Sunday, March 24, 2019

Apple : Best logo designer 2019: top picks for branding your company

Apple : Best logo designer 2019: top picks for branding your company

Best logo designer 2019: top picks for branding your company

Posted: 24 Mar 2019 12:19 PM PDT

Having an iconic and recognisable logo and branding is essential for any business, especially one that's looking to stand out from the crowd, which is why investing in the best logo designer software is a wise move.

To make things as easy as possible, we've rounded up the best logo designer software, along with logo generators, makers and creators, that offer easy-to-use tools to produce effective and professional-looking logos for your business.

When picking the best logo designer software for your needs, you'll want to make sure you get software that has an easy-to-use interface, but still offers plenty of features to allow you to create good looking logos. It should be able to allow anyone to create a logo no matter if they are good at art. There should be a good balance of ready-made assets, as well as offering users the change to create their own artwork from scratch.

Above all, they should allow you to produce professional results. A badly-made logo that looks cheap (or is similar to other logos) can actually cause more harm to your business than no logo at all.

So, with that in mind, let's take a look at our pick of the best logo designer software of 2019.

Image credit: Adobe

The very best logo design software money can buy in 2019 is easily Adobe Illustrator. This is the software most professionals use, and with it you can create truly unique and impressive logos, and other marketing material. It comes with a huge amount of features to help you create your logo. This does mean the software can be overwhelming at first, and for beginners and smaller businesses, this may be overkill. However, if you (or an employee) have digital art and design experience, then Adobe Illustrator will be an essential tool. It's expensive, but with an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription you can pay monthly and get the very latest features as they are released.

Image credit: Logojoy

If you're a complete beginner and don't have the time to learn how to use complex software for designing a logo, then Logojoy is a great choice for you. It's a web based service that can auto generate logos - all you need to do is input your company's name, as well as provide information on what sort of company it is, as well as picking a few color choices. Logojoy will do the rest and will automatically generate a variety of logos. Although they are quite simplistic, they look good, and you can customise them further. You can use the logos Logojoy creates for you, or simply use it as inspiration to create your own logo using another service. You need to subscribe to see the logos and to use them in marketing materials.

Image credit: Summitsoft

Logo Design Studio Pro has been used by companies to make their logos for 17 years, and that expertise has led to a nicely-designed package that is easy to use, but offers enough tools to allow more experienced users to further customise their logos. It only takes a few minutes to create a good looking logo using Logo Design Studio Pro's collection of graphics and fonts. It offers over 500 different objects to add to your logo, and 120 unique fonts, and with a bit of time and care, you can make an eye-catching logo that suits your business.

https://hatchful.shopify.com

Image credit: Shopify

You don't need an expensive image editing application and powerful PC to design your own logos, as Hatchful proves. It's a free service that makes it incredibly easy to design your own logos, and there's also versions for your Android smartphone or iPhone. It's incredibly easy to design your logo, just choose what sort of industry your business is in, your company's name and slogan and choose from what sort of artwork you're after. Hatchful then creates several potential logos for you, and you can then edit them using the app or through your web browser, then download them. Best of all, the service is completely free.

Image Credit: Squarespace

If you want a really simple, easy and quick tool for coming up with a logo for your business, then Squarespace Logo Creator is a good choice. Squarespace is better known as a company that provides web hosting and website creation tools, which are well known for their simple-to-use interfaces. Its logo creation tool is similar, and you can make a good looking logo for your company in a matter of seconds. You can tweak your logo using the web-based editor, though it's a bit limited in what it can do. You can download your logo in a low res form for free (and it's watermarked), or you can buy a high-res non-watermarked version for $10 (or it's free if you're already a Squarespace customer). If you've built your company's website with Squarespace, then its logo creation tool is definitely worth using.

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Hackers break into the Tesla car web browser to win a Model 3

Posted: 24 Mar 2019 07:30 AM PDT

Well it's certainly one way to get yourself a Model 3: hackers have successfully exploited a security hole in Tesla's in-car browser at the Pwn2Own hacking contest, earning themselves one of the electric cars as a prize.

TechCrunch reports that Richard Zhu and Amat Cam – aka team Fluoroacetate – were able to bypass various security measures to get a message displayed on the browser.

Tesla has said it will issue a fix for the bug to prevent it being exploited in the future. Meanwhile, the Fluoroacetate team walked away from Pwn2Own with some $375,000 (about £283,700 or AU$529,100) in prize money, as well as their new car.

"We understand that this demonstration took an extraordinary amount of effort and skill, and we thank these researchers for their work to help us continue to ensure our cars are the most secure on the road today," said Tesla in a statement.

Browser changes

It's worth pointing out that the bug that Zhu and Cam exploited was limited to the browser – they weren't able to take control of the car or anything like that.

At the same hacking conference, hundreds of thousands of dollars were paid out for bugs discovered in Apple Safari, Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Windows, VMware Workstation and Mozilla Firefox.

In other Tesla browser-related news, CEO Elon Musk announced on Twitter that the in-car software would soon be making the switch to Chromium – the same open source code that Google Chrome is built on.

Whether or not that makes the browser more secure remains to be seen, but as always, don't try browsing the web and driving a car at the same time.

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The best fax machines 2019: 5 top picks for sending faxes

Posted: 24 Mar 2019 04:42 AM PDT

Welcome to our pick of the best fax machines money can buy. Now, many of you may be thinking "who needs a fax machine in 2019?", but you may be surprised to know that many businesses still rely on fax machines to quickly and dependably send documents and correspondence between offices.

If you own or work in a business that still uses faxes, then this guide to the best fax machines in 2019 will be for you. Don't think just because faxes are becoming less common it means you need to stick with an old fax machine. In 2019 there are plenty of modern fax machines that come with a host of other features.

In fact, some of the best fax machines are actually all-in-one printers, which not only send faxes, but can print, scan and photocopy documents. Not only can these devices save you money, but also space, which makes them ideal for small offices.

Epson WorkForce WF-2750DWF

Image credit: Epson

If you want the best fax machine that also doubles up as a printer, photocopier and scanner and you want it for a low price, then the Epson WorkForce WF-2750DWF is the one to go for. Sure, it looks a bit boring, and when in use it can get quite noisy, but the amount of features the Epson WorkForce WF-2750DWF offers, plus the quality of its scanning, printing and faxing, makes it a brilliant choice for home and office use on a budget.

Samsung M2885FW 4-in-1 Multifunction Xpress

Image credit: Samsung

With wired (Ethernet/USB) and wireless (Wi-Fi/NFC) connectivity, duplex printing, decent eco settings and support for a wide range of media, the Samsung M2885FW is an excellent all-rounder, and one of the best fax machines you can buy in 2019. As it's a 4-in-1 device, it can handle printing, scanning and photocopying as well, so if you don't need those, then this is a bit overkill. However, if you're looking for a fast laser printer and fax machine for a busy office, it's a brilliant choice.

Image credit: Brother

If you're looking for the best fax machine for a busy and large office, then the Brother MFC-L6800DWT is definitely worth investing in. As a laser printer, it's incredibly fast, but maintains a high print quality, and it comes with a large range of connectivity options to work as a fax, including USB and network. As a fax machine, it offers 33.6Kbps speeds, as well as fax forwarding, automatic redialling and group dialling features.

Image credit: Brother

If you're only looking for a fax machine, then you don't want to spend extra money on an all-in-one printer that will offer you features you'll not use. If you just want a fax machine, then the Brother FAX-2940 is the best dedicated fax machine money can buy. As primarily a fax machine, it offers plenty of great features including 200 speed dials and up to 500 pages of transmit/receive memory, which means you won't miss out on any faxes if the Brother FAX-2940 runs out of paper. You can also download a free printer and scanner software update that turns it into a multi-function device.

Image credit: Samsung

If you're looking for a dedicated fax machine and don't mind (or even prefer) a rather old school design, then the Samsung SF-760P could be the best fax machine for you. It's got a no-nonsense design that sums up what we like about this fax machine so much. It's dedicated to sending and receiving faxes, and that focus means it excels at its job, offering plenty of features and a decent 33.6kbps fax transmission speed. It can also be used as a printer and scanner, but we'd recommend only using this for faxes.

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iPad Pro tablets should be getting Logitech Crayon support next week

Posted: 24 Mar 2019 03:30 AM PDT

If you've bought a 2018 iPad Pro, then your choice of stylus options is about to go up by one: the Logitech Crayon device will be supported by the premium tablets when iOS 12.2 arrives, which should be next week.

The news isn't official yet but was revealed by Nilay Patel on The Vergecast having previously been hinted at by Jason Snell at Macworld.

9to5Mac tested Logitech Crayon support in the latest iOS 12.2 beta 6 software too, and found that it worked, so it looks a good bet that the functionality is on the way. According to AppleInsider, the stylus doesn't work with the 2017 iPad Pros.

The imminent update would make the $69.95 / £59.95 / AU$99.95 education-focused stylus the only dedicated pointing device compatible with all the iPads Apple sells in 2019 – the iPad Pros, the entry-level iPad, the iPad Air and the iPad Mini.

A tale of three styluses

Apple's own Apple Pencil comes in two different versions – the first-gen, Lightning version (for the standard iPad, the iPad Air and the iPad Mini), and the second-gen, wireless charging version (for the iPad Pros).

Considering these styluses will set you back $99 / £89 / AU$145 (first-gen) or $129 / $119 / AU$199 (second-gen), the Logitech Crayon is the cheaper option.

The Logitech stylus was originally only on sale to schools and other educational institutions, but it's now available to everyone. It charges via a Lightning port, and works a lot like the Apple Pencil – though it doesn't support tap gestures or pressure-sensitive input.

Next week is going to be a busy one for Apple – as well as pushing out iOS 12.2, it's also set to unveil its long-rumored video streaming service.

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The Best Laptop 2019: Our pick of the best laptops you can buy

Posted: 23 Mar 2019 11:33 PM PDT

If you're looking to buy a new laptop, then this guide to the best laptops of 2019 can help you find the perfect notebook for your needs.

In this list of the best laptops, we've gathered together the very top laptops, Ultrabooks, gaming laptops and budget notebooks that money can buy. So, no matter what kind of device you're after, this list of the best laptops will have something for you.

Each laptop has been carefully tested by us to make sure they are worthy of inclusion in our best laptops list. Only the best of the best laptops are featured here, so you can buy knowing that you're getting the very best devices. Meanwhile, our price comparison tool that will check the most popular online retailers in the Middle East and highlight the best prices for the best laptops.

We're constantly updating this guide as well, so as soon as the newest laptops are released, we'll add them to this best laptops guide – as long as they are worthy, of course.

It's also worth noting that it's not just the most expensive laptops that are included in this guide. We've made sure to pack our best laptops guide with brilliant devices that cover a wide range of price points, so every budget is catered for in this list. Remember: you don't need to spend a fortune to get one of the best laptops of 2019.

The best laptops of 2018:

Huawei has done it again, and its latest laptop has topped our best laptops list for 2019. As with last year's Huawei MateBook X Pro, the MateBook 13 comes with some of the latest components, including a discrete Nvidia MX150 graphics card, and a gorgeous lightweight design, that you'd expect to find on a much more expensive laptop. 

The fact that the MateBook 13 offer so much, yet comes with an impressively low price – compared to its Ultrabook competitors, like the XPS 13 below – makes it our choice for the best laptop money can buy right now. Sure, you may be missing a few minor niceties here and there to achieve such a competitive price, but on the whole, this is the most value-packed flagship laptop that we’ve ever tested.  If you're after a few more bells and whistles, like super-fast Thunderbolt 3 ports and a 4K display, then the Dell XPS 13 or MacBook Pro (also on this list of best laptops) may be better choices, but for sheer bang for your bucks, the MateBook 13 is the laptop to beat in 2019.

Read the full review: Huawei MateBook 13

Although the Dell XPS 13 has been knocked in the second place, it is still an absolutely brilliant laptop. There's a good reason it was at the top of our best laptops list for three years running.

The 2018 Dell XPS 13 is a slimmer, more powerful version of the award-winning laptop with a stunning 4K display and a gorgeous Rose Gold on Alpine White color option. Packing an 8th-generation Intel Core i5 or i7 CPU and a bezel-less ‘Infinity Edge’ display, this Dell XPS 13 is more expensive, but its still worth every penny. It’s no wonder the Dell XPS 13 continues to be the most popular Windows laptop in the world. Better yet, there’s a wide range of customization options, so you can make the Dell XPS 13 the best laptop for you. 

Read the full review: Dell XPS 13

If you're after the latest and greatest laptop from Apple, we suggest you look into the 2018 model of the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar. While Microsoft had the performance edge over last year's MacBook Pro, with the Surface Book 2, Apple has come out swinging with some seriously beefed up specs for the 13-inch MacBook Pro 2018, and even more so if you go for the larger 15-inch model. The headline Touch Bar – a thin OLED display at the top of the keyboard which can be used for any number of things, whether that be auto-suggesting words as you type or offering Touch ID so you can log in with just your fingerprint – is again included. It's certainly retained Apple's sense of style, but it comes at a cost. This is a pricey machine, so you may want to consider one of the Windows alternatives. If you're open to switching to a PC, definitely consider the XPS 13 or the excellent MateBook X Pro. But, if you're a steadfast Apple diehard, this is definitely the best laptop for you!

Read the full review: Apple Macbook with Touch Bar 13-inch (2018)

The Asus ROG Zephyrus S GX701 is the best gaming laptop of 2019 thanks to its powerful components that include a 6-core Intel processor, and the latest RTX 2080 graphics from Nvidia. Not only is this a brilliant performer, but it's also impressively thin and light as well (by gaming laptop standards). Asus' Zephyrus laptops have constantly pushed the boundaries of what gaming laptops can do, and this new model for 2019 is no difference, which is why it has made it straight onto our best laptops list. It's available to pre-order now, but be warned: this is a very expensive laptop. If you're looking for something a bit more affordable, check out the Acer Predator Helios 300 later on in this list.

Read the full review: Asus ROG Zephyrus S GX701

The Huawei MateBook X Pro is our new pick for the best laptop money can buy in 2018, after years of this list being dominated by the (still excellent) Dell XPS 13, which is now in second place. While Huawei hasn't been making laptops for as long as more established manufacturers in this list, it has absolutely knocked it out the park with the MateBook X Pro. This is a gorgeously-designed laptop with a stunning screen (albeit with a rather odd aspect ratio), and it comes packed with cutting edge components that allows it to perform brilliantly, and a battery life that runs rings around many of its rivals. It also has a very competitive price, giving you features, design and performance for quite a bit less money.

Read the full review: Huawei MateBook X Pro

Microsoft's second attempt at a pure laptop device is an absolute winner in our view, and while it doesn't represent a huge overhaul of the original Surface Laptop, it offers improvements in all the areas we were hoping for, including updated hardware that brings serious performance benefits. This is a laptop that finally delivers on what Microsoft set out to do with the original: a pure, powerful Windows 10 laptop experience. If you're not sold on the 2-in-1 nature of the Surface Book 2 (which is also on this best laptops list), but love Microsoft's premium build quality and design, then the Surface Laptop 2 is the laptop for you. A very worth addition to this list.

Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Laptop 2

The new MSI GS65 Stealth has knocked our previous choice of the best gaming laptop, Asus ROG Zephyrus GX501, off this list, thanks to its excellent array of cutting edge components, which includes an 8th-generation Intel Core i7-8750H CPU and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 GPU. It's also more reasonably priced than the Zephyrus GX501, and its subtle design means that it can double as a work or study laptop without raising any eyebrows. If you're looking for a more affordable gaming laptop, however, check out the Dell Inspiron 15 7000 Gaming below.

Read the full review: MSI GS65 Stealth 

With the Surface Book 2 (13.5-inch), Microsoft has crafted one of the most powerful 2-in-1 laptops in the world. The Surface Book 2 has some powerful enough components to handle most day-to-day tasks, and even some light gaming and video editing if you go for a model with a dedicated graphics card. Brilliant build quality and excellent battery life makes this a wonderful device for using as either a laptop, or as a powerful Windows 10 tablet. It also comes in a 15-inch version, which is more powerful and with a larger screen. If you're after a more affordable 2-in-1 device, then the Acer Switch 3, below, is well worth checking out.

Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Book 2 (13.5-inch)

Some of the very best laptops in 2017 have been 2-in-1 devices, and Lenovo has added to that list with the excellent Lenovo Yoga 920. It features a wonderfully slim design, and its build quality is exceptional. The 360 degree hinge allows you to convert the laptop into a tablet-like device, making it flexible in all senses of the word. It's cheaper than the Surface Book 2, and while it doesn't offer quite the same quality when in tablet mode, it's an excellent device with plenty of power and bags of battery life. It's definitely a worthy alternative, and it's easily one of the best laptops we've seen this year.

Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga 920

Last year’s Dell XPS 15 was already one of the best laptops you could buy, but now that Dell has taken the beautiful redesign of the Dell XPS 13 and applied it here – while also making it a convertible. Well, it’s amazing. Not only do you get one of the most aesthetically pleasing 15-inch laptops on the market, but it also packs one of those new Intel  Kaby Lake G-series CPUs featuring ‘discrete-class’ Radeon graphics. This means that this laptop packs serious power – even if it can get a little loud.

Read the full review: Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 

Which type of laptop is best for you?

General laptops: Where the best cheap laptops are found, devices that focus more on practicality than style, portability or power. That’s not to say they can’t be fast, but you’ll typically find a non-Ultrabook clamshell laptop with an HD screen and spinning drive-based storage for less than $600 or £400.

Ultrabooks: Where you’ll find thin-and-light notebooks sporting SSD storage and display resolutions that exceed 1080p. Paired with powerful, albeit mobile-centric components and especially long battery life, the best Ultrabooks will cost a pretty penny – AED 3,000 or more.

2-in-1 laptops: Here is our picks of the best 2-in-1 laptops that are available right now. Outfitted with both detachable and 360-degree rotating hinges, these hybrids are the most versatile way to experience Windows 10 on a touchscreen.

Gaming laptops: Need a laptop to play games (almost) just like a shiny desktop PC can? Then you’ll want one of the best gaming laptops. These machines generally cost quite a bit but give you a great gaming experience on the go. 

Laptop-tablet hybrids: Designed from the tablet-first approach to laptop-tablet hybrids, the best Windows tablets pack beyond-HD touchscreens, sometimes with kickstands in their frames or provided via keyboard covers. These generally shine with a stylus, and range from the budget to the premium price ranges.

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The 5 best Ultrabooks of 2019 in the UAE: top thin and light laptops reviewed

Posted: 23 Mar 2019 09:40 PM PDT

Beyond their ability to get some work done, the best Ultrabooks are kind of a status symbol. Think about it: you’re at a coffee shop, where everyone is using either a Chromebook or some big and bulky laptop from the stone age. Then, you whip out a thinner, lighter and faster laptop, packed with the best SSD and processor on the market.

These thin and light beauties are as much about portability as they are about sheer horsepower. The best Ultrabooks won’t freeze up on you when you’re trying to get an important project done, or run out of battery on a short flight. You don’t have to worry about any of that.

That’s why we took the time to find the best Ultrabooks on the market right now. From household names like Dell and HP, to brands you might not have heard of like Huawei, these thin and light beauties will get you through your work day in style. Plus, we tested and reviewed all these ultrabooks ourselves, so you can be confident you’re getting your money’s worth. 

For a few years now, Huawei has been lurking in the shadows, ready to take on the best Ultrabooks, and its time has finally arrived. Like the Huawei MateBook X Pro before it, the Huawei Matebook 13 packs in a ton of powerful hardware into an attractive shell, while keeping the price low enough for anyone to afford. Plus, we have to mention those discrete graphics – it may be one of the smallest laptops out there to pack an MX150 GPU. It’s not hard to see why the Huawei Matebook 13 is the best Ultrabook right now.

Read the full review: Huawei MateBook 13

Best Ultrabooks

Weighing only 1.21kg and measuring a mere 0.3 inches thick at its thinnest point, the Dell XPS 13 is an Ultrabook at its most essential. You won’t find that it’s the cheapest option by any means, especially as the more affordable Intel Core i3 configuration no longer exists. However, the Dell XPS 13 is a gorgeous testament to what a thin-and-light notebook can do. It wields the latest 8th-generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, of course, but it also packs a trio of USB Type-C ports and the option of an Alpine White finish that we can’t get enough of.

Read the full review: Dell XPS 13

best ultrabook

The original Surface Laptop was one of the best Ultrabooks when it first came back, though it was held back from true greatness due to its relatively weak hardware and Windows 10 S. However, in 2018, the Surface Laptop 2 has come back with a vengeance – bringing stronger quad-core processors and the full-fat version of Windows 10. It’s through these core improvements that the Surface Laptop 2 is able to bring the purest Windows 10 experience on a laptop, at a price that won’t make you gasp in horror. 

Read the full review: Surface Laptop 2

Sometimes, we’ll come across an Ultrabook that completely destroys everything that came before. The Huawei Matebook X Pro is one of these Ultrabooks. This gorgeous laptop brings high-end components into an elegantly-designed package that puts even the MacBook Pro to shame. And, with its 3K touchscreen, the Huawei MateBook X Pro has a display that’s just as nice to look at as the chassis. It really is one of the best Ultrabooks you can buy today. 

Read the full review: Huawei MateBook X Pro

Few Ultrabooks are as brilliantly designed as the Lenovo Yoga 920, a 2-in-1 laptop that’s as illustrious to look at as it is to use. In contrast to its nearest competitors, such as Microsoft’s Surface Book 2, it’s also a far less expensive endeavor. For the modest price you pay, you’re getting a gorgeous, all-metal finish that can be flipped inside out for extended functionality. It also houses the latest 8th-generation Intel processors, just in case speed was a concern.

Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga 920

Bill Thomas and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article

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UFC Nashville live stream: how to watch Thompson vs Pettis from anywhere

Posted: 23 Mar 2019 03:16 PM PDT

UFC's new home on ESPN+ continues today with the latest Fight Night event. The card is jam-packed in the Octagon, culminating in a huge welterweight main event between Stephen Thompson and Anthony Pettis. And you can live stream UFC Nashville from absolutely anywhere you are.

Taking place at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville tonight, Fight Night isn't just about the headline duo that are making this look like a night not to be missed. In addition to Thompson vs Pettis, there's heavyweight action in the form of Curtis Blaydes vs Justin Willis and the long awaited bantamweight bout between Frankie Saenz vs Marlon Vera.

So basically it's going to be an action-packed night of MMA action from Music City, and you can be a part of it by getting a UFC Nashville live stream. All the fights - including Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson and Anthony 'Showtime' Pettis - can be watched in the US online via the ESPN+ subscription service. So keep reading to see your viewing options, whether or not you're in the US this weekend.

How to watch UFC online in the US for FREE

Subscription service ESPN+ has snagged the coverage of UFC Nashville (and, indeed, all of the UFC Fight Nights). The broadcasting giant's online subscription platform only launched in 2018, but has already made waves by hosting big-ticket tennis, soccer and boxing events.

It costs $4.99 per month - so not huge sums, and less than streaming services like Netflix (and a lot less than cable). That lets you watch online, but also via its mobile app and TV streamer apps on the likes of Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, PS4 and Xbox.

But the best news is that you can grab a seven-day FREE trial. So if you haven't used ESPN+ before, you can sign up for that and get a taster of its UFC Fight Night events without paying a thing.

Click this link to head over to ESPN+ and sign up

Live stream UFC from outside your country

Worry not if you're a huge UFC fan but aren't in the US to watch that ESPN+ coverage this weekend. If you've got your subscription (or free trial) sorted but then find the coverage is geo-blocked, you can try using a VPN to change your IP address to a US server and watch as if you were back at home.

Live stream UFC Nashville in the UK 

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