Alan Martin
Freelance contributor Alan has been writing about tech for over a decade, covering phones, drones and everything in between. Previously Deputy Editor of tech site Alphr, his words are found all over the web and in the occasional magazine too. He often writes for T3 and Tom's Guide. When not weighing up the pros and cons of the latest smartwatch, you'll probably find him tackling his ever-growing games backlog. Or, more likely, playing Spelunky for the millionth time.
Latest articles by Alan Martin
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How to make an iPhone's battery last longer – 12 tips to extend a charge, plus the one setting to always have turned on
As your iPhone gets older, its battery will gradually decline. Here’s how to get the most battery life out of it to spare your charger anxiety
By Alan Martin • Published
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Amazon Prime's new 'Dialogue Boost' will make watching movies a million times better – here's how to turn it on
Amazon’s Dialogue Boost amplifies speech in select movies and shows, without making everything else louder.
By Alan Martin • Published
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These simple setting changes will make your iPhone's speaker louder – the ideal tweak for listening to music outdoors
If your Bluetooth speaker is out of battery, here are some tips for boosting the volume of your iPhone’s built-in sound
By Alan Martin • Published
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10 hidden iPhone tricks you probably don't know about – all designed to put more power in your pocket
Your iPhone can do a lot more than you think. Here are 10 skills you may not be aware of
By Alan Martin • Published
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Apple's new 'Voice Isolation' will make your call quality on an iPhone a million times better – here's how to turn it on
Voice Isolation minimizes background noise to make call quality sound better than ever on iPhone. Here’s how to enable it.
By Alan Martin • Published
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Are wireless chargers any good? Convenience alone isn't enough to convince our tech expert
If you’re prepared to sacrifice speed and efficiency for convenience, then you may decide wireless chargers are worth the price
By Alan Martin • Published
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Is the Apple Pencil worth it? Our tech expert casts his verdict on Apple's $130 stylus for every kind of iPad owner
While the Apple Pencil won’t be an essential purchase for most iPad owners, it remains a brilliant accessory and has proved immensely useful for me
By Alan Martin • Published
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Can I use a soundbar as a central speaker? Yes but you shouldn’t, says our expert – here's why
While you technically can use some soundbars as a central speaker in a surround sound system, you really shouldn’t
By Alan Martin • Published
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10 genius uses for NFC tags – the Amazon buy that costs less than $10 and will make your smart home so much smarter
Make your smart home even smarter with these clever uses for NFC stickers
By Alan Martin • Published
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'Avoid the "soap opera" effect' – 4 tweaks you should make to your TV settings to improve your watching experience
You may want to get stuck into your shows immediately, but take a moment to calibrate your new TV for optimal performance
By Alan Martin • Published
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5 incredible things TVs can do in 2023 that will probably convince you it's time for an upgrade
In 2023, smart TVs can do some amazing things. Here’s what you can expect if you’re due an upgrade
By Alan Martin • Published
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4 alternatives to AirTags with cool features that might tempt you away from Apple
Find your property without an iPhone with these AirTag alternatives
By Alan Martin • Published
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5 genius things robot vacuums can do in 2023 that'll convince you to save time and go smart
The robot vacuum has come a long way since clunky early models. Here are five things they can do in 2023.
By Alan Martin • Published
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Why I ditched my smart TV's standard operating system and started using Apple TV 4K instead
Your smart TV already has streaming apps built in, so why spend over $100 on Apple TV 4K? It's a worthwhile luxury, argues Alan Martin
By Alan Martin • Published
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Can you use an Amazon Echo as a speaker for your TV? Yes, and it might just boost your sound quality
Your Amazon Echo speaker can offer a big improvement on your TV’s built-in sound. Here’s how to set it up
By Alan Martin • Published
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How do I set up a smart home? These are the 10 steps to take to automate your house from top to bottom
Starting small, we show you the ten steps to make your house a smart home.
By Alan Martin • Published
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Should I get a smart lock? 3 reasons you should, and 4 reasons why our tech expert has never been tempted
Smart locks can ensure you’re never locked out again, but should you stick with conventional keys?
By Alan Martin • Published
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Samsung vs LG TV: which TV brand is the best in 2023?
Both Samsung and LG make excellent TVs across the full spectrum of price ranges, but key differences should help you decide where to spend your money.
By Alan Martin • Last updated
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Samsung vs Sony TV: two of the biggest brands on the market, but which is right for you?
Choosing between Samsung and Sony TVs? Both are top-notch, but which is best for you? Let's weigh the options and find out.
By Alan Martin • Last updated
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What is Alexa Together? We review the feature families can use to share care for older and vulnerable people
Alexa Together is Amazon’s way of keeping tabs on vulnerable friends or family with its virtual assistant. Here’s what you need to know
By Alan Martin • Published
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Should I upgrade to an Alexa Voice Remote Pro? Here's exactly what extra features $35 buys you
The Alexa Voice Remote Pro is well worth it for TV addicts who constantly find themselves misplacing the clicker
By Alan Martin • Published
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Do the Dyson Zone 'air-purifying' headphones have anything going for them?
Pricey, chunky and with a comic book supervillain vibe, the Dyson Zone headphones look like a tough sell
By Alan Martin • Published
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Is an OLED TV worth it? I bought one, and I have some thoughts...
Cinephiles around the world believe OLED TVs to be the gold standard of home theater setups, but OLED panels aren’t ideal for everyone.
By Alan Martin • Last updated
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Monitor or TV? Our expert explains which is your best buy when it comes to gaming
With the technical lines between monitors and TVs blurring, which should you pick if you want the best gaming experience?
By Alan Martin • Last updated