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Freeview rival is back and it offers a new way to watch TV for free

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Freeview remains one of the most popular ways to watch TV in the UK, but that might not be the case in the future. Freely, which is actually owned by the same team behind Freeview, is growing in popularity, and it’s not hard to see why. This TV platform lets homes watch live and on-demand content via a broadband connection, which means there’s no need for an aerial or fussy installation. When it launched back in 2024, it was only available to those buying a brand new TV with the Freely app installed.

However, that recently changed, with homes now able to add this prm to any screen via a device called the Pleio puck. This mini set-top box plugs into any telly homes already own and adds instantly adds Freely.

Along with over 50 free channels to watch, Pleio comes with other bonus features as well, including 250 console-quality games, a free gaming controller and access to other streaming apps via the Google Play Store.

There’s clearly a lot to like about the Pleio puck, but it has had some issues. It went on sale via Amazon last year and quickly sold out. Since then, it has appeared and then disappeared again due to “supply chain issues”.

Now it appears to be back for good on Amazon, with shoppers able to grab one for £99.

That price even includes 12 months of free access to those online games (£9.99 per month once the deal ends). We’ll keep an eye on stock levels, but at the time of writing, it can be purchased.

It only launched in 2024 but Freely is forecast to become the UK’s largest TV device platform by 2030.

For those not already aware, Freely now comes built into swathes of new TVs from manufacturers such as Toshiba, Hisense and Panasonic. It’s also available via devices such as the Pleio puck.

Instead of beaming content to screens using an aerial, everything arrives via a broadband connection instead. This makes it much easier to DIY install and offers features such as pausing live TV and travelling back in time using the backwards TV guide.

Freely also offers recommendations for things to watch, plus it promises regular over-the-air updates and new features – all content is also totally free to watch.

It’s worth noting that Sky also now offers its Glass TV and Stream box which both use broadband to beam shows, movies and sports to the screen. Although there is a monthly fee to pay, Sky’s products do also offer access to more premium content including the latest films and Premier League football.



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I tested the new Logitech mouse that folds like a flip phone

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If you ever looked down at your computer mouse and thought, “I wish that folded in half”, then you’re in luck.

Tech accessory firm Logitech has announced the Mobi Fold, a uniquely folding mouse designed for ultimate portability and to fit more easily into pockets and bags. It might remind you of your old Motorola Razr when you snap it shut for the first time.

I tested the new manoeuvrable mouse before its launch to see if it’s one I’ll want to slip into my jeans the next time I hit the road. After a week of solid use, I believe that’s where the Mobi Fold’s strengths lie – in being an easy-to-pack travel companion to whip out on the train or at your next meeting rather than using the cramped trackpad on your laptop or lugging around a bulkier mouse.

I particularly love the quiet clicks of the buttons. Logitech has wisely sought to rid the world of the traditional loud mouse click, making it less embarrassing to tap away on a quiet train carriage at 7am.

Available in graphite, lilac or off white (I tested the latter), the Mobi Fold is diddy but stuffed with thoughtful touches, not least its use of a fully user-replaceable rechargeable battery. You recharge the mouse via USB-C, but if you keep the Mobi Fold for years and find the longevity lacking, you’ll be able to buy a new cell and keep clicking for years more.

At launch, Logitech says the battery will last a month on a charge, with a one-minute charge impressively promising 22 hours of use – great if you’re pressed for time.

There are left and right buttons as expected, and the symmetrical design means this can be used by left or right-handers easily. The middle strip is touch sensitive for scrolling, and has two buttons that default to forward and back in a browser, though you can use Logitech’s free Logi Options Plus software for Mac or PC to customise them if you prefer.

The Mobi Fold can be paired to up to three devices at once and can switch between Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, Android, iPadOS, and Linux. It feels nice in the hand with its soft touch finish, while folding it closed powers it off as there’s no power button.

If you want a simple, no-nonsense mouse that will disappear in a pocket and has the potential to last for years, the Mobi Fold could be the gadget for you. At £69.99 it isn’t the cheapest, but it is cleverly made and could last years.

But for home workers sitting at the same desk every day, I recommend something with better ergonomics, such as the admittedly pricier Logitech MX Master 4 (£119.99) that I use every day. The Mobi Fold’s design is ingenious, but it gets uncomfortable to use after a whole day at a desk. Its thin sides ensure it slips easily into my jacket, but they make it trickier to guide the device itself around a mousepad.

Microsoft’s Arc Mouse is another ergonomic option, usually £99.99 it’s currently on sale for £59.99 it’s ultraslim, lightweight, and snaps flat. The Mobi Fold is on sale from today for £69.99. You can buy it on Amazon.



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Everyone using Chrome must restart their web browser immediately

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An urgent security alert has been issued for all Google Chrome users. If this web browsing software is installed on your computer, then you might want to head to your settings, check for any updates and give things a quick reboot. That’s because Google has released a vital patch that fixes a total of 74 security vulnerabilities in Chrome. If that wasn’t worrying enough, among them is a particularly serious flaw, identified as CVE-2026-11645, which has been classified as a zero-day vulnerability.

For those not in the know, a zero-day issue is especially dangerous because it is already known to attackers and is actively being exploited.

Google confirmed the threat, stating that it is aware of active exploitation of CVE-2026-11645. The company has not yet disclosed further details about the vulnerability or how many people may have been impacted, explaining that this information will remain restricted until most users have updated their browsers.

To see if your PC is up to date and fully protected, simply head to the menu bar and tap “About Chrome”. This page will display your current version and automatically check for updates. If Chrome prompts you to relaunch the browser, an update is waiting to be installed.

“The Stable channel has been updated to 149.0.7827.102/.103 for Windows and Mac and 149.0.7827.102 for Linux, which will roll out over the coming days/weeks,” Google explained.

Installing the latest version will help protect your device and personal data from this newly discovered security threat.



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iPhone and Android users urged to make simple check as worrying risk confirmed

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With official charging plugs from the likes of Apple starting at £20, it’s no surprise that consumers start shopping around for a cheaper way to recharge batteries. Unofficial plugs can be grabbed for under £8 on online marketplaces such as Amazon – that’s well under half the price of heading into an Apple or Samsung store. Although that low cost is clearly tempting, buying cheap plugs comes with a worrying new warning.

Consumer group Which? says people are putting themselves at risk by not sticking to premium accessories made by trusted manufacturers. To highlight the dangers, Which? said it purchased a number of chargers from places such as Amazon (including Amazon Haul), AliExpress, B&Q Marketplace, Debenhams Marketplace and eBay.

The team says they were shocked to discover nine of the battery boosters were so badly manufactured that anyone using them was at risk of receiving an electric shock. Eight of the chargers also posed fire and explosion risks.

In another worrying development, Which? bought an ‘Apple’ USB-C 35W Power Adaptor charger for £11.99. The consumer group said the box was marked with the famous Apple logo, but testing revealed that it was a cheap and dangerous fake.

Other concerns include chargers that lacked the required safety markings for use in the UK, as well as others whose electrical circuitry was too close together. This could lead to fires and even an explosion.

Phone chargers are the latest in a long line of dangerous products from online stores that Which? has exposed. The consumer champion first informed online marketplaces that they were selling dangerous chargers in 2019. Now Which? is campaigning, alongside a coalition of safety groups and responsible UK businesses, for tough new laws to make online marketplaces responsible for ensuring the safety of products that they list on their sites.

“Badly designed electricals like these can have life-altering – even fatal – consequences. Online marketplaces have known about the danger of knock off chargers for the better part of a decade, but consumers continue to be placed at risk,” Sue Davies, Which? Head of Consumer Protection Policy, said.

“The government must urgently use the new powers it has under the Product Regulation and Metrology Act to update product safety legislation and impose a clear legal duty on online marketplaces for ensuring the safety of products sold through their third-party sellers, with tough enforcement for those that fall short.

“By making online marketplaces legally responsible for unsafe products, the government can set a world-leading standard for product safety in the digital age.”

In response to the claims, an Amazon spokesperson said: “Customer safety is a top priority at Amazon and we have partnered with Electrical Safety First to provide customers with easy-to-understand expert tips on charging devices safely.

“We require all products offered in our store to comply with applicable laws, regulations, Amazon policies, and we monitor for product safety concerns. We’ve removed the highlighted items. We proactively monitor our store for safety alerts and product recalls and remove relevant products and email customers who purchased them. If we discover a product was undetected by our automated checks, we address the issue immediately and refine our controls. If customers have concerns about an item they’ve purchased, we encourage them to contact our Customer Service directly so we can investigate and help resolve their issue.

And a B&Q spokesperson added: “We take the safety of products sold by sellers at B&Q Marketplace very seriously and proactively check to ensure no products subject to an OPSS recall are offered for sale.”

For now, the advice seems clear. Only buy chargers from official sellers or trusted brands such as Apple, Belkin, Anker and Samsung.

Yes, they will be more expensive, but opting for a cheaper option is not worth the risk.



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