Apple : Steam is getting a fresh new look for 2019

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• Steam is getting a fresh new look for 2019
• The human voice and AI – an unlikely duet
• Cyberpunk 2077 will still be released by 2021 - alongside an unannounced title
• Cyberpunk 2077: release date, trailer and news
• The best Xbox One X prices, bundles and deals in March 2019: where to buy the 4K Xbox
• Facebook stored hundreds of millions of user passwords in plain text
• The Elder Scrolls 6: release date, news and rumors
• The Elder Scrolls 6 Redfall naming dispute could be resolved 'simply'
• BT wants all operators to have equal access to street furniture
• Nintendo Switch bundle deal at Walmart: save $30 on a Mario game
• Dyson's new V11 cordless vacuum sucks harder and lasts longer
• Dyson's new V11 cordless vacuum sucks harder and lasts longer
• Nokia phones investigated over rumored data breach
• Fossil announced four new hybrid watch looks at Baselworld 2019
• Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice review roundup points to a brutal winner
• March Madness live stream: how to watch every 2019 NCAA basketball game online from anywhere
• Dyson taps into the wellness trend with new smart light and purifying fan
• Businesses being put at risk by their removable devices
• The best Sprint plans in March 2019
• Anthem update news, DLC, tips, patch notes and more

Steam is getting a fresh new look for 2019 Posted: 21 Mar 2019 01:34 PM PDT One week after announcing Steam Link Anywhere, Valve has announced a set of sweeping updates to its Steam Store.  These new updates include improved game pages and a revamped game library section that shows your friends’ activity, your recently played games and any new updates to the games in your collection. GDC also brought us our first look at Google's Stadia As well as the Google Stadia Controller And the first renders of Intel's GPU Also new is a Steam Events page that will show you about upcoming tournaments, game updates and other in-game events for the games you own.  Both features will be available later this year and will go into beta in the next few months according to Valve. Valve announced these changes at its 2019 GDC event on the future of the platform,  re-affirming Steam's position as the world's leading marketplace against up-and-coming shops like the Epic Games Store. Don't miss our hands on first look at the Oculus Rift S This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The human voice and AI – an unlikely duet Posted: 21 Mar 2019 12:25 PM PDT The world of beatboxing is full of artists using their voices in ways speech scientists have never seen before – finding new techniques for playing the instrument they were born with. But does the human voice have more to offer, and can we use technology to push it further? That’s the subject of We Speak Music – a series of six short documentaries created by Nokia Bell Labs, film production company Lonelyleap, and award-winning beatboxer Harry Yeff, better known as Reeps One. It turns out understanding what our voices are capable of is very important for lots of different discussions Reeps One The first three episodes are available to watch now on YouTube channel Swiss Beatbox and Nokia Bell Labs’ website, with the next three landing on March 23, March 30, and April 4 respectively. Throughout the series, Reeps One travels the world, learning about the potential of the human voice for creating sounds and connecting people, and finally using machine learning to create an AI voice – coming full circle and creating an artificial human drum machine. In the final documentary, Second Self, he will perform a duet with his ‘digital twin’ – an AI beatboxer taught using his voice as a dataset. Old anatomy, new innovations Beatboxing is a global language, so we asked Reeps One what it is that connects people from so many disparate backgrounds. “Beatboxing is just another word for vocal experimentation, which is not an intuitive connection,” he says. “But it turns out understanding what our voices are capable of is very important for lots of different discussions. Image credit: Nokia Bell Labs; Lonelyleap “From communication to understanding motor control, speech therapy and now voice-controlled technology, it's an open-ended, heated discussion how such an old part of the human anatomy can still hold so many innovations. “To many peoples’ surprise, it seems like you cannot separate the human voice from every part of human connectivity and in the last few years there has been a boom in new physical capability with the voice and it's a big question, after millions of years why now?” Shaking the box The series is part of Nokia Bell Labs’ Experiments in Art and Technology (EAT) program, which has been partnering with artists to create experimental performances for 50 years. I have a mission to go out into the world and make people think about the human voice in a new way Reeps One Although his voice is his instrument, Reeps One is no stranger to pushing its boundaries using experimental technology. As well as creating an AI vocal twin, his projects over the last year have included bouncing his voice off the moon, and created a 1,000,000 particle digital vocal sculpting tool. “Technology allows us to go further than we ever dreamed,” he says. “It's a way to create new experiences in the arts and allow for old and established ideas to be challenged with a fresh angle, this is my job when it comes to the human voice, to shake the box.” Image credit: Nokia Bell Labs; Lonelyleap Hearing the AI for the first time was a huge moment, but he says the human side of the project was equally exciting: “The people I met along the way, going to the Lavelle School for the Blind and seeing how beatboxing is teaching young people to speak and articulate or capturing a global community of new artists, I can't choose really.” It’s not just a short-term project, either – Reeps One says the experience has changed the way he’ll make music in the future, without a doubt. “I have a mission to go out into the world and make people think about the human voice in a new way, and find the artists and engineers who are helping push the conversation onward.” Watch the series on YouTube or Nokia Bell Labs' site. What is AI? Everything you need to know This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Cyberpunk 2077 will still be released by 2021 - alongside an unannounced title Posted: 21 Mar 2019 11:14 AM PDT CD Projekt Red has confirmed it still plans to release two AAA titles by 2021. While we know one of these titles will definitely be dystopian RPG Cyberpunk 2077, we're still in the dark about what the second title could be. This release window was reaffirmed on the official CD Projekt Red forums, with moderator Donata Popławska confirming the studio is sticking to its original roadmap. "As far as the strategy of the CD Projekt Capital Group for 2016-2021 is concerned, its plans to release the second AAA game by 2021 remain unchanged," the moderator wrote (translated via Resetera user Antiax).  Most anticipated games 2019: upcoming titles for PS4, Xbox One and Switch Best gaming headset 2019: the best PS4 and Xbox One headsets this year Best PS4 games 2019: essential PlayStation 4 releases However, Popławska did not expand on what the second AAA title to be released in this time frame could be. "We are currently focusing on the production and promotion of Cyberpunk, so we do not want to comment on further projects," they continued. What's next for CD Projekt Red? The developer previously revealed its plan to release two AAA titles by 2021 but often, due to a variety of reasons, plans change. Fortunately, it seems that hasn't been the case with CD Projekt Red which still intends to follow its previously laid-out roadmap. We are hoping that this second title could be the long-awaited next entry in The Witcher series (fingers crossed). But then again, it's entirely possible that CD Projekt Red is working on another new IP.  Hopefully E3 2019 will shed more light on the situation, as we know CD Projekt Red will be making an appearance. (Image credits: CD Projekt Red) Read more: Waiting for Cyberpunk 2077? Here are nine games to play until then This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Cyberpunk 2077: release date, trailer and news Posted: 21 Mar 2019 11:07 AM PDT Cyberpunk 2077 is a neon cyberpunk game that has The Witcher 3 developer CD Projekt Red moving from a gritty, high fantasy world to an equally gritty, science fiction world metropolis. It's based off the pen-and-paper RPG of the same name, but plays a hell of a lot like The Matrix game we've always wanted. We caught our first peek at the game behind closed doors at E3 2018 – you can check out what we saw in the 48-minute walkthrough video below.  What you'll see in that time is a game that looks vastly different than The Witcher series, with towering neon skyscrapers, bionic enhancements and a focus on vertical movement rather than wide open plains. It's also all in first-person.  The internet is crawling with news and rumors about this PC, Xbox One and PS4-bound game, so we’ve collected everything that's been said about Cyberpunk 2077 here for your convenience and we'll be constantly updating this page as more details emerge. [Updated: Cyberpunk 2077 will still be released by 2021 - alongside an unannounced title.] Cut to the Chase What is Cyberpunk 2077? A brand new IP from CD Projekt Red What's the Cyberpunk 2077 release date? No official release date but late 2019 seems possible What systems will Cyberpunk 2077 be released on? PS4, Xbox One and PC (and we’d expect the 4K console iterations too) Cyberpunk 2077 trailers After a veritable truckload of hype, CD Projekt Red has released 48 minutes of gameplay footage, based on the demo journalists saw at E3 2018.  In it, you'll see what gunplay looks like, character creation and backstory assignment, plus how you'll upgrade yourself via cybernetic enhancements. You'll meet some of the characters in Cyberpunk's seedy crime circuit and explore the city on foot and in vehicles. (Quick warning: the trailer contains nudity, violence and swearing.) Check it out below: We were treated to a brand new Cyberpunk 2077 trailer during E3 2018 which you can watch below: After an extremely short title reveal trailer, in 2013 we were treated to a more than two minute long teaser trailer although it didn't reveal much about what will be in the actual game.  It did, however, capture Cyberpunk's futuristic setting incredibly well and let us know that when it comes we can expect something dark, dangerous and visually stunning. At the end it also looks like we get a look at the Braindance technology discussed further down. March of 2019 saw the development team gearing up for the E3 2019 showcase event, and ahead of that shared a video letting us all know how work on the game was progressing. Those hoping for a 2019 release may want to start to brace themselves however – though the game remains without a release date, the suggestion of the video below is that development is still in full swing, and a release date may be some time away yet: Cyberpunk 2077 is the game that could make me leave meat space for good Waiting for Cyberpunk 2077? Here are nine games to play until release Henry Cavill is bewitching in first clip from Netflix's Witcher series Cyberpunk 2077 release date In the game’s official teaser trailer it’s stated that the game will be coming “when it’s ready.” Though we'd hoped that would mean a 2019 release date, it's starting to appear as though it will slip into 2020.  This is despite an investor call in early 2016 that suggested that Cyberpunk 2077 would be released before June 2019. It was also said in this call that CD Projekt Red is planning to release two new triple A RPGs before 2021.  It was later clarified in forums that Cyberpunk 2077 would be the first of these games to arrive and work on the second would not start before Cyberpunk 2077 was finished.  Considering The Witcher 3 took around three and a half years to develop, a 2019 release didn't seem unmanageable for the studio. But the scale of the development, as well as rumours of the game being a cross-gen Xbox Two and PS5 title, is starting to make it appear as if the game will take longer than initially anticipated. As well as a deadline they’ve no doubt set for themselves, the studio also has a deadline from the Polish government.  In December 20017 they were given a grant of more than $5 million from the government to research new game techniques related to multiplayer, animation and city creation. The sizeable sum came with a project deadline attached and if it does relate to Cyberpunk 2077 then it’ll mean the game really does have to be released in 2019. The government said so, which ironically isn’t particularly Cyberpunk.  In a 2017 financial presentation, CD Projekt Red revealed that Cyberpunk 2077 is under "intensive development" and that at the time there were more than 300 developers actively working on it. For context, there were 100 developers working across Gwent and the Witcher 3's 4K patch.  Cybperunk 2077 news and features CD Projekt Red is working on two AAA titles - to be released by 2021 CD Projekt Red has confirmed it still plans to release two AAA titles by 2021. While we know one of these titles will definitely be Cyberpunk 2077, we're still in the dark about what the second title could be. This release window was reaffirmed on the official CD Projekt Red forums, with moderator Donata Popławska confirming the studio is sticking to its original roadmap. "As far as the strategy of the CD Projekt Capital Group for 2016-2021 is concerned, its plans to release the second AAA game by 2021 remain unchanged," the moderator wrote (translated via Resetera user Antiax).  However, Popławska did not expand on what the second AAA title to be released in this time frame could be. "We are currently focusing on the production and promotion of Cyberpunk, so we do not want to comment on further projects," they continued. Cyberpunk 2077 will be at E3 2019 According to a tweet from the official Cyberpunk 2077 Twitter account, CD Projekt Red will be at E3 2019. So hopefully that means we will be seeing more gameplay footage from Cyberpunk 2077. Lady Gaga could be making an appearance? According to french site ActuGaming, Lady Gaga and CD Projekt Red are collaborating for Cyberpunk 2077 and the artist has already visited the Polish studio to take part in motion-capture - suggesting she will have a character role in the game itself. In addition ActuGaming claim the collaboration will be officially announced at E3 2019, with Gaga rumored to be making an appearance at the gaming convention. Last year Gaga tweeted a strange mix of letters and numbers, which the official Cyberpunk 2077 Twitter account replied to with "Of course! Of course we will!", suggesting the A Star is Born actress would be involved with the game in some way or another. Check out the tweet below: E3 2018 confirmed features We got to spend some time watching a demo of Cyberpunk 2077 during E3 and we learned some interesting things about the game.  It's a first person RPG set in a huge open world known as Night City - the city will be split into six districts, each offering a different environment to explore. During the demo we only saw a small part of one of them.  Players can create their own character called V and embark on their journey to crawl up from the criminal underbelly. This is a dark game and though The Witcher series is mature, this takes it to a new level.  As you'd expect, the game lets you augment your body using various bits of tech - illegal or otherwise - and you can use drugs to enhance your combat. Speaking of combat, weapons are wide ranging and seriously creative with smart guns and bullets as well as terrifying Mantis Blades for melee. There are no loading screens in Cyberpunk 2077 and the story and side quests are branching and numerous, and your choices genuinely impact the outcome. You can read more about how impressed were were by what we saw. E3 2018 secret message CD Projekt RED used the Xbox Showcase to show its latest trailer for Cyberpunk 2077. But it's more than just a trailer. Spotted by Polygon, there's a moment in the trailer with hidden text with more information on the game which is revealed when you enhance the image. In the message CD Projekt first apologises for "staying silent longer than we planned" but following the release of The Witcher 3 Blood and Wine the developer wanted to wait until it had "something meaningful and substantial" to show. It goes on to say that the vision for Cyberpunk is "an alternative version of the future where America is in pieces, megacorporations control all aspects of civilized life, and gangs rule the rest." This game will, CD Projekt says, be a "true single player, story-driven RPG" where you'll be able to create your own character. At the moment the developer isn't ready to confirm any kind of release date and asks for more patience. It also says it has "no bloody clue" about how big the game is but does say it's "seriously big." Players should "expect nothing less" than what they got with The Witcher 3 when it comes to DLC and expansions. Oh, and there won't be a single microstransaction. GDC news CD Projekt Red likes to keep its cards close to its chest but over the past week we've learned some interesting things about Cyberpunk 2077. The developer has announced that it's opening a new Wroclaw studio to expand production on the game and company President Adam Kuciński has recently dropped a few more details at the recent financial conference.  The most significant thing is that he confirmed this is a single-player narrative driven game and there are no multiplayer plans in motion right now. that doesn't mean they won't happen – the developer confirmed them years ago and a battle royale mode was humored at this very event – but they're not the focus for now.  Another important reveal was that the game will be full-price with no additional microstransactions or hidden costs. Most excitingly, though? It was confirmed that the game will appear in some capacity at this year's E3.  It could be on the next generation of consoles CD Projekt Red has hinted that Cyberpunk 2077 could be developed for both current and next gen titles. GamingBolt has reported that during a presentation at the Pareto Securities Gaming Seminar 2018 event, the studio's CFO Piotr Nielubowicz and CEO Adam Kiciński mentioned Cyberpunk 2077 hinted that it may be being developed for future hardware. The slide in question stated the team was developing the title for “current and next-generation technology”.  We're not entirely sure what this could mean given that we don't actually know when the next generation will begin and both consoles are currently in a 4K half-gen state. However, it'd be reasonable to guess that it could mean that, like Grand Theft Auto 5, Cyberpunk 2077 could be developed for current generations and then appear on PlayStation 5 and the next Xbox. It also leaves us wondering about when exactly Cyberpunk 2077 is expected to launch – it could be another year or two yet if this is anything to go by. It will be on Steam Good news Steam fans: Cyberpunk 2077 will definitely be coming to the platform. At the Pareto Securities Gaming Seminar (via PCGamesN) the studio’s CEO Adam Kiciński gave a presentation in which he confirmed that the game would not be exclusive to GOG. This isn't hugely surprising given other games from CD Projekt have also appeared on both Steam and GOG but we shouldn't take anything for a given, and it's good to have this confirmed.   Plans for E3 It's been a while since Cyberpunk 2077 has appeared at a big gaming show. However, recent rumors suggest the game could make an appearance at E3 2018.  After there were stirrings of life on the official Cyberpunk 2077 Twitter account we have to admit we wondered if that was all we were going to get for the year. But hopes are being raised thanks to recent reports from leading Polish games site GRYOnline.  According to GRYOnline, two separate sources have said that Cyberpunk 2077 will have a public trailer at E3 2018 and that there'll also be a playable demo behind closed doors for press.  There is precedent for CD Projekt Red taking this approach; in 2013 the developer showed off a trailer for The Witcher 3 while showing press a demo behind closed doors. The game was then released two years later.  Whether or not these rumors are true has not been confirmed by CD Projekt Red, but GRYOnline is a credible site. At this point we'll just have to wait and see, but the recent stirrings of life on the game's Twitter account are at least another good sign from the developer itself.  At the very least, CD Projekt's Red's presence at E3 2018 has been confirmed by the appearance of its logo in the show's official participant banner. Whether or not it's bringing Cyberpunk 2077 news to the show, however, remains unconfirmed.  Signs of life on Twitter For a while now it's been all quiet on the Cyberpunk 2077 front. Well, it was until January 10 when the game's official Twitter account made a noise for the first time in more than four years. What did this momentous tweet say? Well, see for yourself below. Yes, that's the first tweet since December 2013. So we have no more information, but we do know there are signs of life in that Twitter accounts which suggests this could be the year we find out a little more about this highly anticipated game. Because surely the 2077 in the title isn't actually a release date.  It’s going to be bigger than The Witcher 3 It would have been a pretty safe guess to say that Cyberpunk 2077 is going to be a big game, but in an interview with MCV in 2015 visual effects artist Jose Teixeira said it’s going to be “far, far bigger” than anything the studio has ever done.  In fact, he said that The Witcher 3 was being treated as a learning experience and that they could do better. To do better, the studio has doubled in size with studio head Adam Badowski saying that after The Witcher 3, Cyberpunk 2077 needs to be “even better, even bigger, even more revolutionary” than what had originally been planned.  You’ll be travelling on more advanced tech than boats and horses So, we know the game map is going to be intimidatingly big. How will we get around it, then? Well fortunately, moving out of the high fantasy realm gives CD Projekt Red a little more freedom when it comes to creating vehicles. Don’t expect horses and basic boats here – a job listing for a Senior Vehicle Artist for the studio said they’d be expected to work on “incredibly complex vehicles, planes, bikes, robots and mechanics.“ It’ll have a big single player story We don’t imagine we’ll shock many people when we say this but Cyberpunk 2077 will take place in the year 2077.  Specifically CD Projekt Red has confirmed it’ll be set in a place called Night City. Night City’s streets will be huge, filthy, and invested with drug problems. As you’d expect from the Cyberpunk genre, there’ll be a huge wealth gap, where the rich and corporations preside over poverty-stricken citizens, many of whom are driven into gangs.  Desperate for escape, many of the poor residents of Night City turn to an addictive escape known as Braindance which for just a few hours allows them to feel physically and mentally like they’re someone (anyone) else.  According to CD Projekt Red they’re “digital recordings of a person’s experience. The viewer can stream a braindance directly into his neural system via special brain augmentations, called a BD player. Braindances allow the viewer to experience all brain processes registered, including emotions, muscle movements and all stimuli perceived by the recording person.” Braindance experiences that place you in the lives of the rich and glamorous are naturally sold by corporations. However, much darker and illegal Braindances that can turn those using them into bloodthirsty killers are also distributed on the black market. In this incredibly dark world you’ll play a young man that’s been raised in the lowest section of society but wants to make something of himself and rise out of the gutter. Like most Cyberpunk protagonists we imagine he’ll be something of an anti-hero and find himself embroiled in the criminal underworld, manipulated and forced into difficult situations. How Braindances will be used by or on the protagonist is unclear.  The game will be an RPG like The Witcher 3 and videogame character progression will fit in well to Cyberpunk’s world of physical and mental augmentations.  It’s based on the Cyberpunk board games, the creator of which, Mike Pondsmith, has been working closely with the development team to ensure it stays true to the source material and doesn’t lose the Cyberpunk at its core. This contrasts with the studio's relationship with the author of the Witcher novels, Andrzej Sapkowski, who has always been ambivalent about the games.  But there will be multiplayer elements It was confirmed years ago that the game would have multiplayer elements but what exactly they’ll be is unclear. It was said, though, that the game would mainly focus on single player.  The company president said in March 2018 that these elements are not on the table right now, so it's possible that they'll be introduced after the game's release in a sort of online world like GTA Online.  There will be online As well as multiplayer, CD Projekt's CEO has confirmed that there will also be online elements to the game. In an interview with Polish tech site Strefa Inwestorow Kiciński stated that “Online is necessary, or very recommended if you wish to achieve a long-term success. At some point, we have mentioned that there will be a certain online element related to Cyberpunk.” In the same interview the CEO said that the team wanted to experiment in fields that weren't explored in The Witcher and that "we’re interested in Cyberpunk being commercially even more significant.“ Whether or not the online elements will feed into the multiplayer is unclear. But there won't be microstransactions Following the above interview for Strefa Inwestorow in which CD Projekt's CEO confirmed there would be online elements in the game fans began to fear that there would be an abundance of microstransactions involved.  The studio has since tweeted to quell these fears, stating that Cyberpunk 2077 will be "nothing less than" the Witcher 3, adding that players will "get what [they] pay for" with "no hidden catch." It appears that while many studios are feeling the need to move to a service model to ensure their titles make money, CD Projekt is staying committed to the story-driven single player experience with Cyberpunk 2077, one which served them very well with The Witcher.  Things we'd like to see Combat inspired by the original tabletop RPG We know that the designer of the tabletop RPG Cybperunk on which Cyberpunk 2077 is based is heavily involved in the creation of the game. We hope his involvement extends to the game's combat because the combat system he created in his own game was fairly revolutionary for the tabletop genre. Rather than involving drawn out and long turns, it was fast, brutal, gritty and overall perfectly suited to the spirit of Cyberpunk. A big part of Cyberpunk combat involves upgrading your body with new abilities and robotics which would be perfectly in line with a video game character development system like those created by CD Projekt Red.  In Pondsmith's game bodily enhancement has to be carefully considered – it's a balancing act where every benefit has a drawback. When a player makes robotic additions to themselves they reduce their humanity and empathy leading to an uncontrollable state of cyberpsychosis. This has the potential to be a really interesting system if it's adapted for the game and could be used in a similar manner to excessive consumption of combat-enhancing potions in The Witcher.  Keep checking back here for all the latest Cyberpunk 2077 news  (Image credits: CD Projekt Red) Read more: Waiting for Cyberpunk 2077? Here are nine games to play until then This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The best Xbox One X prices, bundles and deals in March 2019: where to buy the 4K Xbox Posted: 21 Mar 2019 10:49 AM PDT After a quiet start to the year we've found some excellent Xbox One X prices. We're talking brand new bundles with the hottest games like Metro: Exodus, Red Dead Redemption 2, Forza Horizon 4, Battlefield V and more.  Gamers looking for the most powerful console ever made have have been keen to pick up Xbox One X deals since release but there was a high cost to pay in the early days. Until recently, prices have been high at most stores if you weren't sure where to look. That's where we come in as our dedicated team of Deal Hunters cut through the chaff to bring you only the very best Xbox One X deals every day, and we've got some excellent ones for you today. In this article you'll find a comparison chart with the lowest prices on where to buy the 4K HDR Xbox One X console from a wide range of the best retailers. After the comparison chart we've put together a collection of the latest bundles in the States and UK. These Xbox One X bundles will save you money over buying the items separately. If you're after information on the latest Australian deals, head over to our Australian page. The best Xbox One X prices US Xbox One X bundles are really stepping things up now after a quiet few months. there's never been a better time to buy actually as you're getting genuine discounts and free content for the first time in ages. What is the Xbox One X price? The Xbox One X MSRP is $499 in the US and the UK RRP currently sits at £449. So sure, it looks like UK gamers are paying considerable more as the direct currency conversion would have it at £390. On the plus side, retailers are starting to cut prices and we're seeing games bundled in too. So you should never pay those costs for the console alone today. Why should I buy an Xbox One X? Just to be clear, this is not what you'd call a 'next-gen' console. Instead it's a powerful upgrade over the current Xbox One lineup. To simplify things, it's akin to Sony's PS4 Pro. Both consoles are aimed at gamers with a 4K HDR TV who want the best graphical performance possible on their favored console. There will be modest performance boosts on non-4K TVs too, but you're kind of missing the point without a 4K HDR TV. As things stand the Xbox One X will play all Xbox One games and we're not expecting to see any games released exclusively for the Xbox One X (or so we've been told), so there's certainly no reason to throw away your Xbox One S yet. The Xbox One X is the most powerful console ever made though, even outshining some of the specs of the PS4 Pro. But given the huge asking price, you'd hope as much. The Xbox One X is making bold claims about true native 4K gaming though with its upcoming titles and if you have a 4K TV with High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology, the Xbox One X is ready to seriously impress with the likes of Forza Motorsport 7, Metro: Exodus and Anthem set to be true jaw-droppers in the graphics department. Where can I buy an Xbox One X? Most of the usual big name retailers are stocking the Xbox One X. Prices this close to launch are all very similar for now, but as we move forwards, we'll start to see stores chipping away at the price to try to get an edge over the competition.  Keep an eye on the highlighted Xbox One X bundles above and our comparison chart, which we'll keep up to date on the latest prices for the Xbox One X on its own. So feel free to bookmark us and check in again soon to see if we've found the deal that's right for you. Fingers crossed the bundles get better soon, especially in the US where we're not seeing massive software discounts so far. What is the Xbox One X release date? It's here now! The Xbox One X came out on November 7 2017. That was a worldwide release date too. Will there be Xbox One X deals are Christmas? Unlike the first Xbox One X's first Christmas, we do expect there to be some deals this year. The 4K console was seemingly too new to discount last year, but Microsoft will be keen to catch up the the PS4 Pro this year and we're hoping for some decent discounts in what has been a slow year for deals in all honesty. In all likelihood, the PS4 Pro prices and bundles are still going to be much cheaper. What if I don't care about 4K or want to save money? The standard Xbox One S is a fantastic games console and you'll easily be able to get one with a few games for around $250/£250 or less. There are cheap deals all year round on our Xbox One deals and PS4 prices, deals and bundles pages. Only kidding. I want 4K HDR in my face right now. 4K TVs with HDR are nowhere near as expensive as you'd think. The prices have come down much faster than the original HD TVs, so you can get a decent model for a low price. Hell we've seen some nice ones for less than the price of the Xbox One X itself (what a ridiculous world we live in). For the best of the best, take a look at our best TV article. We've also rounded up the best cheap 4K TV deals too in the UK, and also a collection of US TV deals. How big is the hard drive in the Xbox One X? For now, the only option available is the 1TB option, that's 1000GB of storage. There are no official plans for larger versions, but we wouldn't be surprised to see these come along in 2018.  With some 4K-friendly update patches to games coming in at over 100GB, we certainly wouldn't hold out for a cheaper 500GB Xbox One X, as it'd be a bit pointless to be honest.  We think gamers are going to fill up the 1TB Xbox One pretty soon. Thankfully the Xbox One X is compatible with external hard drives using USB 3.0. So if you need some extra storage, check out our list of the best external hard drives. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Facebook stored hundreds of millions of user passwords in plain text Posted: 21 Mar 2019 10:36 AM PDT A new report from Krebs On Security has revealed that Facebook stored the account passwords of hundreds of millions of users in plain text and they were easily searchable by thousands of its own employees in some cases going back to 2012. According to a senior employee familiar with the investigation, the social networking giant is currently probing a series of security failures in which employees wrote applications that logged unencrypted password data for Facebook users and stored this information in plain text on internal company servers. So far, the investigation has discovered that between 200m and 600m Facebook users may have had their account passwords stored on its servers and searchable by over 20,000 employees. Facebook slammed by UK government Facebook paid users to install a VPN that spies on them Facebook reaching fifteen – a stark reminder of the value of data The company is still trying to determine exactly how many passwords were exposed and for how long but archives with plain text user passwords have been discovered that date back to 2012. Plain text passwords Access logs at Facebook show that around 2,000 engineers or developers made nine million internal queries for data elements that contained plain text user passwords. Software engineer at Facebook, Scott Renfro provided further insight into the ongoing investigation to Krebs On Security in an interview, saying: “We’ve not found any cases so far in our investigations where someone was looking intentionally for passwords, nor have we found signs of misuse of this data. In this situation what we’ve found is these passwords were inadvertently logged but that there was no actual risk that’s come from this. We want to make sure we’re reserving those steps and only force a password change in cases where there’s definitely been signs of abuse.” Affected users will not have to change their passwords as they were not leaked outside of the company, though Facebook is preparing to notify “hundreds of millions of Facebook Lite users, tens of millions of other Facebook users, and tens of thousands of Instagram users”.  Via Krebs On Security We've also highlighted the best VPN This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The Elder Scrolls 6: release date, news and rumors Posted: 21 Mar 2019 10:35 AM PDT Bethesda granted the wishes of Elder Scrolls fans everywhere when studio boss Todd Howard confirmed at E3 2018 that the developer is working on the highly-anticipated The Elder Scrolls 6. Although we only got a glimpse at a short teaser trailer, rumors immediately started speculating about where the latest Elder Scrolls title will be set, when it will release and when we will hear more.  So we've gathered and assessed all the news and rumors about The Elder Scrolls 6 in this handy guide. Here's everything you need to know. [Update: The Elder Scrolls 6 Redfall naming dispute could be resolved "simply".] Cut to the chase What is it? The highly anticipated sequel to the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim When can I play it? Not soon What can I play it on? PC is a safe bet, as well as the latest console generations Elder Scrolls 6 release date – when can I play it? We might as well get the bad news out of the way first – you’re not likely to be playing The Elder Scrolls 6 any time soon. The good news, however, is that it’s been confirmed you will be able to...eventually.  The game was confirmed during Bethesda's E3 2018 conference but nothing more than a logo was given. We don't even have a subtitle or a release year. Todd Howard said that the game will be coming after Starfield, the company's next big IP. That means Elder Scrolls 6 could be years away. In addition, Youtuber SkullziTV (via GamesRadar) has been looking into the challenges Bethesda's parent company ZeniMax faces with regards to the Redfall trademark it has applied for. According to SkullziTV, if the two parties don't come to an agreement, we won't be seeing any mentions of Redfall (aka the rumored name of the upcoming Elder Scrolls game) until at least 2021. Elder Scrolls 6 trailer – when can I watch it? The only footage we have of Elder Scrolls 6 is a very short clip of the game's logo. Other than that, you might be waiting a while to see more. We think E3 2019 is a safe bet. Or maybe it'll leak beforehand. Here's the announcement trailer: Elder Scrolls 6 rumors It may be called the Elder Scrolls 6: Redfall Bethesda may have trademarked the name for the Elder Scrolls 6. According to a report by Newsweek, ZeniMax Media (Bethesda's parent company) filed a new trademark for 'Redfall' which the company stated was for a 'computer game software for use with computers and video game consoles'.  It's nothing solid, but there's a slim chance the new Elder Scrolls will be called Elder Scrolls 6: Redfall. Redditors are speculating the name is linked to the Redfall location in Tamriel or to the Redguard race in Elder Scrolls, however Bethesda has not confirmed or denied anything. Elder Scrolls 6 news Redfall trademark dispute  While fans wait with bated breath for more news on The Elder Scrolls 6, a legal battle between Bethesda's parent company ZeniMaz Media and BookBreeze.com has potentially been putting a spanner in the works. But an agreement might be on the horizon. This legal battle has been going on for a while, with Bookbreeze.com (aka author Jay Falconer) disputing ZeniMax filing a new trademark for 'Redfall', which the company stated was for "computer game software for use with computers and video game consoles".  In other words, it's possible that this could be the name of the upcoming Elder Scrolls 6 game – due to the Redfall location in Tamriel, or the Redguard race in Elder Scrolls. However Falconer claims that he has already developed a brand under the Redfall name and, according to a blog post, is disputing ZeniMax's filing "to protect what I feel is my ownership of the brand, and to protect my right to sell books (print, ebook, and audiobook) and the movie/film rights".  "I want all of you to know I'm not trying to stop the game nor am I trying to get any money from the game. I want nothing from the game at all," Falconer wrote. "I’m only trying to protect my ability to keep selling my books. This is simply a dispute over a trademark name. Nothing more. It’s not a cash grab – I want nothing from them and it should in no way hold up any game. "With that said, we can avoid the USPTO all together and find a no-cost resolution once all parties have a conversation. We just need to have that conversation. I’m ready and willing and open to whatever resolution makes sense." However, as spotted by our sister site GamesRadar, an agreement may be in the works. According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Redfall trademark application documents state that ZeniMax has requested the dates to be pushed back a month as the “parties are engaged in settlement discussions”. According to GamesRadar's research, those settlement discussions are likely being used to avoid a long trademark dispute, which would prevent us hearing any more information about The Elder Scrolls 6's official title until 2021. According to GamesRadar, settlement discussions could mean one of three things: Both parties agree to enter into a coexistence agreement, which allows them both to use the Redfall name (ZeniMax would have to pay out to Falconer). ZeniMax withdraws the application but enters into a license agreement (paying a fee) to Falconer. ZeniMax pays a one-off sum for Falconer to withdraw his opposition. Bethesda's E3 2019 showcase dated and confirmed Bethesda's E3 2019 showcase kicks off at 5.30pm PDT on Sunday 9 June, with the horror shooter Doom Eternal confirmed to appear. Having been teased at last year's show, could we also see The Elder Scrolls VI make an appearance? There's a fair chance, especially if this year's E3 coincides with the reveal of the PS5 and Xbox Two – we'd be shocked if the Skyrim follow-up wasn't being aimed at next-gen consoles. Elder Scrolls VI goes official Bethesda is a busy studio: not only is it working on a brand new IP, Starfield, it's also continuing to develop for Elder Scrolls Online and it's taking on the long commitment of Fallout 76. And that's only in its main RPG franchises. It's still got plenty going on elsewhere with mobile games, Dishonored, Prey and others. Thanks to Todd Howard, we know Bethesda is working on two huge new titles simultaneously, though their developments are staggered.  We now know that one of them is the Elder Scrolls 6. Having returned to Skyrim after some time away, Howard compared it to seeing an old friend from high school, adding that the time away had given him the chance to see Skyrim as a gamer for the first time.  This, to us, would be the perfect time to start applying this new perspective to the next title in the series.  At the very least we can say we know it won’t just be called Elder Scrolls 6. There’s going to be a colon and another word to round the title off if previous releases are anything to go by.  Where will Elder Scrolls 6 be set? We’re also willing to bet that like all the other games in the series it’s going to be set in the continent of Tamriel, the map of which is below. Previous games have taken us to Highrock, Hammerfell, Morrowind, Cyrodil, and Skyrim. Valenwood, Elsweyr and Black Marsh are the biggest places left to explore. Though there’s still much of Morrowind left to explore, we imagine much of that will be covered in the upcoming Elder Scrolls Online title.  So, Valenwood, Elsweyr or Black Marsh. Which looks most likely? Rumors online are heavily pointing towards Black Marsh, the home of the world’s reptilian Argonian race.  There isn’t actually any solid reason for this rumor, but its swampy marshlands and network of islands would make for an interesting geographic change for the series, though it’s a geography that would leave itself open to comparison with the Witcher 3.  It’s probably the region of Tamriel that we know the least about so Bethesda would have plenty of room to be creative. That said, Elsweyr would also be an interesting geography change with its dry plains and harsh badlands that the Khajit call home.  It would certainly be nice to find out more about the culture of either the Khajit or the Argonians so both of these extremely different settings have an understandable appeal to fans. There is, however, weight to a rumor that Elder Scrolls 6 could be set in Valenwood. Valenwood is the home of the Bosmer and it’s an area of Tamriel that Bethesda hasn’t explored much.  The rumor that the game will be set here is based on a reported internal Bethesda memo from all the way back in 2014. In this memo, Bethesda employees were reportedly wanted against using the terms Fallout: Nuka World, Elder Scrolls VI or Project Greenheart. Though it was initially believed to be a fake, Fallout: Nuka World ended up being a big DLC release for Fallout 4 which gives slightly more weight to rumor that Project Greenheart is in fact the codename for the next Elder Scrolls title. The fact that Greenheart is a city in the verdant region of Valenwood makes this even more interesting.  Forest and jungle settings are hard to get right in games and it’d be really interesting to see Bethesda get creative with the part of Tamriel that’s said to have rejected civilization and embraced the wilderness.  It's hard to tell from the short E3 clip we have of the game but our first impression is that the game world looks a lot more like Valenwood or Elsweyr than Black Marsh. In an interview with Eurogamer, Todd Howard confirmed the team has settled on the location - but he won't tell us where yet.  What features can we expect? Homebuilding A feature that we’re fairly certain will be included in the game to some degree is house building or town creation. Skyrim introduced the idea of designing and maintaining a homestead with its Hearthfire DLC, which Fallout 4 expanded upon with the introduction of its settlement mechanic and the Elder Scrolls online built upon again with its Homestead DLC. This leads neatly into a further expansion of such features in the next Elder Scrolls title as it felt not-quite-finished in Fallout.  It would be a feature that would actually fit in particularly well with the rumored Valenwood setting, if it involved the player adapting to the wilderness in the way the resident Bosmer have with their treetop cities. In a similar way the player used debris and junk to craft their settlement in Fallout, they could use their natural environment to do so in Elder Scrolls in a nice contrast. A whole new story In a recent interview with Gamespot, Todd Howard said that Bethesda is looking into how exactly it tells stories in its games. Howard noted that Skyrim and Fallout 4 take slightly different approaches to stories, with Skyrim leaving things more open to the player’s vision and Fallout guiding them more firmly through a story Now he says the studio are looking how to “tell a better story in an open world.”  He said “each of our games we've had successes and failures and if you ask us internally, we have new ideas that we want to explore in the future because we feel like we haven't really cracked it yet the way we think it could be.” Being aware of the differences between Skyrim and Fallout’s approaches to storytelling and the fact that both have positives and negatives suggests that the next Elder Scrolls title could strike some kind of balance between giving the player completely free reign and telling a story around their character.  It’s hard to deny that The Witcher 3 has had a massive impact on what players expect in terms of including an engaging story in an open world game.  Though we don’t in any way want Bethesda to just churn out a Witcher copy (we’re not sure it’d be possible anyway) it does put a certain amount of pressure on Bethesda when it comes to achieving high-quality environmental and quest-based story telling.  Something we don’t expect to see, though, is multiplayer. Skyrim certainly doesn’t suffer from a lack of multiplayer and it wouldn’t really make all that much sense to incorporate any online multiplayer gameplay with the Elder Scrolls Online still rolling along.  Virtual reality It's not a certainty by any means but the fact that Bethesda released a full VR experience for Skyrim means it's not out of the question. What would we like to see? Well, something we’d like to see and fully expect to see is improved graphics and reduced bugginess. The remastered version of Skyrim showed just how far things have come visually since the game’s first release so we fully expect any title following on from it to be of that standard if not much higher, depending on how far away the game is. There’s actually a fairly good chance that the game could be created using an entirely new game engine – after it created an entirely new engine for Skyrim we don’t think it’s unlikely Bethesda will do the same for Elder Scrolls 6 and any Fallout sequels.  The Bethesda game studio in Montreal is currently looking to hire an engine programmer so it’s well worth watching this space.  (Image credits: Bethesda) Prepare for Elder Scrolls 6 with the best graphics card of 2018 This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The Elder Scrolls 6 Redfall naming dispute could be resolved 'simply' Posted: 21 Mar 2019 10:25 AM PDT While fans wait with bated breath for more news on The Elder Scrolls 6, a legal battle between Bethesda's parent company ZeniMaz Media and BookBreeze.com has potentially been putting a spanner in the works. But an agreement might be on the horizon. This legal battle has been going on for a while, with Bookbreeze.com (aka author Jay Falconer) disputing ZeniMax filing a new trademark for 'Redfall', which the company stated was for "computer game software for use with computers and video game consoles".  The Elder Scrolls 6: release date, news and rumors Most anticipated games 2019: upcoming titles for PS4, Xbox One and Switch PS5: All the games, specs, news, and rumors for Sony’s Playstation 5 In other words, it's possible that this could be the name of the upcoming Elder Scrolls 6 game – due to the Redfall location in Tamriel, or the Redguard race in Elder Scrolls. However Falconer claims that he has already developed a brand under the Redfall name and, according to a blog post, is disputing ZeniMax's filing "to protect what I feel is my ownership of the brand, and to protect my right to sell books (print, ebook, and audiobook) and the movie/film rights".  "I want all of you to know I'm not trying to stop the game nor am I trying to get any money from the game. I want nothing from the game at all," Falconer wrote. "I’m only trying to protect my ability to keep selling my books. This is simply a dispute over a trademark name. Nothing more. It’s not a cash grab – I want nothing from them and it should in no way hold up any game. "With that said, we can avoid the USPTO all together and find a no-cost resolution once all parties have a conversation. We just need to have that conversation. I’m ready and willing and open to whatever resolution makes sense." Could an agreement be in the works? Image credit: Bethesda However, as spotted by our sister site GamesRadar, an agreement may be in the works. According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Redfall trademark application documents state that ZeniMax has requested the dates to be pushed back a month as the “parties are engaged in settlement discussions”. According to GamesRadar's research, those settlement discussions are likely being used to avoid a long trademark dispute, which would prevent us hearing any more information about The Elder Scrolls 6's official title until 2021. According to GamesRadar, settlement discussions could mean one of three things: Both parties agree to enter into a coexistence agreement, which allows them both to use the Redfall name (ZeniMax would have to pay out to Falconer). ZeniMax withdraws the application but enters into a license agreement (paying a fee) to Falconer. ZeniMax pays a one-off sum for Falconer to withdraw his opposition. It's not yet clear which of these options the two parties will agree upon, however Falconer has been adamant that the dispute is not a "cash-grab", so it's likely option three is off the table.  While we're hoping to see more of The Elder Scrolls 6 at E3 2019, it may be a while yet before we know the game's official title. Read more: Elder Scrolls: Blades hands-on: Pete Hines talks squeezing Tamriel onto your phone This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

BT wants all operators to have equal access to street furniture Posted: 21 Mar 2019 10:18 AM PDT BT is demanding that local councils grant access to street furniture on a fair and equal basis, arguing that the current model of exclusive agreements stifles investments and could slow down 5G deployments. Under the present model, mobile operators bid for contracts with local authorities for the exclusive rights to deploy micro-infrastructure such as small cells on furniture such as lamp posts and bus shelters. Any other operator wishing to use these assets must pay a wholesale charge to the exclusive rights holder. Barriers could stop UK being a 5G leader Arqiva and CityFibre build London 5G small cell network Everything you need to know about 5G    BT small cells Operators and infrastructure firms such as Arqiva have used these agreements to deploy small cells for 4G networks in busy areas to boost coverage. However small cells will be a critical component of 5G networks, helping to deliver the micro capacity and coverage that will power a wealth of next-generation applications that will require constant, low latency connectivity. BT says this the current model is unpractical for the 5G era and in any case believes the reformed Electronic Communications Code passed in December 2017 renders these agreements void. Instead, it believes councils should charge any operator who wants access to street furniture a “low cost” flat fee. “While the concessions model made sense in the early 2010’s when it first came into common use, the market and regulatory landscape have changed and it’s become clear that exclusivity agreements act as a barrier to further 4G and 5G investments,” said Paul Ceely, director of network strategy at BT. “Government initiatives such as the DCMS Barrier Busting taskforce are showing the way, but we believe that industry needs to act. We are leading the way by handing back exclusivity in nine key areas.” To push its vision of open access, BT is holding a workshop in Birmingham, home of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) 5G testbed. It says it is also prepared to relinquish the nine exclusive agreement is has in place to facilitate the change. These are in Glasgow, Cardiff, Brighton, Plymouth, Carlisle, Newcastle/Gateshead, Nottingham, Gloucester and Leicester. “The UK needs an alternative approach which sees industry and local authorities working together to share these street sites in an open and collaborative way,” concluded Ceely. “This will create the right environment for long-term investment and innovation in future mobile networks. We believe Open Access will be critical in ensuring the UK has the best mobile infrastructure in place to maintain its position as one of the world’s leading digital economies.”    Here are the best BT Broadband deals for March 2019 This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Nintendo Switch bundle deal at Walmart: save $30 on a Mario game Posted: 21 Mar 2019 10:04 AM PDT For a limited time, Walmart is offering a Nintendo Switch bundle deal that includes the Switch console with your choice of a Mario game. You can save up to $35 with a selection of five different Mario games when you purchase the Nintendo Switch console.  This Nintendo deal from Walmart allows you to build your bundle so you can personalize your Nintendo Switch to get exactly what you want. The following choices are available to select when building your bundle; color of Joy Con controller, your choice of five different Mario games, and two Mario Pin options. This bundle deal also includes a bonus Paw Patrol Carrying Case. The Nintendo Switch is a relatively new gaming console that allows you to use it as a home console or as a portable gaming device. You can play the Nintendo Switch anywhere, and the dual Joy-Con controllers let you team up and enjoy multiplayer games. Even though the Switch was released in 2017, it's popularity makes discounts very rare, which is why this limited-time bundle is a fantastic deal. If you're interested in more Switch deals we have the cheapest Nintendo Switch bundles and deal prices that are currently available. We also have the best PS4 prices, bundles, and deals as well as the best Xbox One prices, bundles and sales that are going on.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Dyson's new V11 cordless vacuum sucks harder and lasts longer Posted: 21 Mar 2019 09:51 AM PDT Dyson launched the Cyclone V10 cordless vacuum in 2018 – it was so powerful that is convinced James Dyson to stop making corded ones. In 2019, though, the British company may just have outdone itself. Only a year after launching the V10, Dyson has announced the release of the latest iteration of its cordless stick vacuum. The Dyson V11 looks pretty much like its predecessor, but ups the cleaning ante with a better battery and more suction power than the Cyclone V10. The V11 clearly reveals Dyson’s capability to take innovation to new levels, leaving us to wonder what else the company could have up its proverbial sleeve. Image credit: Dyson Powerful smart cleaning The innovation begins with the new High Torque cleaner head that has the ability to sense different surfaces. The cleaner head is able to detect brush bar resistance up to 360 times a second. This is then communicated to the motor and battery microprocessors, resulting in changing suction power as the vacuum glides between hard floors and carpets, thus removing the need to change cleaner heads for different floor types. And while the motor is similar to that of the V10’s, the new V11 motor contains a triple diffuser to reduce sound and vibrations. It also spins at a whopping 125,000 revolutions per minute and ups suction power by 20% over the Cyclone V10. Image credit: Dyson Cleaning gets intelligent Although the V11 shares a similar design to the V10, the addition of an LCD display on the top of the vacuum is a welcome addition.  There are three battery modes to choose from – auto mode, boost mode and eco mode – and your chosen power mode will be displayed on the screen, along with performance information and remaining run time. The display will also let you know when it’s time to change the filter and, if it’s not connected properly, will throw up a notification for that as well. If there’s an airway blockage somewhere, the screen will provide details on how to get rid of it by playing a demo of how to take the vacuum apart. The filtration system comes with rubber seals to capture microscopic particles, while a wand clip allows you to store the accessories – like the crevice and combination tools – on the vacuum itself. To top it all off, the bin is 40% larger than before. Image credit: Dyson Pricing and availability Put all this together and you’ve got a vacuum cleaner that promises the best clean you can get for your home. That kind of clean, though, comes with a price. The Dyson V11 is launching with a starting price of £499.99 in the UK. There are two versions to choose from, both of them shipping with combination and crevice tools, a mini soft dusting brush, mini motorized tool, a stubborn dust brush and the wand clip to hold them all together. The models available in the UK are: Dyson V11 Animal, which comes with eight additional accessories but doesn't have the torque drive motor head - £499.99 Dyson V11 Absolute, which comes with eight additional accessories and comes with the torque drive motor head - £599.99 The best vacuum cleaners 2019 This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Dyson's new V11 cordless vacuum sucks harder and lasts longer Posted: 21 Mar 2019 09:45 AM PDT Dyson launched the Cyclone V10 cordless vacuum in 2018 – it was so powerful that is convinced James Dyson to stop making corded ones. In 2019, though, the British company may just have outdone itself. Only a year after launching the V10, Dyson has announced the release of the latest iteration of its cordless stick vacuum. The Dyson V11 looks pretty much like its predecessor, but ups the cleaning ante with a better battery and more suction power than the Cyclone V10. The V11 clearly reveals Dyson’s capability to take innovation to new levels, leaving us to wonder what else the company could have up its proverbial sleeve. Image credit: Dyson Powerful smart cleaning The innovation begins with the new High Torque cleaner head that has the ability to sense different surfaces. The cleaner head is able to detect brush bar resistance up to 360 times a second. This is then communicated to the motor and battery microprocessors, resulting in changing suction power as the vacuum glides between hard floors and carpets, thus removing the need to change cleaner heads for different floor types. And while the motor is similar to that of the V10’s, the new V11 motor contains a triple diffuser to reduce sound and vibrations. It also spins at a whopping 125,000 revolutions per minute and ups suction power by 20% over the Cyclone V10. Image credit: Dyson Cleaning gets intelligent Although the V11 shares a similar design to the V10, the addition of an LCD display on the top of the vacuum is a welcome addition.  There are three battery modes to choose from – auto mode, boost mode and eco mode – and your chosen power mode will be displayed on the screen, along with performance information and remaining run time. The display will also let you know when it’s time to change the filter and, if it’s not connected properly, will throw up a notification for that as well. If there’s an airway blockage somewhere, the screen will provide details on how to get rid of it by playing a demo of how to take the vacuum apart. The filtration system comes with rubber seals to capture microscopic particles, while a wand clip allows you to store the accessories – like the crevice and combination tools – on the vacuum itself. To top it all off, the bin is 40% larger than before. Image credit: Dyson Pricing and availability Put all this together and you’ve got a vacuum cleaner that promises the best clean you can get for your home. That kind of clean, though, comes with a price. The Dyson V11 is launching with a starting price of $599.95 in the US.  There are two versions to choose from, both of them shipping with the High Torque cleaner head, the combination and crevice tools, a mini soft dusting brush, mini motorized tool, a stubborn dust brush and the wand clip to hold them all together. The models available in the US are: Dyson V11 Animal, which comes with seven additional accessories but doesn't include the LCD display screen - $599.95 Dyson V11 Torque Drive, which comes with eight additional accessories and has an LCD display screen - $699.95 The best vacuum cleaners 2019 This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Nokia phones investigated over rumored data breach Posted: 21 Mar 2019 09:45 AM PDT Following a recent data breach report, Finland's data protection ombudsman said that he would investigate claims that Nokia-branded phones had sent information from users' handsets to China. While Nokia exited the mobile phone business to focus solely on networking, the Finnish firm's brand name lives on thanks to HMD Global which licensed it to produce a new range of Nokia devices running Android. According to HMD Global, no personal data was shared with a third party although it did reveal that one batch of handsets had been experiencing a data software glitch which has now been fixed. HMD Global wants Nokia smartphones to be in the enterprise once again The remarkable resurgence of Nokia phones Finnish government acquires stake in Nokia News of the data breach was first reported by Norwegian public broadcaster NRK that said a Nokia 7 Plus smartphone built by HMD has been sending data to China. In its report, the broadcaster said that the company had “admitted that an unspecified number of Nokia 7 Plus phones had sent data to the Chinese server”.  Alleged data breach NRK first discovered that a possible data breach had taken place when a Nokia 7 Plus user contacted the broadcaster to inform them that his phone had been regularly sending data packages in an unencrypted format to an unknown server. In an email to Reuters, HMD Global offered further details on the breach, saying: “We can confirm that no personally identifiable information has been shared with any third party. Such data was never processed and no person could have been identified based on this data.”  Despite HMD's claims to the contrary, Ombudsman Reijo Aarnio will still be investigating to assess whether any personal information was disclosed in the breach. The latest Nokia-branded smartphones from HMD Global have received favorable reviews and if a data breach involving personal information did occur, it could have a significant impact on the brand's reputation. Via Reuters This is everything you need to know about 5G This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Fossil announced four new hybrid watch looks at Baselworld 2019 Posted: 21 Mar 2019 09:38 AM PDT Fossil doesn't have any major smartwatches planned for Baselworld 2019, but the company has introduced four new hybrid designs that you'll be able to buy later this year. Two of the watches fall under the Fossil brand and are called Jacqueline and Cameron. You can see them both in the image above, with the Cameron on the left and Jacqueline on the right. The two new Skagen watches are new designs of the existing Skagen Holst, which will now come with a mother of pearl watch face and a totally black design. You can see images of them below. Our list of the best hybrid smartwatches Want more tech? Check our guide to the best smartwatch Check out our best cheap smartwatch list An exact release date for these designs has yet to be announced, but Fossil plans to bring all four to market by the end of the year. The Jacqueline and the Cameron both come in 36mm cases with 18mm lug width and will cost $175 (about £135, AU$250). We've yet to learn specific prices for the new Skagen Holst lines. All of these watches may look like a normal watch, but each is capable of step and sleep tracking as well as a variety of other features like basic notifications and controls for music. What is a hybrid smartwatch? This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice review roundup points to a brutal winner Posted: 21 Mar 2019 09:10 AM PDT Ready for a punishing weekend? Good – the release of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, the latest game out of the FromSoftware studio (they of Dark Souls and Bloodborne fame) is almost here. And with it comes the first wave of critic review scores.  Thankfully, it looks like it's another brutal-but-fair blinder, masterfully weaving the live-die-repeat formula of the 'Soulsborne' games with a new aggressive combat system and a world which channels some of the spirit of Tenchu, a similarly ninja-themed adventure from the developer's back catalogue. Read on for the thoughts of gaming critics around the web, but first: where's TechRadar's review? We're still waiting to recieve code from publisher Activision for Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, but hope to share our initial thoughts in the coming days. With it being a sizeable and challenging game, expect to see us deliver our final verdict following a 'review in progress' format to ensure we give you as in-depth a conclusion as our constantly-being-killed ninja skills can manage. Best PS4 games: will Sekiro make the cut into this list? Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice release date, trailers and news E3 2019: everything we expect to see Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice review scores Polygon – 'Recommended' "I have to put in a lot of work and effort to meet Sekiro on its own terms, but what might feel ponderous in a lesser game becomes rewarding in one created with this much care. Sekiro meets me with just as much effort and enthusiasm as I’ve put into it. It lets me know I’m capable and skilled, and that I can figure it out. "And then it hands me my ass again." [Full review] IGN - 95/100 "Sekiro evolves From Software’s formula into a stylish stealth-action adventure that, naturally, emphasizes precision and skill in its combat. It walks the line between deliberate and patient stealth and breakneck melee combat against threats both earthly and otherworldly. Its imaginative and flexible tools support a more focused experience that shaves down some of From Software’s overly cryptic sensibilities without losing its air of mystery. Sekiro is an amazing new twist on a familiar set of ideas that can stand on its own alongside its predecessors." [Full review] PlayStation Lifestyle - 9.5/10 "Untethered from the expectations that come with a Dark Souls or Bloodborne game, FromSoftware was able to create a game that maintains the studio’s unique identity while allowing them to explore interesting new mechanics and ways of telling the story. Sekiro is challenging, but fair—a game with the goal of allowing the player to grow, rather than the avatar. It blends mechanics and narrative in a way that is too rare in games today, allowing for a deep level of immersion that begs for just one more clash of blades no matter how difficult the encounters get. Seeing each one to its bloody finish is well worth the trials it takes to get there." [Full review] Gamespot – 9/10 (review in progress) "Sekiro marries From Software's unique brand of gameplay with stealth action to deliver an experience that is as challenging as it is gratifying. At the time of publish I haven't completed Sekiro. While I have invested upwards of 30 hours into it, there are still a few more locations I need to explore and bosses I need to beat before the credits roll, and I'm excited to do it." [Full review] Game Informer – 9/10 "Sekiro’s story moves in strange and compelling ways that defy the initial adherence to the trappings of feudal Japan, and allows the player to discover multiple endings and confrontations depending on choices and secrets. It’s a challenging journey through a weird and wondrous world that forces you to learn and master its punishing combat to succeed. However, the sweet thrill of victory keeps you pushing forward despite myriad disheartening deaths. Sekiro is one of the most difficult games I have ever played, but for those seeking adventure, exploration, and a truly realized ninja fantasy, the trek is worth the high demands." [Full review] Want our thoughts so far? Check out our hands on Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice review This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

March Madness live stream: how to watch every 2019 NCAA basketball game online from anywhere Posted: 21 Mar 2019 09:00 AM PDT The bracket selection is done, preliminaries are over and March Madness 2019 proper has started. The time for the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament is here with the 68-team college tournament building towards the National Championship game on Monday, April 8. And with TechRadar's handy guide, you can make sure that you get a 2019 March Madness live stream from wherever in the world you are. Villanova won last year’s national championship and currently Duke, Tennessee, Virginia and Gonzaga are this year’s top seeds. Some notable players to watch are Duke's Zion Williamson who is projected to be the number one pick in this year's NBA draft, Murray State's Ja Morant, North Carolina's Coby White, Texas Tech's Jarrett Culver and Gonzaga's Rui Hachimura. Whether you’re a student trying to watch your college’s team play, an alumni rooting for your alma mater or just a fan of the sport of basketball, we’ll show you how to live stream March Madness 2019 online from anywhere in the world. Soccer fan? Also check out our guide on how to watch the Champions League How to live stream March Madness 2019 from outside your country If you live in the US and want to know how to catch all of the games, then keep scrolling and we’ll tell you your best 2019 March Madness live stream and viewing options. There's even a service for you if you live elsewhere in the world. But if you discover that your chosen broadcaster from your home country is geo-blocked then we can suggest a clever alternative (and no, it doesn’t involve finding some dodgy feed on Reddit). Using a VPN - or Virtual Private Network - you can change the IP address to one in a different state or country which does have the stream so that you can live stream March Madness 2019 from anywhere in the world. The process is very straightforward…  How to watch March Madness 2019 in the US If you live in the US and want to watch all 67 games in the NCAA tournament, then you’re in luck as there are plenty of ways to watch. While you could watch the games on television, you can also do so from the NCAA’s own March Madness Live app. The app and accompanying website will show all 67 tournament games with a 3-hour free preview that will let you watch games airing on TBS, TNT and truTV. However, once the time limit is up, you’ll have to login using the credentials from your cable provider. One thing to note is that any games shown on CBS, which is free over-the-air, won’t count against the 3-hour time limit. If you have a cable subscription and would prefer to watch March Madness on your TV, truTV will show all of the games in the First Four, CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV will show the first and second rounds, CBS and TBS will show the regional semifinals and finals and CBS will show the Final Four as well as the national championship. Don’t want to pay for a premium cable subscription to watch March Madness? Don’t worry as there are a number of streaming services that give you access to CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. To make things easier for you, we’ve listed some of our favorite options below. And don't forget about our handy little VPN trick if you're outside the US when you try to watch and find that your preferred broadcaster's coverage is geo-blocked. Your options to live stream March Madness 2019 online One streaming service worth considering to watch this year's tournament is Sling TV. The company is currently running a promotion where new users can get 40% off its Sling Orange and Sling Blue packages for the first three months. Basically this means you can watch March Madness 2019 on Sling TV for as little as $15 per month during the tournament. Don't want Sling? Then these other options are worth a look, too. PlayStation Vue $44.99 per month - PlayStation Vue's  basic Access package offers over 45 channels including ABC, TNT, ESPN and ESPN2. A 5-day trial to Playstation Vue is also available to help you get started. DIRECTV NOW $50 per month - DIRECTV NOW gives users all the channels needed to watch the NBA and loads of other sporting events. Use DIRECTV NOW’s 7-day trial to test out the platform for yourself.  YouTubeTV $40 per month - YouTubeTV gives you access to TNT, ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and ESPN. Hulu with Live TV $40 per month - Hulu with Live TV includes ABC, TNT, CBS, Fox, NBC and ESPN. Also check out the best sports streaming sites and services for cord-cutting in 2019 Worldwide March Madness live stream with ESPN Player March Madness is a phenomenon that doesn't necessarily translate that well globally. But if you want to know what all the fuss is about or you're a US expat wanting to catch the college basketball, then ESPN Player has you covered. It's available in the UK, Europe, Middle East, Africa and parts of Asia and comes at a cost of £9.99/€11.99 for the next month (or £69.99/€79.99 for a whole year to get additional content from ESPN). That gets you live and on-demand coverage of every game from the 2019 March Madness, available on desktop and mobile devices. March Madness: what is it and how does it work? We can't imagine you will have landed on this page if you don't already know the answer to these questions. But just in case... Over the course of three weeks, college basketball teams from across the US will play 67 games in total to decide which team will be crowned champion. The tradition dates all the way back to 1939 when there were just eight teams participating in the competition. March Madness begins with Selection Sunday where 32 teams will gain automatic entry as a result of winning their respective conferences and the remaining teams will be picked by a selection committee. Besides learning which teams will play in the tournament, Sunday will also be the first day the bracket will be officially released to the public. The eight teams are divided into four regions and they are then seeded from one to 16 with the top team from each region earning the top seed.  The NCAA tournament then enters the first round where the number one seed will face the number 16 team and the rest of the teams will be matched accordingly with low seed teams facing off against high seed teams. During the second week, the remaining teams will advance to the Sweet Sixteen and then the Elite Eight. Each region’s winners will then head to the Final Four during the third and final week of the tournament where they’ll compete for a place in the national championship to see who will be this year’s winner. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Dyson taps into the wellness trend with new smart light and purifying fan Posted: 21 Mar 2019 08:55 AM PDT British home technology manufacturer Dyson may be best known for its vacuum cleaners, but it’s fast becoming a big name in the wellbeing and personal care market, thanks to its recent innovations in hairstyling and home air purification products.  Now Dyson has launched two new products in this field; the LightCycle task light and the Pure Cool Me personal purifying fan are part of Dyson’s pledge to “give you control over many of the factors that impact your wellbeing, including the air you breathe, and the light, dust, and allergens you’re exposed to''. Dyson AirWrap review Read our Dyson Pure Hot + Cool Link review Best vacuum cleaners 2019 According to Dyson, the LightCycle is a task light that’s “designed to improve visual acuity and provide the right light for the time of day” by adjusting its color temperature (how warm or cool the light appears in terms of color) and brightness “in relation to your local daylight”. It does this by using a “unique time, date, and location-driven algorithm”, which was created using data from “a million satellite-based measurements of light conditions in the Earth’s atmosphere at different times of day”. Image credit: Dyson Small light, lots of data The LightCycle itself contains a 32-bit microprocessor, which interprets this data, communicating it to the optical driver for “dynamic color tuning”, allowing the LightCycle’s warm and cool LEDS to simulate daylight color temperatures.  You may be wondering why you would want such a complex light. Well, according to Dyson and institutions like Harvard Medical School, “low light, flicker, and glare can cause eye strain and visual fatigue”, which Dyson seeks to alleviate with the LightCycle’s “glare protection and low optical flicker” features.  For added personalization, integration with the Dyson Link app means the LightCycle adjusts light output for your age and daily routine. It’s available in desk and floor variants, for $599.99 - $899 / £449.99 - £649.99. This works out at around AU$820 - AU$1200, but it doesn’t look like it’s available in Australia yet, with no word on when it will be rolled out to this territory.  Image credit: Dyson Dyson has also announced the launch of the Pure Cool Me personal purifying fan, which features some of the air filtration and air projection technology we’ve seen in previous products like the Pure Hot+Cool purifying fan heater. With its small stature, the Pure Cool Me is designed to sit on your desk, bedside table, or anywhere else you could do with a steady flow of fresh air.  Aside from keeping you cool, the Pure Cool Me is made to filter the air you breathe in your home.  Image credit: Dyson Dyson says that the HEPA filter within the fan can capture 99.95% of “ultrafine particles such as pollen, mould spores and bacteria” while activated carbon “absorbs and traps gases, odours, and household fumes.” While the company makes no claim that the fan could alleviate health conditions, the removal of many ultrafine particles could be an attractive prospect to those with allergies, or indeed, anyone who’s concerned about indoor pollution. The Pure Cool Me personal purifying fan is available to buy for $350 / £299.99, which works out at around AU$490 based on current conversion rates – again, Dyson hasn’t issued an Australian release date at this time.  Read our Dyson Cyclone V10 review This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Businesses being put at risk by their removable devices Posted: 21 Mar 2019 08:46 AM PDT Despite having best practice guidelines in place, new research from ESET and Kingston Digital has revealed that 70 percent of organizations are failing to take the necessary steps to secure their business. To compile their research, the two firms surveyed over 500 British business leaders to better understand how they are protecting their companies from cyber threats. ESET and Kingston found that there is a significant disconnect between the IT teams that put best practice guidelines in place, procurement teams that provide business equipment and employees that are intended to follow the plan. USB devices pose a significant threat to industrial facilities Your printer: it's a vulnerable, connected device IoT devices now top priority for cybercriminals Unsecured removable devices The research highlighted the fact that a staggering 44 percent of businesses admitted to not securing removable devices using antivirus software which leaves their IT systems exposed to cybersecurity risk and high fines from GDPR and other regulations. By making just a small investment into encrypted USB flash drives, organizations can better protect their infrastructure and even possibly their reputations. Cybersecurity specialist at ESET, Jake Moore explained that British businesses need to move beyond the first step when it comes to improved cybersecurity posture, saying: “British businesses are certainly taking the right steps forward. Putting together the best practice guidelines is, of course, the first step. However, more needs to be done. IT teams must work closely with other departments to ensure that employees are following the guidelines on a day to day basis and they have the right tools to protect their work and the entire organisation. Even though we see some businesses secure their removable devices, all it takes is one infected USB to bring down the whole IT network. When it comes to security, companies need to be 100 per cent secure and recognise that there is no room for error.” Keep your devices protected with the best antivirus This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The best Sprint plans in March 2019 Posted: 21 Mar 2019 08:37 AM PDT The best Sprint plans are all about unlimited data. It has multiple tiers of unlimited data, and the carrier’s most affordable tier actually offers a compelling  value for anyone needing lots of data without concern for HD streaming or mobile hotspot. That value is why it’s one of the best unlimited data plans. While Sprint’s unlimited data plans are strong offerings, you won’t find much in the way of prepaid plans anymore or data allotment plans. So, if those are what you’re looking for, you’ll want to look at T-Mobile’s plans, especially since the carrier has particularly strong prepaid offerings. You can also check out AT&T’s plans or Verizon’s plans for more options. But, if you want to proceed with Sprint for all of its unlimited options, we’re here to help you understand what you’ll be getting. Sprint doesn’t skimp on features as you go up the tiers of its unlimited plans. It stacks on extra perks like extra mobile hotspot, more access to data abroad, faster speeds for certain activities, and subscriptions to streaming services. We’ll break out all the details for you below. Go straight to the plan: View at Sprint.com Sprint unlimited plans: Explained Sprint's unlimited plans start at the base tier, Unlimited Basic. This gives you the unlimited calling, texting, and data you'd expect. Mobile hotspot is also allowed on the plan, but with some speed limitations. The plan also comes with a Hulu subscription, service in Canada and Mexico, and international texting.  For an extra $10 a month per line, you can upgrade to Unlimited Plus, which offers more perks, higher bandwidths for things like streaming and gaming, and more LTE hotspot data. For another $30 per line on top of the Unlimited Basic Plan's price, you get the Unlimited Premium plan, which offers even more.  What's more, all of the plans offer 50GB of data at full speed, so you should only experience throttling during periods of network congestion after you've used 50GB of data. We'll explain each in greater detail in our plan breakdown below. But first, here's what you can expect to pay for the Unlimited Basic Plan: 1st line: $60/month 2nd line: $40/month 3rd-5th lines: $20/month Limited time discount: 5 lines for $20/line/month Sprint plans: access charges Sprint used to list access charges when you go through the process of selecting a plan and a device on its website. These used to be an easy way to turn an attractive plan price sour quickly, as it could tack on over $10 to the price.  Now, Sprint doesn't mention it anywhere that we could find so, so the days of access fees may be on their way out. Sprint's plans will include other taxes and fees though, and they vary by region, so don't expect the price you see first to be the price you pay. The right Sprint plan for you While the focus from Sprint is largely on unlimited data, there is also an option for you if you don't need much. Here, we'll go through the finer details of each plan, so you'll know what you get. This way you can make an informed decision. Sprint Unlimited Basic plan | Unlimited calls, texts and data | $60/month As we've mentioned, this plan comes with all the service you need. It may not all be the fastest, as there are bandwidth limitations for music and gaming, and video streaming is limited to 480p, but it's unlimited in quantity and you get a free Hulu subscription.  The plan also includes 500MB of mobile hotspot at LTE speeds, with unlimited hotspot at 3G speeds after that. On top of that, you get full service and 5GB of LTE data in Mexico and Canada, as well as free texting and basic data in over 200 countries. See the Unlimited Basic plan at Sprint.com Sprint Unlimited Plus plan | Unlimited calls, texts and data | $70/month The Unlimited Plus plan from Sprint offers everything the Unlimited Basic plan does and more. Video streaming is allowed at 1080p, and you get 50GB of mobile hotspot at LTE speeds before being knocked down to 3G. In addition to the Hulu subscription, you also get Tidal Premium. And, for use in Mexico and Canada, you get 10GB of LTE data instead of the 5GB included in the basic plan. On top of those upgrades, music streaming is allowed at 1.5Mbps and gaming is allowed at 8Mbps. And, for a limited time, if you bring your own device when switching to Sprint, you can save $10 per month on this plan. See the Unlimited Plus plan at Sprint.com Sprint Unlimited Premium plan | Unlimited calls, texts and data | $90/month The Unlimited Premium plan takes everything that much further. You still get the unlimited calls, texts, and LTE data, but with this plan, you also keep them while in Canada and Mexico. The mobile hotspot LTE cap is raised even further to 100GB, and 1080p streaming is allowed. The perks are increased as well. You get Hulu, Tidal Premium, Lookout Premium Plus, and an Amazon Prime subscription. And, if you like to use ride hailing services, the plan also includes two $10 credits each month toward Uber rides. The plan is a fair bit pricier, but you can get $10/month off if you bring your own device when switching to Sprint. See the Unlimited Premium plan at Sprint.com Sprint 2GB plan| Unlimited calls and texts | $40/month If you don't use much data and just want to have all the calling and texting with a sprinkle of the web and YouTube on top, this may be the plan for you. Unfortunately, if you think you'll need more than this, your only other option is to go up to an Unlimited plan. See the 2GB plan at Sprint.com Sprint plans: Other options If you're looking to get more than just a mobile phone plan, Sprint also offers plans for tablets, smartwatches, and mobile broadband hotspot devices. These start from $10 for unlimited data on a smartwatch, $15 for unlimited data on a tablet, and $30 for 10GB on a mobile hotspot. See Sprint's connected device plans here Sprint phones Don't forget that with a great smartphone plan, you'll also want to have a great smartphone. Check out the best smartphones for Sprint. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Anthem update news, DLC, tips, patch notes and more Posted: 21 Mar 2019 08:36 AM PDT Anthem, BioWare's cooperative, team-based shooter is a change of pace for the makers of Dragon Age and Mass Effect. With a focus on cooperative PvE combat popularised by the likes of Destiny, it landed amid a swirl of hype and expectation, which it has so far failed to meet. Anthem has a big challenge in front of it then – with arguments that its endgame content is weak, its loot system broken and its story not up to scratch when compared with previous narrative-driven BioWare RPGs, it's fighting to win back the hearts of those who were initially in awe of its promise. With EA backing it and BioWare's heritage at its heart, there's hope yet that Anthem will be redeemed. It's being touted as a "living" game after all – one that will evolve over time to keep its fans entranced long after launch – and the likes of behemoths such as Destiny and Fortnite all went through rough launches before becoming gaming juggernauts. So what's the latest Anthem news? When's the next update? And what does the future hold for Anthem? Read on for everything you need to know about the Iron Man simulator. As we said in our full Anthem review: "It is a game of oxymorons and inconsistencies. The story is designed to be single-player but the game is clearly not. The gameplay is an absolute joy but is stifled by the repetitive nature of the end-game. The character animations are truly sublime, but most of the characters themselves are cliché and predictable.  "Anthem is a fun game, and a stunningly pretty one, but with flaws in nearly every other aspect of its design. It will improve with patches, updates, and a strong community, but it isn’t a particularly strong foundation. This is less an anthem, and more an annoying earworm..." Anthem review: check out our complete, in-depth verdict in our full review Anthem update news and Anthem patch notes What's new? An update which will include neat boosts for PC players According to information imparted by a developer livestream that took place recently, patch 1.04 is making some important changes, including removing the loading screen for the Forge (the presence of this, and other loading screens, being one of the biggest sources of irritation for players). Also with this patch, Elysian chests are being added to the game, to reward those who kill the boss at the end of strongholds. These can contain vanity items and crafting embers, and you get the key to the chest by completing a specific daily challenge (every player in the squad gets the rewards in an opened chest, incidentally). Loot has also been further tweaked with stronghold and freeplay chests getting improved drop rates for rarer gear. In addition, there are some smart visual changes on the PC, including the introduction of a FOV (Field of View) slider. This will give access to various different FOV settings, including a Ground FOV, Zoomed FOV, Pilot FOV, Flight FOV, and Swim FOV. Those who own an Nvidia RTX graphics card will be pleased to hear that DLSS support is coming to the game with patch 1.04, and various miscellaneous performance optimizations have been implemented, too. Finally, for those who want to exercise the power of multiple graphics cards, the developer also noted that: “SLI support is still being looked into.”  This update should be implemented next week. March 15 update One of the main complaints (bugs, even) relating to Anthem is the quality of its loot. It's been all-but-proven to be pointless, given that the game scales a player's power over the course of play. A small update on March 15 2019 aimed to address that. "In the latest server-side update, we've made some notable changes to the loot drop rate in specific scenarios, which will take effect immediately in a server-side tuning update," the team said on publisher EA's website. "These changes include: Masterwork & Legendary drop rates have been increased for Grandmaster 2 and Grandmaster 3 difficulty levels, and Masterwork & Legendary drop rates have been increased for harder enemies at all difficulty levels.  This includes: Legendary Ancient Ash Titan, Elite Ancient Ash Titan, Legendary Fury, Legendary Ursix and Legendary Luminary." It is a positive early update from the team, as it begins to collate issues the game's core fans are uncovering. And it proves a sight more positive than having to figure out how to stop some consoles from crashing when playing the digital version of Anthem – a harrowing early bug the developers rushed to squash. Anthem tips and tricks guides Anthem is a complex game. With four classes to master, a ton of loot to uncover and large world to explore, it can be daunting for a newcomer, and difficult for even a long term player to master. Get ahead of the pack with our selection of Anthem guides, designed to help you get your Iron Man-like Javelin suit fighting fit as soon as possible. Best weapons in Anthem: how to build the strongest loadout Best Anthem Javelin: which is the class best suited to you Best Anthem gear: how to customize your Javelin's build How to make money in Anthem: your guide to earning shards and coins Anthem DLC – what's next? Anthem is an ongoing project at EA and BioWare, a game that both companies expect to support for many years, with a player base that will grow and evolve along with the game. How do both teams hope to achieve this? Through regular content drops, that's how. As pictured above, EA and BioWare have already mapped out the "ongoing narrative of Anthem", with updates mapped out already until May 2019. This first "Act" is called "Echoes of Eternity", with March 2019 introducing the "Evolving World" chapter, April 2019 the "Stronger Together" chapter and May 2019 bringing the ominous sounding "Cataclysm" chapter. Evolving World will focus on battles with huge bosses such as Titans of War, Ruin, Bane and Havoc in freeplay mode, as well as new Legendary missions and a Scar Infestation freeplay event. Stronger Together will expand the endgame with a new Mastery System for the skill tree progression, as well as host of new freeplay events, more legendary missions, a new Stronghold called "The Sunken" (which will have its own weekly challenge) as well as the introduction of leaderboards and guilds. As for what the Catyclysm brings, little is known at the moment beyond the promise of new freeplay events, missions and new items. We'll presumably find out more as the year rolls on. But what about paid DLC? EA has yet to announce it's mid-to-long term plans for Anthem. We'd expect it will follow a similar path as Destiny, which had a continued supply of small improvements and features added, interspersed with larger paid-for DLC packs, before an eventual sequel.  That is, of course, if Anthem can prove its staying power... Here's hoping – there's a gem at the heart of Anthem, waiting to be dug out. We're hopeful that we'll one day be playing Anthem at its strongest. More interested in EA's sports offering? Here's everything we know about FIFA 19 All image credits: EA / BioWare This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

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