Master the PowerShell

Discover how to get started with Microsoft’s powerful scripting tool, with Nick Peers

At first glance, the Windows PowerShell looks to be a facsimile of the Command Prompt, but to dismiss it as such leaves you missing a huge trick. In fact, PowerShell is a platform designed to automate many Windows tasks through a clever scripting language. It’s based on the .NET Framework, which gives it lots of flexibility and scope, particularly when you access it through the PowerShell ISE (Integrated Scripting Environment) program, which provides even more useful tools and shortcuts — such as syntax highlighting and IntelliSense tab completion — to help you build the perfect script to achieve what you want.

How to control Kodi from any web browser

Kodi has a fantastic built-in web server you can use to control it remotely from any browser. David Ludlow explains how to use it

The Kodi smartphone app is a great way to get all the features of a remote control for Kodi (and a little more). However, the media software also has a built-in web server that gives you even more control over Kodi from any device that has a web browser.

For example, you can use the web interface to browse all your audio and video content and select what to watch or listen to. There’s currently no support for photos, but that’s the only thing that’s missing.

Secret hacks for Google Play

Google Play just celebrated its fifth birthday, but there’s always something new to learn about the app-and-entertainment store. Robert Irvine reveals its best secrets

Earn credit towards Play purchases

You don’t get something for nothing in this world, but thanks to Google Opinion Rewards (bit.ly/rewards420) you can make easy money for very little effort. Just answer a few quick questions about shops you visited recently or similar topics and the app will reward you with credit, which you can save up to spend on Google Play.

The information you provide in the short, simple surveys about your views and habits is collected anonymously, and you can trade your credit for Android apps, music, films, TV shows and books in just a couple of taps.

There’s usually at least one threequestion survey per week, with rewards ranging from 6p to 60p.

Our guide to WebAssembly

WebAssembly is being touted as the future of the web but you’d be forgiven for wondering what on Earth it is. David Crookes explains all

What is WebAssembly?

WebAssembly (webassembly.org) is a relatively new web standard that has the potential to revolutionise how we use high-performance applications such as games, video players and imageediting software. Rather than making us download and install these resource-heavy apps, WebAssembly offers the potential to run them in your browser with full functionality. Developers say this will make computing far more convenient, with some going as far as calling it the dawn of a new web era.

Kodi: New TV Streaming Sensation

Kodi is one of the most powerful media players that’s ever been released for Windows – and it’s also one of the most controversial. David Ludlow explains how to use it legally

Few programs in recent years have proved as controversial – or as popular – as Kodi. On one level it’s a brilliant music and video player, letting you stream content between computers. If you connect your laptop to your TV with an HDMI cable you’ll also be able to access and watch everything on the big screen of your television.

Kodi – known as XBMC until 2014 – also excels at online streaming. It gives you access to all kinds of add-ons that expand its basic features, so you can watch YouTube, iPlayer, out-of-copyright movies and a whole host of other video content straight from one convenient location. In addition, you can listen to hundreds of radio stations from around the world, view all your photos and stream podcasts.