Apple : Intel may have a 6-core Comet Lake S CPU to challenge AMD in desktops |
- Intel may have a 6-core Comet Lake S CPU to challenge AMD in desktops
- NordVPN admits being compromised in 2018
- Microsoft's Secured-core PCs will defend against firmware level threats
- Android 11: what we want to see
- The all-new Kindle is down to its lowest price ever at Amazon
- New NHS plan will digitize all prescriptions
- Best fitness tracker in India: The top activity bands in 2019
- Best beginner DSLR cameras 2019: 5 cheap DSLRs perfect for new users
- Best travel camera 2019: 10 vacation-friendly models perfect for your holiday
- Fake WordPress plugins again allowing hackers into unsecured sites
- Sky enters the world of ultrafast broadband deals
- Fears grow about use of 3D printing for mass murder
- Zeiss ZX1 full specs leaked?
- Save up to $1,000 on new laptops in the Dell Small Business Sale: XPS, Chromebooks and more
- Stripe users targeted in major phishing campaign
- The best smart speakers 2019: which one should you buy?
- Walmart TV sale: Black Friday prices on 4K TVs from Samsung, LG, TCL and more
- Best WordPress themes for portfolios in 2019
- Watchmen HBO TV series release date, trailers, cast, and characters
- All the Star Wars TV shows and movies coming to Disney Plus
| Intel may have a 6-core Comet Lake S CPU to challenge AMD in desktops Posted: 21 Oct 2019 12:29 PM PDT Intel may have moved onto 10nm process nodes for its Ice Lake processors (CPUs), but it looks like 14nm is still where its focus is for desktop. And, it may not be such a bad thing, as a recent leak has shown what could be a new Intel Core i5 CPU with 6 cores and 12 threads using the new Comet Lake-S architecture, HotHardware reports. The leak shows an Intel CPU tested on an H400-series motherboard, one we understand to be designed for desktop Comet Lake-S processors using the LGA 1200 socket. Beyond the chip's 6 cores and 12 threads, it's shown having a base clock speed of 2.0GHz and a total of 12MB of L3 cache and 3MB of L2 cache.
New life for 14nmCurrently, Intel has already introduced 10nm Ice Lake CPUs and 14nm Comet Lake CPUs for mobile devices, but we haven't seen desktop versions of these CPUs show up yet. And, while it's unfortunate that we're seeing yet another 14nm chip for desktop, Intel appears to be upping the ante to better challenge AMD this time. AMD's big push at the introduction of Ryzen, and now with Ryzen 3000, has been dazzling core counts and multi-threading to boost performance that much further. If Intel introduces a 6-core/12-thread Intel Core i5, as this leak suggests, it could be better competition for AMD's chips than past Core i5 processors, which lacked hyper-threading. The 2.0GHz clock speed may be a concern, but the leaked chip is likely an engineering sample that's not running at the speeds production models will hit. Running at a higher speed could help it compete with something like the Ryzen 5 3500, which also boasts 6 cores and runs at a 3.6GHz base clock speed (though has a much heftier 32MB of L3 cache). When it comes to the top of the pack, though, we're still waiting for the 10-core Comet Lake CPU spotted in earlier leaks.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| NordVPN admits being compromised in 2018 Posted: 21 Oct 2019 12:22 PM PDT Editor's note: NordVPN and TorGuard have both published statements on their respective sites providing more details on the incident. NordVPN, one of the world's most popular VPN providers, has confirmed that it was hacked by an unidentified party as early as March 2018. Details are still scant but the virtual private network provider has confirmed to Techcrunch that one of its datacenters was penetrated last year.
Laura Tyrell, a spokesperson for NordVPN, told the publication that “One of the datacenters in Finland we are renting our servers from was accessed with no authorization.” While NordVPN has a “zero log” policy that was recently independently audited, one may question the motives of the hacker or hackers. “The server itself did not contain any user activity logs; none of our applications send user-created credentials for authentication, so usernames and passwords couldn’t have been intercepted either,” added the spokesperson. “On the same note, the only possible way to abuse the website traffic was by performing a personalized and complicated man-in-the-middle attack to intercept a single connection that tried to access NordVPN.” Two separate VPN issuesThe hacker identified an insecure remote management system that was operated by the datacenter provider and had full root access to a container server thanks to an expired TLS certificate. In the own words of fellow hacker @hexdefined, this allowed “full control of everything in it (presumably including the ability to view and tamper with all network traffic going through it)”. To make things even more interesting, two other VPN providers, access logs of VikingVPN and Torguard were also published alongside NordVPN on 8Chan, a possible indication that all three providers used the same data center.
Via Techcrunch This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Microsoft's Secured-core PCs will defend against firmware level threats Posted: 21 Oct 2019 12:15 PM PDT In an effort to protect users against firmware level threats, Microsoft has announced a new initiative the software giant has been working on with its partners to create Secured-core PCs. The company partnered with both chip and device makers to apply “security best practices of isolation and minimal trust to the firmware layer, or the device core, that underpins the Windows operating system”. Secured-core PCs will be available from a wide variety of device makers including Dell, Dynabook, HP, Lenovo, Panasonic and Microsoft. While the full list of Secured-core PCs has not yet been released, two notable examples include HP's Elite Dragonfly and Microsoft's Surface Pro X.
As malicious code on the firmware layer can be hard to detect and even more difficult to remove, firmware has emerged as a top target for cybercriminals. According to the National Vulnerability Database, the number of discovered firmware vulnerabilities are growing each year. Secured-core PCsTo be classified as a Secured-core PC, a device needs to be running Windows Defender's System Guard Secure Launch which is available on newer hardware from AMD, Intel and Qualcomm. System Guard uses firmware to start the hardware and then shortly after it reinitializes a system into a trusted state. Secured-core PCs also required the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 as it allows admins to measure the components used to verify that a device is booted securely. Windows also monitors and restricts the functionality of potentially dangerous firmware by using System Management Mode (SMM). Microsoft's new initiative is not for everyone and is instead intended for industries such as financial services, government and healthcare. Secured-core PCs are also for those who handle highly sensitive intellectual property or personal data that is the target of state-sponsored hackers. While experts have yet to test the added security of Secured-core PCs, these machines are designed to boot securely, protect users from firmware vulnerabilities and prevent unauthorized access to devices and the sensitive data and credentials they store.
Via VentureBeat This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Android 11: what we want to see Posted: 21 Oct 2019 12:14 PM PDT The 2020 Android update is set to be Android 11 – that’s not speculation, but fact, since Google has confirmed the name itself. This follows, because with Android 10 Google pledged to follow a numerical system of operating system organisation. That means while Android 9 was Android Pie, Android 10 wasn’t Android Quiche, and Android 11 won’t be Android Rhubarb and Custard (sadly) - but it will be packed with updates and, likely, a few long-awaited features.
Android 11, Google’s next operating system, is set to be revealed in mid-2020, before being released for Pixel devices around September, and then rolled out for other Android devices from late 2020 through well into 2021. Mid-2021 is a way off, but we’ve already started hearing rumors and news surrounding the upcoming Android operating system. Here we’ll collect everything we know about Android 11. Cut to the chase
Android 11 release dateGoogle tends to unveil some of the features of its newest operating system at Google IO in May, before releasing the OS for Pixel phones in September – this year, for example, it debuted on the Pixel 4. After that, different smartphone brands will have their devices eligible for the update slowly over time. The OnePlus 7T and 7T Pro were the first non-Google smartphones which came with Android 10 in the box, but it could be a different company for Android 11. Not all smartphone manufacturers upgrade immediately, however, and it’ll likely be some time in 2021 that all smartphones that can upgrade, have had the upgrade made available. Android 11 features
There’s only one Android 11 feature we know of so far – it’s confirmed for the operating system though, so it’s not just speculation. This feature is ‘Scoped Storage’, which was initially meant to be available in Android 10, but Google pushed it back due to complaints from Android developers. Scoped Storage is a new way of organizing what information and files your apps can read – in short, it makes memory read speeds much quicker, improves your security, and stops you needing to give every new app permissions. That’s the only Android 11 feature we know of, but since Android 10 isn’t available on most devices yet, it’ll be a while before we get to hear about more. What we want to see in Android 11
These are the improvements we'd like to see in Android 11, that we still don't have in the latest build of Google's operating system. 1. A new NFC file-sharing alternativeWith Android 10 came the removal of Android Beam, which let phones share files over NFC. All you had to do was tap phones together to share files, but it's gone now. It'd be useful to have some easy-to-use alternative that lets you share photos, videos, music, or other files just by pressing the phones against each other – at the moment it can be quite a hassle to use a specific app to do so, and Apple's Airdrop is a useful feature that has no equivalent in Android. 2. Improved dark mode
Dark mode isn't for everyone, but those who use it love it – or they want to, at least, but in Android 10 it has a lot of problems. Firstly, not that many apps have their own dark modes, not even all Google apps, so using your smartphone with dark mode on can often see you jumping straight from dark apps to light ones, and back again. Secondly, on apps that do have dark mode some text isn't color-swapped, and can remain invisible – this actually happens on Google search, so you can't see suggested results. For dark mode to be useful on Android smartphones, it needs to actually be usable for most apps, instead of just an optional toggle here and there. 3. Extended chat 'bubbles'One of the new features of Android 10 was the introduction of chat 'bubbles', similar to Facebook Messenger, laid over the top of other apps, that let you see all your conversations over several apps all in one easy-to-access format. Not all apps are compatible though, and while some of those that you use to message people, there are many that aren't, with only the main text app Messages, and Google Hangouts, compatible. That means if you want to have conversations over various apps, for the most part you're still going to be using those apps. It'd be really useful if more apps became compatible – WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Twitter, and perhaps even dating apps! Then, it'd be incredibly easy to keep on top of your various conversations across all the different apps that fill up your phone. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| The all-new Kindle is down to its lowest price ever at Amazon Posted: 21 Oct 2019 11:41 AM PDT If you're looking to snag a deal on the all-new Kindle ahead of Amazon's Black Friday sale, then you've come to the right place. For a limited time, you can get the 2019 Kindle on sale for $64.99. That's a $25 discount and the lowest price we've found for the 6-inch e-reader. Amazon also has the Kindle Paperwhite on sale for $89.99. The 2019 Kindle was released this past April as Amazon's most affordable e-reader. The all-new Kindle features a glare-free 6-inch display and an adjustable front light so you can read comfortably for hours indoors and outdoors, day and night. The Kindle packs 4GB of storage with access to millions of books and Audible so you can switch between reading and listening with speakers or headphones. The lightweight Kindle conveniently fits in one hand and provides an impressive battery life that lasts up to four weeks. Kindle deals:If you're interested in other Amazon E-reader and tablet deals, check out our roundup of the best Kindle sale prices and deals, and our best cheap Amazon Fire deals. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| New NHS plan will digitize all prescriptions Posted: 21 Oct 2019 11:19 AM PDT Paper prescriptions will be done away with next month as part of a new NHS plan designed to save £300m over two years and primary care minister Jo Churchill has announced that all prescriptions across England will be digitized. The electronic prescription service (EPS) will be rolled out on a nation-wide scale once a trial run in 60 GP practices and hundreds of pharmacies is complete. Currently up to 70 percent of all prescriptions are being prescribed and dispensed through EPS. GPs and pharmacies have already given the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) positive feedback on the service.
While the first EPS went live in 2009 at a GP surgery and pharmacy in Leeds, once the final stage is rolled out, almost all prescriptions will be sent electronically. Going forward, patients will be able to get their medications by either nominating a pharmacy to receive details directly from their GP or they will receive a paper prescription that has a digital barcode on it. Digital prescriptionsThe medical information of patients in England is stored on a secure NHS database called Spine which will allow a patient's prescription to be easily accessed by GPs and pharmacies. According to the DHSC, the EPS is expected to save the NHS £300m by 2021 by increasing efficiency and reducing prescribing errors and the amount of paper processing. Patients will be able to digitally sign for and cancel electronic prescriptions. This will reduce the amount of administration required to store prescriptions as well as the volume of prescriptions which need to be stored. Primary care minister Jo Churchill provided further details on the NHS' plan to digitize prescriptions, saying: “Digitising the entire prescription service is a key part of keeping up the drive to make the NHS fit for the 21st century. This will free up vital time for GPs and allow pharmacists to spend more time with their patients, and save millions of pounds a year. It’s another important step towards eventually making all prescriptions paperless. We are continuing to improve technology across the NHS, which will ultimately improve care for patients.”
Via The Guardian This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best fitness tracker in India: The top activity bands in 2019 Posted: 21 Oct 2019 11:00 AM PDT Fitness bands have gone from being a niche product to an exciting category with a wide range of options to suit everyone's needs. As fitness bands have evolved, they've exploded in demand as well In India, we have fitness bands ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 30,000 and the market for such products is growing. While brands like Xiaomi have some dependable products like the Mi Band at unbelievably low costs, we also have some very interesting options from the likes of Fitbit, Samsung, Garmin and more. A fitness tracker is the best way to monitor your health and activity without having to pay too much attention to it. It can constantly measure your vitals, quality of sleep and step count effortlessly and accurately. The differentiating factor that's used to judge a fitness band is its accuracy and usability. In India, the fitness band market is filled with amazing devices, where almost all of them can do a fair job tracking basic activities. But we are only interested in the best, and here's the best fitness bands for your fitness needs.
The Moov Now is one of our favorite fitness bands in the world right now. The best part is the price, which justifies the quality and features it comes with. It doesn't end there, as the band promises to offer a six month-long battery life. On top of sleep monitoring features, the lightweight fitness band also comes with boxing and rep-based training with a dedicated swimming feature on top of basic sleep and steps tracking. One compromise that you have to make is the GPS, but the price makes up for it. Read the full Moov Now review
The Samsung Gear Fit 2 Pro does not bring any major changes to the company's wearable line since the Gear Fit 2, but there are a few improvements to an already great tracker that helps it reach the second place. The Gear Fit 2 Pro has a gorgeous design that looks fantastic on your wrist and it sports a big, beautiful AMOLED display which lets you see all of your stats nice and clear. It also comes with GPS built-in so you can leave your phone at home while you go for a run as well as a top-notch heart rate sensor that should give you one of the most accurate readings possible from a wrist-based tracker. Plus it can track your swimming activity too. Read the full Samsung Gear Fit 2 Pro review
The TomTom Spark 3 is the third best fitness watch that's also one of the most feature-rich out of the lot. You can upload and listen to music directly from the watch, without asking for a help from your smartphone. You just need to pair your watch with supported Bluetooth earphones and head out for a run. More impressive features include the GPS tracking, heart rate monitor and route navigation, which makes it a great wrist companion while discovering new places. Read the full TomTom Spark 3 review
The Mi Band series has been quite popular in India for a while now. Like most things Xiaomi, the Mi Band fitness trackers offer great value for money while still being quality products. Xiaomi has taken it a step further this year with the Mi Smart Band 4 that comes with a colour display for the first time in the Mi Band series. In addition to the colour display, the Mi Smart Band 4 also lets you track your heart rate, steps, sleep and more. The Mi Fit app lets you connect the Mi Smart Band 4 to your iOS or Android device, so platform compatibility is not an issue either. Read our full review: Mi Band 4 The Honor Band 5 was launched in India recently, giving customers more options in the sub-Rs 2,500 price range. Loaded with several fitness tracking features and adequate customizability, the Honor Band 5 matches other fitness trackers in terms of features in its price segment. Huawei's TruSleep, TruSense, swim stroke recognition and always-on heart rate tracking make the Honor Band 5 a noteworthy option when it comes to the cheapest fitness trackers in India.
This may look more like a smartwatch than any of the other devices on this list, but as it runs its own software and has a very big focus on fitness we've decided to include it in our list of the best fitness trackers. The Amazfit Bip design has been influenced by the Apple Watch (there's no denying that) and it comes packed with tons of features including GPS, an accurate heart rate tracker, multi-sport tracking, sleep tracking and VO2 Max features too. If you're looking for a more watch-like design than everything else on this list, the Bip will be up your street. It's lightweight too and other highlights include the always-on display and strong battery life that should last around a month depending on your usage. If this all sounds good, you'd be hard pressed to go wrong with the Amazfit Bip. It's worth noting the fitness tracker isn't available in all markets at the moment though and you may struggle to find the Bip where you live. Read the full Amazfit Bip review
In the seventh place is the Garmin Vivosmart 3, which is on the more expensive side of the fitness trackers listed but offers almost everything you'll want from an exercise tracker. With a six-day long battery life, a heart rate monitor and fitness age feature, this is a device created more for gym-goers than runners. The Vivosmart HR+, the device Garmin released before this tracker, came with GPS built-in but this newer version has dropped the feature, which is a shame for anyone who wanted to take this watch running. Even so, you should definitely consider the Garmin Vivosmart 3, especially if you're looking for a band that can do high-end fitness tracking with almost a week-long battery. Read the full Garmin Vivosmart 3 review
Samsung debuted its latest fitness trackers in the Galaxy Fit range earlier in June, offering two options to customers in the form of the Galaxy Fit and the Galaxy Fit e. While the Galaxy Fit is a full-fledged activity tracker, it costs a lot more than the Fit e. The Galaxy Fit e comes with various features like auto workout tracking, with the ability to detect three activities - walking, running and dynamic workout. It can also keep a track of your heart rate, and lets you wear it while swimming, thanks to its 5ATM (50-metre) water resistance.
The Fitbit Charge 2 is the best Fitbit tracker you can buy right now. It's more expensive than some of the other options from Fitbit, but if you're looking to go jogging this is a great choice that won't cost you as much as a traditional running watch. It connects with the GPS on your phone, has a large screen to display your data, a heart rate tracker and new fitness features we've only previously seen on the Fitbit Blaze. It may not be the cheapest device on the list, but this is the best Fitbit tracker money can buy. Read the full Fitbit Charge 2 review
Want a fitness tracker that looks more like a watch? You'll likely like the look of the Fitbit Blaze - it's one of the best fitness watches on the planet. The first tracking watch from Fitbit is a strange looking device, but suits a lot of people and comes with automatic fitness tracking features that make it possible to just jump into an exercise and wait for the results to roll in right away. With good battery life and a plethora of extra features compared to most other Fitbit devices, this may be the best tracker for you. Read the full Fitbit Blaze review
If you are in the market for a fitness tracker that looks unique and stylish, the Misfit Ray is a noteworthy option. It stands out from the crowd of dull, boring fitness trackers and brings some sass to your wrist. There are plenty of muted color options to pick from and each features the same anodised aluminum central device with LED lights. There’s also a smart button that can be set to control aspects of your smart home, for example. The swim-proof wearable uses replaceable batteries for a charge-free six months of constant use. That includes step and sleep tracking plus vibration alerts for calls, messages, reminders and alarms. Read the Misfit Ray review
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best beginner DSLR cameras 2019: 5 cheap DSLRs perfect for new users Posted: 21 Oct 2019 10:42 AM PDT Ready to make the step up from your smartphone or point-and-shoot camera to something a bit more powerful? You've landed in the right place: these are the best beginner DSLRs you can buy right now in 2019. An entry-level, beginner DSLR is the natural progression when you feel like you've outgrown your point-and-shoot compact camera or are no longer satisfied with the snaps you get from your smartphone. With so much competition between Canon and Nikon at this end of the market, and a raft of older models and new arrivals fighting against each other, it's entirely possible that this will be the opportunity for one or both manufacturers to drop their asking prices to a new low. DSLRs for beginners deliver a big step up in image quality over a compact camera or smartphone. They may share the same number of megapixels, but the size of an entry-level DSLR's sensor is physically much larger, which allows for superior results with more detail and better low-light performance. On top of that, you get plenty of manual control over things like shutter speed and aperture, together with the option to change lenses to suit whatever it is you're shooting. Don't worry if you're still finding your feet here, as you can let the camera do all the hard work at first and slowly take more control as and when you feel more comfortable, all the while benefitting from that better standard of image quality. You may also want to consider a mirrorless camera as an alternative. If so, you'll find our video above or Mirrorless vs DSLR cameras: 10 key differences guide very useful. Or, if you're not sure what kind of camera you need at all, then read our easy-to-follow guide to camera types: What camera should I buy? Still set on a DSLR? We think the best DSLR for beginners is the Nikon D3500. It's small, light and cheap, but manages to provide a much better user experience than we normally get at this level, with a helpful Guide mode on board to show how to get the most out of the camera in an easy-to-understand way. Handling is great and the sensor produces very nice images, while features like 5fps burst shooting and full manual control give you some growing space too. Should you buy a mirrorless camera over a DSLR? Watch our guide video below to learn more: Entry-level DSLR bundlesIf you're buying your first DSLR, it makes sense to buy it as a kit, which generally includes the camera body along with an 18-55mm lens. Often referred to as a 'kit' lens, this covers a pretty broad zoom range, perfect for everything from landscapes to portraits – but that's just the start. A word of warning, though. Look closely and manufacturers will often offer two types of kit lens, one with image stabilization and one without. Normally there's not much difference in price, so make sure to go for the kit with the image-stabilized lens as it'll make it easier to sharper images at slower shutter speeds. These kinds of lenses are more than adequate to get you started, but the key advantage of DSLRs over compact cameras is that you can add to your kit with additional lenses. For example, wide-angle and telephoto zoom lenses, as well as high-quality macro options. You can also add a flashgun and other accessories, which help you to make the most of whatever types of photography you're into. Best entry-level DSLRs 2019 at a glance
We'll get onto the best DSLRs for beginners in a second, but before we do, we just wanted to highlight a mirrorless option that has a handful of advantages. The EOS M50 is styled very much like a DSLR, but it's far smaller and has a lovely electronic viewfinder that makes it particularly good for use in low light. It shoots 4K video and images at up to 10fps, which is speedier than what we get in DSLRs of a similar level, while the Dual Pixel CMOS AF system means it can focus smoothly and promptly across all manner of situations. There aren't too many lens options around right now, but you can use EF lenses though an adapter. If you want something a little smaller than the average DSLR, it's well worth a look.
Best DSLRs for beginners in 2019You don't need to spend huge sums on a DSLR to get something that handles well, takes great images and works with a huge variety of lenses. In fact, you can often save yourself a fair chunk of cash if you're happy to go for a slightly older model. Manufacturers often keep these available as newer DSLRs arrive to give users a choice between the very latest tech and a better-value option. Here, we've listed the best cheap DSLRs, from recent arrivals to older favourites.
Nikon may not have announced any new entry-level DSLRs in 2019, but the D3500 remains an excellent option for those new to photography. It picks up from where the D3400 left off, but with a handful of extra perks. Unlike power-hungry mirrorless models, the major advantage of this camera is battery life. You can keep going for 1,550 images between charges, which is way ahead of most other DSLRs, while the 24MP sensor delivers excellent image quality. Nikon has also revised the body and control layout, not only to make it nicer to handle but easier to use too, while the Guide Mode takes the first-time user's hand and walks them through all the key features in a way that makes everything easy to understand. We love it – and if you're just getting started, we reckon you will too.
The EOS Rebel T7i (known as the EOS 800D outside the US) still sits at the top of Canon's entry-level EOS DSLR range, despite being a few years old now. Sporting a 24.2MP sensor that delivers an improved high-ISO performance over older models, the Rebel T7i's autofocus also gets a boost, now with a 45-point arrangement that's backed up by excellent live view AF system. There's also newly designed graphical interface that will certainly make this camera even more appealing to new users, although if you need 4K video then you're better off looking at the EOS Rebel SL3 / EOS 250D (see below) or a mirrorless model.
Here's another model which is still holding its own against the rise of mirrorless. The D5600 is a step up from the D3000-series models, with a stronger set of specs to rival the likes of the Canon EOS Rebel T7i / EOS 800D (position 3). Key advantages over the D3400 and D3500 include a larger LCD screen, which not only flips out and swivels all the way around to face the front, but also responds to touch, together with a more advanced autofocus system, Wi-Fi and a healthy range of additional control on the inside. Sure, you pay a little bit more for the privilege, but if you need a little more growing space it makes sense to go for the D5600 so that it stays with you for years to come.
This is one of the cheapest DSLRs in Canon's current line-up, which also makes it a very cost-effective way to get access to an endless assortment of lenses, flashguns and other accessories. Its low price tag means that it understandably lacks some of the fancy tricks of its bigger brothers – flip-out LCD, 4K video and so on – but there's still a very good level of physical control on offer. And, most importantly, image quality from the 24MP sensor is sound. It's designed very much with its target audience in mind, with a Feature Guide to help you understand everything, and battery life is also better than many mirrorless models at this price point – still a key advantage of DSLRs. Wi-Fi, NFC and Full HD video recording round off the specs, making it a well-rounded first-time option.
The EOS Rebel SL3, also known as the Canon EOS 250D, is the latest entry-level arrival to this list - indeed it's one of only a handful of models announced in 2019. Like its name suggests, it picks up from where the Rebel SL2 (EOS 200D) left off, adding a fresh processing engine and 4K video recording on top of a collection of smaller extras. There may be lots of competition from mirrorless right now, but if you like the traditional handling of a DSLR - including an optical viewfinder - the 250D is one of the most attractive models available right now.
Also consider...None of the above take your fancy? Here's another option to consider.
The EOS 77D is a slightly more advanced beginner DSLR, and it provides a few extra treats for those who feel they may outgrow more basic models before long. While we weren't too excited about it at the time of its release, the fact that it's spent some time on the market now means it can be bought for a much more agreeable price tag. On top of the bones of the EOS 800D, there's a top-plate LCD screen that gives you shooting options at a glance, as well as two control dials to make adjusting options faster. You also get some extras on the inside such as bulb and interval timers. If you can stretch to the EOS 80D that sits just about it, even better – otherwise, this would be a slightly more capable option than its more basic siblings.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best travel camera 2019: 10 vacation-friendly models perfect for your holiday Posted: 21 Oct 2019 10:23 AM PDT It stands a good chance that you’ll want a camera to record your travels - after all, when better to take your pictures then when seeing and experiencing something completely new. But in an age of travelling as light as possible, it also stands to reason that you’ll want a camera that doesn’t weigh you down. Luckily, today’s cameras give you the opportunity to capture a wealth of different subjects, offering top specifications including large sensors, long zooms, 4K video and more. If you’ve already got a premium smartphone, you might find that it’s well-suited to general snaps. However, if you’re off on a special trip, there’s a good chance that it won’t do justice to all the amazing new things you’re likely to see. The first thing you’ll likely want to think about is the type of camera you’re willing to take on your travels. For many, a bulky DSLR or mirrorless camera will be too much hassle, making a long zoom premium compact camera the obvious choice. On the other hand, if you really want your shots to stand out, packing something versatile - but still light - makes a lot of sense. In this guide, we’ll be selecting a few different kinds of camera which are just perfect for your next vacation. Whether you want to travel as light as possible, or you don’t mind having a little more to carry around, we’ve got you covered here. To give you an idea - think about the following options: Travel Zoom Compact These small pocket-friendly cameras give you great scope for shooting lots of different kinds of subject, with a zoom lens that gets you close to the action, as well as giving you the opportunity to shoot nice and wide. The trade off for having all of this in a neat compact size is generally a smaller sensor which is less useful for shooting in low light. Premium Compact If you want to stay pocket friendly, but you’re happy to lose the ultra long zoom, think about a premium compact. These generally pack a one-inch sensor for better image quality, but will normally have a shorter zoom. Some may give you both - but you’ll pay a very high price for it. A bulkier option than a standard compact camera, but with better scope for zooming, a bridge camera is also ideal for those who like more intuitive and comfortable handling. They’ll usually have a solid grip, decent electronic viewfinder and a flexible screen. You get many of the benefits of having a bag full of lenses, but without the extra luggage. Mirrorless / Compact System Camera This is the option if you want the best possible image quality and you’re prepared for a little bit of hassle. With lots of different lenses to choose from, you can pack different optics depending on the type of trip you’re on, or pack a good all-round lens and not worry too much about swapping optics. You’ll have the best possible handling, too as well as plenty of advanced options. Many of the current compact system cameras on the market have been specifically designed with travel in mind - and are as small as possible. We’ve included some of the best options here. If you’re still unsure about which kind of camera you need, check our step-by-step guide: What camera should I buy? Alternatively, if you’re going to be by the pool or on the beach, you might want something a bit more rugged - in which case, take a look at our best waterproof camera and best action camera guides. Otherwise, keep reading, because here’s our list of the top travel cameras you can buy right now. Best travel cameras 2019 at a glance
Before we take a look at our best travel camera list, we wanted to highlight an alternative that is a few generations old but still packs a punch. The RX100 III from Sony is a couple of years old now and was originally selling for near $1,000/£1,000, but with the arrival of newer models (including the RX100 VII below), it's dropped massively in price. Downsides? Well, the zoom is pretty short compared to other rivals here, but otherwise there's a lot to like. There's a decent 20.1MP 1-inch sensor, a pop-up electronic viewfinder and 4K video recording, while it's packaged in a premium, metal body. Definitely worth a look if the zoom range isn't your main concern.
Best travel cameras in 2019
With the rise of high-end compacts like the excellent Sony Cyber-shot RX100 V stealing the thunder from compact travel zooms, Panasonic's response has been to keep the camera body about the same size as its earlier ZS/TZ-series cameras but to squeeze in a much larger sensor. We saw this with the Lumix ZS100 (known as the Lumix TZ100 outside the US), and Panasonic has continued this with the newer Lumix ZS200 / TZ200. This physically larger 1in sensor enables much better image quality than would otherwise be the case, but the slight downside is that the zoom range from the lens isn't quite as extensive as some others with smaller sensors. That said, The ZS200 / TZ200 still sports a very versatile 15x zoom, while there's also a handy built-in electronic viewfinder, which makes it easier to compose images in bright light. It's a bit pricey, but this is still the best travel zoom compact camera available right now.
What the G5X Mark II loses in zoom, it makes up for in other areas. With a wide maximum aperture throughout the focal length, this is a camera which is well-suited to a wide range of lighting conditions. Besides which, having up to 120mm (in 35mm terms) available is still pretty flexible. Elsewhere, there's a high-performing 1-inch sensor, great 4K videos and a pop-up electronic viewfinder which pairs well with the tilting LCD screen. There are undoubtedly more advanced cameras on the market, but not many combine a good range of features like this in one competitively-priced package.
Sony revolutionized premium compact cameras with the original RX100 as it was the first pocket-sized camera to feature a large 1.0-inch sensor. They were always great for travel, but thanks to a relatively limited zoom lens, were perhaps sometimes overlooked in favour of other models. Things changed when we got to the RX100 VI, which paired a much longer lens than ever before - and now we've seen some refinement of the model for the latest, the RX100 VII. The sacrifice for making the lens longer is losing the super wide aperture of previous generations, but if you're mainly going to be shooting in sunny climes, it may not be such a big deal. There's also a heck of a lot of power under the hood of the RX100 VII. It houses features that you might not ever use, such as a ridiculous 90fps burst mode, as well as those that are more commonplace, such as 4K video. The big downside of this model is its super-high asking price, but if you want the best of the best for your travels - it could just be the one for you. If your budget doesn't quite stretch to the asking price of the RX100 VII, take a look at older models throughout the range for better prices.
For those happy to tote a compact system camera, the Fujifilm X-T30 is one of our favourites, and one which makes a heck of a lot of sense as a travel camera. Distilling many of the best elements of its older, bigger and more expensive brother, the X-T3 into a pleasingly small form, the X-T30 will help you get gorgeous shots while also looking gorgeous itself. There's lots of great lenses available for the Fuji X system, so you'll be spoiled for choice there, while 4K video recording, a tilting touch-sensitive screen and a high-resolution EVF help to round out the spec sheet.
When it comes to the best possible image quality, full-frame is what you need. Time was that full-frame cameras were packed inside huge bodies which were decidedly unfriendly for travel. While Sony did a huge amount to change that with its Alpha range of mirrorless cameras, it's the Nikon Z6 which we'd recommend as a perfect all rounder. Despite being the bulkiest on this page, it's still conveniently sized for travel and gives you all the benefits of travelling with a full-frame sensor. There's also 12fps shooting, 4K video, a tilting touchscreen and a beautiful high resolution viewfinder. Although still fairly limited, the native lenses available for the Z range are rapidly expanding - the 24-70mm f/4 lens is the ideal travelling partner. If you want to make things even smaller, also consider the brand new APS-C Nikon Z50, which also has smaller lenses to pair with it.
On a budget but want a capable all-rounder? The Panasonic Lumix ZS70 / TZ90 is better than most at this level. On top of a very capable 30x optical zoom you get decent 4K video recording, an LCD that responds brilliantly to touch and is nice and clear, and even raw shooting. The viewfinder is also something that few cameras at this level offer, and while it's not quite perfect it does the job. Focusing is nice and snappy and face detection works really well too, and the fact that the LCD flips up to face the front lets you capture selfies and group shots with ease.
The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS is something of a tale of two halves. The good news is that it exhibits a fine build and is generally pleasing to use, with good response across most aspects of operation. If you want a no-nonsense camera with a broad zoom range, and most of the decision-making left to it, the SX740 HS may just be what you’re after. The flipside of this is that it's missing a few features which are becoming the norm elsewhere - there's no touch-operation, no option to move the focusing point, no electronic viewfinder, nor raw shooting. Still, if the ability to zoom is your main concern, you won't find anything longer than this.
Not all holidays and stretches of travel are all about capturing wide-angle vistas and subjects in the distance. For some photographers, having a camera that can withstand being dropped, knocked, splashed or frozen would be more appropriate, and that's precisely what the Olympus TG-6 offers. In addition to its rugged credentials, the camera offers 4K video recording, built-in Wi-Fi and a ring of LED lights around its lens to throw plenty of light on close-up subjects. There's even the option to capture raw files.
In terms of offering something for everybody, the RX10 IV ticks a lot of boxes. It's like having a bag full of lenses, but with the benefit of never having to change them. There's a very long zoom, while the maximum aperture is pretty wide throughout the lens. The sensor might not be as a large as the ones you'll find on a DSLR/CSC, but Sony's 20.1MP one-inch device has proven itself to be very capable regardless. You also get 24fps shooting, cracking 4K video quality and handling to rival a DSLR. The major downside? The high price - if your budget is tighter, don't forget about this camera's predecessor, the RX10 III.
Pay for your new camera AND get points for your next trip with one of the best credit cards for travel (US only) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Fake WordPress plugins again allowing hackers into unsecured sites Posted: 21 Oct 2019 10:08 AM PDT Security researchers from the web security and protection company Sucuri have discovered that cybercriminals are using malicious plugins, which hide in plain sight and serve as backdoors, to gain access to and maintain a foothold on WordPress sites. The firm found that two of these fake plugins with backdoor functionality, named initiatorseo or updrat123 by their creators, were observed cloning the functionality of the popular backup and restore WordPress plugin UpdraftPlus. Fake plugins can easily be created using automated tools or by injecting malicious payloads such as web shells within the source code of legitimate plugins. These malicious plugins also don't show up inside of a compromised website's WordPress dashboard as they were designed to remain out of sight.
Sucuri's researchers discovered that the plugins will only announce their presence to an attacker if they query the website using a GET request with custom parameters like initiationactivity or testingkey. Fake WordPress pluginsThe main purpose of these fake plugins is to act as backdoors on compromised WordPress sites which even provide attackers with access to the servers after the original infection vector was removed. The attackers then use these backdoors to upload arbitrary files for malicious purposes to the infected websites' servers using POST requests. These requests contain parameters with information on the download location URL, the path where files should be written and the name under which the files should be dropped. Sucuri noted that the attackers had also dropped web shells, malicious scripts that provide remote access to the server, in random locations on the compromised sites' servers. Randomly named scripts were also uploaded to the sites' root directories to give the attackers the ability to launch brute-force attacks against other websites. In a blog post, Sucuri's Denis Sinegubko explained that cleaning only the visible parts of an infection is no longer enough after falling victim to an attack, saying: “While none of the approaches used by this attack are new, it clearly demonstrates how cleaning only the visible parts of an infection is not enough. Hackers want to maintain access to websites as long as they can. To accomplish this, they upload various backdoors into random files scattered across the whole site. Sometimes backdoors come in the form of WordPress plugins that might not even be visible from the admin interface. Additionally, compromised websites may be used for malicious activity that is completely invisible from outside, including DDoS and brute-force attacks, mailing tons of spam, or cryptomining. Only integrity control of the filesystem and server-side security scans can help detect this kind of malware.”
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Sky enters the world of ultrafast broadband deals Posted: 21 Oct 2019 10:00 AM PDT Want to enjoy a Netflix binge while Skyping your bestie and downloading big files, all without any grumbles from the rest of the household? With the release of Sky Ultrafast Broadband, you can. Twelve times faster than Sky’s Broadband Essential package (11Mb), its latest service guarantees minimum download speeds of 100Mb and average speeds of 145Mb. The result? Your online life could get a whole lot easier. As internet-connected devices and smart technologies flourish, ultrafast internet from the likes of Sky and BT Broadband should provide a disruption-free broadband service to meet all your home’s needs. So there’ll be no tough choices between downloading films to watch on your HD TV, making impulsive purchases on Black Friday, or letting the kids enjoy uninterrupted online gaming. Sky says that making this possible is G. Fast technology, only available across 2.5m properties currently, but being rolled out to a further estimated 390k every quarter. If you’re keen on maximising your online experience, check the Sky website for further details and to see if your eligible to upgrade. It’s £39 per month for a contracted period of 18 months, with a one-off setup fee of £39.95. Given you won’t have to compromise on entertainment, it’s a good deal for hardcore gamers or tech-obsessed families. For those hunting for a bargain and better connectivity, you might want to review the UK's current broadband deals and the best fibre broadband deals now available.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Fears grow about use of 3D printing for mass murder Posted: 21 Oct 2019 09:56 AM PDT 3D printing could potentially help spread weapons of mass destruction – like sarin gas – along with other cutting-edge tech such as AI, showing once again that technological progress can be a double-edged sword. As highlighted in a report from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, these sort of tech innovations can work in favor of ‘rogue’ states attempting to acquire chemical or nuclear weapon capabilities via stealthy routes, potentially bypassing any of the traditional watchdog systems designed to defend against such states putting together their own weapons of mass destruction.
Robert Shaw, one of the co-authors of the multi-institutional report which was also recently highlighted in Scientific American, warns that advances in technology like 3D printing are outstripping the ability of authorities to control them. Shaw notes that “the capacity of governments to apply anything more than the most basic of export controls to manage the spread of advancing 3D printing capabilities” is being outpaced by the speed of development of this sort of technology. An example highlighted is that currently, if a nation wishes to make sarin gas, it must obtain a particular kind of noncorrosive metal piping which is an obvious red flag as to its intention. However, with 3D printing, the potential arises that a rogue state could have the ability to produce the necessary piping in its own backyard, unbeknownst to the watchdogs keeping an eye on the possible production of WMDs. No imminent threatBefore we all get too panic-stricken, however, it should be noted that these experts are also quick to point out that the potential threat from 3D printing or other tech innovations isn’t imminent. That said, it’s a very real prospect down the line, which is why the report wants to warn in no uncertain terms that developments in the tech world should be monitored with a view to the repercussions they might have in terms of manufacturing WMDs. The fact is that to produce such home-grown WMDs, as it were, would require a massive amount of technical knowledge and manufacturing capability that couldn’t be ‘sourced overnight’ or indeed concealed from the aforementioned authorities and international watchdogs. However, the experts write: “Some of these risks are already materializing, others are less likely or even speculative. These technological developments must be observed closely, and possible disruptive effects must be identified – if at all possible – before they manifest into threats.” As to the danger AI or machine learning poses, that’s in tandem with 3D printing, the combination of which could help the likes of nations with existing missile programs – like North Korea – improve manufacturing output of rocket parts, according to the report’s authors. Naturally, 3D printing is not a weapon in itself, to state the obvious – and we should remember that it has many, many positive uses. Not the least of which, as we’ve seen recently, is potentially helping to deal with the disposal of nuclear waste. And indeed bettering your health and well-being a general level… This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Posted: 21 Oct 2019 09:43 AM PDT We first heard about the Zeiss ZX1 more than a year ago when it was announced at Photokina 2018, but since then we've not heard much in terms of a release date or detailed specifications. Now a set of leaks specs appear to have given us a bit more to go on, as well as seeming to confirm the few details that have already emerged.
PhotoRumors has published what it claims are the full specs of the camera, including the optical design of the lens, ISO speeds, shutter speeds, size and weight. A couple of things we did know were that the camera was set to have a 37.4MP full-frame sensor and a 35mm f/2 Zeiss lens, both designed in-house. The sensor will be paired with a leaf shutter (which means you’ll be able to sync your flash at whatever shutter speed you desire). The newly leaked specs claim the lens construction will consist of eight elements in five groups, and that ISO speeds will top out at ISO51200, with a minimum setting of ISO80. The maximum shutter speed is claimed to be 1/8000 sec, and the shutter itself is said to be mechanical rather than electronic. The leak supports previous rumors that the ZX1 would have a 0.74x Full HD OLED electronic viewfinder, joined by a large 4.34-inch touchscreen. Perhaps the most intriguing of the reported features is integrated Adobe Lightroom for in-camera editing. Another unusual feature is the apparent lack of a memory card slot, with users instead having need to rely on the 512GB of internal memory. It had previously been suggested that the ZX1 would be available to buy in early 2019, and while we're none the wiser in terms of an official release date, PhotoRumors says the camera will be announced "soon". Back in August, a Zeiss representative replied to a Twitter user, telling them that the company was still in the concept or testing phase, which suggested that an official announcement was still some way off.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Save up to $1,000 on new laptops in the Dell Small Business Sale: XPS, Chromebooks and more Posted: 21 Oct 2019 09:23 AM PDT The Dell Small Business sale is in full swing, with a laptop sale seeing prices cut by as much as 55%. You don't need to be in the world of business to take advantage of the discounts on offer and there's a wealth of monitors, audio equipment, computing accessories, and spare parts on offer as well. Whether you're looking to upgrade your whole workstation or just spruce up your home office with some tech essentials, be sure you don't miss out on these savings all well ahead of Black Friday. If the deals below aren't quite what you're looking for, you can always check out the sale for yourself. Grab a new laptop here, or a full desktop suite here, there are also monitors available and great deals on electronics and accessories. Dell Small Business laptop sales highlightsDell laptop accessory sales highlightsStill looking for more? Head over to our top laptop deals of the month guide for more great prices! If you're looking specifically for a gaming laptop deals, we've got offers for those too! This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Stripe users targeted in major phishing campaign Posted: 21 Oct 2019 09:00 AM PDT A new phishing campaign which aims to harvest user credentials from the online payment company Stripe has been discovered by the Cofense Phishing Defense Center (PDC). Stripe handles billions of dollars annually and this why the company is such an attractive target for cybercriminals looking to gain access to payment card information and to defraud consumers. The campaign discovered by Cofense begins with a user receiving an email which pretends to be a notification from Stripe support. The email informs the account administrator that “details associated with account are invalid.”
If the administrator fails to take immediate action, their account will be placed on hold and this could be quite disruptive for any business that relies on online transactions and payments. Fear and urgency are often the most common emotions that cybercriminals play on as the can lead rational people to make irrational decisions. Stripe phishing campaignInside the email body, there is a button with an embedded hyperlink which reads “Review your details”. However, when this button is clicked, it redirects the recipient to a phishing page. In most cases, a user can check the destination of a hyperlink by hovering over it with their mouse cursor. In this case though, the true destination of the hyperlink is hidden by adding a simple title to HTML's <a> tag and instead the recipient sees the title “Review your details” when hovering over the button instead of the URL. The phishing page users are redirect to is an imitation of the Stripe customer login page. In fact, the phishing page consists of three separate pages. The first one aims to collect the admin's email address and password while the second page asks for the bank account number and phone number associated with the account. Finally, the recipient is redirected back to the account login page which shows an error message that reads “Wrong Password, Enter again”. This helps prevent the recipient from suspecting any foul play. Stripe users should check their email cautiously and avoid clicking on any suspicious URLs to avoid falling victim to this new phishing campaign.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| The best smart speakers 2019: which one should you buy? Posted: 21 Oct 2019 08:26 AM PDT Remember when the idea of a fully-automated smart home seemed like the stuff of science-fiction? Well, we may not have a robot butler just yet, but many of us have at least a few smart home products these days – and it's all thanks to smart speakers. Speakers with built-in smart features and AI-powered voice assistants like the Google Home, Amazon Echo, and Apple HomePod continue to dominate the smart home market. According to some recent stats, US smart speaker ownership grew more than 40 percent over 2018 and has reached 66.4 million, which is 26.2 percent of the US population. Voice assistants like Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant have taken our homes by storm, with many now considering smart speakers to be the future of home automation. That's because they can do so much, from answering almost any question, playing music, telling you the news and not only controlling your smart home devices (like your Philips Hue bulbs or smart locks), but running everything from your fridge to your living room lights – sometimes without much help from you. A new fleet of Amazon products look set to shake things up further, with everything from a third-generation Echo speaker to Alexa-enabled smart glasses (the Echo Frames). The Amazon Echo Studio could be a strong contender for this list, too, given its Dolby Atmos support and 360-degree audio, though you'll have to wait a bit longer to get them.
Whether that's exciting to you, scary or just a bit gimmicky will depend on your view of always-on tech within your home. But it's hard to argue that these devices aren't unbelievably handy – and whether you're changing TV channels or switching off lights with your voice, it's hard to deny the convenience once you've tried it. So if you need help finding your next personal assistant, take a look at our guide below and find the smart speaker that suits your current setup, your budget and the aesthetics of your home – each of the speakers are hand-picked by our editors, and while each have pros/cons, all of them are great in their own way. (For UK readers, you might want to check out the Pure DiscovR smart speaker too.) Not seeing the perfect speaker for you? Don't worry. Be sure to keep checking back, as we'll be updating this list with the best smart speakers, as well as the top rumors about new speakers to expect soon at the end.
The Sonos One now supports Amazon's Alexa and Siri via AirPlay 2. Image Credit: Sonos. Best smart speakers FAQ: quick questions answeredWhat can smart speakers do? Smart speakers can do lots of things. First up they're speakers in their own right, from the fantastic-sounding Apple HomePod through to the simpler Amazon Echo Dot. But they also have lots of special features thanks to the smart voice assistants that are built-in. These smart assistants are voice-activated, which means you can literally ask them to do a range of things, including playing music, answering questions and controlling other smart home devices. And that's just the beginning. Which voice assistant is best? On the whole that's subjective. Some people have always liked Apple products the best and stay loyal to Siri. Others really like Alexa after snapping up an Echo as soon as the smart speaker was first launched. The general consensus seems to be that Google Assistant is, largely, the most accurate voice assistant. If you've got a lot of Apple products, of course Siri is the best and for overall compatibility, you're best opting for Alexa. But they're not hard and fast rules. Is Alexa better than Google? For starters, the choice might depend on which speaker you like the look of the most. Sure Amazon's Echo range is very similar to the Google Home, but the Show, Spot and Dot look quite different. When it comes to the smart assistants within the speakers, they're both extremely capable. Amazon's Alexa has many, many Skills, which set it apart from the rest. But Google has been a leader in the AI game for a long time now, well before the smart speaker market emerged. Is there a monthly fee for Alexa? No. You don't need anything other than the free Alexa app. However, you will get plenty of perks if you're an Amazon Prime member. The best smart speakers 2019
Image Credit: Sonos Sonos’ debut Alexa speaker is a cleanly-designed, feature-rich and great-sounding device that brings together the best of both ecosystems. You’ve got the ever-improving Alexa on the one hand, and on the other you’ve got Sonos with its own multi-room smarts and mostly unrivalled sound performance. There's also a new feature in the mix that promises to change the game: AirPlay 2. With it, the Sonos One can talk to Siri and form a multi-room pairing with the Apple HomePod, making it the most versatile speaker on the list. If there's anything holding the Sonos One back from greatness it's the fact that Google Assistant is still MIA after the update was postponed in November 2018 and is still nowhere to be seen nearly halfway through 2019. If Google Assistant support hits at some point this year (we hope), the Sonos One promises to become the market leader in smart home speakers. If you like the Sonos range but you've felt a little underwhelmed by its designs to date, then you'll be happy to find out the brand has launched a new range of in-wall, in-ceiling, and outdoor speakers, the Sonos Architectural line.
Image Credit: TechRadar The highly-anticipated Apple HomePod finally entered the smart speaker battle for your bookshelf in early 2018. The obvious benefit of an Apple HomePod over an Echo or Google Home device is that it'll play nice with your other Apple products. So if you're a die-hard Apple fan the HomePod may be a no-brainer. But it's worth asking the same question you should always be asking yourself when you want to splurge on a new Apple product: how much of a premium should you pay for owning a device that fits only seamlessly into the Apple ecosystem? When we reviewed the device we were torn because we were really reviewing two things at once: how the HomePod weighs up as a premium speaker and how it fares as a smart home hub. Apple is said to be working on the Apple HomePod 2, or a cheaper, more compact HomePod Mini, rumored to launch at some point in 2019 – we're halfway through now and we're still waiting. Fingers crossed it'll be worth it.
The humble Amazon Echo has entered millions of homes already – and with good reason. It's an affordable entry point for those beginning their smart home, with audio capable enough to handle news, podcasts, music, or whatever you might be using your AI voice servant for. That's especially true with the new 2019 Amazon Echo, a third-generation model that bumps up the audio further with the drivers used in the 2018 Echo Plus – though without the latter's Zibgee compatability. It even looks like an Echo Plus, and it may be confusing to tell them apart if you have one of each in your home – but the 2019 refresh of the standard Echo raises the baseline for the whole range. At $99.99 / £89.99 / AU$149, it's still cheaper than the Plus, or the Apple HomePod, despite the boost to sound quality. With softer fabric looks than the more industrial earlier models, Alexa seems more at home in a living room than ever – while new AI capabilities have introduced voice profile features and more variation when it comes to changing voice speed. We don't think you should be using it to replace your hifi – you might want the newly-announced Echo Studio for that – but at the same time it's a really great place to start if you want to try out what the smart home life is like.
Image Credit: Google For starters, you might never appreciate just how much music is on YouTube without buying a Google Home. We’re not saying Google Home is capable of playing any song you can think of, but after dredging the depths of the ’90s we still couldn’t find a tune Google Home couldn’t track down and start playing. While Google Home excels as a DJ, it’s also a surprisingly intelligent smart home hub. It already hooks into some of the largest platforms now available by including Nest, Philips and Samsung’s SmartThings, and given a few months that number will grow even more. But we're torn when it comes to recommending the Google Home. In some ways it's disappointing and doesn't live up to be the coveted center of the smart home Google has marketed it as. That's because it's just not there yet. It’s a little too rigid in its language comprehension, its list of smart home devices is growing but still a bit underwhelming, and, perhaps the biggest disappointment of all, it doesn’t have many of Google’s core services built into it. It has the potential to develop to compete with Amazon's Echo in the future, but for now the Google Home is simply a smart novelty with access to YouTube Music, built-in Google Cast and the ability to save you a trip to the light switch. Over the past year, the Google Home has received a number of notable updates, including the fact you can now use the device to make calls to landlines in the UK. Google Assistant has also been updated to included bilingual capabilities, Continued Conversation and Multiple Actions. A more recent update has also brought Google Assistant to Nest Security alarm systems. UPDATE: Google is reportedly working on a Nest Mini smart speaker that boasts big sound. The Nest Mini – if that is what the rumored device will finally be named – will feature a better soundscape than the Google Home Mini and will be wall-mountable.
Image Credit: TechRadar The Amazon Echo range is still the market leader for smart speakers – in terms of sales, at least – but for all their hands-free convenience, they’re not speakers you’d look to if you want genuinely high-quality sound. The Pure DiscovR manages to bundle top-class audio with all of Alexa’s smarts, and the intuitive touch controls to make using it by hand or voice a real pleasure. The ability to save voice commands as presets is invaluable, and something the rest of the smart speaker market could learn from. The arresting design helps too. The rounded cube shape, and raised speaker – which can be compressed down into the casing to mute Alexa's microphone – feels hugely innovative in a crowded market, while the flashing colors around the LED rim make for much more of a light display than the Echo's meek blue. You won't get your hands on this in the US, though. The Pure DiscovR is exclusively sold through John Lewis in the UK, with plans to roll out to Europe later in 2019. The speaker is available in either graphite and silver finishes – listed at John Lewis as black or white. If you’re on the lookout for a quality smart speaker that delivers on voice control, sound quality, and an innovative design – and with an eye firmly on user privacy – the Pure DiscovR is exactly what you need.
The best smart speakers with a screen 2019
Image credit: Google With the recent onslaught of smart display devices from the big tech companies, there's more choice than ever if you want a screen included with your smart speaker. The Google Home Hub is one of the latest crop of smart displays, and it certainly gives its closest rival, the Amazon Echo Show a run for its money, with intuitive voice control and well designed first party apps. That being said, this is not a speaker for audiophiles - it works well enough to play music in the background while you do chores or read, but it doesn't pack big enough of a sonic punch to serve as your main speaker for listening to music. Where the Google Home Hub does excel, is as a control centre for your digital home, supporting over 5000 smart devices from 400 companies - plus, at around $80/£80 cheaper than the Amazon Echo Show (the difference in Australia is a whopping AU$150), it's pretty good value for money too.
Image credit: Amazon The updated Echo Show is a step in the right direction, with better design, a clearer screen, and superior sound, but it has limited support for third-party streaming services. The touchscreen is 1280 x 720 px - so it won't blow you away up close, but it looks fine from a distance. It also features adaptive brightness, although the screen isn't the main way you interact with the Echo Show - it's optimized for voice activation via Amazon Alexa, and it's great for using while you potter about the kitchen. Its not the cheapest smart display on the market, however, it adds value by combining devices you already have and ones you could buy at a lower price elsewhere – just look at the Amazon Echo Dot, for example. Put everything together though, and the new Show is a marked improvement on the original version, and if you're keen on watching cooking tutorials or listening to music as you cook, it deserves a spot on your kitchen counter. [Update: The Amazon Echo Show 5 is now available to preorder – this diminutive third-gen smart display is less than half the price of the current second-gen Echo Show model, and will start shipping in June and July. Check out our Amazon Echo Show 5 release date, news, and rumors article for everything you need to know.]
Image credit: Amazon In our opinion, the Amazon Echo Spot is the best-designed Alexa device Amazon has ever created – it’s a gadget you’d happily have in your bedroom, on your desk, in your kitchen, and pretty much anywhere else. The Spot is versatile – it doesn’t have a chameleon-like ability to adapt to the room you put it in, but this is certainly not just a smart alarm clock, something Amazon has been very clear about. It does everything the Echo Show does, but it all feels better in this smaller form factor. The design is great – it's available in black and white – and we can easily see the Spot being used in the bedroom, kitchen or even on a desk. In fact, you may want it in all of these places. That's the thing with the Amazon Echo Spot: much like other Echo devices, Amazon wants you to have a multitude of them in your home so you always have access to video chat no matter where you are. Essentially, it wants the Echo Spot to replace the Echo Dot. The Amazon Echo Spot is a little more expensive than the new Echo, though, and in turn much more expensive than an Echo Dot. This is because of the addition of the screen. While we still haven't seen that killer Skill for the screen, it does enhance the look of the Spot and opens up the possibilities for it being much more than just a smart speaker. We’re just hoping that Amazon’s Skills become much more video-friendly – once this happens, the Amazon Echo Spot will become an absolute must-have.
What could be coming soon?Those are all of the best smart speakers on the market right now, but with the huge success of these voice-activated smart home assistants, this selection is likely to be just the beginning. Right now a number of other companies, including some of the biggest names in tech, are also working on their own smart home audio products. Whether they shake-up the market or turn out to be a load of hot air remains to be seen. But in the meantime, here are just a few of the highly-anticipated upcoming releases and rumors circulating right now:
Image credit: Spotify Spotify smart speaker There are loads of speakers on the market that already allow you to connect your Spotify account. But that doesn't mean the popular streaming service can't make its own product to compete with the biggest names in tech. Rumors suggest Spotify has been working on its own voice search interface, but it hasn't yet lifted the lid on a speaker that could compete with the likes of the Amazon Echo or Google Home. That hasn't stopped us from dreaming up what a Spotify smart speaker might look, sound and behave like. Read our Spotify speaker wish-list: what we want to see in a Spotify smart speaker.
Image credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Home smart speaker This is now official, though details are still scarce – Samsung showed off the Galaxy Home smart speaker at its Unpacked 2018 event, promising high-quality audio alongside some integrated AI smarts provided by Bixby. As yet we don't know a price or release date, though we're assuming it will work with Samsung’s SmartThings ecosystem. The launch of the Samsung Galaxy Home has been rather stop-start since the Bixby-controlled smart speaker was first announced in August 2018 – but now we might have a release date to look forward to. Sort of... Speaking to the Korea Herald, Kim Hyun-suk, one of Samsung's co-CEOs and the President of the Consumer Electronics division, said that the company is aiming for a "mid-second half of the year" launch. Fingers crossed we get this speaker before 2019 is out. Find out more: what we expect from the Samsung Galaxy Home smart speaker.
Everything is a smart speaker Maybe the future isn't about which smart speaker you should buy after all, but will be much more focused on integrating voice-activated smart assistants into other products. Earlier this year at CES 2019, lots of manufacturers were boasting of voice assistant integration; Alexa and Google Assistant found their way into cars, bathroom mirrors, and even smoke alarms. While that may sound a little gimmicky, it actually solves one of the major niggling points of the smart home: you want to have access to your voice assistant in every room but don’t really want to fill your home with speakers. Buying smart speakers on Black FridayThere's no doubt about it – there's a lot of smart speakers you could consider getting, and Black Friday and Cyber Monday will be a time when many of them are seeing cut-throat prices as Amazon, Google, Sonos and others seek to beat each other on the race to enter your home. The Amazon Echo range is pretty much packed to bursting now, especially with 14 new Echo products set to arrive in the coming months. If you're looking to get an Echo on the cheap in the Black Friday sales, make sure it's the model you intended. It's usually older products that get the biggest price drops – though Amazon also tends to slash prices on new models to build up interest in the hardware. Black Friday is also a good time to make use of 2-for-1 offers, making it easier to build up an ecosystem of smart speakers and smart home devices in your home – though they'll play more nicely together if they're all made by the same manufacturer (or just use the same smart assistant).
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Walmart TV sale: Black Friday prices on 4K TVs from Samsung, LG, TCL and more Posted: 21 Oct 2019 08:26 AM PDT The upcoming Walmart Black Friday sale will have discounts on laptops, appliances, smart home devices, and, most importantly, 4K TVs. The retail giant is giving us a sneak peek into the November sale event with discounts on best-selling TVs. Walmart's TV sale includes Black-Friday like prices on a wide array of televisions from brands like Samsung, LG, Vizio, and more. Walmart TV deals:Shop more of the best cheap TV sales and 4K TV deals that are currently going on. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best WordPress themes for portfolios in 2019 Posted: 21 Oct 2019 08:25 AM PDT The days of printing your business portfolio and placing it in a cardboard folder are long since past. By placing your portfolio online you can advertise your brand by search engines, which will hugely raise your profile. It's also much easier to update your portfolio as you introduce new products or services. One of the easiest ways to get started with your online portfolio is to use a bespoke theme for WordPress. In this guide, you’ll explore five such themes which have been created with portfolios in mind.
Grand Portfolio Grand Portfolio is designed to cater for those users involved in most areas of visual design. It works best for photographers, fashion designers and architects. The theme has a variety of gallery and portfolio modules. There are also choices for those interested in blogs and creating magazines. It’s useful for musicians as it has support for biographies along with event reservation support. Grand Portfolio themes can be viewed in split screen along with a full screen option for users who want to show off all their designs in their full glory. Users can utilize the infinite scroll option so that designs keep loading as you come to the end of each page. Users can customize elements color, background and typography with the built-in live customizer. Revolution Slider and iLightbox are included with the theme. These two premium themes usually cost around $34 (£25.87) each. Users gain access to the built-in ‘Content Builder’. This comes with a handy drag and drop feature. Grand Portfolio is fully responsive. It has also passed Google’s mobile compatibility check meaning that it is SEO optimized. Users can purchase the regular license for $59 (£44.89) which includes future updates and 6-months support. An additional 12-months of support can be added for $17.63 (£13.41). Some online commentators have noted there is not a huge variety in demo layouts.
Kalium Kalium is designed specifically for portfolios. There are multiple styles available. Each of which can be edited with the Visual Composer, Revolution Slider and LayerSlider plugins. These are all premium plugins and usually cost around $25 (£18.8). Users can customize fonts, colors, footer styles and opt to integrate with social media. Kalium is compatible with WPML and Multilingual Plugin. It has been translated into over 16 languages. It includes support for RTL languages such as Arabic, Hebrew and Persian. Users can customize their portfolio on the ‘Theme Option’s area. They can also choose some of the premade layouts. Users can select from over 100 portfolio types with options to align images, spacing and text options. Kalium is straight forward and easy to use. Newer users need not worry as no coding knowledge or experience is needed to start working on this theme. The theme is fully responsive and retina ready. It also comes fully documented making it simple to find the information you need to build your website. Users can purchase Kalium for $60(£49.5). This includes future updates and 6-months support. This can be extended to 12-months for an additional $18 (£14.8).
Portfolio Portfolio is designed by ‘MyThemeShop’. It is a multipurpose portfolio theme. Users can use the options panel to customize their theme, make their own code edits, or design edits using the Photoshop PSD files. These are included in the extended plan. Users can utilize the advanced portfolio filters to organize their work the way they see fit. Users can also show as little or as much of their work as they want by controlling how many columns of images are displayed. You can also edit image sizes. Portfolio comes with more than 600 Google Fonts. Social media integration is also included. There are unlimited color, background and sidebars options. Users can also customize widgets for their page. The theme is translation ready and supports RTL. The main source of support is through the theme’s forum. If an answer can’t be found, email support is also available. Portfolio can be purchased for $45 (£34.23) ($35 at the time of writing, due to a sale) and is SEO ready, speed optimized and responsive. The company also offer a 30-day money back guarantee.
Furion Furion is a portfolio theme which will display your work with a stylish twist. The theme includes several different portfolio layouts. These include grid and masonry with different column choices along with six hover animation styles. Each item on your chosen page includes 6 layouts, options to display gallery images in a slider, a media gallery and sticky information. Furion uses over 600 icons in Font Awesome along with the latest Google Fonts. The theme is also fully compatible with plugins such as Yoast which will help boost your SEO Support is available through a ticket system along with full documentation. Furion is also fully responsive so it will look just as good on your tablet or smartphone as it does on your desktop. Users can build responsive pages with no need for coding with Visual Composer. Furion is fully integrated with Slider Revolution. This means users with no experience will be able to create beautiful presentations. Users can purchase a regular license for $33 (£24.8) which includes future updates and 6-months support. This can be extended to 12-months support for a further $7.88 (£5.9). Online commentators have noted that support can be slow to respond to tickets.
Collective Collective is best suited for graphic designers, architects, photographers, interior designers and web designers. There are many homepage designs available. Most of these can be viewed in fullscreen and include descriptive overlay and vertical sliders. Users can customize their forms with Contact Form 7. There is a collection of four sets of icons with over 2000 available to users. Collective is fully responsive and translation ready. It is also fully compatible with WooCommerce. Widgets can be used on sidebars, footers and through WooCommerce. Users can customize their page with the page builder included with the theme. There are four demos and over 12 layouts available. Users can access page templates and a huge variety of portfolio layouts. Users can purchase Collective for $35 (£27) which includes future updates and 6 months support. Support can be extended to 12-months for a further $8.63 (£6.65). There’s also a live demo. Top Image Credit: Collective
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Watchmen HBO TV series release date, trailers, cast, and characters Posted: 21 Oct 2019 08:04 AM PDT When the new Watchmen TV series on HBO started getting chatter back in 2015, many fans of the iconic graphic novel, or Zak Snyder’s 2009 film adaptation, will have wondered if this incoming TV series is just a retread of what we’ve seen before. So far, though, the evidence points towards the HBO show being quite a radical handling of the Watchmen universe. UPDATE: Watchmen has landed! The TV show premiered on HBO on October 20, and is now set for a weekly release schedule. You can check out our Watchmen episode one guide, or find out more about the Watchmen TV series trailers, cast, characters and more below. Watchmen was originally released as a comic mini series, eventually collated together into the graphic novel you’ll still find in countless bestseller lists, as well as Time’s 100 Best Books of All Time. Created by comic book artists Alan Moore (V for Vendetta, The Killing Joke) and Dave Gibbons (2000 AD), it’s no surprise to see HBO wanting to riff on the story of Watchmen for the small screen. The nine-episode Watchmen TV series, however, will actually take place 34 years after the end of the comic series, in an alternate 2019 America that swaps out modern conveniences like the internet or smartphones for a culture of masked, vigilante justice. The Watchmen TV series is being produced by Warner Bros and DC Entertainment, and broadcast by HBO – which will likely want the show to prop up viewer numbers before the Game of Thrones Prequel lands in 2020 (along with the entire Studio Ghibli catalogue). Screenwriter and producer Damon Lidelof (Lost, Prometheus, The Leftovers) has created the TV series. With the Watchmen TV show screening on October 20 through HBO – and the day after for some other providers – we've brought together everything you need to know about the Watchmen release date, trailers, cast and characters below.
Cut to the chase
Watchmen HBO TV series trailersThere's now a host of trailer content to feast your eyes on ahead of the Watchmen TV show's release in October. Now that the show has aired its first episode, there's also a season trailer that shows off some new faces and events set to hit the Watchmen TV series – and is that the blue hand of Dr Manhattan we see? The last trailer before that showed off Regina King in full mask getup, navigating the thorny situation she finds herself in, with a brief glimpse of some old characters too – or at least their vehicles. With what looks like a militia group inspired by the legacy of Rorshach (an iconic anti-hero from the Watchmen comics), and police forces taking to wearing masks as well, the scene is set for a lot of action – and some difficult questions about police brutality and the means by which citizens seek justice. Who will watch the Watchmen? Who indeed. It comes a week after a 'featurette' with commentary by show creator Damon Lindelof on footage from the show, for more of a behind-the-scenes perspective on the incoming Watchmen series. We got our first good look in a Watchmen TV show teaser back in May 2019, which you can see below. Watchmen HBO TV series release dateThe Watchmen TV show is releasing on October 20 in the US, with a 9pm EST air date. Viewers in the UK and Australia will get the show the following evening, October 21 – 9pm in the UK, and 12pm in Australia. The date was somewhat leaked early by the Instagram fan account hbo.watchmen, which spotted an interview with Lindelof in the magazine TV Guide's Fall Preview, with what looks like an October 20 release date printed in the pages. Originally there had simply been a "Fall 2019 release window.
Some new faces (masks?) look set to appear alongside canonical characters How many episodes will the Watchmen TV series have?Season one of the Watchmen TV series will have nine episodes, with each episode dropping on a weekly basis. Given the series starts on October 20, the series is likely to finish before 2019 is out. In an interview with Deadline, show creator Damon Lindelof stressed that the story was created to tell a one-season story and that no renewals or follow ups were currently planned: "We designed these nine episodes to be as self-contained as the original 12 issues. We wanted to feel like there was a sense of completeness, to resolve the essential mystery at hand." Lindelof distanced Watchmen from the the notorious cliffhanger endings to the six-season run of Lost, while adding that there was "potential promise for the further exploration of the world." Where can I watch the Watchmen TV show?The Watchmen TV series will be landing exclusively on HBO in the US, with UK viewers being able to watch on Channel 4 / the All 4 on-demand TV streaming service. In Australia, viewers will be able to access the show through Foxtel.
Rorschah's mask will be on show, despite the character who originally wore it being long gone Watchmen TV show cast and charactersWho will play the Watchmen? There’s some big talent lined up to appear in the show, including Academy Award winner Regina King (If Beale Street Could Talk), and British actor Jeremy Irons (lots of things, but also the original voice of Scar in the 1994 The Lion King). Other cast members include Tim Blake Nelson (O Brother, Where Art Thou?), Frances Fisher (Titanic, Fargo), Hong Chau (Downsizing), and Yahya Abdul-Mateen (from the Black Mirror episode Striking Vipers). Given the jump in time from the graphic novel’s setting, it looks like we’ll be getting a lot of original characters. Only three canonical figures have been confirmed for the series, including the Silk Spectre, the blue Doctor Manhattan (who appears briefly in the trailer), and ‘smartest man in the world’ Adrian Veidt (also known as Ozymandias) who we know is being played by Jeremy Irons, despite attempts to keep it somewhat under wraps. Watchmen favorites seen in the film, like Night-Owl, Rorshach, and The Comedian aren't expected to appear, at least not without some liberal changes to the Watchmen timeline.
Jeremy Irons sits down with some innocuous cake How is the Watchman HBO series different to the comics?Show creator Damon Lindelof cleared up some confusion in an Instagram post, where he clarified that the source material would be “remixed” rather than retread. It’s an original story, then, and – unlike the 2009 film adaptation – one that will take place over 30 years after the events of the graphic novel, meaning there will likely be a lot of artistic license to spin something new. Touching on Alan Moor’e explicit disapproval of Watchmen being repeatedly adapted (which is only possible given DC and Warner Bros. retaining the rights to the characters), Lindelof also apologizes to fans while laying out his personal connection to the story and why he felt “compelled” to take on the TV series anyway. It’s very much worth a read. In the hbo.watchmen post that found the October 20 release date, there are a number of comments from the interview that caught our attention – including Ozymandias having some surprises in store, and some "weird" things for old fans or those coming to Watchmen for the first time. Even that "giant alien squid" – one of the weirder moments from the graphic novel – gets a shout out. These claims should be taken with a pinch of salt for now – given we don't have screengrabs of the actual magazine – but the Watchmen TV show is shaping up to be a curious addition to HBO's programming. So, can we expect more than the nine episodes currently coming to your screens? In the eternal words of Doctor Manhattan: “Nothing ends, Adrian. Nothing ever ends.”
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| All the Star Wars TV shows and movies coming to Disney Plus Posted: 21 Oct 2019 07:59 AM PDT Ever since Disney bought out Lucasfilm back in 2012, the Star Wars universe has got a lot bigger, expanding to include a new trilogy of films, various prequels and spin-offs from the original movies, and new licensed video games to boot. With the launch of the Disney Plus streaming service this November, though, those Star Wars TV shows and movies will finally all be in one place. Previously scattered across Disney Life, Netflix, and other rental and purchase services, Star Wars on Disney Plus looks set to give fans of Star Wars a centralized way to access a whole lot of content, not to mention the exclusive shows like The Mandalorian coming to the platform. With 4K / HDR support for all Disney Plus subscribers, the only thing stopping you from enjoying Star Wars movies and shows to the fullest will be whether you have a 4K TV capable of pushing those pixels to the max. So what Disney Plus Star Wars movies and TV shows can you actually expect? Here's the full list of everything announced.
Disney Plus Star Wars movies – and when they'll land on the serviceSo what Star Wars films will actually be on Disney Plus? There have been 11 live-action Star Wars movies to hit cinemas, including the prequel trilogy and latest films featuring Adam Driver, John Boyega, and Daisy Ridley. We expect every Star Wars movie to hit the service at some point, though not all of them will be on the service at launch – and there will no doubt be a few months between the theatrical release and new film landing on the service. Disney Plus will likely add and remove different titles from across its various brands every month, in order to keep us paying attention – though we have confirmation from Disney itself that every Star Wars movie so far will be on the service within the first year of Disney Plus. Release schedule: Star Wars Disney Plus movies
Disney Plus Star Wars TV shows – what and whenA lot of the hype around Disney Plus is regarding its slate of new and exclusive Star Wars TV shows. The first we'll be getting is The Mandalorian, fleshing out the background of the Mandalorian planet where jetpack-strapped bounty hunter Boba Fett (from the original films) stemmed from. With Taika Waititi voicing a droid companion, and Jungle Book's Jon Favreau directing, we're sure we're in for a good time – and it will be available on launch day, November 12. After that? The next slated Star Wars TV series will be a prequel show following Diego Luna's Cassian Andor, from 2016's Rogue One – and will see Alan Tudyk (Firefly, Wreck-It Ralph) reprising his role as the sarcastic droid K-2SO. We found out at the D23 Disney Expo that the show was scheduled for release in 2021, and more recently that Rogue One writer Tony Gilroy will be attached to the series (via GameSpot). An Obi-Wan Kenobi TV series featuring Ewan McGregor is also schedules to start filming in 2020, meaning we could see it land as soon as 2021, or shortly after. Of course, these won't be the first Star Wars TV shows in the galaxy. The seventh season of the animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars show – which ended its sixth season back in 2014 – will land on Disney Plus in February with 12 new episodes. Naturally season 1-6 will be available from launch, as will all four seasons of the animated Star Wars: Rebels too. Release schedule: Star Wars Disney Plus TV series
Star Wars shows and movies far, far awayWhile Disney Plus already has a packed roadmap ahead, you can be sure it's only the surface of what Disney has for the streaming service – even if details beyond the next year or so are still scarce. We know that Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige is bringing his talents to the Star Wars universe (via Gizmodo), and that The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson – despite making the most divisive of the recent Star Wars films – will still be heading up a new cinematic trilogy after the nine-movie Skywalker saga is complete. Rumors of a Solo: A Star Wars Story sequel seem to have been quashed by a disappointing box office performance for the film, but with so many new Star Wars properties coming out – not least the Disney Plus exclusive TV shows on their way – there are still plenty of avenues, characters, and galaxies to explore. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| You are subscribed to email updates from TechRadar - All the latest technology news. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States | |
No comments:
Post a Comment