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

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.

6 Comments

‘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.

5 Comments

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.

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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.

A phone on a pink background showing the ChatGPT app next to a photo of Scarlett Johansson

‘It’s theft – plain and simple’: hundreds of artists including Scarlett Johansson have snapped and made an anti-AI campaign that says ‘a better way exists’

By Alex Blake Published 24 January 26

Hundreds of artists have signed a petition calling on AI firms to properly compensate creators for their work.

A person using ChatGPT with Siri on an Apple iPhone.

I’ve been an Apple user for 15 years – here’s why I’m actually excited about the Siri chatbot U-turn

By Alex Blake Published 22 January 26

Apple is apparently working on a Siri chatbot powered by AI, and I can’t wait to see it in action.

The Vigx π6 exoskeleton against a blue background.

This lightweight exoskeleton lets you unleash your inner Tony Stark thanks to AI

By Alex Blake Published 21 January 26

The Vigx π6 is an AI-powered exoskeleton that can analyze the world around you.

Casio G-Shock leak hints at stealthy, metal Garmin rival that fans have been begging for since 1983

By Alex Blake Published 21 January 26

A leak suggests Casio could soon launch a new G-Shock GM-H5600 smartwatch. with a metal design and an optical heart rate meter.

Logos for the App Store and Google Play Store side-by-side

Welcome to the ‘AI slop’ security crisis – these 198 iOS apps were found leaking private chats and user locations

By Alex Blake Published 20 January 26

Apps with over 20 million users have exposed 380 million private chat messages into the wild, research shows.

An Apple Watch Series 7 showing a fall detection alert.

The next Apple Watch ban? New lawsuit targets the ‘fall detection’ tech in your favorite smartwatches

By Alex Blake Published 19 January 26

Some of the best smartwatches could be banned from import over a fall detection patent dispute.

A man walking down the street wearing headphones with waves coming from them

Your headphones may be tracking you – how a Google Fast Pair exploit lets hackers spy in seconds

By Alex Blake Published 16 January 26

Researchers have discovered that hackers can access millions of speakers and headphones in just a few seconds.

Big OpenAI leak claims the ChatGPT maker is developing an earbud-style wearable with a surprising twist

By Alex Blake Published 15 January 26

OpenAI’s next wearable looks like Apple’s AirPods and will give you constant access to ChatGPT.

A hand on a purple and pink background holding an iPhone showing the Notes app

Apple Notes could become my go-to life organizer with this big iOS 26.4 upgrade

By Alex Blake Published 15 January 26

A report claims that Apple Notes will get a Google Gemini-powered upgrade in iOS 26.4

A person using a Mac with Final Cut Pro.

These 6 Apple apps just got hit by a subscription bombshell – but users say there’s an even bigger crime

By Alex Blake Published 14 January 26

Apple’s Creator Studio subscription locks features behind a paywall and comes with some unpopular new icons.

Anker’s apocalypse-ready home battery system lands to take on Tesla – and it can help you survive for 15 days off-grid

By Alex Blake Published 13 January 26

Anker’s Solix E10 is a modular battery system that can power up your home whatever the weather.

US Senators call on Apple and Google to ban X and Grok from app stores amid image-generation controversy

By Alex Blake Published 13 January 26

US Senators have told Apple and Google to take action over Grok creating explicit images of women and children.

‘There’s one more thing’: All the best secret reveals from Apple’s past events

By Alex Blake Published 11 January 26

Apple’s “one more thing” phrase means a secret product is coming. Here are the best examples.

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