The Really Useful Podcast

The Really Useful Podcast

By Christian CawleyTechnologyEducationHow To
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The Really Useful Podcast episodes

  • Xbox Game Streaming Success, Free VPNs, HDMI Cable Types, and NFTs

     This week we explore how Microsoft is making cloud gaming work, and why it might be planning to bring a free VPN into Microsoft Edge. With that in mind, we compare free VPNs and paid VPNs, as well as explore the different types of HDMI cables. There is also a look at the various media that NFTs are sold as.

    This week, we chat about the following tech news that matters:


    • Cloud Gaming Is Not a Fad, Says Microsoft
    • Microsoft Edge May Introduce a Free VPN


    Check out these tips and tricks:

    • Free VPNs vs Paid VPNs
    • Everything You Need to Know About HDMI Cables
    • All the Different Types of NFT
    • How I Minted an NFT and What Happened Next
      • My Full English Breakfast NFT


    We finish the show with the following recommendations:

    • LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
    • Termination Shock by Neal Stephenson


    Christian Cawley and Gavin Phillips host this podcast. You can contact them on Twitter: @thegadgetmonkey and @gavinspavin, with your suggestions for future topics.

    Don't forget to subscribe to the Really Useful Podcast on Apple Podcasts for more tech news and tips for technophobes!

    35 min
  • Elon Musk Buys Twitter, Computer Security Is Your Responsibility, and Block Scam Calls

     This week, we look at the following news, tips and tricks, and recommendations:
     News: 

    • 5 Things About Twitter Elon Musk Is Likely to Change
    • Microsoft Bing Ethical Shopping Hub Launched
    • Ubuntu 22.04 LTS Jammy Jellyfish Released
    • Microsoft Defender Flags Google Chrome Update as Suspicious

    Tips and tricks: 

    • Why Computer Security Is Your Responsibility
    • How to Block Scam Likely Calls
      • Windows Cold Caller Scam Recorded
    • Different Types of VPN Explained

    Recommendations:

    • The Fudge Kitchen
    • Whisperify

    Christian Cawley and Ben Stegner host the show. Follow them on Twitter (@thegadgetmonkey and @stegnersaurus) for updates and even make suggestions for future topics.
    Don't forget to subscribe to the Really Useful Podcast on Apple Podcasts for more tech news and tips for technophobes! 

    32 min
  • Elon Musk Buys All the Tweets, Nintendo Switch Dockless on a TV, and How to Say Sorry in an Email

    This week's news:

    • Why Elon Musk Bought a Big Stake in Twitter
    • Elon Musk Asks: "Is Twitter Dying?"
    • Why Elon Musk Isn't Joining the Twitter Board
    • Elon Musk makes Twitter takeover bid

    Some tips and tricks:

    • Connect a Nintendo Switch to Your TV Without the Dock
    • What Is the Point of Mini PCs?
    • How to Optimize PC Airflow
    • How to Say Sorry in an Email


    This week's show is hosted by Christian Cawley and features Ben Stegner and Gavin Phillips. Follow them on Twitter (@thegadgetmonkey, @stegnersaurus and @gavinspavin) for updates and even make suggestions for future topics.
    Don't forget to subscribe to the Really Useful Podcast on Apple Podcasts for more tech news and tips for technophobes!

    27 min
  • Windows 11's Default Browser, Turn Your Phone into a PC, and Fix Windows 10 Freezing Issues

    This week's news:

    • Remember the Windows 11 Default Browser Update? Yeah, It's Optional
    • Leaks Have Appeared Online About a Surface Laptop Go Successor


    Some tips and tricks:

    • Turn Your Phone into a PC
    • Fix Windows 10 Freezing Issues
    • Looking Back at Windows XP


    A single recommendation:

    • The A500 Mini review


    This week's show is hosted by Christian Cawley and features Ben Stegner and Gavin Phillips. Follow them on Twitter (@thegadgetmonkey, @stegnersaurus and @gavinspavin) for updates and even make suggestions for future topics.
    Don't forget to subscribe to the Really Useful Podcast on Apple Podcasts for more tech news and tips for technophobes!

    29 min
  • Windows 11 Flatlines, Raspberry Pi Shortage Explained, and Clean Your Windows PC

    Want to fix your own phone? Samsung is giving you the tools to do it. Meanwhile, why are Raspberry Pi computers hard to get hold of, and why is Windows 11 adoption tailing off?
    All this and our usual tips and tricks (covering Netflix, Chromecast, and Windows) in this week's Really Useful Podcast, the tech podcast for technophobes. 

    In this week's show, we cover the following news:


    • Samsung Galaxy Self Repair Program
    • Raspberry Pi Shortages Explained
    • Windows 11 Growth Plateaus
    • Using Internet Explorer? You Can't Upgrade to Windows 11

    We also bring you these tips and tricks:

    • The Best Way to Clean Windows 10
    • Fix Choppy Chromecast Streams
    • Netflix Tips for Windows

    Finally, we close the show with these recommendations:

    • Rain Rain white noise app
    • Evercade #24 Gremlin Collection 1

    Christian Cawley and Ben Stegner host the show. Follow them on Twitter (@thegadgetmonkey and @stegnersaurus) for updates and even make suggestions for future topics.
    Don't forget to subscribe to the Really Useful Podcast on Apple Podcasts for more tech news and tips for technophobes! 

    42 min
  • Bing Source Code Leak, Amazon Apps on Windows 11, Best Smartphone Cameras

    This week, we examine whether Apple could be forced by the EU to allow sideloading and what the Bing source code actually means. 
    We also discover installing Amazon apps on Windows 11, the best tracks to test your headphones with, and look at the best smartphone cameras in 2022. 

    Here are references for the key topics we discuss in this week's show.


    News

    • EU to Force Apple to Allow Sideloading?
    • 3D Printed Portal Turret
    • Windows 11 Spinning Cog Easter Egg
    • Microsoft Bing Source Code Leak


    Tips and tricks

    • Install the Amazon App Store on Windows 11
    • Test Your Headphones With These Tracks
    • What Is the Best Smartphone Camera in 2022?

    Recommendations

    • Rodecaster Pro
    • Picross
      • Picross/Nongram online
      • iOS (no ads) 
      • Android (no ads) 
      • Switch

    Christian Cawley and Ben Stegner host the show. Follow them on Twitter (@thegadgetmonkey and @stegnersaurus) for updates and even make suggestions for future topics.
    Don't forget to subscribe to the Really Useful Podcast on Apple Podcasts for more tech news and tips for technophobes!

    38 min
  • Microsoft Store Survey, Virtual Beer in the Metaverse, and Fixing a Cracked Phone Screen

    Here's a collection of links to almost everything we discuss this week:


    News

    • Microsoft Wants to Know Your Favorite App Store Apps
    • Microsoft Edge Gets AI Image Captions
    • Heineken Launches Virtual Beer for Metaverse
      • What Is the Metaverse and Will it Change Your Life?

     Tips

    • What Is Creative Commons and Non-commercial Use
    • What You Should Do After Cracking Your Smartphone Display
    • How to Say Sorry By Email

     Recommendations

    • Nokia XR20

      • Doogee S95 Review
      • Unihertz TickTock Review
    • How Long to Beat

     Christian Cawley and Ben Stegner host the show. Follow them on Twitter (@thegadgetmonkey and @stegnersaurus) for updates and even make suggestions for future topics.
    Don't forget to subscribe to the Really Useful Podcast on Apple Podcasts for more tech news and tips for technophobes! 

    39 min
  • Reddit Slates ClipChamp, DuckDuckGo Annoys Users, Why You Should Use Word Online

     Why is Microsoft planning to roll out adverts to Windows 11? Is the ClipChamp video editor as bad as Redditors claim? And why are DuckDuckGo users annoyed by its decision to prevent them seeing "Russian misinformation?"
    We find out about these things and more in this week's Really Useful Podcast, as well as tell you why you should be using Microsoft Word Online, how to identify unusual symbols, and learn about the best operating systems for building a home media center or HTPC.

    Shownotes
    In this week's show, we discuss the following news, tips, and recommendations.


    News:

    • Microsoft Trials Ads in Windows Explorer
    • ClipChamp Is Terrible, Says Reddit
    • DuckDuckGo Users Are Annoyed

    Tips

    • Why You Should Use Microsoft Office Online
    • How to Identify Symbols Online
    • Linunx Distros for a Home Media Center or HTPC

    Recommendations

    • Murder in Provence
    • Imposters


    Christian Cawley and Ben Stegner host the show. Follow them on Twitter (@thegadgetmonkey and @stegnersaurus) for updates and even make suggestions for future topics.
    Don't forget to subscribe to the Really Useful Podcast on Apple Podcasts for more tech news and tips for technophobes!

    31 min
  • Free Bitcoin, Microsoft Drops Russia, Switch to a Cellular iPad, and Answer Security Questions Wrong

    Shake Shack is giving away free Bitcoin with orders, but what does this actually mean? Should you use an iPad with Wi-Fi or one with cellular mobile networking? And did you know you've been answering security questions for your online accounts completely wrong?

    This week's tech podcast for technophobes explains why, and gives you the latest news, tips, and tricks.


    Shownotes

    This week we discuss news, tips, tricks, and offer some recommendations:

    News

    • Get Free bitcoin from Shake Shack
    • DOOM II Designer John Romero Releases New Level for Ukraine Fundraising
    • Microsoft Suspends Sales in Russia
    • Valve Confirms Steam Deck 2
    • Valve Wants Xbox Game Pass on Steam

    Tips

    • Why You Should Get a Cellular iPad
    • Why You Are Answering Security Questions Wrong


    Recommendations

    • Paprika Recipe Manager
    • Cololight Hexagon

    Christian Cawley and Gavin Phillips host this podcast. You can contact them on Twitter: @thegadgetmonkey and @gavinspavin, with your suggestions for future topics.
    Don't forget to subscribe to the Really Useful Podcast on Apple Podcasts for more tech news and tips for technophobes!

    27 min
  • Anonymous Return, Windows 11 Reset Bug, Steam Deck Surprises, and How to Build a Modular Laptop

    Windows 11 won't let you reset your computer properly, but Microsoft is improving the Bluetooth menu. The Steam Deck plays games it shouldn't, and we tell you about the return of Anonymous.
    PLUS: how to avoid collaboration tool burn-out and build a laptop. It's all here in this week's Really Useful Podcast.

    Shownotes 
    In this week's show, we talk about:


    News

    • Anonymous Returns
    • Windows 11 PC Reset Issue
    • New Bluetooth Settings in Windows 11
    • Steam Deck Runs Crysis Remastered

     Tips/Tricks

    • Avoid Overuse of Collaboration Tools
    • Build Your Own Modular Laptop

     Recommendations

    • Britbox
    • TowerFall


    Christian Cawley and Ben Stegner host the show. Follow them on Twitter (@thegadgetmonkey and @stegnersaurus) for updates and even make suggestions for future topics.
    Don't forget to subscribe to the Really Useful Podcast on Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode.

    36 min

About The Really Useful Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Struggling with your tech? Don't understand what's going on in social media? Just want to use your phone, tablet, laptop, or even your TV without losing your grip?