Gavin Phillips-Senior Editor

Gavin Phillips

Senior Editor

Contributor Since September, 2014
Expertise
Security, Technology, Entertainment
  • 1524
    articles
  • 405
    News
  • 891
    Features
  • 53
    Lists
  • 60
    Guides
  • 110
    Reviews
  • 4
    Deals
  • 1
    Other
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About Gavin Phillips

Gavin is the Segment Lead for the Technology Explained, Security, Internet, Streaming, and Entertainment verticals, former co-host on the Really Useful Podcast, and a frequent product reviewer. He has a degree in Contemporary Writing pillaged from the hills of Devon, more than a decade of professional writing experience, and his work has appeared on How-To Geek, Expert Reviews, Trusted Reviews, Online Tech Tips, and Help Desk Geek, among others. Gavin has attended CES, IFA, MWC, and other tech-trade shows to report directly from the floor, racking up hundreds of thousands of steps in the process. He's reviewed more headphones, earbuds, and mechanical keyboards than he cares to remember, and enjoys copious amounts of tea, board games, and football.

Latest

google pixel 10a rear close up.
The Pixel 10a isn't worth it — here are 3 phones that are better for the money
Android

The Pixel 10a is fun, but other smartphones offer better value.

crystaldiskmark total host writes ssd.
Stop panicking about your drive health percentage — here's what it actually means
Solid State Drive

Drive health percentages aren't as accurate as they seem.

bluetooth scanning toggle in android.
Your phone's Bluetooth is broadcasting more than you think — here's how to limit it
Bluetooth

Lock it down.

vs code vs codium apps logos together.
VS Code's open source claim is misleading — here's the truly open source version
Technology Explained

It says it is, but the reality is a little blurry.

2
channel surfer cable youtube experience computer screen.
This free web app turns YouTube into a cable TV experience — and it's my favorite way to watch ad-free
YouTube

Surf YouTube like we did in the 90s.

kingston kc3000 in motherboard.
Your SSD's health score is lying to you — here's what actually matters
Technology Explained

There is a reason they use such conservative values.

3
Alienware Pro mechanical keyboard clean
I type all day for work, and these are the only things that actually matter when picking a keyboard
Technology Explained

Ignore the mechanical keyboard marketing slop.

5
samsung browser on computer screen.
Samsung's new Windows browser is fast, but is a let down in two key areas
Browser

It's super snappy, but some of its headline features don't appear to work.

nextdns enabled on profile.
I switched my Android’s Private DNS to NextDNS and chose exactly what gets blocked
DNS

It only takes a moment to make your life much more private.

2
nothing headphone 1 worn by man.
That pressure feeling from ANC headphones? Here's what's actually causing it
Noise-cancelling Headphones

Is it even real?

Amazon Spring Deals image featuring a Kindle, an Odyssey OLED G9 monitor, and Sony wireless earbuds on an orange background.
The best Amazon Spring Sale deals actually worth buying this year
Deals

Spring is springing, and it's time to pick up some bargains.

bitwarden authenticator app login screen.
I stopped using Google Authenticator for this 2FA app, and it’s much better
Two-Factor Authentication

Google Authenticator isn't bad, it's just that Bitwarden Authenticator is better.

5
google pixel 10a rear in hand.
The Google Pixel 10a is basically last year's phone — but it's still worth the money
Google Pixel

This is a Pixel 9.5a, not a 10a.

Zen Browser subreddit
Reddit's favorite browser isn't Chrome — you've probably never heard of it
Browser

If Chrome didn't win, what browser was voted number one?

1
crystaldiskmark total host writes ssd.
Everyone disables this Windows setting to protect their SSD, but they're wrong
Solid State Drive

Your SSD will last for years, and Windows has your back.

3
samsung galaxy z trifold in hands.
Tri-fold phones are already dead — and Samsung just confirmed it
Android

It's the beginning of the end, and Samsung just hammered home the nails.

1
phishing link in calendar.
That Google Calendar renewal warning might be a scam
Scams

Phishing scams can land in your calendar now, and there isn't much you can do.

nothing headphone a side buttons.
Your ANC headphones are doing something odd to your music (and you probably don’t know why)
Noise-cancelling Headphones

I love ANC, but sometimes, it does more than block the outside world.

2
openai gdpval benchmark.
AI benchmark numbers are meaningless — here’s what to look for instead
Artificial Intelligence

Numbers go up, AI gets better.

data broker website search for gavin phillips.
You never gave them permission, but these companies still have your data
Online Privacy

Data brokers keep a fat dossier of your private information under lock and key, but you never said it was okay.

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