Apple : Google Pixel Watch release date, price, news and leaks |
- Google Pixel Watch release date, price, news and leaks
- Google says Stadia will be 'faster and more responsive' than local hardware
- iPhone 11 and 11 Pro deals US: get the best prices in October 2019
- Why is Apple selling Xbox One controllers? Apple Arcade
- The blindspot monitoring in this pickup knows when you’re towing a yacht
- Google Pixel Watch could be coming alongside the Pixel 4
- PlayStation VR 2: all the latest PSVR 2 rumors
- Google Pixel 4 5G could launch alongside 4G handset at October event
- The best cheap laptop deals in October 2019: prices start at just $94
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- PlayStation VR 2 could bring wireless virtual reality to your PS5 – and more
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| Google Pixel Watch release date, price, news and leaks Posted: 09 Oct 2019 02:09 PM PDT We might see Wear OS shown off to its full potential when the long-rumored Google Pixel Watch finally launches - which could be right around the corner alongside the release of the upcoming Google Pixel 4, according to the latest leak. Rumors alleged that Google was hard at work making its own smartwatch to demonstrate the true potential of Wear OS just like the company had done releasing the Google Pixel phones to show off Android, but so far, we haven't seen a Google-branded wearable. One report in mid-2018 from reliable Twitter leaker @Evleaks says he had information from a trusted source that a Google Pixel Watch is in development. His source said it would be announced alongside the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, but that didn't happen. Below we're going to break down everything we know so far about the new watch, whether it'll ever actually happen and we've put together the features and design we'd like from the first flagship watch. Cut to the chase
Google Pixel Watch release date and priceAn exact release date for the rumored Google Pixel Watch isn't clear. The latest rumor claims that it will be released alongside the Google Pixel 4. That would fit given that our first rumor of a release date came in a tweet from noted leaker Evleaks claiming a "reliable source" said it would be announced alongside the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, but that didn't happen. Google itself then confirmed there wouldn't be a Pixel Watch in 2018. So could that mean we'll see one in 2019? Maybe, but nothing is guaranteed. The report below from WinFuture about three versions of the Google Pixel Watch said the device has reached its second level of design verification, which is a test to see if the device would be easy to mass produce. That suggests the watch design will be final enough to be put onto the production line in the near future. And then there's the fact a new codename has been spotted for a device called medaka. A medaka is a tiny fish (Google always uses codenames of sea creatures for its products) and the device is said to not sport a notch so some have taken this to mean it's the Pixel Watch. As for price, we don't currently have any idea how much this watch will cost. Considering the Pixel range is usually high-end products with generally flagship level prices, we'd expect that but we don't currently have any evidence supporting it. Google Pixel Watch news and rumorsIn terms of spec, there isn't much known about the Google Pixel Watch. We can expect this to be a high-end device that uses the latest technology in smartwatches, but what that will be won't be known until we hear leaks of the product. It's likely to run Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset that will mean improvements to battery life and more power for running your favorite apps on your wrist.
Wear OS is the latest version of Google's smartwatch operating system One rumored feature was something codenamed 'Blackghost'. It was thought to be be a power management integrated circuit built into the chipset itself that will allow the watch to listen out for voice commands at all times without draining the battery. That isn't a feature on the Snapdragon Wear 3100, but it may be Google has found a way to make it an exclusive feature for the Pixel Watch when it launches. If that's true, expect to be able to ask Google Assistant questions without either draining your smartwatch after a few hours or having to press a button beforehand. Another report - this time from WinFuture - has suggested there may actually be three versions of the Pixel Watch in development. The website has heard word of devices with code names Ling, Triton and Sardine all in development at Google HQ. Exactly what the differences for the devices would be are currently unclear. It may mean we'll see three variants of the Pixel Watch. That same report also suggested at least one version of the watch will come with 1GB of RAM, which is a lot for a smartwatch. It may mean there will be one watch in the range with LTE or another that's designed to be more focused on fitness, but so far we've yet to hear any rumors of what those different versions will be. What we want to seeBelow we've put together a list of the things we want to see from the Google Pixel Watch. 1. Rotating crown or bezel
Samsung's Gear Sport uses a rotating bezel Before the switch to Wear OS, Android Wear 2.0 put a big focus on how the design had been reworked to play well with rotating bezels and crowns, but then we haven't seen many watches embrace that. Why not use it for the Google Pixel Watch? Those features may be far in Google's rear view mirror as the Wear OS updates take precedent, but we'd love to see an innovative way of interacting with the watch such as a rotating crown or bezel. 2. In-display fingerprint scannerIf Google really wants to put the Pixel Watch on the map, adding an in-display fingerprint scanner would go a long way to doing that. Currently Wear OS watches (and the Apple Watch) allow you to secure them with a PIN code – but that’s not the most secure form of protection available. With an in-display fingerprint scanner, the secure biometric technology would fit seamlessly into the wearable without disrupting the visual appeal of the watch. It would also allow you to approve purchases over the current contactless limit (assuming the Pixel Watch comes with NFC). There are a couple of potential negatives here though. Firstly, the addition of this fledgling technology could increase the thickness of the watch – and no one wants an overly chunky wearable – but secondly it’ll also likely push the price tag way up. If Google can overcome these two things though, you can sign us up for a Pixel Watch right now. 3. SwimproofWe’re used to smartwatches coming with a level of dust and water resistance, but few carry an IP certification high enough to ensure their survival when we cannonball into the local pool. A fully swim-proof Google Pixel Watch would not only allow you to keep the wearable on in the bath, but also allow you to track workouts in the pool without fear of malfunction. 4. Three day battery life
The new enhanced battery saver mode on Wear OS This is a simple one, but we want the Google Pixel Watch to last as long as it can. Imagine a fully fledged smartwatch that doesn't need charging after two days of intensive usage. Wear OS is integrating a useful enhanced battery saver mode that should give you a lot more time with your smartwatch, but it'll limit the amount of features you can use when it's on. Clearly Google wants to improve how long your watch will last from one charge, but we'd love to see a big battery inside the watch and well optimized software that offers the best battery for a smartwatch on the market right now. 5. NFC paymentsAnother simple one here, but quite a few Wear OS watches don't come with NFC built in so you aren't able to use Google Pay features on your wrist. That's a frustration for a lot of people, so we're hoping Google will include an NFC chip inside the watch. That'll especially be useful when you're out for a run and you need to buy a bottle of water, but you've left your wallet at home. 6. Best in class fitness
Garmin's Forerunner 935 comes with a lot of fitness features built-in. While we're on the topic of running, we want the Pixel Watch to compete with the fitness prowess of the Apple Watch 3 as well as top-end specialist watches like the Garmin Forerunner 935. Imagine if Google can include all of the latest tracking tech including accurate GPS, LTE so we can listen to music on the go as well as a top of the range heart rate tracker. We want to be able to strap the Google Pixel Watch to our wrist and head out for any type of exercise and know we'll be tracked accurately and get as much fitness stats as we possibly can. 7. High-end watch designThis one is a given, but we want to see a watch that you're not embarrassed to wear on your wrist. Not every Wear OS watch is a gorgeous creation, so we wish Google will be able to offer a slimmer option than most other manufacturers that uses high-end materials and feels like a proper timepiece you're excited to wear. If you're going to be spending a fair amount of money on a new watch, you'll want it to look great on your wrist so this is one of the most important things we want to see on the new wearable. Main image: Misfit Vapor running new Wear OS Image Credit: TechRadar This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Google says Stadia will be 'faster and more responsive' than local hardware Posted: 09 Oct 2019 02:00 PM PDT In a new interview, Google’s top executive in charge of engineering says that games played on Stadia could run faster and be more responsive than they do on local hardware - e.g. game consoles like the Xbox One and PS4 or a gaming PC. While this sounds a little outlandish, Google plans on employing a number of techniques to help combat latency caused by connection speeds. “Ultimately, we think in a year or two we’ll have games that are running faster and feel more responsive in the cloud than they do locally,” said Stadia’s VP of engineering Madj Bakar, “regardless of how powerful the local machine is.” It's also important to note that Bakar isn't saying that Stadia will be better out of the box - he's noting that the service will likely get to that point in the future, after Google's team has some time to work through any issues. Stadia vs Xbox One and PS4That above quote comes from an interview with Bakar and Edge Magazine’s Alex Wiltshire (disclosure: Edge Magazine is owned by Future PLC, the same company that owns TechRadar) where Bakar explained some of the technologies Stadia uses that help overcome issues introduced by latency. Among these technologies are “Negative Latency,” the term Google uses to describe its large stream buffer, boosting frame rates on the server's side to compensate for slow down and an even algorithm that will predict which buttons you’re likely to press next - all to make up for any latency introduced by your connection. When we got a chance to play with Stadia at this year’s E3, we felt that it was a mostly latency-free experience - even on twitchy, quick-response games like Doom Eternal. That said, the demo occurred in the heart of Los Angeles, a major US metropolis, and not in a rural area that’s likely to be further from Google’s data centers and rely on lower-speed internet connections. Just how well Stadia will fare in those circumstances remains to be seen, but we’ll find out when the service goes live in November. Via PCGamesN
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| iPhone 11 and 11 Pro deals US: get the best prices in October 2019 Posted: 09 Oct 2019 01:41 PM PDT The September 10 Apple Event unveiled the highly anticipated iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro smartphones. The latest iPhone is officially available to order today from all major carriers and retailers like Walmart and Best Buy. To help you wade through all the different plans, we've listed the best iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro prices and deals that are available in the US today. The best Black Friday iPhone 11 deals and pricesWhile there are plenty of fantastic offers below, there's also Black Friday 2019 that you can look forward to. The November sale event is an excellent opportunity to find online bargains, and lucky for you we've put together a guide on how to find the best Black Friday iPhone deals of 2019. We'll tell you everything you know to know, such as the date, what retailers are participating, and what prices you can expect to see. iPhone 11 deals from US carriers:iPhone 11 Pro deals from US carriers:iPhone 11 Pro Max deals from US carriers:The iPhone 11 Pro Max, the bigger version of the 11 Pro, is priced at $1,099 from carriers such as AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon. Sprint is offering the Pro Max for $16.67 a month with an eligible trade-in and on a Sprint Flex 18-month lease, and Verizon is offering up to $450 off with select trade-in and Unlimited. While AT&T isn't offering a promotion on the Pro Max, you can get the iPhone 11 for free when you buy another eligible iPhone. Learn more about the newest iPhone with our hands on iPhone 11 review, iPhone 11 Pro review, and iPhone 11 Pro Max review. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Why is Apple selling Xbox One controllers? Apple Arcade Posted: 09 Oct 2019 12:35 PM PDT Apple has just delivered Apple Arcade across the range of its devices from iPhones to MacBooks running iOS 13 or macOS 10.15 Catalina. Apple TVs and iPads running the latest operating systems are also supported. And, to offer an improved gaming experience Apple has started selling a wireless controller directly on its website, but it just so happens that it is none other than Microsoft's Xbox One Wireless controller. This cross-over between Apple and Microsoft is a curious blurring of lines between two companies that are often battling to put out the best products. But, in this case, it appears Apple has conceded, acknowledging Microsoft has the best gaming controller (a stance we agree with) without even attempting to make an Apple-branded controller.
A major push into gaming or a timid first step?Apple had a long presentation on Apple Arcade when more was shown off during the iPhone 11 launch earlier this year. It showed off a ton of games, though we can't say its choice to start off the showcase with Frogger was well conceived. All the same, the company seemed to be demonstrating an interest in using its platform on computers, tablets, phones and TV set-top boxes to deliver a best-in-class gaming experience. Some of the games Apple has for Apple Arcade are impressive looking, such as the almost-too-Zelda-esque series Oceanhorn. But, there's a notable lack of big, AAA titles. Meanwhile, initiatives like Google Stadia (which isn't even live yet!) have bigger titles coming, broad device support and a custom controller. Apple's decision to sell the Xbox controller alongside the launch of Apple Arcade makes it feel like Apple isn't quite so certain about the platform. Especially since Apple could surely derive a premium for a controller designed in-house. But, on the plus side, this means Apple Arcade users have the option of a tried-and-true controller. And, it gets even better when we consider that the Xbox controller has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
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| The blindspot monitoring in this pickup knows when you’re towing a yacht Posted: 09 Oct 2019 11:00 AM PDT In the future, as automotive technology advances, sensors will be everywhere. Bridges will know when you pass underneath, side lane markings will be equipped with 5G-enabled sensors that communicate with your vehicle and know when you’re drifting, and the car behind you will be able to detect your bumper even from miles away. This type of sensor activity isn't viable today, mostly because the infrastructure itself isn't online in most cities (unless you count places like Las Vegas), or the sensors themselves are too expensive. However, a redesigned pickup from RAM Trucks – namely, the 2019 RAM 1500 I tested for a week, which has a base price of $31,895 (about £26,000, AU$18,000) – comes equipped with a unique blind-spot monitoring system that provides a hint for how all of this will work in the future. Hidden dangersBlind spot monitoring isn't a new invention, and has been around a while. I’ve tested cars all the way back to about 2009 that used sensors to tell if someone is in the next lane over. It’s called blind spot monitoring because the car you are driving partially obscures cars next to you. It’s so common that I’m surprised when a vehicle doesn’t have the option available. In the RAM 1500, it works a bit differently. If you're towing a trailer or a yacht, the sensors can scan all the way back behind you and spot an oncoming vehicle in the next lane. (By the way, the feature itself has a long name, it’s called Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Path and Trailer Detection.) I really like how it works, because you don’t have to do anything. The sensors automatically detect an attached trailer or boat and scan farther behind you. In my tests, the blindspot monitoring worked flawlessly. In a truck, it’s helpful because you can’t always see behind you or in the next lane. I’ve tested other trucks and I’ve never seen the capability to scan beyond the truck itself. If you are towing an RV camper that blocks your field of view so that you can’t see the next lane, the extended sensors help even more. Communicating with the roadIn the future, sensors will know much more than whether you have a yacht in tow and that there’s an Audi A5 creeping on next to you. The Audi will also communicate its location to you and you’ll see an alert if you try to change lanes. And, let’s say you are approaching an area where there is a divider in the road, which seems to happen quite a bit. The curb itself will communicate with your truck and let you know to avoid that part of the road. With autonomous cars, this will all happen in real-time and the vehicles will all know about each other, the roadway, and any impediments along the way. We’re closer to this than you might think – in Las Vegas, for example, the stop lights can communicate with the car and warn you about a red light. I’ve tested this in an autonomous car and, once you experience it, it makes perfect sense and it’s hard to imagine driving without those connections. For now, I like the sensors in the RAM 1500. It’s a stop-gap measure for current driving technology that will pave the way to more sensors to help us drive safer. On The Road is TechRadar's regular look at the futuristic tech in today's hottest cars. John Brandon, a journalist who's been writing about cars for 12 years, puts a new car and its cutting-edge tech through the paces every week. One goal: To find out which new technologies will lead us to fully self-driving cars. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Google Pixel Watch could be coming alongside the Pixel 4 Posted: 09 Oct 2019 09:33 AM PDT The Google Pixel Watch could launch alongside the Pixel 4 when Google shows its new tech off, according to a source close to the matter. That unidentified source was speaking to Nikkei Asian Review, a site that's accurately preempted tech launches before, so the rumor is worth taking seriously. The source states that as well as the Pixel 4 and 4 XL, there will be a Google Pixel 4 5G, a new notebook device, and a smartwatch.
While the Google Pixel Watch isn't named, if Google is to unveil a new smartwatch, it'll likely be the Pixel wearable. Rumors in 2018 suggested Google was ready to introduce its first Pixel branded smartwatch, but it's thought the company decided at the last minute not to unveil the wearable. The Google Event is set to take place in New York City on October 15, and it's there that we're expecting to see Google's new hardware. TechRadar will be on the ground at the event to test out all the new products, including the Watch (if it exists) so check back then to see if the anticipated smartwatch is present. What's so important about the Google Pixel Watch?The Google Pixel Watch would give Google the chance to show off its Wear OS operating system in the way it intended on its own, home-grown hardware. The same was the case for the Google Pixel smartphones, with many considering them the most pure way to experience Android, as both the hardware and software was made by the same company. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| PlayStation VR 2: all the latest PSVR 2 rumors Posted: 09 Oct 2019 09:15 AM PDT With the PS4 and PS4 Pro life-cycles officially reaching their ends, and Sony confirming a release date for the PS5 , we can't help but wonder what Sony has in store as a successor to PlayStation VR. Could it be PSVR 2? Sony did technically release a second PSVR headset back in 2017: the CUH-ZVR2 with added HDR compatibility, integrated headphones and a smaller connective cord. But, the true PSVR 2.0 will feature a much greater jump in specs that will take advantage of next-gen hardware to up its resolution, pixel quality and refresh rate. The main question is, will the PlayStation VR 2 simply improve on its predecessor’s visuals, or will it add features like 6DoF tracking or even go wireless to compete with Oculus Rift and HTC Vive? We’ve got the latest rumors and industry insider info on what the PlayStation VR 2 could look like, its likely release date, potential backwards compatibility and much more. [Update: PlayStation VR 2 could bring wireless virtual reality to your PS5 – and more. Read on to find out more.]
Moss on PSVR. (Image credit: Sony) Cut to the chase
PSVR 2 release dateIt’s almost certain that PSVR 2 will work exclusively with the PlayStation 5, but we now know we won't be seeing the next-generation Sony console until late 2020. That means we definitely won't see PSVR 2 until the end of 2020 and (more likely) at least 2021. If Sony mostly allocates its manpower to PS5 production, then the PSVR 2 could launch much later than the console’s release date - perhaps ven a year or more. PlayStation VR launched three years after the PS4, after all.
PSVR (Image credit: Sony)
Astro Bot Rescue Mission on PSVR. (Image credit: Sony) PSVR 2 news and rumorsCould PSVR 2 be wireless? Sony Interactive Entertainment filed a patent earlier this year - which was approved on October 3, 2019 - with the United States Patent and Trademark Office titled 'Data processing'. This patent details a virtual reality headset with three built-in cameras - two at the front and one at the back - alongside motion detection technology. If that's not enough, it looks like the PSVR 2 headset could also be wireless (connected via Bluetooth) and boast a built-in power supply, microphone and its own video/audio signal source. In other words, no more plugging in headphones for sound, as speakers will be built-in. This is a big change from the current PSVR headset that is wired, and lacks a built-in speaker and microphone, although the actual look of the potential PSVR 2 headset doesn't look far off its predecessor.
The potential PSVR 2 headset could also be much better at movement tracking, according to the patent, with numerous LEDs positioned around the back of the headset. While the headset itself may be wireless, a separate camera (like the PlayStation Camera) may still need to be used to track these LEDs and track the players' movement. We could also see the PlayStation Move controller getting an upgrade, including its own built-in camera. Next up is the potential addition of transparency mode. This would allow the headset the ability to show a certain amount of transparency when required, allowing the user to see the real-life environment. The purpose of this? To allow for AR applications. And finally, we have once again seen the mention of a holographic mode which would allow users to play games in 3D in PlayStation VR. PS5 release date Leaked internal email In addition, the email states that "new investments have also been made in the VR sector of the company", with "numerous tests being carried out on the new PSVR 2 prototype". The email also states that "top management of the marketing team started planning official consultations on the official marketing presentation of the new PSVR 2 device before the start of the fiscal year 2021", suggesting PSVR 2 may not release until late 2020 or 2021. It's worth taking this rumor with a huge pinch of salt as it hasn't been verified that this is an official internal email. In response to a request for comment, a Sony spokesperson stated: "We don’t comment on rumour and speculation". Live events? The first relates to live events. Sony's patent describes a scenario where a user is in attendance at a real world location, such as a sports stadium, with the headset "anchoring" them "to a physical location in the venue". They'd be surrounded by real-world attendees, letting them watch the event as if they were actually there. It sounds similar to other live VR applications, like Next VR, Melody VR or Oculus Venues. Buddies as NPCs These avatars could be true to life, or any sort of stylized representation they choose to submit. They could either choose to spectate in real-time in virtual reality, or show their support through a "pre-programmed" clip. The fact Sony has already applied for these patents suggests PSVR 2 could be closer than we thought... Could it track eye movement and head motion? What will that do for VR? According to the Sony Interactive Entertainment patent, it will enhance immersion by refining what each eye sees - aka ‘parallax images’ - for improved stereoscopic depth. Sony is also developing tech to keep those images relative when you rotate/tilt your head. But there are other possibilities for eye-tracking in VR, including alternative control methods and/or interface options - which would be a great accessibility option for disabled gamers.
Image credit: Sony/USPTO PlayStation VR 2 could fuel the future of Gran Turismo “The first thing that’s going to be affected by more power is VR,” Yamauchi told GT Planet. “I don’t think that there’s anything else that requires that much processing power. I really like VR; I’m one to believe in the possibilities of it, and it’s very suited for a driving game.” As Gran Turismo is a PlayStation exclusive series, it's likely that the future of the racing franchise will be fuelled by PlayStation VR and its likely successor: PlayStation VR 2. While Sony hasn't officially confirmed that PSVR 2 is in development, Yamauchi's comments suggest that the company will be leaning into VR in a big way when it comes to the upcoming PS5. “VR is something that really depends on the evolution of GPU power, and the hardware for it, like display devices even," Yamauchi continued. "It’s something where you can never have enough computing power; there’s always going to be that hardware limit, and that limit is never going to be high enough for us! Obviously that’s going to gradually improve over time and we’ll make sure to follow that.”
Gran Turismo Sport (Image credit: Polyphony Digital) Current PSVR headsets will work with the PS5 Speaking to Wired, Mark Cerny (lead system architect at Sony working on the upcoming console) confirmed that all existing versions of the PlayStation VR will be compatible with the next-gen console. Whether there will be a new PlayStation VR 2 at launch is currently unclear. Cerny said, “I won't go into the details of our VR strategy today." While he didn't say that Sony won't be updating its virtual reality headset at the launch of the next-gen console, he was swift to clarify that it's worth buying an existing PSVR if you haven't already got one. He also said, "VR is very important to us and the current PSVR headset is compatible with the new console.” Backwards compatible Good news for glasses wearers? These Sony developed prescription glasses would be custom-designed for the wearer and gaze would be able to be detected by the VR headset via an encoded sensor. In other words, glasses-wearers could use VR much easier. We don't expect these glasses to come cheap, but the implementation of eye gaze software does mean we can probably expect it to arrive in the PSVR 2... PSVR 2 priceThe current PlayStation VR starter bundle retails for $200 / £259 / AU$420, but this affordable cost came after several price drops. The original price for a full bundle, $499 (£399, about AU$650), could give us a good idea of what Sony will charge for the PSVR 2 headset. Of course, this new headset will have some potentially expensive tech to go with the PS5’s increased potential. Japan Display (JDI), a LCD manufacturer co-run by Sony, recently unveiled its 3.2-inch, 1,001 pixels-per-inch (ppi) displays with 2160 x 2432 resolution. PSVR currently uses 386 ppi and 1920 x 1080 resolution for its one 5.7-inch screen.
How pixel density can improve the VR experience. (Image credit: JDI) Adding better display quality, as well as doubling the screen count, could jump up the price. Currently, the only somewhat “next-gen” VR headset on the market is the HTC Vive Pro, which retails for $800, £800 or around AU$1,045. Depending on the PSVR 2’s hardware, Sony could choose to list it as a premium device. But, that would likely go against its brand of offering an affordable entry into VR. We’re hopeful Sony will avoid pricing all but the wealthiest among us out of VR.
We also spotted a patent for upgraded motion-control wands with finger tracking and haptic feedback. Higher-cost bundles of PSVR 2 may very well include these controllers for VR experiences that a DualShock controller can’t provide.
The PS4 Pro will be over four years old by early 2021. (Image credit: Sony) Why be a PlayStation 5 exclusive?PlayStation 4 owners (especially Pro owners) might be a bit peeved when they discover they can’t make PSVR 2 work on their consoles. But, it could be Sony’s only option to make its second headset feel truly next-gen. We tested out PSVR on the PS4 and compared the graphical quality to the Pro. In “Pro Mode”, we spotted minor improvements in textures, graininess and lag reduction. Ultimately, though, the difference didn’t feel that momentous. While the PS4 Pro certainly packs a punch, it may not have the capacity to support VR with the higher resolution and pixel density that Sony’s new JDI displays enable. The PSVR 2 could demand processing power that last-gen consoles simply can’t match. The PlayStation 5 will use the newest AMD Ryzen CPU and updated Radeon graphics, an upgrade from the AMD Jaguar CPU of the PS4 and Pro. Sony could have trouble making its new headset compatible with two separate graphics systems. All the updated hardware, design and accessoriesThe most concrete info we have on what PSVR 2 could be capable of comes from JDI’s announcement of its 3.2-inch display with 1,001ppi and 2160 x 2432 resolution. JDI claims that this display will reduce latency to 2.2msec (compared to >18msec today), allow for 120Hz (same as the PSVR 1), and demand less processing power to achieve better image quality—potentially unlocking a lighter, smaller design for the headset. The upgraded AMD Ryzen chip that Sony is implementing in the PS5 could certainly achieve the processing power necessary to support these displays.
Credit: AMD Sony, which uses JDI’s screens for its smartphones, will very likely rely on these upgraded displays for its new headset. Considering we already found the PSVR 1’s design comfortable for long playing periods, this could make its heir apparent even more enjoyable to use. Of course, if the PlayStation VR 2 does go with dual displays, this will make the graphical demand for the headset much more difficult to achieve. For example, if Sony wanted 4K VR, then the PS5 would need to be capable of 8K streaming - which it will be. We do suspect that the PSVR 2 could go wireless, considering Sony prioritized cutting down the size and weight of the cord that connects the headset to the console in its PSVR 1 upgrade, it’s clear the company sees it as disruptive, even annoying. Removing it entirely is the logical next step. By doing so, Sony will also make it easier to support room tracking for PSVR 2. Oculus and HTC have supported 6DoF tracking for experiences for a couple of years now, and it’s one of the primary areas in which PSVR falls short of its competition. The PlayStation Camera does track your head and controller movements as you play while seated, but can’t keep track if you move around, and our reviewers found that it frequently lost track of the controller even while motionless. Adding support for room tracking will only help Sony in increasing the size of its game library, as it will support more experiences that rely on wandering around a room. Of course, this could mean that the new PSVR 2 bundle will include a couple of room sensors to augment the Camera’s tracking.
Most first-gen VR bundles came with the camera included, but none included 6DoF tracking sensors. (Image credit: Sony) However, Sony could instead take the route that Lenovo did with the Mirage Solo headset, which adds WorldSense tracking tech inside of the headset itself. Reducing the number of peripherals could make the experience less onerous to set up. We also suspect that Sony has plans to double down on Move controllers. A patent shows that it wants to compete with the Oculus Touch and Vive controller by adding improved tracking functionality to its Move wands.
(Image credit: Sony) Sony’s most promising idea is its “reaction force generator”, which would have portions of the Move wand expand or contract based on whatever the user is currently “holding” in-game. This tech could make experiences feel more immersive than before, without having to give up on controllers entirely (see: Oculus’ haptic gloves). In addition, according to another published patent (spotted by Upload VR), Sony is working on "prescription glasses with eye gaze tracking and electro optical signaling to a HMD". These Sony developed prescription glasses would be custom-designed for the wearer and gaze would be able to be detected by the VR headset via an encoded sensor. In other words, glasses-wearers could use VR much easier. We don't expect these glasses to come cheap, but the implementation of eye gaze software does mean we can probably expect it to arrive in the PSVR 2.
PSVR 2: just what the VR industry needs?As we've mentioned, PlayStation VR hasn't met Sony's sales expectations, but its sales are nothing to sneeze at compared to the high-end VR headset competition, but Sony had expected the entire VR market to grow. Instead, Sony likely worries that VR will stay too niche to make the profits the company once hoped for. Kodera said Sony would have a more “realistic outlook” on what kind of future sales it can expect. Kodera’s statement implies that Sony remains committed to producing more VR devices. Unfortunately, the tepid VR market could mean Sony invests less time and money into future VR experiences. But, ideally, the PlayStation VR 2 and other next-gen headsets with better specs and fewer cords could revitalize the market and keep Sony fully on board with VR.
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| Google Pixel 4 5G could launch alongside 4G handset at October event Posted: 09 Oct 2019 09:08 AM PDT The Google Pixel 4 is almost upon us, with it set to launch on October 15, and while we're expecting to see the Pixel 4 and 4 XL, it looks like there could be a third handset on the cards as well – the Google Pixel 4 5G. That's according to Japanese news site Nikkei Asian Review, which says an industry source told the publication that Google is testing a 5G handset that will be shown off at the October 15 event alongside the two new phones, a smartwatch and a notebook. While the smartwatch and notebook are big news in their own ways, it's the 5G phone that's really intriguing – alongside Apple, Google is one of the few companies that hasn't entered the 5G race yet, although it could be about to.
Only a test?That said, the sources state the Google Pixel 4 5G is in 'test production' while the 4G handsets are in full production. This means we might not see the next-gen device release at the same time as the main Pixel 4 and 4XL. For now, this is just a leak and not confirmed by any means – but Nikkei has got stuff right before, most recently predicting the Nintendo Switch Lite before that was announced, so it's worth bearing in mind. If precedents from other manufacturers are followed, the Google Pixel 4 5G could be almost identical to the Pixel 4 XL, but with the next generation of connectivity - a tactic used by Oppo, Samsung and Huawei to upgrade high-end phones to 5G. However we've also heard a rumor that the device will be the Google Pixel 4 XL 5G, and it'll be more powerful than the other devices. That's somewhat of a tongue-twister name, though. We'll find out either way come October 15, when Google hosts its Pixel 4 event. TechRadar will be on the ground, reporting live to bring you news, hands on reviews and analysis, so check back then for all the latest smartphone news. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| The best cheap laptop deals in October 2019: prices start at just $94 Posted: 09 Oct 2019 08:34 AM PDT If you're in the market for a cheap laptop deal, now's a great time to find a good price, regardless of whether you're shopping for work, school, or home. To make finding the machine that's right for you easier, we’ve collected the cheapest prices and best deals of the week in addition to a selection of some of our perpetual cheap laptop favorites. This week features an assortment of workhorses, versatile machines, and basic configurations perfect for students. We know that shopping for a new laptop can be an often arduous task of comparing storage, memory, processing power and features, but our guide below will help you find the best laptop deals and get the most for your money. From huge names like Dell, Asus and Lenovo to lesser known brands, you’re sure to come away happy with these bargains. If you're a gamer, you'd be better suited checking out our selection of cheap gaming laptop deals, as the models on this page are not usually built with gaming in mind. We've also rounded up a fine collection of cheap laptop offers in the UK too. The best Black Friday laptop dealsWhile there are plenty of terrific offers below, you should keep in mind that Black Friday 2019 is on the horizon, and it's an excellent time to go bargain hunting for the laptop of your dreams. Who knows? You might stumble upon a great holiday gift in the process. The best cheap laptops at a glance
The best cheap laptop deal of the weekMore top cheap laptop deals of the weekWhere to find the best laptop deals in the US:We've compared prices on some of our favourite cheap laptops and run through the details on why we recommend them further down this page. But if you'd like to browse the latest laptop deals directly from your favorite retailers we've included a list of the most-recommended stores directly below.
The best cheap laptops of 2019
Here we have one of the few budget laptops with a processor nearly equivalent to a MacBook Pro from a couple of years back, that is, if you opt for the Intel Core i5 configuration. The best part? Among the best Acer laptops right now, it's roughly half the cost of its Apple-branded rival. Now given that it sells at a range of different prices, the Acer Swift 3 can be an obtuse purchase, but lucky for you, the midrange model will get you by just fine. Read the full review: Acer Swift 3
This convertible laptop has always been about function over form. For one minuscule transaction, you’re getting a tablet equipped with an included keyboard and even a fingerprint scanner for more secure logins. Along with reliable performance and a magnesium-alloy chassis, it’s built to last – not to mention, one of the best Asus laptops you can buy when you're on the budget. Read the full review: Asus Transformer Mini T102HA
While it may be outclassed by the Pixelbook and the Samsung Chromebook in terms of sheer power, the Acer Chromebook 15 can still pack a wallop while providing battery life that is frankly out of this world. It’s rare that a laptop can truly provide all-day battery, but in our independent battery tests, Acer’s Chromebook lasted an astonishing 17 hours – on top of providing enough power to get your work done online. If you’re looking for a 15-inch Chromebook that will give you the most bang for your buck, look no further. Read the full review: Acer Chromebook 15
If you're looking for a Lenovo laptop, the Lenovo Yoga Book, and the Windows 10 version of it in particular, is the sort of futuristic fodder you would find in an episode of Black Mirror. It has a keyboard that doubles as a Wacom touch panel and, best of all, it’s cheap as hell. Now, of course, that comes with the caveat of a weak Intel Atom processor, but the rest of the Lenovo Yoga Book should go down in the history books. Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga Book
With its slick lines and a slim silhouette, the Acer Chromebook 14 makes for a subtle, snazzy laptop. Although its display isn't the most attractive we've seen, it’s still acceptable for full HD. On top of that, the keyboard and trackpad adhere to the principle of ‘it just works.’ The battery life is satisfactory as well despite falling a bit south of Acer's 12-hour claim in real-world use. Read the full review: Acer Chromebook 14
Not quite what you're looking for? Maybe our other laptop articles will have what you need:
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| The best 17-inch laptop 2019: top large screen laptops for your money Posted: 09 Oct 2019 08:26 AM PDT The best 17-inch laptops are at the top of the notebook food chain. These sometimes hulking beasts often stand out from the pack, perhaps bearing lurid colorful stripes, and maybe large air vents or spoiler-type ridges that make them look more like a sports car than a portable PC. 17-inch laptops are often built for gamers, with their large screens being ideal in terms of making out the finer details of those gorgeous graphics – or indeed spotting your opponents in an online shooter. And of course because 17-inch laptops are big anyway, that gives manufacturers a certain amount of license to push things further in making them thicker, to fit in more powerful gaming components like a high-end GPU (and equally importantly, these notebooks possess the space to hopefully fit in quality cooling solutions to let these beefier bits of hardware really stretch their legs). Naturally, there are 17-inch laptops which aren’t gaming machines, with these larger notebooks also being ideal for business or heavyweight computing, given the potential desktop-levels of power which can be crammed into the chassis. And again that expansive display is well-suited for design applications like CAD or indeed business presentations. These notebooks can be aimed at the average everyday user, too, who simply wants to enjoy a big screen for watching movies, or playing casual games on the move, all with an ultra-portable machine. Because yes, 17-inch laptops can be thin: even gaming models, thanks to Nvidia’s Max-Q technology which helps such portables shed some weight and inches (well, millimeters). If you want the best 17-inch laptop, whatever the purpose, we’ve got you covered here (and if you’re after a smaller model, of course, be sure to check out our 13-inch or 15-inch laptop recommendations – or indeed our overall roundup of best laptops). The best 17-inch laptops 2019 at a glance:
The best 17-inch laptops of 2019
As you might guess from the name, LG’s focus with the Gram is on making a very lightweight and thin notebook which still manages to pack in 17-inches of screen real-estate. The Gram 17 is 17.8mm thick, appropriately, and weighs 1.34kg, making it extremely light for a large machine. Unbelievably light, in fact. That 17-inch IPS display, incidentally, boasts a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600 and is fantastic for a spot of movie watching on the go. Another major positive with the LG Gram 17 is a good level of battery longevity, which helps if you want to watch a couple of movies while on a long journey. You also get a good selection of ports, and while the SSD may not be the fastest, this notebook still offers great performance for everyday computing thanks to an Intel Core i7-8565U processor capable of Turbo to 4.6GHz, along with 16GB of system memory. The end result is an excellent all-rounder which can cope with everything, bar gaming – but it wasn’t designed for that. Furthermore, LG’s Gram can truly be dubbed ‘ultraportable’, which is a real achievement given the 17-inch chassis – and that’s why this LG laptop snatches our top spot.
Alienware makes some fantastic gaming machines, including the best 17-inch model on the market in our opinion. The Area-51m benefits from a great build quality and striking design, but more importantly, some supremely powerful components to drive fast frame-rates. This laptop can pack up to an Intel Core i9-9900K processor and GeForce RTX 2080 graphics, all backed with up to 64GB of RAM. All of this helps to make the most out of the Full HD display’s 144Hz refresh rate, with G-Sync on hand to keep everything super-smooth in demanding games. There are plenty of other smart touches with this Alienware model, including the ability to upgrade the GPU and CPU for future-proofing, a quality keyboard, and some very impressive speakers delivering both clarity and bass. Notebook speakers that don’t suck? Yes, they do exist… The downside is the amount of damage the Area-51m will do to your bank balance, particularly for a higher-end spec. Still, if you’ve got the cash, it’s well worth the outlay. Read the full review: Alienware Area-51m
Who says you can’t have your gaming cake and eat it, because with laptops like this ROG Zephyrus, it’s possible to have an incredibly powerful portable which isn’t even remotely hefty, but remains very svelte and, er, portable. It is, in short, a gaming machine for which you don’t have to employ air quotes around the word ‘portable’, being 18.7mm thick (or rather, thin) and weighing 2.7kg. Compare that to the above Alienware which is 43mm and 4.8kg… Yet with this Asus 17-inch laptop you still get a Core i7-8750H hexa-core CPU backed by a GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q with 8GB of video RAM (there’s up to 24GB of system memory, incidentally). All this means you can ramp up the detail levels and enjoy any game you want. The display is also a fabulous piece of work, and what’s more it’s Pantone Validated with 100% sRGB color gamut, meaning the color accuracy is spot-on out-of-the-box, and this notebook can be used for professional photo or video editing. Bear in mind however that battery life is disappointingly short, and the price is disappointingly hefty. For those who don’t have the hefty budget to cope with this, or the aforementioned Alienware laptop’s price tag, breathe easier and check out our next entry for a more affordable gaming option. Read the full review: Asus ROG Zephyrus S GX701
The words ‘cheap’ and ‘gaming laptop’ don’t mix well. Simply put, if you’re on a strict budget, you won’t get a machine capable of playing the latest games at palatable frame-rates – especially if you want a 17-inch screen to boot. So that’s why the FX705DT is our ‘affordable’ pick as opposed to ‘budget’. Remember, if you want to go really bargain basement, you’ll be confined to casual gaming only. This Asus gaming laptop, however, packs a Ryzen 5 3550H processor with a GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card with 4GB of video RAM, plus there’s 8GB of system memory. The FX705DT also boasts a roomy 512GB NVMe SSD and a backlit keyboard optimized for gaming. All of which makes it a great choice for tackling the majority of games at good detail levels while still keeping things pretty smooth – and remaining relatively wallet-friendly. At the time of writing, there are some pretty tempting deals to be had on this Asus machine, too.
Competitive gamers who are looking for a portable powerhouse for super-smooth frame-rates in shooters should check out this Asus offering. The ROG Strix Scar III G731GW boasts a display which is something of a work of art – a 17.3-inch Full HD panel with a refresh rate of 240Hz. The latter is of course a big part of the puzzle for smooth gaming, as it allows frame-rates to be pushed up to 240 fps – and the Strix has hardware capable of that with up to an Intel Core i9-9880H CPU twinned with a GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card (that’s a full-fat GPU, not Max-Q). The display is extremely impressive, and sports vivid colors with 100% sRGB coverage too – it’s an IPS panel, but still maintains a fast response time at 3ms. Playing games on this screen is something of a dream, in short. It’s a nifty looking laptop, which never hurts for a gaming model you might want to show off, with nicely slim bezels around that display (although one slightly controversial design decision is the RGB lightbar on the base of the machine, which might not be to everyone’s tastes). There’s no question that if you need a powerful portable for more serious bouts of gaming, the ROG Strix Scar III seriously steps up to the plate and delivers.
This is something of a tricky one, as obviously the 17-inch form factor doesn’t fit well with the concept of a hybrid device – simply because, well, who wants to use a 17-inch tablet? So as a result, options are extremely limited, but some folks might want such a machine, and if you are hankering for a large 2-in-1, then it’s Dell’s door you should be knocking at. The Inspiron 17 7000 is powered by an Intel Core i7-8565U processor and has plenty of system memory at 16GB, and even a discrete graphics solution – up to Nvidia’s GeForce MX250. Performance is impressive enough, although it’s best to make sure you get one of the models equipped with an SSD rather than a hard drive, if you don’t want to encounter any potential sluggishness. This is a rather heavy machine for a 2-in-1, too, but such are the compromises of having such a large convertible. Still, the Inspiron does the job well enough, even if it is rather a hefty thing when being used as a tablet.
If you want a large portable which is wallet-friendly, then look no further than this 17-inch laptop from HP. It’s a bargain basement Windows 10 machine built around an AMD A9-9425 processor (with integrated Radeon R5 graphics), backed with 8GB of system RAM and a 1TB (or 2TB) hard drive (although it doesn’t cost much to switch that for an optional 128GB SSD). That base notebook runs with a 1,600 x 900 resolution 17.3-inch screen, but another optional upgrade gives you a Full HD anti-glare IPS display if you want to splash out a little more cash. A DVD writer is included, which may be a bonus for some, and battery life is a claimed 9 hours with fast charging technology included. This is a solid enough notebook, then, and at the time of writing, there are some excellent deals that make the HP Laptop 17z even cheaper.
If you want extreme performance from your 17-inch laptop, HP’s most recent ZBook is absolutely packed with power. We’re talking Intel Xeon processors at the top end – or up to a Core i9-8950HK – backed with heavyweight graphics in the form of up to an Nvidia Quadro P5200 (with 16GB of video RAM). The ZBook comes with a 17.3-inch 4K IPS DreamColor screen which boasts 100% AdobeRGB coverage (or there’s an option for a more basic 1,600 x 900 panel). There are various storage options for PCIe NVMe SSDs or solid-state hybrid drives, or indeed Intel Optane Memory to accelerate that storage. That display truly is a fabulous thing, and the HP ZBook 17 G5 is obviously a top-performing machine particularly when fully specced-up, but there’s an equally obvious downside in that it’s very (unsurprisingly) expensive. Still, if you want an incredibly powerful PC capable of crunching through heavyweight computing tasks which you can take on the move with you, well, here it is.
This is another mobile workstation, but it represents a somewhat cheaper – and indeed a slightly slimmer – alternative to the above HP machine, with the P73 being ideally suited to content creators. You get the choice of an Intel Xeon E-2276M processor or 9th-gen Intel Core CPU (up to an i9-9880H with vPro), with up to Nvidia Quadro RTX 5000 graphics and up to 128GB of system memory. But the display is the jewel in the crown featuring a 4K resolution, 400 nits brightness, Dolby Vision HDR and 100% coverage of the Adobe color gamut. The screen is, quite simply, ideal for serious photo or video editing. The cutting-edge hardware support continues with Wi-Fi 6 on board, and you get a good selection of ports for wired connectivity, including a pair of Thunderbolt 3 connectors. Creative pros need look no further for something that can cater for all their needs, at a relatively reasonable asking price for the workstation market.
There aren’t many choices for your operating system if you want an alternative to Windows 10 with your 17-inch laptop – there’s no MacBook, or Chromebook at this size – but you could, of course, run with Linux. And this dedicated Linux portable from System76 is a great pick on that front (although it’s worth noting that some 17-inch workstations do have a Linux option, like the above Lenovo which can be pre-installed with Ubuntu rather than Windows 10 Pro). With the Serval WS you can opt for either Ubuntu 18.04 LTS or Pop!_OS, and choose between a Full HD or 4K display. There’s also a choice of 9th-gen Intel processors (up to the Core i9-9900K) backed with up to an Nvidia GeForce GTX 2080 graphics card. It’s possible to load this portable with up to 64GB of system RAM, as well, and up to 8TB of storage. So there’s a good deal of power on offer here, and you get impressive connectivity, along with quality input peripherals like a very nifty backlit keyboard. Those who want a 17-inch Linux machine can’t go wrong here.
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| Did Sony just leak that AMD's next graphics card will have ray tracing? Posted: 09 Oct 2019 08:18 AM PDT We've long suspected that AMD would put ray tracing support on the hardware level in its Navi 20 GPUs due out next year. But, Sony might have just spilled the beans on AMD's ray tracing support. Sony just revealed some more information about the AMD Navi-powered PS5 in an exclusive interview with Wired, and in it, Mark Cerny straight up said "there is ray-tracing acceleration in the GPU hardware". So, we know at least one AMD Navi GPU in 2020 will support hardware-level ray tracing. The big question is, then, how will this reflect on AMD's desktop graphics cards?
Well, we've already heard that ray tracing would be making its way to AMD's next generation of graphics cards: the Navi 20. These graphics cards, if real, will compete with Nvidia at the high-end, which is something that AMD simply doesn't do right now. But, recently AMD did say it would make a graphics card for "everyone", so maybe that includes folks that want to play Control at 4K with Ray Tracing. Honestly, we think it's extremely unlikely for AMD to make a GPU going in the PS5 and Xbox Project Scarlett that will support ray tracing while leaving desktop users out to dry. We're fully expecting AMD to come out with a line of high-end GPUs next year - maybe even as early as CES 2020. Either way, we're sure AMD will be sharing information on its next graphics cards as soon as its ready, we just have to wait and see. But, the way we look at it, the sooner AMD can take Nvidia on in the same way it did with Intel, the sooner everyone on the hunt for a new graphics card wins.
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| Why email attacks should be your number one security concern Posted: 09 Oct 2019 08:01 AM PDT Businesses are facing a huge rise in email attacks as hackers look to take a more direct route to go after big rewards. New research from Mimecast has found that millions of cyberattacks are utilising the humble email as their weapon of choice, In particular, the company detected a major rise in business email compromise (BEC) attacks, which see hackers fraudulently impersonating other figures within a company to trick victims into sending personal details or resources.
BypassedMimecast's latest quarterly report found a 269 percent increase in BEC attacks compared to the previous three months, showing the huge spike in such assaults. However BEC attacks are not the only method cybercriminals have been successfully leveraging to target organisations. Mimecast's findings collated 28,783,892 spam emails, 28,808 malware attachments and 28,726 dangerous files types throughout the quarter, all of which were missed by current security protection tools and delivered to users’ inboxes. This was equivalent to an overall false negative rate of 11 percent of inspected emails, highlighting the urgent need for companies to up their email security immediately. “The real issue is that there are tens of thousands email-borne threats successfully able to bypass the email security systems that organisations’ have in place, effectively leaving them vulnerable and putting a lot of pressure on their employees to discern malicious emails,” said Joshua Douglas, vice president of threat intelligence at Mimecast. “Cybercriminals will always look for new ways to bypass traditional defences and fool users. This means the industry must focus their efforts on investing in research & development, unified integrations and making it easier for users to be part of security defences, driving resilience against evolving attacks.”
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| 44% off the world's best identity theft protection will keep your family safer for less Posted: 09 Oct 2019 07:58 AM PDT We're only a few short weeks away from the biggest online shopping period of the year, with sale events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday leading up to Christmas. To protect yourself and your family from identity theft, IdentityForce is offering a limited-time promotion on its UltraSecure protection plan. You can sign up for a free 14-day trial and pay only $9.99 a month when the trial ends. Learn more about the upcoming November sale event with our guide to Black Friday 2019. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| PlayStation VR 2 could bring wireless virtual reality to your PS5 – and more Posted: 09 Oct 2019 07:42 AM PDT Sony has finally confirmed the PlayStation 5 will release at the end of 2020 but even though the company spilled a few key details about its next-generation console as part of the announcement, we didn't hear anything about the inevitable PSVR2. However, LetsGoDigital has unearthed a patent for the next-generation virtual reality hardware that suggests that PlayStation VR 2 will be wireless, boasting built-in cameras and a transparent mode.
Sony Interactive Entertainment filed a patent earlier this year - which was approved on October 3, 2019 - with the United States Patent and Trademark Office titled 'Data processing'. This patent details a virtual reality headset with three built-in cameras - two at the front and one at the back - alongside motion detection technology. If that's not enough, it looks like the PSVR 2 headset could also be wireless (connected via Bluetooth) and boast a built-in power supply, microphone and its own video/audio signal source. In other words, no more plugging in headphones for sound, as speakers will be built-in. This is a big change from the current PSVR headset that is wired, and lacks a built-in speaker and microphone, although the actual look of the potential PSVR 2 headset doesn't look far off its predecessor. And there's more...
The potential PSVR 2 headset could also be much better at movement tracking, according to the patent, with numerous LEDs positioned around the back of the headset. While the headset itself may be wireless, a separate camera (like the PlayStation Camera) may still need to be used to track these LEDs and track the players' movement. We could also see the PlayStation Move controller getting an upgrade, including its own built-in camera. Next up is the potential addition of transparency mode. This would allow the headset the ability to show a certain amount of transparency when required, allowing the user to see the real-life environment. The purpose of this? To allow for AR applications. And finally, we have once again seen the mention of a holographic mode which would allow users to play games in 3D in PlayStation VR. It's almost inevitable that PSVR 2 is on the way, but whether it will resemble the patents we've seen to date is still uncertain. We know the PS5 will land at the end of 2020, but we don't expect to see next-generation PSVR until at least 2021.
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| Xiaomi Black Shark 2 Pro gaming phone finally gets a UK release date Posted: 09 Oct 2019 07:31 AM PDT If you’re looking for the best phone for gaming, a new challenger has entered the ring as Xiaomi has released an improved version of its Black Shark 2 smartphone: the Black Shark 2 Pro. Initially launched in China in July, the Black Shark 2 Pro builds on its non-pro sibling in a few key ways, although it's not a hugely different device.
Now you can pick up the Black Shark 2 Pro in the UK and Europe straight away, available from the Black Shark website, where you can also find a variety of peripherals to enhance your gaming experience. The handset costs £539 for 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, and £629 for a 12GB / 256GB configuration. You can pick it up in black, grey and Gulf Blue (that's blue with a vibrant orange stripe), although the latter is only available on the pricier model. What's new in the Black Shark 2 Pro?The Black Shark 2 Pro's main new feature is its chipset – the Snapdragon 855 Plus processor inside is designed to be great for gaming, more so than the non-Plus version which was present in the Black Shark 2. This means it should have better performance for gameplay, as well as reduced battery loss. That said, the Black Shark website actually lists both the Snapdragon 855 Plus and Snapdragon 855 on different pages, but we're assuming it's the former since that was announced when the device launched in China. There's also a more powerful speaker in the Black Shark 2 Pro, to enhance your gaming experience if you play without a headset, improved liquid cooling to keep the handset from heating up too much, a reduced screen response time, and an extra antenna to keep your internet connection reliable while you play games. The base Black Shark 2 released for £479 for its more affordable version, so the Black Shark 2 Pro is £60 more expensive for these slight upgrades. It's likely this phone will only appeal to the mobile gaming die-hards, but we'll have to do a full review of it to know for sure. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| The best cheap laptop deals and sales in October 2019: prices from just £139 Posted: 09 Oct 2019 07:27 AM PDT Checking through the cheap laptop deal scene here in the UK can be a bit overwhelming as there are so many options to choose from. Luckily for you, we're used to sifting through the net's laptop sales all year round. So if you need to buy a new laptop sharpish, we should be able to find you something that fits with your budget nicely. We've split this guide into sections based on price to help you keep that budget in check. We'll give you a bit of info about each laptop we highlight too, so you can see some specs at a glance before you click through to the store and have to browse their lengthy descriptions for those vital stats you're after. Not everyone needs a super powerful laptop, especially if you just want something for the basics like casual browsing, email and document editing, so don't feel like you have to spend £500 on a laptop for that - you can get something for far less if you want. Naturally, if you're a bit of a multitasker, love to have loads of tabs open and want a little extra grunt for media editing, we've found laptop deals with higher spec. Chromebooks get a mention most weeks too as they're increasingly popular nowadays as users look to ditch Windows for the stripped down speedy Chrome OS instead. For you Apple fans, you might be interested in our MacBook prices and deals page too. If you're from the States or Down Under, be sure to check out our selection of the top laptop deals in the US or Australia. The best Black Friday laptop dealsWhile there are plenty of terrific offers below, it's never too early to start thinking about discounts for the upcoming Black Friday sale. To help you find all the top deals in one place, we've created a guide for Black Friday 2019. We'll also tell you everything else you need to know about the November sale, such as when it starts, what prices you can expect, and which retailers are participating. Cheap laptop sales and deal highlights
We'll continue adding the best cheap laptop deals in the latest sales as we find them. Up next, you'll find the latest prices on some of the most popular laptops around along with a list of retailers who often have a great selection of laptop sales if nothing else takes your fancy here.
The cheapest laptop deals on these popular picks
On release, the Chromebook Flip reached new heights for the Windows-free laptops as it came rocking a proper Intel Core processor along with a HD screen. Most models nowadays come with 64GB of storage instead of the 32GB which is plenty for running apps and storing regular documents and a fair few media files - you can always use a USB drive for more space. For most users, the newer PixelBook is what we'd call 'overkill', not to mention considerably more expensive, so we'd recommend this model if you just need something for work, browsing the net and so on. The Chrome OS works beautifully in this 2-in-1 laptop's tablet mode too.
A sturdy choice for a study laptop for school/college/uni. The HP Pavilion 15 has plenty of power for the average student's needs while keeping the costs sensible. There are plenty of configurations available too. Some favour speedy SSDs, while other go for larger regular hard drives, so it all depends on what you're going to need more really. Faster loading or more space for storing media files and downloads.
The Asus Transformer Mini series is one of the most reliable brands of 2-in-1 tablet/laptop hybrids on the market. This upgrade includes a fingerprint sensor and double the RAM at 4GB for speedier performance compared to the older models. For your money, this is one of the most impressive two-in-one transformer models out there. Available in orange/white as seen above, or in a traditional grey steel colour.
Ready to stretch that budget a bit (ok, maybe a lot) further? Then be sure to check out our selection of the very best laptops money can buy as we've used our dedicated price comparison technology to find the cheapest prices for them too. You can always come back to this page if they seem a bit overpowered (and over-expensive) for what you need. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best business smartphone of 2019: top phones for work Posted: 09 Oct 2019 07:24 AM PDT Having the best business smartphone is an absolute essential for many workers these days. With phone makers offering devices perfect for employees of all levels, we’ve updated this guide to give you the very latest buying advice to help you choose the best smartphones for business use. Although some of these selections may overlap with our best phones for casual use, we've identified how these picks will help your business too. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday coming very soon (at the end of November), now is an excellent time to start researching the best smartphones for work of 2019.
Best business smartphone 2019 at a glance1. Samsung Galaxy Note 9 2. Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus 3. OnePlus 6 4. iPhone XS 5. Samsung Galaxy Note 8 6. Huawei Mate 20 Pro 7. Google Pixel 3 8. iPhone 8
If you want the very best business smartphone, no matter what the cost, then the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is the one to go for. It's got a spec list to die for, including a huge screen, bags of RAM, a huge 4,000mAh battery and up to 1TB of storage. It's also got a microSD slot and a headphone jack – something that many modern smartphones lack. It's also got some great business-specific features, such as an improved Bluetooth stylus (known as the S Pen), and if you plug it into a USB-C dock or USB-C to HDMI, it can be used in DeX mode, replicating a desktop-environment that can replace your desktop PC. Seriously impressive. Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy Note 9 review
You'll be in good hands if you opt to give your employees the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus, which is also our pick for the best smartphone in the world right now. It improves on almost every aspect of the phones that have come before it, with supremely powerful components, a dazzling 6.4-inch QHD Super AMOLED display and a top notch camera - but it's not all fun. The battery has also been given a huge boost to 4,100mAh, which means you can comfortably use it all day without worrying about recharging it. While it doesn't quite have the business focus of the Galaxy Note 9, which is our pick for the best business smartphone, it's still one hell of a great handset from Samsung. Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus review
The OnePlus 6 is an affordable flagship handset, and offers one of the best Android phone experiences on the market, especially when using it for work. You have the choice of either 6GB or 8GB of RAM depending on your needs - for most people 6GB will be more than enough. The battery life could be better, so make sure you have easy access to a charger if your work depends on you always being connected, and there's still no microSD support on the OnePlus 6, much like previous OnePlus phones, but you do have the choice of either 64GB or 128GB of internal storage. The true highlight of the OnePlus 6 is the price, though, and this may will be one of the best devices for you on this list if you're looking to spend as little as possible on a top-of-the-range phone for your business needs. Read the full review: OnePlus 6
If you're looking for the best Apple business smartphone, then the iPhone XS is the one to get. It's the pinnacle of Apple's smartphone design, offering a gorgeous 5.8-inch OLED screen, improved battery life and an amazing camera that's arguably the best you'll find on a smartphone. It may be very expensive, but if you want a business smartphone that can do almost everything, and with a gorgeous design, then this is the one to get. If you're on more of a budget, but still want an Apple device, consider the iPhone 8, which is also on this list. Read the full review: iPhone XS review
Samsung has produced another excellent productivity-focused device with the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, making it one of the best smartphones for business. Thanks to the large Infinity Display you get loads of screen space to work on, without the body being too bulky to carry around, and the S Pen stylus is something not a lot of other phones can offer and the all-round speed is almost breathtaking at times. It's certainly worth looking at if you want a brilliant business smartphone, especially now that its price has dropped. Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy Note 8
Huawei has been steadily releasing some excellent smartphones that offer specs and features that rival its more established (and expensive) Western rivals. The Huawei Mate 20 Pro is one of the firm's best releases yet, and it's one of our picks for the best business smartphone you can buy in 2019. It comes with a huge 6.39-inch display with a QHD resolution and HDR10 support, plus a large battery that lasted a day and a half in our tests. Read the full review: Huawei Mate 20 Pro
Google's flagship phones are brilliant performers, and the fact they come with stock Android without any annoying bloatware or complex user interfaces means they are great choices for business phones. The Google Pixel 3 comes with a decent 5.5-inch full HD screen, a battery that's capable of about a day's worth of use and one of the best cameras we've seen on a smartphone. If you want a pure-Android experience, the Pixel 3 is one of the best business smartphones you can buy right now. Read the full review: Google Pixel 3
Apple's iPhones are always popular options with great build quality, a simple user interface and a wealth of quality business apps at your fingertips. Although not the latest offering from Apple, the iPhone 8 does offer good speed, powerful hardware and a water resistant body. While Apple has since released the more premium iPhone X, its high price tag makes that a difficult smartphone to recommend for businesses. That's not to say the iPhone 8 is cheap - it's not - but if you're kitting out your team with these phones, you're going to get more for your money. If your firm is currently rocking iPhone 7 and 7 Plus handsets there's no need to upgrade, but for those using older devices - especially the 5 variants and below the iPhone 8 offers a far superior experience. Read the full review: iPhone 8 This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| PS5 games: all the games confirmed and expected on the PlayStation 5 Posted: 09 Oct 2019 07:17 AM PDT Once upon a time the PlayStation 5 merely seemed like a gamer's dream but, now Sony has dropped the first solid details of its next generation console and an official release window of late 2020, things are starting to get very real. So we can't help but stargaze and speculate about what PS5 games Sony has in the works - and what these next generation titles could look like. While Sony has confirmed some of the games coming to the PS5, we can assume that a lot of the developer's upcoming exclusive titles will be coming to both the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. So without further ado, we've gathered together this handy guide to all the PS5 games Sony has confirmed - and some that we expect to see... Confirmed: New Bluepoint Studios game
It's taken months, but we've finally got our first confirmed PS5 game. That's not to say we have a name, a release date or even a concept, but this is the first time a company has come out into the open and said that it is indeed developing a title for Sony's next-generation console. That company is Bluepoint Studios, the team best known for ports of classic games, having put out the incredibly well received Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection, Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection and astonishing Shadow of the Colossus remaster. Talk early in 2019 pointed to the studio's next project being yet another re-imagining of a classic game, and with rumors swirling around a Demon's Souls remake happening (an IP owned by Sony unlike the rest of the Bandai Namco franchise), it's looking like a relatively good guess that'll be the company's next title.
Cyberpunk 2077 - Rumored
Image credit: CD Projekt Red CD Projekt Red has already confirmed that its dystopian cyberpunk title is being developed with next generation consoles in mind. In an interview with VG247 last year, CD Projekt Red revealed that Cyberpunk 2077 will be able to work with future gaming technology. “Next gen hasn’t been announced yet, so we can only speculate,” CD Projekt Red president Adam Kiciński explained. “Technology-wise, Cyberpunk is very advanced. Our technology is ready to interface with future generations. “The game is developed in such a way that it can use very powerful future equipment." With Cyberpunk 2077 due for release in April 2020, and the PS5 not due to launch until late 2020, it's likely that it'll be a cross-generation title - but this is still open to speculation. We think it's safe to say it seems like Cyberpunk 2077 will be a PS5 game. Death Stranding - Rumored
Image credit: Kojima Productions Hideo Kojima and Sony have been pretty tight-lipped about whether we will be seeing Death Stranding as a PS5 game. We know Death Stranding will definitely release on PS4 this November, but in an interview with Wired, Sony's Mark Cerny hinted that we could be seeing the allusive title on PS5 too. When asked by Wired about the transition from PS4 to next generation, and how Death Stranding will fit into this process, Cerny gave a "pregnant pause" and a glib smile before a spokesperson interjected that game would be released for PS4. It's not exactly a confirmation but Cerny's response has definitely fueled speculation that Death Stranding will be a cross-generation release. Ghost of Tsushima - Rumored
Image credit: SuckerPunch Perhaps more wishful thinking on our part, but we haven't heard much in the way of Ghost of Tsushima news since the new IP was revealed at Paris Games Week 2017. We do know that SuckerPunch's historical open world adventure will take players back to Feudal Japan and that development is well underway, but we have little information about when Ghost of Tsushima will release - or what consoles we will see it on. Given the high-quality graphics we've seen in the trailers to date, we wouldn't be surprised if the title releases on both PS4 and PS5. However, Sony and SuckerPunch have remained tight-lipped about whether Ghost of Tsushima will be a PS5 game. The Last of Us: Part 2 - Rumored
Image credit: Naughty Dog We now know that The Last of Us: Part 2 will release on February 21, 2020 - much earlier than the PS5's late 2020 release date. However we think it's a safe assumption that any Sony exclusives coming in 2020 will likely be cross-generation titles. It would seem slightly odd for Sony to release one of its most eagerly anticipated sequels for just the PS4 at the end of the console's life cycle. So we think it's a safe bet to assume Joel and Ellie will make their way to the PS5, instantly becoming one of the best PS5 games. Starfield - Rumored
Image credit: Bethesda Bethesda has quite a lot of projects in the works, but the one we seem to know the least about is Starfield. All we know so far is that Starfield is the gaming behemoth's first new IP for 25 years and will be a single player RPG set in outer space. Having only seen an announcement trailer, we don't expect Starfield to release until at least 2020 which means it will land in the prime window to become a PS5 game. Bethesda hasn't let slip if this will be the case but it seems likely we will be venturing into Bethesda's galaxy on next generation consoles. The Elder Scrolls 6 - Rumored
Image credit: Bethesda As we said, Bethesda has been pretty busy behind the scenes since E3 2018. Not only is Starfield on the cards, but the long-awaited Elder Scrolls 6 has also been confirmed to be in the works. Bethesda's Todd Howard has already stated that The Elder Scrolls 6 won't be coming out until after Starfield. So it'll be a while before we venture into Tamriel again, likely on next generation consoles. Grand Theft Auto 6 - Rumored
Image credit: Rockstar Games Ok, yes, we are being a bit hopeful here - mainly because Grand Theft Auto 6 has not been announced by Rockstar Games. But it's almost guaranteed that we will see a new instalation in the Grand Theft Auto series, and it's not going to be for a while. Therefore, it is likely that a release date will fall into the next generation, making GTA 6 a PS5 game. Final Fantasy 7 Remake - Rumored
Image credit: Square Enix Again, the Final Fantasy 7 Remake has not been confirmed to be a PS5 game but Square Enix has confirmed the title will come to PS4 first - with an Xbox One and PC release likely in the future . Given the age of the PS4, and the ambitious nature of the game, a cross-generation title with next-gen platforms isn't out of the question. So we're definitely hoping to see the Final Fantasy 7 Remake on PS5. Horizon Zero Dawn 2 - Rumored
Now, it's worth noting this title hasn't been officially confirmed nevermind being confirmed for PS5. Sony has had huge success with its PS4 exclusives, particularly post-apocalyptic RPG Horizon Zero Dawn. Horizon Zero Dawn is one of the best-selling games on the PS4, selling over 10 million copies and cementing itself as a must-have title. So it would make perfect sense for Guerrilla Games to develop a sequel, right? It seems that is exactly what's happening. While neither Sony nor Guerrilla Games have announced a Horizon Zero Dawn 2 is in the works, one of the game's voice actors spilled the beans earlier this year and essentially confirmed a sequel is on the way. But with no release date in sight, it looks likely that Horizon Zero Dawn will land on PS5. God of War 2 - Rumored
Much like Horizon Zero Dawn 2, God of War 2 hasn't officially been confirmed to be in the works. It's only been a year since the critically acclaimed (and our Game of the Year 2018 winner) God of War reboot launched exclusively on PlayStation 4, but we're already looking to the future. Despite Sony remaining tight-lipped on the subject, the success of God of War means a sequel is probably on the way (perhaps another God of War 2?). In addition, Sony Santa Monica has posted job listings for a number of roles across its teams - with one listing clearly citing the God of War reboot. At this point, it's most likely that God of War 2 will come to PS5 than the PS4. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Gartner: determining the tech trends that matter Posted: 09 Oct 2019 07:11 AM PDT Considering the rapid pace at which technology trends emerge and evolve, it can be difficult deciding which of those trends present opportunities and which pose risks. Each technology trend might have different kinds of potential impact: broad and global, or narrow and niche. Trends rarely act in isolation: consider established digital technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI), which combine to generate new trends that then create an exponentially bigger impact. Data and analyticsFor instance, IoT-generated data is being applied to advanced analytics and machine learning. This process produces a greater number of intelligent applications and agents capable of suggesting the best response in any given situation. Combining all three technologies has created the digital twin, a digital representation of a real-world entity or system. However, the digital twin might not prove relevant to all modern enterprise needs. This is why approaching trends in a comprehensive, ‘big picture’ way is essential. It’s tempting to be sold on overhyped trends, but not all trends are equal, and not all will apply. The question then becomes: how can you tell which technology trends will evolve to cause considerable disruption or create new opportunities for your specific organisation? Three key factors will ultimately enable you to identify the potential impact of a particular technology trend on people, business, IT, and the technology market:
Impact of trendsTechnology trends can also differ depending on how far-reaching their impact may be. Different trends might affect a single country, several countries, or impact an entire region. The size of a trend’s impact will depend on the social, cultural, geopolitical, and economic factors in a particular country or region. It’s also worth bearing in mind that a trend might have a direct or indirect impact on interactions between people, businesses, IT departments, or technology departments. It might also affect the tasks and operations that these people or departments perform. Virtual reality, augmented reality, and virtual personal assistants (VPAs), such as Apple’s Siri, Microsoft’s Cortana and Amazon’s Alexa, are trends that have had a direct impact. This is because these trends have changed the way we interact with devices and businesses. Trends around cloud computing and mobile technology have similarly had substantial and direct impact on businesses, IT departments, and the technology market. In effect, these technologies have forced a complete overhaul of application strategy, which now bases applications on software as a service (SaaS) and extends them onto mobile devices via apps. Responding to trendsThere are a whole host of factors that will affect an organisation’s ability to respond to a particular technology trends and the technologies relating to it. These factors include cost, regulation considerations, privacy concerns, usability, and societal response. The extent to which these factors affect an organisation’s response to a particular technology trend will inevitably vary, depending on trend maturity. A perfect example can be found in emerging technology trends. These trends tend to come saddled with greater concerns around risk, security, and privacy. As a trend grows, factors including cost and risk decrease in importance, while factors such as implementation activity and usability come to the fore. When trends go mainstreamEventually, a trend enters the mainstream, gaining a stronger social and cultural response, while increasing adoption means that authorities need to provide more regulation relating to the particular trend. When responding to a technology trend that appears on their trendspotting watchlist, you can do the following:
Spotting technology trends before they become shrouded in hype and understanding their nature from the organisation’s perspective before responding to them is crucial.
Samantha Searle is a Principal Analyst at Gartner. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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