The embedded subscriber identity module (eSIM) market has gained momentum over the past two years or so.Now, two research studies from Juniper Research and CCS Insight have confirmed this trend, adding that the internet of things (IoT) arena is ripe for eSIM, especially in connected logistics, oil and gas, and smart street lighting in 2026.

Juniper Research’s eSIMs and iSIMs market 2025-2030 report predicted that the number of IoT devices using eSIMs will grow by 30% in 2026, rising from 1.2 billion in 2025.

Looking at drivers for the market, Juniper Research highlighted the GSMA’s eSIM IoT Architecture and Requirements SGP.32 specification, launched in 2025. This is the global mobile trade association’s eSIM standard for IoT that enables scalable, server‑driven remote SIM provisioning. It is designed to offer benefits such as bulk activation, reduced operational costs and greater flexibility to switch connectivity providers.

Juniper believes that as the standard gains traction across the IoT market, connected logistics, oil and gas, and smart street lighting will be the fastest-growing IoT eSIM sectors in 2026. In turn, the analyst believes that these industries will benefit the most from the standard in 2026, contributing a combined 75 million new eSIM connections.

Yet despite its optimism, Juniper noted several challenges for eSIM platforms, the biggest of which is pivoting away from pull models (in which the device pulls a single profile to it) to a push model where profiles are pushed to multiple devices at the same time. Juniper Research urges these platforms to develop their own push model to serve enterprise eSIM users as adoption among enterprise IoT users proliferates.

“Enterprise users demand a completely different set of requirements, most notably a server-driven approach that enables centralised orchestration of deployments,” said Ardit Ballhysa, senior research analyst at Juniper Research. “For enterprise IoT users, it is inefficient to use a pull model to provision so many devices, and eSIM platforms must adapt.”

Meanwhile, CCS Insight found that in the UK there has been a surge in eSIM awareness and users are increasingly deploying the technology to connect to a domestic or international provider.

Across the sample of more than 1,000 respondents, nearly three-quarters said they had heard of eSIM, up from just 27% in 2022. Among these, almost a third used the technology to sign up with a UK provider. iPhone customers were the top users, which CCS Insight said is a reflection said of Apple’s drive for adoption that included the launch of the eSIM-only iPhone Air in 2025.

Almost three-quarter of respondents in the survey are considering using a travel eSIM for their next international trip, including 86% of those who have used one before. The main reasons cited were convenience and saving money.

Assessing the trends revealed in the survey, Kester Mann, CCS Insight director of consumer and connectivity, said the results cemented the “indelible” role of eSIM in people’s journeys to get connected.

“We’ve seen a surge in awareness of eSIM, as well as encouraging intention to use the technology,” he added. “Combined with rising compatibility in smartphones and support from operators, it won’t be long before eSIM becomes the de facto way to sign up to a mobile service.” 

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An E Ink tablet gives you the best of both worlds: the satisfying feel of using pen and paper and the convenience of keeping all your notes in one place. E Ink tablets are best known for offering a distraction-free environment to jot down your notes while providing a paper-like reading and writing experience. Moreover, they minimize the chances of eye strain that comes with looking at regular displays for hours on end, making them a must have for any avid reader. So if you’re done buying physical notebooks and want something that can offer you an almost identical experience but with the added convenience of digital tools, an E Ink tablet is worth getting. 

But E Ink tablets aren’t cheap. You may have to fork out at least $300 to get one, so you certainly have to do your research well to avoid buying a model that doesn’t deliver on its promise or meet your specific needs. Although we’ve reviewed several models, such as the reMarkable Paper Pro Move, we set out to find the best E Ink tablet that online users swear by because user reviews can be a solid metric to base your purchasing decisions on. 

10.2-inch Amazon Kindle Scribe

In our Kindle Scribe review, we loved this device, and unsurprisingly, it stands out as one of the best E Ink tablets based on user reviews — it boasts an excellent 4.4 out of 5 rating from over 3,000 reviews, with 85% of reviewers giving it at least 4 stars. The Kindle Scribe features a 10.2-inch display with 300 pixels per inch that should make text look crisp. However, the Scribe is meant for writing, and Amazon includes its Premium Pen for the job, which doesn’t need to be charged. 

The Scribe comes with a built-in notebook for taking notes with 18 preloaded note-taking templates (and you can download more) to make your work easier when writing. Furthermore, it includes two handy AI-powered features in the built-in notebook: text summary and handwriting to text conversion. The Scribe is also a capable reading device, and Amazon allows you to import your documents to it using the Send to Kindle feature. While reading, the Scribe gives you the ability to annotate documents, and you can even write notes in Kindle eBooks using Active Canvas. 

Many users praise its usefulness when it comes to both reading and writing. Users also say how easy it is to transfer documents to the device and organize notes. However, it’s not perfect. Some say you can’t export notes written in books, and others find it to be bulky. It also lacks built-in speakers for reading text aloud with Amazon’s Assistive Reader feature, forcing you to pair it with a Bluetooth speaker. You can buy the 10.2-inch Kindle Scribe from Amazon with either 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB of storage for $399.99, $419.99, and $449.99, respectively.

reMarkable 2

The reMarkable 2 is a highly-rated E Ink device by users. As of this writing, the device has earned an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 from over 2,100 reviews, with over 70% of the users giving it a 5-star rating. Priced at $449, this E Ink tablet has a 10.3-inch black and white display and ships with a pen that has a built-in eraser for taking notes, so you don’t have to spend extra for that. What’s even cooler is that reMarkable includes nine spare tips for the pencil. 

For note-taking, reMarkable 2 has a built-in notebook with templates and makes writing easier with useful features like undo, erase, resize, move, and copy and paste. The tablet is built with organization in mind and offers folders and tags to make it easier to organize files and notebooks. Similar to the Kindle Scribe, you can write in PDFs and even convert your handwritten notebooks into typed text. For the latter, reMarkable supports 33 languages. In addition to writing notes with your hand, you can also type on a keyboard if you purchase reMarkable’s $199 Type Folio. 

The reMarkable 2 promises up to two weeks of battery life and charges via USB-C. There’s no app store here to download distracting apps, but you can import web articles or Microsoft Office documents to read or work with in the reMarkable 2. Multiple users say the reMarkable 2 is a great product, and one reviewer says it’s “one of the most life-changing products” that they have bought in a while. However, some say it’s pricey, and others point out that the pen tips must be changed often, which might be a challenge.

reMarkable Paper Pro

As the successor to the reMarkable 2, the Paper Pro delivers some additional niceties for more convenience. So if the reMarkable 2 doesn’t quite feel like the perfect E Ink tablet for you because of its black and white display, the Paper Pro should be better, as it uses a colored display. The display measures 11.8 inches and has a 2160 x 1620 resolution with a front light for night use. The Paper Pro is available on Amazon for $679.99 and includes reMarkable’s so-called Marker Plus pen (with a built-in eraser at the end of the stylus) with six spare tips. 

The company promises up to two weeks of battery life under normal use, which should be more than enough. Weighing slightly over a pound, the Paper Pro is lightweight and easy to carry around. You can write your notes using the stylus, a virtual keyboard, or a physical one (if you purchase the keyboard folio). The Paper Pro also supports the conversion of handwritten notes to text and document annotation. You can bring your files to the Paper Pro, although you can only do so via reMarkable’s app or website. 

For writing, you get the same handy tools available on the reMarkable 2, such as copy and paste, but since it has a color E Ink display, you can write in colors other than black. The Paper Pro has a 4.1 out of 5 rating from over 1,500 user reviews on Amazon. Users say it’s easy to use, lightweight, feels paper-like, makes organizing notes easier, has great battery life, and is a reliable notebook and a game changer. But some feel it’s expensive, and others find the display to be too dark.

Kobo Libra Colour

Kobo’s Libra Colour E Ink tablet is the most affordable option on this list and has one of the highest average ratings of 4.4 out of 5 from close to 3,000 reviews on Amazon. It features a 7-inch colored display with 1264 x 1680 resolution. It also has the smallest display on the list, which is the perfect option if you feel the other options might be tedious for you to handle due to their 10- or 11-inch displays. The only catch with the Libra Colour is that the $229.99 reader doesn’t include a stylus pen out of the box – the Kobo Stylus 2 is sold separately for $70. 

The stylus has a built-in eraser, three pen styles, and supports writing, drawing, and highlighting text in different colors. As an e-reader, the Libra Colour has dedicated page-turn buttons next to the display. Using the Libra Colour, you can highlight and write notes in eBooks and create notes from scratch using the built-in notebook. The Libra Colour is IPX8 rated, meaning it can withstand up to 6.56 feet of water submersion for up to an hour without any damage. Kobo says this tablet can last up to 40 days on a single charge with 30 minutes of reading per day. 

The tablet comes in either black or white, and you get 32GB of storage as standard. Users love it for its long battery life, lightweight profile, user friendliness, customizable reading experience, and the fact that it doesn’t restrict you to a specific book vendor. Some downsides of the Libra Colour are that it’s slow to start, doesn’t support Kindle and Hoopla eBooks, and the software experience could be better.

Kobo Elipsa 2E

The Kobo Elipsa 2E retains the best parts of what Kobo’s E Ink tablets are best known for, including excellent battery life, deep integration with OverDrive and Libby eBook library services, and a customizable reading experience. This one packs a bigger 10.3-inch touchscreen display with 1404 x 1872 resolution, although it’s black and white. Despite the relatively large screen, the Elipsa 2E only weighs 0.84 pounds, so it shouldn’t feel heavy in your hands. In fact, users do say it’s thin and light. And unlike the Libra Color, Kobo ships the reader with the Stylus 2 pen out of the box. 

However, the Kobo Elipsa 2E is slightly more expensive than the Libra Color at $399. The Elipsa 2E also comes with 32GB of storage to store your eBooks and promises up to several weeks of battery life per charge, depending on your usage patterns. You can also annotate eBooks by highlighting, underlining, and even writing in the margins. And if you need space to write your notes, it includes a built-in notebook that has search functionality, making it easy to find keywords or certain notes in your notebooks. 

Like some E Ink tablets, the Elipsa 2E also lets you convert your handwritten notes to typed text. The Kobo Elipsa 2E has earned a 4.0 out of 5 rating from over 450 reviews on Amazon. Users say it’s great for reading, responsive when writing, and has impressive battery life. However, multiple users have raised concerns about its writing functionality, with one saying it doesn’t allow you to adjust the brush size when writing.

How we selected these E Ink tablets

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The main criteria for choosing the best E Ink tablets were to find models that are highly rated with at least an average rating of 4.0 out of 5, and have more than 400 reviews. Of course, based on these two factors alone, our selection tends to favor older products that have been selling for a while and have earned more reviews. 

To do our research, we mainly focused on three of the major e-commerce sites, including Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy. In addition to that, we also considered what users who reviewed each product said, including the overall user experience and why they thought a given product is worth buying. 

And since no product is perfect, we didn’t shy away from considering the negatives of any given tablet, especially from reviewers who rated each item low, as these reviews are great for pointing out any caveats you should keep in mind before buying a certain item. We’ve listed these products in no particular order.

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The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has proposed what it describes as a “package of measures” to improve how Google delivers search services in the UK.

Last October, the CMA classified Google search and search advertising with strategic market status (SMS). This designation enables it to consider proportionate, targeted interventions to ensure that general search services are open to effective competition, and that consumers and businesses relying on Google can have confidence that they are treated fairly.

Following on from the SMS designation, the regulator is now looking at how it can ensure the 200,000 UK businesses that spend £10bn a year on Google advertising are treated fairly.

The CMA sees internet search as central to the economy and everyday life. Search engines are increasingly providing AI-generated responses, a development of the search engine giant’s capabilities that the regulator is now focused on. 

In a blog post discussing the proposal, Will Hayter, executive director for digital markets at the CMA, said: “Our goal is to support innovation and growth, ensure people benefit from a high-quality digital experience, deliver fairer outcomes for content publishers and help businesses and consumers make active, informed choices.

Looking at Google’s AI Overview functionality, the CMA has proposed that Google gives publishers a meaningful choice over how their content is used in AI-generated responses within and outside internet searches. The CMA also wants Google to be more transparent about how publisher content feeds into AI-generated responses in search, and how people use these features. In addition, it is calling for proper attribution of publisher content in AI results, along with a clear explanation of how this works.

With regards to the way the Google search engine lists websites in its search results, the CMA has proposed that Google ranks organic results fairly, which, in effect, means it should not favour websites that advertise on Google or have entered other commercial arrangements with Google. The CMA also wants Google to provide more information on how it ranks results, including in AI Overviews and AI Mode. In addition, the CMA is proposing that Google strengthens the complaints processes for ranking issues.

Sarah Cardell, chief executive of the CMA, said: “Today is an important milestone as we consult on the first conduct requirements under the digital markets competition regime in the UK.

“These targeted and proportionate actions would give UK businesses and consumers more choice and control over how they interact with Google’s search services – as well as unlocking greater opportunities for innovation across the UK tech sector and broader economy. They would also provide a fairer deal for content publishers, particularly news organisations, over how their content is used in Google’s AI Overviews.”

The CMA will be closely following the US Department of Justice’s attempt to curb what has been ruled as anti-competitive practices by Google in the search engine market.

In August 2024, the US District Court for the District of Columbia released a 277-page opinion, concluding that “Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly” in violation of Section 2 of the Sherman Act. In September, the Justice Department said it would continue to review the opinion to consider its options and next steps regarding seeking relief.

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The Magic Cue feature on the Google Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro is due to get a lot better with Google Wallet and Google Task integration, reports Android Authority. Available for over six months, the new Google Pixel lineup promised an AI revolution with Magic Cue, which could theoretically use AI to suggest certain tasks based on your usage patterns. For instance, if you told someone you’re taking a flight the next day, Magic Cue would automatically fetch your flight details from Gmail and prompt you to send them details like your flight’s timings, flight number, etc. Something that the long-rumored iOS 27 Siri chatbot aims to deliver, too.

However, during the first month of the Pixel 10, it was nearly impossible to use Magic Cue, as it lacked a deeper integration with the Android system. A couple of months later, users started to report that the company finally rolled out a broader experience, as they noticed Magic Cue suggestions throughout the UI. Google says Magic Cue integrates with Gmail, Messages, Calendar, Notes, Screenshots, Contacts, and more. Powered by on-device AI thanks to the Tensor G5 processor, it seems the company is about to announce the next big upgrade for Magic Cue with Wallet and Tasks integration.

Magic Cue keeps expanding its capabilities, and it’s about to get a lot better

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If a Google Pixel 10 owner adds a trip to their calendar, Magic Cue will automatically provide weather information for the location, along with travel suggestions on what to pack, what places to visit, etc. If the integration reported by Android Authority launches soon, Magic Cue will offer support for the Google Wallet, which could help display real-time information about tickets (train, flight, and even cinema) or even help you better understand your spending.

On the other hand, the Google Task integration could mean that Magic Cue can access your to-do list and calendar events to suggest relevant actions based on your schedule. At this moment, it’s unclear when Google plans to integrate both these services with Magic Cue. However, since Telegram user Kieron Quinn was able to find the settings toggle for these two apps within Magic Cue, it’s only natural that the feature might be coming sooner rather than later.

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It’s not a good time to be a Pixel user, especially if you installed Google’s recent January 2026 update.  The update is causing a series of issues, according to a growing number of reports on Reddit and Google’s own forums, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity problems. As 9to5Google reports, the wireless connectivity issues aren’t new, as Pixel users have reported them after the last software update. However, the January Android update is impacting more devices than before, and there’s no fix in sight.

As of this writing, Pixel 10 series devices and the Pixel 8 Pro have been affected. The Pixel 10 series was launched last August, while the Pixel 8 series debuted in 2023. Since the issues appear across multiple Pixel models, a hardware problem isn’t likely to cause these issues. In addition to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth problems, some Pixel owners have also complained of camera and flashlight issues. Specifically, the camera may not turn on. The Android phone’s flashlight can also fail to turn on, especially if the software sees the non-functioning camera app in use. 

It’s likely that a software patch will fix these issues in the future. Google has not provided specifics, but the company is aware of the problems, according to posts on social media.

What you can do to fix your Pixel

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If you’ve installed the January Android 16 update and are experiencing connectivity issues, there’s not a lot you can do. A Reddit user explained that they’ve tried “every recovery or reset fix” they could think of. They even performed a phone factory reset, while consuming a “heap of mobile data” to restore their Pixel 10 handset. These procedures didn’t work. Google advised the user to take the phone to a technician or mail it to Google. Google users are also reading through Reddit threads and advising users to reach out to the Pixel support teams, pointing users to Google’s support page.

You have some limited options while you wait for an official fix from Google. Losing Wi-Fi access means you will have to rely on mobile data, which should not be a problem for Pixel owners on unlimited data plans. But anyone dealing with data usage caps may have a tougher time until Google fixes the problem. If Bluetooth isn’t available, you won’t be able to connect to wireless earphones, speakers, and other accessories. Buying a pair of cheap wired earphones can be a temporary fix, assuming you get USB-C buds or a USB-C to AUX adapter. 

The camera issues may be just as bad as the lack of Wi-Fi to some users. However, if the camera doesn’t work, there’s little you can do. You may want to try a third-party camera app from the Play Store, but that doesn’t mean that app will work. The flashlight failure might be the least of your problems, but it’s still a nuisance.

Is Google Play Services to blame?

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Some intrepid Pixel users have tried to fix the problem. Pixel 8 Pro owner Julas23 shared a detailed account of their investigation on Google’s forums. After tinkering with their Pixel device, they discovered that the Google Play Services (GMS) might be responsible for the Wi-Fi issues. They were able to fix their Wi-Fi connectivity by uninstalling or disabling “Sandboxed Google Play Services and Fitbit” and clearing the cache. However, this caused a “massive security headache” for the user. With GMS crashing, the push notifications for 2FA authentication failed to reach the device, locking the user out of their Google and Microsoft accounts.

Separately, a Reddit user tried to fix the issue by booting in safe mode and clearing the phone cache, without seeing improvements. They claim they were able to fix the Wi-Fi connectivity problems by downloading the latest public Android build and following specific recommendations. However, they don’t detail their update process so others can attempt to replicate it.

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The UK government is working with industry and teachers to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) tutoring tool to give more students access to one-to-one learning.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) claimed this technology would be particularly helpful for students from disadvantaged backgrounds who may not otherwise have access to digital tools or tutors.

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “Our mission is to break the link between background and destiny, and we’re working hand-in-hand with teachers to make that a reality. AI tutoring tools have the potential to transform access to tailored support for young people, taking tutoring from a privilege of the lucky few to every child who needs it – so all children can achieve and thrive.

“But AI tools are only helpful in education if they are safe and support learning – and that is a non-negotiable. We will ensure tutoring tools are designed with teachers and rigorously tested, so they enhance pupils’ learning and keep our children safe online, never replacing the human connection that only great teachers can provide.”

As it stands, AI skills are not even widespread among tech workers, and access to AI and the ability to use it depends on many factors including gender and socioeconomic background.

The AI divide is not the only barrier many children face when it comes to effectively accessing education, with many children not having access to technology at home. DSIT said 450,000 children between the ages of nine and 11 from disadvantaged backgrounds could benefit from this technology based on the number of children who are currently accessing free school meals programmes.

According to DSIT’s research, having access to a private tutor can advance a child’s level of learning by five months, giving them more chance of grade attainment at GCSE level, but because of unequal access to these services, children from affluent socio-economic backgrounds are more likely to perform well.

Government-backed AI tools will offer personalised learning support to users with the aim of ensuring a “level playing field” for all students by helping those whose families may not be able to afford tutors outside of school.

To ensure these tools are developed to provide safe and relevant access to education, the government will be looking for the right industry providers to work alongside teachers to create these AI tutoring tools in line with the national curriculum.

Personalisation within these tools will include features such as identifying areas students need more practice in and nudging them along in areas they’re stuck. Trials will begin in secondary schools summer 2026, supported by teachers who will give their feedback on how effective the products are. Education providers will be given training to help them understand and use the tools, and benchmarking will be developed to measure the success and safety of these tools going forward.

The development of AI tutoring tools joins many other technology-related measures announced this year by UK government, all aimed at advancing student education and keeping children safe in digital spaces, including social media bans, banning phone use in schools, guidance on screen time for children under five, and the announcement of a £23m EdTech Testbed pilot programme to allow 1,000 schools and colleges to test AI tools.

Technology secretary Liz Kendall said: “Every child should have an equal shot at success, no matter their background – but in reality, too many disadvantaged children are falling behind their peers in school. We’re determined to close that gap. That’s why we are going to work with teachers and tech experts to make safe, smart AI tutoring tools available to schools by the end of 2027 – providing extra help for kids who couldn’t otherwise afford it.

“Alongside the high-quality, face-to-face teaching of our brilliant educators, this will help to level the playing field for hundreds of thousands of children from disadvantaged backgrounds to make the most of their education by removing the barriers that get in the way.”

The goal is for AI tutoring tools to be available for free in schools by the end of 2027.

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Samsung is one of the best major smart TV brands out there, and for good reason. They’re durable, come with great picture quality, and are paired with a convenient remote that charges via solar power. They also offer a range of features in the software department. For instance, there’s the smart assistant Bixby that answers any query you have. You even get hundreds of apps to install, thousands of free channels, and a gaming hub that’s accessible even without a connected console.

However, Samsung TVs have more to them than meets the eye. Beyond the typical streaming apps and TV channels, they include nifty features to improve your viewing experience and expand the capabilities of your TV outside of entertainment. These features are pretty much tucked away in the menus, though, so you might not be as familiar with them. That isn’t to say they won’t be just as useful in your everyday life. To get you started with making the most out of your Samsung TV, here are five of the handy Samsung TV features worth exploring.

Find your phone

Every time you misplace your phone at home, your first instinct is to call it from another device — typically someone else’s mobile or your computer. But if you have a Samsung TV, you can actually use that to ring your lost phone. This feature is powered by SmartThings, so you need to add your smart TV to SmartThings to get started. Here’s how:

1. Turn on your TV.
2. Launch the SmartThings app on your phone.
3. When prompted, grant the necessary permissions.
4. Tap the Devices tab at the bottom.
5. Click the plus icon in the upper-right corner.
6. Go to Add device.
7. In the Samsung devices section, press Add.
8. Choose TV.
9. Wait for your phone to finish scanning for nearby devices.
10. Select your Samsung TV from the results.
11. On your Samsung TV screen, take note of the PIN code that appears.
12. Back on your phone, enter the TV’s PIN code.
13. Hit Done.
14. Change the Location, Room, and Device name as needed.
15. Tap Done to exit the setup.

Your TV should now be connected to SmartThings. From here, you can locate your misplaced mobile. Follow these steps:

1. Go to your TV’s home screen.
2. Navigate to Connected Devices on the left panel.
3. Open SmartThings.
4. Select the Life tab.
5. Under Ring my phone, click on your lost device.

Your phone will start ringing. Once you find it, simply swipe up to dismiss the alert. The “Ring my phone” feature works via internet connection, so even if your phone is disconnected from your home Wi-Fi and is only running on mobile data, it should still ring when prompted.

Share the Mobile Remote with others

It’s now pretty common to use your phone as an alternative remote for your smart TV. After all, it’s always with you, quick to set up, and sometimes even easier than a standard remote. The only downside, though, is that it usually isn’t as convenient for group use. You might not be comfortable with other people holding your device or passing it around. Fortunately, Samsung TV lets you share your Mobile Remote with others. This way, when your original remote is nowhere in sight, they can still control the TV without touching your phone.

To access this feature, you’ll need a 2025 Samsung TV and either an Android phone running at least Android 11 or an iPhone with iOS 16 or later. If you satisfy these requirements, here’s how you can share your Mobile Remote:

1. Install SmartThings on your phone and the other person’s phone.
2. Add your Samsung TV to your SmartThings app:
   1. Power on your TV.
   2. On your phone, open SmartThings.
   3. Select Devices.
   4. Hit the plus icon at the top.
   5. Go to Add device.
   6. Choose Add under Samsung devices.
   7. Navigate to TV > [your TV].
   8. Type the PIN code presented on your TV.
   9. Wait until your TV is successfully registered.
3. Go back to the Home tab on your SmartThings app.
4. Under Favorites, select your TV.
5. Press Remote in the bottom-right corner.
6. Tap the share icon.
7. Choose Use a QR code.
8. Ask the other person to stay close to the TV.
9. Let them scan the QR code on your phone.

The Samsung Mobile Remote will then open on their end, and they can begin controlling the TV as usual.

Access and create Microsoft 365 files without external devices

In office settings, TVs typically serve as large monitors for meetings and presentations. Just hook it up to your laptop via HDMI and start displaying your Word, PowerPoint, or Excel file. But while this works perfectly fine, Samsung TV offers a more convenient way to access Microsoft 365: via Workspace. This native app lets you use Microsoft 365 directly from your TV, without connecting any external sources like a laptop. All you need is a keyboard and mouse combo to control the TV and run your presentation as you normally would.

Keep in mind, though, that this setup doesn’t actually install Microsoft apps on your TV; it simply opens Microsoft 365 from a browser. This means you won’t get the full desktop features. But if you’re only presenting a file or doing basic tasks like writing a document or filling out an Excel sheet, then you shouldn’t have any issues. Follow this guide to use Microsoft 365 on your Samsung TV:

1. Press the home button on your remote.
2. Go to the left side panel.
3. Click on Daily+.
4. From the apps at the top, select Workspace.
5. Under Web Service, tap Microsoft 365.
6. Type your Microsoft 365 email address.
7. Hit Next.
8. Enter your password.
9. Press Next.
10. When prompted to stay signed in, choose Yes.

Once you’re in Microsoft 365, you can then create a new file from the left side panel or open one of your existing files from the main menu. The interface looks like you signed into Microsoft 365 from a computer browser, so navigating might feel familiar.

Turn your phone into a computer alternative

Your phone can now handle nearly anything your computer can, but what’s probably limiting you from doing more is its screen size. It can be too small for tasks like multitasking and showing presentations. The good news is, Samsung TV lets you convert your phone into a desktop-style interface with Samsung DeX. It’s one of the most practical uses for your Samsung phone’s USB port anytime you need to work on a bigger screen fast. To get Samsung Dex on your Samsung TV up and running, here’s what you need to do:

1. Plug your Samsung phone to the TV via a USB cable.
2. On your TV, go to the home screen.
3. Navigate to Connected Devices > Daily+ > Workspace > Samsung DeX.
4. On your phone, swipe down twice to view your Quick Settings.
5. Select DeX.
6. Press Start now.

If you prefer to pair your phone to your Samsung TV wirelessly, do the following:

1. Connect your TV and mobile to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. On your phone, launch Settings.
3. Tap Connected devices.
4. Select Samsung DeX.
5. Hit Start DeX.
6. Press Allow in the pop-up.
7. Choose your TV from the list.
8. Click on Start now.
9. On your TV, select Allow to proceed.
10. Back on your phone, scroll down through the Samsung DeX reminders.
11. Hit Start.

Your Samsung TV will then display the DeX interface, which looks a little like Windows. You can use your phone as a mouse to navigate, but for the best experience, it’s recommended to go with either a Bluetooth or USB keyboard and mouse. With your peripherals, you can proceed with using and installing apps as needed. To close DeX, click the Start menu in the bottom-left corner of your Samsung TV and select Exit DeX. You’ll automatically be taken to your TV home screen afterward.

Control the TV with gestures

Using the physical remote or your phone to control your smart TV is pretty much the standard. But Samsung TV came up with an unconventional way to navigate your TV, all without holding anything in your hands. It’s called Universal Gestures, and it has been a Galaxy Watch feature for a few years now. It was originally designed to control the smartwatch using just hand movements, but in early 2025, Samsung integrated the feature into its newest Samsung TV lineup, too.

Universal Gestures works on 2025 Samsung TVs and 2023 and 2024 U7000 TVs running a 2025 OS update. You can’t, however, use the gestures without a Galaxy Watch 4 or newer with at least Wear OS 5. With these devices ready, follow these steps to get started:

1. Install the latest SmartThings app on your phone and Galaxy Watch.
2. Log in to the same Samsung account on both devices.
3. Register your Samsung TV to SmartThings from your phone.
4. On your Galaxy Watch, launch SmartThings.
5. Tap on the TV listed under Favorite devices.
6. Scroll up twice.
7. When prompted, hit the check mark to pair your watch to the TV.
8. On the Bluetooth pairing request on your TV, click on the Pair button.

Afterward, make sure to leave your phone next to the TV and stand close enough as you’re controlling it. Then, you can proceed with using Universal Gestures. There are six gestures to remember. First is simply moving your wrist back and forth to move the cursor. Next, press your index finger and thumb together to select an item. Then, make a fist to go back or cancel an item. If you’re watching a show or movie, move your hand towards you to pause and then flick it outward to play. Finally, clench your fist two times to go to the home screen. To stop using Universal Gestures, just cover your watch screen.

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If you’re hosting a Super Bowl party, everything needs to be perfect in time for Sunday. You want to blow everyone’s socks off, but there’s more to it than just getting the best 4K TV that money can buy. Every part of your home entertainment setup is crucial for ensuring smooth on-screen motion, vivid colors, and crisp imagery. Here’s the rundown of what upgrades you should make before the big game: a 4K streaming device, a souped-up router, and a new HDMI cable.

That’s right, upgrading your HDMI cable is essential for having the best Super Bowl experience – especially if it’s been close to 10 years or more since the last time you bought one. The best HDMI cable you can buy right now is an HDMI 2.1 cable. The Ugreen HDMI 2.1 UHS cable is a perfect example of a modern cable that can handle 4K or 8K streaming at a super-high refresh rate. It’s the perfect upgrade to make sure your Super Bowl party goes exactly the way you’re envisioning it.

Why you probably need to upgrade your HDMI cable

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Not every HDMI cable is the same. Newer standards can handle higher-resolution content at higher refresh rates. This means a more detailed display and less smear or blur when things are moving on-screen. In fact, if you’re trying to stream 4K video with an outdated HDMI cable, you might notice occasional pixelation, audio cuts, or intermittent screen blackouts. This is because older HDMI cables simply don’t have enough bandwidth to handle all the data being transmitted when your device is trying to send 120 frames of 4K video to your TV every second.

The best HDMI cables you can currently find are the HDMI 2.1 standard, also known as Ultra High Speed HDMI cables. If you bought a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X video game console in the last few years, you probably already have an HDMI 2.1 cable that came with those devices. Otherwise, it’s worth upgrading ASAP.

Make sure your HDMI cable is plugged in properly

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It sounds silly, but it’s actually true that there’s a wrong way to plug in an HDMI cable. Your TV has multiple HDMI ports, and they have different capabilities. It’s important to know which HDMI port to use on your TV for what purpose to get the best results. If you already have a modern HDMI cable, but you’ve noticed that the picture on your display isn’t as good as it should be, this might be the problem. Just like HDMI cables, HDMI ports follow particular standards: Your TV might have an HDMI 2.1 port, an HDMI 2.0 port, etc.

However, the ports are not always clearly labeled. Each manufacturer has its own way of labeling ports and identifying each port’s capabilities. Luckily, there are a few telltale signs you can look for. If a port is labeled as eARC, 4K 60 Hz, or a higher resolution and/or refresh rate, then it is likely an HDMI 2.1 port that supports high-bandwidth data transfer. These are the ideal ports to plug your upgraded HDMI 2.1 cable into on game day.

Upgrade your HDMI cable for cheap

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The best part about all of this is that an HDMI cable is one of the cheapest upgrades you can make to your TV setup. An Ultra High Speed HDMI cable will set you back less than $20, despite being one of the most impactful purchases you can make in your TV setup. Consider this: your entertainment center is only as strong as its weakest link. Your 4K TV and 4K streaming device are simply not providing what you paid for if the HDMI cable is holding them back. The cost of the $10-20 upgrade is well worth the price.

Passions flare up when everyone is gathered around to watch the Super Bowl. Imagine the argument when a receiver fumbles the ball, but nobody can agree on who was at fault because the screen was blurry or blacked out. Make it the perfect day by bicker-proofing your party with an easy HDMI fix.

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As far as smart and connected devices go, smart plugs are relatively simple. At their most basic, you can turn them on or off remotely, usually from a mobile app, or schedule times for that to happen. The idea is to take any standard outlet, into which you’d plug lights, appliances, and other electronics, and make it just a little bit smarter. Depending on the brand and model of your smart plug, you may also open up access to virtual assistants like Alexa or Google Home Assistant. They’re also one of the cheapest ways to turn your house into a smart home without installing expensive tech.

We’d forgive you for thinking that because smart plugs are so simple, there aren’t many creative ways to use them, but that’s actually far from the truth. In my house, for example, I have Arcade1Up cabinets organized and connected to smart plugs. When I tell Alexa to “turn on the arcade,” she automatically turns on all the cabinets (including a “Mortal Kombat” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle” cabinet), along with RGB lighting I have set up in my play room. There are a few other cool ways to use smart plugs around your home, so let’s explore some of them.

Make it look like you’re home when you’re not

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Some older readers out there may remember those mechanical light timers that cycled lights on and off to make it look like someone was home and busy. Those still exist today, but a smart plug can do exactly that (provided it supports smart scheduling) while also offering a host of additional controls, options, and triggers. You could simply schedule a lamp by your front door to turn on at a certain time every evening, or you could sync it to local sunset and sunrise times.

Alternatively, you could create an automation that triggers when something else happens, like turning on the lights in your living room when your garage door opens. This would allow you to walk into a fully illuminated home rather than a dark, scary dungeon. Now, imagine it’s time for your vacation or you’re out doing some late-night shopping. The lights can cycle on or off to make it look like someone’s home, potentially warding off would-be intruders. Certain Kasa Smart Plugs even have a dedicated “Away Mode” that does precisely this — they turn on and off at random times.

Set curfews for your kids’ electronics

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Kids — gotta love ’em, right? As parents, it makes a lot of sense to set screen-time limits, adjust console and gameplay hours, and potentially lock down access to personal TVs, computers, and other devices. Sometimes, kids need to be focusing on homework and studies, while other times, they unfortunately meet with necessary consequences. Who knows — maybe you’re simply building healthy habits. Regardless of your reasoning, you can connect those devices to a smart plug so they turn off and stay off at certain times. Yes, you can do this remotely, as intended, or you could, say, set them to turn off at your kids’ bedtime every night.

The beauty of smart plug scheduling is that you can configure different interaction times based on the day, like having the plugs turn off earlier on weekdays than on the weekends. Some smart plugs do have a built-in on-off button, so you’ll probably still want to make sure the gadgets stay off and that your kids didn’t sneakily turn them back on. Still, smart plugs are a fantastic way to remind everyone it’s time for a break, especially when doing activities like gaming where it’s easy to lose track of time or play for a few hours too long.

Conserve more energy when devices aren’t charging

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Plenty of people leave their power adapters plugged into the wall even when their devices, like their phones, aren’t plugged in and charging. What you may not realize (or maybe you do) is that those USB chargers are still wasting energy, albeit in small amounts. That can add up over time for a single charger, and if you and your family have multiple adapters plugged in, well, energy usage from that alone could be enough to raise your power bills. Fortunately, you can use some smart plugs to turn off power and sever the use of electricity altogether once your devices are charged, or when there’s no load detected. Select TP-Link plugs, for example, have a “Charge Guard” mode that stops power output when the device is estimated to be charged.

Think broader, though. Instead of using the cut-off feature for smartphones and smaller devices, you could use it for appliances like your washer and dryer, TVs, and other gear that might be eating up a lot more energy in standby. Even if not automated, some smart plugs monitor electricity usage and send alerts when it changes, which could allow you to remotely power off the related plugs when they’ve finished their regularly programmed tasks, like when your dryer finishes a cycle.

Automate lights or other devices outside your home

The most obvious use for smart plugs is to place them inside your home to automate lamps, electronics, and other gear. But there are also smart plugs, even weather-proof options, that you can use outdoors and in your backyard — these represent just one of several outdoor smart devices you didn’t know you wanted until now. Sure, you might still be automating and scheduling lights in this case, but it’s still creative and different. No more going outside to plug in or unplug holiday lights during the cold months, for instance.

You can also automate decorative lighting, permanent outdoor lights that don’t have built-in smart functions, blow-up decorations like a mini dancing inflatable tube guy or, in my case, pool lights and a pool pump. There are so many ways to use smart plugs with outdoor electronics, just like inside, that these examples are barely scratching the surface.

Coordinate dinner time with meal-prepping solutions

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We’re all busy — it’s just the way of the world. Sometimes, you don’t have time to cook dinner when you get home, but you also don’t want to eat takeout or fast food. This can make a long night even longer, or turn a bad evening into a hangry one for the whole family. Instead, consider using a smart plug to turn on an appliance remotely, like a slow cooker or instant pot, to get your meal started before you even get home.

Now, the caveat here is that you still have to do some prep before you leave. Depending on the dish, though, it shouldn’t be too complicated. For example, try adding all of the ingredients to your slow cooker before you head out. If you’re making something like meat that needs to remain on the cold side, just add enough ice so that it will eventually melt and become part of the meal, like in a stew. This method won’t work for every type of dish, but when you really need it, it could save you a lot of time during those late-night arrivals.

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As we move into 2026, some clear trends will crystallise in the UK tech recruitment and talent market. The seeds of this were sown in 2025 – against a subdued economic backdrop and rising labour and other costs, businesses took a cautious approach to hiring – but there were demand hotspots for specialist tech skills and roles including AI, data, enterprise applications and cyber security.

Tech is fundamental to modern enterprise, which insulates it more than other sectors from economic highs and lows. Gartner predicts that global IT spend will increase by nearly 10% in 2026 – far exceeding GDP growth in most major economies. This increased spend will fuel aspects of tech hiring too.

Data is key to the AI ‘iceberg’

AI will be top of the agenda. However, the success of AI relies on a number of other contributing skills and specialisms, which will therefore be critical. A useful analogy here is an iceberg. AI is the visible tip – but there is essential work going on below the waterline.

Most crucial of all is data. It used to be said that we are all technology companies, but it’s truer to say that we are all data companies now. You can’t make AI work without good data – the focus has to be on how businesses acquire, organise, structure and secure data so that AI can turn it into meaningful insights. For that reason, we expect to see strong and growing demand for data roles (architects, engineers, scientists) as well as related areas including cyber security (data security being critical) and platform engineering.

Meanwhile, the market for generalist tech skills and roles will most likely remain at flat or see very modest growth, similar to 2025. The traditional staples of the IT workforce – testers, Java developers, routine coders – essentially perform repeatable tasks that are increasingly being outsourced or offshored, or indeed replaced by AI itself (checked and supervised by members of the human team).

However, on the positive side, there are some encouraging signs from the US, where there has been a pick-up in tech hiring volumes in the second half of 2025. With the UK and other economies generally following the US trend on around a six-month time lag, this could bode well for the market in 2026.

Against all of this, there remain some significant unknowns. There will come a tipping point around AI, a pivotal moment when, in one or more sectors, an organisation makes a significant breakthrough that enables them to truly supercharge their business. This will spark a domino effect among competitors scrambling to keep up, galvanising the tech recruitment market across the piece – somewhat akin to the e-commerce boom of the 1990s and 2000s, perhaps.

When this will happen is impossible to know – it could be during 2026, or it could be later. But at some stage, the market will shift and shift quickly.

Upskilling and reskilling

A key part of an organisation’s AI journey is having the talent needed both to develop/deploy it and to actually use it effectively. The fundamental realisation here is that AI is not a whole skillset in itself – rather, it is an add-on to other existing skills, such as engineering, data, cloud, and so on.

Therefore, it isn’t a question of mass-recruitment of “AI professionals” – who largely don’t exist anyway – but rather a case of upskilling and reskilling all the good talent you already have. This can be done through encouraging staff to safely test and experiment themselves, making formal and informal AI-related training and learning resources available, and knowledge augmentation and skills transfer from contractors who come into the business.

This should be a case of pushing at an open door, with tech staff highly motivated to upskill themselves given AI’s key importance. I expect that many hiring processes will include testing for AI proficiency and certifications in the coming years.

However, this is an area where Harvey Nash research shows businesses need to do more. AI is the biggest area of skills shortage, but over half of respondents of our 2025 leadership report admitted they have no or only limited AI upskilling programmes in place.

Talent-sourcing models

With such rapid shifts in the tech industry, companies’ talent and resourcing models are changing too. Traditional permanent and contractor hiring of technology talent is still the backbone, but more strategic and flexible solutions are also coming into play – recruiting firms must rise to this challenge. Instead of reactive hiring programmes, there is significant growth in “statement of work” agreements where recruiting firms take a real stake in processes, and “hire-train-deploy” programmes that deliver workplace-ready talent.

Organisations’ tech skill needs are evolving faster than we have ever seen before – the speed of change is only going to increase. The challenge for businesses is how they keep pace and ensure they have the right skills in the right place at the right time. It’s going to be another fast-moving and exciting year.

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