Apple : Pokémon Sword and Shield: first impressions |
- Pokémon Sword and Shield: first impressions
- Qualcomm security flaw puts Samsung and LG phones at risk
- Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order gameplay, release date, trailers and first impressions
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| Pokémon Sword and Shield: first impressions Posted: 15 Nov 2019 01:21 PM PST Pokémon Sword and Shield, the 8th generation of Pokémon games, are now available on Nintendo Switch. Having received a launch-day review code, TechRadar will be posting a full review in the next week once we've had a little more time with the game. In the meantime, we've recorded our first impressions of the first couple of hours spent in the Galar region below. At this point in the long-running series, starting a new Pokémon game is kind of like being a kid and going to your favorite soft play area. It’s colorful, friendly and familiar and there’s a genuine anticipation for adventure with every visit, even if you largely know what to expect. It was with that slightly contradictory but intoxicating thrum of excitement and solace that we dropped into the world of the newest Pokémon games: Sword and Shield. Of course, we got much of what we wanted and expected from our version’s (Pokémon Sword) beginning. As with other Pokémon games, Sword and Shield start you off in the comfort of your childhood home. Here you can run from room to room, unrealistically marching past your massive TV and Nintendo Switch console with barely a glance. Before you have time to get too comfortable, your friend and neighbor, Hop, arrives to drag you off to pick a starter Pokémon and start your quest to defeat all the gym leaders that dare to stand in your way.
Look at all of those Gym Leaders, just waiting for you to beat them For veteran players this routine is a welcome home of sorts, while for first timers it’s a pleasant introduction to the Pokémon world, anchoring you with a home and friends before sending you on your voyage across a vast region. The core underlying gameplay is also largely the standard Pokémon fare. If you like battling trainers and gym leaders interspersed with catching wild Pokémon and training them up then you’ll find that here.
But not everything is exactly the same. For all its retention of many of the small moments that have become tradition in the series, the early hours of Pokémon Sword (and Shield, of course) have also made it clear that this is Pokémon trying for a larger and more ambitious scale, as befits a move onto the Switch. We’ll be able to go into the changes this ambition has wrought and assess their effectiveness more thoroughly in our full review but we’ll give an overview of what we've been most immediately struck by in the first few hours. Naturally, on starting the game you immediately take in how much more environmental detail there is than anything seen before in the series. Stepping outside your home to see the flowers adorning your cosy cottage and the Wooloo gamboling around offers serious The Shire meets Fable vibes. The world we’ve seen so far has personality and in its attention to detail has clearly been created with an affection for the UK it's inspired by. There’s even an acknowledgement of the country’s ever-present class division when you walk from your humble cottage over the road to Hop’s palatial home with its own Pokémon battle court, just after he teases you about your bulky and scruffy second-hand bag.
Train delays. It's just so British!
Despite the care and detail, though, the world and its cutscenes aren’t that much of a visual step up from Pokémon Let’s Go (although your character does look less like a bug-eyed toddler) and unfortunately don’t quite meet the standards of other Switch headliners like Breath of the Wild. That doesn’t mean this isn’t a good-looking game—because it is, it's arguably the best-looking Pokémon yet—it’s perhaps just not quite as much of a step up as we might have hoped for the series’ mainline debut on the Switch. Then there’s the big addition of the Wild Area which is introduced early on. This is pretty much the first truly open Pokémon area and it feels like a take on the real-life Pokémon Go events that have been popping up over the world, where you’re able to wander around a park area dedicated to finding and catching Pokémon as well as engaging in Raids and bumping into other players.
The Wild Area is expansive and the main place to camp up with your existing Pokémon or catch new ones The first sight of this area is striking largely because you get to see Pokémon wandering around in a way you never have before. On our first trip here we wandered through the various biomes, catching Pokémon and setting up a camp so that we could play with our team and cook them a frankly horrendous looking curry. Significantly, the Wild Area is home to Pokémon of all levels which is interesting when you’re wandering in at an early low level. As risk averse and lily-livered Wimpods we weren’t initially sure about the idea that you could stumble upon a Pokémon with the capacity to wipe out your whole team with little warning. But we can appreciate that encountering intimidatingly powerful Pokémon makes the Galar region feel far more dynamic and real than the regions that have gone before it. The Wild Area is also the home of Dynamax Raids, where you can join a team of three other players to battle and catch powerful new Dynamax Pokémon. We’ve only taken part in one of these Raids so far with 3 AI ‘friends’ so we’ll wait until our full review to give a real assessment of the Dynamaxing element of the game in its entirely. Thus far, though, we’re inclined to say they’re more fun to watch for sheer spectacle than they are to actually take part in.
Big Pokémon require big Pokéballs For all its scope and promise, we’re not yet sure the Wild Area is somewhere we could see ourselves spending hours on end which could be problematic since as far as we can tell it’s the game’s main open area. Camping (which you can do most places in the game anyway) and catching are only entertaining for so long so we’re looking forward to getting a better sense of whether that first thrilling moment of “whoa” will last and keep us coming back here with pleasure. At such an early stage in the game it’s impossible to make a final judgement but we’re enjoying our trip to the Galar region thus far. While first impressions are important, though, they’re not everything—just ask Ash and Pikachu—so we’ll be spending a little more time with the game before publishing our final verdict and review in the coming week.
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| Qualcomm security flaw puts Samsung and LG phones at risk Posted: 15 Nov 2019 01:02 PM PST Security researchers from Check Point have disclosed a set of vulnerabilities which affect Qualcomm chipsets that could potentially allow an attacker to steal critical information from Samsung, LG and Motorola smartphones. The cybersecurity firm's findings show that the 'secure world' found in Qualcomm's CPUs suffer from a flaw that could lead to protected data being leaked, devices rooting, bootloader unlocking and the execution of undetectable APTs. Check Point first unrelieved its findings at the Recon Montreal security conference back in June and the chipmaker has since issued fixes for all of the flaws after they were disclosed. Samsung and LG have both issued patches to fix their devices while Motorola is still working on a patch.
The news of these new flaws comes only months after Qualcomm patched a vulnerability that would allow an attacker to extract private data and encryption keys stored in the chipset's secure world. Qualcomm Trusted Execution EnvironmentQualcomm's chips contain a secure area inside the processor known as a Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) which is used to ensure that the code and data they contain remains confidential and secure. The Qualcomm Trusted Execution Environment (QTEE) is based on TrustZone technology from Arm and it allows for sensitive data to be stored in such a way that it can't be tampered with. The chipmaker's secure world also provides additional services through trusted third-party components, known as trustlets, which are loaded and executed in the TEE by the trusted OS within TrustZone. These trustlets serve as a bridge between the “normal world” where the device's main operating system resides and the TEE which allows data to move between the two worlds. However, Check Point conducted a four month long investigation using an automated testing method called fuzzing in which its researchers managed to execute a trustlet in the normal world and loaded a modified variant they needed to communicate with in the secret world. The firm used fuzzing to target Samsung, Motorola and LG's trustlet implementation and during the process it uncovered multiple security flaws. These flaws could allow an attacker to execute trusted apps in the normal world, load a patched trusted app into the secret world and even load trustlets from another device. While TEEs are certainly a new attack frontier that cybercriminals will likely look to exploit, at this time there is no evidence that the vulnerabilities discovered in Qualcomm's chips have been exploited in the wild.
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| Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order gameplay, release date, trailers and first impressions Posted: 15 Nov 2019 12:54 PM PST Hold on to your lightsabers: there's a new Star Wars game on store shelves, and it's called Jedi: Fallen Order. Developed by Respawn Entertainment (the studio behind Apex Legends and Titanfall), Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order was announced back at E3 2018 but we didn't get a proper look at the game until early in 2019, during a special panel at the annual Star Wars Celebration in Chicago, before EA lifted the covers completely at E3 2019. While fans of the galactic franchise have seen official tie-ins in the form of Star Wars Battlefront I and II, the new entry takes on a different tack, focusing on a single-player experience more in line with 2008's The Force Unleashed – and we have all the concrete news and our first initial impressions of the game below. [Update: Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order is now available on Xbox One, PS4 and PC. Read on to hear our initial impressions of the latest entry in the SWEU.] Cut to the chase
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order release dateStar Wars Jedi: Fallen Order was released on November 15, 2019, just in time for the long-awaited release of Star Wars Episode IX: Rise of Skywalker. If you pre-ordered the Deluxe Edition ahead of the game's launch, you got two exclusive in-game lightsaber colors plus an exclusive hilt, in addition to skins for your droid and star ship. EA and Respawn also included a digital art book in the Deluxe Edition and a few behind-the-scenes videos. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order first impressionsImpressions by Jordan Oloman We’ve been waiting a long time for a good single-player Star Wars game. It’s been more than ten years since The Force Unleashed, and with the exciting Star Wars 1313 being canned in the meantime, it’s been a difficult decade for fans who are just begging to get their mitts on a virtual lightsaber. Luckily, Respawn has finally come through with a narrative-led, Uncharted and Dark Souls-inspired Star Wars game in Fallen Order, which also turns out to be embedded in official canon. So, given the heavy millstone around its neck, does Fallen Order buck the pressure or end up being a muddy collection of trending influences? We’re a few hours into the game now, and we still aren’t sure. Right from the jump, the game clearly understands and respects the hallmarks of Star Wars: Intricate robot detail and cinematic framing litter each scene. The game hates to shift into a cutscene too, and the materials and graphics are truly something to behold. Watching the heavy rain as it trickles down and pools at the bottom of a vibrant roof, enjoying a glorious vista as the orchestra comes in… it feels very in tune with the movies and deeply respects the source material. The score in particular is a triumph, even making unimportant conversations feel like they mean something. The opening sequence in particular has stood out for the way it introduces Cal’s powers seamlessly, but we're starting to long for more of those chaotic and interesting set pieces (the likes of which Uncharted constantly delivers in every level) as we’ve broached into the open world sections which are far more lonely and considered. They feel like raiding a gigantic cavern in the Tomb Raider reboot, for better and for worse. Hopefully it ups the ante and the danger some more as I make it through the game, but the Uncharted and Dark Souls parts of the game feel very disparate when they should feel intrinsically connected if Fallen Order wants to leave some kind of legacy.
Fallen Order wears its influences very proudly on its sleeve, down to the climbing animations and the process of using obstacles to preface story beats which makes it feel even more like Uncharted. Of course, this can’t be a bad thing, but we're still waiting for the point where Fallen Order uses the stellar source material backing it to go beyond its influences. So far, we've found combat to be frenetic and more Bloodborne than Dark Souls, with a surprising amount of work being done by the haptic vibration in my Xbox One controller. You can really feel the heft of Cal’s lightsaber when he’s cleaving through rats and troopers. This is perhaps Fallen Order’s best offering, learning how to unravel an enemy with your lightsaber and combining force abilities to deal damage. Reflecting blaster bolts with your lightsaber has never felt as good, though The Force Unleashed still has it beat when it comes to wreaking havoc in giant combat arenas, as Fallen Order only really has you fighting small groups at once. Unfortunately, the writing is a bit predictable so far and Cal Kestis is just an extremely dull protagonist. The way he brandishes his lightsaber after losing a friend is noble but completely reckless and unbelievable. If he really cared about being a fugitive he would have kept it sheathed and not let his emotions overcome him. With a world as rich as Star Wars Fallen Order could have strived for something more, but the game is yet to truly hit the ground running with its story beats. The Second Sister in particular intrigues us, as do Cal’s cheeky mates who run the ship. So far so good, but we're holding out hope that the game gives me more of the set pieces and bombastic Star Wars action we’ve been craving since the start. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order trailers and storyYou'll take the role of Cal Kestis, a former Jedi padawan (AKA, a student of the Force). The game is set in the period following Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith – the fateful time when the evil Emperor Palpatine executed Order 66, which saw the Jedi ambushed and killed by their own supporting Clone Trooper soldiers. Few survived and were forced into hiding. And that seems to include Cal! A youngster only partially through his training, Cal has been forced into hiding, working construction sites and trying to keep a low-profile as the Jedi-hunting Imperial Inquisition continues to track down any remaining survivors. The reveal trailer shows Cal having to use his Force powers to defend himself against rogue troopers, and to save a friend from falling from an accident. The trailer suggests the game will have some lavish set-pieces and environments, and hinted at a very-story-driven experience to enjoy. A story trailer released in September gave an even better idea of what to expect from the game's main story, showing that Cal is not only on the run from the Empire, he's actively racing them to get to an item related to the Jedi Order. Check it out both trailers below: You can also watch the EA Play 2019 gameplay reveal for the game below, but note that you're going to have to jump into around the 30 minute mark to skip the build up portion, that's basically just 30 minutes of an EA logo! If you just want to see the game in-action, there's a brand-new official gameplay trailer that should provide everything you need to know about the game - including a few surprises. (Spoiler warning!) This is the same demo that journalists and attendees saw at the EA Play event. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order gameplayEA Play 2019 showed us a 15 minute slice of gameplay from the game, roughly 3 hours into the game. We were shown Chewbacca's homeland Kashyyyk, where Jedi Cal is trying to kickstart the rebirth of the Jedi order. But the poor Wookies are enslaved by the Empire! So Cal has to try to help them out.
Walking through a tech-filled jungle corridor, gameplay at first doesn't look unlike Uncharted 4, with a tool that lets you swing from beams, and some wall-running ala Respawn's other game, Titanfall. Cal's pretty nimble, able to clamber up walls and climb as if he was Assassin's Creed's Ezio. He moves weightily. After meeting up with some resistance fighters, he carves his way through a door and comes across a burning refinery, using his lightsaber as a torch in the darkness. A battle ensues below and Cal needs to reach a troop of Stormtroopers , so force-pushes a tree below to make a path to them.
Here we see our first glimpse of lightsaber action. Cal can force pull and push troops, as well as throwing his lightsaber at them for a ranged attack. Combat is lock-on focussed, not unlike Dark Souls for one-on-one combat, but seems massively more forgiving. There also seems to be finishing animations that trigger when you've took a baddie to low health. Lightsaber combat, thankfully, looks weighty and measured – this will be a tactical fighting game, rather than a hack and slash, with the classic ability to slash blaster bolts back at an enemy.
Cal also seems to have the ability to focus the force and slow time, letting him take on dangerous foes, like flamethrower stormtroopers with a little more ease, as well as avoiding environmental hazards like spinning blades. One cool moment had him slow time, and force pull a stormtrooper towards him in time to use it as a human-shield against the very same blaster bolt it had fired at Cal moments earlier. The same technique can be used to halt a foe momentarily in its tracks – very Kylo Ren. So far, levels, though expansive, seem fairly linear – you're very much set along a path from one action scene to another, although the densely-designed levels prevent it from appearing too much like a series of corridors, back to back. Each scene has lots of AI interactions between NPCs, too – you'll see stormtroopers battling the native, giant-beetle-like creatures of Kashyyyk, and timing your attack against them could help to swing the odds in your favor.
Cal acquires upgrade points as he defeats enemies, and also seems to be able to complete side missions if he goes off the beaten path and explores levels in detail. C The timing of the story, set after Revenge of the Sith, also means there was a familiar face or two turning up. Rogue One's Saw Gerrera, aka actor Forest Whitaker, was present, as was a bot that looked like K2SO. You'll have to fight this one, though.
Skill points will go into your force abilities, letting you upgrade force pulls and push, double jumps and force slowing tricks. You'll get a droid, too, BD1, to help you on your way, offering the ability to hack terminals, heal your player and manage your hologram map, as well as being your buddy. You won't be able to turn to the Dark Side though – Cal's good to the core.
So far then, so good. This is a classic-era Star Wars game, giving you a taste of the most-loved period in Star Wars history. Rather than the original reveal's suggestion that Cal will be a weak newbie Jedi, he's going to be fairly advanced in his training. And, it's all cannon – these characters are going to turn up in the wider Star Wars universe. It looks visually impressive... except for the Wookies. They looked like the plastic figures from the 70s. A bit more free-flowing, walking-carpet Wookie hair please, EA! Minimum and Recommended PC specsThe minimum specs required to play Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order aren't too bad, and most older gaming PCs should be able to scrape by without a problem. Here's what you'll need:
That said, the recommended specs are a bit... loftier. If you want to run the game at the recommended spec, you'll apparently need 16GB of RAM (*originally EA said it would be 32GB before dialing the number back), an AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 or Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 GPU plus an AMD Ryzen 7 1700 or Intel Core i7-6700K. Here's all the details:
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order news and rumorsDatamining yields spoilers There's no Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order early access to speak of but that hasn't stopped dataminers uncovering plenty of details about the game. Naturally, there's a warning for spoilers here so don't read on or click through if you want to avoid any details before playing for yourself. The findings have been conveniently collated on Reddit but the highlights are the finding of files related to a Darth Vader appearance as well as a double-bladed lightsaber and a bunch of details on Cal's combat moves. There's also a list of planets that Cal will visit over the course of the game and these include larger areas on Zeffo, Bogano, Kashyyyk and Dathomir and more restricted areas on Ilum and Umbara. No Early Access EA has confirmed that Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order will not have any Early Access options, even for subscribers to EA Access Premier who traditionally get access to games 5 days before release. They will still, however, still get the Deluxe version and access to pre-order items. The reason for the early access block is, apparently, that the publisher doesn't wish to risk any story spoilers leaking out before the wider audience gets to play. Releasing on Steam And it's not the only EA title coming to the platform. The publisher has confirmed we will see the likes of Unravel Two, The Sims 4 and "other major titles" appearing on Steam in the next few months, with big-hitters FIFA 20, Apex Legends and Battlefield V all arriving next year. If that's not enough, players on Steam and Origin will be able to play together. PS4 Pro and Xbox One X enhancements Gone Gold New story trailer Those Sekiro Comparisons The team readily admitted to being fans of From Software's games, though given Jedi: Fallen Order was in development before Sekiro's release the similarities can't be much more than coincidence. Game director, Stig Asmussen, said that he and his team had a look at previous Star Wars games to determine what worked in them and how those fun elements could be brought forward. The Jedi Knight games, for example, were singled out as being good examples of lightsaber combat because they "really sold the lethality of the lightsaber" and served as better inspiration than the kind of heavy-handed combat found in Force Unleashed. Protagonist potential While Asmussen admitted that he would be interested in an alien protagonist, he said the team wanted to make sure that “there was a real human connection to the character”. Having an alien protagonist in a Star Wars title certainly has the potential to offer a new and interesting perspective on the universe so it seems a shame that the opportunity was passed by. Fingers crossed it’s something that will be re-explored in the future. That said, Fallen Order has made a good impression thus far and hopes are high ahead of the game’s November launch.
EA doesn't plan to release Fallen Order on Switch You can check out Ingram's reply to a fan tweet below: Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order was livestreamed – check it out But luckily for fans that couldn't make the trek to the event, EA livestreamed it. Check out EA's announcement tweet below for a chance to replay it: The galaxy-wide premiere saw the head of Respawn Entertainment, Vince Zampella, and game director, Stig Asmussen (whose previous work includes God of War 3), revealing the much-anticipated details of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order toys -confirmed A Padawan called Cal? Confirmed It's set after Revenge of the Sith This places it after the Galactic Empire hunted the 10,000-strong Jedi Order practically to extinction, leaving only a small fraction of Jedi alive (aka Order 66). With the promise that the game will be set 'in the dark times', it sounds like our Jedi protagonist may be more the hunted than the hunter.
Could famous Jedi appear? The single-player mode comes first – and there will be no microtransactions It looks like a multiplayer component won't be available at all in the game – surprising given EA's focus in recent years on games that extend beyond a single play session. Even more surprising is the fact that there will be no microtransactions at all, ever, in Fallen Jedi. It's great news considering the industry falls over itself to offer chunks of games piecemeal these days – but don't be surprised if that means there will be an aggressive DLC system instead. I find your lack of faith disturbing Jedi: Fallen Order has been handed to a different studio, albeit one that's still a subsidiary of EA. But Respawn has garnered a lot of respect as the studio behind Titanfall and Titanfall 2, two critically acclaimed sci-fi action games that pit players against each other in giant mechanized suits, and which both came with strong single-player and multiplayer offerings. (Image credits: Respawn Entertainment) Keep checking back here for all the latest Jedi: Fallen Order news This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best portable monitor 2019: the top USB-connected screens Posted: 15 Nov 2019 12:50 PM PST Computers find more uses every single day, and that means you'll have a ton of applications in use at any time. This is true whether you're at work or play. No matter if you're writing, doing graphic design work, coding or working as a call center assistant, having a secondary monitor can let your desktop have some breathing room, spreading apps out in a more natural way. Now, getting an extra monitor is easy if you're sitting at home or in an office, but what about when you're trying to get work done in your local coffee shop? Well, monitor manufacturers far and wide have responded to the demand, putting out thin and light models that are just as good as their full-sized brethren. Apple even lets you use an iPad as a portable monitor these days. So, ahead of Black Friday, we went ahead and picked out the best portable monitors on the market right now, all using the latest display technology. And, because we've included our exclusive price comparison tool, you can find the best deal quick, because we know it's a busy world out there.
Packed Pixels is a wingmirror-style monitor that can be fixed to the left and right sides of your laptop’s screen to give you two extra displays. While they can be used at their native 2,048 x 1,536 resolution for maximum screen real-estate, these 9.7-inch panels are best used in ‘Retina’ mode and with a single app maximised to fill the space in each. Essentially, it’s like bolting an iPad Air 2 onto your laptop, and any app that you drag onto it – from Atom to Microsoft Word and Google Docs, Slack and Skype (you get the idea) – is rendered in crisp detail. Because Packed Pixels uses DisplayPort (for video - USB-C also works using a converter) and a USB connection (for power), it’s completely free of any noticeable lag and serves up a buttery smooth experience. Slim, light, bright and supremely portable, it also comes with a soft carrying case for transportation.
The Asus ZenScreen MB16A Portable Monitor is one of the nicest-looking USB monitors we’ve seen, and it comes with a number of features and design considerations that make it an incredibly handy device, and one of the best portable monitors of 2019. However, it comes at a price, with the ZenScreen proving to be more expensive than many of the other portable monitors on this list. However, the build and image quality of this screen makes it well worth the extra money. Fans of Asus' ZenBook laptops should be particularly interested in this device, as it has a design that compliments Asus' high-end laptops nicely.
The Asus MB169C+ isn’t quite as portable as Packed Pixels, but its 15.6-inch size makes using it feel more like using a regular monitor. It has a healthy pixel-resolution of 1,920 x 1,080, which is perfect for streaming full HD video, working with two applications side-by-side and even gaming if you have a sufficiently powerful laptop. The MB169C+ is incredibly simple to use thanks to its USB-C connection, which uses a single cable to transmit video, sound and power. It also comes in a handy protective sleeve that doubles up as a carrying case. Asus’ portable monitor uses an in-plane switching (IPS) display, which brings decent viewing angles making it perfect for watching video with a friend.
Aimed at photographers who need a monitor to take on shoots, the Gechic 1101P features an IPS display like the Asus MB169C+. However, this one is smaller at 11.6 inches and more portable, allowing to be easily attached to a tripod or SLR camera while out in the field. This full HD display supports 16.7 million colors which can easily be tweaked using the monitor’s onboard color temperature settings, allowing you to get it as close to your camera’s display as possible The 1101P is also well-connected, featuring support for VGA, micro HDMI and mini DisplayPort. These make it suitable for a number of different use cases – from previewing photos and videos shot on a camera to being used as a normal portable monitor with your laptop.
If you like the sound of the Asus MB169C+ but don’t have a laptop with a USB-C connection, then the Asus MB169B+ is what you need. This one also connects to your laptop with a single cable, except it uses a regular USB-A port instead. It works with both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0, though you’ll experience noticeably more latency with the former due to its slower data transfer rate. Still, it features the same alluring slim and lightweight design. Thanks to Asus EzLink tech, which offloads the graphics processing from the PC to dedicated hardware in the monitor, you can even hook up five of them if your laptop has enough USB ports.
This portable monitor from AOC isn’t going to beat either of the Asus models on our list due to its comparatively lower pixel-resolution of 1,600 x 900. However, its lower resolution means that it’s going to be less taxing on your laptop’s battery life. Taking that into account, and the fact that it’s the largest portable monitor on our list at 17.3 inches, and the E1759Fwu suddenly becomes an interesting option if you’re into streaming video on the move. And, because it’s a few years old, you’ll pick it up for much less than competing portable monitors. With its thin and light dimensions and glossy black frame, it doesn’t exactly look archaic – it just isn’t as multi-talented as newer and flashier alternatives.
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| Don't use public USB charging ports Posted: 15 Nov 2019 10:10 AM PST In a recent security alert, the Los Angeles District Attorney has warned travelers to avoid charging their smartphones and other devices using public USB power charging stations as they may contain dangerous malware. USB was designed to transfer both power and data and security researchers as well as cybercriminals have learned how to use USB connections to deliver malicious payloads to users who thought they were merely charging their devices. Over the past few years, several proofs of concepts were created with the most notorious being Mactans, which was unveiled at the Black Hat security conference back in 2013. While the device may look like an ordinary USB wall charger, it actually has the capability to deploy malware on iOS devices.
In 2016, security researcher Samy Kamkar improved on the idea further and created an Arduino-based device called KeySweeper. The device resembled a USB wall charger and it could provide power to smartphones but it also used a wireless connection to passively sniff, decrypt and log all keystrokes from any Microsoft wireless keyboards within its range. Malware in plain sightThe LA District Attorney's warning titled “USB Charger Scam” provided consumers information on all of the different ways criminals can use USB wall chargers and even USB cables to infect their devices. Pluggable USB wall chargers are the most common way that consumers can fall victim to a “juice jacking” attack as a criminal could easily leave behind a malicious charger at a public place such as an airport or hotel. However, criminals now also have the capability to load malware onto public charging stations which means that public USB ports also pose a security risk. In the same way that a charger can 'accidentally' be left behind, so too can USB cables and the O.MG Cable, which was revealed at this year's DefCon cybersecurity conference, is a recent example of how malware can now be hidden inside a USB cable itself. To avoid falling victim to a “juice jacking” attack, LA officials recommend that travelers use AC power outlets instead of USB charging stations and that they bring their own chargers when traveling. While traveling can certainly be fun, it is also the time that consumers are most likely to fall victim to a scam or even a cyberattack.
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| Black Friday preview at Amazon: deals on TVs, the Instant Pot, Apple Watch & more Posted: 15 Nov 2019 09:38 AM PST Black Friday 2019 is just around the corner, and the retail giant Amazon is getting a head start with holiday deals that you can shop right now. Amazon's best pre-Black Friday bargains include massive discounts on 4K TVs, top-brand vacuums, kitchen appliances, the latest Apple Watch, Amazon devices, and more. Amazon pre-Black Friday deals:Shop other deals with our Amazon Black Friday deals guide. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| The best laptops for programming Posted: 15 Nov 2019 09:28 AM PST If you’re looking for the best laptop for programming, you’ve come to the right place. We found all the best laptops for software developers like you, whether you’re trying your hand at HTML, CSS, JavaScript or VB. Before you go through are list, bear in mind that are a few things you need to think about before you buy the best laptop for programming. First, you’re going to need one of the best processors, as that horsepower goes a long way when you’re compiling code. Most modern laptops will feature plenty of cores, threads and high clock speeds, but you should focus on getting the fastest processor you can afford. Then there’s the memory. You absolutely need at least 8GB, and it needs to be fast. Think about storage as well: one of the best SSDs is essential, as it will shave minutes off your project with all the files and apps you’ll use. You won’t necessarily need the fastest graphics chip on the market, as modern Intel hardware comes with integrated graphics that are more than good enough for anything you’ll encounter while programming. However, if you want to do some gaming in your down time, go for it. Oh, and do yourself a favor and make sure you’re getting one of the best keyboards. As programming involves a lot of typing, you need a keyboard with excellent travel and superior comfort. And, a high resolution display will help make sure that it's easy on the eyes, as you’ll be spending a lot of hours and then some staring at it. Taking all that in consideration, find the best laptop for programming that suits you best in our list below.
Image credit: TechRadar The HP Spectre line has always consisted of stunning devices. So, when we say that the 2019 Spectre x360 takes things to another level, that should mean something. Not only is this one of the most beautiful laptops on the market right now – with its gem cut design and sleek profile, but it’s tough on the inside. HP fitted this with powerful Intel Whiskey Lake processors and long battery life, which means that you’re getting one of the best laptops on the market, hands down. As such, it’s also the best laptop for programming right now.
Image credit: Lenovo If you have the funds for an unstoppable workhorse, then Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 Extreme mobile workstation is the best laptop for programming for you. This gets our vote as one of the best Lenovo laptops for many reasons. It has several configurations on hand, depending on your needs and budget, but at its most basic, it’s already pretty powerful, packed with a solid graphics card in a robust carbon-fiber and aluminum package that will survive any office or field.
Image credit: TechRadar The EliteBook x360 1040 G5 is, without a doubt, the apex predator of the business world. It’s not the perfect machine, but it’s got plenty of features that make up for its flaws. It boasts many excellent features in its handsome-looking chassis, as well as plenty of ports, a port that works wonders and impressively audio. Simply put, it’s fit for the professional who demands seamlessness and power at work, making it one of the best laptops for programming.
Thinner, lighter and with a Retina display, 2019's model is easily the best MacBook Air we’ve ever used. Thanks to improved hardware for better performance and an affordable price, the 2019 MacBook Air is a brilliant laptop for programming on. It keeps that same light and slim design which means it's easy to sling into a bag and carry around with you, but it also has enough oomph to make programming on it a joy. The improved screen and higher resolution makes it far more comfortable to work on as well.
When you’re looking for the best laptop for programming, especially if you’re developing software for macOS, you’re eventually going to find yourself looking at the MacBook Pro. And, the new MacBook Pro, with its powerful processor and heaps of RAM, is the fastest MacBook that the Cupertino tech behemoth has ever birthed. No matter how extraneous your workload is, no matter what you’re trying to develop, you’re going to be able to get it done on the new 15-inch MacBook Pro, and we’d recommend it to any software developer – as long as they had the budget for it.
Image Credit: Microsoft Sometimes you just have to work on the go, and in those situations, you’ll be thankful for the Microsoft Surface Pro 6. With its quad-core processors and plentitude of RAM, you’ll be able to compile code quickly and efficiently, even when you’re on the move. Just keep in mind that you’ll have to pay extra for the Type Cover – you’re not going to want to get any coding done on a touch screen, trust us. While Microsoft has released the Surface Pro 7, we actually think the Pro 6 is the better choice for programmers, as the hardware isn't the different – but the price is.
Image Credit: TechRadar Yes, a Chromebook (or two) has made our best laptop for programming list. That’s because Google Pixelbook is powerful (and beautiful) enough to contend with the Surfaces and MacBooks of the world. Admittedly, the ChromeOS is not as good a place to program as Windows or macOS. However, the Pixelbook’s support of Android makes it a must-own laptop for any Android developer. The fact that this laptop succeeds the discontinued Google Chromebook Pixel, which was designed by and for Google’s own developers, should give it some credibility in the eyes of coders.
Image Credit: Asus Another Chromebook that’s made our best laptop for programming list? The Asus Chromebook Flip, which is one of the best Chromebooks out there, solely because it offers a premium build, a great touchscreen and reasonably powerful components for the price. And, while Chrome OS doesn’t feature many robust programming tools, the Asus Chromebook Flip is one of the best Asus laptops for programming if you’re deep into web development.
Image Credit: Microsoft The Surface Book 2 is an excellent choice for any coders out there, as Microsoft has crafted one of the most powerful 2-in-1 laptops on the planet. After all, it boasts components powerful enough to handle pretty much everything you could throw at it – including some light gaming in your down time. If you’re looking for a larger display, there’s a 15-inch model, which also features beefier components – albeit at a higher price tag.
If you need a macOS device that’s fast, but also light enough to carry around with you wherever you go, you’re going to love the MacBook Pro 13-inch. This isn’t just a best laptop for programming; this is one of the best Macs that we’ve ever used. If you need to code on the go, the quad-core processors and up to 16GB of RAM mean you’ll work fast, while the thin and light design means you won’t be held back. We can’t recommend it enough. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Exclusive SIM only deal alert: 9GB of data for £11 per month from iD Mobile Posted: 15 Nov 2019 09:26 AM PST With a couple of weeks until 'Black Friday proper' rolls around, one of the most bustling areas that have already seen an onslaught of offers and discounts is SIM only deals. And if we've learned anything from the last few years it's that Carphone Warehouse's in-house network iD Mobile would be right among the best of them. And with this new offer - which is exclusive to TechRadar readers only - it has certainly joined the Black Friday 2019 party. This tariff gives you 9GB of data every month (which is more than the average user really needs), unlimited texts and 500 minutes' worth of calls for a very tempting £11 per month. Sound good? Then you can sign up for this SIM straightaway here. Need more data (or even go unlimited)? Prefer a different network? Or simply want to see what the competition has come up with for the sales silly season? That's where our dedicated SIM only deals guide is your friend. A super iD SIM only deal - just for TechRadar readers!What is iD Mobile?iD Mobile is a sub-section of Carphone Warehouse so you can rest assured that it is a trustworthy source for your new SIMO deal. It piggybacks off the Three network's coverage, so pretty good for most parts of the UK. And you can use roaming in 50 destinations around the world. Early Black Friday SIM only deals: best of the restAs we say, iD is just the latest phone retailer to begin unleashing its Black Friday bargains. The competition is looking very strong in the early running. Possibly the best among them to date is from the up-and-coming Smarty Mobile. Its 45GB data SIM for £15 per month has been absolutely flying off the virtual shelves. And, we're also pretty keen on Voxi's cheap £8/pm SIMO that bags you 10GB of data. And although it isn't strictly speaking a Black Friday promotion, no SIM only conversation would be complete without mentioning Three's great value unlimited data SIM only deal. For £22 you can completely kiss goodbye to the monthly anxiety about running out of data for WhatsApping, Netflix watching and Spotify streaming on the go.
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| Motorola Razr 2019 vs Samsung Galaxy Fold Posted: 15 Nov 2019 09:26 AM PST The Motorola Razr 2019 revives the most iconic flip phone design into a new form factor - a foldable phone. But instead of expanding into a tablet-like widescreen, the Razr folds clamshell-style into a form factor that’s half the size of conventional smartphones. It challenges the idea of what a foldable can be - and in so doing, the current king of foldables, the Samsung Galaxy Fold. This isn’t so much a head-to-head competition as it is a clash of philosophies, with the Razr designed to reduce its size while the Galaxy Fold attempts to fit as much screen space into its central display as possible. While the Samsung device is closer to the idea of ‘foldables’ as they’re popularly known - a bridge between phone and tablet - the Razr challenges the notion that devices in this newfound category must endeavor to maximize display size. In truth, we suspect readers already know which of these devices they prefer - but this guide lays out exactly how they differ, from specs to usability. While we’ll still point out which has superior elements over the other, their unique appeals preclude a lot of direct comparisons. They have different mission goals, and we’re here to tell you if they succeed.
Price analysis
These are, without a doubt, premium devices, costing either half again or even twice as much as the priciest flagship smartphones on the market. You’re paying for style and innovation in this first generation of foldable devices. The Motorola Razr 2019 has just been officially unveiled to the world, and while it’s coming out soon in the US - preorders start December 26, 2019, with a January 2020 release - it’s unclear when the device will come to other regions (though it’s planned for Asia, Australia, and Latin America). We only know the US price: $1,500. It will be a Verizon exclusive. After a much-publicized aborted launch in April 2019 due to durability issues, the Samsung Galaxy Fold has been available to buy in the US, UK, and South Korea since September and Australia since October. It’s marginally pricier, at $1,980 / £1,800 / AU$2,900, with exclusive carrier partners AT&T in the US and EE in the UK. (Note that the US only has the 4G LTE version, while the 5G version is the only one available in the UK.) Given the issues with the Fold, Samsung looped in 24/7 support service (by phone, video chat, or in-person visit to one of its stores) with purchase of the phone for its entire lifetime. Similarly, picking up a Motorola Razr in the US grants access to 24/7 chat or 14-hour-per-day direct device service, as well as guarantees to replace defective parts or unduly damaged screens (Motorola hasn’t announced what kind of service and/or warranty package will be offered in other regions). Replacing the display for reasons not covered under warranty will set you back $299 (around £231, AU$439).
DesignAs we mentioned before, both foldables define their appeal through their design. The Motorola Razr is portable and slim, while the Samsung Galaxy Fold is dense and expands into more screen real estate for productivity and media. Considering prior foldables (the Fold, the Huawei Mate X, and even the Royole FlexPai) saw bendable displays as a way to get more screen volume in the same space, it’s amazing that Motorola went the opposite direction - and pulled it off. Unfolded, its 6.2-inch display is nearly identical in size and ratio to that of the Xperia 5 (h/t for that observation to @tnkgirl); folded closed, it takes up half the footprint of an iPhone 11 Pro Max.
The phone is somewhat thicker, of course, with both halves stacked - 14mm - but even that isn’t too big, and it’s thinner than the Galaxy Fold’s 15.5mm. The Razr looks like its namesake, featuring the same scalloped top edge that tucks into the big bottom chin. Folding it closed shows the 2.7-inch front screen and the 16MP camera below it - and yes, you can use that screen to take selfies instead of the small 5MP camera atop the interior display. More on that mini screen later. The Razr’s hinge is smooth but flipping the phone open isn’t quite as easy as it was with the original. Fair enough - phones have gotten much denser - so it takes a little work to pry open one-handed. it’s still satisfying to snap the phone closed to end a call, and you’ll notice how little of your pocket or bag it takes up. There are a few disappointments in the Razr’s design, including sharp and tough to press side buttons (lock and volume rocker). There is no slot for a SIM or expandable storage - and while neither does the Samsung Galaxy Fold, the latter’s larger internal storage eases that pain point. Nor do either have a 3.5mm phone jack.
The Galaxy Fold takes the opposite approach: start with a standard smartphone footprint and unfold for more display. After the initial failures, the device was re-released in September 2019 with refinements to the screen and hinge for durability, and it is indeed pleasant to unfold the phone with a satisfying snap into place - but good luck trying to do it one-handed. The Fold is narrower than most flagship phones when folded closed, and unfolded flat to its 7.3-inch maximum, its display sits between the massive Samsung Galaxy S10 5G (6.7 inches) and the iPad Mini (7.9 inches). The interior display is topped by a pair of cameras for video chatting, which complement the small lens on the front and the three standard (main, ultrawide, telephoto) on the back, which is the kind of overkill that allows you to take photos from any orientation. The Galaxy Fold is also heavy at 268g, and feels like a lead candybar when folded up. While the clamshell-closed Razr is similarly hefty, its 208g weight is notably less.
DisplayThe Samsung Galaxy Fold’s massive AMOLED display is a sight to behold, though it has a visible crease down the center. Don’t expect it to be quite as sharp as conventional smartphone displays: the 1536 x 2152 resolution is closer to tablet pixel density than that found on flagships. But you pay for the real estate, and it’s impressive to use with Google Maps or other apps specced for its format (not all media can make great use of its 4:3-ish ratio). There is a 4.6-inch 720 x 1680 screen on the front, which serves just fine for previewing and navigating around the phone’s Android OS as normal, but its thick bezels and dimness make it a bit lackluster. Not a big deal given most important tasks will be done on the big center screen.
The Motorola Razr’s central 6.2-inch P-OLED display is likewise lower-resolution than conventional phones, but its central axis doesn’t show a crease - at least not right off the assembly line. This is partially due to some design wizardry that bends the screen out while the phone closes before tucking the display back in to the hinge part. Yes, this creates a small (several millimeter) gap where water or dust particles could enter, but Motorola seems unconcerned with this vector. The front 2.7-inch display serves as a remarkable selfie-aiding screen that shows surprising clarity for its 800 x 600 resolution and small size. But you’ll mostly use it to preview texts, emails, and other messages that you can reply to with a few auto-generated suggestions - a lot like a smartwatch.
On the other hand, the Galaxy Fold’s 4.6-inch front screen is a fully functional smartphone display for unabridged access to the Android OS - though it’s a bit small and dim for extensive use.
CameraThe Motorola Razr’s 16MP main camera is what you’ll be using most, and though the phone is fresh, what little testing we’ve done reveals a very by-the-numbers Motorola camera setup, with decent performance aided by improved photo software since the Moto Z4 hit the stands. The camera app is simple, with photo, video, and a branching menu with various modes (including a night mode). As previously mentioned, the main camera can also be used for selfies in conjunction with the small front display when the phone is folded closed. This isn’t just for photos - you can video chat in this mode too.
But say you’re video chatting on the front screen and want more screen - just flip the phone open and the video call will transition seamlessly to the open central screen...and the 5MP camera above it. (It can also be used for selfie photos.) The Galaxy Fold’s camera array is a six-camera amalgam of shooters lifted from previously-released Samsung flagships. The outward-facing 10MP selfie camera is taken from the Samsung Galaxy Note 10’s front-facing camera - which is just okay, though we mostly used it for unlocking the phone.
Unfolding the Fold reveals two front-facing cameras (a 10MP selfie camera and 8MP RGB camera), both taken from the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus - unlike the outer camera, this one can take Live Focus (Samsung’s Portrait mode) photos.This duo is mostly for video chatting and elaborate selfies. The Galaxy Fold’s rear setup is also drawn from the S10 Plus: a trio of lenses featuring a 12MP standard (variable aperture f/1.5 + f/2.4 77 degree FoV), a 12MP telephoto, and an ultrawide (123-degree FoV). These are impressive cameras, though they aren’t quite as advanced as the Note 10’s improved lenses. PerformanceThe Samsung Galaxy Fold is far and away the powerhouse here, with a Snapdragon 855 chipset, 12GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. The device is fast, even when we pop open its inner display and run several apps at once. Which isn’t to say the Motorola Razr is slow - it runs a Snapdragon 710, a chipset designed for mid-range phones, with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The thin design necessitated a processor that wouldn’t run so fast it heated up the phone - and what’s more, would drain the battery. As you’ll see below, the Razr has far less battery to throw around. In our initial testing, the phone ran just fine, playing media and sorting through typical tasks without a hitch. It’s hard to guess what, if anything, will trip it up. Both phones come with Android 9 Pie out of the box - the Galaxy Fold was slated to be released long before Android 10 was released, while the Motorola Razr was likewise originally scheduled for a summer release before being delayed until later in 2019. Both phones also lack a storage slot, so they can’t have their storage expanded. This is far less a problem for the Galaxy Fold’s 512GB internal space, but it’s a harsher penalty for the 128GB in the Razr. Still, that should be plenty for most users. BatteryOne of the creeping worries about foldables seems to be whether the extra screen real estate will require more battery. If that ends up being a serious correlation, the Samsung Galaxy Fold has prepared for it with a 4,380mAh total capacity split between both phone “halves.” We were able to get day-and-a-half battery life, but this varied wildly depending on screen use. Likewise, the Razr has split its battery between both sections - but its capacity is a measly 2,500mAh. This seems concerning, to say the least. Today’s smartphones often start at 3,000mAh and go up from there. Motorola is confident users will get a full day out of the battery life, partially because their usage will change with some functionality outsourced to the front screen. We’ll look forward to testing this out. In any case, both devices come with 15W fast chargers in the box. The Fold comes out a bit ahead in this regard, with wireless charging and the capability to lend its capacity out to other devices with reverse wireless charging, a feature that debuted with the Samsung Galaxy S10 line.
TakeawayThese are truly distinct devices with different ideal users: the Galaxy Fold appeals to folks who desire more screen real estate at the expense of sleekness, while the Motorola Razr is extensively designed to re-introduce compact smartphones back into the market. In other words: you know which device appeals better to you, and there likely isn’t too much overlap between these devices. What does matter, then, are how effective these devices are at achieving what they set out to do. The Galaxy Fold meets its goal of bringing a tablet to a phone fight, though it’s not the most elegant device with the visible seam in its inner display and big-bezel front preview screen. That said, it will likely go down as the pricey innovator that brought foldable displays to the mainstream… or at least paved the way for better executions down the line. The Motorola Razr accomplishes its intention to shrink smartphones down to a much more pocketable form factor. Folded up, the Razr is half the size of most flagship handsets, which means it’s great for folks with small hands or who carry their device in small pockets. You’ll have to pay for the privilege, though, since the rest of the phone packs mid-range specs at best. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Posted: 15 Nov 2019 09:19 AM PST The best wireless routers are paramount for your online connection. It doesn’t matter if you’re battling gamers on the other side of the globe, trying to stream a movie in HD or just trying to get some work done. Nothing is more frustrating than a weak or intermittent internet connection and grabbing one of the best wireless routers for your home should be the first step. You won’t want to be diagnosing a bad internet connection in the midst of binging your favorite shows on Netflix or attempting to download the newest and best PC games. And while you might have your internet provider on speed dial (and ready to expand your service), installing one of the best wireless routers could be the solution to all your problems. You don’t want your router to be the bottleneck keeping your internet service chugging along at a snail’s pace. While getting the best wireless router money can buy might seem the way to go, needs might change from person to person. Maybe you will want the most cutting-edge hardware available, such as a wireless mesh router that can reach into every corner of your house. Or maybe you want an epic gaming router that can prioritize gaming-related network traffic. Or maybe you want to future proof your network with a router that can handle Wi-Fi 6 technology which should be making a big splash in the near future. While shopping for the best wireless routers, bear in mind a few things when comparing. If you have multiple devices in your home, which is probably the majority of people out there, you’ll want to make sure that the best wireless routers you’re looking at have MU-MIMO. It allows the router to communicate with those multiple devices all at once. Also, make sure to look at the speed rating of your chosen device – get one with at least a rated speed of AC1900. Finding the ideal router for you might seem to get tougher as there are more options to choose from than ever before. And while the options seem endless, we’ve compiled this list of our picks for the best wireless routers for your reference. We’ve tested these devices so you know they’re up to the task. Read on to find the best wireless router for your needs.
Google Wifi is proof that the mesh revolution is coming. The days of traditional wireless routers are coming to an end; the age of the wireless mesh routers is here. Google Wi-Fi, alone, is proof that the mesh revolution is upon us, which means that you might be saying goodbye to the days when the only way to have wireless bliss was to install a number of wireless extenders. The idea of Google Wi-Fi is simple: purchase a set of points, put them in strategic places around the house and then scan a QR code. And, just like that, you’re connected anywhere you are in your home. It’s no surprise that this wireless mesh router claims the loftiest spot on our best wireless routers list of 2019, as it’s also the one that’s most effortless to set up and get going.
Asus RT-AC86U easily outclasses practically all the wireless routers on the market. If you’re well-acquainted with Asus, especially its gaming computers, then you likely have a general idea of what the Asus RT-AC86U brings to the table. This wireless router may look like the lovechild of Doritos and Mountain Dew, if they spent a night together in a router making machine. But, inside that kitschy gaming aesthetic is a wireless router that, for its price, effortlessly outclasses almost all of its rivals on the market. Even better, you’re also not paying a premium for a gaming device, so if you’re looking for a high-speed connection with an affordable price tag, the Asus RT-AC86U should be at the top of your list.
Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR500 is supercharged for your online gaming needs. The Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR500 might be pricey and lacks a broadband modem. However, this is still a router that delivers, especially on getting those pings down. Designed for homes with gamers in-house, it’s supercharged for your online gaming needs, keeping those high “ping” and latency rates down to deliver an excellent connection whether you’re playing Call of Duty or PUBG. If you’re willing to pay a pretty penny – and if you’re a serious gamer, you should be – this is one of the best wireless routers to consider.
TP-Link Archer C5400 v2 can bridge consumer and enterprise users by offering high-end functionality at a reasonable price point. Are you in the market for one of the best wireless routers of 2019 and don’t mind a quirky design? If a ‘90s-inspired sci-fi design sounds like it will fit right in your home, then the TP-Link Archer C5400 v2 might be the best wireless router for you. It’s not exactly the most modern-looking mesh router out there, but it’s unique in that it can bridge consumer and enterprise users by offering high-end functionality at a reasonable price point and with a relaxed setup. It’s peculiar looking, yes; however, if you’re scouring the market for a wireless router that can cover a mid-sized home, you can’t go wrong with this.
Netgear Orbi Pro is a modular Wi-Fi mesh router. If you need to bring your office’s networking into the modern age with one of the best routers of 2019, then you must seriously consider getting the Netgear Orbi Pro. It’s a modular Wi-Fi mesh router that takes some design and performance inspiration from its business-grade competitors. It’s on the more expensive side. However, if you’re running a business where you cannot afford any lags due to poor Wi-Fi, then it’s absolutely worth every penny.
Netgear Orbi AC2200 RBK23 is an economical alternative for casual users. When the Netgear Orbi hit the streets, it changed the wireless router scene. Then, Netgear released the Netgear Orbi AC2200 RBK23, an economical alternative for casual users who don’t have a grand manor to cover. This makes it a worthy contender for the best wireless routers. Sure, it comes with fewer antennae and ethernet ports than its higher end counterpart. However, it does deliver more than enough to provide very solid network coverage. Plus, the small form factor means that it will have no issues blending in – not that you will feel the need to hide it.
TP-Link Deco M9 incorporates IoT smart home support, alongside industry standard speeds and coverage. The market is now flooded with wireless mesh routers, but it’s hard to complain when the level of coverage these wireless routers brings tops anything we’ve seen before. With devices like the TP-Link Deco M9, one of the best routers of 2019, we can see how they’re only getting better and better. By incorporating IoT smart home support, alongside industry standard speeds and coverage, the TP-Link Deco M9 is, without question, an excellent choice for a smart home supporter. Fair warning though, this router is a tad expensive. However, you’re also getting all these features and an outstanding performance in exchange.
D-Link Covr C1203 is one of the best wireless routers if you want to upgrade and save at the same time. Ready to jump on the mesh wireless router bandwagon, but without breaking open that piggy bank? You’re in luck with the affordable D-Link Covr C1203. It’s one of the best wireless routers, if you want to upgrade and save at the same time. It offers comparable coverage to that of the Google Wi-Fi while also being affordable, and it also looks futuristic in a great way. It’s somewhat slower than Google’s legendary router, but it will still be fast enough for the typical user. It’s no surprise that the D-Link Covr C1203 gets our vote as one of the best wireless routers of 2019.
Eero Home Wi-Fi System gives users total control over their network while touting a secure connection through AI. If you’re in the market for a wireless mesh router that gives you a lot of control over your network, then the Eero Home Wi-Fi system might just be the answer. It has a price more premium than that of your standard router, but it also gives users total control over their network while touting a secure connection through AI. Even better, the Eero Home Wi-Fi System comes with subscriptions to 1Password, MalwareBytes and Encrypt.me VPN, which should keep everyone linked to your network safe and secure.
Amplifi HD boasts a brilliant performance and a smart design to match. The Amplifi HD is one of the most expensive wireless routers on the list. However, due to its clean, contemporary aesthetic, it’s found a loyal audience without a problem. While design isn’t exactly at the top of everyone's priorities when choosing the best wireless router for them, it does help encourage users to install and show them off it in central locations that will help boost the router’s signal. This wireless router boasts a brilliant performance and a smart design to match, as long as you’re willing to shell out a bit more. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best waterproof headphones 2019: the best swimming headphones to take in the pool Posted: 15 Nov 2019 09:13 AM PST Splish, splash, are you dripping with cash? Waterproof headphones are an absolute must if you're a regular swimmer, letting you add some tunes to your exercise routine, no matter how many meters you are underneath the water. While grabbing a top-notch pair of headphones for dry land is a relatively simple task, swimming headphones require a little more research. You can't just use a pair of wireless earbuds, as, not only are many not truly waterproof, but Bluetooth struggles to provide a reliable connection underwater. What to look for in swimming headphonesThis has lead to the rise of so-called 'SwiMP3' players, that bundle a waterproof player with a pair of waterproof headphones. You wear the whole device with you in the pool, but there are a couple of complications with this use case. Firstly, these devices need to meet the IPX8 standard, meaning they can be submerged in water that’s at least one meter deep (ideally 3m if you are swimming in deeper pools). Another thing to bear in mind is that chemicals in the water, especially chlorine, can affect the device’s ability to charge over a period of time. Typically, the charging points can scale up like a kettle especially if you don’t clean them after each swim. This can limit the lifespan of waterproof headphones. Instead you will need to load music (either MP3 or WMA files) onto the device’s storage via your computer. In order to keep its physical size down, the capacity of SwiMP3 players are usually reasonably small (2GB or 4GB): however, that should be enough to store hundreds of songs, more than enough for even the most dedicated swimming session.
Most importantly, you will also need a player that can be securely attached to your head so that the force of the water doesn’t knock it off as you are swimming. Generally, players either attach to a pair of goggles or underneath a swim cap depending on the design (the Exeze WMR is the only one for which you will need a special headstrap). Finally, it’s worth seeing how comfortable you are using these waterproof headphones before you get into the water as they can be slightly cumbersome to set up. Bear in mind too that you may need to stop your music during your swim to talk to other swimmers or the lifeguard. Here we look at five very different players for the swimming enthusiast looking for entertainment while they exercise. The best swimming headphones at a glance
Best waterproof headphones: Finis Duo Undoubtedly the leading SwiMP3 player on the market, the Duo waterproof headphones come from a US company that’s famous for its high quality swimming accessories. Two colors are available: black/acid green (pictured) and dark grey/mint. What’s great about the Duo is that it uses bone conduction technology to transmit sound underwater via your cheekbones. This saves you having to fiddle around putting headphones in your ears which can easily come out while you’re swimming. Large buttons are provided on one of the ear pendants – including fast forward, rewind, shuffle and play/pause – and sound quality is remarkably clear and loud underwater (you can’t use the Duo on land). Charging is via a magnetic, USB-based dock although you will need to clean the very small charging points on the device out regularly as they can get clogged up.
The second generation player from Exeze, the WMR now comes with a fully waterproof earphones socket. Various sizes of earplugs are provided but the large white earplugs are recommended for swimming as they can be pushed in further (although we still found they came out when turning in the water and pushing off the wall). Alternatively, you can plug your own waterproof headphones into the 3.5mm audio jack. To attach the MP3 player there are two options. For running you can use the separate armband provided, while for swimming Exeze offers a separate pair of goggles with a larger headstrap as an optional extra (surprisingly, they are reasonably good quality). Although it is possible to attach to your existing goggles, the player is quite large so it doesn’t stay in place very easily. Battery life is poorer than with other devices but because Exeze use the audio jack for charging there isn’t the problem of the points becoming damaged as with some MP3 designs. A bank of control is provided for fast forward, rewind, volume up and down. However, as with most underwater MP3 players these are quite fiddly to use in the water. Unlike the Exeze Rider, sound quality is good both in the water and on land although you will need to turn the volume up while you are swimming. We used the armband for running and found it worked well although we had to use separate earphones as the ones provided have a very short cable.
The great thing about the i360 SwiMP3 player is that, much like the Exeze WMR, it can be used either on land for running or in the water for swimming – this is more than just a pair of waterproof headphones. A number of different sized and shaped earbuds are provided (the longer ones for swimming, the shorter ones for land use) and there’s a robust Bulldog style clip for charging the device. The flexible plastic cable wraps around the back of your head with the two black control units lying over the top of each ear. Underwater, sound quality is much better than we expected using the longer earbuds, although the i360 had to be fastened securely under a cap and goggles to ensure it stays in place. The device’s volume also has to be turned up a lot higher than on land. One small problem is that the buttons on the top and bottom of one of the control units are very small which makes it difficult to use the fast forward, rewind and play/pause functions during swimming.
The key difference with the Exeze Rider is that it comes with an integrated 3.5mm audio jack so it’s possible to pair with a separate waterproof pair of headphones if you prefer. The main unit attaches to the back or side of your goggle’s strap with a coiled lead running from the audio jack to the earphones supplied. These are designed to clip around the back of your ears and rotate into position for the optimum listening position. However, they are quite fiddly to put on in the water which is a major inconvenience (Speedo had a similar, more expensive, product called the Aquabeat which has now been discontinued). During testing we found that the earbuds rotated out of position and that the sound was a little echoey both in the water and on land. On a positive note there aren’t the potential problems of the charging points becoming scaled up as there are with other products, because charging is via the audio jack rather than exposed connectors.
So what happens if you have a waterproof MP3 player that doesn't feature Bluetooth? For you folks we recommend Swimbuds. These in-ear earbuds are more or less the gold standard when it comes to wired headphones in the pool. They're not necessarily the most durable waterproof headphones on the market, but they're relatively inexpensive and are super simple to setup and use. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| England vs Montenegro live stream: how to watch Euro 2020 qualifier football online Posted: 15 Nov 2019 09:09 AM PST Gareth Southgate's side go into tonight's game knowing that a single point will guarantee their place at Euro 2020 next summer. And you can keep scrolling to see how to live stream England vs Montenegro wherever you are in the world. England's preparations haven't been ideal, however. A bust-up between teammates Joe Gomez and Raheem Sterling has resulted in the in-form Man City star being left out of tonight's line-up. John Stones has been recalled to the England squad while Tom Heaton and Ross Barkley have dropped out due to injury. Montenegro will be encouraged by England's unexpected defeat to the Czech Republic last month and will be looking to improve upon the 5-1 defeat they suffered in the reverse fixture. Although they will be without their star striker Stevan Jovetic who remains on the long-term injury list with one of either Stefan Mugosa or Fatos Beciraj set to lead the line for the visitors. Read out guide below to find out how to watch a live stream of England vs Montenegro Euro 2020 qualifying football from almost anywhere in the world.
How to live stream England vs Montenegro from outside your countryIf you're in the UK, US or Australia today, then your viewing options are set out in simple black-and-white below. But it's not so straightforward if you try and watch the game from abroad, as you'll likely be faced with a very unhelpful geo-block.
How to stream the England game live in the UK
Live stream England vs Montenegro in the US
How to live stream England vs Montenegro in Australia
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| One of the cheapest Chromebooks we've seen before Black Friday is at Walmart Posted: 15 Nov 2019 09:07 AM PST If you're looking for a cheap Chromebook and fast, then Lenovo and Walmart have concocted a sweet deal just for you as part of the early Walmart Black Friday sale. The duo are selling this Chromebook for more than $200 off of Lenovo's list price, making it one of the cheapest Chromebooks we've seen this year ahead of Black Friday 2019 or Cyber Monday 2019. Short of that $99 Windows laptop we found a while back, we haven't seen that many nearly double-digit priced laptops since. If all you or a loved one needs is to browse Facebook, access social media and watch videos, then this should be an ideal laptop for them. Of course, it hugely helps that it's as cheap as it is, but remember not to expect a powerhouse out of the box.
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| Posted: 15 Nov 2019 09:07 AM PST You'll need to invest in one of the best motherboard possible if you're setting out to build the best PC your budget can afford. Sure, the best motherboards may not be as sexy as the best graphics cards or processors, but that shouldn’t make a difference. Having one of the best motherboards is just as important, as a motherboard serves as the foundation of your PC, helping your hardware reach its full potential by pushing it to its limits. The best motherboards utilize and optimize every inch of performance, as well as help you overclock better. The best motherboards are some of the most crucial PC components in building computers, so don’t settle for anything less. If you compromise and cheap out on your motherboard, it could die on you, forcing you to rebuild your entire PC from scratch. We’ve been there; trust us, it's not a road you want to take. Do yourself a favor: avoid disaster by picking up the best motherboard you can on the market. Keep in mind, however, that there are so many different options these days. Choosing the most ideal motherboard for you can be challenging. And, so we went ahead and put together a list of the best motherboards on the market, motherboards that we’ve tested and reviewed ourselves. Rest assured that every single mobo on this list will do everything you expect from the best motherboards, and will last you for years.
When Coffee Lake Refresh CPUs hit the streets, Intel promised that they would be the best processors for gaming, and we knew that meant kitted out motherboards were on their way. Lo and behold comes the Z390 Aorus Gaming Pro Wifi – maybe one of the best motherboards from Intel right now. It’s packed with gaming-centric features like reinforced PCIe slots and enough RGB lighting to blind you. It’s hard to find a better motherboard, especially at this price point.
When you’re shopping for PC hardware, overwhelmed by all the different features, components and requirements, you might be tempted to throw your hands up and just get the best you can possibly afford. In times like these, you can bet on the Asus ROG Maximus XI Code Z390 Gaming. It’s packed with every feature that Intel’s new Coffee Lake Refresh processors support and then some, with an RGB-lit shroud covering every corner of circuitry on this motherboard, making it one of the best motherboards you don’t have to think twice about choosing.
Now that Coffee Lake Refresh has been available for a while, you’ll want to maximize all the power it has to offer. However, high-end motherboards can get really expensive real fast. If you’re looking for a budget option without many compromises, the Gigabyte Z390 should be at the top of your list of best motherboards to consider. It skips many of the bells and whistles like RGB lighting and built-in Wi-Fi but it does make up for these compromises by providing excellent value. You get all the essential features that Z390 has to offer for a great price. If you want to build a budget gaming system, the Gigabyte Z390 UD is probably the best motherboard for you.
If you’re looking to get an edge on the competition, but you don’t have a lot of extra space on your desk, you’re going to need a Micro-ATX motherboard – more specifically, the MSI MPG Z390M Gaming Edge AC. What you’re getting here is a Micro-ATX motherboard with all the features a full-sized ATX one offers, but at a fraction of the price. Despite its smaller size, you still get dual M.2 slots, SLI and Crossfire support, and all the fiery performance that Intel Coffee Lake Refresh has to offer. If you’re looking for a smaller motherboard, you can’t afford to pass on the MSI MPG Z390M Gaming Edge MC.
If you need the smallest possible motherboard available without compromising on key features of your CPU, you should look into the Asus ROG Strix Z390-I Gaming. With this motherboard, you don’t need to compromise on features or power. You don’t even need to settle for a measly 32GB of RAM. Thanks to Asus’ double capacity memory compatibility – you can have up to 64GB of memory in the most miniscule motherboard you’ve ever seen. Unfortunately, like most Z390 boards, its price tag is not for the faint of heart, so prepare yourself to shell out some serious dough if you want the smallest of the best motherboards.
With the X470 Aorus Gaming 7 Wi-Fi, Gigabyte further illustrates its command of motherboard design. Rocking the new AMD X470 chipset, allowing full support of the AMD Ryzen 2nd Generation processors, this may be the best motherboard if you’re looking to side with Team Red. What’s more, it supports Quad-GPU SLi and lightning fast RAM (up to 3,600 MHz) for peerless expandability, and thanks to its multi-zone RGB lighting, it looks good while kicking butt and taking names.
For the longest time, AMD has been the reigning champion of budget builds, and that isn’t likely to change anytime soon. Marketed exclusively to gamers, the MSI X470 Gaming Plus is loaded front to back with features like two PCIe M.2 slots and quick performance tweaking buttons to make sure you’re on the top of the leaderboard at all times. And, since it’s a gamer-focused motherboard, it comes with flashy RGB lighting that you can even easily customize from your smartphone. Best of all, it’s the best value of all the best motherboards.
Small form-factor PCs are all the rage and with one of the best motherboards like the ASRock B450M-HDV on offer, we think that it’s going to stay that way. While this one doesn't do SLI and only supports up to 32GB of RAM– it is a B450 unit, after all – it is still compelling due to its affordable price. Outside of these omissions, you still get a slot for a NVMe SSD and four USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports around back. If you’re looking to build a solid budget gaming PC, the ASRock B450M-HDV is your best bet.
Asus is out to prove that big things can and do come in small packages with the ROG Strix X470-I. Featuring the latest and greatest AMD chipset, everything in this tiny board is designed with excellent performance in mind. That extends down to the BIOS where you can find a stress test for overclocks before you even boot into Windows. This board also elevates beyond the constraints of the Mini-ITX form factor by including an M.2 Audio Combo riser, so that you can install your M.2 NVMe SSD without crowding out other components.
The X-series processors are here, and they are spectacular. But if you want to take advantage of all they have to offer, you need an X-series motherboard. This ASRock X299 is an incredible choice with support for overclocked memory speeds up to 4400MHz(!!!) and 8 different slots for memory modules. It also supports up to 128GB of RAM. Add in an X-series processor and a good graphics card or 3, and this thing will absolutely tear apart anything you could possibly throw at it. If you’re seeking one of the best motherboards money can buy, this is it.
If you want absolutely every feature you can get and budget is not an issue, the AsRock X399 Professional Gaming sTR4 may be the most ideal motherboard for you. Not only does this monster of a board support 4-way SLI configurations, but you can also pack this thing with up to 128GB of DDR4 memory. It even features a ton of flashy RGB lighting, so that people will be mesmerized by your rig. And, keep in mind that this mobo is compatible with Ryzen Threadripper 2nd Generation chips, so you might need to update the BIOS first. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best mirrorless camera 2019: the 10 best models on the planet Posted: 15 Nov 2019 09:03 AM PST What's the best mirrorless camera you can buy right now? That depends on a few factors like your preferred photography style and budget – but whatever your answers to those, our guide will help you find the right one for you. While DSLRs still have their place for traditionalists, there's no doubt that mirrorless cameras are the most exciting models around for their cutting-edge features and versatility. But what exactly is a mirrorless camera? And what should you bear in mind before deciding which one's the right one for you? We've answered all this and more below. Looking for a quick answer to the best mirrorless camera for most people? Our top choice right now is the Nikon Z6. It's small and light for a full-frame camera, without compromising on Nikon's signature handling, and combines great image quality with a superb electronic viewfinder. While it doesn't have many native lenses right now, you can pair it with hundreds of existing ones via an adaptor.
Mirrorless vs DSLR: what's the difference?Mirrorless cameras allow you to swap and change lenses like on a DSLR, but because the mirror that you normally find inside a DSLR has been removed, the camera can be made much more compact. No mirror means that instead of optical viewfinders to frame your subject, mirrorless cameras rely on electronic viewfinders. Be aware, though, that most cheaper mirrorless cameras don't come with viewfinders at all – instead, you compose the photo on the rear screen, just as you do with most compact cameras or smartphones. This is a boon in terms of keeping size and cost down, but if you're looking to start taking your photography seriously then a viewfinder is nigh-on essential. This is because it lets you compose photos in all conditions, even sunny ones that can render a rear screen useless. You'll find that mirrorless cameras are also known as compact system cameras (or CSCs for short), with models ranging from the simple to use beginner models to sophisticated full-frame monsters that rival the very best DSLRs out there. Why are mirrorless cameras better?Is a mirrorless camera better than a DSLR then? There are still quite a few pros and cons to both designs, so if you want to find out more, read this: Mirrorless vs DSLR cameras: 10 key differences. Mirrorless cameras certainly offer more choice. If you're looking to buy a DSLR, there's only really two main players in the shape of Canon and Nikon. If you opt for a mirrorless camera, the choice is much broader, with the likes of Canon, Panasonic, Fujifilm, Sony, Olympus and Leica all offering a wide range of cameras to suit most budgets. Right now, every major camera manufacturer has something to shout about, and their latest models are different enough from their rivals to stand out in some way. While it would be very easy to select 10 high-end models to make up our pick of the best mirrorless camera, we've tried to pick out some more affordable options as well. These models might not be dripping with features, but they represent great options for new users and those on a budget. That said, if you're looking specifically for a budget mirrorless camera, take a look at our best mirrorless camera for beginners buying guide. So whether you're after a better camera than the one featured on your smartphone or are looking for an advanced, high-end model to push your creativity even further, read on to find out what are the best mirrorless cameras you can buy right now. Best mirrorless cameras 2019 at a glance
The best mirrorless cameras 2019:
Sony may have got to the full-frame mirrorless market before the likes of Canon, Nikon and Panasonic, but now that all four are active in the sector, the playing field is starting to level a little. And our nod right now goes to Nikon's Z6, which combines a sound 24.5MP sensor with a super-sharp 3.69 million dot EVF and lovely 4K video into a compact shell. The beefy grip makes for great handling while the FTZ adapter that's either bundled with the camera or available separately means you can carry on using hundreds of F-mount lenses, with autofocus and auto-exposure maintained. It's not perfect, but a recent firmware update gave it a nice boost – and now that its price has fallen some way it's even more accessible than ever. We love it.
The Alpha A7 III may sit on the bottom rung of Sony's full-frame mirrorless camera range, its siblings being the pricier A7S II and A7R III, but it should no longer be seen as the poor relation to its pricier siblings. This is a brilliant choice for the enthusiast photographer or pro, and when you look at the specification, it's easy to see why. Sony has taken some of the best bits from its flagship Alpha A9 and A7R III cameras, and distilled them into a single camera that offers a fantastic mix of performance and image quality. The full-frame 24.2MP sensor is excellent in a range of lighting conditions, while the advanced 693-point AF looks set to get even better with a firmware upgrade in April. This is one advanced camera that's at a great price considering the features and performance on offer.
Looking for a small, powerful mirrorless camera with a great design and lens system? The Fujifilm X-T30 is our favorite right now. While we love its bigger brother, the X-T3 (position number 8), this model's combination of size and all-round performance makes it one of our favorite cameras of 2019. You get more than you might expect from the X-T3, including the same 26.1MP APS-C sensor and processing engine, making it suitable for everything from sports snapping to landscape photography. This is helped by a phase-detect AF system that covers almost the entire frame, plus the usual range of Fujifilm's excellent Film Simulation modes, which subtly ape the company's old film looks. Throw in the option of recording 4K video and you have a fantastic all-rounder that actively encourages you to get out and shoot.
Sony's A7R line of cameras has been all about resolution, and the A7R IV delivers a lot more of it than ever before. Its class-leading 61MP delivers an excellent level of detail, augmented by the impressive Pixel Shift Multi Shooting mode. An update to the autofocus system has made it faster and smarter, with face- and eye-detect AF working amazingly well – but with Sony at the helm, there was no doubt about that. The camera body is now even more sturdy and better equipped to handle the worst of the elements while out on field, while the deeper grip makes it comfortable to use over long periods of time. Although the addition of top plate command dial makes the mode dial a little harder to access. And while the A7R series wasn't designed with videographers in mind, video quality here is excellent, even though the rolling shutter effect is an issue.
The S1R is the first of two camera's in Panasonic's S series, and it arrives with some mightily impressive technology. That 5.76million-dot viewfinder is streets ahead of the 3.69million-dot alternatives in rival bodies, while the rugged build, effective sensor-based stabilization and cracking 4K video show it to be a camera that excels in a wealth of areas. The 47.3MP full-frame sensor also manages to perform brilliantly in good light and bad, and the further option to output images at 187MP may seem a little crazy, but it opens up new possibilities for cropping and for macro work. We're very impressed.
Canon's first full-frame mirrorless camera, the EOS R, delighted in some ways and frustrated in others, but the EOS RP made a much more positive impression. While technically a more junior model and not as fully featured, its much smaller and lighter body, together with a far nicer price, means that it's far more accessible for those who were hoping to make the jump to mirrorless but didn't want to stretch all the way to the EOS R. Without only around 4MP difference between the two you're not really sacrificing much in terms of sensor resolution, while the responsive touchscreen, fast autofocus and deep buffer makes it a pleasure to use in all kinds of situations. And while the native lens range for the R mount are still limited, a lens mount adapter allows users already invested in Canon's ecosystem to use their existing EF lenses.
The OM-D E-M1X may look strange to some photography fans, but if form factor isn’t an issue, then this is by far the best Micro Four Thirds (MFT) camera money can buy. In fact, if you can ignore the sensor size, this is arguably the best mirrorless camera money can buy. Despite the smaller sensor size, the E-M1X produces bigger image files than any full-frame camera or medium format camera. And if you thought that this MFT system couldn’t keep up with its new full-frame mirrorless competitors, think again – there are so many features packed into this snapper, it can put Panasonic’s Lumix S1 series and Nikon’s Z series cameras to shame. Boasting up to 60fps RAW burst speed with locked autofocus (AF) and 18fps with AF tracking, the E-M1X is clearly aimed at wildlife and sports photographers. With two image processors under the hood, it is any wonder it can achieve these speeds? Picture quality is fabulous, both with stills and video, and image stabilization is sound. The only reason it features way down in this list is because of the hefty price tag.
It might not be as great for video as the Lumix GH5, but the G9 prioritizes stills. Like Olympus OM-D E-M1X listed above, the smaller MFT sensor size is made up for by a camera that is packed full of features. Its high resolution combines eight images into a single 80MP photograph, while its amazing image stabilization allows you to shoot handheld for about a second with sharp results. Throw in 60fps shooting, polished handling and a wealth of advanced features and the Lumix G9 is a brilliant all-round mirrorless camera.
Just because this little snapper doesn't have a built-in viewfinder, doesn't mean you can dismiss it out of hand. It more than makes up for it in its specifications list. It compact size and light weight makes it one of the best traveling companions you can get, and its 32.5MP sensor captures excellent images at 14fps. Color reproduction has always been Canon's strong suit and you won't hear us complain here. You won't find built-in image stablilization, but as long as you're aware of that you can compensate for it. You will, however, need to contend with the idea that there are limited lenses for the M-series of snappers but you can use EF and EF-S lenses via an adapter. Just steer clear of the bigger lenses as they will unbalance this tiny package.
The OM-D E-M10 Mark III might not be a massive leap forward over the Mark II, with much of the camera's specification remaining the same. However, Olympus has refined and tweaked one of our favorite mirrorless cameras to make it an even more tempting proposition for new users and enthusiasts alike. Some will criticise the smaller Micro Four Thirds sensor format, but the effect on image quality is minor and it means that the lenses are as compact and lightweight as the camera itself. Sporting a five-axis image stabilization system, a very decent electronic viewfinder, an impressive 8.6fps burst shooting rate and 4K video, it's no toy – the OM-D E-M10 Mark III is a properly powerful camera. The recently announced Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III may yet knock it out of this list when we've had a chance to test it properly, but for now this remains a great buy.
Also consider:
The GFX 100 outguns every other model in the list for native resolution, and while it has a lofty price tag to match its beefy body, it's arguably in a league of its own right now. While it's not the only camera capable of outputting images this detailed, it's the fact that it does it as standard rather than through any trickery or need to use a tripod like many others that makes it special. Throw in a very competent autofocus system, sensor-based image stabilization, strong 4K video and the best EVF we've seen so far, and you have one supremely versatile camera. Sure, none of us can afford one, but Fujifilm deserves high praise for delivering this kind of performance at a price well below that of other high-resolution medium format cameras.
Sony quietly announced the launch of the second generation Alpha A9, but until we can test it, the original A9 remains one of the best sports and press cameras around. We can't think of another pro-level snapper that can match the A9's absolutely blistering performance and incredibly quick AF tracking. While the lack of an XQD card slot and limited touchscreen functionality can be disappointing, the camera's rapid 20fps burst speed and EVF with no blackout is more than enough to convince most experts to reach for this one, if they have the money to spare. Although, with the arrival of the A9 II, the price of the original has dropped considerably.
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| The challenges of storing scientific data Posted: 15 Nov 2019 09:00 AM PST Karen Ambrose is the database team lead at Francis Crick Institute in St. Pancras in London. We caught up with her at the Percona Live 2019 conference in Amsterdam to understand the complexities involved in managing databases in a scientific installation. Karen has been with the Francis Crick for about five years. She has a background in Bioinformatics and it was during her Masters that she got interested in the application of technology to get better insights into scientific data. Karen started her career at the Sanger Institute in Cambridge at the time when they were mapping the Human Genome, before moving on to the Francis Crick Institute. The Francis Crick Institute itself came about as a merger between various research organisations including the National Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) and London Research Institute (LRI). Her first task was to migrate the data from the different databases in the various organisations: “We initially had a time frame I think of about nine months to a year to physically migrate and move into the Francis Crick. And so we have to migrate about 300 databases. But that was in a landscape where the groups weren't entirely moving in one go. So you might have a group, which essentially will talk to a cluster of databases at one site. Half of that group is then moved into the Francis Crick, and the other half is staying in because they have to shut down their lab in order to move. And we've got to make that data available at the new site and the old site.”
What made it even more challenging was that it wasn't just a set of databases assigned to one group that was moving; some of those databases were being shared between five groups that were moving at different times. Karen describes the migration as shuffling chess pieces during which she had to make sure that they don't corrupt any data and that it's available to the teams that were still working on it, with the least amount of downtime, if any. It sounds like a herculean task, and given their strict deadlines would surely have required an army of database wranglers: “There's four of us in the team, including me.”
Strategising storage“Over the years we've basically been building a scientific data mountain. Data doesn't get smaller, it just seems to get more complex and large.” The institute has about 1500 people, including about 1300 scientists and 200 operational staff. There are some 130 lab groups supported by about 18 to 20 Scientific Technology Platforms (STPs) that provide the core services to the lab groups to be able to further their science: “So things like structural biology, and electromagnetic microscopy, high throughput sequencing, scientific computing, of which the database team which I manage is part of. So we provide a core service to the rest of the Institute.” “For us, it's very much about the data that comes off these instruments”, Karen tells us. Besides making sure they provide the right platform to help scientists investigate the raw data that comes off the machines, a major task for Karen and her team is to store the data efficiently: “We need to work out what can we contain within the storage that we have within the institute, and also what other strategies do we need to incorporate, in terms of maybe looking at cloud, to help us provide the scientific insights that a particular lab group requires.” The first challenge, she tells us, is to manage and secure all the generated data: “If people generate data, they generally want to keep everything, because you never quite know when you might need it. But we can't physically keep everything.” So her team works with the lab groups to identify the important data and separate it from the data that can be generated. The next challenge is performance. While for some scientists throughput isn't important as long as they can access the data, for others performance is important: “We're always looking how can we best design their database, how does their data need to be structured so that it will be performant.” Once again, the solution Karen says comes up in discussions with the labs to understand what they need to achieve from the data.
The Open Source advantageThe Francis Crick Institute uses various types of databases. While for the enterprise side of things, they use Oracle or SQL Server, Karen tends to steer the science groups towards open source databases. The Institute uses relational databases like MySQL and Postgres, but is starting to explore NoSQL databases like MongoDB, Neo4j, Cassandra, and others. She’s particularly keen on investigating Neo4j because “it's interesting in terms of how it graphs the relationships between data.” Karen also likes working with open source databases because of their open developmental model: “If you come up with something, a new problem that you want to solve, it's a lot easier to be able to talk to all the community to be able to come up with a solution. They're always innovating, always pushing things forward. So you never feel like you're always going to be confined by stagnant release process.”
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| How to watch I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here 2019 online for free in the UK or abroad Posted: 15 Nov 2019 08:41 AM PST The 19th series of I'm a Celebrity is almost here and get ready because this year it is set to be a real treat - they've even got Caitlyn Jenner this year. And now with the full celebrity line up having been announced along with the camp location confirmed, fans just can't wait! Can't wait to watch? Keep reading to find out how to watch I'm a Celebrity online for free - regardless of where on Earth you are. It's almost time for a brand new year brings a fresh new set of gross challenges all the way in the Australian jungle. Fans won't see Holly Willoughby hosting the celebrities' adventures this year, but they will instead be treated to Dec Donnelly and the return of Ant McPartlin as co-hosts of the reality hit. And now we have the full confirmed list of celebrities who will be shipped off to Australia. This includes Kate Garraway (who accidentally confirmed it previously), James Haskell, Nadine Coyle and Caitlyn Jenner! A sneak peek shows that one task will be set in a Wild West-type ghost town along with a muddy pond filled with black water. And prepare for the usual 'tasty' treats and endurance epics, too. Who will be crowned the 2019 king or queen of the jungle? Just keep reading as we tell you exactly how to watch I'm A Celebrity online – no matter where in the world you are.
Watch I'm A Celebrity 2019 online for free in the UK:As is usual, I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here will continue to run on ITV for UK viewers. That means you'll be able to watch the show live via your TV aerial connection or online using the ITV Hub. And if you ever miss a few episodes and need to catch up you can also do this on the ITV hub. Or if you want another live streaming option for your mobile, tablet or computer is the free TVPlayer.com which has good quality streaming as well as the rest of the Freeview channels on one easy platform. Streaming I'm A Celebrity anywhere else in the world for free:For those outside of the UK that don't want to miss a second of this year's celeb action, the best bet is a VPN service. This means that if you've mismatched a holiday or you're temporarily abroad, don't panic you can still get your I'm a Celeb fix, you just need an internet connection. Once you get the right VPN you can enjoy a secure and speedy connection, even on open Wi-Fi networks like hotels, enabling you to tune in. And even if you're not that tech friendly, don't worry. Getting a VPN is super simple. We've listed how to do it in three easy steps below.... Which celebrities are heading into the jungle?
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| The best Sky TV deals, packages, and Sky Q offers in November 2019 Posted: 15 Nov 2019 08:40 AM PST Trying to find the best Sky TV deals, packages and special offers but don't know how to go about it? Are you being bombarded with Sky options and not sure which is the best for you? Luckily for you we've taken the hard work out of it and made it easy for you. Every week we take a look at the latest Sky TV deals, packages and special offers to make sure that you're getting the very best prices when you decide to sign up. So if you're trying to decide which Sky TV package is for you, what a Sky Q box is and if you can afford it or even if you should be getting one in the first place - you're in the right place. As you scroll down the page, we have outlined and detailed the the latest Sky TV packages, offers and any special deals. And don't worry we constantly update this page, so you're definitely getting the latest and best deals. What new Sky TV customers need to knowCurrently, it's quite simple. All you have to do is select the standardised default package with a flat £22 a month cost. You can then add additional paid extra add-ons like Sky Box Sets, Sky Sports and Sky Cinema. We've gone into detail about each of the available add-ons below and they'll all be offered to you as you go through the checkout process over on Sky's website too. Are there any Sky Q deals for new customers?Absolutely! You can get Sky Q with your TV package for the same standard £22 pounds a month. When choosing your Sky TV package from the list of offers below, you'll be presented with two Sky Q deals to choose from. The default Sky Q box is the 1TB option with a one-off £20 setup cost, provided you select Sky Q experience. Opt for the 2TB Sky Q box though and that setup cost rises to a rather steep £75. You do get the Sky Q experience with this. However, Sky TV customers who don't select the Sky Q experience with either subscription (Sky Q 1TB box or Sky Q 2TB box) you're looking at a very steep £199 standard set-up. If you don't want to pay the one off fee of £199 it is definitely worth signing up to the Sky Q experience with your bundle as it is only an extra £13 a month . We'd recommend getting your channels sorted first, then maybe scroll back up to the Sky Q offers' section once you have a better idea of the overall cost, which is handily updated throughout at the top of the screen. Sky TV deals of the week
Do I need a 2TB Sky Q box?In addition to double the storage (that's up to 1000 hours in standard definition) of the standard Sky Q box, the 2TB Sky Q deal comes with a few extra benefits. Such as being able to record six shows at once instead of three, while watching a seventh. You also get the fancier Sky Q Touch remote control, an extra tablet allowance, and the all-important party piece - you can enjoy select channels in Ultra HD. Which is great if you've recently taken advantage of a cheap 4K TV deal. The starter Sky TV packageSky TV Add-onsSky TV deal add-ons are much easier to understand since the reshuffle. Better yet, prices seem to be lower across the board and simple to see for both new customers building a bundle, or existing customers wanting to beef up their current deal. Can I order Sky TV deals on the phone?You sure can! If you'd prefer to talk to a person to walk you through each step then you can phone 0800 014 2334 to sign up for a Sky TV package. We recommend having a good read through the sections above about each add-on first, just so you can go in with a good idea of what's available and you don't feel pressured. What HD Channels do I get on Sky TV?With all packages you get at least the standard free to air HD channels. To be honest you also get a fair few of these with standard Freeview HD. If you sign up for Sky Sports, there's no longer an extra fee to be paid to get them in HD as the channels now show in High Definition by default.
For just an extra £5 a month you can get the far superior quality of High Definition. Once you do though, you'll get access to the following channels in HD:
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| Google accidentally broke Chrome with an experimental update – here's how to fix it Posted: 15 Nov 2019 08:28 AM PST Google has been left with egg on its face after rolling out a new power-saving feature for Chrome that left thousands of users staring at a blank screen. As ZDNet explains, the problem was traced back to a feature called 'WebContents Occlusion', which suspends Chrome tabs when you move another window on top of the browser to free up system resources. It has been in testing in Chrome Canary and Beta for months, but when Google rolled it out in the stable release the complaints started flooding in.
The average home user wasn't affected, but businesses running Chrome in virtual machine environments found their staff staring into a white screen of death as their Chrome tabs went blank seemingly at random. For companies that rely on web-based tools, and whose IT policies mean they can't simply switch to a different browser, work ground to a halt. "Do you see the impact you created for thousands of us without any warning or explanation?" one angry business user posted on the Chrome bug tracker. "We are not your test subjects. We are running professional services for multi million dollar programs. Do you understand how many hours of resources were wasted by your 'experiment'? Not acceptable." How to fix itGoogle has now rolled back the WebContents Occlusion change, and Google software engineer David Bienvenu advised affected users to update and relaunch the browser. The update should have reached all users now, but if you're still having problems or haven't received it, you can also solve the problem by visiting chrome://flags and disabling both chrome://flags/#web-contents-occlusion and chrome://flags/#calculate-native-win-occlusion. Many IT admins are still unhappy though, and are petitioning Google to let them turn off all experimental flags for Chrome to avoid it happening again. "Are we running Beta/Dev/Canary versions of Chromium where those experiments should take place?" asked one user. "No, most of us are on Stable/Enterprise channel, and therefore shouldn't have ours messed with at all."
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| Best forex trading apps of 2019: trade and invest on your Android or iPhone Posted: 15 Nov 2019 08:20 AM PST In today’s interconnected world, the foreign exchange market plays an important role in daily business. It’s a global, decentralized environment where financial institutions and businesses can trade currencies. According to research from the Bank for International Settlements, foreign exchange trading generates an estimated $5.3 trillion daily - making it larger than other financial markets. Often, it’s dominated by large international banks and corporations, which work around the clock to trade and convert international currencies. Forex trading also underpins international trade and investments. For instance, if American companies want to import goods from a country in Europe, they’ll most likely need to complete transactions in euros. Through forex, these firms can exchange dollars for euros quickly and easily. As well as enabling trade between countries, forex trading is a lucrative investment opportunity. Every day, companies and investors make billions by purchasing and trading currencies. However, it does take a significant amount of experience and skills to make lucrative forex trades. That’s where forex trading software comes into the picture, automating this common business practice. Essentially, it ploughs through the market for the best currency trading opportunities. And in this article, we’ve picked out the best forex trading apps around.
Best apps for forex trading - at a glance
When choosing any financial management platform, it’s important to look for trustworthy providers. Used by traders in more than 180 countries and fully regulated, ForexTime's FXTM software is a safe bet for foreign exchange trading. It’s positioned as an automated currency broker. The great thing about this platform is that it’s designed for professionals and beginners. For example, flexible leverage lets you increase your earning potential, but this is only offered to you based on your knowledge and experience. If you do intend on becoming an expert in this area, you can access a range of educational resources. Currently, you can operate with both fixed and variable spreads, and when you’ve completed a trade, the company processes withdrawal requests within just a few minutes. You shouldn’t have any issues using the software, either. All you have to do is sign up for an account, upload your verification documents and transfer funds before trading. What’s more, the software can make trades with millisecond execution rates. In other features, you can get daily commentaries from the firm’s market research team and make use of a series of free trading tools to make more informed decisions. You can access the software on Windows, Mac, iOS and Android devices, and the company states that it covers 100% of your deposits up to $1,000.
If you're tempted to invest in the stock market and financial instruments, but don't have the confidence to do so yet, then Stock Trainer by A-Life Software could be the app you need. The app offers a virtual stock trading experience using real market data, so you can gain experience, knowledge, and insights into the whole trading experience. Better still is that the app is quite comprehensive in terms of features, covering 20 stock markets, and providing support for stop-loss and Limit orders. There's the ability to build a portfolio, and information is provider on top gainers and losers, with chart information going back over ten years. Investing news is also provided, along with a business magazine, to provide further guidance. There are also multiple graphical interface themes available to personalize the experience. The app is available in the Android Google Play store for free, supported by ads, though a premium version is available to remove those ads.
If you’re looking for an advanced forex trading and analysis tool, it’s worth checking out Trade Interceptor. Through the software, you can quickly find and track the best currencies and stocks to put your money in. It offers 14 advanced chart types, as well as 160 intelligence indicators and drawing tools. The software was previously only available on desktops, but it’s finally made its way to mobile devices. There’s a touch-enabled trade management functionality, as well as split-screen and quad-screen modes so you can can keep your eyes peeled on several markets at the same time. Like Netdania, the app is powered by the cloud, letting you access analysis tools, trade data and price alerts from any device. It provides streaming quotes for all major forex trading, cryptocurrencies, indices, precious metals and commodities. Plus you can can access professionally curated news covering Asian, European and American markets. There are plethora of built-in trading tools too, including an economic calendar, data release alerts, a trading simulator, intelligence reports and a risk scanner. These have been authorized and regulated by the FCA in the UK and ASIC in Australia, which helps to boost customer trust. The app is free to download on Android and iOS.
MetaTrader is one of the most popular trading apps for retail investors using Android devices, and allows for the trading of stocks, forex, futures, options, and other financial instruments from your mobile device. The app supplies general analysis of the financial markets using a range of real-time charts which includes historical information, in order to monitor prices and quotes. You can also easily switch between different financial instruments as well as both SL and TP values on charts, along with visualization of trading information. Charts are also interractive, with pinch and zoom options. There are also a number of analytical instruments included, such as Gann, Fibonacci and Elliott tools, as well as up to date financial news. MetaTrader has recently upgraded its apps from MetaTrader 4 to MetaTrader 5.
TD Ameritrade is one of America's biggest and more established trading platforms, and offers a wide range of investment vehicles for trading, not just forex. However, where it really excels is through its focus on trying to educate forex traders to help reduce the chances of them losing money. It does this through its thinkorswim platform, which provides introductory materials from the National Futures Association, which regulate futures brokers. The information is presented in a clear and easy-to-read way, and it really does underline the risks that need to be considered. So if you're new to currency trading, you could feel better prepared and eased into managing not just trades but risk with more confidence, rather than rushing into dangerous leverages that can lose you money fast. But while that's a big plus for TD Ameritrade, it is a wide platform that covers a comprehensive range of trading products, not least stocks, futures, and options. So if you're looking to focus only on forex you may find the platform sometimes clunky by comparison to dedicated forex trading platforms, especially when it comes to comparing currency pairs. Even still, the introductory and supporting materials are worth getting to grips with, and if you want to get involved with more than currency trading you're in an ideal place to expand your investment strategy into other products. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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