Apple : How to watch Celebrity Big Brother 2019 online for free in the US or abroad

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• How to watch Celebrity Big Brother 2019 online for free in the US or abroad
• Google fined £44m by French data regulator
• Refurbished iPhone deals: save hundreds on the iPhone X with this great new price
• Over a third of companies now use AI in some way
• Motorola Razr V4: what we want to see
• Digital retailers are selling movies at bargain prices this week
• The best cheap TV sales and 4K TV deals in January 2019
• UK hit with 30m cyberattacks in just three months
• Spotify toys with block button for your least favorite artists
• 5 things that made Resident Evil 2 so frighteningly great
• The best wireless headphones 2019: our pick of the best ways to cut the cord
• Best true wireless earbuds: the best truly wireless AirPod alternatives around
• Best animated shows on UK Netflix (January 2019): the 12 best Netflix cartoons
• Would you pay $1,000 for these Louis Vuitton wireless headphones?
• The best laptop 2019: our pick of the 15 best laptops you can buy this year
• Best cloud storage 2019 for photos and pictures
• Microsoft wants suggestions on how to improve gaming on Windows 10
• O2 currently has the UK's best mobile phone deals - Samsungs and iPhones included
• Best movies on Netflix UK: the best films to watch in January 2019
• The driverless taxi ride just got that little bit better

How to watch Celebrity Big Brother 2019 online for free in the US or abroad Posted: 21 Jan 2019 12:13 PM PST The US version of Celebrity Big Brother is in to its second season with a star-studded cast. There's an array of big names of TV, sport and politics all heading into the house and we have the information you need of how to watch Celebrity Big Brother this year. Coming back after a successful first season, Celebrity Big Brother is returning (along with host  Julie Chen Moonves) with a whole host of new celebrities. The likes of Jonathon Bennett (Mean Girls' Aaron Samuels), actor and comedian Tom Green and Anthony Scaramucci aka 'the Mooch' who will be aiming to avoid his second eviction from a famous house! There's no reason to miss this year's Big Brother - you can even watch if you're outside the US or on holiday while it's on. And if you're a reality TV mega-fan living outside the US, with our help you too will be able to tune in.  So if you're excited to get into the new season keep reading to discover how to watch Celebrity Big Brother US online - even if you're outside the country using a VPN service - with our guide on how to stream for free. NFL fan? Then check out our guide to watching a Super Bowl live stream How to watch Celebrity Big Brother online in the US: Big Brother is being broadcast on CBS and will be kicking off on January 21 and going until February 13. Episodes will be aired throughout the week at 8PM ET / 5pm PT. If you want to live stream the show to your mobile, tablet or computer you can do so via CBS all access. That will cost you $5.99 a month or you can get a week free with a trial. It seems that CBS will have full rights to the show, so unfortunately there isn't much choice outside of this.  Watch Celebrity Big Brother online from anywhere else in the world: OK, you may have known how to watch in the US. So here comes the clever bit if your Big Brother addiction means you need that fix while you're away on holiday, or you're from overseas and need to indulge in your guilty pleasure US-style. Download and install a VPN to change your IP address to one in the US and then grab CBS All Access as described above. It means that you'll be able to log in as if you were sat in the US, a privilege that wouldn't otherwise be available due to CBS's geo-blocking. If this sounds good to you, then follow the steps below to get watching Celebrity Big Brother online: Main image courtesy of CBS This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Google fined £44m by French data regulator Posted: 21 Jan 2019 12:12 PM PST The French data regulator CNIL has fined Google £44m over how its data collection policies violated the terms of GDPR. According to CNIL, the regulator decided to levy a record fine against the tech giant for “lack of transparency, inadequate information and lack of valid consent regarding ads personalisation”. Google's users were not sufficiently informed as to how the company collected data to personalise advertising on its search engine. Complaints against the tech giant were filed in May 2018 by the privacy rights groups noyb and La Quadrature du Net (LQDN). The first complaint was filed on the day GDPR went into effect and the groups claimed Google did not have a valid legal basis to process user data for ad personalisation under the new regulation. While the company's European headquarters is located in Ireland, authorities decided that the case would be handled by CNIL since the Irish watchdog lacked “decision-making power” over its Android operating system and services. Lack of consent The regulator explained that Google had not obtained clear consent to process data in a statement on its site, saying: “Essential information, such as the data processing purposes, the data storage periods or the categories of personal data used for the ads personalization, are excessively disseminated  across several documents, with buttons and links on which it is required to click to access complementary information. The relevant information is accessible after several steps only, implying sometimes up to 5 or 6 actions.” CNIL also stressed the fact that the company had failed to obtain a valid legal basis to process user data since the option to personalise ads was “pre-ticked” when creating an account on its site which is in direct violation of GDPR. Google said that it is studying the regulator's decision to determine its next steps and in a statement the company reaffirmed its commitment to comply with GDPR, saying: "People expect high standards of transparency and control from us. We're deeply committed to meeting those expectations and the consent requirements of the GDPR."  Via The BBC This is everything you need to know about GDPR This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Refurbished iPhone deals: save hundreds on the iPhone X with this great new price Posted: 21 Jan 2019 09:59 AM PST Simply put, this is the cheapest iPhone X deal on a contract you can get right now. But there is a little catch...the handset is 'refurbished'. But before you start picturing a fingerprint-covered phone with scuffs all over. let us tell you why this is such a great offer. First off, refurbished phone deals are certainly stigmatised, but you really shouldn't worry. This deal is coming from Mobiles.co.uk, which guarantees your phone will be in perfect working order and offers a 14-day return period. So even if you're not happy with the state your new iPhone X arrives in, you can return it straight away. Even better, you are covered by a year long warranty and a free replacement if anything goes wrong in the first month. Now that we've got the reassurance out of the way, let us tell you about this great deal. You can get the iPhone X for just £32 a month and £140 upfront (if you use our exclusive 10OFF voucher code at the checkout) meaning a total two year spend of around £900 and you even get a big data cap of 10GB. We can tell you now that iPhone X deals just don't come better than that and we've compared to make sure this is one of the best offers you will get.  Are refurbished mobile phone deals safe to buy? When you're buying a shiny, new smartphone, we completely understand that most people probably aren't too keen on the thought of being stuck with somebody's old cast-off. You may also be a bit anxious that you're receiving damaged goods - especially when it's a gift for somebody else. But let us put your mind at rest. Generally speaking, most refurbished phones being sold at major providers are instances when the former owner simply changed their mind and returned the phone without using it. Those phones can't be sold as new, so they're branded as refurbished instead. Others are sent back as faulty, but have been brought back to their best by the experts that work in these places and in most instances are pretty much good as new.  Still not convinced? Then check out our best new mobile phone deals page instead This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Over a third of companies now use AI in some way Posted: 21 Jan 2019 09:22 AM PST A new survey from Gartner has revealed that the number of organisations implementing artificial intelligence (AI) has grown by 270 per cent in the past four years and tripled in the past year. The results from the firm's 2019 CIO Survey showed that organisations across all industries have begun to use AI in a variety of applications but still struggle with finding talented workers in the field. Research Vice President at Gartner, Chris Howard provided further insight on the findings of the survey, saying: “Four years ago, AI implementation was rare, only 10 per cent of survey respondents reported that their organisations had deployed AI or would do so shortly. For 2019, that number has leapt to 37 per cent — a 270 per cent increase in four years. If you are a CIO and your organisation doesn’t use AI, chances are high that your competitors do and this should be a concern.”  AI deployment The deployment of AI has tripled during the past year rising from 25 per cent in 2018 to 37 per cent today. This massive increase is a result of the fact that AI capabilities have matured significantly and now businesses are more willing to implement the technology. CIOs have come to the realisation that digital transformation and task automation go hand in hand. AI has  now become an integral part of organisation's digital strategy and the technology is already used in a variety of applications. Gartner's survey shows that 52 per cent of telcoms deploy chatbots and 38 per cent of healthcare providers rely on computer-assisted diagnostics. Fraud prevention and consumer fragmentation are other operational use cases for AI. As more organisations work with AI, the more difficult it becomes to deploy the technology with 54 per cent of respondents to a Gartner Research Circle Survey citing the skills shortage as the biggest challenge facing their organisation. Interested in AI? This is everything you need to know about AI This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Motorola Razr V4: what we want to see Posted: 21 Jan 2019 09:15 AM PST The Motorola Razr range was iconic in the days before smartphones and it could soon be a big deal once again, as a new entry - which might be called the Motorola Razr V4 – is heavily rumored. But unlike the old models this is unlikely to be a feature phone, rather, the Razr V4 is tipped to be a full-fledged smartphone, and more than that, it will probably fold. However, it might also cost an awful lot of money, so you might want to get saving. In the meantime, here's everything we've heard about the Motorola Razr 2019 so far, along with a wish list of what we want from it. Cut to the chase What is it? A foldable reboot of the Razr range When is it out? Possibly February What will it cost? Maybe around $1,500 (roughly £1,170, AU$2,010) Motorola Razr V4 release date and price The Motorola Razr V4 could be available as soon as February. At least, that’s what a report in The Wall Street Journal says, adding that the phone is still in testing (as of mid-January) and the release timing isn’t final yet and could change. Still, if it does arrive in February then MWC 2019, which kicks of on February 25, might be when we’ll see it, as lots of phones are likely to be announced there. As for what it will cost, the same report says to expect a starting price of roughly $1,500 (around £1,170, AU$2,010). That would make it far more expensive than most phones, but that’s not surprising given that it’s rumored to have a foldable screen. Expect the new Motorola Razr to be a lot more modern (and a lot more expensive) It also sounds like Motorola and parent company Lenovo aren't expecting the Razr 2019 to be a mainstream device, with the report also saying that only around 200,000 units are likely to be made, and that in the US it's a Verizon exclusive.  It's not clear whether or not the phone will be sold outside the US. Motorola Razr V4 news and rumors The main thing we've heard about the Motorola Razr V4 is that it will have a foldable screen. The first hint of that came from Lenovo’s CEO Yang Yuanqing, who, during MWC 2018, said: "With the new technology, particularly foldable screens, I think you will see more and more innovation on our smartphone design. "So hopefully what you just described [the Motorola Razr brand] will be developed or realized very soon." Much more recently, a report suggested that the Motorola Razr V4 would be high-end and have a foldable screen. We've also seen patents pointing to a foldable screen. You can see images from the older patent above and the newer one below, but they both point to a clamshell design with a foldable display.  However, while the older one shows a large hinge and seemingly a gap between the two display halves, the other, newer patent (found by 91mobiles) shows a truly foldable display. There's still a hinge, but this isn’t as visible when looking at the screen. This one also appears to have a smaller secondary display on the back of the phone. That makes some sense, as otherwise you wouldn’t be able to see a screen unless the phone was fully unfolded. The newer patent also shows a notch at the top of the screen. The back also contains what looks to be a single-lens camera above the smaller display, and a fingerprint scanner on the lower section. There's no guarantee that either of these patents show an accurate picture of the Motorola Razr V4, but we'd expect a clamshell design, since that's what the original Razr range had. What we want to see Rumors about the Motorola Razr V4 are starting to roll in but we don’t know much yet, so we’ve come up with a list of what we hope it offers. 1. A great design One of the reasons the Motorola Razr range was so popular was because of its slim, stylish design. Of course, the old models like the Motorola Razr V3, are dated now, but we’d like to see the spirit of the design carried on for the Razr V4, but in a more modern form. We want a slim, futuristic handset. The good news is that if the screen really does fold then it should at least be futuristic, though it might not be all that slim when folded shut. 2. Genuinely useful flexibility There’s a worry that early foldable screens could be little more than a gimmick, but we hope that’s not the case with the Motorola Razr V4. Hopefully, the company will find a way to make it feel genuinely useful. If Motorola successfully makes a screen that can change from phone to tablet size without feeling awkward then that would be a good start. 3. Flagship specs Any foldable phone is inevitably going to be expensive and rumors specifically suggest that the Razr 2019 will be pricey. So we really want to get our money’s worth, by not just getting a foldable screen but also specs that can compete with the best of 2019’s upcoming flagships, like the Samsung Galaxy S10 and iPhone 11. We want the Razr V4 to be able to compete with the latest flagships 4. A long-lasting battery We want all of our phones to have decent battery life, but this is of particular concern with foldable phones, as the larger screens could be a big drain. So hopefully there will be an appropriately large battery in the Motorola Razr V4 to keep it going through the day and beyond. 5. A palatable price Early rumors suggest this will be one very expensive phone, and we’d expect it to be too, since foldable screens are a new, likely pricey feature. However, for these devices to have remotely mainstream appeal the cost is going to need to be pushed down. That probably won’t happen until the second or third generation of foldable devices, but it would be a nice surprise if Motorola (which is known in part for offering great value handsets) manages to make an affordable one on the first attempt. 6. Near stock Android with foldable features One thing we love about most current Moto phones is that they use a version of Android that’s had little done to it, ensuring the software is polished, easily approachable and typically quick to get updated. We hope the same is true for the Motorola Razr V4. Or at least, for the most part. What we would like to see though are some software features that help you get the most out of the foldable screen. We’re not sure what those would be, but hopefully that’s something Motorola has given some thought to. 7. A sharp, durable screen Being foldable is one thing, but we don’t want that to be the only thing the Razr V4’s screen has going for it. We’d also like it to be a sharp, high-quality panel. And for it to be durable, because it’s going to need to be if it’s constantly being folded. Samsung is also working on a foldable phone This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Digital retailers are selling movies at bargain prices this week Posted: 21 Jan 2019 09:10 AM PST What better way to shake off those January blues than by staying sat down in front of the TV like you were going to do anyway?  The UK's first ever Mega Movie Week is underway, with a seven-day celebration of cinema across a variety of digital retailers, all offering select discounts on hundreds of different titles. That covers everything from action blockbusters like Mission Impossible: Fallout or John Wick, to comedies The Spy Who Dumped Me and Deadpool 2, to gripping dramas like The Revenant, Hidden Figures, The Shape of Water, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. Many are discounted to only £1.99 or £2.99, while some services are also discounting seasons of TV series like the Sopranas to only £6.99 – or Season 7 of Game of Thrones for £11.99. The sale only lasts until Sunday January 27, so you have only a number of days to buy those movies you've been eyeing up at such low prices. Teamwork The confirmed retailers are Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, iTunes, Sky Store, Rakuten TV, BT TV, PlayStation Store, Xbox, and Chili – though the selection of movies is slightly restricted by the distributors on board. Those are HBO, Lionsgate, NBCUniversal, Paramount, Sony, StudioCanal, Twentieth Century Fox, and Warner Bros. (To be fair, that's a lot to be getting on with.) Each site is running its own price cuts, so you may well get better deals in some places over others. But whichever your go-to is, there's a big helping of savings to be had. Mega Movie Week runs January 21-27, exclusively in the UK. Best movies on Amazon Prime This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The best cheap TV sales and 4K TV deals in January 2019 Posted: 21 Jan 2019 08:55 AM PST There's still time to take advantage of some of the very best cheap TV sales. TV prices on some fantastic Ultra HD 4K TVs have been dropping nicely in recent months in the UK. We've got you covered if you're looking for TV deals in the US too. We've tried to find something for everyone here. So we've got you covered for multiple size categories and we've looked at both ends of the pricing scale so you can get a cheap TV on a low budget, or you might find a higher quality set for a lower price than you expected - although those super new 8K models aren't coming down any time soon. Not to worry though, as some of these HDR 4K TV deals will make your jaw drop. And with the bleak weather and long nights being here for a while now and your Netflix watch list getting longer and longer all the time you may as well settle down for the winter and enjoy them with a lovely TV. Netflix, Amazon, Sky TV and the like are all increasing their 4K content too so you won't be short on Ultra HD content to watch. We keep our eye on the latest TV deals throughout the year, so we're poised to find you the best price whenever the need to replace your old TV arises. We're fully behind the 4K TV movement too as a competitive market has seen prices reach affordable levels much quicker than when HD tellies first came around. One look at the prices below and you'll see what we mean. So much so, we'll rarely even mention regular HD TVs here seeing as Ultra HD TV deals are so cheap today. Finding you the best cheap TV deal We've split our carefully curated 4K TV deals into different size categories immediately after our pick for cheap TV deal of the week. Whatever your budget, we're sure we can find something for you.  Note: all of our selected TV sales highlights are for 4K/Ultra HD TVs and include a built-in freeview tuner as standard. Pretty much every deal comes with Smart TV functionality built-in along with HDR technology. If they don't, we'll clearly call it out. The best cheap TV you can buy today Extra retailer cheap 4K TV sales links: Not found the right cheap TV for you today? Or maybe you'd prefer to directly browse the TV sales at your favourite retailers instead of our highlights of the best cheap TV deals? We're updating this page on a regular basis, so you may have better luck another day. If you want to take a look for yourself now though, here are the direct links to a the full collection of TV sales at multiple stores.  Amazon AO.com Argos Very John Lewis Currys ebuyer More large screen 4K TV sales If you're after more seriously large TV deals, we should warn you, they don't come cheap. However, if you want to see some more large screen TV deals -we're talking about 65 to 85-inch TVs- we'd recommend heading over to AO.com,  John Lewis, Currys and Amazon as they seem to stock more models than most UK retailers. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

UK hit with 30m cyberattacks in just three months Posted: 21 Jan 2019 08:54 AM PST Almost 30m cyberattacks were carried out in the UK during Q4 2018 according to new research from the cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab. Cybercriminals favoured web browsers as their primary method for spreading malicious programs in the UK and the firm detected and defended against over 12.1m different cyber threats between October and December of last year. Overall, 16 per cent of those who used Kaspersky Security Next products were attacked by web-based threats which the company helped defend them from. The number of attacks that occurred in the UK puts the country in 125th place worldwide when it comes to how dangerous it is to surf the web. Local threats While web-based threats were high local threats were more prevalent with Kaspersky Lab stopping more than 17.5m during Q4 2018 placing the UK 138th in the world. Additionally the number of incidents caused by servers hosted reached 11.2m, putting the UK at sixth place worldwide. The most common tactics used by cybercriminals to carry out attacks via browsers were implementing infections that exploited vulnerabilities in browsers and their plug-ins and social engineering. When it came to local infection statistics, Kaspersky Lab found that worms and file viruses were used for the majority of such incidents. We've also highlighted the best antivirus to help protect you from the latest cyber threats This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Spotify toys with block button for your least favorite artists Posted: 21 Jan 2019 08:46 AM PST Spotify appears to have launched a new block feature for its users, allowing them to prevent certain artists and bands from playing when shuffling their Spotify library or listening to curated playlists. Select users are able to click on the "..." menu by an artist's name, and select "Don't play this artist", stopping their tracks from playing in Discover Weekly playlists, Daily Mixes, or national and global music charts. Thurrott first spotted the new feature, which has appeared on a number of seemingly random user accounts – Spotify's usual practice for trialing a new feature before it rolls it out on a larger scale. There's no official word on the feature, though, so this may be one software feature that never makes it to the wider market. Guilty displeasures Subscribers to the music streaming service have long called for a way to stop their least favorite bands popping up during otherwise joyful playlists – both to protect their ears and to stop financing artists they don't want to support. Even if it would benefit the user experience, though, there could well be pushback from artists who find themselves losing streams on popular playlists – say, if the global userbase decided to cull Ed Sheeran every time he popped up in the top singles chart. Whether your pet hate is Justin Bieber, or you don't think you should be listening to R. Kelly anymore, the new feature is sure to be a boon to those wanting more control over their music. That is, if Spotify grants it to the rest of us... Spotify's in-car music player could be launching this year Via SlashGear This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

5 things that made Resident Evil 2 so frighteningly great Posted: 21 Jan 2019 08:26 AM PST It’s 2019 and there’s hordes of new games to look forward to, so it comes as a surprise that the one we're most excited for is a remake of a game over two decades old. But Resident Evil 2 is far more than just a super pretty makeover of the 1998 classic - like we’ve had with Shadow of the Colossus or Spyro. It’s essentially a new team of developers remaking the game from the ‘ground up’ with the all-new RE engine and a perspective shift from fixed cameras to behind-the-shoulder. Resident Evil 2, made anew. This is also about capturing the spirit of the original for a new audience with higher expectations for the medium in the intervening decades. So not only is the remake dialling up the horror with more terrifying realism and claustrophobic lighting (or lack of it), it’s also drastically improving the script and performances. Fans have been hungering for this remake for years, but just what is it about Resident Evil 2 that has infected us for all these years? Even if the low polygons and camp voice-acting of the PS1 version don’t pass the test of time, what at its core still makes it more vitally important than even the original Resident Evil, and so worthy of revisiting as a new big-budget release? Global outbreak After all, we should credit the 1996 title for giving birth to ‘survival horror’, and revitalizing zombies, before they would take over every other medium. But while the first Resident Evil was hugely acclaimed and one of the best-selling Playstation games, it was Resident Evil 2 that blew it wide open into the global mainstream. At the time, it was listed in the Guinness World Records for “surpassing the revenue of all but one Hollywood movie for the same weekend” for its launch, while breaking the records of the biggest games at the time, including Final Fantasy VII and Super Mario 64. Mirroring that was the game itself. This wasn’t a sequel content with re-treading the original beats. Instead, if took it to a grander cinematic scale (goodbye to those cheap live-action sequences). So instead of our survivors cooped up in an isolated mansion, the zombie outbreak has spilled out onto the streets of Racoon City. The city would only be the beginning. The vision for the series would become even bigger, Resident Evil 2 laying the groundwork for building the lore into more than just about surviving a zombie outbreak but a metaseries where multiple self-contained stories could be told. Resident Evil 2 wasn’t just a blockbuster-selling game  – it launched multiple blockbuster films, comics, and other spin-offs. Iconic characters Of course, what makes some games so memorable are their characters. And while you’d think terrible voice-acting or obvious gendered color-coding might be a detractor, it’s a testament how iconic Leon S Kennedy and Claire Redfield remain in our eyes. Whereas the first game’s Chris Redfield was something of a typical dull masculine protagonist, Leon’s a fresh-faced rookie police officer on his first day on the job, with a hair style almost certainly modelled after Hollywood heartthrob Leonardo DiCaprio (the similarity of their first names is surely no coincidence).  The heroic leads, as seen in the new remake. Meanwhile, Claire Redfield makes quite the entrance on her motorcycle, and while she might not have the same specialist background as her S.T.A.R.S. agent brother, she quickly surpasses master of unlocking Jill as one of the series’ most kick-ass female characters. It’s not just the heroes that shine either. Hinted at in a few messages in the first game, Resident Evil 2 is also where we’re introduced to Ada Wong. Whether she stands out as one of the first notable Asian characters in 3D gaming or because of her not entirely appropriate femme fatale wardrobe, there’s no denying that this double-agent is one of gaming’s most iconic antiheroes. Unforgettable nightmares Then there’s the zombies themselves. While they were still the slow shuffling sort, before 20 Days Later gave them a literal boost a few years later, the emphasis of a citywide outbreak gave them a more frightening dynamic, whether you’d be cornered by a horde of them (or as many as the PS1’s power could allow) or find their arms reaching through the boarded-up windows to grab you. But it’s also about more than just zombies. The Umbrella Corporation was always brewing more monstrous creations, and Resident Evil 2 had them in spades, from the terrifying fleshy crawly Lickers, whose eponymous tongues could lick your head clean off, to the ridiculously gigantic alligator lurking in the sewers. The worst of them however was the Tyrant Mr. X, a seemingly unstoppable force who didn’t just soak up bullets and deal a lot of damage, but also had a knack of showing up unexpectedly, crashing through walls to scare the absolute bejesus out of you. This aspect of being pursued by an indestructible monster in fact forms the basis of the sequel Resident Evil 3: Nemesis. Different paths While the first game gave you two playable protagonists, it often felt like two parallel stories rather than two halves of the whole. Resident Evil 2 follows this approach to an extent but then adds its own ingenious twist, unlocking a ‘B’ scenario once one character’s ‘A’ scenario has been completed, basically giving you four campaigns in total. It essentially gives you the other character’s side of the story, while a ‘zapping’ feature meant that certain choices from your character in the ‘A’ scenario would carry over to the ‘B’ scenario, like an unlocked safe or certain enemies not respawning if killed earlier. And that wasn’t all. You could also unlock a minigame called ‘The 4th Survivor’ where you play as an Umbrella operative codenamed HUNK trying to escape Racoon City with just the items you have. Even more hilarious is a minigame that lets you play this as a block of tofu armed with just a knife - and it’s great that both are back in the remake. Next-gen talent Perhaps more importantly, Resident Evil 2 wasn’t just a great game, it also made a name for Hideki Kamiya. Having previously worked on the first Resident Evil as System Planner, he graduated to directing the sequel, but not without butting heads with the series creator Shinji Mikami. To his credit, Mikami backed off from his baby, giving the young upstart the freedom and flair to make Resident Evil 2 bigger and more ostentatious in Capcom’s bid to make it the bestseller and multimedia franchise it would go on to become. Kamiya’s ideas and reputation would only get bigger and bolder, with a fantastical and action-packed take on Resident Evil eventually becoming the all-new demon-slaying Devil May Cry, while he would go on to co-found studio PlatinumGames and create the even more ridiculously bad-ass Bayonetta. It’s been well over a decade since Kamiya has been with Capcom, which these days doesn’t have a big personality as the face of one of its brands (apart from perhaps Street Fighter producer Yoshinori Ono). But given how faithfully and successfully the remake has captured the original’s spirit of horror from the original, sure to ignite a new generation of Resident Evil fans, greatness surely beckons for the series’ new custodians. Best horror games: get your bones rattled by these horrifying titles This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The best wireless headphones 2019: our pick of the best ways to cut the cord Posted: 21 Jan 2019 08:19 AM PST Best Wireless (Bluetooth) Headphones: Welcome to TechRadar's guide to the best wireless and Bluetooth headphones you can buy in 2019. Years ago, we might've tried to dissuade you from buying a pair of wireless headphones. At the time, the technology had issues with wireless connectivity over Bluetooth and sound quality took a dive as a result. On top of all that, the batteries that were put into these headphones only lasted an hour or two, max. Thankfully, we've left those days behind us and are now living in the golden age of wireless. Thanks to advancements in Bluetooth (thanks, aptX), the latest batch of wireless headphones not only stay connected in every situation, but they sound just as good as they're wired counterparts to boot.  Sure, a wireless pair of headphones might cost a bit more than a similar wired model, but wireless headphones offer greater freedom of movement - making them perfect for a trip to the gym or a great companion for phones like the iPhone X and Pixel 2 that simply lack a 3.5mm aux port to connect with. Whatever your reason for upgrading, we're here to help you pick out the best wireless headphones, regardless of your budget. What you'll find below are the top headphones we've reviewed with a mix of in-ear, over-ear and on-ear headphones, plus some with neat features like noise-cancellation - all vetted by our staff so you can shop with confidence. Can't decide which headphones to buy? Check out our guide video below: The best over-ear wireless headphones For the last three years, the Sony 1000X series of headphones have been our favorite wireless headphones on the market. They sound great thanks to a combination of superb wireless codecs - aptX and Sony's proprietary LDAC tech - and keep outside noise at bay thanks to Sony's ever-improving noise-cancellation algorithms.  While the Sony WH-1000XM3 might not be a massive improvement over last year's WH-1000XM2, they're still a cut above their rivals, the Bose QC35 II, in nearly every way: they sound better, they block out noise better and have better features like Quick Attention mode that lets in all outside noise without taking off the headphones. (The latter is perfect when giving a drink order on a plane or speaking to a coworker for a brief moment before diving back into your work.)  Great-sounding and feature-packed, the Sony WH-1000XM3 are great travel companions and all-around excellent wireless headphones. Read the full review: Sony WH-1000XM3 Bose took the already-excellent QC35 and updated with Google Assistant. The headphone is identical in every way save for the new Google Assistant button. This means you still get the class-leading noise cancellation Bose is known for, good sound quality, and incredible comfort. Said simply, they sound great and their battery life is long enough for all but the longest of flights. If you're looking to save some money, however, consider the original Bose QuietComfort 35. They can also be found for far cheaper these days, and if you're not fussed about having Google Assistant built into your headphones then you can save yourself some money while you save up for QC35 II.  Read the full review: Bose QuietComfort 35 II The Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless are the best-sounding wireless headphones you can buy, period. Sound is spacious, detailed, and makes you want to rediscover your music library. Their bulky design and average noise isolation make them terrible for travel but if you’re looking for the best sound from a wireless headphone, this is it. Read the full review: Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless Audio-Technica has a long history of producing high-quality headphones, microphones, and turntable accessories, and with the release of the ATH-M50xBT, it delivers studio-quality audio without the cord.   The ATH-M50xBTs are designed for really high-end audio performance, with 45mm drivers and a frequency response range of 15-28,00 Hz, and it shows - we were very impressed with the warm, well-rounded sound. The ATH-M50xBT headphones also performed well in terms of battery life and Bluetooth connectivity, however the microphone isn’t particularly strong, and you may struggle to make phone calls using them - still, that’s probably not the reason you would purchase a pair of studio grade headphones in the first place.  Read our full review: Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT   Although they're a much better looking, and sounding, pair of headphones, the Sennheiser Momentum Wireless (not to be confused with the smaller, cheaper, Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear Wireless) are kept off the top spot of the list by their premium price point, which puts them out of reach of all but the most committed of music lovers.  But for those that can afford them, these are a no-holds-barred wireless headphones are oozing with positive qualities. They're comfortable, hard-working set of headphones that will likely last for years. Read the full review: Sennheiser Momentum Wireless If you're a frequent traveler you're probably all too familiar with headphones that can't hold a charge and can't block out sound, let alone sound very good. Let us introduce you to the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2, one of the few headphones on the market that can do all of the above and cost less than half as much as one of the bigger names like Beats, Bose and Sony.  They also include a neat little feature that allows them to automatically turn off when you're not wearing them, meaning you're able to easily maximise their battery life without much effort.  If we had to boil it down to its core, the BackBeat Pro 2 offers an excellent travel headphone with incredible battery life, supreme comfort, the ability to pair two device as once and, most importantly, good sound quality for the cost. Read the full review: Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 The AKG N60NC Wireless sound like a pair of headphones that should be much more expensive than they are.  At their mid-range price point the headphones offer fantastic value for money, with great sound quality and a level of noise-cancellation performance that's on a level with the much more premium entries on this list.  Our biggest issue with these headphones is the fact that they're on-ear rather than over-ear, meaning that we found that they got uncomfortable over longer periods.  Regardless, the benefit of this is that this is a fantastically compact pair of headphones, and if you're willing to make the trade-off then these are great for the price.  Read the full review: AKG N60NC Wireless If you want a pair of wireless headphones without breaking the bank, and you don't fancy the in ear Optoma's above, your next best bet is the Jabra Move Wireless.  These headphones may look like a budget buy, but don't let that fool you: this set of on ear Bluetooth headphones is nothing but an all-around stellar product. From the fun and edgy design to excellent performance, these cans come recommended for anyone interested in wireless on the cheap. Read the full review: Jabra Move Wireless Overall, Microsoft’s Surface headphones are surprisingly good, with a stunningly warm sound, and generous bass frequencies, which means your music will sound great whether you’re listening to subby hip-hop or acoustic singer-songwriters. One criticism of this warm sound is that it can take some of the attack away from lower-mid frequencies, which some users may find a bit underwhelming. However, if sharp trebles and mids tend to give you listening fatigue, these could be the perfect headphones for you. The calling card of these headphones is the active noise cancellation, which we felt worked really well, and we loved how easy it was to control this using the inbuilt dials on each housing.  Although we were initially unconvinced by the high price (particularly when you can buy quality cans from heritage audio brands for less), the features work so seamlessly that it feels justified. The best in-ear wireless headphones Here's where things get a bit murky - the term 'wireless headphones' is often used interchangeably with 'Bluetooth headphones' - i.e. headphones that don't use a 3.5mm jack to connect to your phone, but still have a wire running between them. While we contemplated leaving these off our list entirely, Bluetooth headphones are still well-worth considering - even if it means having a wire wrapped around your neck.  That being said, if we had to pick a pair of Bluetooth headphones to go with, it'd be the NuForce BE Sport4 headphones: They're an incredible value for a pair of wireless headphones that sound good, last all day, have a bulletproof build and incredible noise isolation. While they're not the most dynamic or resolving headphones, NuForce shows us that the future of Bluetooth is a bright one. Read the full review: Optoma NuForce BE Sport4 When you think of noise-cancelling headphones you probably picture bulky over-ear cans like the Bose QuietComfort 35 or the Sennheiser Momentum Wireless, but three years ago Bose turned its noise-cancelling chops to in-ear headphones, and the result was the excellent Bose QuietComfort 20i.   Soon after that came the Bose QuietControl 30 (QC30, for short). These neckbuds offer the best noise cancellation of any in-ears we’ve tried and are comfortable enough to wear around your neck for long flights. Add to that the fantastic wireless capabilities of these headphones and you have the recipe for success.  While we'd love to see a true wireless pair of headphones from Bose, the QuietComfort 30 are a tried-and-true stopgap that you'll enjoy all the same.  Read the full review: Bose QuietControl 30 If you don't mind rocking a neckband, the Moto Surround hits all the high notes in terms of price, performance and battery life. After spending some time with the RHA MA390 Wireless, we came away extremely impressed with the package RHA has come up with. The headphones are built extremely well, have a vibrant sound signature, and are hardy enough to take anywhere -and all at an affordable price.  It’s main rival, the OnePlus Bullets Wireless, are also excellent, however we give the nod to the RHA MA390 for its more dynamic sound and better build quality.  Read the full review: RHA MA390 Wireless Audiophiles may complain about the sound performance of Beats headphones, but the inclusion of Apple's proprietary W1 chip has been a boon for the strength of their wireless connectivity.  The Beats X make up for their overly bassy sound with a rock solid connection and a pairing process that, on iOS devices at least, is as painless as it's possible to be.  Functionally that makes these wireless earbuds a joy to use, just don't expect the most detailed or broad soundstage. If you’re shopping for a no-fuss pair of earbuds that charge in 5 minutes and don’t mind spending a little extra money on them, the Beats X are for you. Read the full review: Beats X The best true wireless headphones Although the TrueConnect is RHAs first true wireless headphone, the company showed they did their research and development by making it one of the best true wireless headphones on the market today. The combination of sound quality, battery life, and wireless reliability means these are a pair of headphones you can rely on everyday.  The Jabra Elite 65t set the standard for what true wireless headphones should be and, regardless of what RHA has done here with the TrueConnect, they’re still great headphones. Compared to the RHA TrueConnect, the Jabra has more features with its useful ambient noise mode to help with situational awareness and an app that lets you tailor sound.  The RHA doesn’t have either of those features but we didn’t miss them, thanks to better sound quality and wireless reliability. The RHA also feels more like a premium product than the all-plastic Jabra.  All said, if you’re shopping for a pair of true wireless headphones, the $170 (£150, about AU$265) RHA TrueConnect should be at the very top of your list.   [Looking for a more stylish design? It comes at a price, but the Earin M-2 true wireless earbuds look as good as they sound.] Read the full review: RHA TrueConnect You might have expected to see the Apple AirPods on the list. While Apple's true wireless earbuds are fine for certain folks - cough, iPhone users exclusively - they're not the best for everyone. If you're looking for an egalitarian pair of true wireless earbuds, you can do no better than the Jabra Elite 65t.  Not only are these competent Bluetooth buds for use around town, with a long-enough battery life and good sound quality, but they are easily some of the best true wireless earbuds on the market, offering a perfect balance of usability, features, and sound quality. If you’re in the market for the ‘ultimate’ set of true wireless headphones and don’t mind paying for them, then they are a strong choice.     Read the full review: Jabra Elite 65t True Wireless The NuForce BE Free5 wireless earbuds show just how accessible truly wireless headphones can be nowadays. For around $100 (about £75, AU$134) they feature a more polished design than the more expensive BE Free8, and even sound better to boot. However, we found the left earbud would drop out briefly more than we’d like, and we hope NuForce can address this issue.    The connection dropouts combined with the frustrating controls keep it from claiming the top spot on our list, but the BE Free5 offer undeniable value in the truly wireless headphone market,, making them a great option for your first pair.  Read the full review: Optoma NuForce BE Free5 Apple AirPods undeniably popularised the true-wireless format. They work seamlessly with an iPhone, sound good in terms of their form factor, and have excellent connectivity and battery life. But, move away from an iPhone and all these benefits are lost. Other headphones allow you to control your music more quickly, and more easily. Siri is no match for a dedicated in-line remote (and isn't the best of voice helpers), and it feels counter-productive having to constantly take your phone out of your pocket to control music.   There’s no getting away from the fact that these are an expensive pair of headphones, and for that kind of money we think that you can find better products elsewhere – especially if you're looking to pair with anything other than an iPhone. Read on for our favorite alternatives... From the minds behind the Ticwatch Pro, Ticwatch S and Tichome Mini , the TicPods Free have been cited as a more flexible alternative to the AirPods, coming in a range of colors, and enabled for Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, as well as Siri. When we tested them, we thought the audio quality was impressive, and although guitars sometimes sounded a little distorted, it’s a small price to pay for the amount of sonic power you get with these in-ears.  These in-ears are unlikely to appeal to true audiophiles but if you’re a casual listener, the TicPods Free will do just fine, and for a great price. Read the full review: TicPods Free review Sony’s first pair of true wireless headphones, the Sony WF-1000X, were divisive -some users thought they didn’t offer enough bass, while others said they had too much. Some said they cut out or unpaired periodically. Others simply never had that problem.  Criticisms came from all corners of the internet and the only reasonable conclusion one could make after sifting through all of the noise was that Sony’s headphones just couldn’t please everyone. Now, Sony’s second-generation true-wireless headphones – the Sony WF-SP700N – are here to try it again. These true wireless headphones are better tuned for the low-end and they’re stable in almost every situation. They still offer very modest active noise-cancellation tech and a sweat-resistant PX4 rating, and the new charging case is aesthetically pleasing if not radically different in functionality from before.  Read the full review: Sony WF-SP700N Let’s get one thing out of the way – the B&O Beoplay E8 are one of the nicest-looking and most expensive wireless earphones you can buy.  At $299 (£259, AU$449, AED 1,199) you can throw in a bit more cash and splurge for one of our favorite noise-cancelling headphones, the Bose QuietComfort 35 $349 (£259, AU$499, AED 1,449), which give you better battery life and a richer sound. But if you’re looking for a something to take to the gym and have the cash burning a hole in your pocker, then the Beoplay E8 might be just what you’re looking for.    While they don't feature noise-cancellation, you will find a longer-lasting battery life of around four hours alongside Bluetooth 4.2. The E8 come with a stylish carrying case, and you can tweak the sound to your liking using the accompanying Beoplay app on Android and iOS. Even without tinkering around with ToneTouch, the E8 sounds crisp and clear. Bass feedback will depend on how snug you’re wearing the E8s, but was acceptable for earphones of this size. If you’re able to look past the price point, then then Beoplay E8 is a great investment. It’s super compact, offers great audio, and looks great – what more could you ask for?   Read the full review: B&O Beoplay E8 Wireless Earphones Additional resources: Check out TechRadar's exhaustive guides to the best headphones to buy today including the best on-ear headphones, the best in-ear headphones and the best over-ear headphones. For some more specialist pairs, take a look at our guides to the best noise-cancelling headphones. Looking for some headphones you can take in the pool or on a run? Check out our guide to the best swimming headphones and best running headphones. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Best true wireless earbuds: the best truly wireless AirPod alternatives around Posted: 21 Jan 2019 08:07 AM PST Headphone cables may be falling out of fashion. Wireless audio sounds better than ever, compression formats for Bluetooth 5.0 are more reliable, flagship smartphones are shipping without headphone jacks, and listeners of all kinds are starting to see the benefits of cordless audio. True wireless just goes that extra step further. True wireless earbuds are those without any cables between earbuds, meaning there's no wire or neck band to contend with. Nothing to get tangled in your pocket or caught on your zipper, nothing to whack around your neck in the middle of that cardio class, and also nothing to keep your singular earbuds together. True wireless headphones may be a bit more expensive, sure, but that additional upfront cost pays for the convenience of living cable-free.  We have our picks of the best true wireless earbuds out there – but first, let's address the elephant in the room... [Update: Got a LOT of money burning a hole in your pocket? Why not spend a cool $1000 on these Louis Vuitton-monogrammed true wireless earbuds?] Apple AirPods undeniably popularised the true-wireless format. They work seamlessly with an iPhone, sound good in terms of their form factor, and have excellent connectivity and battery life. But, move away from an iPhone and all these benefits are lost. Other headphones allow you to control your music more quickly, and more easily. Siri is no match for a dedicated in-line remote (and isn't the best of voice helpers), and it feels counter-productive having to constantly take your phone out of your pocket to control music.   There’s no getting away from the fact that these are an expensive pair of headphones, and for that kind of money we think that you can find better products elsewhere – especially if you're looking to pair with anything other than an iPhone. Read on for our favorite alternatives... Although the TrueConnect is RHAs first true wireless headphone, the company showed they did their research and development by making it one of the best true wireless headphones on the market today. The combination of sound quality, battery life, and wireless reliability means these are a pair of headphones you can rely on everyday.  The Jabra Elite 65t set the standard for what true wireless headphones should be and, regardless of what RHA has done here with the TrueConnect, they’re still great headphones. Compared to the RHA TrueConnect, the Jabra has more features with its useful ambient noise mode to help with situational awareness and an app that lets you tailor sound.  The RHA doesn’t have either of those features but we didn’t miss them, thanks to better sound quality and wireless reliability. The RHA also feels more like a premium product than the all-plastic Jabra.  All said, if you’re shopping for a pair of true wireless headphones, the $170 (£150, about AU$265) RHA TrueConnect should be at the very top of your list.   [Looking for a more stylish design? It comes at a price, but the Earin M-2 true wireless earbuds look as good as they sound.] Read the full review: RHA TrueConnect If you want a pair of high quality truly wireless earbuds that aren’t the Apple AirPods, then the Jabra Elite 65t should be at the top of your list.  After spending over a month with them, we came away impressed with the well-rounded package that Jabra managed to create: The earbuds offer a subtle, mature look and a reliable wireless connection, which isn’t always the case with truly wireless earbuds. Plus, they sound great compared to the competition.  If you only have the budget for one of these, go for the Elite 65t.  Read the full review: Jabra Elite 65t If you're more the athletic type, the Jabra Elite Sport are currently the ultimate true wireless earphones for runners and other kinds of athletes. There’s a heart rate sensor on the right earpiece, letting it monitor your exertion level as you exercise.  A Jabra companion app lets you track your exercise, and you can kick off a workout by pressing a button on one earpiece, and the heart rate tracker is more reliable than most wrist-worn models... as long as you fit the Elite Sport buds properly.  The Jabra Elite Sport don't perch in your ears, they fill them rather like a custom molded earphone. As a result, sound isolation is excellent and the fit is very secure.  To sweeten the deal, Jabra recently updated the Elite Sport to boost stamina to a better-than-average four-and-a-half hours per charge – more than enough to get you through your weekly workouts – before hanging up the towel.  Read the full review: Jabra Elite Sport The NuForce BE Free5 wireless earbuds show just how accessible truly wireless headphones are today. For around $100 (about £75, AU$134) they feature a more polished design than the more expensive BE Free8, and even sound better to boot. However, we found the left earbud would drop out briefly more than we’d like, and we hope NuForce can address this issue.    The connection dropouts combined with the frustrating controls keep it from claiming the top spot on our list, but the BE Free5 offer undeniable value in the truly wireless headphone market.  Read the full review: Optoma NuForce BE Free5 Sennheiser enters the race with its Momentum True Wireless earbuds. An extension of its reputable Momentum range, these cordless buds offer Sennheiser's trademark high-fidelity audio in a gorgeously sleek package. You only get four hours of charge in the earbuds, but the carry case will be able to charge them two times over on top of that, giving you 12 hours in total when on the go. The main thing holding these back is the price: at £259 / $299 (about AU$400) they're almost double the cost of the Apple AirPods. You do get a range of touch-based controls to stop you reaching for your phone every time you want to skip or pause a track, but the act of prodding things in your ear could be more comfortable – while the volume control is oddly imprecise. Overall though, Sennheiser's first true wireless earbuds combine style and sound like few others. Read the full review: Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless review Sony’s first pair of true wireless headphones, the Sony WF-1000X, were divisive. Some thought they didn’t offer enough bass. Others said they had too much. Some said they cut out or unpaired periodically. Others simply never had that problem. Criticisms came hard and fast from all corners of the internet and the only reasonable conclusion one could make after sifting through all of the noise was that Sony’s headphones just couldn’t please everyone. Now, Sony’s second-generation true-wireless headphones – the Sony WF-SP700N – are here to try it again. These true wireless headphones are better tuned for the low-end and they’re stable in almost every situation. They still offer very modest active noise-cancellation tech and a sweat-resistant PX4 rating, and the new charging case is aesthetically pleasing if not radically different in functionality from before.  Read the full review: Sony WF-SP700N Considering it's still rare to get noise-cancellation in wired earbuds at all, the fact that Sony has managed to pack it into a pair that are not only wireless, but true wireless is very impressive indeed.  The Sony WF-1000X manage to offer a level of noise-cancellation that's very good for a pair of earbuds – it won't offer the same isolation as a pair of over-ear cans, but if you're after a sleek form factor then the compromise is worth it.  Beyond the noise-cancellation the earbuds continue to impress. Battery life is an acceptable three hours (acceptable for true wireless that is), with a further six provided by the charging case, and sound quality is rich and full. Our only real reservation with the headphones is an occasional spotty connection between the two earbuds themselves (which rarely lasts for as much as a full second), and a lack of volume controls on the earbuds themselves (instead your options are limited to playing, pausing, and skipping your music). Still, if you're after noise-cancellation and decent sound quality with your earbuds, then the WF-1000X are the way to go.  Read the full review: Sony WF-1000X Let’s get one thing out of the way – the B&O Beoplay E8 are one of the nicest-looking and most expensive wireless earphones you can buy.  At $299 (£259, AU$449, AED 1,199) you can throw in a bit more cash and splurge for one of our favorite noise-cancelling headphones, the Bose QuietComfort 35 $349 (£259, AU$499, AED 1,449), which give you better battery life and a richer sound. But if you’re looking for a something to take to the gym and have the cash to burn, then the Beoplay E8 might be just what you’re looking for.    While you won't find noise-cancellation here, you will find a longer-lasting battery life of around four hours alongside Bluetooth 4.2. The E8 come with a stylish carrying case, and you can tweak the sound to your liking using the accompanying Beoplay app on Android and iOS. Even without tinkering around with ToneTouch, the E8 sounds crisp and clear. Bass feedback will depend on how snug you’re wearing the E8s, but was acceptable for earphones of this size. If you’re able to look past the price point, then then Beoplay E8 is a great investment. It’s super compact, offers great audio, and looks great – what more could you ask for?   Read the full review: B&O Beoplay E8 Wireless Earphones Not ready to cut the cord after all? Don't miss our guides to the best earbuds and best wireless earbuds This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Best animated shows on UK Netflix (January 2019): the 12 best Netflix cartoons Posted: 21 Jan 2019 08:01 AM PST Welcome to TechRadar's guide to the best animated shows and TV series you can stream on Netflix in the UK.  If you think cartoons are just for kids, you couldn't be more wrong, and with a huge range of brilliant original and syndicated content, Netflix is arguably the best platform for diving into the weird world of animation.  All that choice can make it difficult to settle on a show, and if you're at a loss as to which animations you should put on your watch list, look no further than our roundup of the best cartoons available on Netflix in 2019. January update: Netflix has just released a brand new animated series 'Carmen Sandiego'. Based on the MS-DOS game 'Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?', the series has 20 episodes available to stream now.  If you're not sure where to begin, our list is in order of most to least recently updated shows, so you can be sure to stay up to date with the rest of the Netflix watching population. Commence binge-watching! If you are a live-action TV fan, then check out our best shows on Netflix feature. Want to know which film to watch next? Read our best movies on Netflix UK feature Check out what the rivals are up to with the best movies on Amazon Prime Best Netflix sci-fi movies: fantastic films to stream on Netflix and Amazon now Best horror movies: scary films to stream right now Wanting to watch from abroad? Then you need the best Netflix VPN  Our weekly guide to upcoming things on Netflix Created by Nick Kroll, Andrew Goldberg, Mark Levin, and Jennifer Flackett, Big Mouth is a fictionalization of Kroll and Goldberg's teenage years in Westchester County, New York.  The series is all about puberty, with Nick's raging hormones personified by Maurice the Hormone Monster, who wreaks havoc on his anxiety-ridden teenage life. The new season sees the introduction of the 'Shame Wizard', who gives all the kids in the show a large dose of embarrassment about their changing bodies.  As a series it's pretty graphic, but not particularly in a gross out way - it actually feels quite progressive in it's frank portrayal of the ups and downs of puberty. Still, probably best not to watch this one with your kids/parents. Seasons on Netflix: 2 Netflix has just released the fifth season of Bojack Horseman, an original series that follows the life of washed up actor Bojack as he struggles with alcoholism, toxic relationships, and a troubled childhood.  The new season sees Bojack trying to come to terms with his issues as the lives of the people around him spin out.  For those who are worried it may be too dark for them, fear not - there's loads of slapstick humor, word play, and stunning animation designed by cartoonist Lisa Hanawalt to keep everything balanced. Seasons on Netflix: 5 Paradise PD follows a small town police department whose officers are morally corrupt, over-emotional, and violent. Featuring a ton of gross-out comedy and shock value humor, the adult cartoon takes shots at pop culture figures in a similar vein to Family Guy or South Park. If cartoon violence and crass humor makes you cringe, this probably isn't the show for you, but with ten 30 minute episodes available of Netflix, Paradise PD is pretty binge-able. Seasons on Netflix: 1 After human prisoner Gary meets a planet-destroying alien, they must go on an interstellar mission to save Earth. Alongside a ragtag team of misfits, Gary embarks on a journey through space to find out the true meaning of 'final space', or where the universe ends. Laugh-out-loud funny, and surprisingly emotional, the series was picked up for another season in May 2018. Seasons on Netflix: 1 Matt Groening's done the present (The Simpsons), he's done the future (Futurama), so it makes sense that his latest series would take place in the past. His first production for Netflix, Disenchantment takes places in the fantasy kingdom of Dreamland, and follows the feisty young princess Bean, her sweet elf companion Elfo, and demon Luci as they navigate the magical medieval world they inhabit.  With an all-star cast and impressive animation, the series has been met with mixed to positive reviews so far, and has been described by voice actor John DiMaggio as "the offspring of The Simpsons and Game of Thrones".  Seasons on Netflix: 1 Originally aired on Cartoon Network, Over the Garden Wall is a charming mini-series that centres on two half brothers Wirt and Greg (voiced by Elijah Wood and Collin Dean respectively) who must find their way home through an enchanted forest.  Stalked by an evil ancient creature called 'The Beast', the two boys encounter the strange and sometimes wonderful inhabitants of the forest along their way. With stunning animation inspired by Victorian illustrations and postcards, Over the Garden Wall is the perfect watch for adults and (older) children alike in the run up to Halloween.  Seasons on Netflix: 1 Archer is back on Netflix for its penultimate ninth season, and like the previous season, the characters are playing different versions of themselves as Archer still lies in a coma. This time Archer is a drunken co-pilot alongside Pam, who crash their plane onto the verdant Pacific island of Mitimotu, with the series paying homage to the short-lived television series Tales of the Golden Monkey and the Indiana Jones films.  Seasons on Netflix: 9 Created by Sanrio (the people who brought you Hello Kitty), Aggretsuko is a terminally cute and funny animation that follows fed up office worker Retsuko the red panda.  Feeling under-appreciated by her demanding boss, Retsuko turns to death metal karaoke to relieve her work related stress, with hilarious results. Seasons on Netflix: 1 Based on the life of comedian Bill Burr, F is for Family is a funny and endearing cartoon set in 1970's American suburbia, and centres around Burr's father Frank Murphy.  A little like an even more adult version of The Simpsons, the series is all about 70's nostalgia, with musical, costume, and cultural throwbacks interspersed with Frank's profane rants at his misbehaving children and long suffering wife Sue. Full to the brim with laugh-out-loud moments, the series is just as heartwarming as it is hilarious.  Seasons on Netflix: 3 Rick and Morty has enjoyed an almost obsessive cult following since its release in 2013, and with three seasons on Netflix, there's a lot to catch up on if you haven't seen it yet.  The series follows the crazy inter-dimensional adventures of mad scientist Rick Sanchez and his timid grandson Morty, as they navigate both the multiverse and fraught family relationships. Part of it's wide appeal is creator Dan Harmon's masterful combination of side-splitting humor with sometimes devastating emotional depth, meaning Rick and Morty is a series you will unlikely be able to stop watching once you start.  Seasons on Netflix: 3 Adaptations of video games into TV series are rarely good, but Netflix's Castlevania may just buck that trend. Based on the 1989 Japanese video game Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse, the series is heavily influenced by anime-style animation. Suitably gory for a show about vampires, the series follows monster hunter Trevor Belmont as he tries to take down the vengeful Count Vlad Dracula Tepes. Seasons on Netflix: 1 Based on the manga of the same title by Hajime Isayama, Attack on Titan is an action -packed anime that's set in a world where humans live in cities protected by enormous walls to protect them from gigantic humanoid monsters called Titans who devour them at any opportunity.  When a Titan breaks through the wall of protagonist Eren Yeager's hometown, he vows to get revenge by joining a group of soldiers who battle them. Although the show has a dedicated fan following, the second and third seasons are yet to be released on Netflix. Seasons on Netflix: 1 This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Would you pay $1,000 for these Louis Vuitton wireless headphones? Posted: 21 Jan 2019 07:57 AM PST French fashion house Louis Vuitton has announced the launch of a 'new' pair of earbuds for the fashion conscious audiophile; the Louis Vuitton Horizon Earphones feature the famous LV monogram and are set to cost an eye-watering $995 (around £770/AU$1,400).  They may look new, but all is not what it seems with these ultra-luxurious buds – they are actually the Master & Dynamic MW07 wireless earbuds we saw last year, with the Louis Vuitton logo slapped on the housing.  Aside from the updated design, these earbuds are exactly the same as the original MW07s, with 10mm beryllium drivers, a 3.5-hour battery life, and support for AptX for detailed sound.  When we tested them, the already-expensive MW07s cost $300 (about £230/AU$414), so if you buy the new Louis Vuitton Horizon Earphones, you are essentially paying around $700 for the LV logo.  While the MW07s were admittedly some of the best earbuds we've tested, their high price and average battery life meant that we didn't feel they lived up to cheaper options like the Jabra Elite 65t true wireless in-ears, which cost $170 (£150/AU$300). Earbuds, but make it fashion It seems very extravagant, but you do at least get some cool design features for your hard-earned cash. The Horizon Earphones come in the black, white, and red colors of the monogram, or the blue and yellow of the Louis Vuitton stripes. They come with a circular charging case, which was modeled on the Louis Vuitton Tambour Horizon smartwatch, and similarly features the LV monogram. The charging case provides a further 10 hours of battery life, so you can charge on the go.  The Horizon Earphones will be available to buy from January 24 from Louis Vuitton boutiques worldwide – whether many people will actually spend $1,000 on a pair of $300 true wireless earbuds with the LV logo added on remains to be seen. The best true wireless earbuds: the best truly wireless Apple AirPod alternatives around Via The Verge This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The best laptop 2019: our pick of the 15 best laptops you can buy this year Posted: 21 Jan 2019 07:57 AM PST If you're looking for the best laptop in 2019, then you've come to the right place. In this guide, we'll take you through the very best laptops that money can currently buy. We've got two new entries in this. The first is the brand-new 2019 edition of the Dell XPS 13. While there's not a huge upgrade from 2018's version, it's still one of the best laptops money can buy, and the new placement of the webcam will be appreciated by anyone who uses their laptop for video calls. We've also added the HP Spectre Folio. While it doesn't quite reinvent the laptop as HP had claimed, it's still a gorgeously-designed convertible laptop that we really love. No matter what kind of laptop you're looking for, our best laptop guide lists a wide range of excellent laptops, from super-slim and all-powerful Ultrabooks, to high-end laptops, Apple MacBooks, gaming laptops and budget laptops as well. We've also included our own price comparison tool that will check the most popular online retailers on the internet and highlight the best prices for the best laptops. Every entry in this best laptops buying guide has been thoroughly tested by us, and we only include laptops that have seriously impressed us and convinced us they are worthy of a place in this list. The best laptops of 2019: The Huawei MateBook X Pro was our pick for the best laptop money can buy in 2018, and it still stands in 2019. After years of this list being dominated by the (still excellent) Dell XPS 13, the MateBook X Pro has proved to be a truly brilliant challenger. This is a gorgeously-designed laptop with a stunning screen (albeit with a rather odd aspect ratio), and it comes packed with cutting edge components that allows it to perform brilliantly, and a battery life that runs rings around many of its rivals. It also has a very competitive price, giving you features, design and performance for quite a bit less money. Sadly, it's not available in many countries, so if you struggle to grab hold of it, look into getting the Dell XPS 13 (below). Read the full review: Huawei MateBook X Pro This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Dell XPS 13  The Dell XPS 13 has been a regular of our best laptops list for years, and the 2019 model is no exception. It retains everything we've come to love from Dell's flagship 13-incher, from the gorgeous and light design, to the powerful modern components that power it. The Dell XPS 13 rocks an 8th-generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processor and a bezel-less ‘Infinity Edge’ display, this Dell XPS 13 continues to be the most popular Windows laptop in the world. What’s more, there’s a wide range of customization options, so you can really make the Dell XPS 13 the best laptop for your needs. The 2019 model doesn't bring a huge amount of improvements, but then not that much about the Dell XPS 13 needs improving. Its webcam has been placed at the top center of the screen, rather than at the bottom, which a lot of customers have been asking for. You also get a longer battery life in this year's model. Read the full review: Dell XPS 13 Asus has struck gold with its new refresh of its ZenBook Flip S 2-in-1 laptop, with the Asus ZenBook Flip S UX370 impressing us so much it's landed straight at number 3 in our best laptops list. With a new Kaby Lake R 8th-generation processor powering the device, plenty of RAM and a super-fast PCIe SSD in certain models, this is an absolutely stunning laptop. Its 2-in-1 design means you can use it as both a laptop and a tablet, and while it's not as affordable as some machines on this list, if you have the budget you'll be really happy with this fantastic device. Read the full review: Asus ZenBook Flip S UX370 If you're after the latest and greatest laptop from Apple, we suggest you look into the 2018 model of the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar. While Microsoft had the performance edge over last year's MacBook Pro, with the Surface Book 2, Apple has come out swinging with some seriously beefed up specs for the 13-inch MacBook Pro 2018, and even more so if you go for the larger 15-inch model. The headline Touch Bar – a thin OLED display at the top of the keyboard which can be used for any number of things, whether that be auto-suggesting words as you type or offering Touch ID so you can log in with just your fingerprint – is again included. It's certainly retained Apple's sense of style, but it comes at a cost. This is a pricey machine, so you may want to consider one of the Windows alternatives. If you're open to switching to a PC, definitely consider the XPS 13 or the excellent MateBook X Pro. But, if you're a steadfast Apple diehard, this is definitely the best laptop for you! Read the full review: Apple Macbook with Touch Bar 13-inch (2018) The new MSI GS65 Stealth has knocked our previous choice of the best gaming laptop, Asus ROG Zephyrus GX501, off this list, thanks to its excellent array of cutting edge components, which includes an 8th-generation Intel Core i7-8750H CPU and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 GPU. It's also more reasonably priced than the Zephyrus GX501, and its subtle design means that it can double as a work or study laptop without raising any eyebrows. If you're looking for a more affordable gaming laptop, however, check out the Dell Inspiron 15 7000 Gaming below. Read the full review: MSI GS65 Stealth  Microsoft's second attempt at a pure laptop device is an absolute winner in our view, and while it doesn't represent a huge overhaul of the original Surface Laptop, it offers improvements in all the areas we were hoping for, including updated hardware that brings serious performance benefits. This is a laptop that finally delivers on what Microsoft set out to do with the original: a pure, powerful Windows 10 laptop experience. If you're not sold on the 2-in-1 nature of the Surface Book 2 (which is also on this best laptops list), but love Microsoft's premium build quality and design, then the Surface Laptop 2 is the laptop for you. A very worth addition to this list. Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Laptop 2 Last year’s Dell XPS 15 was already one of the best laptops you could buy, but now that Dell has taken the beautiful redesign of the Dell XPS 13 and applied it here – while also making it a convertible. Well, it’s amazing. Not only do you get one of the most aesthetically pleasing 15-inch laptops on the market, but it also packs one of those new Intel  Kaby Lake G-series CPUs featuring ‘discrete-class’ Radeon graphics. This means that this laptop packs serious power – even if it can get a little loud. Read the full review: Dell XPS 15 2-in-1  The Acer Predator Helios 300 is a fantastic affordable gaming laptop that proves that even if you don't have the kind of money to buy the MSI GS65 Stealth that also features on this best laptops list, you don't have to sacrifice too much when it comes to power. The Acer Predator Helios 300 packs some excellent components, such as a new 8th generation 6-core Intel Core i7 processor, Nvidia GTX 1060 graphics card and 16GB of RAM. While it's still an expensive proposition compared to regular laptops, for a gaming notebook you are getting a heck of a lot of power for the price. Read the full review: Acer Predator Helios 300 When it comes to the best Chromebook laptop, you have a choice between two stark alternatives. There's the premium Chromebook Pixel, which we list further down this page, and then there's the excellent Asus Chromebook Flip C302, which combines premium features in a much more affordable package. For many people, Chromebooks are excellent and affordable laptops that are perfect for students, and the Asus Chromebook Flip C302 is easily one of the best Chromebooks, and one of the best laptops, money can buy. It comes with an Intel Core processor, full 1080p display, touchscreen, backlit keyboard and USB-C port. Read the full review: Asus Chromebook Flip When HP unveiled the HP Spectre Folio, it made some big claims about how the 2-in-1 laptop would reinvent the PC. While it doesn't quite match the hype, what we do have is one of the most beautifully-designed laptops we've ever tried. Billed as "modern vintage meets technology", the HP Spectre Folio is built directly into a piece of genuine leather. That's not a fancy cover, it's a part of the laptop. It's not just looks that has put it on this list of the best laptops of 2019, the HP Spectre Folio is also a brilliant performer as well, with modern components powering the device. It is very expensive, though, so if you're on a budget, check out the more affordable 2-in-1 Acer Switch 3 below. But, if you want the best laptop for making a statement as soon as you pull it out of the bag, then the HP Spectre Folio is the one to get. Read the full review: HP Spectre Folio If you want the Microsoft Surface Book 2 but you want to spend a lot less, the Acer Switch 3 2017 is definitely the your best option. It's designed around essentially the same concept as the Surface Book 2 and it's a less capable thanks to slightly lower power innards, but for most tasks it's a brilliant little machine. What's more, to add further value this 2-in-1 laptop/tablet comes with the keyboard upgrade which means no little extras to pay for. As usual it comes in several different versions, with USB Type-C, 8GB RAM, an IPS display and Intel Core i3 7100U CPU coming with the more expensive option. Read the full review: Acer Switch 3  Last year's iteration of the MacBook is another win for Apple, and it's once again won us over with a gorgeous design, excellent performance and best-in-class battery life. Apple has updated the processors with Intel's 7th-generation Kaby Lake range, which means you get improved performance and longer battery life without sacrificing the thin and light design that the MacBook is famous for. While the MacBook 2017 is not designed as a pure productivity machine, like the more powerful and versatile MacBook Pro above, or as a gaming machine like the Asus ROG Zephyrus GX501, it's still one of the best laptops in the world right now thanks to being a super slim and light MacBook that you can take anywhere without even noticing the weight, and being a powerful showcase for macOS High Sierra. If you're after a MacBook, this year's model is easily one of the best. Read the full review: Apple MacBook The best Chromebooks have experienced huge success in recent years as a result of their accessibility, and the Google Pixelbook is no exception. Even though it costs twice as much as the average Chrome OS device and doesn’t come with a stylus as you may expect, the Pixelbook is built to withstand the future. It features a pair of Thunderbolt 3 ports for accessories and super fast file transfers, a hinge that flips inside out for watching movies on planes and a taste of Android. You get full access to the Google Play store on the Pixelbook, from playing Sonic the Hedgehog to watching videos in VLC. The icing on this pixelated cake is its long battery life – it lasted nearly 8 hours in our own testing, so you shouldn’t need to worry about the Pixelbook dying on you.  Read the full review: Google Pixelbook This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Asus Chromebook Flip C302  While you may have been convinced that ‘budget Ultrabook’ was an oxymoron up until this point, the Acer has turned this common misconception on its head with the Swift 3. That’s because the company has taken the all-aluminum chassis of the Acer Swift 7 and stuffed some more affordable components inside for everyone to enjoy. It doesn’t run macOS, but the Acer Swift 3 does put the age-old MacBook Air to shame in about every other regard, including the nigh-unbeatable price tag. Of course, in the process of demolishing the competition, Acer did have to cut a few corners in order to keep the price so impressively low. So although you can’t expect much in the way of an Ultra HD display or quality onboard sound, the performance benchmarks alone give even the Surface Laptop a run for its money. We've also had a glance of the upcoming 2018 edition of the Swift 7 at CES 2018, which comes with boosted graphics and processing specs. It could be a shoe-in for a place on this list when it launches later this year. Read the full review: Acer Swift 3 While it may not have the best keyboard in the world, the Samsung Notebook 9 was one of the best laptops you could buy in 2018. and that stands in 2019. Packed with more horsepower than the MacBook Pro, but at a much lower price, Samsung has crafted a laptop that has just as much substance as it does style. Plus, on top of its killer specs, it’s lightweight and thin, making this one of the most portable 15-inch laptops you can buy today. Read the full review: Samsung Notebook 9  This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the MacBook Pro  Which type of laptop is best for you? General laptops: Where the best cheap laptops are found, devices that focus more on practicality than style, portability or power. That’s not to say they can’t be fast, but you’ll typically find a non-Ultrabook clamshell laptop with an HD screen and spinning drive-based storage for less than $600 or £400. Ultrabooks: Where you’ll find thin-and-light notebooks sporting SSD storage and display resolutions that exceed 1080p. Paired with powerful, albeit mobile-centric components and especially long battery life, the best Ultrabooks will cost a pretty penny – $700 or £500 to $2,000 or £1,800. 2-in-1 laptops: Where notebooks that double as tablets are located. The Surface Book 2 might be a ways off, but many of the best 2-in-1 laptops are available right now. Outfitted with both detachable and 360-degree rotating hinges, these hybrids are the most versatile way to experience Windows 10 (or Chrome OS) on a touchscreen. Chromebooks: Where you’ll find the best Chromebooks running Chrome OS. These do much of what Windows and macOS can in the browser, focused on cloud storage over local, while recently getting Android app support for touchscreen models. They generally cost less than $300 or £200 and some can even withstand a slight tussle. Gaming laptops: Need a laptop to play games (almost) just like a shiny desktop PC can? Then you’ll want one of the best gaming laptops. These machines generally cost from $800 or £600 to upwards of $3,000 or £2,800 and they’ll likely be the ones to take advantage of AMD’s laptop-grade Ryzen processors first. Laptop-tablet hybrids: Designed from the tablet-first approach to laptop-tablet hybrids, the best Windows tablets pack beyond-HD touchscreens, sometimes with kickstands in their frames or provided via keyboard covers. These generally shine with a stylus, and range from the budget to the premium price ranges. Linux, Windows or Mac - which one is best for you? Watch our guide video below:  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Best cloud storage 2019 for photos and pictures Posted: 21 Jan 2019 07:25 AM PST Don't risk your images; whisk them up into the safety of the cloud. Here we test six leading options to find the best cloud storage for photos. Backing up your photos is hardly a blast, and that was especially the case back when that meant spending time burning them to CDs. Fortunately, keeping your photos safe is now much easier thanks to the cloud. Put simply, 'the cloud' is just techno-jargon for online storage. You can choose from numerous websites offering anywhere between 1GB and 1TB of free remote hard drive space. Backing up like this doesn't just eliminate the hassle of dealing with discs or hard drives, it also enables you to access your photos from anywhere with an internet connection. The ability to share photos is another bonus, while websites like Flickr let you exhibit your images to the world, with scope for other users to leave feedback. Of course, if you'd rather keep your photos private, most cloud storage providers make it easy to set restrictions to make images accessible only to your password-protected account, or to anyone with a private web link. We've compared six of the best cloud storage websites; three aimed at photographers and three suited to general storage. Dropbox is great for storing pretty much any digital file type. Organising files is a cinch thanks to the intuitive folder system, plus you can access your files on the go with apps for iOS and Android. All this and 2GB of storage is free with a Dropbox Basic account (you can get an extra 500MB of space for referring a friend up to 16GB). A Dropbox Plus account offers 1TB for $9.99 (£7.50) a month or $99 (£74) a year, and you can get 1GB per referral (up to 32GB) . You do get remote desktop wipe, 30-day version history and priority email upload. For its versatility and simplicity, Dropbox is superb, but ultimately Flickr's more attractive interface, social interaction and sheer value make it the better option. Get Dropbox Plus here Drive (a paid plan is also called Google One) isn't just another cloud storage provider, it's also home to several free business-grade office apps (heck, we even use it in the office here). Like Dropbox, Drive is geared towards file sharing, with multiple users able to modify shared files. You can store photos on Drive, but it doesn't offer the same stylish setting as more photography-focused online storage. Instead, use Google Photos which offers unlimited storage for high resolution photos which are up to 16-megapixel in size. 15GB of free storage comes with Drive, although this is shared by other Google apps like Gmail. Google uses AI and Machine Learning to automatically label people within pictures and uses metadata (date and place) to make searching easier. You can increase the allocated space to 100GB for $1.99 (£1.5) per month, 200GB for $2.99 (£2.3) per month, 2TB costs $9.99 (£7.5) per month, while 10TB  costs $99.99 (£75.5) per month. Additionally, new plans were added, 20TB for $199.99 (£151) per month and 30TB for $299.99 (£226.5) per month. Get Google Drive with Photos "Cloud storage is important for photographers as localized back-ups of images are never totally safe, even if you have mirrored copies on two separate drives. Using a cloud storage solution means your images are kept safe, while you can access them from any device." Phil Hall, Photography Editor, TechRadar Microsoft's cloud storage offers a very similar set-up to its arch-rival, Google Drive. Anyone familiar with the Microsoft Office suite will feel right at home with OneDrive's integrated office apps. OneDrive adopts the same look and feel as Windows 10, so it's easy to navigate. However, it isn't designed solely for photographers, so don't expect the same viewing experience as you get from Flickr. Pricing is close to Google's, with 5GB for free and an extra 50GB costing $1.99 per month. However, Microsoft's 1TB option is better value at $6.99 per month (or $69.99 paid yearly), and includes the Office 365 package. Add another $3 per month and you get six licenses to use, more storage and bonus features like one hour Skype for free. Since October 2nd, subscribers can install Office (both plans) on an unlimited number of devices. Get Microsoft Onedrive Where most cloud storage providers make you cough up for more than a few gigabytes of storage, Flickr - now owned by Verizon - offers the storage of 1000 photos and videos for free, with unobtrusive adverts covering the cost. If you'd rather go ad-free and with unlimited storage, you can for a $6 monthly fee or $50 annual fee for Flickr Pro+. What makes Flickr stand out is its ability to display your photos in an attractive photostream. Other users can follow your activity and comment on your shots, or you can make images private, making it a real social network for amateur and professional photographers alike. Flickr is designed for presenting your shots rather than just storing them, so it'll only display JPEG, GIF and PNG images. Dropbox is better if you need to upload RAW files but you won't get stats on your photo views or 15% savings off Adobe's Creative Cloud (with the annual plan, you also get discounts for Blurb, SmugMug, and Priime). Get Flickr for free Adobe Creative Cloud offers a number of different cloud-based storage solutions specifically for photographers. It provides photography-orientated storage with attractive image galleries. Group Libraries enable friends to add photos to one shared folder, and you're free to make any photo private. There's integration with Lightroom and Elements, and you can make quick edits when needed. Uploading is easy, with apps for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. There's also support for RAW file formats. The cheapest tier is expensive though at $119.88 per year for 1TB of storage. That's twice what Microsoft OneDrive provides but you do get Lightroom CC. Opt for a lower storage capacity (20GB) and you can get Photoshop CC thrown in for free. Get Adobe Creative Cloud Irista is designed to rival the likes of Flickr and Adobe Creative Cloud, giving you a gallery-driven interface that's for displaying your shots in style. It accepts JPEG and common RAW file formats and is easy to use, with options to filter images by camera or lens type and arrange shots by year, tags and EXIF data. Social media is heavily integrated, so you can upload images to Irista, share them to Facebook or Flickr and track any Likes or comments. Six subscription plans allow you to increase Irista's free 15GB of storage to either 100GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 5TB or 10TB. You can get the cheapest 100GB plan for $2.25 a month, the most common 1TB plan for $12.99 a month or if you want the 10TB plan for the biggest storage, you'll have to pay $129.99 on a monthly basis. Get Canon Irista cloud storage 5 things to look for in cloud storage for photos Freemium: Most storage providers give you some free space, with extra capacity available for a monthly or annual fee. Prices vary considerably, though, so make sure you get a good deal. File formats: If you just want to back up or share JPEGs, then pretty much any provider will fit the bill. However, you'll need to choose more carefully if you'll be storing TIFFs or RAW files. Internet speed: Don't fork out on a premium cloud storage subscription if your internet connection runs at a snail's pace. Consider spending the same cash on a fast external hard drive instead. Show off: Not all online storage websites will display your photos in attractive galleries for the world to see them at their best. Keep moving: Cloud storage is great for keeping your photos accessible on the go, so make sure your preferred provider has apps to help view and upload images from your mobile devices. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Microsoft wants suggestions on how to improve gaming on Windows 10 Posted: 21 Jan 2019 07:18 AM PST Microsoft wants your feedback on how it can improve the gaming experience on Windows 10, in terms of changing existing features, or adding entirely new ones. This cry for feedback was actually made on the Xbox Ideas forums, as follows: “Team Xbox would love to hear how you’d like to see gaming on Windows improved. How can Windows 10 enhance your gaming experience? What features would you like added or changed to make gaming on Windows 10 even better?” The post adds: “What do you want Windows to do (or stop doing) while you’re playing a game? What can Windows do to optimize your gaming experience? What other gaming features would you like to see?” Gamers are then asked to make their own suggestions on the web page, or vote for existing suggestions and/or leave comments. Note that when you submit an idea, it has to be vetted by the team before it will appear, and can be voted on. Process palaver At the moment, the most popular suggestion on this ‘idea drive’ with 762 votes is for Windows to automatically disable any superfluous processes not necessary to run a game, when you’re playing that game. Folks are also clamoring for a version of Windows 10 that is optimized for gaming, and other popular suggestions include being able to launch a PC game with a controller (rather than having to reach for the mouse to fire it up), and the ability to stream PC games to an Xbox console. The denizens of Twitter are also offering their own off-the-cuff suggestions, and popular ones include officially getting original Xbox and Xbox 360 games running on Windows 10, and, erm, ditching the Microsoft Store – or at least giving the latter an overhaul. If you’ve got any dazzlingly bright ideas, then now is apparently the time to share them – head on over to the relevant Xbox Ideas page. We’ve picked out the best gaming PCs of 2019 Via Techspot This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

O2 currently has the UK's best mobile phone deals - Samsungs and iPhones included Posted: 21 Jan 2019 06:58 AM PST There's no denying it, O2 has had some of the absolute best mobile phone deals of late, especially on the higher-end of the smartphone market. Throughout January so far, some of our favourite offers have been on the network. Big data, cheap monthly costs or freebies to entice you in, O2 has had it all in early 2019. Whether you're in it for the Priority rewards or O2's brilliant countrywide coverage the network is know for its high quality, making it the second most used in the UK. But going straight to O2's website isn't such a good idea, as the prices tend to be higher than you can find from other third-party (but still utterly trustworthy) retailers. They're where you'll find the very best O2 mobile phone deals, with our top five favourites picked out below. We know you may have concerns with very recent memories of signal issues plaguing O2. They seem to have now been sorted. But if they still give you cause to avoid O2 or if you simply want to know all your options, then you can always head to our best mobile phone deals page to see what the likes of EE, Vodafone and Three can offer. 1. Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Are you more of an Apple fan than Android? Well you can get the iPhone XS at a good price on O2 as well, but it will cost you a bit more. For £58 a month and £49 upfront you can get a 75GB of data iPhone XS. That's a great price in the world of high-end iPhones, especially with that much data. 2. iPhone XR If you were wanting the iPhone XR but with more data Mobile Phones Direct has a 75GB of data XR for £49 upfront and £43 a month which is another brilliant deal on the device. 3. Google Pixel 3 The only drawback is that to get such a barnstorming price, you need to claim cashback over five instalments over the course of the contract. It's a little bit of pain for significant gain. Doesn't sound like your kind of thing? Then check out our entire guide to the best Pixel 3 deals instead. 4. Huawei Mate 20 Pro 5. SIM only We're not going to lie to you, O2 isn't very competitive on SIM only compared to what you can get on other networks, You can find all of your options using our best SIM only deals page but if you're set on O2 then you can find the best deal above.  Read more: Best phone deals on EE Best phone deals on Three Best phone deals on Vodafone This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Best movies on Netflix UK: the best films to watch in January 2019 Posted: 21 Jan 2019 06:45 AM PST Netflix may have mounting competition the likes of Amazon Prime and Now TV when it comes to the online streaming crown. But despite Amazon creating some great news shows and Now TV providing us with the best Sky has to offer, Netflix is still our favourite place for movies and TV shows.  There are lots of reasons why that's the case, including its (mostly) intuitive interface, offline modes, original series and films, huge catalogue of movies and, most importantly, the fact it's constantly updated week-on-week with some of the best entertainment on the planet.  Every day Netflix adds at least a movie or two, and every week at least three or four of them tend to be worth watching. This is what sets it apart from Amazon Prime, which has a great back catalogue, as well as lots of mediocre and, quite frankly, rubbish movies in its vaults.  [Update: Netflix has kicked off the New Year with horror flick Bird Box, starring Sandra Bullock, as well as an insightful documentary into the disastrous Fyre Festival fiasco, called Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened.]  Of course it's great news that Netflix keeps its catalogue of movies topped up with fresh, award-winning and super entertaining titles. But it also means many of us spend a lot of time scrolling through anything and everything the service has to offer.  And, as many of us are all too aware, often the dilemma of so much great stuff to choose from (which is known as ‘decision fatigue’ in psychology circles) leaves us feeling fed up.  In an attempt to put an end to what we’re coining ‘Netflix fatigue’ once and for all, we’ve created this extensive list to the best movies that Netflix UK has to offer you right now. That's right. No more endless scrolling and no more movie-induced anxiety that you've made the wrong choice. We'll be updating this cinematic hall of fame at least once a week, so be sure to keep it bookmarked so you can find out what's hot and ready to be watched on Netflix in the UK right now.  Fyre Festival: The Greatest Party That Never Happened Credit: Netflix If you’ve been signed up to Netflix for more than a few months, you’ll know there are lots of mediocre movie choices. But if you only have time for the best of the best, don't waste those all too precious minutes searching through the site's extensive and exhausting back catalogue. Instead, delve straight into this guide. To make your life easier (and enable your Netflix addiction), we’ve divided more than 40 movie recommendations up into categories that we're sure will suit every taste. We’ve got indie and thriller through to kids and documentaries. And don't forget to keep checking back. Unlike its TV output, which seems to stay on Netflix for longer, movies on the streaming site tend to appear and disappear quickly. Enjoy!  If you are a TV fan, then check out our best shows on Netflix feature. Into your animation? Check out our best animated shows on Netflix feature Check out what the rivals are up to with the best movies on Amazon Prime Best Netflix sci-fi movies: fantastic films to stream on Netflix and Amazon now Best horror movies: scary films to stream right now Wanting to watch from abroad? Then you need the best Netflix VPN  Our weekly guide to upcoming things on Netflix The best Netflix Originals movies Bird Box Everyone is talking about Bird Box right now, not least because of the spate of dangerous copycat challenges it has inspired on social media platforms. Starring Sandra Bullock, this sci-fi flick follows her and her children as they battle a mysterious phenomenon causes mass suicides once witnessed. Okja Okja is a fantastic movie that proves Netflix really does know what it's doing when it comes to commissioning films. Made by Bong Joon Ho, one of the greatest directors around, the film is the strange tale of a little girl and her best friend, a giant animal called Okja. The friendship is threatened when a CEO (a superb Tilda Swinton) wants to take Okja for nefarious means. The whole movie may well be an ode to animal activism but it's such a refreshing movie that you don't mind it preaching to you on occasion. Now you have this on-board Netflix, can you please grab the UK rights for Snowpiercer - another superb Bong Joon Ho movie that never saw the light of day in Britain.   The Ballad of Buster Scruggs This anthology of six short films by the Coen brothers takes places in the 19th-century Old West in the years after the American Civil War. Starring James Franco, Tom Waits, and Zoe Kazan, the Ballad Of Buster Scruggs switches rapidly between sentimental, pastoral scenes of the West and brutal violence.  Annihilation This is exactly the sort of movie that Netflix should be making. It’s uncompromising sci-fi that has a smart smattering of horror running through it. Based on the hit series of books The Southern Reach Trilogy, the movie focuses on a group of scientists who go into Area X, a quarantined section of Earth where strange things are going on. Natalie Portman is superb and refreshing in the lead role.  Roma From the director of Gravity and Children of Men, Alfonso Cuarón, Roma is the story of a housekeeper Cleo, as she and her family come up against social hierarchy and political turmoil in 1970’s Mexico. This semi-autobiographical film is said to be inspired by Cuarón’s own upbringing, and has been widely acknowledged as one of the best films of 2018, winning two Golden Globes for Best Director and Best Foreign Language Film. Best drama movies on Netflix American Honey A coming-of-age tale about a teen called Star who joins a group of travelling magazine sellers as they journey across the American Midwest. It's trying to be quite gritty throughout, but the road trip story and dreamy shots (like the one above) make it much more heart-warming. Sasha Lane truly shines in the lead role and Riley Keough and Shia LaBeouf are also on top form as they play two of the teen magazine sellers she warms to - and clashes with.  Jackie Natalie Portman takes the lead role in this biographical drama about the life of Jackie Kennedy, which takes place after her husband John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963. It’s a compelling but difficult watch at times, all about grief, trauma, consoling her children and Jackie’s struggle to create a legacy for her husband after his tragic death. As well as Portman, the movie has a great cast, including Greta Gerwig, Billy Crudup, Peter Sarsgaard and John Hurt - it was the final film that was released just before Hurt passed away in 2017.  Personal Shopper Personal Shopper is a strange, but captivating movie. It shows off the acting prowess of Kristen Stewart who is superb as an American 'personal shopper' living in Paris who caters to the needs of an infuriating supermodel. And it just so happens, Stewart's character is also a medium who starts to interact with what she believes is her not-long dead brother. Personal Shopper is one movie which doesn't let you really know what it wants to be until the end - and that is what makes it great. Selma A heartfelt and considered look at Martin Luther King Jr's struggle to gain equal voting rights, campaigning in racially-charged Alabama, Selma was one of the finest films of 2014 and was rightly nominated for a Best Picture Oscar as a result. It may have missed out on the top gong, but David Oyelowo's performance as the civil rights leader is a powerful one, with a supporting cast recreating the inspiring story with great respect. Taxi Driver Martin Scorsese's flick Taxi Driver follows the story of a lonely veteran (played by Robert DeNiro) living in New York who becomes a taxi driver and slowly descends into madness watching the corruption and depravity of the city around him. It's not an easy watch, but it's a true classic and considered one of the greatest movies of all time. Best romance movies on Netflix La La Land Director Damian Chazelle (Whiplash) does it again with La La Land, creating a fantastic musical romance about two creatives trying to make it big in Los Angeles. One is an aspiring actress (the fantastic Emma Stone), while the other (Ryan Gosling) is a jobbing jazz musician hoping for his big break. The song and dance routines are a wonder to watch, but this isn't just a film that relies on gimmickry - it's a well told modern day love story. Pride and Prejudice The 2005 version of Jane Austen's classic tale of romance stars Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen as the young, stubborn and witty Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. When Harry Met Sally The ultimate romantic film? Perhaps. It’s definitely one of the best watches you are likely to have. When Harry Met Sally is an all-time classic, brimming with confidence that only comes when you nail the acting, script and direction. Sally is played by Meg Ryan, someone who has been friends with Harry (a pristine Billy Crystal) for years but lost contact. They meet up again, when their lives are a little different, and the rest is history. Rob Reiner does a fantastic, subtle directing job here but top marks go to the script by the late Nora Ephron.  To All The Boys I've Loved Before This teen romance follows high schooler, Lara Jean, as she tries to navigate school after five secret love letters are sent out to her crushes by mistake. Based on the young adult trilogy by Jenny Han, the film quickly became one of Netflix’s most successful Original films, after its release in October 2018.  Carol Carol is a gripping drama that sees protagonist Therese (Rooney Mara) enchanted by Carol (Cate Blanchett), a glamorous older women she spots browsing in a Manhattan department store. Based on the 1952 novel, The Price Of Salt by Patricia Highsmith, it’s a story of forbidden love that reportedly received a ten-minute standing ovation at its Cannes Film Festival screening.  Best comedy movies on Netflix The World's End The World's End is the worst of the Cornetto Trilogy but that's only because the other two are the superb Shaun Of The Dead and Hot Fuzz. The premise is great: Gary King (Simon Pegg) gets his old friends together to relive a pub crawl of their childhood. The only problem is, everyone has grown up into self-respecting adults except him. But none of this matters when the group of lads get themselves into a very strange situation. Full of fantastic sight gags that made Baby Driver the success it was, The World's End doesn't quite hit the high notes it should but it has a lot of fun trying in the process. Popstar: Never Stop Stopping This mockumentary stars Andy Samberg as Conner ‘Conner4Real’ Friel, a breakout popstar loosely based on Justin Bieber. The Spinal Tap-esque film follows Conner as he tries to hang on to success following dismal album sales, exposing the banality of YouTube stardom in the process.  The Hangover (Part I, II & III) A group of friends go to Las Vegas for a stag do and chaos ensues. The movie begins with their pre-drinking the night before and quickly moves onto the hangover the morning after. We have to piece together what happened the night before as they do and it's as gruesome, gross and hilarious as you'd expect. Because the first movie was such a hit there's now a trilogy of movie and all of them follow roughly the same formula. Hey, if it ain't broke, why fix it? The Goonies This classic 1985 comedy follows a band of plucky kids as they take on a property developing company that threatens to destroy their home, and inadvertently find a pirate treasure map that leads them on a swashbuckling adventure.  Some Like It Hot Some Like it Hot is a classic, and for good reason. Winner of numerous Academy Awards and Golden Globes, and featuring three of Hollywood's greats at the top of their game, it's a hilarious movie, with unforgettable central performances. After witnessing the Valentine's day massacre, two male musicians try to escape town in disguise, as women. If you've never watched it, treat yourself. If you have, you don't need any convincing to watch it again.  Dr. Strangelove Stanley Kubrick's 1964 satirical dark comedy classic has landed on Netflix. This dark comedy explores the fears around the Cold War between the US and Soviet Union, and the threat of impending nuclear disaster.  Directed, produced and also co-written by Kubrick, the story centres around a US Air Force general who decides to order a nuclear attack on the Soviet Union. It then follows the action of a bomber after it's set off, as well as the heated debates about calling off the whole operation before the general brings about the end of the world.  Okay, so it might not be the light and easy watch you were looking for on a lazy, hungover Sunday. But it's a classic that's one of Kubrick's best.  The best action movies on Netflix The Hateful Eight Arguably one of Tarantino's best movies, The Hateful Eight is a gory Western set some time just after the American Civil War. As you'd expect from a Tarantino flick, the cast is one of the best bits. Samuel L. Jackson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Michael Maden, Tim Roth and Kurt Russell take the lead roles as a ragtag bunch of criminals, bounty hunters and who knows what else who take refuge in a stagecoach stopover during a blizzard.  Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon A masterpiece in both filmmaking and fight choreography, Ang Lee's superb Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon tells the tale of a Chinese warrior who steals a sword off of a master swordsman and the cat-and-mouse chase that ensues. Chow Yun-Fat may have been the star of the movie when the was first released, but it is Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Ziyi that steal the show. A follow-up was produced by Netflix, which is worth a watch but has none of the charisma of its enigmatic predecessor. The Lord Of The Rings trilogy The full LOTR trilogy is now available to stream on Netflix, and we haven’t heard a better excuse to spend an entire Saturday parked in front of the TV. The epic fantasy adventures based on the novel by J R R Tolkein, were some of the most ambitious films ever to be made, with a budget of $330 million. If you haven’t seen them before, they are a must watch – and if you have, watch them again.  Avengers: Age of Ultron  When Tony Stark’s (Robert Downey Jr) plan to revive an ancient peacekeeping programme goes wrong, he and the rest of the Avengers must assemble once more to stop an evil villain from exterminating the human race. Packed full of adventure and thrilling fight scenes, this superhero film will appeal to even people who hate comic books.  Kill Bill: Vol 1 and 2 Quentin Tarantino’s bloody brilliant kung-fu opus should have been one big movie. But its distributors got cold feet, which meant we actually got two quite different films. The first is pure Shaw Brothers schlock. A revenge tale that follows Uma Thurman’s Bride looking to kill people on her hit list, for murdering her husband and family on her wedding day and leaving her for dead. The second film is a touch more subdued, but no less brutal - starting with a flashback of the infamous wedding and then furthering The Bride’s mission to ‘kill bill’. If you can, watch them together as it’s an epic movie that should be consumed in one sitting. Best sci-fi movies on Netflix Star Trek: Beyond Justin Lin directs the latest installment of Star Trek with bombast. And thank goodness he does, because the explosions and flash camera angles manage to mask some of the cracks in this film. Don't get us wrong: Star Trek Beyond is a lot of fun, but feels a little smaller than the first two rebooted movies. There's more humour, though, and the cast still shine. Black Mirror: Bandersnatch An interactive adventure that puts the viewer in control of key decisions throughout the film, with various routes the film can travel through, Bandersnatch is a natural evolution of Black Mirror's paranoid depictions of technology – as well as Netflix's growing interest in interactive media on its streaming platform, such as Minecraft: Story Mode. In typical Black Mirror fashion, no stone has been left unturned with the creation of a website for the company Tuckersoft, which features in the episode. However, it's best not to explore the site until you've watched the feature-length episode in case you inadvertently stumble across any spoilers. Gravity Alfonso Cuaron's Gravity is a cinematic masterpiece. We're pretty sure you could watch it without sound or subtitles and still be in absolute awe of the aesthetics. But if you did that you'd also be missing out on a well-paced drama starring George Clooney and Sandra Bullock full of twists and turns all about things not going quite as planned in space. It also has an exceptional soundtrack and visual effects. It's one to turn all the lights off for and watch on the biggest screen in your house - you won't be disappointed.  Attack The Block This British sci-fi flick by Joe Cornish (of The Adam and Joe Show), sees John Boyega in his breakout role as a tough inner-city kid, whose alongside his friends, tries to defend his South London estate from an alien invasion. Cheeky, fast-paced, and endearingly familiar to anyone who grew up south of the river, it’s a fantastic directorial debut from Cornish, and what would prove to be an extremely successful  debut for Boyega.  Back To The Future trilogy Given it was made in 1985, the effects of Back To The Future still stand up today. Actually, so does everything about the movie. It's a fantastic old-school romp that showcases Michael J Fox as one of the most affable actors around. Spielberg may have only produced the movie but his fingerprints are all over it. Back To The Future is a classic that is endlessly fun and re-watchable. Best horror movies on Netflix Carrie Stephen King’s classic tale of the trials and tribulations of high school, fitting in, oh and having extremely powerful telekinetic powers has landed on Netflix, bringing the unforgettable and gruesome bloodbath of the 1976 imagining to the small screen.  Misery Joining Stephen King’s Carrie on Netflix comes another classic story from the horror author’s creepy collection: Misery. Bringing the tale of the story, which will be making anyone who has seen it wince right now, straight to your living room. The movie follows a famous author who is rescued from a car crash by a fan. We won’t spoil what happens next, but you can probably guess it’s not exactly the warm, homely kind of recovery you’d expect after you’ve had an accident. It’s certainly not one for the faint-hearted, so prepare to hide behind a cushion for about 50% of the running time.  Cabin In The Woods This super-smart horror from Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard is a movie that tries its hardest to turn the horror genre on its head, with continual knowing nods to movies of the past and a post-modern spin of the well-worn 'cabin in the woods' theme. Don't go into this movie expecting a normal film-watching experience but do expect to have fun watching a highly original script at play. Under The Shadow Thanks to Netflix's sometimes surprising rights, Under The Shadow has popped on to the service around the same time as the movie's Blu-ray release. We're glad it has. It's a fantastic horror film set in Tehran in the '80s, focusing on a mother and daughter seemingly terrorised by otherworldly beings in an apartment block. The dread in this film is slow release but palpable, making it a terrific, scary watch.  Hush Hush has a brilliant premise. Directed by Mike Flanagan it revolves around a killer who tries to get the best of a girl in the house on her own. So far so 'every horror movie ever made', but the girl who is being stalked happens to be deaf. Yes, the home invasion genre is getting tired, but Hush manages to quietly breathe new life into it. Best documentary movies on Netflix Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened Billed as a luxury music experience on a private island, Fyre Festival was tirelessly promoted by social media influencers  – but ended up being a complete and utter disaster, with multiple lawsuits being brought against the promoters. This illuminating documentary explores what went wrong, and it’s a must-watch. Jim and Andy Jim Carey has always been an actor that takes things to extremes - whether it's his face gurning or physical comedy. But nothing was quite like what he did in Man On The Moon, the Milos Foreman directed biopic of Andy Kaufman. Mixing exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes footage of Carey that the studios didn't want released, this is one revealing documentary about the things people do to make people laugh. What Happened, Miss Simone? This Netflix exclusive documentary is a heart-wrenching look at one of the greatest singers of all time. While the highlights are definitely seeing Simone sing live - there's a huge amount of never-before-seen archive footage - it's the eye-opening truths about her troubled life that hit home hardest. Blackfish One of the most important documentaries of the decade, Blackfish charts the life of killer whale Tilikum, who sadly died in early 2017. Kept in captivity as a 'performance mammal' at SeaWorld, the doc explores the unsightly side of why keeping whales in captivity is a terrible idea. Blackfish had such an impact that SeaWorld decided to phase out its orca shows and rebrand itself. Powerful stuff. 13th Netflix bagged its first Bafta thanks to this stunning documentary. 13th looks at race and the US criminal justice system, showcasing numerous injustices in the way African Americans have been treated in the system. The documentary was made by filmmaker Ava DuVernay, who also made the superb Selma. The best animated movies on Netflix Fantastic Mr Fox Wes Anderson’s quirky directing is a perfect fit for Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Fox. Lovingly crafted using stop animation that’s voiced by Anderson alumni, and George Clooney, the film works well as a kids animation, but it’s adults that will get the biggest kicks. Director Anderson is going back to stop animation for his next feature - let’s hope it’s half as good as the fantastic Fantastic Mr Fox. The Peanuts Movie Charlie Brown and his dog, Snoopy, are iconic cartoon characters, and in this new computer-generated film, which was co-written and co-produced by Charles Schulz's son and grandson, is a brilliant continuation of that legacy, pleasing existing fans and winning over new ones in a tale that sees Charlie Brown try to impress Little Red-Haired Girl. It's the first Peanuts feature film in 35 years, but the wait was worth it. The Secret Life Of Pets One for the kids (and big kids) amongst us, The Secret Life of Pets is about two pet dogs who find themselves outside and have to fend off a gang of sewer-dwelling angry animals known as "The Flushed Pets" who really want to stage an attack on humans. It's as ridiculous and entertaining as it sounds. The Spongebob Squarepants Movie Starring Alec Baldwin and David Hasselhoff, The Spongebob Squarepants Movie takes all the charm and surreal humour of the original TV series and brings it to the big screen – and now the small screen, thanks to Netflix. It’s just as weird and wacky as you might expect, with clever jokes that even adults can enjoy.  The Little Prince This charming English-language French film is an absolute feast for the eyes, with enchanting stop-motion animation and a moving story based on the beloved original 1943 book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The driverless taxi ride just got that little bit better Posted: 21 Jan 2019 06:37 AM PST The most frustrating thing about getting a demo in one of the autonomous Aptiv BMWs at CES 2019 was having the driver present. Yep, although these cars are able to drive themselves, and have been doing just that over the course of the last three years around the streets of Las Vegas, rules and regulations state that there still has to be a human behind the wheel. So, while Aptiv provided the perfect antidote for CES-weary feet, it certainly didn’t offer any thrills – which is actually what the company appears to want. An autonomous taxi ride should be uneventful, thrill-free and, crucially, safe, it says. That’s not to say the latest incarnation of the Aptiv system isn’t exciting. It’s impressive to watch, with steering, braking, acceleration and indicators all being handled without anyone touching the controls. And, unlike some autonomous vehicles we’ve experienced, the revisions to the way the journey unfolds are subtle but they make for a smarter, more well-rounded trip. In fact, it’s pretty easy to forget that the guy sitting in the driving seat doesn’t have his hands on the wheel and is basically a passenger just like the rest of us. More data means better driving The company first got members of the public into the autonomous cars back in 2018 with a fleet of 30 autonomous vehicles using the Lyft network. That number has now grown to 75 test cars, which operate in and around the central Las Vegas area. As you’d expect, this has allowed Aptiv to get all-important feedback from real people, which it has combined with its vast mountains of data in order to tweak and fine-tune the operating system.  In short, Aptiv has beefed up its what it calls its operational design domain (ODD), which is allowing the company to increase its square mile coverage and also factor in more driving scenarios. The city of Las Vegas hosts a staggering 21,000 conventions a year and while that means Aptiv/Lyft have lots of potential customers at their disposal, it also means there are an incredible array of different driving scenarios to ingest. In other words, the city of Las Vegas is a dream test bed location for the growing business. The result (although it’s not really the end, as this is an evolutionary process) is a much better service. The company explains that one of the main areas of feedback that allowed them to make improvements has come from aspects of the ride quality that would tend to make members of the public feel a little bit uneasy in the past. The engineers listened and if you take a spin in one of the new Aptiv vehicles you’ll find it’s a much more fluid, dynamic experience. The self-driving BMWs take a calmer, more measured approach to unforeseen obstacles and that’s a very good thing. Interpreting human behavior Jumping into the back of one of the BMWs in a car park across the road from the Las Vegas Convention Center, we are greeted with a predictable, mundane saloon interior. There isn't much visible evidence that this is an autonomous vehicle, save for the central screen on the dashboard that displayed multi-layered data diagrams of the road ahead. The outside of the car is also low-key when it comes to showing off its autonomous credentials. There are sensors, most visibly in the grille and on both of the front wings, but nothing prominent. As we move off, Lee Bauer, vice president of Aptiv Mobility Architecture Group, is in the front passenger seat to offer his thoughts on just how much progress is being made. “Pedestrians are a real problem here,” he says, "so we've had to do a lot of work in that area. I guess in a lot of ways Vegas is the perfect workspace scenario because you’ve got a lot of unpredictable people and a lot of unusual behavior. “People also drive very poorly in Vegas too,” he notes, “so what stands out the most with the revised system is that more dynamic kind of flow to deal with these factors. It's a lot smoother. The psychology of going from being a driver to a passenger is a very complex thing and people have a completely different expectation when they're passengers. And, if they're going to try to use that passenger time being productive they want the car to be smooth and the drive to be uneventful.” Continuing support from the city that has been vital in getting the project to progress however. “We work very closely with the government across all facets of it,” adds Bauer. “Having the Regional Transport Commission (RTC) is a big advantage of Vegas. The RTC controls the entire region via their command center, so you get a one-stop shop in terms of joining up the dots.” Moving beyond LA And, reckons Lee, that ever-growing mountain of data is helping Aptiv progress things nicely to the next level. “I guess the interesting point about this car is that it's almost sort of just a regular looking vehicle,” he notes. “And, again, that was always the objective. We wanted to make it seem like a regular experience. What people don’t realise is that cars are probably 90% capable of doing more than you're aware of. At the same time, increasingly, a lot of younger people don’t care about cars. The only time I ever opened the bonnet of my car was to get a leaf out.” Everyone still needs transportation, so the ability to have autonomous people-moving services seems like a very good area to be investing time and money. However, it’s complex on many different levels. “Every country is different and in different ways,” Lee says. “But cities like Las Vegas are helping and we’ve also been working with people in other locations, such as Singapore where they’re progressive and open-minded too.” So while it might not happen overnight, the gradual proliferation of autonomous people-moving machines isn’t as far off in the future as you might think. Dreams come true: my ride-along in an autonomous tractor This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

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