Stupid tech slang

Every year the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) adds another bunch of stupid new words to its online dictionary. Every year, the media reports it like there’s nothing else happening anywhere. And every year my blood starts boiling.

Last year’s update brought us such delights as ‘YOLO’, ‘binge-watch’ and ‘adorbs’, not to mention ‘bro hug’, ‘cray’ and ‘SMH’. This year brings us ‘fo’ shizzle’, ‘Twitterati’ and ‘twerking’. Don’t know what this stuff means? Well, I guess that’s what the OED is there for. Go on. Look it up.

Moneypenny

It may not flirt with you, but this virtual secretary could prove useful in other ways

What is it?

Yet another virtual personal assistant, following in the wake of Microsoft’s Cortana, Apple’s Siri and Google Now. This one is being developed by Facebook, one of the few tech giants that has yet to launch such a tool. According to reports, it will be built into the Facebook Messenger app (iOS www.snipca.com/17299; Android www.snipca.com/17300).

Secret Tips For... Google Photos

Create timelapse animations, instantly organise your photos and edit Google Drive files virtually

Automatically organise your photos and videos

The Google Photos app (Android www.snipca.com/17308, iOS www.snipca.com/17311) automatically displays all your phone and tablet photos and videos - including screenshots, downloads and items received by text - in date order. Tap the search icon (blue magnifying glass) to instantly reorganise them by subject matter. No files are moved around (so it’s not quite as impressive as Mary Poppins clicking her fingers to tidy up); they’re just displayed in a different order.

Sony Xperia M4 Aqua

An impressive smartphone at a reasonable price

There are a lot of amazing smartphones around these days, but some specifications look too good to be true. Well, here’s a new model with a slim metal case and a glass rear, high-resolution cameras, a big screen and one of the latest lightning-quick processor chips, yet costs just over £210 to buy outright. It’s even waterproof. Surely some mistake?

Vodafone Smart Ultra 6

High-performance budget phone

Over the page, we review the Sony Xperia M4, a very attractive phone for £210. The Smart Ultra 6 offers similar features for only £125, or £17 a month on contract with Vodafone (its exclusive vendor). It has the same fast processor as Sony’s phone, the same Android 5.0.2 software (Lollipop), and a bigger screen with 1080p Full HD resolution. And its rear camera, with the same 13-megapixel rating, takes nicer pictures.

Windows Task Manager Fast Fixes

Task Manager won’t launch

If you see an error message when launching Task Manager, it could mean that a system file is corrupted. System File Checker, a tool included with Windows, can fix this. Click Start, type cmd into the search bar (or straight into the Windows 8/8.1 Start screen), then right-click cmd (or Command Prompt in Windows 8/8.1) and choose ‘Run as administrator’. Next, in the Command window, type sfc /scannow, then press Enter and wait - it can take many minutes for the process to complete. Restart your PC, then try launching Task Manager.

If it still doesn’t work, a malware infection might be the problem. Make sure your security software is up to date, then perform a full scan.

Fix problems Microsoft won't

Still can't get your Desktop shortcuts to work? You're not alone, Barry Collins shows you how to solve problems Microsoft abandoned

With Windows 10 now the centre of attention, there’s one thing you can guarantee: Microsoft simply won’t be bothering to deliver anything but security updates for its predecessors, including Windows 7 and 8.1. In fact, it’s already withdrawn mainstream support for Windows 7 and earlier versions, and for pre-2010 versions of Office. Windows 10 is Microsoft’s sole focus now.

Here, we look at six common problems that Microsoft has left you to work out for yourself, and show you how to resolve them. Microsoft may have effectively abandoned the tools involved, but there’s no reason why you should have to give up on them too.

Canon Pixma MG6650

The only big black box you need

We go on about how our phones do everything that cameras, libraries and record players used to do, but don’t overlook the humble printer/scanner. It does everything phones don’t, converting printed paper into digital files and vice versa. Canon’s range has been a favourite of ours for some time, and this latest all-in-one maintains those high standards. The only thing it misses is faxing, which is obsolete for most of us.

AOC Q2577PWQ

A monitor with unusual dimensions

When it comes to monitor size, your choices are limited. Oh, sure, displays come in all dimensions. There’s a screen at the Odeon bigger than your house, and there might be screen on your watch. But you’re not going to plug either of them into the back of your PC. There are monitors that say “Replace toner” or “Your bank will not charge you for this transaction”, but they’re no good for Microsoft Word.