Articles by Alex Blake, Freelance Contributor

Alex Blake has been fooling around with computers since the early 1990s, and since that time he's learned a thing or two about tech. No more than two things, though. That's all his brain can hold. As well as TechRadar, Alex writes for iMore, Digital Trends and Creative Bloq, among others. He was previously commissioning editor at MacFormat magazine. That means he mostly covers the world of Apple and its latest products, but also Windows, computer peripherals, mobile apps, and much more beyond. When not writing, you can find him hiking the English countryside and gaming on his PC.

Articles by: Alex Blake

I don’t want any new features in watchOS 27 – I just want better battery life

By Alex Blake published 17 February 26

Apple should forget about adding new features to watchOS 27 and just focus on improving the Apple Watch’s battery life.

Don't buy an iPad Air right now – Apple’s rumored budget MacBook could be a better buy, here's why

By Alex Blake published 17 February 26

Apple is rumored to be launching a budget MacBook next month, and it could be a good iPad alternative.

Downloading a software update in the System Settings app in macOS Tahoe 26.

MacBook battery draining too fast? macOS 26 has a new feature that’ll help it last longer than ever

By Alex Blake published 17 February 26

The macOS 26.4 beta lets you set a charge limit to prevent your laptop battery from overcharging.

iOS 26 features shown on two iPhone 16 Pro models.

Still struggling with iOS 26 battery life? iOS 27 could fix it soon – but here are 7 ways to boost it now

By Alex Blake published 16 February 26

iOS 27 will bring battery life improvements, according to a new report. But while you wait, here are 7 tips to try on iOS 26.

Ultrahuman is about to launch a Ring Pro wearable, according to a new leak from the FCC — and it could be an Oura-beater

By Alex Blake published 16 February 26

Ultrahuman is set for a dramatic return with its Ring Pro wearable — months after its devices were banned from the US.

7 hidden WhatsApp settings you never knew existed – and why you need to use them

By Alex Blake published 13 February 26

You can power up WhatsApp by adjusting a few hidden settings – here are 7 of the best changes to make.

Your Amazon Fire TV Stick just got a great free gaming upgrade thanks to Nvidia – here's which models are getting it

By Alex Blake published 13 February 26

Nvidia GeForce Now has come to Amazon Fire TV Sticks, following its arrival on Linux.

Move over, Apple and Samsung – this Huawei smartwatch has a world-first diabetes feature, but there’s a catch

By Alex Blake published 13 February 26

The Huawei Watch GT 6 Pro smartwatch can now measure your blood sugar levels in a non-invasive way thanks to a new update.

Two iPhones showing a Transfer to Android feature and a dialog to update to iOS 26.3.

Tired of Liquid Glass and Siri delays? iOS 26.3 now lets you switch to Android in just four taps

By Alex Blake published 12 February 26

Apple’s iOS 26.3 update makes it easier to switch to Android in just a few taps.

Fitbit’s Gemini-powered AI health coach is rolling out to iOS users – here’s how to get it

By Alex Blake published 11 February 26

Fitbit has expanded its Google Gemini-powered AI health coach to iOS users.

An example of ads running in ChatGPT on a phone.

‘ChatGPT is done’: OpenAI is rolling out ads to free and paying users, and not everyone is happy

By Alex Blake published 11 February 26

ChatGPT’s Free and Go tiers are getting ads, prompting a backlash from some unhappy users.

An iPhone and Apple Watch 8 with Fitness Plus on both displays

Is Apple Fitness+ running out of gas? Fresh rumors suggest it’s ‘under review’ – and could be folded into the Health app

By Alex Blake published 9 February 26

Apple Fitness+ could merge with the Health app and an AI-powered wellbeing coach, a new report claims.

Is Starlink really making a phone? Elon Musk says no, but hints at a ‘different device’ with AI powers

By Alex Blake published 6 February 26

Elon Musk says SpaceX is not building a phone, but says a 'different device' could still be in the pipeline.

An iPhone showing a screen to enable Lockdown Mode.

FBI foiled by the iPhone’s Lockdown Mode during raid on reporter’s home – here’s how it works

By Alex Blake published 5 February 26

The FBI was unable to access a reporter’s iPhone after it was protected with Apple’s Lockdown Mode.

AI controls in the Mozilla Firefox web browser.

‘Someone is actually reading the room’: Firefox just got an AI kill switch, and I hope other developers will follow its lead

By Alex Blake published 5 February 26

Firefox is adding an AI kill switch that lets users disable the AI features in its web browser.

Man holding a mobile phone with warning notification and spam message icon

A new Apple Pay scam is hitting millions – here's how to spot fake 'unusual activity' messages before it's too late

By Alex Blake published 4 February 26

An Apple Pay scam uses urgency to panic Apple users into handing over their accounts.

The Fantastical calendar app running on two iPhones.

Is your calendar a mess? This app solved my schedule woes on all my devices

By Alex Blake published 3 February 26

Fantastical is a cross-platform calendar app that’s stuffed with features. Here’s why I love it.

Amazfit smartwatches just got two new features that make them even better value

By Alex Blake published 2 February 26

Amazfit smartwatches now work with the Runna app and have a fresh interface design.

The Apple Maps app demonstrated at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2025.

iPhone users are getting a new feature to protect their privacy in iOS 26.3 – here’s how it works

By Alex Blake published 2 February 26

The iOS 26.3 update includes a new Limit Precise Location feature designed to protect your privacy.

This simple setting changed how I used Google Maps forever – and it could bring big benefits to you too

By Alex Blake published 1 February 26

The map details feature in Google Maps has improved my travel for good. Here’s how to use it.

‘Time to cancel’: OpenAI sparks fresh fury by retiring GPT-4o model again as it claims ‘we didn’t make this decision lightly’

By Alex Blake published 30 January 26

OpenAI is retiring GPT-4o again after reinstating it just months ago, and some users aren’t happy.

Garmin Connect is breaking smartwatches for iPhone users, but these fixes have worked for some

By Alex Blake published 29 January 26

A Garmin Connect update has caused some wearables to disconnect from iOS devices, but there might be a fix.

Sam Altman next to an image of someone using ChatGPT on a phone.

Sam Altman admits OpenAI ‘screwed up’ the writing quality on ChatGPT 5.2 – and promises future versions won’t ‘neglect’ it

By Alex Blake published 28 January 26

ChatGPT 5.2’s writing ability was ‘screwed up,’ Sam Altman said at a recent town hall meeting – but improvements are on the way.

This simple Apple Maps setting solved a key problem for me — I can’t believe no one’s talking about it

By Alex Blake published 27 January 26

Apple Maps can automatically locate your parked car, even if you don’t remember where you left it.

Don’t wait for the rumored OLED MacBook Pro – here are 3 reasons why the M5 MacBook Pro could be a wiser upgrade

By Alex Blake published 26 January 26

Apple’s M6 MacBook Pro could be a risky, expensive option. Opting for the M5 model might be a safer bet.

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