Apple : Best note-taking apps for Android in 2019 |
- Best note-taking apps for Android in 2019
- Best Android phone 2019: which should you buy?
- Best laptops under $500: the best cheap laptops around
- Best Mac 2019: the best Macs to buy this year
- The best Ultrabooks 2019: top thin and light laptops reviewed
- Best wireless earbuds: the best Bluetooth earbuds and earphones in 2019
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| Best note-taking apps for Android in 2019 Posted: 19 Jun 2019 01:32 PM PDT Smartphones provide incredible flexibility for the home consumer or business user, not least with the profusion of apps available to use. It doesn't matter whether you're just looking to write a shopping list, make creative notes, or take business minutes and reminders, there are a lot of options available. This is not least with Android being the most widely-used operating system for smartphones, with over 85% market share which makes it an especially important platform to have the tools you need and want to use. Whether you're just typing text, writing with a stylus, or scribbling with your finger, there are a lot of different note-taking apps for Android out there. Some are focused more on just taking simple notes, while others come with more features and functionality that can turn your smartphone into a digital notebook, or workbook. We'll therefore take a look at what we think are the best in note-taking apps for Android, according to a range of different features and use options.
Image Credit: Google For decades, Microsoft has dominated the software scene, and things haven’t changed today. Offered as part of the Office family of productivity apps, OneNote is one of the most popular and capable note-taking apps you can get. This app is capable of a great deal, whether you want to capture information from emails or embed Excel tables. This app is a multi-platform affair which is hooked up to the cloud, meaning that if you’ve written some notes on your laptop, you can pull these up in a meeting via your smartphone. OneNote works across Windows, Mac, iOS and Android devices. The Android app is easy to use and works as a flexible canvas, letting you type, handwrite, draw and clip things you find on the web. What’s more, you can even scan notes made on paper and make them searchable through OneNote. To organize your notes, you can create tags, labels, to-do lists and follow-up items. It’s also possible to categorize notes based on their importance. OneNote allows for collaboration, letting you share your virtual notebooks with anyone. People can leave comments and follow-up questions on your notes as well. The best thing about OneNote, though, is that it’s completely free to download while offering a plethora of premium capabilities.
Image Credit: Google Evernote is a well-respected and powerful productivity app. It’s described as an organization and planning app that lets you take both typed and handwritten notes, create to-do lists, scan documents using your camera, and collaborate on content with others. The great thing about Evernote is that it makes use of a variety of media. For instance, you can create notes in text form, or as sketches, photos, audio, video, PDFs or web clippings. Just like Microsoft’s OneNote, this app is underpinned by cloud technology. That means you can sync content across all your devices from computers through to tablets and phones. In other words, if you start a task on one device, you can complete it on another. With Evernote, you can create, share and discuss content with your colleagues as well. The app is currently free to download, but the business package – which gives you most of the collaborative tools – costs $14.99 per user per month.
Image Credit: Google Material Notes is a streamlined app that allows you to create notes, to-do lists and reminders. These are all color-coded and stored within a card-style interface to keep things better organised, and to make it easy to find relevant information. You also get the ability to mark important notes with stars, and these are saved within a category based on the urgency of projects. To ensure you never misplace an important note or list, you can easily locate anything by making use of the app’s search function. Plus you can create and place widgets on your home screen, which give you quick access to your notes. In terms of security, you can create a four-digit pin for all your notes, ensuring that sensitive information doesn’t get into the wrong hands. And the app allows you to easily and swiftly import content stored on other devices. Material Notes is free to download, with premium plans costing up to $9.29 (£6.70). You can access these as in-app purchases.
Image Credit: Google Google offers a highly capable note-taking app in the form of Keep, which allows you to create as many notes and lists as you want. And you don’t need to stick to mere text – you can also add images and audio to your notes. In fact, there’s even the ability to record memos for the app to automatically transcribe. That’s particularly handy if you’ve had a light bulb moment and want to get it noted down somewhere quickly. Similarly to OneNote, you can scan handwritten notes, receipts, invoices and other documents through your camera. Google Keep is a pretty decent productivity app for teams, too. You can easily share notes and collaborate with others. Other features include color-coded labels, reminders and the benefit of multi-platform support. The app is free to download from the Play Store.
Image Credit: Google It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when an app is weighed down with tons of features, many of which you might never use. Simplenote is designed for people who just want a quick, easy-to-use piece of software to jot down spontaneous ideas. Just open up the app, and right away you can create notes and lists. As you continue to use the software and amass more notes, you’re able to organize them with tags and pins. Every time you create a new note, it’s stored in the cloud and can be accessed through other devices. The app is completely free to download and use.
Image credit: Keep My Notes Keep My Notes is a note-taking app for Android that comes with a number of neat features. For starters, you can create handwritten notes using a finger or stylus, plus there's also the option to create notes using a built-in text-to-speech feature. There are also various formatting options available to bold, underline, or italicize - among other things - plus the ability to add audio to your notes. Even better, for added security, you can password protect notes. Notes can be set up like sticky notes on your home screen, and notes can even shared with other apps. There are different light or dark themes available, and the display can be changed to portrait for phones and landscape for tablets. Additionally, you can also change the text size and color when inputting text for your notes in the first place, which can be very handy. Altogether, Keep My Notes is a handy little package that backs up to the cloud. You can run the app for free with ads, but there are in-app purchases, not least to run ad-free. Other note-taking apps for Android to considerThe above are only a small selection of the number of note-taking apps available for Google's Android operating system. There are plenty more available at the Google Play store and we'll cover some of the most popular alternatives below: Samsung Notes is Samsung's replacement for S Notes and Memo, and is a general notepad for organizing text, images, and audio. Where it differs from others are the extra features for scribbling or sketching, with various color editor options that make it as much as an all-purpose sketchbook as a notepad, depending on what you want to get from it. Notes is another general notepad app which allows you to organize text, images, and audio. It has a simple but clean look that makes it easy to work with. Notes also allows for password-protected areas, and is free to use when running ads, which can be switched-off using an in-app purchase of about two dollars. Classic Notes is one of the simplest apps listed, and this is probably one of its selling points. While it allows for taking basic notes, it doesn't do much more, so people not so use to smartphones and apps should be able to get a lot of use from it without becoming so confused by features and options present in other apps. It's free to use, but contains ads. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best Android phone 2019: which should you buy? Posted: 19 Jun 2019 12:51 PM PDT The best Android phones of 2019 are looking very intriguing with slimmer bezels and some startling new designs. Given the growing number of killer Android smartphones, it can hard to pick the best one to suit your specific needs, but we’ve had plenty of hands-on time to list the best – and the rest. For now, Samsung is still holding strong thanks to its talent for blending features, high specs, and a great design alongside some stunning cameras in its new S10 line. But given the advancements coming from competing Google Pixel and Huawei phones, the roster of best Android smartphones will keep getting more interesting. The new OnePlus 7 Pro is a scrappy contender in its own right. If you’re hunting for a new Android smartphone, be sure to check all of these handsets out, as you'll likely find some you might not have heard of or haven't taken seriously. You can also compare the list to our best phones and best unlocked phones to see how Android and iOS devices stack up. And, if you need mobile service to go with your phone, we can help you find the best unlimited data plan. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best Android phones on the market right now.
While the Samsung Galaxy S series has only made incremental improvements in recent years, the Galaxy S10 Plus makes a bit more of a substantial leap ahead with new features and an even sleeker look. While the other models in the series have their advantages, the S10 Plus is simply the best of the best – top specs, an expanded camera suite and some shiny new tricks. The Snapdragon 855 at the phone's core competes with the Apple A12 for the fastest chip you can get in phones, and the 8GB RAM makes browsing and gaming speedy. The baseline 128GB of storage is great, but you can also pick up the phone with 512GB – or even 1TB, if you pay for the premium ceramic-backed version (which boosts the RAM to 12GB). If that's not enough, storage can be boosted by 512GB via microSD, bumping potential storage to 1.5TB...whoever should need it. The phone has few drawbacks, with a huge 6.4-inch screen in the smallest frame we've seen thanks to a 93% screen-to-body ratio. The in-screen fingerprint sensor is cool, the ability to wirelessly charge other devices using the new Wireless PowerShare feature is even cooler, and we just love the clean look of the phone. Aces all around...if you're willing to pay the (very) high price. Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus
If you hate the smartphone notch, you can still get the best smartphone camera without it. Google’s Pixel 3 comes in smaller and more affordable than its bigger sibling, but it offers the same best-in-class camera performance. The design of the Pixel 3 isn’t quite up to par with the rest of the new flagships from 2018, as it has sizable bezels above and below the screen. It fits a 5.5-inch display with a resolution slightly above Full HD. Though it’s not winning any contests for its looks, the internals are up to the task, with a Snapdragon 845 and 4GB of RAM to power through most tasks quickly. Google’s phones also get timely and ongoing updates to the operating system, so the Pixel 3 may remain relevant longer than some of its competition. Read more: Google Pixel 3 review
The Samsung Galaxy S10e is essentially the iPhone XR for Android: flagship specs at a lower price, with a few features shaved off to cut costs. And yet, the S10e is less of a compromise. It retains an AMOLED display (the XR's is LCD), starts at 6GB of RAM and packs a second ultrawide rear camera to the XR's single wide lens. There are several things the S10e lacks compared to its pricier siblings, but nothing you'll terribly miss: its side-mounted sensor is still more reliable than the in-screen fingerprint sensor on the S10 and S10 Plus. The 2x telephoto lens on its bigger siblings isn't as useful as the ultrawide sensor it keeps. But most importantly, it's a cheaper, smaller phone in a sea of Android phones that are getting larger and pricier. The S10e is a more distinct alternative to the S10 Plus than the standard S10, which ends up being a middle child that doesn't quite earn its price hike from its budget flagship sibling. Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy S10e
Image credit: TechRadar The OnePlus 7 Pro is the pinnacle of the company's design ethos: top-tier specs and software at sub-flagship prices. While the latter is still true - and you can get the standard OnePlus 7 a little cheaper, if you want - the pricetag for the elite OnePlus 7 Pro is creeping closer to the competitors it had previously outvalued. But arguably, the upgrades from last year's OnePlus 6T are worth it. The new handset adds a third ultrawide camera (following the Samsung Galaxy S10 line and Huawei Mate 20 Pro before it), retains its in-display fingerprint sensor, and even bumps up the resolution to an impressive WQHD+ (1,440 x 3,120) for a sharper-than-ever picture. The OnePlus 7 Pro's real innovation is a seamless, no-notch display - made possible by a persicope 16MP selfie camera. It pops up when taking selfies, but also when unlocking the phone with facial recognition. It even auto-retracts when the phone's gyroscope detects it's been dropped, though we haven't tested how effective this is. All in all, the phone is a solid upgrade over its predecessor, though its extreme value over leading flagships has diminished somewhat. Read more: OnePlus 7 Pro review
The Samsung Galaxy S10 is an incredible phone – a true flagship that ticks all the boxes and even has a few new tricks that make it a bit more than just an incremental upgrade over the Galaxy S9. But with the addition of the 'budget flagship' S10e to the S10 line, the standard edition is a bit harder of a sell. Don't get us wrong, it's still a fantastic phone. Packing the latest Snapdragon 855 chip and doubling the RAM to 8GB makes the standard S10 a powerful device, and the baseline 128GB of storage is very welcome. The new in-screen fingerprint scanner is pretty cool, and the extra 2x optical telephoto and ultrawide lens are reasons alone to pick this over last year's Galaxy S9. The new Wireless PowerShare is very handy in a pinch to charge other devices. But for a noticeable price cut, you aren't missing much if you opt for the S10e; and on the other side, for a bit higher price, the S10 Plus offers a slightly larger screen, another selfie camera for portrait depth, and a higher spec ceiling. Thus, the standard S10 is likely for folks who want a flagship that's not too big, not too small, yet is powerful enough to last years of use. Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy S10
Huawei's P series has always taken photography seriously, and the P30 Pro takes that to an extreme. Where other phones have struggled to fit more than a 3x optical zoom in ever-slimmer phones, Huawei circumvented that limit with a novel design: lay its lens stack along the phone's length and use a mirror to reflect it out the rear cover. Hence the "periscope" lens, which manages 5x optical zoom, a 10x digital zoom and a baffling 50x full digital zoom. The phone is no slouch in other departments, either, sporting Huawei's latest Kirin 980 chip to reach speeds on par with Apple and Samsung flagships. Respectable RAM and storage round out the phone's specs, but you'll pick up the P30 Pro for its astounding photo capabilities, which include impressive DSLR-level ISO, per Huawei's claims. Alas, Huawei phones aren't the easiest to get in the US – you'll have to pick them up wholesale from a retailer, since no carrier currently sells the company's devices and network support is limited. If not for that scarcity issue, this phone would likely rank higher in our list. But if sourcing your phone isn't much of an issue, the P30 Pro looks to be a great choice. Read our full review: Huawei P30 Pro
The Galaxy Note 9 may not reign supreme after other phones have surpassed it this far into 2019, but its high specs and handy stylus keep it on our list of best Android devices. With a sharp, 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display, the Note 9 offers a great viewing experience for anyone that’s on the go often. Inside, it’s powered by the same components as the Galaxy S9 Plus, but with larger storage capacities available, a bigger battery, and more RAM optional. The Galaxy Note 9 sets itself apart with the S Pen, which enables some handy hands-free features and smooth note-taking. The cameras on front and back are just as impressive as the Galaxy S9 Plus shooters. For everything that the S9 Plus offers and a little bit more, this is a winner if you have the wiggle room in your budget. Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy Note 9
Huawei’s Mate 20 Pro isn’t the easiest to get your hands on in the US, but that doesn’t make it any less impressive a phone. It’s the best we’ve ever seen from Huawei, and stacks up well against all other Android phones. It’s QHD display measures 6.39 inches and supports HDR10 for a great visual experience, as long as notches aren’t an issue There’s a fingerprint sensor embedded underneath the display as well. Inside, it’s offering impressive performance with Huawei’s own Kirin 980 chipset and 6GB or 8GB of RAM. It comes with plenty of storage and a large battery as well. The camera offering on the Mate 20 Pro is truly impressive, with a combination of three cameras on the back and a super-sharp 24MP selfie camera. The rear camera system combines a 40MP wide-angle sensor, an 8MP telephoto sensor, and a 20MP ultra-wide sensor. The result is an incredibly versatile snapper with AI backing it up. Read more: Huawei Mate 20 Pro review
Google’s Pixel 3 XL is a bit bigger and blockier than its smaller sibling, with sizable bezels that are less and less ignorable in 2019. The phone still has one of the best camera setups on the market, and it does that with just one rear sensor, two front-facing sensors, and a whole lot of software optimization, so credit where credit is due. The design of the Pixel 3 XL isn’t quite as dazzling as the other offerings on this list, but it’s passable. It boasts a 6.3-inch OLED screen, but has a glaring notch at the top. The dual front-facing speakers help make up for that unsightly notch. The internals are also competitive with the other flagship phones. And, with regular operating system updates guaranteed by Google, the Pixel 3 XL may have a longer life than some of the competition. Read more: Google Pixel 3 XL review
While many try, it can be really hard to beat a Samsung flagship that nails just about every aspect of being a great Android smartphone. The Galaxy S9 Plus offers so much to meet the varied needs of just about any phone user. Even after it's been surpassed by the S10 Plus, the venerable S9 Plus is still a quality phone that you can now get pretty cheap. The design of the Galaxy S9 Plus is great, with a nearly bezel-less display measuring 6.2 inches across. That screen is crisp with a high resolution, and it’s only made better by the Super AMOLED technology. And, let’s not forget about the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack and an IP68 rating against water and dust ingress. Pair that great design with powerful internals, ample storage that’s expandable via microSD card, and a suite of capable smartphone camera sensors, and you’ve got an easy winner. The pot is only sweetened by the lower price of the Galaxy S9 Plus compared to phones like the Mate 20 Pro, iPhone XS, and Galaxy Note 9. Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus
LG may not be as present in the collective phone consumer consciousness as it once was, but it’s recent smartphones have been quality options. The LG G7 ThinQ is a testament to that. Inside, the LG G7 is similar to other flagships, with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset and 4GB or 6GB of RAM depending on the device’s storage size. It has a 6.1-inch display with a sharp 1440 x 3120 resolution, and can offering a blazing 1000 nits when you really need to see the screen in direct sunlight. The dual-sensor system on the rear offers both a standard camera and a super-wide-angle lens for versatile shooting. AI helps the cameras along as well, recognizing scenes and subjects to dial in the settings so you can get a good shoot. Read our full review: LG G7 ThinQ This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best laptops under $500: the best cheap laptops around Posted: 19 Jun 2019 12:46 PM PDT We know that times are hard for almost everyone out there, and that doesn’t make replacing your aging laptop hardware any easier. Luckily, the list of the best laptops under $500 is slowly growing with truly quality devices that are worth the plastic and silicon they were printed on. While it’s still a small gathering of worthy laptops under $500, we’ve rounded up the most impressive that we’ve reviewed within the past year. Our list includes both forms of 2-in-1 laptops and incredibly affordable Chromebooks that will get the job done for minimal impact to your bottom line. Each of the products below scored at least four stars in one of our in-depth reviews, making them worthy of inclusion in a TechRadar buying guide. With that, you can buy one of these laptops with confidence that it has been thoroughly tested and critiqued by our expert editors.
An affordable Surface device has been in demand since the first Surface Pro, but the wait has ended at last. Microsoft's Surface Go is not only the best Windows tablet for ultra-mobility, but the best cheap laptop around. Thin, feathery, mobile and elegant, but without the high cost, Microsoft has packed in everything they could in a Surface for under 500 bucks. If you’re a student, or just looking to spend less than a grand on a laptop, the Microsoft Surface Go is a winner for both work and play. Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Go
The Microsoft Surface Book 2 is plenty pricey, but the Acer Switch 3 is a fine alternative for far less cash. This tablet is designed around largely the same idea as the Surface Book 2, but it's clearly less capable, thanks to lower-power components. However, for most tasks it's a plucky little computer. What this 2-in-1 laptop holds over Microsoft's 'Pro' and 'Go' models is that it comes with the keyboard included. Of course, the Acer Switch 3 comes in several configurations, with USB-C, 8GB of memory, an IPS touchscreen and an Intel Core i3 7100U processor coming with the pricier option. Read the full review: Acer Switch 3
The top Chromebook is an affordable product that anyone can approach. And, in that vein, it's easy to see how the Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 2-in-1 cuts the mustard. This isn’t the strongest Chromebook out there – rather, it's exactly what people need it to be: budget-friendly, easy to use and able to take a beating. The Dell Inspiron 11 2-in-1 is ready to handle all your web browsing and document editing, and for that it's one of the best cheap laptops, as it won’t shatter from a simple stumble. Read the full review: Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 2-in-1
With a shiny chassis that rivals the most recent MacBook, it’s easier to forgive the fact that the Acer Chromebook 15 is the only straight-laced laptop on this list. Every other laptop on this list is fully convertible, leaving the Acer Chromebook 15 having to prove itself with more than stylish looks. This gorgeous, 15-inch Chromebook makes an amazing impression with its battery life, too, lasting nearly 17 hours in our battery test. That's crazy for a 15-inch laptop – Chromebook or not. Read the full review: Acer Chromebook 15
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| Best Mac 2019: the best Macs to buy this year Posted: 19 Jun 2019 12:43 PM PDT With the Mac Pro 2019, macOS Catalina and possibly a new Macbook coming later in 2019, not to mention Apple just rolling out a 15-inch MacBook Pro refresh so that it’s now officially supporting Intel's latest 9th-generation Core processors (CPUs), the best Macs are only getting better and better. Though if you want to get your hands on one of the best Macs now, there’s already quite a few to choose from. Just keep in mind that specs, performance and design mean way more in how they interact with the OS itself than any of them separately. That’s why it’s not really productive to compare a Mac to a Windows 10 machine. The best Macs are incredibly diverse. We don’t know what’s in the cards for future Macs, at least beyond the new Mac Pro, but we’re sure there’s still plenty of life in Apple’s computers. That means that if you don’t have to budget to purchase the latest Macs, the older models will more than suffice and also save you some cash. In addition, the best Macs cover everything from thin and light notebooks like the 12-inch MacBook to professional workhorses like the iMac Pro. So, it can be tricky deciding on the perfect Mac for you. That’s why we decided to gather up all the best Macs we’ve used – iMacs, MacBooks and more – to help you answer that question. The only Macs that you won’t find here are the ones that we’ve either not been able to review, or just weren’t good enough. So, let’s dive in to all the best Macs you can buy right now.
When Apple refreshed the MacBook back in 2016, it wasn’t anything to write home about, despite being more attractive than ever before. And, while the controversy hasn’t been forgotten entirely, the 12-inch MacBook has found its niche as an ultraportable and lightweight laptop. It’s low on ports, but in a laptop this thin, that’s hardly a surprise. It can support basically everything under the sun with its Thunderbolt 3 port, anyway. It’s not as powerful as the MacBook Pro, but if you’re looking for a MacBook that’s easy to take with you wherever you go, look no further. Read the full review: Apple MacBook (2017)
Mac Mini fans, rejoice! The Mac Mini has finally been refreshed with modern hardware, bringing Apple’s tiniest Mac into the modern age. This tiny thing is filled to the brim with 8th-generation desktop processors, a ton of RAM and some of the fastest SSDs we’ve seen – all while keeping the same beloved form factor. It’s a bit more expensive this time around, but with the raw speed on offer, we’d have to say it’s worth it. Read the full review: Mac Mini 2018
If you’re looking for the most performance you can get in a MacBook, and you can afford it, you’ll want to look at the MacBook Pro 15-inch. Now with hexa-core 9th-generation processors and up to 32GB of RAM, you won’t be held back by anything you throw at this thing – especially now that you can get Radeon Pro Vega 20 graphics. With this kind of performance, the MacBook Pro effortlessly takes the top spot on our best Macs list. Read the full review: MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid-2018)
The iMac has long been one of the most affordable ways to get into the macOS ecosystem, and that’s pretty much the same this time around – short of picking up a Mac mini. What’s different is that the iMac is packed with 8th- and 9th-generation desktop-class processors this time around, letting this elegant all-in-one PC reach that fabled 8-core performance. If you’re looking for an all-in-one Mac, the new 27-inch iMac is your best bet, at least if you’re not looking to spend five stacks on the iMac Pro. Read the full review: iMac (27-inch, 2019)
For much of the year, the biggest complaint with the MacBook Pro was that it was still using Kaby Lake processors, even though its competition had moved ahead. Luckily, the MacBook Pro 2018 changes everything, and is more powerful than ever before, with the 13-inch getting the 8th-gen Intel Core CPU in its souped up configuration. It still has the controversial Butterfly keyboard, but it’s been improved – with less noise and more reliability. It’s easy to recommend the 13-inch MacBook Pro 2018 for anyone looking for the best Mac. Read the full review: MacBook Pro with Touch Bar (13-inch, mid-2018)
If you’re a professional or a creative, and you require something that will be able to tackle any workload you could possibly throw at it, you’re going to enjoy using the iMac Pro. Not only does it have a vivid 27-inch 5K display with a P3 wide color gamut, but it’s also packed with the most powerful hardware Apple could get its hands on. It’s extremely expensive however, and meant mostly for folks looking for unbridled power to get through professional workloads. If you’re one such consumer, then the iMac Pro is the best Mac for you. Read the full review: iMac Pro
We’ve been waiting years for a new MacBook Air, and now that it’s here, we can say for sure it’s worth the wait. Now thinner, lighter and with a Retina display for the first time, it’s easily the best MacBook Air we’ve ever used. With 8th-generation processors, more RAM and faster SSDs, the MacBook Air is also more powerful than ever. The only thing that would make this better is if it were fitted with full-fat U-series quad core chips, rather than the Y-series dual-core fanless processors. Still, this means that you’re going to easily get all-day battery out of this thing, which makes it one of the best Macs for travel. Read the full review: MacBook Air 2018 Michelle Rae Uy, Bill Thomas and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article
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| The best Ultrabooks 2019: top thin and light laptops reviewed Posted: 19 Jun 2019 12:33 PM PDT The best Ultrabooks aren’t just for getting work done; they’re also a status symbol of sorts. Just think about it: you’re sitting at a coffee shop, where everyone is either using a Chromebook or some big and bulky laptop relic. Then, you whip out an Ultrabook, and its thinner, lighter, faster and more attractive – not to mention, rocking the best processors and SSDs on the market. These thin and light beauties are as much about portability as they are about sheer horsepower. The best Ultrabooks won’t freeze up on you when you’re trying to get an important project done, or run out of battery on a short flight. And, you can simply slide it in your backpack and carry it around with you without any effort. We took the time to find the best Ultrabooks on the market for you, so you can enjoy the best of both worlds. From household names like Dell and HP, to brands you might not have heard of like Huawei, these thin and light beauties will get you through your work day in style. We tested and reviewed all these Ultrabooks ourselves, so you can be confident you’re getting your money’s worth.
For a few years now, Huawei has been lurking in the shadows, ready to take on the best Ultrabooks, and its time in the spotlight has finally arrived. Like the Huawei MateBook X Pro before it, the Huawei Matebook 13 packs in a ton of powerful hardware into an appealing shell, all while keeping the price low enough for anyone to afford. Plus, we have to mention those discrete graphics – it may be one of the smallest laptops out there to pack an MX150 GPU. It’s not hard to see why the Huawei Matebook 13 is the best Ultrabook right now. Read the full review: Huawei MateBook 13
The Dell XPS 13 has been the best Ultrabook for years, but while it’s been dethroned by the Huawei MateBook 13, it remains one of the Ultrabooks to beat in 2019. This time around, Dell has moved the webcam from the bottom of the display to the top, fixing one of the biggest disappointments that plagued the XPS 13 for years. Add in the updated internals, and the Dell XPS 13 is still makes our best Ultrabooks list – even in the face of tough competition. Read the full review: Dell XPS 13
Sometimes an Ultrabook comes along that completely changes the game. And, the 2018 model of the Huawei MateBook X Pro did just that. This beautiful Ultrabook brings high-end components into an elegantly designed package that puts even the MacBook Pro to shame. It really is one of the best Ultrabooks on the market. And, despite the disappointing 2019 model that admittedly touts an Intel Whiskey Lake processor, it’s still the 2018 model that’s captured our computing cores. Read the full review: Huawei MateBook X Pro
If you’re looking for a powerful and stunning Ultrabook fitted with 2-in-1 functionality, it’s hard to find a better option than the HP Spectre x360. This svelte Ultrabook isn’t just packed with the latest Intel Whiskey Lake processors and plenty of RAM, but it also may just be the most beautiful laptop you can buy today. The HP Spectre x360 won’t just help you get your work done, but will look good while doing it – leaving no doubt that it’s one of the best ultrabooks 2019 has to offer. Read the full review: HP Spectre x360
The original Surface Laptop launched nearly two years ago, and while it was a great Ultrabook, it was held back by relatively weak hardware and Windows 10 S. Thankfully, Microsoft rolled out the Surface Laptop 2 in late 2018, bringing quad-core processors and the full-fat version of Windows 10. Its through these core improvements that the Surface Laptop 2 is able to bring the purest Windows 10 experience on a laptop, at a price that won’t make you run in the opposite direction. Read the full review: Surface Laptop 2
The Lenovo Yoga C930 has most of the makings of the best ultrabook – from 14.5 hours of battery life and dual Thunderbolt-enabled USB-C ports to internal components that will let you breeze through those daily productivity tasks, let alone a 2-in-1 that offers form versatility so you can squeeze in some light gaming and movie-watching. It has a few cherries on top as well, namely the integrated self-charging stylus and the fab speaker system. Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga C930
Razer has made a name for itself in the gaming world. Yet, with the Razer Blade Stealth, the green-themed manufacturer wants people to know that they’re more than just a company “for gamers, by gamers.” This Ultrabook will indeed change your mind by turning into a 13.3-inch, QHD+ beauty. You can no longer upgrade to 4K, but the performance this Ultrabook offers is more than worth that compromise – especially given how beautiful the chassis is. Read the full review: Razer Blade Stealth
Durability meets portability meets performance in this svelte laptop with a reasonable price tag. The Lenovo Yoga 730 isn’t the close-to-perfect machine many premium buyers might be looking for, with drawbacks like heavier weight, average battery life and weak speakers, but it will take you through your daily workload without protest. Lenovo tops that performance off with a reliable keyboard and trackpad, sturdy hinges to switch between tablet and laptop mode, and a thin-bezeled display. Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga 730
Anyone familiar with Apple’s thinnest and lightest laptop would be wise to compare the Asus ZenBook 3 to the 12-inch MacBook. The similarities are startling, but one look at the specs and the differences stand out too. Fitted with the choice of a U-series Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, the ZenBook 3 is puts-many-to-shame powerful, and that’s considering that it’s less than half an inch thick and weighs two pounds. The port selection is sparse, but ultimately it’s well worth the sacrifice, and among the best Asus laptops around. Read the full review: Asus ZenBook 3
It’s no secret that Apple neglected the MacBook Air – at least until the MacBook Air 2018 launched – but, in some cases a Windows Ultrabook can be just as good. Take the Asus ZenBook UX310UA, for instance. With still-good 7th-generation Intel Kaby Lake processors, a 178-degree viewing-angle QHD+ display, a USB-C port and an aluminum build, it’s still one of the best Ultrabooks out there, even after all this time. Read the full review: Asus ZenBook UX310
Bill Thomas and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article Image credit: TechRadar
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| Best wireless earbuds: the best Bluetooth earbuds and earphones in 2019 Posted: 19 Jun 2019 12:05 PM PDT Best Wireless Earbuds 2019: Welcome to TechRadar's guide to the best wireless / Bluetooth earbuds and earphones for 2019 You'd be forgiven for thinking Bluetooth earphones - what we commonly refer to as wireless earbuds - aren't as good as wired ones. That's because, back in the day, Bluetooth wasn't a great way to listen to your favorite music. Basically wireless earbuds sounded worse, had connection issues and became known for having short battery lives. Luckily, times have changed. Thanks to improvements in wireless transmission standards, such as aptX and innovations in battery technology, Bluetooth earbuds are quickly becoming the most popular way to listen to music, and many of the best earbuds feature wireless connectivity. So the big question is: which brands have emerged as the best when it comes to big Bluetooth improvements and the future of audio innovation? Audio companies like Jaybird, Plantronics, Nuforce, RHA and Jabra all are great options, as they've all committed a great deal deal of times and money to improving audio quality without sacrificing battery life – and there are some good options from Sony, Apple and Google too.
Wireless vs True Wireless: What's the difference?Wireless earbuds – the focus of this guide – have existed for awhile now, basically since Bluetooth was invented. Though battery-powered and not physically connected to your phone, they have a cord connecting both buds – and sometimes a band around the neck too. True Wireless earbuds have no cord whatsoever. While wireless allows us to wear headphones a few feet away from our music players, True Wireless cuts the cord between the earbuds, giving us true freedom. If you're looking to go full wireless, we also have a round-up of the best true wireless headphones. Read on for our top wireless Bluetooth earbuds picks.
Image credit: TechRadar The NuForce BE Sport4 wireless earbuds are that rare find: earbuds that are good for basically all situations, whether you're looking to take them out on a run or just wear them around town. They're ideal for exercise, although any urbanite will also find their lightweight functionality and impressive sound isolation highly appealing. If you want proof that wireless headphones can now compete with the best of them, look no further. Read the full review: Optoma NuForce BE Sport4
Image Credit: RHA While they're not the kind of earbuds you'd want to bring with you to the gym, the RHA MA390 Wireless are the perfect companion for anyone looking for a home listening pair of wireless earbuds. The headphones are built extremely well, have a fun sound signature, and come at an affordable price. Its main rival, the OnePlus Bullets Wireless, are also excellent, however we give the nod to the RHA MA390 for its more dynamic sound and better build quality. Read the full review: RHA MA390 Wireless
Image Credit: TechRadar OnePlus is most known for its “flagship killer” phones like the OnePlus 6, but the company also makes headphones – the best example of which are the company’s excellent Bullets Wireless that offer an incredible value in the neck-bud headphone category. They probably shouldn't be your first choice in workout 'buds, or your first choice for better-sounding audio, but if you need cheap wireless earbuds, these are the ones to buy. Read the full review: OnePlus Bullets Wireless
Image Credit: Jaybird The Jaybird Tarah Pro headphones are wireless sport headphones for the endurance runners, athletes and fitness nuts out there. With a neck cable to keep the earbuds together, they aren’t quite ‘true wireless’, but will be practical for those concerned about dropping and losing a costly earbud in the heat of a race or training session. As the first in Jaybird’s new ‘Pro’ range of earbuds and aimed at offering higher quality audio and materials, the Tarah Pro will suit anyone not willing to sacrifice audio quality in harsher outdoor conditions or indoor workouts and who don't mind spending a bit more to get a premium product. Read the full review: Jaybird Tarah Pro
Image Credit: Beats Beats haven't always gotten the best rap when it comes to audio performance, but the Beats X is trying to set the record straight. The Beats X hence make up for their slightly bassy, confined sound with a rock solid connection and a pairing process that, on iOS devices at least, is as painless as it's possible to be. If you’re shopping for a no-fuss pair of earbuds that charge in 5 minutes, work well with iOS and don’t mind spending a little extra money on them, the Beats X are for you. Read the full review: Beats X
Auteursrecht op afbeelding: TechRadar Life is full of compromises, and it's no different with the Bose QuietControl 30. On the positive side you get a level of noise cancellation that comes close to what's offered by the brand's over-ear headphones, but the concession here is on sound fidelity, which just isn’t on the same level as that of other in-ear or over-ear headphones we’ve tested. There's also that neckband which adds an unfortunate level of bulk to what should otherwise be a slimline pair of headphones. Read the full review: Bose QuietControl 30 Or, cut the cord with these true wireless models
Image Credit: TechRadar Although the TrueConnect is RHAs first true wireless headphone, the company showed they did their research and development by making it one of the best true wireless headphones on the market today. The combination of sound quality, battery life, and wireless reliability means these are a pair of headphones you can rely on everyday. The Jabra Elite 65t set the standard for what true wireless headphones should be and, regardless of what RHA has done here with the TrueConnect, they’re still great headphones. Compared to the RHA TrueConnect, the Jabra has more features with its useful ambient noise mode to help with situational awareness and an app that lets you tailor sound. The RHA doesn’t have either of those features but we didn’t miss them, thanks to better sound quality and wireless reliability. The RHA also feels more like a premium product than the all-plastic Jabra. All said, if you’re shopping for a pair of true wireless headphones, the $170 (£150, about AU$265) RHA TrueConnect should be at the very top of your list. Read the full review: RHA TrueConnect
Image Credit: Jabra If you want a pair of high quality truly wireless earbuds that aren’t the Apple AirPods, then the Jabra Elite 65t should be at the top of your list. After spending over a month with them, we came away impressed with the well-rounded package that Jabra managed to create: The earbuds offer a subtle, mature look and a reliable wireless connection, which isn’t always the case with truly wireless earbuds. Plus, they sound great compared to the competition. If you want an alternative for the RHA TrueConnect, go for the Elite 65t. Read the full review: Jabra Elite 65t
Image Credit: Beats / Apple The new PowerBeats Pro true wireless Beats headphones aren't exactly the earbuds analysts have been predicting, sure, but they are something special – they’re supremely comfortable, sound decent and seem to never, ever fall out. That said, they are – in our opinion – Apple’s best true wireless earbuds to date thanks to small additions like the pressure-reducing micro-laser barometric venting hole, their longer battery life and their superior sound quality. If we had to choose between wearing these and the AirPods around the house or office, these are what we’d wear. Read the full review: Beats PowerBeats Pro
Image Credit: TechRadar The NuForce BE Free5 wireless earbuds show just how accessible truly wireless headphones are today. For around $100 (about £75, AU$134) they feature a more polished design than the more expensive BE Free8, and even sound better to boot. However, we found the left earbud would drop out briefly more than we’d like, and we hope NuForce can address this issue. The connection dropouts combined with the frustrating controls keep it from claiming the top spot on our list, but the BE Free5 offer undeniable value in the truly wireless headphone market. Read the full review: Optoma NuForce BE Free5
Image Credit: TechRadar The second generation Apple AirPods, the AirPods (2019), aren't quite the AirPods 2 we were hoping for - they still feature the iconic design of the original AirPods (a good or bad thing depending on your point of view), and sound quality hasn't changed at all. The bulk of the upgrade comes from the new H1 headphone chip, which improves connectivity and battery life, and allows for a new ‘Hey Siri’ voice activation feature. The big difference is that the AirPods (2019) also come with an optional wireless charging case means you can use a Qi-compatible charging mat to power the case, rather than sticking a cable into the Lightning charging port in the bottom of the case. Like their predecessors, they are super easy to pair, but they are very much optimized for using with iPhones – and they aren't exactly cheap. Read our full review: Apple AirPods (2019) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best speech to text app of 2019 Posted: 19 Jun 2019 12:01 PM PDT While speech-to-text used to be specifically only for desktops, the development of mobile devices and the explosion of easily accessible apps means that transcription can now be carried out on a smartphone or tablet. This has made speech-to-text applications increasingly valuable to users in a range of different environments, from education to business. This is not least because the technology has matured to the level where mistakes in transcriptions are relatively rare, with some services rightly boasting a 99.9% success rate from clear audio. Even still, this applies mainly to ordinary situations and circumstances, and precludes the use of technical terminology such as required in legal or medical professions. Despite this, digital transcription can still service needs such as basic note-taking which can still be easily done using a phone app, simplifying the dictation process. However, different speech-to-text programs have different levels of ability and complexity, with some using advanced machine learning to constantly correct errors flagged up by users so that they are not repeated. Others are downloadable software which is only as good as its latest update. Here then are the best in speech-to-text recognition programs, which should be more than capable for most situations and circumstances.
Image Credit: Google If you already have an Android mobile device, then if it's not already installed then download Google Keyboard from the Google Play store and you'll have an instant text-to-speech app. Although it's primarily designed as a keyboard for physical input, it also has a speech input option which is directly available. And because all the power of Google's hardware is behind it, it's a powerful and responsive tool. If that's not enough then there are additional features. Aside from physical input ones such as swiping, you can also trigger images in your text using voice commands. Additionally, it can also work with Google Translate, and is advertised as providing support for over 60 languages. Even though Google Keyboard isn't a dedicated transcription tool, as there are no shortcut commands or text editing directly integrated, it does everything you need from a basic transcription tool. And as it's a keyboard, it means should be able to work with any software you can run on your Android smartphone, so you can text edit, save, and export using that. Even better, it's free and there are no adverts to get in the way of you using it.
Image Credit: Open Planet Software If you want a dedicated dictation app, it’s worth checking out Just Press Record. It’s a mobile audio recorder that comes with features such as one tap recording, transcription and iCloud syncing across devices. The great thing is that it’s aimed at pretty much anyone and is extremely easy to use. When it comes to recording notes, all you have to do is press one button, and you get unlimited recording time. However, the really great thing about this app is that it also offers a powerful transcription service. Through it, you can quickly and easily turn speech into searchable text. Once you’ve transcribed a file, you can then edit it from within the app. There’s support for more than 30 languages as well, making it the perfect app if you’re working abroad or with an international team. Another nice feature is punctuation command recognition, ensuring that your transcriptions are free from typos. This app is underpinned by cloud technology, meaning you can access notes from any device (which is online). You’re able to share audio and text files to other iOS apps too, and when it comes to organizing them, you can view recordings in a comprehensive file. The app is available on iOS devices for $4.99.
IMage Credit: Speechnotes Speechnotes is yet another easy to use dictation app. A useful touch here is that you don’t need to create an account or anything like that; you just open up the app and press on the microphone icon, and you’re off. The app is powered by Google voice recognition tech. When you’re recording a note, you can easily dictate punctuation marks through voice commands, or by using the built-in punctuation keyboard. To make things even easier, you can quickly add names, signatures, greetings and other frequently used text by using a set of custom keys on the built-in keyboard. There’s automatic capitalization as well, and every change made to a note is saved to the cloud. When it comes to customizing notes, you can access a plethora of fonts and text sizes. The app is free to download from the Google Play Store, but you can make in-app purchases to access premium features (there's also a browser version for Chrome).
Image Credit: Apple Marketed as a personal assistant for turning videos and voice memos into text files, Transcribe is a popular dictation app that’s powered by AI. It lets you make high quality transcriptions by just hitting a button. The app can transcribe any video or voice memo automatically, while supporting over 80 languages from across the world. While you can easily create notes with Transcribe, you can also import files from services such as Dropbox. Once you’ve transcribed a file, you can export the raw text to a word processor to edit. The app is free to download, but you’ll have to make an in-app purchase if you want to make the most of these features in the long-term. There is a trial available, but it’s basically just 15 minutes of free transcription time. Transcribe is only available on iOS, though.
Image Credit: Nuance Should you be looking for a business-grade dictation application, your best bet is Dragon Professional. Aimed at pro users, the software provides you with the tools to dictate and edit documents, create spreadsheets, and browse the web using your voice. According to Nuance, the solution is capable of taking dictation at an equivalent typing speed of 160 words per minute, with a 99% accuracy rate – and that’s out-of-the-box, before any training is done (whereby the app adapts to your voice and words you commonly use). As well as creating documents using your voice, you can also import custom word lists. There’s also an additional mobile app that lets you transcribe audio files and send them back to your computer. Overall, the interface is easy to use, and if you get stuck at all, you can access a series of help tutorials. However, the software is far from cheap, retailing at $300.
Image Credit: Google Other speech to text apps to considerThere are an increasing number of apps available across all mobile devices for working with speech to text, not least because Google's speech recognition technology is available for use. SpeechTexter is another speech-to-text app that aims to do more than just record your voice to a text file. This app is built specifically to work with social media, so that rather than sending messages, emails, Tweets, and similar, you can record your voice directly to the social media sites and send. There are also a number of language packs you can download for offline working if you want to use more than just English, which is handy. Voice Notes is a simple app that aims to convert speech to text for making notes. This is refreshing, as it mixes Google's speech recognition technology with a simple note-taking app, so there are more features to play with here. You can categorize notes, set reminders, and import/export text accordingly. ListNote Speech-to-Text Notes is another speech-to-text app that uses Google's speech recognition software, but this time does a more comprehensive job of integrating it with a note-taking program than many other apps. The text notes you record are searchable, and you can import/export with other text applications. Additionally there is a password protection option, which encrypts notes after the first 20 characters so that the beginning of the notes are searchable by you. There's also an organizer feature for your notes, using category or assigned color. The app is free on Android, but includes ads. iTranslate Translator is a speech-to-text app for iOS with a difference, in that it focuses on translating voice languages. Not only does it aim to translate different languages you hear into text for your own language, it also works to translate images such as photos you might take of signs in a foreign country and get a translation for them. In that way, iTranslate is a very different app, that takes the idea of speech-to-text in a novel direction, and by all accounts, does it well. Working with over 100 languages, the basic version is free to use, but the pro version costs $4.99 for a month, or you can subscribe annually for $39.99. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| England vs Japan live stream: how to watch today's Women's World Cup 2019 match from anywhere Posted: 19 Jun 2019 11:54 AM PDT Two matches, two wins for the Lionesses so far after victories over Scotland and Argentina. That means Phil Neville’s side are already into the last 16 and will be hoping to maintain their 100% Women's World Cup 2019 record against second-in-the group Japan. Will they carry on their perfect start, or will Japan nab top spot in Group D? Find out below how you can catch an England vs Japan live stream from anywhere around the world with our instructions below. Having lost to Japan in agonising fashion at the last World Cup, losing 2-1 in the semi-finals via an injury-time own goal, England will be out to make amends. The Lionesses go into the game boosted by the news that Barcelona forward Toni Duggan is fit again after missing the opening two matches due to a thigh injury, but will coach Phil Neville feel tempted to rotate a side that appears to be gelling at just the right time? On the evidence of their first two group matches, Japan's youthful squad don't look quite as capable as they were in the last Women's World Cup, but will likely provide a sterner test to England than Argentina and Scotland. They need a point to ensure they make it through to the next round. Don't miss any of the action by following the instructions below and grabbing a live stream of England vs Japan wherever you are in the world.
Watch a FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 live stream from outside your countryIf you're in UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, we've got your viewing options listed below. If you're out of the country for today's match, you may find that geo-blocking will prevent you from watching your regular domestic coverage from abroad. You don't have to risk watching the match on a dodgy stream, however. With the option of using a VPN service, you can tune into the match no matter where you are in the world, and its super easy to set up.
How to stream today's England game in the UK
How to watch England vs Japan: live stream in Australia
Live stream England vs Japan in the US
- Discover our pick of all the US's best sports streaming sites As well as opening up your viewing options for the Women's World Cup, using a VPN allows you to watch all your domestic sports coverage from abroad.
How to watch a FIFA Women's World Cup live stream in Canada
How to watch an England vs Japan live stream in New Zealand
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| Best webcams 2019: the top webcams for your PC Posted: 19 Jun 2019 11:47 AM PDT While it’s true that it’s hard to find a laptop or all-in-one PC without an HD webcam built in, many desktop PC users require an external solution. Luckily, there are so many webcams out there to choose from. You can pick up one of the best webcams yourself for a similar – or even better – experience. But what should you look for in a webcam? Well, like most things, it all boils down to what you’ll be using it for. Are you looking to become the next Twitch or YouTube celebrity? Will you be using it for video conferencing with work colleagues? Or, do you just want to do Skype video calls with family and friends every now and then? No matter what kind of webcam you’re after, we’ll help you find the perfect fit. From high quality shooters with nice aesthetics to affordable webcams that will go as far as getting the job done right, there’s a great webcam for everyone on this list. Plus, because we’ve included our exclusive price comparison tool, you can find a great deal on the best webcams.
Image Credit: Logitech First on our list of the best webcams 2019 has to offer is Logitech's newest webcam, the Logitech G922 Pro Stream. It features the same classy design as the C920 before it, but it’s especially interesting for gamers this time around. The C922 still boasts excellent 1080p video quality when it comes to hosting video calls, and its automatic low-light correction makes it a great cam for streaming with the lights off. It also supports background removal, making it ideal for budding YouTubers.
Image Credit: Razer The Razer Kiyo looks weird, that’s for sure, but it’s still one of the best webcams out there for streaming – something that’s unbelievably popular in this day and age. With the Razer Kiyo, Razer has stripped away a lot of the bells and whistles that more premium webcams offer, focusing instead on what matters to game streamers and YouTube vloggers – good image quality and lighting through a “Light Ring”. This ensures you don’t need to spend a ton of time configuring the stream – just plug in the Razer Kiyo and get to work.
Image Credit: Microsoft The Microsoft LifeCam Studio is one of the best webcams aimed at pro users with large displays, and features a familiar configuration of 1080p recording and 720p live video calling. It rotates 360 degrees, and can be mounted on a tripod with autofocus. The wideband mic delivers crystal clear sound, and Microsoft’s TrueColor system will shift the exposure dynamically to keep you well lit. It’s a great choice for business conferencing and presentations.
Image Credit: Mevo If you’re an aspiring journalist, or even if you’re only trying to capture footage in the real world, Mevo might be the best webcam for you. Either the Mevo or Mevo Plus will allow you to capture footage live, no matter where you are in the world – as long as you can connect to a mobile network. Plus, because Mevo is small and inconspicuous enough, it won’t distract your subject in the middle of an interview.
Image Credit: Microsoft It isn’t the most attractive webcams, but the LifeCam Studio isn’t designed to be appealing. Instead, it’s made for business conferencing and presentations, with its 1080p recording, 720p live video calling and wideband mic to deliver crystal clear sound. This is a serious piece of peripheral – one that requires a powerful PC for max settings – but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking bells and whistles, like its 360-degree rotating capabilities and Microsoft’s TrueColor system, which will shift the exposure dynamically to keep you well lit. Read the full review: Microsoft LifeCam Studio
Image Credit: Logitech Have you ever looked at a webcam in disgust because it doesn’t push as many pixels as your smartphone? Well, the Logitech Brio might be the webcam of your dreams. With a 4K UHD resolution and HDR, the Logitech Brio has brought high fidelity to the world of the best webcams. If that wasn’t enough, it also boasts Windows Hello functionality and an easy to use stand, which will let you position it to capture your best angle.
Image Credit: Creative Creative may not be the first company to think of when you’re in the market for the best webcams, but with the Creative Labs Senz3D, that’s clearly changed. This space-age webcam has more features than you can shake a stick at, and the high-tech 3D scanner and facial tracking tech promises to lead to some intriguing things in both AR functionality and even gaming. It isn’t exactly cheap, but you’re getting all the bells and whistles with this Creative webcam.
Image Credit: Logitech The C930e claims to be Logitech's most advanced HD webcam yet, so isn’t surprising that it's also one of the most expensive ones on the market. However, unlike traditional webcams, which rely on the PC to do the heavy lifting, this unit does the video encoding itself, which should in turn result in better video quality. The wide, 90-degree field of view means it’s well-suited to business video conferencing and presentations. And of course, it’s Skype-certified for PC and Mac.
Image Credit: Samsung While Samsung smart TV’s aren’t compatible with most of the best webcams, the company has its own proprietary camera for its H, HU, JS and JU models. We wouldn’t recommend buying one for Skype, as the smart TV version of Skype is no longer supported, but if you want to use Samsung’s own gesture control features and virtual mirror for fitness apps, then it’s your only real option.
Image Credit: Ausdom If you’re looking for a full HD webcam without the full HD webcam price, this little webcam is currently pretty cheap. Bolstering resolutions up to 1080p HD while supporting 12MP stills, a noise-cancelling microphone and low-light compensation, this camera is feature-packed yet frugal. There’s no autofocus, and you don’t get a big bundle of software, but that bargain price more than makes up for any shortcomings, which is why it’s earned its place on our best webcams list. Bill Thomas has also contributed to this article
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| Argentina vs Scotland live stream: how to watch today's Women's World Cup 2019 match from anywhere Posted: 19 Jun 2019 11:45 AM PDT Defeats against England and Japan have made Scotland's hopes of reaching the last 16 of the 2019 Women's World Cup slim, but a win today against Argentina could be enough for Shelley Kerr's side to qualify via a third-place finish. Will either team do enough to make the group stages? Find out below how you can watch an Argentina vs Scotland live stream from anywhere around the world with our instructions below. Argentina have the edge in the group over Scotland, having managed to get a point on the board with their creditable draw against Japan. Their game plan of keeping things tight at the back wasn't quite as successful against England, and the need for a win may see them play a more open game today. Scotland have finished strongly in both of their matches so far, and it's likely they'll need to call upon that resolve to break down a well-organised Argentina side who kept England at bay for over an hour. Having only seen 24 per cent of the ball in that match, the big question is if Argentina coach Carlos Borrello maintains a cautious approach for this game. With a draw no good for his side either, the do-or-die nature of the clash could show us a side of the South Americans we've yet to see. Don't miss any of the action by following the instructions below and grabbing a live stream of Argentina vs Scotland wherever you are in the world.
Watch a FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 live stream from outside your countryIf you're in UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, we've got your viewing options listed below. If you're out of the country for today's match, you may find that geo-blocking will prevent you from watching your regular domestic coverage from abroad. You don't have to risk watching the match on a dodgy stream, however. With the option of using a VPN service, you can tune into the match no matter where you are in the world, and its super easy to set up.
How to stream today's Scotland game in the UK
How to watch Argentina vs Scotland: live stream in Australia
Live stream Argentina vs Scotland in the US
- Discover our pick of all the US's best sports streaming sites As well as opening up your viewing options for the Women's World Cup, using a VPN allows you to watch all your domestic sports coverage from abroad.
How to watch a FIFA Women's World Cup live stream in Canada
How to watch an Argentina vs Scotland live stream in New Zealand
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| Best processors 2019: the best CPUs for your PC Posted: 19 Jun 2019 11:30 AM PDT If you’ve been looking for the best processor for your next build, you’ll be happy to know that the CPU market is filled to the brim with incredible silicon. Thanks to the vibrant competition by Intel and AMD, there has never been a better time to get a new processor. AMD has been ruling the market with its Ryzen 2nd generation processors, while Intel has responded with its 9th-generation Coffee Lake Refresh processors, headed by the Intel Core i9-9900K. Of course, not to be outdone, AMD is slated to release its Ryzen 3rd generation CPUs to compete with the likes of Intel Core i9-9900K and Intel Core i9-9920X, looking destined to join the ranks of our best processors. These will roll out on July 7. Until then, the market is still packed with a number of impressive processors. From budget big shots, like the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G, to HEDT heroes, like Intel’s Basin Falls Refresh lineup. Plus, there are plenty of mid-range megastars to round out our best processors list, like our current favorite, the AMD Ryzen 7 2700X. You can hardly throw a stone without hitting an amazing processor right now, so finding the most ideal one for your rig is key. Luckily, even if the latest and greatest silicon is out of your reach, there are still plenty of great Coffee Lake and Ryzen Gen 1 chips on the market. Get ready to experience amazing PC performance, and great deals – as we’ve included our price comparison tool. Here are the best processors on the market in 2019.
Image Credit: AMD For the longest time, AMD had fallen behind Intel. Luckily, the Santa Clara manufacturer has finally gotten over its slump, unleashing the likes of the Ryzen 2700X. This time around, AMD brings the first 12nm processors, and the performance to back it up, demolishing Intel when it comes to price-to-performance. If you’re looking for one of the best processors that’ll give you great performance without burning a hole in your pocket, you can’t do much better than the Ryzen 7 2700X. Read the full review: AMD Ryzen 7 2700X
Image Credit: Intel Thanks to increased pressure from AMD, Intel’s offerings have been heating up like crazy (sometimes literally.) This growing competition has resulted in the Intel Core i9-9900K: an absolute beast of a processor that packs eight cores and 16 threads, more cores than any mainstream processor released by Intel. The performance shows that it’s worth it – it can go head to head with some of AMD’s Ryzen Threadripper chips. If raw performance is what you’re seeking, the Intel Core i9-9900K is easily one of the best processors you can go for. Read the full review: Intel Core i9-9900K
Image Credit: AMD If you’re looking to invest in one of the best processors for content creation, but are on a tight budget, then the AMD Ryzen 5 2600X might just be the best processor for you. With 6 cores, 12 threads and a base clock of 3.6GHz, you’re getting way better performance than the pricier Intel Core i5-8600K – and you get a gorgeous RGB CPU cooler included as well. Sure, the gaming performance over the blue team is marginal at best, but when you start multi-tasking – and who doesn’t always end up with 100 chrome tabs open by lunchtime – the value starts to show itself. Read the full review: AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
Image Credit: AMD Putting together a gaming PC on the tightest budget? Well, the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G is your new best friend. While it doesn’t feature the hyperthreading capability of its predecessor, the Ryzen 3 1200, the introduction of integrated graphics makes this APU one of the cheapest ways to experience casual PC gaming, which is why this makes our best processors list. We were even able to play Overwatch at 4K Ultra-HD resolution at ‘Epic’ settings. Read the full review: AMD Ryzen 3 2200G
Image Credit: Intel When you don’t really care about creating content or streaming, and you just you’re focusing on building one of the best gaming PCs, then the Intel Core i5-8600K may be the best processor for you. It might not have as many cores as its AMD Ryzen counterparts, but that doesn’t matter, gaming is mostly about that single-threaded performance. With this processor, you’ll be able to run all the latest games without having to worry about bottlenecking your GPU. Just don’t be surprised when rendering and encoding video takes longer.
Image Credit: AMD Initially the primary competition for the Intel Core i7-7700K, the AMD Ryzen 7 1800X still holds its own today, despite being succeeded by the Ryzen 7 2800X. Its high core count, when compared to the intel Core i7 7700K, means that it's better suited for VR workloads. And now that it’s dropped significantly in price, it’s more affordable than ever before. If you’re building a VR rig, do yourself a favor: save some cash without giving up on too much performance with the Ryzen 7 1800X. Read the full review: AMD Ryzen 7 1800X
Image Credit: Intel The naming convention is confusing, given that the Intel Core i7-7820X is part of Intel’s “Skylake-X” series rather than the X-class chips built on the 14nm Kaby Lake node, but semantics matter very little when you get to go hands-on with an Intel CPU boasting this many cores. The fact that you’ll need a new motherboard to use this octa-core monster might be enough to scare some users off to Ryzen. However, Intel loyalists shan’t mind the upgrade.
Image Credit: Intel Are you the kind of user that demands world-class performance, and couldn’t care less about cost? The Intel Core i9-9980XE is the best processor for you. With 18-cores and 36-threads, it absolutely destroys everything else on the market right now, if only just barely. Multi-threaded applications and workstation-class projects are going to breeze by with this chip. However, if that price tag makes you do a double take, then it might not be for you. Read the full review: Intel Core i9-9980XE
Image Credit: Intel If you opt for the Intel Pentium G4560 over a Core i3 chip, you won’t even notice the slight loss of performance – you’ll be too busy counting all the money you saved. As the first Pentium processor in a long time to feature hyper-threading, the G4560 shows us what low-end CPUs have been missing for so long. And, in benchmarks it proves that it’s easily adjacent to the more expensive Intel Core i3-7100.
Image Credit: AMD One of the only things that was missing when AMD’s Ryzen processors blew up was its integrated graphics support. But then, the Ryzen 5 2400G hit the streets and changed everything for mainstream PC users. With impressive AMD Vega graphics, it’s a fantastic APU that will be perfect for anyone looking to build a home theater PC. And, now that AMD has slashed the price you can get your 4K action on cheaper than ever. Read the full review: AMD Ryzen 5 2400G
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| AMD Ryzen 3000 release date, news and rumors Posted: 19 Jun 2019 11:20 AM PDT When the first generation Ryzen processors came out nearly three years ago, AMD forever changed the market. And, now that Ryzen 2nd Generation processors have been out for a year, Team Red has been dominating that market, more than doubling Intel’s sales, according to a German retailer. And, it only gets better from there: AMD Ryzen 3rd generation processors will bring the 7nm Zen 2 architecture to mainstream processors for the first time. Intel is having a lot of issues with introducing 10nm Cannon Lake chips, and even its next HEDT lineup will likely stay on 14nm, so AMD has swooped in and upstaged its rival before Ice Lake or Lakefield had a chance to launch. And, now that AMD has revealed its Ryzen 3rd Generation processors at Computex 2019, Intel should be running for cover. These new AMD Ryzen processors will bring up to 16-cores and 32-threads to the mainstream for the first time in the Ryzen 9 3950X, along with a substantial improvement to IPC (instructions per clock) performance. Additionally, the premium AMD X590 chipset for these AMD Ryzen 3rd Generation processors might be making its way to the mainstream market soon, following the X570 chipset. The best part? These new Ryzen processors do all of this without inflating prices. It’s not surprising that analysts are already predicting that AMD Ryzen 3rd Generation could seriously threaten Intel. So, ahead of AMD Ryzen 3rd Generation’s release, we went ahead and gathered all the information we have on Team Red’s next generation of desktop processors. So, be sure to keep this page bookmarked, and we’ll update it with any new information that comes our way. Cut to the chase
Image Credit: TechRadar AMD Ryzen 3rd Generation release dateAt CES 2019, AMD announced its first Ryzen 3000-series processors will arrive sometime in the middle of 2019. But, it wasn’t until Computex 2019 when we got the exact date: July 7. All of the announced AMD Ryzen 3rd Generation processors will hit the street on July 7, from the Ryzen 5 3600 to the beefy Ryzen 9 3900X. That is, except for the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X, star of AMD Zen 2, which is slated for a September 2019 release. As for future models, we’re sure we’ll see them come out over the next few months, especially as Intel gets Comet Lake ready. We definitely want to see some Ryzen 3000 processors to cover the budget market.
Image Credit: TechRadar AMD Ryzen 3rd Generation priceAt AMD’s Computex 2019 keynote, Team Red showcased several processors from the Ryzen 5 3600 to the Ryzen 9 3900X. These CPUs cover the mid-range to high-end, but curiously, we haven’t seen anything for the budget users, meaning that the Ryzen 3 2200G may remain the best budget processor for a while.
AMD Ryzen 3rd Generation specsNow that the AMD Ryzen 3rd Generation lineup has been revealed, we know exactly what’s inside these new 7nm processors for consumers. And, well, we should see significant performance bumps, while power consumption takes a nosedive. Improvements all around. The 7nm Zen 2 architecture found in AMD Ryzen 3rd Generation processors not only allows AMD to lower TDP down to just 65W in the Ryzen 5 3600, but it also brings about a whopping 15% improvement to IPC (instructions per clock) performance. This should see single core performance skyrocket, resulting in some of the best processors for gaming. On the high-end, you have the Ryzen 9 3950X, an absolute beast of a processor rocking 16-cores and 32-threads, with a 4.7GHz boost clock. These specs are impressive in their own right, but what really takes it to the next level is that it manages to do it with a 105W TDP. And, while the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X is slightly less impressive at 12-cores and 24-threads, it still boasts high clock speeds and the same low TDP. Power consumption and temperatures should both stay relatively low on both of these chips – we can’t wait to see what overclockers can do with them. But, AMD Ryzen 3rd Generation is more than just the low-end and the top-end. We went ahead and listed out all the specs below:
So, at every level, AMD Ryzen 3rd Generation provides better performance while lowering power consumption over the previous generation. AMD definitely showed off some benchmarks where it flexed on the competition, but that’s to be expected. We also got details about the X570 chipset – not to mention, the rumored AMD X590 chipset, and it should mark a generational improvement in computing. Alongside the faster processors, the biggest improvement is the support for PCIe 4.0, exclusive to AMD. This new generation of PCIe will bring forth faster graphics cards and SSDs to AMD’s platform. It promises 42% faster SSD performance, along with 69% faster graphics performance – though that will be exclusive to AMD Navi graphics cards for now. X570 will also bring native support for four SuperSpeed USB ports, with a maximum bandwidth of 10Gbps. This will support both USB-A and USB-C connections, and while it’s not as fast as Thunderbolt 3, the native support should mean wider adoption across desktop motherboards. Ryzen doesn't end at desktop components, though. At E3 2019, Microsoft revealed that the next Xbox, Project Scarlett, will be powered by a custom SoC made of a Zen 2 processor and an AMD Navi GPU. Microsoft didn't give any specific information about what the Zen 2 CPU in Project Scarlett will look like, though. Images Credit: TechRadar
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| AMD Zen 2 specs, price and release date: all about AMD's newest processor tech Posted: 19 Jun 2019 11:08 AM PDT Over the last couple years, AMD has been releasing some of the best processors (CPUs) on the market, and it doesn’t look like it plans to slow down any time soon. Back at CES 2019, AMD announced its Zen 2 architecture, cutting the manufacturing process down to 7 nanometers (nm), and offering greater performance and efficiency. Then, at Computex 2019, AMD pulled the veil off of its Ryzen 3rd Generation processors. These chips took advantage of the smaller manufacturing process, bringing a 12-core, 24-thread processor to the mainstream market at less than half the cost of Intel’s 12-core HEDT chip. And, if that wasn’t enough, Microsoft took the stage at its E3 2019 keynote, announcing that the system-on-a-chip powering the next Xbox, Project Scarlett, is using Zen 2 cores and AMD Navi graphics. Zen 2 is indeed on a roll, and we haven’t even seen what AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd Generation can do yet. There is so much more to Zen 2, so we have to dive in and explore everything that this 7nm CPU architecture can do. And, be sure to keep this page bookmarked: there are surely many more Zen 2 processors on the way, and we’ll keep the article updated with all the latest information. Cut to the chase
AMD Zen 2 release dateRight off the bat, we already know that AMD Ryzen 3rd Generation processors will be hitting the streets on July 7. These chips are going to be the first consumer-ready processors based on the 7nm Zen 2 architecture, and will also be the most affordable. We also know that AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd Generation will be based on Zen 2, but the release date for that is a bit more fuzzy. Threadripper processors typically launch a few months after the mainstream Ryzen chips, so we could see it by November, if we’re lucky. However, word on the street is that Threadripper 3rd Generation may be delayed until 2020, so we might be waiting a while. The final Zen 2 product will probably be in the next-generation consoles. We know that Zen 2 is going to be inside both the PS5 and the next Xbox, but we only have a vague release window for the latter: "Holiday 2020." We’ll probably see both the next gen consoles release around November 2020.
AMD Zen 2 priceRight now, the only Zen 2 parts we have pricing for are the AMD Ryzen 3rd Generation parts. The good news, however, is that these largely fall in line with the reasonable prices of Ryzen 2nd Generation. Prices are listed below:
Based on these prices, we expect Threadripper 3rd Generation prices to generally stay the same over the last generation. We listed those prices below, but we wouldn’t be surprised if they saw a slight price increase, especially considering the rumored delay.
It will be interesting to see, however, if the massive boost to technology will see the next generation consoles get a price bump. With all the lofty technology Microsoft and Sony are promising, we wouldn’t be surprised if these consoles are more expensive than previous generations.
AMD Zen 2 specs and performanceWith the move to 7nm, the biggest improvements are going to be to power efficiency. AMD Ryzen 3rd Generation processors will see power requirements greatly decrease, which should result in lower temperatures, better overclocking and, of course, lower power bills. For instance, the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X will have just a 65W TDP, which is extremely low for an 8-core, 16-thread processor. As for core counts, the chiplets containing the physical cores have shrunk for Zen 2, which means that each processor can fit more cores. This hasn’t been implemented on most of the lineup, as the Ryzen 7 processors still have 8-cores. However, we are getting the Ryzen 9 3900X, a 12-core, 24-thread processor, as well as the Ryzen 9 3950X, a 16-core one that’s already breaking world overclocking records, thanks to this die shrink. Beyond core counts, Zen 2 allows for better performance overall. Not only do clock speeds see an improvement – up to 4.6GHz on the Ryzen 9 3900X and up to 5GHz on the Ryzen 9 3950X out of the box – but also a massive boost to IPC (instructions per clock) performance. AMD engineers have apparently squeezed an extra 15% IPC out of Zen 2 cores. We haven’t had a chance to test that claim ourselves yet, but if it’s true, Ryzen processors may end up being the best processors for gaming and the inclusion in the next-generation consoles would make so much sense. What will be particularly interesting, though, is how this will all translate to AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3 processors. These HEDT processors already boast up to 32-cores and 64-threads, so an increase in core counts, along with more power efficiency will be an amazing boost to performance for creatives and professionals. That’s all we know about Zen 2 at this point, but be sure to come back, as we’ll update this article as soon as we get our hands on Ryzen 3 processors for review. Images Credit: TechRadar
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| The new, cheaper 15-inch Surface Book 2 model comes with a catch Posted: 19 Jun 2019 10:14 AM PDT As previously rumored, Microsoft is now offering a new baseline 15-inch Surface Book 2 with an Intel Core i5 processor (CPU) at a lower price. You can see the new configuration here. Microsoft's Surface Book 2 is one of the best 2-in-1 laptops you can get, but the 15-inch model has always come at a steep price. That was because of the beefed-up internals, in part. Previously, the base Surface Book 2 configuration with a 15-inch display was an 8th-Generation Intel Core i7 with dedicated Nvidia graphics, 16GB of memory (RAM), and several options for solid-state storage (SSD) capacity. The new configuration fits a 7th-Generation Intel Core i5 with integrated graphics, 16GB of RAM and a single option for 256GB of SSD.
This new configuration sees the 15-inch model come to its lowest starting price yet at $1,999 (about £1,570, AU$2,890). But, there's a lot going on here that raises questions about what Microsoft is actually offering and what point there is in choosing this model. There's a lot that doesn't make senseMicrosoft offering a lower-spec version of the 15-inch Surface Book 2 makes plenty of sense. It provides a more affordable option for people who want the extra screen space but don't need the more powerful Intel Core i7 CPU or dedicated graphics. But, that's where the sense seems to end. At $1,999, the new model costs almost double the 13.5-inch base model at its currently discounted price of $1,049. An increase of $950 is a lot to just get a little extra screen space, 8GB of extra RAM, and 128GB of extra storage. But, there are also some curious aspects about the actual specs of the new model. For one, the configuration says it comes with a 7th-Gen Intel Core i5, but the order summary section on Microsoft's site says it's an 8th-Gen Intel Core i5. Best Buy's listing says it's an Intel Core i5-8350U, which is indeed from the 8th Generation, but it also says there's only 8GB of RAM. Then, there's the now-discounted price of the higher-spec model. At the moment, Microsoft is selling an 8th-Gen Intel Core i7 model with 16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage and Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 graphics (a huge upgrade from Intel integrated graphics) for just $2,199. At just $200 over the new low-spec model, there should be almost no reason for someone with a $2,000 computer budget not to spent an extra $200 for a model that will better stand the test of time.
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| Why cloud can be the boost your business needs Posted: 19 Jun 2019 09:51 AM PDT McAfee has released a special edition of its Cloud and Risk Adoption Report revealing that 87 percent of companies experience business acceleration from the use of cloud services. The cybersecurity firm surveyed 1,000 enterprise organizations worldwide to compile the report and the company combined these results with insights from billions of anonymized cloud events observed every month by its cloud access security broker (CASB), MVISION Cloud. The results of McAfee's report demonstrate that a wide range of organizations have accelerated their business from the use of cloud services. However, a striking divide exists between organizations who have addressed their shared responsibility for protecting data in the cloud and those who have not.
The report found that organizations that proactively addressed the security of their data in the cloud through the use of a CSAB were over 35 percent more likely to launch new products, speed time to market and expand into new markets. Benefits of cloud adoptionMcAfee's Cloud and Adoption risk report also revealed that 65 percent of enterprise data lives in collaboration and business software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications, 25 percent lives in infrastructure-as-a-service and only 10 percent resides in Shadow IT which is unknown to the IT department. IT teams are subscribing to these cloud applications themselves, thus eliminating employee needs that were previously unmet or were met through the use of Shadow IT. Of those surveyed, only 36 percent of organizations said they could enforce data loss prevention in the cloud and only 33 percent said they control the collaboration settings that determine how data is shared. When it came to IaaS, only 26 percent said they could audit configuration settings which widens the gap between risky and secure cloud adoption. Despite benefits such as the likelihood of launching new products, spending time to market and expanding in to new markets, only one in three companies are currently using a CASB. Senior vice president of cloud security at McAfee, Rajiv Gupta provided further insight on the report's findings, saying: “This research shines a light on organizations who are leading the charge in cloud adoption, prioritizing the security of their data as they roll out new cloud services and winning in the market because of the actions they are taking. Organizations often tell us how much faster their business moves when security is addressed in the cloud and it is exciting for us now to quantify this experience and share our data and recommendations with the rest of the market.”
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| Mario Kart VR is like racing on mushrooms Posted: 19 Jun 2019 09:48 AM PDT Bandai Namco’s Mario Kart Arcade GP in virtual reality is simple: drive around tracks from the game series and feel every bump, green shell and ‘Waaaaaaaugh!’ in immersive VR and a rumble seat. The game started a worldwide tour a couple years ago in Japan, and its latest stop is in sunny Southern California. I pulled in to an industrial park in Irvine, California at a branch of K1 Speed go karting. Enter, go past the IRL track, and you’ll find an arcade where space has been cleared for a trio of VR game installations. That’s where I got a taste of Mario Kart VR. Up to four can jump into a single race, and each station is a different character (Mario, Luigi, Peach, etc). Players sit in a racing chair just like any racing game, don an HTC Vive headset and headphones, and slip each hand through a rubber wristband with a Vive Tracker sensor on top. And then, without further ado, the race is on. Zooming around the Mushroom KingdomYou’ll have a few seconds to take in the Mushroom Kingdom cheering on the racers before Bowser and Wario rudely screech ahead of you for a better position at the starting line. The cloud-hovering Lakitu drops with a stoplight to count down, and on green, you jam the gas. From there, the race is very much a simplified Mario Kart. There are items hanging from balloons that you literally hold your hand out to grab, then wave your hand forward to toss at competitors ahead. The arsenal is small but useful, with green shells, bananas and a hammer you can use to smack racers beside you.
Image credit: TechRadar And if you’re smacked, you’ll feel it: the chair rumbles and tilts slightly yet precisely, giving the feel of leaning into turns. Soon, the track disappeared into a white light...which transports racers to a different level from the Mario Kart series, making it clear I was cruising through a sampler platter of the franchise. By now, I noticed that my top speed couldn’t quite catch up to Bowser (always Bowser…) and the others in the lead, which seemed intentional: the computer-controlled racers got eaten by massive piranha plants or hit by thwomp blocks - or even just messed with each other. It helps the race feel populated since you can’t look past either shoulder. By the finish line, items be damned, I couldn’t get ahead of the scrum - and perhaps it wasn’t possible to do so, as I wasn’t shown what place I ‘finished’ in. But I’d probably have minded much less if I’d brought another friend or three to race against. True, it was over pretty quickly for the $10-per-race entry fee, but it delivered on the premise: immersive Mario Kart with good arcade VR tech. Hitting buttons doesn't hold a candle to physically (transitively?) hurling a green shell and watching it bring down a racer ahead of you.
Image credit: TechRadar Good news, bad newsThe bad news first: you’ll probably wait awhile for Mario Kart VR to open up a new location closer to you in the US or elsewhere. It’s currently live in Tokyo, London, Washington, DC and now Irvine, California. Mostly, that’s because these setups are expensive: I was told by the Irvine K1 Speed manager (they operate the booth, which is set up and serviced monthly by a different company) that each seat costs around $40,000 apiece. That’s eight seats for the three games on display. Plus, they don’t always make enough money to stick around. The Irvine K1 Speed previously tried out a different VR zone in its arcade, which lasted a year before it was carted away for not making enough money to justify its space. The good news is that the Mario Kart VR (and other games) drew in more cash on its opening Saturday than the previous VR games did in a month. Whether news articles or Instagram posts, people are hearing about it and coming to race. (Folks have also been drifting over from the actual track and playing on the digital one, too.) At the earliest, Mario Kart VR will be around until August, though the manager suggested it might last a full year. Sometime in between, Bandai Namco Amusement may add more tracks to Mario Kart, as well as additional content to the other two VR games.
Ski Rodeo (Image credit: TechRadar) And if you’re at Irvine K1 Speed, you might as well try out the other two games (I did). I’d never skied before and was appropriately awful at Ski Rodeo, though it was a gorgeous game with an IRL fan angled at your face to simulate the chill mountain air. The swinging footpads let you slalom and angle your digital skis, (presumably) just like one does when on the actual slopes.
Argyle Shift (Image credit: TechRadar) The third game, Argyle Shift, is audacious: climb into a mech and use your twin sticks (with head-guided aiming) to gun down enemies. Regrettably, the game is short and restrictive - it’s essentially a rail shooter - and feels more like an impressive tech demo than a full experience. We’d be remiss not to mention the ridiculous anime-skimpy outfit your obsequious AI is wearing, so...woof. But more episodes should be coming to continue the story. (And for patient friends who aren’t into VR, there’s a mega-Pac-Man station right alongside the VR that’s far cheaper per play.) In summary: come for the Mario Kart VR, try other experiences, and if you feel confident after dusting your friends in the Mushroom Kingdom, there’s another (real) track to see if your racing skills transfer over to meatspace.
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| Posted: 19 Jun 2019 09:43 AM PDT TechRadar Pro has partnered with Sage to give you the chance to make your business more financially savvy and own one of the best Samsung smartphones ever, the Samsung Galaxy S9. The past year has seen the introduction of Making Tax Digital (MTD), perhaps one of the single biggest changes to UK VAT legislation in recent history. Since April 2019, most VAT-registered businesses with a taxable turnover of £85,000 need to keep digital records using approved software and file their tax returns online. Now, we want to know how business owners use their accounting devices, how MTD has been received nearly 100 days after its introduction and a few more things. We've put together a short survey to help us find out more. Everyone completing the survey will be entered into a draw to win prizes worth nearly £900. Our competition winner will get:
The Samsung Galaxy S9 (Image courtesy: Samsung)
Sage logo (Image courtesy: Sage)
So what are you waiting for? Click the link below to be in with a chance of winning! Terms and Conditions: The competition is open to residents of UK and Republic of Ireland. Future reserves the right to offer a prize of similar value. You must be 18 or over to enter. The competition closes at 11:59 BST, on 30/07/2019. One winner will be selected at random from all eligible entries received and will be emailed details on how to obtain the prize bundle. Any personal details collected will only be used to send the prize and not for any marketing purposes unless you have opted in to receive them. Use of the prize may be subject to the prize supplier's end user licence agreement. Future shall have no liability in connection with the winner's use of the prize. There is no cash equivalent and the prize is non-transferable. For full terms and conditions, please visit http://www.futureplc.com/competition-rules. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Broadband and TV flash sale: there's a big treat in store with Sky's latest deals Posted: 19 Jun 2019 09:38 AM PDT What's the first company you associate with broadband and TV deals? We'd bet that the name that comes to most people's minds immediately is Sky (and BT for the rest of you, right?). Well the good news is that if you're currently trying to grab an all-singing all-dancing internet plus TV package this week, then Sky broadband deals are looking very good indeed. That's because if you sign up to one of two great value Sky TV and broadband packages before 4pm this Friday, June 21, the telecommunications giant will sweeten the deal by chucking in a £100 pre-paid credit card that can be spent anywhere that Mastercard is accepted online or in-store. So basically £100 cash back in your pocket to spend on pretty much anything. The packages up for grabs (and that you can claim by clicking here) both come with the same TV plan - that being Sky's 300 channel-strong 'Entertainment' selection - which includes:
So the only thing you need to choose is between Sky's standard ADSL broadband speeds, or whether you should upgrade to fibre for an extra £7 per month. We have full details of both broadband deals below, but don't forget that if you're tempted then you need to act quickly to bag that £100 bonus. And, quite honestly, we know that Sky's website isn't the easiest to use. So if you'd rather sign up for this deal on the phone and make sure that you're getting the best possible package, you can call 0800-014-2334 and place your order over the phone instead.
Sky's TV and broadband flash sale in full:Today's other best broadband and TV deals:This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| HPE reveals new Primera storage line Posted: 19 Jun 2019 09:14 AM PDT At this year's Discover event in Las Vegas, HPE announced a new storage platform called HPE Primera designed to deliver superior simplicity, availability and performance for mission critical applications. HPE Primera leverages the company's AI platform, InfoSight, to deliver several breakthroughs including 93 percent less time spent managing storage, the ability to predict and prevent issues and accelerate application performance. Businesses are currently in the process of bringing new mission-critical applications to market while supporting their existing applications with the aim of accelerating the speed of business, agility and innovation. However, IT departments struggle to keep up with these demands because they are too busy administering, tuning and supporting infrastructure which results in IT sacrificing agility for reliability.
HPE Primera was designed to eliminate these compromises by blending advances from across HPE's storage portfolio. HPE PrimeraHPE designed its new storage platform with the intention of deliver a simple, consumer-grade user experience for mission-critical storage and HPE Primera can be self-installed in less than 20 minutes. The platform even makes it easy to manage storage which can be provisioned within seconds and data reduction is built-in and always-on, though users have the flexibility to turn it off. Customers will also have the choice to deploy HPE Primera as a service with a fully managed experience where they only pay for what they use through HPE GreenLake. However, the most interesting news from the company's announcement is the fact that HPE Primera will come standard with HPE Proactive Care and 100 percent data availability guarantee without requiring any special contracts or onerous terms. SVP and general manager at HPE Storage, Milan Shetti explained how leveraging AI will make it easier for companies to harness their data, saying: “Intelligence changes everything. Today’s organizations need a fundamentally new approach to infrastructure operations with an intelligent data strategy. HPE Primera leverages HPE’s unique Intelligent Data Platform to deliver unmatched simplicity, availability, and performance for mission-critical applications, so businesses can focus on harnessing data to drive their business forward.” HPE Primera will be available in August and the new storage line will come in three different models: HPE Primera 630, HPE Primera 650 and HPE Primera 670.
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| Get the Apple Watch Series 3 on sale at Walmart for $199 Posted: 19 Jun 2019 09:03 AM PDT If you're looking for a killer deal on the Apple Watch, then you're in luck. For a limited time, you can get the Apple Watch Series 3 on sale for $199 at Walmart. That's an $80 discount and lowest price we've found for the smartwatch. Walmart also has the Apple Watch 3 with Cellular on sale for $299. Apple Watch deals:If you want your smartwatch to include LTE connectivity, Walmart also has the Apple Watch Series 3 with Cellular on sale for $299. Discover more Apple watch sales with the best cheap Apple Watch prices and deals that are currently available. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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