by downloading from www.snipca.com/40585 – scroll down and click ‘PowerToysSetup-0.53.1-x64.exe’ under the Assets heading. Once it’s installed, you can pin and unpin windows by pressing Windows key+Ctrl+T. You can also add a coloured border to the window that’s on top to make it easier to see. To do this, open PowerToys, then click ‘Always On Top’ in the left-hand menu. Next, make sure the ‘Show a border…’ button is switched on (1 in our screenshot), then select a colour 2 and thickness…

Asus is to follow Lenovo in releasing a laptop with a folding OLED screen. The Taiwanese company unveiled the Zenbook 17 Fold at the CES 2022 technology show in Las Vegas, claiming it has a “boundary-pushing design”. The device’s screen size and resolution changes depending on how you use it. Unfolded and flat like a large tablet (1 in our photo right), it has a massive 17.3in screen - much bigger than conventional tablets - with a resolution of 2560x1920 pixels and a 4:3 aspect ratio. When folded as a laptop 2, it has two 12.5in screens, with a resolution of 1920x1280 and 3:2 aspect ratio. Built-in software lets you select which tools appear on which half of the folded screen. You can use the device’s touchscreen keyboard or prop up the screen…

Google wants to make it easier for you to read, reply to and sync your phone messages on your computer, as part of plans to make its Android operating system work better with Windows. It said you’ll also be able to set up Bluetooth accessories and share files between phones and PCs. The effect should be similar to the way iPhones seamlessly connect with Apple Macs. These features will use Google’s Fast Pair service (www.snipca.com/40568), which scans for nearby Bluetooth devices without using too much phone battery. Google claims that since Fast Pair launched in 2017, it has helped people “connect their Android phones with Bluetooth accessories over 100 million times”. Currently, Fast Pair works mainly with headphones and earbuds, such as the Bose QuietComfort 35 II (£199 www.snipca.com/40569) and Google’s own Pixel Buds.…