Saturday, August 24, 2019

Apple : Kovalev vs Yarde live stream: how to watch today's boxing online from anywhere

Apple : Kovalev vs Yarde live stream: how to watch today's boxing online from anywhere

Kovalev vs Yarde live stream: how to watch today's boxing online from anywhere

Posted: 24 Aug 2019 09:02 AM PDT

Undefeated British fighter Anthony Yarde gets his first chance to land a world title tonight with a showdown tonight against Sergey Kovalev in the WBO light-heavyweight champ's hometown of Chelyabinsk, Russia. You can live stream Yarde vs Kovalev as it happens - it's even FREE to do so in some areas.

Now 28-years-old, Londoner Yarde has notched up 18 straight wins - all but one via knockout - and a growing reputation in the UK, but tonight marks his first major test on the international stage.

Kovalev, 36,  is a three-time world champion at light-heavyweight and has fought for a world title in each of his last 15 bouts.

Along with the intimidating atmosphere of an eastern Russia home crowd cheering on their hero, Yarde must also contend with a well-focused opponent who has plenty riding on tonight's fight - a big money match up with Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez looks the the likely reward for Kovalev should he see off Yarde.

You can live stream Yarde vs  Kovalev fight anywhere in the world using the guide below. 

Watch the boxing from outside your country

If you're looking to watch tonight's fight but you're out of the country, your plans may be scuppered. That's because broadcasters geo-block their coverage if you try to watch your domestic TV from abroad.

But there's a clever workaround for this, which is perfectly legal (assuming the broadcaster's Ts&Cs allow it) and it involves using a piece of software called a VPN - better that than trying to get some dodgy stream from Reddit.

How watch the Yarde fight in the UK

How to live stream Kovalev vs Yarde in the US

How to live stream Yarde vs Kovalev in Australia

At the time of writing, it doesn't appear any Aussie broadcaster is set to show the Yarde vs Kovalev fight live. As an alternative you could try downloading a VPN service and then signing up for an option from another country. We'll be sure to update this section if we hear anything differently.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Liverpool vs Arsenal live stream: how to watch today's Premier League football online from anywhere

Posted: 24 Aug 2019 08:02 AM PDT

Arguably the weekend's stand out Premier League fixture pits the two teams with a 100% record intact against each other at Anfield on Saturday evening. It's looking like an unmissable clash, and you don't have to if you follow our Liverpool vs Arsenal live stream guide.

Jurgen Klopp’s side will be looking to maintain their early gap over league favourites Man City, while Arsenal will be keen to show they can at last win an away game against a top-six rival.

A clash between these two old foes usually delivers - with 155 goals across 54 games,  it's the Premier League highest-scoring fixture. It also has the record for most hat-tricks, with six trebles chalked up in previous Liverpool vs Arsenal Premier League showdowns.

The home side will be hoping to maintain their excellent recent record against their North London opponents, having not lost any of their last eight encounters. The most recent meeting was a 5-1 humbling dished out by Liverpool at home, which the Gunners will do well to put behind them.

In terms of team news, record Arsenal signing Nicolas Pepe is expected to finally be let loose in the starting line-up for the Gunners today after coming off the bench in Arsenal's opening two matches, while Granit Xhaka looks set to make return from injury. With Alisson Becker the only major first team injury to contend with, expect Jurgen Klopp to field he's strongest eleven for what looks set to be an intriguing early season top of the table clash.

Keep reading to discover all the details you need in order to live stream Liverpool vs Arsenal, regardless of where in the world you are. And to find out how to watch the rest of the weekend's games and beyond, check out our guide on how to live stream the 19/20 Premier League football season. 

Use a VPN to watch Premier League football from outside your country

If you're abroad this weekend but still want to watch your home coverage, you'll need a VPN to do so. That's because your normal coverage will be geo-blocked. It's really easy to do and stops you having to tune in to some dodgy stream you've heard about on Reddit.

How to stream Liverpool vs Arsenal live in the UK 

How to watch Liverpool vs Arsenal: US live stream 

How to watch a Premier League live stream in Canada

How to live stream Liverpool vs Arsenal in Australia

How to watch Liverpool vs Arsenal: New Zealand live stream 

How to live stream Liverpool vs Arsenal in India

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

5 reasons why this bank holiday is the perfect time to sort your broadband deal

Posted: 24 Aug 2019 07:27 AM PDT

Swimming costume on, barbecue at the ready, sat-nav set for your nearest park or beach - it's looking like a bank holiday weekend to savour. But before you grab those sunglasses and head into the warm glare, we heartily recommend spending a few minutes grabbing one of these cool broadband bargains.

As well as bank holiday deals on everything from TVs to mobile phones to games consoles and beyond, it's also the weekend of the year when internet providers slash the price of broadband deals to tempt you their way for the next 12 to 18 months.

So whether it's a hefty £90 pre-paid credit card with BT Superfast broadband, a free upgrade to superfast broadband from TalkTalk or simply the UK's very cheapest internet, we reckon that one of these five broadband deals below will have what you're after...

1. The best cheap broadband deal in the UK

2. Faster fibre for a fabulous fee

3. The BT broadband deal to beat all others

4. Internet + Sky Sports for football, cricket and more

5. Virgin Media's all-singing all-dancing package

See all of the best broadband deals available this bank holiday:

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

How relevant is the Canon EOS 90D when mirrorless cameras are better than ever?

Posted: 24 Aug 2019 07:00 AM PDT

Whether it was down to a simple slip of the finger or tactical leaking, Canon Australia was kind enough to furnish the internet with details of its upcoming Canon EOS 90D ahead of the official announcement.

The leak put an end to the idea that Canon would abandon its established EOS DSLR line and switch its focus entirely to its mirrorless EOS M and EOS R ranges, and from what we can see the 90D is quite the upgrade over the existing EOS 80D, with a fresh 32.5MP sensor, new DIGIC 8 processing engine, faster burst shooting, revamped metering and autofocus tracking courtesy of a new metering sensor, and 4K video on top of all that. 

For the enthusiast, it certainly seems well specified, but with the mirrorless market continuing to broaden its offerings, and far less activity on the DSLR front than there used to be, does such a model still make sense?

Mirrorless hasn't won every battle – at least not yet

For those untied to any particular system, mirrorless cameras certainly appear to make more sense than DSLRs. There are far more models to choose from for a start, from many different manufacturers, which makes it easier to find a camera you like the look of, both inside and out, at a price you're wiling to pay. 

There are also the size and weight benefits – at least of the bodies, though far less so of the lenses – together with the likelihood of new technologies coming to these cameras first. We've also been impressed by many of the lenses developed for some of the current systems to date, even if some are monstrously big and heavy, and crazy-expensive.

Mirrorless cameras can shoot in complete silence, and can achieve faster burst rates than DSLRs, and some of the latest models have highly impressive phase- and contrast-detect hybrid AF systems that cover far more of the frame than the phase-detect AF systems found on DSLRs as standard.

So why buy a DSLR when you can grab yourself a very handsome Fujifilm X-T30, or compact full-frame Nikon Z6, or enjoy the high-res charms of the Sony A7R IV instead?

Well, you may already own a DSLR and a collection of lenses that would be costly to replicate if you switched to a mirrorless system. (The same applies to accessories; in Canon's case, the company and third parties have had over 30 years to develop these for its SLR and DSLR lines). Acquiring a similar range of lenses may not even be possible, given that many mirrorless camera lines are still in their infancy – and many camera and lens combinations don't present a significant advantage in terms of size or weight.

Anyone investing in the EOS DSLR system should find enough glass to keep them busy

Sure, you can use existing EF lenses with Canon's mirrorless models via an adapter, but it's not ideal. Many photographers are also used to the more ergonomic design of the grips on the likes of the Canon EOS 7D Mark II and Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, and you may still hate the idea of an electronic viewfinder – many people do, despite just how capable some of these now are.

And, while you can use those same lenses on Canon's EOS R and EOS RP bodies, neither camera is aimed at the same kind of audience likely to be drawn to the EOS 90D.

Many DSLRs trounce mirrorless cameras when it comes to battery life too. If the leaked specs of the EOS 90D are to be believed, the camera can fire for over 1,800 frames per charge, which is around three or four times what the average mirrorless camera can manage.

DSLRs continue to evolve

It's easy to forget that progress isn't limited to mirrorless cameras. For all their constraints, DSLRs are getting better with every generation.

The EOS 90D, for example, appears to have a 32.5MP APS-C sensor, which is not only a nice step up from what the EOS 80D offers, but betters every APS-C mirrorless camera currently available – although the Canon's EOS M6 Mark II, details of which have also been leaked, appears to use the same sensor as the EOS 90D. 

The EOS 90D appears to have Eye Detection AF and tracking, which has been a popular feature in recent generations of mirrorless camera

Live view autofocus, once a dismal affair on DSLRs, has also been a strong point for Canon since the launch of its Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology, and the EOS 90D appears to have eye detection and tracking as a focus. 

This isn't present on the EOS 80D, but it's been a much sought-after feature in recent years, and it's one that Canon recently bought to its EOS R via a firmware update. It's not clear just yet whether on the 90D this will be available during video capture, but face detection also appears to be possible when using the viewfinder, which hasn't previously been the case on a Canon DSLR.

Videographers looking to use the EOS 90D will also not only have 4K video quality to rely on, but the wealth of native lenses that make capturing more unorthodox fisheye, macro or super-telephoto footage easier than on rival mirrorless systems, the lens lines for which are still being established. Of course, adapters have made all kinds of mirrorless camera/non-native lens combinations possible, but it's hard to argue with the convenience of having a native selection of glass that maintains autofocus, auto-exposure and so on.

While we're still waiting for official specs and pricing, Canon clearly believes there's a market for the EOS 90D, just as it believes there's a market for the three entry-level DSLRs it's introduced in the past 18 months. An update to the EOS-1D X Mark II ahead of the Olympic Games next year is also still plausible, just as an update to the Nikon D5 would make a lot of sense.

There's no question that mirrorless cameras have a brighter future than DSLRs, but it's too early to write off DSLRs as redundant when you consider the strength and depth of their native lens lines, and that fact that many people are still perfectly happy with what they offer.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Disney Plus will serve up 4K and four streams for each account

Posted: 24 Aug 2019 06:30 AM PDT

As that November 12 launch date gets closer, we're hearing more details about exactly how Disney Plus is going to work. Today's tidbit: sign up and you'll get access to four simultaneous streams, as well as 4K content.

That's for the base $7 subscription fee, according to CNET, which makes it a very appealing proposition: for four simultaneous streams and 4K on Netflix, you need to fork out $16 every month (though you might prefer Mindhunter to The Mandalorian).

The other option on the table is Disney Plus, ESPN Plus and Hulu for a total of $13 a month, but you only get two simultaneous ESPN Plus streams and one Hulu stream on top of the original Disney package.

Speaking to Disney executives, CNET says new episodes of its original series are going to come out weekly – we won't see the same drop of multiple episodes that we do on Netflix (and which causes all that binge watching).

The price is right?

Disney is of course going to want to work hard to tempt people to add a Disney Plus subscription on top of Netflix – or instead of Netflix – and it seems like aggressive pricing is going to be one way of doing that.

As Netflix has demonstrated, pricing can go up at any time, so Disney might see fit to tweak these price points once it's got enough people signed up. With Apple also launching a new TV and movie service this year, competition is hotting up.

It's actually the Disney fan expo, D23, this weekend, so expect some more Disney Plus news to appear on the wires – Disney has also confirmed that an Obi-Wan show is coming to the service, and has released the first trailer for The Mandalorian.

Some questions still remain though, including if and when the service is going to start rolling out outside of the US. We'll no doubt here more as the launch date approaches.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

At $899, the new MacBook Air isn't just a good deal, it solidifies the laptop's legacy

Posted: 24 Aug 2019 06:00 AM PDT

When Apple first debuted the newly redesigned MacBook Air in 2018, I quickly reacted rather strongly to the laptop’s price and specifications. The original MacBook Air, after all, had been the most affordable laptop for years, only to be revived at an inaccessible price.

However, Apple has grown quite aggressive with pricing the 2019 MacBook Air model soon after its release this season, just as it did shortly after launching the original MacBook Air. Not only did Apple bring the standard price down by $100 or £100 in July, now the laptop is available for just $999 to start on the company’s online store.

While we’re at it, Best Buy has been seen repeatedly selling the 2019 MacBook Air for just $899 in the US – essentially where the original MacBook Air was priced in its prime.

What I once thought was an opulent product trying to demand attention from budgeted buyers with the ‘Air’ title (which was so deeply associated with affordability) has, at last, lived up to that legacy of value. If you can find the 2019 MacBook Air for just $899 or similarly priced elsewhere, you’re looking at a fine - dare we say premium - laptop with some luxury features and just enough processing power for basic computing tasks and forms of entertainment.

In short, that price makes the 2019 MacBook Air much, much easier to recommend as an option against similarly-priced Windows 10 laptops. The MacBook Air is well positioned to once again become as accessible of a path into Apple’s computing world as it once was.

Dell XPS 13

The early 2019 Dell XPS 13.

Sizing up the competition

The $999 – or $899, if you’re lucky – MacBook Air comes with the company’s newest True Tone, Retina 13.3-inch display driven by a fanless, dual-core Intel Core i5 processor (CPU) and 8GB of memory (RAM). The laptop comes with 128GB of flash storage, accessed by two Thunderbolt 3 ports, and offers Touch ID biometric login with a fingerprint sensor in the power button. Naturally, the MacBook Air comes in Apple’s iconic and luxurious, all-aluminum chassis design.

First of all, the Dell XPS 13 isn’t even available for as low as the MacBook Air is, at the time of writing, on Dell’s online store. For $1,199 – or $1,055.99 in a current promotion – the XPS starts with a Full HD (1,920 x 1,080), 13.3-inch display with 8GB of RAM and a quad-core Intel Core i5 CPU with 256GB of storage. While it has no fingerprint sensor, the laptop does have two Thunderbolt 3 ports in addition to a USB-C port and microSD card reader. The lid of the XPS 13 is a matte aluminum, but the inside is comprised of a rubbery-feeling carbon fiber material. 

Comparing these two laptops is not apples to apples, but if it’s a high resolution display and premium features like fingerprint login that you seek, it’s difficult to beat the MacBook Air here. This was not necessarily the case were you to compare these two laptops at both of their starting points last year.

MacBook Air 2019

That's one helluva laptop for $899 (or £1,011).

MacBook Air: the amazing, (more) affordable Apple laptop again

Apple would be wise to keep this pricing scheme up, as it would put the company in a much more favorable position when looking at it against competing flagship laptops. But, more importantly, it’s just right to have the – in many eyes – inimitable Apple experience priced more accessible to more people.

I appreciate that Apple is trying to do this beyond even price cuts, with a trade-in program for old Apple hardware in which an old Mac computer can get you as much as $1,400 toward a new Mac device. If you have enough old Apple gear in your house – ideally that you don’t use – that’s eligible for trade-in, you could shave a considerable amount off the already-reduced price.

Then, there’s the Apple Card or Apple’s Barclay’s financing options, both of which could help you pay for the MacBook Air purchase over time without interest, so long as you pay off the balance on time monthly and in total within a year’s time.

Finally, with Black Friday and Cyber Monday looming on the horizon, it’s high time for Apple to drive the price of its most affordable laptop today down a bit further. 

I frankly didn’t think we’d see laptops with display resolutions at this density for such a price for another few years. After all, the 13-inch MacBook Pro has been around for years at the very same Retina display resolution and at a much less approachable price for most people.

If you, like me, balked a bit at the initial price of the MacBook Air when it debuted in 2018, but appreciated it as a laptop on its face, Apple has made it a lot easier for you to buy into its arguably robust computing experience. I’ve certainly had one in a few online shopping carts over the last few weeks.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Netflix and chill: how the streaming service could make TV social again

Posted: 24 Aug 2019 05:00 AM PDT

If you’re using Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu or similar TV streaming services regularly, you’ll likely have felt the tussle between different media competing for your all-important television time. Even if you stick largely to one TV platform, there’s then a whole news cycle around the show to keep track of and contribute to – not to mention the friends and colleagues you message about your new favorite – or least favorite – shows.

It’s no wonder some of us end up doubling up: texting and tweeting mid-episode, sharing videos of ourselves on the couch to Instagram, posting comments on every YouTube video we watch, and trying to stay as social as possible while being held hostage by various screens.

For Netflix in particular – a platform so associated with millennials hanging out that “Netflix and chill” has its own Wikipedia page – it’s highly possible we’ll see more built-in social features emerge, in order to enhance the viewing experience and keep users inside the Netflix platform, instead of letting them run off to other services (WhatsApp, Twitter, etc) to talk about what they’ve just watched.

We spoke to Michael Pazaratz, CEO of the social messaging app Rave, to find out whether more social features are going to be the way forward for these kinds of TV streaming services.

You, me, and the TV screen

If you're wondering what an app has to do with this, Rave was founded five years ago to try to bring more social features to today’s streaming culture.

The iOS and Android app essentially synchronises Netflix, YouTube, or Vimeo videos (or music tracks) between the smartphones or tablets of you and your friends, meaning you’re able to comment and respond to each other knowing you’re at the same place in a video – while also overlaying text comments on / below the feed.

But given the rapid move away from specifically timed broadcasts, and towards on-demand watching, that social element is harder to recapture than ever.

“You can now watch what you want, where you want, when you want,” he says. “There’s no longer a reason to gather around the TV at 9pm, if you can just binge a whole series on your iPad. And while this is broadly a good (and irreversible) phenomenon, it’s led to a shift from communal to solitary viewing, and something has been lost in the process.”

High-profile shows like GoT – or the upcoming Game of Thrones prequel – attract viewers in the millions when new episodes land.

But how can synchronized videos and messaging features help? “Chatting by text or voice recreates the social dynamics of being in the same room. Sometimes it's enough just to know you're watching together.”

Naturally, any TV show with enough hype around it can get a large audience all watching as a new episode drops – whether that's online or terrestrial television. A study by electronics company Epson also found that over half of surveyed parents in the UK view TV watching as a social activity that "could help bring families closer together".

But for connecting on a wider scale, the act of commenting during real-time videos is one already gaining traction. Twitch streams, Facebook Live videos and YouTube radio stations all allow users to leave comments and reactions on what they’re watching, meaning viewers can engage collectively instead of a purely solitary experience.

Twitch has popularized livestreams, with viewers responding to feeds collectively in real time.

It apes what’s actually a much more common phenomenon in China – where online videos will often include a stream of so-called ‘bullet comments’, named after the fast-moving projectiles that dominate the screens of Space Invaders-style arcade cabinets. These bullet comments are overlaid over the picture itself, rather than under or alongside it, with typed thoughts, reactions, emojis and exclamations from its various audience members all merging with the visual information happening onscreen (via LogicMag / @xuhulk).

As if someone texting in the cinema wasn’t bad enough, you might think – but it speaks to a wider trend of a generation raised on social media, understandably finding a purpose for those social features across all kinds of content.

According to Hannah Marcus, a strategist at media consultancy Discover.AI, things don’t end there either – with the rise of social viewing platforms that see people "writing and communicating directly over the content they’re watching, which has then mutated into formally interacting with the content itself (covering up shocking scenes with text, for example).”

Marcus adds that “the US and UK are getting better at dealing with multiple claims on their attention, as shown by the increase in subtitle usage and multi-language content [distributed through Western platforms]. But it is a far cry from this kind of collective multi-watching experience.”

What does this have to do with Netflix?

GLOW Season 3

GLOW Season 3: Netflix has been pushing its own original content, to become less reliant on licensing of older shows.

So far, TV streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Hulu have been resistant to too many features that interrupt or distract from the content that viewers have come to watch – with many of us paying that subscription in order remove irritating ads in the middle of our shows. 

But attitudes change, and Netflix is a company that has repeatedly shaken up its services in order to attract wider audiences, moving from a DVD rental service to a behemoth in online TV streaming a huge producer of original content. 

The Netflix app also already allows you to "share" what movie or TV show you're watching to social media platforms – and has been testing out an "Extras" discovery feed that provides you information and trailers around your favorite titles. Why not bullet comments next?

“Without innovation, even the best products and business models reach their limits,” Pazaratz says, referring to the recent stagnation in Netflix’s subscriber growth. “While hot new shows are crucial, users are also looking for novel and enticing ways to enjoy them. With the competition heating up, if Netflix doesn’t innovate, others surely will.”

Ok, but... is this something we actually want?

Pazaratz is pretty adamant this is something viewers are pining for: “How many people go to the movies alone? Or a music concert? Entertainment has always been a social activity, and given the option, people choose to enjoy it together.”

However, that doesn’t seem to allow for those of us who like watching a few episodes of Friends by ourselves before bed, or even going to a cinema or theatre for the experience of some anonymity in a crowd. There are those of us who like to consume content in a more introverted way – away from the social pressure of discussion in more public forums like Twitter.

One of the strengths of Netflix is in how it focuses on the content you're watching, without ads to interrupt you or too much of the outside world getting in – unless you want it to, of course. TV streaming services may look to get more social in the future, but they'll need to be careful not to lose focus of why people subscribe – and become more focused on the social interaction than the TV shows and films fuelling it.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

England vs Ireland live stream: how to watch today's rugby online from anywhere

Posted: 24 Aug 2019 04:25 AM PDT

England will be looking to get back to winning ways after last week’s demoralising defeat against Wales. Ireland on the other hand, are hoping to build on their win over Italy in their first Autumn International, but go into today's game knowing a much sterner test will be in store for them. Don't miss out on any of the action by following our tips on getting an England vs Ireland live stream below.

Eddie Jones' experimental side failed to make it two wins in as many weeks over their Welsh opponents. A much stronger XV is set to be deployed at Twickenham today for their third World Cup warm up match. 

All eyes will be on George Ford (fly-half) and Owen Farrell (inside centre), with the pair brought together for the first time in over a year.

The Irish will be keen to make amends for their heavy Six Nations defeat to England in Dublin back in February - a defeat that ended a two-game winning streak for the Boys In Green. Coach Joe Schmidt has a number of injury concerns going into the match, with Johnny Sexton the key absentee due to a thumb sprain.

With the World Cup edging ever closer, today's match will offer a decent insight into how well both teams preparations for Japan are going. Keep reading to discover how to get an England vs Ireland live stream.

How to live stream today's rugby from outside your country

If you're outside your home country - whether that be the UK or anywhere else - and try to start streaming the rugby via your native broadcaster, you'll realise that you can't as it's location restricted. Fear not, the action is still within your reach. All you need to do is download and install a VPN to effectively trick your computer into thinking that it's back home. That way you can enjoy your home coverage (assuming you comply with the broadcaster's TS&Cs), minus the risk of using a naughty stream from an illegal source.

How to stream England vs Ireland live in the UK

Live stream England vs Ireland in Australia

Live stream England vs Ireland in New Zealand

usa

How to watch an England vs Ireland live stream in the US

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Challenge Cup Final 2019 live stream: how to watch St Helens vs Warrington Wolves rugby league from anywhere

Posted: 24 Aug 2019 04:22 AM PDT

St Helens and Warrington head to Wembley today for the first ever meeting between the two sides in the 2019 Challenge Cup Final.

The match marks Warrington's third appearance in four seasons in the final, and they'll be hoping for a better outcome this time out having been the losing side on each of those visits to the capital. Will they make it a winning Wembley visit this time? Watch all the St Helens vs Warrington action live, even if the match isn't been shown where you are, with our Rugby League Challenge Cup live stream guide below.

Currently sitting pretty at the top of the Super League with a massive 16 point gap between them and their opponents, St Helens go into today's game as clear favourites.

Saints coach Justin Holbrook will be hoping his side will maintain their impressive form which has seen them go unbeaten so far in August, and they'll be boosted by the return from injury of Alex Walmsley, Lachlan Coote, James Roby and Joseph Paulo.

Despite their semi-final win against Hull FC, Warrington haven’t won a Super League game since the start of July. With star half-back Blake Austin left out of the 19-man squad due to an ankle ligament tear, coach Steve Price and his team will need to dig deep to pull off a shock win.

This afternoon's match brings together two of the tournament's most successful clubs, with St Helens having won the cup 12 times and Warrington on eight wins. However, it's been 11 years since the former last won the cup, while Wolves haven't tasted cup glory since 2012.

Which team will end their drought? You can watch all the drama unfold as it happens by following our St Helens vs vs Warrington Wolves Challenge Cup live stream guide below. 

How to live stream St Helens vs Warrington for free in the UK

How to watch the Challenge Cup final 2019 from abroad

Out of the country this weekend? Badly times holiday or work trip? Try to watch that BBC stream and you'll quickly find that it's geo-blocked.

That's super annoying, but not unavoidable. We've found that using a Virtual Private Network - or VPN - to be a handy solution. You select a server in your country and then watch as if you were sat back at home on your couch.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Call off the hunt - these are the top five Samsung Note 10 deals you can buy this weekend

Posted: 24 Aug 2019 04:07 AM PDT

Ever since the big launch a couple of weeks ago, it's been stunning us with its innovative features and stylish design. And now Samsung Galaxy Note 10 deals are officially available to buy.

The great news if you're looking to get your hands (and we do mean 'hands' plural') on this colossal smartphone is that we've done the hard work for you. There's no need to spend your bank holiday finding the perfect contract as we've picked out the absolute best five - no matter what you require from a mobile phone contract.

We've been living and breathing Samsung Note 10 deals since pre-orders began and so are confident to present this collection as the very best choices currently available.

Scroll down to see our picks with a tasty unlimited data offer, the cheapest possible monthly bills and our favourite all-round S10 deal all included. Or, if you were after something even bigger - or perhaps preparing yourself for 5G - then you can also discover today's best Samsung Note 10 Plus deals in our dedicated guide. 

Divider

1. The best EE Samsung Galaxy Note 10 deal

2. Unlimited data at an affordable price

3. A Note 10 deal with affordable monthly bills

4. A big data bargain on the Note 10

5. Absolutely nothing to pay upfront

What's the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 like?

Starting on the outside, it features a 6.3-inch AMOLED inifinity-O display, pushing Samsung's notoriously impressive displays.

Following the trends of 2019, Samsung has also crammed three separate cameras into this phone - wide, telephoto and ultrawide. And from our preliminary tests, these snappers are matching the impressive quality of the S10 series. 

Powered by 8GB Ram and a 3500mAh battery, this is looking like a powerful device through and through. And the 'S' pen - a tool for productivity through your phone - is back, too and smarter than ever.

Find out more with our Samsung Galaxy Note 10 review

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Scotland vs France live stream: how to watch today's rugby international online from anywhere

Posted: 24 Aug 2019 03:12 AM PDT

In this double bill of a Rugby World Cup 2019, Scotland are looking for some sweet revenge after being comprehensively beaten in France last weekend. It should be another fabulous encounter and you can live stream Scotland vs France rugby action from anywhere using this guide. 

To be frank, it was a fair walloping that Scotland took at the hands of Les Bleus when they met in Nice last Saturday. The final score was 32-3, but France's 20-point lead at the halfway stage meant the writing was on the wall way before the 80 minutes were up. Full-back Maxime Médard scored two of his team's five tries, while Camille Lopez added a further seven points with the boot from fly-half. Could Jacques Brunel's squad finally be clicking just in time for the World Cup next month?

There were very few positives for the Scots to take back home with them. Gregor Townsend will have a real job on his hands to get them mentally and physically ready for the return leg in Edinburgh. Perhaps the stirring Murrayfield crowd can give them the lift they need.

It should be another telling warm up game for both teams ahead of the World Cup and it's a match you can watch live - no matter where in the world you are - by following our France vs Scotland live stream tips below.

How to live stream rugby union when you're not in your country

If you're outside your country of residence - whether that be the UK or anywhere else (see your other options below) - and try to start streaming the rugby via your native broadcaster, you'll soon discover that you can't as it is location restricted. Fear not, the action is still within your reach. All you need to do is download and install a VPN to effectively trick your computer into thinking that it's back home. That way you can enjoy your home coverage (as long as you do so in compliance with the broadcaster's Ts&Cs) without delving into the dangers of an illegal stream.


How to live stream Scotland vs France in the UK

Live stream Scotland vs France in Australia

Watch Scotland vs France in New Zealand

usa

How to watch a Scotland vs France live stream in the US

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

La Vuelta a España 2019 live stream: how to watch cycling online from anywhere

Posted: 24 Aug 2019 03:04 AM PDT

Notorious for its punishing summit finishes, La Vuelta a España sees some of the world's top riders compete over a 3,254 kilometre, 21 stage race. But watching what is the third and final Grand Tour of the summer cycling race season is really easy - our guide below will take you through the steps (or pedals?) you'll need to watch La Vuelta a España 2019 no matter where you are in the world.

Growing in prestige with each edition - recent winners have included Chris Froome, Vincenzo Nibali, Nairo Quintana, and Alberto Contador - the Vuelta a España is far from the poor relation to the Tour de France or even the Giro d’Italia it once was.

This year's Vuelta is set to be tougher than ever with eight summit finishes - five of which are new to the race, along with two time trials. There's also a detour into Andorra and France as well as a Gran Salida from Utrecht, in the Netherlands.

Boasting Primoz Roglic and Steven Kruijswijk and a strong support squad, Jumbo-Visma look like the team to beat during this year's race with its two main riders likely to battle it out as overall winner. There's also likely to be plenty drama among the ranks of Team Movistar, with Richard Carapaz out for more glory following his triumph in the Giro, starting alongside former Vuelta winners Nairo Quintana and Alejandro Valverde.

You can watch live all the action from the Mediterranean Coast to the peaks of the Pyrenees using our live streaming guide to the 2019 La Vuelta a España below.

Live stream La Vuelta a España from outside your country

We have details of all the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand broadcasters further down this guide. Good news in Australia where it's on free-to-air TV.

If you're obsessed by watching the cycling and refuse to miss a stage - even when you're away on business or on holiday - then you'll be disappointed to see your domestic coverage geo-blocked when you try to stream online from abroad. That's where utilising a VPN (Virtual Private Network) really helps. It let's you virtually change the ISP of your laptop, tablet or mobile to one that's back in your home country. Thus letting you watch as if you were back there.

Live stream La Vuelta a España for FREE in Australia and Spain

All the action from La Vuelta a España is set to streamed via Spain's own free-to-air RTVE network on its dedicated Teledeporte sports channel. The TV channel itself can be viewed via apps like TruTV so you can enjoy all the cycling action from anywhere on your mobile smart device. The commentary will be in Spanish, but you'll still have the pictures at least.

Aussie cycling fans can watch the action with English commentary for free thanks to SBS. The free-to-air broadcaster has the rights to show the Vuelta live on its Viceland channel. Don't worry if you're out of the country and want to catch that SBS broadcast - a VPN will let you watch as if you were back at home on your laptop, mobile or other TV streaming device.

How to watch the La Vuelta a España: UK live stream

For UK residents, Eurosport 1 is the channel to head to for your La Vuelta fix. Eurosport is available with basic Sky TV packages or with a Eurosport Player monthly or annual pass - a free trial for which is available here - that also gives you access across loads of devices. 

Not in the UK? Don't worry, you can download and use a VPN to take your laptop or mobile virtually back to the UK and watch as if back in blighty.

If you haven't got Eurosport and aren't bothered about watching events unfold live, you can always fall back on ITV's highlights which will be broadcast nightly.

How to watch the La Vuelta a España: US live stream

The La Vuelta a España 2019 is being aired by NBC Sports Live Extra in the US. This will be streamed online so if you have the app then you can enjoy it anywhere. However for those that don't have access to this stream there are other options.

For the most extensive coverage NBC has to offer, you can subscribe to NBC Sports Gold, which is offering a Cycling Pass for $54.99, delivering live, on-demand and commercial free coverage of the Tour.

There's also the option of streaming the Vuelta live via Fubo.tv with apps for the service available for just about any device that can stream video. If you're new to the service, Fubo.tv are offering a week's free trial. With the Vuelta three weeks long, you'll need to subscribe if you want to watch the race in its entirety on the service - Fubo.tv’s basic package will set you back $54.99 per month.

How to watch the La Vuelta a España: Canada live stream

Canadians will be able to get in on the La Vuelta a España 2019 action via FloBikes which streams online so you can watch from anywhere.

A monthly subscription will cost you $30 while a yearly account will set you back $150 ($12.50 per month), which will give you access to coverage of major cycling events throughout the year.

Not in Canada to catch that Flobikes stream? Well you know the answer by now...using a VPN is the way to make sure you don't miss a moment. 

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

New iPad Pro 2019: what we want to see

Posted: 24 Aug 2019 03:00 AM PDT

The iPad Pro range is the pinnacle of premium tablet hardware, and each new year brings a new generation of the slates with new improvements and upgrades – it’s unlikely 2019 will be an exception, so we’re expecting to see new iPad Pros soon.

Apple is going to have a hard time keeping its premium slates relevant, thanks to Samsung doing its best to provide competition in the form of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6, and it’s also a pivotal year for the iPad Pro slates, with the release of iPadOS later in 2019 which looks set to redefine the Apple tablet experience.

There haven't been many leaks or rumors surrounding the new iPad Pro models yet. We’d assume there are two different sized models, like 2018’s iPad Pro 11 and iPad Pro 12.9, but iPad Pros have seen different sized models in the past, so a change here wouldn’t be unheard of.

Beyond rough guesses, and a few rumors here and there we don’t know much yet at all, which is why we’re speculating with our dream wish-list.

New iPad Pro 2019

iPad Pro 11 (2018)

Cut to the chase

  • What is it? The next generation of Apple's premium iPad Pro tablets
  • When is it out? Likely announced in October, released in November 2019
  • How much will it cost? A range of prices depending on size, but all rather pricey

New iPad Pro 2019 release date and price

If you’re eagerly anticipating the new iPad Pro release date, you probably won’t have to wait too long, as in the past Apple has unveiled its new high-end slates at an event in October, before they become available to buy in November.

That means, while you’ll have to wait through the iPhone 11 release and the roll-outs of iOS 13 and iPadOS, you may be able to get your hands on the slates by Christmas. Of course there’s no official confirmation that the tablets will be out, but new iPad Pro registration details filed by Apple itself suggest there will be.

If you know about the iPad Pro devices, you know the price is the most off-putting thing about them, as they’re the definition of high-end premium gadgetery, and we wouldn’t expect that to change with the new iPad Pro models, especially if they have any of the upgrades we’re hoping for.

For context, the current iPad Pro 11 costs $799 / £769 / AU$1,229 for the option with least storage space, which is 64GB, and $1,549 / £1,519 / AU$2,349 for 1TB capacity, and the iPad Pro 12.9 prices range from $999 / £969 / AU$1,529 to $1,899 / £1,869 / AU$2,869 for the same storage.

Then there are the peripherals, which some would argue are an intrinsic part of the iPad Pro experience. The Apple Pencil stylus will set you back $129 / £119 / AU$199, and the Smart Keyboard Folio keyboard and case costs $169 / £169 / AU$299, so if you’re paying a lot of money for the most premium device you can, you can end up dropping $2,197 / £2,157 / AU$3,367.

While the cost of the peripherals will likely stay the same, we msy see the iPad Pro prices themselves creep higher, though we don’t know how high just yet.

What we want to see in the new iPad Pro

As we don't know much about the upcoming iPad Pro series, we've put together a few things we'd like to see.

1. Improved display technology

New iPad Pro 2019

Previous generations of iPad Pro used LCD screens, as have all iPads in general, so it’s clear Apple are committed to the technology in its slates. However, LCD screens have a few problems, like poorer black reproduction that you don’t get in OLED or AMOLED displays.

Samsung is really stepping up its tablet game, and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 has a Super AMOLED screen with a better resolution than iPad Pros, so if Apple wants to stay competitive it’s going to have to increase its screen quality.

Better screen quality is a particular necessity in the iPad Pro, as many professionals use the device to work – many of which really need the best display tech possible to correctly view color, details, or anything else they’re working on.

2. Longer battery life

New iPad Pro 2019

The iPad Pro (2018) range comes with decent battery life, but if you’re using your iPad Pro for something strenuous like video editing or gaming the charge can drop quite quickly.

Even if you’re not putting the iPad Pro’s processor through its paces, the giant screen often means the battery will drop quicker than you’d like, so after a day or two of normal use you’ll find the battery pretty low.

With iPad Pros getting more and more like laptops, it’s time for Apple to really boost the battery life of its slates.

3. Quicker charging

Just as the battery capacity could be improved, so could the speed it takes to charge that power pack up.

When you use the iPad Pro charger that comes in the box, it can often take a matter of hours to power the tablet up to full, and that’s just too slow if you’re popping into a coffee shop to charge up or can only plug your slate in for a short while.

Apple sells 30W chargers on its website, so we know the tablets can support the fast charging, and we’d love to see this kind of adapter in the box – alternatively, we’d like to see the base charging speed increased somewhat.

4. Improved Face ID

New iPad Pro 2019

While Apple’s Face ID systems on the iPad and iPhone were originally touted as market-leading, they’ve become rather overshadowed by facial recognition systems in other smartphones, and now it can feel a lot quicker to turn on an Android device than an iOS one. 

In the most recent iPad Pro range, Face ID felt a little unreliable – it wouldn’t always pick up our face, and when it did it could be a little slow to do so. We’d like to see this change, with upgrades to the facial unlocking system, because at the moment it’s quicker to type in a password than try and convince the tablet to recognize you.

5. More RAM

The iPad Pro devices are meant to be premium devices, but it’s hard to argue that case when you look at their RAM – 4GB really isn't’ enough at this point (the 1TB models come with 6GB, but that’s still fairly low).

Many high-end smartphones now come with 8GB RAM, as does the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6, and some even come with 12GB. This extra processing power is just as useful for navigating the user interface as it is playing games, rendering video, or arranging your files, so it’s quite a surprise the the iPad Pros have a below-average RAM.

If the RAM was improved in the new iPad Pro range, the tablets would be much more useful for many different business and leisure functions – and the devices would be able to square off against the competitors more.

6. Better Apple Pencil connectivity

New iPad Pro 2019

If there’s one common complaint with most people who’ve used an Apple Pencil, it’s how it connects to the iPad Pro physically – it connects to the slate with a magnetic bar on the top of the device (when it’s held horizontally), with which it wirelessly charges. 

However, if you’ve ever put your iPad Pro in a bag while the iPad Pro is connected (which you very likely will do if you’re taking it to work or a coffee shop), you’ll pull it out again, only to discover the pencil is missing. This is because it doesn’t take much work to accidentally knock the Apple Pencil off, or have it fall off in a bag or while pulling it out the bag.

Samsung has a physical dock in the Galaxy Tab S6 for the S Pen, and if there was something similar in the 2019 iPad Pro range, it’d get rid of those frustrating occasions when you pull the tablet out your bag without its stylus.

7. A 5G iPad Pro

New iPad Pro 2019

We’ve already heard that Apple is planning to release 5G iPad Pro models that let you use your cell network to connect to the internet when out and about, just like you can do on 4G now with your iPad Pro. This rumor states that’ll be in 2021, but we’d like to see it sooner.

With advances in cloud computing, 5G is going to be an increasingly important part of many different workspaces, so it’ll be important for tablets designed for professionals (like, for example, an iPad Pro) to have the connection.

Imagine being able to game on the go on a massive 12.9-inch tablet, use online processing power to edit a photograph, or download an entire file of documents in seconds so you can work on them straight away – this kind of functionality is why 5G tablets are important.

8. A redesigned Smart Keyboard Folio

Like the Apple Pencil, the Smart Keyboard Folio is a peripheral that sometimes has its problems.

For one, when the Folio is folded, its keys are face-out, so you can sometimes accidentally find yourself pressing them. It’s not backlit either, when a keyboard of its price really could be, and on top of that it can be rather noisy too.

The Apple Pencil had a poorer original version before it became a more useful tool like it is today, so perhaps a redesigned Smart Keyboard will be a powerful tool for productivity too.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Rumored AMD Ryzen 5 3500 could take out Intel’s budget CPUs going by this leak

Posted: 24 Aug 2019 02:56 AM PDT

The rumor mill has previously insisted that AMD has a Ryzen 5 3500 (as well as other chips) waiting in the wings, and now a prolific hardware leaker has spilled the apparent specs of the CPU – which, if correct, make the processor look like a worrying prospect for Intel.

This comes from TUM_APISAK (the source of plenty of CPU leakage) who aired the details on Twitter.

So we are apparently looking at a six-core (six-thread – meaning there is no simultaneous multi-threading here) processor, with a base clock of 3.6GHz and boost to 4.1GHz. Previous speculation has indicated a TDP of 65W, which would make sense based on AMD’s existing models.

When AMD first announced the Ryzen 3000 line-up, we thought it was a bit odd that there was no budget offering, so presumably this will be exactly that, sitting below the existing AMD Ryzen 5 3600 (currently the lowest spec Zen 2-based processor, which has six cores but 12-threads, and the same TDP and base speed, but it boosts to 4.2GHz).

That existing chip is priced at $199 (around £162, AU$295), so this fresh 3500 product would obviously have to undercut that by a decent amount.

AMD might be looking at a relatively affordable $150 (around £122, AU$220) or so, which would pitch the alleged Ryzen 5 3500 up against Intel’s popular Core i5-9400, also a six-core (six-thread) CPU with boost to 4.1GHz, but a slower base clock of 2.9GHz. That Intel part is priced around $180 (around £147, AU$265) – although you can get the non-integrated graphics version, the 9400F, for more like $150 or so, looking at online prices at the time of writing.

Pre-built PCs only?

So, the theory is that AMD would be looking at competitively pricing this chip against Intel’s Core i5-9400, and the very similar i5-9500 (although that offers boost to 4.4GHz).

However, as Tom’s Hardware notes (and has argued previously), there is a chance that this Ryzen 5 3500 may be a successor to the Ryzen 5 2500X, and thus supplied to OEMs only. In other words, you will only get it in pre-built PCs, rather than being able to buy it off the shelf on its own.

Hopefully that won’t be the case though, because it would be nice – and it would make sense – for the Ryzen 3000 range to get a budget option as a standalone product.

If it is indeed incoming, AMD’s Ryzen 5 3500 would likely be more than competitive with rival Intel offerings, because the performance battle is not just fought on pure clock speeds. The chip reportedly has much more cache than Intel’s i5s, AMD’s Zen 2 architecture offers a considerable IPC (instructions per clock) boost, and there are other features like Ryzen’s PCIe 4.0 support to consider.

  • Here are the details you need to know about AMD's Zen 2

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

England vs Australia 3rd Test live stream: how to watch Ashes cricket from anywhere

Posted: 24 Aug 2019 02:53 AM PDT

The sun may be shining at Headingley, but it could be a dark day for England in the 3rd Test of this year's Ashes series. The hosts are back on the back foot with Ashes glory now looking a long way away. If you've been completely bowled over (sorry!) by this cricket series, we'll tell you the best ways to get an England vs Australia 3rd Test live stream.

The home side have named an unchanged team for the 3rd Test and will be hoping for more of the same from Jofra Archer following his explosive Test debut at Lord’s which saw him deliver as a constant menace to the Australian attack.

The key issue ahead of the action in Leeds was always going to be how the Aussies deal with the loss of Steve Smith. Marnus Labuschagne certainly proved a fitting replacement, but he gained very little support from his teammates. Cameron Bancroft's poor form sees him replaced by Marcus Harris, while Peter Siddle makes way for James Pattinson as the Green Caps' seamers are rotated again.

For England, they'll be looking for the likes of Joe Root, Jason Roy and Jos Buttler to finally fire and avoid the kind of mid-order collapse that seems to have become the norm for this side in recent years.

Will England draw level or can the Aussies extend their series lead? You can watch all the action from pretty much anywhere on Earth by following our Ashes 3rd Test cricket live stream guide below.

Watch the 3rd England vs Australia Test away from your country

In the UK, Australia, India or the US and looking to find out how to watch the third Ashes Test? We've got all the details about the broadcaster with the rights to show the series in your region below. 

But if you're away from home country - maybe abroad on business or on holiday - but still want to tune in to your domestic Ashes coverage then you'll run in to issues. Because of broadcaster geo-blocking, you won't be able to watch online from overaseas. By using a VPN however, you'll be able to watch the game without having to resort to watching a potentially illegal feed from a dubious website.

How to watch the Ashes 3rd Test in the UK

Live stream the 2019 Ashes 3rd Test in Australia for FREE

How to watch England vs Australia: live stream in India

How to live stream England vs Australia in North America

How to get an Ashes 3rd Test live stream in New Zealand

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

CD Projekt Red will stream more Cyberpunk 2077 gameplay in August

Posted: 24 Aug 2019 02:46 AM PDT

If you just can’t get enough of the world of Cyberpunk 2077 then you’re in luck: CD Projekt Red has confirmed in a recent blog post that it will be streaming some more gameplay next week. 

On August 30 at 11 AM PT/2 PM ET/7 PM BST, the developer will host a livestream during the course of which it will show a 15 minute edit of the footage that’s already been shown to attendees of Gamescom 2019. The stream is to come from Warsaw rather than PAX West as originally planned due to "many logistical (and some creative) reasons" which have meant that the developer won't be attending the Seattle event in person.

Not only will those who tune into the stream get a better look at the game in action and the Pacifica region of Night City, there will also be some interviews with developers afterwords. 

These interviews will allow the developers to expound on what’s been shown, explain some of the creative decisions that have gone into making the game and give more details on some of the play styles players will be able to adopt when they get their hands on the game themselves. 

Tune in

Since E3 2019 CD Projekt Red has been fairly ramping up the hype for Cyberpunk 2077. In addition to the gameplay streams and screenshots that have been released, there have also been drops from the game's soundtrack over on the official YouTube channel, the most recent being Never Fade Away from Swedish band Refused. It's possible we'll hear more slivers of news from the Tokyo Games Show in September, too, as it's been confirmed that the game will be the focus for the Spike Chunsoft booth. 

The Cyberpunk 2077 livestream will broadcast on the official CD Projekt Red Twitch and Mixer channels.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Our exclusive NOW TV deal knocks up to 50% off the box sets Entertainment pass

Posted: 24 Aug 2019 02:33 AM PDT

Want to save up to 50% on a brand new NOW TV deal for the excellent Sky channel and box set Entertainment Pass? Well you've come to the right place as we have an exclusive selection of NOW TV offers for you.

A Now TV Sky Entertainment pass would usually set you back £7.99 a month. But we've got three exclusive offers for new NOW TV customers. The longer sub you sign up for, the bigger the discount you can get. You can save 40% on a two month pass, 45% on four months or get 50% off a six-month deal.

cheap now tv deals

The six-month Now TV pass for just £23.97 is the best deal we've seen in as long as we can remember in our long-running coverage of the latest NOW TV deals. If you're not sure if you want to sign up for that long, the discounts on the two and four month versions are better than any other NOW TV offer out there at the moment.

You won't find that deal just by browsing around the NOW TV site, only our official NOW TV link above will take you to the deal. Once you've picked an offer, you can start streaming quality box set content straight away. So be sure to take look at Chernobyl, Euphoria, Riviera, Warrior, Elementary, The Rookie, Fortitude, The Handmaid's Tale, 30 Rock, The Sopranos, The Wire, Dexter and loads more besides.

The box sets are of course the main draw for us and the often-rotated selection means there's always plenty of new material to enjoy. We'd seriously advise checking out the hype behind the Chernobyl mini series as one of the best shows on the service.

The NOW TV entertainment pass isn't just about box sets though, you can also stream excellent Sky TV channels live. We're talking about Sky One, Sky Witness, Sky Atlantic, Gold, Comedy Central, SyFy, Sky Arts, Discovery Channel, MTV and Nat Geo Wild. And don't forget, unlike signing up with Sky, there's no contract.

cheap now tv sky sports passes deals

Sports fans should also seriously consider the £140 saving on a Now TV Sky Sports pass too, especially with the Premier League season recently kicking off and there's The Ashes happening right now too. Hint: Now TV app, office Wi-Fi, mobile phones. Need we say more?

And if your telly box is in need of an upgrade, we've rounded up the best cheap TV deals and sales for you too. and if you're curious about a full-on Sky package, check out our roundup of the latest Sky TV deals.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Netflix is testing human-curated collections to go with its algorithms

Posted: 24 Aug 2019 02:30 AM PDT

If you're finding the Netflix recommendation algorithms a little on the stale side, help is on the way: the streaming service is testing a new Collections feature, where you can browse through picks from expert editors too.

As reported by TechCrunch and on Twitter, the feature is only being trialled with a small number of iOS users at the moment (Netflix has confirmed this, but as with any test, says the feature may or may not become permanent).

It seems like a good idea though – members of the Netflix team pull shows and movies into all kinds of groupings, whether that's based around a particular country, or around a topic like comedy or award-winning titles.

  • Check out the Netflix Witcher series
  • Disney Plus is almost here
  • All the news from Gamescom 2019

Some of the collections spotted so far include "Watch, Gasp, Repeat", "Short and Funny", "Artful Adventures", and "Oddballs & Outcasts". Genre, tone, storyline and character traits can be used for groupings, Netflix says.

What to watch next

It's billed by Netflix inside the iOS app as "an easy way to find shows and movies you'll like" – and if you do find something of interest then you're going to spend more time on Netflix, so the new feature is a win for everyone.

It certainly makes an interesting change from the finely tuned algorithms that usually serve up material in the Netflix recommendations pane. These algorithms are based, among other factors, on viewing history and ratings that have been left.

Having films and shows that have been hand-picked by human curators might be a better way of discovering something you wouldn't have otherwise come across – and with so much content on the service, viewers need all the help they can get.

No word yet on if or when the Collections feature is going to roll out for everyone, but we'll let you know if we hear anything (or see it appear in our app). Who knows: we might get user-curated collections eventually, too.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

EE is giving away free Xbox, Sonos speaker or B&O headphones with Google Pixel 3a deals

Posted: 24 Aug 2019 02:23 AM PDT

We all want to think we're getting value for money. And that probably explains why Google Pixel 3a deals - released earlier this year - have been so popular. A modern phone with a low price tag. And now EE has come along and made this cheap smartphone even better value by throwing in a terrific tech freebie.

EE is currently offering Google Pixel 3a deals with free gifts including your choice of an Xbox One S, Sonos One or B&O headphones. That means a freebie up to the value of a stonking £250.

With prices starting from £34 a month, the inclusion of these free gifts hasn't even boosted the price sky high like we're used to seeing with gift offers.

And, for those who want to go all out on their new phone deal, EE also offers its Smart Plans for a fiver more a month. These allow you to upgrade your contract whenever you want and feature so-called Swappable Benefits giving you the options to choose between data-free streaming on your Apple Music subscription, similar unlimited data for streaming the likes of YouTube, BBC iPlayer and Netflix, or access to the BT Sport app.

We've listed the best of these Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL deals down below so you can choose which works best for you (promotion ends on September 2). Or, if none quite take your fancy, consult our guide to the best mobile phone deals for all your other options.

Find out more about these freebies from EE: 

Google Pixel 3a deals + ace free gift

Upgrade to an EE Smart Plan for Swappable Benefits

With these offers, you can also upgrade to an EE Smart plan. That means you can upgrade your phone contract anytime and get access to EE's 'Swappable Benefits'. These benefits include unlimited data when using the likes of your Apple Music and Netflix account, subscriptions to the BT Sport app or increased roaming abilities. You can change between these perks at any point during your contract.

EE's Google Pixel 3a + free gift Smart Plan deals:

- Google Pixel 3a 10GB Smart Plan - £39 a month
- Google Pixel 3a XL 10GB Smart Plan - £44 a month
- Google Pixel 3a XL 30GB Smart Plan - £49 a month

Why should I get my next mobile phone deal on EE?

EE is the UK's fastest network and that fact alone has drawn in a lot of support for their contracts, it has steadily become the most popular network in the UK. You'll also find that EE phone deals are frequently the best option available.

EE also offers a few incentives to its customers that sweeten the deal. You can get six months of free Apple Music when you pay monthly with EE and the ability to use Wi-Fi to make calls when you just can't find signal anywhere.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

20 years later, the Blair Witch is still scaring the **** out of me

Posted: 24 Aug 2019 02:21 AM PDT

In 1999 The Blair Witch Project was released in cinemas and immediately became a cult horror classic, causing film goers to vomit and creating an urban myth that still lives on today. 

I vividly remember the first time I watched The Blair Witch Project, years after its original release. I must have been about 16 at the time and full of that cocky teenage confidence that teens tend to ooze when it comes to horror films. How wrong I was. 

I have never been as unsettled by a scene as I was when those camera-wielding campers wandered into that witch's house, with its devil scratchings and wooden stick men. 

It's now 20 years later and I am revisiting that house once more, but this time in the Blair Witch game. It's me who is in control of the camcorder – and it is horrific. 

Where's the dog gone?

Blair Witch

I feel like it's worth mentioning at this point that I do not like horror games. Not that I don't appreciate them, and as TechRadar's dedicated gaming writer it is my duty to dabble in all games. That being said, I feel like if I wanted my heart to beat out of my chest then I would rather rig myself up to a defibrillator instead. 

So when I agreed to play the upcoming Blair Witch at Gamescom 2019, I hadn't really taken the logistics into account. It's only when I stepped into the infamous woods, that the reality of the situation set in. This wasn't going to be a leisurely walk in the forest.

Bloober Team's Blair Witch isn't a game adaption of the films – rather it is a game with a new story inspired by the film lore. You play as Ellis, a cop who (accompanied by his K9 dog pal Bullet) is searching the woods for a young boy who has gone missing. But it's those woods and the witch isn't going to make it easy for you. 

Perhaps the most stressful part of Blair Witch is that it isn't a combat game. Instead, Bullet will alert you to the presence of something evil either through barking or growling. The only way to fend off the evil that creeps up on you is by shining your flashlight (or camcorder light) at them. But the minute that dog barked, my stomach sank.

As much as I hated Bullet's growl, it was preferably to no Bullet at all. At several points our canine companion disappeared, resulting in a resounding screech of "where's the dog?!" to no one in particular. There was one particular point where I was exploring some caverns below a tree and suddenly got a nauseous feeling when the flashlight went out and the witch started whispering in my ear. Maybe the growing wasn't so bad?

The house from hell

Blair Witch

I played five chapters of Blair Witch during the demo, each from a particular section of the game. But the final one is where I lost what little dignity I had: when I returned to the house that terrified me as a teen. The house that sees stick man etchings covering the walls and where baseballs randomly roll down the stairs. 

I remind you at this point. No combat. None. Bullet is gone and I am armed with a camcorder that I'm forced to look through to find hidden features which look a lot like blood smears. I've got to get through the house, with its tight corridors and hidden blood trails: I'm being forced to search which means looking at the screen (something I had been pretty lax about until now).

At one point an entity of some sort jumped out from behind a door and I jumped so high that my headset fell off and the journalist to my right recoiled in horror. "I only need to get through this last chapter," I muttered to myself as I proceeded with one eye open and the other closed – my bulletproof tactic for horror games. Or it was, until the German journalist to my left caught on to my tactic and proceeded to laugh at my cowardliness (he later ratted on me to the PR... snitch). 

Something wicked

Blair Witch

Essentially, Blair Witch relies on the same horror that the films do. Rather than focusing on gore and visual horror, the developers focus on what you don't see. Which is actually more terrifying. 

Throw in some jump scares, a detail-rich environment and you have a solid horror game with a niche 90s spin. However, there are definitely aspects of Blair Witch that could use some polishing as sometimes the real horror was how Bullet could walk through trees...

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)