Apple : Samsung Galaxy Note 10 pre-order deals have landed - see where to buy it in the UK |
- Samsung Galaxy Note 10 pre-order deals have landed - see where to buy it in the UK
- Samsung Galaxy Note 10 launch: here's what happened at Galaxy Unpacked 2019
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| Samsung Galaxy Note 10 pre-order deals have landed - see where to buy it in the UK Posted: 07 Aug 2019 02:35 PM PDT Forgo the S10s and the 'A' series devices because Samsung has a new flagship to get excited about - the Samsung Galaxy Note 10. Now officially available to buy, the Note 10 is Samsung's latest powerhouse phone. Considering the Note series is Samsung's biggest and most powerful collection of devices, we were expecting the prices to be staggeringly expensive. However, coming in at a SIM-free price of £899 it is looking relatively affordable...for a flagship of this size, at least. While that is the cheapest SIM-free price for the 'regular' Note 10, you will pay more for the bigger Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus (from £999) and Note 10 Plus 5G (from £1,099). And, with the option of £100 extra off the price with trade-in from a number of retailers, that cost can drop even further. But for the premium price, what is the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 offering? Internally, you're getting 8GB Ram and a 3500mAh battery. Considering the Note 10 is being pushed for its gaming abilities, you can expect some pretty impressive processing power. That paired with the 6.3-inch AMOLED Infinity-O display and innovative 'S' pen makes this an ideal phone for a range of smartphone shoppers - gamers and creatives especially. For those keen to delve straight on in to a contract on the Note 10, we're seeing prices starting at around £40 per month - a surprisingly affordable cost for a phone like this. SIM-free or contract, we've listed the absolute best retailers to get the phone down below. Of course, with the phone still being in its pre-order stage, you won't actually receive it until August 23. Where to buy Samsung Galaxy Note 10 deals:If you want pre-order the Samsung Note 10 (or either of the Plus versions), then you can do so immediately direct from Samsung now. But we're expecting the following retailers to be stocking it pretty much straight away too: Buying the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 on a contract: - Carphone Warehouse Buying the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 SIM-free: - Amazon
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| Samsung Galaxy Note 10 launch: here's what happened at Galaxy Unpacked 2019 Posted: 07 Aug 2019 02:18 PM PDT Today, August 7, is the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 launch date, and we're at the damp Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York reporting live from the big phone event using this constantly updated liveblog. We've got two phones unveiled already - the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus - and you can see them in lovely photos using the links below.
On top of that, we'll give you updated impressions on the Watch Active 2 and the Tab S6 that we tested last week, and report on any signs of the rumored Samsung Galaxy Tab S laptop that's been leaked prior to today. The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 launch event kicked off at 4pm EDT (1pm PDT, 9pm BST, 7am AEDT on August 8), and you'll be able to follow all the announcements as they happen below, in our Galaxy Note 10 launch live blog.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10 launch live blogAll times in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) 5:11pm: Samsung Galaxy Unpacked is over, and so is our liveblog. But let's re-cap:
5:08pm: Here's another partnership for Samsung: a United Nations rep is taking the stage at Unpacked. Small actions that can achieve big goals, especially with half the world not connected to reliable capable internet. 5:05pm: We thought there'd be more to it, but the fact that Nadella took the stage at Unpacked is a sign that Microsoft is looking to work more closely with its hardware partners, even though it keeps impressive with the Surface 2-in-1s and laptop hardware. 5:02pm: Surprise, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has taken the stage, touting the partnership between Microsoft and Samsung. He's vague on details so far.
5:01pm: It's a partnership with Samsung and Microsoft. And just as it happened, more flood warnings on people's phones are going on. 5:00pm: Samsung CEO did promise a special guest and he's teasing that surprise right now. This should make our Samsung Unpacked live blog interesting and newsworthy. 4:59pm: The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 prices have finally dropped at the end of this event, and it'll start at $949 for the Note 10 and $1099 for the Note Plus. The release date is also August 23, right alongside the Tab S6 launch. 4:55pm: The Galaxy Book S will cost $999 and launch in September, according to Samsung.
4:53pm: The Samsung Galaxy Book S has officially been announced at Unpacked and it's being touted as an always-connected way to stay productive on the go. It runs Windows and it's powered by the Snapdragon 8cx chip – the first we've seen with this processor. It's supposed to last 23 hours. 4:51pm: You'll 'soon' be able to make and receive calls from your Windows PC using the Samsung Galaxy Note 10, which is handy if you're already at the computer and don't want to get up to fetch your phone when a call comes in. 4:50pm: Yes, Dex works with Macs as well, but Microsoft's operating system just works better with a Windows PC, obviously because it's a more open system and Apple and Samsung aren't exactly buddy-buddy. 4:47pm: Samsung Dex extends the power of your phone to your PC, and Microsoft is making a guest appearance at the Samsung launch event. There's a "Link to Windows' button right in the Note 10 notification shade. And with this mode enabled, you'll be able to see notifications, texts and other messages integrated natively on a Windows PC. 4:45pm: The rest of this watch segment should bore you, simply because our Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 review went up on Monday morning. 4:44pm: The Under Armour version of the Galaxy Watch Active 2 will cost $309. Samsung also briefly mentioned the Tab S6 release date of August 23.
4:42pm: The app MapMyRun is on the Active 2 Under Armour edition and pair with the UA "Hover Shoes" that help track your run. That seems like something our EIC Gareth Beavis needs to review if has hasn't already yet. Can you not already get MapMyRun on the regular Galaxy Watch Active 2? That's a question we'll be asking. 4:41pm: There's a Samsung Galaxy Active 2 Under Armour Edition of the new watch coming. Apple partnered with Nike, so Samsung is buddying up with Nike. They're about to tell us what it does.
4:39pm: Samsung is talking up 5G, although you won't find it on the standard Note 10 and Note 10 Plus. It's in a separate, more expensive version of the devices, and region defendant. For example, the Note 10 Plus 5G is the only 5G option in the US, and you'll have to sign a contract with Verizon for this faster version of the phone. 4:36pm: Super fast wire charging is premiers on the Note 10 and Note 10 Plus – 30 minutes with a 45W charger will last you 'through the day.' However, you won't find a 45W charger in the box. Instead it's a 25W charger (still better) in the box. 4:34pm: Samsung is partnering with Discord for social game experiences on the Note 10, and used a bunch of cringe-worthy acronyms to seem cool. 4:33pm - David: These 3D scans are sharp, textured, and respond to lighting. Okay, the animation's janky, but the models themselves are the best we've seen. Gareth: But we've seen this already with Huawei and Honor? David: Totally
4:32pm - David Lumb says: The AR Doodle kind of stunned the audience - we really aren't used to an AR application that works, and is fun. Who knows if this will be ignored, too, but it's the most advanced we've seen. 4:31pm - Ever wanted to create 3D files by scanning objects you see in real life? That's the 3D scanning demo Samsung is showing using the Note 10. The presenter was able to scan a stuff animal named Bobby, transform Bobby into AR and have a friend animate Bobby's movement in real time.
4:29pm - "If I can draw it with the S Pen, AR Doodle can bring it to life," says D'anthes. She drew a spiral shape, and you could actually explore the drawing in 3D. Will use you this? Probably not more than once. Is it a neat tech demo? Definitely. 4:27pm - New stickers and effects are on there too - with the ability to make your own stickers as well. Samsung has launched a new experience that brings the S Pen and camera together - we've got illustrator Sha'an D'anthes to talk about 'AR Doodle'.
4.26pm - We're seeing how a content creator would use this camera now - there's a full video-editing suite on there now as well. Someone in the crowd just whooped so hard at that. 4.24pm - There's a 'sound zoom' feature, which can zoom in on both the video and audio, and some intelligent smarts inside can predict the motion of a camera when running around making a movie. It does look smooth indeed.
4.22pm - There's a lot more from the S Pen and creativity on the Note 10 - oh, and there's an upgraded camera too. There's a 'lens for every situation'. The Pro-grade photography tools are being upgraded to the video as well; the video will now get bokeh effects on the fly, thanks to the uprated sensor inside. 4.19pm - The S Pen has new, fancy features - with a new six-axis acclerometer inside. Now we've got a travel vlogger to tell us all about it. Why would we want the product manager to do that, when we could have an internet person?
Eva Zu Beck is showing us how she can just start a vlog without needing to touch the screen. OK, we were getting a bit cynical, but the ability to use the S Pen as a motion controller is a game-changer in many ways. It's like a remote hand!
4.15pm - There will be six new colors for the Note 10, and four for the Note 10 Plus, including an iridescent white. And, of course, the Note will have the S Pen that we associate with the range. Now we're getting a little more info on the Galaxy Tab S6 that launched last week, also using the S Pen. 4.12pm - Drew Blackard, senior director of product marketing for Samsung US, is on stage now. He's confirming there are two sizes, if you want a smaller device, proclaiming it to be the thinnest bezel ever, but with the largest screen on the Note 10 Plus... for the Note 10. And, as you can imagine, it's got an 'immersive, dynamic AMOLED display. The camera on the front is smaller than ever, right in the screen, and that's the 'secret camera' that was shown in the teasers.
4.10pm - We're now seeing a video of the Note 10 pair being launched in the 'video-dome' we're in. Remember, this is the first time Samsung has done a Note 10 and Note 10+, as usually it's just the simple phone.
4.06pm - Oh... well, it turns out we may have got some more information on these phones already *shamemoji*. While DJ keeps talking about everything that's going on with 'app to cloud' and such, why not read about the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus... we've gone hands on with both! 4.03pm - We're hearing a little more about the Samsung Innovation Center now, and here's here 'to show us how Samsung is translating this vision into meaningful innovation' with new... stuff. Categories, products and partnerships. Can you tell we're wondering where he's leading? He's now talking about 'Experience Innovation' - more than just the features on a smartphone, apparently. Now we're talking about seamless use across many Galaxy devices. He keeps saying the word 'seamless' and then 'innovation'.
4.02pm - He's just told us we're going to see the 'world's most powerful Note'. Ruined that surprise, hasn't he? First we've heard of it, Koh. 4.01pm - The dome-like screen is filled with images of Samsung... things now. Oh, and it's all gone dark. OH WAIT, DJ KOH JUST CAME ON STAGE LIKE MAGIC, whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.... 4.00pm - It's go time!
3.55pm - Steve Aoki on the stream at the moment, along with Millie Bobby Brown - they're unsurprisingly using Samsung phones as part of #TeamGalaxy. That's nice, isn't it? And the now-standard logo of the S Pen spinning around that camera. Next up - Samsung trying to pretend that Bixby is really helpful. We keep being drawn in by the power of being able to book a table or get an Uber, or even beginning a run. Sounds good - but Bixby needs to start impressing us. 3.50pm - We're in our seats and the event center is filling up nicely - less than 10 minutes to go now!
3:30pm - There's just 30 minutes to go until Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event starts, and as we file inside why not take a moment to have your say in our latest Twitter poll? 3:04pm - As well as a number of distinguished media colleagues, we're also sharing the queue with some rather excited Samsung fans. 3:00pm - You know we said we expected rain? Well guess what, it's raining! And the umbrellas are out in force as we queue up to get into the event.
The rain won't dampen Samsung's spirits today 1:00pm: We're making our way to the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 launch rather early, although we expect it to rain in Brooklyn. That means we anticipate standing outside of the Barclays Center with an umbrella and hating life for a bit until the doors open at 3pm. The show starts at 4pm. It'll be worth it. In addition to rain, we're hoping that Samsung has something brilliant and new to show us. The latest batch of non-Note 10 Samsung rumors surround the potential launch of the Samsung Galaxy Book S, which is supposed to be a 2-in-1 Windows laptop and a follow-up to the Samsung Galaxy Book 2. So in total, there may be five Samsung Galaxy devices this month: The Galaxy Tab S6, the Galaxy Watch, two Galaxy Note 10 phones, and a Galaxy Book S. Please send help. There's going to be a lot of hardware for us to test before the iPhone launch. 11:30am - Just when you thought the mobile market may be starting to settle down, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 launch turns up, kicking off the next round of big phone announcements. At the start of September we could see the likes of the Sony Xperia 2 and LG G8X at IFA 2019, followed by the iPhone 11 a week later, and then the Google Pixel 4, OnePlus 7T and Huawei Mate 30 Pro in the following weeks/months. In short, it's going to get real busy, real soon... again. And, as always, TechRadar will be with you every step of the way to bring you all the latest as it happens. 10:30am - As we near the 4pm start time, let's take a moment to round-up the key Samsung Galaxy Note 10 rumors.
6:30am - So does this mean we'll only get to see and learn about the Galaxy Note 10, and potentially the Galaxy Note 10 Plus, today? Well, maybe not. A few weeks ago Samsung confirmed that it was ready to put its foldable phone on sale in September, saying that it had addressed and fixed the issues which plagued the device ahead of its planned launch earlier this year, which it then had to cancel. Today's launch event could be a good opportunity for Samsung to re-introduce the world to its foldable smartphone and explain in detail the progress it has made in an attempt to win-back consumers who may have been put off by the issues.
5:30am - Earlier rumors surrounding today's Galaxy Unpacked event hinted that we may see more than just phones announced on stage, but instead Samsung decided to launch a couple of new products ahead of the August 7 event. First, we got the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 tablet, which is Samsung's new productivity focused 10.1-inch tablet aimed to compete with Apple's iPad Pro range. Then, on August 5, Samsung announced the Galaxy Watch Active 2. This new smartwatch adds a digital bezel, ECG and a LTE option for those who want connectivity without relying on their smartphone's signal.
4:30am - And the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 leaks continue to flow, mere hours before the launch event, although this is a good one. Samsung has announced a new high-end chipset - the Exynos 9825 - just in time for it to be potentially included in its new Galaxy Note smartphone. Previous Note 10 rumors suggested that the handset may well pack a new chipset, giving it a power advantage over the Galaxy S10 and S10 Plus which launched earlier this year, so making the jump from the Exynos 9825 to the Note 10 is reasonable. In the US, however, we're expecting the phone to carry the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chipset – we had seen one report claim the 855 Plus would be in this version, but that was retracted. 4:00am - In the Big Apple, everyone (well, most people) are still asleep, but that doesn't mean we're sitting back... oh no. There's potentially a lot to look forward to today, and Samsung has made some recent announcements you may have missed. Worry not though, as we'll take you through everything you can expect to see today, as well as what's already been announced, as we build towards the Galaxy Note 10 launch this evening. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Samsung Galaxy Book S release date, news and features Posted: 07 Aug 2019 02:02 PM PDT The Samsung Galaxy Book S is official, and it's the company's next premium, ultra-portable laptop, taking a turn away from some of Samsung's recent devices. Unlike recent Galaxy Book laptops, the new Galaxy Book S has a traditional clamshell design. The Galaxy Book and Galaxy Book 2 have had 2-in-1 designs like Microsoft's Surface Book and Surface Pro series. Instead, Samsung's new laptop goes with a thin-and-light form factor. And, unlike Microsoft's Surface Laptop, it does not change up the screen to a 3:2 aspect ratio, sticking with the tried-and-true 16:9. It's also important to note that this is the first laptop seen in full to feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx processor (CPU), the chip maker's first 7-nanometer CPU. Here is everything that we learned at Samsung's Unpacked 2019 Event in Brooklyn, New York – during which it debuted alongside the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.
The laptop uses a 13.3-inch, 16:9 FHD display. Cut to the chase
Expect to see the Samsung Galaxy Book S this September. Samsung Galaxy Book S release dateDuring its launch event for the Galaxy Note 10 today, Samsung had nothing more to say about the Galaxy Book S release date other than that it would be available in the US "this September." However, we do know that the laptop will come in "Earthy Gold" and "Mercury Gray" color options. Given that this is the first Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx device seen in full, we'd expect Samsung to live up to this launch window promise. We also expect to see a brand new MacBook Pro 2019 design this year, so Samsung wants to meet that head on as well.
The Samsung Galaxy Book S weighs just 0.96 kg. Samsung Galaxy Book S price and specsGiven that it's part of Samsung's Galaxy Book series, we knew that this was going to be a premium device, starting at $999 in the US. From the look of the device, it's clearly boasting a thin and light design that likely factors into the price. Likewise, packing serious hardware into a small form factor comes at a price. And, affirming some previous rumors, the laptop features an 8-core processor with a boost clock of 2.84GHz and 8GB of memory (RAM). Backing that up is 256GB of solid-state drive (SSD) space – up to 512GB – and LTE capability with Nano SIM support. Wireless carrier partners have not yet been mentioned. This isn't the 5G laptop that some expected to see from Samsung, but it's certainly a luxury device with ease of use and premium hardware in mind. As such, we expect to see the Galaxy Book S come in around the same price as something like the MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, but perhaps the Snapdragon 8cx is less expensive for Samsung to adopt than we think.
The laptop also appears to be incredibly thin. Key Samsung Galaxy Book S featuresSamsung has just shown off the Galaxy Book S briefly in Brooklyn, New York, but we have plenty to glean from that showing in terms of key features to call out. Here's what Samsung is hoping will sell you on the Galaxy Book S laptop. Long battery life LTE connectivity Fingerprint security USB-C ports Better performance in Windows 10
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| Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10 Plus are huge in pretty much every way Posted: 07 Aug 2019 01:50 PM PDT The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10 Plus are official, and they are huge in pretty much every way. Huge phones? Check. Huge screens? Check. Huge power? Check. Huge storage? Check. Huge Price? Check.. you get the picture. As you may have guessed, the Galaxy Note 10 is the smaller of the two handsets, while the Galaxy Note 10 Plus is the larger sibling. Both come with Samsung's S Pen stylus which slides into the body of the phones, and it's been a staple feature for the range ever since its conception in 2011.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 features a 6.3-inch Full HD, HDR10+ display, three rear cameras (16MP ultra-wide, 12MP wide-angle, 12MP telephoto), 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage and a 3,500mAh battery. Meanwhile the Galaxy Note 10 Plus has a larger 6.8-inch QHD, HDR10+ display, four rear cameras (16MP ultra-wide, 12MP wide-angle, 12MP telephoto, DepthVision camera), 12GB of RAM, 25GB or 512GB of storage and a 4,300mAh battery. Both Galaxy Note 10 variants also come with a 10MP front camera embedded in the screen, in-display fingerprint scanner, face recognition, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC and yes, the S Pen stylus. Oh, but neither have a headphone jack.
Pricing and availabilityThe Samsung Galaxy Note 10 release date is set for August 23, with pre-orders for both handsets opening now in the UK, and from August 8 in most markets. In terms of cost, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 price is $945 (£899, about AU$1,400) SIM-free, while the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus price starts at $1,099 (£999, about AU$1,600) for the 256GB model. The Galaxy Note 10 Plus also comes in a 5G variant, allowing you to connect to the latest generation of mobile networks. The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus 5G price starts at $1,299 (£1,099) for the 256GB model, and $1,399 (£1,199) for 512GB of storage. In terms of colors, the Note 10 Plus will be available in Aura Glow (blue to white gradient), Aura Black and Aura White, while the standard Note 10 arrives in Aura Glow, Aura Black and Aura Pink - although availability will vary by market. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Samsung Galaxy Note 10 vs Samsung Galaxy Note 9: how do they compare? Posted: 07 Aug 2019 01:43 PM PDT The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 is one of the biggest phones of 2019, and it’s sure to also be one of the best-selling, but should you buy it when the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is still a top phone – and actually better in some respects? While we can’t answer that for you, we can help you decide, as well as generally running you through the many similarities, and even more numerous differences, between these two handsets. So read on for a thorough look at how Samsung’s new phablet flagship compares to its previous one. Samsung Galaxy Note 10 vs Samsung Galaxy Note 9: design and display
The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and Samsung Galaxy Note 9 both have a glass front and back, along with a metal frame and a curvy screen. They’re similar in a lot of ways, but while the Note 9 had prominent bezels at the top and bottom of its screen, the Note 10 is virtually bezel-free, thanks in part to the front-facing camera being housed in a punch-hole cutout rather than above the display. Other differences include the headphone port (the Note 9 has one while the Note 10 doesn’t), and the colors, with the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 coming in Aura Glow, Aura Black and Aura Pink, while the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is available in Metallic Copper, Lavender Purple, Ocean Blue, Midnight Black, Pure White and Alpine White (though not all colors are available everywhere).
Their dimensions and weight also differ, with the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 coming in at 151 x 71.8 x 7.9mm and 168g, while the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is 161.9 x 76.4 x 8.8mm and 201g. So the Note 9 is bigger in every dimension, as well as being heavier. That’s partly down to its larger bezels, but partly because the Note 9 actually has a larger screen at 6.4 inches, compared to the 6.3-inch display on the Note 10 – for a truly massive new Note phone you’ll need to opt for the 6.8-inch Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus.
The Note 9's screen is larger and sharper than the Note 10's The Galaxy Note 9 also has a higher-resolution screen, coming in at 1440 x 2960, for 516 pixels per inch, while the Galaxy Note 10’s is 1080 x 2280, for 401 pixels per inch. In some ways then the Note 10 is actually lower-end, marking the Note 10 Plus out as the true flagship of the range. However, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 does at least support HDR10+, which is a slight upgrade on the Note 9’s HDR10 support, and both phones have AMOLED displays. Samsung Galaxy Note 10 vs Samsung Galaxy Note 9: camera
With the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 you get three rear cameras, headlined by a 12MP wide-angle snapper which can switch between apertures of f/1.5 and f/2.4, and which has optical image stabilization (OIS). Then there’s a 12MP f/2.1 telephoto lens with OIS, and a 16MP f/2.2 ultra-wide lens, which lacks OIS. The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 has just two rear snappers, one of which is the same 12MP variable-aperture one as the Note 10 has, while the other is a 12MP telephoto one with an f/2.4 aperture. That aperture might mean the Note 9’s telephoto lens won’t fare as well in low light, but we’ll have to put the Note 10’s camera to the test to be sure. In any case, the key difference here is that the Galaxy Note 9 lacks an ultra-wide lens. There’s less difference round the front though, with both phones having a single selfie camera. The Galaxy Note 10’s is a 10MP f/2.2 unit, while the Galaxy Note 9’s is 8MP and f/1.7. Samsung Galaxy Note 10 vs Samsung Galaxy Note 9: battery lifeIf you were hoping for a massive battery in the Samsung Galaxy Note 10, you’re going to be disappointed, as it has just a 3,500mAh cell. That’s not particularly big for a phone of this size, and it’s also smaller than the 4,000mAh battery in the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 – although as noted above, that phone has a slightly bigger screen to power, so it won’t necessarily last longer.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 has the bigger battery In practice we found that we could comfortably get over a day of life from the Note 9 with moderate use – you’ll have to wait for our full review to see how the Galaxy Note 10 holds up. If nothing else though, you should be able to charge the Note 10 faster, because as well as having a smaller battery it also supports 45W fast charging, while the Note 9 tops out at 15W – although the Note 10 doesn't come with a 45W charger in the box, so you’ll have to pay extra to get the highest speeds. Samsung Galaxy Note 10 vs Samsung Galaxy Note 9: specs and features
The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 While the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 has last year’s top-end chipsets (either the Snapdragon 845 or Exynos 9810, depending on where you are), the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 gets an expected upgrade to this year’s chips, so you can expect a power boost. If you live in the US you'll get Qualcomm's Snapdragon 855, while those in the UK and various other countries around the world will get Samsung's newly announced Exynos 9825. That's Samsung's first 7nm chip, and, the company claims, its most efficient yet. It doesn’t have more RAM though, as both phones come with up to 8GB of the stuff – though in the Note 10’s case all models have 8GB, while the Note 9 is also available with 6GB. As for storage, you can actually get more into the Samsung Galaxy Note 9, as it comes with a choice of 128GB or 512GB, while the Galaxy Note 10 only comes with 256GB. Not only that, but the Note 9 also has a microSD card slot, potentially enabling you to up your storage to 1TB, which the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 lacks. Other features worth highlighting include the S Pen stylus – both phones come with this, but it's had some upgrades for the Samsung Galaxy Note 10, including gesture support.
The Note 9's fingerprint scanner is in an old-fashioned position on the rear of the handset Both phones have a fingerprint scanner, but while the Galaxy Note 9’s is on the back, the Note 10’s is embedded under the screen. Both also have IP68 certification (for water and dust resistance), and support Samsung DeX, allowing you to connect the phone to a monitor for a more desktop-like experience. Samsung Galaxy Note 10 vs Samsung Galaxy Note 9 price and availabilityThe Samsung Galaxy Note 10 starts at $949.99 (around £780 / AU$1,410). That’s comparable to the launch price of the Samsung Galaxy Note 9, which started at $1,000 / £899 / AU$1,499 for a 128GB model with 6GB of RAM, rising to $1,250 / £1,099 / AU$1,799 for a 512GB version with 8GB of RAM. However, prices for the Note 9 have now dropped in many places, so you can often pick the phone up from around $800 / £650 / AU$1,200. And you can buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 right now, whereas the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 isn’t shipping until August 23, though it can be pre-ordered. TakeawayThis is an odd situation, because while usually with these comparisons the new model is a clear upgrade, that’s not the case here. Yes, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 has more power, an extra camera lens, an in-screen fingerprint scanner, an improved design, and S Pen improvements, but the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 has a bigger, sharper screen, a bigger battery, potentially more storage, and a microSD card slot, as well as a 3.5mm headphone port, which is lacking on the Note 10. If you want a phone that’s a clear upgrade in just about every way – although still lacking a headphone port – then it’s the Galaxy Note 10 Plus that you’ll be after, but you’ll have to pay more for that. As for whether the standard Galaxy Note 10 is an improvement on the Note 9 overall… well, we’ll try and answer that in our full review, but if you can’t wait for that then just consider how much each of the above factors matters to you.
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| macOS 10.14 Mojave release date, news and features Posted: 07 Aug 2019 01:24 PM PDT Now that macOS Mojave has been on our Macs, bringing key iOS apps like News and Stocks to the fold, Apple’s OS is better than ever before. But, that’s not all: macOS 10.14 is also stocked with fantastic new and improved features, such as the system-wide Dark Mode and increased productivity through Finder. In the coming years, more iOS apps should be coming to the best Macs. Apple confirmed this at WWDC 2019 with Project Catalyst, making it easier and more seamless for developers to bring their iPhone and iPad apps to mac. Moreover, Project Catalyst has been available to developers as of June 3 with the beta version of macOS Catalina, so we can expect app developers to be releasing more macOS versions of iOS apps soon. Yet even now, there’s already a lot to love in macOS 10.14. And, despite macOS 10.14 having its own fair share of security issues, most notably KeySteal, the operating system is on the whole safe and secure. Apple’s macOS Mojave has been on our Macs for more than eight months at this point and most, if not all, of the problems have been addressed. Plus, any issues that do remain are dwarfed by the benefits this new OS brings to the table. Let’s dive into all of its features, alongside any new ones that have been added, so you can decide for yourself whether or not upgrading to the macOS 10.14 is for you.
Cut to the chase
macOS 10.14 Mojave release dateApple unveiled macOS 10.14 Mojave back in June 2018 at WWDC 2018, where most of its features were showcased. This was followed by a public beta launch in July, and finally a full launch on September 24, 2018. Apple has been keeping macOS 10.14 Mojave updated with all the latest features. The latest of these updates, macOS 10.14.4, brings Dark Mode to Safari, along with the new Apple News+ service. Past updates included a fix for the FaceTime Bug that allowed other people to access your camera without you answering their call, and a supplemental update to boost reliability for the 2018 MacBook Air. Apple has also released macOS 10.14.5, which will likely be one of the last major updates to the operating system before macOS 10.15 is unveiled. This update focuses on stability, and is still very much worth downloading despite its more nuanced refinements. Stay tuned here, as we will keep this section updated with all the newest news and information as they’re made available.
macOS 10.14 Mojave featuresNow that macOS 10.14 Mojave has been out for some time, there are a lot of new features to look enjoy and take advantage of. We’re going to dive into a detailed run-through of everything your Mac can do. From Finder improvements to more rigid security, the best Macs are about to become a lot better. Read on to discover all the new features macOS Mojave brings to the table, whether or not you’ve updated your computer yet, so you can take full advantage.
Dark Mode Third party programs are also adopting this new theme, with changes happening automatically for any app that uses standard colors through AppKit. Even developers who don’t use AppKit are working on implementing Dark Mode on their applications. For example, in a recent bug report, Google Chrome developers confirmed they’re working on a way to bring Dark Mode into the massively used web browser – just as soon as they iron out some issues first. Group FaceTime Group FaceTime has an incredibly intuitive implementation in macOS 10.14 Mojave. You can start a group FaceTime chat from any group iMessage thread, and invites are sent via a ringless non-disruptive notification. Once you’re in a Group FaceTime Chat, it automatically detects the speaker, bringing them front and center so that everyone’s always looking at the person actively speaking.
Stacks With Stacks, macOS Mojave sorts like files together so that you have a cleaner, more streamlined desktop, organizing photos with photos, pdfs with pdfs and so on. You’re even able to preview the thumbnails in a stack using a two-finger scroll, so that you can make sure the file you’re looking for is actually in that stack.
Gallery View This is made even better, thanks to the very detailed metadata display in the Preview pane. This feature makes it easier than ever before to take note of all the information of any file on your Mac. Finally, thanks to the inclusion of Quick Actions in the Preview pane, you won’t even need to leave Finder to work on files, whether you’re editing images or adding protection to files. You can even assign Automator tasks as Quick Actions to make browsing through files even more effortless.
Continuity Camera Across a multitude of different apps - Numbers and Pages, for example – you’ll be able to simply Control + Click in the body of the document, and select “Take Photo” or “Scan Documents.” It’ll then proceed to open the camera on your iPhone or iPad so you can take a photo that instantly pops it right into whatever you’re working on. It’s easy to use. It’s convenient. And, it’s going to be a boon for anyone that needs to save some time while doing schoolwork or that next big work project.
Markup in Quick Look and Screenshots Markup is also implemented into screenshots, which means that you can simply bring up any screenshot and instantly edit any content within. Being able to swiftly crop screenshots in macOS Mojave without having to open any third-party photo-editing software is going to be a massive time-saver. When you capture a screen, you’ll see a preview image open up, just like in iOS 12, that you can click on to preview and edit your screenshot. That's not all. Screenshots are still a simple shortcut away, but with macOS Mojave, a new easy-to-use menu includes screen-recording tools that allow you to capture animated content. Perhaps even more importantly, you can choose to save the screenshot to your clipboard, saving time – not to mention space – if you just need to send someone a quick screenshot, but don’t want that screenshot filling up your storage.
Apps These apps leverage the power of the best Macs to deliver an awesome experience. Voice Memos, for instance, will automatically transfer any memos you take between your iOS and macOS devices – rewarding anyone who relies on the ‘Apple Ecosystem’ for a more streamlined workflow. This isn’t a full iOS app migration. In fact, since these apps are specifically overhauled for macOS, they feel like new Apps. Plus, the new Apple News+ service is available on Mac the same day as iOS. Apple did say that it’d be bringing more iOS apps to Macs this year, but we’ll have to wait until the later part of 2019.
Security That’s not all: Safari also has been updated with its own share of security enhancements. Those include shutting down cookies that track you across websites, and making sure that Safari asks permission before it allows cookies of any kind access to your browsing data. Among these are those annoying social buttons that mysteriously appear on every page – Facebook and Twitter can’t track your activity outside of their own websites unless you allow them to.
New Mac App Store Not only does it look great, but it also lets you browse through apps depending on what you’re trying to install. If you’re currently seeking an affordable alternative to Logic Pro X or Adobe Photoshop, for example, it’s organized so that you can easily find the best Mac apps to fit your needs. The new Mac App Store also inherits the iOS App Store’s approach to editorializing its content. It’ll now have a much more modern interface with featured apps getting tutorials, spotlights and other such content. It really does bring the Mac App Store into the modern age. What’s even more exciting is that a ton of third-party developers, like Adobe and Microsoft, are bringing their apps to the Mac App Store, so you won’t have to go through untrustworthy websites for the apps you need.
macOS 10.14 Mojave specificationsUnfortunately, with all these new features, some older Macs will have to go without access to macOS Mojave. This is a departure from macOS High Sierra, which basically had the same system requirements as macOS 10.12. macOS 10.14 requires at least 14.3GB of hard drive space for the installation, as that’s what was required last year. To be on the safe side, have at least 20GB of free space. However, macOS Mojave does have more powerful hardware requirements than High Sierra. macOS 10.13 required at least 2GB of RAM and OS X 10.8 or later – that’s not the case anymore. These are the Macs supported by macOS 10.14 Mojave.
Unfortunately, while the required models rarely change year after year, they have with macOS 10.14. If you have an older MacBook, you might need a newer device to enjoy this new version of the OS. Images Credit: Apple
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| Companies don't think their cloud can keep up with security Posted: 07 Aug 2019 01:00 PM PDT More than half of enterprises believe that security can't keep up with cloud adoption according to Symantec's latest Cloud Security Threat Report (CSTR). The cybersecurity company surveyed 1,250 security decision makers across the globe to compile its report which uncovered a number of insights on the shifting cloud security landscape. Symantec discovered that enterprises have reached a tipping point with more than half (53 percent) of all enterprise compute workload now being done on the cloud. At the same time though, security practices are struggling to keep up and 54 percent of the enterprises surveyed indicate that their organization's cloud security maturity is not able to keep up with the rapid expansion of cloud apps.
Senior vice president of Cloud & Information Protection at Symantec, Nico Popp explained how moving to the cloud has left enterprises open to data breaches, saying: “The adoption of new technology has almost always led to gaps in security, but we’ve found the gap created by cloud computing poses a greater risk than we realize, given the troves of sensitive and business-critical data stored in the cloud. "Data breaches can have a clear impact on enterprises’ bottom line, and security teams are desperate to prevent them. However, our 2019 CSTR shows it’s not the underlying cloud technology that has exacerbated the data breach problem – it’s the immature security practices, overtaxed IT staff and risky end-user behavior surrounding cloud adoption.” Cloud securitySymantec's research found that companies are struggling to modernize their security practices at the same pace which they adopt cloud services and 73 percent experienced a security incident due to immature practices. Lack of visibility into cloud workloads is the leading cause and an overwhelming majority of respondents (93 percent) reported issues with keeping tabs on all cloud workloads. For example, Symantec's research showed that companies estimate they use 452 cloud apps on average when the actual number is nearly four times higher at 1,807. Immature security practices, including poor configuration and failing to use encryption or multi-factor authentication (MFA), are putting enterprises at an increased risk of insider threats which respondents ranked as the third biggest threat to cloud infrastructure. Cloud adoption is also leading IT teams to become overtaxed and Symantec's report revealed that 25 percent of cloud security alerts go unaddressed. A majority (64%) of security incidents take place at the cloud level and more than half of respondents admitted that they can't keep up with security incidents. Risky user behavior is another challenge faced by security teams and nearly one in three employees exhibit risky behavior in the cloud. This leads to sensitive data being stored improperly in the cloud which makes enterprises more susceptible to a data breach. Cloud security is an issue that most organizations are currently facing and hopefully Symantec's report will shine further light on the issue.
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| The best wireless headphones available in India for August 2019 Posted: 07 Aug 2019 11:55 AM PDT Welcome to TechRadar's guide to the best wireless and Bluetooth headphones you can buy in India in 2019. Wireless headphones have been around for a long time now, but the concept received a great push when Apple ditched the 3.5mm headphone jack. While they offer a lot of convenience thanks to the portability, finding the one with great audio quality can be quite the task. Most listeners prefer wired headphones because it supposedly provides a better audio experience- but that's a myth now. However, thanks to the mainstreaming of wireless headphones, there are a lot of options out there that can match the audio quality of wired headphones. No need to run a wire down your top every time you want to listen to music on the go or struggling with a cable to get your phone out of your pocket anymore – wireless headphones are a dream come true. Ditch the wireSo how do you determine the best wireless headphones from a whole bunch of wannabes? Easy. You try dozens of wireless headphones and stack them against one another, mano a mano. (Well, stereo a stereo in this case.) While these headphones are great for anyone looking to go wireless, they're especially practical when you consider the growing number of phones launching without headphone jacks. Looking to finally ditch the cord? Here are the top 10 wireless headphones:
Sony’s 1000X series of headphones have been our favourite for years now. Thanks to a combination of aptX and LDAC wireless codecs, in conjunction with Sony’s noise cancellation techniques, we’ve come to love Sony’s 1000X range of headphones. Whether you travel a lot or want to shut the outside world off, the 1000X series offers just what you need. The M2 could suffice your needs, but the M3 throws in improved noise cancellation algorithms and a touch of style to make the upgrade worth it. Read the full review: Sony WH-1000XM3
What do you get when you take the QC35 and add a dedicated button to activate Google Assistant? You get the QC35 II, of course. You get the standard Bose fare with the QC35 II – good sound quality, comfort and not to forget, the class-leading noise cancellation technology. To round it all up, the battery life is great, too. If you're looking to save some money, however, consider the original Bose QuietComfort 35. They can also be found for far cheaper these days, and if you're not fussed about having Google Assistant built into your headphones then you can save yourself some money while you save up for QC35 II. Read the full review: Bose QuietComfort 35 II
Jabra Elite 85h Want something that offers great battery life, style and a lot of customization options? The Jabra Elite 85h has answers for all your needs. That said, purists will bemoan the lack of high-end codec support and there are punchier headphones on the market at this price point. However, when you consider that Jabra’s Elite 85h headphones are Bose’s first attempt at premium wireless ANC headphones, the result is quite commendable. We can’t wait to see what the company’s next premium ANC headphones will accomplish. If you want an alternative to Sony's WH-1000XM3, this is it. Read the full review: Jabra Elite 85H
Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless Don’t mind splurging the top dollar to get the best wireless audio experience that money can buy? The Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless are just what you are looking for. Sound is spacious, detailed, and makes you want to rediscover your music library. They may not exactly be portable, and the noise isolation may not be up to snuff if you’re an outdoors person, but they are the best sounding pair of wireless headphones out there. Just make sure you can stomach the steep price. Read the full review: Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless
Audio-Technica has a rich history when it comes to class-leading high-end audio products. The ATH-M50xBT carry that legacy forward while cutting the cord, delivering studio-quality audio experience sans the wires. The ATH-M50xBTs are designed for really high-end audio performance, with 45mm drivers and a frequency response range of 15-28,00 Hz, and it shows - we were very impressed with the warm, well-rounded sound. The ATH-M50xBT headphones also performed well in terms of battery life and Bluetooth connectivity. The one area where they aren’t up to snuff is the microphone – it is not strong enough and you may end up struggling to make phone calls with them. That said, these are studio grade headphones and you’d probably not buy them for phone calls, so they are still great when it comes to their primary task. Read our full review: Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT
Image credit: Sennheiser If you are looking for a pair of wireless headphones that don’t burn through your pocket, the Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC headphones could be what you’re looking for. They offer decent noise cancellation that justifies the price. They may not be as powerful as the Sony WH-1000XM3 or sound as great as the Amiron, but these Sennheiser headphones offer good value for money. Read the full review: Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC
If you travel a lot and want something that can last really long and block out all the external noise, then let us introduce you to the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2. These headphones are one of the few ones on the market that can do all of the above and still cost a fraction of what headphones from big players like Sony, Bose and Beats cost. To maximise battery life, Plantronics has added a special feature that turns these headphones off when you are not wearing them. To make it simple, the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 offer great battery life, sound good, have great noise cancellation on offer and carry an affordable price tag. Read the full review: Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2
The AKG N60NC Wireless sound like a pair of headphones that should be much more expensive than they are. At their mid-range price point the headphones offer fantastic value for money, with great sound quality and a level of noise-cancellation performance that's on a level with the much more premium entries on this list. The only gripe we had with the AKG N60NC is that they are not as comfortable as they should be. This makes them bad companions for long music sessions. On a positive note, the benefit of this is that this is a highly compact pair of headphones, and if you're willing to make the trade-off then these are great for the price. Read the full review: AKG N60NC Wireless
Image credit: TechRadar The Grado GW100s sound great with a wide soundstage, clear highs, smooth mids, and extended bass frequencies. They also sport a kitsch, retro design that recalls Grado’s humble beginnings in 50’s Brooklyn. Although the Bluetooth connection works very well, the need for a wireless pair of open-back headphones can be unclear; particularly if the design makes them unsuitable for commuting or listening in communal areas. Saying that, having the option to listen wirelessly is undeniably convenient when you’re pottering around the house, and you can use these cans with an AUX cable if you're something of an audiophile who prefers a wired connection. Overall, we feel the Grado GW100s are designed for a fairly niche market of audiophiles who crave a wide, natural sound, and who do the majority of their music listening at home. If that sounds like you, you will probably love the Grado GW100s. If not, you may want to look at closed-back models instead. Read the full review: Grado GW100 Wireless headphones review
Image credit: TechRadar If you travel a lot and want something that can last really long and block out all the external noise, then let us introduce you to the Plantronics BackBeat Go 810. These headphones are one of the few ones on the market that can do all of the above and still cost a fraction of what headphones from big players like Sony, Bose and Beats cost. If you travel a lot and want something that lasts long in terms of battery life, and is durable, the BackBeat Go 810 is an option worth considering. It is affordable as well, but the trade-off comes in terms of less premium materials being used. Read the full review: Plantronics BackBeat Go 810 We're constantly reviewing new wireless headphones so do get in touch if there is a set that you'd like us to take a look at! This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| AMD Processors: the best AMD CPUs in 2019 Posted: 07 Aug 2019 11:50 AM PDT In the last few years, the AMD vs Intel battle has been heated up considerably, thanks in large part to the best AMD processors that have been Intel a run for its money. While Intel has traditionally taken the CPU crown in the past, AMD has slowly been getting to the top of the pile, even outselling Intel in the desktop space because of its Ryzen 2nd Generation chips. AMD isn’t stopping anytime soon, either. It’s definitely looking to continue this trend with its Ryzen 3rd Generation processors, led by the Ryzen 9 3950X which will be the first 16-core processor to hit the mainstream market when it hits the streets in September. Luckily, the rest of the mainstream Zen 2 lineup is already out. So among all the generations available right now, we gathered all the best AMD processors you can buy, from the budget Ryzen 3 2200G to the incredibly powerful Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX. We’ve tested all of these AMD processors ourselves as well, so you can be sure that you’re getting your money’s worth. We even included our exclusive price comparison tool, so you know you’re getting the best deal.
The Ryzen 9 3900X is the most powerul mainstream processor in AMD’s lineup – or at least it will be until the Ryzen 9 3950X comes out. Without stepping up to the HEDT market, this processor absolutely destroys everything in its path with its multi-threaded performance, beating Intel at the same price. That is, despite this chip’s single core performance, which is still marginally slower than Intel. If you’re looking for the absolute best processor money can buy on the mainstream market, you’ve found it. Read the full review: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
Showcasing an impressive multi-threading performance as well as competitive performance in even the most intense single-threaded applications, this mid-range chip cannot help but take the throne as the best AMD processor for gaming. And, AMD Ryzen 5 3600X doesn’t just stop there: it takes that budget-minded stage of performance to a new level, with increased IPC (instructions per clock) performance, along with a higher clock speed – while staying at the same price point. Read the full review: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
Building a home theater PC? The trick is to find affordable parts that won’t require a lot of power. With just a 65W TDP and a very approachable price tag, the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G is, without a doubt, among the best AMD processors for HTPC builds. This is a single-threaded chip, and doesn’t have the highest clock speeds, so it’s definitely not ideal for gaming. But, at this price point, it doesn’t need to be. Plus, if you’re just playing PC games in 1080p, you should be fine. Read the full review: AMD Ryzen 3 2200G
Any burgeoning PC hardware enthusiast is going to want to pay attention to this AMD processor. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950WX is probably the best intro to HEDT hardware you could ask for. It’s affordable too – for an HEDT chip, and its 4.4GHz boost clock across 16-cores and 32-threads means that it will give you formidable single and multi-threaded performance. It doesn’t come with a CPU cooler out of the box, but when you’re getting into this realm of PC hardware, you’re expected to bring your own cooler, anyway. Read the full review: AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X
This is it, the big one. The Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX is the fastest of the AMD processors you can buy today, without dropping stacks on an Epyc chip. This absolute beast of a processor is furnished with 32-cores and 64-threads – not to mention, a boost clock of 4.2GHz. Combine all that with the massive 64MB of cache, and you’ve got in your hands one of the most powerful chips on the market on your hands. Just keep in mind, that with its 250W TDP, you’re going to need some serious cooling to keep temperatures in check. Read the full review: AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX Michelle Rae Uy also contributed to this article Images Credits: TechRadar This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best processors 2019: the best CPUs for your PC Posted: 07 Aug 2019 11:43 AM PDT On the market for the best processor to build your new computer? You’ll be happy to know that the CPU market is teeming with powerful silicon. Thanks to the fiery competition between Intel and AMD, now’s better than ever to invest in a new processor. AMD has been slowly dominating the market, especially now with its Ryzen 3rd generation processors to compete with the likes of Intel Core i9-9900K and Intel Core i9-9920X. Intel, on the other hand, has its 9th-generation Coffee Lake Refresh chips with the Intel Core i9-9900K leading series, and they are still ever popular. Plus, not to be outdone by AMD, Intel has been rolling out Ice Lake chips, and we should start seeing them in computers by the end of 2019. The market is completely packed with a number of impressive chips, from budget big shots, like the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G, to HEDT heroes, like Intel’s Basin Falls Refresh lineup. There are also many mid-range megastars to round out this best processors list, like our current favorite, the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X. In fact, you can hardly throw a stone without hitting an amazing processor. This means that finding the most ideal one for your rig is key. Lucky for you, even if the latest and greatest silicon is out of your wallet’s reach, there are still several excellent Coffee Lake and Ryzen Gen 1 chips on the market. Get ready to experience amazing PC performance – as well as great deals, as we’ve included our price comparison tool. These are the best processors on the market in 2019.
The AMD Ryzen 9 3900X isn’t just AMD’s best mainstream processor right now; it’s also currently the king of all mainstream processors. With multi-threaded performance that destroys everything in its path to start, you can’t find a better processor without stepping up to the HEDT market. There are some workloads where the Intel Core i9-9900K will still perform a little better, like with old games that are completely single threaded, but the gap is definitely starting to narrow thanks to this chip. Read the full review: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
Image Credit: Intel Thanks to increasing pressure from AMD, Intel’s offerings have been heating up like crazy (sometimes literally.) Out of this intense competition came the Intel Core i9-9900K, an absolute beast of a processor that packs eight cores and 16 threads. That’s more cores than any mainstream processor released by Intel. The performance shows that it’s worth it, as this chip 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 purchase one of the best processors for content creation, but are on a tight budget, then the AMD Ryzen 5 2600X might just be an ideal choice. With 6 cores, 12 threads and a base clock of 3.6GHz, you’re getting a much better performance than the pricier Intel Core i5-8600K. And, you get a gorgeous RGB CPU cooler included as well. Yes, 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 – that value starts to show itself. Read the full review: AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
Image Credit: AMD Putting together a gaming PC while on the tightest budget? Well, the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G might just be your new best friend. While it doesn’t inherit 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, a good enough reason to give this a spot in our best processors list. Impressively, we were even able to play Overwatch at 4K Ultra-HD resolution at ‘Epic’ settings. Read the full review: AMD Ryzen 3 2200G
With more threads than the Intel Core i5-9600K, expect this mid-range graphics card to showcase impressive multi-threading performance. But the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X doesn’t just stop there: it takes that budget-minded stage of performance to a new level, with increased IPC (instructions per clock) performance, along with a higher clock speed – while staying at the same price point. And, it also stays competitive in even the most intense single-threaded applications. Read the full review: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
Image Credit: AMD Initially the primary rival of the Intel Core i7-7700K, the AMD Ryzen 7 1800X still holds its own today, despite having been 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 considerably in price, it’s more affordable than ever. 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. It’s, without a doubt, one of the best processors for VR gaming. Read the full review: AMD Ryzen 7 1800X
Yes, the single-threaded performance of the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X still falls behind Intel, but what matters here is how it does with multi-threaded workloads. If you’re building a computer that can handle your video editing demands, this chip is an absolute beast and our top pick for video editing. But that’s not all: this AMD chip offers incredible performance and a Wraith Spire cooler at a very affordable price. Read the full review: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
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 among the best processors for you. With 18-cores and 36-threads, it absolutely destroys all its rivals on the market right now, if only just barely. Multi-threaded applications and workstation-class projects are going to breeze by with this chip. If that steep price tag makes you do a double take however, then you might want to look somewhere else. Read the full review: Intel Core i9-9980XE
Image Credit: Intel If you choose the Intel Pentium G4560 over a Core i3 chip, you won’t even notice the slight loss of performance, as you’ll be too busy counting all the money you saved. As the first Pentium chip in a long time to boast 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 pricier Intel Core i3-7100.
Image Credit: AMD One of the only things that was missing in AMD’s Ryzen processors when they blew up was the integrated graphics support. But then, the Ryzen 5 2400G hit the streets and changed everything for mainstream PC users. With excellent AMD Vega graphics, it’s a fantastic APU that will be ideal for anyone looking to build a home theater PC. Plus, now that AMD has slashed the price, you can get your 4K action for cheaper than ever. Read the full review: AMD Ryzen 5 2400G Michelle Rae Uy also contributed to this article.
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| Best gaming mouse 2019: the best gaming mice we've tested Posted: 07 Aug 2019 11:38 AM PDT No matter what kind of PC games you're into, you'll need to invest in the best gaming mouse to satisfy your gaming demands. Even if you already have the best gaming PC on the market, and you’ve blown most of your budget on your fancy setup, getting the the best gaming mouse you can find at your local big box store just isn’t right. With deals going on all the time, you might even save a few bucks on a more expensive option, if that's what you want. Though bear in mind that while there's an age-old myth that the most expensive mouse on the shelf is going to be the best one, that’s simply not true. The SteelSeries Sensei 310, for example, has all the performance you could ask for at less than the price of a brand new AAA game. Gaming peripherals are a big part of how immersive and smooth your gaming experience is, and the mouse you’re using can make or break your game. It only makes sense, therefore, to put the same level of effort into choosing and getting the best gaming mouse as you would with the bigger purchases. Everything attached to your powerful rig must be of comparable quality. When choosing the best gaming mouse for your needs, keep an eye open for one that is the most ideal balance of price and performance, while also packing in some unique features in between. Oh, and while you’re at it, you may want to pick up one of the best gaming mouse pads as well.
Image Credit: TechRadar When it comes to the best gaming mouse, features, balance and performance are all there in equal measure in the SteelSeries Rival 710, warranting it a top spot our list. This gargantuan gaming mouse – at least, in terms of power – is a bit expensive, but when you weigh that price against the customizable OLED display, haptic feedback (great for you MOBA players) and excellent build quality, the SteelSeries Rival 710 is easily a solid purchase. The kicker? Everything is modular, even down to the sensor, so you never have to feel like you’re missing out on the latest tech. Read the full review: SteelSeries Rival 710
There are a few reasons why Razer Viper is our new favorite esports gaming mouse. Besides its lightweight ambidextrous design, true 16,000 DPI and Razer Chroma lighting, this powerful little mouse also offers 1000 Hz Ultrapolling, Optical Mouse Switches rated for 70 million clicks and 8 independently programmable Hyperesponse buttons. If you want a gaming mouse that really gives you a competitive edge, you’ve found it here. Read the full review: Razer Viper
Image Credit: Corsair The best gaming mouse is always going to be the one that delivers excellent performance at an affordable price. And, the Corsair Harpoon RGB Wireless is the poster child for this ideal price-and-performance match. You’re getting a wireless mouse that has RGB lighting, boasts a long battery life and doesn’t at all suck, for less than $50. The ergonomics are specifically for right-handed users, but at this price and with this impressive performance, there’s little else to complain about. Read the full review: Corsair Harpoon RGB Wireless
Image Credit: Logitech Aesthetically, you generally have two main options when you’re shopping around for the best gaming mouse: a high-performing mouse that looks like it would fit in the office, or a mouse that lives and breathes that ‘gaming life’. The Logitech G502 fits firmly in the latter category, with its robotic design. But, if that doesn’t intimidate you, then you get adjustable weights, a jaw-dropping 16,000 DPI sensor and superb performance as well. It’s not ideal for users with huge hands, but beyond that, this one has definitely earned its spot in the best gaming mouse list. Read the full review: Logitech G502 Hero
If you’re in the market for a reasonably priced mid-range gaming mouse, then the Roccat Kain 120 AIMO might just be the best gaming mouse for you. To start, it’s got a fantastic design and solid build, as well as a decent number of customization options so that you can personalize it according to your gaming style and needs. Of course, it’s excellent to use as well, satisfying, responsive, extremely reliable. This new offering from Roccat will without a doubt give you a gaming edge. Read the full review: Roccat Kain 120 AIMO
Image Credit: Cooler Master If you’re looking to find the best gaming mouse that’s both economical and functional, then the Cooler Master MasterMouse MM520 is the terrific addition to your gaming rig. It won’t win any beauty contests, but packing quality Omron switches and a decently sensitive sensor capable of up to 12,000 DPI makes it a smart purchase. Those make it easy to look past the unappealing design – especially if you use a claw grip. Read the full review: Cooler Master MasterMouse MM520
Image Credit: TechRadar Have you been getting into the World of Warcraft: Classic beta lately? Then you’ll want to check out the Razer Naga Trinity. Razer’s Naga mice have always been fan favorites in the MMO community, and the manufacturer has taken things to a new level with Naga Trinity. With it, you’re getting three easily swappable side plates, so that you can configure your mouse the way you see fit. Add the insane 16,000 DPI sensor and Razer Chroma RGB lighting to the mix, and you’ll be topping the DPS meters in no time. Is there any doubt that the Razer Naga Trinity belongs on the list of the best gaming mouse? Read the full review: Razer Naga Trinity
Image Credit: TechRadar If you find yourself rolling our eyes at some of the gaming mice available in 2019 that sport ridiculous, over-the-top designs, then you should take a look at the HyperX Pulsefire Surge RGB. Boasting extremely reliable Omron switches and ravishing RGB lighting – not to mention, an impressive 16,000 DPI sensor – you’re scoring the best gaming mouse for an excellent price. Plus, it’ll fit into any office, at least once you turn down the lighting effects because of its more accessible design. Read the full review: HyperX Pulsefire Surge RGB
Image Credit: Corsair Most of the best gaming mice on the market are either too small or too light, or even a bit of both, giving gamers with big hands very few options. To make matters worse, some of the big mice out there are loaded with gratuitous buttons and odd shapes that make them look like asylum-seekers from an alien robot planet. The Corsair Ironclaw is just the opposite. It’s an attractive mouse for big-hand users, with a design that won’t make you want to hide it in your desk drawer every time you have company. It’s tough as heck as well, so it can handle a bit of roughing and tumbling, making it the best gaming mouse for you. Read the full review: Corsair Ironclaw RGB
Image Credit: Michelle Rae Uy When you take stock of all its awesome features, it might shock you to find the Gigabyte Aorus M5 at only $69. This stunner is among the best gaming mouse of great value that we’ve tested this year. It’s also very customizable, not to mention boasts great ergonomics and fun RGB lighting. As far as features that will give you the gaming advantage, it boasts an adjustable weight distribution system, on-the-fly DPI adjustments and Omron switches tested for 50 million clicks, to start. If you’re in the market for a mouse that gives you more bang for your buck, this is it. Read the full review: Gigabyte Aorus M5
How to choose the best gaming mouseWhile you’ll definitely find the best gaming mouse of your gaming dreams, doing so might take a bit of time and some effort. That’s expected; there’s a ton of complicated technical jargon that goes into the best gaming mice – terms like polling rates and DPI ratings that a regular buyer might not be familiar with. For the record, you’ll want a higher number of both, even though these two terms mean drastically different things. For newcomers to the world of PC gaming, when you see the term DPI, that is shorthand for ‘dots per inch.’ The higher the number, the wider the range wherein you can specify your how sensitive your mouse is. If you don’t have a lot of desk space available, but you still want accuracy and precision, then opt for the best gaming mouse with a higher DPI rating that can be toggled to a lower DPI, in case you get a bigger desk. Meanwhile, a high polling rate means you’re getting faster response times. The polling rate is measured in hertz, so it usually ranges from around 125 to 1,000Hz. The latter means that your mouse’s position is reported to your computer 1,000 times per second. Other key gaming mouse factors you’ll want to consider are ergonomics – particularly if you’re left-handed – and RGB lighting. Gabe Carey and Michelle Rae Uy have also contributed to this article
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| Pokémon Go updates: all the news and rumors for what's coming next Posted: 07 Aug 2019 11:32 AM PDT Pokémon Go: the world's first augmented reality app to become a household name. Niantic's mobile AR game is still going strong two years after it first released, with a constant drip of events and updates keeping budding trainers glued to their phones and pounding the streets. And while it hasn't managed to top the peak of its popularity in 2016, it's still going strong and finding plenty of new ways to improve its player experience. So what's the latest news for Pokémon Go? As you'd expect, brand new features are being added all the time and community events are still going strong. Plus we have another summer of Pokémon Go Fest events to look forward to. But without further ado, here's our guide to all the latest Pokémon Go news and updates.
Pokémon Go news and Pokémon Go updates
Team Rocket has finally landed in Pokémon Go and grunts are appearing at Pokéstops to battle players. You'll know a grunt awaits because the Pokéstop will be darker and have an 'R' appear over it. If you win the battle then the Team Rocket member will leave behind their Shadow Pokémon which you can attempt to catch with Premier Balls. Niantic has recently expanded the kind of Shadow Pokémon that will appear in the game so in addition to those Gen 1 Pokémon that included Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Rattata and Zubat, you might also come across Poliwag, Grimer, Muk, Drowzee, Hypno, Cubone, Scyther, Magikarp, Houndour and Houndoom. You can choose to catch and keep Shadow Pokémon as they are, or you can purify them—for that you'll need the required candy and stardust. When's the next Pokémon Go event?Gift Event Pokémon Go Fest isn't the only thing in Pokémon Go right now; Niantic has confirmed a new gift-themed event that will run between August 5 and 19. During this two week period, the number of gifts that can be carried in your inventory will increase by 20 while the number of gifts you can open each day will increase to 30. If you get any eggs in these gifts, they'll only require 2km of walking to hatch but they'll contain higher value 7km Pokémon like Bonsly, which you could potentially hatch in its shiny form. We don't really mean that thing about higher value Pokémon, every Pokémon is equally wonderful. Pokémon Go Fest Pokémon Go Fest gatherings have been taking place around the world this summer and we’re now approaching the final one. While these gatherings take place in specific cities, even if you can't make it it's worth keeping an eye out for the ways you can participate from a distance.
Global Challenge Alongside Pokémon Go Fest Professor Willow has set some challenges on a global scale this summer for each of the team leaders - Spark, Blanche and Candela - and their followers so that everyone can take part no matter where they are. When a team successfully completes their task, they'll get special rewards. Spark and Candela’s challenge periods in tandem with Chicago and Dortmund events have already taken place. The final challenge is for Blanche, revolving around Stardust. This challenge ties in with the Fest in Yokohama and runs from August 5 to August 12. This time around players must complete 25 million research tasks globally (there's a little more time, after all). On successful completion, Team Instinct will 3000 Stardust per Raid, Team Valor will get triple Hatch Stardust and Team Mystic will unlock 1-hour Star Pieces. Any unlocked bonus will then run from August 13 until August 20. Unlock all of the bonuses? Then you can look forward to Suicune Raids on August 13.
When's the next Pokémon Go Community Day?
Now that Ralts has had its day, the next Pokémon Go Community Day has been confirmed to be taking place on September 15, between 11am and 2pm local time which is much earlier than the previous two months which have been between 4pm and 7pm. The featured Pokémon for the event will be the grass-type Pokémon Turtwig. Across the day Turtwig will spawn more often and there will be a possibility you could encounter it in its shiny form for the first time. The event-specific move for Turtwig hasn't been confirmed yet but this will be revealed closer to the time. During the event, there will be triple Stardust awarded for any Pokémon caught and any Lure Modules will last for three hours rather than thirty minutes. Pokémon Go update: what's next?Niantic hasn't revealed any more plans for what's coming next in Pokémon Go in terms of the big picture but there are always new creatures and new events happening in the game. Big reveals can happen at any time, though, and we'll report them right here if and when any announcement happens. As far as rumors are concerned, there have been rumblings that Team Rocket leader Giovanni will be coming to the game soon. During the recent Pokémon Go fest event in Japan, he's been photobombing players' AR photos which Team Rocket Grunt members did in Chicago before they made their way into the game. What Giovanni's role will be if he appears in Pokémon Go will be is unclear but it's sure to be deliciously evil.
Pokémon Go Plus dealsWant to buy yourself a Pokémon Go Plus wearable? Check some of today's best deals down below. (Image credits: Niantic/Pokémon Company) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| What is ray tracing? The games, the graphics cards and everything else you need to know Posted: 07 Aug 2019 11:31 AM PDT Ever since Nvidia Turing was announced back at Gamescom 2018, ray tracing has been the talk of the town. This rendering method has long been the holy grail of graphics technology, but finally with graphics cards like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080, you can see this tech in the latest and greatest PC games. Ray tracing, then, may be one of the most significant graphics upgrades that we’ve seen in the gaming landscape in years – or, at least it will be once we see it implemented in more actual PC games. So, what even is ray tracing? Well, it's an advanced and lifelike way of rendering light and shadows in a scene. It's what movies and TV shows use to create and blend in amazing CG work with real-life scenes. However, because ray tracing works by simulating and tracking every ray of light produced by a source of lighting, it kind of takes a lot of horsepower to actually render. This is the main reason we haven’t seen ray tracing implemented in actual games – until now. These days, ray tracing is actually achievable in PC games, and yet the biggest titles to implement this technology only use it in limited ways, like rendering realistic reflections or shadows. We still haven’t seen a fully ray-traced game. However, thanks to Nvidia’s DXR Spotlight contest, game developers and content creators were able to showcase just what this technology is capable of – from ray-traced reflections and shadows to ambient occlusion and illumination to produce life-like effects, even in real time. Now that ray tracing is the hot new technology behind the biggest PC games, we thought it was about time to dive into exactly what it is, how to do it, and the best ray tracing games. And, because we keep hearing more and more about this technology every single day, we’ll be sure to keep this guide updated with all the latest and greatest ray tracing news, so be sure to keep this page bookmarked. What is ray tracing?Ray tracing is a rendering technique that can produce incredibly realistic lighting effects. Essentially, an algorithm can trace the path of light, and then simulate the way that the light interacts with the virtual objects it ultimately hits in the computer-generated world. We've seen in-game lighting effects become more and more realistic over the years, but the benefits of ray tracing are less about the light itself and more about how it interacts with the world. Ray tracing allows for dramatically more lifelike shadows and reflections, along with much-improved translucence and scattering. The algorithm takes into account where the light hits and calculates the interaction and interplay much like the human eye would process real light, shadows, and reflections, for example. The way light hits objects in the world also affects which colors you see. With enough computational power available, it's possible to produce incredibly realistic CG images that are nearly indistinguishable from real life. But that's the problem: even a well-equipped gaming PC only has so much GPU power to work with, let alone a modern game console. Ray tracing is used extensively when developing computer graphics imagery for films and TV shows, but that's because studios can harness the power of an entire server farm (or cloud computing) to get the job done. And even then, it can be a long, laborious process. Doing it on the fly has been far too taxing for existing gaming hardware. Traditionally, video games have used rasterization instead. This is a speedier way to render computer graphics. It converts the 3D graphics into 2D pixels to display on your screen, but rasterization requires shaders to depict realistic lighting. Luckily, we’re starting to see a lot of PC games take advantage of the specialized hardware in the latest Nvidia graphics cards to use real time ray tracing instead, though rasterization will still be needed in most games, at least until it’s feasible to fully ray trace lighting engines in games. So, even if right now the results aren’t super mind-blowing, we’re seeing a groundwork being laid out that should lead to some incredible effects. We could see a total revolution in the way PC games are rendered, and we’re at the ground floor right now.
Ray tracing gamesRight now, there are only 5 games that use Nvidia ray tracing tech, and only a few big name AAA titles. However, because this is the hot new graphics technology on the block, you can expect plenty more ray tracing games to show up over the next year or so. And, if the PS5 and Xbox Project Scarlett have large libraries of ray traced games, you can bet your bottom dollar that the PC will get them too. Here are all the ray tracing games you can play right now, and the flavor of RTX effects they use.
Now, admittedly that’s not a lot of games that showcase Nvidia’s premiere technology, but don’t worry – there are plenty of other games that will soon use ray tracing. For instance, Remedy’s Control will use Nvidia’s RTX tech to great effect, with ray traced reflections, shadows and global illumination – you can expect this game to be gorgeous, and it may even melt your computer (in a good way). So, here are all the announced ray tracing games coming in the future.
Either way, we’re sure many more developers are willing to jump on the ray-traced bandwagon, and we’ll update this page just as soon as we hear of any others.
Ray tracing graphics cardsIn 2019, the only graphics cards that support real time ray tracing come from Nvidia. AMD has said that it wants to tackle ray tracing at some point in the future, and while it will technically work on AMD graphics cards, it will turn any game you enable it in into a veritable slideshow. With that, we’d advise going with at least an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 if you want to live your life ray traced. However, if you can fork over the cash for something like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti, you’re going to have a much better experience – which might make up for the giant hole in your wallet. So, we went ahead and gathered up all the graphics cards that officially support real time ray tracing down below. Spoilers: they all have “RTX” in the name.
Ray tracing performanceWithout getting into any specific charts and numbers – though we will update this article with those in the near future – it’s easy to see that enabling these eye-catching effects will impact your gaming performance in a huge way. It’s not uncommon to see massive frame drops when enabling these effects. For instance, in Metro Exodus at 3,440 x 1,440 with the ‘Extreme’ preset we get around 41 fps with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti, however, once we enable ray tracing with the Ultra setting, performance plummets, averaging around 23 fps. It’s definitely still playable, but you can feel the cut to frame rates. Luckily, this game uses DLSS technology, which essentially uses AI to upscale from a lower resolution. And, if you enable this option, you can get more fps: for instance in the same Metro Exodus test with Extreme quality settings and ray tracing on Ultra, we got up to 44 fps with DLSS enabled. So, essentially, if you’re looking to enable ray tracing, you’re going to have to be conservative with your resolution. If you’re looking to play ray traced games at 4K, you’ll absolutely need a 2080 Ti in your computer. However, if all you can justify is an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060, then you should have no problems getting playable performance at 1080p with ray tracing enabled.
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| AMD Ryzen 2nd Generation release date, news and features: everything you need to know Posted: 07 Aug 2019 11:22 AM PDT Intel used to be the de facto king of the CPU world, crafting the best processors out there – no contest. However, with AMD Ryzen, everything changed. These days, AMD dominates the market with both AMD Ryzen 2nd Generation and Threadripper 2nd Generation. In fact, AMD has more than doubled Intel’s sales, according to a German retailer. As far as this generation goes, though, we’ve been able to review a wide range of Ryzen 2nd Generation processors from the Ryzen 5 2600X to the powerhouse that is the Ryzen 7 2700X, we know AMD isn’t holding back as it pushes power and value even further. We had also heard rumors of a Ryzen 7 2800X, which might have given the recent Coffee Lake Refresh processors a run for their money – but, with the advent of AMD Ryzen 3rd Generation, announced at Computex 2019 and released July 7th, 2019, we doubt that particular processor will ever surface. Plus, AMD has brought Zen 2 to the mainstream, the architecture behind the third generation of Ryzen. And, according to the latest rumors, we could see up to 16-cores on the flagship, and clock speeds up to 5.0GHz. If any of this is real, the processor world will shake when these next-gen chunks of silicon drop sometime in 2019. Microsoft has also announced that its next-generation Xbox console, known as Project Scarlett, will utilize a custom-designed SoC based on Zen 2. Cut to the chase
Image Credit: AMD AMD Ryzen 2nd Generation release dateThe wait for the new AMD chips finally ended in 2018. The first-generation Ryzen processors launched in March 2017 and continued to roll out throughout 2017. Ryzen 2nd Generation chips launched at around the same time the following year, on April 19, 2018. Beyond the first few AMD Ryzen 2nd Generation chips, AMD continued to release some Ryzen Pro and Ryzen Threadripper chips through the rest of 2018. Ryzen Pro chips are made for business and IT use cases, with up to 8-cores and 16-threads. Ryzen Threadripper 2nd Generation is the ‘big daddy’ of AMD’s 2nd gen offerings, with up to 32 cores for die hard creative types. AMD also announced a Ryzen 5 2500X and Ryzen 3 2300X, but at this point we don’t expect to see these mid-range chips make it to market. Intel’s Coffee Lake Refresh has been out for a while now, and Ryzen 3rd Generation chips are out now, having been announced at Computex 2019. Those are all desktop chips, and AMD has already launched the Ryzen 7 2700U, along with Ryzen 5 and 3 parts. And, laptops have been rolling out with these chips. And, even though AMD Ryzen 3rd Generation have been released, AMD may be releasing 50th anniversary editions of some of its parts, including the beloved Ryzen 7 2700X.
Image Credit: AMD AMD Ryzen 2nd Generation priceAMD made its second generation of Ryzen chips to be just as affordable as the first batch. Granted, delivering more reasonably priced CPUs has always been AMD's edge, but for the first time in years, the cheaper Ryzen chips could honestly compete with, if not surpass, Intel's offerings. AMD has decided to continue its course with the 2nd Generation models. It was crucial that it delivered affordable, high-performing CPUs. And the price tags we’ve seen for the mid-range chips stay in line with the pricing for the first generation.
In 2017, the quad-core Ryzen 3 1300X debuted at $129 (£112, AU$169), while Intel's Core i3 7350K went for $149 (£169, AU$299). Bump up to the hexa-core Ryzen 5 1600X, and we saw it offered for $249 (£249, AU$359) – compare that to the quad-core Intel Core i5-7600K at $239 (£219, AU$339), although you drop a couple of cores in the process. We saw the biggest contrast in price with the Ryzen 7 1800X, which at $499 (£500, around AU$650) was nearly half the price of Intel's Core i7-5960X/6900K. Of course, this lead Intel to introduce a more affordable Intel Core i7-8700K and Intel Core i7-7820X. Meanwhile, the AMD Threadripper 1950X came in at $999 (£999, AU$1,439) and delivered even stronger performance than Intel's like-priced Core i9-7900X. Of course, AMD had slashed its Ryzen prices across the board when they announced the 2nd Generation, keeping things competitive with Intel as the two companies fight for your CPU-buying dollars. AMD Ryzen 2nd Generation specsRyzen 2nd generation processors offer an impressive generational leap over their predecessors. They're built using an updated 12-nanometer process, which will pack in even more transistors and thus provide more raw speed along the way. According to AMD 12nm process results in an approximately 16% performance increase and 11% better lower power draw over the original Ryzen's 14nm process. We have finally come across some rumors swirling around about the Ryzen 2nd Generation APUs, which will succeed the Ryzen 5 2400G and Ryzen 3 2200G. According to PCGamesN, the next generation APUs should be coming out next year, and will feature the same Zen+ 12nm architecture as the Ryzen 2nd Generation CPUs. This could mean APUs could see a similar performance boost as we saw when the first generation Ryzen chips were superseded. AMD states that the Ryzen 2nd Generation chips will be the smallest and fastest desktop processors to date – lofty promises, but ones that definitely excite PC enthusiasts and users of all stripes. Ryzen 2nd Generation chips should deliver higher clock speeds and introduce the enhanced Precision Boost 2 technology to boost performance during high-drain scenarios. And, now that we’ve been able to play with the Ryzen 7 2700X and the Ryzen 5 2600X, we know that AMD has succeeded in pushing its specs. The 2700X with its 8-cores, 16-threads and speedy boost clock of 4.3GHz outperforms the Intel Core i7-8700K, AMD has fully embraced the enthusiast market. Even the lower-end Ryzen 5 2600X pushes performance into the next generation with 6-cores, 12-threads and a 4.2 GHz boost clock. We also saw leaked benchmarks for the Ryzen 3 2300X and Ryzen 5 2500X. The former is a four-core, four-thread processor clocked at 3.5GHz and a 4.0GHz boost clock. Meanwhile the Ryzen 5 2500X is a four-core, eight-thread chip, featuring a 3.6GHz core clock, boosting up to 4.0GHz. Since these chips have come out, they’ve been great entry-level and mid-range options, respectively, but seem to only be available in prebuilt systems. We also saw a leak from ASRock pointing to the existence of some low-power E-series Ryzen 2nd Generation chips, the Ryzen 5 2600E and Ryzen 7 2700E. These chips will have a much lower 45W TDP and feature an 8-core design for the Ryzen 7, and 6-cores for the Ryzen 5 – according to the rumor reported by Wccftech. These rumors have since been proven true when they both launched in September of 2018. But, it doesn’t stop with the desktop chips. AMD has also released Ryzen 2nd Generation mobile chips in the Ryzen 7 2700U, Ryzen 5 2500U, Ryzen 3 2300U and Ryzen 3 2200U. These all have Vega graphics packed in, meaning you can easily do some light gaming on them. The two higher-end chips are four-core, eight-thread processors with boost clocks of 3.8GHz and 3.6GHz for the Ryzen 7 and Ryzen 5, respectively. The Ryzen 3 2300U and 2200U are four-core, four-thread chips with 3.4GHz boost clocks. The core difference between these two chips is that the former features stronger Vega graphics, while the 2200U has a higher base clock of 2.5GHz. AMD Ryzen 2nd Generation is the culmination of everything AMD wanted to do with Ryzen. And, if the specs of the Ryzen 2nd Generation CPUs are anything to go off of, we’re very excited with what this lineup can do. AMD has a very technical primer on Precision Boost 2 from its Ryzen Mobile Processor with Radeon Vega Graphics, in case you want to dig into the specs. We've seen some SenseMi improvements in AMD's recent Ryzen-based desktop APUs, so it stands to reason that there is similar performance and efficiency increases in the Ryzen 2nd Generation line. That could include optimized power usage through Pure Power smart sensors and improved overclocking potential from Extended Frequency Range 2.
Image Credit: AMD Anyone wanting to upgrade from Ryzen Gen 1 should be happy to know that AMD has kept the same AM4 socket intact, so you don’t need to buy a new motherboard to slot one of these CPUs into your machine. There is also an enhanced X470 chipset that’s optimized for Ryzen 2nd Generation with lower power consumption. Keep in mind that AMD calls the heart of Ryzen 2nd Generation the Zen+ architecture, rather than Zen 2. What’s the difference? Well, Zen 2 is an entirely new architecture built on a 7nm process, which – as you can imagine – could provide a world of difference when it comes to power and performance.
Image Credit: TechRadar AMD's roadmap shows the Zen 2 and Zen 3 (listed at "7nm+") cores coming somewhere between the release of the Zen+ and the year 2020, which we expected to appear in 2019. And it looks like Zen 2 has arrived along with Ryzen’s 3rd generation. Zen 2 design is of course complete at this point, and it "improves on Zen in multiple dimensions" according to AMD. And the Zen 3 is "on track," as well. AMD could be primed to shake up the CPU industry all over again with the Zen 2. However, Zen+ is what's powering the Ryzen 2nd Gen chips. Even so, there's plenty of reason to be excited for the Ryzen 2nd Generation chips, especially if you’re in the market for a PC upgrade this year. And, even with Intel on the defensive, it’s safe to say that AMD knocked it out of the park. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Borderlands 3: release date, news and trailers for the next Borderlands game Posted: 07 Aug 2019 11:14 AM PDT More than six years after Borderlands 2 burst into our lives, Borderlands 3 has finally been announced and given a firm release date that we can count down to. After so long waiting, it hardly feels real that the release date of Borderlands 3 is so close; we've even spent some hands-on time with the game now! With larger-than-life characters, a lively and colorful alien planet to explore, tons of absurd weapons, and a wisecracking sense of humor, Borderlands has managed to blow some fresh air into an FPS genre that often sticks to 'gritty' visuals and dull urban environments. Here's everything we know so far about the game, and when it's finally going to be landing on PC and consoles. [Update: Just can't wait to get your eyes on Borderlands 3? Gearbox has released a full 14 minutes of footage from the start of the game. Find out more and watch it for yourself below.]
Image Credit: Gearbox Cut to the chase
Borderlands 3 release dateGearbox has now confirmed a release date of September 13, 2019.
Borderlands 3 Borderlands 3 trailers and previewWhile we wait for the game to land, we do have a number of new trailers to pore over. The latest isn’t trying to tell you anything specific but it’s a real mood setter and you can tap your feet to The Turtles so it’s well worth a watch. E3 brought us an exciting amount of new footage including a new cinematic trailer and ten whole minutes of gameplay footage. You can watch both below: Gearbox took to the stage at PAX East (March 28-30) to show off the formal announcement trailer below. You get a good look at the new villains of the series (a brother and sister?), new shiny cities and creaking scrapyards, and series-favorite robot Claptrap doing some breakdancing. It looks... pretty much the same as any Borderlands game before it, which is both reassuring for fans and a bit disappointing for those looking for a new spin on the series. It's too early to judge before we've seen more, though. What we know for sure is that there'll be a lot of guns (over one billion, and even one with little machine legs) and a whole lot of looting in expansive sandbox environments. Oh, and a saxophone solo – because why not? There's also a separate announcement trailer for the release date, which also names the four vault hunters and the name of the villains: the Calypso Twins... The official announcement came only days after a 'Mask of Mayhem' teaser you can see below. It's packed with little clues and hints of the game to come, including everything from a morse code to braille, and what seems to be a broken-up redeem code (C35TB - WS6ST - TXBRK - JJH6H - TTTJT) that we imagine will be usable for some sort of DLC reward or exclusive skin for eagle-eyed viewers. What's more, we've been able to spend some time with the game thanks to a hands-on gameplay reveal event that TechRadar attended. The gameplay loop, at least, is familiar, with your job to take down enemies, look their corpses, and level up. It looks like Gearbox is putting plenty of detail and imagination into the weaponry this time around.
What's new is a focus on movement that's more fluid, and improvements to multiplayer, including the option for allies to revive each other. There's also "loot instancing", designed to level the playing field a little for groups of friends who've spend different amounts of time in the game. Borderlands 3 also gives you your very own spaceship, the Sanctuary 3. For a full rundown of everything we saw in our time with the game, check out our hands-on preview in full. Borderlands 3 news and rumorsVisual capabilities In a behind the scenes interview posted to the Official PlayStation blog, Online and Social Product Owner for Borderlands 3, Scott Velasquez, has confirmed some of the visual options that players will have in the game. First of all, Borderlands 3 will support HDR and 4K but these don't come hand in hand; players will actually be able to configure them separately to get exactly what they want. Further to this, players will be able to choose between "favor resolution" and "favor performance" on 4K consoles. With the former, framerate will be capped at 30 but the resolution will look its absolute best. With the latter, as you'd expect, the resolution is held back slightly at 1080p while the framerate goes up to 60 frames per second. If you're using a 4K console but your TV only supports 1080p "the game will supersample from the higher resolution using the console's hardware" so you'll get the best 1080p image you can at the very least. 14 minutes of footage It's not long to wait until that September release date but Gearbox is excitement for Borderlands 3 at a peak with 14 minutes of footage from the start of the game. Dropped as part of IGN First, this new footage gives a better indication of the game's story and a nice look at the controls, combat and customisation that will be available to you at launch. No cross-play at launch Although it’s something Gearbox is interested in making happen, there will be no cross-play in Borderlands 3 when it launches. Randy Pitchford confirmed this news via Twitter where he also said that the team is committed to making the dream a reality in the future so keep your fingers crossed, folks. Vault Insider Programme Want to earn in-game loot before Borderlands 3 is even released? Then you’ll want to take a look at the Vault Insider Programme. Not only will signing up to this bring you news about the game as it’s announced, it’ll dish out points that can be spent in Borderlands 3 or Borderlands 2. The Vault Insider Programme is basically part of the marketing push ahead of Borderlands 3 so it probably won’t surprise you to know that points are earned after you set up a Gearbox Shift account and link it up to your various social media channels. You’ll get your points from watching the latest videos, visiting the Borderlands social media channels, essentially doing a lot of the things you might do anyway if you’re interested in the game. You can either spend your points on a randomised piece of loot or weaponry or save up for something specific. Accessibility improvements In addition to the new ping system, Borderlands 3 includes a bunch of other features that aim to increase the game's overall accessibility including compatibility with the Xbox Adaptive Controller, re-mappable controls, a variety of subtitles and closed captioning options, and level-syncing (which will allow you to play with friends, even if you're different levels). There have also been improvements made to online match-making. Players will be able to search for a match in the background while continuing to play the game, and match preferences can be more specific than previously. This means you can find players at the same point in the story as you or set the mode you want to play in. Ping system At a panel at Guardian Con last week (via PC Gamer), Gearbox revealed it has added a range of new features to Borderlands 3 to make multiplayer more accessible than its predecessors. The biggest addition? An Apex Legends-style ping system that allows players to communicate with each other without ever having to say a word. Much like in Apex Legends, Borderlands 3's multiplayer will allow players to simply cover over an enemy or chest and then press a button to 'ping' it to your fellow teammates. In other words, it lets you highlight important things like hostiles, good loot and objectives. This feature will allow players to communicate easily and without having to deal with the stress of a stranger screaming down your headset. Of course, that option remains available. Check out a video of the new ping system in action below: E3 As promised, Borderlands 3 made an appearance at E3 2019 with a brand new cinematic trailer, 10 minutes of gameplay to pore over and confirmation that there's a brand new planet called Eden 6 that's inspired by the Louisiana swamps. Oh, and those rumors about a Borderlands 2 DLC bridging the gap to the third game? Those were true. Borderlands 2: Commander Lilith and the Fight for Sanctuary offers a 10-hour story which starts right at the end of Borderlands 2. Even better, it can be downloaded for free from now until July 9 on Xbox One, PS4 and Steam. After that it'll cost you £11.99 so if you have any interest in Borderlands 3 it's worth picking up right now. Reports of Borderlands 2 DLC - confirmed The rumors about a Borderlands 2 DLC bridging the gap between the second and upcoming third game were true. Commander Lilith and the Fight for Sanctuary DLC is free and available now. Details, details, details We managed to have a chat with Amanda Christensen, a concept artist at Gearbox and a key character designer on Borderlands 3. She told us that "the most obvious jump is in terms of our level of detail" in the upcoming game, and that there are a "bunch of cool little details" spread throughout. It's a revealing chat and you can read everything Christensen had to say about Borderlands 3 here. DLCs: quality over quantity The DLC future of Borderlands 3 looks bright enough, after Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford intimated on Twitter that future DLCs would focus on quality over quantity: it seems as though Borderlands 3 might focus on fleshing out the capabilities of the game's starting classes instead of asking players to start building new ones from scratch, and that's fine with us. Epic Games Store exclusive – to start While Borderlands 3 will launch on PS4, Xbox One and PC, the PC version will start as an Epic Games Store exclusive, before joining the Steam Store six months on. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford hinted at this back in December, when he voiced his support for the new marketplace. Epic has been courting various exclusives for its store, including Metro Exodus and The Division 2, so we're not overly surprised. Cross-platform co-op could be included A listing page for Borderlands 3 on the Microsoft store gave a hint to a very-cool potential new feature landing with the game – cross-platform multiplayer. Though the page in question has since been pulled, it showed the game's feature set to include play across consoles not limited to Microsoft's own. With the game initially an Epic Games Store exclusive, and that platform's biggest title, Fortnite, being cross-platform in many console scenarios, there's certainly the genesis of the infrastructure to support the feature if true. A representative for the game's publisher, 2K Games, told IGN that “Cross play is something we’re looking at closely, but don’t have anything to confirm or announce at this time.” Vault Hunter names The release date trailer also gave us the names of the four vault hunters, which offer their own spins on the traditional four classes. We have a Gunner weapons expert (Moze), a Siren with floating fists at the ready (Amara), an android Beastmaster (Fl4x), and a suave, stealthy Operative (Zane). We also got the names of the entry's villains: the very evil-looking Calypso Twins (not identical). Borderlands 3 confirmed – as well as a board-game Gearbox gave us the announcement we wanted on March 28, at PAX East in Boston. The showcase was hit with technical difficulties – like a lot – and for some reason included a really long magic trick. But we got our first look at the anticipated title, as well as a tie-in board-game called Borderlands: Tiny Tina’s Robot Tea Party.
Image Credit: Gearbox 4K remasters (for free!) Good news for anyone with a copy of Borderlands 1, 2, or the Pre-Sequel: Gearbox is releasing enhanced 4K remasters of the previous games, and anyone who already owns them will get to download the remastered version for free. You'll need a 4K ready console or PC to make the most of it, but it's wonderful fan service for those who do. Hints, lots of hints At PAX West 2017, Pitchford announced during a panel that 90% of the Gearbox team is “working on the thing I think most of you guys want us to be working on.” Pitchford also took part in an IGN Unfiltered interview around the same time, when he said that if another Borderlands game were to be made, it would be more of a true sequel as opposed to another Pre-Sequel spin-off. Caught in the act And in April 2017, Pitchford took to Twitter to post a picture of himself wearing a motion capture suit with the caption “Doing a shoot... I may or may not be a psycho bandit in a video game we may or may not be working on. Also, happy Bulletstorm launch day!” Given that Psychos are a Borderlands enemy we’d say this tweet can be read with a fairly large nudge and wink. The GDC presentation Before all of this Pitchford took to the stage during Epic Games’ Unreal presentation at GDC in March 2017, where he showed off new rendering tech that “may be used in a future Gearbox game.” He explicitly said the footage shown was not from a video game but what was shown was highly reminiscent of Borderlands. He also revealed that this new tech is capable of simulating different physics depending on a planet’s properties. Specifically he said “there might be different physics and the sun and the moons might be in different positions than what we’re used to on Pandora.” That seems to have been pretty prophetic – as we know Borderlands 3 will be making use of some new environments beyond what we saw on Pandora in the previous games. Some changes Borderlands regular Mikey Neumann won't be writing on the new game, as he was unfortunately forced to resign from the project due to health complications. The lead writer on Borderlands 2, Anthony Burch, has also since left the company. There’s been no hint with regards to who’ll be taking up the pen after their departures. Another change is that the voice behind Claptrap, David Eddings, has left Gearbox for Rooster Teeth so it’s unlikely he’ll be taking up the role again. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| The best graphics cards 2019: all the top GPUs for gaming Posted: 07 Aug 2019 11:02 AM PDT With the best graphics cards packing more power than ever before, now is perhaps the best time to take one of them home. Nvidia Turing powerhouses like the RTX 2080 Ti and RTX 2060 have been available for a while now, to start. In addition, AMD recently unleashed several of its next generation AMD Navi GPUs this past July 7th. It’s, without a doubt, a thrilling time for graphic cards. Still, this brings up a great question: is it worth it to spend some serious dough on an expensive flagship? Or, are the more budget-friendly graphics cards, like the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660, a better value? Keep in mind that the best graphics cards for you will depend entirely on what kind of PC you want to build. Whichever one ends up being best for you, you’ll want the best graphics cards that will let you run the best PC games from Rage 2 to The Division 2. We know that finding the best GPU can be a mystifying process, so we are here to help. We’ve compiled a list of the best graphics cards that are currently on the market, each of which have been tested and put through its paces by us at TechRadar. Before you go out to buy that shiny new graphics card, let us help you choose the perfect one for your setup.
Image credit: TechRadar This absolute monster of a graphics card has barely just come out, and it’s already topping our list of the best graphics card, kicking former reigning champion and its direct rival, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060, off the top spot. At $349, this mighty mid-range card brings 1440p gaming at Ultra or Max settings to the masses, making it affordable and accessible to everyone. At that price point, it doesn’t have to be perfect – those looking for ray tracing will have to wait. But, for what it offers and how much it costs, it’s well-deserving of its title as the best graphics card of 2019 for most people. Read the full review: AMD Radeon RX 5700
If you need the best graphics card, and you aren’t willing to settle, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti might be one of the best graphics cards for you. This is the most powerful graphics card you can buy without jumping for a professional graphics solution. And, now that games like Battlefield V, Metro Exodus and Shadow of the Tomb Raider actually use the RTX features, there’s never been a better time to jump on the ray tracing bandwagon. Just brace yourself for that sky-high price. Read the full review: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti
The souped up Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 Super isn’t just amazing because it’s a supercharged iteration of the very popular RTX 2070, offering excellent 1440p gaming. It’s also impressive as it offers all that power at a very reasonable price, making it a compelling purchase for most users, even for those on a budget. Plus, if you’re curious about ray tracing, here’s the best card to jump in – you don’t have to break open that piggy bank for the RTX 2080 or RTX 2080 Ti anymore. Read the full review: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 Super
While the GeForce RTX 2060 Super is at the moment taking the 1440p gaming world by storm, its precursor, the RTX 2060, is still king of 1080p gaming. This mid-range GPU will get you in the door with ray tracing maxed out at 1080p. Plus, it is fully capable of handling 1440p experiences, as well as 4K ones, if you don’t mind the less remarkable frame rate of 30 fps. And, while this card was pricier at launch than the one it replaced, its excellent 1080p performance should be enough to make that price tag irrelevant. Read the full review: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060
Image credit: TechRadar We’ve been yearning for a new high-end graphics card from AMD since 2017’s Radeon Vega 64, but a lot has changed in the graphics market since then – most notably Nvidia Turing. With the AMD Radeon VII, Team Red attempted to reclaim a piece of the high-end graphics pie, and it largely triumphed. The AMD Radeon VII holds its own in 4K gaming, but it especially excels in content creation. Packed with 16GB of HBM2 memory, the AMD Radeon VII can compete with much more expensive creative-focused competitors, making it one of the best graphics cards 2019 has on offer. Read the full review: AMD Radeon VII
If you’re all about the best VR games, you’re going to want the best graphics cards to do that job. And, nowadays, that honor belongs to the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Super. VR-ready and packed with the latest Turing architecture, you won’t have to worry about a rough VR experience that will make you sick. Outside of VR, it should also be able to run all your favorite PC games at 1440p and 4K without breaking a sweat. The best part may just be that it’s a lot cheaper than the RTX 2080, offering a much better value. Read the full review: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Super
Image credit: Zotac Looking to build a microATX or a mini-ITX gaming PC? You shouldn’t have to settle for a low-end GPU. Check out mini graphics cards like the Zotac GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Mini instead. It’s not the latest and greatest GPU out there now, but the 1080 Ti still has a lot of power, and it’s among the best graphics cards to power your microATX. And, when you can get that juice in a card that’s only 211 x 125 x 41mm, the tiny loss in performance is absolutely worth the beautiful mini PC you’ll get.
Image credit: Gigabyte With all those fancy (read: expensive) graphics cards cornering the market, the budget-friendlier ones sometimes go unnoticed. That’s unfortunate, especially because cards like the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 deserves its spot in the limelight for delivering excellent 1080p performance at a very affordable price. With the Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1660 OC 6G, you’re also getting a healthy factory overclock and all the outputs you’ll ever want, so you can play all your favorite games with several monitors attached. We’d call that a bargain, maybe even the best we’ve ever had, and it certainly warrants a spot in our best graphics cards list. Read the full review: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1660 OC 6G
When Nvidia first unveiled its Turing lineup, it was difficult to find a model that didn’t cost an arm and a leg. However, with the launch of the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti – particularly, the PNY XLR8 Gaming OC model – next-generation performance became available to everyone. You won’t have access to 4K 60 fps gaming with this card, but it’s one of the best graphics cards for anyone still using a 1080p display, and it can handle most esports games well above 60fps. At that resolution, you’ll have trouble running into any title that it can’t handle. Read the full review: PNY GeForce GTX 1660 Ti XLR8 Gaming OC Michelle Rae Uy also contributed to this article. Images Credit: TechRadar
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| AT&T employees took bribes to put malware on network Posted: 07 Aug 2019 11:00 AM PDT The US Department of Justice has revealed that AT&T employees took bribes to unlock millions of smartphones and to install malware and unauthorized hardware on its network. The news comes from a DOJ case opened against 34 year old Muhammad Fahd from Pakistan and his co-conspirator Ghulam Jiwani who is believed to be deceased. The two were charged with paying over $1m in bribes to several AT&T employees at the telecom's Mobility Customer Care call center in Bothell, Washington. The bribery scheme went on for several years and lasted from at least April of 2012 until September 2017. It started when the two Pakistani men bribed AT&T employees to unlock iPhones so that they could be used on other networks.
Fahd and Jiwani recruited the company's employees over the phone or through Facebook messages and once they agreed, they received lists of IMEI phone codes which they had to unlock to receive payment as cash or deposited in their bank accounts. The first stage of the scheme lasted for about a year until several employees left or were fired by the company. Malware stageFahd and Jiwani then changed their tactics by having AT&T employees install malware on the company's network at its Bothell call center. This initial malware collected data on how the company's infrastructure worked between April and October of 2013. Court documents, which were recently unsealed, revealed that this malware was a keylogger with the ability "to gather confidential and proprietary information regarding the structure and functioning of AT&T's internal protected computers and applications”. According to the DOJ, the pair then created a second malware that used information acquired by the first malware. This new malware used AT&T employee credentials to perform automated actions on the company's internal application to unlock phones whenever Fahd wanted without any further help from its employees. Once Fahd began to have problems controlling this malware, he bribed AT&T employees to install rogue wireless access points inside its Bothell call center. These devices helped him gain access to the company's internal apps and network so that he could continue his phone unlocking scheme. The DOJ claims that Fahd and Jiwani paid over $1m in bribes to the company's employees and were able to successfully unlock more than 2m devices. Fahd was arrested in Hong Kong in February of 2018 and then extradited to the US this August. He now faces a number of charges and if found guilty, could spend up to 20 years behind bars.
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| Posted: 07 Aug 2019 10:58 AM PDT If you spend plenty of time playing the best PC games online, you’ve probably encountered a huge lag spike sooner or later, but what if we told you that the best gaming routers could guarantee that your online gaming is never interrupted? Well, it’s true: the best gaming routers will prioritize network traffic for your games, courtesy of a neat little feature called Quality of Service (or QoS), which will help ensure your gaming session isn’t disrupted by your roommate downloading games or watching Netflix. You’ll also want to keep an eye out for MU-MIMO, so that everyone in your home can get some gaming done without getting in each other’s way.
Now, wired connections are typically considered the best way to connect your online games, and we wholeheartedly agree. But, you want to make sure your gaming router is a good router, too. So, not only will the best gaming routers be packed to the brim with Gigabit Ethernet ports, but they’ll also come with the latest Wi-Fi standards – currently Wi-Fi 5. Having multiple antennae which you can manipulate to boost signal strength doesn’t hurt, either. Keeping the needs of gamers in mind, we here at TechRadar have gathered up all the best gaming routers 2019 has to offer.
If you’re searching for the latest router technology but you still love that old school look, the TP-Link Archer C5400 v2 is right up your alley. This is one of the best gaming routers that combines enthusiast grade features and accessible setup into a package that’s appealing to just about anyone. And, when you add in the Alexa support, you have a router that can adjust to any situation, whether you’re focusing on winning the latest match in Apex Legends, or you have guests all connecting to your network. Read the full review: TP-Link Archer C5400 V2
The Asus RT-AC5300 is one of the best gaming routers – it’s packed with a variety of advanced features, making online and network gaming as lag and frustration free as possible. This includes a straightforward yet powerful interface, as well as comprehensive QoS settings. The spider-like aesthetic is an acquired taste, but the eight antennae are there for a reason, as they can be used to direct your Wi-Fi signal throughout your home, giving this router excellent range. Read the full review: Asus RT-AC86U
We already talked about the TP-Link Archer C5400 v2 earlier, but the manufacturer slapped an ‘X’ at the end of this one, to signify the extreme boost in performance. It’s a lot more expensive, but this might be one of the highest-end and best gaming routers out there. With eight ethernet ports around the back, it’s perfect for hardwiring a fleet of gaming equipment. And, the MU-MIMO and Tri-band support mean that wireless connections are also top of the line. You’ll be able to top the leaderboards regardless of where you are in the house. Read the full review: TP-Link Archer C5400X
If you’re a hardcore gamer, it can be frustrating when your roommates are constantly watching Netflix or downloading games of their own, so you’ll want to consider something like the Netgear Nighthawk XR500. Not only will this elite gaming router supply an embarrassingly fast 2.2Gbps speed, but with MU-MIMO support and unique gaming features, like location-based connection filtering and QoS, you can game all night without hitting a crippling lag spike. Just be aware of the high sticker price and make sure you can deal with such a gamer aesthetic. Read the full review: Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR500
The Asus RT-AC5300 is a fantastic high-end gaming router that is brimming with a bunch of advanced features. This includes an effortless, yet powerful interface, on top of comprehensive QoS settings. The spider-like design isn’t for everyone, but the eight antennae serve a purpose, as they can be used to direct your Wi-Fi signal throughout your home, giving this router excellent range. Read the full review: Asus RT-AC5300 Tri-band Gigabit Router
You might expect it to abduct a close friend or family member, but we promise the Zyxel Armor Z2 AC2600 isn’t as alien in function as it is in appearance. Rocking the latest MU-MIMO support, which improves speed when multiple devices are connected to the same network, this gaming router prides itself on its performance capabilities. Since it can handle a lot of devices, while prioritizing bandwidth depending on the needs of each device, it’s one of the best gaming routers you can purchase today. Read the full review: Zyxel Armor Z2 AC2600
The Asus RT-AC88U is a pricey gaming router, but it justifies the price with crazy 802.11 wireless performance. Sporting four antennas and NitroQAM tech, which pushes speeds even further, this gaming router enables wireless performance that can break the 1GB/sec limit. But, there’s a catch – you’ll need to grab a NitroQAM wireless adapter, like the Asus PCE AC88, to approach these mighty speeds. But, with speeds like this, it’s easy to see why this is one of the best gaming routers available.
It might look like it came straight out of Battlestar Galactica – the old Battlestar Galactica – but, the D-Link DIR 885L/R is a reliable mid-range gaming router with great range and speed. If you’re searching for the best gaming router, you may want to give this one a try – it comes with a good variety of ports, and has a nicely designed UI. It also features DD-WRT open-source firmware, which makes this router as flexible as it is powerful. Bill Thomas has also contributed to this article
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| Resident Evil 8: everything we want to see Posted: 07 Aug 2019 10:55 AM PDT When it was first released in 2017, Resident Evil 7 was a much-needed rejuvenation for the classic horror franchise. Capcom departed from its usual formula in a big way and even took the opportunity to embrace new experiences with PlayStation VR. This risk paid off and a large proportion of fans and critics embraced the changes, with a keen eye on what the next game might bring. Two years on from Resident Evil 7's release, and shortly after a very successful Resident Evil 2 remake, we think it’s a good time to peek around the corner and have a look at what the future of the franchise might look like. Whether it’s called Resident Evil 8 or not, we know that Resident Evil 7’s executive producer Jun Takeuchi has said plans for a sequel are “already in motion.” In light of that, we’ve gathered everything we know about Resident Evil 8 right here. [Update: Capcom is reportedly inviting Resident Evil Ambassadors to test an unannounced new game. Could it be a new Resident Evil? Read on to find out more.] Cut to the chase
Release dateAlthough we know that work has started on Resident Evil 8 in some form, we don't have any details about the game just yet or when we can expect to see it released. If we're going to hear about it any time this year, E3 2019 would be the perfect time. News and rumorsTesting on an unconfirmed title Capcom’s Division 1, has reportedly sent emails to Resident Evil Ambassadors in Japan, inviting them to test an in-development game. The email, translated from Japanese to English and published by fansite Biohaze, reads: “To all Resident Evil Ambassadors, thank you for your patronage regarding the Resident Evil series. Today, we are letting you know that we are recruiting testers for a game that’s in development! “We are interested in incorporating the feedback of all Ambassadors into our development, so please read the details below and, if you are interested in participating, click the entry button.” Could this mean Resident Evil 8 is in the works? Well, it's not entirely clear as the email doesn't make reference to any specific game. It's actually not even certain the game is in the Resident Evil franchise. However, the fact that the email has been sent to Resident Evil Ambassadors with thanks for being fans of the series does make it seem likely that new game will be in the Resident Evil universe even if it's not Resident Evil 8. Capcom has numerous unannounced titles in development Resident Evil fans hoping for a new entry in the series will be feeling their hopes rising after a 2019 financial briefing from Capcom which confirmed the publisher has "numerous" unannounced titles in development. The games are being developed on the RE Engine used for Resident Evil 7, Resident Evil 2 and Devil May Cry 5 so it's highly likely Resident Evil 8 could be one of them. This is especially possible as Capcom has said that it will be using the engine into the next generation of consoles. Work has already started Though we haven’t received any kind of release date or name for the next Resident Evil game, we do know that the development process has started. We’ve known this since early in 2017 when Resident Evil 7’s executive producer Jun Takeuchi confirmed it. In an interview for an official “making of” Resident Evil 7 documentary, Takeuchi said that work on the next game is “already in motion.”
It’ll build on the work of Resident Evil 7 In the same interview Takeuchi also ruminated on what the game might look like. The first thing that he confirmed was that Resident Evil 7 was the start of a new direction for the series and that it was “the start of a new kind of survival horror, and of a new series.” “We’re already thinking about various plans for the next game,” he revealed, “but we also want to see how we can continue to evolve survival horror itself. In the next few years technology will continue to advance and what players want may also change.” It is, admittedly, hard to draw any solid information from this. When Takeuchi spoke in this interview it’s clear that planning was still in the very early stages and it’s quite possible that things such as plot and setting were still yet to be nailed down. While we’d surmise that Resident Evil 8 will build on the fresh new feel of Resident Evil 7, Takeuchi’s comments on wanting to evolve the genre as well as capitalize on changing technologies and player desires suggests that the team aren’t locking themselves into a formula just yet.
Just as Resident Evil 7 integrated virtual reality in an interesting experiment that played on the new first-person perspective of the game, Resident Evil 8 could do the same all over again. We could see another perspective change, the team could find new ways to integrate virtual reality technology, or it could even delve into new augmented reality technology. Part one of the "making of" documentary gives a good insight into the kinds of gameplay experiments the team were looking into. It seems that Takeuchi is telling fans not to assume there’s a new formula from which the developers won’t waver. Resident Evil will be taking a survival horror approach to the creation of survival horror – adapt, change and stay on your toes because you don’t know what new technology or fan request is around the corner. One thing we do know, however, is that the Resident Evil team will “always want to create horror experiences where the characters overcome a difficult situation.” Takeuchi said he believes this is what survival horror is “all about” before adding that “the next Resident Evil game, and the one after that, every future Resident Evil, will feature characters getting through crises like this.” It’s this essence of “core survival horror concept of people overcoming the odds” that Tekeuchi says the series will “always retain.” From this, at the very least, we can assume that the future of the series will place a heavier focus on the survival horror elements showcased in Resident Evil 7, rather than delving back into the more action-heavy gameplay of releases such as Resident Evil 4.
Shinji Mikami could come on board As the director of the original Resident Evil and the fourth installment, Shinji Mikami is hugely beloved by Resident Evil fans and inexorably tied to the series. He hasn’t, however, been directly involved with it since Resident Evil 4. That could change though. In an interview with PCGamesN Mikami was asked if coming back to direct Resident Evil 8 was something he’d consider. He would, of course, have complete creative freedom to with the game as he’d like. His answer was short and far from finite: “I might.” Now that work on Mikami’s latest project, The Evil Within 2, has finished up perhaps working on Resident Evil 8 is something he’d consider. At the very least we know he’s not resolutely against it.
What we want to seeMore enemies We loved the Molded in Resident Evil 7 but we’d love to see a little more variety in Resident Evil 8. Dangerous and scary enemies are a given but there’s something about having a wide range of terrifying character designs that makes turning every corner even more frightening. Who knows what you’ll have to face next? A different location This actually plays into our request for more varied enemies. Naturally, we’d love to see a new location in Resident Evil 8. To keep fans of the series on their toes it’d be interesting to see something that’s a little more open or a little more varied. New locations tends to mean new opportunities for new enemies so we think these demands feed into one another quite nicely.
More answers The ending of Resident Evil 7 left us with some questions and though many of them have been answered in the DLC that followed, not all of them have. As Resident Evil games go, Biohazard was quite isolated in terms of its place in the wider series universe. Though we understand the desire for a fresh start, we’d love to see a little more exploration and integration there. At the very least it would be nice to see a few more knowing nods to fans. VR support Resident Evil 7’s foray into VR was terrifying and an excellent example of how to develop for the platform. We wouldn’t be against Resident Evil 8 delving back into this once again, lessons learned and technologies advanced.
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| Best free games 2019: the top free games to download on PC Posted: 07 Aug 2019 10:46 AM PDT If you’re looking for the best free games to help you escape after a long day’s work, then you’re in the right spot. Everyone loves free stuff, especially when it comes to the best PC games. After all, there are a multitude of fun, entertaining free games available right now on PC, and, unlike Xbox and PlayStation, which periodically offer free games on Xbox Games With Gold and PlayStation Plus, respectively, things work much differently with gaming PCs. The top free games are a genre all their own. Because of the huge popularity of free-to-play titles, you should nab the best free games from Steam, GOG and even (brace yourself) EA’s Origin client. You can even download the Epic Games Store app, and get some premium indie games for free every few weeks. From Battle Royale free-to-play games, like Fortnite, to online CCGs, like Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links, the best free games cover a large range of genres and styles. We put the most popular titles through their paces, and chose the best free games you should download today. Linux, Windows or Mac - which one is best for you? Watch our guide video below: Bill Thomas and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article
Save up to 46% on a magazine subscription This sweeping, immersive multiplayer role-playing game from South Korea is one of the most anticipated games to (hopefully) be released in the West. Lost Ask boasts gorgeous graphics, an action-centric MMORPG game set in a beautiful, extremely detailed world where you can explore, go on quests and even meet other players. Unfortunately, it’s still not officially available in the Western market, but the CEO of Smilegate did express interest in bringing it to the US, Canada and Europe. And, rumor has it that the South Korean developer might follow through in 2019, but that hasn’t been confirmed. Things are looking up, however, as the beta is now available in Russia. Release date: Hopefully sometime in 2019 1. Fortnite Battle RoyaleThe Battle Royale is massive right now, and Epic Games has refined it to perfection with Fortnite Battle Royale. Initially developed as a sort of add-on for Fortnite, Battle Royale blew up in a way that nobody predicted, fast becoming one of the most played games of 2018. One of the best free games at the moment, Fortnite Battle Royale is entirely based around a simple scenario: you’re dumped in a map with 99 other players in a free-for-all melee, and the last one left standing at the end wins. Because of its meteoric success, Epic Games is hard at work adding new game modes and features all the time. Take Playground mode, for instance – it dumps you in the map and lets you build up structures for a set amount of time before the floodgates open and the carnage begins. What’s especially cool is that with Fortnite you can play with your friends, regardless of which platform they’re on. Whether you’re on PC, Xbox One, iOS, Android or PS4, you’ll be able to match up against millions of other players from all these different platforms.
Image Credit: Valve 2. Dota 2The Dota universe may have been born out of a WarCraft 3 mod, but Dota 2 is very much its own entity, and holds its own as one of the best free games. This top-down arena battler is incredibly active, attracting multimillion-dollar prize funds for serious tournament players. However, it’s not just for the most hardcore. A brief tutorial now shows you how to play, with the Steam Community providing guides to the original MOBA. Don't expect a warm welcome or easy learning curve from its complicated gameplay mechanics, but bring a few friends and Dota 2 will have you hooked on one of the biggest crazes in PC history. 3. Planetside 2Two years before Destiny dropped into orbit, we had Planetside 2, an epic, all-out first-person battle that’s so amazing, you might just have to pinch yourself every time you boot it up just to remind yourself that a game this fantastic is completely free. There are in-game purchases, of course, but you can still dive into the biggest battlefield in gaming and still have an awesome time with the default equipment. There's simply nothing as thrilling as taking part in a massed assault on an enemy base and coming out on top, or living in a world where an enemy convoy might appear on the horizon at any second. Planetside 2 is proof that 'free' doesn't mean prosaic.
Image Credit: Grinding Gear Games 4. Path of ExilePath of Exile is a free dungeon crawler reminiscent of Diablo III, and it’s slightly different than most of the best free games available. It’s not just about fragging real-life people until they scream at you in shrill pubescent tones through their Skype headsets. Path of Exile takes its time more than your typical multiplayer game, but give it a chance, and you might just find yourself hooked. There are hidden mechanics and features to discover after playing for hours, as well as a huge skill tree to slowly progress through. It really is the best free game for former Diablo addicts. Even basic loot can be of use because there's always a chance to enhance even the simplest weapon with magic. If you’re bored with the grind of Diablo III, it's a good one to check out. 5. League of LegendsPick a champion and head into battle in this groundbreaking free-to-play game from the creators of the Warcraft III mod, Dota. League of Legends’ automated matchmaking, diverse cast of characters and pristine maps have made it a multiplayer monster over these last few years, and one of the best free games on this list that will definitely stand the test of time. It’s an aggressive gameplay experience for sure, but one that rewards good teamwork and careful tactics. There is a bit of a learning curve, but you’ll be having fun shortly after you press that ‘play’ button. Like Dota 2, League of Legends attracts many high-end players, and the top tournaments offer prize pools of over $1 million. The weird world of esports, eh?
Image Credit: Activision-Blizzard 6. Hearthstone: Heroes of WarcraftEver played the card game Magic the Gathering? Hearthstone is Blizzard’s effort at making an online version of it, for free. As a typical Blizzard offering, it’s impressive. It’s immediately inviting, lacking the terrifying learning curve you would expect from an online fantasy card game. Hearthstone plays fast, boasts a very casual visual approach and benefits from a basic rule set, all of which add up to a very accessible card battler which offers you plenty of fun – especially if you’re a World of WarCraft fan. Not that it's not challenging as well, especially if you go against an opponent that plays their cards right, which is why it gets our vote for one of the best free games to date. Not that it's not challenging as well, especially if you're up against an opponent that plays their cards right, which is why its gets our vote for one of the best free games to date. 7. Star Wars: The Old RepublicTaking over the Star Wars MMORPG mantle after Star Wars Galaxies went away (may it rest in peace), Star Wars: The Old Republic was not originally free at release. However, it has since, like so many MMORPGs before it, turned to the free to play model. If you want to satisfy your inner Sith, this is the best way to do that for free. Subscriptions are available for more in-game potential and end-game content, but in true best free games fashion, all the story missions are still accessible for free – it just might take a bit longer now. It’s worth your time just to experience the Star Wars universe from different sets of eyes, like the hyper-professional Imperial Agent and Bounty Hunter. If you want to go with the dull option and just have a generic Jedi Knight, though – you can totally do that too.
Image Credit: Microsoft 8. Forza Motorsport 6 ApexForza Motorsport 6 Apex in particular brought a complete Forza Motorsport game to PC gamers for the first time – before Forza Horizon 3 arrived in 2016. It’s not quite the full-fledged experience you get from full entries to the series. However, Forza Motorsport 6 Apex is the best free game that we could have asked for from Microsoft’s long-standing racing series. When Xbox head Phil Spencer said he was going to bring the console's best franchises to the PC, he wasn't kidding. Among these notable games is Forza Motorsport. Shunned by petrol-heads and embraced by gamers, Forza Motorsport may seem like an arcadey offshoot of its biggest rival on PlayStation, but it consistently looks and feels excellent nonetheless. 9. DauntlessDauntless has basically become a household name at this point, becoming an overnight success on PC, thanks to Monster Hunter World. However, what if we told you that you could get a remarkably similar experience for free, with a game that’s also easier on your PC? Enter Dauntless. Drifting away from the clear environmentalist focus of Monster Hunter: World, where you’re trying to preserve the habitats, Dauntless simplifies things a bit, just charging you with slaying behemoths to protect a human colony. The gameplay itself is much more straightforward as well, free of some of the more obtuse gameplay systems that you either love or hate in the Monster Hunter series. The core DNA of the series, however, is there – hunt monsters, craft gear, hunt more monsters, making it one of the best free games to have right now.
Image Credit: Wargaming 10. World of TanksWorld of Tanks is a different kind of MMO, as you may have already guessed from the title. Team-based, massively multiplayer action with a wide array of war machines to drive into battle awaits, with new players able to jump into the fray right away. The upgrade system lets you personalize, while being surrounded by an entire army at all times to remind you that loners won’t make it on the battlefield. Get sucked in, and you may find yourself spending a chunk of change on great big chunks of virtual metal. Some premium tanks go for just a few dollars, while others require a bit more coin. You can see where maker Wargaming is earning some money from World of Tanks enthusiasts. Still, this doesn’t stop it from being one of the best free games right now. 11. Heroes of the StormIt was only a matter of time before Blizzard entered the fray in the MoBA phenomenon, and with Heroes of the Storm, we’re left asking: what took it so long? It’s an incredibly approachable esports title, sitting somewhere between League of Legends and DOTA 2 in terms of complexity, with the added bonus of playing characters you know and love. That’s right: the roster is made up entirely of Blizzard characters from across its library of classic games. If you’ve ever wondered who would win in a fight between Thrall and Kerrigan, Heroes of the Storm can show you how that fight plays out on the battlefield. Blizzard knocked it out of the park here, making it one of the best free games that keeps getting better by the day.
Image Credit: Daybreak 12. EverquestIts future was briefly in question after the sale of Sony's online entertainment division in February 2015, but Everquest is back with a vengeance, featuring new expansion packs and continued support by Daybreak Game Company. And, that’s one of the many reasons why it’s made our best free games list. The first of its kind to commercially succeed with a 3D game engine, Everquest hit the streets in 1999 as an MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game) and has since been documented as one of the most important games in the medium's history. Featuring consistently released expansion packs (quite massive in scale, at least early on) with vast new areas, races and classes, Everquest brings to the table just about everything you could want or need from an MMO. Plus, it's notably better at handling co-op than its alternatives. 13. RiftOriginally hailed as the game that would finally depose World of Warcraft, Rift had its moment – and is still going strong depending on who you ask. It brought innovation to a genre that was changing very slowly, letting you change your class whenever the urge compelled you. The whole game is focused on separating giant boss battles and events that occupy entire zones. It’s ambitious, thrilling, and massive with dozens of interdimensional rifts that keeps things exciting and unique from other MMOs. And, even after Rift went free to play, Trion has stayed on top of things, bringing out regular expansions for everyone to enjoy. Plus, you can ride a landshark.
Image Credit: Jagex 14. RunescapeRunescape is one of the biggest free-to-play MMOs available, and now would be a good time to take a deeper look. In 2013, it entered its third reboot – this is actually 'Runescape 3', although just jumping in now, you may not even realize that it has been around in one form or another for more than 10 years. Despite the renovation, it's definitely not the sparkliest MMO in the world, but hanging onto this many players shows it's doing something right. The big change introduced in Runescape 3 that made it appear a lot more updated was the ability to see much further. In Runescape 2, the horizon quickly gave way to fog… not so now. You can download the game for free or run it in your browser using Java, making it much more convenient than most other online role-players of this epic scale. 15. MaplestoryIf you’re tired of the dark fantasy aesthetic of most MMORPGs, you’ll love Maplestory’s creative and inspired style. Described by Nexon as the original 2D side-scrolling MMO, Maplestory takes the classic Dungeons and Dragons-inspired genre, and makes it kawaii. The lighter tone and customization of Maplestory makes it feel more like Harvest Moon than World of Warcraft or Rift. And, it has more emphasis on improving aesthetics than many other MMOs, allowing players a lot more personalization over how their characters look. Maplestory even has in-game weddings and dinosaurs that play guitar. Really, the only thing missing from Maplestory is an Oasis-inspired soundtrack.
Image Credit: Digital Extremes 16. WarframeIf you're into third-person co-operative shooters, Warframe may be one of the best free games available. Players take control of members of the Tenno, an ancient race warring against enemies such as the Grineer, the Corpus, the Infested and the Sentients. Your Tenno soldier utilizes the Crysis-style Warframe armor equipped with guns or melee weapons to fight back. Better looking than your usual free-to-play shooter, there’s a lot of fun to be had in Warframe's player-vs-enemy raids – so much so that some gamers see it as, "The Destiny that never was.” High praise all around. 17. SmiteGods from every pantheon come together in Smite to duke it out in a free Dota/MOBA inspired clash. Even though Smite is pretty overt with its influences – it comes from the same developer that made the FPS smash Tribes Ascend, it’s still a completely different beast. The camera is behind the characters this time, giving you a more direct connection to the action than simply ordering your lord around with a mouse. However, the premise will either be familiar if you've played its inspirations, or a way to get a feel for the style, if you haven't. Gods include Zeus, Thor, Kali, Artemis and... Cupid? Well, at least he has his own bow…
Image Credit: Turbine 18. Lord of the Rings OnlineThere are so many MMOs that have been released or rereleased as free-to-play games, but Lord of the Rings Online is one of those titles that most deserves another look. It’s already an excellent game in its own right, but it’s also one of the more mature MMOs on the market. You’ll probably have to pay eventually to unlock adventure packs. However, there’s no subscription fee and no up-front cost, making it one of the best free games to immerse yourself in right now. If you missed it at launch, or even if you quit playing since then, it’s time to give it a go. 19. The Awesome Adventures of Captain SpiritLife is Strange and its sequel are among the best modern adventure games on PC in 2018. Lucky for us, there’s now a free way to experience this spectacular series. Unveiled back at E3 2018, the Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit puts you in the shoes of 9-year-old Chris as he, and his alter ego, Captain Spirit, go on an epic adventure. It’s a free-to-play single player adventure game without any kind of nasty micro- or predatory monetization – simply a nice prelude into Life is Strange 2. Just don’t go in anticipating the longest gameplay experience in the world, as you’ll likely finish it in just a couple of hours. That still doesn’t stop it from being one of the best free games, however.
Image Credit: CCP Games 20. Eve OnlineIn 2003, Icelandic developer CCP Games unleashed Eve Online, an immersive and in-depth “sci-fi experience” that would ultimately grab the attention of well over 500,000 players. Eve Online is unlike any game in its category, thanks to the vast range of activities to participate in as well as its (appropriately) out of this world in-game economy. Unfortunately, the Eve Online player base has been shrinking since 2013. It shouldn’t be surprising that as time goes on, fewer and fewer gamers are interested in paying a subscription fee for a glorified space sim with a steep learning curve. However, since the Ascension Update, released back in November 2016, Eve Online has gone free to play – at least to some extent. The new ‘alpha clones’ system featured in Eve Online is like the “unlimited free trial” feature in World of Warcraft. You can still engage with other players in piracy, manufacturing, trading, mining, exploration and combat, but there are limitations such as certain skills that are off limits. If you don’t want to limit your access to some of the game’s most lumbering ships, you can always opt for the Omega subscription – otherwise, the game won’t cost a penny, which is why it makes for one of the best free games to grace the gaming world. 21. Apex LegendsTo say that Battle Royale games are popular in 2019 would be a gigantic understatement, but the level of success that Apex Legends has enjoyed so quickly after launch speaks volumes. It’s definitely earned its spot on this list as one of the best free games. Not only is the game itself amazing, bringing unique mechanics from the awesome Titanfall games to a Battle Royale, but the game itself has reached over a stunning 25 million players after a week. Apex Legends places 60 players in the middle of a gigantic map, armed with a bunch of unique abilities that make both combat and traversal extremely addicting. It’s not quite the chaos of 100 player battle royale titles like Fortnite or PUBG, but it feels balanced. If somehow you haven’t joined the Apex Legends bandwagon yet, you’re sorely missing out.
Image Credit: 505 Games 22. HawkenHawken is a game about mechs. But, not just any mechs – fast mechs. These aren’t your average slow, lumbering tanks of MechWarrior Online. These are more in line with the Exoskeletons of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. Of course, being a free-to-play game, expect to shell out for upgrades to your starter mech. However, economical players can still get a taste for Hawken without spending a dime. Plus, attach an Oculus Rift, and you can see first-hand what VR games have in store for you. Admit it, you've wanted to know what it feels like to power a mech for yourself since Pacific Rim came out. 23. Evolve Stage 2Hey, remember Evolve? Don’t worry if you don’t – it quickly fell off the face of the planet after release, until it was eventually removed from Steam. But Turtle Rock re-released it back into beta a year and a half after its initial release, and it was then that Evolve was unveiled as a free-to-play experience. It was even given a new moniker: Evolve Stage 2, and now it’s one of the best free games we’ve ever played. Despite going free-to-play, the game's core structure stays the same. It's a game of humans vs. zombies… err, monsters, a new twist on a beloved pastime. A team of four players, called hunters, is matched up against a single monster, with each hunter assigned their own class. Of course, with four players taking on one, there is a unique catch – hence the game's title. Monsters start out at a basic level then evolve over time by killing and consuming wildlife in nearby areas. Evolve cost $40 before, so rest assured you’re getting access to a game with a triple-A quality, even if much of the content is locked behind a paywall. Nevertheless, you can give it a shot for yourself for the initial cost of $0 on Steam.
Image Credit: Bethesda Softworks 24. The Elder Scrolls II: DaggerfallWhile we sit, anxiously awaiting news on The Elder Scrolls VI, you should take the time to give the classic The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall a try. This 1990s RPG is a precursor to the iconic ones that came after, and is a bit of a classic in its own right. Its game world is many times the size of any of its sequels – indeed it’s the size of a continent, and is absolutely filled with atmosphere. It might look a little rough around the edges by today’s standards, but it’s worth diving into if you’re an Elder Scrolls fan. It's available direct from Bethesda. The publisher started offering it for free to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the game. As if we didn't feel old enough already. 25. Starcraft IIOne of the most popular games to ever hit the PC/Mac landscape is Starcraft II, a competitive real-time strategy game whose Wings of Liberty installment is just one of three parts of the campaign. At one time, it was huge in South Korea, but the scene fizzled out a bit when MOBAs like League of Legends and Dota 2 hit the scene. Maybe that’s why Blizzard decided to convert Starcraft II to the free-to-play business model. As a result of its engrossing strategy game mechanics, combined with creatively designed environments and an enthralling narrative that can only a video game can tell, Starcraft II is one of the most widely enjoyed eSports in the entire world, not to mention one of the best free games. Of course, being a Blizzard game, you’ll need a Battle.net account to access it. Other than that, both the campaign and the multiplayer are free to enjoy. Only certain characters require your prized coin.
Image Credit: Bethesda Softworks 26. Wolfenstein 3DInterested in knowing what Wolfenstein was before The New Order? Wolfenstein 3D is now free, and will transport you to the year 1992 when celebrity game developers John Carmack and John Romero paired up to make a shareware game like nothing before it. Wolfenstein 3D took concepts from Muse Software's Castle Wolfenstein and Beyond Castle Wolfenstein to create a three-dimensional first-person shooter that would later inspire the development of Doom. Keep in mind while playing that while Wolfenstein 3D was cutting edge for its time, it's probably not what you would expect from a first-person shooter of today's standards. Nonetheless, it's an easy and free way to experience game history in an old-school World War II game rich with narrative about, well, shooting Nazis in the face. Don't expect to be blown away by the story in the same way as the Wolfenstein franchise's more recent entries, however. 27. Team Fortress 2It may be an old vet in gaming terms, but nothing offers such insane fun as Team Fortress 2. Unlike most shooters of its age, players in this game are still there to have a good time instead of spitting insults at newcomers, and there's no shortage of cool toys to have fun with. Endlessly silly and incredibly fresh, it's still one of the shooter genre's kings, free-to-play or not. Of course, it only makes sense for it to be on our best free games list. As you might have guessed, there are some micro-transactions involved. You can buy additional items, often used to customize your character. You can even create your own. It's fun, and gets you even more involved in TF2. Those cheeky devils at Valve obviously know what they're doing.
Image Credit: Konami 28. Yu-Gi-Oh Duel LinksIf you grew up in the ‘90s, you probably have a lot of memories of playing Yu-Gi-Oh, and maybe even watching the anime. Well, what if we told you that an injection of nostalgia is waiting in Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Links, and it’s free to boot? In Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Links, you won’t just have access to the titular card game competitively online. You’ll also get to play against AI opponents voiced by actors from the anime. There are plenty of microtransactions here – you can buy new cards – but it’s a CCG in 2019, so there’s no real way around that. Be prepared to spend some cash. 29. Magic DuelsMagic: The Gathering is fun, but what if you could play it from the comfort of your PC? It’s definitely possible, thanks to Magic Duels. Whether this is your first time or you’re a 20-year vet, Duels will let you do everything the card game does and more. While over 300 new cards are advertised as being accessible throughout the game, there’s also a unique story mode where you can experience Magic like never before. If narrative in your card games isn't your cup of tea, there's also a Battle Mode in which you can go toe-to-toe with your friends, a four-player Two-Headed Giant battle and even an offline solo mode you can use to practice against AI.
Image Credit: Daybreak Game Company 30. DC Universe OnlineThough it's yet another free-to-play MMO on this list, DC Universe Online puts characters like Superman, Batman, Green Lantern and more into a massive (and shared) public world. Choose whether you want to be a member of the Hero or Villain faction, then personalize your character. Soon, you'll be thrust out into the world of DC Universe Online at the hands of Daybreak Game Company. After some initial training, the game assigns you a position as either a member of the Justice League or The Society, depending on your choice of hero or villain. Unlike other MMOs on this list and outside it, DC Universe Online is meant to be much more interactive while also retaining traditional MMORPG elements such as leveling, raiding, inventories and post-game progression. It's also easy using real-world currency too, which is why it has our best free games vote. 31. PaladinsIt’s not hard to see why Paladins catches a lot of grief for its similarities to Overwatch. At the same time, the team-based shooter is also decidedly different from that of Blizzard’s. Abilities are upgraded based on a collectible card system, and can completely change the way each character plays. What’s more, unlike Overwatch, Paladins is completely free-to-play. While cosmetic items are available to buy using real-world currency, everything else can be unlocked simply by playing. For instance, you’ll start Paladins with a single deck of basic cards, and from there, unlock more dramatically impactful decks. Regardless of how you choose to play Paladins, you’ll get XP as you go. As long as you’re completing the daily quests and achievements featured in the game, you’ll be compensated with Radiant Chests and Gold. These can be used to purchase more cards, costumes and weapon skins to make your characters more unique and skillful on the battlefield.
Image Credit: Konami 32. Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 LiteYou might be familiar with Fifa already, but Pro Evolution Soccer – or PES – is one of the best-selling video game franchises of all-time, not to mention one of the best free games out there. It doesn’t have all the flair (or licensing) of its EA Sports rival, but some would argue that it’s the better soccer game series, not to mention one of the better sports series overall. PES 2018, in particular, is only a slight refinement over its predecessor, but it does introduce better dribbling and tries to perfect the fan-favorite Master League mode. The ‘Lite’ version of Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 gives you access to the Online myClub and PES League Mode in addition to the Offline Exhibition Match and Training Mode, entirely for free. There are in-app purchases along the way, and you can always upgrade to the full version later should this one not satisfy. 33. SpelunkyYou can now get Spelunky on a number of platforms – it's pretty high-profile for an indie title. However, it started its life as a PC-exclusive, and its original 'non HD' Classic version is still available for free today. The catch is that with each run through, the entire game is randomized to keep things exciting. In one game, you'll stumble through screen after screen of spiked horrors and swarming monsters; in the next, the software will bend over backwards to give you gold and help you on your way. You learn how each randomized world ticks and which piece of equipment will give you a fighting chance. And then you'll die some more. And scream. And restart. Again. Is this one of the best free games that has graced our screens, or what?
Image Credit: Perfect World 34. NeverwinterAs a free MMO, Neverwinter sets the bar high for itself as it's based on perhaps the most quintessential role-playing game of all-time, Dungeons & Dragons. Like everything else in the Dungeons & Dragons universe, the game takes place in the Forgotten Realms, specifically, as the name suggests, in Neverwinter. Featuring eight character classes with groups of up to five players supported, Neverwinter is based on the fourth-edition rules of Dungeons & Dragons. However, the rules are a little different, letting players heal their allies in addition to allowing for the use of special abilities in combat after racking up enough action points. 35. Doki Doki Literature ClubAn ostensibly charming visual novel on the surface, Doki Doki Literature Club is a game that’s best experienced blindly. It comes from Dan Salvato, a game developer best known for his work in the Super Smash Bros. Melee modding community, who says he developed Doki Doki Literature Club because of his indifference towards anime. Ironic considering the main character in Doki Doki Literature Club is consumed by anime and manga, and has minimal experience with the writings of more prestigious authors. As engrossing as the trio of female supporting characters appear to be in Doki Doki Literature Club, we would advise against getting too attached to them. Without spoiling the story, the first thing you see when you boot up Doki Doki Literature Club is a content warning, suggesting that those with severe anxiety withhold from playing altogether. It’s not entirely unjustified, as you’re bound to learn the hard way that Doki Doki Literature Club is more horror than generic fan service.
Image Credit: Grey Havens 36. Puzzle Pirates: Dark SeasFor nearly 15 years now, Puzzle Pirates has been a household name for kids with unrestricted access to the computer labs at school. It’s a massive, totally free-to-play multiplayer online role-playing game – among the best free games, in fact – originally created by the Sega-owned Three Rings Design. The objective is to join a crew and ideally become a captain, by completing puzzles alongside other players. Puzzle Pirates: Dark Seas, on the other hand, is the Steam-exclusive version of Puzzle Pirates that includes an entirely new ocean known as Obsidian. Dark Seas introduces factions and player-versus-player (PvP) combat in a way new to the Steam release of Puzzle Pirates. It also comes from a different developer, a nonprofit called Grey Havens, which was established by several former members of Three Rings Design. Before the advent of Dark Seas, you could only get the multiplayer portion of Puzzle Pirates on Steam. Now, the single-player mode can be downloaded and installed from Valve’s client as well. 37. Phantom DustIts development cycle was a catastrophe, but in the end, the Phantom Dust remaster still prevailed. A new IP in the form of a Japanese budget card game for the original Xbox, it seemed too good to be true when Microsoft revealed back at E3 2014 that a complete remake was in the works… and, as it turns out, it was. The remake was shelved in 2016, but Microsoft still wanted to revive the cult classic one-off. And turns out, the company did so with a remaster, not a remake. Luckily, the new version of Phantom Dust for Windows 10 (and Xbox One, for console-goers) is free to play unless you opt to purchase some of the in-game “multiplayer cards”.
Image Credit: Bay 12 Games 38. Dwarf FortressInspiring the creation of Minecraft was no small feat for 2D sandbox game Dwarf Fortress. Dubbed a construction and management simulator, Dwarf Fortress took simple text-based graphics into a relatively more modern, 2006 piece of software. It’s often deemed a cult classic because of its open-ended nature, and serves as one of the most iconic examples of a procedurally generated roguelike. This means Dwarf Fortress both randomizes its environments and makes the game's permadeath system a much harder problem to avoid. This led to the unofficial slogan for the game "Losing is fun," which was either ironic or an accurate description of what happens in the game. Hard to say either way. One thing's for sure. If you want to experience an important part of gaming history, Dwarf Fortress is a solid start. It was even exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City back in 2013. Can't say that for a lot of free-to-play games, making this one of the best free games on offer in 2019. 39. Fable FortuneAfter a troubled development cycle, Fable Fortune is the collectible card game that you probably expected to never see the light of day. Either that, or you’ve never even heard of it. We can’t blame you. The team behind the Fable franchise – the illustrious group of individuals at Lionhead Studios –closed their doors two years ago. In the time following Lionhead’s closure, its parent company, Microsoft, licensed off Fable Fortune to a group of former Lionhead developers at a new company called Flaming Fowl Studios. It was there that Fable Fortune found private funding despite a failed Kickstarter campaign. The end result is a relatively competitive card game that’s completely free to play. Skeptics will be quick to compare Fable Fortune to Hearthstone. But other than the fact that they both make our best free games list, the two games differ quite a bit due to Fable Fortune’s more complex set of hero powers, less randomness and a morality system that rewards a grasp of its ‘good’ and ‘evil’ points.
Image Credit: Bethesda Softworks 40. Fallout ShelterIf you favor the property management systems of Fallout 4 rather than the great majority of the role-playing game's content, Fallout Shelter is a great place to start. Up until recently, the simulation game was limited to mobile platforms Android and iOS. However, with the introduction of Quests in version 1.6 of Fallout Shelter, Bethesda Softworks also decided to port the game to PC by way of the Bethesda.net client. All in all, Fallout Shelter doesn't feel that much different on PC, and that's undoubtedly a good thing. Mouse controls work well in lieu of a touchscreen, graphics look good even for low-end hardware and with windowed mode enabled by default, it's easy to find yourself caring after your vault residents during your downtime at work. With an unquestionably manageable price point (free), albeit with micro-purchases on hand, Fallout Shelter could very well become the next Solitaire in your office or at school. 41. BrawlhallaHave you been missing out on the action, just watching all your friends play Super Smash Bros Ultimate because you don’t have a Nintendo Switch? Well, with this game, you’re in luck. Brawlhalla is a 2-8 player 2D brawler that draws quite a bit of inspiration from Nintendo’s classic franchise. And, it pulls it off. It’s an extraordinarily fun way to pass a few hours. With an esports league, you can rest assured you’ll always have people to throw down against. It may not quite be the same as playing some Smash on a friend’s couch, but it’s close enough to be worth your time. And that’s why Brawlhalla makes it to our list of best free games.
Image Credit: 2K Games 42. BattlebornCEO and president of Gearbox Software Randy Pitchford will tell you differently, but Battleborn is free-to-play. Officially categorized as a “free trial” on Steam, there isn’t much to separate this hero shooter from other free-to-play games on the market. You can play for as long as you want using six of the game’s 30 characters, rotated weekly to shake things up. Battleborn originally hit the market in May 2016, the same month as Overwatch. The main difference is that Battleborn is influenced by MOBA games. Overwatch, on the other hand, is a more traditional PvP shooter with an eccentric cast of characters. Battleborn also has a single-player campaign, which can be accessed using real-world currency. 43. The Elder Scrolls: LegendsThere seems to be a never-ending arms race developers are caught in right now to put out the next Hearthstone. That is, a wildly popular collectible card game (CCG) that’s “easy to learn but challenging to master.” Those are the words, verbatim, publisher Bethesda Softworks is using to describe The Elder Scrolls: Legends. A CCG that draws inspiration from the lore of the company’s beloved RPG franchise, The Elder Scrolls: Legends separates itself from the likes of competing virtual card games such as Hearthstone and The Witcher 3’s Gwent by using a two-lane system that keeps players on their toes when it comes to devising strategies. And, if you’re simply wanting more Skyrim, you’ll be happy to learn that the Heroes of Skyrim expansion for The Elder Scrolls: Legends packs in 150 additional cards, some of which are familiar faces like Aela the Huntress, J’Zargo and Delphine. It’s no doubt this one’s earned its spot on our best free games list.
Image Credit: Freejam 44. RobocraftWhether you loved or hated World of Tanks, you’ll be pleased to learn that Robocraft, a worthy addition to our list of best free games, is what you get when you take conventional vehicle combat and twist it into something completely new. From independent developer and publisher Freejam, Robocraft allows you to commandeer jet cars (not jets and cars, but jet cars), tanks, flying warships, helicopters and drones. In doing so, you’ll spend most of your time engaging in combat with other players online. Like a vehicle-based Fortnite, you’ll also play with different combinations of 250 preset blocks using a simple crafting interface, allowing you to equip the vehicle of your choosing with the weapons of your choosing as well. Likewise, Robocraft lets you create or join clans with up to 50 members. Within those clans, you can invite friends to ‘parties’ and play cooperatively in an effort to beat other teams. Once everything is said and done, and you’re satisfied with your creations, you can show them off at the virtualized Community Robot Factory in exchange for likes and shares. 45. Total War Battles: KingdomReal-time Strategy (RTS) games don't come much grander than those in the Total War series, and the latest entrant, Battles KINGDOM, is free-to-play. Available to play on iOS and Android, as well as PC, you can pick up where you left off when you're not at your main battle station. Total War Battles: Kingdom is set at the turn of the 10th Century and integrates army management with kingdom building to deliver a bite-sized RTS game you can dig into and play anywhere, anytime. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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