Sunday, October 13, 2019

Apple : Prepare for Black Friday 2019 deals by following these useful Twitter accounts

Apple : Prepare for Black Friday 2019 deals by following these useful Twitter accounts


Prepare for Black Friday 2019 deals by following these useful Twitter accounts

Posted: 13 Oct 2019 08:00 AM PDT

You know you're in the lead-up to Black Friday 2019 when you hold off on buying a product, thinking 'I'll wait to see if there's a Black Friday deal on it' – that time is now, and it's worth getting ready for the deals bonanza.

So how do you prepare for Black Friday? There are loads of steps you can take to make sure you get the most out of the savings season, and one of these is by making sure you know where to look.

That means you shouldn't just turn on your computer come the price-cut period, and hope to find all the best deals straight away – either you need to know where to look, or have someone looking for you. That's where social media comes in. 

Using the power of Twitter, you can easily keep a list of all the important sources, and then skim them for best Black Friday deals. In this guide, we'll show you just how to do that, as well as suggest the best accounts to follow.

How to make a Black Friday Twitter list

The best way to keep your Black Friday 2019 deals social accounts all in one place, in an easy-to-digest format, is by making a list that lets you check them all in one go.

Follow these easy steps to set up a Twitter list for all the Black Friday 2019 accounts you decide to follow.

  1. On the Twitter home page, click 'Lists' on the side
  2. Select 'Create a List' if you don't have any so far, or the 'Page+' icon in the top right if you do.
  3. Give the list a name. We'd recommend 'Black Friday 2019', but it's up to you. You can also give the list a description if you want.

Twitter

Now you've got your Black Friday 2019 deals list, go forth and add all the accounts you've found that will tweet out deals. After you've added them, you can view your feed by clicking on this list in the Lists menu.

But if you need help adding Twitter accounts to your Black Friday list, here's how you do that:

  1. Find the account you'll want to follow. We'll give you some suggestions later on.
  2. On the profile, don't click follow. Instead, select the three dots next to the follow button.
  3. Click on the first option, 'Add/remove from list', to bring up a list of all your lists.
  4. Select the list you want to add it to – presumably your Black Friday 2019 list.

Great! Now you're prepared for Black Friday 2019 with your account-packed Twitter list ready. But just in case you want some pointers, we'll run you through some of the useful social media accounts to follow during the Black Friday/Cyber Monday season.

The best Black Friday 2019 Twitter pages to follow

These are all the social media accounts it's worth following in the run-up to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, to have all the best deals content all in one place.

TechRadar and TechRadar Deals

Of course your first stop for Black Friday 2019 should be TechRadar (and we're definitely not biased!).

We'll be working around the clock hunting down all the best Black Friday deals, scouring the various retailers and shops to see where you can save your money best, and you can trust us to be honest about the good – and not so good – deals.

You can follow the main TechRadar account at @techradar, and our deals account at @TRdeals.

Hotukdeals

Hotukdeals is a useful website where people post the best deals they've found in various UK shops and online stores, and it becomes especially useful come Black Friday.

You can expect the Hotukdeals Twitter page to point out the best of its user-submitted deals – however the account only posts 'super hot deals', the most popular discounts, so you'll have to act fast to catch them.

You can follow Hotukdeals at @hotukdeals.

John Lewis

One of the leading retailers come Black Friday is John Lewis – not only does it provide great savings on a range of products, but it offers its signature long warranties on whatever you buy, too.

In fact, John Lewis is such an important retailer on Black Friday deals that we've got a specific Black Friday John Lewis page that you can check out, and we'll be updating it regularly over the sales period. But you can also follow their Twitter for the best deals too.

You can follow John Lewis at @JLandpartners (unless you want to follow the man named John Lewis, regularly confused with the shop on Twitter, but we wouldn't recommend that for good Black Friday deals).

Argos

Argos is a great shop year-round for affordable tech and other products, but it always outdoes itself on Black Friday too with plenty of great savings. On top of that, it has useful policies on free returns and the Argos card that lets you pay for your purchase gradually.

Like with John Lewis, we've got an Argos Black Friday page that we'll keep updated with all the best discounts that Argos comes up with, but it's also worth following the shop on Twitter.

You can follow Argos at @Argos_online.

Currys

Currys is a pretty prolific Black Friday deals source, with the shop always performing well with its Black Tag event that starts the week before Black Friday. On top of that, the Currys price promise means it won't be beaten on prices, even for Black Friday discounts.

You can find out more about that by heading to our Currys Black Friday homepage, where we'll be logging all the best discounts you can find at the retailer. Look out especially for laptops and computers – the shop isn't known as Currys PC World for no reason!

You can follow Currys on Twitter at @curryspcworld.

Amazon

While Amazon had its time in the sun with Amazon Prime Day 2019, it'll likely have a great showing at Black Friday 2019 too, and we'll probably see discounts on some of its newer products as well as other products on its platform.

Make sure to keep an eye on our Amazon Black Friday roundup to track what's cheap – we've already listed which Amazon products we're expecting to see reduced, and there will inevitably be loads of other items you can get for cheap from the online giant.

You can follow Amazon at @Amazon, although it might be a better idea to follow Amazon UK at @AmazonUK.

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A smarter SUV: Nissan’s new Juke gets serious with its tech spec

Posted: 13 Oct 2019 08:00 AM PDT

Nissan is keeping things nice and simple with the brand new Juke. There are just two model variants, both sharing what seems like a tiny engine for the size of the car. You can buy it with the one-liter DiG-T 117 horsepower six-speed manual gearbox or plump for a DCT automatic model with the same three-cylinder engine. That’s it. (Note that sadly the Juke is no longer available in the US.)

While the trim options are many and varied, the refreshingly straightforward powertrain options are welcome. You still get to give your Juke a bit of zing with those interior choices though thanks to Visia, Acenta, N-Connecta and Tekna packages to choose from. There are also eleven new exterior colours and two-tone paint comes as standard. Sign up for a Tekna+ model and you’ll get chunky 19-inch alloys into the bargain.

Considering its size – it’s a smidgen longer than the outgoing model – the new Nissan Juke looks like it has the potential to be underpowered. But, while it’s only got that 999cc three-cylinder turbocharged engine, it’s much better than you might think. Way better than the older bigger-engined car in fact. We got to try our premium specification model Juke on city streets and mountain roads and, generally, it was pretty punchy.

Pleasingly agile

The handling feels pleasingly agile as you wend your way through busy city streets with our automatic edition having the benefit of Nissan’s ProPilot driving assist. That doesn't come with the manual incidentally. Hit the highway though, and you notice the steering become heavier when Sport mode is selected, done via a button down by the shifter. The automatic model we drove also featured the big 19-inch alloys too, which delivered an even loftier view from the accommodating interior.

Heading up steep and tortuously winding mountain roads was interesting, in a good way. If you switch the automatic gearbox to flappy paddle mode the Juke struggles a bit with all the activity as you flick through the numbers. Once you get the hang of it though the automatic is quite a lot of fun.

And, naturally, in full auto mode the driving experience is simplicity itself. That turbo delivers some extra puff when needed too, especially when you want to get past a rather more sedate fellow motorist.

Meanwhile, there’s quite a lot to like on the inside of the Juke, with a snazzy interior that features lots of quality materials, particularly in the premium Tekna+ offering. Ours had very lively Energy Orange accents on the dashboard, door panels and armrest, which we got to like the more we drove the car.

The ambient lighting around the gear lever looks good too. There are other cool styling touches, with an arrangement of bulbous vents proving irresistible to the touch. The front seats are also a very nice part of the package with our model feeling super comfy and all-enveloping. A leather steering wheel tops it off. 


Tech upgrade

But it’s the tech aspect that has been also been upgraded with Juke two. Opt for the higher-specification if you can and get the eight-speaker Bose Personal Plus audio system, which is standard from the Tekna model upwards.

Our car had it and the sound was decidedly muscular with two sets of Bose ultra-nearfield speakers incorporated into the front seat headrests. You can access controls for these via the seven-inch infotainment screen and, along with boosting bass and treble, it’s possible to make them deliver 360-degree hi-fi to everyone inside the car.

The infotainment system is also very decent. There’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto plus TomTom Maps and LiveTraffic. Nissan says that early in 2020 the Juke will also feature in-car Wi-Fi.

As is the norm, there’s also a supporting app that lets you keep tabs on your pride and joy, as well as being able to track your journey history and so on. 

However, it’s worth noting that while a base level Visia model starts at £17,395 (about $22,000, AU$32,000) you’ll pay over £25,000 (about $32,000, AU$47,000) for the bells and whistles Tekna+ or Premiere Edition cars. And, as a result, there are compromises on the lower-end editions, including the fact that Visia and Acenta models only get a 4.2-inch TFT as opposed to the seven-inch screen in the pricier cars. If you like lots of screen real estate you’ll need to pay extra for it.

Smart assistance

Nissan has packed lots of safety functionality into the new Juke too, with the likes of intelligent emergency braking featuring pedestrian and cyclist recognition proving handy around town.

We found it quite keen to get involved on our model, even when there wasn’t anything to get too worried about. Nevertheless, it’s a valuable commodity to have on tap. Intelligent lane intervention and warnings are similarly useful if you enjoy the feeling of a bit smart assistance while you drive down the motorway.

Models with the better Tekna specification get additional tech treats, including intelligent cruise control, the aforementioned ProPilot on the automatic along with blind spot intervention, rear cross-traffic alert and the rather good Around View Monitor that delivers universal views of your Juke thanks to a 360-degree camera, plus more besides.

We should just mention the trunk because thanks to some deft restyling, which splits the taillights, there’s a wider opening. That means you get 422 litres of space to play with and easier loading. It’s impressive. The rear seats feel a little bit roomier, with some fine-tuning allowing greater headroom and definitely more space for those with long legs. All in all, and including the extra trimmings, the Juke feels like a solid package.

There won’t, unsurprisingly, be a diesel but the new manual Nissan Juke delivers around 45-47mpg, which is respectable though you’ll doubtless get less with the auto version. There’s every reason to feel that it could do at least as well as the original goofball Juke and, perhaps, even better. Not bad for an original idea that’s been around for a decade or so and got the ball rolling for the whole supermini crossover brigade.

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

Google Pixel 4 release date, price, news and leaks

Posted: 13 Oct 2019 07:37 AM PDT

The Google Pixel 4 is launching in a matter of days, but with the colossal amount of leaks and rumors revealing nearly every inch of the upcoming smartphone, we won't be surprised by much when the phone is unveiled on October 15.

To be fair - and probably to get ahead of the already plentiful leaks - Google itself showed off cropped shots of the phone earlier this year. But that did little to stop the flood of rumors and early looks at the device.

Or devices plural, since we're anticipating more than the usual pair of Google Pixel 4 and Google Pixel 4 XL: we could see a Google Pixel 4 XL 5G, too. There are reasons the search giant would want to introduce its own 5G phone, and while the company could just wait for the next-gen networks to mature before introducing its own device, there's more evidence Google will have at least something to show.

In sum, we don't know exactly how many devices will launch - we're also hearing about a possible Google Pixel Watch and a notebook - but we do know the release date: October 15 thanks to Google's official announcement. The end of the year is 'big phones launch season', and with the iPhone 11 and the Huawei Mate 30 Pro already unveiled, Google wants to finish it off.

Latest leak: another report claims that Google will unveil a Google Pixel 4 5G alongside its normal versions - not to be released anytime soon, but at least revealed to the public. Plus, images Google was planning to show off the Pixel 4 camera capabilities have been leaked in advance of the presentation, which hint at which new features the smartphone will bring to the photography world, including astrophotography, macro shots, night mode and more.

Since its launch in 2016, the Pixel line has been a reliable tent-pole in the smartphone release calendar later in the year. Offering a suite of features with an almost unmatched level of software polish, and packing the most impressive camera tech on the market, the handsets have done a lot to earn the adoration of the tech community at large.

That's not to say the competition is resting, and Google in 2019 really needs to keep on its feet if the Pixel line is to meet expectations with its next big version. Could it reach the top of our list of the best Android phones, or best camera phones as the Pixel 3 did before it? Only time will tell.

Read on for the most up-to-date list of rumors regarding its design and pricing, and a full breakdown of what we’d like to see feature-wise from Google's upcoming pocket rocket.

Cut to the chase

  • What is it? The next photo and AI powerhouse from Google
  • When is it out? October 15, 2019
  • What will it cost? Possibly close to $1,000/£1,000

Google Pixel 4 price and release date

For years now, Google has opted to release its Pixel lineup in the latter half of the year, after the usual roller coaster of smartphone releases from the first half have died down.

Google has officially announced when the Pixel 4 will be unveiled: October 15. It's likely that Google will take the opportunity to launch a few other hardware devices at the same time - which could include the long-rumored but still insubstantial Pixel Watch. Hope remains.

Four new Google phone models have been listed by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission), which is something we'd expect to happen close to launch, providing more evidence for more Pixel 4 phones.

Following the announcement, it's likely that the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL release date will be in early November, if past years are anything to go by.

In terms of the Google Pixel 4 price, the cost of Pixel handsets have been climbing for years now. 

With the extra features now included and the general emphasis on a premium fit and finish, the Pixel 4 - or at least the XL model - could be the first of the line to break the $1,000/£1,000/AU$1,500 mark.

We'll probably also see multiple different storage capacities offered at different prices. 

Indeed, a store listing puts the Google Pixel 4 at €825.33 (roughly $905 / £730 / AU$1,340) for a 64GB model and €947.10 (around $1,040 / £835 / AU$1,540) for a 128GB one, while it states that the Pixel 4 XL is €1,015.98 (around $1,115 / £900 / AU$1,650) for a 64GB model and €1,132.83 (roughly $1,245 / £1,000 / AU$1,840) for a 128GB one.

We would however take these prices with a pinch of salt - they might be wrong, and even if they're not it won't be an exact conversion for other regions.

The most recent leak we've seen from Best Buy in the US puts the starting price of the Pixel 4 XL at $999.99 – in other words, slightly higher than the prices for the XL models last year.

There's also multiple reports - the latest of which coming a week before the event - alleging that a 5G version of the Google Pixel 4 will be shown off on launch day. We have no idea if this model will look or operate any differently, as every phonemaker is taking a different approach with their 5G-supporting editions. One thing we can assume with some certainty: it will be more expensive.

We're also hearing that special offers might be included with your purchase: everything from free Google One cloud storage space to a free HP Chromebook.

More information will arrive closer to the launch, so watch this space.

Google Pixel 4 leaks and rumors

We've heard a few leaks and rumors about the upcoming Pixel 4 smartphone, so we've collected them below so you can find out what we know.

Google Pixel 4 design

We know what the Google Pixel 4 will look like (on the back at least), thanks to Google itself posting a tweet with a picture of its upcoming handset.

It confirms that the Google Pixel 4 design will feature a large, square camera bump on the rear - which we'd seen in multiple rumors before Google posted its tweet.

On closer inspection, it appears the bump houses two cameras - which would be a first for the Pixel line of phones, which have stuck to just a single rear snapper to date - along with a camera flash below them (with a sensor to its right) and another sensor at the top of the square.

Another key point we can glean from the official Google Pixel 4 image is the lack of a fingerprint scanner. Every Pixel handset to date has had a rear fingerprint scanner, which points towards the Google Pixel 4 coming with an in-display scanner.

The Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL may not have fingerprint scanners at all though, if Google opts to go all-in on face, retina or voice recognition instead, as has also been rumored.

While the front design isn't totally clear, it's also rumored that the Pixel 4 range might have a full bezel at the top, rather than a notch or punch-hole.

You can see a close look at the likely bezel (along with the square camera block) in the leaked photos below.

That full bezel is a claim that someone else who seemingly snapped a Pixel 4 in the wild also makes (though the front isn't visible in the photo). It's also an idea that Google itself has virtually confirmed, so this looks likely.

And yet more people have seemingly photographed the phone, with another source catching the front, complete with that top bezel but seemingly almost no bottom bezel.

Better yet, what appears to be the Google Pixel 4 XL has also been caught on video, as you can see below.

The phone is shown from all angles, highlighting the top bezel, the lack of a 3.5mm headphone port, and the glass back that's all one color, rather than two-tone as we saw on past Pixel handsets. This single-hue, single-finish rear is supported by another release by noted leaker @evleaks showing the front and back of an alleged Pixel 4. 

We've also seen leaked renders of the Pixel 4 XL, giving us a close look at the possible bezel.

We've since also seen the Google Pixel 4 XL in more videos and live photos and they all match the design above - so this is looking very likely to be accurate.

You can see what's apparently the Pixel 4 XL in a real photo below, the source of which said it has a matte finish on both the frame and glass back.

Another Google Pixel 4 XL leak with case renders supports this top-bezel design and gives more angles to see the phone's potential design. Sadly, if this render is true, there's no return of the 3.5mm audio jack that we surprisingly saw in the Google Pixel 3a.  

Whatever design the phone has, it might come in some new colors, as a mint green shade has leaked alongside the expected black and white models. We've also seen images showing off a new coral color (or is it orange?), which has now appeared on a billboard as you can see below, as well as in a leaked render (also below).

We also have an idea of what this shade will be called, with multiple sources pointing to the name 'Oh So Orange' - and saying that it will be joined by the existing 'Just Black' and 'Clearly White' shades.

Google Pixel 4 camera

We've got some big clues as to the Google Pixel 4 camera capabilities, in the form of actual samples from the smartphone. These were leaked in advance of the Pixel 4 launch event, and show what the snapper is capable of.

Shots include astrophotography (that shows the night sky in clear detail, including stars and the milky way), macro snaps (focused pictures of small, close objects), bright night and low-light shots, and a mode for action pictures that don't look horribly blurry.

The snaps don't confirm what the smartphone's new lens is, but it could be a macro lens judging by the quality close-up shots.

A site claims to have got hold of a Pixel 4 unit early, and suggests that it has a very good camera - outperforming the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus in their tests, with more natural but less vibrant colors. They added though that it struggled to focus on close up shots.

Leaked Pixel 4 XL images meanwhile a dual-lens camera on the front, and a triple-lens camera on the back. We don't know for sure what specs the camera will have yet, but rumors suggest it will include a 16MP telephoto lens and improved color capture.

Elsewhere we've heard that the Pixel 4 could have both a 12MP main lens and a 16MP telephoto one, as well as a "DSLR-like attachment."

There's also a chance that the Pixel 4 could have an improved zoom, possibly offering up to 20x zoom. We're basing this theory on a zoomed-in photo posted on Instagram by Claude Zellweger (Google's design director), in which he says "20x zoom #Pixel" in a reply to a comment.

However, in another comment he clarifies that the shot was taken on a Google Pixel 3a using a mix of zooming and cropping. So it doesn't sound like this is a new feature, but it could be hinting at one. We're not convinced, but you never know.

Other rumors point to an 8x zoom, though it's not clear whether or not that's all going to be optical. There's also talk of a new Motion Mode to help you take the best action shots without blur, and an improved night mode, one which a leaked marketing video further suggests.

And despite the images above, another leak, this time in the form of case renders, suggests the Pixel 4 might have a notch, one housing two cameras. The renders also show a big bezel below the screen housing a speaker, and the same square camera on the back as the leaks above.

There's also alternatively a chance the Pixel 4 might arrive toting the punch-hole design used by the Honor View 20 and then brought into the mainstream by the Samsung Galaxy S10 line.

At least, that's what an image for a screen protector seemingly designed for the phone shows, along with stereo speakers and virtually no bezel.

We've also similarly seen a leaked image below, supposedly showing the Google Pixel 4 XL with a dual-lens camera cut into the top right corner of the screen - although as we now know the rear design it suggests is incorrect, it pours cold water on the rest of the claims made here.

Google Pixel 4

Image Credit: SlashLeaks

Indeed, it's since been rumored that three Pixel 4 designs were in the works before Google settled on the one with the square camera block, so the images above may have once been in consideration.

The design that won out seemingly involves a full top bezel on the front, and just one selfie camera - at least in the base Pixel 4. In a seeming bid to get ahead of leaks, Google announced two new features, the hand gesture control Motion Sense and Face Unlock (detailed below). Both require a full suite of sensors located in the big top bezel, though that seemingly edged out the second selfie camera.

The phone could also introduce a 'raise to talk' feature that activates Google Assistant after you pick up the phone. It would honestly make it far easier to use than holding a button or unlocking the phone first, though we're not sure the feature will be ready for launch - and might come in a later update.

We've also seen what might be the Pixel 4's new and improved camera app, which sports an expanded photo-taking view, a horizon-leveling feature, and more.

Plus, there's been mention of a 'Pixel Neural Core', suggesting that neural networks will play a big role in photo processing.

Google Pixel 4 display

In screen news, the latest leak suggests that the Pixel 4 XL will have a 6.23-inch 1440 x 3040 screen with 540 pixels per inch and a 19:9 aspect ratio. That would make it marginally smaller and sharper than the Pixel 3 XL.

Previously we've heard that the Pixel 4 could have a 5.6-5.8-inch screen, while the Pixel 4 XL could have a 6.2-6.4-inch one (compared to the 5.5-inch Pixel 3 and 6.3-inch Pixel 3 XL).

That same source says the Pixel 4 will be roughly 147.0 x 68.9 x 8.2mm (or 9.3mm thick including the rear camera bump), and the Google Pixel 4 XL will be around 160.4 x 75.2 x 8.2mm (rising to 9.3mm at the camera bump).

Another source claims that the Pixel 4 will have a 5.7-inch screen and the Pixel 4 XL will have a 6.3-inch one. That matches the leak above, but this source adds that the phones will have a 90Hz refresh rate, allowing for smoother scrolling than most handsets. This would apparently be marketed as 'Smooth Display' and it's a feature we've heard about more than once.

Google Pixel 4 specs

We've seen a Geekbench benchmark possibly for the Google Pixel 4. It lists a top-end Snapdragon 855 chipset, along with 6GB of RAM - up from 4GB in the Pixel 3 range. It also, unsurprisingly, lists the phones as running Android Q.

The benchmark includes a single-core score of 3,296 and a multi-core one of 9,235, which are solid but unexceptional results for a top-end phone. Of course, this would be pre-release hardware and software, so results at launch might be better.

We've heard from multiple sources, in fact, that the Pixel 4 could launch with 6GB RAM. So far all the Pixel phones have had 4GB RAM, so this would be a long-overdue step up in terms of processing power.

Another source has pointed to the same specs, along with 64GB or 128GB of storage, and a 2,800mAh battery for the standard model and a 3,700mAh one for the Pixel 4 XL. Elsewhere we've also seen the Snapdragon 855 mentioned.

Google Pixel 3a XL

However, there might be a model that comes with as much as 8GB of RAM - along with 5G, as exactly that has also appeared on a benchmark.

Elsewhere, we've seen evidence that there could be a third Pixel 4 model, which could be the Google Pixel 4 XL 5G benchmarked above, though there's an outside chance that it could be a Pixel 4a or something else.

In more unusual news we've heard that the Google Pixel 4 might have capacitive buttons rather than mechanical, clickable ones - however the image Google has shared appears to go against this, with raised buttons on the side of the handset suggesting mechanical ones.

It's possible that this change would be made to allow Active Edge (the ability to launch Google Assistant by squeezing the frame, as found on previous Pixels) to work along the full length of the phone's frame, and it could also help improve the design of the phone. Though notably image leaks still show physical buttons, so take this with a pinch of salt.

The same source added that the Pixel 4 will have front-facing speakers and a punch-hole camera.

Finally, code added to the open source foundation of Android suggests that the Google Pixel 4 might have improved dual-SIM support, letting you use both a normal SIM and an eSIM at the same time.

Throughout the year more leaks will continue to arrive, so keep checking back here for all of the latest developments.

Google Pixel 4 Motion Sense

In an apparent bid to get ahead of leaks, Google itself revealed two big features coming to the Pixel 4, one of which is a type of hand gesture control called Motion Sense.

Motion Sense uses the Google Pixel 4's whole new suite of sensors alongside its front-facing camera - specifically Soli, a motion-sensing radar concept - to track hand gestures for theoretically easy, no-touch controls. Ostensibly, these will be used to perform simple actions like skipping music tracks and swapping apps.

Indeed, leaked promo videos have shown a hand swipe above the screen being used to turn off an alarm, silence an incoming call and skip to the next song.

However, it seems Motion Sense won't work everywhere, with an early store listing stating that it will work in the US, Canada, Singapore, Australia, Taiwan, and most European countries (likely including the UK), but not Japan.

Since then a list of 38 supported countries supposedly found in the Motion Sense app itself has been unearthed, and this list specifically includes the UK and the US but oddly doesn't include Australia, so right now we're not certain whether Australia will support the feature.

The reason you can't use it everywhere is that Google needs permission from many countries to enable the Project Soli radar technology that it requires.

It also initially won't work in all apps, with the same source as the country list above also finding a list of 9 initially supported apps, namely Amazon Music, Deezer, Google Play Music, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Spotify, Spotify Stations, YouTube Music and YouTube.

Google Pixel 4 features

The arrival of the Pixel 4 could well coincide with a major update to Google Assistant: a 'raise to talk' feature is one upgrade we've heard is in the pipeline. We've also heard rumors that Google Assistant on the Pixel 4 might be able to take over when you're placed on hold on a call, then alert you once a human answers.

Another Assistant upgrade looks to be coming in the form of 'Continued Conversations', a feature shown off in leaked videos, which allows you to ask it follow-up queries without saying "Okay, Google" again. This feature also allows it to remember context, so it will know if your follow-up relates to the previous thing you asked.

Face Unlock has also been confirmed by Google and seems to do what it says - though achieved through multiple sensors, including a dot projector, IR camera, and flood illuminator.

For the privacy-concerned, Google assured in its blog post that all processing would be done on the Pixel 4 and no images or recognition data would be shared through its services.

A site meanwhile claims to have used the feature and says that it works quickly and reliably, even in low light. It adds that there's apparently no fingerprint scanner.

Another feature we're expecting to see in the Google Pixel 4 is close integration with Google Stadia, Google's upcoming cloud gaming service. Google has already announced that the service will work on all its smartphones from the Pixel 3 onwards, so the Pixel 4 is definitely included, and we could definitely see certain features that make it a great mobile platform to game on.

What we want to see

Not much is known for sure yet (leaks could be wrong, after all) about the Google Pixel 4, but we know what we’d like to see - our suggestions can be found below.

1. Multiple rear cameras

Since the beginnings of the Pixel line back in 2016, Google has not only defined what is possible with a single camera sensor, but for smartphone cameras overall.

With tricks such as super-res zoom, night shot and more, the Pixel 3 in particular outcmatched the likes of Huawei, Apple and Samsung in 2018, all seemingly without breaking a sweat. The competition isn't resting on its laurels however, with the Huawei P30 Pro in particular turning up the heat.

We wouldn't be surprised if a left-field, potentially game-changing software feature is added to the Pixel 4, but to really exceed expectations a second, third or even fourth sensor on the rear would give it an edge. 

Ultra-wide-angle, telephoto zoom, monochrome, there are lots of options, so we would like Google to experiment with the options available to it - the results could be spectacular.

2. No notch

Google Pixel 4

The Google Pixel 3 XL. Image Credit: TechRadar

To anyone watching smartphone design evolve, 2018 was the year of the notch. No matter the size of the display, every manufacturer followed the trend set most strongly by the Apple iPhone X with a slew of copycat efforts.

Google's Pixel 3 XL is a particularly infamous example of egregious notch design, as it's larger than most.

We would like to see the firm completely avoid the notch this year, without resorting to the large bezels of the standard Pixel 3, either by using a pinhole camera in the display or with a sliding mechanism.

3. More RAM

Despite generally providing a solid software experience for those using it, the Google Pixel 3 line wasn't without controversy, particularly with regards to RAM management.

Many users reported that in the first weeks of use, the camera app in particular used up so much available memory that any other apps then open would be force-closed.

In a budget phone with only a smattering of RAM available, this might have been forgivable, but for a flagship it certainly is not. For the Pixel 4 we would like to see at least 6GB of RAM, along with a suitably powerful chipset - hopefully this then will remove any accusations of poor performance.

4. Stereo speakers

The humble stereo speaker, usually front-facing, has faced an odd existence. Although popular with fans on any handset graced with their presence, they tend to be the first victim of space-saving measures.

Case in point, 2019 has seen the elimination of the feature from many popular handsets, with it sometimes being replaced by a speaker underneath the display.

But for the quality of audio offered, and the improved listening experience, we would like to see stereo speakers remain on the Pixel 4 as they did on the Pixel 3 - standing out from the competition in all the right ways.

5. Longer battery life

Packing in huge batteries has become the done thing for most flagships in 2019. Nearly all sport packs the size of which would have been unheard of only a few years ago.

Google though - claiming improved efficiencies with each passing year - has so far not massively improved the size of the battery packs included with its devices.

And although early signs are promising that the new Snapdragon 855 is significantly more efficient than its predecessor, the Snapdragon 845, we would like to see Google go the whole hog.

We want to see a Pixel which can measure its life in days, rather than hours. Here’s hoping that Google can deliver on this.

6. Stadia-sized ambitions

Google Pixel 4

Image Credit: Google

Earlier in 2019, Google 'surprised’ the world with the announcement of its game-streaming platform ‘Stadia’, which utilizes compression technology in an attempt to make a service accessible to all.

It has been promised that the service will reach a plethora of devices, mobile, console or otherwise. The question of mobile is a little more complex however, for although expanding the service to all Android devices will likely be a future ambition, for the moment the word is that availability will be restricted solely to Pixel devices.

With this in-mind, we’d like to see Google take this concept as far as it can go - but what would this mean? In practice, what we want is improved focus on network performance (to combat potential latency issues) and, more importantly, a dedicated peripheral.

This would ideally be in line with what Xiaomi has helped to pioneer with its Black Shark gaming handsets - touch controls are not suited to complex control systems and a dedicated peripheral would help to bridge the gap.

7. More color options

In most settings, from the boardroom to the bedroom, black or white options are a solid choice for phones. They add a touch of class and don't stand out in a crowd.

The Pixel line certainly caters to this subset of the population, however in the past it has taken slightly wild strides, mostly notably the original 'Really Blue' model (which was indeed very blue). 

In the vein of this original, we'd like to see the Pixel 4 come in more than one slightly unconventional color, following the example set by the iPhone XR and the Samsung Galaxy S10e. Whether green, blue, yellow or whatever else, the new option needs to stand out from the similarly colorful opposition.

8. A sturdier construction

Google Pixel 4

The Google Pixel 3. Image Credit: TechRadar

The Pixel 3, in no uncertain terms, is a better constructed phone than its predecessor. Boasting tight lines and a glass rear, it has really been a match to the likes of the various iPhone models released in 2018.

No amount of truth twisting could lead to accusations of it being damage-proof however - quite the opposite in reality. The stone-like finish applied to the glass on the rear has shown the tendency to scratch easily, far more so than might have been expected. 

This meant that those shelling out hundreds for their shiny new Google devices found that it didn’t take long before they regretted not slapping a case on instantly.

As such, whether via an all-metal build or through something a little different (even a different kind of glass or treatment) we would like to see Google embrace a little utilitarianism into its design, creating something which anyone can use at any time, any day.

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Google Pixel 4 XL and Nest Mini prices leak out via retail sources

Posted: 13 Oct 2019 06:30 AM PDT

Make the most of these Google Pixel 4 leaks, because on Tuesday everything is going to be official – at which point it's going to be time to start getting the rumors rolling for whatever the Pixel 5 will be.

Our latest Pixel 4 rumor of the weekend concerns the starting price of the XL phone: $999.99 SIM-free if you're opting for the 64GB, according to an anonymous Best Buy employee speaking to 9to5Google.

That's $100 dearer than the 64GB Pixel 3 XL could be got for on launch day in the US – so we might be looking at prices slightly higher than the £869 and AU$1,349 figures for the Pixel 3 XL in the UK and Australia too.

As for the pricing of the standard Pixel 4, we could well be looking at a little bit less, possibly around the $900 mark for the 64GB model. These are going to be expensive phones, it seems like.

The same Best Buy source revealed pricing for the upcoming Nest Mini smart speaker too: that's going to come in at $49.99, which was the same prince of the Google Home Mini when it launched.

You'll be able to pick up the upgraded (or maybe just rebranded) smart speaker in four colors, apparently, with blue and red possibly among the choices.

A quick glance at Google's Instagram suggests red and blue may well be on the table for the Nest Mini and whatever else Google is unveiling on October 15. There are strong rumors that we'll see a Pixelbook Go as well as everything else.

We will of course bring you all the news as it breaks on Tuesday, but in the meantime, be prepared to pay a little bit more for the Pixel 4 phones than you did for the Pixel 3 ones.

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Best PC gaming headsets in the UAE 2019

Posted: 13 Oct 2019 05:58 AM PDT

Full immersion into a game requires more than just one of the best gaming PCs. It also requires great visuals and fantastic audio. And the best way to get great audio with a PC set up is through the best PC gaming headsets.

Whether it’s to hear over the fans blasting away inside your PC or the fact that gaming monitors usually come without speakers, you’ll want to look into a quality pair of cans. Maybe you want a little privacy or want to avoid waking the neighbors or roommates. Either way, quality audio is of the utmost importance for an immersive gaming experience and one of the best headsets is your best way to get there.

And for that immersion, to experience every detail inside the worlds of the best PC games, it’s not just about sound quality but also a good sound stage.  Whether you're playing Gears 5, reveling in the sounds of chainsaws and explosions or taking in the subtle atmosphere of Journey (it's on PC now!), the best PC gaming headsets can take your game to the next level. 

We’ve rounded up the best gaming headsets here, with special inclusion for TechRadar's PC Gaming Week 2019, and we even included our exclusive price comparison tool, so you know you're getting the best headset deal out there.

Best gaming headsets at a glance

  • 1. HyperX Cloud Revolver S
  • 2. SteelSeries Arctis Pro
  • 3. Astro A50 Wireless (2019)
  • 4. Beyerdynamic Custom Game
  • 5. Corsair HS50 Stereo Gaming Headset
  • 6. SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless
  • 7. Creative Sound BlasterX H7 Tournament Edition
  • 8. Logitech G Pro Gaming Headset
  • 9. Razer Nari Ultimate
  • 10. Astro A20
  • 11. Asus ROG Strix Fusion 700
  • 12. HyperX Cloud Flight
  • 13. Corsair HS70 Wireless Gaming Headset
  • 14. Corsair Void Pro RGB Wireless
  • 15. Turtle Beach Elite Pro Tournament

HyperX Cloud Revolver S

HyperX Cloud Revolver S

 When we first sat down to review the HyperX Cloud Revolver S, we were a bit divided. On one hand, it features fantastic 7.1-channel surround sound, delivered through Dolby's trademark digital signal processor. On the other, it's extremely pricey when compared to other similar headsets. Luckily, as one of Kingston's most subdued pair of cans we've ever seen (or heard), the pristine comfort and top-notch sound more than make up for its high price and oddly placed detachable mic.

Read the full review: HyperX Cloud Revolver S

SteelSeries Arctis Pro

SteelSeries Arctis Pro

If there’s anything you can count on SteelSeries for, it’s pristine audio – and the SteelSeries Arctis Pro is proof perfect of just that. Not only will this headset provide immersive surround sound for all the explosive action of your favorite games, but, thanks to its included DAC (digital to audio converter), the Arctis Pro will also serve you well while listening to music. It may be a little expensive, but when you consider just how comfortable and bombastic this headset is, well, it’s not hard to see why it’s one of the best gaming headsets you can buy today.

Read the full review: SteelSeries Arctis Pro 

Astro A50 Wireless (2019)

Astro A50 Wireless (2019)

For years, the Astro A50 has been one of the best gaming headsets, known for premium comfort and audio quality. And, the 2019 model improves it on almost every level. Not only is the sound quality still there in full, but it looks better, with a full-black design, rather than the clashing colors of past models. The docking station is also smaller and less of an eyesore. Just keep in mind that this is still a pricey headset. 

Read the full review: Astro A50 Wireless

Beyerdynamic Custom Game

Beyerdynamic Custom Game

While it’s more expensive than we’d like, the Beyerdynamic CUSTOM Game is one of the best PC gaming headsets we’ve used in some time. It doesn’t feature flashy surround sound or wireless functionality, unfortunately. However, this headset does excel in two of the most important categories: sound and comfort. Seriously, once you put it on and experience your games in headphones this amazing, there’s no looking back.

Read the full review: Beyerdynamic Custom Game

Corsair HS50 Stereo Gaming Headset

Corsair HS50 Stereo Gaming Headset

Usually when you're purchasing anything, including gaming peripherals, you get what you pay for. You don't go into Walmart, pick up a $50/£50 gaming headset and expect to be blown away, at least not usually. Well, Corsair takes this rule and turns it on its head. The Corsair HS50 is, for the budget gamer, the best PC gaming headset you can get today. Retailing at $50 in the US, the HS50 has sound and mic quality that rivals headsets that are double the price. Everything, down to the build materials, radiates quality. If you don't mind forgoing some extra bells and whistles – like 7.1 surround and Bluetooth connectivity, for example – then you need to take a look at the Corsair HS50.

Read the full review: Corsair HS50 Stereo Gaming Headset 

SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless

SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless

Compromises are a part of everyday life, but nobody actually enjoys making them. Luckily, you won’t have to with the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless. With it, you can get high quality lossless audio playback with a wireless headset. And, when you add the unique and ultra-convenient dual-battery charging system that lets you wear this headset in perpetuity to the mix, you have a formula for one of the best PC gaming headsets we've ever had the chance to use. If you have the money, and you absolutely need the best wireless headphones money can buy, this is your best bet.

Read the full review: SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless 

Creative Sound BlasterX H7 Tournament Edition

Creative Sound BlasterX H7 Tournament Edition

Creative has made a name for itself over the years for crafting sublime audio products – and the Creative Sound BlasterX H7 Tournament Edition further cements that legacy. Instead of just sitting back and iterating on the same winning formula of its previous products, Creative gives the Sound BlasterX H7 a full overhaul, resulting in a PC gaming headset that looks just as great as it sounds. If you’re looking for a comfortable, solid and meaty-sounding headset, the Creative Sound BlasterX H7 Tournament Edition is one of the best PC gaming headsets you can get.

Read the full review: Creative Sound BlasterX H7 Tournament Edition 

Logitech G Pro Gaming Headset

Logitech G Pro Gaming Headset

The Logitech G Pro gaming headset touts raw performance over your traditional ‘gamer aesthetic’, and it’s comfortable enough to wear for extended periods of time. This headset doesn’t provide much else, but it doesn’t need to. The Logitech G Pro Gaming Headset focuses squarely on providing outstanding quality, rather than filling out a sheet of bells and whistles. If value is what you’re searching for, the Logitech G Pro may be the best PC gaming headset for you.

Read the full review: Logitech G Pro Gaming Headset 

Razer Nari Ultimate

Razer Nari Ultimate

Anyone can simply just listen to their games, but with the Razer Nari Ultimate, you can feel them as well. This gaming headset has haptic motors in the ear cups that make your ears vibrate. That’s more than enough to make this at least a curious headset, but when paired with the long battery life, amazing sound quality and comfortable build, it’s clearly one of the best gaming headsets out there. Do yourself a favor and turn off the haptic feedback, even when you’re listening to music.

Read the full review: Razer Nari Ultimate

Astro A20

Astro A20

If you're searching for one of the best PC gaming headsets, but the $300 price tags on those high-end cans make your stomach turn, you should take a closer look at the Astro A20. Boasting solid stereo sound performance in a wireless headset, not to mention the superb 15-hour battery life, this headset has all the necessary qualities that you might want in its price range. Sure, it doesn't come with surround sound, but it more than makes up for it with its economy and battery life.

Read the full review: Astro A20

Asus ROG Strix Fusion 700

Asus ROG Strix Fusion 700

With its Republic of Gamers brand, Asus has built a reputation for being the name behind some of the best gaming peripherals to constantly meet consumer standards. The Asus ROG Strix Fusion 700 joins their ranks. Packed with 50mm Neodymium drivers and Bluetooth compatibility, this gaming headset provides fantastic sound quality without being tethered with a wire. It’s even compatible with other gaming platforms, so you won’t have to switch between different headsets. It’s a little pricey, but considering how good this headset sounds and how flexible it is, we’d say it’s worth it.

Read the full review: Asus ROG Strix Fusion 700 

HyperX Cloud Flight

HyperX Cloud Flight

The HyperX Cloud Flight is a long-lasting wireless gaming headset that boasts up to 30 hours of battery life. This means you can likely get two full days of gaming in between full charges. There is a catch, however – unlike the Cloud Flight’s competition, namely the Astro A20, this gaming headset only offers stereo sound, ditching any surround sound capability. You can thankfully get circumvent that by messing around with the Dolby Access app, though, and the sound profile is balanced enough to make this a non-issue, making this one of the best PC gaming headsets in 2019.

Read the full review: HyperX Cloud Flight

Corsair HS70 Wireless Gaming Headset

Corsair HS70 Wireless Gaming Headset

Corsair unveiled one of the best PC gaming headsets late last year with the Corsair HS50, and now, it has taken it to the next level by making it wireless and flourishing it with virtual surround sound capabilities. These features on their own might make a great gaming headset, but when you add in the fantastic Corsair CUE software on top of it, you get a complete package that would make a great addition to your gaming setup.

Read the full review: Corsair HS70 Wireless Gaming Headset 

Corsair Void Pro RGB Wireless

Corsair Void Pro RGB Wireless

It wasn't that long ago that Corsair was only known for PC components. However, over the last five years or so, it has possibly become better known for its gaming peripherals. With products like the Corsair Void RGB Wireless, it's not hard to understand why. While at first glance, some may scoff at the asking price, the Void Pro RGB Wireless delivers on that price point with great build quality, fantastic sound fidelity and – perhaps most importantly – RGB lighting. Plus, if you've already got a full arsenal of Corsair peripherals, the Void Pro RGB Wireless fits in perfectly, and can even synchronize lighting effects with other peripherals through the Corsair Utility Engine.

Read the full review: Corsair Void RGB Wireless 

Turtle Beach Elite Pro Tournament

Turtle Beach Elite Pro Tournament

If you're the type of gamer who likes to let the world know you're playing games, the Turtle Beach Elite Pro Tournament may just be the best PC gaming headset for you. Not only is it extremely comfortable to wear, but its 50mm drivers mean that sound quality is always top notch – even if it could have a bit more bass in the mix. You really do have to like the 'gamer aesthetic' however, as its plastic build and orange highlights personify the style. Still, if you can get past or embrace the looks and the price tag, there's a lot to love about the Turtle Beach Elite Pro Tournament.

Read the full review: Turtle Beach Elite Pro Tournament  

Gabe Carey has also contributed to this article

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Top five trends that will shape the technology sector in UAE in 2020

Posted: 13 Oct 2019 05:39 AM PDT

With 2019 been a challenging and a transition year, how is 2020 going to be for the information and communications technology in the UAE and what the top trends are that will shape the industry.

Jyoti Lalchandani, vice-president and regional managing director for research firm International Data Corporation (IDC), told in an exclusive to TechRadar Middle East that ICT spending in the UAE is expected to increase by 3.80% to $16.84b compared to $16.22b a year ago.

The research firm has revised its forecast for this year from $16.7b due to a slowdown in the telecommunications sector.

He said that telecom services are feeling the impact of weak consumer confidence and a slowdown in mobile data services.

Even in 2020, the telecom sector is expected to grow the slowest at 1.01% while devices and infrastructure sectors are expected to grow close to 6% and software and IT services (hardware and support services, consulting services, training, education, system integration services, managed services, outsourcing) are expected to grow close to 8%.

 “Commercial segment is looking more positive than the consumer space. The consumer side is going to face pressure due to weak consumer confidence, uptake of trade between the countries, retail, real estate, hospitality,” he said.

On the commercial segment, he said that the services market is growing, driven by strong uptake in cloud-based services, interesting movements on the systems and storage side.

The shifting trends across the globe, he said is that enterprise customers are taking a more cautious approach when investing and in expanding. There is a number of variables such as assumption around global trade, will oil prices be flat or is it going to fluctuate, regional political uncertainty, cost of living index and economic growth.

However, he said that organisations are investing in technology to drive certain things.

“They are investing in technology to get operational efficiency, to cut cost and are investing in Opex-based models such as cloud, and create new revenue streams using AI and cognitive technologies,” he said.

Moreover, he said that people are looking at Expo 2020 and investments regarding it are almost done. 

With 5G gaining adoption, the industry is going to see a significant intake of AI and the internet of things.

Top five trends in 2020

1. Cloud

Public cloud services are seeing a big uptake. The public cloud market is expected to grow by 35% to $406m compared to $299m this year.

Two-thirds of the organisations will approach the cloud through a hybrid model. Organisations in public and government sectors, retail, utilities, transportation, wholesale distribution, hospitality are on the public cloud.

Due to some of the regulatory challenges, banking and financial services and some of the mission-critical applications rely on building their private cloud infrastructure.

The overall business environment is a strong driver for the uptake in cloud services. CFOs love it as it is opex-based and organisation line of business loves it because they get agility and speed. IT organisations love it because of the scale it provides while channels love it because of the “lift and shift” approach as companies move from on-premises to the cloud.  

The on-premise [non-cloud] spending is declining quite rapidly and a lot of spending is moving to the cloud as a subscription-based model. Speed and agility are the key drivers for the cloud.

There is going to be a consolidation in the public cloud space to key four or five players. Cost is going to be a key factor when moving to the cloud for organisations. 

2. Digital transformation

Organisations are getting a bit more aggressive on digital transformation. A lot of pilot projects will enter the mainstream.

A lot of projects and initiatives are around transforming the customer experience. Organisations are leveraging some of the technologies to enrich the customer experience.

Some of the traditional IT areas such as devices and infrastructure are slowing down and companies are using the investment to drive adoption of more disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotic process automation, internet of things, big data analytics, blockchain and cloud to cut cost and drive more efficiency.

About 25% to 30% of large enterprises are currently in the process of digital transformation, investing in the third platform such as social, mobile, cloud and big data to do one of four things – to be operationally efficient, more agile, create new experiences for customers and create new revenue streams. It is a five to eight-year journey.

Initially, blockchain started off to facilitate a lot of trade financing deals between banks. It hasn’t got a lot of widespread adoption. A lot of the use cases happened in between banks to banks, Smart Dubai and Real Estate Regulatory Agency. The next phase is called the mature of a technology.

The blockchain technology will be matured when you have high volume and low-value transactions. Currently, a lot of the blockchain investments happen in low volume and high-value transactions.

In the next three to four years, blockchain will be embedded into the compute and that will open a significant amount of opportunities.

3. Cybersecurity

Security investments continue to be a major driver for growth. One of the reasons for that is companies are one of the most challenging areas for CIOs and IT.

Now, even CEOs have security as one of their top priority areas. 

Given the region in which we operate due to geopolitical issues and some of the malware that is taking place, security is becoming an important part of the agenda for banks and public sectors.

4. AI and cognitive technologies

Organisations are quite strongly investing in AI and cognitive technologies such as chatbots, analytics and robotic process automation to cut cost, boost operational efficiencies by taking out some of the repetitive tasks humans do and automating it.

The cognitive AI spend is expected to grow by 25.63% to $73.66m compared to $58.63m this year.

Banks, utilities, RTA, Dewa and public sectors have deployed AI and cognitive in a big way.

The AI and cognitive market in the UAE is set to grow between 25% and 30% year over year in the next two to three years. The impact of AI, along with 5G and IoT, will be extremely powerful.

IoT is already embedded into a lot of the technologies in manufacturing and production, fleet management, etc. IoT has become a part of the ecosystem now.

AI is going to automate several tasks and roles while creating new roles that are not yet defined today. It will create more jobs than eliminating.

To run AI and cognitive technologies, the industry needs a lot of data scientists and new skills that do not exist today. It will also force organisations to reskill some of their existing staff and resources. A lot of big organisations are already doing that and investing in training. In the autonomy phase, the machine decides, analyses and executes based on guiding principles that are set.

The overall economic situation is a key driver for that and due to lack of skills. So, these kinds of technologies play nicely into the story. It works 24/7 operation and lesser mistakes or risks compared to humans, so productivity and efficiency are a lot more at a lesser cost.

A lot of private and public sectors have leveraged some of these technologies to automate and cut costs. So, we are seeing an explosion in the digital workforce.

5. Restructuring

Organisations are making fundamental changes in their organisational focus areas and priorities. Several companies are resetting their plans, given the overall economic environment across the region, in rightsizing in several areas, especially in banking, retail, hospitality, banking and financial services.

Organisations need to rightsize in the next two to three years as it is going to be challenging. Organisations are holding back on investments and cutting staff to adapt to the business environment.

Consolidation is taking place in the banking sector and retail margins are under pressure, re-export from Dubai to other regions is down and there is an impact on financial [insurance] services and education sectors.

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Panthers vs Buccaneers live stream: how to watch today's NFL London Games 2019 from anywhere

Posted: 13 Oct 2019 03:59 AM PDT

The NFL has landed in the UK for the 2019 NFL London Games and this weekend you’ll get to see the Carolina Panthers go up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. We’re here to make sure you catch every minute of today’s game - see how to get a Panthers vs Buccaneers live stream regardless of where in the world you are.

While the Panthers began this season with a loss to the Rams in week 1 and a loss to their NFC South rivals the Buccaneers in week 2, the team has managed to turn things around

They won 38-20 against the Cardinals in week 3, defeated the Texans 16-10 in week 4 and triumphed over the Jaguars 34-27 in week 5. Although it is only week 6, today’s game in London will be the last time the Panthers go up against the Buccaneers this season. The team will be looking for revenge against their rivals during their first trip to London but Tampa Bay could have an advantage as they’ve already played three games in the UK, although the last one took place in 2011.

The Buccaneers on the other hand are going into today’s game 2-3 after losing to the 49ers in week 1, the Giants in week 2 and the Saints in week 6. The team seems to be giving their all to make up for these losses though and in last week’s game against the Saints, offensive lineman Alex Cappa broke his arm during the second quarter but kept on playing despite the pain. According to Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians, Cappa will miss a few weeks before he’s back on the field. However, he won’t be the only player not traveling to London for today’s game as the team has released linebacker Deone Bucannon who has appeared as a reserve in every game the Buccaneers have played this season.

Whether you’re a Panthers fan in North Carolina, a Buccaneers fan in Tampa Bay or just want to tune in to catch all the action during the second game in the 2019 NFL London Games, we’ll show you how to live stream the Panthers vs Buccaneers from anywhere in the world so you don’t miss a single touchdown.

Watch the Panthers vs Buccaneers game online from outside your country (or in a blackout)

Watching this game from the US, UK, Canada or Australia? We'll tell you how to catch the NFL game further down in the article.

But if you're somewhere else in the world - or if a coverage blackout is stopping you from watching in the US - then there's still a way you can live stream Panthers vs Buccaneers online (and you don't even have to slum it with a grainy, illegal feed you've found on Reddit). Instead you could use a VPN - or Virtual Private Network - to change the IP address to one in a different state or country which does have a stream. And it's not even hard to do.

How to watch the Panthers vs Buccaneers in the US

Can I watch with the NFL Game Pass?

Well it's a no and a yes. The NFL Game Pass in the US will only let you watch a replay of the game, but not the live action.

Interestingly, it's a different story with an International NFL Game Pass where all 256 regular season games are being shown absolutely live...shame you can't officially get access to that if you and your laptop's IP address is in the US.

Other ways cord cutters can stream NFL live online

Sling TV $40 per month - Sling TV splits its live NFL options across its $25 a month Blue plan and $25 a month Orange plan. By combining the two, you get a $10 dollar discount and access to Fox, NBC, ESPN and the NFL Network.  

Hulu with Live TV $40 per month - Hulu with Live TV includes CBS, Fox, NBC and ESPN but does not come with NFL Network.

FuboTV $35 for the first month - FuboTV gives you the first month at a discounted rate but after that the price increases to $45 a month. The service includes CBS, Fox, NBC and the NFL Network but does not come with ESPN.

DirecTV Now $50 per month - DirecTV Now includes CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN and for $5 extra you can add the NFL Network. However, with this service you can only watch football on local TV stations live.

YouTubeTV $40 per month - YouTubeTV gives you access to CBS, Fox, NBC and ESPN but just like with Hulu with Live TV, there is no NFL Network.

How to stream Panthers vs Buccaneers live in the UK

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Get a NFL live stream in Canada for FREE

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Live stream Panthers vs Buccaneers in Australia for FREE

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The best phone of 2019: Top smartphones in the UAE, Saudi and Middle East

Posted: 13 Oct 2019 03:41 AM PDT

Our best smartphone list brings you the best phones available right now in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Middle East. If you already have your mobile OS alliance set you'll want to check out either our ranking of the best Android phone or best iPhone.

If what's on offer in our best smartphone list is a little too pricey for your taste, then don't fear, as we've also got a list of the best cheap phones available right now.

And if you're not ready just yet to pick up a new mobile, it could be worth holding out. Announcements for the OnePlus 7T Pro and Google Pixel 4 are expected in the coming months, and these may shake up the list.

We've already seen a huge number of top smartphone launches this year, which means our best smartphone list has seen plenty of new entrants over recent months including new iPhones and the Galaxy Note 10 range.

We know that it's not all about the high-cost, super spec phones all the time so we've made you a handy list of all the top smartphones that you can get on the market right now, assessing what really matters to you.

We test these phones rigorously, making sure that we check every angle and feature - but most importantly, considering whether they've got a decent battery, great screen, strong design and a cracking camera.

On top of that, they can't be too exorbitant in price either - not everyone wants or can afford a supercar of a handset, so we've made sure there are plenty of options for you there.

So let's get started on our list of the top phones - you can see them quickly below, and then we're set to talk you through the very best phone in the world right now.

Best phones at a glance

  1. Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus
  2. iPhone 11
  3. iPhone 11 Pro
  4. Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus
  5. Huawei P30 Pro
  6. iPhone 11 Pro Max
  7. Samsung Galaxy Note 10
  8. Huawei P30
  9. OnePlus 7 Pro
  10. Samsung Galaxy S10e

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus

Image Credit: TechRadar

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus is one of the largest phones there is, but this stylus-toting handset is our second favorite phone you can buy right now.

It's expensive, but it features some of the best specs you'll get on a smartphone in 2019.

Screen: The screen on this phone is huge and the Infinity-O cutout means there's little interruption to the display here, allowing for an immersive experience.

Battery life: We found the battery life on the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus to easily last the whole day, plus the fast charging tech means you're able to pump it up quickly when you're nearing 0%.

Camera: The camera setup on the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus isn't the best on the market, but it's impressive and offers a lot of fun features that you may want to play around with.

Mini Verdict: Samsung's Galaxy Note 10 Plus is a remarkable device, but it's only for those who want a large phone and don't mind spending that bit extra on a device. The S10 Plus will be more suitable for most, but the Note 10 Plus is a great phone too.

Read more: Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus review
Price comparison: The best Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus deals

iPhone 11 review

Image Credit: TechRadar

There's a new hero for iPhone fans, with the iPhone 11 offering the best mix of features and price from Apple.

The specs here aren't as impressive as they are on the iPhone 11 Pro or iPhone 11 Pro Max, but the trade-off in a lower price for this device makes it a must-have for many Apple fans.

Screen: This isn't the best screen you'll find on an iPhone, but it's still a vibrant display that's large enough to watch video on.

Battery life: The easiest way to describe battery life on the iPhone 11 is good, but not great. You'll get around a day of usage from the iPhone 11, but it's not as good as the Pro Max.

Camera: Expect a similar experience from the camera on the iPhone 11 as on the iPhone XR. If you want the best camera on an iPhone, you'll want the Pro, but it's still an impressive shooter on the rear of the standard 11.

Mini verdict: The iPhone 11 offers some of the best features from Apple in a more affordable package. Many will be happy with what the iPhone 11 can do, but others will want to look toward the high-spec iPhone 11 Pro or Pro Max to get the very best.

Read our in-depth iPhone 11 review
Price comparison: The best iPhone 11 deals

iPhone 11 Pro

Image Credit: TechRadar

Want something a bit more from your iPhone? You're in luck with the iPhone 11 Pro as it features some improved spec including a more high-end rear camera that can compete with the very best.

It'll cost more than the iPhone 11 did on the page before, but if you're after one of the top iPhones this is the best option with a smaller display than the iPhone 11 Pro Max.

Screen: It's not the largest screen on the market, but it looks great compared to the iPhone 11 and will suit you if you're looking for an iPhone with a smaller display.

Battery life: The battery life is slightly longer than the last few generations of the iPhone, but don't expect anything game changing here when it comes to the length your phone will last for.

Camera: Apple has put most of its focus into the rear cameras on this device, and while the design of the rear of the phone has been controversial these cameras can create some truly stunning photography that competes with the very best camera phones.

Mini verdict: You'll have to spend a bit extra to get the iPhone 11 Pro, but it's well worth it if you want a phone that sports iOS 13 but comes with top-end features.

Read our in-depth iPhone 11 Pro review
Price comparison: The best iPhone 11 Pro deals

The Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus is still the best smartphone available right now.

It's a big phone that's designed for big hands - and it takes the very best of what's on the smartphone market and puts it together in a compelling package that we've loved testing.

Screen: The Super AMOLED 6.4-inch display has been measured as the very best around, with super colours, great dynamic range and, essentially, the very best viewing experience you can have on a mobile phone. 

Plus, there's a fingerprint scanner embedded in the display.

Battery life: The battery life on the Galaxy S10 Plus is and improvement over the S9 Plus, thanks to the larger 4,100mAh battery inside. It'll easily reach bedtime with double digits still left in the tank.

The S10 Plus also offers Samsung's new Wireless PowerShare, allowing you to wirelessly charge other devices on the rear of the handset.

Camera: The trio of cameras on the Galaxy S10 Plus are among the best on the market, building on the excellent setup on the S9 series by offering more features, shooting modes and overall clarity. 

Mini verdict: The Galaxy S10 Plus is packed full of the best Samsung has to offer, and it comes together to give you the best smartphone experience around right now.

Read more: Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus review

Best Android Phone Camera

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The Huawei P30 Pro is so close to being the best smartphone right now, and for some it will take top spot in their minds.

It's the best phone we've used when it comes to photography with 5x and 10x zoom capabilities and fantastic low-light performance.

Screen: The large 6.47-inch screen on the P30 Pro may 'only' have a Full HD+ resolution, but it's bright, clear and colorful providing an excellent canvas for your apps and games.

Battery life: There's no worry when it comes to the P30 Pro potentially running out of juice, the battery life here is excellent. We regularly got to the end of the day with 30% or more left in the tank.

Camera: The cameras are the P30 Pro's real party piece, providing staggeringly good 5x and 10x zoom, and a digital 50x zoom with gets you insanely close to objects far off in the distance. Its low-light capabilities are also top-notch.

Mini Verdict: The P30 Pro not only sets a new standard for Huawei, it sets a new standard for the entire mobile industry. Its cameras are quite simply astonishing, the design is eye-catching and the power plentiful. It’s a true flagship smartphone. 

Read more: Huawei P30 Pro review

iPhone 11 Pro Max

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The iPhone 11 Pro Max is the biggest phone Apple has created, and it's also the most high-spec'd phone from the company.

It's expensive even by iPhone standards, but it features an all-screen, notch-toting, almost bezel-free design with masses of power under the hood. The big upgrades compared to the iPhone XS Max are the improved cameras and boosted power.

Screen: The 6.5-inch OLED screen on the iPhone 11 Pro Max really grabbed our attention - it's fantastic for video streaming and gaming.

Battery life: This is some of the best battery life we've ever experienced on an iPhone, with further optimizations within iOS and a larger cell inside the phone itself. It's still not game-changing, but it's better than other Apple handsets.

Camera: The triple camera setup on the iPhone 11 Pro Max is fantastic. This is the first time Apple has implemented three rear cameras, and it offers a great experience. Plus, it can be fun to use.

Mini verdict: If your hands are as big as your bank balance, the iPhone 11 Pro Max takes Apple's smartphone to a whole new level with an improved camera and more.

Read our in-depth iPhone 11 Pro Max review
Price comparison: The best iPhone 11 Pro Max deals

Yeah, that's right - Samsung now offers two versions of its S Pen-toting Note range, and this one comes with a lower spec than the one you've read about earlier in this list.

The Galaxy Note 10 is better for those with smaller hands, thanks to its much smaller display and smaller dimensions, but the battery life suffers a little for that.

Screen: This may be a Samsung Galaxy Note handset, but the display isn't anywhere near as big as you'd expect. It's a 6.3-inch display with an Infinity-O cutout for the selfie camera.

Battery life: The battery is where the Galaxy Note 10 begins to suffer a little as we found it regularly ran out before the end of a full day, but it's enough for average usage.

Camera: The rear camera of the Galaxy Note 10 is similar to all other flagship Samsung phones released in 2019, and it's good but not the best we've seen on a smartphone.

Mini verdict: The Galaxy Note 10 isn't as high-spec as the Galaxy Note 10 Plus, but if you want a stylus on a smaller phone than the gargantuan Plus then you may want to opt for this.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Note 10 review
Price comparison: The best Samsung Galaxy Note 10 deals

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What's this? Another Huawei phone in the top ten? Your eyes do not deceive you, the Huawei P30 really is fifth in our best phone rundown.

It has a smaller screen than the P30 Pro, and makes do with just the three rear cameras (rather than four) and a maximum zoom of 30x, but it's still a great Android phone.

Screen: With a 6.1-inch display the P30 is a little easier to manage in the hand than its larger sibling, and with a Full HD+ and plenty of colour it's a top smartphone screen.

Battery life: You can expect to get excellent battery life from the Huawei P30, with the phone often lasting a day and a half on a single charge without issue.

Camera: While the three cameras on the rear aren't quite as good as the four on the P30 Pro, they still offer up an impressive shooting experience with 5x, 10x and 30x zoom and great low-light abilities.

Mini verdict: There's heaps of power, a handy headphone jack (something the Pro can't boast) and a more manageable form factor for one-handed use. And of course, it's a little cheaper too.

Read our full Huawei P30 review

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OnePlus has grown up, and the OnePlus 7 Pro is the first fruit of its new-found maturity with a heap of features, plenty of power and yes, an inflated price tag over what we've come to expect from the 'affordable flagship' provider.

That said, the OnePlus 7 Pro is still cheaper than the top phones from Samsung, Apple, Sony and Huawei, so it's not going to break the bank - and with it's pop-up camera party trick and glorious all-screen design there's a lot of love.

Screen: There's a whole lot of screen on the OnePlus 7 Pro, with the 6.67-inch QHD display free of notches, punch-hole cameras and any over-sized bezels. The front of the phone is pretty much all screen and it looks great, with a colorful punch thanks to the AMOLED panel.

Battery life: We found the OnePlus 7 Pro could last more than a day on a single charge, which is great news and something not all handsets in our best phones roundup can boast.

Camera: There's a triple camera setup round the back of the OnePlus 7 Pro, with Sony's 48MP sensor your main snapper, but with telephoto and wide-angle secondary options too. It's a solid snapper, but it doesn't quite challenge the likes of Google's Pixel 3 range. However, there's something fun on the front - not that you can see the front-facing camera. That's because it's hidden in the body, and pops out of the top of the phone when required.

Mini verdict: The OnePlus 7 Pro is closer to delivering everything you want from a flagship phone than any previous OnePlus handset – while still being able to undercut the big-name competition.

Read our full OnePlus 7 Pro review
Price comparison: The best OnePlus 7 Pro deals

Like the look of the new S10 and S10 Plus, but not a fan of their lofty price tags? Well fear not, as Samsung has catered for you with the Galaxy S10e.

The Galaxy S10e has many of the flagship features of its pricier siblings, while offering a more palm-friendly size and a few compromises to help keep the cost down.

Screen: You don't get a QHD resolution here, instead you'll have to accept a Full HD+ 5.8-inch screen - but the Super AMOLED display provides plenty of colour and pop.

Battery life: We found battery life lasted a day on a single charge - which is what we've come to expect from phones - plus its wireless charging and Wireless PowerShare making topping it up, and you other devices, even easier.

Camera: The dual camera setup on the S10e isn't quite as good as the triple cameras on the S10 and S10 Plus, but they're still highly capable snappers producing quality photos with ease.

Mini verdict: It’s hard not to recommend the S10e to anyone who prefers a smaller phone. Size queens, look elsewhere - this smartphone is for folks who want to text and browse apps one-handed without compromising performance.

Read our in-depth Samsung Galaxy S10e review
Price comparison: The best Samsung Galaxy S10e deals

You're at the end of our best smartphone guide, but that doesn't mean we can't help you still - if you're stuck on which model is for you, we've got a tool that can compare all the phones together and you can decide which one suits you best based on the cost.

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Japan vs Scotland live stream: how to watch today's Rugby World Cup 2019 match from anywhere

Posted: 13 Oct 2019 02:56 AM PDT

Will this be the match of the 2019 Rugby World Cup? Both teams will fancy their chances in what looks likely to be a winner-takes-all battle for qualification into the quarter-finals. It looks set to be an enthralling match, and you can watch all the action live and in full in no matter where you are in the world, by following our Japan vs Scotland live stream guide below.

Japan go into the game with a 100% record and their fate in their own hands, while Scotland have to win to seal a place in the knockout phase.

The Scots will likely argue that they go into today's game with less pressure on their shoulders than their opponents today who have the weight of being host nation resting on them.

They'll also be buoyed with their recent free-scoring displays which has seen them score an impressive 95 points in their last two matches. Furthermore, Head coach Gregor Townsend has the luxury of an almost full-strength squad at his disposal, with only Duncan Taylor an injury doubt going into today's game.

You sense Japan will need to match the level of performance they gave against Ireland to see off the improving Scots. Can they pull off another shock and make it out of the pool stage for the first time in their history?

You can watch all the action from this crucial game from pretty much anywhere on Earth by following our Rugby World Cup Japan vs Scotland live stream guide below.

How to watch the 2019 Rugby World Cup from outside your country

If you're abroad for any of the Rugby World Cup and don't want to miss out on catching the coverage from your home country, you'll inevitably find it geo-blocked when you try to stream online. But don't sweat. With the option of a VPN, you can tune into those fixtures no matter where you are in the world without resorting to some dodgy feed on Reddit. And best of all, it's really easy to do (or read on for details on how to stream coverage from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA).

How to stream the Scotland game live in the UK 

How to watch Japan vs Scotland in Australia

How to watch Japan vs Scotland live in New Zealand

How to live stream Japan vs Scotland in the US

  • Hulu with Live TV $40 per month - Hulu with Live TV includes CBS, Fox, NBC and ESPN.
  • FuboTV $35 for the first month - FuboTV gives you the first month at a discounted rate but after that the price increases to $45 a month. The service includes CBS, Fox, NBC and the NFL Network but does not come with ESPN.
  • DirecTV Now $50 per month - DirecTV Now includes CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN and for $5 extra you can add the NFL Network.
  • YouTubeTV $40 per month - YouTubeTV gives you access to CBS, Fox, NBC and ESPN.

Divider

Live stream Japan vs Scotland in South Africa

Live stream Japan vs Scotland in Canada

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TRA launches radio streaming service to let customers know about its services and developments in ICT sector

Posted: 13 Oct 2019 02:49 AM PDT

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of the UAE has launched a radio streaming service for the public to learn about the most important news, reports, services, latest developments of the ICT sector of the authority.

TRA digital radio is a new window through which TRA aims to reach a wider audience, including people of determination with visual impairments. The radio can be heard worldwide around the clock from its website.

“TRA ensures to be closer to customers and to stay in touch with them around the clock by activating more channels of communication. We have made great efforts in the development of the TRA website. We also ensure to provide distinctive and creative content on our social media channels,” Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, TRA Director-General, said in a statement.

“Our children, brothers and sisters from people of determination may not be able to follow TRA news published in newspapers, website or social media, and hence the importance of radio, which is an ideal solution for our visually impaired children to follow TRA news and services, especially smart services that they can use anywhere and anytime,” he said.

In the second phase of the radio, specifically after the fourth quarter of 2019, TRA said the radio will have live interactive broadcast aimed at identifying the customers’ views about its services and taking their inquiries and suggestions, through the allocation of live broadcast hours.

The radio will broadcast TRA’s responses to the inquiries it receives through the call centre, in addition to presenting the most important smart services, tips and guidance on dealing with the digital space provided by specialized engineers from the Computer Emergency Response Team (aeCERT) of TRA.

The launch of TRA digital radio coincides with the launch of the TV programme of the digital government, which will introduce the audience to the UAE mGovernment and the services provided by the government through all available channels.

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macOS Catalina is reportedly causing some users' emails to go missing

Posted: 13 Oct 2019 02:30 AM PDT

Major software updates often come with one or two bugs attached, and that seems to be the case with macOS Catalina – some users are reporting that email messages are going missing in Apple Mail.

As AppleInsider reports, the problems lie in moving messages around, and in syncing them with other devices. In certain cases the emails can apparently disappear completely.

Further problems can occur when backing up emails, with Mail not always downloading all of the message information that it needs to. Difficulties can also occur when restoring data from an email archive.

Michael Tsai, who develops the EagleFiler and SpamSieve plug-ins for Apple Mail on macOS, has outlined some of the issues that have cropped up in a blog post – he advises holding off on a Catalina upgrade, if you rely on Apple Mail, until these bugs have been fixed.

A bug's life

What's not clear is just how many people are being affected by the bugs outlined by Tsai: based on forum posts, it seems that the number of users who've actually lost email is relatively small. Beta versions of the software have been out for four months.

It's also worth noting that Tsai says the bugs could be something to do with the servers Apple is running, or the Mac more generally, rather than Apple Mail specifically. Expect more details to emerge as time goes on.

Apple itself hasn't commented on the problem officially, but may well take steps to address the reported problems in the next macOS Catalina update.

The new desktop operating system upgrade adds a few extra features to Apple Mail, including the ability to mute email threads that are getting too busy, and to block messages from specific senders.

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Intel’s 10th-gen Core i3 CPUs may be supercharged with hyper-threading to battle AMD

Posted: 13 Oct 2019 02:08 AM PDT

Intel recently cut prices with certain budget CPUs, and as it looks to strike back against AMD’s recent successes in the desktop processor market, it would appear the plan is to seriously pep up its incoming 10th-gen lower-end Core i3 chips.

At least this is the latest word from prolific leaker TUM_APISAK, who spotted a SiSoftware benchmark for the incoming Intel Core i3-10100.

As you can see above, the processor runs at 3.6GHz, but more importantly, it’s a quad-core, eight-thread model – at least if this leak is correct and the benchmark isn’t somehow fabricated.

Intel’s 9th-gen Core i3 is a quad-core model with four-threads, so what we are (allegedly) seeing with the next-gen is the introduction of hyper-threading to Core i3.

Incidentally, the Core i3-9100 also runs at a base clock of 3.6GHz, but it’s possible the Core i3-10100 spotted in the benchmark is an early engineering sample, and it’ll likely be clocked a bit faster with the production chips.

Hyper-threading for all…

Given hyper-threading in Core i3, it seems an obvious assumption that it will be present throughout the full range of Intel’s next-gen Comet Lake processors (which are still on 14nm, of course, with yet another refinement of that process).

Previous speculation has pointed to quad-core eight-thread Core i3 models with Comet Lake, alongside Core i5 chips running with six-cores and 12-threads, Core i7 with eight-cores and 16-threads, and Core i9 topping off at 10-cores plus 20-threads (the latter being previously rumored as a Ryzen 9 3900X beater with single-core Turbo up to 5.2GHz).

With current 9th-generation chips, only the Core i9 processors have hyper-threading (meaning the rest of the range has the same number of threads as cores).

Hyper-threading is what Intel calls simultaneous multi-threading, meaning the actual physical cores of the CPU can be split into virtual ones – threads – which can really help with heavy duty multitasking and certain apps.

Comet Lake chips are expected to emerge in early 2020, although before that – in fact later this month – we will see the launch of the new Core i9-9900KS at the high-end of Intel’s current CPU line-up (a chip capable of reaching 5GHz across all eight cores).

Via Techspot

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Microsoft keeps breaking Windows 10 – Apple should learn from its mistakes

Posted: 13 Oct 2019 02:00 AM PDT

Apple has just released macOS Catalina, its latest update to the operating system powering Macs and MacBooks, and while the launch hasn’t been flawless (check out our guide on how to fix macOS Catalina problems), it’s the kind of update that Microsoft must be eyeing enviously.

That’s because, in case you’ve missed the news, Microsoft has had a rotten run of Windows 10 updates, with each new release seemingly breaking more things than it fixes.

The latest Windows 10 update fail has seemingly broken the Start menu – a pretty important part of Windows 10.

The situation has gotten so bad, that it’s no longer just embarrassing for Microsoft – it’s in danger of seriously damaging the company’s reputation.

An artist's impression of many Windows 10 users

Apple take heed

Now, it might be tempting for Apple to sit back and enjoy its old rival’s current travails. To be fair, we wouldn’t blame it for indulging in a spot of schadenfreude, but what we really want Apple to do is learn from Microsoft’s mistakes.

Apple knows only too well what happens if you release an update that ends up causing additional issues, and how angry that can make its users.

It’s happened to Apple in the past, and while macOS Catalina’s launch hasn’t hit any showstopping issues yet (knock on wood), Apple needs to make sure that when (not if) it needs to release a patch for macOS Catalina, it won’t introduce further problems.

This is a realistic depiction of an operating system update gone wrong

What can Apple do?

So, what can Apple do to avoid Microsoft’s update problems? There seems to be a number of theories about why Microsoft is having so many issues with its updates recently.

Are they being rushed out? Is Microsoft fully testing them? Is it listening to its collection of Windows Insiders – users who have signed up to try out early versions of the updates and report back about any problems?

Amidst all this, Dona Sarkar, one of the leaders involved with Microsoft’s Windows Insider initiative, is leaving her role. With the Windows Insider team being so important when it comes to testing new updates, the fact that it now appears leaderless isn’t great.

What Apple needs to do is make sure that its upcoming updates aren’t just thoroughly tested, but that it is in constant communication with developers and users who are testing out early beta versions of the update. If they find something’s wrong – listen to them. Delay the update if necessary.

By taking its time with the updates, Apple could find it’s actually fixing issues faster – rather than rushing out an update, only to have to then spend time fixing all the other problems that emerge.

Apple should look at Microsoft’s current problems, which can be summed up with the old phrase “more haste, less speed”. By hastily releasing updates, it’s actually slowing the speed in which problems are being fixed. There’s no need for Apple to gloat – just learn.

As for Microsoft, let’s hope that the Windows Insider team gets new leadership that can get these updates back on track – hopefully before it’s too late.

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