Apple : Roku’s free streaming service is now available on iOS devices |
- Roku’s free streaming service is now available on iOS devices
- Apple's iOS 12.2 public beta is available to download right now
- Japanese government will hack citizens' IoT devices
- Philips PerfectCare Elite Plus has done the impossible: it made me enjoy ironing
- Today-only: cheap Chromebooks, gaming PC and monitors on sale at Amazon
- Global IT spending to hit $3.8 trillion in 2019
- Philips TV range 2019: everything you need to know from OLED+ to ‘The One’
- Honor View 20 launches in the UAE
- Dropbox snaps up Hellosign in $200m deal
- Apple is reportedly putting together a 'Netflix for games' streaming service
- Everything you need to know about ransomware in 2019
- Best e-commerce platform of 2019: get an online store now!
- Get a £25 Currys voucher with Honor View 20 deals from Carphone Warehouse
- Nvidia lowers fourth quarter predictions after poor Turing RTX GPU sales
- Intel Core i9-9900T spotted on auction as a low-power, octa-core CPU
- Cybercrime costing UK victims thousands every day
- The best Netflix series in the UK (January 2019): fantastic Netflix shows
- Top Tech Conferences: The Ultimate B2B tech events and show guide for 2019
- What is 5G? Everything you need to know
- Best soundbars for TV shows, movies and music in 2019
| Roku’s free streaming service is now available on iOS devices Posted: 28 Jan 2019 01:28 PM PST Starting today, The Roku Channel, the company’s free, ad-supported streaming service, is coming to iOS via the free Roku app that normally acts as a remote for Roku TVs. The news was hidden among a press release announcing The Roku Channel’s new premium subscription options which allows users to add HBO, Starz, Showtime and/or others to the streaming service for an additional monthly fee each – though pricing hasn't been announced. The Roku Channel rolled out to Roku TVs in September 2017 and has been slowly growing thanks to the recent additions of 24-hour news networks like CBS, NBC, FOX, ABC, CNN Go and others. It currently offers around 10,000 free, ad-supported movies and TV episodes. There were rumors of The Roku Channel coming to iOS and Android as early as early as 2017 when the company posted a job listing for an iOS developer and launched The Roku Channel as a standalone service online last year. That said, today is the first time you'll be able to watch The Roku Channel inside the main Roku app on iOS. Support for Android is slated to come in mid-February.
Premium subs at less-than-premium pricesWhile The Roku Channel certainly has a bevy of free content to choose from, the shows and movies aren’t exactly Netflix caliber... unless, of course, you add on one of the premium subscription packages. Premium subscription packages, which also begins rolling out today, will give users access to 25+ premium partners including Starz, Showtime and EPIX, with more partners expected to come further down the line. Each of these channels can be added to your Roku account for an as-yet undisclosed monthly fee, and Roku says that any user who signs up for EPIX, Showtime and Starz before March 31 will receive a 30-day free trial of those services. That said, while the additional channel options is certainly interesting as it allows streamers another avenue to get their Shameless or Homeland fix, users could just as easily tack those services onto their Hulu or Amazon Prime accounts or subscribe to Starz and Showtimes’s standalone services directly. Want to see what The Roku Channel has to offer without downloading another app? It's also streaming online.
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| Apple's iOS 12.2 public beta is available to download right now Posted: 28 Jan 2019 12:16 PM PST Shortly after the last minor update fixed some annoying bugs, Apple started testing iOS 12.2 with a developer beta release last week – and now anyone can download the iOS 12.2 public beta today. So long as a user registered for Apple’s Beta Software Program, they can download the beta over the air on a compatible device. (Presumably, this just rules out older iPhones and iPads that wouldn’t have worked with iOS 12 anyway – we haven’t seen any evidence that any other devices won’t be compatible.) We’re still a ways off from the iOS 13 release date, and the beta of iOS 12.2 shouldn't be seen as an alternative. Users should back up their device before upgrading to a beta version of an iOS update. So what’s new in iOS 12.2? We haven’t found everything yet, but we’ll update when we have more. For now, expect UI improvements in certain first-party apps: exchanges in the ‘Last Transactions’ section of the Wallet app are easier to see, and you can now toggle Air Quality on in Maps, according to 9to5Mac. There are also richer Siri assets, like an in-line music player. There’s also initial support for AirPlay 2 TVs in the Home app for HomeKit, along with making the Control Center tile for Apple TV Remote work with AirPlay 2 TVs. Apple News is also expanding to Canadian users. Betas out for watchOS, tvOS and macOSOther public betas available today are macOS 10.14.4 and tvOS 12.2. The new macOS beta lets websites automatically use dark mode themes in Safari 12.1. A developer beta for watchOS 5.2 was released, but Apple typically doesn't launch public betas for its smartwatch software. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Japanese government will hack citizens' IoT devices Posted: 28 Jan 2019 11:12 AM PST In preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, the Japanese government has approved a law amendment that will allow government workers to hack into unsecured Internet of Things (IoT) devices as part of a national survey. The survey will be conducted by employees of the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) under the supervision of the country's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. By using default passwords and password dictionaries, NICT employees will attempt to log into the IoT devices of Japanese consumers in an effort to gauge their security or lack thereof. A list of insecure IoT devices that use default and simple passwords will be prepared and passed on to the authorities and ISPs so that they can alert consumers regarding how to properly secure these devices. The survey will begin next month when NICT plans to test the password security of more than 200m IoT devices starting with routers and web cams. Both consumer devices in citizens homes will be tested along with those on enterprise networks. Olympic securityThe Japanese government decided to carry out its unconventional survey as part of its plan to prepare for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics. The government fears that hackers could exploit insecure IoT devices to launch attacks against the Games' IT infrastructure just as Russian nation-state hackers deployed the Olympic Destroyer malware ahead of last year's Pyeongchang winter Olympics. However, the Japanese government's plan has been met with criticism as many have argued that it could deal with problem by simply sending out a security alert to all users. Even if its hacking attempts are successful, there is no guarantee that consumers would take the time to update the passwords on their IoT devices after the fact. Securing the IoT has long been a thorn in the side of the cybersecurity community and even if Japan's survey fails drastically, it will still help raise awareness of the issue and could lead consumers and businesses alike to beef up their own IoT security. Via ZDNet
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| Philips PerfectCare Elite Plus has done the impossible: it made me enjoy ironing Posted: 28 Jan 2019 11:10 AM PST Thanks to the Dyson V10 Cyclone, I feel like a Ghostbuster when I’m doing the vacuuming, while my Hotpoint dishwasher let’s me live the lie that fairies in white goods boxes do the majority of my other chores for me. But ironing shirts? That’s still a serious hassle. Creases are my enemy and they put my sartorial ambitions to shame every morning. Could anything help my unskilled hands to make my garments look like anything other than crumpled paper blowing in the wind?
Yes, there is: enter the Philips PerfectCare Elite Plus, the world’s first “smart” steam generator iron. I never thought I’d be willing to recommend a £520 (about $685 / AU$955) iron, but by dammit, I’m going to try. Steamy sensorsI’ve been living with the Philips PerfectCare Elite Plus for a few months now and, I dare say it, it’s made ironing fun. It’s a huge thing – being a steam-focused iron, it requires a water reservoir built into a base that's close to the size of a small microwave. But once you unclip the smooth-gliding iron and feel its near-industrial performance, you’ll be willing to let it take up a whole room in your home, rent free.
Somewhat attractive with its bronze and black finish, what makes the Philips PerfectCare Elite Plus special is the amount of sensors it’s decked out with. These sensors make nearly impossible for you to damage your clothes with it, and allows you to iron in or out creases with ease and precision. The iron uses just one setting, no matter what type of fabric you’re dragging it across, be that cotton or jeans, silk or polyester, pumping out steam as it moves automatically to help you avoid singeing your clothing. What’s particularly smart is the onboard motion sensor. If it notices a lack of movement, it’ll quickly halt the steam, cooling the underside of the iron and letting you leave it on your delicate clothes for as long as you want without moving or turning off the iron, safe in the knowledge it won’t burn through.
Smart suits, safe silksPhilips PerfectCare Elite Plus is also aware of the type of fabric it's working on, and will adjust its steam output accordingly. This sensor, which Philips calls the DynamicQ steam sensor, works by detecting the depth of a crease based on the speed with which you’re ironing across a surface. This all guarantees that you’ll be crease free in no time.
If you’ve got super delicate garments that you don’t want to put any pressure on at all, or just need a quick freshen up for a lightly-scrunched t-shirt, the iron can also be used as a manual upright steamer for clothes hanging in place. In a nutshell, it’s super-safe, super-foolproof ironing, using the sort of technology – accelerometer and heat sensors and the like – that you’d never expect to trickle down into this sort of household good. It’s of course prohibitively expensive and exactly the sort of item you could build a side-hustle, second business around. The Philips PerfectCare Elite Plus is so quick and reliable, and so crease-inducing is that £520 (about $685 / AU$955) price tag. But if your all about a luxurious lifestyle and you’re too modest to get a butler to do the chores for you, this is one extravagance that will make your life for easier.
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| Today-only: cheap Chromebooks, gaming PC and monitors on sale at Amazon Posted: 28 Jan 2019 10:56 AM PST Amazon is having a one-day-only sale today on its top-selling PC products. You can save up to $400 on two different gaming desktops, a 27-inch gaming monitor and the 14-inch Acer Chromebook. Shop the rest of Amazon's PC deals below and remember that the discounts are only valid for today. Today only PC deals:
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| Global IT spending to hit $3.8 trillion in 2019 Posted: 28 Jan 2019 10:10 AM PST The latest forecast from Gartner has revealed that worldwide IT spending is projected to reach $3.76tn in 2019 which is up by 3.2 per cent from last year. The company's research vice president John-David Lovelock explained that IT spending is still set to increase despite growing concerns over Brexit and the ongoing trade war between the US and China, saying: “Despite uncertainty fuelled by recession rumours, Brexit, and trade wars and tariffs, the likely scenario for IT spending in 2019 is growth. However, there are a lot of dynamic changes happening in regards to which segments will be driving growth in the future. Spending is moving from saturated segments such as mobile phones, PCs and on-premises data centre infrastructure to cloud services and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. IoT devices, in particular, are starting to pick up the slack from devices. Where the devices segment is saturated, IoT is not.” Lovelock also noted that IT has become more than a platform that enables organisations to run their business and it is quickly becoming the engine that drives businesses forward. IT growthGartner's forecast highlights communication services as the top area that will see continued investment this year followed by IT services, devices, enterprise software and data centre systems. The shift to cloud has been a key driver of IT spending and enterprise software will continue to show strong signs of growth with worldwide software spending projected to grow by 8.5 percent in 2019 and 8.2 percent in 2020 to total $466bn. As consumers have begun to hold onto their smartphones longer, the mobile phone market dipped by 1.2 percent in 2018. Despite this slowdown, the devices segment is expected to grow by 1.6 percent in 2019 as smartphone makers look to differentiate their offerings from the competition with new technologies such as folding displays and in-display fingerprint readers. Gartner also believes the skills shortage is far from over as internal staff are falling behind as their organisations adopt new technologies to help drive digital business. This will likely remain the case as the skill requirements needed to work with AI, machine learning and data science continue to evolve and change faster than ever before.
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| Philips TV range 2019: everything you need to know from OLED+ to ‘The One’ Posted: 28 Jan 2019 09:50 AM PST Philips TVs had a stellar 2018, boosting the company’s Ambilight line with quality LCDs and one of the best OLED televisions we’ve ever seen, the Philips OLED+ 903. Facing stiff competition this year from the Panasonic GZ2000 and LG’s barmy rollable TV, will Philips have enough to entice with its 2019 range as it looks to maintain its frontrunner position among the pack? With Philips having skipped out on CES 2018 in favor of its own international showcase, we’ve now seen a good chunk of what the company has planned for its range of 2019 TVs – or at least up until the summer schedule for its releases, after which it’ll be prepping an all-new flagship successor to the showstopping OLED+ 903 in time for IFA 2019 in the fall. Read on for all the details on Philips 2019 TV range so far. For the time being, there are no firm release dates or pricing information to share on the forthcoming Philips TV sets, so expect to see them land at some point around May. Philips also has more TVs due later this year – we'll be updating this post as soon as they're announced. Philips 2019 TV technologyWhile the likes of LG, Samsung, Sony and Vizio have doubled down on third-party content support for this year’s TV range with newly-acquired compatibility with Apple’s AirPlay 2 and HomeKit smart home standards, Philips is focussing on core picture and audio quality for its 2019 range. While the majority of the company’s top-flight TVs will be running Android TV and have voice-control support for Google Assistant and Amazon’s Alexa, it’s with the third-generation P5 Pro image processing engine where it’s making the biggest changes. Before we get to that though, some key specs to note: almost the entirety of Philips 2019 line-up supports all the major HDR formats (HDR10+, HLG and Dolby Vision), as well as having support for Dolby Atmos overhead surround standards (down-mixed for onboard speakers).
Philips' new P5 third generation processor will go beyond its predecessor in a number of key ways. The Perfect Natural Reality tool will improve skin tones, a revised Detail Enhancer will tweak its Detail meter to remove jaggy edges on over-processed SD upscaled imagery, an Improved Digital Noise Reduction system will ensure “mosquito” distortion won’t occur predominantly in detail-heavy footage – in other words, you’ll be able to see the trees for the wood. HDR quality will be improved too, ensuring that dark scenes are not only dark, but full of detail in the shadows, too. Likewise, you’ll see less color clipping in bright scenes – a summer’s sky will retain its blue hues, rather than being a washed out flash of white light. Philips has also worked on its first-party audio systems, boosting the mid-range and widening the soundstage for its 2019 models in order to better take advantage of new support for Dolby Atmos mixes. But its with the Philips 8804 LCD where you’re most likely to want to listen in – it’s taking a leaf out of last year’s Philips OLED+ 903 screen and including a Bowers and Wilkins soundbar. More on that later. Philips 2019 4K OLED TVsWhile we await a true successor to the Philips OLED+ 903, we’re looking forward to spending more time with the Philips OLED 854 and OLED 804 screens. Identical apart from stand differences (the 854 centrally mounted, the other with a pair of legs) these 4K screens will be available in 55 and 65-inch sizes.
They’re very similar to last year’s Philips OLED+ 903, except with one key omission – they lack the impressive Bowers and Wilkins sound system, opting for a Philips-own build instead. Running Android TV, working with Alexa and Google Assistant and with all four of their HDMI ports HDR-ready, these Ambilight screens will be ones to watch for those looking top-notch OLED visuals. For a deeper look at these screens, read our hands on: Philips OLED 804 / OLED 854 review. Philips 2019 4K LCD LED TVsThough OLED TVs have become Philips’ showstoppers, the majority of its range still consists of LCD TVs. Though LCD can lack the richness of a well-tuned OLED TV, they shouldn’t be sniffed at in their own right – Philips has done some stellar work not only in the picture stakes, but also with audio, thanks to a partnership with Bowers and Wilkins. First up then, the Philips 8804 – one of the most promising LCD screens we’ve seen in a while. It’s 4K visuals will be available in 50, 55 and 65-inch sizes, and will have the full house of HDR10+, HLG and Dolby Vision support, as well as Dolby Atmos sound. It’s also the only screen revealed so far this year from Philips to include that show-stopping Bowers and Wilkins sound system again. For more info, read our hands on Philips 8804 TV review.
If style is more important than sound quality, check out the Philips 9104. It’s another 4K LCD panel, but has been designed in conjunction with design house Georg Jensen, and has striking chrome finish aluminium feet. It too has standard HDR support covered but drops HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, only features Dolby Atmos audio passthrough, and will only come in a single 55-inch screen size. It has a three sided Ambilight though, so this may be one to check out for its aesthetic value. Next up is the TV Philips is pushing most heavily for this half of the year – the Philips 7304 Performance Series, which they’re nicknaming ‘The One’. Why? Because it’s ‘the one’ TV they think will suit most people, ticking lots spec boxes will aiming to come in at a mid-range price point. The Ambilight 4K LCD screen will come in a range of size – 43, to, 55, 58, 65 and 70-inches – has the full suite of HDR options and features Dolby Atmos. For more information, check out our Philips The One first look impressions. The Philips 7504 looks set to be a similar screen, coming in 50 and 55-inch screen sizes, trading a less striking stand for beefier 25W 2.1 built in speakers. The One only has two-channel 20W speakers. From here down the range of LCD Philips TVs, you lose access to the top-notch P5 image processing engine, instead being left with the Pixel Precise Ultra HD processing engine. They also run the SAPHI operating system, rather than the more versatile Android TV. So, the Philips 6814 will come in 43, 50, 55 and 65-inch sizes, the 6704 in 43, 50, 55, 65 and 70 inches, and the 6504 in 43, 50, 58 and 65 inch sizes. The key differences here? The 6814 has a T-Bar centrally-mounted light finish stand with 3-sided Ambilight, while the 6704 has Ambilight, a dark frame finish and two feet supporting it. The 6504 looks pretty much the same as the 6704, but doesn’t have any Ambilight features. Philips 2019 HD TVsIt says a lot about the dominance of 4K TV now that, not only is there only a single non-4K TV in Philips range this year, but it’s not even 1080p – just a 24-inch HD-ready 1366x768 screen. The Philips 4304 has no smart features, no HDR, and only two HDMI port ports. This is very much one for the kitchen, or a “my first TV” for the kids’ bedrooms.
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| Honor View 20 launches in the UAE Posted: 28 Jan 2019 09:34 AM PST Honor's newest venture into the phone market - the Honor View 20 - has landed in the Middle East. The launch event in Burj Khalifa revealed the pricing and configuration for the UAE market. The Honor View 20 has seriously caught our attention. It starts with the immense 48MP main camera and its pin-hole screen main it stand out from competing products. Although the phone isn't ever going to compete with the priciest devices on the market such as the Huawei Mate 20 Pro or iPhone XS, it still has a bright LCD display, a power processor and packs a pretty decent 4,000mAh battery. That means you won't be dealing with a phone dying every few hours or performance issues. Honor is only launching the higher capacity version in the UAE which comes equipped with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. Pricing for it has been set at AED 2,399 which is the highest we've seen for an Honor phone at launch. Honor is also releasing the Honor Watch Magic for AED 699 along with the Huawei Band 4 for AED 199, both of which will be available soon. Read TechRadar's Honor View 20 review This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Dropbox snaps up Hellosign in $200m deal Posted: 28 Jan 2019 09:31 AM PST In an effort to expand the capabilities of its cloud storage platform, Dropbox has announced that it has acquired the electronic signature startup Hellosign for $230m in cash. The acquisition expands the company's technical abilities while also allowing it to better compete with Adobe and DocuSign in the electronic signatures space as well as with Apple, Google and Microsoft. Dropbox, which went public last year, has managed to exceed analyst estimates in each of its first three quarterly earnings reports though it stock price has not grown significantly since its IPO last March. HelloSign allows users to sign documents digitally and request signatures from others. The company's technology, which can be embedded in third party software, is currently available in products from Google, Salesforce and Dropbox. HelloSign also offers tools for faxing documents digitally and managing the flow of paperwork but according to its COO Whitney Bouck, its signature tool is the most popular. eSignature capabilitiesDropbox's Co-Founder and CEO Drew Houston explained the reasoning behind its decision to purchase HelloSign in a statement, saying: “With over an exabyte of data on our platform, millions of people already use Dropbox as a place to collaborate on their most important content. We’re thrilled to welcome HelloSign’s talented team to Dropbox and add their capabilities to our product suite. HelloSign has built a thriving business focused on eSignature and document workflow products that their users love. Together, we can deliver an even better experience to Dropbox users, simplify their workflows, and expand the market we serve.” For the time being, HelloSign will operate as an independent business with its CEO Joseph Walla reporting directly to Dropbox's SVP of engineering Quentin Clark. Dropbox's sales team will focus on drumming up more business for HelloSign while Dropbox will continue to work with other electronic signature providers. Via CNBC
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| Apple is reportedly putting together a 'Netflix for games' streaming service Posted: 28 Jan 2019 09:03 AM PST Not content with completely transforming the music industry, Apple apparently wants to do the same for the gaming world with a new streaming service. According to anonymous sources speaking with Cheddar, Apple’s service would require a single fee for access to a selection of games distributed over a streaming internet connection. Apple had reportedly begun discussing plans for the service in private with game developers in the second half of 2018, even partnering with them as a publisher in the endeavor. This would likely be to avoid sharing licensing with other publishers and maximize profits. Of course, the subscription cost is currently unknown, nor are the types of games being considered for offer, and the service is apparently still so early in development that Apple could easily walk away from the project. Apple has declined to comment on Cheddar’s report. Apple finding its next Moby DickHaving redefined the world of digital music with iTunes at the turn of the century, and now being a major player in streaming music with Apple Music, this company is no stranger to successful digital services. In fact, with hardware sales generally souring at the time of writing, taking another bite out of the digital storefront might be what sees it through an especially rough patch financially. It’s well known by now that the App Store is Apple’s largest and most reliable revenue generator, so of course Apple is looking for new ways to optimize that model. What will this mean for us, the general consumers? Well, we could be looking at yet another monthly fee for the sake of simplicity and extra features in our iPhone, iPad and perhaps even Mac games down the line. Whether Apple will target mainstream mobile gamers, dedicated hardcore gamers, or both, is what we’re most interested in seeing with this development.
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| Everything you need to know about ransomware in 2019 Posted: 28 Jan 2019 08:52 AM PST Fabian Wosar makes a living ruining ransomware gangs’ days, and he has the hate-mail to prove it. “At one point, I managed to annoy a ransomware author so much that they literally renamed their ransomware in my name,” he says. “So they renamed their ransomware to ‘fabiansomware’, which is kind of really bizarre.” Wosar is the head of research at IT security company Emsisoft, whose free ransomware decryption tools have been downloaded over a million times (1,144,351, to be exact, not including downloads from mirror sites). With the average ransomware writer demanding $522 (about £400, AU$750) to restore victims’ files, that’s a potential $597,351,222 (about £455,000,000, AU$833,000,000) kept out of the pockets of ransomware authors. Not bad for a 40-person company without an office. “Emsisoft started out as a very, very small company with only two employees,” says Wosar. “When you try to get into the antivirus and antimalware field and you only have two people, there’s no way you can compete based on manpower with the big houses like Symantec and Kaspersky or Bitdefender, which all have thousands of employees.
Not all the comments Wosar receives are insults; some ransomware authors are impressed “It was very evident from the very beginning that we just have to be more agile, that we need to make sure that all our internal processes have a lot less overhead and we also had to be a lot smarter about how we put our limited resources to good use. And this business mindset that was originally born as kind of a necessity soon became the core philosophy behind all our products. Emsisoft has grown steadily over the last 15 years, with no outside investment. It’s still a lot smaller than many of its rivals, but that hasn’t stopped it competing with the security software giants. “We started out very much as a very home user focused company,” Wosar says, “but we started moving into the business market in recent years, with growing success and we came to realise that home users and enterprises often have vastly different requirements and needs. Most traditional companies solve that by just throwing more resources at it, and often splitting the product line, having different products for different clienteles, but that’s something that we simply can’t do. "So our philosophy of keeping things lean we now focus on making all these advanced enterprise-level protection features not only available to home users, but also to make them approachable and useful to them so they can actually understand them and know what is happening, and putting the user into power by making them a lot more accessible, which will become a lot more eminent with a couple of upcoming products that we are going to release in 2019 that I can’t tell much about. But that’s out focus now, just giving the power to the man.” A brief history of ransomwareWosar’s interest in security began when he was just 11. “I got infected by a virus called Tequila in the good old DOS days, and I just got kind of drawn in,” he says. He first became interested in ransomware in 2012, when BleepingComputer founder Lawrence Abrams asked if he could help some forum users who’d fallen victim to the ACCDFISA (Anti Cyber Crime Department of Federal Internet Security Agency) virus – one of the first examples of file-encrypting ransomware. “Ransomware first became big in the form of screen lockers,” Wosar explains. “Essentially you’re browsing the internet and suddenly a screen pops up locking your entire screen, telling you the FBI or GCHQ just saw you doing something naughty. Now you have to go to your local store and pick up a Paysafecard and type in the code to unlock your system. Because obviously the state would take Paysafecard, right?”
It soon became common knowledge that screen lockers were relatively easy to remove (just restart the computer in Safe Mode and remove the infection), so the people behind them turned to file encryption instead. This is a much bigger issue, and one that Wosar has dedicated years to tackling – much to the annoyance of the criminals. Wosar receives regular insults, and often finds them within the ransomware itself, which can have unintended consequences. “There’s a certain kind of encryption called a block cipher that operates on blocks of data,” Wosar says. “When you think about it, if you don’t change your encryption from block to block, then even if you only have an encrypted file, you could at least tell which parts of the file contain identical data because the encrypted blocks will stay the same as they were before. So if you have large parts that only contain zero bytes, for example, you could still see those parts.” Wosar shares an example that’s well-known in the security community: an image of Tux the penguin, which has been encrypted using a simple block cipher, but is still clearly legible. To get around that problem, you need a block mode.
When an image is encrypted with a simple block cipher, parts can still be legible “You can think of block mode as an extra step that you do to make the same block inside a file look different each time you encrypt it,” says Wosar, “and in order to do that, you start out with something that’s called an initialisation vector, or an IV. For this ransomware, they used an IV that contained data from memory that was just random. They didn’t put any specific data into the IV – they just took something random from memory, and whatever was in that memory before, that became the IV. Now when they added the insults, they actually put the insult into the IV. That means the IV was always the same after that, which reduced the security of their ransomware. “So that is always kind of interesting, when people get so angry that they want to insult me so badly that they actually end up making their ransomware less secure in the process. So that’s kind of funny.” Threats to home usersRansomware writers are starting to learn that targeting home users isn’t particularly lucrative – partly because many don’t have the money to pay, and partly because they simply don’t care about the data that’s been encrypted. “Most of the focus nowadays is on your mobile phone,” says Wosar, “and if you have a mobile phone, chances are it’s getting backed up to the cloud as well – to Google Photos or iCloud. If all your pictures on your system are encrypted, you can just download, so that’s not a big issue.” Faced with home users who can’t or won’t pay, ransomware writers have begun to branch out. “If ransomware often finds itself on a system that is particularly powerful, or that has a very good graphics card for example, they often opt into not encrypting the files, but dropping something that is called a cryptominer onto the system,” Wosar says. “A cryptominer will then start mining cryptocurrency in the background, and trying to download that. “Another trend that's often seem with ransomware or malware in general is the introduction of cryptojackers, which are essentially little trojans or malware that looks on your system for cryptocurrency wallets and steal it. Financial malware is also still an issue for home users, trying to steal your banking credentials for example, or your PayPal credentials, in order for someone to then just access your bank account and steal all your money.
In addition to ransomware, Wosar says home users should also be aware of bots, which hijack your system and make it part of a remote-operated network called a botnet. “You can think of that as a collective of systems that are under the control of a single entity, which is usually called the bot herder, and they can make your system do whatever they want, pretty much. In a lot of cases, though, these kinds of botnets are being used to distribute spam campaigns like send millions of spam emails. "They can be used to launch DDOS attacks, so your system starts attacking other systems and trying to take them down. And in a lot of causes these kinds of botnets, build the basis of new ransomware campaigns , where ransomware crime groups pay botnet herders to upload the ransomware onto all their victims’ computers and just run it there and encrypt all the data.” Potentially unwanted programs, or PUPs, are another big issue for home users. These are extra programs that come bundled with free software installers and often hook into your web browser with search bars and icons, and might change your homepage and default search engine. Wosar notes that they aren’t technically illegal, because there’s often a way to avoid them while installing the software you wanted, Windows has taught us to simply click ‘Next’, ‘Next’, ‘Next’ without really paying attention. Threats to businessesIt’s a different story for business users, who still face a serious threat from ransomware. “Ransomware campaigns there work a lot different than for home users,” says Wosar. “For home users, ransomware campaigns are either part of big spam campaigns where the malware has just been sent to hundreds and thousands of users, and [the writers] just hope that someone is gullible enough to open the attachment and then run whatever was attached to the email. “For businesses, ransomware is often targeted. That means people try to attack your company in particular. They will look for weak spots in your defences when it comes to internet-facing services, for example. Usually, that is done through insecure remote control features, like RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) for example.” Small businesses without their own IT departments often outsource it to other companies, which install remote control software on their clients’ servers. This means they don’t have to send out a technician every time a client needs help, but often the remote access points are poorly secured. Weak passwords, standard user accounts, accounts with more rights than necessary, and unpatched software are all serious risks.
“These ransomware gangs seek out poorly secured remote access points in services in particular, and once they enter the server they will try to pivot from there onto other systems in the local network,” Wosar says. “And if that isn’t successful they will just start encrypting the entire server.” Ransoms are also typically a lot higher for businesses because the ransomware writers (often rightly) assume they have more money. Potentially, it’s much more lucrative than targeting home users. “Businesses also always have to deal with APTs – advanced, persistent threats from often state-sponsored groups that try to steal company secrets in particular and gain all kinds of other advantages and insights,” says Wosar. “I don’t think we will see a lot of big APTs being revealed in the coming years – mostly because a lot of these big campaigns got revealed over the last few years. APTs will continue to be a threat for businesses, but they will try to fly a lot more under the radar with even more targeted attacks and smaller campaigns in order to make sure that all their tools and specialized malware don’t leak. The other big threat to businesses is spear phishing – a version of phishing that’s highly targeted at a specific business, and even a specific individual, using harvested data to make the attack more believable. “A classic example is people mimicking the CEO of a company and sending out emails to the accounting staff asking them to transfer money to pay fictitious invoices,” says Wosar. “But these kinds of attacks also work when it comes to infiltrating companies and getting a company owner to run malware on their system. One common method therefore example is to hide malware inside applications. You want to recruit new staff and have some job offers out there, and people send in their applications with malware hidden inside. “These types of attacks are more prevalent for businesses these days and those are probably the ones businesses want to watch out for the most.” How to protect your files“Backups, backups, backups,” says Wosar. “Antivirus software (and even Windows as an operating system) has come a long way when it comes to detecting and preventing ransomware attacks, so it’s a very useful form of defence, but backups are useful not only for ransomware, but they also help you in all kinds of other situations. For example, what if your hard disk fails?” When backing up your files, Wosar cites the three, two, one rule. You should have three copies of your data, which should be stored on two different devices, on two types of storage, and one of those should be off-site. For a home user, that might mean having your photo collection on your PC’s internal hard drive, then making a scheduled backup to an external hard disk, and syncing those backups to a service like Dropbox, OneDrive or Google Drive. “Keeping your systems up to date is very important, especially as a business, and especially on the systems that can be reached from the internet directly,” Wosar says. “WannaCry, for example, was a very popular ransomware family that used publicly available exploits to exploit systems, and servers in particularly that were accessible from the internet. People didn’t install the patch, so they became infected within literally within minutes of being connected to the internet.”
By not installing the necessary security patch, businesses left themselves vulnerable to WannaCry If you use a company to manage your IT systems remotely, it’s important to reduce the attack surface as much as possible. Make sure there are proper password policies in place, and ensure passwords are long, complex, and not being re-used on different sites. “At the very least, switch from the default port from the default RDP port to a different one so your system doesn’t automatically light up in a simple port scan, advertising to the outside that this server is using RDP,” says Wosar. “When it comes to these outsourcing scenarios, often it’s simply not necessary for RDP to be available to the entire internet. Ideally, it should only be accessible to the outsourcing company that you asked to take care of your systems, so take advantage of firewall rules to limit accesses to your servers and to the remote access points in particular, to lock that down as much as humanly possible. How to decrypt your filesIf your files are encrypted, the most important thing is not to remove the ransomware executable file – no matter how unintuitive that sounds. It’s fine to disable it by quarantining it, and disabling the autorun references so it doesn’t start automatically, but don’t get rid of it altogether. “The first step of trying to figure out whether or not your files can be decrypted without paying the ransom is looking into the ransomware executable to find out exactly what it did to your files,” says Wosar. “And that becomes so, so much more difficult when people remove the infection, because then you have to try to find the one ransomware files out of the millions upon millions of ransomware files out there that encrypted your data, which makes the whole process a lot more difficult.” If you don’t have a backup of your original files, he recommends making one of the encrypted ones – however strange that sounds. “We did have quite a few cases where, once the ransomware campaign shut down, the ransomware authors released the keys for free. So if you don’t need access to your files right away, or if you are in the situation where it would be nice to get your files back, but it’s also not that important to you that you would be willing to spend money on getting them back, to just keep the encrypted files around in your backups.” You might also be able to decrypt your files is law enforcement are able to seize the criminals’ servers, as has happened several times in the past.
If you’ve been hit by ransomware, you might discover that there are several companies around that claim to be able to restore encrypted data, whatever the infection. However, they aren’t always what they seem, and many work as a kind of middle-man, taking your money and handing it to the ransomware writers. Wosar doesn’t have a problem with these companies if they’re very transparent about what they’re doing – essentially taking out the potentially tricky step of obtaining Bitcoin to pay the ransom and handling the decryption. “I don’t mind if they are open about that,” he says, “but a lot of people aren’t, and a lot of people pay those companies a shit-ton of money, thinking, ‘Oh, but at least the ransomware author doesn’t get the money’ but in reality they do. You just paid the ransom and some extra for the data recovery company. “You also have to keep in mind that these ransomware campaign owners actually offer kind of an affiliate program to these data recovery companies. So if you convince your customers to pay the ransomware, [the authors] only take 60% of the thing and you take the other 40% and you can either hand that down to make your service look more legit by asking for less than the ransomware author did, or just take it as a bonus – it’s a profit for you.” Wosar has even been approached by authors asking if he could ignore their ransomware campaign in exchange for a share of the profits, or suggesting he tell victims there’s no alternative but to pay, and offering him an affiliate link. Victims are even offered discounts if they leave positive testimonials on support forums like BleepingComputer, assuring other users they they’ll get their files back if they pay. Emsisoft has released free decryption software for many common types of ransomware (together with details to help you identify the type you've been infected by), plus a step-by-step guide for removing it safely. If there's no decryptor available for your infection, Emsisoft's forums offer a free ransomware first-aid service (even if you're not an Emsisoft customer). Check out this post for the procedure you need to follow. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best e-commerce platform of 2019: get an online store now! Posted: 28 Jan 2019 08:30 AM PST The rise of the web has allowed countless businesses to reach a wider market. Not only that, it has given rise to countless new online-only businesses, fueled by the exponential rise of mobile connections. It's not surprising, then, that one analyst claims that the SMB e-commerce platform market will break the billion dollar barrier. There's no doubt that the web provides a huge opportunity for companies, but it’s important for organizations to make the most of that opportunity. In order to sell your products or services online, your website has to be appropriately equipped. Building an online store from scratch is a mammoth task, and fortunately, an unnecessary one. Today, there is a huge variety of e-commerce platform packages from which to choose. Most e-commerce platforms will provide businesses with standard functionality such as the ability to showcase products in an online catalog, take payments online, manage customers and provide with after-sales. Others will provide more sophisticated functionality, such as online marketing features, the ability to manage or integrate with in-store systems and the provision of APIs. Which e-commerce software is best for your business depends entirely on your specific requirements. If you're an online-only outfit, then POS integration won't be necessary, but you may get a lot of business from overseas, in which case foreign currency support would be a requirement. In this article, we’re going to highlight some of the best e-commerce platforms available right now, before moving on to consider other options you might want to explore in terms of creating your own e-commerce solution. The best e-commerce platform packages
Shopify is perhaps the most well known e-commerce platform available. It was set up in 2006 by founders Tobias Lütke, Daniel Weinand and Scott Lake who, as the story goes, felt that there wasn't a simple-to-use e-commerce platform available and so built their own. The company claims that: "You don't need to have any technical or design experience to easily create a beautiful online store." According to Shopify, it's possible to get one of its online stores up-and-running within minutes. Users can choose from a wide range of templates, or they can design the look and feel of their store themselves. It accepts a comprehensive range of credit cards, has Level 1 PCI compliance and 256-bit SSL encryption for security, and it offers 24/7 support via phone, instant messaging or email. The platform provides a full CMS with which users can manage the functionality and layout of their online store. Users can manage their store on-the-go using Shopify's mobile apps, and the platform itself is fully responsive, meaning the store will be optimized for visitors regardless of whether they access it from a desktop computer or a mobile device. Shopify also offers users unlimited hosting for their stores, in-depth analytics of how visitors are using the store, and functionality for marketing such as SEO optimization, a discount and coupon engine, gift cards and email marketing tools. You can test out Shopify with a 14-day free trial.
Bigcommerce was established in 2009 and promises to "support your business, not just your store." In addition to offering support via phone, instant chat and email, it also offers articles and videos to help with e-commerce, and access to a team of e-commerce experts who can provide advice and guidance about online selling. Their experts are qualified in both Google Analytics and Adwords. Like Shopify, Bigcommerce provides a variety of templates and themes to help stores look their best and get up-and-running quickly. Alternatively, users can design their own store or use Bigcommerce designers to do so. The platform incorporates a full-featured CMS that allows users to run an entire website, rather than just a store. Users can benefit from detailed and flexible product management, optimized search engine rankings, along with a variety of integrated marketing tools and analytics. Payments can be accepted via 40+ pre-integrated gateways and shipping details can be customized as per the business's requirements. As of late, some new features have been added like support for Amazon Import and Link and Shopping in Instagram Stories. The platform offers automated order processing, flexible tax rules depending on where orders are made and shipped, and support for multiple currencies. You can test out Bigcommerce with a 15-day free trial.
Volusion has been around for almost two decades, having been set up in Texas over in the US in 1999. The company touts its platform as being an "all-in-one e-commerce solution", and offers a free 14-day trial (no credit card required). As with other e-commerce platforms, users are offered a variety of templates from which to choose, and can also customize templates if they so wish. Should a more complex design be required, Volusion offers a custom design service that can incorporate branding and a firm's social media presence. The platform provides the site and product management tools you'd expect, marketing functionality for SEO, social media, and affiliate outlets, along with emails and order management functionality for fast order processing, accepting payments, tax calculations and POS integration. In addition to its platform and associated services, Volusion offers apps from its partners, support for users and a knowledge-base for help with e-commerce. Users can draw upon blog posts, guides and webinars. As of October 8th, there are no more transaction fees.
CoreCommerce was set up in 2001 and focuses on providing e-commerce services to small and medium-sized businesses. The company places an emphasis on simplicity and transparency, promising that its platform is easy-to-use and that customers will not fall foul of any hidden charges. Perhaps CoreCommerce's most unique aspect is that all of its features are offered to all customers regardless of what plan they are on. Price plans are determined by the number of products, the number of email addresses, the amount of bandwidth and the amount of storage required by the user (and higher-end plans also benefit from additional support). As with other e-commerce providers, CoreCommerce offers functionality for store design, product management, order processing and marketing. Of its headline features, the platform offers unlimited product customization options, a built-in blogging engine, and secure hosting that is provided by Rackspace and comes with a 99.9% uptime guarantee. You can try CoreCommerce out with a 15-day free trial.
Having been founded in 1997, 3dcart is the oldest of our featured providers here. It was set up with a view to incorporating as many of the most requested e-commerce features into one platform as possible. The company says it has six core values by which it operates: ongoing innovation, good service, simple solutions, fostering trust, keeping employees and customers happy, and stimulating prosperity amongst employees and customers. Some of the platform's innovative features include a module that users can install to offer gift-wrapping, a purchase order system, the option of running a loyalty program and the ability to offer recurring orders. Many of these features are very specific, meaning that stores can be highly tailored to the needs of each business. Stores can be designed using one of the many templates offered by 3dcart, or users can design their own store. A quick edit bar means that making changes to the design of a store is simple. Product images are fore-fronted with 3dcart's auto-zoom feature and products can be sold via Facebook with its store integration. As with some other platforms, users can blog directly from 3dcart and tools are provided for setting up coupons, sending newsletters and affiliate marketing. In addition to its platform, 3dcart offers a number of professional services. Users can request help with SEO, PPC, shopping feed management, social media, Facebook ads and conversion consulting. Help can also be provided to ensure that a user's store is set up to the highest standard. Services such as site cloning, setting up custom tracking, data migration and training are offered. In addition, 3dcart can provide SSL certification. Hosting is guaranteed at 99.9% uptime and 24/7 support is provided via phone, email or online chat. You can test out the service with a 15-day free trial.
Also consider: Alternative meansIf you don’t want to go the route of using an off-the-shelf package, what other options are available for you to explore? That’s what we’re going to look at in the second half of this piece…
Is eBay right for your business?Opening its doors in 1999, eBay UK now has over 14 million users, with over 10,000 people using the site for a business that is their primary means of income. It's not just about people selling unwanted goods - businesses have used the simplicity that eBay offers to set up lucrative operations. Even the larger brands such as Argos, Debenhams and House of Fraser are using eBay to sell online. With sophisticated tools now available you can be up and running with your store in just a few hours. The eBay Seller Centre has all the information you need. Each store is managed via eBay's familiar user interface, and there are a number of eBay-provided tools to help manage, track and promote your shop once it's established. Using eBay as the platform for your business could be ideal if your business wants to sell goods on a fixed price basis. The complete integration of the PayPal e-payments system into eBay takes care of this essential component of your store. The key with eBay is to look closely at the costs involved and also the transaction fees that PayPal charge before moving forward and setting up your own store. How to create your own e-commerce solutionOf course if you want complete control over every aspect of your new online store, building each page yourself will be the best course of action. Hiring someone to code your website is one option. If you decide to do this follow these steps:
You also don't have to build your site completely from scratch. Buying a template can give you all the basic pages your site needs. You can then either modify them yourself using an application like Dreamweaver, or hire a coding expert to make the changes. Website templates are available from a number of vendors including Template Monster. If you already have a website and want to add e-commerce functionality, this can be easily achieved with a number of applications including: Final adviceWhichever route you decide to take when building your website always remember:
Setting up your online store should be approached carefully and diligently to ensure you put a professional and efficient site live. Internet shopping continues to expand. Make sure your business doesn't miss out on a sales channel that shows no signs of slowing down.
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| Get a £25 Currys voucher with Honor View 20 deals from Carphone Warehouse Posted: 28 Jan 2019 08:23 AM PST The Honor View 20 is one of the world's newest flagship phones and yet it has already become a battleground for retailers trying to land the best deal. The newest offer? A Currys/PC World voucher when you buy the device on contract from Carphone Warehouse. This deal - which is an EXCLUSIVE to TechRadar readers - earns you a voucher worth £25 to spend at Currys when you sign up via the link in bold below. That's on top of the FREE Honor Watch Magic (worth £179.99) that Carphone Warehouse is also offering at the moment - that's a lot of value for money on a brand new handset that's already really reasonably priced and for which we have a lot of love - you can read our Honor View 20 review. Click here to take advantage of this EXCLUSIVE gift card offer Carphone has tariffs from the likes of O2 and Vodafone with plenty of options on monthly costs, data and upfront fees. Perfect to combine with that Curry's voucher to get yourself a great deal. But don't hang around if you like the sound of this exclusive promotion as Carphone Warehouse is applying an end date of February 19.
How to claim your Currys/PC World gift card:
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| Nvidia lowers fourth quarter predictions after poor Turing RTX GPU sales Posted: 28 Jan 2019 08:18 AM PST Shares in Nvidia have dropped sharply following the company declaring that it expects to make far less in fiscal Q4 revenue than was previously estimated, with the blame for some of the shortfall being laid at the door of its new RTX (Turing) graphics cards. Nvidia’s previous forecast for its fourth quarter revenue – the quarter running up until the end of this month, January – had stood at $2.7 billion (around £2.1 billion, AU$3.8 billion) and has now been lowered to $2.2 billion (around £1.7 billion, AU$3.1 billion). Lopping off $500 million off predictions is a big drop off, and one which has sent the firm’s stock tumbling by 15% at the time of writing. As spotted by MarketWatch, in a press statement, Nvidia said that both gaming and data center revenue didn’t perform as well as expected either. And on the gaming front, the company admitted that “certain high-end GPUs” from its new Turing range of graphics cards hadn’t sold as many units as anticipated. Nvidia said that Turing GPUs deliver a “revolutionary leap in performance and innovation with real-time ray tracing and AI”, but qualified that with the observation that some folks may be waiting until prices fall – and for ray tracing support to become more widespread in games – before buying an RTX graphics card. Cost is indeed a thorny issue for many, no doubt, when you consider the steep asking price on the higher-end RTX models. For example, the Founders Edition of the GeForce RTX 2080 Ti comes with a price tag of $1,199 (£1,099, AU$1,899), and even the plain RTX 2080 will relieve your wallet of $799 (£749, AU$1,199). The latter is considerably more than the previous-generation GTX 1080 which started at $549 (£469, AU$925), although even that could hardly be described as affordable. China fragilityNvidia also observed that “deteriorating macroeconomic conditions, particularly in China, impacted consumer demand for Nvidia gaming GPUs.” So negative overarching economic forces also played a part in the picture, with China singled out as a particular area of weakness for sales – which is interesting as Intel also blamed a slowdown in China as one of the major reasons why the chip giant underperformed in its recent Q4 financial results. Furthermore, earlier this month, Apple pointed the finger at economic frailty in the Chinese market in a warning that iPhone sales would be weaker than expected. It would seem, then, that China is having a measurable negative impact across the tech industry at large right now. Those more cynical might suggest that the country’s hardware market seems like a convenient scapegoat. On the data center front, Nvidia noted that a number of deals which were expected to close in the previous forecast, didn’t actually come to fruition in their anticipated time frame. Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, commented: “Q4 was an extraordinary, unusually turbulent, and disappointing quarter.”
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| Intel Core i9-9900T spotted on auction as a low-power, octa-core CPU Posted: 28 Jan 2019 08:15 AM PST Intel recently expanded its Coffee Lake Refresh processor lineup with integrated graphics-lacking F-series chips, and it seems to have plans for new low-power chips as well. A mysterious Intel Core i9-9900T has appeared on Yahoo Auctions, and it seems to be a cut-down, 35W version of the original, 95W Intel Core i9-9900K. According to specifications shared on the listing, the Intel Core i9-9900T will still feature identical 8-core and 16-thread as the original CPU, but with severely cut down clock speeds. Whereas the original Intel Core i9-9900K started at a 3.6GHz base clock and maxed out at 5.0GHz on one to two cores, the 9900T will supposedly run between 1.7GHz and 3.8GHz. Bringing Core i9 power to all-in-one PCs?While it isn’t surprising that Intel would introduce low-power versions of its existing chips, we would be surprised if the chipmaker would roll out T-series version of its Core i9 part, and with these major downgrades in frequency as well. T-series CPUs are often reserved for all-in-one and miniature PC systems. So, perhaps by limiting the 9900T by so much, Intel wants to say it has a Core i9 part in such a compact PC without running into the same overheating issues as the Core i9-powered MacBook Pro. Of course, before the chipmaker can make any claims, these T-series processors have to be officially announced. We’ll be on the lookout for such an announcement or any new CPU developments, so stay tuned.
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| Cybercrime costing UK victims thousands every day Posted: 28 Jan 2019 08:13 AM PST Over £190,000 a day is lost in the UK by those who have fallen victim to cybercrime according to new statistics from the UK police. Over a third of the victims affected by cybercrime had either the social media or email accounts breached by hackers. According to Action Fraud, £34.6m was reported to be stolen from victims between April and September of last year which marks a 24 percent increase over the previous six months. Although the City of London Police, which runs Action Fraud, has warned consumers to use separate passwords for each of their online accounts, 13,357 people in the UK reported cybercrimes over six months. Easy targetsOf those who reported falling victim to cybercrime, more than 5,000 were hacked via their social media and email accounts costing victims £14.8m. Commander Karen Baxter explained that cybercriminals have begun to target users' social media accounts to make money and steal their personal details while putting them at risk of identity theft. Commander Baxter explained to the BBC how consumers can prevent falling victim to hacker's schemes, saying: "Always be suspicious of unsolicited requests for your personal or financial information and never call numbers or follow links provided in unsolicited texts or emails." Via BBC News
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| The best Netflix series in the UK (January 2019): fantastic Netflix shows Posted: 28 Jan 2019 07:59 AM PST Exclusives, originals, classics, when it comes to the best of the best TV shows, Netflix is still our number one streaming platform. Although Now TV and Amazon Prime have a great selection of movies and TV, Netflix is still our firm favourite because it's constantly being updated with such a great mix of series both old and new. [Update: Whip-smart new comedy Sex Education has arrived, as well as the fifth season of popular comedy, Grace and Frankie. January 25 also saw the final installment of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt hitting our screens, too. Netflix has also confirmed that the season three of Stranger Things will arrive on July 4 2018.] December on Netflix saw a brand new new Black Mirror movie arrive on the platform. Called Bandersnatch, it's an interactive adventure that puts the viewer in control of key decisions throughout the film, with multiple possible outcomes and endings. As well as that, a brand new football documentary, Sunderland 'Til I Die has come to Netflix, and it follows the club as they try to bounce back from relegation in the 2017-18 Premier League. There's sad news for Daredevil fans however, which has just been cancelled by the streaming giant despite just finishing its popular third season. In other Netflix news, the streaming platform has now amassed an enormous 139 million subscribers, more than the populations of Tokyo, Delhi, Shanghai, Sao Paolo, and Mumbai combined. What's coming soon on Netflix?As you can probably tell from that quick rundown, one of the best things about Netflix is it really does cater for every taste, from gritty true crime and thrillers through to fantasy, space adventures and plenty of cartoons and fun for kids. We can’t guarantee it, but we’re pretty sure there’s something for everyone. Let’s not forget that a lot of the best shows on Netflix right now are originals that have been created by the Netflix team and the studios behind them. In short, Netflix is really on a roll. Here's some of the brilliant Netflix UK shows you can expect in early 2019:
A still from Star Trek: Discovery
Best Netflix Original series
ManiacA bizarre new sci-fi series based on a Norwegian TV show of the same name. It's about Annie and Owen, played by Emma Stone and Jonah Hill, two troubled strangers who are brought together during some strange pharmaceutical trials. Dr. James K. Mantleray claims that a new series of pills he's created can solve all kinds of mental illness and heartbreak, but there's something much deeper and more sinister going on too. Seasons on Netflix: 1
Bojack HorsemanYes, Bojack Horseman is hilarious. Yes, it’s the best thing Will Arnett has done since Arrested Development. And, yes, it should be the next thing you watch if you are into anthropomorphic comedy about a once great TV star who has fallen on hard times. It’s all of that but it’s also a pretty accurate portrayal of depression and should be celebrated as such. 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 to keep everything balanced. Seasons on Netflix: 5
The CrownIs The Crown Netflix's crowning glory? It could be, as a sumptuous look at one of the world's most famous families: the Royal family. Charting the early years of the relationship between the Queen (Claire Foy) and Prince Philip (former Doctor Who Matt Smith), the show was written by Peter Morgan and, at £100 million, is one of the most expensive TV series ever made. Which means there's enough pomp and ceremony to keep those pining for a Downton Abbey replacement happy. The second season is now on Netflix and is a nice improvement on the first series - it's also the last that stars the current cast, with Olivia Coleman and Helena Bonham Carter slated to appear as the Queen and Princess Margaret respectively in the next couple on seasons. Seasons on Netflix: 2
Orange is the New BlackOrange Is The New Black is back for its sixth season and is a show that consistently one of the best to watch, with its superb tale of life in a women's prison. It's so popular that it is now the most watched series on Netflix - although the makers have announced that the show's next season will be its last. The show has returned for a sixth season and things are looking pretty bleak for the inmates of Litchfield Penitentiary. Tensions and issues with the US prison system brought to the fore. While the comedy is still there, it's slathered with a fair bit of drama and darkness. Seasons on Netflix: 6
GLOWThe long-awaited second season of the female wrestling comedy GLOW is finally here. The Gorgeous Ladies Of Wrestling have returned and this time they’ve been commissioned for a full series of their trashy, hot-pink, hairspray-fuelled wrestling show led by their coked-up director (played by Marc Maron). The fantastic second season could potentially even outshine the first for its refreshing female-fronted cast and writers, and its brilliant balancing act between empowerment and exploitation. It’s a must-watch. Seasons on Netflix: 2 Best drama series on Netflix
House of CardsThe highly-anticipated season 6 of House of Cards is here, which will have Robin Wright's character, Claire Underwood, take centre stage after the Kevin Spacey assault and harassment allegations saw him being axed from the series. We're not sure how House of Cards will hold up without Frank Underwood, but if anyone can take the reins, it's Wright. Seasons on Netflix: 6
Breaking BadBreaking Bad is must-watch TV and one of the reasons Netflix has risen to the popularity it has. Before Breaking Bad, Netflix was seen as a fairly decent streaming service. After it got the rights to show the final season of Breaking Bad in the UK, Netflix propelled itself to superstardom. Not bad for a show that’s ostensibly about a high-school teacher with cancer who goes on to sell meth to pay for his hospital bills. It goes without saying, if you haven’t yet spent time with Walter White and Jesse - do so now! But, be warned, the show is as addictive as the stuff Walter is peddling. Seasons on Netflix: 5
SherlockThis contemporary BBC remake of the Arthur Conan Doyle classic is dark, funny, and intricately written, and it's brought Victorian sleuth Sherlock Holmes bang up to date for the modern age. With stellar performances from Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman as Holmes and Dr Watson respectively, this BBC adaptation is an absolute must-watch. Storylines packed with intrigue and nail-biting tension are offset by moments of genuine humor, so even the scaredy-cats in the family will find something to love about this series. Seasons on Netflix: 4
The End of the F***ing WorldAdapted from the comic book of the same name (mins the ***), The End Of The F***ing World is f***ing brilliant. It tells the tale of two teenagers on a journey; both are loners on the run but one of them just happens to be a bit of a psychopath. It's funny, but brutal TV. It's British and co-funded by Channel 4 and there's a fantastic edge to everything in it - and it's perfectly bite-sized, too at just under 20 minutes an episode. It's so good, it's destined to get a second season. The first ends so perfectly, though, it's actually a real shame that this will happen. Seasons on Netflix: 1 (and it needs to stay that way)
Mad MenOn the face of it, Mad Men is about advertising execs - lead by the ever-conflicted Don Draper - in the Sixties but it's much much more. Each episode lingers, taking time to tell its tale, but it's worth the wait. Superb television that you can get caught up in. Seasons on Netflix: 7 Best comedy series on Netflix
Sex EducationThis British comedy series sees socially awkward sixth-former Otis (who lives with his sex therapist mother) team up with the smart and rebellious Maeve, to create a sex clinic for the school's sexually frustrated students. It's equally funny as it is heartfelt, and offers a frank and uncensored view of teen sexuality and the social quagmire that is sixth-form education. Don't be put off by the Americanisation of this high school comedy that's apparently set in a seemingly quaint British village – the temporal and physical ambiguity is what gives this fantastic series part of its charm. Seasons on Netflix: 1
The Good PlaceComedy is in a good place right now and, funnily enough, The Good Place is a perfect example of that. Starring Ted Danson and Kristen Bell, this off-the-wall comedy focuses on a recently deceased woman who is sent to a heaven-like utopia called the Good Place completely by accident. In order to stay there she goes to any lengths to hide what a terrible person she was when living. Season 1 and 2 have already aired in the UK through Netflix, with new season 3 episodes being added each week in line with their US release. A great cast, clever writing and an original concept make this a must-watch. Seasons on Netflix: 3
Peep ShowAll nine seasons of Peep Show are now on Netflix - and if you haven't seen the show, then you are in for a treat. Charting the rather mundane lives of two flatmates Jez (Robert Webb) and Mark (David Mitchell), the show is a wry look at adults trying and failing to be adults. All shot in first person - hence the name - Peep Show doesn't shirk from sex, drugs and political incorrectness but it does it all in such a brilliantly British way, that you don't mind at all when you are watching some of the most awkward TV moments, including one of the characters serving up a dead dog for dinner. Don't ask, just watch. Seasons on Netflix: 9
It's Always Sunny in PhiladelphiaInitially made on a shoe-string budget, It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia first season had a cult following, but low viewing figures meant it was destined to be a one-series wonder. Thankfully, everything changed when Season 2 was eventually green-lit, thanks to some big-time star power. Danny De Vito joined for a 10-episode run that was extended because he loved it so much. He's still in the show that's now in its 13th season, bringing with him huge viewing figures. The antics of Dennis (Glenn Howerton), Mac (Rob McElhenney, the show's creator), Charlie (Charlie Kelly) and Sweet Dee (Kaitlin Olson) won't be for everyone - at its darkest the show's 'comedy' themes range from nazism to drug abuse - but stick with it and this deliciously depraved classic will reward you. Its 13th season has finally arrived on Netflix, and we're happy to say, it's just as funny as the previous 12. Seasons on Netflix: 13
Arrested DevelopmentArrested Development is one of the best comedies ever made. So it made sense that Netflix would want to resurrect it for a fifth season. The fourth season was funny, but it wasn’t perfect - primarily because most of the cast were too busy to get into the same room. But the fifth season brings back some of that Bluth magic, which is full of in-jokes, jokes that run for entire seasons and more, well, jokes, this is essential TV. Seasons on Netflix: 5
Brooklyn Nine-NineFollowing the brilliant but immature NYPD detective Jake Peralta, this Golden Globe-winning series is a laugh-a-minute, with plenty of deadpan jokes, physical comedy, and crackpot characters. Although there are five series, you can only find four on Netflix right now - but don't worry, with around 20 episodes per season Brooklyn Nine-Nine is still totally bingeable. Seasons on Netflix: 4 Best sci-fi / fantasy series on Netflix
Stranger ThingsWhen it comes to TV and movies, the '80s is the nostalgia decade of the moment. Whether it's Jeff Nichols' Midnight Special that plays like a Steven Spielberg film, if Spielberg still made films like he did in the Eighties, or The Goldbergs and Red Oaks mining the decade for laughs, filmmakers can't get enough of the shell suits and Sony Walkmans. Stranger Things is another brilliant homage to this era. Leaning heavily on Spielberg, John Carpenter and Stephen King - so much King - the story revolves around a small town, a group of friends, a missing person and a dodgy science lab. Writing anything else would give away the myriad twists in a show that is full of brilliant creepy fun. The second season continues the brilliance of the first and you’ll be pleased to read that the quality has not diminished. In fact everything’s been ramped up - the horror is more horrific, the homages more on the nose and the creatures are, well, you’ll have to find out for yourself but you will not be disappointed. [Update: Netflix has just released the titles for each episode of season 3 in this teaser video, and confirmed the new season will arrive on July 4 2019.] Seasons on Netflix: 2
The OACo-created by and starring the ever-brilliant Brit Marling, The OA consists of eight episodes that rival Stranger Things for, well, strangeness. Marling is a blind woman who comes back after disappearing for many years. Her sight is restored and she has a tale to tell. Although there are eight episodes they vary wildly in length - from 70 minutes to 30 minutes. The whole thing has been made to make you feel uneasy and it does a great job of that. Seasons on Netflix: 1
Star Trek: DiscoveryWell, this series went to places we never thought it would. Set before the exploits of the Starship Enterprise, the show is filled with Roddenberry characters. But while the original series had shades of light this is a much darker look at space exploration. Sonequa Martin-Green is great as the first officer who has a past intrinsically linked to Star Trek characters of the past - we can't wait to see where this series goes. [Update: the new season of Star Trek: Discovery is out now!] Seasons on Netflix: 2
Black MirrorSeason 4 of Black Mirror is out now and is the darkest, most varied season of the show yet. Comprising six episodes of varying (almost feature) length, Charlie Brooker has concocted another dose of dystopian satire that riffs off everything from Star Trek to, well, schlock-horror The Driller Killer. Before Black Mirror, Charlie Brooker was best known for his snarky looky at the news in Weekly Wipe and his fantastic, caustic look at 'meeja' types in London’s Shoreditch. Now the show has given him superstar status. For good reason, it’s fantastic TV with each episode taking on a different dystopia topic, mostly framed around technology going very long. The third season was commissioned by Netflix and is in 4K, with most of the episodes being feature length. [Update: A new Black Mirror movie is here! Called Bandersnatch, it's an interactive adventure that puts the viewer in control of key decisions throughout the film, with multiple possible outcomes and endings.] Seasons on Netflix: 4
DarkDark is a German-language supernatural thriller in which the disappearance of two children in a small town brings the fractured relationships and dark pasts of the people living there to the surface. Adding a touch of Scandinavian crime thriller to American drama, this 10-part series was renewed for a second season, which is expected to land in 2019. Seasons on Netflix: 1 Best animated series on Netflix
Rick and MortyRick 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
Final SpaceAnother sci-fi entry here: 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
F is for FamilyBased 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 - and it's back for a brilliant third season. Seasons on Netflix: 3
ArcherArcher 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
Attack on TitanBased on the manga of the same name 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
Over the Garden WallNow something for the kids – originally aired on Cartoon Network, Over the Garden Wall is a charming mini-series that centers 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 children alike. Seasons on Netflix: 1
Best documentaries on Netflix
The world's fascination with real crime seems to be at its highest at the moment and it's all thanks to the podcast Serial. Now on to its second series, Serial highlights cases of crime in forensic detail. Making a Murderer is in a similar vein. This 10-part series looks at Steven Avery, someone who spent 18 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit and is then accused of a different crime. The show has been ten years in the making and is gripping stuff. Seasons on Netflix: 2
Evil GeniusIf true crime is your thing, then you'll want to get stuck into Evil Genius this weekend. It's about the very odd story of a pizza delivery man who robs a bank with a bomb tied around his neck. And that's all we can really say without ruining some of the more baffling details. Described by numerous review sites as "unnerving" and "Lynchian", this isn't one for rom-com lovers or those looking for a chilled Sunday evening watch. Seasons on Netflix: 1
Planet Earth IINature buffs will have likely already watched this breath-taking documentary series when it first premiered on the BBC back in 2016, but you can rewatch it all again now the entire second season has landed on Netflix. Following on from the super popular Planet Earth, this beautiful, breath-taking and at times brutal look at our planet and the plants, animals and people that thrive on it is made even more compelling because it's narrated by David Attenborough and the main music is composed by Hans Zimmer. Seasons on Netflix: 1
Last Chance UESPN might've had the world of sports documentaries well in hand with its 30 for 30 series. But that was before Netflix got the crazy idea to make one of its own. Inspired by an article in GQ magazine, Last Chance U follows student athletes who are one step away from never playing football again. On top of the pressures on the field, students face problems in the classroom where class absences and the fear failing hit harder than a defensive lineman. It's gritty, heart-wrenching and exactly the kind of series that gives you something to root for all while biting your nails. Just in time for football season, the third season of the show – which follows a new team in Independence, Kansas – is now available. Seasons on Netflix: 3
ExplainedCreated by Netflix and Vox Media, this handy and smart series takes a look at some of the most popular ideas and tech around today and explains them in a way that's poignant in its presentation without feeling overwhelming to take in. From the racial wealth gap, cryptocurrency and why diets rarely work through to K-Pop and the stock market, it's an insightful look at the problems, ideas and trends around today and the stuff that could shape tomorrow. At the very least, it gives you enough knowledge to have a really good debate down at the pub. Seasons on Netflix: 1 Best reality series on Netflix
Queer EyeNeed a dose of feel-good TV to help cope with today's rocky political landscape? Check out Queer Eye, a show about being the best you with help from five of the coolest dudes on the planet. The show just entered its second season and we're still loving the premise of taking people stuck in a rut and hoisting them to the self-respecting, self-loving person we all want to be. Werk. Seasons on Netflix: 2
The Great British Bake OffEveryone’s favourite baking show is on Netflix and ready to stream. If you didn’t binge on baking as you binged on chocolate eggs, head on over to the streaming site now to watch seven seasons of GBBO. For those not in the know (seriously, how?), Great British Bake Off is a baking reality show that follows wannabe bakers through a series of challenges week after week. Each time, someone is eliminated and it’s made all the more addictive by judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood. The reboot of the series by Channel 4 (with an entirely new lineup apart from Hollywood) isn't yet available on Netflix, but the rights have been acquired by the streaming giant so it shouldn't be too long now. Seasons on Netflix: 7
It's been going strong for 8 years and 10 seasons, but RuPaul's Drag Race is still giving fierce fans a heavy dose of fabulous. For those not already in the know, the elimination-style reality show sees RuPaul go on the hunt for America's next drag superstar - expect lots of glitter, drama, and fun. [Update: A brand new animated series starring show alumni Ginger Minj Trixie Mattel, Shangela, and Willam called Super Drags landed on Netflix on November 8.] Seasons on Netflix: 9
Nailed it!If watching The Great British Bake Off makes you feel inadequate, you should try Nailed It!, the baking show for people who suck at baking. The series sees three contestants per episode take on two impossible baking challenges, with the winner receiving $10,000. Hosted by the infectiously upbeat Nicole Byer and suave French pastry chef Jaques Torres, this show is guaranteed to make you smile. [Update: The Christmas edition, Nailed It: Holiday is out now...perfect watching for a cosy night in.] Seasons on Netflix: 2
Ultimate BeastmasterIf you were a fan of Takeshi's Castle back in the day, or more recently, Ninja Warrior, you're going to love Ultimate Beastmaster. The competition sees 2 contestants from six to nine countries take on 'The Beast', a ridiculously challenging obstacle course that only the fittest will be able to take on. What sets this series apart from other obstacle course shows is that Netflix produces six localized versions, featuring "select television hosts, actors, comedians and athletes as commentators from the six countries competing in the show". Seasons on Netflix: 3 This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Top Tech Conferences: The Ultimate B2B tech events and show guide for 2019 Posted: 28 Jan 2019 07:51 AM PST For information about adding your event to this list and featured listing opportunities please contact mike.moore@futurenet.com. Love it or loathe it, events and conferences are often where wheelers and dealers in the world of technology meet to decide on the future of the industry. Ironically, technology itself has accelerate the demise of some massive tech events (like CeBit) but the result is that the remaining ones are more focused, alive and bustling than ever before. TechRadar Pro and ITProPortal have joined forces with the tech B2B PR industry to curate a list of national and international technology events, conferences and happenings.
Mobile World Congress 2019February 25th - 28th Barcelona The world's biggest mobile trade show marks another year in Barcelona with a stellar line-up of speakers and exhibitors. Why attend? Over 2,300 exhibitors will gather in Barcelona to showcase the newest technologies and most innovative products available. Take your place among the companies that are shaping the connected future.
RSA Conference 2019March 4th-8th, San Francisco RSA Conference 2019returns to San Francisco - take this opportunity to learn about new approaches to info security, discover the latest technology and interact with top security leaders and pioneers. Why attend? Hands-on sessions, keynotes and informal gatherings allow you to tap into a smart, forward-thinking global community that will inspire and empower you.
Data Centre WorldMarch 12th-13th, London Data Centre World brings together the world's leading minds, from industry leaders & practitioners to share their extensive wisdom and discuss the latest topics and concerns surrounding the data centre industry. Why attend? For more than a decade Data Centre World has been delivering the future vision for the industry.
Smart Home ExpoMarch 26th & 27th March, Birmingham Smart Home Expo is the UK's ultimate event for the smart technologies revolutionising the way we live, featuring 150 seminars by the industry’s greatest minds, 200 world-class suppliers, interactive panel debates, networking opportunities, exclusive show offers, and much more. Why attend? From smart lights that help with energy saving, to smart assistants that control homes via simple voice commands; Smart Home Expo is not only the place where you can find a plethora of solutions on offer, but also where you’ll learn how to best utilise them, redefining what it means to feel at home.
INDUSTRY EuropeApril 16th & 17th, Dublin Building world-class software products is hard. At INDUSTRY you will see how others manage product in different environments, from fast-paced startups to complex large enterprises. Why attend? Over 3 days, 400 attendees from over 30 countries will learn from renowned product leaders and share the latest methods, tools, and frameworks that they use to build, launch and scale world-class software products.
Blockchain Expo GlobalApril 25th-26th, London The world’s largest blockchain conference and exhibition focuses on the future of enterprise technology. The event showcases two days of top-level content from leading brands, embracing and developing cutting edge blockchain technologies. Why attend? The agenda will present a series of expert keynotes, interactive panel discussions and solution-based case studies, all exploring the key industries that are set to be disrupted the most by this new technology.
AccountexMay 1st-2nd, London Now in its eighth year, over two days visitors to Accountex will have the opportunity to gain insights from over 250 top exhibitors and immerse themselves in accounting expertise with a programme of over 250 keynotes and seminars delivered by leading industry experts. Why attend? Following a record-breaking attendance of almost 8,000 visitors at last year’s show, Accountex will be taking it up a level for 2019 with 10% more floor space, giving exhibiting companies even more room to showcase their latest accounting innovations.
Open Source Data ConferenceMay 14th-15th, Berlin Innovative strategies, forward-looking developments and new perspectives in dealing with complex data centers are the topics of OSDC. Why attend? The international conference is especially adapted to experienced administrators and architects. Get in touch with international OS-experts. Benefit from their comprehensive experience, learn about the current developments and gain the latest know-how for your daily practice.
Viva TechnologyMay 16th - 18th, Paris VivaTech is the world’s rendezvous for startups and leaders to celebrate innovation. It’s a gathering of the world’s brightest minds, talents, and products. Why attend? From top speakers and exhibitions to open innovation and live experiences, VivaTech is a celebration of today’s innovations and tomorrow’s possibilities for everyone who believes in the power of technology to transform business and society.
Gitex 2019October 6th-10th, 2019 Join attendees from 120+ countries and global media outlets in unpacking the big conversations and latest solutions around AI, blockchain, robotics, cloud and other mega trends. Why attend? GITEX takes you on a multi-sensory experience of Future Urbanism across 21 halls with 4,000 exhibitors across 24 sectors.
Big Data LDN 2019November 13th-14th, London Big Data LDN is a free to attend conference and exhibition where delegates discuss the big questions and share ideas with forward-thinking peers and leading members of the Data community. Hear from 130 expert speakers in 8 technical and business-led conference tracks, including real world use-cases and discuss your business requirements with 100 leading technology vendors and consultants. Why attend? Big Data LDN (London) will host leading, global data and analytics experts, ready to arm you with the tools to deliver your most effective data-driven strategy. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| What is 5G? Everything you need to know Posted: 28 Jan 2019 07:47 AM PST What is 5G?5G networks are the next generation of mobile internet connectivity, offering faster speeds and more reliable connections on smartphones and other devices than ever before. Combining cutting-edge network technology and the very latest research, 5G should offer connections that are multitudes faster than current connections, with average download speeds of around 1GBps expected to soon be the norm. The networks will help power a huge rise in Internet of Things technology, providing the infrastructure needed to carry huge amounts of data, allowing for a smarter and more connected world. With development well underway, 5G networks are expected to launch across the world by 2020, working alongside existing 3G and 4G technology to provide speedier connections that stay online no matter where you are. So with only a matter of months to go until 5G networks are set to go live, here's our run-down of all the latest news and updates.
5G - the latest news28/01 - NETWORKS - Chinese EU Ambassador says Huawei 5G ban would be 'self-defeating' - Senior diplomat dismisses security fears as fabrications... 25/01 - DEVICES - Huawei says it'll show off a foldable 5G phone at MWC 2019 - The world's first 5G phone with a foldable screen... 24/01 - HARDWARE - Huawei reveals 5G modem and base station chips - Huawei chips will ease deployment and widen support... 22/01 - NETWORKS - Vodafone and O2 team up on 5G network sharing - Two operators look at options for mast infrastructure as they extend network sharing deal to cover 5G... 17/01 - NETWORKS - Huawei faces US probe as Germany considers 5G options - US DoJ reportedly accuses Huawei of trade secret theft... 14/01 - NETWORKS - US government shutdown is threat to 5G rollout - Industry body warns about impact of FCC shutdown... 14/01 - HARDWARE - Intel wants to be your one-stop shop for 5G - Intel VP tells us that “5G runs on Intel”... 14/01 - DEVICES - Apple looks at Samsung and MediaTek modems for 5G iPhone - Latest revelations from Qualcomm's antitrust trial... 12/01 - DEVICES - iPhone 11 tipped to have faster Wi-Fi, but 5G might have to wait - Better speeds for the 2019 iPhones? 11/01 - NETWORKS - Ericsson tests strengthen wireless backhaul's suitability for 5G - Ericsson and Deutsche Telekom trials achieve 'fibre-like' performance... 10/01 - NETWORKS - T-Mobile continues US 5G crusade with 600MHz call tests - T-Mobile completes multi-band call tests with Ericsson and Intel... 09/01 - DEVICES - 5G and fixed displays to drive smartphone sales in 2019 - Research suggests 5G might be silver bullet... 09/01 - NETWORKS - AT&T claims advanced 4G is '5G' - Software update claims advanced 4G is 5G Evolution... 08/01 - DEVICES - 5G can be tonic for smartphone saturation - GSMA Intelligence finds 80 per cent of developed world owns a smartphone... 08/01 - HARDWARE - Intel targets 5G base stations with 'Snow Ridge' chips - Intel hopes edge computing advantage will pay off... 08/01 - NETWORKS - The Galaxy S10 isn't at CES 2019, but Samsung's 5G plans are here - Samsung Galaxy S10 is here in pieces if you look closely... 06/01 - DEVICES - Byton confirms M-Byte car will be available in 2019 with AI, 5G and 48-inch display - That's a whole lot of screen... 04/01 - ANALYSIS - What to expect from 5G at CES 2019 - 5G could be the star of the show at CES 2019... 24/12 - ANALYSIS - Three CEO: Capacity, not speed is the true 5G revolution - Dave Dyson talks up Three's 5G strategy... 21/12 - NETWORKS - O2 confirms 5G tests will use Huawei kit - London 5G tests will be carried out using Huawei equipment, O2 confirms... 19/12 - NETWORKS - 'Strong' business demand for 5G could be tempered by network transformation - Gartner says operator focus is on consumer applications... 19/12 - NETWORKS - AT&T is second US operator to launch 5G - AT&T gears up for limited 5G launch... 19/12 - DEVICES - Top Samsung Galaxy S10 could have a massive screen and support 5G - But it might not be available everywhere... 17/12 - ANALYSIS - The coming 5G revolution - How the next generation of mobile connectivity will bring emerging technologies to life... 17/12 - NETWORKS - Rivals claim Three's spectrum variation will hand it 5G advantage - Three now has 100MHz of continuous 3.6GHz spectrum... 14/12 - NETWORKS - 5G could add billions to world GDP - Unlocking the right 5G spectrum will make all the difference... 13/12 - NETWORKS - Huawei will do 'anything' to be trusted 5G partner - Huawei says if there's anything it can do to ease security concerns, it will do it... 10/12 - NETWORKS - Vodafone to use manhole covers to improve 4G and 5G - Vodafone hopes street level infrastructure will improve network... 10/12 - ANALYSIS - 5G is just the beginning for the future of smartphones - The future of mobile looks promising... 06/12 - ANALYSIS - Vodafone Business rebrand highlights strategic focus in 5G era - Vodafone Enterprise is now Vodafone Business... 06/12 - POLICY - EU approves new regulations to boost 5G rollout - EU passes new code despite industry opposition... 06/12 - PRODUCTS - OnePlus CEO confirms its 5G phone will cost $200 to $300 more than OnePlus 6T - But it isn't done with 4G devices... 06/12 - NETWORKS - We need rigorous 5G testing before we get in the driverless car - Autonomous vehicles will rely heavily on next generation networks... 05/12 - PRODUCTS - OnePlus will be the first to release a 5G phone in Europe - It's all thanks to some help from EE... 05/12 - NETWORKS - How 5G technologies can be implemented more efficiently - Knowing where to place 'small cells' will make all the difference... 05/12 - DEVICES - This Samsung 5G prototype phone has a notch... but it's in the corner - Updated with an official comment from Samsung... 04/12 - DEVICES - Here's the first 5G smartphone and, no, you can't buy it - It's a reference device from Qualcomm, but it promises a lot... 04/12 - NETWORKS - Nokia and Qualcomm complete 5G call interoperability tests - Another 5G testing hurdle is cleared ahead of launch... 04/12 - NETWORKS - Arqiva and CityFibre to build 5G small cell network in London - Hammersmith & Fulham will host UK's largest pilot to date... 04/12 - ANALYSIS - 2019 telecoms forecast: the year of 5G and open source - Canonical takes a look at some of the most important trends for next year... 04/12 - NETWORKS - MI6 chief warns UK on role of China in 5G networks - Alex Younger says there needs to be a conversation about Huawei's role... 03/12 - NETWORKS - Three Korean operators launch 5G networks - Operators bring forward South Korea 5G launch... 03/12 - DEVICES - Verizon and Samsung to launch 5G smartphone in 2019 - Companies will show off PoC this week... 29/11 - PRODUCTS - Toyota's new humanoid robot can be controlled remotely via 5G - A helping hand from afar... 29/11 - NETWORKS - 5G will require mobile operators to rethink the role of Wi-Fi - Operators may need to de-prioritise Wi-Fi in 5G era... 28/11 - NETWORKS - New Zealand 'blocks' use of Huawei 5G kit - Spark application rejected by New Zealand government... 27/11 - NETWORKS - 5G will have 'fastest ever' global rollout - Ericsson Mobility Report says Europe will fall behind without market changes... 23/11 - NETWORKS - O2 gears up for 5G with Massive MIMO trial - O2 trials technology in London head of 5G launch... 22/11 - NETWORKS - Huawei boasts of 22 5G commercial contracts - Head of Huawei carrier business touts end-to-end capabilities of its equipment... 22/11 - NETWORKS - Nokia creates Access Networks Division for end-to-end 5G - Nokia hopes organisational changes will give it 5G advantage... 21/11 - NETWORKS - EE and BT Sport plan UK's first 5G sport broadcast - EE Wembley Cup will be transmitted via 5G... 20/11 - HARDWARE - Huawei urges operators to trust its 5G vision as it shifts 10,000 base stations - Huawei Chairman Ken Hu details 'Cloud X' vision... 20/11 - NETWORKS - Three: 5G wireless broadband can be genuine alternative to fibre - Three-commissioned report touts price-saving benefits of 5G FWA... 20/11 - DEVICES - OnePlus could charge a high price for its upcoming 5G phone - Price tag for superfast device could be up to $100 more... 19/11 - NETWORKS - Faroese Telecom wants to bring 5G to Shetland - Shetland confirms talks with Faroese mobile provider... 16/11 - ANALYSIS - The week that UK 5G transformed from hype into reality - UK operators detail more about 5G launches in 2019... 16/11 - ANALYSIS - 2025: the year of 5G entertainment - Intel's Alex Gledhill tells us how 5G can benefit all areas of work and life... 15/11 - RESEARCH - Samsung invests $22bn in AI and 5G - Korean tech giant aims to control 20 per cent of the network equipment market... 15/11 - NETWORKS - US begins auction of 5G spectrum - US operators bid for high range spectrum to power mobile broadband services.. 15/11 - HARDWARE - German government 'urged' to consider Huawei 5G ban - Reports suggest push could have come too late... 14/11 - DEVICES - Verizon connects a smartphone to its 5G network - Verizon is currently the world's only commercial 5G operator... 13/11 - PRODUCTS - Intel will launch 5G modem next year - Chipmaker speeds up plans for 5G modem launch in 2019... 13/11 - NETWORKS - EE to launch 5G as 'premium' mobile experience in 16 UK cities in 2019 - Operator to upgrade 1,500 sites in the busiest parts of its network... 12/11 - DEVICES - OnePlus 7 may not be the upcoming 5G phone from the brand - Is a whole new OnePlus line on the way? 09/11 - NETWORKS - What role will 5G play in NBN's gigabit broadband vision? - 5G can boost FWA broadband to gigabit levels... 08/11 - POLICY - Ofcom CTO: Spectrum and security are biggest 5G challenges - Ofcom CTO Mansoor Hanif discusses the barriers to fulfilling 5G potential... 07/11 - NETWORKS - EE announces UK 5G trial expansion - Nine east London sites are now linked up to EE's 5G trial network... 07/11 - NETWORKS - How 5G will enable the next generation of IoT deployments - Canonical head tells us why next-generation networks are the key to innovation... 07/11 - NETWORKS - Three reveals £2bn UK 5G investment - 5G set to be a "game-changer" in the UK says Three CEO Dave Dyson... 06/11 - DEVICES - UK operators urged to 'consider' 5G equipment suppliers - Government aims to ensure UK's telecoms infrastructure is secure... 06/11 - NETWORKS - GSMA: Operators need prime spectrum to fulfill 5G potential - Industry body publishes paper ahead of WRC-19... 05/11 - NETWORKS - 5G operator revenues to reach £230bn by 2025 - Research suggests £46bn in 5G R&D will be well spent... 03/11 - DEVICES - Apple tipped to launch a 5G iPhone in 2020 - Super-fast speeds on the way... 31/10 - NETWORKS - BT CTO: Convergence of fibre, 5G and Wi-Fi will create 'one network to rule them all' - Howard Watson believes convergence will be a key differentiatior in telecoms... 30/10 - DEVICES - Oppo wants to release the first 5G smartphone - Oppo wants to beat LG to the punch after successful 5G tests... 30/10 - NETWORKS - Budget 2018: More funding for rural fibre but no new 5G commitments - Digital infrastructure largely a footnote in 2018 Budget... 26/10 - NETWORKS - Trump lays out US 5G strategy - Order looks to ease progress towards 5G network deployment in the US... 25/10 - PRODUCTS - Qualcomm works with Samsung on 5G small cells - Qualcomm and Samsung look to establish 5G leadership... 25/10 - NETWORKS - Vodafone switches on 'full 5G' trial in Manchester - Salford's MediaCity UK gets 5G coverage as Vodafone shapes up next-gen network... 23/10 - DEVICES - OnePlus 7 or OnePlus 7T will be first from company to support 5G - 2019 is the year OnePlus adopts 5G... 22/10 - NETWORKS - EU could back Wi-Fi over 5G for connected cars - Draft proposals could see Wi-Fi rules set before 5G... 19/10 - DEVICES - Operators may have to subsidise 'expensive' 5G smartphones - Early 5G smartphones could be too expensive for consumers... 19/10 - PRODUCTS - Huawei 5G folding phone could take on the Samsung Galaxy X in 2019 - Huawei knows when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em... 18/10 - NETWORKS - Ericsson sales boosted by early 5G adoption - Ericsson feels flush from operator investment... 17/10 - PRODUCTS - Samsung buys Zhilabs to power 5G analytics - Samsung's 5G efforts continue with purchase of analytics experts... 16/10 - NETWORKS - European mobile giants urge pro-5G investment policies - Leading CEOs urge EU regulators to consider importance of connectivity... 15/10 - PRODUCTS - US senators urge Canada to 'ban' Huawei from 5G deployment - US senators fear Huawei kit could harm US national security... 12/10 - PRODUCTS - New Nokia kit promises more rapid and effective 5G FWA deployments - Operators can get new high gain antennas and gateways... 12/10 - NETWORKS - Deutsche Telekom plots 99 per cent 5G coverage by 2025 - German operator details plans for 5G rollout... 08/10 - ANALYSIS - Differences in early 5G services will make it a 'marketing headache' - Analysts predict difficulties in 5G marketing as mobile broadband will be key adoption driver... 05/10 - NETWORKS - EE switches on 'UK's first' 5G trial network at Canary Wharf - EE gears up for 2019 5G launch... 04/10 - NETWORKS - Huawei tells FCC that US ban could mean country falls behind in 5G - Huawei hasn't given up hope in playing US 5G role... 01/10 - INNOVATION - Samsung partners with AT&T to build a 5G tech lab - Facility will research ways 5G could improve manufacturing... 01/10 - NETWORKS - Verizon turns on the world's first 5G network - Launch across four US cities could be a major landmark in the development of 5G... 28/09 - NETWORKS - Digital Catapult switches on Brighton 5G testbed - UK's latest 5G testbed goes live on the South Coast... 26/09 - ANALYSIS - Could 5G networks herald the arrival of a four-day work week? Increased productivity as a result of 5G powered technologies could disrupt the traditional work week... 25/09 - DEVICES - Manufacturers hope 5G and foldable displays will drive smartphone growth - Analysts believe the smartphone will be unrecognisable by 2027... 24/09 - NETWORKS - WIG raises £220m for 5G infrastructure - WIG to use additional funding for small cells and fibre... 21/09 - NETWORKS - Vodafone targets cities and rural areas for 2019 5G launch - Cornwall and the Lake District will be first to get Vodafone 5G... 12/09 - NETWORKS - T-Mobile signs $3.5bn 5G network deal with Ericsson - T-Mobile secures second major 5G equipment deal... 11/09 - NETWORKS - EE could launch the UK's first 5G network in 2019 - EE reallocates 3G spectrum ahead of 2019 5G launch... 11/09 - NETWORKS - European mobile operators bring forward 5G plans - Global 5G connections to reach 340m by 2021 as European optimism increases forecasts... 11/09 - GAMING - Nvidia shows how GeForce Now 5G streaming could make high-end gaming hardware irrelevant - Hitting 60 fps in Full HD resolution with no need for a beefy gaming laptop... 10/09 - NETWORKS - CityFibre SDN rollout to speed up 5G deployments and enable 10Gbps - CityFibre agrees deal with Calix to smarten its network.. 10/09 - NETWORKS - Ericsson radio updates and transport partnerships to accelerate 5G deployments - Ericsson says a series of developments will make it easier and quicker to deploy 5G... 08/09 - NETWORKS - How 5G will make our streaming dreams come true - Zero buffering, no waiting. Will 5G lead the way? 07/09 - FEATURE - Inside the 5G factory: How Nokia's research aids its own production - Nokia's Oulu facility has been involved in every generation of mobile technology... 05/09 - NETWORKS - San Marino will have Europe's first 5G network - Microstate will be a testbed for TIM... 05/09 - NETWORKS - China considers merging two major mobile operators in 5G push - Merger would create world's second largest mobile operator... 04/09 - PRODUCTS - UK''s 'first' large-scale 5G hub to test digital health apps in 2019 - West Midlands will become UK's first 5G hub... 31/08 - ANALYSIS - Golf's digital ambitions make it an unlikely 5G pioneer - Golf looks to new technologies - including 5G... 31/08 - NETWORKS - German operators will have no rural obligation for 5G - 5G spectrum auction will take place in 2019... 30/08 - DEVICES - Larger screens and 5G to drive smartphone growth through to 2022 - Smartphone market 'generally healthy' despite recent dip... 28/08 - NETWORKS - German regulator calls for fourth operator for 5G - Competition chief believes new entrant will kickstart German 5G... 28/08 - NETWORKS - Nokia secures €500m EU loan for 5G research - New funding will accelerate 5G technology R&D... 23/08 - NETWORKS - Major 5G trends become more apparent as first network launch nears - The past seven days have been a long time in the world of 5G... 23/08 - ANALYSIS - Huawei & ZTE banned from Australia 5G networks - Australian government says 5G architecture makes it too risky... 22/08 - PRODUCTS - Qualcomm to start shipping its 5G modems - However chipmaker says it doesn't expect 5G phones to launch this year... 22/08 - NETWORKS - Speed takes centre stage as operators ramp up 5G testing - Report suggests 82 per cent of mobile operators worldwide are testing 5G... 22/08 - DEVICES - Nokia expects to make €3 from every 5G smartphone - Finnish giant sets rate for its essential 5G patents... 20/08 - NETWORKS - Government to test 5G on UK railways - DCMS invites participants for pilot to see how 5G can improve transport sector... 20/08 - NETWORKS - Verizon and Nokia test 5G with a moving vehicle - Partners make progress in mobile broadband and connected car apps... 17/08 - NETWORKS - 5G network slicing could be worth £51bn to mobile operators - Researchers say efforts by operators and vendors could bear fruit... 16/08 - NETWORKS - Cisco posts healthy revenues ahead of 5G push - Cisco is happy with innovation roadmap as it prepares for next generation networks... 16/08 - NETWORKS - Telstra switches on 5G for the Gold Coast, but wider availability remains murky - Australian telcos Optus and Vodafone say there’s a long road ahead... 15/08 - NETWORKS - O2 tests light-based wireless transmission ahead of 5G tests - Li-Fi is pitched as a Wi-Fi alternative... 15/08 - DEVICES - LG to launch 'first 5G smartphone' in 2019 - LG and Sprint will release a 5G-ready device in the US next year... 13/08 - NETWORKS - Ericsson hopes US 5G investments will speed up deployments - Ericsson makes investments in 5G R&D... 08/08 - NETWORKS - Samsung invests billions in 5G and AI - Samsung's £17bn investment programme looks to guard against smartphone slowdown... 07/08 - NETWORKS - US set to lose out to China in 5G race - Deloitte report urges policymakers to promote investment... 02/08 - DEVICES - Moto Z3 is the world's first 5G-upgradable smartphone, say Motorola and Verizon - The first 5G-almost-ready smartphone... 02/08 - OPERATORS - Three focuses on 5G after revenue and customer rises - Three now boasts 10.1m customers across the UK...
31/07 - DEVICES - Lenovo says it'll be the first to launch a 5G smartphone - Could be here before the end of the year... 30/07 - NETWORKS - Nokia and T-Mobile ink $3.5bn 5G network deal - US operator presses ahead with 5G rollout plans... 27/07 - OPERATORS - Mobile helps BT Q1 results ahead of 5G trials - Consumer division continues to offset BT business decline... 26/07 - OPERATORS - O2 invites FTSE 500 to trial its 5G - O2 presses ahead with 5G tests as it adds more customers... 26/07 - OPERATORS - Nokia looks to 5G after sales slowdown - Nokia says drop is to be expected but is confident for second half of 2018... 26/07 - OPERATORS - Sky Mobile extends O2 MVNO agreement to cover 5G - Sky Mobile now has 500,000 customers across the UK... 23/07 - REGULATION - UK Government promises new regulations and investment for full fibre and 5G - Government report outlines plans to deliver fibre to entire UK by 2033... 23/07 - PRODUCTS - Qualcomm's mmWave antennas pave way for first 5G smartphones - The first 5G smartphones should arrive in 2019... 20/07 - NETWORKS - Barriers to 5G could stop UK being a global leader - BSG report identifies issues and resolutions... 18/07 - NETWORKS - South Korea plans 2019 5G launch - "Korea 5G Day" will see new networks introduced a year ahead of schedule... 10/07 - NETWORKS - China Mobile, Intel and Huawei complete 5G interoperability testing - Tests pave way for China Mobile 5G launch next year... 09/07 - NETWORKS - SSE Enterprise Telecoms unbundles BT exchanges to boost broadband and Three 5G - SSE Enterprise Telecoms doubles its reach... 03/07 - NETWORKS - Samsung, Cisco and Orange hold multi-vendor 5G FWA trial - FWA will deliver a fixed-like broadband experience when 5G launches... 29/06 - DEVICES - OnePlus 7 could support 5G and be sold by US carriers - But don't expect it for a while... 28/06 - NETWORKS - "World's first" 5G network launches - Finnish operator Elisa claims global first in launching a commercial 5G network... 27/06 - ANALYSIS - The World Cup and 5G: the trials you need to know about - 5G will change how you watch football forever... 25/06 - NETWORKS - UK 'needs shared spectrum' for 5G - Ofcom urged to rethink 5G spectrum auction to ensure fairer rollout... 20/06 - NETWORKS - Vodafone launches 5G trials in seven UK cities - Vodafone to hold trials later this year with plans for a 2020 5G launch... 19/06 - NETWORKS - Mobile signal woes 'strengthens' business case for 5G - Only half of mobile users in the UK are happy with their speeds, but willing to pay more for faster service... 15/06 - NETWORKS - First standalone 5G network standard approved - 3GPP finalizes 'Release 15' of 5G after three years of work, meaning networks are on the way this year... 14/06 - ANALYSIS - Three CEO: 5G capacity is a 'big opportunity' to lead UK market - Dave Dyson says Three's spectrum holdings mean it could be the UK's 5G leader... 13/06 - NETWORKS - Vodafone: 5G smartphone uncertainty means focus on core network and IoT - Vodafone UK CTO says 5G will be a gamechanger, but smartphone innovation in the 4G era won't be matched... 12/06 - NETWORKS - 5G networks still set to arrive this year - Ericsson report suggests Europe will fall behind US and Asia on 5G adoption... 11/06 - NETWORKS - 'First ever' UK 5G report paints rosy picture - UK's 5G ambitions rely heavily on startup and research community... 06/06 - ANALYSIS - EU telecoms rule changes will hinder rather than help 5G, claim industry - Telecoms groups label the new EU code a "missed opportunity"... 06/06 - NETWORKS - EE to switch on 'UK's first' 5G trial in London - Residents and businesses in Tech City will get chance to try out 5G... 05/06 - PRODUCTS - 5G PCs coming from Intel and Sprint next year - US telecoms giant Sprint has joined the race to bring 5G to the masses, announcing at Computex 2018 to start shipping Intel-powered 5G computers next year... 01/06 - ANALYSIS - 5G UK - How far away are we really? - 5G will deliver immediate benefits in 2019, but the true mobile revolution will take time...
25/05 - POLICY - Mobile industry 'shouldn't wait' for 5G to roll out small cells - Small cells will be essential for delivering the 5G vision but industry warns there is no time too wait... 25/05 - POLICY - Nordic Prime Ministers reach agreement to support 5G - Joint agreement is welcomed by Nokia, Ericsson and regional operators... 22/05 - NETWORKS - Qualcomm details 5G small cell platform - Qualcomm wants to help operators and network equipment manufacturers densify 5G networks... 18/05 - NETWORKS - Verizon to bring 5G to Los Angeles in 2018 - Verizon says America's second largest city will be its next 5G location... 16/05 - NETWORKS - Mobile IoT networks to be a 'core component' of 5G - GSMA says NB-IoT and LTE-M deployments are paving the way for massive IoT powered by 5G... 14/05 - NETWORKS - 5G and network convergence drives growth of carrier-grade Wi-Fi market - Fixed and mobile operators look to densify network infrastructure... 08/05 - PRODUCTS - Why self-driving vehicles could be the biggest winner in a 5G world - Telefónica tells us why autonomous vehicles are set to be a key 5G use case... 08/05 - NETWORKS - Verizon and Samsung get 5G regulatory boost - Verizon and Samsung make major headway towards 5G... 03/05 - NETWORKS - Deutsche Telekom holds live 5G NR trial in Berlin - German operator says test will see how 5G NR behaves in real world... 02/05 - ANALYSIS - Why T-Mobile and Sprint merger would give the US a 5G lead - A truly national 5G network could ensure the US retains its advantage... 01/05 - NETWORKS - Three futureproofs backend infrastructure for 5G - Three and SSE Enterprise Telecoms deal with start with data centre connectivity... 30/04 - NETWORKS - T-Mobile and Sprint merger promises 5G progress in the US - America's third and fourth largest mobile operators are to merge... 18/04 - NETWORKS - Huawei dampens 5G expectations - Huawei CEO says consumer might not notice the differences... 17/04 - NETWORKS - China has narrow lead over US in 5G race - Government support and industry momentum gives China slight advantage, report says... 16/04 - DEVICES - 5G anticipation set to slow smartphone sales - Manufacturers hope for 5G boost as worldwide smartphone demand slows... 13/04 - NETWORKS - What does the Ofcom 5G auction mean for the UK mobile industry? - The long-awaited auction is over, paving the way for 5G...so what next? 12/04 - NETWORKS - Vodafone hits major UK 5G milestone - Vodafone is first UK operator to test 3.4GHz spectrum in preparation for 5G... 09/04 - NETWORKS - Europe set be left behind in 5G race - US and Asia will lead the way in 5G development, claims report... 05/04 - NETWORKS - Mobile networks fork out £1.4bn for 5G spectrum - Ofcom publishes the results of its 5G spectrum auction, revealing that the UK's biggest mobile network operators spent almost £1.4 billion...
28/03 - NETWORKS - 'World's first' 5G public trial switched on in Australia - Australian telco Telstra flips the switch on the world's first public trial of 5G at the Gold Coast... 28/03 - NETWORKS - 5G RuralFirst looks at smart farming, spectrum sharing and broadcasting - Government funded project will use Cisco tech to help transform rural lives... 28/03 - POLICY - UK5G group makes bid for global 5G leadership - Government and industry backed UK5G looks to establish UK 5G community... 27/03 - NETWORKS - GSMA: 5G will be dominant mobile tech in USA by 2025 - Mobile industry body report shows US will be a 5G leader... 27/03 - NETWORKS - Telefonica tests tech that could boost 5G broadband - Telefonica spectral efficiency trials hope to pave the way for better fixed wireless access (FWA)... 23/03 - NETWORKS - 5G networks are now just a year away - Korea Telecom plans commercial 5G launch next March... 20/03 - NETWORKS - UK 5G spectrum auction gets underway - Five bidders will battle it out for more of the UK's airwaves... 19/03 - NETWORKS - UK university makes major 5G breakthrough - University of Kent-based iCIRRUS consortium says Ethernet equipment can help deliver 5G networks... 16/03 - NETWORKS - O2 kickstarts the UK's 5G charm offensive to consumers - 5G hypetrain moves from industry into the mainstream... 15/03 - NETWORKS - Digital minister pledges to eliminate barriers to 5G deployment - Margot James says she wants to work with mobile operators and local government on 5G... 14/03 - NETWORKS - O2: 5G will save local councils and households £6bn a year - Report details how smart technologies powered by 5G can improve society... 12/03 - NETWORKS - Ofcom 5G spectrum auction will start next week - Ofcom confirms that bidding for 5G frequencies will begin on 20 March... 12/03 - NETWORKS - Government reveals £25m prize fund for UK 5G - £25m competition will see 5G testbeds located across the UK... 11/03 - DEVICES - 5G a key factor to seamless VR experience, says Lenovo EMEA President - Lenovo wants to create memorable experiences for its customers, but is that enough? 09/03 - NETWORKS - Ofcom plans new rural coverage obligations for 700MHz spectrum - Ofcom says 700MHz is an important opportunity to improve rural coverage as it plans for 5G future... 05/03 - NETWORKS - EU Parliament and US Congress take steps to accelerate 5G legislation - EU chambers reach provisional agreement while US Congress to vote on spectrum auction... 05/03 - DEVICES - HTC CEO: 5G will turn any VR device into the most powerful in the world - Cher Wang says the smartphone still has a role to play in VR... 03/03 - NETWORKS - Qualcomm hopes 5G vision will stand out from the hype - Qualcomm's influence in the industry is significant, so its 5G roadmap is worth listening too... 02/03 - NETWORKS - BT CEO: EE convergence even more important ahead of 5G - Gavin Patterson says BT never really left mobile and is preparing for converged network era... 28/02 - NETWORKS - Intel and NTT DoCoMo prepare 5G plans for Tokyo 2020 Olympics - After success at PyeongChang 2018, Intel is stepping up plans for next Olympics... 27/02 - NETWORKS - Satellite-supported UK 5G testbed will trial mission critical apps - Juniper Networks and Satellite Applications Catapult say satellite cannot be ignored... 27/02 - MOBILE - Qualcomm looks to make it easier to make 5G phones - Launch will help OEMs build 5G connectivity into more devices... 27/02 - NETWORKS - Ofcom confirms six bidders for 5G spectrum - All four mobile operators have been approved, with small cell operator and Hull fixed wireless firm joining... 27/02 - NETWORKS - Ericsson tells operators: 5G is ready - Ericsson has agreements with 38 operators around the world as 5G moves from idea to reality... 27/02 - PRODUCTS - Get ready for a 5G Internet of the Sky - Drones like the Ehang 184 will usher in a 5G-powered autonomous airspace... 26/02 - NETWORKS - Telstra plans to ramp up 4G speeds in the lead up to its full 5G rollout - Major cities in Australia to get increased bandwidth... 26/02 - NETWORKS - Cisco targets mobile operators with '5G Now' - Cisco wants to help operators prepare for the next era of networks... 25/02 - MOBILE - Huawei reveals 5G-ready modem - Test beds for 5G networks will be launched this year, Huawei reveals... 23/02 - NETWORKS - Why PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics are a 5G milestone - Athletes are making history at the Winter Olympics, but it's an important event for 5G networks too... 22/02 - NETWORKS - O2 reveals UK 5G test bed - Operator will test 5G applications at iconic London venue later this year... 19/02 - NETWORKS - Vodafone and Huawei successfully test IP Microwave backhaul for 5G - Vodafone and Huawei achieve 2Gbps on IP microwave link, claiming it shows the tech is viable for 5G... 16/02 - NETWORKS - Why startups and research can make the UK a 5G leader - Does the UK really need to be first to the mark or be an industry powerhouse to be a 5G leader? 16/02 - OPINION - No time to waste now 5G legal challenges are over - For an industry keen to avoid a repeat of the 3G and 4G auctions, Three's failed appeal removes a barrier to 5G... 14/02 - MOBILE - Fiber-like internet and a glimpse of our 5G future are coming to smartphones in 2019 - Qualcomm's new mobile modem offering speeds of up to 2Gbps... 14/02 - NETWORKS - 5G spectrum auction to go ahead after Three's legal challenge fails - Three's bid to decrease an overall spectrum cap falls on deaf ears and prevents further delay... 12/02 - NETWORKS - China Mobile plans 5G launch in 2019 - China Mobile joins a select few number of operators planning to beat original 2020 target... 08/02 - MOBILE - The first 5G smartphones are coming in 2019 - But you won't see 5G service everywhere by next year... 07/02 - MOBILE - 5G set to push mobile data use sky-high - Giffgaff research estimates customers will use nearly 100GB of mobile data a month by 2025... 05/-2 - NETWORKS - Telstra joins Optus on 5G bandwagon, also aiming for 2019 rollout - Australian carrier Telstra will trial new tech during Commonwealth Games... 05/01 - NETWORKS - AT&T set to run 5G trials - Company to adopt new 3GPP guidelines as it continues push for next-generation networks... 04/01 - NETWORKS - Samsung teams up with Verizon on 5G - New service to be launched in Sacramento later this year... 02/02 - NETWORKS - Optus 5G network rollout set to begin in early 2019 - Australian telco Optus announces its plans for 5G rollout...
What will 5G networks mean for me?
How fast will 5G be?It’s still not exactly known how much faster 5G will be than 4G, as much of the technology is still under development. That being said, the networks should provide a significant upgrade to current download and upload speeds - with the GSMA proposing minimum download speeds of around 1GBps. Most estimates expect the average speed of 5G networks to reach 10Gb/s, and some even think transfer rates could reach a whopping 800Gb/s. This would mean that users could download a full-length HD quality film in a matter of seconds, and that downloading and installing software upgrades would be completed much faster than today.
Will I be able to get 5G networks on my phone?Existing smartphones, tablet or other devices that were released when 4G networks were the standard may not be able to connect to 5G to begin with, or may incur extra costs to do so. However following the 2020 deadline for the initial rollout, we should soon see devices coming with 5G connection as default. Don't worry though - although 5G should represent a major step up from current 4G and 3G networks, the new technology won’t immediately replace its predecessor - at least, not to begin with. Instead, 5G should link in with existing networks to ensure users never lose connection, with the older networks acting as back-up in areas not covered by the new 5G coverage. So-called “4.5G” networks (also known as LTE-A) are set to fill the gap for the time being, offering connections that are faster than current 4G networks, although only certain countries such as South Korea can benefit from them right now. Once launched however, implementing 5G may be a slower process. Much like the gradual takeover of 4G networks from the previous generation, existing network infrastructure may need to be upgraded or even replaced in order to deal with the new technology, and homes and businesses may also need to get new services installed. It’s not yet known how 5G networks will take over from existing networks, but again, much like the rollout of 4G, you may not be able to immediately connect to the new networks without upgrading your technology.
What will a 5G network need?The GSMA has outlined eight criteria for 5G networks, with a connection needing meet a majority of these in order to qualify as 5G:
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| Best soundbars for TV shows, movies and music in 2019 Posted: 28 Jan 2019 07:29 AM PST There are lots of good reasons to upgrade your living room with a fantastic new soundbar, and if you have the latest 4K TV home theater setup, you really deserve top quality sound to match. As TV displays get slimmer by the day, the answer to the best audio experience is an all-singing, all-dancing speaker system designed to give your TV’s feeble speakers a much-needed boost. The best bit is that all of the best TV soundbars won’t stick out next to your shiny new slim screen like a normal stereo system would – the best soundbars are built to be just as aesthetically pleasing as they are aurally pleasing. The majority of soundbars are made to sit in front of your screen, but they can also be wall-mounted, which means they do the heavy audio lifting instead of your TV speakers. Slim yet powerful, soundbars are often the best solution for smaller homes and rooms that can’t fit a 7.1 channel speaker system. Despite most only featuring front-facing speakers, soundbars are able to confidently project sound in a way that makes it seems as though there's booming audio coming from most directions. If you don't choose wisely though, you can end up with a soundbar that doesn't fit with your home theater setup – or barely sounds better than your TV's built-in speakers. Read on below for the best soundbars available to buy in 2019, whether you're after Dolby Atmos support, multi-room audio, or any variety of other advanced features alongside your soundbar's premium audio experience. What's the best soundbar for the money?When it comes to soundbars, there’s a lot of choice. Despite being called soundBARS, they tend to come in different shapes and sizes. They also range in price from under £100/$100 to over £1,000/$1,500. The cheaper the model you go for, the more basic the connections are likely to be. Whereas more expensive ones add superior HDMI inputs (including 4K/HDR passthrough), wireless audio streaming (e.g. Bluetooth and AirPlay), better power, more refined speaker drivers, and decoding of Blu-ray sound formats. Of course a full surround setup is the premium solution to bad sounding televisions, but if you're short on space (as well as budget) then a soundbar offers a good compromise. More than that, these days higher-end soundbars will also include the latest and greatest audio technologies like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. So it’s not like you’re getting a sub-standard experience, just a different one. Design is also important, with some models able to sit in front of your TV on a stand while others may need a separate shelf, or to be mounted up on the wall. But whatever your budget, there are some cracking good acoustic upgrades to be had that can give your TV the sound it deserves.
Not content with dominating the TV world, Samsung now seems to have its sights set on becoming the number one brand for home entertainment audio, too. All this effort has already delivered outstanding results in the shape of both the HW-K850 and, especially, HW-K950 Dolby Atmos soundbars, as well as a range of ground-breaking multi-room wireless speakers. But, above everything stands the South Korean manufacturer's HW-MS650. No other one-body soundbar has combined so much raw power with so much clarity, scale and, especially, bass, or excelled so consistently with both films and music. It’s the sort of performance that only genuine audio innovation can deliver - and with that in mind, it’s well worth its $450/£599 price tag. Read the full review: Samsung HW-MS650 Soundbar
The Sony HT-ST5000 is the priciest soundbar you’ll find here, but for the money you’ll get an exceptional piece of equipment that offers support for Dolby’s spatial Atmos tech – on top of dealing exceptionally well with more conventional surround sound. The build quality and design of the soundbar is exceptional, and its general audio performance impresses with its clarity and spatial presentation. Still, the lofty price tag might turn some users off, and most people will get everything they need from less expensive units like the Samsung HW-MS650 above. But, if you want to have the best high-end soundbar around, the HT-ST5000 is the best soundbar you can buy today. Read the full review: Sony HT-ST5000
The Q Acoustics M4 soundbar doesn’t immediately set pulses racing with its slightly prosaic looks, ‘mere’ 2.1-channel sound and lack of any HDMI support. However, you only have to hear what the M4 can do with both music and movies for your doubts about it to evaporate almost instantly. In fact, it sounds so good that it starts to make the idea of trying to deliver more channels from an affordable soundbar look a bit silly. In fact, though, it sounds so much better than pretty much any rival soundbar in the same price bracket that it’s actually ridiculously good value - especially if you care about music as much as you care about movies. Read the full review: Q Acoustics M4 Soundbar
The Samsung HW-N950 is something special. It's the latest flagship soundbar from the company, but the first to benefit from Samsung’s acquisition of Harman Kardon – a partnership that's already paying dividends. The HW-N950 is a whole-hearted upgrade on our previous award-winner, Samsung's HW-K950 – which long held the #6 spot on this list. Most importantly, the N950 now supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, compared to the K950 which was disappointingly limited to the former. With that in mind, the Samsung HW-N950 is simply one of the best soundbars that we have heard to date – and one of the only soundbars that really delivers a 7.1.4-channel immersive audio experience. The use of wireless rear speakers and a subwoofer, make the N950 easy to install and setup and allow the N950 to deliver object-based audio as the content creators intended, without resorting to psychoacoustic trickery. Read the full review: Samsung HW-N950
The Philips Fidelio B5 is an impressive bit of kit, and it's the perfect soundbar for someone who appreciates good cinema sound but has no interest in tearing up their living room to install a 5.1 surround sound system to use only every now and then. The B5 enables you to pick and choose your movie moments, and do it on a whim. And it creates a pretty decent surround sound experience too, using both Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS Digital Surround decoding. The combination of convenience and good audio – the raison d'etre of the soundbar – with its transformative surround sound capabilities makes the Fidelio B5 a great option for the movie fan who can't face all the aggravation of a proper 5.1 installation. Read the full review: Philips Fidelio B5
The Sonos Playbar is a non-HDMI device that uses optical to hook up to a TV. Used simply on its own it delivers a massive sonic boost to your TV listening, but operating it does require using a smartphone or tablet app. The benefit is that it can seamlessly segue in to a Sonos wireless system, and can even act as the front three speakers in a 5.1 setup with two Play:1s acting as rears. Unfortunately although it's optical-only setup will be great for most, it does exclude owners of TVs that lack this connector, which has pushed it a little further down this list. Read the full review: Sonos Playbar
The Sonos Beam is a fantastic soundbar for its price, one that takes full advantage of the Sonos ecosystem and is a joy to use (and set up, if your television has HDMI ARC). Its smaller form factor means it’s a device that will sit comfortably next to a 32-inch TV but it’s got enough of a footprint to not be dwarfed by a much bigger set. The Sonos Beam doesn’t offer earth-shattering bass and the lack of Dolby Atmos support will irk some, but at this price point it'd be more of a surprise if it had been included. The voice control may be Alexa-only for now, but it works well and if you have adopted some of Amazon’s TV toys, it really is worth experimenting with. Read the full review: Sonos Beam
With its nine drivers are arranged in trios for left, center and right channels and a virtual surround mode to create the illusion of having more speakers around the room, the HEOS Bar is pretty much whatever you want it to be. Blessed with such a balanced soundscape, the HEOS Bar proved immediately adept with music, and has a consistently warm yet refined sound quality that's all its own. The fact that it lacks the opportunity to tweak the audio settings is not as important as we had feared. Music sounds superb, especially lossless tunes, from which HEOS Bar drags out a lot of detail. However, we did notice on a couple of occasions that the first half-a-second was cut-off songs. Read the full review: Denon HEOS Bar
Focal, most known for its excellent sounding speakers (and the recently released Focal Listen headphones), is late to the soundbar space, but its Focal Dimension was worth the wait. The Dimension soundbar is simply gorgeous, with its piano black accents and aluminum unibody construction. At $1,399 (£799, AU$1,699) it's not exactly cheap, but you're paying for excellent build quality, sound and design. Read the full review: Focal Dimension
Boasting high-end design, Bose's slim soundbar looks superb, and sounds above average. At 97.9cm wide, it’s best partnered with larger screen sizes (50-inch+) and priced at £599/$700/AU$999, it offers great sound. There are caveats regarding usability and price, but overall it warrants a cautious two thumbs up. It's also worth mentioning that, as this isn’t a 2.1 package, there’s no subwoofer supplied – although Bose will sell you a wireless Acoustimas sub and the ST300 can be partnered with the brand’s Virtually Invisible (i.e. small at 10cm) 300 surround speakers. The system is also compatible with the Bose SoundTouch wireless multiroom system which includes smaller Bluetooth speakers. Read the full review: Bose SoundTouch 300
You know, it just didn't feel fair comparing the Creative X-Fi Sonic Carrier to other soundbars on this list. It'd be like comparing jet-skis to yachts. That being said, if you have the deep pockets to afford it, the Creative X-Fi Sonic Carrier is in a different league of soundbars. It features 17 speakers set in an 11.2.4-channel or 15.2-channel configuration that can put out well over 110 dB of sound and supports Dolby Atmos right out of the box. Is $4,000 too much to spend on a soundbar - even one as genuinely awesome as the Creative X-Fi Sonic Carrier? Probably. But is a few grand worth spending to turn your basement or garage into a club / near-cinema-quality home theater? Yeah. It is.
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