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The Really Useful Podcast

The Really Useful Podcast

Hosted by Christian Cawley

Episodes

212

Latest episode

Feb 2024

Language

EN

About the show

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? We're here to help you out! Our team of inspirational technology writers are ready with words of encouragement to help you through any problem you're facing with your PC, social media account, home theater, whatever! Want to get to grips with your tech? Hit play!

Listen to episodes

60 recent
February 15, 2024Episode 632 min

Nintendo Switch 2 2024 Release Rumours and Modern Handheld Gaming

In this week's show, we look at how Nintendo gave the handheld gaming market a shot in the arm, and where it might go next...This week, we will discuss the following:Nintendo Switch 2 Rumours DownplayedWorldwide Game Console Comparison 2023@CentroLeak on TwitterIs Microsoft Preparing a Handheld Xbox?Christian Cawley and Gavin Phillips host this podcast. You can contact them on Twitter: @thegadgetmonkey and @gavinspavin, with your suggestions for future topics. Oh, and don't forget to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!You can subscribe to the Really Useful Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music and Audible, Player FM, or copy the RSS feed into your podcast player.Image credit: Fairuz Rizky Prinanda/Shutterstock

February 8, 2024Episode 531 min

What Are Smishing, Phishing, and Vishing?

One of the main purposes of this podcast is to help you get to grips with the risks scammers pose. As such, this week's show sheds light on phishing and its variant scams: smishing, vishing, and quishing. What are they, and how can you spot these scams?Before we get to that, we've got the following tech news that matters:Elon Musk says Neuralink implanted wireless brain chip (BBC)TikTok pulls Taylor Swift and The Weeknd's music (BBC)Spotify's content filter fails to block explicit lyrics in dozens of hits (BBC)We bring you these tips and tricks:Smishing, Phishing, and Vishing: What's the Difference?How to Uninstall Unwanted Apps on AndroidThe show closes with the following recommendations:ASUS ROG Asoth White Gaming KeyboardSamsung Galaxy Z Fold 4Christian Cawley and Gavin Phillips host this podcast. You can contact them on Twitter: @thegadgetmonkey and @gavinspavin, with your suggestions for future topics. Oh, and don't forget to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!You can subscribe to the Really Useful Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music and Audible, Player FM, or copy the RSS feed into your podcast player.Image credit: Linaimages/Shutterstock

February 1, 2024Episode 429 min

Water-Resistant and Rugged Phones Explained (PLUS: Pokémon vs. Palworld)

No so long ago, phones would be dead as soon as they were dropped, or got a bit wet in the shower. These days, they can withstand high impacts and remain undamaged underwater for hours. This week, we look at water-resistant and rugged phones, exploring what was behind this design change and which highlighting which phones are particularly hardy.As ever, we kick-off with the tech news that matters:Pokémon Company Investigates PalworldWhat Is Palworld?Netflix Enjoys 13.1m New Subscriptions What Is the Best Streaming Service for 2024?These waterproofing and ruggedisation explainers will come in useful:What Do Waterproof and Water-Resistant Mean?What MIL-STD-810G Is and Why It Doesn’t Mean What You Think3 Important Features That Make a Smartphone Rugged and DurableDoogee S95 Pro Modular Rugged PhoneBlackview BL8800 Pro Review: Thermal Imaging and Great Battery, but Not Much ElseThe show closes with the following recommendations:Witch Rise (Nintendo Switch)Palworld (PC/Steam)Christian Cawley and Gavin Phillips host this podcast. You can contact them on Twitter: @thegadgetmonkey and @gavinspavin, with your suggestions for future topics. Oh, and don't forget to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!You can subscribe to the Really Useful Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music and Audible, Player FM, or copy the RSS feed into your podcast player.Image credit: iliasphotography/Shutterstock

January 25, 2024Episode 333 min

Are AAA Game Publishers Just Getting Too Big?

This week's show is a discussion around the recent comments from Ubisoft executive Philippe Tremblay concerning the future of game subscriptions.Our conversation covers:@WeirdBongs' take on game ownership vs purchaseThe "process" behind unlinking Epic Games from Rockstar GamesSmall Kingdoms on SteamWe finish this week's show with these recommendations:Dave the Diver (Steam | Switch)LEGO Insiders (previous LEGO VIP)Christian Cawley hosts this week's podcast, and is joined by Ben Stegner. You can contact them on Twitter: @thegadgetmonkey and @stegnersaurus, with your suggestions for future topics.You can subscribe to the Really Useful Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music and Audible, Player FM, or copy the RSS feed into your podcast player.Image credit: Sergei Elagin/Shutterstock

January 18, 2024Episode 233 min

Which Is the Best Video Streaming Service for 2024?

This week we discuss the news that Amazon Prime Video is adding adverts and a new ad-free tier.We then spin this off into a discussion about which is the best video streaming service in 2024.Netflix vs. Hulu vs. Amazon PrimeNetflix vs. Apple TVFool Me OnceWelcome to WrexhamDisney+ vs. NetflixFinally, a recommendation!Xbox 360 titles on Xbox Cloud GamingChristian Cawley and Gavin Phillips host this podcast. You can contact them on Twitter: @thegadgetmonkey and @gavinspavin, with your suggestions for future topics. Oh, and don't forget to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!You can subscribe to the Really Useful Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music and Audible, Player FM, or copy the RSS feed into your podcast player.Image: Ralf Liebhold/Shutterstock

January 11, 2024Episode 134 min

Our Ultimate Collection of PC Hardware Maintenance Tips!

This week, we've got the following tech news that matters:Wi-Fi 7 Officially LaunchesTesla Recalls 1.6 million Cars in China (BBC)Microsoft Launches an AI Key on Windows Keyboards (BBC)Google Chrome Phases Out Third-Party CookiesThis week, we bring you these PC maintenance tips and explainers:How to Check CPU TemperatureSigns Your Motherboard Is DeadCommon GPU Problems and How to Fix ThemHow to Fix RAM Not Detected ErrorsWarning Signs Your SSD Is About to FailThe show closes with the following recommendations:The Retro Hour BookGamesir G8 GallileoChristian Cawley and Gavin Phillips host this podcast. You can contact them on Twitter: @thegadgetmonkey and @gavinspavin, with your suggestions for future topics. Oh, and don't forget to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!You can subscribe to the Really Useful Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music and Audible, Player FM, or copy the RSS feed into your podcast player.Christian Cawley and Gavin Phillips host this podcast. You can contact them on Twitter: @thegadgetmonkey and @gavinspavin, with your suggestions for future topics. Oh, and don't forget to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!Image: Roman Samborskyi/Shutterstock

January 4, 2024Episode 2628 min

What You Shouldn't Share Online, Android Wi-Fi Tips, and Twitter Authentication Explained

This week, we bring you these tips and explainers:View Passwords for Saved Networks on AndroidHow to Get Verified on TwitterInformation You Should Never Post OnlineWe also have a couple of behind-the-scenes chats around these topics:How to Install Microsoft OneDrive on UbuntuWhat Is Video Game Preservation?Christian Cawley hosts this week's podcast, and is joined by Ben Stegner. You can contact them on Twitter: @thegadgetmonkey and @stegnersaurus, with your suggestions for future topics.You can subscribe to the Really Useful Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music and Audible, Player FM, or copy the RSS feed into your podcast player.Image credit: Shutterstock

December 21, 2023Episode 2555 min

Prepare for Your Post-Christmas Detox With These Apps

Our final Christmas-themed podcast for 2023 looks at the impact of eating too much, sitting around a lot, and what apps and websites you can use to combat the post-Yuletide bulge. Worried you'll pick up a spare tire? Concerned about feeling too lethargic to enjoy the holiday?This podcast is for you.ShownotesThis week, we bring you the following year-end detox and workout apps referring to these links:Top Christmas Workouts to TryThe Best Ways to Detox This Holiday SeasonHow to Avoid Weight Gain Over the Christmas HoildaysThe show closes with the following recommendations:The Ringway The 8-Bit GuyWe'll be back for a new show in 2024. Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.Christian Cawley and Gavin Phillips host this podcast. You can contact them on Twitter: @thegadgetmonkey and @gavinspavin, with your suggestions for future topics. Oh, and don't forget to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!You can subscribe to the Really Useful Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music and Audible, Player FM, or copy the RSS feed into your podcast player.(Image: Shutterstock)

December 14, 2023Episode 2430 min

Use Apps and Websites to Save Money on Unique Gifts This Christmas

In our second seasonal podcast for 2023, we look at the ways you can save money on unique Christmas gifts bought online. We also tell you where to find gifts for electronic tinkerers and makers.This week, we bring you the following seasonal tips:Ways to Save Money Christmas Shopping OnlineChristmas Gift Ideas for Makers and Electronic TinkerersPerfect Gift Cards for ChristmasWebsites Selling Unique Christmas GiftsYou can subscribe to the Really Useful Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music and Audible, Player FM, or copy the RSS feed into your podcast player.Christian Cawley and Gavin Phillips host this podcast. You can contact them on Twitter: @thegadgetmonkey and @gavinspavin, with your suggestions for future topics. Oh, and don't forget to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!(Image: Shutterstock)

December 7, 2023Episode 2326 min

How to Use Tech to Create the Ultimate Christmas Atmosphere

This week, we bring you the following seasonal tips:Ways to Make Your Own Christmas Lights3D Printing Christmas Ideas for ChristmasCreate a Holiday Spotify PlaylistMicrosoft Christmas SweaterAtari Club attireTop Sites to Listen to Christmas Music OnlineChristmas Carols and Karaoke SitesChristian Cawley and Gavin Phillips host this podcast. You can contact them on Twitter: @thegadgetmonkey and @gavinspavin, with your suggestions for future topics. Oh, and don't forget to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!You can subscribe to the Really Useful Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music and Audible, Player FM, or copy the RSS feed into your podcast player.(Image: Shutterstock)

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